Digestion, growth performance and caecal fermentation in growing rabbits fed diets containing foliage of browse trees

[EN] This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding dried foliage (leaves and petioles) of Acacia saligna, Leucaena leucocephala or Moringa oleifera on the performance, digestibility, N utilisation, caecal fermentation and microbial profiles in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. One hundred weaned male NZW rabbits weighing 819.2±16.6 g and aged 35±1 d were randomly allocated into 4 groups of 25 rabbits each. Rabbits were fed on pelleted diets containing 70% concentrate mixture and 30% Egyptian berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) hay (Control diet) or one of the other 3 experimental diets, where 50% of berseem hay was replaced with A. saligna (AS), L. leucocephala (LL) or M. oleifera (MO). Compared to Control diet, decreases in dry matter (DM; P=0.004), organic matter (P=0.028), crude protein (CP; P=0.001), neutral detergent fibre (P=0.033) and acid detergent fibre (P=0.011) digestibility were observed with the AS diet. However, DM and CP digestibility were increased by 3% with the MO diet, and N utilisation was decreased (P<0.05) with AS. Rabbits fed AS and LL diets showed decreased (P=0.001) average daily gain by 39 and 7%, respectively vs. Control. Feed conversion was similar in Control and MO rabbits, whereas rabbits fed AS diet ate up to 45% more feed (P=0.002) than Control rabbits to gain one kg of body weight. Caecal ammonia-N was increased (P=0.002) with LL, while acetic acid was decreased (P=0.001) with AS diet vs. other treatments. Caecal E. coli and Lactobacillus spp. bacteria counts were decreased with MO by about 44 and 51%, respectively, vs. Control. In conclusion, under the study conditions, tree foliage from M. oleifera and L. leucocephala are suitable fibrous ingredients to be included up to 150 g/kg in the diets of growing rabbits, and can safely replace 50% of berseem hay in diets of NZW rabbits without any adverse effect on their growth performance. Foliage from M. oleifera had a better potential as a feed for rabbits than that from L. leucocephala. Although foliage from A. saliga may be also used at 150 g/kg in the diets of growing rabbits, this level of inclusion may result in reduced feed digestibility and growth performance.Abu Hafsa, S.; Salem, A.; Hassan, A.; Kholif, A.; Elghandour, M.; Barbabosa, A.; Lopez, S. (2016). Digestion, growth performance and caecal fermentation in growing rabbits fed diets containing foliage of browse trees. World Rabbit Science. 24(4):283-293. doi:10.4995/wrs.2016.4359.SWORD28329324

Seasonal variation in chemical composition, ruminal fermentation, and biological characteristics of Paulownia shan tong: in vitro potential use by sheep and goats

15 páginas, 2 figuras, 4 tablas.This study was conducted to determine the seasonal variation (two seasonal harvests during winter and spring) in some chemical and biochemical characteristics of Paulownia shan tong leaves. To achieve this, we analyzed the chemical composition in terms of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), cell-wall content (neutral detergent fiber (NDF)), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and lipids. The phenolic compounds (PC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of the leaves were also determined. In vitro gas production (GP) and nutrient degradability were evaluated using two ruminal-content donors (sheep and goats). Higher (p < 0.05) antioxidant activities were observed in the winter harvest of P. shan tong, while higher concentrations of OM (90.5%), lipids (3.02%), NDF (69.7%), ADF (54.8%), ADL (35.4%), total flavonoids (0.45 mg catechin equivalents/mg DM), and total phenolics (2.52 mg gallic acid equivalents/mg DM) were observed in the spring harvest. Higher asymptotic GP and rate of GP (p < 0.05) were observed when the leaves were incubated with rumen liquor of goats compared to sheep; however, higher (p < 0.05) lag time of GP and half-time of GP were observed with rumen liquor from sheep. Moreover, higher asymptotic GP, rate of GP, and half-time of GP were observed with the winter harvest of P. shan tong. Higher (p < 0.001) metabolizable energy, OM degradability, and microbial protein supplies were obtained when the leaves were incubated with rumen fluids from goats and from the winter harvest of P. shan tong compared to the spring harvest. In conclusion, based on the chemical composition and the kinetics of in vitro gas production, P. shan tong leaves seem to be characterized by a good nutritive value and could be considered as an alternative feed resource for ruminants.Peer reviewe

Sustainable anaerobic rumen methane and carbon dioxide productions from prickly pear cactus flour by organic acid salts addition

Worldwide, agricultural byproducts produced during different agricultural practices are nutrients-rich feed ingredients with a large potential to be used for ruminants nutrition (Ahmed et al., 2015; Elghandour et al., 2016a); however, in many developing countries, agriculture byproducts always cause environmental problems resulting from their burning in the field. Such feeds can be used as a cleaner product of animal feed and environment (Elghandour et al., 2016b). Moreover, as the global population is increasing, the conventional feed for animal production, such as grains, legumes, etc. is in shortage and highly priced in many parts of the world.Ruminal fermentation is accompanied by production of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) which are greenhouses making the Earth warmer. Therefore, the sustainable production of CH4 and CO2 as well as fermentation kinetics when corn grain (CG) was replaced with prickly pear cactus flour (PC) was investigated. Besides, the effect of different levels of organic acid salts (OAS) was studied. Three total mixed rations used as substrates were prepared where CG was replaced with PC at three levels (/kg): 0 g (Control), 75 g (PC75) or 150 g (PC150). The OAS was used at three levels: 0, 5 and 10 mg/g dry matter (DM) of substrates. Asymptotic gas (GP), CH4, and CO2 productions as well as lag time had linear responses (P < 0.05) as PC level increased in the ration. Fractional rate of GP (P ¼ 0.007), GP, organic matter degradability, short chain fatty acid, and microbial biomass production (P < 0.001) were increased with increasing level of PC. Fermentation pH (P < 0.001), and DM degradability (P ¼ 0.0448) were linearly decreased as the PC level increased in the rations. Ration OAS interaction did not affect fermentation kinetics, GP, CH4 production and fermentation parameters. Prickly pear cactus flour at 150 g/kg DM inclusion level in ruminant ration has the potential to replace 60% of corn grain with enhanced fermentation and biodegradation efficiency in vitro; however, it increased CH4 production, which cannot be an environmental friendly way of feeding livestock

Moringa oleifera leaf meal as a protein source in lactatinggoat’s diets: Feed intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation,milk yield and composition, and its fatty acids profile

Sixteen lactating Anglo-Nubian goats (36.2 ± 0.7 kg BW) were used in quadruplicated 4 × 4Latin square design to evaluate the inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) in theirdiets. M. oleifera leaf meal inclusion rates were 0 (M0 or control, no MLM, only sesamemeal), 10 (M10), 15 (M15) and 20% (M20), replacing sesame meal by 0 (control), 50, 75and 100%, respectively. Goats fed on M15 and M20 diets showed increased feed intakeof most nutrients (P < 0.05). Moreover, dry matter, organic matter, and fibre digestibilitieswere increased (P < 0.05) with M15 diet. Goats fed on M15 diet showed increased (P < 0.05)ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids and propionate concentrations compared to the control diet.Blood glutamic-pyruvic transaminase concentration was increased (P < 0.05), and urea-Nand cholesterol concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05) in goats fed MLM diets. Milk yieldand energy corrected milk were increased (P < 0.01) in goats fed MLM, and the greatestincrease was observed in the group fed the M15 diet. Feeding MLM also affected milk com-position increasing (P < 0.05) total solids and lactose contents. Milk components outputswere increased in goats fed MLM compared to control (P < 0.01). The relative percentage ofsaturated fatty acids was decreased (P < 0.05), and those of unsaturated (mono- or poly-)fatty acids and of conjugated linoleic acid were increased (P < 0.05) in the milk of goatsfed M15 and M20 diets. M. oleifera can replace sesame meal as a protein source in diets forlactating goats. The inclusion of MLM increased feed intake, enhanced nutrient digestibilityand ruminal fermentation, increased milk yield and modified milk fatty acid profile pos-itively. An inclusion rate of 15% MLM (replacing 75% of sesame meal) in the diet was themost suitable level for lactating goats under the current experiment conditions

Chemical Composition and In Vitro Digestibility of Pleurotus ostreatus Spent Rice Straw

The nutritive value of rice straw (RS) and Pleurotus ostreatus spent rice straw (SRS) was studied by analyzing its proximate composition, fiber fractions, in vitro digestibility, amino acids content and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The possibility of replacing berseem clover (BC; Trifolium alexandrinum) with SRS at different levels also was studied. Results showed higher protein content for SRS compared to RS (3.4 to 11.7%) while, DM, OM, NFE, CF, NDF, ADF, ADL, hemicellulose and cellulose were less for SRS than for RS. Highest concentration of amino acids (mg/100 g) was in SRS compared to RS. The SEM showed an extensive damage of SRS when compared to RS. Data also showed that SRS had higher in vitro dry matter disappearance (DMD) and in vitro organic matter disappearance (OMD) compared to RS. Results of in vitro study also, indicated that the levels of 50 and 90% replacement had the highest values of DMD and OMD compared to the other levels. It could be concluded from this study that treatment of RS with Pleurotus ostreatus improved the potential feeding value of the resultant substrates (i.e. SRS) as feed resources for ruminants and possibility of replacing BC with SRS at high levels of up to 50 or 90% from diets

Anaerobic ensiling of raw agricultural waste with a fibrolytic enzyme cocktail as a cleaner and sustainable biological product

The increasing expansion of agricultural activities have resulted in an unending production of agricultural waste which constitutes environmental nuisance, if not properly disposed. In most developing countries, this waste is burnt causing environmental problems and health challenges. The utilization of biodegraded ensiled agricultural waste, as an energy source, in livestock nutrition is proposed as a viable solution of reducing pollution. Agricultural waste such as straws is carbohydrate-rich materials that have a large potential as a dietary energy source for ruminants. This study aimed to determine the effect of anaerobic ensiling of raw agricultural waste with a fibrolytic enzyme cocktail as a cleaner and sustainable biological product for animal feed. Ten samples of 1 kg each of wheat straw, corn stalks and sugarcane bagasse were ensiled with enzyme cocktail at 0, 1 or 3 mL/kg dry matter of feed. Before ensiling, feed samples were chopped at 5 cm and moistened to a relative humidity of approximately 50% and then kept for 30 d in plastic bales. Feed type enzyme level interactions were observed (P < 0.01) for nutrient contents and fermentation kinetics. Increasing the level of enzyme cocktail increased (P < 0.01) crude protein and ether extract contents but decreased organic matter and non-structural carbohydrates contents of the three feeds. The enzyme cocktail also decreased (P < 0.01) neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and hemicellulose contents of corn stalks and sugarcane bagasse. The high level of the enzyme cocktail increased (P < 0.05) methane production from corn stalks but decreased it from sugarcane bagasse. Fermentation parameters response to ensiling differed among the ensiled feeds. It can be concluded that anaerobic fermentation of enzyme-treated agricultural waste and feeding it to livestock is one of the viable ways of utilizing this waste which otherwise could have constituted nuisance and pollution to the environment, if incinerated or improperly disposed

Influence of Trichoderma reesei or Saccharomyces cerevisiae on performance, ruminal fermentation, carcass characteristics and blood biochemistry of lambs fed Atriplex nummularia and Acacia saligna mixture

The aim of this study was to evaluate whole substitution of Egyptian berseem hay (. Trifolium alexandrinum) with a mixture of Atriplex nummularia and Acacia saligna (1:1 DM) in the diet of Barki lambs for 70 days. Thirty six lambs (27.0±0.89. kg initial BW) were divided into four treatment groups of nine lambs each and fed: (1) the Control group with no substitution (70% concentrate mixture and 30% berseem hay, DM basis), (2) A. nummularia and A. saligna mixture without fungal treatment (treatment group AU), or (3) Trichoderma reesei treated A. nummularia and A. saligna mixture (treatment group AF), or (4) A. nummularia and A. saligna mixture supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 0.5. g/kg DM of feed (treatment group AS) replaced 100% of berseem hay in the diet. Live-weight change, rumen fermentation parameters, blood chemistry, carcass characteristics and intestinal histology were investigated. Significant (.

Addressing sustainable ruminal methane and carbon dioxide emissions of soybean hulls by organic acid salts

Agriculture wastes are carbohydrate-rich feeds with a large potential source of dietary energy for ruminants, but in developing countries, they always constitute environmental problems when burnt in the field, and can be used as a cleaner product of animal feed and environment (Kholif et al., 2014). However, intensive ruminant production requires high concentrate diets to assure high productivity and fast growth. Cereals, such as barley, wheat and corn, are commonly used for intensive ruminant production.emissions as well as ruminal fermentation kinetics by replacing dietary corn grain (CG) with soybean hulls (SH) in the presence of organic acid salts (OAS). Three total mixed rations were prepared where CG was replaced with SH at three levels (/kg DM): 0 g (Control), 75 g (SH75) or 150 g (SH150). The OAS was used at three levels (dose): 0, 5 and 10 mg/g DM of substrates. Increasing SH level increased (P < 0.05) the fractional rate of gas production (GP) and lag time. The SH75 and SH150 rations quadratically decreased (P < 0.001) the asymptotic CO2 production and the lag time of CO2 production. Moreover, the high level of OAS quadratically decreased (P 0.05) CO2 production. The OAS inclusion increased (P < 0.05) CH4 production (expressed as mL/g incubated DM and mL/g degraded DM). Increasing SH in the rations increased (P < 0.05) proportional CH4 production. Inclusion of OAS also increased proportional CH4 production. Replacing corn grain with soybean hulls could be a valuable means of sustainable mitigation of CH4 and CO2 emissions and improvement of the environmental conditions as well as provision of good feedstuff for ruminant livestock due to its in vitro fermentation characteristics. The organic acid salts did not affect ruminal gas production but decreased CO2 emissions; thus its supplementation when soybean hulls replace corn grain is perhaps redundant, though may be considered as environmental friendly way of feeding livestock

Influence of the addition of exogenous xylanase with or without pre-incubation on the in vitro ruminal fermentation of three fibrous feeds

These by-products could be used as animal feedstuffs, but their use is limited by their high fibre content, which invariably lowers the efficiency of digestive utilization (Khattab et al. 2013; Kholif et al. 2014). Fibrous feeds are characterized by high lignocellulose content, low crude protein (CP) content, poor palatability, and low nutrient digestibility (Kholif et al. 2014; Togtokhbayar et al. 2015). The structural carbohydrates of the fibre are less digestible than other nutrients, and the cell wall (mainly the lignin) may be a physical barrier for the bacterial attachment and the access of ruminal enzymes resulting in limited ruminal degradability (Karunanandaa et al. 1995)The effects of the exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (ENZ) commercial preparation Dyadic® xylanase PLUS (Dyadic International, Inc., Jupiter, USA), containing endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase, on ruminal fermentation of maize stover, oat straw, and sugarcane bagasse were examined using the in vitro gas production (GP) technique. The ENZ commercial preparation was added at 0 (control), 60 (low), 120 (medium), and 240 (high) μg/g dry matter of substrate, and at two times of application (direct addition just before fermentation or with a 72-h pre-incubation before fermentation). Ruminal GP volumes were recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 24, and 48 h of incubation, and substrate degradability and concentration of fermentation end-products (volatile fatty acids, ammonia, methane) in the cultures were determined at 48 h of incubation. Increased (P < 0.05) GP volume was observed in fibrous feeds treated with ENZ compared with untreated substrates. The pre-incubation vs the direct addition of ENZ resulted in greater GP volume (P < 0.05) with the three tested feeds. Enzyme addition decreased (P < 0.05) rumen pH compared to control when maize stover and sugarcane bagasse were incubated. Ammonia-N and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were not affected (P > 0.05) by ENZ application in maize stover and oat straw. However, total and individual VFA concentrations, and CH4 and CO2 volumes were greater (P < 0.05) when sugarcane bagasse was incubated with 240 μg ENZ/g (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that the application of endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase enhances rumen fermentation of roughages, although the magnitude of the effects depends on the fibrous substrate fermented, the time of application, and the amount of enzyme added