• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1449-1457
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• 2018

Objective: The objective was to evaluate feed intake, digestibility, body weight change and carcass characteristics of sheep fed a basal diet of hay supplemented with banana leaves and silver leaf desmodium. Methods: Thirty yearling lambs with an average initial body weight of $15.85{\pm}1.6kg$ were grouped into six blocks of five rams in each block. The treatments were: hay alone (T1), hay+100% banana leaf (T2), hay+67% banana leaf+33% desmodium leaf (T3), hay+33% banana leaf+67% desmodium leaf (T4), andhay+100% desmodium leaf (T5). Three hundred grams of treatment diets were offered daily on as fed basis. The feeding and digestibility trials lasted for 84 and 7 days, respectively, followed by carcass evaluation. Results: The total dry matter (DM) intake for T3, T4, and T5 were greater (p<0.05) than those fed T1 and T2 diets. The lowest (p<0.05) organic matter (OM) intake was recorded in rams reared on T1 diet. The total crude protein (CP) intake was in the following order: T5>T4>T3>T2>T1. Ram lambs receiving supplementary diets had higher (p<0.05) DM, OM, CP, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility compared with the control diet. The empty body weight and slaughter weight was highest (p<0.05) in rams receiving T3, T4, and T5 diets. The average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency was highest (p<0.05) in rams receiving the supplementary diets. The dressing percentage on the basis of hot carcass weight linearly increased with increasing levels of desmodium. Rams reared on supplementary diet had higher (p<0.05) rib eye area compared with the control diet. Conclusion: In conclusion, when banana leaf is used as a supplement to poor quality grass, better body weight gain was obtained when fed in combination with desmodium.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.819-828
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• 2007

Two experiments were conducted to observe the effects of direct fed microbials on metabolic characteristics in sheep and milking performance in dairy cows. A metabolic trial with four ruminally cannulated sheep(60±6kg) was conducted in a 4×4 Latin square design to investigate the supplementation effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Clostridium butyricum or mixed microbes of S. cerevisiae and C. butyricum on ruminal fermentation characteristics and whole tract digestibility. Sheep were fed 1.25 kg of total mixed ration(TMR, DM basis) supplemented with S. cerevisiae (2.5g/day), C. butyricum (1.0g/day) or its mixture(S. cerevisiae 1.25g/day+C. butyricum 1g/day), twice daily in an equal volume. But control sheep were fed only TMR. A feeding trial with 28 lactating Holstein cattle was also conducted for 12 weeks to investigate the effects of the same microbial supplements as for the metabolic trial on milking performance. The cows were fed the TMR(control), and fed S. cerevisiae(50g/day), C. butyricum(15g/day) or its mixture (S. cerevisiae 25g/day + C. butyricum 7.5g/day) with upper layer dressing method. Total VFA concentration and the digestibility of whole digestive tract in the sheep increased by supplementation of S. cerevisiae, C. butyricum or their combined microbials compare to control group. The proportion of propionic acid at 1h(P<0.039) and 3h(P<0.022) decreased by supplementation of S. cerevisiae while tended to increase acetic acid proportion at the same times. Daily dry matter intake(DMI) was not influenced by the microbial treatments, but milk yield(P<0.031) and feed efficiency(milk yield/DMI, P<0.043) were higher for the cow received C. butyricum than those for other treatments. The milk fat content was higher (P<0.085) when cows fed S. cerevisiae(4.11%) than that fed the control (4.08%), the diets with C. butyricum (3.85%) and the microbial mixture. Based on the results obtained from the current experiments, supplementation of C. butyricum or mixture with S. cerevisiae might be increased milk fat content and milk productivity of lactating daily cows. (Key words:Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Clostridium butyricum, Fermentation characteristics,

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1517-1524
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• 2007

The [$^2H_5$]phenylalanine model was compared with the [1-$^{13}C$]leucine method to determine whole body protein synthesis (WBPS) and degradation (WBPD) in sheep fed at two levels. The animals were fed either 103 (M-diet) or 151 (H-diet) kcal $ME/kg^{0.75}/day$ once daily in a crossover design for 21 days each. The isotope dilutions were simultaneously conducted as a primed-continuous infusion of [$^2H_5$]phenylalanine, [$^2H_2$]tyrosine and [1-$^{13}C$]leucine on each dietary treatment. The WBPS and WBPD calculated from the [$^2H_5$]phenylalanine model were lower (p = 0.009 and p = 0.003, respectively) than those calculated from the [1-$^{13}C$]leucine method. The WBPS tended to be higher (p = 0.08) and WBPD was numerically higher (p = 0.33) for H-diet than M-diet in the [$^2H_5$]phenylalanine model, whereas the WBPS was numerically higher (p = 0.37) for H-diet and WBPS remained similar (p = 0.79) between diets in the [1-$^{13}C$]leucine method. However, the absolute values and the directions of WBPS as well as WBPD from M-diet to H-diet were comparable between the [$^2H_5$]phenylalanine model and [1-$^{13}C$]leucine method. Moreover, the values vary depending on the use of the respective amino acid contents in the carcass protein when calculating WBPS and WBPD. Therefore, it is concluded that the [$^2H_5$]phenylalanine model could be used as an alternative to the [1-$^{13}C$]leucine method for the determination of WBPS and WBPD in sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1417-1423
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• 2007

The present study was conducted to investigate the supplementation effects of $C_{18:2}$ rich-soybean oil or $C_{18:3}$ rich-perilla oil (7% of total diet, DM basis) for 12 weeks on plasma metabolites, fatty acid profile, in vitro lipogenesis, and activities of LPL and FAS in adipose tissue of sheep. The treatments were basal diet (Control), $C_{18:2}$ rich-soybean oil supplemented diet (SO-D) and $C_{18:3}$ rich-perilla oil supplemented diet (PO-D). All the sheep were fed the diets consisting of roughage to concentrate in the ratio of 40:60 (DM basis). Oil supplemented diets (SO-D and PO-D) slightly increased contents of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), proportions of both cis-9 trans-11 and trans-10 cis-12 CLA and TVA, but lowered (p<0.01) those of $C_{18:0}$ compared to the control diet. No differences were observed in the contents of TG and TC and proportions of fatty acids in plasma between supplemented oils. Oil supplemented diets slightly increased the proportions of cis-9 trans-11 and trans-10 cis-12 types of CLA in subcutaneous adipose tissue of sheep compared to the control diet. The rate of lipogenesis with acetate was higher (p<0.01) for intermuscular- and subcutaneous adipose tissues than that for intramuscular adipose tissue, while that with glucose did not differ among fat locations in sheep fed SO-D. No differences were observed in the rate of lipogenesis between substrates in all fat locations. The rates of lipogenesis with glucose increased only in the intermuscular- (p<0.01) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (p<0.005) compared to those with acetate. The rates of lipogenesis with acetate were the highest in the intermuscular and intramuscular adipose tissue of the sheep fed PO-D. Oil supplemented diets slightly increased the rate of lipogenesis with glucose for all fat locations. Supplementation of oils to the diet numerically increased the fatty acid synthase activity but did not affect the lipoprotein lipase activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 1990

A study was conducted to investigate the release pattern of zinc form the zinc containing boluses and to see whether the released zinc can cure a zinc deficiency in sheep. Three sheep were used in this experiment and were fed a low zinc semi-synthetic diet throughout the experimental period. Each sheep was given a single pre-weighed zinc containing bolus when blood variables showed continuous zinc deficiency. The zinc containing boluses when placed within the reticulo-rumen of zinc deficient sheep, release zinc at the rate of 106.6 mg zinc/day for 39 days. At the end of depletion period there was a reduced feed consumption, plasma zinc concentration, plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and increased plasma zinc binding capacity which were 409 g, 0.18 mg/l, 87 U/l and 88.7% respectively and 521 g, 0.18 mg/l, 142 U/l, and 89.5% respectively before first and second blousing. After the administration of the first and second boluses, the feed consumption, plasma zinc levels and plasma alkaline phosphatase activities rose rapidly and far exceeded the starting values. The zinc binding capacity was reduced to 21.9% due to the administration of the first and second boluses. It is concluded that zinc boluses can be used for curing a zinc deficiency in sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.158-160
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• 1989

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.655-667
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of a hydroethanolic extract of walnut green husks (WGH) on rumen fermentation and the diversity of bacteria, methanogenic archaea, and fungi in sheep fed a high-concentrate diet. Methods: Five healthy small-tailed Han ewes with permanent rumen fistula were selected and housed in individual pens. This study adopted a self-controlled and crossover design with a control period and an experimental period. During the control period, the animals were fed a basal diet (with a ratio of concentrate to roughage of 65:35), while during the treatment period, the animals were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% hydroethanolic extract of WGH. Fermentation parameters, digestive enzyme activities, and microbial diversity in rumen fluid were analyzed. Results: Supplementation of hydroethanolic extract of WGH had no significant effect on feed intake, concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, isovalerate, ammonia nitrogen, and microbial protein (p>0.05). However, the ruminal pH, concentrations of acetate, butyrate and isobutyrate, the ratio of acetate to propionate, protozoa count, and the activities of filter paper cellulase and cellobiase were significantly increased (p<0.05), while concentrations of propionate and valerate were significantly decreased (p<0.05). Moreover, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the relative abundance of rumen bacteria Christensenellaceae R7 group, Saccharofermentans, and Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group were significantly increased, while Ruminococcus gauvreauii group, Prevotella 7 were significantly decreased (p<0.05). The relative abundance of the fungus Pseudomonas significantly increased, while Basidiomycota, Fusarium, and Alternaria significantly decreased (p<0.05). However, there was no significant change in the community structure of methanogenic archaea. Conclusion: Supplementation of hydroethanolic extract of WGH to a high-concentrate diet improved the ruminal fermentation, altered the structure of ruminal bacterial and fungal communities, and exhibited beneficial effects in alleviating subacute rumen acidosis of sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.823-829
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• 2003

Four different types of silage from new cultivars of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), cv. NG 1 and NG 2, were fed to eight wethers in order to evaluate their preference and intake by sheep. The silages were prepared from direct-cut NG 1 herbage; pre-wilted NG 1 herbage; NG 1 herbage with maize meal (5% inclusion) and NG 2 herbage with maize meal (5% inclusion). All silages were palatable to sheep. Maize-treated silage had high quality fermentation, characterized by high Fleig scores and low pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammoniacal nitrogen contents. The pH, Fleig score, in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOMD) and ammoniacal-N contents for maize-treated cv. NG 1 silage were 3.7, 78, $540g\;kg^{-1}$ dry matter (DM ) and $0.18g\;kg^{-1}$ DM whereas, in maize-treated cv. NG 2 they were 3.6, 59, $^458g\;kg{-1}$ DM and $0.18g\;kg^-1$ DM, respectively. The superior quality of maize-treated silages made them more preferable to sheep. Among the maize-fortified silages, palatability and intake were significantly (p<0.001) greater with cv. NG 1. Although direct-cut silage had better fermentation quality compared to wilted silage, wilted silage was significantly (p<0.001) more preferable to sheep. However, there were no significant differences (p<0.05) in the levels of preference and intake of wilted silage compared to maize-treated cv. NG 2 silage, even though the latter tended to be more palatable. There were indications that high pH (4.6 vs 3.5) and IVDOMD content (476 vs $457g\;kg^{-1}%$ DM) of wilted silage contributed to higher intake, compared to direct-cut silage. It was generally concluded that pre-wilting and treatment of Napier grass with maize meal at ensiling enhances intake and palatability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1333-1339
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• 2010

The present study was conducted to determine plasma acetate, glucose and protein metabolism using dilution of isotopes [[1-$^{13}C$]Na acetate, [U-$^{13}C$]glucose and [1-$^{13}C$]leucine (Leu)] in sheep fed rice straw (Oriza japonica L.). Four sheep were assigned to either rice straw (RS-diet) or mixed hay (MH-diet) with a crossover design. Nitrogen (N) intake and N digestibility were lower (p = 0.002 and p = 0.02, respectively) for RS-diet than MH-diet, but N retention did not differ (p>0.10) between the diets. Concentrations of rumen acetate tended to be lower (p = 0.07), and propionate was higher (p = 0.02) for RS-diet than MH-diet. Concentrations of plasma lactate, non-esterified fatty acids, Leu and ${\alpha}$-ketoisocaproic acid did not differ (p>0.10) between the diets, but plasma glucose and urea concentrations were lower (p = 0.01 and p = 0.003, respectively) for RS-diet than MH-diet. Turnover rate of plasma acetate did not differ (p = 0.39) between the diets, and plasma glucose and Leu turnover rates were numerically lower (p = 0.15 and p = 0.14, respectively) for RS-diet than MH-diet. Whole body protein synthesis and degradation did not differ (p>0.10) between the diets. Thus it can be concluded that the intermediary metabolism of acetate, glucose and protein on rice straw is comparable to mixed hay in sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.523-529
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• 2016

An isotope dilution method using $[U-^{13}C]glucose$ and $[1-^{13}C]leucine$ (Leu) was conducted to evaluate the effects of rice straw supplemented with urea and molasses (RSUM-diet) on plasma glucose and Leu turnover rates in sheep. Nitrogen (N) balance, rumen fermentation characteristics and blood metabolite concentrations were also determined. Four sheep were fed either mixed hay (MH-diet), or a RSUM-diet with a crossover design for two 21 days period. Feed allowance was computed on the basis of metabolizable energy at maintenance level. The isotope dilution method was performed as the primed-continuous infusion on day 21 of each dietary period. Nitrogen intake was lower (p = 0.01) for the RSUM-diet and N digestibility did not differ (p = 0.57) between diets. Concentrations of rumen total volatile fatty acids tended to be higher (p = 0.09) for the RSUM-diet than the MH-diet. Acetate concentration in the rumen did not differ (p = 0.38) between diets, whereas propionate concentration was higher (p = 0.01) for the RSUM-diet compared to the MH-diet. Turnover rates as well as concentrations of plasma glucose and Leu did not differ between diets. It can be concluded that kinetics of plasma glucose and Leu metabolism were comparable between the RSUM-diet and the MH-diet, and rumen fermentation characteristics were improved in sheep fed the RSUM-diet compared to the MH-diet.