• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.1003-1009
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• 2000

Four young swamp buffalo cows of similar age ranging in body weight (W) between 280 to 380 kg and trained for doing physical exercise were used in two consecutive experiments, each using a latin square design, to determine energy expenditure for draught. The experiments consisted of field trials using 4 levels of work load, i.e. no work as control and loads amounting 450 to 500 Newton (N) continuous traction for respectively 1, 2 and 3 h daily for 14 consecutive days for experiment 1, and no work, traction loads equaling 5, 10 and 15% of W for 3 h daily for 14 days for experiment 2. Heart rate during rest and exercise was monitored using PE-3000 HR monitor. Cows were fed only king grass (Penisetum purpuroides) ad libitum and were subjected to balance trials. Body composition was estimated in vivo by the body density method and daily energy expenditure (EE) was calculated from ME minus RE. RE was calculated from the changes in body-protein and -fat measured before and immediately after the 14 d experimental period assuming an energy equivalent of 39.32 MJ/kg fat and 20.07 MJ/kg protein. $E_{exercise}$ ($EE_{work}\;-\;EE_{resting}$), which was the energy spent for doing the traction during 1, 2 and 3 h was 7.13, 15.45 and 19.90 MJ, respectively. $EE_{work}$ for the 1 h treatment group was 39.75 MJ/d equivalent to 1.30 times $EE_{resting}$. The values for the 2 and 3 h treatment groups were 1.75 and 1.86 times resting energy requirement, respectively. Absolute efficiency of work in all exercise trials of experiment 2 was around 27.28%. The increases of daily $E_{exercise}$ values were correlated to elevation of heart rate (HR) according to the equation $E_{exercise}=(0.270HR^{0.363}\;-\;1)$ MJ, while draught force related to heart rate according to the equation DF (N)=6.66 HR - 361.62. Blood glucose and triglyceride levels were gradually elevated with time during the course of exercise. Mean values of blood glucose were 91.7, 115.0 and 116.2 mg/dl for cows after 1, 2 and 3 h pulling loads at 15% W respectively as compared to 88.2 mg/dl prior to work. In the same order and treatment, mean blood triglyceride concentrations were 13.5, 13.3 and 14.8 mg/dl, and 11.5 mg/dl for control. For blood lactate, the values were 1.68, 1.63 and 1.66 mM, and 0.80 mM for control. Glucose was used as the major source of energy during the initial phase of exercise, but for prolonged work, fat will replace carbohydrate as the main substrate. Accumulation of lactate persisted for some time at the end of the exercise trials.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.941-947
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• 2000

Three fistulated Malaysian local bulls were used in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design to determine the effects of different levels of concentrate with oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) frond (OPF) on rumen pH and $NH_3$-N concentration, and DM degradability of different fractions of OPF. Three diets namely, 60% OPF pellet and 40% concentrate (Diet 1), 50% OPF pellet and 50% concentrate (Diet 2) and 40% OPF pellets and 60% concentrate (Diet 3) were used. The levels of concentrate in the diets affected rumen pH and $NH_3$-N concentration. The pH and $NH_3$-N concentration almost in all hourly samples did not show any difference (p>0.05) among the diets except the 6 h and 9 h samples. The highest (p<0.01) $NH_3$-N concentration was obtained on Diet 3 followed by Diet 2 and Diet 1, but there was a slightly higher (p>0.05) pH on Diet 1. The $NH_3$-N concentrations of rumen liquor at 9 h sampling on Diet 1 and Diet 2 were below the critical level (50 mg/liter) required for efficient fermentation of fibrous feeds. The in sacco DM degradation of different fractions of OPF was affected by diets. The DM degradation of fractions of OPF was higher on Diet 3, which showed differences (p<0.01) with the other diets. It was found that a higher level of concentrate (60%) with OPF gave a higher rumen $NH_3$-N concentration that increased the DM degradation of OPF fractions. The results showed that OPF could support an efficient rumen function in terms of $NH_3$-N concentration and pH when ${\leq}50%$ in the diet. A higher level of OPF (>50%) does not support an efficient rumen fermentation in terms of $NH_3$-N concentration, and resulted in lower DM degradation values of the fractions. The results suggested that there is a need to supplement additional nitrogen to OPF based diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.892-897
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• 2006

An experiment was designed to study the nutritional value of Chinese brown rice and maize for growing pigs. Six male grower pigs (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Large White, $24.3{\pm}1.26$ kg average initial BW) were surgically fitted with a simple T-cannula at the terminal ileum and allotted within a $2{\times}2$ Latin square design. The pigs were fed either a maize or brown rice diet in a direct method to determine their digestibility. The brown rice used in this experiment was husked from one kind of early, long grain, and non-glutinous rice (ELGNR, indica rice: non-waxy rice, containing amylopectin and amylose) in southern China. Chromic oxide was used as a marker. The diets were supplied at about 4.0% of body weight in dry matter/d. Total faeces and urine were collected on days 4 and 5; digesta was collected on days 6-8 in each period. The average body weight was 24.3 kg at the start of the experiment and 27.6 kg at the end. The results showed that the apparent ileal digestibilities of most amino acids of brown rice were significantly higher than those in maize (p<0.01), as were the apparent ileal digestibilities of crude protein (CP), digestible energy (DE), organic matter (OM) and dry matter (DM) (p<0.05). However, the apparent ileal starch digestibilities of the two treatments were similar (p>0.05). The values of the apparent faecal digestibilities derived from the two methods, marker and total faecal-collection methods, were very similar and also correlated with each other. The difference in absolute value of the apparent faecal digestibilities between brown rice and maize was smaller compared to that of the apparent ileal digestibilities. The net protein utilization was higher (p = 0.07) and the DE metabolizable rate was significantly higher (p<0.01) for brown rice than for maize. The metabolizable energy (ME) of brown rice is similar to that of maize, while the DE of brown rice was relatively lower. It can be concluded that Chinese brown rice are better than maize not only in apparent ileal digestibilities, but also in metabolizable rate of amino acids and gross energy under the present study conditions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.357-364
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• 2014

The study evaluated replacement of Egyptian berseem clover (BC, Trifolium alexandrinum) with spent rice straw (SRS) of Pleurotus ostreatus basidiomycete in diets of lactating Baladi goats. Nine lactating homo-parity Baladi goats (average BW $23.8{\pm}0.4$ kg) at 7 d postpartum were used in a triplicate $3{\times}3$ Latin square design with 30 d experimental periods. Goats were fed a basal diet containing 0 (Control), 0.25 (SRS25) and 0.45 (SRS45) (w/w, DM basis) of SRS. The Control diet was berseem clover and concentrate mixture (1:1 DM basis). The SRS45 had lowered total feed intake and forages intake compared to Control. The SRS25 and SRS45 rations had the highest digestibilities of DM (p = 0.0241) and hemicellulose (p = 0.0021) compared to Control which had higher (p<0.01) digestibilities of OM (p = 0.0002) and CP (p = 0.0005) than SRS25 and SRS45. Ruminal pH and microbial protein synthesis were higher (p<0.0001) for SRS25 and SRS45 than Control, which also had the highest (p<0.0001) concentration of TVFA, total proteins, non-protein N, and ammonia-N. All values of serum constituents were within normal ranges. The Control ration had higher serum globulin (p = 0.0148), creatinine (p = 0.0150), glucose (p = 0.0002) and cholesterol (p = 0.0016). Both Control and SRS25 groups had the highest (p<0.05) milk (p = 0.0330) and energy corrected milk (p = 0.0290) yields. Fat content was higher (p = 0.0373) with SRS45 and SRS25 groups compared with Control. Replacement of BC with SRS in goat rations increased milk levels of conjugated linoleic acid and unsaturated fatty acids compared with Control. It was concluded that replacing 50% of Egyptian berseem clover with SRS in goat rations improved their productive performance without marked effects on metabolic indicators health.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.120-123
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• 2008

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different nipple angles on water disappearance in growing pigs, which is defined as the water which leaves the watering device but is not consumed by the pig. This water adds to the volume of the total waste slurry. Four crossbred pigs averaging $70.0{\pm}1.4$ kg were assigned into 1 of 4 treatments using a $4{\times}4$ Latin-square design. Treatments were distinguished by the angle between nipple terminal and the perpendicular wall. These angles were: 1) NA-30 (= Nipple Angle $30^{\circ}$), 2) NA-45 (= Nipple Angle $45^{\circ}$), 3) NA-60 (= Nipple Angle $60^{\circ}$) and 4) NA-90 (= Nipple Angle $90^{\circ}$). All of the nipples were fixed at shoulder height of each pig. After a 7-day adaptation period, samples were collected from each pig for 4 days, followed by a day for change-over. Pigs were fed a 0.8 kg diet twice daily at 08:00 and 20:00 and supplied water ad libitum. Throughout the experimental period, pigs in the NA-30 treatment group showed greater water disappearance than other treatments. Water disappearance was the lowest for the NA-60 treatment group (p<0.01). The percentage of water disappearance to the water supply was significantly reduced in the NA-60 treatment group (p<0.01). Water intake was the same for all the treatment groups. The rate of water disappearance per unit of water intake was significantly decreased in pigs in the NA-60 treatment group compared to other groups (p<0.01). These results suggested that the nipple angle for growing pigs should be $60^{\circ}$ to reduce water disappearance and, subsequently, the amount of waste generated.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2008

In vivo and in vitro digestibility of 6 diets with a forage to concentrate ratio (F/C) ranging from 100 to 50:50 (diet 1: all hay, diet 2: 90:10, diet 3: 80:20, diet 4: 70:30, diet 5: 60:40, diet 6: 50:50) were investigated using 6 buffaloes in a $6{\times}6$ Latin square design. For the in vivo trial, the individual faeces of buffaloes were collected 3 times per day for 7 days. Individual pooled faeces and samples of each diet were analysed for chemical composition and insoluble acid ash (AIA) contents in order to estimate the coefficient of apparent digestibility (ADC). On the last day of the in vivo trial a sample of faeces was collected from each animal and used as inoculum for the in vitro test, using the gas production technique (IVGPT). The in vivo organic matter digestibility (ADC) rose as the percentage of concentrate increased up to the 70:30 (F/C) diet (67.01, 73.03, 78.06 and 79.05, respectively for diets 1, 2, 3 and 4); the other two diets (60:40 and 50:50 F/C) unexpectedly did not follow this trend (75.11 and 79.06, respectively for diet 5 and 6). However, these data agree with the results of the in vitro trial. The ADC was positively correlated with the dOM (p<0.001), but not with the gas production at different times; cumulative gas production recorded at the end of incubation (OMCV) showed an irregular trend and was not closely correlated to degraded OM. Estimation of in vivo digestibility from in vitro fermentation data was acceptable, despite leaving room for improvement.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.873-882
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• 2008

Eight ileally cannulated pigs (BW $35.9{\pm}0.9kg$) were randomly allotted according to a $4{\times}3$ Latin square design to determine the effects of cellulose, pectin and starch on standardized ileal digestibility (SID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) as well as on the bacterial AA contribution in feces. The pigs were fed the control diet (20.2% CP, % dry matter (DM)) or one of the three experimental diets in which 25% of the control diet was substituted by cellulose, starch or pectin. Due to this substitution, dietary CP levels were lower in the cellulose (15.5% CP, % DM), pectin (15.4% CP, % DM) and starch diet (15.2% CP, % DM). Following a 15-d adaptation period, feces were collected for 5 d and ileal digesta for a total of 24 h. Starch increased SID of CP, while cellulose and pectin had no significant effect on the digestibility of CP. Overall, starch supplementation resulted in higher (p<0.05) SID values of histidine, isoleucine, threonine, alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glycine and serine compared with cellulose, while pectin decreased (p<0.05) SID of valine and proline compared with the starch and control diet. Both cellulose and pectin reduced (p<0.05) the ATTD of CP and AA, while starch decreased (p<0.05) ATTD of phenylalanine, alanine, proline and serine compared with the control. With regard to bacterial AA composition of the fecal mixed bacterial mass (MBM), cellulose supplementation increased (p<0.05) its content of N and almost all AA, except for valine, while pectin caused higher contents of arginine, histidine and proline compared with the control (p<0.05). The bacterial contribution of arginine in feces was higher (p<0.05) in the cellulose treatment, while pectin reduced (p<0.05) the bacterial contribution of leucine, alanine, glutamic acid and proline in feces compared with the control. In conclusion, the effects of cellulose, starch and pectin on SID were rather small. Bacterial activity in the large intestine can only explain the reduced ATTD values for arginine in the cellulose treatment, but not for the other AA in the cellulose and pectin treatments, suggesting higher endogenous losses of these AA in the large intestine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.1619-1626
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• 2018

Objective: This study was an attempt to investigate the effect of levels of fungal (Lentinus sajor-caju) treated oil palm fronds (FTOPF) on digestibility, rumen fermentation, and nitrogen balance in goats. Methods: Four 16 month old male crossbred (Thai Native${\times}$Anglo Nubian) goats with initial body weights of $33.5{\pm}1.7kg$ were randomly assigned according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Four levels of FTOPF were assigned for feed intake. The experimental treatments consisted of 0%, 33%, 67%, and 100% of oil palm fronds (OPF) being replaced by FTOPF. Results: The results revealed that total dry matter intake and nutrient intake were not influenced (p>0.05) by the inclusion of FTOPF. However, the efficiency values of the digestibility of the dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin on FTOPF were higher (p<0.05) in treatments with 33%, 67%, and 100% of FTOPF compared with 0% of FTOPF. FTOPF feeding did not change the rumen pH, temperature, and $NH_3-N$. However, the FTOPF levels did affect the total volatile fatty acid (VFA), molar proportion of acetate, propionate, butyrate, ratio of acetic (propionic acid and acetic) plus butyric (propionic acid), and production of $CH_4$. The totals of VFA and propionate was lower in goat fed with 0% of FTOPF than in those of the other groups (p<0.05). The amount of nitrogen retention based on g/d/animal or the percentage of nitrogen retained was the lowest the goat fed with 0% of FTOPF (p<0.05), whereas nitrogen intake, excretion, and absorption were not changed among treatments. Conclusion: Based on this study, FTOPF could be effectively used as an alternative roughage source in total mixed ration diets, constituting at least up to 100% of OPF.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.1701-1704
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• 2001

The evaluation of structural carbohydrate losses and its effect on silages digestibility in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) was studied during 5, 21 and 56 days ensiling. About 70 and 60 kg fresh matter of the two forages were ensiled in 9 silos of 120 L capacity. The digestion trials were conducted in two phases using the two grasses in two $4{\times}4$ Latin square design according to the four treatments being the grass and the three silages. There were no differences in the DM and CP contents resulting from 5 to 56 days ensiling in both forages. The water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), hemicelllose, pectin, and energy were slightly reduced and appeared lower in 56 days silage. The ether extract and cellulose contents slightly increased as the ensiling process advanced in the two species. Hemicellulose losses of 29 and 41 g/kg DM were obtained in alfalfa and orchardgrass, respectively, 56 days after ensiling. While the cellulose losses in both species were very little, compared to that for hemicellulose, the pectin losses, 56 days after ensiling were 15 and 12 g/kg DM in alfalfa and orchardgras respectively. The total structural carbohydrates lost (ie., hemicellulose + cellulose + pectin) in g/kg DM of fresh material forage ensiled, is about four fifths the amount lost by WSC, in alfalfa and about two thirds, in orchardgrass, by 21 days ensiling after the activity of microorganism terminated, indicating that appreciable amount was used as substrate for silage fermentation. Ensiling alfalfa and orchardgrass for 0, 5, 21 and 56 days maintained a decreasing trend of 83.8, 82.5, 79.3 and 78.9% digestibility in alfalfa and 80.5, 77.0, 77.1 and 76.4% digestibility in orchardgrass. While the digestibility of cellulose and ether extract increased in silage in both species, the digestible energy values in silage were reduced from 2.6 to 2.3 and 2.9 to 2.7 Mcal/kg DM respectively in alfalfa and orchard during 5-56 days ensiling.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.1542-1548
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• 2001

Wheat straw was treated on laboratory scale with 4% urea at a moisture level of 50% along with different amount of HC1 to fix various levels of ammonia (30, 40, 50 and 60%) and stored for 4 weeks. Result, revealed a significant (p<0.01) increase in CP content of the samples where HC1 was added. The CP content of the straw was only 7.8%, which increased to 14.1, 16.0, 15.0 and 15.2% with the addition of acid. Similarly the concentrations of NDF, ADF and hemicellulose was significantly different due to HC1 addition. The level of HC1 recommended was to trap 30% ammonia as there was not significant difference in CP content of straw due to addition of 4 levels of acids. Results of in vivo experiment conducted on nine buffaloes divided randomly into three groups of three animals in each revealed no significant difference in the intake of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose in group I (ammoniated straw), group II (HC1 treated ammoniated straw) and group III (HC1 treated ammoniated straw + 1 kg barley grain), but the intake of CP was significantly (p<0.01) more in group III as compared to other 2 groups. The digestibility of DM, OM and CP was significantly (p<0.01) more in groups where HCI treated straw was fed as compared to only ammoniated straw fed group, whereas there was no significant difference in the digestibility of NDF, ADF and cellulose in 3 groups. Intake was significantly higher of nitrogen (p<0.05), calcium (p<0.01) and phosphorus (p<0.01) in group III as compared to other two groups. Animals in all the 3 groups showed positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance, though the balances of all the 3 nutrients were significantly higher in group III as compared to other 2 groups. Rumen fermentation study conducted in 3 rumen fistulated buffaloes in $3{\times}3$ latin square design offering the same 3 diets as in group I to III revealed that rumen pH was alike statistically in 3 groups and at various time intervals. The mean ammonia-N concentration was significantly (p<0.01) more in group II and III as compared to group I. The mean TVFA concentration (mM/100 ml SRL) were 6.46, 7.84 and 8.47 in 3 groups respectively and different statistically (p<0.01). Results revealed no significant difference in the activities of carboxy methyl cellulase, urease or protease at both the time of sampling (0 h and 4 h) in all the 3 groups of animals.