• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.538-545
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• 2017

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of cupric citrate (CuCit) on growth performance, antioxidant indices, serum lipid metabolites, serum immune indices, and tissue residues of copper (Cu), zinc, and iron in weaned pigs. Methods: A total of 180 weaned pigs ($Duroc{\times}Landrace{\times}Large$ White) with an average body weight of $8.98{\pm}1.21kg$ were randomly assigned to a corn-soybean meal control ration, or 4 similar rations with 30, 60, 120, or 240 mg/kg Cu as CuCit. All diets contained 10 mg/kg Cu as cupric sulfate from the vitamin-mineral premix. The experiment was divided into two phases: 0 to 14 d (phase 1) and 15 to 28 d (phase 2). Results: Average daily gain (ADG; linearly, p<0.01) and average daily feed intake (ADFI; linearly and quadratically, p<0.05) were affected by an increase in CuCit during phase 2. Overall period, ADG (p<0.05) and ADFI (p<0.01) were linearly increased with increasing dietary levels of CuCit. Serum malondialdehyde concentrations (p<0.05) and glutathione peroxidase activity (p<0.01) linearly decreased and increased respectively with an increase in CuCit. Serum levels of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase were linearly affected with an increase in CuCit (p<0.01). Hepatic malondialdehyde levels decreased with an increase in CuCit (linearly and quadratically, p<0.01). Serum total cholesterol concentrations were quadratically affected (p<0.05) and decreased in pigs fed Cu as CuCit at 60 and 120 mg/kg and increased in pigs fed 240 mg/kg Cu as CuCit. Serum high-density lipoprotein concentrations were linearly affected with an increase in CuCit (p<0.01). Serum $IL-1{\beta}$ levels were quadratically affected (p<0.05) by dietary treatment. Compared with other treatments, 240 mg/kg Cu from CuCit quadratically increased hepatic (p<0.01) and renal (p<0.05) Cu concentrations, and quadratically decreased hepatic and renal iron concentrations (p<0.05). Conclusion: Cu administered in the form of CuCit at a dosage range of 30 to 60 mg/kg, effectively enhanced the growth performance and antioxidant status of weaned pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.1674-1680
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• 2000

A study was conducted to compare the feeding value of urea treated and untreated mustard straw (MS) for sheep. Treated MS was prepared by adding urea-N at 1.84% and followed by packing in a pit silo for 21 days. Two groups of six empty Avikaline ewes were fed untreated (UTMS) and treated (TMS) mustard straw along with 200 g concentrate per head daily for 90 days. Untreated MS had 0.41% N and the urea treatment increased its N value to 1.58 %. The cell wall constituents were decreased in the TMS except for cellulose which remained unaffected. Dry matter intake of TMS was consistently higher than that of UTMS. Digestibility of DM, OM and fibre fractions of MS improved by the urea treatment. Ewes in both groups were in positive N balance while % N retention was lower in UTMS (26.30%) than in TMS (52.14%). The TMS fed group on average consumed 30.2 g DM, 2.9 g digestible crude protein and $0.2MJ\;DE\;per\;kg\;BW\;day^{-1}$ and maintained their weight whereas, the UTMS fed ewes lost weight. The VFA concentration in rumen liquor was higher in TMS than in UTMS. Total-N, ammonia-N and TCA-precipitable-N were also higher in TMS fed ewes. Blood glucose concentrations in the two groups were similar at initiation of the study. However the glucose concentration of UTMS fed group was significantly (p<0.01) lower than those fed UTMS at the termination of the study. Urea-N concentration was also higher in TMS fed group after 90 days of feeding period. It is concluded that urea treatment of MS improved N value of MS from 0.41% to 1.58% along with sizable improvement in nutritive value and in conjunction with 200 g concentrate, TMS can serve as maintenance ration for sheep. ($ME_{lakt}/ME_{m}=1.46$).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1422-1428
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• 2006

In order to investigate the effect of different levels of niacin supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization, their balance and blood biochemical profile, 15 male buffalo calves (9-10 months of age, $88.4{\pm}4.37kg$ average body weight) were divided into 3 equal groups each of 5 calves, following a completely randomized design, and fed individually for 120 days with wheat straw and concentrate mixture to meet their nutrient requirements. In addition calves were supplemented with 0 ppm (control, group I), 100 ppm (group II) and 200 ppm (group III) niacin. After 90 days of experimental feeding a metabolism trial was conducted to estimate the digestibility of nutrients and their balance. Fortnightly body weights were recorded to assess their growth rate and blood was collected from the jugular vein at day 0 and subsequently at 30-day intervals from all the experimental buffalo calves to study blood biochemical parameters. Results showed that intake and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, total carbohydrates, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose and hemicelluloses were statistically similar in the 3 groups. Buffalo calves in all three groups were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance, without showing any significant effect of the treatments. Dry matter, crude protein, digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient intake ($g/d/kgW^{0.75}$) were similar in the control and niacin supplemented groups. Digestible crude protein (%) and total digestible nutrients (%) in the ration of the 3 groups were 8.07, 7.99, 7.92 and 56.70, 56.63, 56.74, respectively, and were comparable among the groups. The average daily gain (g) in-group II (567.50) was not significantly (p>0.05) higher than group I (500.0) and group III (510.0). Blood biochemical constituents (glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea-N, insulin) showed no significant effect of niacin supplementation. However, serum cholesterol (mg/100 ml) was significantly (p<0.01) lower in the 200 ppm niacin-supplemented group than in the control and 100 ppm niacin-supplemented groups. It can be concluded that supplementation of niacin at 100 and 200 ppm in the diet of buffalo calves had no significant beneficial effect on their growth and nutrient utilization.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1374-1388
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• 2007

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the hypothesis that cows grazing on pasture produce the highest proportion of c-9 t-11 CLA in milk fat and no further increase can be achieved through supplementation of diets rich in linoleic acid, such as full-fat extruded soybeans or soybean oil. In experiment 1, 18 lactating Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design with measurements made from wk 4 to 6 of the experiment. In experiment 2, three cannulated lactating Holstein cows were used in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design. Each period was 4 wk with measurements made in the final wk of each period. Cows in both experiments were assigned at random to treatments: a, conventional total mixed ration (TMR); b, pasture (PS); or c, PS supplemented with 2.5 kg/cow per day of full-fat extruded soybeans (PES). In both experiments, feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, and fatty acid profile of milk and blood serum were measured, along with fatty acid composition of bacteria harvested from rumen digesta in experiment 2. In experiment 3, 10 cows which had continuously grazed a pasture for six weeks were assigned to two groups, with one group (n = 5) on pasture diet alone (PS) and the other group (n = 5) supplemented with 452 g of soy oil/cow per day for 7 d (OIL). In experiment 1, cows in PS treatment produced 350% more c-9, t-11 CLA compared with cows in TMR treatment (1.70 vs. 0.5% of fat), with no further increase for cows in PES treatment (1.50% of fat). Serum c-9, t-11 CLA increased by 233% in PS treatment compared with TMR treatment (0.21 vs. 0.09% of fat) with no further increase for cows in PES treatment (0.18% of fat). In experiment 2, cows in PS treatment produced 300% more c-9 t-11 CLA in their milk fat compared with cows in TMR treatment (1.77 vs. 0.59% of fat), but no further increase for cows in PES treatment (1.84% of fat) was observed. Serum c-9, t-11 CLA increased by 250% for cows in PS treatment compared with cows in TMR treatment (0.27 vs. 0.11% of fat), with no further increase for cows in PES treatment (0.31% of fat). The c-9, t-11 CLA content of ruminal bacteria for cows in PS treatment was 200% or more of TMR treatment, but no further increase in bacterial c-9, t-11 CLA for cows in PES treatment was observed. Supplementation of soy oil in experiment 3 also did not increase the c-9 t-11 CLA content of milk fat compared with cows fed a full pasture diet (1.60 vs. 1.54% of fat). Based on these findings, it was concluded that supplementing with feeds rich in linoleic acid, such as full-fat extruded soybeans or an equivalent amount of soy oil, to cows grazing perennial ryegrass pasture may not increase milk fat c-9 t-11 CLA contents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.1273-1277
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• 2002

The effect of urea treatment on chemical composition of neem seed kernel cake (NSKC) was investigated by soaking the cake in 2.1% urea solution (1.2 l $kg^{-1}$ NSKC) for five days. The effect on utilisation of nutrients by replacing groundnut cake (GNC) (30%) with urea-treated neem seed kernel cake (UTNSKC) (33%) in a concentrate mixture fed to meet 70% of the protein requirements of lambs (8 males and 8 females), was monitored in a digestibility study. Following urea treatment of NSKC only 9.5% of urea was hydrolysed and the crude protein content of the cake was increased by 6.65%. The tannin content in depulped neem seeds was 37% catechin equivalent. Whereas feeding UTNSKC had no effect on intake of dry matter (72.5 vs 66.3 g/kg $BW^{0.75}day^{-1}$) and digestibility of crude fibre (41.3 vs 43.4%), the cake depressed (p<0.01) the percent digestibility of dry matter (63.7 vs 70.2), crude protein (63.2 vs 70.2), nitrogen free extract (73.8 vs 80.5) and gross energy (64.3 vs 69.1). Digestibility of ether extract (75.8 vs 70.9%) was higher (p<0.05) in animals offered UTNSKC. The nutritive value of the composite ration consumed by lambs offered UTNSKC was lower (p<0.01) in terms of total digestible nutrients (64.7 vs 70.2%) and digestible energy (2.8 vs 3.0 Kcal/g DM). Intake of digestible energy (199.8 vs 194.1 Kcal/kg $BW^{0.75}day^{-1}$) and retention of nitrogen (7.53 vs 8.23 g $day^{-1}$) and calcium (2.12 vs 1.84 g $day^{-1}$) were comparable on the 2 rations. Animals fed UTNSKC retained less (p<0.01) phosphorus (0.37 vs 1.05 g $day^{-1}$). The results indicate that urea treatment increased the protein level of NSKC whereas feeding the treated cake as a replacement of GNC, lowered the digestibility of nutrients and retention of phosphorus.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1354-1363
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• 2010

This study compared the effect of four different feeding methods for gestating gilts on reproductive performance and growth of their progeny. A total of 40 F1 primiparous sows (Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace) were allotted to four treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). For treatments, gestating period of sows was divided into three trimesters (0-35 d, 36-90 d and 91-110 d) and different amounts of feed were provided to each treatment group by Flat, Down-Up-Down (DUD), Up-Down-Up (UDU) and Down-Up-Up (DUU) feeding methods. The experimental diet was formulated to meet or exceed the standards of NRC (1998). Body weight gain of gestating gilts from d 0 to 110 was affected by feeding method (p<0.05). When gilts were fed constant feed ration (Flat feeding), less body weight loss was observed during lactation (-0.9 kg, p<0.05) and desirable backfat thickness (average 19.5 mm) was acquired at 110 days of gestation. Feed intake of lactating sows tended to be greater (4.22, 3.60, 3.97 and 4.13 kg/d, p>0.05) as sows in Flat feeding treatment had lower backfat thickness during gestation compared with other treatments (p<0.05). When gestating gilts were fed higher amount of feed during mid-trimester, the number of stillborn (1.4 piglet per litter, p<0.05) and mummies (0.8 piglet per litter, p = 0.25) were increased compared to other treatments. Feeding methods for gestating gilts had no effect on litter weight and gain of litter weight during the nursing period. Flat feeding method resulted in decreased plasma glucose concentration at 7 d postpartum (p<0.05), and increased LH concentration at 21 d postpartum (p<0.01) compared to other treatments. These results suggested that higher feed intake of gestating gilts resulted in detrimental effects on body condition and reproductive performance of sows. When gestating gilts consumed constant feed during gestation (2 kg/d), better reproductive performance and less body weight loss in lactation were observed because sows consumed more feed during the whole lactation period. Consequently, Flat feeding will be a desirable feeding strategy for gestating gilts to maximize reproductive performance, and better body condition of sows without any negative influence on the growth of their progeny.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2012

This study examined the effects of supplementation of fish oil and canola oil in the diet on milk yield, milk components and fatty acid composition of Holstein dairy cows in early lactation. Eight multiparous early lactation Holstein cows ($42{\pm}12$ DIM, $40{\pm}6kg$ daily milk yield) were fed a total mixed ration supplemented with either 0% oil (Control), 2% fish oil (FO), 1% canola oil +1% fish oil (FOCO), or 2% canola oil (CO) according to a double $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Each period lasted 3 wk; experimental analyses were restricted to the last week of each period. Supplemental oils were added to a basal diet which was formulated according to NRC (2001) and consisted of 20% alfalfa, 20% corn silage and 60% concentrate. Milk yield was similar between diets (p>0.05), but dry matter intake (DMI) was lower (p<0.05) in cows fed FO diet compared to other diets. Milk fat percentage and daily yield decreased (p<0.01) with the supplementation of fish and canola oil. The daily yield and percentage of milk protein, lactose and solids-not-fat (SNF) were not affected by diets (p>0.05). The proportion (g/100 g fatty acids) of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) decreased and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased (p<0.05) in milk of all cows fed diets supplemented with oil. The proportions of 6:0, 8:0, 10:0 12:0 and 14:0 fatty acids in milk fat decreased (p<0.01) for all diets supplemented with oil, but the proportions of 14:1, 16:0 and 16:1 fatty acids were not affected by diets (p>0.05). The proportion of trans(t)-18:1 increased (p<0.01) in milk fat of cows fed FO and FOCO diets, but CO diet had the highest proportion of cis(c)-11 18:1 (p<0.01). The concentration of t-10, c-12 18:2, c-9 t-11 18:2, 18:3, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6) increased (p<0.05) in FO and FOCO diets in comparison with the other two diets. These data indicate that including fish oil in combination with canola oil significantly modifies the fatty acid composition of milk.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1616-1624
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• 2016

The aim of present experiment was to investigate the effect of protein reduction in commercial broiler chicken rations with incorporation of de-oiled rice bran (DORB) and supplementation of limiting amino acids (valine, isoleucine, and/or tryptophan) with ration formulation either on total amino acid (TAA) or standardized ileal digestible amino acids (SIDAA). The experimental design consisted of $T_1$, TAA control; $T_2$ and $T_3$, 0.75% and 1.5% protein reduction by 3% and 6% DORB incorporation, respectively by replacing soybean meal with supplemental limiting amino acids to meet TAA requirement; $T_4$, SIDAA control, $T_5$ and $T_6$, 0.75% and 1.5% protein reduction by DORB incorporation (3% and 6%) with supplemental limiting amino acids on SIDAA basis. A total of 360 dold fast growing broiler chicks (Vencobb-400) were divided into 36 homogenous groups of ten chicks each, and six dietary treatments described were allocated randomly with six replications. During 42 days trial, the feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by TAA factor compared to SIDAA factor and protein factor significantly (p<0.05) reduced the feed intake at 1.5% reduction compared to normal protein group. This was observed only during pre-starter phase but not thereafter. The cumulative body weight gain (BWG) was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in TAA formulations with protein step-down of 1.5% ($T_3$, 1,993 g) compared to control ($T_1$, 2,067 g), while under SIDAA formulations, BWG was not affected with protein reduction of 1.5% ($T_6$, 2,076 g) compared to $T_4$ (2,129 g). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in both TAA and SIDAA formulations with 1.5% protein step-down ($T_3$, 1.741; $T_6$, 1.704) compared to respective controls ($T_1$, 1.696; $T_4$, 1.663). The SIDAA formulation revealed significantly (p<0.05) higher BWG (2,095 g) and better FCR (1.684) compared to TAA formulation (2,028 g; 1.721). Intake of crude protein and all limiting amino acids (SID basis) was higher in SIDAA group than TAA group with resultant higher nitrogen retention (4.438 vs 4.027 g/bird/d). The nitrogen excretion was minimized with 1.5% protein reduction (1.608 g/bird) compared to normal protein group (1.794 g/bird). The serum uric acid concentration was significantly reduced in $T_3$ (9.45 mg/dL) as compared to $T_4$ (10.75 mg/dL). All carcass parameters were significantly (p<0.05) higher in SIDAA formulation over TAA formulation and 1.5% protein reduction significantly reduced carcass, breast and thigh yields. In conclusion, the dietary protein can be reduced by 0.75% with TAA formulation and 1.5% with SIDAA formulation through DORB incorporation and supplementation of limiting amino acids and among formulations, SIDAA formulation was better than TAA formulation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1458-1463
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• 2018

Objective: This study was done to evaluate the effect of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) supplementation in a total mixed ration (TMR) on the lactation performance, blood parameters, and economic efficacy of mid-lactation Holstein cows. Methods: Twenty-four cows (body weight $647{\pm}11.7kg$) were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups, with six cows per group. The dietary treatments were as follows: basal diet (CON); CON+17.5 g of top dressed SSL (treatment [TRT] 0.05); CON+35 g of SSL (TRT 0.1); and CON+70 g of SSL (TRT 0.2) per 35 kg TMR. Results: The highest level of SSL supplementation (TRT 0.2) significantly improved milk yield during the second period compared to the TRT 0.05 group (5 to 8 wks; 33.28 vs 31.09 kg/d), during the third period compared to both the CON and TRT 0.05 groups (p<0.05) (9 to 13 wks; 32.59 vs 30.64 and 30.01 kg/d) and during the overall experimental period compared to both the CON and TRT 0.05 groups (p<0.05) (1 to 13 wks; 33.43 vs 32.06 and 31.40 kg/d), respectively. No negative effects on hematological or biochemical parameters were observed due to SSL supplementation. Considering both the milk fat and protein content, the total milk price was set at 1,073.60 (TRT 0.05), 1,085.60 (TRT 0.1), 1,086.10 (TRT 0.2), and 1,064.20 (CON) won/L, with consequent total milk profits of -1.7%, 5.4%, and 3.5% for the TRT 0.05, TRT 0.1, and TRT 0.2 diet, respectively, compared to those in the CON diet. Conclusion: The milk sales revenue related to SSL supplementation of the TRT 0.1 diet was increased by up to 5.4% compared to the milk sales revenue of the CON diet. Therefore, 0.1% SSL supplementation might be effective and profitable during the mid-lactation period of cows, without producing adverse effects.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2004

Hisardale male lambs (n=24, 4-5 month of age) were maintained on a conventional ration for a month, to equilibrate the body mineral status. Six lambs were sacrificed after one month of feeding; the samples of organs were analyzed to ascertain mineral status. The remaining 18 lambs were divided into 3 groups of 6 each on body weight basis. Three dietary treatments containing 100 ($T_1$), 110 ($T_2$) and 120% ($T_3$) of minerals (Ca, P, S, Zn and Mn) as specified by NRC (1985) were formulated and each treatment was alloted ad libitum to a group for 120 days. Blood and wool samples were collected at monthly intervals. At the end of the experiment a balance trial of 5 days duration was conducted to study the balance of mineral elements. The effective intake of minerals was Ca, 111 and 120, P, 110 and 122; S, 112 and 129; Zn, 112 and 126 and Mn, 109 and 123 percent in $T_2$ and $T_3$, respectively, in comparison to $T_1$ (100). The additional mineral supplementation had no significant effect on dry matter intake. The average daily weight gain was higher (p<0.01) in $T_2$ and $T_3$ than the control ($T_1$). The lambs under treatments $T_2$ (8.72) and $T_3$ (8.47 kg) consumed apparently lesser amount of dry matter per unit gain as compared to $T_1$ (10.81 kg). Significantly higher (p<0.05) dry matter and crude protein digestibility (%) were observed in $T_2$ and $T_3$ than in $T_1$. The mean balances for different elements were Ca, 1.14, 1.68 and 1.67 g; P, 1.70, 1.95 and 2.18 g; S, 0.54, 0.92 and 1.11 g; Zn, 22.56, 25.30 and 28.71 mg; Cu, 7.94, 5.71 and 5.53 mg; Fe, 33.19, 32.94 and 31.03 mg and Mn, 8.24, 14.40 and 16.07 mg/lamb/day. The retention of supplemental minerals increased (p<0.01) while that of Cu decreased (p<0.01) due to supplementation of minerals (Ca, P, S, Zn and Mn). Retention as per cent of intake increased statistically for S and Mn while that of Cu decreased. It can be concluded that supplementation of minerals (Ca, P, S, Zn and Mn) higher than the recommended level improved body weight gain and feed to gain ratio. The retention of minerals increased due to supplementation. Therefore, an additional supplementation of deficient minerals (Ca, P, S, Zn and Mn) by 10% was beneficial for Hisardale male lambs under tropical condition in India.