M.S. Awawdeh

Alternative feedstuffs and their effects on performance of Awassi sheep: a review

Fat-tailed sheep (FTS) is a group of breeds characterized by large (fatty) tails that it is commonly distributed in Africa, Middle East, Pakistan, and to a lesser extent in other countries. Awassi, a common FTS breed in many Mediterranean countries, is adaptive and suitable to live in harsh conditions of the arid and semiarid areas. One of the main constraints for sheep industry in those areas is the limited supply and variable quality and quantity of feedstuffs. Using several alternative feedstuffs (AF) has been a common practice to decrease production cost of Awassi sheep industry in those areas. The appropriate AF to be used is determined by several animal and feed factors. These AF includes, but not limited to, unconventional feedstuffs, agricultural byproducts, and agro-industrial byproducts. A good body of literature about the use of AF and the effects of such use on performance of Awassi sheep is available. Some of these AF have been shown to be safely used in Awassi diets with no detrimental effects on sheep performance or health and, thus, recommended to lower the production cost. Other AF has controversial effects and recommendations. This paper reviews the effects of using AF on performance of Awassi ewes and lambs. Effects on intake, nutrient digestibilities, growth rate, and carcass characteristics of lambs and on intake, nutrient digestibilities, body weight change, milk yield, and milk composition of ewes will be emphasized. Recommendations and limitations for using AF will also be briefly discussed.

Treated Olive Cake as a Non-forage Fiber Source for Growing Awassi Lambs: Effects on Nutrient Intake, Rumen and Urine pH, Performance, and Carcass Yield.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of partial replacement of wheat hay with sun-dried (SOC) or acid-treated SOC (ASOC) olive cake on nutrient intake and performance of Awassi lambs. An additional objective was to study the effects of acid treatment of olive cake (OC) on its chemical composition and nutritive value. On DM basis, sun-drying of OC did not dramatically affect its chemical composition. On the other hand, treating SOC with phosphoric acid decreased (p<0.05) SOC contents of neutral detergent fiber. Twenty seven male lambs (17.6±0.75 kg body weight) individually housed in shaded pens were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments (9 lambs/treatment). Dietary treatments were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous by replacing 50% of wheat hay in the control diet (CTL) with SOC or ASOC and to meet all nutrient requirements. Dietary treatments had no effects on nutrient intake or digestibility except for ether extract. Lambs fed the SOC diet had (p = 0.05) faster growth rate, greater final body weight, and greater total body weight gain in comparison with the CTL diet, but not different from the ASOC diet. Additionally, lambs fed the SOC diet had greater (p = 0.03) hot and cold carcass weights than the ASOC diet, but not different from the CTL diet. However, feed conversion ratios and dressing percentages were similar among dietary treatments. In conclusion, replacing half of dietary wheat hay with SOC improved performance of Awassi lambs with no detrimental effects on nutrients intake or digestibility. No further improvements in the nutritive value of SOC and lambs performance were detected when SOC was treated with acid.

Blood and milk status of vitamin E, vitamin A, and selenium in nursing Awassi ewes injected with vitamin E and selenium

Abstract This study investigated the effects of vitamin E and selenium (Se) injections on concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin A, and Se in blood and milk to predict when injections may improve ewes’ performance. Awassi ewes received 0 (control, 13 ewes) or 15 plus 0.05 mg/kg BW of vitamin E and Se (injected, 15 ewes) at 1 and 4 weeks postpartum. Blood and milk samples were collected weekly for 6 weeks. Injections increased vitamin E, decreased Se, and had no effects on vitamin A levels in blood. Blood vitamin E was correlated positively with vitamin A. Injections increased vitamin E, but had no effects on vitamin A or Se levels in milk. Milk vitamin A was positively correlated with vitamin E and Se levels in the control group. Milk vitamins E and A were positively correlated with their corresponding levels in blood. Milk somatic cell count was negatively correlated with blood vitamin A levels.

Rumen-protected methionine and lysine: effects on milk production and plasma amino acids of dairy cows with reference to metabolisable protein status.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of rumen-protected Met (RPM) alone or with rumen-protected Lys (RPL) on milk yield and plasma amino acids of dairy cows. In experiment 1, 24 multiparous Holstein cows (154 DIM) were assigned to one of 3 groups where each cow received 0 g/d of RPM and RPL (C), 30 g/d of RPM (M), or 30 g/d of RPM plus 25 g of RPL (ML). The study lasted for 8 weeks where milk yield and composition were determined weekly. Daily milk yield averaged 28·0, 27·8, and 29·7 kg/cow for the C, M, and ML groups, respectively. Dietary treatments had no effects (P ≥ 0·54) on milk contents of fat, lactose, solid non-fat or total solids. Milk protein content in the ML group was greater (P < 0·05) than the C and M groups. Plasma levels of all AA were not significantly (P ≥ 0·09) affected by supplemental RPL and/or RPM. In experiment 2, 30 multiparous Holstein cows (100 DIM) were assigned to one of 3 groups where each cow received 0 g/d of RPM and RPL (C), 50 g/d of RPM (M), or 50 g/d of RPM plus 25 g/d of RPL (ML). The study lasted for 5 weeks. Cows in the M (30·5 kg) and ML (31·4 kg) groups produced (P < 0·05) more milk than those of the C group (29·1 kg). Under conditions of this study, RPM plus RPL improved milk yield and protein contents of dairy cows and was better than supplying RPM alone. Response in milk yield to RPM and RPL was affected by the MP status of cows which deserves further investigation.

Effects of replacing soybean meal with xylose-treated soybean meal on performance of nursing Awassi ewes and fattening lambs

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal with xylose-treated soybean meal (soypass meal; SPM) on performance of nursing Awassi ewes and fattening lambs. In Experiment 1, lasting for eight weeks, 39 Awassi ewes and their lambs were randomly assigned to three diets. Diets were formulated by replacing soybean meal from the basal diet (CON-SBM; n=13) with 50% (50% SPM; n=13) and 100% (100% SPM; n=13) SPM. Initial and final weights of the ewes were not different (P>0.55) among diets. Total gain and average daily gain (ADG) of lambs were similar (P=0.44) among diets. Ewes fed the CON-SBM diet tended (P<0.09) to have lower milk yields than those fed the 50% SPM and 100% SPM diets. No differences (P>0.38) in milk component percentages among diets were observed. In Experiment 2, lasting for 63 days, twenty weaned lambs were used to determine the effects of replacing soybean meal with SPM on growth performance. Diets were either soybean meal (SBM; n=10) or SPM (SPM; n=10). Nutrient intake and digestibility were not different between diets. However, rumen undegradable protein intake was greater (P<0.05) for the SPM diet than for the SBM diet. Final body weight, ADG and the feed conversion ratio were similar (P>0.05) between the diets. Results suggest that replacement of soybean meal with soypass meal is not likely to produce any production benefits in nursing Awassi ewes and fattening lambs except for the slight improvement of milk yield.

Histopathological effects of alternative feedstuffs (sesame hulls and Prosopis juliflora) on ruminal walls in black goat kids in Jordan

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the histopathological effects of alternative feedstuffs on ruminal walls and, subsequently, the impact on growth performance of black goat kids in Jordan. Male goat kids (n = 62, BW = 17.1 ± 2.0 kg, age = 120 ± 5 days) housed in individual pens were randomly assigned to one of seven diets for 84 days. Treatment diets were prepared by partially replacing barley in the control diet (CTL; n = 9) with different levels (10%, 15%, or 20%) of Prosopis juliflora pods (JP; n = 26) or partially replacing barley and soybean meal in the control diet with different levels of P. juliflora pods (10%, 15%, or 20%) plus sesame hulls (20%, 15%, or 10%; PJSH; n = 27). All kids were slaughtered and sections from ruminal walls were examined for vacuolar degeneration, dysplasia, hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, stunting, submucosal inflammation, submucosal oedema, erosions, lymphangiectasia, and ulcers. Dietary treatments had no effects on all studied histopathological changes. The growth rate of kids was negatively correlated (P ≤ .05) with submucosal oedema and inflammation. However, the severity of submucosal oedema and inflammation was not affected by dietary treatments. Alternative feedstuffs had no detrimental histopathological effects on ruminal walls of goat kids.

Effects of intramammary infusion of sage (Salvia officinalis) essential oil on milk somatic cell count, milk composition parameters and selected hematology and serum biochemical parameters in Awassi sheep with subclinical mastitis

Aim: The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of intramammary infusion of sage (Salvia officinalis) essential oil (EO) on milk somatic cell count (SCC), milk composition parameters and selected hematology and serum biochemical parameters in 20 Awassi ewes affected with subclinical mastitis. Materials and Methods: The dried leaves of sage were used to extract the EO by hydrodistillation. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of sage EO against Staphylococcus aureus were determined by the broth dilution method. Ewes were divided randomly into three main groups and received one of the following treatments; Group 1 (n=5): Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) alone (5 ml; 0.2 ml of DMSO in 4.8 ml of saline), Group 2 (n=5): Amoxicillin alone (3 ml), and Group 3 (n=10): Sage EO (5 ml of sage EO solution [0.2 ml DMSO+1 ml EO+3.8 ml sterile saline]). All treatments were administered by intramammary infusion into each teat twice per day for 3 consecutive days. Milk samples for SCC and milk components determination and whole blood samples for hematology and serum biochemical analyses were collected before treatment (T0) and at 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) h after the last treatment. Results: The MIC and MBC of sage EO against S. aureus were 12.5% and 6.1%, respectively. SCC was decreased significantly (p<0.05) at T24 and T48 h in sage EO and amoxicillin treated groups. Milk fat and lactose were increased significantly (p<0.05) in sage EO and amoxicillin treated ewes while no significant changes were observed in the percentages of solids-not-fat, protein and total solids. No significant effects of sage EO treatment on any of the hematology or serum biochemical parameters were observed. There were no local or systemic side effects observed in any of the treated ewes. However, further clinical trials are warranted to determine safety and possible withdrawal times in milk before its recommendation for use in organic operations. Conclusion: In this study, the intramammary infusion of sage EO to ewes affected with subclinical mastitis resulted in a significant decrease in SCC 24 h and 48 h posttreatment. In addition, milk fat and lactose were increased in animals that received the EO as well as in those treated with the antibiotic.

Effects of a Single Intramuscular Injection of Vitamin K on the Hematology, Serum Biochemistry and Coagulation Parameters in Healthy Adult Dairy Cows

Abstract Vitamin K1 is commonly administered to dairy cattle suffering from uncontrollable hemorrhage and to cattle with known deficiency of vitamin K dependent coagulation factors. However, a review of recent literature concludes the absence of available information regarding the safety and effects of this drug in dairy cattle. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the safety and effects of a single intramuscular injection of vitamin K1 (2.5 mg/kg) on various clinical, hematological, serum biochemical and coagulation parameters in adult Holstein dairy cows. Six adult Holstein dairy cows were injected a single intramuscular dose of vitamin K1. Cows were then clinically monitored for 24 hours after drug administration for any abnormal behavioral activities. The heart rate, respiration rate, rectal temperature, and rumen motility were also reported before and at each follow-up check point after administration of the drug. Whole blood samples were collected before and again at 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes and at 24 hours after drug administration. Hematology and serum biochemistry parameters were evaluated to detect any systemic effects. Selected coagulation parameters including the activated partial thromboplastine time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), D-dimers, platelets count, and fibrinogen concentrations were determined to evaluate the effect of the drug on coagulation mechanisms. There were no abnormal clinical, pathological, or behavioral activities associated with the drug administration in all cows. In the coagulation profile, there was a significant increase in platelets counts starting from 15 minutes after administration and throughout the observation period. Other coagulation parameters were not significantly changed.

Effects of energy level on methionine utilization by growing steers

We evaluated the effect of energy supplementation on Met use in growing steers. Six ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (228 +/- 8 kg of BW) were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square and fed 2.8 kg of DM/d of a diet based on soybean hulls. Treatments were abomasal infusion of 2 amounts of Met (0 or 3 g/d) and supplementation with 3 amounts of energy (0, 1.3, or 2.6 Mcal of GE/d) in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. The 1.3 Mcal/d treatment was supplied through ruminal infusion of 90 g/d of acetate, 90 g/d of propionate, and 30 g/d of butyrate, and abomasal infusion of 30 g/d of glucose and 30 g/d of fat. The 2.6 Mcal/d treatment supplied twice these amounts. All steers received basal infusions of 400 g/d of acetate into the rumen and a mixture (125 g/d) containing all essential AA except Met into the abomasum. No interactions between Met and energy levels were observed. Nitrogen balance was increased (P < 0.05) by Met supplementation from 23.6 to 27.8 g/d, indicating that protein deposition was limited by Met. Nitrogen retention increased linearly (P < 0.05) from 23.6 to 27.7 g/d with increased energy supply. Increased energy supply also linearly reduced (P < 0.05) urinary N excretion from 44.6 to 39.7 g/d and reduced plasma urea concentrations from 2.8 to 2.1 mM. Total tract apparent OM and NDF digestibilities were reduced linearly (P < 0.05) by energy supplementation, from 78.2 and 78.7% to 74.3 and 74.5%, respectively. Whole-body protein synthesis and degradation were not affected significantly by energy supplementation. Energy supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) serum IGF-I from 694 to 818 ng/mL and quadratically increased (P < 0.05) serum insulin (0.38, 0.47, and 0.42 ng/mL for 0, 1.3, and 2.6 Mcal/d, respectively). In growing steers, N retention was improved by energy supplementation, even when Met limited protein deposition, suggesting that energy supplementation affects the efficiency of AA use.