磷缺乏日粮添加米糠和植酸酶对生长猪养分利用率及氮磷代谢的影响

文章旨在研究日粮添加不同水平米糠及植酸酶对生长猪养分消化率及钙磷代谢的影响。试验选择48头平均体重为(87.0±2.45)kg的生长猪,随机分为6组,每组4个重复,每个重复2头猪。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础日粮,处理组用7.5%、15%、30%的米糠替代基础日粮,同时另外两组在对照组和30%米糠组分别添加750IU/kg植酸酶,试验共进行2周,包括1周适应期和1周试验期。结果显示:随着日粮米糠添加水平的升高,干物质、能量、氮、纤维、钙表观消化率显著线性升高(P<0.05),而磷表观消化率显著线性降低(P<0.05)。随着日粮米糠添加水平的升高钙沉积率显著升高(P<0.05),对磷代谢平衡其他指标均具有显著升高的影响(P<0.05),粪氮量显著升高(P<0.05),其他氮平衡指标显著降低(P<0.05)。日粮添加植酸酶显著提了磷、脂肪和钙表观消化率(P<0.05),而米糠添加水平显著提高了养分表观消化率(P<0.05)。米糠替代基础日粮添加植酸酶显著提高了钙沉积率(P<0.05),显著提高了磷的吸收和沉积量(P<0.05)。结论:猪日粮中添加米糠较玉米-豆粕型日粮降低了磷表观消化率,添加植酸酶后可以改善氮、磷代谢。     

植酸酶对肉鸡生长性能及饲粮养分利用率的影响

饲养试验选用1日龄的良凤花鸡600羽,随机分为4组(每组设3个重复,每个重复50羽),A组为对照组,饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮,B、C、D组的饲粮为分别以300、500、700 U/kg的植酸酶取代基础饲粮中的30%、50%、70%的磷酸氢钙。结果表明:0～4周龄,与对照组相比,C和D组平均日增重(ADG)分别极显著提高6.29%(P<0.01)和8.27%(P<0.01);平均料重比(F/G),组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。5～8周龄,与对照组相比,B、C和D组的ADG分别有所提高,F/G有所下降,但组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。B、C、D组鸡血清钙、磷、白蛋白、总蛋白、球蛋白含量随着植酸酶添加量的增加呈上升趋势,但差异不显著(P>0.05);血清碱性磷酸酶活性随着植酸酶的添加而呈降低趋势,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。消化代谢试验结果表明,添加不同水平的植酸酶替代饲粮不同比例的磷酸氢钙,肉鸡饲粮干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维、粗灰分、钙和能量的表观代谢率虽然比对照组有所改善,但差异不显著(P>0.05);而磷的表观吸收率分别比对照组显著提高了25.39%～32.48%(P<0.01)。     

非淀粉多糖复合酶制剂对肉鸡生产性能及养分表观利用率的影响

本试验旨在研究非淀粉多糖复合酶制剂对肉鸡生产性能、养分表观利用率的影响。试验采用单因子随机分组试验设计,选取科宝肉鸡商品代1日龄公雏320只,随机分成2个处理组,各处理组8个重复,每个重复20只。处理1饲喂基础饲粮,处理2饲喂基础饲粮+150 g/t NSP复合酶制剂F。1-21 d基础饲粮采用玉米-豆粕型饲粮,22-42 d基础饲粮采用玉米-豆粕-杂粕型饲粮,低温制粒。结果表明,在1-21 d肉鸡的玉米-豆粕型饲粮中添加NSP酶制剂F对肉鸡生产性能和养分表观利用率无改善作用,而在高杂粕(3%菜粕、3%棉粕和8%DDGS)的玉米-豆粕-杂粕型肉鸡饲粮中添加NSP复合酶制剂F对22-42 d和1-42 d肉鸡生产性能均有改善作用,在一定程度上改善了22-42 d肉鸡饲粮的养分表观利用率。     

Effect of water restriction and dietary potassium on nutrient metabolism in lambs

Twenty-four Hampshire X Suffolk wether lambs (40 kg) were used in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to study the influence of water restriction and high levels of dietary K on nutrient utilization. Lambs were offered either a normal K diet (1.86% K) or a high K diet (3.66% K). Additionally, the lambs were offered either a normal quantity of water (previously determined voluntary intake of lambs fed normal K levels) or were restricted to a water intake 80% of normal. Each lamb received 800 g/d of a fescue hay-corn diet (77.5% fescue hay) with an additional 20 g of KCl offered to lambs on high K treatments. The experiment consisted of 14 d of adjustment and 7 d of total collection with blood and ruminal parameters measured on the last day of collection. Both acid detergent fiber digestibility and N balance were reduced (P less than .05) by high K intake. Urinary Mg excretion tended (P greater than .05) to be decreased by water restriction. Plasma Mg concentrations at 2 h post-feeding (PF) tended (P greater than .05) to be reduced by a high K intake at a normal level of water consumption but increased at high K intake when water intake was restricted. A similar pattern was observed for plasma K concentrations. Although high K intake resulted in elevated (P less than .05) ruminal K concentrations both at 2 and 6 h PF, ruminal concentrations of ammonia-N and volatile fatty acids were not affected (P greater than .05) by treatment. These data suggest that nutrient utilization in both the digestive tract and tissues is altered by level of K and modest water restriction.     

Effect of water restriction and dietary sodium on nutrient metabolism in lambs

Twenty-four Hampshire X Suffolk wether lambs (40 kg) were used in 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to study the influence of water restriction and high levels of dietary Na on nutrient utilization. Lambs were offered either a normal Na diet (.20% Na) or a high Na diet (1.77% Na). Additionally, the lambs were offered either a normal quantity of water (previously determined voluntary intake of lambs fed normal Na levels) or were restricted to a water intake 80% of normal. Each lamb received 800 g/d of a hay-corn diet (77.5% fescue hay) with an additional 38 g of NaCl offered to lambs on high Na treatments. The complete experiment consisted of 14 d of adjustment and 7 d of total collection with blood and ruminal characteristics measured on the last day of the collection period. A high Na intake decreased (P less than .05) the apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, but tended to increase the apparent absorption of Mg. Plasma urea N concentrations were not affected (P greater than .05) by level of Na or water intake. Plasma Na and K concentrations were not affected (P greater than .05) by treatment regimen. A high Na intake increased (P less than .05) plasma Mg concentrations at 6 h post-feeding with a normal level of water intake, but decreased (P less than .05) Mg concentrations at 6 h with restricted water intake. Ruminal ammonia N and K concentrations at 2 h post-feeding were decreased (P less than .05) by a high level of dietary Na. Ruminal Na concentration was not affected (P greater than .05) by treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of dietary supplementation with flaxseed oil or vitamin E on sheep experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica

The effects of two diets supplemented with flaxseed oil (FO) or vitamin E (VE) were studied in sheep infected with Fasciola hepatica. The control group (CO), not supplemented, had higher weight gain and faecal egg count (P < 0.05) at the end of the study. At necropsy, the number (71.2 ± 26.5) and size of flukes were lower in the FO group (P < 0.01), probably due to the higher levels of white blood cells and lymphocytes (P < 0.01). This group also had higher red blood cell and haematocrit values (P < 0.01). The CO group had more severe hypoproteinaemia and hypoalbuminaemia, due to having the highest fluke burden (123.0 ± 35.2), and also the highest IgG1 titre (P < 0.01). The diet did not affect production or gene expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-4. On the other hand, the supplementation with VE led to a reduction in adult fluke burden (97.7 ± 39.9) and lower lipid oxidation in the liver (P < 0.001).     

Performance and ruminal protozoa in lambs with chromium supplementation

The effects of chromium picolinate (CrPic) oral supplementation on the performance and ruminal protozoa population in sheep was investigated. Twenty-four male lambs were treated with four different levels of CrPic: placebo, 0.250, 0.375 and 0.500 mg of chromium/animal/day during 84 days. The base ration was Panicum maximum cv Massai hay and concentrate. Feed intake was measured three times a week. Lambs were weighed every 2 weeks. Ruminal content was sampled five times during the trial to quantify ruminal protozoa. No difference (p > 0.05) between treatments was recorded for any parameter measured: initial and final mean body weight, dry matter intake, daily gain and total body weight gain. There was a negative linear relationship between Cr supplementation and protozoa count (p = 0.0013) with no additional decrease when CrPic supplemental levels were higher than 0.375 mg/day. Therefore, Cr supplementation must be carried out carefully and more studies need to address stressed animals or possible toxic effects of Cr in the animal itself or to the ruminal protozoa population.     

Effect of supplementation on the feed intake and performance of confined and scavenging crossbred growing chickens in Burkina Faso

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of crossbred growing chickens (Rhode Island Red × indigenous Burkina Faso hens) from 6 to 17 weeks of age, under five feeding/management regimes: (1) CMx(+), confined and given a mixed feed containing cracked maize and cowpea and a vitamin–mineral premix ad libitum; (2) CS(+), confined and offered ad libitum a choice of cracked maize and cowpea with the premix; (3) ScS(+), scavenging from 09:00 to 16:00 with the diet in treatment (2) available from 16:00 to 09:00; (4) ScS(−), treatment (3) but without the premix; and (5) ScO, scavenging only, with no supplements provided. Daily dry matter (DM) intake was highest for CS(+) (43.5 g), and lowest for CMx(+) (33.6 g) (p < 0.05), with intermediate intakes for ScS(+) and Sc(−) of 36.7 g and 36.2 g, respectively. The ratios of intakes of cowpea to maize were 50:50, 21:79, 27:73 and 22:78 for CMx(+), CS(+), ScS(+) and ScS(−), respectively (p < 0.05). Dietary concentrations of crude protein (CP) were 15.7%, 11.5%, 12.3% and 11.6% of DM for CMx(+), CS(+), ScS(+) and ScS(−), respectively. Average daily gains (ADG) were 8.15 g, 5.24 g, 6.03 g, 5.36 g and 4.45 g for CMx(+), CS(+), ScS(+), ScS(−) and ScO, respectively, and were significantly higher for CMx(+) (p < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio was highest for CS(+) and lowest for CMx(+). ADG of the males (6.44 g) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the females (5.86 g). Breast and thigh muscle weights were highest for ScS(+) (p < 0.05).     

A meta-analysis on effects of supplementing low-quality roughages with foliages from browses and tree fodders on intake and growth in sheep

A meta-analysis of data obtained from previous studies was conducted to understand the responses of foliage supplementation on intakes of basal DM (BDMI) and total DM (TDMI), and daily gain (ADG). Thirty-four published studies containing 223 treatments and 1127 sheep met criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Major predictive variables considered were percentages of foliages in diet (SD), CP in foliages (PS), NDF in foliages (FS), NDF in forages (FB), CP in basal roughages (PB), CP in diet (PD) and foliage CP intake (SPI). TDMI (g/d) increased quadratically (P < 0.001) with increasing PS, FS, SPI (R² = 0.66), PB, SD (R² = 0.58) and PD (R² = 0.73). The maximal response of TDMI were 778 g/d at 42% of SD, 894 g/d at 19.8% PD, 893 g/d at 148 g/d SPI and 749 g/d at 26.4% PS (P < 0.001; R² = 0.58, 0.73, 0.66, and 0.37, respectively). BDMI increased quadratically with increasing SD, PD and PB, but decreased quadratically (P < 0.001) with increasing PS (P < 0.001; R² = 0.07). The breakpoint of BDMI was 570 g/d at 6.58% of PD in the diet (P < 0.001, R² = 0.28). Overall, BDMI responded at very low level of SD in the diet, peaking at 7.6% SD with BDMI of 572 g/d (P < 0.001, R² = 0.72). However, when PB was less than 3%, the maximal BDMI was 489 g/d at foliage levels of 25.7%. When PB was between 3 and 6%, maximal BDMI was at 13% of foliage in the diet and the basal forage intake of 597 g/d; whereas, BDMI decreased linearly with SD when PB was greater than 6%. BDMI (g/d) decreased quadratically when foliage CP percentages were lesser than 10%, but increased quadratically with PS when foliage CP percentages were greater than 10%. ADG responded positively and quadratically to PS, SPI, SD, PD and TDMI (g/d) and the relationships were moderate to high. However, ADG (g/d) decreased linearly with increasing FS (P < 0.001, R² = 0.35). The maximal ADG was 42 g/d at 43% of SD, 41 g/d at 9.4% PD, 42 g/d at 53 g/d SPI, 35 g/d at 25% PS and 46 g/d at TDMI of 889 g/d (P < 0.001; R² = 0.74, 0.84, 0.74, 0.29 and 0.74, respectively). It is concluded that the interactions of quality and quantity of foliage supplements and quality of basal forages affect intakes of basal and total DM, and growth in sheep.     

刺五加提取物对绵羊瘤胃发酵及养分利用的影响

观察添加刺五加提取物对绵羊瘤胃发酵及养分利用的影响,以揭示其对瘤胃发酵影响的机理。选择6只健康的小尾寒羊,随机分为2组,采用交叉试验设计,分别添加0、50mg／kg刺五加水提取物。不同时间点采集试验羊的瘤胃液,测定pH值、氨态氮（NH,-N）浓度、挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）浓度;收集试验动物粪便,测定日粮中各营养物质的表观消化率。试验结果表明：刺五加的添加可以降低绵羊瘤胃NH,-N浓度,使瘤胃液pH值变化趋势减缓;明显提高日粮酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）和中性洗涤纤维（NDF）的表观消化率（P〈0．05）,显著提高瘤胃液乙酸和总挥发性脂肪酸（TVFA）浓度（P〈0．05）。该试验为刺五加添加剂在反刍动物中的应用奠定基础,同时对中草药添加剂日粮在反刍动物中的使用提供借鉴。     

乳化剂对肉仔鸡生产性能及养分利用率的影响

本试验旨在探讨不同来源油脂饲粮中添加乳化剂对肉仔鸡生产性能及养分利用率的影响。试验采用2×3二因子析因试验设计,A因子为菜籽油和牛油两种油脂饲粮组,B因子为无乳化剂添加组、添加乳化剂1组和添加乳化剂2组,乳化剂添加量均为商业推荐量。选取672只1日龄AA肉仔鸡随机分成6组,每组8个重复,每个重复14只鸡(公母各半)。结果表明,肉仔鸡生长后期及全期,乳化剂1组平均日采食量和平均日增重显著高于对照组(P<0.05),乳化剂1和2均有降低料肉比的趋势。饲粮中添加乳化剂1显著提高了生长前期肉仔鸡干物质表观消化率及表观代谢能值(P<0.05)。牛油饲粮组肉仔鸡生长全期的平均日采食量和料肉比显著高于菜籽油饲粮组(P<0.05),不同油脂饲粮组肉仔鸡的平均日增重无显著差异(P>0.05)。菜籽油饲粮组生长全期肉仔鸡粗脂肪表现消化率和表观代谢能值均显著高于牛油组(P<0.05)。结果提示,从试验全期来看,在牛油饲粮和菜籽油饲粮中分别添加外源乳化剂,肉仔鸡生产性能及脂肪利用率均有提高,乳化剂对牛油饲粮的改善程度优于菜籽油饲粮,且乳化剂产品之间也有差异。     

Effect of lactobacillus supplementation on growth and nutrient utilization in mongrel pups.

Effect of lactobacillus supplementation was studied in eight Mongrel pups of about 10 weeks of age with a mean body weight of 5.2 kg divided into two equal groups, control (group C) and a probiotic supplemented group (group L). Both groups received the same feed (biscuit) which was for group L supplemented with 2 x 10(7) cfu of a Lactobacillus acidophilus strain. The feeding trial lasted 13 weeks and included a digestibility trial of six day during which feed and faeces were collected to assess intake and digestibility of nutrients. Growth was recorded as weekly live weight change and the physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of stool were examined periodically to assess the effect of lactobacillus on intestinal health. The biscuits contained 89% DM, 32.6% CP, 5.8% ash and 12.7% EE with TDN, GE and ME content of 890 g, 19.6 MJ and 14.6 MJ per kg DM, respectively. The DM, OM, CP and GE digestibilities were between 76% to 79% and the EE digestibility was 93%. The CF digestibility was negligible (22%). There were no significant differences between the two groups. There was an appetite stimulation and a relatively higher DM intake (10 to 15%) which induced higher daily gain, 102 g in group L vs. 92 g in group C up to 19 weeks of age, the difference declined thereafter. The average daily gain during the whole period was 74.5 +/- 8.0 g and 81.6 +/- 6.0 g in group C and L, respectively, and the difference was statistically non-significant (P > 0.05). The stools showed similar physical properties and composition with acidic pH in both groups. Lactobacillus supplementation caused a competitive establishment in the gastrointestinal tract of pups. It can be concluded that lactobacillus supplementation shows a positive effect during active growth phase (up to 4.5 months of age), which became insignificant in the later period of life.     

Effect of dietary dry matter intake on endogenous nitrogen flows in growing lambs

The effect of dietary dry matter intake (DMI) on endogenous nitrogen (N) flows at different part of the digestive tract of growing lambs was determined using a ¹⁵N isotope dilution technique. Three Kazakh male lambs (30 ± 2.75 kg of body weights and 4 months old, average daily gain 200 g/day) were fitted with ruminal, duodenal and ileal cannulae and raised in metabolic cage individually. The experiment was conducted in a 3 × 3 Latin square design with three lambs, three DMI levels (1100, 920 and 736 g/day respectively) and three periods. Each period lasted 18 days, consisting of 10 days for adaptation, 8 days for the continuous infusion of l ‐[¹⁵N]leucine, during which the intestinal flow of N and ¹⁵N enrichment were determined. The total endogenous secretions in the forestomach (S_fs) were decreased (p = 0.0512) with increased level of DMI. On the contrary, endogenous nitrogen (EN) secretions into the small intestine (S_i) increased (p = 0.0249) significantly with the high level of DMI (HI) group compared with that of low level of DMI (LI). Total absorption from forestomach was reduced (p = 0.0121) with increased level of DMI, whereas total absorption from small intestine for HI group increased (p = 0.0116) significantly compared with that of LI treatment. The real digestibility of N in the rumen accompanied with the increase in feed intake is decreased (p = 0.081). In contrast, there were no effects of DMI level on the computed real digestibility of N across both small intestine and whole tract. The results of this study indicate that the total flows of EN at duodenum may be unaffected by the level of DMI; however, the EN flow at ileal level increased from 12% to 37% with the increase in DMI level, corresponding to 33% of total N flow at ileum.     

Effect of feeding forest foliages, rice straw and concentrate-based total mixed ration on nutrient utilization and growth in mithun (Bos frontalis)

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding Borrena hirticulata (BH), Ficus hirta (FH), rice straw (RS) and concentrate-based total mixed ration (TMR) on nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation and growth in mithun. Growing male mithun calves were randomly allotted to 2 feeding groups (6 in each), TMR₁ and TMR₂. The TMRs consisted of RS 300 g kg^− 1, concentrate 400 g kg^− 1 and BH 300 g kg^− 1 (TMR₁) or FH 300 g kg^− 1 (TMR₂) on a dry matter (DM) basis. Both TMRs were fed ad libitum to the animals for 121 d and a digestibility study was conducted during the last 7 d of the experiment. To assess rumen fermentation, rumen fluid was collected at 2 h interval for 24 h. Apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) did not differ significantly between the TMRs. Nevertheless, apparent digestibility of ether extract was found to be significantly (P < 0.01) greater in TMR₂ (0.59) compared to TMR₁ (0.54). Body weight gain (BWG; g d^− 1), DM intake (kg d^− 1), CP intake (g d^− 1) and feed efficiency (kg feed kg^− 1 gain) were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) greater in TMR₁ (548, 5.14, 713 and 9.28) compared to TMR₂ (496, 4.91, 703 and 10.03). An insignificant positive association (r = 0.35) between DM intake and BWG, but a significant (P < 0.01) positive association (r = 0.74) between CP intake and BWG were evident. Rumen pH (5.71 to 7.18) and ammonia-nitrogen (8.0 to 25.0 mg/dl) did not differ significantly between the TMRs, but differed significantly (P < 0.01) at different h post-feeding. In contrast, rumen total volatile fatty acid (42 to 105 mM) and total nitrogen (40.4 to 90.3 mg/dl) differed significantly (P < 0.05) between the TMRs and at different h post-feeding. The study revealed that BH, FH, RS and concentrate-based TMRs may be fed to mithun for satisfactory growth.     

畜禽采食量的调节

采食量是影响畜禽生产性能的主要因素;动物根据食物提示因子决定是否采食,根据采食后的消化生理反应决定采食多少;影响采食量的因素是多方面的,包括日粮营养、饲养管理、环境等;瘦素、NPY、增食欲素、生长素等是近年来在人的肥胖领域研究较多的食欲调节肽物质,能否或如何应用于畜牧生产尚需摸索.     

Effect of complete feed block with tree leaves rich in hydrolysable and condensed tannins on nutrient utilization,rumen fermentation and growth performance of lambs

Thirty lambs (Avishaan genotype, 10 weeks old, 14.0 ± 0.2 kg live weight) were randomly assigned into three equal treatment groups to study the effect of complete feed blocks (CFB; concentrate and roughage at 70:30 ratio) with three different tanniniferous tree leaves on intake and utilization of nutrients, rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis and growth performance. The treatments were T1 (Control), CFB1 with Vigna sinensis hay; T2, CFB2 with Acacia nilotica leaves rich in hydrolysable tannins (HT); and T3, CFB3 with Ziziphus nummularia leaves rich in condensed tannins (CT). The three CFBs were fed ad libitum to the respective groups of lambs for a period of 12 weeks. There was lower (p < .05) intake of dry matter (DM), total carbohydrates (TCHO) and fibre components in T2 compared with T1 and T3. However, the digestibility of nutrients except crude protein (CP) was higher in T2. Diet had no effect (p > .05) on the LW gain in lambs. Amongst the three groups, T3 showed enhanced N utilization with a comparable microbial protein synthesis, the lowest being in T2. The T2 group of lambs had higher propionate and lower non-glucogenic: glucogenic short-chain fatty acids ratio. It may be concluded that tanniniferous tree leaves at 30% of total mixed ration can meet the requirement of nutrients for desired post-weaning growth.     

益生酵母在滩羊日粮中适宜添加量的研究

在精粗比为3∶7的滩羊日粮中,添加不同剂量的益生酵母(0,0.1%,0.3%,0.5%和0.7%)进行了体外批次培养,并应用单项组合效应值(SFAEI)和多项组合效应指数(MFAEI)对中性洗涤纤维(NDF)含量、氨氮(NH3-N)浓度、菌体蛋白(BCP)浓度、pH、产气量和总挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)浓度进行评定。单项组合效应值评定结果表明:NDF含量以添加量为0.1%组高于其他添加组,NH3-N浓度以0.3%组较高,BCP浓度以0.1%和0.3%组较高,pH以0.3%和0.5%组较高,产气量和总VFA浓度均以0.3%和0.7%组较高。多项指标综合评定结果表明:在精粗比为3∶7的日粮条件下,益生酵母在滩羊日粮中的适宜添加量为0.3%。     

牛至油对生长猪生产性能和养分表观消化率的影响

选用健康、体重25kg左右的荣×大×杜杂交猪60头,随机分到2个组,每组6个重复,每个重复5头猪,每圈为1个重复,研究添加牛至油对生长猪生产性能和养分消化率的影响。试验组在对照组的基础上添加100g/t的牛至油,测定猪的生产性能和养分表观消化率。试验结果表明,在生长猪日粮中添加100g/t的牛至油具有改善猪只生产性能、提高养分表观消化率的趋势,可降低单位增重饲料成本。     

Effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes supplementation on milk production and nutrient utilization in Murrah buffaloes

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of commercial exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (EFE) mixture added at 1.5 and 3.0 g (cellulase 4,000 μM glucose/g/h + xylanase 7,990 μM xylose/g/min; 50:50 w/w) per kilogram of dry matter (DM) of feed on nutrient digestibility, milk production, milk composition, and some blood constituents in lactating Murrah buffaloes. Eighteen buffaloes were allotted to three dietary treatments, on the basis of milk yield (8.48, 8.52, and 8.53 kg/day) and days in lactation (68.5, 80.33, and 82.00) for 90 days. The buffaloes were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) comprising of 45% chaffed wheat straw, 15% chopped green maize, and 40% concentrate on DM basis (control group), the same TMR plus EFE at 1.5 g/kg DM (T-1 group) and the same TMR plus EFE at 3.0 g/kg DM (T-2 group) supplemented through the concentrate mixture. There was no effect of fortifying EFE mixture on DM intake and crude protein intake (grams per day) whereas total digestible nutrients intake (kilogram per day) was higher by (P < 0.05) 12.53% in T-1 group over that of control, and there was no significant difference between T-2 and control groups. The average daily milk yield and 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) yield was higher (P < 0.05) by 12.99% and 15.17% in T-1 group as over that of control, and there was no difference between T-2 and control groups. There was no (P > 0.05) difference in blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen concentration in different experimental groups. It is concluded that supplementation of cellulase and xylanase mixture at 1.5 g/kg of DM of TMR containing wheat straw (45%), green maize (15%), and concentrate (40%) on DM basis significantly increased (P < 0.05) the average daily milk yield and FCM yield in Murrah buffaloes due to improved dietary fiber digestion.     

Effect of iodine supplementation on thyroid and testicular morphology and function in euthyroid rats

Seventy-five male weaner euthyroid rats, randomly divided into three equal groups were used to evaluate the effect of iodine supplementation in the diet on growth and spermatogenesis. From the age of six weeks, the rat groups were fed normal diet containing 0.05 mg iodine/Kg diet (A); normal diet supplemented with 0.5 mg/Kg iodine (B) and normal diet supplemented with 3.0 mg/Kg iodine for a period of 90 days. Thereafter, all three groups were fed the normal diet for another 60 days. Body weight and feed consumption were determined; morphomeric studies of thyroid glands, testes and epididymes were carried out. Spermatogenesis was evaluated with epididymal (ESC) and testicular sperm counts (TSC). Increasing iodine intake significantly (p < 0.05) decreased mean body weight from day 30 of supplementation. Iodine supplementation influenced feed conversion ratio and efficiency in feed utilization in an inconsistent pattern. Supplementation did not significantly (p > 0.05) alter the size of thyroid glands, but increased the mean weights of the testes and epididymes to levels significantly (p < 0.05) higher than values for non-supplemented rats at specific stages of the study, especially at the highest (3 ppm) level of iodine supplementation. However, supplementation resulted generally in lower sperm counts, which was significant (p < 0.05) in the case of the epididymes. The results of the study show that iodine supplementation to weaner, non-iodine deficient euthyroid rats at 3ppm not only retard weight gain but could also reduce fertility by lowering epididymal sperm counts.