Effect of varying ruminally degradable to ruminally undegradable protein ratio on nutrient intake, digestibility and N metabolism in Nili Ravi buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Four Nili-Ravi buffalo calves (100 ± 4 kg) were used in 4 × 4 Latin Square Design to evaluate the influence of varying ruminally degradable protein (RDP) to ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) ratio on dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility and nitrogen (N) metabolism. Four experimental diets A, B, C and D were formulated to contain RDP:RUP of 70:30, 65:35, 60:40 and 55:45, respectively. The calves were fed ad libitum. Dry matter intake by calves fed C diet was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed D diet and lower (P < 0.05) than calves fed A diet, however, it was similar to those fed B diet. There was a linear decrease (P < 0.01) in DMI with decreasing the RDP to RUP ratio. Similar trend was noticed in crude protein (CP) intake. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was significantly different across all treatment. The decrease in CP and NDF intake was due to decreasing trend of DMI. Dry matter (DM) digestibility in calves fed A and B diets was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed C and D diets. A linear decrease (P < 0.01) in DM digestibility was observed with decreasing the RDP to RUP ratio. Crude protein digestibility remained unaltered across all treatments. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was higher in calves fed A and B diets than those fed C and D diets. Higher NDF digestibility in calves fed A and B diets was due to higher level of dietary RDP that might resulted in higher ruminal ammonia concentration which stimulate activity of cellulytic bacteria and ultimately increased NDF digestibility. The N retention (g/d) was similar among the calves fed B, C and D diets, however, it was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed A diet. Decreasing the RDP to RUP ratio resulted in linear increase (P < 0.01) in N retention. The N retention, as percent of N intake was significantly different across all treatments. Decreasing RDP to RUP ratio resulted in linear increase (P < 0.01) in N retention, as percent of N intake. A similar trend was noticed in N retention, as percentage of N digestion. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration in calves fed B diet was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed D diet and was lower (P < 0.05) than those fed A diet, however, it was not different from calves fed C diet. Decreasing dietary RDP to RUP ratio resulted in linear decrease (P < 0.05) in BUN concentrations. The decrease in BUN concentration was because of decreasing level of dietary RDP. The N retention can be increased by decreasing RDP to RUP ratio in the diet of growing buffalo calves and diet containing RDP to RUP ratio 55:45 is considered optimum regarding N retention in buffalo calves.     

Physical and chemical characteristics of soil from tiger shrimp aquaculture ponds at Malacca,Malaysia

Soil physicochemical properties of the growout ponds of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) were examined in relation to shrimp yields for one production cycle. The culture ponds were old (>5 years) and new (newly constructed) types. Soil texture was silty clay with low sand content and high proportion of clay for both the pond types with alkaline soil pH (7.87–9.71). Organic matter (OM) concentration was higher (7.48 ± 0.01%) in old ponds and positively related (r = 0.58, P < 0.05) with total nitrogen (TN). The major cations (Ca, Mg, and Na) were higher in the soil of old ponds and did not fluctuate significantly during culture. The majority of trace elements, i.e., Fe (349.22 ± 35.7 ppm), Mn (56.19 ± 30.2 ppm), Zn (88.56 ± 8.09 ppm), Al (454.3 ± 200.6), Pb (1.3 ± 0.96 ppm), Co (3.4 ± 0.2), V (6.56 ± 1.79 ppm), Cr (19.32 ± 0.63 ppm), Ti (82.78 ± 54.3 ppm), As (5.60 ± 0.28 ppm), Ag (0.38 ± 0.5 ppm), and Sb (3.89 ± 0.48 ppm) were found to be higher in new pond soils than the old ponds. Except for soil manganese, no major fluctuations in trace elements were observed during the culture period. Shrimp growth was not significantly different in the two types of ponds, and no distinct correlation between shrimp growth and element content of soils could be drawn. The results indicate that shrimp pond age may not affect production of shrimp if soils are properly managed pre- and postculture. The differences in production in different ponds might be the result of management practice such as quality of shrimp post larvae, pond preparation, water and feed quality, and available live feed in the pond bottom or other environmental factors like water nutrients and physicochemical parameters.     

The present situation of freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) in Turkey

The only native crayfish species in Turkey, Astacus leptodactylus, is widely distributed in lakes and ponds in many parts of the country. Its distribution area was considerably expanded in Turkey after 1985 because of its commercial importance and declined catches from traditional good fisheries. Although consumption of A. leptodactylus has always been very low in Turkey, it was exported to western Europe until 1986. Due to over-fishing, pollution and a disease (crayfish plague), the total production decreased dramatically to 200 from 5000 tonnes annually. In recent years (1991–1998), there has been a gradual increase in the production of crayfish in Turkey from 320 to 1500 tonnes, but plague is still present.     

The effect of Zingiber Officinale Extract on Preventing Demyelination of Corpus Callosum in a Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Background:Multiple sclerosis is the most prevalent neurological disability of young adults. Anti-inflammatory drugs have relative effects on MS. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of Zingiber officinale (ginger) have been proven in some experimental and clinical investigations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ginger extract on preventing myelin degradation in a rat model of MS. Methods: Forty nine male Wistar rats were used in this study and divided into four control groups: the normal group, cuprizone-induced group, sham group (CPZ + NaCMC), standard control group (fingolimod + cuprizone), including three experimental groups of CPZ, each receiving three different doses of ginger extract: 150, 300, and 600mg/kg /kg/day.Results:Ginger extract of 600 mg/kg prevented CC from demyelination; however, a significant difference was observed in the fingolimod group (p < 0.05). Difference in the CPZ group was quite significant (p < 0.05).Conclusion:Treatment with ginger inhibited demyelination and alleviated remyelination of corpus callosum in rats. Therefore, it could serve as a therapeutic agent in the MS.Key Words: Corpus callosum, Demyelination, Ginger extract, Multiple sclerosis, Rat