How can nutritional additives modify ruminant nutrition?

This review illustrates the relationships between additives in the diets of ruminants and the consequence for ruminant nutrition. Feed additives are used to improve animal performance and/or the quality of the products. There are several categories of additives available for ruminant nutrition, with emphasis on antibiotics, prebiotics, probiotics, plant extracts, and exogenous enzymes. Antibiotics, essential oils, and chitosan act by selecting sensitive bacteria, consequently modulating the ruminal fermentation pattern. Prebiotics favor microbial growth, providing greater digestion and the production of volatile fatty acids. Probiotics are living microorganisms that improve the ruminal environment, promoting microbial growth and resulting in increased digestion and the production of volatile fatty acids. Exogenous enzymes act synergistically with the enzymes secreted by the ruminal microorganisms, besides favoring microbial adhesion and colonization and facilitating feed degradation. Tannins, whether altering the fermentation standard and/or modifying the ruminal microbiota population, are effective in improving animal performance. However, the effects of additives on the quality of the products are linked to diet quality. Highlights Exogenous enzymes act synergistically with the enzymes secreted by the ruminal microorganisms. Exogenous enzymes favoring the microbial adhesion and colonization of the particles, aid in the degradation of the feed. Tannins can altering the fermentation standard and/or modifying the ruminal microbiota population. Essential oils and chitosan act by selecting sensitive bacteria and consequently modulate the ruminal fermentation.This review illustrates the relationships between additives in the diets of ruminants and the consequence for ruminant nutrition. Feed additives are used to improve animal performance and/or the quality of the products. There are several categories of additives available for ruminant nutrition, with emphasis on antibiotics, prebiotics, probiotics, plant extracts, and exogenous enzymes. Antibiotics, essential oils, and chitosan act by selecting sensitive bacteria, consequently modulating the ruminal fermentation pattern. Prebiotics favor microbial growth, providing greater digestion and the production of volatile fatty acids. Probiotics are living microorganisms that improve the ruminal environment, promoting microbial growth and resulting in increased digestion and the production of volatile fatty acids. Exogenous enzymes act synergistically with the enzymes secreted by the ruminal microorganisms, besides favoring microbial adhesion and colonization and facilitating feed degradation. Tannins, whether altering the fermentation standard and/or modifying the ruminal microbiota population, are effective in improving animal performance. However, the effects of additives on the quality of the products are linked to diet quality. Highlights Exogenous enzymes act synergistically with the enzymes secreted by the ruminal microorganisms. Exogenous enzymes favoring the microbial adhesion and colonization of the particles, aid in the degradation of the feed. Tannins can altering the fermentation standard and/or modifying the ruminal microbiota population. Essential oils and chitosan act by selecting sensitive bacteria and consequently modulate the ruminal fermentation

Predicting the carcass characteristics of Morada Nova lambs using biometric measurements

The objective of this work was to use biometric measurements to predict carcass characteristics of lambs of the Morada Nova breed. We used 48 lambs with mean initial body weight (BW) of 15.0±0.04 kg and slaughter body weight (SBW) of 26.37±2.43 kg. The animals were weighed weekly and underwent a period of adaptation of 15 days before slaughter. The biometric measurements were obtained the day before slaughter, comprising body length, withers height, rump height, thigh length, breast width, rump width, thigh perimeter, rump perimeter, thorax perimeter, leg length, and body condition score. Additional measurements included slaughter BW and empty BW (EBW). The data recorded at slaughter comprised the weights of the viscera, carcass, and internal fat and offal. The in vivo measurements of body length were present in most of the equations for predicting the SBW, EBW, hot carcass weight (HCW), and cold carcass weight (CCW). The SBW and EBW presented a variation of approximately 9%. The variables that evaluated the carcass, HCW, and CCW demonstrated less data variation than SBW and EBW, which was probably because these measurements were obtained following evisceration and skinning, thus removing factors of more significant variation in vivo. The prediction models found in the present study varied with an R² of 0.49-0.93, indicating high levels of variation. In sum, biometric measurements can be used to predict the carcass characteristics of Morada Nova lambs with different body condition

Feeding sunflower cake from biodiesel production to Santa Ines lambs: Physicochemical composition, fatty acid profile and sensory attributes of meat.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the inclusion of sunflower cake in the diets of lambs on meat quality. Forty male, uncastrated Santa Ines lambs with an initial average body weight of 20.9 ± 0.41 kg were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments. The lambs were fed 500 g/kg hay and 500 g/kg concentrate (corn, soybean meal, urea, ammonium sulfate and sunflower cake) in their diet, and the experimental treatments were 0, 10, 20, and 30% sunflower cake inclusion (DM basis). The inclusion of sunflower cake in the diet did not affect (P > 0.05) the content of ash and protein, overall acceptance, or sensory aroma of the lamb meat. Total lipids and moisture content of the longissimus lumborum muscle increased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) with sunflower cake inclusion. The C16:0, ΣSFA, ΣMUFA:ΣSFA ratio, Δ-9 desaturase enzyme and atherogenicity index in the longissimus lumborum muscle decreased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) with sunflower cake inclusion in lamb diets, whereas a linear increase occurred (P ≤ 0.05) in C12:0, C18:0, ΣMUFA, ΣPUFA, ΣPUFA:ΣSFA and ΣPUFA:ΣMUFA ratios, Σn-6, Σn-3, desirable fatty acids, h:H index, elongase activity, and flavor, tenderness and juiciness sensory qualities in lamb meat. Among the panelists, the highest preference (35.9%) was for meat with 30% sunflower cake inclusion in the diet. Sunflower cake up to 30% of total DM can be included in the diet of Santa Ines lambs, because lipid nutritional quality and the sensory qualities of the lamb meat increase, in addition to improvement in nutraceutical compounds, such as the CLA content, and in the AI, PUFA:SFA and PUFA:MUFA ratios, desirable fatty acids content and h:H ratio, which are beneficial to the health of consumers

Carcass traits and meat quality of goats fed with cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) silage subjected to an intermittent water supply

Abstract The effect of different proportions of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) silage (CPS) and intermittent water supply (IWS) to crossbreed goats' diets on carcass traits and meat quality were evaluated. The IWS caused a reduction (p = 0.03) in the percentage of leg fat in the animals. The rib eye area, carcass weight, and physical–chemical characteristics were not affected (p > 0.05) by the CPS or IWS. The IWS reduced (p = 0.04) the elongase enzyme activity. The CPS inclusion in the diet reduced C22:0 (p = 0.01), some branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA), C20:1 (p = 0.03), c13-C18:1 (p = 0.01) fatty acids. Therefore, in situations of water scarcity, an intermittent water supply of up to 48 h and diets with up to 42% cactus pear silage, can be adopted in goat feedlot, without affecting carcass traits and meat quality

Sunflower Cake from the Biodiesel Industry in the Diet Improves the Performance and Carcass Traits of Nellore Young Bulls

We aimed to determine the optimal inclusion level of sunflower cake (0, 90, 180, and 270 g/kg total DM) as a partial replacement of soybean meal and corn ground in young bulls’ diets by examining nutrient intake and digestibility, ingestive behavior, nitrogen balance, metabolic serum profile, growth performance, and carcass traits. Thirty-two intact Nellore bulls (BW 374 ± 42.5) were distributed in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted 90 days. The final BW of the animals was 515.25 ± 24.7. There was a linear decrease effect in the intake of DM, crude protein and nonfibrous carbohydrates, eating and rumination efficiency, N-urinary, N-total excretion, and blood urea nitrogen. Sunflower cake did not affect the NDF digestibility, nitrogen (N)-fecal excretion, blood metabolites, Longissimus lumborum muscle area, or subcutaneous fat deposition. There were linear and quadratic effects on the eating and rumination time, microbial protein production and efficiency, gamma-glutamyl transferase and cholesterol serum concentrations, and muscle carcass tissue. There was a quadratic effect on ether extract intake, final BW, and total gain with the inclusion of sunflower cake in the young bull’s diet. The replacement of soybean meal and corn ground with sunflower cake at the level of 90 g/kg of DM in the diet of young bulls is recommended because it reduces the DM intake and digestibility, increases microbial protein synthesis and muscle tissue deposition, and consequently improves the performance, feed efficiency, and carcass traits

Factors affecting postpartum ovarian activity of goats in tropical semi-arid region : Environment and nutrition factors in reproduction

There have been few studies on the use of diets and strategies to reduce the length of postpartum anoestrus in dairy goats, especially in tropical semi-arid regions. This review discusses the factors influencing the return of postpartum ovarian activity in goats. During the postpartum period, goats are in puerperal anoestrus and their reproductive tract is being prepared for a new conception. Anoestrus is necessary for tissue renewal in the uterus (uterine involution) associated with the return of cyclic ovarian activity, and is influenced by factors such as suckling of the offspring, social interactions, body condition score (BCS) before and after birth, intensity of negative energy balance (NEB) and stress from adverse climatic conditions. The anoestrus period can be extended by delays in the resumption of reproductive activity of females in puerperium. The duration of puerperal anoestrus in goats directly affects the productivity of the herd and is mainly influenced by nutrition, lactation period and heat stress. To minimize the negative effects of postpartum anoestrus on productivity, we recommend a mating season and a plan for the kidding period, as well as a program to monitor the body condition score during pregnancy so that the animals will have a better BCS at parturition. To minimize the effects of a negative energy balance, we suggest nutritional supplementation with levels of energy above the requirements for maintenance. Highlights The duration of postpartum anoestrus in goats is influenced by nutrition and body condition score. Heat stress can intensify the negative energy balance, consequently increased the period of anoestrus. Puerperal anoestrus occurs as a result of tissue renewal in the uterus. Suckling of the offspring associated with the period of lactation and social interactions can modified the puerperal anoestrus period. Use of diets and strategies to reduce the postpartum anoestrus in goats.There have been few studies on the use of diets and strategies to reduce the length of postpartum anoestrus in dairy goats, especially in tropical semi-arid regions. This review discusses the factors influencing the return of postpartum ovarian activity in goats. During the postpartum period, goats are in puerperal anoestrus and their reproductive tract is being prepared for a new conception. Anoestrus is necessary for tissue renewal in the uterus (uterine involution) associated with the return of cyclic ovarian activity, and is influenced by factors such as suckling of the offspring, social interactions, body condition score (BCS) before and after birth, intensity of negative energy balance (NEB) and stress from adverse climatic conditions. The anoestrus period can be extended by delays in the resumption of reproductive activity of females in puerperium. The duration of puerperal anoestrus in goats directly affects the productivity of the herd and is mainly influenced by nutrition, lactation period and heat stress. To minimize the negative effects of postpartum anoestrus on productivity, we recommend a mating season and a plan for the kidding period, as well as a program to monitor the body condition score during pregnancy so that the animals will have a better BCS at parturition. To minimize the effects of a negative energy balance, we suggest nutritional supplementation with levels of energy above the requirements for maintenance. Highlights The duration of postpartum anoestrus in goats is influenced by nutrition and body condition score. Heat stress can intensify the negative energy balance, consequently increased the period of anoestrus. Puerperal anoestrus occurs as a result of tissue renewal in the uterus. Suckling of the offspring associated with the period of lactation and social interactions can modified the puerperal anoestrus period. Use of diets and strategies to reduce the postpartum anoestrus in goats

Dietary fatty acid (g/100 g FAME) composition of experimental sunflower cake.

<p>Dietary fatty acid (g/100 g FAME) composition of experimental sunflower cake.</p

Fatty acid composition (g/100 g FAME) in the <i>longissimus lumborum</i> muscle of Santa Ines lambs fed sunflower cake.

<p>Fatty acid composition (g/100 g FAME) in the <i>longissimus lumborum</i> muscle of Santa Ines lambs fed sunflower cake.</p

Ingredient proportions and chemical composition of experimental diets.

<p>Ingredient proportions and chemical composition of experimental diets.</p

Physicochemical composition of the <i>longissimus lumborum</i> muscle of Santa Ines lambs fed sunflower cake.

<p>Physicochemical composition of the <i>longissimus lumborum</i> muscle of Santa Ines lambs fed sunflower cake.</p