• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.11
• /
• pp.1659-1664
• /
• 2008

To study the working mechanisms for non-starch polysaccharidases to improve the growth performance of broiler chickens, a 21-day feeding trial was conducted. Two dietary treatments were included: 1) wheat diet (the control); 2) wheat+xylanase diet (xylanase, Allzyme PT, Alltech, Kentucky, USA). There were 8 replicates with 8 birds each for each treatment and the experimental diets were given to birds from hatch. Feed intake and body weight were measured on days 7 and 21. At the same ages, samples were taken for the determination of selected groups of luminal and mucosa-associated bacteria, mucosal morphology, brush-border membrane (BBM) bound enzyme activity and ileal nutrient digestibility. The xylanase supplement increased (p<0.05) body weight gain (BWG) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) at the end of the experiment but protein and starch digestibilities were not affected (p>0.05) by xylanase. Up to day 7, xylanase increased the counts of C. perfringens in the ileum and total anaerobic bacteria (TAB) in the caeca (p<0.05, p=0.07, respectively). By day 21, the counts of ileal lactobacilli (p<0.05) and TAB (p=0.07) were lower in birds given the xylanase-supplemented diet than in those on the control diet. No significant differences were observed in the counts of mucosa-associated lactobacilli and coliforms between xylanase treatment and the control at both ages. Villus height at the jejunum was not affected (p>0.05) by the supplement but crypt depth at the same site was reduced at day 7. Also, xylanase tended to increase the concentration of BBM protein (p = 0.09) and the specific activity of sucrase (p = 0.07) at day 21.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.413-418
• /
• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the changes of the serological parameters of the rats fed a high fat and high cholesterol diets with or without quercetin supplement for five weeks. Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats ($152.1{\pm}17.0\;g$ of body weight) were randomly divided into three groups with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the control(C) group were fed the high fat and high cholesterol diet containing 15% lard, 2% cholesterol and 0.5% sodium cholate (w/w). Rats in two treatment groups were fed the same diet supplemented with 0.25% quercetin (Q-0.25) or 0.5% quercetin (Q-0.5) on the weight to weight basis, respectively. The final body weight, gain of body weight, the amount of feed intake and the feed efficiency of rats in between control and treatment groups were not significantly different. Serum glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio of rats showed no significant differences between control and treatment groups. Serum total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and atherogenic index(AI) of rats in both Q-0.25 and Q-0.5 groups were significantly lower than in C group (p < 0.05). However serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly higher in both Q-0.25 and Q-0.5 groups than in C group (p < 0.05). The levels of triglyceride in sera of rats showed no significant differences between control and treatment groups. The values of AST and ALT in sera of rats showed no significant differences between control and treatment groups. Therefore the supplementation of quercetin to high fat and high cholesterol diet in rats was effective in reducing the levels of serum lipids to cause cardiovascular diseases and in elevating the level of HDL-C to protect cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.65 no.4
• /
• pp.804-817
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of co-dried fish protein hydrolysate (CFPH) on broilers performance, intestinal microbiology, and cellular immune responses. Five hundred one-day-old (Ross 308) male broilers were allocated to four treatments with five replicates of 25 birds in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments included four levels of CFPH (0% as the control, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%) in the isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets. During the experiment, body weight (BW) and feed intake (FI) were periodically recorded in addition to calculating average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), liveability index, and European broiler index (EBI). In addition, cellular immune responses were evaluated at 30 days of age. On day 42, ileal contents were obtained to examine the microbial population. Based on the findings, Dietary supplementation of 5 and 7.5% CFPH increased the percentage of the thigh while decreasing the relative weight of the gizzard compared to the control group. The highest relative length of jejunum was observed in birds receiving 2.5 and 5% CFPH, and its highest relative weight belonged to birds fed with 5% CFPH. The number of coliforms, enterobacters, and total gram-negative bacteria in the intestines of birds receiving CFPH was less than that of the control group. In general, the application of CFPH in broiler nutrition can decrease the level of soybean meal in diet and it can be considered as a new protein supplement in poultry production. It is suggested to study the incorporation of this new supplement in other livestock's diets.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.18.1-18.5
• /
• 2014

Background: A six-week study involving two hundred and fifty (250) Harco Black layer birds at point of lay was conducted to investigate the effects of potential natural colorant on performance and Egg quality traits. The birds were assigned to five (5) dietary treatments, each containing supplements either of control, Baobab Leaf (BL), Waterleaf (WL), Red Pepper (RP), Canthaxanthin (CTX) at 40 g/kg feed and 50 mg/kg feed of natural and commercial colorants, respectively. Results: Performance records shows that there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in feed intake across the supplements of Red pepper, Water leaf, Canthaxanthin and control diet, however, birds fed Baobab leaf treatment had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) feed intake value (94.07 g) when compared with other treatments. Body weight gain and Hen Day Production were not significant influenced (p > 0.05) by the dietary treatments, although laying hens fed Baobab leaf supplement had lowest mean HDP of 48.80%, while birds fed Red pepper and Water leaf supplement had an average value of 52.79%. There was no significant effect (p > 0.05) of colorants on egg external traits, compared with the control; birds fed Canthaxanthin treatment had higher mean egg weight (51.79 g), egg length (4.55 g), egg breadth (3.29 g); Red pepper treatment had highest mean shell thickness (0.29 g), however these differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Yolk height, Albumen height, Yolk index, and Haugh unit were not significantly affected (p > 0.05) across treatments. Yolk width was lowest (p < 0.05) in Baobab leaf treatment (2.54 cm); Red pepper, Water leaf and Canthaxanthin (2.89 cm, 2.62 cm and 2.89 cm respectively) were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from the control (2.73 cm). Yolk colour score was significantly highest (p < 0.05) in Red pepper treatment (7.50); Water leaf, Baobab leaf and Canthaxanthin ranged between 2.25-3.31 on the DSM yolk colour fan, Control treatment had the lowest yolk colour score (p < 0.05) of 1.31. Conclusion: The study showed Red pepper as a worthy alternative to commercial yolk colorant. Water leaf and baobab are not good substitutes for canthaxanthin as a yolk colourant.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.187-191
• /
• 2017

Objective: An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of dried and ground foliage of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) on feed intake and utilization, and production performance of crossbred lactating cows. Methods: Eighteen lactating crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) cows (body weight $330.93{\pm}10.82kg$) at their second and mid lactation (milk yield $6.77{\pm}0.54kg/d$) were randomly divided into three groups of six each in a completely randomized block design. Three supplements were formulated by quantitatively replacing 0, 50, and 100 per cent of dietary wheat bran of concentrate mixture with dried and ground foliage of black gram. The designated supplement was fed to each group with basal diet of rice straw (ad libitum) to meet the requirements for maintenance and milk production. Daily feed intake and milk yield was recorded. A digestion trial was conducted to determine the total tract digestibility of various nutrients. Results: The daily feed intake was increased (p<0.05) with the supplementation of black gram foliage. Although the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and ether extract did not vary (p>0.05), the fibre digestibility was increased (p<0.05), which ultimately improved (p<0.05) the total digestible nutrients content of composite diet. Although, the average milk yield (kg/animal/d) and composition did not differ (p>0.05) among the groups, milk yield was increased by 10 per cent with total replacement of wheat bran in concentrate mixture with of black gram foliage. The economics of milk production calculated as feed cost per kg milk yield (INR 10.61 vs 7.98) was reduced by complete replacement of wheat bran with black gram foliage. Conclusion: Black gram foliage could be used as complete replacement for wheat bran in concentrate mixture of dairy cows in formulating least cost ration for economic milk production in small holders' animal production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.998-1001
• /
• 2002

Saltwort (Salicornia herbacea L.), a kind of halophytes in Japan, is under investigation as a feed source for livestock as well as potential oilseed crop in salt marshes and salt fields. The present experiment was undertaken to analyze the nutritive value of saltwort as feed for ruminants. To determine the apparent digestibility and nutritive value of saltwort, five Japanese native goats were fed the diets consisting of alfalfa hay cubes with 15 or 20% (n=3 and n=2, respectively) inclusion levels of saltwort in the total diet on a DM basis. All the animals were randomly offered alfalfa hay cubes as a base diet or a mixed diet of alfalfa hay cubes and saltwort at maintenance level, thereafter, alternative feed (a base or mixed diet) was offered to the experimental animals (the incomplete crossover design). Analysis of the chemical composition of saltwort showed that the plant contained high levels of total ash (40.2% DM), sodium (12.7% DM) and chlorine (19.7% DM), and relatively high levels of CP (11.7% DM) and NDF (40.4% DM). Contents of TDN and digestible CP (DCP), DE and ME of saltwort were 33.5% DM, 8.4% DM, 7.4MJ/DM kg and 5.0MJ/DM kg, respectively. These results indicate that saltwort is rich in DCP and minerals (mainly sodium chloride), but poor in energy, suggesting that saltwort could be used as a mineral or CP supplement for ruminants raised around salinized areas in which high quality feed may not be available.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.33-43
• /
• 2022

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of reduced dietary crude protein (CP) with a synthetic indispensable amino acids (AA) supplement on the growth performance, economics, and breast meat quality. A total of 450 male broilers (Ross 308) were used from the age of 7 to 28 days. On d 7, the birds were individually weighed and randomly assigned to three treatment diets with six replicate pens for each treatment in a randomized complete block design. The experimental diets were: (1) a control diet, (2) a diet with a reduction of 1% of the dietary CP with synthetic AA supplements to meet the indispensable AA requirement (OAA) of broiler chickens, and (3) a diet with a reduction of 1% of the dietary CP with synthetic Lys, Met, and Thr supplementation to exceed 5% of the indispensable AA requirement (HAA). There were no differences among the treatments on the final body weight, weight gain, and feed intake. However, the HAA diet impaired the feed conversion ratio at d 21 and during the overall feeding periods (P<0.05). The predicted total feed intake and feed price required to reached 1.5 kg BW was higher than for the birds fed the HAA diet (P<0.05). The breast meat muscle fiber cross sectional area and fiber density varied between the treatments (P<0.05). However, there were no differences in breast meat weight. In conclusion, reducing 1% of dietary CP had no adverse effects on the growth performance or breast meat yields.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.36 no.9
• /
• pp.1384-1392
• /
• 2023

Objective: Replacing soybean meal (SBM) with cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) meal pellets (CMP) in concentrate diets was investigated for feed efficiency, ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in Thai native beef cattle. Methods: Four male beef cattle were randomly assigned to treatments using a 4×4 Latin square design with four levels of SBM replaced by CMP at 0%, 33%, 67%, and 100% in concentrate diets. Results: Results revealed that replacement of SBM with CMP did not affect dry matter (DM) consumption, while digestibilities of crude protein, acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber were significantly enhanced (p<0.05) but did not alter digestibility of DM and organic matter. Increasing levels of CMP up to 100% in concentrate diets increased ruminal ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₃-N) concentrations, blood urea nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids and propionate concentration (p<0.05), whereas production of methane and protozoal populations decreased (p<0.05). Efficiency of microbial nitrogen protein synthesis increased when SBM was replaced with CMP. Conclusion: Substitution of SBM with CMP in the feed concentrate mixture at up to 100% resulted in enhanced nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation efficiency, with increased volatile fatty acids production, especially propionate and microbial protein synthesis, while decreasing protozoal populations and mitigating rumen methane production in Thai native beef cattle fed a rice straw-based diet.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.74-83
• /
• 2024

Objective: Mitragyna speciosa Korth is traditionally used in Thailand. They have a high level of antioxidant capacities and bioactive compounds, the potential to modulate rumen fermentation and decrease methane production. The aim of the study was to investigate the different levels of microencapsulated-Mitragyna leaves extracts (MMLE) supplementation on nutrient degradability, rumen ecology, microbial dynamics, and methane production in an in vitro study. Methods: A completely randomized design was used to assign the experimental treatments, MMLE was supplemented at 0%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of the total dry matter (DM) substrate. Results: The addition of MMLE significantly increased in vitro dry matter degradability both at 12, 24, and 48 h, while ammonia-nitrogen (NH₃-N) concentration was improved with MMLE supplementation. The MMLE had the greatest propionate and total volatile fatty acid production when added with 6% of total DM substrate, while decreased the methane production (12, 24, and 48 h). Furthermore, the microbial population of cellulolytic bacteria and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens were increased, whilst Methanobacteriales was decreased with MMLE feeding. Conclusion: The results indicated that MMLE could be a potential alternative plant-based bioactive compound supplement to be used as ruminant feed additives.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.11
• /
• pp.1569-1574
• /
• 2005

The in situ nylon bag degradation and in vitro intestinal digestibility of dry matter (DM), and crude protein (CP) of mulberry (Morus alba) plant fractions was studied at four harvest stages, 3 (W3), 5 (W5), 7 (W7) and 9 (W9) weeks. Degradability of DM and CP of the whole plant and stem fractions declined significantly (p<0.01) with advancing plant maturity in the order W3>W5 and W7>W9 and W3>W5>W7>W9, respectively. The degradation of DM and CP of the leaf fraction was also influenced by plant maturity but no trend was observed. The degradation of DM and CP of the whole plant and leaves increased rapidly during the first 48 and 24 h of incubation, respectively, when maximum degradation was reached. In vitro intestinal digestibility of CP was more influenced by the residence time in the rumen than by plant maturity. This study showed that mulberry is suitable as a supplement, particularly to low-quality roughages, in providing a source of rapidly available nitrogen to the rumen microbes, hence improving the roughage degradability and intake.