• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.509-515
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• 2016

Twenty Ardi lactating goats were used to investigate the effect of substituting 10%, 15%, and 20% of concentrate feed with date pits on milk production, composition, and blood parameters. Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous dietary treatments were used. Four levels (0% [control], 10%, 15%, and 20%) of date pits were used to replace concentrate feed. The forages to concentrate ratio used was 60 to 40. Dry matter intake (DMI) of goats fed diets containing 10% and 15% date pits was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those fed diets containing 0% and 20%. However, goats fed a diet containing 20% date pits were significantly (p<0.05) lower in DMI compared to those fed control diet. The protein percent was significantly higher for goats fed control diet compared to the other dietary treatments. Total solids percent was significantly the lowest for goats fed diet supplemented with 10% date pits. Goats fed a diet containing 20% date pits was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the total protein compared to those fed a diet containing 10%. In addition, goats fed a diet containing 15% date pits exhibited no significant differences in the total protein percent compared to those fed a diet containing 20% date pits. Triglyceride was significantly higher for goats fed diets containing 10% and 20% date pits compared to those fed 15% date pits. Results obtained in the present study suggest that date pits can be added up to 20% of the concentrate feeds into lactating Ardi goat diets without negative effects on their productive performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1177-1181
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• 2003

This study investigated the effects of cod liver oil and chromium picolinate on the serum traits and egg yolk fatty acids and cholesterol content in laying hens. One hundred 45-week old single comb white Leghorn laying hens were assigned randomly to four groups. These groups were: (1) control (soybean oil), (2) 1,000 ppb (${\mu}g/kg$) chromium (organic form chromium picolinate) (Crpic), (3) 3% cod liver oil (CLO), and (4) 1,000 ppb chromium with 3% cod liver oil (CLO+Crpic). The experiment was conducted for 40 days. Results indicated that serum triacylglycerol (TG) and cholesterol contents in the CLO group and the serum glucose content in the Crpic group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05-0.01). The yolk cholesterol content in the CLO and Crpic groups were also lower than the control group (p<0.01). The lipoprotein profile displayed that in the Crpic group, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the control group. Meanwhile, low-density lipoprotein+very low-density lipoprotein (LDL+VLDL) and LDL-C+VLDL-C were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control group. Notably, of all four groups, the CLO group displayed a more profound effect on serum traits and lipoprotein (p<0.05-0.001). Furthermore, the fatty acid composition of the egg yolks presented that C18:2 in the CLO and Crpic groups was significantly lower (p<0.05-0.001) compare to the control. However, only in the CLO group, C18:3, C20:5 and C22:6 were significantly higher (p<0.001) than the control. Only serum glucose and LDL+VLDL showed the CLO${\times}$Crpic interaction (p<0.05), most parameters did not. Therefore, supplemented chromium picolinate or cod liver oil in the diet of laying hens had beneficial effects. However, when these two factors were combined, there was no interaction with most parameters.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 1995

An experiment was conducted at Pabna milkshed area under Bathan condition during November, 1992 to February 1993 with 16 milking cows fed legume forage with straw supplementation (treated group) and 8 milking cows fed legume forage only (control group). From the study, the results revealed that supplementation of straw with leguminous diet increases the total dry matter intake (DMI) of 11.83 kg/d/cow for the treated group and 11.53 kg/d/cow for the control group. The average daily legume forage intake was $37.39{\pm}8.67kg/d/cow$ and $49.62{\pm}10.57kg/d/cow$ for the treated and control group respectively and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). The results also exhibited that due to the supplementation of straw, the legume forage intake reduced by 12 kg/d/cow. The forage dry matter intake (DMI) kg/d/cow for the treated and control groups were $6.18{\pm}1.44kg$ and $8.38{\pm}1.95kg$ respectively. The milk production was $8.64{\pm}1.15litre/day$ for the treated group which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control group ($7.74{\pm}1.24litre/day$). The average initial body weight of the supplemented and control groups were $338.06{\pm}39.32kg$ and $329.87{\pm}48.03kg$ respectively. Whereas, the final body weight of supplemented group was $344.33{\pm}35.90kg$ and control group was $330.35{\pm}37.28kg$. It may be concluded that straw supplementation with legumes diet could save legume forage for further use as well as increase milk production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.849-856
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• 2009

In this study, dietary supplementations of Korean Meju, fermented soybean meal (F-SBM) by Aspergillus oryzae, and A. oryzae itself were evaluated on growth performance, feed utilization, immune responses and phosphorus availability in juvenile parrot fish, a marine aquaculture fish species. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated to contain 8% soybean meal (control diet), 4% Meju (50% soybean meal was replaced by Meju), 4% F-SBM (50% soybean meal was replaced by F-SBM), or 0.08% A. oryzae itself. One of the four experimental diets was fed to triplicate groups of fish for 8 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, no significant differences were found in growth performances and feed utilization. Red blood cell counts in the fish fed the A. oryzae diet were significantly higher than that of fish fed the control diet. The antioxidant activity in Meju diet was significantly higher than that of the control and A. oryzae diets. Fish fed Meju and F-SBM diets showed numerically higher antioxidant activity of serum compared to that of fish fed the control diet, even though it was not significant. Liver superoxide dismutase activity of fish fed the test diets was significantly higher than that of fish fed the control diet. The apparent digestibility coefficients of protein of fish fed all the diets were not significantly different. Phosphorus absorption was numerically increased in fish fed F-SBM and A. oryzae diets compared to that of fish fed the control diet. This study indicates that the fermentation process of soybean meal does not impair growth performance and feed utilization in parrot fish. The fermentation process could enhance the availability of phosphorus in soybean meal and non-specific immune responses of parrot fish.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1279-1284
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• 2005

The effects of 3 different strains of Japanese koji (Aspergillus oryzae, A. sojae and A. awamori) in the solid-state fermentation (SSF) of sugarcane bagasse mixed with wheat bran on chemical composition, energy, in vivo digestibility and preference of the fermented bagasse feeds (FBF) in goats were investigated. Diets consisted of lucerne hay cube (basal diet) and unfermented bagasse feed (control), FBF with A. oryzae (O), FBF with A. sojae (S) or FBF with A. awamori (A), which were mixed in a total ration of 7:3 (w/w DM). Three Nubian does were fed each of the diets, i.e. control, O, S and A in the 4 consecutive periods for digestion trials (21-day each). The goats were also used for preference trials (30-min each) of O, S and A. The O was significantly higher in CP content than others (p<0.05). The crude fiber (CF), ADF and cellulose contents of control were significantly lower than those of other diets (p<0.05). The S had significantly higher CF digestibility than control (p<0.05), and it revealed the largest value of all. Digestibilities of NDF, ADF and cellulose in S were significantly higher than those of control (about 10, 18 and 18%, respectively, p<0.05). The DE of S was significantly higher than that of others (p<0.05), though there were no significant differences in DCP and TDN between control and S. The results of preference trials demonstrated that the average intake rate was not significantly different among diets, but O and S are likely to be preferable to A (p<0.1). It was concluded that the SSF of bagasse feeds by Japanese koji can improve the fiber digestion, especially NDF, ADF or cellulose in goats, and there is a marked effect in the feed containing A. sojae, which may lead to the improvement of DE.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.372-378
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an oral drench of propylene glycol (PG) on milk production, serum metabolites and reproductive performance during the transition period of animals. Twenty-four 2-3 multiparous Holstein cows (average body weight 565 kg, body condition score about 3.6, at the $9^{th}$ month of gestation) were selected, blocked, and then randomly assigned into a PG and a control group. The control and the PG group cows were orally drenched with water or 50 ml sugarcane molasses mixed with 500 ml PG from 7 days pre-partum to 30 days post-partum, respectively. Experimental results indicated that the oral drench PG had no effect on dry matter intake (DMI). The milk yield of the PG group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05), whereas milk fat content, milk protein and somatic cell counts (SCC) were not significantly different between groups. Concentration of plasma glucose in the PG group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). Conversely, the concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the PG group were lower than those of the control group (p<0.05). Concentrations of insulin and ketone bodies were not significantly difference between groups. Body condition score (BCS) in the PG group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). In reproductive performance there was no difference between groups. The experimental results indicate that supplementation of PG during the transition period of dairy cows can supply energy rapidly, resulting in reduced catabolism of body tissue and increased milk yield.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.1712-1718
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• 2001

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of monensin administration on mammary functions in crossbred Holstein cattle. Fourteen non-pregnant late lactating crossbred Holstein cattle, approximately 270 days postpartum, were selected for the experiment. They were divided into two groups of 7 animals each. Seven animals in the treated group were given sodium monensin orally in a slow-release capsule. Animals in both control and treated groups were fed the similar diet to maintain milk production and body score at 2.5. Rice straw was fed as a source of dietary fiber throughout the experimental period. After monensin administration, a significant increase in the molar percent of ruminal propionate (p<0.05) and a significant decrease in the molar percent of ruminal acetate (p<0.05) were apparent in comparison to the pretreated period. The ratio of acetate to propionate concentration decreased significantly after monensin administration (p<0.05), while it was maintained at the similar level throughout the period of experiment in the control group. Monensin did not affect the molar percent of ruminal butyrate and valerate. The concentration of milk allantoin between the control group and monensin treated group was not different. An excretion rate of allantoin in milk decreased in animals treated with monensin (p<0.05). Mammary blood flow did not show significant difference between control and monensin treated groups. The plasma glucose concentration, arteriovenous concentration difference and mammary gland uptake of glucose remained constant in both groups. Milk yield of the later stage of lactation in the control group declined during lactation advance while a tendency to increase in the milk yield was apparent after 21 days monensin administration. Milk compositions for concentration of lactose, fat and protein in both control group and monensin treated group did not change throughout the experimental periods. From these results, it can be concluded that the action of monensin could affect the ruminal fermentation pattern. Monensin could not increase milk yield in the late lactating period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1482-1489
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• 2010

This study aimed to determine the effects of vitamin C and propolis-supplemented feeds on some blood parameters, lipid peroxidation, and activities of some antioxidant enzymes in broilers exposed to oxidative stress. 360 three-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into four treatment groups each containing 90 animals, including six replicate groups for each treatment. The experimental groups were designated for a 3-42 days period as follows: no supplement to basal ration (Control-Group I); supplement of 500 ppm vitamin C and 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group II); supplement of 1 g/kg propolis and 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group III); and supplement of 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group IV). The highest TG level (86.83 mg/dl) was observed in the lead supplemented group; however, the lowest aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) level (90.71 IU/L) was observed in the control group (p<0.05). The addition of lead increased the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level (p<0.01) compared to other treatments. However, the addition of vitamin C and propolis decreased the plasma MDA level close to control levels. The highest erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed in the lead addition group (p<0.01) while no significant differences were observed for SOD activities of the control, vitamin C +lead, and propolis+lead groups. The plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) activity of the control ($2.30{\mu}mol$/ml) was significantly lower than the lead administered group ($6.20{\mu}mol$/ml) (p<0.01); while this parameter was determined to be similar to other groups. No significant differences were observed between groups for liver GSH activity, but heart GSH activity of the control was significantly higher in comparison to other treatments (p<0.05). To obtain similar antioxidant effects, it is recommend that using propolis (1 g/kg) and vitamin C (500 mg/kg) supplementation in broiler diets may overcome the adverse effects of oxidative stress originating from dietary lead.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.1234-1240
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• 1999

The nutritive value of rumen contents and barley mixture (4:1 w/w; RCB) was evaluated and the effect of their feeding on growth performances in Najdi lambs was studied. A metabolism trial was conducted with 16 rams divided into four dietary groups. The diets were: a whole-mixed control diet and three diets where RCB was incorporated at the rates of 25, 50 and 100%, replacing an equal amount of control diet. The results showed that there was a depression (p<0.05) in DM digestibility for the 100% RCB diet in comparison with other diets. The digestibility of CP was higher(p<0.05) for the 25% RCB diet as compared to the control diet; there was a trend for a small (p>0.05) decrease in digestibility as level of RCB increased. Lambs in all studied diets were in positive nitrogen balance; the differences between diets were not significant. A total of 45 lambs were allotted into three groups and used to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of RCB (0, 25 and 50%) on growth performance and carcass traits. Daily DM intake, final body weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage were not different among treatments. Average weight gain and ether extract (EE) in 9-11th control joint were higher (p<0.05) in lambs fed control diet than those fed RCB diets. The substitution of RCB for 50% of control diet exhibited 11.8% reduction in feeding cost for each kg of body weight gain.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.198-202
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• 2006

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of phytase, organic acids and their interaction on body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, carcass yield and tibia ash. A total of 680 three-day old Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were assigned to 20 battery brooders, 34 chicks in each. The experimental period lasted 35 days. The treatment groups employed were: 1) a positive control which included 3.5 g available phosphorus (AP)/kg diet and 10 g Ca/kg diet; 2) a negative control which included 2 g AP/kg diet and 8 g Ca/kg diet, 3) negative control diet supplemented with either 300 FTU phytase/kg diet (phytase) or 4) 2.5 g organic acid (lactic acid+formic acid)/kg diet (organic acid); or 5) 300 FTU phytase/kg diet+2.5 g organic acid/kg diet (phytase+organic acid). All birds were fed with the positive control diet for a week and then transferred to the dietary treatments. At the end of the study, there were no differences (p>0.005) among the groups in body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and carcass yield. Tibia ash, however, was reduced (p<0.001) for quails fed the negative control diet containing a low-level of AP compared to the positive control diet containing adequate AP. The addition of phytase, organic acid or phytase+organic acid to the diets containing the low-level of AP improved (p<0.001) tibia ash. On the other hand, an extra synergistic effect of phytase and organic acid on tibia ash was not determined. This study demonstrated that it may be possible to reduce supplemental level of inorganic P with phytase and/or organic acid supplementation for quail diets without adverse effect on performance and tibia ash.