Basilio Remo Floris

Effects of short-term feed restriction on milk yield and composition, and hormone and metabolite profiles in mid-lactation Sarda dairy sheep with different body condition score

Ten Sarda dairy ewes (5 with high Body Condition Score: H-BCS, BCS>2.5; BW 48.8±5.4 kg; 5 with low BCS: L-BCS, BCS<2.5; BW 36.2±4.7 kg) were subjected, after 7-day preliminary (Prel) period, to short-term feed restriction (FR, 50% of nutrient requirements) for three days followed by refeeding (Re-Fed, 100% requirements) for three days. Milk yield and composition (protein, fat, lactose, MUN, SCC, fatty acids), and blood parameters (glucose, NEFA, BUN, insulin, GH, IGF-I, leptin) were monitored. Milk yield decreased during FR in both BCS groups: at day 3 it was 38% and 35% of Prel values in H- BCS and L-BCS ewes, respectively, reaching Prel levels at Re-Fed in both groups. Milk fat concentration was influenced by BCS×sampling, increasing in H-BCS ewes during FR, but not varying in L-BCS ewes throughout the trial. During FR, milk protein increased as milk yield decreased. There was no change in milk urea nitrogen concentration during FR, but this decreased in both BCS groups during Re-Fed. FR modified the FA profile of milk fat in both BCS groups, increasing LCFA at the expense of SCFA and MCFA. Some blood parameters (NEFA, GH and IGF-I) were influenced by BCS, whereas almost all parameters were influenced by sampling. There was a rapid return to initial levels in all parameters except milk urea, blood urea and insulin at Re-Fed.

Does Vitamin E or Vitamin E plus Selenium improve reproductive performance of rams during hot weather

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Vitamin E (Vit E) and Selenium (Se) on semen quality, sexual activity, packed cell volume (PCV), and white blood cell counts (WBC) of Awassi rams during the hot season. Twelve Awassi rams were subdivided into three groups and treated for 90 days. Rams in the 1st group (T1) were treated twice weekly with 175 mg/ram vitamin E at intervals of 12h; rams in the 2nd group (T2) were treated on the same schedule with 70 mg/ram vitamin E plus 2800 mg selenium; and rams in 3rd group (T3) served as controls. Sperm quality (percentage of motile cells and percentage of morphologically normal cells) and quantity (sperm volume, and concentration) were recorded weekly. Sexual activity was tested by using the pen libido test at monthly intervals. Blood samples were taken before treatment and after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months. Semen quality was significantly affected by treatments: the ejaculate volume increased in T2 vs T1, and T3; mass activity and individual motility were increased in T1 and T2 vs T3. Sperm concentration was increased in T2 and T1 vs T3, and the percentage of dead and abnormal spermatozoa was reduced in T1 and T2 vs T3, though the differences were not statistically significant. Pen libido test showed reduced reaction time for the first mount in the 1st month in T2 and T1 vs T3. The number of serves was increased in groups T1 and T2 vs T3. There were no significant differences in PCV among groups. After 3 months from the beginning of treatments, the percentage of lymphocytes increased in T1 and T2 vs. T3, while the percentage of neutrophils was reduced in T2 vs T3 in the 2nd and 3rd months. The results of this experiment indicate that treatments with vitamin E alone or in combination with selenium improved semen characteristics and reproductive performance of Awassi rams during the hot season.

A six-year investigation on reproductive performance of hybrid rabbits. 1. Pregnancy rate and numerical productivity at weaning as affected by season

Abstract With the aim to clarify the effect of seasonal variation on reproductive performance of hybrid rabbits, a six-years investigation was carried out. Traits analysed were pregnancy rate of does and numerical productivity at weaning. The data set included: 33588 matings and subsequent pregnancy diagnosis; 245743 young rabbits at weaning. From the statistical analysis, pregnancy rate and numerical productivity at weaning appeared to be significantly (P<0.001) affected by seasonal variation. Furthermore a statistically significant (P<0.001) month influence was also found. Nevertheless a correlation between the two parameters needs to be performed to supplement our analysis.

Effects of fibre and non-fibre carbohydrate and level of intake on microbial protein yield in Sarda sheep

Abstract Three studies using Sarda dairy sheep in dry, mid-lactation and late-lactation were carried out. Forty ewes for each physiological stage were fed 8 complete pelleted diets, which differed from each other in NDF and NFC content and source. Based on their main ingredient, diets were denominated: corn meal (CM), wheat middlings (WM), corn flakes (CF), barley meal (BM), corn cobs (CC), beet pulp (BP), alfalfa (AA), and soybean hulls (SH). In each study, rumen microbial protein (MCP) synthesis was estimated measuring urinary purine derivatives. In dry sheep, MCP synthesis was not affected by diet, while in mid- and late-lactation sheep dietary effects were observed. In mid-lactation, the highest MCP production was found for BM and BP (171 and 166 g/d, respectively), while the lowest was observed with AA (63 g/d). In late-lactation, the highest MCP yield (146 g/d) was observed in BP, while the lowest were for SH and CM. MCP synthesis, for each diet, was higher in mid-lactation than in late-lactation, which in turn were higher than in the dry period. Dry matter intake (DMI) was positively associated to MCP. The MCP synthesis was best predicted by dietary energy (NEL) or digestible organic matter intake (dOMI).