Potential to mitigate ammonia emission from slurry by increasing dietary fermentable fiber through inclusion of tropical byproducts in practical diets for growing pigs

Objective: Research was conducted to test the effect of including fiber-rich feedstuffs in practical pig diets on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance and ammonia emissions from slurry. Methods: Three Vietnamese fiber sources were screened, namely cassava leaf meal (CL), cassava root residue (CR), and tofu by-product (TF). Accordingly, a control diet (Con) with 10% of dietary non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and three test diets including one of the three fiber-rich feedstuffs to reach 15% of NSP were formulated. All formulated diets had the same level of crude protein (CP), in vitro ileal protein digestible and metabolisable energy, whereas the in vitro hindgut volatile fatty acid (VFA) production of the test diets was 12% to 20% higher than the control diet. Forty growing barrows with initial body weight at 28.6 +/- 1.93 kg (mean +/- standard deviation) were allocated to the four treatments. When pigs reached about 50 kg of body weight, four pigs from each treatment were used for a nitrogen balance trial and ammonia emission assessment, the remaining six pigs continued the second period of the feeding trial. Results: The TF treatment increased fecal VFA by 33% as compared with the control treatment (p = 0.07), suggesting stimulation of the hindgut fermentation. However, urinary N was not significantly reduced or shifted to fecal N, nor was slurry pH decreased. Accordingly, ammonia emissions were not mitigated. CR and CL treatments failed to enhance in vivo hindgut fermentation, as assessed by fecal VFA and purine bases. On the contrary, the reduction of CP digestibility in the CL treatment enhanced ammonia emissions from slurry. Conclusion: Dietary inclusion of cassava and tofu byproducts through an increase of dietary NSP from 10% to 15% might stimulate fecal VFA excretion but this does not guarantee a reduction in ammonia emissions from slurry, while its interaction with protein digestibility even might enhance enhanced ammonia emission

Relationship between temperature, temperature-humidity index and amount of food intake of Sheep

This study aimed to identify the relationship between temperature, temperature-humidity index (THI), and the amount of dry matter food intake (DMI) by sheep. Twelve Phan Rang (Ninh Thuan province) sheep belonging to three age groups of 6, 9, and 12 months (4 heads of each age group) raised in Thua Thien Hue province were fed with natural grass for two seasons: hot season (April-August) and cold season (November-February). Daily temperature, humidity, and food intake were recorded. The results of the study revealed that temperature and THI were closely correlated (P<0.05) with the amount of food intake by sheep. When the temperature was in the range of 29.5°C to 32.5°C and increased by 1ο C, the DMI of sheep decreased by 14.7 g/BW/day. When the value of THI was more than 28.5 and rose by 1°C, the DMI of sheep decreased by 16.2 g/BW/day

Pig performance increases with the addition of dl-methionine and l-lysine to ensiled cassava leaf protein diets

Two studies were conducted to determine the impact of supplementation of diets containing ensiled cassava leaves as the main protein source with synthetic amino acids, dl-methionine alone or with L-lysine. In study 1, a total of 40 pigs in five units, all cross-breds between Large White and Mong Cai, with an average initial body weight of 20.5 kg were randomly assigned to four treatments consisting of a basal diet containing 45% of dry matter (DM) from ensiled cassava leaves (ECL) and ensiled cassava root supplemented with 0%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.15% dl-methionine (as DM). Results showed a significantly improved performance and protein gain by extra methionine. This reduced the feed cost by 2.6%, 7.2% and 7.5%, respectively. In study 2, there were three units and in each unit eight cross-bred (Large White × Mong Cai) pigs with an initial body weight of 20.1 kg were randomly assigned to the four treatments. The four diets were as follows: a basal diet containing 15% ECL (as DM) supplemented with different amounts of amino acids l-lysine and dl-methionine to the control diet. The results showed that diets with 15% of DM as ECL with supplementation of 0.2% lysine +0.1% dl-methionine and 0.1% lysine +0.05% dl-methionine at the 20–50 kg and above 50 kg, respectively, resulted in the best performance, protein gain and lowest costs for cross-bred (Large White × Mong Cai) pigs. Ensiled cassava leaves can be used as a protein supplement for feeding pigs provided the diets contain additional amounts of synthetic lysine and methionine

Optimizing the ratios of standardized ileal digestible (SID) methionine plus SID cystine and SID threonine to SID lysine in low-protein diets for working boars

This study aimed to optimize the ratios of standardized ileal digestible (SID) methionine (Met) plus cystine (Cys), and threonine (Thr) to SID lysine (Lys) in low-protein diets for working boars. Forty-eight working Duroc boars were randomly allocated to one of 12 dietary treatments in a 3x4 factorial experimental design in which factor 1 was the ratios of SID Met plus Cys to SID Lys (50, 60, 70%), factor 2 was the ratios of SID Thr to SID Lys (40, 50, 60, 70%). Semen was collected at a 4 days interval for 6 weeks for 10 ejaculates. Semen volume (V), percentage of sperm with progressive motility (A), sperm concentration (C), and the total number of motile sperm per ejaculate (VAC) were measured. The results of the study revealed that the ratios of SID Met plus Cys to SID Lys in the diets affected the C and VAC. Values of C and VAC were highest at the ratios of SID Met plus Cys to SID Lys of 70% and lowest at 50% (P<0.05). Similarly, the ratios of SID Thr to SID Lys affected the C and VAC. Further, the values of C and VAC were highest at the ratio of SID Thr to SID Lys of 60% and lowest at 40% (P<0.05). There was no interaction effect between the two factors. In conclusion, the ratios of SID Met plus Cys to SID Lys of 70% and SID Thr to SID Lys of 60% in a 13.5% CP diet are optimal for working boars

Estimation of methane emissions from local and crossbreed beef cattle in Daklak province of Vietnam

Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating effects of cattle breed resources and alternative mixed-feeding practices on meat productivity and emission intensities from household farming systems (HFS) in Daklak Province, Vietnam. Methods: Records from Local Yellow×Red Sindhi (Bos indicus; Lai Sind) and 1/2 Limousin, 1/2 Drought Master, and 1/2 Red Angus cattle during the growth (0 to 21 months) and fattening (22 to 25 months) periods were used to better understand variations on meat productivity and enteric methane emissions. Parameters were determined by the ruminant model. Four scenarios were developed: (HFS1) grazing from birth to slaughter on native grasses for approximately 10 h plus 1.5 kg dry matter/d (0.8% live weight [LW]) of a mixture of Guinea grass (19%), cassava (43%) powder, cotton (23%) seed, and rice (15%) straw; (HFS2) growth period fed with elephant grass (1% of LW) plus supplementation (1.5% of LW) of rice bran (36%), maize (33%), and cassava (31%) meals; and HFS3 and HFS4 computed elephant grass, but concentrate supplementation reaching 2% and 1% of LW, respectively. Results: Results show that compared to HFS1, emissions (72.3±0.96 kg CH 4 /animal/life; least squares means± standard error of the mean) were 15%, 6%, and 23% lower (p < 0.01) for the HFS2, HFS3, and HFS4, respectively. The predicted methane efficiencies (CO 2 eq) per kg of LW at slaughter (4.3±0.15), carcass weight (8.8±0.25 kg) and kg of edible protein (44.1±1.29) were also lower (p < 0.05) in the HFS4. In particular, irrespective of the HSF, feed supply and ratio changes had a more positive impact on emission intensities when crossbred 1/2 Red Angus cattle were fed than in their crossbred counterparts. Conclusion: Modest improvements on feeding practices and integrated modelling frameworks may offer potential trade-offs to respond to climate change in Vietnam

Farming systems in the sandy area of the Thua Thien Hue Province, Central Vietnam, survey of socio-economic situation and constraints identified by farmers

peer reviewe

Insulin signaling and its application

The discovery of insulin in 1921 introduced a new branch of research into insulin activity and insulin resistance. Many discoveries in this field have been applied to diagnosing and treating diseases related to insulin resistance. In this mini-review, the authors attempt to synthesize the updated discoveries to unravel the related mechanisms and inform the development of novel applications. Firstly, we depict the insulin signaling pathway to explain the physiology of insulin action starting at the receptor sites of insulin and downstream the signaling of the insulin signaling pathway. Based on this, the next part will analyze the mechanisms of insulin resistance with two major provenances: the defects caused by receptors and the defects due to extra-receptor causes, but in this study, we focus on post-receptor causes. Finally, we discuss the recent applications including the diseases related to insulin resistance (obesity, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer) and the potential treatment of those based on insulin resistance mechanisms

Oxalate Content of Taro Leaves Grown in Central Vietnam

Leaves were harvested from four different cultivars of Colocasia esculenta and three cultivars of Alocasia odora that were growing on nine different farms in central Vietnam. The total, soluble and insoluble oxalate contents of the leaves were extracted and measured using HPLC chromatography. Total calcium determinations were also carried out on the same samples. The total oxalate content of the leaves ranged from 433.8 to 856.1 mg/100 g wet matter (WM) while the soluble oxalate ranged from 147.8 to 339.7 mg/100 g WM. The proportion of soluble oxalate ranged from 28% to 41% (overall mean 35%) of the total oxalate content of the leaves. The equivalent insoluble oxalate proportion ranged from 59% to 72% of the total (overall mean 65%). There was little difference between the Colocasia esculenta and Alocasia odora taro cultivars, although the total oxalate content was significantly higher in Alocasia odora cultivars. The overall mean total calcium content was 279.5 mg/100 WM and the percentage of insoluble calcium bound as calcium oxalate ranged from 31.7% to 57.3% of the total calcium content (overall mean 47.1%). The oxalate content in taro leaves is a major factor to consider when different cultivars of taro are recommended for human or animal consumption

ẢNH HƯỞNG CỦA THỜI KỲ THU CẮT ĐẾN NĂNG SUẤT, THÀNH PHẦN HOÁ HỌC VÀ TỶ LỆ PHÂN GIẢI Ở DẠ CỎ BÒ CỦA CÂY NGÔ HQ2000 TRỒNG TRÊN VÙNG CÁT PHA Ở TỈNH THỪA THIÊN HUẾ

This study consisted of two experiments. Experiment 1 determined the yield and chemical composition of maize cut at kernel milking (CSU), doughing (CSA), and denting (RNG) stages. The results show that the highest yield at the CSA stage and the dry matter (DM) content tend to increase, but crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre tend to decrease when the development stages are extended (p &lt; 0.05). Experiment 2 determined the in sacco degradability of maize cut in the three stages as experiment 1 for four cows with a cannula. The findings reveal that the DM degradation rate of maize cut at different stages is not significantly different (p &gt; 0.05), but the fermentation time of CSU maize in the rumen is shorter than that of CSA and RNG maize. The effective degradation rate of at different rumen exit rates is not different regarding the harvested stages (p &gt; 0.05). The metabolisable energy (ME) of RNG maize is similar to that of the CSA maize but higher than that of the CSU maize (p &lt; 0.05). Therefore, it is advisable to harvest HQ2000 maize at the doughing stage.Nghiên cứu này gồm hai thí nghiệm. Thí nghiệm 1 xác định năng suất và thành phần hoá học của ngô cắt lúc chín sữa (CSU), chín sáp (CSA) và răng ngựa (RNG). Kết quả cho thấy, năng suất cao nhất lúc chín sữa và hàm lượng chất khô có xu hướng tăng, nhưng protein thô, xơ không hoà tan trong chất tẩy trung tính và xơ không hoà tan trong chất tẩy axit có xu hướng giảm khi kéo dài thời gian thu cắt (p &lt; 0,05). Thí nghiệm 2 xác định tỷ lệ phân giải dạ cỏ của ngô cắt theo ba thời kỳ như thí nghiệm 1 trên bốn con bò đặt cannula dạ cỏ. Kết quả cho thấy, tỷ lệ phân giải chất khô của ngô cắt ở các thời kỳ không sai khác có ý nghĩa thống kê (p &gt; 0,05), nhưng thời gian lên men ở dạ cỏ của ngô CSU ngắn hơn của ngô CSA và của ngô RNG. Tỷ lệ phân giải hữu hiệu ở các tốc độ thoát qua dạ cỏ khác nhau không khác giữa các thời điểm thu cắt (p &gt; 0,05). Giá trị năng lượng trao đổi (ME) của ngô RNG giống của ngô CSA và cao hơn của ngô CSU (p &lt; 0,05). Vì vậy, nên thu cắt ngô HQ2000 khi hạt vào kỳ chín sáp