Influence of Sunflower Whole Seeds or Oil on Ruminal Fermentation, Milk Production, Composition, and Fatty Acid Profile in Lactating Goats

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sunflower seeds, either as whole or as oil, on rumen fermentation, milk production, milk composition and fatty acids profile in dairy goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 5) fed a basal diet of concentrate feed mixture and fresh Trifolium alexandrinum at 50:50 on dry matter basis (Control) in addition to 50 g/head/d sunflower seeds whole (SS) or 20 mL/head/d sunflower seeds oil (SO) in a complete randomized design. Milk was sampled every two weeks during 90 days of experimental period for chemical analysis and rumen was sampled at 30, 60, and 90 days of the experiment for ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids (tVFA), and ammonia-N determination. Addition of SO decreased (p = 0.017) ruminal pH, whereas SO and SS increased tVFA (p<0.001) and acetate (p = 0.034) concentrations. Serum glucose increased (p = 0.013) in SO and SS goats vs Control. The SO and SS treated goats had improved milk yield (p = 0.007) and milk fat content (p = 0.002). Moreover, SO increased milk lactose content (p = 0.048) and feed efficiency (p = 0.046) compared to Control. Both of SS and SO increased (p<0.05) milk unsaturated fatty acids content specially conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) vs Control. Addition of SS and SO increased (p = 0. 021) C18:3N3 fatty acid compared to Control diet. Data suggested that addition of either SS or SO to lactating goats ration had beneficial effects on milk yield and milk composition with enhancing milk content of healthy fatty acids (CLA and omega 3), without detrimental effects on animal performance. (Key Words: Fatty Acid Profile, Lactating Goats, Milk Composition, Sunflower Seeds, Sunflower Oil

Infestation of people with lice in Kathmandu and Pokhara, Nepal

The prevalence of infestation with head lice and body lice, Pediculus spp. (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) and pubic (crab) lice Pthirus pubis (L.) (Phthiraptera: Pthiridae), was recorded from 484 people in Nepal. The prevalence of head lice varied from 16% in a sample of people aged 10-39 years of age, to 59% in street children. Simultaneous infestations with head and body lice (double infestations) varied from 18% in slum children to 59% in street children

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

Ocorrência de Babesia sp em pequenos roedores no Brasil Occurrence of Babesia sp in small rodents in Brazil

Foi analisada a ocorrência de babesiose em pequenos roedores nos municípios de Silva Jardim e Nova lguaçu, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Foram capturados 44 roedores de seis espécies diferentes e entre eles a prevalência da infecção foi de 27,3%. Rattus norvegicus foi considerado o principal reservatório (50,0%) e Oligoryzomys nigripes como novo hospedeiro para Babesia sp. Este foi o primeiro relato de Babesia sp. em roedores no Brasil. A freqüência de roedores positivos e o risco de infecção dos roedores não diferiram entre as áreas estudadas.<br>The occurrence of babesiosis was studied in 44 small rodents of six species captured in Silva Jardim and Nova lguaçu counties, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The prevalence of injection was 27.3%. Rattus norvegicus was considered as the main reservoir and Oligoryzomys nigripes as a new host to Babesia sp. The frequency and the risk of rodent infection were considered equal among the studied areas. This is the first report of Babesia sp in small rodents in Brazil