Utilisation of oil palm fronds as ruminant feed and its effect on fatty acid metabolism

Inclusion of oil palm fronds (OPF) pellets (200 g kg-1 DM) in a complete animal feed has been found to increase the unsaturated fatty acid content in ruminants. However, given the low-fat content of OPF (21 g kg-1 DM), changes in ruminal fatty acid (FA) metabolism will only result in nutritionally relevant differences in animal tissues when OPF enhances conservation of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) from external sources. Additionally, given the low metabolisable energy value (4.9 to 6.5 MJ (ME) kg-1 DM) of OPF, supplementation of OPF with an energy-dense feed compound such as fat is of interest. Thus, this approach could also be used in combination with other dietary fat supplementation strategies to further manipulate fatty acid concentration of ruminant tissues and products for human consumption

The necessity of a herd health management programme for dairy goat farms in Malaysia

In Malaysia, an increasing number of new dairy goat farms are being opened by smallholders due to increasing demand for dairy goat products. However, most of the dairy goat farms are not managed well due to poor knowledge and information about the standard management of dairy goat. Indeed, low performance of dairy goats with respect to growth performance, feed utilisation, disease resistance and milk production has been associated with improper rearing protocol, specifically, herd health protocol. For this reason, implementation of a herd health management programme is important as a standard rearing management and disease control programme for dairy goat farms. A herd health management programme is a preventive programme intended to keep the herd healthy and free of disease through comprehensive husbandry management that includes nutrition management, breeding, parasite control, vaccination, biosecurity and environmental management with the goal of improving the herd's performance and productivity. However, the level of acceptance from farmers for implementing herd health management programmes varies, especially among smallholder farmers. Thus, veterinarians play an important role as advisor in transferring knowledge of the importance of herd health management to the farmers

Feed formulation based on local feed resources and its effects on nutritional-related blood profile in breeder goats

A comparative study was conducted to determine the nutrient composition of different feed formulations and its effect on nutritional related blood profile in breeder goats. Eighteen female adult goats, Capra aegagrus hircus (Boer cross) were selected and allocated into three different groups (n = 6) and assigned according to different feed formulations. Blood sampling was conducted before and after fourth weeks of feeding trial and analysed for selected parameters. Proximate analysis of diets was done and revealed comparable value of crude protein and crude fat. Glucose, total protein and calcium level in serum showed significant difference between groups (P-value 0.05). Fatty acid analysis of feed and serum showed polyunsaturated fatty acid was higher than satureated fatty acid. Overall, diet 3 shows the highest value of all blood parameters analysed in this study. Hence, it is very important to provide animal with nutrient according to production stages as sufficent protein and energy will improve the animal performance in terms breeding efficacy and quality of animal products. This study indicates that different feed formulation affects certain nutritional related blood profile in goat

The nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal degradability of selected local plants used as goat feed in Malaysia

A comparative study of nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal degradability of selected local plants, Macaranga sp. and Mallotus sp. was carried out and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was used as control. The results obtained from proximate analysis revealed that there were significant difference (P<0.05) of all nutrient composition for each local plant species against Napier grass. Dry matter content in Macaranga sp., Mallotus sp. and Napier grass were 50.92%, 45.41% and 13.04%, respectively. The crude protein content in Macaranga sp., Mallotus sp. and Napier grass were 7.18%, 6.78% and 3.88%, respectively. Mallotus sp. has the highest crude fat content (5.22%) followed by Macaranga sp. (4.85%) and Napier grass (2.84%). Crude fibre content in Napier grass, Mallotus sp. and Macaranga sp. were 25.38%, 15.47% and 12.00%, respectively. For the in vitro ruminal degradability, total gas produced by Napier grass, Macaranga sp. and Mallotus sp. were 31.00 ml, 28.67 ml and 23.33 ml, respectively. Acetic acid production in Mallotus sp., Napier grass and Macaranga sp. were 733.49 mM/ml, 605.61 mM/ml and 599.85 mM/ml, respectively. Propionic acid production was highest in Mallotus sp. (28.61 mM/ml) followed by Napier grass (24.45 mM/ml) and Macaranga sp. (24.23 mM/ml). As for butyric acid production, Napier grass showed the highest value (11.26 mM/ml), followed by Macaranga sp. (11.19 mM/ml) and Mallotus sp. (10.36 mM/ml). However, there was no significant difference shown in acetic, propionic and butyricacids production. Thus, based on the nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal degradability results, it shows that these local plants could be used as an alternative feed source for goats

The effect of different feed formulation based on local feed resource on performance and stress parameter in breeder goat

Balanced nutrition is essential for health and performance of livestock. It is best when feed is formulated according to production stages of goat. However, as the goat grows, it may undergo transition of different feed formulation to meet its daily requirement. The transition may affect the performance of animals as well as it is a stressful condition. In this study, body weight gain and feed intake were used as indicators on performance, whereas hematological stress leucograms were used as indicator of stress parameter during implementation of different feed formulation among does. Eighteen adult does with similar body condition score and body weight approximately 20 kg were selected and divided into three groups equally (n = 6) and fed with different feed formulations, which were formulated using local feed source in the farm for a period of four weeks. Body weight was measured before implementation, on week 2 and week 4, blood sampling was conducted before implementation and during week 4 for comparison and feed intake was measured every day. All data were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Does fed with Diet 3 showed highest body weight gain and feed intake, followed by Diet 2 and Diet 1. There was significant difference (P0.05) as compared to normal value. Neutrophils:lymphocytes ratio for all groups were within normal range and no significant difference (P>0.05). The implementation of feed formulation according to production stages is recommended as it increases performance and prevents from nutritional stress

Cognitive impairment

Cognitive ability is directly related to physiological condition of the brain. Apart from ageing, cognition can be affected with use of chemical and organic compounds. This art form is a physical portrayal of multiple treatments on cognitive function in rats. The footprints and paths of the rats are depicted in colours that represent different cognitive conditions

Nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal degradability of selected local plants used as goat feed in Malaysia

A comparative study of nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal degradability of selected local plants (Macaranga sp. and Mallotus sp.) and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) used as goat feed were carried out. Napier grass was used as a control group as it is common and widely been used (e. gfibre source) in goats diet. All plants were analyzed for nutrient composition by proximate analysis (dry matter; crude protein; crude fibre; crude fat) and in vitro ruminal degradability was performed to determine the total gas andvolatile fatty acids (acetate; propionate; butyrate) production. The result obtained from proximate analysis revealed that there were significant difference (P<0.05) of all nutrient composition for each local plant species against Napier grass. Dry matter content was highest in Macaranga sp. (50.92%) followed by Mallotus sp. (45.41%) and Napier grass (13.04%). Crude protein was highest in Macaranga sp. (7.18%) followed by Mallotussp. (6.78%) and Napier grass (3.88%). Mallotussp.has the highest crude fat content (5.22%) followed by Macaranga sp. (4.85%) and Napier grass (2.84%). As for crude fibre content, Napier grass showed the highest content (25.38%) followed by Mallotus sp. (15.47%) and Macaranga sp. (12.00%). For the in vitro ruminal degradability, the highest total gas production was shown by Napier grass (31.00ml), followed by Macaranga sp. (28.67ml) and Mallotus sp. (23.33ml). Acetate production was highest in Mallotus sp. (733.49mM/ml) followed by Napier grass (605.61mM/ml) and Macaranga sp. (599.85mm/ml) whereas propionate production was highest in Mallotus sp. (28.61mM/ml) followed by Napier grass (24.45mM/ml) and Macaranga sp. (24.23mM/ml).As for butyrate production, Napier grass showed the highest value (11.26mM/ml), followed by Macaranga sp. (11.19mm/ml) and Mallotus sp. (10.36mM/ml). However, there was no significant difference shown for acetate, propionate and butyrate production between all samples. Thus, based on the nutrient composition and in vitro ruminal degradability findings, it shows that these local plants could be used as a good feed source for goats. In addition, a proper feeding regime using these local plants need to be considered in order to ensure a balance diet for the goats

Enhancing the growth performance of replacement female breeder goats through modification of feeding program

Aim: The study was conducted at a smallholder goat farm located in Labu, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of proper feeding program on growth performances of replacement breeder goats. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 healthy female boer cross goats at the age of 4 months old with average initial live body weight (BW) of 20.05±0.5 kg were used for on-farm feeding trial to evaluate the growth performance as preparation for breeding purposes. The experimental goats were divided into two groups of 15 animals each labeled as control and treatment groups, which were kept under intensive farming system. Goats in control group were fed with normal routine feeding protocol practiced by the farmer, while goats in the treatment group were fed with new feed formulation. Throughout the experimental period, on-farm monitoring and data collection were carried out. Initial BW and body condition score (BCS) were recorded before the start of the experiment while final BW and BCS were gained after 7 months of the experimental period. Average daily gain (ADG) was calculated after the experiment end. Data on BW, ADG, and BCS were recorded from both groups for every 2 weeks and reported monthly. The feed intake for the control group was 2.8 kg/animal/day which practiced by the farmer and 3.2 kg/animal/day as new feed formulation for the treatment group. Results: After 7 months of the experimental period, final BW shows an improvement in treatment group (39.1±1.53 kg) compared with control group (32.3±1.23 kg). The ADG in treatment group also gives promising result when comparing with control group. Goats in treatment group significantly attained better ADG than control group which were 126.7 g/day and 83.3 g/day, respectively. For the BCS, goats in the treatment group had shown an improvement where 86.67% (13 out of 15) of the group had BCS≥3 (1-5 scoring scale) and only 66.67% (10 out of 15) of the control group had BCS≥3. Conclusion: Therefore, it was concluded that implementation of proper feeding program as shown in treatment group give promising result to improve the growth performance of replacement breeder goats which can be adopted by the farmers to improve farm productivity

The application of One Health concept to an outdoor problem-based learning activity for veterinary students

Background: The One Health (OH) approach, which seeks to bring together human and animal health, is particularly suited to the effective management of zoonotic diseases across both sectors. To overcome professional silos, OH needs to be taught at the undergraduate level. Here, we describe a problem-based learning activity using the OH approach that was conducted outdoors for 3rd-year veterinary students in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A total of 118 students, divided into two groups, completed the activity which spanned 1½ days at a deer park adjacent to a wilderness area. Students were asked to evaluate the activity using an online survey that had quantitative and qualitative components. Results: Response rate was 69.5%. The activity was rated excellent by 69.5% and good by 30.4%. Levels of satisfaction were high on a range of criteria. 97.5% of students intended to take action in their studies as a result of what they had learned. Conclusions: Delivery of an outdoor problem-based learning activity using OH approach was very successful in terms of participation, knowledge delivery and understanding, and the willingness of students to integrate OH into their future practice. For the improvement of future programs, the involvement of other disciplines (such as Medical, Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedical, and Public Health) is being considered

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population