• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.445-454
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• 1997

Rice bran commonly available in Bangladesh is a mixture of rice hulls (60%), bran (35%) and polishing (5%), referred here as rice mill feed (RMF). Dose response effect of RMF supplementation to a straw diet including a zero level was measured on the intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, microbial N yield and growth rate of growing native (Bos indicus) bulls. Twelve bulls of 33 months old and $272{\pm}31.5kg$ weight were randomly allocated to diets having 0 (T1), 1 (T2) and 2 (T3) kg RMF in addition to 200 g wheat bran, 200 g molasses, 60 g salt and 30 g oyestershe\l powder. Concentrate intake was 5.5, 19.2 and 29.5% of the dietary intake for the T1, T2 and T3 treatment respectively. RMF supplementation had no significant effect on the straw DM intake. However, with the increasing levels of RMF supplementation, total DM & digestible OM intake and the whole gut digestibilities of DM, OM, N & ADF increased but in deminishig return. Total microbial N yield estimated from the urinary purine excretion were 15.35, 26.56 and 38.44 g/d for the treatment T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Both the N intake and the N balance increased linearly in response to increasing level of RMF. Supplementation of RMF linearly increased the energy intake and dietary energy concentration. Growth rate in the T1, T2 and T3 treatments were 112, 125 and 250 g/d respctively. The basal N excretion and the maintenance energy requirement of the experimental animals were estimated to be 615 mg/kg $W^{0.75}/d$ and 447 kJ/kg $W^{0.75}/d$ respectively. The estimated efficiency on N utilization was 0.83 mg/mg of N intake ($r^2=0.997$) while the efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization for growth was 0.15. Since animal refused higher levels of RMF, inclusion up to 2 kg level (about 25% of the total DM intake) appears to have no depressing effect on the performances of animal. However, RMF itself fail to meet the critical nutrient need of the rumen microbes. Therefore response of supplementing RMF after correcting the critical nutrient deficiency need to be studied.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.123-130
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• 2003

Metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance (MEm) of Hanwoo bulls were estimated in twelves metabolism trials using three different feeds at four stages of body weight(100, 200, 300 and 400kg). Three feeds were composed of 1) concentrates and rice straw, 2) concentrates and mixed grass hay, 3) concentrates and corn silage, respectively. Three energy levels were 1) maintenance (M) requirement, 2) 1.5 ${\times}$ M, and 3) 2.0 ${\times}$ M. All bulls were received 60% of their energy from concentrates and 40% form roughages. Three cattle for each trials fed different energy level were housed in metabolism stalls during the 5days of collection period, a total collection of feces and urine. Thereafter, during the 2days of respiration period the heat production was measured by indirect calorimetry using respiratory chamber. MEm were 99.80, 94.48, 94.80, and 97.68 kcal/W0.75 at 100, 200, 300 and 400kg. Mean value of MEm and efficiency of utilization ME for retained energy(Kg) were 95.80 kcal/W0.75 and 0.44.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 1998

The possibility of using rice gruel compared to that of the cane molasses as a source of readily fermentable energy for a urea supplemented straw diet has been studied. Twelve native growing bulls of $237{\pm}8.7kg $ live weight and months old were randomly allocated to three treatments fed solely rice straw enriched with : (1) 3% urea (US), (2) 3% urea + 15% molasses (UMS) and (3) 3% urea + 30% rice gruel (UGS). The feeding trial continued for sixty days. Organic matter (OM) intake was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the UMS ( $64g/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$) followed by UGS ($53g/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$) and US ($49g/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$). Estimated (from digestible OM intake) metabolizable energy (ME) intake were 396, 348 and $301kJ/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$ for UMS, UGS and US respectively. The maintenance (i.e., no change in live weight) ME intake calculated to be $308{\pm}7.4kJ/kg\;W^{0.75}/d$. Urinary purine derivatives excretion was nonsignificantly higher in the UMS (51.73 mmol/d), followed by UGS (42.53 mmol/d) and US (35.26 mmol/d). The estimated microbial N (MN) yield were 21.10, 14.00 and 11.60 g/d for UMS, UGS and US respectively. For each MJ increase in ME intade, MN yield increased by $1.29{\pm}0.134g$. Observed live weight changes during the experimental period were 292, 125 and -19 g/d respectively for UMS, UGS and US. It was concluded that supplementation of readily fermentable N (urea) alone was not enough to optimize the rumen function and a source of readily fermentable energy was required. Rice gruel was less effective than molasses as fermentable energy source to remove a restriction on voluntary intake and provide less amino acids of microbial origin for absorption from the small intestine, Thus more substrate for protein synthesis and gluconeogenesis were available for growth in the molasses than the rice gruel supplemented animals. However, in situation where molasses is not available or costly, rice gruel does appear to have a place as readily fermentable energy source on a urea supplemented straw diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1233-1242
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• 2011

The in vivo digestibility of mulberry leaves (Morus alba) and the effects of the partial replacement of cotton seed with fresh mulberry leaf in rations on the performance of growing Vietnamese cattle was investigated. For the in vivo digestibility trial, twenty castrated rams of Phanrang breed (a local prolific breed) with an initial weight of 23-25 kg, were first assigned to four groups according to weight and then randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments to determine digestibility of nutrients in mulberry leaves (M. alba), natural Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and buffalo grass (Panicum maximum cv. TD 58). All forages were cut and chopped daily before being offered (at 120% maintenance) to the sheep. In the feeding trial, 20 Laisind (Vietnam yellow cows${\times}$Red Sindhy bulls) crossbred bulls averaged 18 month old and 184 kg were used to investigate the effect of partial replacement of cottonseed in the diet by mulberry leaves on live weight gain and feed conversion rate. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with four levels of fresh mulberry leaves which varied from 0 to 15% of total dietary dry mater and five animals per treatment over an 84 day period. The in vivo digestion trial showed the superior quality of mulberry leaves compared with the grasses. Chemical analysis indicated that mulberry leaves had the highest CP and the lowest NDF contents (22.3 and 31.1% DM, respectively) among the four forages tested. Digestibility of DM and OM of the mulberry leaf (66.4 and 71.8%, respectively) was also the highest but that of CP (58.2%) and NDF (58.4%) was the lowest of the four forages evaluated (p<0.05). Consequently, the ME value and therefore net energy (NE) and unit feed for lactation (UFL) values of the mulberry leaves, which was estimated from chemical composition and digestibility values, were the highest among the forages investigated in the present study. Results of the feeding trial showed no treatment effect on average daily gain (ADG) of the cattle. The values were 554, 583, 565 and 568 g/d for animals in the diets of 0, 5, 10, and 15% mulberry leaves inclusion, respectively. Total DM intake of the animal was not affected by the treatment when expressed as kg/animal/d. However, when adjusted for metabolic weight of the animal the DM intake was reduced (p<0.05) as whole cottonseed was replaced by mulberry leaves in the ration. When the level of mulberry leaves in the ration increased from 5 to 15% of dietary DM at the expense of whole cottonseed, CP and ME intakes of the cattle were significantly decreased (p<0.05) and the feed to gain ratio reduced by 8 to 14% as compared with the control diet (p<0.05). Mulberry leaf is a good feed ingredient for ruminants because of its high level of crude protein and high digestibility of nutrients and energy. Mulberry leaves can be efficiently used as a source of protein supplement to replace cottonseed, a more expensive animal feeds ingredient, in the diet for Vietnamese cattle.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.419-426
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• 2002

We conducted two experiments to evaluate the effects of chromium picolinate(CrP) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and plasma components in Holstein bulls. In trial Ⅰ, eight finishing Holstein bulls(300${\pm}$6.99Kg) were allocated to 2 treatments(control and 0.05% CrP) with 4 replication for 10-months. In results, growth performance was not affected by CrP addition. The plasma insulin concentration in 0.05% CrP group was about 2 times higher than the control group of Holstein bulls. The levels of plasma NEFA were significantly decreased to 59.00 mEq/dl with 0.05% CrP treatment(P<0.05), but the levels of plasma glucose and PUN were not altered by 0.05% CrP treatment. The grade of carcass was not different between control and 0.05% CrP group, but back fat thickness in 0.05% CrP group was increased in 22.33% compared with control group. In trial 2, fifteen growing- finishing Holstein bulls(160${\pm}$4.63Kg) were allocated to 3 treatments(control, 0.025% CrP and 0.05% CrP) with 5 replication for 14-months. During the overall experimental period, growth performance was not affected by CrP levels. The levels of hormone and metabolites were not affected by CrP supplementa- tion. The carcass characteristics were not different between control and treatment. These results show that the CrP may have no effects for beef cattle production because of degradation of CrP conjugation in the rumen. However treatment of short term provide a possibility the effects of development for lipogenesis.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.989-996
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• 2010

This study was aimed at investigating the differences in chemical composition of antler according to growing days (80 d and 90 d after casting) and sections (upper, middle, base) in elk. Antlers of six bulls (aged 3 years) cutted on day 80 and 90 after casting were used in this trial and compared chemical composition such as crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, calcium, magnesium, amino acids, lipids, and fatty acids. The contents of crude protein and ether extract were higher in antlers cutted on day 80 than in antlers cutted on day 90, but that of crude ash was higher in antlers cutted on day 90. Significantly difference was observed in crude protein content between growing days in middle part of antler (p<0.05). Calcium and magnesium contents were higher on 90 d than 80 d, but there was no significant difference between growing days of antler. Based on the growing period of antler, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in aspartic acid, threonine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine and lysine, and essential amino acids content was higher in antlers cutted on day 80. Total lipid, neutral lipid, and phospholipid contents were higher in antlers cutted on day 80 than in those cutted on day 90, sphingo-phospholipid content was higher than glycerophospholipid content and values was higher in antlers cutted on day 80 than in those cutted on day 90. For total fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids composition, there was no significant difference between growing periods of antlers, but values was higher on day 80 than on day 90. Essential fatty acids contents were lower in antler cutted on day 90 than antlers cutted on day 80 and higher for upper part than lower part.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2012

The experiment involved observations of 2,514 Holstein-Friesian cows to determine the effects of environmental factors (cow's age, calving season, weight and sex of calves, housing system) and genetic factors on gestation length in dairy cattle and the correlation between gestation length and other reproductive traits (calving ease, stillbirth rates and placental expulsion). Genetic parameters were estimated based on the sires of calved cows (indirect effect) and the sires of live-born calves (direct effect). The following factors were found to contribute to prolonged gestation: increasing cow's age, male fetuses and growing fetus weight. Optimal gestation length was determined in the range of 275-277 days based on calving ease and stillbirth rates. The heritability of gestation length was estimated at 0.201-0.210 by the direct effect and 0.055-0.073 by the indirect effect. The resulting genetic correlations suggest that the efforts to optimize (prolong) gestation length could exert an adverse influence on the breeding value of bulls by increasing perinatal mortality and calving difficulty. The standard errors of the investigated parameters were relatively high, suggesting that any attempts to modify gestation length for the purpose of improving calving ease and reducing stillbirth rates should be introduced with great caution.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.460-470
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• 1997

On an absolute straw diet, the effect of graded levels of green grass supplementation on intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation pattern and microbial N yield has been studied in cattle. Of the two trials conducted, 16 intact growing bulls of 304 kg weight and 32 months old, randomly allocated to four treatments in a completely randomized design in the 1st trial. While, in the, 2nd trial, four rumen cannulated local bulls of about 60 months old and 400 kg weight were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design with four treatments in four periods. In both the trials, in addition to a mineral mixture, animals were supplemented with graded levels of naturally grown green grass of 0 kg (T1), 2 kg (T2), 4 kg (T3) or 6 kg (T4) to an ad libitum rice straw diet In the 1st trial, measurements were made on intake digestibility, growth rate, N balance and microbial N yield. While in the 2nd trial, in addition to the above parameters (except growth rate), rumen parameters were also studied. All levels of grass supplementation decreased the straw DM intake and increased the substitution rate. The rumen $NH_3-N$ concentration increased with the increase in grass level and ranges from 8-46 mg/l. The rumen pH and the rate and extent of DM degradability of straw were not affeceted by different rumen environments created by different levels of grass inclusion. At 48 h, straw DM degradability were 42, 44, 44 and 43% respectively for 0, 2, 4 and 6 kg grass supplementation daily. The whole gut digestibilities of DM, OM and ADF increased significantly (p < 0.05) only at 6 kg level daily. The microbial N yield was not affected by the levels of grass supplemented. The mean microbial N yield was 10 (SD 3.7) g/kg DOM apparently fermented in the rumen. The estimated minimum N loss and thus the maintenance requirement of tissue protein was 303 mg/kg $W^{0.75}/d$. All the animals lost live weight but 6 kg grass supplementation gave positive energy and N balances. Small amount of green grass supplementation is often recommended for optimization of rumen environment of a straw diet However, under the present experimental condition, no such beneficiary effect observed up to 6 kg (26% of DM intake) level of supplementation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.372-377
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• 2016

The objectives of the trial were to investigate the effects of supplementing vitamin E (VE) on nutrient digestion, nitrogen (N) retention and plasma parameters of beef cattle in feedlot. Four growing Simmental bulls, fed with a total mixed ration composed of corn silage and concentrate mixture as basal ration, were used as the experimental animals. Four levels of VE product, i.e. 0, 150, 300, 600 mg/head/d (equivalent to 0, 75, 150, 300 IU VE/head/d), were supplemented to the basal ration (VE content 38 IU/kg dry matter) in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design as experimental treatments I, II, III and IV, respectively. Each experimental period lasted 15 days, of which the first 12 days were for pretreatment and the last 3 days for sampling. The results showed that supplementing VE did not affect the nutrient digestibility (p>0.05) whereas decreased the urinary N excretion (p<0.01), increased the N retention (p<0.05) and tended to increase the microbial N supply estimated based on the total urinary purine derivatives (p = 0.057). Supplementing VE increased the plasma concentrations of VE, glucose and triglycerol (TG) (p<0.05) and tended to increase the plasma concentration of total protein (p = 0.096) whereas did not affect the plasma antioxidant indices and other parameters (p>0.05). It was concluded that supplementing VE up to 300 IU/head/d did not affect the nutrient digestibility whereas supplementing VE at 150 or 300 IU/head/d increased the N retention and the plasma concentrations of VE and TG (p<0.05) of beef cattle.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 2003

Net and metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) bulls were estimated in twenty-eight fasting metabolism trials using seven different feeds at four stages of body weight(100, 200, 300 and 400kg). Three cattle for each of twenty-eight trials fed at a level of maintenance energy requirement were housed in metabolic stalls during the 5 days of collection period. Thereafter, during the 2 days of respiration period the heat production was measured by indirect calorimetry using respiratory chamber. After finishing the respiratory metabolism trials under the maintenance level, experimental animals were fasted for 5 days and were measured heat production by indirect calorimetry using respiratory chamber. Seven different feeds were: 1) mixed ration of concentrate and rice straw, 2) mixed ration of concentrate and mixed grass hay, 3) mixed ration of concentrate and corn silage, 4) rice straw alone, 5) mixed grass hay alone, 6) corn silage alone, 7) concentrate alone. Fasting heat production were 66.05/$W^{0.75}$ at 100kg of body weight and 60~63kcal/$W^{0.75}$ at 200~400kg of body weight. When subtracting heat loss by muscular work from the fasting heat production, basal metabolic rate was 55.92kcal/$W^{0.75}$. The average values of NEm requirements were obtained by adding urinary energy excretion to the basal metabolic rates were 69.1, 62.1, 65.8 and 64.4kcal/$W^{0.75}$ for the four stages of body weight, respectively. The ME requirement for maintenance could be calculated using retained energy and the efficiency of utilization of ME for net energy. The ME requirement for maintenance thus obtained was 102.69kcal/$W^{0.75}$.