• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.429-434
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• 2011

The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of brown rice (BR) on food intake, digestion, energy value, and fecal characteristics. Three replacement levels which BR replaced 0, 15 and 30% of wheat flour were tested. Six female Miniature Schnauzer (8~9 month age, initial mean body weight 5.0 ${\pm}$ 0.3 kg) were assigned to treatments in replicated $3{\times}3$ Latin square design. Total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, acid hydrolyzed fat and gross energy except CP increased linearly (P<0.01), and observed digestible energy and metabolizable energy values also increased linearly (P=0.001 and P=0.006, respectively) with increasing BR replacement level. Wet and dry fecal output decreased linearly (P<0.001, P=0.004) with increasing BR inclusion to the diets and BR 30% treatment reduced wet fecal output up to 21% of that of control. Quadratic (P<0.01) effects was observed in fecal score for dog fed BR and fecal ammonia concentration tended to increase linearly (P=0.07) in response to increasing BR replacement level. It seems that the increase in fecal ammonia concentration may be partially related to the decrease in shortchain fatty acid concentration (P=0.001). This study clearly demonstrates that BR improves nutrients digestibility and fecal characteristics of dog.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.122-126
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• 2004

A digestion trial in vitro was conducted to study effects of supplementation of NSP (non-starch polysaccharides) degrading enzyme (feed grade) on cell wall degradation and digestibility of nutrients in barley. The slices of barley were soaked in distilled water with or without 0.15% non-starch polysaccharides degrading enzyme. Microscopic examination of the slices showed that the endosperm cell wall of barley was completely degraded by the non-starch polysaccharides degrading enzyme. The residues and supernatant of digesta in vitro were separated by filtration with 0.1 mm nylon fabric. The residues were used for measurement of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and moisture. The supernatant was used for determination of viscosity, as well as amino-nitrogen and glucose content. The results showed that compared with the control, the amino-nitrogen and glucose content of the supernatant increased by 17.58% (p<0.05) and 10.26% (p<0.05), respectively, while viscosity did not change. Enzyme supplementation increased the digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein, nitrogen-free extract, crude fat and crude fiber of barley by 18.1% (p<0.05), 20.3% (p<0.05), 16.4% (p<0.05), 26.9% (p<0.05) and 30.0% (p<0.05), respectively. The present study suggests that cell wall hydrolysis may contribute to improved nutrient digestion in vivo when non-starch polysaccharides degrading enzymes are fed to swine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.200-205
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• 2001

The effects of dietary supplementation with the sodium salt of isobutyric acid in a low protein (10% CP) wheat straw based diet on nutrient utilization, blood metabolites and growth performance were studied with male crossbred calves. The calves were divided into two equal groups of 6 each. The animals of the control group were fed a basal diet consisting of wheat straw, concentrate mixture and green oat fodder in 40:40:20 proportion whereas BCFA supplemented group received the basal diet+isobutyric acid at 0.75 percent of basal diet. The duration of study was 120 days. The feed intake between experimental groups did not differ significantly and the average total DMI (% BW) was 1.99 and $1.95kg\;day^{-1}$ in control and BCFA supplemented diets. The dietary supplementation of BCFA improved (p<0.01) the DM, OM, CP (p<0.05), NDF and cellulose digestibilities by 8.50, 9.01, 5.39, 17.78 and 18.44 per cent over those fed control diet. The total N retention on BCFA supplementation was improved (p<0.01) due to the decreased (p<0.05) faecal N excretion. The BCFA supplementation did not alter the blood circulatory levels of glucose, total protein, albumin, urea N and amino acids. However after 120 days of experimental feeding a significant (p<0.05) increase in the concentrations of non-esterified fatty acid was observed in control group. The DCP intake and the DCP content of experimental diets was similar in both groups. However, the TDN content of BCFA supplemented diet was significantly (p<0.01) higher (64.35%) than that of control (59.60%). The total live weight gain in BCFA supplemented diet increased by 15.94% over control. The average daily gain and efficiency of feed conversion were also improved in BCFA fed calves by 13.38 and 26.71% respectively, compared to control. It is concluded that dietary supplementation with isobutyric acid improved the digestibility of nutrients and growth performance of calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.381-385
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• 2006

This study examined the influence of re-growth periods on chemical composition, biomass production, nutritive value and digestion kinetics of Setaria sphacelata (SS) and Cenchrus ciliaris (CC) in ruminally cannulated buffalo bulls. Two re-growth intervals i.e. clipping every month ($CI_1$) and clipping after every two months ($CI_2$) were compared with the control (clipped after 4 months). Mean values of leaf to stem ratio in SS and CC grasses were decreased (p<0.05) with increasing re-growth interval. The lowest leaf to stem ratio was recorded in control plots of both grasses. In both grasses, increasing growth period increased the concentrations of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and organic matter (OM) and decreased crude protein (CP). Mean dry herbage, OM and CP yields of SS and CC were increased (p<0.05) with increasing re-growth interval. Ruminal DM and NDF digestibilities of SS and CC were decreased (p<0.05) with increasing interval. Ruminal rate of DM and NDF disappearance was higher while the ruminal lag time of these nutrients was lower with monthly than with bi-monthly clipping interval. The results from present study imply that SS and CC clipped after every two months is more beneficial than when clipped every month or every four months in terms of optimal biomass with adequate nutritional value for buffaloes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.337-343
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• 1998

In a feeding trial, Jamunapari male kids (18) of about 4 months age were equally divided into two groups of nine animals each. Goats in the experimental group were fed sun-dried pelleted Leucaena leucocephala leaves and those in the control group were offered a conventional diet without Leucaena leaves as per Kearl (1982) recommendations for a period of 6 months. Daily dry matter intake DMI/100 kg BW was $3.13{\pm}0.04kg$ in the Leucaena group and $3.30{\pm}0.05kg$ in the control. There were significant (p < 0.01) differences in the apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, EE, CF and NFE being lower in the Leucaena group. Contents of digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were 11.40 and 52.20%, respectively, in the Leucaena group and 14.04 and 66.10%, respectively in the control. The nitrogen in the Leucaena group was not well utilized as compared to the control, though kids were in positive nitrogen balance in both the groups. The average daily weight gain of kids on pelleted Leucaena was $29.95{\pm}2.60g$ as against $42.09{\pm}3.24g$ observed in the control. The mean DMI/kg LW gain was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the Leucaena group ($14.70{\pm}0.78kg$) as compared to the control ($11.55{\pm}0.46kg$). The Hb, BUN, SGOT and SGPT concentrations were statistically similar in both the groups. Histopathological examination of thyroid gland of goats sacrificed at the end of experiment did not reveal any signs of colloidal goitre associated with mimosine toxicity. No significant pathological alterations were observed in vital organs irrespective of dietary treatment. Sundried, pelleted Leucaena foliage appears to be a promising potential feed for growing goats without any significant deleterious effect.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.176-180
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• 2006

This study was carried out to establish clipping interval of Pennisetum orientale (PO) and Panicum antidotale (PA) to get maximum biomass production with optimal nutritional value for Nili buffaloes. Two clipping intervals i.e. $CI_1$, and $CI_2$ (clipped after every one and two months, respectively) were studied for both grasses. The data on various parameters were compared with PO and PA each clipped at 4 months of age (control). Leaf to stem ratio in both PO and PA declined with increasing clipping interval. Concentration of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) increased (p<0.05) whereas crude protein contents decreased with increasing clipping interval in both grasses. Crude protein and dry herbage yields in PO and PA increased (p<0.05) with increasing clipping interval. The DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibilities of PO and PA in ruminally cannulated buffalo bulls decreased (p<0.05) due to more lignification with increasing clipping interval. Ruminal extent of digestion, rate of disappearance of DM and neutral detergent fiber of PO and PA decreased in buffaloes while ruminal lag time of these nutrients increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing clipping interval. The results from the study imply that two month clipping interval for both PO and PA grasses favored higher biomass with greater nutritional value for Nili buffaloes and sustained grass vigor.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.9.1-9.5
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• 2016

Background: Literature is lacking on the effects of feeding by-product feed (BF)-based silage on rumen fermentation parameters, nutrient digestion and nitrogen (N) retention in sheep. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of replacing rye straw with BF-based silage as a roughage source on ruminal parameters, total-tract apparent nutrient digestibility, and N balance in sheep. Methods: The by-product feed silage was composed of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) (45 %), recycled poultry bedding (RPB) (21 %), rye straw (11 %), rice bran (10.8 %), corn taffy residue (10 %), protected fat (1.0 %), bentonite (0.6 %), and mixed microbial additive (0.6 %). Six sheep were assigned randomly to either the control (concentrate mix + rye straw) or a treatment diet (concentrate mix + BF-based silage). Results: Compared with the control diet, feeding a BF-based silage diet resulted in similar ruminal characteristics (pH, acetate, propionate, and butyrate concentrations, and acetate: propionate ratio), higher (p < 0.05) ruminal NH3-N, higher (p < 0.05) ether extract digestibility, similar crude protein digestibility, lower (p < 0.05) dry matter, fiber, and crude ash digestibilities, and higher (p < 0.05) N retention (g/d) Conclusion: The BF-based silage showed similar energy value, higher protein metabolism and utilization, and lower fiber digestion in sheep compared to the control diet containing rye straw.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.872-879
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• 2007

A study was conducted to investigate the seasonal changes in nutrient composition of pasture, voluntary intake and digestibility of sheep grazing an introduced Leymus chinensis pasture located in western Jilin Province, China. The whole-plant of L. chinensis and the samples simulating ingestion by sheep (simulating sample) were collected in spring (May, 2004), summer (July, 2004), autumn (September, 2004) and the end of winter (April, 2005). The contents of gross energy (GE), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and alkanes were determined. Voluntary intake and apparent digestibility of the nutrients in each season were also examined using 6 mature Chinese Northeast Merino ewes (differed among the seasons) grazing on a paddock of 1 ha size. The apparent digestibilities of GE, dry matter (DM), OM, CP, NDF and ADF of L. chinensis were significantly greater (p<0.05) in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. Metabolizable energy (ME) content was 12.13, 11.62, 8.66 and 10.40 MJ/kg DM for L. chinensis in spring, summer, autumn and winter respectively, and the corresponding voluntary feed intakes were 91, 119, 59 and 58 g/d per kg metabolic weight ($LW^{0.75}$). The ME contents and DM intakes in autumn and winter were significantly lower than in spring and summer (p<0.05). The intake of L. chinensis pasture was sufficient to provide ME requirements for maintenance by the dry ewes in all the seasons, but inadequate for maintenance protein requirement in winter. (Supported by funds from National Basic Research Program of China, Grant No. 2007CB106800).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.818-824
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• 2014

The nutrient composition of pasture, voluntary intake and digestibility of diet ingested by goats grazing on an introduced Leymus chinensis pasture were measured across spring (May), summer (July), autumn (October) and winter (March). In each season, 12 Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats (6 wethers and 6 does with an average live weight of $22.2{\pm}1.3$ kg and $19.5{\pm}0.8$ kg, respectively) were used to graze on a 2 hectares size paddock. Diet selection was observed and the plant parts selected by grazing goats and whole plant L. chinensis were sampled simultaneously. The alkane pair $C_{32}:C_{33}$ and $C_{36}$ were used to estimate intake and digestibility, respectively. The results showed that the plant parts selected by goats had higher crude protein (CP) and lower acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) than the whole plant, especially in the autumn and winter. The voluntary intake of dry matter (DM), CP, ADF, NDF, and metabolizable energy (ME) by goats was highest in summer (p<0.05). The goats ingested more CP, ME, and less ADF in spring than in autumn (p<0.05). The intakes of DM, CP, and ME were lowest in winter (p<0.05). There were significant differences in nutrient intake between wethers and does in each season, except for the ADF and ME intake per metabolic weight ($LW^{0.75}$). The nutrient digestibilities were higher in spring and summer, and decreased significantly during the autumn and winter (p<0.05). Goats, especially wethers, had a relative constant NDF digestibility across seasons, however, the apparent digestibility of CP in both wethers and does, decreased to negative values in winter. The grazing goats experienced relatively sufficient nutrients supply in spring and summer, and a severe deficiency of CP and ME in winter.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 1998

A total of 125 pigs (5.8 kg of BW) were allotted in a completely randomized block design. Treatments were coconut oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tallow and tallow+lecithin. Each treatment had 5 replicates with 5 pigs per replicate. From d 0 to 7, pigs fed vegetable oil supported greater average daily gain (ADG) and improved feed/gain (F/G) compared to pigs fed the animal fat. Addition of lecithin to tallow increased ADG by 7.2%. Feed intake were similar for all treatment groups. From d 8 to 14, pigs fed coconut oil and soy oil showed better ADG and average daily feed intake (ADFI) than any of the others. From d 15 to 21, pigs fed the tallow diets had lower gains (p < 0.05) than those fed diets that contained vegetable oil and tallow with added lecithin. The effect of different fat sources on gain became smaller with age. Feed intakes were similar between the vegetable oil and lecithin supplemented diets each week postweaning except for pigs fed tallow (p < 0.05). Feed : gain ratios were superior during the initial 2 weeks postweaning period when pigs were provided vegetable oil diet compared with pigs fed tallow. All pig groups had similar feed : gain ratios during 3 weeks. Combinations of tallow with lecithin tended to have intermediate feed/gain ratio. It was found that vegetable oils were much better in improving growth rate of the piglets. Lecithin significantly improved growth rate and feed efficiency of the pigs through the whole experimental period compared to tallow. Coconut oil was the most effective in improving growth of pigs during the first two weeks postweaning. Corn oil had equal value with soy oil in improving growth performance of weaned pigs. When vegetable oil was added, the digestibilities of nutrients except for minerals were higher than when the tallow was fed. Nutrients digestibility was similar among vegetable oils. The addition of lecithin to tallow increased digestibility of gross energy, dry matter, ether extract and crude protein. Crude ash and phosphorus digestibility were not affected by the treatments. Dry matter excretion was not different among treatments except for tallow which showed significantly higher dry matter excretion (p < 0.05), while nitrogen excretion was significantly decreased in pigs fed vegetable oil sources. However, Phosphorus excretion was not affected by the different fat sources.