Production and glutathione responses to rumen-protected methionine in young sheep grazing dry pastures over summer and autumn

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Mata ◽  
D. G. Masters ◽  
N. L. Chamberlain ◽  
P. Young

The aims of the experiment were to evaluate, in weaner sheep grazing dry annual pastures, the production responses and changes in blood and tissue glutathione concentrations to a methionine formulation (Lactet) protected from microbial breakdown in the rumen. Two groups of 60 weaner wether sheep, weighing 32·8 kg, were supplemented with lupin grain containing either nil (control) or 9 g Lactet per day. Lactet provided 3 g of protected methionine per day. The sheep grazed dry pastures and were rotated through 2 plots every week from December to June. After June the treatment ceased and the sheep grazed as one group until shearing in September. The sheep given Lactet grew 340 g more clean wool with a greater fibre diameter (1·2 µm) than the control sheep. Lactet supplementation increased liveweights during treatment and for 3 months following treatment. Faecal dry matter output was significantly increased by Lactet supplements and the effects were maintained in the post-treatment period, indicating that Lactet supplementation increased dry matter intake. Glutathione concentrations were significantly increased in whole blood, liver, and muscle but not in skin. Changes due to season were greater than changes due to treatment. It was concluded that glutathione in blood or tissues, although responsive at times, was not a reliable indicator of sulfur amino acid intake or status. Significant increases in total body water, protein, ash, fat, and total body energy were observed relative to the control group following Lactet supplementation. We conclude that young sheep grazing dry annual pastures in summer and autumn have the potential to respond to supplements of rumen-protected methionine even at low energy intakes from low quality pastures and show improvements in wool quality and quantity as well as liveweight and intake.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Amira Rachah ◽  
Olav Reksen ◽  
Nils Kristian Afseth ◽  
Valeria Tafintseva ◽  
Sabine Ferneborg ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of the study was to evaluate the potential of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of milk samples to predict body energy status and related traits (energy balance (EB), dry matter intake (DMI) and efficient energy intake (EEI)) in lactating dairy cows. The data included 2371 milk samples from 63 Norwegian Red dairy cows collected during the first 105 days in milk (DIM). To predict the body energy status traits, calibration models were developed using Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR). Calibration models were established using split-sample (leave-one cow-out) cross-validation approach and validated using an external test set. The PLSR method was implemented using just the FTIR spectra or using the FTIR together with milk yield (MY) or concentrate intake (CONCTR) as predictors of traits. Analyses were conducted for the entire first 105 DIM and separately for the two lactation periods: 5 ≤ DIM ≤ 55 and 55 < DIM ≤ 105. To test the models, an external validation using an independent test set was performed. Predictions depending on the parity (1st, 2nd and 3rd-to 6th parities) in early lactation were also investigated. Accuracy of prediction (r) for both cross-validation and external test set was defined as the correlation between the predicted and observed values for body energy status traits. Analyzing FTIR in combination with MY by PLSR, resulted in relatively high r-values to estimate EB (r = 0.63), DMI (r = 0.83), EEI (r = 0.84) using an external validation. Only moderate correlations between FTIR spectra and traits like EB, EEI and dry matter intake (DMI) have so far been published. Our hypothesis was that improvements in the FTIR predictions of EB, EEI and DMI can be obtained by (1) stratification into different stages of lactations and different parities, or (2) by adding additional information on milking and feeding traits. Stratification of the lactation stages improved predictions compared with the analyses including all data 5 ≤ DIM ≤105. The accuracy was improved if additional data (MY or CONCTR) were included in the prediction model. Furthermore, stratification into parity groups, improved the predictions of body energy status. Our results show that FTIR spectral data combined with MY or CONCTR can be used to obtain improved estimation of body energy status compared to only using the FTIR spectra in Norwegian Red dairy cattle. The best prediction results were achieved using FTIR spectra together with MY for early lactation. The results obtained in the study suggest that the modeling approach used in this paper can be considered as a viable method for predicting an individual cow's energy status.


2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 468-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Poláková ◽  
V. Kudrna ◽  
A. Kodeš ◽  
B. Hučko ◽  
Z. Mudřík

The main aim of this study was to investigate experimentally the effect of different composition of non-structural carbohydrates (NFC) in prepartum feed rations administered to high-yielding dairy cows at a high concentration of NFC in the diet on dry matter intake both before and after parturition and on subsequent milk performance, body condition and physiological traits of rumen fluid and blood. Thirty-six high-yielding dairy cows were allocated into one of the three well-balanced groups (K, O, and C), and each group received a different feeding rations. Feeding rations differed in non-structural carbohydrate (NFC) structure. The "K" (control) group received a feeding ration with NFC in the form of maize starch in particular, while the feeding rations of the other two (experimental) groups contained either (besides maize starch) saccharose from dried sugar beet (the "O" group) or a dominant amount of NFC was in the form of saccharose (the "C" group). After calving, all dairy cows were given the same feeding ration from the first day after parturition. The experiment was conducted for 21 days before and 50 days after calving. FR in the form of total mixed ration was offered ad libitum. Dry matter intake, milk performance, body condition, live weight, and blood and rumen parameters were recorded for the duration of the experiment. Average daily dry matter intake before calving was highest in the "K" group (14.32 kg per head). Differences among groups were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). Prepartum dry matter consumption dropped as the rate of saccharose in the diet of cows increased. Dry matter consumption levelled off after calving. Milk yield was also highest in the "K" group (43.71 kg/head/day), but fatness of milk and thus the production of fat corrected milk were lowest in this group. The highest milk fat content (4.10%) and fat corrected milk production (44.03 kg/head/day) were recorded in the "C" group, whereas the highest milk protein concentration was found in the milk of the "O" group. The composition of NFC affected dry matter intake before parturition, but these concentrations did not significantly affect dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition, live weight, body condition or blood serum and rumen fluid parameters after calving


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6Supl2) ◽  
pp. 3157
Author(s):  
Simone Pedro da Silva ◽  
Carina Ubirajara de Faria ◽  
Ana Caroline Rodrigues da Cunha ◽  
Aline Maria Soares Ferreira ◽  
Jean Marcos Castro Paula ◽  
...  

We aimed to evaluate the effects of using a concentrated ration containing industrialised human food on the productive parameters of Nellore heifers in confinement, in addition to comparing the dry matter intake (DMI) observed with that predicted by the nutritional systems BR-Corte and NRC, in order to determine which system makes the most accurate predictions for heifers of the breed Nelore in feedlots. Twenty-four Nelore heifers, with an average age of 24 months and average body weight (BW) of 350 kg, were used over the 70 days of the experiment. They were randomly assigned to two treatments and housed in partially covered stalls equipped with an automatic Growsafe® Systems feeding system. Animals in the control group (CONT) received a concentrated ration containing ground corn, soybean meal, urea, and mineral nucleus. In the residual treatment (RES) group, heifers received concentrated feed containing products from the human diet. The difference between the treatments was the concentrated ration; in the control treatment, the energy source used was maize, whereas in the residue treatment, the energy sources were corn chips, coconut candies, and ground coffee. Corn silage was included as forage for both treatments. The forage:concentrate (F:C) ratio was 84:16. The predicted intake was estimated according to the nutritional systems NRC (2000, 2016) and BR-Corte (VALADARES FILHO et al., 2010, 2016). The average DMI observed of the heifers was 7.46 kg day-1. Heifers fed with human feed residue had a higher dry matter intake (DMI) and higher ether extract intake (EEI) than animals fed with the control feed. In addition, heifers that received human feed products showed a lower average daily weight gain (DWG) of 1.08 kg day-1 than animals fed the control treatment with an average DWG of 1.24 kg day-1. The predicted dry matter intake by NRC 2000 was an overestimate by 9.78 % and by BR-Corte 2010 was an overestimate by 5.5 %. The NRC 2016 and BR-Corte 2016 underestimated the intake of heifers by 18.9 % and 7.1 %, respectively. It was concluded that growing Nelore heifers fed with human feed products, with a F:C ratio of 84:16, present a higher DMI and lower growth performance and feed efficiency than heifers fed the control diet. The DMI predicting models for Nellore heifers proposed by BR-Corte are more adequate than the NRC models.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikael Neumann ◽  
Robson Kyoshi Ueno ◽  
Julio Cezar Heker Junior ◽  
Eloize Jaqueline Askel ◽  
André Martins de Souza ◽  
...  

Monensin is an ionophore antibiotic, the inclusion of which in the feed of beef cattle favors the best use of feed nutrients, via ruminal modulation. However, there are concerns regarding the residence of residues in the carcass from metabolism of monensin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance, carcass characteristics, serum parameters, tissue residual depletion and economic benefit of finishing of young bulls in confinement with monensin in the ration. Thirty-six animals were confined, and given 50% corn silage feed and 50% more concentrated feed. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two treatments (with or without monensin) and 10 replicates for the control group and eight for the monensin group. The use of monensin reduced the dry matter intake in relation to live weight (2.36% vs 2.55%), and improved feed conversion (8.61 vs 10.06 kg kg?1); the animals presented higher live weight (511 vs 494 kg), higher warm carcass weight (285 vs 272 kg) and an increase in fat thickness (4.97 vs 4.25 mm) compared to control animals. These increases in performance gave higher economic results, with a profit margin of R$ 122.84 per animal. A waiting period of 16 h before slaughter resulted in monensin concentrations below 0.25 µg kg?1 in edible organs and tissues, values well below those permitted by legislation. The use of monensin for young bulls in confinement promoted improvements in productive and economic performance, without leaving residues in edible tissues.


2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 783 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Davidson ◽  
S. J. Chaplin ◽  
C. Laird

Sheep on spring pastures may scour excessively due to the low levels of neutral detergent fibre. Scouring leads to dag formation, which predisposes sheep to flystrike, particularly in the breech area, posing a considerable challenge to sheep producers. This trial was undertaken to test whether supplementing sheep on spring pasture with fibre would reduce diarrhoea and thereby reduce dag formation and flystrike. Four hundred first-lambing Merino ewes were randomly allocated to control (no fibre supplementation) and fibre treatment (ad libitum cereal hay or wheat straw supplementation) groups in a 2-paddock crossover trial, which was conducted from August through the spring flush to crutching in October. The bulk fecal egg counts of each group were no different at the start of the trial but the fibre group had a higher (P<0.05) fecal egg count than the control at crutching. Fecal egg count was not correlated with dag score. Fecal dry matter percentage was higher (P<0.05) in the fibre group but there was no difference in dag wet weight or dry matter percentage between the treatment groups. Dag scores of a sample of 100 sheep from each group were significantly (P<0.01) lower at crutching. There was no difference between the groups in the incidence of flystrike, however, there were significantly (P<0.001) more sheep with high dag scores (>3) in the control group than the fibre treatment group. These results indicate that the supplementation of spring pasture with low quality hay or straw can reduce dag formation by improving the consistency of feces and, thereby, reduce the number of sheep with dag scores greater than 3.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Malafaia ◽  
Yury T.G. Salcedo ◽  
Ricardo A.R. Uscategui ◽  
Vinícius C. Souza ◽  
Diogo Fleury A. Costa ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: We developed and evaluated a fast and simple method to obtain suitable bone samples for densitometry and chemical analysis through biopsies of the 12th rib of cattle. The postoperative recovery, dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily weight gain (ADG) was evaluated in 36 Nellore steers, nine of which were randomly selected for the control group and 27 others were rib biopsied. Every 30 days, rib biopsy was performed in nine steers, using a corded-electric pistol-grip drill coupled with a hole saw of a 3mm diameter pilot drill bit. This rib biopsy technique provided a suitable sample obtained in a fast way and allowed the surgeon to work alone with the animal slightly sedated and restrained in the crush. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected in biopsied animals. At the end of the experimental period (116 days) the average daily weight gain (ADG) was similar in the steers biopsied or not. The described method provided rib samples from cattle suitable for densitometry and chemical analysis of bone tissue without effects on health and performance. This information could greatly increase the accuracy for the diagnosis of phosphorus deficiency in cattle raised on pasture and allow the evaluation of bone metabolism in experimental animals.


2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 789 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Santra ◽  
S. Parthasarathy ◽  
S. A. Karim

The efficacy of sodium laurel sulfate as a defaunating agent, as well as effect of defaunation on body confirmation changes, wool yield and fibre characteristics, were evaluated in growing lambs in a 90-day feeding experiment. Forty-five Malpura male weaner (90-day old) lambs were divided into three equal groups: defaunated, refaunated and faunated. The lambs of defaunated and refaunated groups were defaunated by oral administration of sodium laurel sulfate at the rate of 8 g/100 kg liveweight as a 10% aqueous solution. Six days after defaunation, all the lambs of the refaunated group were refaunated by inoculation of 100 mL rumen content per lamb drawn from a normal faunated sheep. All the experimental lambs were maintained under stall feeding on a complete feed containing 50 : 50 Pala (Ziziphus nummularia) leaf and concentrate. Treatments did not differ in intake of dry matter, digestible crude protein or digestible energy. Body height and paunch girth were greater (P < 0.01) in defaunated compared to refaunated and faunated lambs. With similar dry matter intake in the three experimental groups, liveweight gain, feed conversion efficiency and wool yield were higher (P < 0.01) in defaunated lambs. The wool fibre diameter and medullation percentage were higher (P < 0.01) in defaunated than refaunated and faunated lambs. It was concluded from the study that, with similar dry matter intake and plane of nutrition, the growth rate, feed conversion efficiency and wool yield were higher in defaunated lambs, as compared to refaunated and faunated lambs. Higher paunch girth in defaunated lambs resulted in a pot-bellied appearance of the animals.


Author(s):  
Arathy Saseendran ◽  
K. Ally ◽  
K. George Sherin K ◽  
A. P. Usha

Thirty two weaned piglets were randomly divided into three groups allotted to the three dietary treatments, T1- control ration, T2- control ration plus 5 per cent fat and T3- T2 plus 150 mg/kg carnitine. The total dry matter intake, fortnightly body weight of each individual animal and economics were recorded. There was a significant improvement (P>0.01; and 0.05) observed for pigs under supplemented group (T2 and T3) than that of control group (T1) with regards to all growth parameters studied during growing phase than finisher phase and overall period. The cost of feed per kg weight gain during the overall period was found to be comparable among treatments (T1, T2, and T3). It may be concluded that primary response of pigs to dietary supplements were more during growing stage than finisher and inclusion of 5 % fat would be beneficial for improving growth in weaned LWY piglets.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovani Jacob Kolling ◽  
Dejani Maíra Panazzolo ◽  
Alexandre Mossate Gabbi ◽  
Marcelo Tempel Stumpf ◽  
Marcel Batista dos Passos ◽  
...  

This experiment aimed to describe the effects ofOreganoextract (OE) inclusion into the concentrate fed to dairy heifers on physiological parameters, feeding behavior, intake, and performance. Thirty-two Holstein heifers were randomly distributed into four treatments: C = control, without addition of OE; OE2.5 = 2.5 g; OE5.0 = 5.0 g and OE7.5 = 7.5 g ofOreganoextract per heifer/day. Feeding behavior and concentrate intake were assessed individually every day and total dry matter intake (DMI) was determined on the last week of the trial. Compared to control group, OE7.5 reduced by 32% the latency time to approach the feed bunk but increased by 6% the time spent eating the concentrate. Each inclusion of 2.5 grams of OE into the concentrate increased the occurrence of postingestive licking the feed bunk with abundant saliva production 1.2 times (P<0.01) and tended to increase the occurrence of sneeze events 1.2 times (P<0.10). No statistical difference was detected between treatments for total DMI, but concentrate DMI was 9% lower for OE7.5 when compared to control and OE2.5. The inclusion of 7.5 grams/day of OE causes small but negative effects in feeding behavior and concentrate intake, without change on total dry matter intake.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Samal ◽  
L. C. Chaudhary ◽  
N. Agarwal ◽  
D. N. Kamra

Twenty growing buffalo calves were fed on a basal diet consisting of wheat straw and concentrate mixture in a randomised block design, to study the effect of feeding phytogenic feed additives on growth performance, nutrient utilisation and methanogenesis. The four groups were viz. control (no additive), Mix-1 (ajwain oil and lemon grass oil in 1 : 1 ratio @ 0.05% of dry matter intake), Mix-2 (garlic and soapnut in 2 : 1 ratio @ 2% of DMI) and Mix-3 (garlic, soapnut, harad and ajwain in 2 : 1 : 1 : 1 ratio @ 1% of DMI). The experimental feeding was continued for a period of 8 months. A metabolism trial was conducted after 130 days of feeding. Methane emission from animals was measured by open-circuit indirect respiration calorimeter. The feed conversion efficiency was higher by 9.5% in Mix-1, 7% in Mix-2 and 10.2% in Mix-3 group than in control. The digestibility of nutrients was similar except crude protein, which was improved (P < 0.05) in treatment groups. All buffalo calves were in positive nitrogen balance. Comparative faecal nitrogen decreased and urinary nitrogen increased in all the supplemented groups compared with in the control group. Methane emission (in terms of L/kg dry matter intake and L/kg digestible dry matter intake) was reduced by 13.3% and 17.8% in Mix-1, 10.9% and 13.5% in Mix-2 and 5.1% and 9.8% in Mix-3 groups as compared with control. When expressed in L/kg organic matter intake and L/kg digestible organic matter intake, methane production was reduced by 13.3% and 16.7% in Mix-1, 10.9% and 12.9% in Mix-2 and 5.1% and 8.4% in Mix-3 groups compared with the control group. These feed additives inhibited methane emission without adversely affecting feed utilisation by the animals. The faecal energy, urinary energy and methane energy losses were not affected (P > 0.05) due to feeding of these additives. Further, long-term feeding experiments should be conducted on a large number of animals to validate these effects before they can be recommended for use at a field level.


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