Traceability of grass feeding in beef: terpenes, 2,3-octanedione and skatole accumulation in adipose tissue of young bulls

The development of analytical methods to verify the production system of meat products requires the identification of biomarkers that can trace the product's origin, and secondly the factors that govern the deposition of these markers in animal tissue need to be defined. In this study, 2,3-octanedione, skatole and terpenes were selected as biomarkers, and their deposition was investigated in bull calves reared under three different strategies. All of the animals were reared indoors until approximately 150 days of age. They were suckled twice a day by their mothers, and both calves and cows had free access to cocksfoot hay. Then the first two groups of animals were kept indoors, suckled by their mothers twice a day and received either cocksfoot hay (HL) or freshly cut-green herbage (GL) and a limited quantity of concentrate. The third group of calves (PH) was kept on pasture with their mothers and offered concentrate ad libitum. The pasture supporting the PH animals was highly diversified, containing several terpene-rich plant species, whereas the herbage for the GL animals contained no species known to be aromatic. Perirenal and subcutaneous adipose tissues were analysed for volatile compounds. The perirenal fat was found to be more responsive to the treatment and a more reliable substrate than the subcutaneous adipose tissue. Higher levels of 2,3-octanedione (P < 0.05) were found in PH and GL than in HL fat (6.56, 6.51 and 5.77 area arbitrary units, respectively, in perirenal fat), confirming the ability of this molecule to trace green herbage feeding. Skatole was detected in the perirenal and subcutaneous fat of all the animals. Animals receiving high concentrate level (PH group) presented lower (P < 0.05) skatole values (5.83 area arbitrary units in perirenal fat) than animals receiving low concentrate level (HL and GL groups, 6.23 and 6.71 area arbitrary units, respectively, in perirenal fat). Terpenoids, and especially sesquiterpenes, were found at higher levels and diversities in the PH than in the GL and HL animals. Two monoterpenoids allowed group discrimination considering perirenal or subcutaneous fat without distinction, whereas 11 and 5 sesquiterpenoids from perirenal and subcutaneous fat, respectively, allowed it.     

Characterisation of particle dynamics and turnover in the gastrointestinal tract of Holstein cows fed forage diets differing in fibre and protein contents

An improved understanding of the role of forage quality on the processes of particle dynamics and turnover is important for the development of healthier and cost-effective feeding strategies that aim at lowering the proportions of concentrates in the diets of cattle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding hays of different qualities on particle dynamics, digestion kinetics and turnover in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Three non-lactating, rumen fistulated Holstein cows were fed diets consisting exclusively of hay with either low quality [Group LH; 605 ± 12.4 g/kg neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and 63 ± 4.7 g/kg crude protein (CP)] or good quality (Group GH; 551 ± 20.1 g/kg NDF and 116 ± 3.6 g/kg CP). Data showed that in situ dry matter (DM) disappearance of the soluble fraction was greater for Group GH (p < 0.05). Feeding good quality hay also lowered the proportion of particles >1.18 mm particularly during the eating process (p < 0.05). Changes in the particle size occurring afterwards were greater for Group GH as well (p < 0.05); approximately 30% in the comminution in the particle size occurred postruminally. Feeding hay of good quality lowered DM content of solid rumen digesta (p < 0.05), accelerated (p < 0.05) the turnover rate of DM and NDF in the GIT and increased DM intake (p < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding forages of better quality significantly promoted degradation processes and kinetics in the GIT with positive effects on turnover rate of digesta and feed intake in Holstein cows.     

Growth performance,carcass and noncarcass traits and meat quality of Barbarine lambs fed rosemary distillation residues

The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of total replacement of oat hay by rosemary distillation residues (RR) on growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Barbarine lambs. A total of 21 lambs were divided into three groups. The control group (C) was offered 600 g of oat hay; the RR87 and RR60 groups received 600 g of pellets containing 87% and 60% of RR, respectively. The CP content was 9% and 14% for RR87 and RR60, respectively. All animals were supplemented by 600 g of concentrate. After 77 days of fattening, lambs were slaughtered. The DM and CP intakes were significantly increased with RR diets. The average daily gain was higher (P<0.001), while the feed conversion rate was lower for RR60 and RR87 than C group. The dressing percentage was similar for all groups. The tissular (muscle, fat and bone) and the regional (leg, shoulder, etc.) carcass composition did not differ among groups. The bony organs and gut weights were similar among groups, while functional ones (skin, liver, kidney and testicles) were significantly heavier for both RR groups than control. The ultimate pH, water cooking loss and color variables were similar among groups and the chemical composition (protein, fat, myoglobin, collagen and iron) did not differ also among groups. These results revealed the opportunity of RR use in fattening lambs without adverse effects on carcass and meat characteristics. Moreover, 9% CP in RR pellets are enough given the same growth performance recorded as that of RR with 14% CP.     

Effects of Aluminum Exposure on Serum Sex Hormones and Androgen Receptor Expression in Male Rats

The effects of aluminum (Al) exposure on reproductive functions of male rats were investigated. Forty male Wistar rats (4?weeks old) weighing 75-95?g were randomly divided into four groups and orally exposed to 0 (control group GC), 64.18 (low-dose group GL), 128.36 (middle-dose group GM), and 256.72 (high-dose group GH) mg/kg aluminum trichloride in drinking water for 120?days. The levels of testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined by radioimmunoassay. The androgen receptor (AR) expressions in testes were detected respectively by immunohistochemistry and time quantitative PCR. Results showed that the levels of T and LH in GM and GH were lower than those in GC (P??0.05). AR protein expressions in GM and GH were lower than those in GC (P?相似文献   

Effects of feeding high-quality hay with graded amounts of concentrate on feed intake,performance and blood metabolites of cows in early lactation

Dairy cows are commonly fed energy-dense diets with high proportions of concentrate feedstuffs to meet the increased energy needs of early lactation. However, feeding large amounts of concentrates may cause rumen acidosis and impact cow health. The hypothesis tested was that the energy supply and metabolic health of early-lactation Simmental cows can be maintained when high-quality hay rich in water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and crude protein (CP) is fed, despite the proportion of concentrates in the diet being reduced or even excluded. Twenty-four Simmental cows were allocated to one of four feeding groups beginning 10 d before the expected calving date, until 28 d thereafter. The feeding groups were 60CH (60% conventional fibre-rich hay plus 40% concentrate feed), 60HQH (60% high-quality hay plus 40% concentrate feed), 75HQH (75% high-quality hay plus 25% concentrate feed) and 100HQH (100% high-quality hay). The fibre-rich hay and high-quality hay differed in WSC content (110 g vs. 198 g of dry matter (DM)), neutral detergent fibre (646 g vs. 423 g of DM) and CP (65 g vs. 223 g of DM). Individual feed intake and milk production were monitored daily, and blood samples were collected weekly. Dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield increased post partum, but 4 weeks post partum, the DMI of cows fed 100HQH only reached a daily mean DMI of 18.6 kg, whereas the DMI of the other groups averaged 21.9 kg (p < 0.046). The negative energy balance was less pronounced in cows fed 75HQH since they showed similar milk yields to the cows fed 60CH and 100HQH, but their energy intake was higher. Concentrations of milk components were similar across rations 60CH, 60HQH and 75HQH, as were most of blood parameters. Cows fed 100HQH responded to the energy deficit post partum with a higher ratio of non-esterified fatty acids to cholesterol and a higher concentration of ß-hydroxybutyrate (significant in comparison to cows fed 75HQH, p < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding high-quality hay with a WSC content of 20% in DM has the potential to decrease the proportion of concentrates in dairy cow feeding in early lactation, but cannot fully replace their supplementation due to a limited rumen capacity for forage intake.     

Characterisation of particle dynamics and turnover in the gastrointestinal tract of Holstein cows fed forage diets differing in fibre and protein contents

An improved understanding of the role of forage quality on the processes of particle dynamics and turnover is important for the development of healthier and cost-effective feeding strategies that aim at lowering the proportions of concentrates in the diets of cattle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding hays of different qualities on particle dynamics, digestion kinetics and turnover in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Three non-lactating, rumen fistulated Holstein cows were fed diets consisting exclusively of hay with either low quality [Group LH; 605 ± 12.4 g/kg neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and 63 ± 4.7 g/kg crude protein (CP)] or good quality (Group GH; 551 ± 20.1 g/kg NDF and 116 ± 3.6 g/kg CP). Data showed that in situ dry matter (DM) disappearance of the soluble fraction was greater for Group GH (p < 0.05). Feeding good quality hay also lowered the proportion of particles >1.18 mm particularly during the eating process (p < 0.05). Changes in the particle size occurring afterwards were greater for Group GH as well (p < 0.05); approximately 30% in the comminution in the particle size occurred postruminally. Feeding hay of good quality lowered DM content of solid rumen digesta (p < 0.05), accelerated (p < 0.05) the turnover rate of DM and NDF in the GIT and increased DM intake (p < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding forages of better quality significantly promoted degradation processes and kinetics in the GIT with positive effects on turnover rate of digesta and feed intake in Holstein cows.     

Creatine phosphate in fiber types of skeletal muscle before and after exhaustive exercise

Percutaneous muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis of physically active men (n = 12) 1) at rest, 2) immediately after an exercise bout consisting of 30 maximal voluntary knee extensions of constant angular velocity (3.14 rad/s), and 3) 60 s after termination of exercise. Creatine phosphate (CP) content was analyzed in pools of freeze-dried fast-twitch (FT) and slow-twitch (ST) muscle fiber fragments, and ATP, CP, creatine, and lactate content were assayed in mixed pools of FT and ST fibers. CP content at rest was 82.7 +/- 11.2 and 73.1 +/- 9.5 (SD) mmol/kg dry wt in FT and ST fibers (P less than 0.05). After exercise the corresponding values were 25.4 +/- 19.8 and 29.7 +/- 14.4 mmol/kg dry wt. After 60 s of recovery CP increased (P less than 0.01) to 41.3 +/- 12.6 and 49.6 +/- 11.7 mmol/kg dry wt in FT and ST fibers, respectively. CP content after recovery, relative to initial level, was higher in ST compared with FT fibers (P less than 0.05). ATP content decreased (P less than 0.05) and lactate content rose to 67.4 +/- 28.3 mmol/kg dry wt (P less than 0.001) in response to exercise. It is concluded that basal CP content is higher in FT fibers than in ST fibers. CP content also appears to be higher in ST fibers after a 60-s recovery period after maximal short-term exercise. These data are consistent with the different metabolic profiles of FT and ST fibers.     

Effects of different levels of ergot in concentrates on the growing and slaughtering performance of bulls and on carry-over into edible tissue

The aim of the present study was to examine long-term effects of low levels of ergot alkaloids on growing bulls. Natural grown ergot with a mean total alkaloid concentrations of 633 mg/kg, and ergotamine (25%), ergocristine (15%) and ergosine (13%) as the most prominent alkaloids, was used. In a dose-response study 38 Holstein Friesian bulls were fed with three different doses of this ergot (0, 0.45 and 2.25 g/kg concentrate corresponding to an average total alkaloid concentration of the daily ration of 0, 69 and 421 microg/kg DM) over a period of approximately 230 days. Live weight, feed intake and health condition were monitored over the entire test period. The bulls were slaughtered at a live weight of approximately 550 kg. Carcass composition and quality were recorded and samples of liver, muscle, kidneys, fat, bile, urine and blood were analysed for ergot alkaloids. Liver enzyme activities and total bilirubin were measured in the blood. Statistically, no significant differences were detectable between the three feeding groups. Mean live weight gain over all groups was 1.41 kg/d with a mean dry matter intake of 7.35 kg/d. No carry over into tissues could be proved out of the experiment. To derive a no-effect level for beef cattle further research including higher ergot doses will be necessary.     

Re-alimentation strategy to manoeuvre body condition and carcass characteristics in cull ewes

Improvement in body condition and carcass traits through nutritional intervention was studied in cull ewes. Sixty-eight adult non-productive Malpura ewes (average body weight 26.7 ± 0.33 kg) were randomly divided into four equal groups: G0 maintained on free grazing for 8 h on protected natural rangeland with ad libitum guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) straw (GS) after grazing; G1, G2 and G3 fed with supplemental concentrate at the rate of 250 g, 2.5% of live weight (LW) and ad libitum, respectively. The experiment was continued for 90 days and daily feed intake, weekly LW and body condition score (BCS) were recorded. Intake and digestibility of nutrients were assessed by indicator method. Rumen fermentation attributes and blood biochemical profile were studied to assess the dietary effects and animals were slaughtered at the end of experiment for evaluation of carcass characteristics. Higher dry matter (DM) intake and improvement in plane of nutrition was observed in G2 and G3 with a higher LW gain (LWG) and improvement in BCS than in G0. The digestibility of DM, organic matter, CP, ADF and cellulose was higher (P < 0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G0. A lower ruminal pH and ammonia N but higher total N and trichloroacetic acid-precipitable N, an increase in holotrichs, spirotrichs and total protozoa population, increase in haemoglobin but decrease in serum total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids were observed in high-concentrate-fed groups. Carcass attributes revealed increase (P < 0.05) in empty LW, dressing yield, eye muscle area, subcutaneous and intramuscular fat, decrease in shear force value and higher (P < 0.05) protein content in Longissimus dorsi muscle in test groups than in the control. Above all, the G2 animals had better rumen environment and blood biochemical attributes and consumed more feed with enhanced digestibility that supported higher LWG at better feed conversion efficiency, improvement in BCS and carcass quality. Thus, re-alimentation of cull ewes with challenged feeding of concentrate at 2.5% of LW on a basal roughage diet for a period of 3 months may have promise for better economic return to the farmers with possibly meeting quality mutton for human consumption.     

Effect of level of feed restriction during growth and/or fattening on fatty acid composition and lipogenic enzyme activity in heavy pigs

The influence of feeding system on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fatty acids profile of subcutaneous backfat and lipogenic enzymes activity was studied. The following feeding systems were applied: HH: group of 12 pigs fed with a high feeding level during growth and fattening periods; HL: group of 12 pigs fed with a high feeding level during growth period and a low feeding level during fattening period; LH: group of 12 pigs fed with a low feeding level during growth period and a high feeding level during fattening period; LL: group of 12 pigs fed with a low feeding system during growth and fattening periods. The high and low feeding levels applied during growth and fattening periods were 70 and 35 g feed/kg live weight^0.75 (LW^0.75) day and 121 and 87 g feed/kg LW^0.75 day, respectively. The duration of the growth period was 163 days in all groups. The ages at slaughter of HH, HL, LH and LL pigs were approximately 383, 406, 439 and 503 days, respectively. The HH and LL pigs had the higher and lower average daily gain respectively, while the LH pigs presented the best feed conversion ratio during fattening period. At slaughter, the LL pigs had the higher value of loin width and the lower values of backfat thicknesses and Longissimus dorsi muscle intramuscular fat percentage (P<0.05). The subcutaneous backfat outer and inner layers from LH and LL pigs had a significantly (P<0.05) higher proportion of C18:1 n-9 and ΣMUFA (monounsaturated) acids than those from HH and HL pigs. The subcutaneous backfat inner layer from LL pigs had a lower C16:0 and ΣSFA (saturated) acids proportions than those from remaining groups of pigs. The activity of the fatty acid synthase (FAS) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzymes, measured in subcutaneous backfat, at the end of growing period was significantly (P<0.05) higher in pigs fed high feeding level during growing phase. An increase of feeding level during the fattening phase led to an increase in the activity of G6PD enzyme. In conclusion, a marked effect of feeding system was observed on pig productivity and fatty acid composition.     

Effect of undegradable protein concentration in the post-weaning diet on body growth and reproductive development of Assaf rams

Twenty-four growing Assaf lambs, divided into four groups of six animals, were used to study the effect of the undegradable protein content of the post-weaning diet on feed intake, body growth and reproductive development. From week 1 to week 21, the four groups were fed ad libitum as follows: group LL was given barley straw and low protein concentrate (LP); group HH was given barley straw and high protein concentrate (HP); group LH was given barley straw and LP concentrate from week 1 to 11 (period 1) and barley straw and HP concentrate from week 12 to 21 (period 2); group HL was given barley straw and HP concentrate in period 1 and barley straw and LP concentrate in period 2. From week 22 to week 26 (period 3), all animals received the same amount of hay and LP concentrate. Barley straw intake was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by dietary treatments. In the 1st period, average concentrate intake and live body weight gain (LWG) were greater in lambs fed HP than LP supplement. In the 2nd period, concentrate intake was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by type of supplement, but LWG was greater for lambs fed HP than LP supplement. Scrotal circumference in week 11 was significantly (P<0.05) lower in lambs fed LP supplement than in lambs fed HP supplement. No significant differences (P>0.05) due to dietary treatments were observed on scrotal circumference in weeks 21 and 25. Dietary treatments had no significant (P>0.05) effect on either circulating concentration of testosterone or ejaculate characteristics. In conclusion, results from this study suggest that supplementing diets with undegradable protein enhanced performance throughout the breeding period and accelerated testis growth. Nevertheless, final testis size, pattern of circulating testosterone and sperm output were unaffected by dietary treatments.     

Effect of low-protein amino acid-supplemented diets on the growth performance, gut morphology, organ weights and digesta characteristics of weaned pigs

A 21-day study was conducted to determine whether isoleucine might limit the performance of piglets fed low-crude protein (CP), amino acid (AA)-supplemented diets and to investigate the potential benefits of low-CP diets on gastrointestinal health in weaned pigs. Ninety-six piglets (initial BW = 6.44 ± 0.14 kg), housed four per pen, were randomly assigned to one of four diets, resulting in six replicate pens per diet. Dietary treatments were as follows: (1) 210 g/kg CP diet, (2) 190 g/kg CP diet deficient in isoleucine, (3) 190 g/kg CP diet supplemented with crystalline isoleucine up to the level in the 210 g/kg CP diet and (4) 170 g/kg CP diet supplemented with isoleucine and valine on the ideal protein ratio basis (60% and 70% relative to lysine, respectively). Pigs were allowed to adapt to the new environment for 4 days before the experiment commenced. Overall, pigs fed the 210 g/kg CP diet had higher (P < 0.05) average daily gain and lower (P < 0.05) feed : gain ratio compared with those fed the other diets. The faecal consistency score of pigs fed the 210 g/kg CP diet was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed the other diets. Pigs fed the 170 g/kg diet had lower (P=0.02) small intestine weight than those fed the 210 g/kg CP diet. Pigs fed the 210 g/kg CP diet had deeper (P < 0.05) crypt in the duodenum and ileum and higher (P < 0.05) ammonia N concentration in caecal digesta than those fed the other diets. There were no effects of diet on microbial population and volatile fatty acid concentration in the caecal digesta except for propionic acid whose concentration was higher (P < 0.05) for pigs fed the 170 g/kg diet than those fed the 190+isoleucine and the 210 g/kg CP diets. The results indicate that the low-CP, AA-supplemented diet reduced crypt hypertrophy, ammonia N concentration in the caecal digesta, small intestine weight and the performance of piglets. Also, the results of the current study were inconclusive with respect to whether isoleucine may limit the performance of pigs fed a low-CP, AA-supplemented diet.     

The influence of processing corn grain on glucose metabolism in ewes.

Glucose metabolism was studied in ewes fed 800 g chopped alfalfa hay (H) or 400 g alfalfa hay and 400 g corn grain given in whole (HWC), ground (HGC) or extruded (HEC) form. Daily intake of metabolisable energy and crude protein were: 5.8 MJ, 109 g; 9.0 MJ, 84 g; 9.5 MJ, 84 g and 8.5 MJ, 88 g in H, HWC, HGC and HEC, respectively. In situ ruminal degradability ranked whole, ground, and extruded corn in ascending order. Ruminal pH and concentration of acetic acid were lower and of propionic acid higher (P less than 0.05) in HEC than in HGC and HWC groups. Plasma level of glucose (P less than 0.10), insulin (P less than 0.05), and the ratio of insulin to non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) (P less than 0.01) were higher in HEC than in other groups. Glucose irreversible loss (GILR) and entry rate (GER), recycling (GRec) and reentry (GRee) were determined by double isotope dilution procedure. GER, but not GILR, was higher in HWC than in H and HGC (6.98 mg/min/kg BW0.75 vs 3.97 and 4.24 mg/min/kg BW0.75, respectively; P less than 0.05) and than in HEC (4.84 mg/min/kg BW0.75; P less than 0.10). GRec and GRee were higher in HWC than in the other treatments. Grinding or extruding the grain increased ruminal degradability and decreased glucose entry rate.     

Nerve stimulation decreases malonyl-CoA in skeletal muscle.

This study was designed to determine the effect of in situ electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve on malonyl-CoA, an inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyl transferase, in the gastrocnemius/plantaris muscle group of rats. The left sciatic nerve was stimulated at a frequency of 5 Hz with 100-ms trains of impulses (50 Hz) for 1, 3, or 5 min. At the end of stimulation, the left and right (nonstimulated) gastrocnemius/plantaris muscle groups were clamp-frozen and later analyzed for malonyl-CoA and other metabolites. No change was observed in the noncontracting contralateral muscles in malonyl-CoA, ATP, creatine phosphate (CP), or citrate. In the stimulated muscles, malonyl-CoA decreased from 1.7 +/- 0.1 to 1.0 +/- 0.1 nmol/g (P less than 0.05), and CP decreased from 15.8 +/- 0.9 to 12.2 +/- 1.0 mumol/g (P less than 0.05) after 3 min of stimulation. After 5 min of stimulation, malonyl-CoA was 1.0 +/- 0.1 nmol/g and CP was 10.3 +/- 1.3 mumol/g. When muscles were stimulated for 5 min with single impulses (5 Hz), malonyl-CoA was decreased from 1.8 +/- 0.3 to 1.0 +/- 0.1 nmol/g, with no change in CP, ATP, or adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Thus a decline in malonyl-CoA can be induced by muscle contraction independently of humoral influence.     

Nutritive value and voluntary feed intake by goats of three browse fodder species in the Sahelian zone of West Africa

Browsing ruminants have access to different biomass, depending on how high they can reach. Foliage consisting of leaves and green pods from Acacia senegal, Pterocarpus lucens and Guiera senegalensis, was collected according to height above ground accessible to either sheep (0.90 m), goats (1.65 m) or cattle (1.50 m). There was a significant variation in the chemical composition of the biomass between species. The crude protein (CP) content was 114, 157 and 217 g/kg dry matter (DM) and the neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) content 604, 534 and 412 g/kg DM for G. senegalensis, P. lucens and A. senegal, respectively. There was no significant variation in chemical composition according to the height accessible by cattle, sheep or goats. The voluntary intake was studied using eight goats per diet. The six diets consisted of the three browse leaves and two pods (A. senegal and P. lucens) and a control. The leaves were fed combined with hay of Schoenefeldia gracilis (maximum 30%) and the control was pure hay. Apparent digestibilities of the same diets, with the exception of G. senegalensis, were measured using five goats per diet. All browse fodders used in the feeding and digestibility trials were high in CP (105–170 g/kg DM) and lignin (164–234 g/kg DM except A. senegal leaves) and low in fiber (322–590 g/kg DM of NDF) compared to the hay (31 g/kg DM of CP and 755 g/kg DM of NDF). The highest intake was of the P. lucens diet (864 g) and the lowest of the G. senegalensis diet (397 g). The intake of pods from A. senegal was higher (1033 g) than from P. lucens pods (691 g). The apparent digestibility of OM and CP in the browse leaves was 0.63 and 0.57 and 0.63 and 0.64 for A. senegal and P. lucens, respectively, higher than for the hay, which showed higher digestibility of NDF. A. senegal pods had higher digestibility for all nutrients than P. lucens pods. Based on the high CP content and the intake and digestibility characteristics, P. lucens leaves and A. senegal leaves and pods can be recommended as protein supplements to low quality diets.     

Analysis of nutrient concentrations in the diet,serum, and urine of giraffe from surveyed North American zoological institutions

The objectives of the present research were to conduct a survey to investigate the health history and feeding practices of giraffe in captivity in North America and to obtain samples of hay, concentrate, browse, urine, and serum to compare across zoos, possible factors relating to the development of urolithiasis. Forty‐one out of 98 institutions contacted responded, representing 218 giraffe. All responding zoos fed concentrate and alfalfa hay was the primary forage. Sixty‐five percent of zoos fed browse and 43 different species of browse were listed. Six zoos reported a history of urolithiasis, seven reported wasting syndrome, and 10 reported sudden death. The median daily amount (as fed) of concentrate and hay offered were 5.45 kg (range of 2.73–9.55 kg) and 6.82 kg (range of 2.53–12.50 kg), respectively. The concentrate:hay ratio of the offered diet ranged from 0.22 to 3.47 with a median value of 0.79. Forty‐three percent of the institutions offered a ratio greater than 1:1. Samples of concentrate and hay (six zoos), serum (five zoos), and urine (seven zoos) were obtained for chemical analyses. Analyzed nutrient content of the consumed diet, measured by weighing feed and orts for three consecutive days, met recommendations for giraffe, but was excessive for crude protein and P. Concentrate:hay and serum P were positively correlated (r=0.72; P<0.05). High dietary P content and a high level of concentrate relative to hay may be contributing factors to urolith formation and warrant further investigation. Zoo Biol 29:457–469, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effects of different levels of ergot in concentrates on the growing and slaughtering performance of bulls and on carry-over into edible tissue

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine long-term effects of low levels of ergot alkaloids on growing bulls. Natural grown ergot with a mean total alkaloid concentrations of 633 mg/kg, and ergotamine (25%), ergocristine (15%) and ergosine (13%) as the most prominent alkaloids, was used. In a dose-response study 38 Holstein Friesian bulls were fed with three different doses of this ergot (0, 0.45 and 2.25 g/kg concentrate corresponding to an average total alkaloid concentration of the daily ration of 0, 69 and 421 µg/kg DM) over a period of approximately 230 days. Live weight, feed intake and health condition were monitored over the entire test period. The bulls were slaughtered at a live weight of approximately 550 kg. Carcass composition and quality were recorded and samples of liver, muscle, kidneys, fat, bile, urine and blood were analysed for ergot alkaloids. Liver enzyme activities and total bilirubin were measured in the blood. Statistically, no significant differences were detectable between the three feeding groups. Mean live weight gain over all groups was 1.41 kg/d with a mean dry matter intake of 7.35 kg/d. No carry over into tissues could be proved out of the experiment. To derive a no-effect level for beef cattle further research including higher ergot doses will be necessary.     

Estimating the requirement of dietary crude protein for growing blue-breasted quail (Excalfactoria chinensis)

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the requirement for dietary crude protein (CP) in growing blue-breasted quail (BBQ). In Experiment 1, 300 1-day-old quails were randomly assigned to 10 groups according to a 2×5 factorial arrangement of treatments with two metabolisable energy (ME) levels (12.13 and 13.39 MJ/kg) and five CP concentrations (160, 190, 220, 250 and 280 g/kg) for 8 weeks. In Experiment 2, 300 1-day-old quails were subjected to a different factorial arrangement of treatments with two ME levels (11.51 and 12.13 MJ/kg) and five CP concentrations (210, 220, 230, 240 and 250 g/kg) for 28 days. Experiment 1 revealed that an interaction existed in weight gain between ME and CP levels in weeks 1 to 4. In both ME groups, quails receiving CP of 160 g/kg showed the least weight gains (P<0.05). No differences (P>0.05) existed in weight gain between the ME groups in which quails ingested CP of 250 and 280 g/kg, whereas quails consuming CP of 220 g/kg with an ME of 13.39 MJ/kg had smaller weight gain than did those ingesting higher CP concentrations (P<0.05). Of main effects for weeks 1-4, quails treated with an ME of 12.13 MJ/kg consumed more feed than did those receiving another ME level, whereas quails in both ME treatments showed similar feed efficiencies. For weeks 5 to 8, no difference (P>0.05) in weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency was seen regardless of ME levels, and no interaction existed between ME and CP levels. In Experiment 2, the best weight gain and feed efficiency were achieved when the dietary CP concentration was more than 210 g/kg, and quails treated with 11.51 MJ/kg showed better weight gain and feed efficiency (P<0.05) than did those that received 12.13 MJ/kg. Furthermore, the weight gains and protein intakes on the basis of per MJ from the two experiments were pooled together to estimate the protein intake necessary for the best growth performance by two mathematic models; they were then converted to dietary CP concentrations of 204 (minimum) and 233 g/kg (maximum) when ME was 11.51 MJ/kg. In conclusion, BBQ will achieve good growth performance with dietary CP of more than 204 g/kg on the basis of an ME of 11.51 MJ/kg in weeks 1 to 4.     

Effect of crude protein concentration and sugar-beet pulp on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen excretion, intestinal fermentation and manure ammonia and odour emissions from finisher pigs

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the interaction between high and low dietary crude protein (CP) (200 v. 150 g/kg) and sugar-beet pulp (SBP) (200 v. 0 g/kg) on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) excretion, intestinal fermentation and manure ammonia and odour emissions from 24 boars (n = 6, 74.0 kg live weight). The diets were formulated to contain similar concentrations of digestible energy (13.6 MJ/kg) and lysine (10.0 g/kg). Pigs offered SBP-containing diets had a reduced (P < 0.05) digestibility of dry matter, ash, N, gross energy and an increased (P < 0.001) digestibility of neutral-detergent fibre compared with pigs offered diets containing no SBP. There was an interaction between CP and SBP on urinary N excretion and the urine : faeces N ratio. Pigs offered the 200 g/kg CP SBP-based diet had reduced urine : faeces N ratio (P < 0.05) and urinary N excretion (P < 0.05) compared with those offered the 200 g/kg CP diet without SBP. However, there was no effect of SBP in pigs offered 150 g/kg CP diets. Manure ammonia emissions were reduced by 33% from 0 to 240 h (P < 0.01); however, odour emissions were increased by 41% (P < 0.05) when pigs were offered SBP diets. Decreasing dietary CP to 150 g/kg reduced total N excretion (P < 0.001) and ammonia emissions from 0 to 240 h (P < 0.05). There was an interaction between dietary CP and SBP on branched-chain fatty acids (P < 0.001) in caecal digesta. Pigs offered the 200 g/kg CP SBP-containing diet reduced branched-chain fatty acids in the caecum compared with pigs offered the 200 g/kg CP diet containing no SBP. However, there was no effect of SBP in the 150 g/kg CP diet. In conclusion, pigs offered SBP-containing diets had a reduced manure ammonia emissions and increased odour emissions compared with diets containing no SBP. Pigs offered the 200 g/kg CP SBP-containing diet had a reduced urine : faeces N ratio and urinary N excretion compared with those offered the 200 g/kg CP diet containing no SBP.     

Influence of level of nutrition during late pregnancy on reproductive productivity of red deer (2) Adult hinds gestating wapitixred deer crossbred calves

The present study aimed to relate feed intake of red deer hinds in the later stages of gestating wapitixred deer crossbred foetuses on dam body condition, gestation length, birth weight and calf growth. Multiparous hinds (N=18) conceiving at known dates to either wapiti (n=12) or red deer (n=6) sires were housed in individual pens from days 150-220 of pregnancy, during which time they were offered either ad libitum access to pelletised rations (n=6 crossbred-bearing hinds [HH] and n=6 red deer-bearing hinds [RH]) or a restricted offer (n=6 crossbred-bearing hinds [HL]) set at 70% of the average ad libitum intake of HH hind in the previous week. Hinds were returned to pasture at day 220 and calving was closely monitored. Liveweights, body condition score (BCS), and lactation score (LS) of hinds were recorded weekly from day 130 of pregnancy until calves were weaned at 12 weeks of age. Calves were tagged and weighed at birth, and subsequently weighed at 7 and 12 weeks of age. HH and RH hinds exhibited similar patterns and levels of MEI/kg0.75, which peaked at 7.8 MJME/kg0.75 at day 220. HL hinds peaked at approximately 5 MJME/kg0.75 and showed significantly lower rates of liveweight gain during pregnancy. Interestingly, both crossbred-bearing groups initiated mammary development in advance of the RH hinds. While there were significant effects of foetal genotype on mean gestation length (239 days versus 234 days for crossbred versus red deer) and mean birth weight (14.5 kg versus 10 kg), the nutritional contrast for gestation length of crossbred-bearing hinds (i.e. HH versus HL) was not significant but approached significance for birth weight (14.5 kg versus 11.9 kg; P=0.06). Regression analysis revealed weak relationships between changes in hind liveweight and gestation length (P>0.05) but a significant relationship with birth weight (P<0.05). However, change in hind BCS was significantly related to both gestation length and birth weight. Crossbred calves reared by HH hinds were 30% heavier at 7 and 12 weeks of age than the red deer calves. However, those reared by HL hinds were significantly lighter than their genotype contemporaries and only marginally heavier than the red deer calves. These results generally contrast with the previous studies on red deer hinds gestating red deer foetuses [Asher, G.W., Mulley, R.C., O'Neill, K.T., Scott, I.C., Jopson, N.B., Littlejohn, R. 2004. Influence of level of nutrition during late pregnancy on reproductive productivity of red deer, (1) Adult and primiparous hinds gestating red deer calves. Anim. Reprod. Sci., in press] and indicate that the genetically determined higher growth requirements of crossbred foetuses may override any mechanism of compensatory control of gestation length at the expense of calf birth weight. Furthermore, there were marked carryover effects of late gestational feeding on crossbred calf growth and their dam's BCS that highlight the high nutritional demands of lactation.