• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1166-1173
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• 2010

Sixteen Mediterranean pluriparous buffaloes were subdivided into two uniform groups of eight animals. The average weight of the two groups at the start of the trial was 671.2 and 656.7 kg. The number of days from calving were 33.4 and 33.3, and the average milk production was 12.73 and 12.33 kg/d. The trial lasted for 114 days, and was divided into two sub-periods of 58 and 56 days. The two diets, administered ad libitum, had the same forage/concentrate ratio (53/47) but in their formulation the percentage of the two forages varied. Diet 1: alfalfa hay = 10%, maize silage = 43%, concentrate 1 = 47% (6.63 MJ/kg DM of net energy; 179.5 g/kg DM of crude protein). Diet 2: alfalfa hay = 20%, maize silage = 33%, concentrate 2 = 47%, (5.99 MJ/kg DM of net energy; 155.4 g/kg DM of crude protein). For the overall trial period (33-146 days in milk), the intake of dry matter was 17.23 kg/d for Group 1 and 17.29 kg/d for Group 2 and corresponded to 2.50 and 2.58% (p<0.01) of live weight. There was no significant difference between the average weight (689.7 and 669.4 kg) and the body condition score (6.49 and 6.42) of the two groups of buffaloes. Group 1 produced a greater quantity of milk (11.89 vs. 10.90 kg/d, p<0.10) of better quality both for its higher fat content (82.32 vs. 77.29 g/kg, p<0.10) and its protein content (47.36 and 46.38 g/kg). The milk produced by the buffaloes receiving Diet 1 had a better clotting ability, lower values of r (15.98 and 16.42 min) and K20 (1.66 and 1.75 min) and a higher value of A30 (54.45 and 52.73 mm). Taking into consideration the two sub-periods, milk production was significantly different only in the first sub-period (33-90 DIM), in favour of Group 1 (13.08 vs. 11.56 kg/d, p<0.05), while the positive effect of Diet 1 was cancelled out (10.71 and 10.24 kg/d) in the second part of the trial (91-146 DIM).

• 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.20 no.2
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• pp.252-256
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• 2007

This study was carried out to determine the effect of vitamin E and vitamin C on the performance of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared under heat stress during the growth and egg production period. A total of 810 seven-day-old Japanese quails were used in the trial. The birds received a diet with either three levels of vitamin E (DL-${\alpha}$Tocopheryl acetate) (60, 120 and 240 mg/kg of diet) and vitamin C (ROVIMIX STAY-C 35) (60, 120 and 240 mg/kg of diet). Live weight on day 35 and weight gain were the lowest in the group of chicks on a combination of 60 mg of vitamin E and 60 mg of vitamin C, whereas the highest live weight was demonstrated in chicks on a combination of 240 mg of vitamin E and 240 mg of vitamin C (p<0.01). The effects of treatments on cumulative feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, age at 5% lay, sexual maturity weight, rate of lay and mean egg weight values were found to be significant (p<0.01). The highest feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, age at 5% lay, sexual maturity weight, rate of lay and mean egg weight values were found in the group on a combination of 240 mg of vitamin E and 240 mg of vitamin C. The effect of treatments on the mortality ratio was found to be insignificant (p>0.01). The cost of supplementing diets with vitamin E and vitamin C is very low. Therefore such a combination of supplement can offer a potential protective management practice in preventing heat stress related losses in performance of Japanese quails.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.309-313
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• 1996

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of rumen-protected lysine (RPLys) on growth rate, feed efficiency and plasma amino acid concentrations in sheep. RPLys was supplemented at the level of 0% ($T_1$), 0.2% ($T_2$) and 0.4% ($T_3$) of total DMI with 24 sheep in a 56 day feeding trial. The results are summarized as follows: 1. live weight gain of sheep in groups $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$ was 219, 216 and 244 g/d, and was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for $T_3$ through the entire experiment. 2. Feed intake was not affected by RPLys supplementation. 3. The group fed $T_3$ had a significantly (p < 0.05) better feed efficiency than the groups fed $T_1$ and $T_3$. The response of $T_3$ was higher in growing period II of feeding low protein basal diet than in period I. 4. Plasma lysine concentrations tended to be higher with supplementing RPLys, but there were no differences between $T_2$ and $T_3$. 5. Supplementing RPLys in the diets increased plasma concentrations of arginine, asparagines, threonine, serine, valine and leucine compared with sheep receiving no RPLys. In contrast, plasma histidine was lower in sheep fed the supplementing RPLys than fed the diet $T_1$ with significant (p < 0.05) difference.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.410-415
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• 2009

The weekly liveweight gain, growing and stress parameters of quails bred using two different types of lighting for 6 weeks following hatching were examined in this study. The first type of lighting was 23 L:1 D, continuous lighting (CL), widely used in the commercial system and the second was a self-photoperiod (SP) system consisting of a continuously lit chamber and a dark chamber the quails could move to as they wished. On the first 15 days, no difference was found in liveweight gain between the two breeding systems. On the $6^{th}$ week when the trial was completed, the liveweight of the male quails upon which CL lighting was used was 159.03 g while the weight of males in the SP group was 174.43 g; these values in female quails of the CL group were 179.15 g and in the SP group were 200.68 g. The CL group had lower testis volume (TVOM, $cm^{3}$) and testis weight (TW, g) than the SP group, however there was no difference between the groups in testis weight/body weight rate (BWTW %). In female quails, the ovary weight (OW, g) and the ovary weight/body weight rate (BWOW, %) values were higher in the SP group. The CL light regime was concluded to cause stress in male quails (CL, Heterophil/Lymphocyte ratio (H/L): 0.27; SP, H/L: 0.17). In conclusion; the SP system allowing the quails to regulate their light periods increased liveweight gain and enabled sexual maturity to be gained at an earlier period than in quail on the CL system and improved their welfare.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.95-98
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• 2013

The experiment was conducted to determine the value of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae and pupae as feed supplements for fresh-water fish (Carassius auratus). Black soldier fly larvae grown on food waste were fed to fresh-water fish, live larvae alone, dried larvae, dried pupae and combination with commercial fish diet. A 16-week feed trial was conducted to determine whether black soldier fly larvae could be used as a feed supplement in fresh-water fish. The growth performance indicated that fish fed the live larvae ranked consistently higher, and in combination with commercial fish diet and dried larvae and pupae were next higher. The finding of this study suggest that black soldier fly larvae and pupae may be valuable feedstuff in commercial fish production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.383-387
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• 1994

Six heifers each of $F_1$, $F_2$, $F_3$, $F_4$ H. Friesian $\times$ Sahjwal halfbreds and pure Sahiwal with overall average initial age and live weight of $315.6{\pm}134.8 days$ and $143.8{\pm}48.5kg$, respectively were used for this study. The under trial animals were fed according to N.R.C. (1978). The overall average age at maturity, first conception and first calving was $563.8{\pm}116.8$, $675.8{\pm}135.6$ and $956.8{\pm}149.8days$ with live weights as $302.2{\pm}58.6$, $342.6{\pm}41.5$ and $433.9{\pm}38.1kg$, respectively. The overall 305 days and total milk yield for 1st lactation was $2,729.0{\pm}669.3$ and $2,992.7{\pm}377.5litre$ while the FCM (at 4%) was $2,934.2{\pm}410.8litre$. The lactation length was $336.6{\pm}69.6days$. The fat and solids not fat contents were $4.5{\pm}0.2$ and $8.2{\pm}0.3percent$, respectively. The milk production in Sahiwal cows was significantly lower than crossbred cows. The services per conception were $2.5{\pm}1.3$. The overall per head per day consumption of DM, TCP and ME was $10.9{\pm}1.2kg$, $1,399{\pm}199gm$ and $22.6{\pm}2.4 M.Cal.$, respectively. The overall milk producing efficiency for the production of one litre of FCM was $1.12{\pm}0.15kg$ of DM, $142.2{\pm}17.76gm$ of TCP and $2.31{\pm}0.27M.Cal.$ of energy while the feeding cost was Rs. $1.46{\pm}0.22$ per litre of FCM produced. The feeding cost per litre FCM was significantly higher in Sahiwal and $F_2$ than in other genetic groups.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2009

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a strong causative agent for high mortality in cultured and wild shrimps. From this study, the WSSV prevalence in marine organisms around shrimp farm as well as live feed-mediated transmission of WSSV to farmed shrimps were investigated. Based on nested-PCR method, WSSV was detected in wide array of marine organisms including Perinereis aibuhitensis (81.3% of prevalence rate, 13/16), Enedrias fangi (100%, 16/16), Ruditapes philippinarum (20%, 2/10), crab larvae (100%, 10/10), copepoda (30%, 3/10), Periophthalmus modestus (50%, 5/10), Pachygrapsus crassipes (10%, 1/10), Helice tridens (20%, 2/10) and Neomysis sp. (70%, 7/10). On the other hand, WSSV was not detected in Bullacta exarata, Uca arcuata, and Reishia clavigera. The percent prevalence of WSSV in wild shrimps, Fenneropenaeus chinensis was only 6%, but markedly increased up to 56% after a feeding trial using polychaete worms for one month, indicating that the live feed is one of significant carriers of WSSV to shrimps under practical farming conditions.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.135-150
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• 1994

For the effective seedling production of the sweetfish, Plecoglossus altivelis, dietary value of live food in the growth and survival rate of the larvae was examined. To investigate dietary value of three types of rotifers (L-type, S-type, Us-type rotifer) for the sweetfish larvae, the larvae were fed with alone or mixed with each type and with mixtures of two or three types. Although the survival rates of the larvae fed different types of rotifers were not significantly different among them, the larvae fed a mixture of three types of rotifers showed the highest growth significantly. A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of the dietary values of rotifer and Artemia nauplius enriched with Chlorella ellipsoidea, $\omega-yeast$, spray-dried Spirulina platensis, and Super Selco for the sweetfish larvae. The dietary values of rotifer and Artemia nauplius enriched with Super Selco mixed with spray-dried S. platens is were distinctly improved for the survival rate and growth of the larvae. With regard to effect of the green water with Chlorella ellipsoidea, spray-dried Spirulina platensis, and the addition of photosynthetic bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas capsulatus), the green water with Spirulina platens is mixed with photosynthetic bacteria also enhanced the growth and survival rate of the larvae.

• Infection and chemotherapy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2018

Background: Zoster vaccination is recommended for people with a history of herpes zoster (HZ), but the most effective timing of vaccine administration after zoster illness is unresolved. This prospective observational study compared the immunogenicity and safety of administering HZ vaccine at 6-12 months and 1-5 years after zoster illness. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected before the administration of live zoster vaccine and 6 weeks after vaccination. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) IgG concentrations and T-cell responses were assessed by glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and interferon-${\gamma}$ enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT), respectively. Results: The baseline geometric mean value (GMV) of VZV IgG was higher in the 6-12 months group than in the 1-5 years group (245.5 IU/mL vs. 125.9 IU/mL; P = 0.021). However, the GMV increased significantly in both groups (P = 0.002 in the 6-12 months group; P <0.001 in the 1-5 years group). The results of the ELISPOT assay were not significant for differences of the GMV between baseline and 6-week post-vaccination groups, while the GMV increased significantly in both groups (P = 0.001 in the 6-12 months group; P <0.001 in the 1-5 years group). Conclusion: The immunogenicity of zoster vaccine may be similar whether administered 6-12 months, or >1 year after zoster illness. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02704572