• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.128-132
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• 1998

The relative disappearance and rate of degradation of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of nine different feedstuffs were determined by simultaneously suspending groups of substrates, using the nylon bags, in the rumen of males of Sahiwal cattle and Nili-Ravi buffalo. The digestion kinetics of leguminous forages (Lucerne, berseem and cowpeas) and feed byproducts (cotton seed cake, wheat bran and wheat straw) did not differ between the two species. However, the DM and NDF digestibilities and rates of digestion of grasses and wheat straw were greater in buffalo than in cow bulls, indicating that buffaloes are better converters of poor quality roughages than are Sahiwal. The lag time for DM of grasses did not differ between these two species but the NDF lag time was lower in buffalo than in cows, indicating that both the rate and lag time of digestion may be reliable indicators for assessing the NDF quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.1699-1707
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• 2000

Thirty-one multiparous Bos indicus${\times}$Bos taurus cows were offered concentrate supplements based on (1) 2 kg wheat bran; (2) 4 kg wheat bran; and (3) concentrate (30 maize: 67 wheat bran) at 0.5 kg per 1.0 kg milk produced, in a one year study in India. All supplements also contained 2 parts of a mineral mixture and 1 part salt. Cows were allocated to treatments at calving on parity (2nd and 3rd calf) with 13, 8 and 10 cows respectively in treatments 1, 2 and 3. They were individually fed for whole lactation, the basal diet being ad libitum berseem clover plus 2 kg wheat straw in the cool season/winter (period 1) and chopped maize in summer (period 2). Diets with berseem offered TDN and CP contents of 67.6, 18.2; 65.5, 16.8; and 67.5, 16.8 percent; and with maize fodder 62.6, 12.0; 62.6, 12.5; and 63.3, 12.5 percent for treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Total dry matter (DM) intakes (1) 9.9 kg, (2) 10.9 kg and (3) 11.1 kg DM/day and intake of nutrients (TDN, CP) increased with level of supplementation (p<0.01), but effects of treatment on animal performance were not significant. Cow milk yields averaged (1) 7.9 kg, (2) 8.1 kg and (3) 8.8 kg milk/day (p>0.05) for lactation lengths of 252, 270 and 220 days (p>0.05) and cows gained +7.3; +8.1; and +12.0 kg respectively over their lactation (p>0.05). Wheat bran was used effectively as the sole energy component in concentrates for lactating dairy cows. Its use could potentially reduce feed costs and demands for cereal grain. Reduced concentrate levels may be considered if green forages of high nutrient content are fed ad libitum. Associated economic advantages or disadvantages require further evaluation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.533-538
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• 1996

The rate and extent of digestion of dietary carbohydrates has a tremendous impact on ruminal fermentation and the productivity of the animals. The objective of the study was to determine the dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradabilities and rate and extent of feed byproducts (cotton seed cake, wheat bran), legumes [berseem (Egyptian clover), lucern (Medicago sativa), cowpeas (Vigna sinensis)], grasses [maize (Zea mays), millet (Panicum miliaceum), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare)] and wheat straw in ruminally fistulated male buffalo calves. By using nylon bags, 10 grams sample was exposed to the ruminal fermentation for 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 96 hours. Dry matter and NDF degradability was measured at 48 hours. Extent of DM and NDF disappearance was determined at each time point. Rates of disappearance of DM and NDF were determined by regressing the natural logarithm of the percentage of original DM and NDF remaining in the bags between 1 and 96 hours. The dry matter digestibility (DMD) of the feed byproducts (FBP) and legume forages when incubated in the rumen of male buffalo calves were greater (p < 0.05) than grasses. Extent of digestion followed similar pattern as DMD. Rate of DMD was higher in FBP than in legumes and was the lowest in the wheat straw. The NDF degradability (NDFD) of FBP, legumes and grasses did not differ, however, wheat straw had the lowest NDFD from all the feeds tested. The lowest NDFD of wheat straw may have been due to the depressing effect of lignin on fiber digestion. The FBP and legumes had higher (p < 0.05) rates and lower extents of NDF digestion than grasses.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 1997

Appropriation of partial substitution of concentrate mixture by urea-molasses-mineral block (UMMB) lick supplements for 20 lactating crossbred cows in 2nd and 3nd lactation was studied. Animals fed on wheat straw ad lib. and Berseem (Trifolium alaxandrium) fodder @ 1.5 kg/d on dry matter basis. Animals of control group were given concentrate supplement, while in treatment groups 10% of the concentrate requirement was substituted with 3 different types of UMMB lick type A ($T_1$), type B ($T_2$) and type C ($T_3$). CP content of the ration was 15%. Total dry matter intake (DMI) was about 1.0 kg/kg of fat corrected milk (FCM) yield and was not significantly different between control and treatment groups. Digestibility of neither proximate principles nor cell wall constituents were deviated on UMMB licks partial supplementation. FCM yield was increased by 140, 410 and 460 g/d, in $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$, respectively, in comparison to control group but differences were statistically invalid. Though fat per cent was reduced, fat yields were remain constant among treatments. Milk composition was unaltered except significant difference (p < 0.01) in non-protein nitrogen (NPN) content. Gross-N and digestible-N conversion was significantly higher (p < 0.01) with $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$ than control group. Energy utilization efficiency for milk production was only 36%. Result demonstrated that UMMB licks could be partial supplemented up to 10% of the concentrate requirement of crossbred cows yielding on an average 14kg/d without any adverse effect on feed intake, nutrient utilization and mild production. Comparatively, UMMB lick type B and C was proved better than type A and also economically viable.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.393-398
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• 2007

The present study was carried out to investigate the serum minerals profile in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) suffering from parturient haemoglobinuria (PHU) along with minerals profile of soils and fodders from the disease prone areas and their interrelationships. Serum samples were collected from 60 each of healthy and PHU affected buffaloes randomly selected from field cases. Serum samples were collected from each animal. Fifty composite soil samples were collected where PHU was prevalent. Fifty samples of fodders including leaves and stems being fed to the diseased buffaloes were collected. The difference in the levels of calcium and potassium between upper and lower soil surface of disease prone areas under study were statistically non-significant. The mean values of phosphorous, copper, iron, selenium and molybdenum in upper soil surface were significantly (p<0.05) higher than in lower soil surface. None of the fodders offered to the diseased animals met the dietary requirements of phosphorus and copper whereas none of the fodders was deficient in potassium, iron and selenium rather were having excess of potassium, iron and selenium. The concentration of calcium was adequate in lucerne, berseem, sarson and sorghum, while maize, sugarcane and wheat straw did not meet the required levels for dairy animals. Molybdenum contents in all fodders were adequate to meet the dietary requirements of the dairy buffaloes. Serum phosphorus, copper and selenium were significantly (p<0.001) lower whereas potassium, iron and molybdenum in buffaloes suffering from PHU were significantly (p<0.001) higher than in healthy buffaloes. It was concluded that phosphorous deficient soils play a major role by transferring this deficiency to plants and ultimately reaching to animals where hypophosphataemia is a consistent finding.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1110-1115
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• 2005

To study the effect of feeding lactic acid producing bacteria on the performance of cattle calves, twenty four, day old male crossbred cattle calves (Bos indicus${\times}$Bos taurus), were distributed into two groups of 12 animals each. The animals were fed on calf starter containing wheat bran and green berseem ad libitum and milk as per requirement upto 8 weeks of age. The diet of calves of Group 2 was supplemented with 500 ml culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus-15. Total duration of the experiment was 31 weeks. There was no significant difference in intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and crude protein (CP) between the groups. The rumen pH, protozoa numbers, concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3-N$), trichloroacetic acid precipitable nitrogen (TCA-ppt N) and activity of microbial enzymes (carboxymethylcellulase, xylanase, amylase and protease) were not affected due to probiotic supplementation. Average live weight gain of the calves was improved (about 10%) and feed:gain ratio was reduced (about 5%) in the animals given Lactobacillus culture. The data indicated that crossbred calves could be reared on a diet devoid of cereal grain and addition of Lactobacillus culture in the diet resulted in an added advantage in growth performance of the animals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.188-194
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• 2002

To study the effect of wheat bran and lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB) on the performance of calves, 20 crossbred male cattle calves (day old), distributed into two groups were fed on calf starters containing 50 or 0% maize grain, along with green berseem ad libitum and milk as per body weight. Each group was further divided into two sub groups and one subgroup of each group was supplemented with mixed culture of LAB (Lactobacillus acidophilus L. casei, L. Jugarti). Milk feeding was discontinued after 8 weeks of age. The addition of culture increased (p<0.05) DM intake in calves receiving grainless diet from eighth week to the thirteenth one. There was about 21% higher body weight gain and 14% lower feed : gain ratio in culture supplemented calves. DM digestibility was significantly lower (p<0.05) in calves getting grain without culture. The crude protein NDF and ADF digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in grainless than the grain fed group. No major change on rumen fermentation pattern among different treatments was found. The concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and protozoa count was higher (p<0.05) in grain fed group. However, lactic acid concentration was higher and rumen pH was lower due to culture feeding. The incidence as well as severity of diarrhoea was reduced in culture supplemented group. The results indicate that crossbred calves can be reared successfully on grainless diet and berseen fodder. The performance of calves was also improved by LAB supplementation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.1433-1438
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• 2002

The study was carried out to evaluate leucaena seeds as a protein replacement of mustard seed cake (MSC) in the concentrate mixture of growing lambs. Fifteen owing male lambs (Local${\times}$Corridale) with an average body weight of 16.3 kg were allocated into three dietary treatments (T1, T2, and T3) with five animals in each group. Animals were offered dry mixed grass, berseem hay and concentrate mixture to meet their nutrient requirements. In concentrate mixture of T1, (Control) MSC was used as protein source, while in T2 and T3 groups, 25 and 50% of MSC was replaced by leucaena leucocephala seeds. On completion of three months (90 days) of feeding, a digestion cum-metabolism trial was conducted to determine DMI, nutrient utilization, and nitrogen balance. Changes in body weight were recorded at 15 day internals and eating patterns were recorded for 3 consecutive days at the end of the feeding trial. MSC had higher CP contents than leucaena seeds (27.0%). Mimosine contents in leucaena seeds were 1.1 compared to 0.2 and 0.4% in concentrate mixture of T2 and T3 group, respectively. Dry matter intake varied non-significantly ($79.3{\pm}1.2$ to $83.4{\pm}1.3g/kg$ $w^{0.75}$) across the dietary treatments. Digestibility of DM and cell wall polysaccharides (NDF, ADF. Cellulose and hemicellulose) were comparable, however CP digestibility was relatively lower in leucaena luecocephala seeds based groups (T2 $45.5{\pm}1.7$ and T3 $46.7{\pm}3.5$) compared to MSC supplemented group (T1 $47.7{\pm}0.9%$). The growth rate of lambs was non-significantly higher in T1 ($79.2{\pm}5.4$) compared to T2 ($73.8{\pm}8.8$) and T3 ($73.9{\pm}7.0$), respectively. The animals were in positive nitrogen balance and N-balance varied from 1.8 to 2.9 g/d across treatment groups. The eating rate (% of total offered) of concentrate up-to 15 min was relatively higher in T1 (82.4) than T2 (74.2) and T3 (77.8%). However no effect of leucaena seeds was recorded on total DMI of animals. The results of the study revealed that the inclusion of up to 50% leucaena seeds, as protein source in concentrate mixture of lambs had no adverse effect on DMI, nutrient utilization, eating patterns, nitrogen balance and growth performance of lambs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1732-1737
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• 2003

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding transgenic cottonseed (Bt.) vis-a-vis non-transgenic (non-Bt.) cottonseed on blood biochemical constituents in lactating Murrah buffaloes. Twenty Murrah buffaloes in mid-lactation were divided into 2 groups of 10 each. Animals of group I were fed with 39.5% non-transgenic cottonseed in concentrate mixture while the same percentage of transgenic (Bt.) cottonseed was included in the concentrate mixture fed to the animals of group II. Animals of both groups were fed with concentrate mixture to support their milk production requirements. Each buffalo was also offered 20 kg mixed green fodder (oats and berseem) and wheat straw ad libitum. The experimental feeding trial lasted for 35 days. There was no significant difference in the dry matter intake between the two groups of buffaloes. All the buffaloes gained body weight, however, the differences were non significant. Total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content and packed cell volume were $9.27{\pm}0.70${\times}10^6/{\mu}l$, $13.01{\pm}0.60gdl$ and $34.87{\pm}1.47%$, respectively in group I with the corresponding figures of $8.88{\pm}0.33$, $12.99{\pm}0.52$ and $31.08{\pm}1.52$ in group II. The values of total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin content and packed cell volume did not differ significantly between the two groups of buffaloes. The concentration of plasma glucose, serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein were non significantly higher in buffaloes fed non-transgenic cottonseed than in buffaloes fed transgenic cottonseed. The cholesterol concentration was significantly (p<0.01) higher in buffaloes of group I ($136.84{\pm}8.40mg/dl$) than in buffaloes of group II ($105.20{\pm}1.85mg/dl$). The serum alkaline phosphotase, glutamic-oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamic-pyruate transaminase activities did not differ significantly between two groups of buffaloes. However, serum glutamic-pyruate transaminase activity was considerably high in buffaloes fed nontransgenic cottonseed as compared to buffaloes fed transgenic cottonseed. Bt. proteins in serum samples of animals of group II were not detected after 35 days of feeding trial. It was concluded that transgenic cottonseed and non-transgenic cottonseed have similar nutritional value without any adverse effects on health status of buffaloes as assessed from haematobiochemical constituents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.997-1003
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• 2006

An experiment with twenty crossbred goat kids (male) of 2-3 months old, weighing about 12 kg was conducted to study the effect of feeding formaldehyde treated rape seed oil cake based diet supplemented with molasses on growth rate and histopathological changes of different organs. Goats were randomly divided into four groups of 5 animals each and were individually fed for a period of 120 days. The animals in group I (URC) and II (URCM) were fed concentrate mixture (CM-I) containing untreated rape seed oil cake (30%) while, the animals in group III (TRC) and IV (TRCM) were offered concentrate mixture (CM-II) containing formaldehyde treated rape seed oil cake. Further, molasses as energy source was additionally supplemented with the concentrate mixture at the rate of 8% of concentrate mixture on dry matter basis to animals in group II and IV. All the animals were maintained on roughage (Berseem hay:wheat straw = 2:1) and concentrate in 50:50 ratio. Average daily gain (g/d) of animals in group IV was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that in group I., but at par with group II and III. Feed conversion efficiency was also significantly (p<0.05) higher in group IV (10.14) than group I and II but at par with group III. The growth rate however increased by 50.2% in group IV showing more consistency in maintaining highest growth rate due to better balance of nutrients. At the end of four months of feeding trial, two animals from each group were sacrificed for histopathological study of different organs. Significant histopathological changes in liver, heart, lungs tissue of animals fed untreated rape seed oil cake diet were recorded which were totally absent in the organ of animals fed formaldehyde treated cake. The liver tissue of goats receiving control diet (containing untreated rape seed oil cake) were found to be associated with engorged central vein and blood vessels. Hepatocytes were swollen, pale and degenerated with cellular infiltration and fibrosis of portal areas. The muscles of heart were found to have intermyofibral edema. Emphysema accompanied by dilated and ruptured alveoli was also recorded in lung tissue. However, histopathological examination of various tissues of goats fed formaldehyde treated cake diet did not exhibit any degenerative changes. Additional supplementation of molasses with or without treated cake diet, apparently did not have any significant effect on ameliorating the above degenerative changes.