Variation in the solubilization of crude protein in wheat straw by different white-rot fungi

Besides their unique ability to depolymerize cell wall components, white-rot fungi are known to assimilate nitrogenous compounds from substrates. This modification may change protein solubility and fermentation in the rumen. To investigate this, the crude protein (CP) in fungal treated wheat straw (3 fungal species, 2 strains each) was fractioned according to the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) and assessed for in vitro protein fermentation using a modified gas production technique (IVGPN). Results showed that fungi increased fraction A (instantaneously soluble CP; ∼2.6 times) and B1 (rapidly degradable; ∼1.2 times); and decreased the slowly degradable fraction B3 (∼41.6%) and unavailable fraction C (∼48.3%). The IVGPN of straw treated with Ceriporiopsis subvermispora strains were not different to the control, but increased by 30.2 to 47.1% in Pleurotus eryngii and Lentinula edodes strains. The IVGPN was significantly (P <  0.01) correlated to all fractions of CP, except fraction B1 and B2 (intermediately degradable). All fungi also increased the arginine (∼56%) and lysine (∼15%) contents. This study shows the importance of assessing the protein solubilization by different fungal strains, which can uncover unique mechanisms in the cell wall depolymerization

Do different vaccination regimes affect the growth performance, immune status, carcase characteristics and meat quality of broilers?

1. A vaccination regime is a schedule for the administration of vaccines which may vary according to country or even by farm. This study aimed to measure the production and health performance of broilers treated with different vaccination regimes. 2. A total of 108 Cobb 500 broiler birds were randomly divided into three treatment groups, with six replicates consisting of six birds per replicate. Each treatment group was administered with different vaccination regimes against Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bronchitis (IB) and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). Treatment 1 (T1) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB and IBD on days 7 and 14 of age, respectively (control); Treatment 2 (T2) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB on days 3 and 7 of age, and IBD on day 14; and Treatment 3 (T3) broilers were vaccinated against ND+IB on days 7 and 21 and IBD on day 14. Throughout the 42-day study period, data and samples were collected to determine the growth performance, immune status, carcase characteristics and meat quality. 3. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) on growth performance (body weight, body weight gain, feed intake and cumulative feed conversion ratio), white blood cell count (heterophils percentage, lymphocytes percentage and heterophils to lymphocytes ratio), carcase characteristics (kill-out weight, de-feathered weight, dressing percentage, drumsticks and gastrointestinal tract weight) and meat quality (cooking loss and drip loss) between treatments. T1 broilers showed better growth, white blood cell count, carcase characteristics and meat quality compared to T2 and T3 broilers. 4. Based on findings from the current work, vaccination against ND+IB and IBD on days 7 and 14 proved to be the best vaccination regime for broiler production, due to the better production performance and health status of broilers

Effect of honey as an additive for cryopreservation on bull semen quality from different cattle breeds under tropical condition

Previous studies have demonstrated that honey is a good additive for frozen semen, but the composition of honey is ultimately influenced by the plant species visited by the honey bees, the environment, processing, and storage conditions. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the effect of using local honey derived from the Apis mellifera bee as an additive in Bioxcell™ extender for cryopreservation on bull semen quality from different cattle breeds. Different concentrations of honey additive in the commercial extenders (1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15%) were prepared accordingly. Semen samples were collected from 12 sexually mature bulls consisted of three Mafriwal, three Jersey, three Peidmontese, and three Limousin bulls with the aid of an artificial vagina (AV) and a teaser cow. The semen samples were extended 1:1 (semen: extender) in the prepared extenders for cryopreservation. Semen evaluations were carried out on fresh semen, post-chilled, and 14th days post-thawed frozen semen. The semen samples were evaluated based on microscopic characteristics such as general motility, progressive motility, and liveability. The results showed that there were significant differences (P˂0.05) in the sperm quality between different breeds of bull and between different concentrations of honey additive extenders. Jersey bull exhibited the best sperm quality with the highest sperm general motility, progressive motility, and live ability throughout the fresh semen, post-chilled, and post-thawed frozen semen followed by Mafriwal, Piedmontese, and Limousin. The sperm quality of all bull species increased significantly (P˂0.05) by the 1% concentration of honey additive extender compared to 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% concentration of honey additive extenders. In summary, 1% concentration of honey additive extender can be used effectively in bull semen cryopreservation to preserve the sperm quality