Narayan Dutta

Effect of Simulated Heat Stress on Digestibility, Methane Emission and Metabolic Adaptability in Crossbred Cattle.

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of simulated heat stress on digestibility and methane (CH4) emission. Four non-lactating crossbred cattle were exposed to 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, and 40°C temperature with a relative humidity of 40% to 50% in a climatic chamber from 10:00 hours to 15:00 hours every day for 27 days. The physiological responses were recorded at 15:00 hours every day. The blood samples were collected at 15:00 hours on 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, and 21st days and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. After 21 days, fecal and feed samples were collected continuously for six days for the estimation of digestibility. In the last 48 hours gas samples were collected continuously to estimate CH4 emission. Heat stress in experimental animals at 35°C and 40°C was evident from an alteration (p<0.05) in rectal temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate, water intake and serum thyroxin levels. The serum lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activity and protein, urea, creatinine and triglyceride concentration changed (p<0.05), and body weight of the animals decreased (p<0.05) after temperature exposure at 40°C. The dry matter intake (DMI) was lower (p<0.05) at 40°C exposure. The dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were higher (p<0.05) at 35°C compared to 25°C and 30°C exposure whereas, organic matter (OM) and acid detergent fibre digestibilities were higher (p<0.05) at 35°C than 40°C thermal exposure. The CH4 emission/kg DMI and organic matter intake (OMI) declined (p<0.05) with increase in exposure temperature and reached its lowest levels at 40°C. It can be concluded from the present study that the digestibility and CH4 emission were affected by intensity of heat stress. Further studies are necessary with respect to ruminal microbial changes to justify the variation in the digestibility and CH4 emission during differential heat stress.

Dietary supplementation of a novel phytogenic feed additive: effects on nutrient metabolism, antioxidant status and immune response of goats

Fifteen adult Jamunapari goats (12–14 months; 18.83 ± 0.83 kg) were used to ascertain the effect of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) on nutrient utilisation, metabolic profile, antioxidant status and immune response. The goats, randomly assigned to three groups, were fed a standard diet supplemented with the PFA at 0 (CON), 2 (PFA-2) and 3 (PFA-3) % of feed intake for a period of 60 days. Bodyweight and feed intake were recorded. At the end of the experiment, a metabolism trial was conducted. Blood was collected at fortnightly intervals and used to assess blood metabolites, select hormones and erythrocytic antioxidant status. Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were also assessed. Although dietary use of PFA improved (P < 0.05) the digestibility of all the nutrients, supplementation of PFA did not impart any significant effect (P < 0.05) on dry matter intake or bodyweight changes. Nitrogen balance was higher (P < 0.05) in both the PFA groups compared with the CON. Most of the blood metabolites showed comparable values except for a lower (P < 0.05) aspartate aminotransferase activity in PFA-3. Serum cortisol reduced (P < 0.05) with PFA supplementation in a dose-dependent manner. The supplementation of PFA increased (P < 0.05) the activity of antioxidant enzymes viz. glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase at higher doses (PFA-3), but did not alter the non-enzymatic antioxidant indices. There was no influence of PFA on the cell-mediated or humoral immune responses. Overall, the results indicated the potential of the PFA for improvement in nutrient utilisation and antioxidant status in adult goats.

Effect of Condensed Tannins Supplementation from Tanniferous Tree Leaves on Methane Production and Efficiency of Microbial Biomass Production In vitro

Effect of graded levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0% of DM) of condensed tannins (CT) from tanniferous tree leaves of A. heterophyllus, E. jambolana, F. infectoria; F. glomerata and P. guajava supplementation on gas production, methane production, substrate degradation and efficiency of microbial biomass production was studied on wheat straw based substrate using in vitro gas production test. Gas volume in 24 hours (ml/200 mg) was reduced (26.59–22.74) significantly (P< 0.05) as the CT level increased from 1.0–3.0%. Methane produced in 24 hours (ml/g DM) was also reduced (22.90–18.34) significantly (P<0.05) with CT supplementation from 1.0–3.0% levels. Average CH4 (ml/g DM) produced in 24 hours was significantly higher in E. jambolana (22.45) followed by comparable CH4 production among F. infectoria, P. guajava and F. glomerata (20.65, 20.61 and 20.58) and lowest methane production in A. heterophyllus (18.36) leaves. The percent reduction in methane production was highest (P<0.05) in P. guajava (17.21) followed by F. infectoria, A. heterophyllus and E. jambolana (14.25, 8.98 and 6.64) and least CH4 reduction was evident in F. glomerata (3.36). Supplementation of CT at 1.0% level did not exert any adverse (P<0.05) effect on (46.96) truly degradable organic matter in rumen (TDOMR, %) irrespective of sources, however, CT levels from 1.5–3.0% significantly (P<0.05) reduced (43.50–40.18) the TDOMR (%). Efficiency of microbial biomass production (EMP) and partitioning factor (PF) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in A. heterophyllus (39.85 and 3.66). From present study it can be concluded that supplementation of condensed tannins from tanniferous tree leaves at 1 to 3% levels considerably reduces the gas production and methane production in in vitro gas production test.

Replacement value of undecorticated sunflower meal as a supplement for milk production by crossbred cows and buffaloes in the northern plains of India.

The replacement value of undecorticated sunflower meal (SFM) in the diets of dairy animals was assessed on-station and on-farm. Eighteen primiparous crossbred (Bos taurus×Bos indicus) cows (350.4±8.84 kg), randomly allocated to three groups, were used in the on-station study. The animals were fed on either a conventional concentrate supplement (control) or on an experimental concentrate, in which SFM replaced 25% (SFM-25) or 50% (SFM-50) of the CP in the control supplement. Green oats (Avena sativa) were supplied ad libitum. A metabolism trial conducted following 60 days of experimental feeding revealed that the intakes of DM, DCP and TDN were similar among the groups. The digestibilities of OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF were also without significant differences. All the groups were in positive nitrogen balance. Inclusion of SFM at either level had no effect on the intake, excretion or retention of nitrogen. The daily milk yield and its composition did not differ among the dietary treatments. Moreover, the efficiency of utilization of DOM and TDN for FCM production tended to reflect, although non-significantly, increasing levels of SFM inclusion. In the on-farm study, seven multiparous milking buffaloes belonging to six farmers were used to assess the effect of replacing 20% of the CP of the conventional supplement with SFM, in a predominantly crop residue-based diet. The study continued for 4 months and revealed that the average daily feed intake and milk production was similar in the control and SFM-fed groups. It was concluded that SFM can be effectively utilized as a cheaper replacement for costly oil cakes and wheat bran for economic milk production by smallholder farmers.

Acute bilateral ophthalmoplegia secondary to metastatic prostatic carcinoma. Demonstration on magnetic resonance imaging.

We report an unusual case of acute bilateral ophthalmoplegia secondary to bilateral cavernous sinus metastasis from prostatic adenocarcinoma. The lesion was demonstrated with magnetic resonance imaging.

Comparative digestibility of amino acids of maize, sorghum, finger millet and pearl millet in cockerels and Japanese quails

1. The objective of the present study was to determine the apparent digestibilities of amino acids of maize, low tannin sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in adult cockerels and Japanese quails. 2. Adult White Leghorn cockerels (25 weeks of age) and adult Japanese quails (15 weeks of age) were used to determine the apparent digestibilities of amino acids in cereal grains. 3. The digestibilities of amino acids in sorghum determined with quails were similar to cockerels, with the exception of histidine, which was significantly lower in quails. 4. In finger millet, the digestibilities of methionine and leucine were significantly higher, while that of histidine and cystine were significantly lower in adult quails than in adult cockerels. 5. The digestibilities of pearl millet amino acids were similar in quails and cockerels, except for that of histidine, which was significantly lower in quails. 6. Almost all the amino acids in maize, except histidine, had significantly higher digestibility values in quails than in cockerels. Histidine digestibility of all the 4 cereal grains was significantly lower in quails than in cockerels. 7. The amino acid digestibility values for certain cereal grains determined with cockerels do not support their use in formulating practical quail diets. The amino acid digestibility values of maize were underestimated by using cockerels while that of finger millet was overestimated.

Nutrient digestibility, hindgut metabolites and antioxidant status of dogs supplemented with pomegranate peel extract

The present study assessed the effect of dietary supplementation of pomegranate peel (methanolic) extract (PPE) on the nutrient digestibility, faecal fermentative metabolites and antioxidant status of dogs. Six medium-sized dogs of mixed breeds were allocated to two groups in a replicated cross-over design and fed a basal diet with and without supplementation of PPE at 50 mg/kg body weight. Each of the experimental periods consisted of 30 d, with a 21 d washout period in between. Results indicated that PPE supplementation led to no significant changes in nutrient digestibility except a trend of improvement (P = 0·070) in crude fibre digestibility. PPE supplementation significantly (P < 0·001) influenced faecal pH, ammonia and lactate production, indicative of positive effects of PPE polyphenols. PPE supplementation further increased faecal SCFA concentration accompanied by a reduction (P < 0·01) in branched-chain fatty acids. PPE supplementation also improved (P < 0·05) indices of erythrocytic antioxidants, namely reduced glutathione, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase together with an improvement in lipid peroxidation. Overall, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation with PPE at 50 mg/kg body weight had a positive impact on hindgut fermentation and antioxidant status in dogs, thereby demonstrating its potential as a gut health-promoting nutraceutical.

Comparative assessment of canine-origin Lactobacillus johnsonii CPN23 and dairy-origin Lactobacillus acidophillus NCDC 15 for nutrient digestibility, faecal fermentative metabolites and selected gut health indices in dogs

The present experiment was undertaken to validate a probiotic of canine origin for its potential use in dogs. A total of fifteen adult female Labrador dogs were allocated to three equal groups and fed a basal diet without probiotic (control) or with probiotic of either canine (Lactobacillus johnsonii CPN23; cPRO) or dairy (L. acidophilus NCDC 15; dPRO) origin for 9 weeks. The digestibility of most macronutrients remained similar among the groups; however, fibre digestibility was improved (P = 0·034) in dogs receiving cPRO. The faecal fermentative metabolites ammonia (P < 0·05) and lactate (P = 0·094) were altered favourably, indicating a positive influence of both probiotics. Faecal concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate were increased (P < 0·01) in both probiotic groups. However, improvements were higher in cPRO v. dPRO. The delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to intradermal inoculation of phytohaemagglutinin-P was higher (P = 0·053) in cPRO as compared with control. The antibody response to sheep erythrocytes was, however, similar across the three groups. Overall, in dogs, the canine-origin probiotic was superior when compared with the dairy-origin probiotic.

Effect of condensed tannins from Ficus infectoria and Psidium guajava leaf meal mixture on nutrient metabolism, methane emission and performance of lambs

Objective The study examined the effect of condensed tannins (CT) containing Ficus infectoria and Psidium guajava leaf meal mixture (LMM) supplementation on nutrient metabolism, methane emission and performance of lambs. Methods Twenty four lambs of ~6 months age (average body weight 10.1±0.60 kg) were randomly divided into 4 dietary treatments (CT-0, CT-1, CT-1.5, and CT-2 containing 0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 percent CT through LMM, respectively) consisting of 6 lambs each in a completely randomized design. All the lambs were offered a basal diet of wheat straw ad libitum, oat hay (100 g/d) along with required amount of concentrate mixture to meet their nutrient requirements for a period of 6 months. After 3 months of experimental feeding, a metabolism trial of 6 days duration was conducted on all 24 lambs to determine nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. Urinary excretion of purine derivatives and microbial protein synthesis were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Respiration chamber study was started at the mid of 5th month of experimental feeding trial. Whole energy balance trials were conducted on individual lamb one after the other, in an open circuit respiration calorimeter. Results Intake of dry matter and organic matter (g/d) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in CT-1.5 than control. Digestibility of various nutrients did not differ irrespective of treatments. Nitrogen retention and microbial nitrogen synthesis (g/d) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in CT-1.5 and CT-2 groups relative to CT-0. Total body weight gain (kg) and average daily gain (g) were significantly (linear, p<0.01) higher in CT-1.5 followed by CT-1 and CT-0, respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) by lambs was significantly (linear, p<0.01) better in CT-1.5 followed by CT-2 and CT-0, respectively. Total wool yield (g; g/d) was linearly (p<0.05) higher for CT-1.5 than CT-0. Methane emission was linearly decreased (p<0.05) in CT groups and reduction was highest (p<0.01) in CT-2 followed by CT-1.5 and CT-1. Methane energy (kcal/d) was linearly decreased (p<0.05) in CT groups. Conclusion The CT supplementation at 1% to 2% of the diet through Ficus infectoria and Psidium guajava LMM significantly improved nitrogen metabolism, growth performance, wool yield, FCR and reduced methane emission by lambs.

Comparative Efficacy of Anthelmintic and Condensed Tannins on Intake, Nutrient Metabolism and Growth Performance of Naturally Infected Lambs

This study examined the comparative efficacy of anthelmintic and condensed tannins (CT) on growth and nutrient utilization in lambs. Muzaffarnagari lambs (n=18) with natural GI infection were randomly divided into three equal groups: CON (Control), DW (Dewormed) and CT (Condensed-tannin treated) in a completely randomized block design. In DW group, lambs were treated with broad-spectrum anthelmintic at the onset of experiment. The lambs in CON and DW groups were given a standard total mixed ration (TMR); whereas, the CT group, the lambs were fed a CT-based TMR having 1.5% CT through Ficus infectoria leaves. The feeding-cum-growth trial lasted for a period of 120d. A metabolism trial of 6d duration was conducted after 90d of experimental feeding. Feeding of CT diet (P 0.05) among the groups. Total-N intake by lambs was higher (P<0.05) in CT group as compared to control. Feeding of CT based TMR reduced (P<0.02) urinary-N excretion as compared to DW and CON groups. Similarly, N-retention was higher (P<0.02) in CT group followed by DW and CON groups. Daily intake of DCP and TDN was higher (P<0.07) in CT group as compared to CON group. The net BW gain and ADG were higher (P<0.01) in CT group followed by DW and CON groups. Feed conversion ratio was better (P<0.07) in CT group as compared to CON. Overall, it is concluded that feeding of CT based TMR significantly improved feed intake, nitrogen retention and growth performance of lambs with natural GI infections.