Effects of dried whey and copper sulfate on the growth responses to organic acid in diets for weanling pigs

Five 21-d to 28-d experiments involving 484 pigs weaned at 28 +/- 2 d of age were conducted to evaluate the effects of addition of organic acid to a fortified, corn-soybean meal diet (CS) or to a similar diet containing 15% dried whey (CSW) on performance of pigs. The effects of an antibiotic-sulfonamide combination (110 mg chlortetracycline, 110 mg sulfamethazine, 55 mg penicillin/kg) and the interactive effects of Cu sulfate (250 ppm Cu) and acid also were evaluated. The acid was a commercial product consisting of 96% organic acid (citric acid and Na citrate, 2:1). Treatments in Exp. 1 and 2 were factorial arrangements of the CS or CSW basal diets supplemented with 0 or 1% (Exp. 1) and 0, .5 or 1% (Exp. 2) of the acid product. Pigs fed diets containing whey consumed more feed (P less than .01) and gained weight faster (P less than .05), but they had feed/gain responses similar to those of pigs fed the CS diet. Addition of 1% acid improved (P less than .01) growth rate of pigs fed the CS diet but did not improve (P greater than .25) growth rate of pigs fed the CSW diet. Feed/gain was improved (P less than .01) by acid addition to both the CS and the CSW diets. Improvements in gain and feed/gain were similar for the two levels of acid. In Exp. 3 and 4, factorial combinations of 0 and 1% acid and 0 and 250 ppm Cu were evaluated in diets containing an antibiotic-sulfonamide combination. In addition, a negative control diet (no antibiotics, acid or Cu) was included. Pigs fed diets containing antibiotics gained faster and more efficiently (P less than .01) than those fed the control diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in pen-trials with Javanese thin tail sheep and Kacang cross Etawah goats

Weight gain costs due to infection were higher in sheep than goats, 28 and 17.5%, respectively, for Trichostrongylus colubriformis and 48.7 and 32.2%, respectively, for Haemonchus contortus. The extent of bodyweight cost attributed to anorexia in sheep infected with H. contortus was higher (13.5 g/day) than in sheep infected with T. colubriformis (2.3 g/day). On the other hand, bodyweight cost due to the other pathogenic effects in sheep infected with T. colubriformis were higher (35.6 g/day) compared to sheep infected with H. contortus (10.9 g/day). A strong relationship between faecal egg count and worm count (r=0.79, P=0.006) was shown only in sheep infected with T. colubriformis. About half of the infected sheep and goats had low or zero faecal egg counts throughout the study. In about 40% the egg count rose initially but became low by weeks 10-16, whereas in about 10% counts increased progressively throughout the period of observation and these animals also had the highest numbers of worms at slaughter. Packed cell volume was reduced in sheep and goats infected with H. contortus but serum protein and haemoglobin levels were unaffected. Sheep infected with T. colubriformis had a higher level of eosinophilia after 8 weeks (18.4%) than sheep infected with H. contortus (11.4%), whereas this pattern was reversed in goats and levels were also lower (4.1 and 8.9%, respectively). There was no apparent relationship between eosinophilia and resistance to infection with H. contortus or T. colubriformis.     

控释尿素对藏羊瘤胃氨氮和微生物蛋白质的影响

作者旨在探讨控释尿素对藏羊瘤胃氨氮和微生物蛋白质合成的影响。试验选4只2岁藏羊，安装永久性瘤胃瘘管，分期定量饲喂不同粗蛋白质日粮：含尿素日粮（粗蛋白质含量为10.79%）、无尿素日粮（粗蛋白质含量为10.75%）、控释尿素日粮（粗蛋白质含量为10.73%）。结果表明，含尿素日粮瘤胃pH和氨氮浓度在一天中变化较快，而无尿素日粮和控释尿素日粮变化较为平缓，控释尿素日粮微生物蛋白质合成量虽然变化幅度较大，但能量与氨氮释放同步，微生物蛋白质合成量较大，充分把食用氮转化为微生物蛋白质。控释尿素日粮与含尿素日粮、无尿素日粮存在极显著差异（P<0.01），且控释尿素在瘤胃pH、氨氮浓度和微生物蛋白质含量方面均优于含尿素日粮和无尿素日粮，从而表明采用控释尿素日粮对藏羊补饲具有良好的效果，是反刍家畜安全、高效的粗蛋白质营养日粮。     

Effect of dietary composition on abomasal and duodenal myoelectrical activity

The changes in the frequency of abomasal slow waves and their propagation, the abomasal spike burst rate and the duodenal spike burst rate were assessed in sheep fed three diets containing either 100 per cent concentrate, 50 per cent concentrate and 50 per cent forage, or 100 per cent forage. The frequency of abomasal slow waves and spike burst frequency were both significantly reduced in sheep fed the diets high in concentrate when compared with animals fed the 100 per cent roughage diet. The velocity of propagation of the slow waves and the duodenal spike burst frequency were not significantly affected by the dietary composition. The sheep consumed significantly less of the 100 per cent concentrate diet in the 45 minutes before recording than of the other two diets, but the amount of feed consumed was not correlated significantly with the changes observed in the myoelectrical activity. These findings are consistent with an inhibitory effect of concentrate on abomasal motility.     

Toxicologic studies with sheep fed colored magazines and newsprint.

Paper containing colored inks from magazines and newspapers was fed as 23% of their ration to sheep for 175 days. A similar ration containing oat hulls in place of the paper was fed to control animals. The paper-fed animals consumed 29% more feed than the controls but the feed efficiency (kg animal weight gained/kg ration consumed) of the two rations was approximately equivalent. Lead contained in the paper accumulated in animal tissues. Hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase activity was several fold higher in the paper-fed animals than the controls. Histopathologic examination of liver and kidney using light and electron microscopy revealed no lesions attributable to diet.     

Effect of receiving diets containing alfalfa and certain feed additives on performance of feeder pigs transported long distances

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of receiving diets containing alfalfa meal and certain feed additives on performance of comingled feeder pigs transported 900 to 1,100 km. In Exp. 1, the inclusion of 9.4% dehydrated alfalfa meal in receiving diets for 2 wk resulted in no difference (P greater than .1) in gain or feed conversion from purchase to market compared with pigs fed a basal corn-soybean meal (CS) diet or a diet containing 20% ground whole oats (O). In Exp. 2, pigs fed receiving diets containing 10% dehydrated alfalfa meal had no improvement (P greater than .1) in gain (.60 vs .61 kg/d) or conversion (3.25 vs 3.17) compared with CS-fed pigs. In Exp. 3, pigs fed a receiving diet for 2 wk containing 10% mid-bloom alfalfa ate more (P less than .002) feed daily for 2 wk (.82 vs .76 kg) and overall (P less than .04; 1.92 vs 1.85 kg) and had an improved (P less than .03) daily gain from purchase to market (.61 vs .59 kg) compared with CS-fed pigs. In Exp. 2, pigs fed diets containing 44 mg/kg tylosin (T) gained similar to pigs fed no additive (O) and slower (P less than .01) than pigs fed 110 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CTC; .59, .60 and .63 kg/d), with no significant differences in feed to gain conversion (3.12, 3.23 and 3.18).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sulfur influences on rumen microorganisms in vitro and in sheep and calves

When continuously cultured ruminal microbes were given orchardgrass hay and sufficient sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid to maintain a pH of 5.5, fermentation and numbers of protozoa were reduced compared with cultures whose pH was controlled with phosphoric acid. Likewise, when sulfur-deficient, purified diets were supplied to cultures, less methane (mmol X liter-1 X d-1), 3.2 vs 32.6, was produced and fewer cellulolytic bacteria (log10/ml), 5.8 vs 7.2 were present than when cultures were given the same diet supplemented with .3% elemental sulfur. The rumen of sheep fed the .04% sulfur diet had reduced digesta weights (1.69 vs 3.2 kg) compared with sheep fed the diet with .34% sulfur at the same intake. There also was reduced methanogenesis 12.3 vs 25.8 mmol X liter-1 X d-1) and reduced numbers of cellulolytic bacteria (7.4 vs 8.4 log10/ml) in sulfur-deficient sheep in comparison to sulfur-supplemented sheep. In growing calves, the same types of bacteria predominated in the rumen, but more facultative anaerobic bacteria were isolated from calves fed .04% sulfur than from calves fed diets with .34 to 1.72% sulfur. None of the dietary levels of sulfur appeared toxic. Regardless of treatment, volatile fatty acids were more predominant than lactic acid as end-products of fermentation of ruminal microbes in fermenters, sheep and calves. The greater methanogenesis and the greater cellulolytic bacterial numbers of sulfur-supplemented sheep compared with sulfur-deficient in vitro cultures, is interpreted to be the result of recycling of sulfur to the rumen in sheep where it is efficiently scavengered by ruminal bacteria.     

The chemical composition of Phyllanthus discoideus and its effect on the ruminal ammonia and volatile fatty acid concentration when fed to west African dwarf sheep.

The feeding value of Phyllanthus discoideus (also called Margaritaria discoidea) leaves was evaluated using eight two-year-old West African Dwarf sheep fed natural grass hay. Four of the animals were fistulated ruminally and used for ammonia and volatile fatty acid determination in the fluid. Dried leaves of Phyllanthus discoideus were offered at two levels (25% and 50% of DMI, diets D25% and D50%, respectively) as supplements to the basal hay diet. The CP content of the control, D25% and D50% diets were 11.5, 12.6 and 13.6%, respectively, and their digestible energy amounted to 58.2, 61.1 and 56.9%, respectively. Rumen liquor was sampled one hour before and one, three and five hours after the morning feeding. Sheep fed the control diet had a higher ruminal ammonia concentration than those fed diet D25%. Similarly, ruminal ammonia concentration was higher in sheep fed the control diet than those fed the diet D50%. Five hours after feeding the ruminal ammonia concentration was significantly lower than one hour after feeding. The VFA concentrations in rumen fluid of sheep fed the control diet was inferior to those fed diets D25% and D50%. Sheep fed diet D50% showed significantly higher VFA concentrations than those fed diet D25%. Digestibility of organic matter and digestible energy did not show any significant difference. However, a marginal increase in organic matter digestibility of 3.5% was observed in diet D25% compared with the control diet. There was no significant difference in the N-digestibility in sheep fed the control, D25% and D50% diets. Nevertheless, a marginal improvement in N-digestibility (1.5%) and N-retention (2.7%) was observed with the highest level of Phyllanthus discoideus (D50%). In conclusion, Phyllanthus discoideus appears as a particularly valuable feedstuff because it contains low levels of condensed tannins (12.8 g/kg), high CP content (156 g/kg) and a relatively high GE content (19.3 kJ/g DM). Although the improvement in N-digestibility and N-retention were only marginal the feeding of Phyllanthus discoideus could be justified under extreme shortage of feed resources during dry season. It should also be mentioned that a much more pronounced effect by supplementation with Phyllanthus discoideus could be expected when poor quality grass hay prevalent in West Africa during the dry season is fed. Phyllanthus discoideus could serve as a supplement to poor quality grass at 25% to 50% of supplementation.     

低蛋白饲粮补充4种氨基酸对肉用羊增重与肉质中氨基酸含量及血清学的影响

本试验旨在研究不同水平低蛋白饲粮补充过瘤胃氨基酸对育肥杜寒杂交肉用母羊增重、血清中蛋白与激素指标、肌肉中氨基酸含量和肉品质的影响,探索育肥肉羊饲粮低蛋白质含量的理论价值和应用效果.选用150只体重相近4月龄育肥杜寒杂交肉用母羊,随机分成5组,每组3个重复,每个重复10只羊.对照组饲喂粗蛋白质水平为16％的饲粮,试验组饲...     

过瘤胃葡萄糖和缓释尿素对热应激绵羊生产性能及瘤胃发酵功能的影响

【目的】 本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加缓释尿素（SRU）和过瘤胃葡萄糖（RPG）对热应激绵羊生产性能和瘤胃发酵功能的影响。【方法】 选取40只健康、体重相近的3月龄湖羊公羔,按初始体重随机分成4个处理组（n=10）,分别为对照组（CON组,饲喂基础饲粮）、缓释尿素组（SRU组,基础饲粮中添加缓释尿素15 g/d）、过瘤胃葡萄糖组（RPG组,基础饲粮中添加过瘤胃葡萄糖10 g/d）和联合添加组（UG组,基础饲粮中添加缓释尿素15 g/d+过瘤胃葡萄糖10 g/d）,预饲期15 d,正饲期50 d。在正饲期的最后一天晨饲前,分别采集血液和瘤胃液,测定血样中免疫球蛋白A （IgA）、免疫球蛋白M （IgM）、免疫球蛋白G （IgG）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-2（IL-2）的含量,并测定瘤胃液pH、氨态氮、微生物蛋白及挥发性脂肪酸等指标。【结果】 与CON组相比,①饲粮中添加缓释尿素、过瘤胃葡萄糖均显著降低热应激绵羊的呼吸频率（P<0.05）,UG组热应激绵羊的直肠温度显著降低（P<0.05）。②SRU组、RPG组、UG组热应激绵羊的终末体重和平均日增重均显著提高（P<0.05）,料重比显著降低（P<0.05）。③RPG组和UG组热应激绵羊血清中IgG和IgM的含量均显著提高（P<0.05）,血清中TNF-α和IL-2的含量显著降低（P<0.05）。④各处理组热应激绵羊瘤胃内乙酸与丙酸的比值均显著提高（P<0.05）,SRU组瘤胃内乙酸、异丁酸、异戊酸比例和总挥发性脂肪酸的浓度均显著提高（P<0.05）,RPG组瘤胃液pH和异戊酸比例均显著提高（P<0.05）,瘤胃内氨态氮、丙酸、丁酸的比例均显著降低（P<0.05）,UG组瘤胃内乙酸、总挥发性脂肪酸及微生物蛋白的含量均显著提高（P<0.05）。【结论】 饲粮中添加缓释尿素、过瘤胃葡萄糖显著提高了热应激绵羊的生产性能,改善瘤胃发酵,维持瘤胃内环境的稳定,可有效缓解绵羊热应激。     

Nutrients intake,digestibility, nitrogen balance and growth performance of sheep fed different silages with or without concentrate

The experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and millet (Pennisetum americannum) silages with or without concentrate on nutrients intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and weight gain in Sipli sheep. Six experimental diets were formulated having 100% maize silage (MS), maize silage and concentrate as 50:50 (MSC), 100% sorghum silage (SS), sorghum silage and concentrate as 50:50 (SSC), 100% millet silage (MiS) and millet silage and concentrate as 50:50 (MiSC), respectively. For this purpose, 24 Sipli lambs were randomly allotted to six experimental diets in a completely randomized design for 90 days, four lambs per diet. The results indicated that among various silage diets, lambs fed MS diet consumed higher dry matter (DM) than those fed SS and MiS diets. Likewise, lambs offered MSC had higher dry matter intake than those fed SSC and MiSC diets. Crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) consumed by the lambs also followed the similar trend. Higher DM, CP and NDF digestibilities were also observed in lambs fed MS and MSC diets than those fed SS, SSC, MiS and MiSC diets. Overall digestibilities of DM, CP and NDF were higher in experimental diets containing silage with concentrate. Lambs fed MS diet had 2.79 g/day and 4.45 g/day higher N retention than those fed SS and MiS, respectively. Similarly, lambs fed MSC diet had 2.24 g/day and 5.12 g/day higher N retention than those fed SSC and MiSC diets, respectively. The results showed that lambs fed MSC gained more daily weight gain had better feed conversion ratio than those fed MS, SS, SSC, MiS and MiSC diets. The findings of the present study indicated that lambs fed MSC diet had higher nutrients intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and weight gain.     

Effects of dietary energy level and supplemental protein source on performance of growing steers and nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in lambs

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate three crude protein (CP) sources (urea, U; soybean meal, SBM; corn gluten meal, CGM) in diets based on corn silage (high energy) or grass hay (low energy). In Exp. 1 and 2, growing steers were fed all combinations of energy and protein source at 10.5 or 12% CP. Steers fed high energy diets or 12% CP had improved (P less than .05) daily gains and feed:gain over 84 d. Protein source had no effect (P greater than .05) on performance except that steers fed U consumed more (P less than .05) feed than those fed CGM. Steers were fed experimental diets to a common weight and switched to an 85% concentrate diet for finishing. During finishing, steers fed low energy diets in the growing period consumed more (P less than .05) feed and had increased (P less than .05) feed:gain compared with those fed high energy diets. Growing lambs were fed the same diets as steers. At 10.5% CP, lambs fed high energy diets had higher (P less than .05) digestibilities of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N) and fiber components, and retained more (P less than .05) N. For lambs on 12% CP, high energy diets had higher (P less than .05) DM and OM digestibilities and lower (P less than .05) N digestibilities. At 12% CP, energy level had no effect (P greater than .05) on N retained. Protein source had no effect (P greater than .05) on N retention. There appeared to be no advantage in supplementing with ruminally undegradable proteins, i.e. CGM, in these experiments.     

Effects of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate on fescue toxicosis and mineral absorption.

The possibility of supplementing livestock diets with an aluminosilicate to protect them from fescue toxicosis was investigated. An in vitro study showed that hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) removed greater than 90% of the ergotamine from aqueous solutions at pH 7.8 or lower, indicating a high affinity of ergotamine for HSCAS in vitro. Rats fed diets containing tall fescue seed infested (E+) with the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum had lower (P less than .05) feed intakes and weight gains than did rats fed diets containing uninfested (E-) tall fescue seed. When feed intake by rats fed the E- seed diet was limited to that of rats fed the E+ seed diet, weight gains did not differ, but testes weights and serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations were lower (P less than .05 and .10, respectively) in rats receiving E+ seed. Supplementing E+ seed diets with HSCAS did not eliminate effects of E+ seed on intake, PRL, or testes weights. Sheep fed E+ tall fescue hay had higher (P less than .05) rectal temperatures than did sheep fed an equal amount of E- tall fescue hay, but OM and N digestion coefficients did not differ between the two hays. Supplementing E+ hay diets with HSCAS did not eliminate the effect of E+ hay on rectal temperatures. Addition of 2% HSCAS to tall fescue hay diets did not affect apparent absorption by sheep of OM, N, Ca, P, Na, K, or Cu, but it reduced (P less than .05) the apparent absorption of Mg, Mn, and Zn.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Feeding value of different levels of malt sprout and katikala atella on nutrient utilization and growth performance of sheep fed basal diet of Rhodes grass hay

Nonconventional agro-industrial by-products such as traditional liquor residues (locally called katikala atella) are widely used by livestock farmers in Ethiopia. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the supplementary value of katikala atella and malt sprout (MS) on performance of sheep fed a basal diet of Rhodes grass hay. Thirty intact yearling male sheep with an average initial body weight of 17.4?±?0.74 kg (mean?±?SD) were assigned to the treatments in a completely randomized block design: atella alone (T1), 75 % atella?+?25 % malt sprout (MS) (T2), 50 % atella?+?50 % MS (T3), 25 % atella?+?75 % MS (T4), MS alone (T5), and Rhodes grass hay alone (T6). Grass hay was fed ad libitum to all treatments. The total dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intakes of sheep fed T4, T5, and T3 diets were the highest (P?<?0.05), while sheep receiving T6 had the lowest DM intake. The highest (P?<?0.05) total crude protein (CP) intake was for sheep fed T5 diet, while the lowest was for those fed T6 diet. Sheep receiving T3 diet had higher (P?<?0.05) DM, OM, CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility as compared with those fed T1, T2, and T6 diets. Sheep supplemented with 50–100 % malt sprout had similar (P?>?0.05) DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF digestibility. The highest (P?<?0.05) average daily gain was for sheep fed T3, T4, and T5 diets, while sheep in T6 lost body weight. Sheep fed T5 diet had the highest (P?<?0.05) nitrogen retention, while those fed T6 diet had the lowest. The study has shown that a mixture diet consisting of equal parts of katikala atella and malt sprout (T3) are found to be superior in most of the required nutrient characteristics.     

绵羊对脲酶抑制剂的适应性研究

以装有瘘管的绵羊为试验动物，研究了绵羊对脲酶抑制的适应性。结果表明：给绵羊饲喂脲酶抑制剂硼砂、氢醌或乙酰氧肟酸7～9d，瘤胃氨浓度明显升高，表现出适应性；此时再给绵羊加倍饲喂脲酶抑制剂，瘤胃氨浓度又下降；给绵羊饲喂硼砂第13天与第3天相比，瘤胃氨浓度增高了17.3％,瘤胃尿素浓度降低20．3％,血浆氮浓度降低24.4％，血浆尿素降低15．5％。     

Immune modulation by Ostertagia ostertagi and the effects of diet

IgG1 antibody responses to Ostertagia ostertagi third stage larvae (L3) and the third party antigen, keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH), and faecal egg counts were determined in calves infected with a single dose of O. ostertagi and in uninfected, pair-fed calves. The infected and uninfected calves were given diets either high (H) or low (L) in protein and energy. The diets were within the normal range of husbandry practice in the UK. IgG1 antibody responses to L3 antigen were significantly greater from 6 weeks post-infection in infected calves given the L diet than in infected calves given the H diet (P less than 0.05). The effects of diet and infection on anti-KLH IgG1 responses were independent of each other. IgG1 responses to KLH were decreased by infection and by the L diet compared with the H diet.     

Performance of sheep offered ammonia, or urea-calcium hydroxide treated rice straw as an only feed

The effect of ammonia (AS) and urea‐calcium hydroxide (US) treated rice straw as a sole diet on the voluntary intake, digestibility of feed components, nitrogen retention, rumen parameters and microbial nitrogen yield of Suffolk ewes, were compared in a double 2 × 2 latin square design. The digestibility of feed components was not differed in sheep offered either AS or US. Dry matter intake was higher in AS (28 g/kg BW^0.75) than US (22 g/kg BW^0.75). Although there was high nitrogen intake in sheep given AS diet, this did not result in higher nitrogen retention compared with US diet. No difference was observed in purine derivatives or microbial nitrogen supply between the two groups. The rumen ammonia‐N of sheep offered AS or US exhibited a similar trend in diurnal change with the peak at 1.5–2.5 h after feeding and decline gradually thereafter. However, volatile fatty acid production peaked at approximately 8 h after evening feed and then steadily declined. AS and US diets led sheep to lose weight. In conclusion, urea‐calcium hydroxide treated straw can be used for sheep as an alternative to ammonia treated straw. Without supplementation, ammonia or urea‐calcium hydroxide treated straw was not sufficient even for the maintenance of sheep.     

Effect of Yucca schidigera with or without nisin on ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in sheep fed silage- and hay-based diets

A 4 × 6 Youden square design was used to study manipulating effect of Yucca schidigera with or without nisin on rumen fermentation characteristics and microbial protein synthesis in sheep fed silage‐ and hay‐based diets. Four ruminally canulated wethers were given isonitrogenous diets of timothy silage and concentrate (85:15) (S), and timothy hay and concentrate (60:40) (H), on DM basis. The six experimental diets were: (i) S; (ii) S + 240 ppm of Yucca schidigera (SY); (iii) S + 240 ppm of Yucca schidigera + 6 mg/kg bodyweight (BW)^0.75 of nisin (SYN); (iv) H; (v) H + 240 ppm of Yucca schidigera (HY); and (vi) H + 240 ppm of Yucca schidigera + 6 mg/kg BW^0.75 of nisin (HYN). Rumen pH was higher (P < 0.01) in sheep fed SYN diet than those fed S diet. Concentration of ammonia‐N (NH₃‐N) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in sheep fed SY, SYN, HY, HYN than those of S and H. Total volatile fatty acids concentration was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in HYN than in H diet and tended to be higher in sheep fed H diets than those fed S diets. There was a significantly higher (P < 0.01) efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis in the rumen of sheep fed on HY diet than those fed on H diet.     

Effect of dietary defatted diatom biomass on egg production and quality of laying hens

Background： This study was to determine if feeding laying hens with defatted diatom microalgal biomass （DFA） from biofuel production affected their egg production and health status. Methods： Five replicates of 5 individually caged ISA Babcock White leghorn hens were fed 4 diets, including a corn-soybean meal control diet, a diet containing 7.5% DFA substituting for soybean meal, and diets containing 7.5% or 15% DFA substituting for corn and soybean meal. Body weights, feed intake, feed conversion ratio （FCR）, rate of egg production, egg size, egg mass, and several characteristics of eggs were determined at 4 and 8 wk. Venous blood was sampled at 4 and 8 wk for measurement of 5 biomarkers of health. Results： The15% DFA diet decreased （P 〈 0.05） feed intake, egg production, and plasma uric acid concentrations as compared with the control diet, but increased （P 〈 0.05） egg albumen weight and height compared with the 7.5% DFA diets. The two levels of DFA produced dose-dependent （P 〈 0.05） changes in three color measures of egg yolk, without affecting four hen plasma biochemical indicators of health. Conclusions： Feeding laying hens with 7.5% DFA in the corn-soybean meal diet for 8 wk had no adverse effect on their health, egg production, or egg quality, but 15% inclusion reduced feed intake, egg production, and efficiency of feed utilization.     

酵母发酵饲料对瘤胃菌群数量及多样性的影响

本试验研究日粮中添加酵母发酵饲料对蒙古绵羊瘤胃菌群数量及多样性的影响.选用10只安装永久性瘤胃瘘管且体重约40 kg的14月龄蒙古羯羊,分为对照组和试验组,每组各5只.对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组饲喂基础日粮+酵母发酵饲料(13.37％).预试期15 d,正试期5 d.于正试期晨饲后0、3、6、9、12 h依次采集瘤胃液...