Influence of Sperm Number and Antioxidant Melatonin in Extender on the Quality of Post-Thawing Sheep Spermatozoa

This study aimed to examine the effect of spermatozoa concentration and the effectiveness of melatonin supplementation in diluent on the quality of post-thawing semen.  Ejaculated semen was collected using the artificial vaginal method (MVB).  The study was carried out in two stages, firstly semen was frozen in andromed diluent with different concentrations in one straw (50, 100, 200 million per straw), and the second was frozen semen in diluent supplemented with melatonin with different doses (0, 0,5, 1, 0 and 1.5 mM melatonin).  Parameters observed were the movement of spermatozoa using Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis, membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity.  Data were analyzed using ANOVA and further tested using Duncan's test.  The results showed no significant difference in the quality and movement pattern of sheep semen when frozen at concentrations of 50, 100, or 200 million per straw (P 0.05).  Furthermore, adding melatonin to the diluent in this study affected spermatozoa's total motility and progressive motility at a concentration of 1.0 mM (P0.05) but did not significantly affect the percentage of spermatozoa motility pattern characteristics.  From the results, it can be concluded that the concentration of per straw spermatozoa does not affect the quality of sheep semen, and melatonin supplementation in diluent can reduce the effects of the frozen-thawed process on motility, acrosome cap, and plasma membrane integrity in sheep semen.  Melatonin supplementation with a concentration of 1 mM in the extender was the highest quality concentration in this study

Effect of Carbohydrate Type and Phenotype on the Quality of Post-Thawing Frozen Semen of KUB Chicken

The superior Balitbangtan Kampung Chicken (KUB) chickens have different phenotypes. It was reported that the chicken phenotype was related to semen quality. This study aimed to determine the post-thawing characteristics and quality of KUB chicken semen with different phenotypes frozen in Ringer's lactate egg yolk (RLEY) diluent with the addition of fructose or glucose. Semen was collected using the massaging method from 20 KUB chickens with a single comb phenotype and black or dark brown feather color with a red feather neck (SCNR), green-black single comb with white feather neck collar (SCNW), pea comb and black feathers or dark brown fur with a red neck (PCNR), and a green-black pea comb with a white neck (PCNW). Semen from each chicken phenotype was divided into three parts or frozen in three types of diluents: RLEY, RLEY+fructose (RLEYF), and RLEY+glucose (RLEYG). The highest sperm motility was found in the diluent with the addition of glucose in the SCNR and PCNW phenotypes (P0.05). The highest sperm viability was shown in the RLEYG diluent in the PCNW phenotype (P0.05). The highest abnormality was found in the RLEY and RLEYF diluents in the SCNW, PCNR, and PCNW groups, whereas in the RLEYG group, it was only found in the PCNR group. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the type of glucose and chicken phenotype influences the quality of post-thawing semen. The best is found in diluents with glucose attachments in the SCNR phenotype

An Empirical Evaluation of Policy Options for Increasing Dairy Production in Indonesia: A System Dynamics Approach

Domestic dairy production in Indonesia grows slower than consumption, resulting in an excess demand that imports must fulfill.  Accelerating dairy production can no longer be solved partially; a holistic system approach is required.  This study aims to empirically evaluate the policy options for accelerating dairy production in Indonesia.  The data used in this study were secondary data from Badan Pusat Statistik, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Industry, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Bank Indonesia, and FAO.  A system dynamics approach was used to construct the model and describe the short-, medium-, and long-term impacts based on policy scenario options.  The empirical results showed that the calf rearing program policy, increased female dairy cattle imports, higher conception rates, and import tariffs all positively impacted the share of domestic dairy production to dairy demand.  On the other hand, a policy of increasing dairy consumption, if not accompanied by an increase in domestic dairy production, harms the domestic dairy production share.  Except for the policy of increasing dairy consumption, all policy scenarios increased the long-term share of domestic dairy production more than the short- and medium-term.  It is concluded that an optimistic policy through calf rearing, increased import of female cows, conception rate, and maintaining import tariffs was the best policy with the highest impact on increasing the share of domestic dairy production compared to pessimistic and moderate policies

Effect of Dietary with Different Energy and Protein Levels on Laying Quails Performance

The performance of quail is a function of several production factors, one of which is feed. However, the optimum metabolizable energy and crude protein for the performance of laying quails currently needs to be revised. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding diets with different metabolizable energy and crude protein levels on the performances of laying quails. Five hundred forty (540) laying quails aged eight weeks were randomly allocated into nine dietary treatments. Each treatment consisted of four replicates with 15 laying quails per replicate. Dietary treatments comprised three metabolizable energy levels (2,700, 2,800, and 2,900 kcal/kg) and three crude protein levels (17, 19, and 21%) in a factorial research methodology arrangement. After one week of the adaptation period, the feeding trial was conducted for five weeks (9-13 weeks old). Interaction between metabolizable energy and crude protein levels was recorded on feed intake (P 0.05). Feed intake was reduced along with the increase in the metabolizable energy when crude protein levels were 17 and 19%. However, the feed intake tended to be improved when high metabolizable energy was combined with high crude protein contents (2,900 kcal/kg and 21%, respectively). No interaction was recorded on the other variables (egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio) (P 0.05). Feeding diets with different metabolizable energy levels had a significant effect on feed conversion ratio (P 0.05) but without any significant impact on egg production, egg weight, and egg mass of laying quails (P 0.05). Crude protein as a single factor significantly affects egg production, weight, mass, and feed conversion ratio of laying quails (P 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that metabolizable energy intake linearly improved egg production, weight, mass, and feed conversion ratio. Moreover, crude protein intake linearly improved egg production, weight, mass, and feed conversion ratio. Therefore, feeding diets containing 2900 kcal/kg metabolizable energy and 21% crude protein are required to provide optimum performance of laying quails

Nuclear Maturation Competence and Pronuclear Formation in Ovine Oocytes Supplemented with L-ergothioneine in Maturation Medium

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of supplementing maturation medium with L-ergothioneine on nuclear maturation competence and pronuclei formation of ovine oocytes in vitro.  In the first study, oocytes were divided into four groups and matured for 24 hours in a maturation medium supplemented with 0 mM (control), 10 mM, 15 mM, and 20 mM LE.  In the second study, oocytes were divided into two groups and matured for 24 hours in a maturation medium supplemented with 0 mM LE (control) and 10 mM LE (optimal dose from the first study), then co-incubated with sperm in a fertilization medium for 12 hours.  The results of the first study showed that the maturation rate of oocytes enriched with LE 10 mM (88.74±1.79%) and 15 mM (87.52±2.30%) in maturation medium was significantly different (P0.05) compared to the control (78.55±1.78%) and LE 20 mM (77.37±1.21%).  Furthermore, the results of the second study revealed that the fertilization rate of oocytes with 10 mM LE (75.55±3.47%) supplementation in maturation medium had a significantly higher percentage of two pronuclei formation than control (63.78±3.49%).  In conclusion, supplementing 10 mM LE in a maturation medium improved oocyte nuclear maturation competence and fertilization rates

Production Performance and Sperm Characteristics of Quail (Coturnix-coturnix japonica) with Different Concentrations of Yolk Immunoglobulin

Quails are classified according to their immunity to different IgY concentrations. Quail IgY concentrations range from 0 to 1200 µg ml-1, and these IgY concentrations may affect production and reproductive performance. This study aimed to analyze IgY concentrations in male quail and to compare production and reproductive performance at different IgY concentrations. Forty-two male quail at five weeks of age participated in the study, including 29 quail with low IgY concentration (210-393 µg ml-1)   and, 13 with intermediate IgY concentration (403-564 µg ml-1). The observed productive performances were feed intake, initial body weight, final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion, morbidity, and mortality. In addition, this study observed testicular weight and macroscopic and microscopic semen quality for reproductive traits. Differences in production and reproductive performance of each group were analyzed using an independent-sample t-test. The result showed that male quail with different IgY concentrations were equal in all productive traits (P0.05). This means that male quail with low IgY and medium IgY concentrations are equally good. Testicular weight, semen color and pH were identical at different IgY concentrations. Quails with low IgY concentrations have better sperm consistency, which is related to the weight of the testes, which are heavier in quails with low IgY concentrations than in those with moderate IgY concentrations. This consistency is related to the concentration of sperm in the semen. The result concludes IgY concentrations in male quail did not affect production performance. Quails with low IgY concentration had thicker sperm consistency and higher sperm concentration

Performance and Growth Curve Prediction of Crossbred Chickens from Crossing between Local Roosters and Layer Hens

Demand for crossbred chicken (Indonesian native chicken x laying hens) continues to increase. This study aimed to find the best-crossbred chicken resulting from crossing between local/native roosters and laying hens which produce the highest body weight up to eight weeks of age, and its growth prediction using the Gompertz function. Eighteen (18) native roosters (9 Bangkok roosters, 9 Pelung roosters) and 36 laying hens of strains Isa brown, Lohman brown, and Hyline brown (12 each) were used in this study to produce 360 crossbred chickens. Factorial 2x3 (two male local roosters versus three strains of laying hens) using a completely randomized design with 3 replications was applied in this study. The results showed an interaction between native roosters and layer hens on the body weight of crossbred chickens at eight weeks of age. Crossbred chicken from crossing between Pelung rooster and Isa brown layer hen was the best in body weight at eight weeks of age. This crossbred chicken would reach a mature weight of 3026.89 g with an inflection weight of 1113.53 g and an inflection age of 7.40 weeks. In conclusion, crossbred chicken from crossing between Pelung roosters and layer hens of Isa brown strain was the best crossbred with the highest body weight at eight weeks of age. This crossbred chicken could be an alternative for fulfilling the demand for local chicken in Indonesia because the slaughter age could be shortened from 8 months to 8 weeks

Effect of Zinc Supplementation in the Diet on Sikumbang Janti Female Duck Performance, Carcass, Digestive Organs, and Intestinal Morphology

The research aimed to evaluate the effect of Zn supplementation in diet of Sikumbang Janti female duck on its performance, carcass, digestive organs, and intestinal morphology. The study used 96 female ducks aged 8 weeks. This research used a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 30, 60, and 90 mg Zn/kg), each treatment was repeated four times. Performance, carcass, digestive organs, and intestinal morphology were observed. The results showed that Zn supplementation significantly (P0.05) affected body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, abdominal fat, and intestinal morphology, but it did not affect (P0.05) feed consumption, carcass percentage, and digestive organs. In conclusion, supplementation of 60 mg Zn/kg in the diet improved performance, intestinal morphology, and the health of visceral of Sikumbang Janti female ducks aged 8 to 16 weeks

Polymorphisms of the Thy1 (Thymocyte Differentiation Antigen 1) Gene in Candidate IPB D2 Chicken Line

The Thy1 gene is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, which is found in many different animals. This gene encodes a Thy1 protein (CD90) which measures 25–37 kDa. Although the function of the Thy1 gene is unknown, it is thought to play a crucial role in the immunological response, particularly in the activation of T cells. The goal of this study was to find a variation in the Thy1 gene in IPB D2  chickens that might be utilized as candidates for immunoresistance genetic markers. A total of 123 samples from IPB D2 chickens consisting of 38 samples from IPB D2 G0 (basic generation) chickens and 85 samples from IPB D2 G2 (second generation) chickens were used in this study. PCR methods and direct-DNA sequencing were used in this study. Data analysis in this study consisted of genotype frequency, allele frequency, observed heterozigosity, expected heterozygosity, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The results of the study  discovered two SNPs on the intron (g.2139 CT and g.2542 AG). Four haplotypes were created by combining two SNPs. The g.2139 CTand g.2542 AG were polymorphic, but not in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

Effect of Broiler Litter Based Complete Feed Fermentation Time on Nutrient Content and In vitro Digestibility

Broiler litter waste is increasing as the population of broiler chickens increases, on the other hand the need for ruminant feed is increasing so that alternative feeds are needed in the form of complete feed made from litter. This study was aimed to determine the effect of fermentation time on the nutritional content and digestibility of the complete feed. A completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replications were applied in this study. Treatment T0 = not fermented; T1 = fermentation for 10 days; T2 = fermentation for 24 days; T3 = fermentation for 38 days. Parameters observed were nutrient content, VFA, NH3, dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility in vitro using cow rumen. Results showed that  fermention of complete feed with 2.5% EM4 starter and 5% probiofeed for 38 days (T3) had a significant effect (P0.05) on nutrient content, dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, VFA and NH3.  The T3 significantly affected ash content, crude fat, crude protein, BETN, TDN, dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, VFA, and NH3 but had no significant effect on water content and crude fiber. It is concluded that the complete feed could be used as an alternative feed for ruminants, and it is easy to obtain, cheap and able to reduce environmental pollution