Production and quality of tropical grasses at different regrowth intervals in the Brazilian semiarid

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production and chemical composition of three forage species at different regrowth intervals. A 3 x 4 randomized-block factorial design with three forage species (Andropogon, Buffel, and Massai) and four regrowth intervals (21, 35, 49, and 63 days) was used. There was no interaction (p > 0.05) between forage species and regrowth interval on any of the chemical components evaluated. The crude protein content decreased but the contents of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and hemicellulose increased with increasing regrowth interval (p > 0.05). Only the contents of crude protein and ether extract were similar (p > 0.05) among grasses. A significant interaction was observed (p < 0.05) between forage species and regrowth interval on forage mass. Andropogon grass had the highest forage mass at 63 days (3,270.1 kg ha-1 DM cut-1) and the highest productivity regardless of the regrowth interval (19.1 t ha-1 DM year-1). Therefore, Andropogon grass was the most productive forage among the tested species. Pastures should be managed with shorter growth intervals due to the highest crude protein level and the lowest contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber.

Effect of dietary energy and lysine levels on cost of production and profit of meat production in “TANUVAS Namakkal gold Japanese quails”

Two biological trials were conducted to determine the energy and lysine requirements of “TANUVAS Namakkal gold Japanese quail” for production performance. The economic impact of different levels energy and lysine during the chick (0-2 weeks) and grower (3-5 weeks) phases was assessed using seven hundred and twenty straight-run, day-old chicks randomly grouped in nine treatments with four replicates of twenty chicks each. Three levels of energy (2800, 2900 and 3000 kcal/kg) and three levels of lysine (1.2, 1.3 and 1.4%) were tested for chick and grower phase of the first experiment. The net profit per bird (Rs. 8.49) was high in group T1 (low energy and low lysine) and the net profit per kg live weight (Rs. 48.57) was high in T2 (2900 kcal/kg and 1.2%). For the second experiment an energy level of 2700, 2800 and 2900 kcal/kg was fixed for chick and grower mash, lysine level of 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4% was fixed for chick phase and 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3% for grower phase and the crude protein level was fixed as 20.3 and 19.4 per cent for chick and grower mash respectively for the second trial. The net profit per bird (Rs. 7.18) was high in group T6 and the net profit per kg live weight (Rs. 37.62) was high in T6 (2900 kcal/kg and 1.3% lysine during chick phase and 1.2% lysine during the grower phase).

Influence Of Crude Protein Diet on Growth Performance and Some Blood Biochemical Parameters of Growing Male Japanese Quail In Côte d’Ivoire

Purpose: This article aims to evaluate the effect of dietary protein levels on growth performance and some blood biochemical composition of male Japanese quail. Study Design: Qualitative Descriptive Design. Subjects and Methods: Three hundred, three week old apparently healthy male Japanese quail were used in this experiment. The birds were randomly allocated into 5 groups with 3 replicates of 20 birds for 21 days of experimental period and placed in cages, measuring 100 cm (length) x100 cm (width) x 80 cm (height). Group A was fed on diet 1 containing 18% crude protein, Group B was fed on diet 2 containing 20% crude protein, Group C was fed on diet 3 containing 22% crude protein, Group D was fed on diet 4 containing 24% crude protein and Group E was fed on diet 5containing 26% crude protein. All groups were subjected to similar management practices. Results: The findings showed that growth performance parameters significantly improved as dietary crude protein level increased. However dietary protein level beyond 22% has no beneficial effect on growth. Biochemical examination results demonstrated that the crude protein level in diet was not significantly affected the blood glucose, cholesterol, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus and liver enzyme activities (ASAT and ALT). However, we noticed a significant effect (P<0.05) about Total protein, Albumin, Urea, Triglycerides, Creatinine and Uric acid. Despite the variation of these parameters, they remain within the normal range. Conclusion: Therefore, it is concluded that dietary protein levels do not affect quail health. The crude protein requirement for Japanese quail from 21 to 42 days old is 22%.

Growth Performance of Clarias gariepinus on the Basis of Formulated Feed Supply

Best diet of the fish is the sole of production of aquaculture. Growth performance of Clarias gariepinus on the basis of formulated feed supply was carried out from 7th March to 6th May, 2019 in the laboratory of P.G.Campus, Biratnagar in which 130 juveniles (each of 10±0.11 g.) of catfish were cultured in 13 aquaria feeding with treatment diets having crude protein level 35%, 40%, 45% and 50% for treatment and commercial diet for control. There are no significant differences between the water quality parameters and body weight gain (p>0.05) in all treatments. The highest body weight gain (7.31±0.11 g; 65.20%) and SGR (13.051±1.15 g) was observed in fish fed with T C (45% protein level). This value was lowered than value of control(C) i.e. 7.59±0 g; 69.88% and 13.55±0 g respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was best (13.28±1.89 g) in T D (50% protein level feed). Its value was larger (7.52±1.11 g) in T C than C (7.15±0 g). Mortality rate was highest in T C and C i.e. 30% and lowest in T A and T B i.e. 23.33%. Weight gain of the fish increased with increasing protein level in diet till crude protein level 45% then it was dropped at the diet with protein level 50%. The best weight gain was observed in 7th week having crude protein level 45%. The diet with protein level 45% is suggested for farmers concerning the fish (Clarias gariepinus) in the aquaculture.

Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Bamei Pig Intestinal Colony Compositional Traits

Diets containing different crude protein levels (16%, 14%, and 12%) were created to feed Bamei pigs in order to study the effect of these compositions on intestinal colonies. Therefore, 27 healthy Bamei pigs of similar weight ( 20.99 kg ± 0.16 kg ) were selected and randomly divided into three groups for microbial diversity analysis. The results of this study show that microbial diversities and abundances in Bamei pig jejunum and caecum samples after feeding with different dietary protein levels were significantly different. Dietary crude protein level exerted no significant effect on the Shannon index for cecum microbes in these pigs, while Simpson, ACE, and Chao1 indices for group I were all significantly higher than those of either the control group or group II ( P < 0.05 ). Indeed, data show that microbial diversities and abundances in the 14% protein level group were higher than those in either the 16% or 12% groups. Dominant bacteria present in jejunum and cecum samples given low-protein diets were members of the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Data show that as dietary crude protein level decreases, representatives of the microbial flora genus Lactobacillus in jejunum and cecum samples gradually increases. Values for the KEGG functional prediction of microbial flora at different dietary protein levels also show that genes of jejunum and cecum microorganisms were mainly enriched in the “metabolism” pathway and indicate that low protein diets increase intestinal metabolic activity. Therefore, we recommend that Bamei pig dietary protein levels are reduced 2% from their existing level of 16% crude protein. We also suggest that essential synthetic amino acids (AA) are added to optimize this ideal protein model as this will increase intestinal flora diversity in these pigs and enhance health. These changes will have a positive effect in promoting the healthy growth of Bamei pigs.

Modulations of genes related to gut integrity, apoptosis, and immunity underlie the beneficial effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 in broilers fed diets with different protein levels in a necrotic enteritis challenge model

Background The ban of in-feed antimicrobial additives has negatively affected the poultry industry by causing necrotic enteritis (NE) to emerge in the flocks. Alternatives such as Bacillus probiotics have shown to be effective on eliminating the negative effects of this disease. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 (BA) in broiler chickens under NE challenge and/or fed diets with different protein levels. Methods In both experiments, 480 day-old mix-sexed Ross-308 broilers were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. In experiment 1, the factors were NE challenge (yes or no) and probiotic (yes or no). In experiment 2, the factors were dietary crude protein levels (standard or reduced) and probiotic (yes or no) and were used under NE challenge condition. Oral administration of Eimeria oocysts (day 9) followed by inoculation with Clostridium perfringens (day 14 and 15) was used to induce NE challenge. On day 16, two birds from each treatment were gavaged with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-d) and blood samples were collected for gut integrity evaluation, and jejunal samples were collected for gene expression assay. Results In experiment 1, BA supplementation decreased caspase-3 (CASP3) (P < 0.001) and caspase-8 (CASP8) (P < 0.05) and increased occludin (OCLD) (P < 0.05) expression regardless of the challenge. Additionally, BA supplementation downregulated interfron-γ (IFN-γ) expression (P < 0.01) and upregulated immunoglobulin-G (IgG) (P < 0.01) and immunoglobulin-M (IgM) (P < 0.05) only in challenged birds. In experiment 2, the expression of genes encoding mucin-2 (MUC2) (P < 0.001), tight junction protein-1 (TJP1) (P < 0.05) and OCLD (P < 0.05) were upregulated by the addition of BA in the diet, regardless of the crude protein level. Further, BA supplementation downregulated INF-γ (P < 0.01) and upregulated immunoglobulin-A (IgA) (P < 0.05), IgM (P < 0.05) and IgG (P < 0.01) regardless of the crude protein level. Conclusion These findings suggest that supplementation of BA in broiler diets can improve gut health by modulation of genes related to the mucosal barrier, tight junction, and immunity in broilers challenged by unfavourable conditions such as NE challenge.