Two Levels of Palmitic Acid-Enriched Fat Supplement Affect Lactational Performance of Holstein Cows and Feed Utilization of Barki Sheep

The effect of feeding palmitic acid-enriched protected fat (PPF) supplement at two levels to increase energy density of diets was tested. In experiment 1, 21 multiparous lactating Holstein cows were fed on a basal diet without PPF supplementation (Control) or supplemented with 250 g (MG250) or 500 g PPF (MG500) for 13 weeks. In experiment 2, 12 adult Barki sheep were fed a basal diet without PAF supplementation (Control), or supplemented with 25 g (ME25), or 50 g of PPF (ME50 treatment) for 1 month. In experiment 1, MG250 treatment increased (

Two Levels of Palmitic Acid-Enriched Fat Supplement Affect Lactational Performance of Holstein Cows and Feed Utilization of Barki Sheep

The effect of feeding palmitic acid-enriched protected fat (PPF) supplement at two levels to increase energy density of diets was tested. In experiment 1, 21 multiparous lactating Holstein cows were fed on a basal diet without PPF supplementation (Control) or supplemented with 250 g (MG250) or 500 g PPF (MG500) for 13 weeks. In experiment 2, 12 adult Barki sheep were fed a basal diet without PAF supplementation (Control), or supplemented with 25 g (ME25), or 50 g of PPF (ME50 treatment) for 1 month. In experiment 1, MG250 treatment increased (

Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Leaves of Ajuga iva

The main objective of this research was to study the biological characteristics in terms of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Ajuga iva and determine the best analytical and extraction methods applicable to this specie and studied compounds. A short screening of its nutritional value in terms of chemical composition is also included. A. iva leaves were analyzed for crude protein (CP), cell wall [neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL)], minerals, fatty acids, essential oils, and phenolic compounds. Mature aerial parts of A. iva were randomly collected during the Spring season from Mograne-Zaghouan, Tunisia. Leaves of A. iva contained 13.4 ± 0.4% CP, 26.3 ± 0.35% NDF, 20.2 ± 0.42% ADF, and 5.13 ± 0.21% ADL. Mineral content (13.0 ± 0.45%) was mainly composed of potassium (4.5% g DM) and magnesium (4.25% DM). Leaves of A. iva had linolenic (26.29 ± 0.760%) and linoleic (37.66 ± 2.35%) acids as the main components of the acid profile. Thymol was found to be the most dominant (23.43%) essential oil, followed by 4-vinylguaiacol (14.27%) and linalool (13.66%). HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS analysis pointed out the presence of phytoecdysteroids. Phenolic acids and flavonoids, such as glycosylated derivatives of naringenin, eriodyctiol, and apigenin, were detected in the methanol extract of A. iva leaves. Our results underline the importance of choosing proper extraction methods and solvents to extract and characterize the described compounds profile of A. iva leaves. Results also show A. iva leaves as a potential source of functional ingredients with beneficial health-promoting properties. Overall, leaves of A. iva have low biological activities (antioxidant and antimicrobial activities) with a chemical composition suitable as a feed for ruminants in rangeland pasture. It also has low-grade antibacterial or medicinal characteristics when fed to ruminants

In vitro gas production of five rations of different maize silage and concentrate ratios influenced by increasing levels of chemically characterized extract of Salix babylonica

Salix babylonica (SB) is a tree of the willow family with slender leaves, native to dry areas of northern China. Trees of SB are commonly found along moist places and are often planted or cultivated as an ornamental tree. SB often cultivated to make high-quality wood chips, a renewable and carbon-neutral energy source. It was introduced to Mexico and many other countries other than China (1). Most of the members of the genus Salix were analyzed for their flavonoid, terpenoid, and phenolic constituents with diverse and important biological activities of improving ruminal fermentation (2). SB naturally contains benzyl ester of gentisic acid 2′-O-acetyl β-d-glucoside, along with trichocarpin, salicin, kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, apigenin- 7-O-galactoside, and luteolin-4′-O-glucoside compounds and an ester of terephthalic acid (2). However, willows have phenolic glycosidic compounds based on the structure of salicin (3). Moreover, three flavonoids compounds were extracted from SB and identified as luteolin-7-O-β-Dglucopyranoside, luteolin, and chrysoeriol (2).This study was carried out to assess the effect of the chemical substances of Salix babylonica (SB) extract on in vitro rumen fermentation of five mixed rations with different maize silage to concentrate ratios. Fifty-nine compounds were identified in SB extract using the retention time and mass spectral technique. Interactive effects were noted (P < 0.001) for the asymptotic gas production (GP) (b), the rate of production (c), the initial delay before GP begins (L), pH, dry matter digestibility, metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD), short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), gas yield at 24 h (GY24), microbial crude protein, and in vitro GP. Both 1.2 and 1.8 mL SB/g DM had the highest (P < 0.05) b and c values. Addition of 1.2 and 1.8 mL SB/g DM linearly improved (P < 0.001) ME, OMD, SCFAs, and GY24. It could be concluded that, based on the highly detected interaction effects between ration types and extract doses for fermentation parameters and GP, the most effective dose of SB varied between incubated total mixed rations. However, the ration of 25% silage and 75% concentrate had the highest nutritive value, especially at doses of 1.2 to 1.8 mL SB/g DM total mixed ration

Effect of pre- and post-partum dietary crude protein level on the performance of ewes and their lambs

In a block randomized design, fifty-one Barki ewes weighing 38.0 kg in average and 2–4 years old, were used to study the effect of pre- and post-lambing dietary crude protein level (CP) of concentrates on the milk yield, milk composition and weight of ewes, and performance of their lambs. The treatments comprised supplementary concentrate containing (g/kg dry matter (DM)): (1) 110 CP (low), (2) 130 CP (medium) and (3) 150 CP (high), while Egyptian berseem hay (Trifiolium alexandrinum) was the basal diet. Ewes were weighed individually biweekly, and the number of lambs dropped and nursed by ewes was recorded within 24 h after birth and biweekly subsequently. New-born lambs were left to suckle their dams freely, except for the period when milk yield was recorded by weighing lambs before and after suckling. Milk yield was estimated once a week. Ewes were fed the experimental diets during the last two months of pregnancy and throughout the lactation period. Ewes fed 110 g CP/kg DM attained peak of milk yield earlier than those fed 130 and 150 g CP/kg DM. Total milk yield, milk fat and milk total solids, and weaning weight, average daily gain and relative growth rate of lambs were higher (P < 0.05) for ewes fed medium and high protein levels compared to those fed low protein level. Suckled milk was affected by protein level (P < 0.05); the rank order was: 110 CP < 130 CP < 150 CP. Milk protein and extractable milk were higher (P < 0.05) for high protein level compared to low protein level but solids-not-fat (SNF) and lamb birth weight were not affected (P > 0.05) by protein level. Lamb sex, and parity and weight atlambing of ewes had no effect (P > 0.05) on suckled milk, extractable milk and milk yield. Whereas lamb sex and parity of ewe had no effect (P > 0.05) on milk composition, ewe lambing weight affected (P < 0.05) milk fat and SNF but not milk protein and total solids (P > 0.05). Weights of ewes during gestation, after lambing (post-partum weight loss) and during lactation were not affected (P > 0.05) by protein level, except at the 3rd month of lactation. Lamb sex, parity and lambing weight had pronounced (P < 0.05) effects on lamb birth weight and weaning weight. It is concluded that 150 g CP/kg DM level pre- and post-partum could be used for improved performance of ewes and their lambs while parity and weight of ewe at lambing should also be given consideration

Influence of dietary oils rich in omega-6 or omega-3 fatty acids on rumen microbiome of dairy cows

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of supplementing dairy cow diets with contrasting sources of omega-6 (soybean oil) and omega-3 (fish oil) PUFA on rumen microbiome. For 63 days, 15 mid-lactating cows were fed a control diet (n = 5 cows; no fat supplement) or control diet supplemented with 2.9% DM of either soybean oil (SO; n = 5 cows) or fish oil (FO; n = 5 cows). Ruminal contents were collected on days 0, 21, 42 and 63 for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Beta diversity and Shannon, Simpson and Chao1 diversity indices were not affected by dietary treatments. In terms of core microbiome, Succiniclasticum, Prevotella, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and NK4A214_group were the most prevalent taxa regardless of treatments. Bifidobacterium was absent in SO diet, Acetitomaculum was absent in FO, and Sharpea, was only detected in SO. Overall, results showed that at 2.9% DM supplementation of either SO or FO over 63 days in dairy cow diets does not cause major impact on bacterial community composition and thus is recommended as feeding practice

Feed intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and ruminal fermentation activities in sheep fed Atriplex halimus ensiled with three developed enzyme cocktails

The effects of feeding Atriplex halimus treated with three developed enzyme cocktails to Barki sheep on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, N utilization, and ruminal fermentation were assessed. A. halimus was ensiled with two developed enzyme cocktails of ZAD1® (Z1) and/or ZAD2® (Z2) as liquid enzyme preparations (2 l/t) with 5% molasses and ensiled for 30 days. Three Barki rams (45 ± 3.2 kg) were used per treatment in five consecutive digestibility trials, while three ewes fitted with a permanent rumen fistula were used as source of inoculum for in vitro rumen fermentation trials. Barley grain (300 g/animal/day) was fed as energy supplement during the experimental trial for all diets. Five diets were composed as follows: A. halimus (leaves and stems) (D1); untreated A. halimus plus 4 g/animal/day ZADO® (Z) (enzyme preparation in powder form) (D2); A. halimus ensiled with Z1 and barley plus 4 g/animal/day Z (D3); A. halimus ensiled with Z2 and barley (D3) plus 4 g/animal/day Z (D4); A. halimus ensiled with a combination of Z1 and Z2 (1 :1) and barley plus 4\ua0g/head/day Z (D5). For all trials, ad libitum A. halimus was offered twice a day at 9:00 and 16:00 h while barley grain was given once a day at 10:00 h. Both D1 and D2 diets increased (P <0.001) dry matter intake of A. halimus and total dry matter intake. Addition of 4 g/day of Z to Z1 and/or Z2 ensiled diets improved (P < 0.0001) organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities. Diets D1 and D2 increased (P < 0.001) N intake, whereas the direct addition of Z to D3, D4, and D5 decreased (P < 0.001) N balance and N\ua0balance/N absorption ratio. Sheep fed on Z in addition to Z2 ensiled A. halimus showed higher improvements for total volatile fatty acids (P < 0.001), ammonia N (P = 0.007), and microbial protein production (P = 0.003). It can be concluded that feeding sheep on A. halimus ensiled with Z1 and Z2 with direct feeding of Z enzyme preparation improved intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and utilization, as well as rumen fermentation

Prevalence of bovine subclinical mastitis, its etiology and diagnosis of antibiotic resistance of dairy farms in four municipalities of a tropical region of Mexico

A region-wide survey was conducted in the tropical area of Tierra Caliente, State of Guerrero, Mexico to estimate the prevalence of subclinical bovine mastitis (SCM), distribution of mastitis pathogens, and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of different mastitis pathogens in dairy farms. In total, 1036 quarter milk samples were obtained from 259 cows at 87 different dairy farms. Collected quarter milk samples were submitted for California Mastitis Test (CMT), bacteriological examination, and testing for antimicrobial susceptibility. Overall prevalence of SCM in the studied area was 20.5 %. Prevalence in the different regions was as follows: 28 % in Arcelia municipality, 21 % in Tlalchapa municipality, 19.4 % in Pungarabato municipality, and 14.3 % in Finch Cutzamala municipality. Of all positive isolates, 97.5 % were Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, of all positive isolates, 37.5 % were Proteus vulgaris, 25 % Salmonella spp., 12.5 % Enterobacter aerogenes, and 10 % Escherichia coli. Klebsiella pneumonia and E. coli were sensitive for netilmicin antimicrobial. However, E. coli was sensitive for pefloxacin and gentamicin with a sensitivity for pefloxacin for E. aerogenes, while Staphylococci were sensitive for gentamicin and dicloxacillin. It could be concluded that practices such as the implementation of mastitis control programs, improved milking hygiene together with an intramammary treatment with netilmicin, pefloxacin, and gentamicin antimicrobials should be considered for mastitis prevention in the study area of Tierra Caliente, in the tropical area of Guerrero, Mexico