Nitin Tyagi

Effect of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched diet on plasma IGF-1 and testosterone concentration, puberty and semen quality in male buffalo

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA enriched diet on plasma IGF-1 and testosterone concentrations, puberty, sperm fatty acid profile and semen quality in male buffalo. Eighteen male buffalo calves were distributed randomly in three different groups and fed concentrate mixture along with green fodder and wheat straw in 50:40:10 ratios as per requirements. Basis ration of animals in group I was supplemented with 4% of prilled fat (PFA), while in group II and group III were added 4.67% of Calcium salt from Soybean (CaSFA) and Linseed oil (CaLFA), respectively. Male buffalo fed omega-3 PUFA high diet significantly increased concentrations of IGF-1 and testosterone in plasma as compared to two other diets (p<0.05). The age of puberty and scrotal circumference significantly increased by dietary fat effect (p<0.05) of which n-3 PUFA enriched diet (CaLFA) had the largest influence as compared to other diets (PFA and CaSFA). Feeding of n-3 PUFA rich diet significantly increased the DHA (C22:6n-3) content in sperm (p<0.05), which contributed to increased fluidity of plasma membrane, elevated quality of sperm (motility, viability) and in vitro fertility (plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity) in both fresh and post-thawing semen. These findings indicate that feeding of n-3 PUFA enriched diet increased IGF-1 and testosterone secretion, reduced pubertal age and improved both fresh and post-thawing semen quality in male buffalo.

Effect of ammonia fiber expansion on the available energy content of wheat straw fed to lactating cattle and buffalo in India

The seasonal lack of availability of lush green forages can force dairy farmers in developing nations to rely on crop residues such as wheat and rice straw as the major feed source. We tested whether ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) treatment of wheat straw would increase the energy available to Murrah buffalo and Karan-Fries cattle consuming 70% of their diet as wheat straw in India. Forty lactating animals of each species were blocked by parity and days in milk and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment diets (n = 10). Treatments were a nutrient-rich diet with 0 to 20% straw (positive control; PC) and 3 high-straw diets with various levels of AFEX-treatment: (1) 70% untreated straw (no AFEX), (2) 40 to 45% untreated straw with 25 to 30% AFEX-treated straw (low AFEX), and (3) 20% untreated straw with 50% AFEX-treated straw (high AFEX). The AFEX-treated straw was pelleted. Urea was added to the no and low AFEX diets so they were isonitrogenous with the high AFEX diet. Animals were individually fed the PC diet for 14 d followed by 7 d of adaptation to treatments, full treatments for 28 to 35 d, and finally PC diets for 21 d. Compared with buffalo fed the PC diet, those fed high-straw diets consumed 29% less feed dry matter, put out 16% less milk energy, and lost 0.8 kg/d more body weight; the AFEX treatment of straw did not alter intake or milk production but greatly ameliorated the body weight loss (-1.0 kg/d for no AFEX and -0.07 kg/d for high AFEX). In Karan-Fries cattle, high-straw diets decreased dry matter intake by 39% and milk energy by 24%, and the high AFEX diet increased intake by 42% and milk energy by 18%. The AFEX treatment increased digestibilities of organic matter, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and crude protein by 6 to 13 percentage points in buffalo and 5 to 10 points in cattle. In conclusion, AFEX treatment increased the digestibility and energy availability of wheat straw for lactating buffalo and cattle and has commercial potential to improve milk production and feed efficiency when high-quality forages or grains are not available.

Influence of Levels of Metabolisable Protein in the Ration on Nutrient Utilization and Lactation Performance in Murrah Buffaloes

The present study was conducted to ascertain the effects of feeding varying levels of metabolisable protein on the nutrient utilization and production performance in Murrah buffaloes. Sixteen Murrah buffaloes in advanced stage of pregnancy (40–50 d before parturition) were divided into 3 groups on the basis of most probable production ability (MPPA) and lactation number. Duration of feeding trial was 130 days (40 days pre-partum to 90 days post-partum period. The animals were fed 3 different diets as low metabolizable protein (LMP), medium metabolizable protein (MMP) and high metabolizable protein (HMP) at MP levels of 85, 100 and 115% of ICAR (2013) recommendations, respectively, however, the diets had similar metabolisable energy (ME) content. The intakes of DM, ME and TDN were similar in all the experimental groups. The CP and MP intakes before and after calving were higher (P<0.05) in HMP followed by MMP and LMP groups. The digestibility of DM, OM, EE, NDF and ADF was similar in 3 groups whereas the digestibility of CP was higher (P<0.05) in HMP compared to LMP groups. Milk yield efficiency (kg/kg DMI), 6% FCM and FCM production efficiency were lower on feeding low MP diet. There was no significant change in the concentrations of β-HBA, glucose and IGF-1 on varying MP intake. Hence, feeding 75% lower MP than ICAR, 2013 recommendation in the ration decreased milk production and CP digestibility.

Yield and Quality of Multicut Fodder Sorghum as Affected by Nutrient Levels and Biofertilizer Application

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of nutrient level and biofertilizer on yield and quality of multicut fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three multicut fodder sorghum varieties (CSH 20MF, CSH 24MF and CO(FS) 29) in the main plot and five levels of nutrients (Control, N90P40, N90P40 + BF, N60P40 + BF and N30P20 + biofertilizer (BF)) as subplot treatments with three replications. The higher green fodder yield was obtained with CO(FS)29 variety at N90P40 + BF nutrient level. Among the varieties, maximum DM contents (25.34%) and yield (212.76 q/ha) were obtained for variety CO(FS)29 while in respect to nutrient level, the highest DM content (24.74%) and yield (158.44 q/ha) were recorded with N90P40 + BF level of fertilization. The CP and EE level of three cuts was at par with respect to varieties while the maximum yield was found for variety CO(FS)29. The highest CP and EE content (8.37 and 2.37%, respectively) was obtained at N90P40 + BF. Total ash content was higher by 16.93 and 20.38, 62.68% and 56.15% in variety CO(FS)29 over CSH 24MF and CSH 20MF, respectively. Among nutrient levels, higher total ash (10.76%) was estimated at N90P40 + BF level. The total carbohydrate and cell soluble content was recorded highest in control and N90P40 + BF, respectively, While higher NDF and ADF content was estimated in CSH 20MF and CO(FS)29 variety, respectively over control treatment. CO (FS)29 was the most promising because of higher green fodder, dry matter and nutrient yield than CSH 20MF and CSH 24MF.

Development and quality evaluation of health-promoting functional carabeef cookies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and to assess quality characteristics of functional carabeef cookies. Design/methodology/approach Carabeef cookies were prepared with incorporation of 50 percent carabeef powder in a pre-standardized formulation and then were baked at 150-160°C for 35-40 minutes. Developed functional carabeef cookies were incorporated with 50 percent carabeef powder, 10 percent orange pulp fiber as natural fiber source, 1.5 percent guar gum as fat replacer and 20 percent of sodium caseinate as sugar replacer. Cookies were analyzed for various physical properties, proximate parameters physcio-chemical properties, instrumental textural properties, color values, sensory evaluation and complete profile estimation in terms of minerals and fatty acids analysis. Findings Functional carabeef cookies had 4.48 times higher protein, 6.13 times higher IDF, 5.47 times higher SDF and 4.47 times higher TDF as compared to normal refined wheat flour (RWF) cookies. Functional carabeef cookies had 34.58 percent lower fat, 19.95 percent less cholesterol and 12.5 percent lower energy content as compared to normal RWF cookies. Social implications Functional carabeef cookies had comparatively higher mineral content as well as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in a desirable ratio. Health-promoting functional carabeef cookies might be a magnificent option to overcome the problem of malnutrition, quite prevalent among lower socio-economical strata people specifically children and women. Originality/value Health-promoting functional carabeef cookies had higher nutritional content and acceptability, and thus could be commercialized to improve socio-economic status and health of consumers.

Significance of Probiotics as Feed Additives in Livestock and Poultry Nutrition

A number of feed additives such as antibiotics, probiotics, oligosaccharides, enzymes and organic acids have been used in livestock feeds for improving productivity and maintaining gut eubiosis. Antibiotics have been widely used in livestock diets, however, development of antimicrobial resistance to these antibiotics urged scientists to find viable alternatives to the use of antibiotics that could enhance the productivity as well as natural defense mechanisms of animals. Probiotics are technically viable alternatives to antibiotics in livestock feed. Probiotics are the live culture of host-friendly microbes which upon ingestion exert health effects to the host. Probiotics have been established as a good alternative which can enhance intestinal health by stimulating the development of a healthy microbiota (predominated by beneficial bacteria), competing with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients in the gut, preventing enteric pathogens from colonizing the intestine, increasing digestive capacity and lowering the pH and altering mucosal immunity. Moreover, nutritional intervention through probiotics supplementation seems be a natural and holistic strategy to combat such challenges. The beneficial response to probiotics supplementation seems to be affected by both source and dose of probiotics supplemented in particular species. The present review is an attempt to explore the use of different probiotics in livestock feed and thetr probable mode of actions through which they exhibit their beneficial effects in animals.

Effect of Different Bypass Fat Sources on Nutrient Utilization, Blood Parameters and Growth in Male Murrah Buffalo Calves

Eighteen animals were divided into three groups of 6 animals each in a completely randomized design to study the effect of different rumen protected fat sources on utilization of nutrients, blood parameters and growth in male buffalo calves. All animals were fed with concentrate mixture, green fodder and wheat straw in 50: 40: 10 ratio as per requirements. Prilled fat (PFA) treatment was supplemented with rumen protected palm oil at level of 4% of concentrate mixture on DM basis while soybean fed group (CaSFA) and linseed oil (CaLFA) treatments were supplemented with 4.67% of calcium salt of soyabean oil and linseed oil, respectively. Dietary protected fat sources did not influence the nutrient intake and growth of animals. No significant effect was observed on digestibility of nutrients except that EE and OM digestibility was higher in CaSFA and CaLFA group as compared with PFA group. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) added to diet significantly affected (P<0.05) plasma malondialdehyde and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level. Mean scrotal circumference improved in buffalo fed CaSFA and CaLFA as compared to PFA. It might be concluded that dietary supplementation of rumen protected fat sources rich in PUFA resulted in the improvement in digestibility of EE and OM. It also increased IGF-1 level and scrotal circumference in male buffalo calves as compared saturated fatty acid rich diet.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND PLASMA METABOLIC PROFILE OF LABRADOR PUPS

The present study was conducted to compare the effect of Lactic acid Bacillus and Yeast on the growth performance of Labrador pups. Twelve Labrador pups (3.5 months age, around 9.7 kg B.Wt) was assigned three dietary treatments of control diet T1 (Balanced Homemade diet), T2 (Control diet + Lactic acid bacillus) and T3 (Control diet + Yeast). The duration of experiment was 90 days. A digestibility trial was conducted at the mid of experiment. The results of digestibility studies revealed no significant difference on the digestibility of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE, NFE and NDF among treatment groups. The body weight gain was also statistically same in all the groups. All the blood parameters were within physiological limits and did not differ significantly except Total Protein level at 60 day in T2. The results conclusively indicated no significant effect of supplementing lactic acid bacteria and yeast on growth performance of pups under present experimental conditions.

Effect of Bypass Fat and Niacin Supplementation on the Productive Performance and Blood Profile of Lactating Crossbred Cows under Field Conditions

A 120d field study was conducted on crossbred lactating cows to evaluate the production economics of supplemental bypass fat and niacin. Eighteen animals were randomly divided into two equal groups. The control group was fed wheat straw, concentrate mixture, bread waste, biscuit waste, mixed green fodder and baby corn waste while the treatment group received the same ration with additional 200g bypass fat and 12g niacin daily. Results of the in vitro evaluation of the feed ingredients indicated that the net gas production (ml/200 mg DM) was similar in all the ingredients but the biscuit waste had highest truely degradable organic matter (TDOM). The concentrate mixture showed the highest microbial biomass production (MBP) and efficiency of MBP. The production data indicated that animals supplemented with bypass fat and niacin produced more milk (P<0.06) with better persistency and feed efficiency (P<0.05), higher milk fat (P<0.05), and exhibited more EE digestibility (P<0.01), blood glucose (P<0.01) and total cholesterol (P<0.01). The supplementation improved weight gain and conception rate. The study concluded that daily supplementation of bypass fat at 200 g/d along with 12g niacin in early lactation could be cost-effective for improving production and health of high producing dairy cows.