Chemical and ruminal in vitro evaluation of Canadian canola meals produced over 4 years

To test the effects of year and processing plant on the nutritional value of canola meal (CM), 3 CM samples/yr were collected from each of 12 Canadian production plants over 4 yr (total = 144). Samples of CM were analyzed for differences in chemical composition and for in vitro ruminal protein degradability using the Michaelis-Menten inhibitor in vitro (MMIIV) method. In the MMIIV method, protein degradation rate (kd) was estimated by 2 methods: from net release (i.e., blank corrected) of (1) ammonia plus AA determined by o-phthaldialdehyde fluorescence (OPAF) assay or (2) ammonia, AA, plus oligopeptides determined by o-phthaldialdehyde absorbance (OPAA) assay; rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) was computed assuming passage rates of 0.16 and 0.06/h for, respectively, soluble and insoluble protein. Casein, solvent soybean meal (SSBM), and expeller soybean meal (ESBM) were included in all incubations as standard proteins. Differences among years and plants were assessed using the mixed procedures of SAS. Small but significant differences were found in CM among years for chemical composition, including N solubility; some of these differences may have been related to changes in our analytical methods over time. However, adjustment of degradation activity of individual in vitro incubations based on the mean degradation activity over all incubations yielded kd and RUP that did not differ by year using either assay. Simultaneously incubating CM samples from 2 yr in the same in vitro runs confirmed that no year effects existed for kd or RUP. Differences existed in chemical composition of CM among the 12 processing plants over the 4 yr of sample collection. Moreover, consistent differences in kd and RUP were observed among plants: kd ranged from 0.069 to 0.113/h (OPAA assay) and 0.075 to 0.120/h (OPAF assay), and RUP estimates ranged from 51 to 43% (OPAA assay) and 49 to 41% (OPAF assay). Regression of kd on insoluble N content of CM yielded correlation coefficients (R2) = 0.40 (OPAA assay) and 0.42 (OPAF assay), and regressions of kd on NDIN and N-fraction B3 yielded R2 < 0.02. Mean estimates from both OPAA and OPAF assays for casein, SSBM, ESBM, and CM were, respectively, kd = 0.764, 0.161, 0.050, and 0.093/h and RUP = 18, 33, 56, and 45%. A range of 8 percentage units from lowest to highest RUP suggests that substantial differences exist in metabolizable protein content of CM produced by different processing plants

Effects of Plantago major extract on serum protein fractions in broiler diet

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Plantago major’s (P.major) water extract added into broiler diets at different levels on serum protein fractions. A total of 112 Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in the study. Experiment consisted of control and 3 treatment groups with a 28 chicks within each group. Each experimental group was divided into four subgroups consisting of 4 chicks. A basal (control) diet was prepared and three experimental diets were established by addition of P.major into basal diet; P.major 1 (5 g/kg feed), P.major 2 (10 g/kg feed), P.major 3 (15 g/kg feed). Broiler chicks were fed with these diets for 42 days ad libitum. Total protein levels of P.major 3 group were lower than other groups and controls. It was determined that the albumin percentages and levels became decreased in a significant ratio in the P.major 1 and P.major 2, (P<0,05), Alpha 1 globulin percentage and concentration were found significantly high in P.major 2 group than the other groups (P<0.05), Alpha 2 level and percentage in P.major 1 group was seen significantly higher than the control group, the A/G ratio in P.major 1 and P.major 2 was seen significantly lower than the control group. There was no significant difference between groups for beta and gamma globulins as percentage. © 2017, Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All rights reserved

Concentrations of NEFA, ß-HBA, triglycerides, and certain blood metabolites in healthy colored Angora goats during the peripartum period

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), serum ß-hydroxybutyric acid (ß-HBA), triglycerides, Ca, Na, and other metabolites (bilirubin, glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH)) in the blood of grazing, healthy goats at the time of parturition. Blood samples were taken weekly from the jugular vein of 11 goats, starting at week 2 antepartum (ap) until week 9 postpartum (pp). NEFA and ß-HBA concentrations increased from week 2 ap to 2 weeks pp. The increase in NEFA level was not significant; however, the ß-HBA levels were higher (P < 0.05) 2 weeks pp compared to the levels at 2 weeks ap. Triglycerides were recorded at maximum levels (P < 0.05) 2 weeks ap, with the lowest concentrations at 3 weeks pp. Bilirubin levels consistently increased up to 7 weeks pp, followed by a decrease. However, these changes were not significant. Similarly, GLDH activities increased until week 8 pp. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was recorded between the 1st week and 8th week pp. Ca and Na levels were lower during the 1st week pp and increased at 3 weeks pp. The results show that there are characteristic alterations of some metabolic blood parameters in goats around the time of parturition, which may be related to physiological changes. © TÜBITAK