• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.165-175
• /
• 1994

Attempts were made to find out nitrogen and phosphorus loads to aquatic environment resulting from feeding Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Two different size groups, small and large, were used. The average sizes of small and large tilapia were 65.2 g and 389.2 g respectively, and three kinds of commercial diets were used for each size. The 3 kinds of commercial diets for tilapia contained in average 33.8% crude protein ($5.4\%$ nitrogen) and $1.4\%$ total phosphorus. The load of nitrogen and phosphorus were measured by subtracting the amounts of nutrients retained in the body of fish from consumed nutrients. Sixty, five percentage of total feces was excreted within 24 hours after feeding at $23^{\circ}C$. Nitrogen content in the feces was higher in large fish than small ones. The apparent digestibility of dietary protein for small and large tilapia was $90.0\%$ and $89.7\%$, respectively. Availability of dietary phosphorus for small and large tilapia was $44.7\%\;and\;51.4\%$, respectively. The total load of nitrogen and phosphorus per 1 metric ton of tilapia production was 49.5kg and 6.3kg, respectively, for small ones with feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.4, and 61.3 kg and 13.4kg, respectively, for large ones with the FCR of 1.8. Nitorgen balance appeared that small and large tilapia excreted $7.1\%\;and\;9.9\%$ of consumed nitrogen through fecal-nitrogen and $55.5\%\;and\;62.3\%$ through urine and gills, retaining $37.4\%\;and\;27.8\%$ in the body, respectively. These results show that small fish pollute less than large fish, excreting less and retaining more nutrients in the body.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.221-227
• /
• 2004

Nutrient utilization and plasma level of minerals were studied in lactating crossbred cows fed diet supplemented from different source of minerals. Twelve crossbred cows of first to third lactation during their mid stage of lactation were distributed equally under two groups and were fed concentrate mixture, green fodder (para grass) and finger millet straw as per requirement. Cows in group I were fed concentrate mixture supplemented with 1% mineral mixture whereas cows in group II were not supplemented with mineral mixture in the concentrate mixture but were offered additional quantity of green fodder (1 kg DM/cow/day) to compensate for the requirement of minerals. Balance study conducted towards the end of 120 days of feeding experiment indicated that the total dry matter intake in both the groups did not differ significantly. The cows in group II offered additional quantity of green fodder consumed significantly (p<0.05) more of green fodder (5.11 vs. 4.51 kg /animal/day) and the cows in group I consumed significantly (p<0.01) more of finger millet straw (1.71 vs. 0.92 kg/animal/day). The digestibility of major nutrients did not differ between the groups except for ether extract which was significantly (p<0.05) lower in cows fed additional green fodder. The total daily intake of P, Cu, Fe and Co did not differ significantly in both the groups whereas significantly higher intakes of Ca, Mg, Zn and Mn were observed in cows supplemented with inorganic source of minerals. However, supplementation through both the sources could meet the mineral requirement in group I and group II. The gut absorption (%) of all the minerals was comparable between the groups except for Mg which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cows supplemented mineral mixture. The net retention of all the minerals was significantly more in the group supplemented with inorganic source of minerals. Except for P, Mg and Co the retention as percentage of total intake was comparable for all minerals in both the groups. Irrespective of source of mineral supplementation the average monthly blood plasma mineral levels (Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe) were within the normal range and comparable between the groups. Lower level of Cu observed at the start of the experimental feeding in both the groups increased with the advancement of supplemental feeding. The plasma Zn and Fe content in cows of both the groups did not vary. The blood plasma level of some minerals (Ca, P, Mg and Cu) was significantly higher towards the end of experimental feeding as compared to the initial values due to the reduction in milk yield with advancement of lactation or due to supplemental effect of minerals. It could be concluded that supplementation of minerals through inorganic source is better utilized in terms of retention as compared to green fodder (para grass), which is a moderate source of most nutrients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.672-676
• /
• 2018

Objective: An experiment was conducted to study the effect of a blend of essential oils (BEO) on enteric methane emission and growth performance of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Methods: Twenty one growing male buffaloes (average body weight of $279{\pm}9.3kg$) were divided in to three groups. The animals of all the three groups were fed on a ration consisting of wheat straw and concentrate mixture targeting 500 g daily live weight gain. The three dietary groups were; Group 1, control without additive; Group 2 and 3, supplemented with BEO at 0.15 and 0.30 mL/kg of dry matter intake (DMI), respectively. Results: During six months feeding trial, the intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients (organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre) were similar in all the groups. The average body weight gain was tended to improve (p = 0.084) in Group 2 and Group 3 as compared to control animals. Feeding of BEO did not affect feed conversion efficiency of the animals. The calves of all the three groups were in positive nitrogen balance with no difference in nitrogen metabolism. During respiration chamber studies the methane production (L/kg DMI and L/kg digestible dry matter intake was significantly (p<0.001) lower in Group 2 and Group 3 as compared to control animals. Conclusion: The results indicated that the BEO tested in the present study have shown potential to reduce enteric methane production without compromising the nutrient utilization and animal performance and could be further explored for its use as feed additive to mitigate enteric methane production in livestock.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.378-387
• /
• 2009

To investigate the effects of sago palm pith (SPP) substitution of corn in the diets on intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, nitrogen balance and microbial N Supply, five ruminally fistulated Southern indigenous cattle (mean initial BW = 226${\pm}$5 kg) were randomly assigned to a 5${\times}$5 Latin Square Design to receive five diets, $T_1$ = concentrate with 0% SPP, $T_2$ = 25% SPP, $T_3$ = 50% SPP, $T_4$ = 75% SPP and $T_5$ = 100% SPP, of dietary dry matter, respectively. Plicatulum hay (PH) was offered ad libitum as the roughage. A metabolism trial lasted for 21 days during which liveweight changes and feed intakes were measured. Based on this experiment, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) among treatments groups regarding total DM intake (OMI, NDFI and ADFI) and digestion coefficients of nutrients (DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF), while total DM intake (% BW) was significantly (p<0.05) higher as higher levels of SPP were incorporated into diets. Rumen parameters (ruminal temperature, pH, glucose, packed cell volume, volatile fatty acid and rumen microorganism populations) were similar among treatments (p>0.05), whereas $NH_3-N$, blood urea nitrogen and molar proportion of propionate concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher as higher levels of SPP were incorporated into diets. The amount of N absorption, N retention and microbial protein synthesis were similar among treatments. These results indicate that SPP can be included in diets for Southern indigenous cattle to supply up to 100% of supplemental corn when fed with PH without negative impact on animal performance and it was a good approach in exploiting the use of local feed resources for beef cattle production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.12
• /
• pp.1732-1737
• /
• 2002

This study was conducted to examine the effect of Leucaena leucocephala-Morus alba-Azadirachta indica (2:1:1) based leaf meal mixture as nitrogen source to partially replace (50%) soybean meal in conventional supplements on the performance of goats. Twelve non-descript female goats were divided into two equal groups in a completely randomized design to receive either the leaf meal mixture based supplement (LMAM) or soybean meal incorporated concentrate (SBM) and wheat straw for ad libitum intake for a two month period. The goats given LMAM and SBM concentrate had similar dry matter intake ($50.2{\pm}1.67g/kg\;W^{0.75}$) and nutrient digestibility. Nitrogen intake and its faecal and urinary excretion were similar irrespective of diets. The balance of nitrogen was positive and comparable ($1.63{\pm}0.08g/d$) in both dietary treatments. The plane of nutrition on both diets was comparable and the digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients values of the composite diets offered did not differ significantly between the dietary supplements. The serum concentration of enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were statistically similar in both the groups, while haemoglobin and serum urea levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher in LMAM and SBM treatments, respectively. It was concluded that the leaf meal mixture of Leucaena leucocephala-Morus alba-Azadirachta indica could be used as a vegetable protein supplement to wheat straw based diet of goats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.1228-1232
• /
• 2001

Forty five Soviet Chinchilla rabbits weaned at 35 d of age were fed 5 experimental diets prepared by using oat plant meal ($T_2,\;T_4$) and tall fescue hay ($T_3,\;T_5$) at 25% and 50% level along with control ($T_1$). The gain in body weight at 84 d of age decreased with test material substitution, however, the differences were non significant when compared with oat plant meal and were significant (p<0.05) with tall fescue hay at both the levels. Feed conversion ratio also deteriorated with test material and its increasing proportion and the differences were significant (p<0.05). The performance-index calculated were 42.1, 36.7, 29.4, 33.3 and 18.8 in $T_1,\;T_2,\;T_3,\;T_4$ and $T_5$, respectively. Digestibility of all the organic nutrients decreased significantly (p<0.05) with test material incorporation, as a result nutritive value of the test diets decreased linearly. Nitrogen balance as per cent of intake was higher in oat plant meal substituted diet compared to tall fescue substituted diet. Cost per kg live weight gain was lowest with 50% oat plant meal followed by 25% oat plant meal incorporation. It was highest with tall fescue hay substitution. Nutritive value of oat plant meal as calculated was DCP 5.1%, TDN 35.8% and that of tall fescue hay was DCP 6.5%, TDN 30.8%. Thus, oat plant meal can be substituted safely up to 25% in the feeding regime of weaner rabbits whereas, for tall fescue hay the safe limit is below 25% level and needs to be ascertained.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.368-375
• /
• 2006

Four rumen-fistulated dairy steers were randomly assigned according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to investigate effects of supplementation levels of sodium dl-malate in concentrates on rumen ecology, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen balance, feed intake and digestibility of nutrients and ruminal microbial protein synthesis. The dietary treatments were cassava concentrate-based, containing sodium dl-malate supplementation at 0, 9, 18 and 27 g/hd/d with urea-treated rice straw (UTS) fed ad libitum. The experiment was conducted for four periods, each period lasting 21 days. Ruminal pH increased with incremental addition of malate (p<0.05). Additionally, molar proportions of propionate were higher in supplemented groups and was highest at 18 g/hd/d of malate supplement (p<0.05). Microbial protein synthesis tended to be higher in dairy steers receiving sodium dl-malate supplements and also was the highest at 18 g/hd/d. Variable bacterial populations, such as amylolytic, proteolytic and cellulolytic species were increased (p<0.05). Furthermore, protozoal populations were decreased significantly (p<0.05), while fungal zoospores were dramatically increased in dairy steers receiving sodium dl-malate supplement (p<0.05). These results suggested that supplementation of concentrate containing a high level of cassava chip at 18 g/hd/d with UTS in dairy steers could improve rumen fermentation efficiency and rumen microbial protein synthesis.

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

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.8
• /
• pp.1292-1297
• /
• 1999

A preference test on feed and nutrient intakes were conducted on four male ($1.25{\pm}0.08kg$) and four female ($1.21{\pm}0.15kg$) lesser mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus) in captivity. Each animal was kept in individual cages placed in a well-ventilated animal house. The experiment was conducted in two weeks, where the first week was for adaptation to the feeds and the second week for measurements of nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. The feeds offered were kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica), long bean (Vigna sinensis) and french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) as roughages and proteinaceous feeds; sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and carrot (Daucus carota) as carbohydrate-rich feeds; and commercial rabbit pellet (0.3 cm diameter and 0.5 cm long) as a complete feed. The dry matter (DM) content of each feed in the order mentioned above was 7.1, 6.1, 3.9, 18.5, 6.2 and 87.6%, respectively. Long bean had the highest protein (CP) content (29.7%), while sweet potato had the lowest (6.2%). The CP contents of other feeds were within the range of 14.2 - 25.1%. Among the feeds, carrot had the lowest energy content (3.83 kcal/g) and long bean the highest (4.67 kcal/g). When fresh weight of the feed was considered, the male mouse deer consumed sweet potato the most ($86.3{\pm}12.90g/d$), but the female had a high preference for carrot ($79.2{\pm}9.76g/d$). The other feeds were consumed in lesser amounts. However, in terms of DM of the feed, the amount of commercial pellet consumed was the highest for both male ($45.0{\pm}5.10%$) and female ($44.7{\pm}7.38%$) mouse deer, followed by sweet potato ($33.1{\pm}4.43%$ and $22.4{\pm}7.73%$ for male and female, respectively). Significant (p<0.05) differences in DM, organic matter (OM) and gross energy (GE) intakes were observed between male and female mouse deer. The male consumed higher amount of DM, OM and GE than the female. The total DM intake was $40.7{\pm}2.24g/d/kg$ $W^{0.75}$ for male and $35.9{\pm}1.72g/d/kg$ $W^{0.75}$ for female mouse deer. Percentage digestibilities of DM, OM, CP and GE were within 72.7~80.8% and were not significantly different between male and female mouse deer. However, male mouse deer had significantly (p<0.05) higher digestible DM, OM and GE intakes than the female. Both male and female mouse deer were in positive nitrogen balance (0.6 g N/d/kg $W^{0.75}$). The male mouse deer gained $7.6{\pm}3.45g/d$, while the female gained $4.3{\pm}2.40g/d$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.655-659
• /
• 2003

Forty eight lambs (24 each of Malpura and Mutton synthetic breeds) were weaned at 90 days of age and divided into two groups. One group of 12 lambs from each of the two breeds was maintained on low energy (52% TDN) and the other group of 12 on high energy (58% TDN) feedlot ration until 6 of the lambs attained 20 kg and the other 6 attained 25 kg live weight in each of the two groups. Daily feed intake and weekly body weights were recorded. Conventional metabolism trials were conducted on the two breeds and the two rations. The growth rate was found to be higher for lambs on high energy ration (p<0.01). The growth rate was also higher for higher target weight groups (p<0.01). The breed did not significantly affect the live weight gains. Mutton synthetic lambs required less number of days to reach 20 kg live weights but took more time to reach 25 kg target weight as compared to Malpura lambs (p<0.01). The lambs of both the breeds reached 25 kg live weight earlier on high energy than those on low energy ration (p<0.01). The dry matter intake, irrespective of breed, was significantly higher (4.57% or 93.4 g per kgW$^{0.75}$) on low energy than that on high energy ration (4.20% or 87.2 g per kg W$^{0.75}$). The digestibility coefficients of all the nutrients excepting crude fibre were significantly higher on high energy diet irrespective of the breed. Lambs on low energy ration, however, digested the crude fibre more than those on the high energy ration (p<0.05). Although there were no significant differences in the intakes of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus, the balance of nitrogen was higher on high energy ration. The DCP and TDN values were 9.70 and 52.76% for low energy and 9.89 and 57.68 % for high energy ration, respectively. The dressing percentages on live weight basis were 50.2 on low and 51.6 on high energy ration, 50.5 at 20kg and 51.3 at 25 kg slaughter weight and 51.0 in Malpura and 50.8 in Mutton synthetic lambs, respectively. The percent of bones in the carcass was higher on low energy ration in Mutton synthetic lambs at 20 kg slaughter weight than others. It was concluded that the performance of the lambs in respect of mutton production was significantly better on high energy ration fed upto 25 kg slaughter weight with no or little breed differences.