柱花草粉对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响

 选取健康35周龄海兰褐蛋鸡450只,随机分为5组,每组90只。分别在饲粮中添加0%、2%、4%、6%、8%的柱花草粉,进行饲养试验,试验期90 d。在试验期间测定不同比例的柱花草粉对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响。试验结果表明,4个添加不同比例柱花草粉的试验组蛋鸡的生产性能均显著高于没有添加柱花草粉的对照组;添加6%柱花草粉效果最佳,较对照组产蛋率平均增加15.75%,蛋重平均增加1.71%,料蛋比降低5.51%,死淘率降低10%,对蛋形指数、蛋黄相对重、蛋壳相对重、哈夫单位值均无显著影响。     

多花黑麦草在生长肉兔上的营养价值评定

本试验旨在评定初花期多花黑麦草在生长肉兔上的营养价值。试验选取60日龄平均体重(2.20±0.32)kg的健康新西兰兔24只,随机分为2组,每组12个重复,每个重复1只。试验饲粮采用套算法进行配制,多花黑麦草的替代比例为20%;试验采用全收粪法进行消化试验,预试期和正试期各7 d。结果表明:1)多花黑麦草中总能、干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、粗灰分、钙、总磷和无氮浸出物含量分别为16.78 MJ/kg、92.24%、10.20%、1.64%、26.09%、51.80%、31.35%、7.72%、0.66%、0.28%和46.59%;2)多花黑麦草在生长肉兔中的表观消化能为7.21 MJ/kg,生长肉兔对多花黑麦草中总能、干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、粗灰分、钙、总磷和无氮浸出物的表观消化率分别为33.45%、48.36%、44.18%、84.45%、25.91%、22.73%、22.25%、26.10%、62.87%、13.94%和61.42%。由结果可知:初花期多花黑麦草中粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维含量相对较高,总磷含量相对较低;生长肉兔对初花期多花黑麦草中不同营养成分的消化率存在一定差异,其中以粗脂肪、粗纤维、钙、无氮浸出物的表观消化率较高,总磷的表观消化率较低。     

柱花草9-顺式环氧类胡萝卜素双加氧酶基因(SgNCED1)的克隆及表达分析

9-顺式环氧类胡萝卜素双加氧酶(NCED)是高等植物ABA生物合成途径中的关键酶,本研究以3种豆科植物NCED的同源序列设计简并引物,用RT-PCR结合RACE以及嵌套PCR的方法,从柱花草叶片中克隆了一个编码NCED的基因,命名为SgNCED1。其cDNA全长2241 bp,开放阅读框架为1809 bp,编码602个氨基酸。Southern杂交结果表明,该基因在柱花草基因组中以单拷贝形式存在。氨基酸序列同源比对和系统进化分析表明SgNCED1与花生的AhNCED1高度同源(92%),与另外3种豆科植物的NCED也有很高的同源性(72%~75%)。亚细胞定位预测表明SgNCED1蛋白的N-末端具有叶绿体转运肽。叶片脱水诱导的SgNCED1基因的表达与内源ABA的积累、变化同步。     

高蛋白料精,光合菌液和鱼粉对肉鸡生长性能的影响

采用在基础日粮中分别加高蛋白料精＋光合菌液（Ⅰ组），高蛋白料精（Ⅱ组），光合菌液（Ⅲ组），鱼粉（Ⅳ组）四川方法饲喂，对肉鸡的生长性能进行比较试验。试验结果：Ⅰ组生长速度最佳，平均增重比Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组分别提高４．３９％、１６．７９％和２％，Ⅳ组和Ⅱ组次之，Ⅲ组较差。结果表明：用高蛋白料精或高蛋白料精加光合菌液替代进口鱼粉饲喂肉鸡是可行的，能降低饲养成本，达到提高经济效益的目的。     

The Effects of Mustard Protein Concentrate on Nutrient Digestibility and Performance of Broiler Chickens

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding mustard protein concentrate on nutrient digestibility and the performance of broiler chickens. A total of 180, day-old, male broiler chickens, weighing an average of 52.8 ± 0.6 g, were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a randomized block design.  The control diet was based on wheat and soybean meal and contained 15% canola meal.  The experimental diets contained 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% or 15% mustard protein concentrate added at the expense of canola meal. The digestibility of crude protein and energy declined linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing levels of mustard protein concentrate.  In addition, weight gain and feed intake were linearly (P < 0.01) reduced  as the level of mustard protein concentrate in the diet increased.  Feed conversion was also negatively affected (P < 0.01) by mustard protein concentrate while mortality did not differ among treatments.  The results of the present experiment provide a strong indication that there is a factor or factors present in mustard protein concentrate which negatively affects broiler performance. The process through which the protein in mustard seed is concentrated from mustard meal may concentrate some of the anti-nutritional factors found in mustard.  Previous research has reported an increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds in protein isolates from mustard and this may be the cause of the reduction in performance as the level of mustard protein concentrate in the diet increased.  Further research should be conducted to test this hypothesis.      

The Effects of Mustard Protein Concentrate on Nutrient Digestibility and Performance of Broiler Chickens

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding mustard protein concentrate on nutrient digestibility and the performance of broiler chickens.A total of 180,day-old,male broiler chickens,weighing an average of 52.8 ± 0.6 g,were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a randomized block design.The control diet was based on wheat and soybean meal and contained 15% canola meal.The experimental diets contained 3%,6%,9%,12% or 15% mustard protein concentrate added at the expense of canola meal.The digestibility of crude protein and energy declined linearly(P0.01)with increasing levels of mustard protein concentrate.In addition,weight gain and feed intake were linearly(P0.01)reduced as the level of mustard protein concentrate in the diet increased.Feed conversion was also negatively affected(P0.01)by mustard protein concentrate while mortality did not differ among treatments.The results of the present experiment provide a strong indication that there is a factor or factors present in mustard protein concentrate which negatively affects broiler performance.The process through which the protein in mustard seed is concentrated from mustard meal may concentrate some of the anti-nutritional factors found in mustard.Previous research has reported an increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds in protein isolates from mustard and this may be the cause of the reduction in performance as the level of mustard protein concentrate in the diet increased.Further research should be conducted to test this hypothesis.     

Performance of growing lambs fed processed karanj (Pongamia glabra) oil seed cake as partial protein supplement to soybean meal

The aim of this study was to determine whether processed karanj (Pongamia glabra) oil seed cake can be used as a supplement to partially replace soybean meal (SBM). Male lambs (n = 24) of uniform body weight (12.88 ± 0.15 kg) were equally allotted at random to a SBM‐based control (CON) and three test concentrate mixtures, containing detoxified solvent extracted karanj cake (SKC) using three processing methods: water washing (WW), 2.5% lime (LM) and 0.4% binder (BN) treatment. The processed SKC replaced 50% nitrogen of SBM of CON. The respective concentrate mixtures were fed along with ad libitum chaffed oat (Avena sativa) straw for 196 days. Dry matter intake was significantly (p < 0.01) lower on WW, LM and BN. Apparent digestibility coefficient of nutrients was comparable, except for total carbohydrates, which was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in LM and BN. Total gain, average daily gain and feed: gain ratio was comparable (p > 0.05) between the CON and WW diets but significantly lower in LM and BN groups. Yield of greasy wool was lower (p < 0.05) in BN group. Comparable dry matter and nutrient (crude protein and total digestible nutrients) conversion efficiency was observed on CON and WW diet but the lambs on the LM and BN diets exhibited lower (p < 0.01) conversion efficiency. It is concluded that SKC after water washing could replace 50% of SBM nitrogen in protein supplementation.     

Responses of non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes on digestibility and performance of growing pigs fed a diet based on corn, soya bean meal and Chinese double-low rapeseed meal

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of two distinct enzyme preparations on nutrients' digestibility and growth performance of growing pigs fed diets based on corn, soya bean meal and Chinese double-low rapeseed meal (DLRM). The two enzyme preparations were Enzyme R, a preparation extracted from fermentation of a non-GMO fungus Penicillum funiculosum, developed for multi-grain and multi-animal species; and Enzyme P, a xylanase preparation from Trichoderma longibrachiatum, for pigs fed corn-based diets only. Both enzymes were tested at 0, 0.25 and 0.50 g/kg feed using 70 crossbred male pigs (Large Yorkshire x Landrace) in five dietary treatments and seven replicates in each treatment, for growth period from 27 to 68 kg live weight in 49 days. Results showed that the supplementation of both enzymes (1) increased total-tract digestibility of dietary energy from 77.5% (control) to 81.4% (Enzyme R, p < 0.05) and 81.9% (Enzyme P, p < 0.05); of neutral detergent fibre from 41.0% (control) to 57.8% (Enzyme R, p < 0.05) and 60.0% (Enzyme P, p < 0.05); (2) improved average daily gain from 786 g (control) to 829 g (Enzyme R, p < 0.05) and 846 g (Enzyme P, p < 0.05); and numerical increases in feed intake from 1.96 kg/pig/day (control) to 2.01 (Enzyme R) and 2.00 (p > 0.05) and feed conversion ratio from 2.50 (control) to 2.42 (Enzyme R) and 2.36 (Enzyme P, p < 0.05); (3) there was a dose response but no significant differences were observed in enzyme efficacy between the two enzyme preparations. The present study demonstrated beneficial effects of applying xylanase-based enzymes to improve feeding values of pig diets based on corn, soya bean meal and DLRM.     

Effects of Compound Chinese Medicine on Growth Performance,Nutrients Apparent Digestibility,Immune Function and Slaughter Performance of Weaning Rex Rabbits

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of different levels of compound Chinese medicine on growth performance,nutrients apparent digestibility,immune function and slaughter performance of weaning Rex rabbits.70 healthy Rex rabbits at age of 60 days were divided into 7 groups with 5 replicates per group and 2 rabbits per replicate.Group Ⅰ was fed with basic diet as control group,group Ⅱ was fed the basal diet supplemented with antibiotic (contains 50 mg/kg milligrams bacitracin zinc,10 mg/kg colistin sulfate).The other five groups (Ⅲ,Ⅳ,Ⅴ,Ⅵ and Ⅶ) were fed the basal diet supplemented with 1%,2%,3%,4%,5% compound Chinese medicine,respectively.The pre-test period lasted for 7 days and the trial period lasted for 45 days.The results showed as follows:①The ADG in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ (P< 0.05),the F/G in group Ⅳ was significantly lower than that in other groups (P< 0.05).②The apparent digestibility of DM in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in groups Ⅰand Ⅱ (P< 0.05),the apparent digestibility of DM in group Ⅶ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P< 0.05).The apparent digestibility of CF in group Ⅳ was extremely significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P< 0.01),the apparent digestibility of CF in group Ⅶ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P< 0.05).The apparent digestibility of NDF in group Ⅳ was extremely significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P< 0.01),and significantly higher than that in groups Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅴ and Ⅶ (P< 0.05).The apparent digestibility of ADF in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅴ and Ⅶ (P< 0.05).The apparent digestibility of CP in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P< 0.05).③ There were no significant differences in the contents of IgG,IgA and IgM of serum among all groups (P> 0.05),the spleen index in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅴ (P< 0.05).④There were no significant differences in the slaughter rate,half eviscerated slaughter rate and all eviscerated slaughter rate among all groups (P> 0.05).In summary,adding compound Chinese medicine and antibiotics in the feed both could improve the growth performance,nutrients apparent digestibility,immune function and slaughter performance of weaning Rex rabbits,and the appropriate compound Chinese medicine level in the diet of weaning Rex rabbits was 2%.     

饲粮中不同水平柚叶对生长肉兔生长性能、饲粮养分全肠表观消化率和屠宰性能的影响

本试验旨在研究不同水平柚叶饲粮饲喂生长肉兔的实际效果,并推荐肉兔饲粮中柚叶的适宜用量。选用遗传背景相同、体重相近、健康的35日龄法国伊拉商品兔120只,适应期后按体重相近原则随机分为4组(每组10个重复,每个重复3只),分别饲喂含0(对照组)、6%(Ⅰ组)、12%(Ⅱ组)和18%(Ⅲ组)柚叶的4种能、氮、纤维基本相等的饲粮。适应期7 d,试验期28 d。结果显示:1)除Ⅲ组的平均日采食量显著低于Ⅱ组(P0.05)外,各组平均日增重和饲料转化率无显著差异(P0.05);2)对照组和Ⅲ组饲粮中性洗涤纤维的全肠表观消化率显著高于Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组(P0.05),Ⅱ组饲粮粗灰分全肠表观消化率显著高于对照组和Ⅰ组(P0.05);3)试验结束时,Ⅲ组活体重显著低于Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组(P0.05),对照组热胴体重显著低于Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组(P0.05),Ⅲ组体长显著低于其他3组(P0.05),Ⅰ组和Ⅲ组大腿围显著低于Ⅱ组(P0.05)。结果表明,饲粮中添加6%~18%柚叶对生长肉兔的生长性能、饲粮养分全肠表观消化率和屠宰性能均无明显不利影响,但本试验中用量以12%为宜。     

复方中药对断奶獭兔生长性能、营养物质表观消化率、免疫功能及屠宰性能的影响

本试验旨在研究不同水平的复方中药对断奶獭兔生长性能、营养物质表观消化率、免疫功能及屠宰性能的影响.将70只60日龄断奶仔獭兔随机分为7组,每组5个重复,每个重复2只.Ⅰ组为空白对照组,饲喂基础日粮;Ⅱ组为抗生素对照组,饲喂在基础日粮中添加抗生素(含50 mg/kg杆菌肽锌、10 mg/kg硫酸黏杆菌素)的日粮;Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ、Ⅶ组为中药试验组,分别饲喂在基础日粮中添加1%、2%、3%、4%、5%复方中药的日粮.预试期7 d,正试期45 d.结果表明:①Ⅳ组平均日增重显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组(P< 0.05),料重比显著低于其他各试验组(P< 0.05).②在干物质表观消化率上,Ⅳ组显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ组(P< 0.05),Ⅶ组显著高于Ⅰ组 (P< 0.05);在粗纤维表观消化率上,Ⅳ组极显著高于Ⅰ组(P< 0.01),Ⅶ组显著高于Ⅰ组(P< 0.05);在中性洗涤纤维表观消化率上,Ⅳ组极显著高于Ⅰ组(P< 0.01),显著高于Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ、Ⅶ组(P< 0.05);在酸性洗涤纤维表观消化率上,Ⅳ组显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅴ、Ⅶ组(P< 0.05);在粗蛋白质表观消化率上,Ⅳ组显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ组(P< 0.05).③各试验组间免疫球蛋白(IgG、IgA、IgM)含量差异均不显著(P> 0.05);Ⅳ组脾脏指数显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ组(P< 0.05).④各试验组间屠宰率、半净膛屠宰率、全净膛屠宰率差异均不显著(P> 0.05).综上所述,日粮中添加复方中药和抗生素都可提高断奶獭兔生长性能、营养物质表观消化率、免疫功能及屠宰性能,且添加2%复方中药效果最好.     

Carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua L.) improve growth performance,antioxidant status and caecal characteristics in growing rabbits

The objective of this study was to evaluate carob pods and their effect on growth performance, antioxidant activities, carcass and caecal characteristics and equilibrium modification of the caecal microbiota population of growing NZW rabbits. Eighty weaned rabbits (initial body weight: 625.00 ± 26.46 g) were randomly allocated into four dietary groups of 20 rabbits each until 90 days of age. Dietary groups were as follows: C (basal diet with no supplementation), CP1 (basal diet + 2.5% carob pods), CP2 (basal diet + 5% carob pods) and CP3 (basal diet + 10% carob pods). Rabbits given the CP2 diet had significantly higher daily and final body weights compared with the other experimental groups. The increase in inclusion rate of carob pods significantly decreased feed intake, whereas carob pods at 5% in the CP2 group recorded the best value of feed conversion ratio. Rabbits in the CP3 group showed the worst slaughter weight and carcass dressing percentage weight. No significant effect was found on meat protein and ash contents. Cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein, high‐density lipoprotein and triglycerides decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in rabbits treated with carob pods compared with the control. Because of high content of the antioxidant compounds in CP2 and CP3 groups, the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S‐transferase, catalase and superoxide dismutase increased, whereas the concentration of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance decreased significantly. Rabbits given the CP2 diet had a significantly higher volatile fatty acid concentration and a lower pH in content of the caecum compared to the other groups. The data of microbial analysis for C group showed a significant increase in Escherichia coli and Clostridium counts. Lactobacillus and Bacillus counts increased significantly more in the CP2 and CP3 groups than in the other groups. In conclusion, 5% of carob pods in the diet stimulated the performance of growing rabbits, and thus, it has potential as an unconventional feed resource for rabbits without any adverse effects.     

岩藻多糖对肉兔生长性能、血清生化指标及养分表观消化率的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮中添加不同水平岩藻多糖对肉兔生长性能、屠宰性能、内脏器官指数、血清生化指标和养分表观消化率的影响,为岩藻多糖作为抗生素替代物在肉兔日粮中的应用提供理论依据。从200只35日龄健康断奶福建黄兔中选取36只体重相近的试验兔,采用单因素试验设计,随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复3只。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别饲喂添加100、200和300 mg·kg^-1岩藻多糖的日粮,预试期5 d,正试期22 d。结果表明：1）试验Ⅲ组末重、平均日采食量（ADFI）、平均日增重（ADG）显著高于对照组（P<0.05）,料重比（F/G）显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。2）试验Ⅲ组宰前活重显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。其他各项指标均无显著差异（P>0.05）。3）各试验组胸腺指数均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。各组间脾脏指数和圆小囊指数均无显著差异（P>0.05）。试验Ⅱ和Ⅲ组蚓突指数显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。其他各项指标均无显著差异（P>0.05）。4）试验Ⅲ组丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）含量显著低于其他组（P<0.05）。试验Ⅰ和Ⅱ组低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL）、胆固醇（CHO）含量显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。试验Ⅲ组超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。各试验组丙二醛（MDA）含量均显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）活性均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）,其中试验Ⅲ组显著高于Ⅰ组（P<0.05）。其他各项指标均无显著差异（P>0.05）。5）各试验组干物质（DM）、中性洗涤纤维（NDF）、粗灰分（Ash）表观消化率均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。试验Ⅲ组酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）表观消化率显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。各组粗蛋白（CP）表观消化率均无显著差异（P>0.05）。综上所述,日粮中添加岩藻多糖可显著提高肉兔ADFI和ADG,显著降低F/G,提高内脏器官指数和抗氧化能力,同时显著提高日粮中DM、ADF、NDF和Ash表观消化率,在本试验条件下,添加水平为300 mg·kg^-1时,效果最佳。     

Nutrient digestibility of rabbit does in different stages of reproductive cycle under tropical conditions

Effect of stages of reproductive cycle on body weight, feed intake and apparent nutrient digestibility of rabbits was investigated. Pregnant/lactating (PL) does increased their feed intake above pregnant lactating does. Dry matter (DM) digestibility was higher in pregnant does than in lactating, PL or open does. Digestibility of crude fibre, crude protein (CP) and nitrogen-free extractives (NFE) were significantly higher for open and pregnant does than lactating and PL does. Ether extract (EE) digestibility was similar for pregnant, lactating and PL does. Digestible CP requirement of does increased with physiological state from open to PL states. Open and pregnant does were meeting their protein requirement while lactating and PL does were not meeting their requirement. Feed intake was higher for first week pregnant, fourth week pregnant, first week lactating, first week pregnant/fourth week lactating and second week pregnant/fourth week lactating does than open does. DM digestibility was higher for first and fourth week pregnant does than the other physiological stages. EE digestibility was similar for all physiological stages. CP digestibility was higher in fourth week pregnant does than the other physiological stages. Fourth week pregnant does had higher NFE digestibility than first and fourth week lactating and the various stages of concurrent pregnant and lactating does. Open does, first and fourth week pregnant does were meeting their protein requirement while does in the first and fourth week of lactating and stages of concurrent PL were not meeting their requirement.     

Growth performance,apparent nutrient digestibility,caecal fermentation,ileal morphology and caecal microflora of growing rabbits fed diets containing probiotics and prebiotics

Ninety eight male, mixed breed weaner rabbits were used in a 70 day feeding trial to study the performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, caecal fermentation, ileal morphology and caecal microflora of growing rabbits fed diets containing Prediococcus acidilactis (1×10¹⁰ cfu/g; 0.5 g/kg), Bacillus cereus (1×10⁹ cfu/g; 0.5 g/kg), mannan oligosaccharides (MOS; 1 g/kg), arabinoxylans oligosaccharides (AX; 1 g/kg), oxytetracycline (1 g/kg), or synbiotics (TGI; 1 g/kg). A basal diet containing no feed additive was formulated. There were 14 rabbits per treatment. Rabbits fed diets containing MOS had the highest (P<0.05) final live weight and weight gain. Dietary inclusion of prebiotics (MOS, AX) resulted in higher (P<0.05) weight gains and improved feed to gain ratios. Rabbits fed diets containing MOS showed the highest (P<0.05) while those fed diets containing probiotics (Prediococcus acidilactis, Bacillus cereus) had the least (P<0.05) caecal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration. Rabbits fed diets containing prebiotics (MOS, AX) had longer ileal villi than groups fed with other treatments (P<0.05). Inclusion of various additives showed reduced caecal coliform counts. The lowest (P<0.05) lactobacillus count was obtained in the caecal content of rabbits fed diets containing MOS. Poor growth response was obtained with rabbits fed diets containing Prediococcus acidilactis or Bacillus cereus while inclusion of prebiotics in growing rabbits resulted in improved growth and gut morphology. Rabbits fed diet containing MOS showed the highest overall final live weight, weight gain, total VFA concentration and reduced caecal lactobacillus count.     

Growth performance,carcass quality,biochemical and haematological traits and immune response of growing rabbits as affected by different growth promoters

The aim of the article was to study the effect of different growth promoters on growth performance, carcass quality, biochemical and haematological traits and immune response of growing rabbits. A total number of 105 male growing NZW rabbits during 35–91 days of age were randomly distributed among 7 groups fed the same basal diet and submitted to different dietary treatments: the first group was unsupplemented and used as control; the other groups were supplemented respectively with bee pollen and/or propolis at 200 mg/kg BW of each and inulin and/or mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) at 35 mg/kg BW of each. Body weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), biochemical and haematological blood parameters, carcass characteristics, histological studies of ileum and spleen and economical efficiency were measured. Bee pollen administered alone or with propolis significantly (p < 0.01) the body weight gain and improved FCR in respect of the control group. Inulin with MOS significantly improved just FCR than the control group. Bee pollen with propolis and MOS supplemented‐groups resulted in significantly higher (7.96 and 8.41% respectively) white blood cells compared to the control group. Plasma total cholesterol was significantly higher for the MOS group in respect of the control, bee pollen, inulin and inulin with MOS supplemented‐groups. Propolis resulted in significantly higher dressed carcass percentage than the control group and higher carcass index than only bee pollen with propolis supplemented‐group. Bee pollen, in particular if in combination with propolis, could be used as a supplement in the growing rabbits during days 35–91 of age with positive effects on growth rate and feed conversion ratio.     

Growth performance,tissue precipitation,metallothionein and cytokine transcript expression and economics in response to different dietary zinc sources in growing rabbits

The impact of different dietary zinc sources on the growth, serum metabolites, tissue zinc content, economics and relative expression of cytokine and metallothionein genes was evaluated in this study. A total of 120 35-day-old male New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were randomly distributed into four dietary experimental groups with 10 replicates per group and 3 animals per replicate. The control group was fed basal diet with a Zn-free vitamin–mineral premix; the other three groups received control basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg level with zinc oxide (ZnO; as inorganic source), Zn-methionine (Zn-Met; as organic source) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnO). The results indicated that Zn-Met and nano-ZnO groups significantly improved body weight, daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and nutrient digestibility, as well as decreased mortality, compared to ZnO and control groups. Zn-Met and nano-ZnO significantly reduced serum total cholesterol but did not affect serum proteins and liver function. Nano-ZnO supplemented group also recorded the highest value of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and lysozymes compared to other groups. Nano-ZnO supplementation had increased hepatic Zn and Cu content and decreased faecal Zn content. Also nano-ZnO group recorded higher expression levels of genes encoding for metallothionein I and metallothionein II, interleukin-2 and interferon-γ in the liver of rabbits. The findings of this study demonstrated zinc nanoparticles, and organic zinc supplementation had improved growth performance and health status of growing rabbits than inorganic zinc oxide.     

Sunflower oil supplementation alters meat quality but not performance of growing partridges (Alectoris chukar)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sunflower oil supplementation (0%, 3%, 6% and 9%) to partridge chicks (Alectoris chukar) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics. Feed consumption and live weight gain were responsive to dietary sunflower oil inclusion during the starter period, but not during the grower period. Increasing sunflower oil level linearly increased crude protein and fat digestibilities. Except for abdominal fat, weights of inedible parts and edible organs remained unchanged by the diets. The treatments linearly decreased weight and efficiency of carcass and weights of wings and breast and did not alter weights of thighs and neck. Breast meat saturated fatty acids decreased linearly by 17.9% and unsaturated fatty acids increased linearly by 10.6%, as sunflower oil level increased in the diets. Monounsaturated fatty acids decreased linearly by 27.3%, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids increased linearly by 51%. Overall, n‐3 (0.78% vs. 0.59%) and n‐6 (42.6% vs. 29.8%) were greater in breast meat in treatment groups than in control group. In conclusion, sunflower addition into diets has minimal effects on performance of growing partridges, but significantly alters meat fatty acid composition.     

Performance and hemtochemical parameters of buck‐kids fed concentrate partially replaced with tropical Piliostigma thonningii foliage

Fifteen 5‐month‐old Red Sokoto buck‐kids, (6.6 ± 0.71 kg body weight (BW)) randomly distributed into three groups of five animals per group, were used to study the effects of supplementary concentrate partially replaced with Piliostigma thonningii (PT) foliage on the growth performance, economic benefit and blood profile in a completely randomized design using analysis of variance. The goats in group 1 received 100% supplementary concentrates (PT0), groups 2 and 3 received 25% (PT25) and 50% (PT50), respectively, of concentrate replaced with an equal amount (dry matter basis) of Piliostigma foliage. The goats were fed a basal diet of threshed sorghum top (TST). Intake of concentrate, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, total feeding cost and cost/kg BW were greater (P < 0.05) for PT0 than for PT25 and PT50. Consumption of P. thonningii foliage was greater (P < 0.05) for PT50 relative to PT25. Tannin consumption of the treatment diets were greater (P < 0.05) than that of the control concentrate diet. Serum urea N reduced (P < 0.05) with increasing level of concentrate replacement, while serum glucose was higher (P < 0.05) in PT0 than in PT50. However, means of all blood measurements were within normal ranges for goats. Net benefit showed this rank order: PT0 < PT50 < PT25 (all P < 0.05). Both differential and relative benefits were higher (P < 0.05) for PT25 than for PT50. P. thonningii foliage can replace 50% of supplemental concentrate without impairing feed intake, growth performance and health of buck‐kids.