S. A. Karim

Effect of different liquid cultures of live yeast strains on performance, ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in lambs

Three yeast strains, Kluyveromyces marximanus NRRL-3234 (KM), Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCDC-42 (SC) and Saccharomyces uvarum ATCC-9080 (SU), and a mixed culture (1:1:1 ratio) were evaluated for their value as probiotics in lamb feeding in two experiment. In experiment I and II, 20 and 30 pre-weaner lambs were fed for 63 and 60 days in two and three equal groups respectively. All lambs were offered ad libitum a creep mixture and Zizyphus nummularia leaves, and yeasts were dosed orally. In experiment I, one group received no yeast, the other of the mixed culture (1.5-2 x 10(10) live cells/ml). In experiment II, yeast cultivation was modified yielding 1.5-2 x 10(13) live cells/ml. Lambs of the three experimental groups received 1 ml/kg live weight of one of the individual yeasts. Feed intake did not differ among groups of both experiments with the exception of SC-supplemented lambs in experiment II which showed a trend to higher intakes per kg metabolic body weight and in percentage of body weight when compared with KM- and SU-supplemented lambs. Supplementation of the mixed yeast culture had no effect on intakes of digestible crude protein and metabolisable energy, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance and rumen fermentation characteristics (pH, ammonia, volatile fatty acid concentration, protozoa count) and urinary allantoin as an indicator of microbial protein synthesis. The same was true for comparisons in experiment II except ciliate protozoa counts, which showed a trend to be the highest with SU and the lowest with SC. The results of present study show that the response of lambs to supplemented live yeast cultures is inconsistent, as it lacked to have an effect in the present study, and that differences among strains were small, even when supplemented at a much higher live cell count.

Influence of ciliate protozoa on biochemical changes and hydrolytic enzyme profile in the rumen ecosystem

Aims:u2002To assess the effect of presence or absence of rumen protozoa on fermentation characteristics and enzyme profile in growing lambs.

Effect of dietary sodium bicarbonate supplementation on fermentation characteristics and ciliate protozoal population in rumen of lambs

Effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) inclusion on rumen fermentation characteristics and ciliate protozoal population in high concentrate-fed lambs were studied. Twenty-four weaner (90 days old) Malpura lambs divided into four equal groups (G1, G2, G3 and G4) were fed basal (25:75 roughage and concentrate) diet (G1) or basal diet supplemented with 0.75% (G2), 1.50% (G3) and 2.25% (G4) sodium bicarbonate for 90 days. Daily dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), gross energy and plane of nutrition were similar in all the groups while cellulose digestibility was higher in G4 than in G2 and G1. Ruminal pH increased ( P< 0.05) with increasing levels of dietary sodium bicarbonate. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), total nitrogen and trichloroacetic acid-precipitable nitrogen (TCA-ppt.-N) were higher while ammonia nitrogen was lower in the rumen fluid of G4 and G3 than in G2 and G1. The number of total protozoa, Isotricha, Dasytricha, large and small spirotrichs were higher ( P< 0.01) in the rumen of G4 and G3 than in G2 and G1. Total live weight gain and average daily gain were also higher in lambs supplemented with sodium bicarbonate. It is concluded that sodium bicarbonate inclusion at the rate of 1.50% of total ration increased cellulose digestibility, ciliate protozoal number, ruminal pH and total nitrogen concentration resulting in improved growth of lambs maintained on high concentrate diet.

Effect of concentrate supplementation on nutrient intake and performance of lambs of two genotypes grazing a semiarid rangeland

Abstract Nutrient intake and growth performance of 40 Malpura (M) and 32 Awassi×Malpura (AM) weaner (90 days old) lambs divided into four homogeneous groups were assessed. The groups grazed 8xa0h daily, receiving 10xa0g/kg (C10), 15xa0g/kg (C15), 20xa0g/kg (C20) and 25xa0g/kg (C25) body weight of concentrate. The pasture was dominated by Cenchrus ciliaris (33.7%) followed by Commelina forskalaei (11.4%), Elusine indica (9.1%), Erichola polystachya , Elusine aegyptica , Vigna sinesis , Sorghum halepense and other plant species. The biomass yield of C. ciliaris dominated pasture during the month of June was 2.084xa0txa0DM/ha. Daily dry matter intake (g/kgxa0W 0.75 ) was increased ( P P P P C20>C15>C10). Furthermore, the finishing body weight was higher in crossbred AM (23.4xa0kg) than native Malpura (21.0xa0kg) lambs. On average the growing lambs under hot semiarid environment consumed 7.5xa0g DCP and 239.7xa0kcalxa0DE/kgxa0W 0.75 and had 115.7xa0g average daily gain. The results indicated that irrespective of the level of concentrate supplementation, the growth response and feed conversion efficiency was better in AM crosses than native Malpura lambs.

Growth performance of faunated and defaunated Malpura weaner lambs

Abstract An experiment was conducted to study the effect of presence or absence of rumen ciliate protozoa on nutrient intake, its utilization, rate of body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency of lambs in post-weaning phase of growth. Forty five weaned Malpura lambs, divided into three equal groups (G1, G2 and G3) were either defaunated by periodic dosing of sodium lauryl sulfate at the rate of 8xa0g/100xa0kg body weight (G1) or defaunated and refaunated (G2) or maintained faunated (G3). The lambs were fed for 90 days on 50:50 pala (Zizyphus nummularia) leaf and concentrate based complete feed. With care and segregation the defaunated lambs were maintained free of rumen protozoa for 47 days after which Entodinomorphid appeared while Holotrichs were not detected. The total and differential protozoa count was similar in refaunated and faunated lambs and the residual toxic effect of sodium lauryl sulfate if any was not detected. Even with similar dry matter intake in the three groups, body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were higher in defaunated lambs. The digestibilities of cell and cell wall contents were generally poor in defaunated lambs while intake of digestible protein and energy were similar in the three groups. The lambs in the three groups were in positive nitrogen balance while percent N retention was higher in defaunated than in refaunated and faunated lambs. It was concluded from the study that with similar dry matter intake and plane of nutrition, the growth performance and feed conversion efficiency were better in defaunated than refaunated and faunated lambs. In spite of reduced digestibility of neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and cellulose, the metabolise energy availability for body synthetic activity was probably higher in defaunated lambs as evident from the observed production traits.

Effect of substitution of groundnut with high glucosinolate mustard (Brassica juncea) meal on nutrient utilization, growth, vital organ weight and blood composition of lambs

Twenty-four 14-day-old weaner Avivastra (Russian MerinoxNali) male lambs were maintained for 180 days on ad libidum Cenchrus (Cenchrus ciliaris) hay and concentrate mixture (CM) contained groundnut meal (control) and mustard meal (MM group) as major protein source. The two CMs were isonitrogenous (21% CP) and isocaloric (2.78McalMEkg(-1) DM), while, CM fed to MM group contained 24.6mg glucosinolatesg(-1) DM. Digestibility of nutrients was similar (P>0.05) in the two groups except for CP and hemicellulose, which was higher (P<0.05) in control. Urinary N loss was higher (P<0.01) in control than in MM group, whereas N retention (% of N intake and absorbed) was higher (P<0.01) in MM group compared to control. Dry matter (gkg(-1)BW) and glucosinolate intakes were higher in MM fed group, whereas DCP and ME intakes were similar (P>0.05) in the two groups. Average daily gain (ADG) was, however, 22% higher (P<0.01) in control than in MM group. Hemoglobin and albumin contents were lower (P<0.01) in MM group than in control. Serum thiocyanate content was 26.7µgg(-1) in MM fed group, while it was not detected in control group. Thyroid weight was higher (P<0.01) while liver and kidney weights were lower (P<0.01) in MM group. Meat from dissected carcass of control group contained more protein and less fat, whereas the reverse was noticed in MM group. It is concluded that feeding mustard meal as protein supplement reduced growth rate and induced iodine deficiency. Carcass of lambs fed mustard meal had more fat and less protein.

Comparison of diet and faecal collection methods for assessment of seasonal variation in dry matter intake by sheep maintained on a Cenchrus ciliaris pasture

Abstract Four diet collection methods: clipping(C), mouth grab (MG), plucking (P) and oesophageal extrusa (OE) and two faecal output estimation methods: faecal bag (FB) and Cr2O3 marker (I) were compared to assess seasonal changes in nutrient composition of diet and dry matter intake of sheep on Cenchrus ciliaris pasture. Crude protein (CP) and lignin contents of OE were higher than C, MG and P during all the seasons. Fiber fractions were lowest in MG, highest in C and intermediate in OE and P methods. Pooled CP contents of diet samples declined (Pxa0 It is concluded that diet sampling method and season had an influence on the estimated diet composition and DMI of sheep on semi-arid pastures. Both methods of faecal collection, however, estimated similar daily faecal output in sheep.

Growth, haematology, blood constituents and immunological status of lambs fed graded levels of animal feed grade damaged wheat as substitute of maize.

The aim of this study was to explore possibilities of utilization of animal feed grade damaged wheat (ADW) in lamb feeding, and assess the effect of ADW and its aflatoxin on intake, growth, haematology, blood biochemical constituents and immunological status. The ADW is a slightly mouldy feed resource, which is not suitable for human consumption. The experimental ADW contained dry matter (DM) 964, organic matter 974, crude protein 153, cellulose 205 and lignin 24, and starch 732 g/kg DM. ADW also contained aflatoxin B1 50 microg/kg due to mould infestation. Thirty-five weaner lambs (90 +/- 15 days of age and 16.1 +/- 0.82 kg body weight) in a randomized design were fed for 91 days on one of four composite feed mixtures (roughage to concentrate ratio of 25:75) containing 0, 118, 235, 353 or 470 g/kg ADW, which replaced equal amounts of maize and at these inclusion levels ADW replaced 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% maize in lamb diets respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar in different level of ADW fed lambs but ADW inclusion linearly (p = 0.016) reduced DMI. Average daily gain (g/day) was higher (p = 0.038) in lambs fed 353 g ADW diet. Haematological attributes viz. WBC, haemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume did not affect by ADW feeding whereas it increased haematocrit, mean cell Hb and decreased neutrophil, RBC counts and mean cell Hb concentration. Blood glucose and urea-N increased whereas albumin and protein level reduced by ADW feeding. ADW feeding of lambs did not affect serum IgG level. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphates and acid phosphates were not affected, whereas alanine aminotransferase increased linearly (p = 0.001) with increasing levels of ADW. It is concluded that ADW containing aflatoxin B1 50 microg/kg DM can safely be incorporated in growing lamb feeding up to 353 g/kg diet without affecting growth and cellular immunity, however ADW may induce a transient alteration of hepatic enzymatic activities. Further aflatoxin content of the diet should be kept within permissible limits of respective country.

Seasonal changes in biomass growth and quality and its utilization by sheep on semiarid Cenchrus ciliaris pasture of India

Abstract Seasonal changes in forage yield, botanical, chemical and nutrient composition and utilization by rams of Cenchrus pasture were observed over a year. Dry-matter yield of pasture was highest during winter and lowest during monsoon: annual mean was 2276xa0kg/ha. Cenchrus ciliaris constituted 73, 87 and 36% of vegetation cover during monsoon, winter and summer, respectively. Dead litter formed in the summer constituted 44% of vegetation cover. From August 1995 to July 1996, four 3–4-year old Malpura rams, weighing 37xa0kg, were observed to determine seasonal total faecal output. Extrusa samples were collected from two oesophageally fistulated rams. Dry-matter intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients were estimated. The crude protein (CP) content of pasture forage declined from 10.2% in monsoon to 6.4 and 4.4% in winter and summer, whereas CP content of diet remained similar (13%) in all the three seasons. Preference index for CP increase from 1.2 in monsoon to 2.1 and 3.0 in winter and summer, respectively. Rams consumed more DM during winter and the least in monsoon, the annual mean being 946xa0g/day. In general, the digestibility of dry matter (DM), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), cellulose and gross energy (GE) except CP decreased from monsoon to winter and summer. CP digestibility was higher in winter (54.9%) than in monsoon (46.7%) and summer (34.9%). Digestible crude protein (DCP) intake remained the same in monsoon (37.6xa0g/day) and in summer (44.8xa0g/day), but increased in winter (92.6xa0g/day). Digestible energy (DE) intake in monsoon and summer was 1.50 and 1.53xa0Mcal/day and increased substantially, 2.73xa0Mcal/day, in winter. It is thus concluded that Cenchrus pasture mixed with shrubs and fodder trees ensure adequate nutrition to grazing rams during winter and summer though not in the monsoon season.

Rumen ciliate protozoa and fibre utilization in sheep and goats

Abstract Adult rumen-fistulated sheep and goats (four of each) were used to study comparative nutrient utilization and diurnal variation of rumen ciliate protozoa under maintenance level of feeding. The animals were control-fed on roughage ( Cenchrus ciliaris ) and concentrate mixture in the ratio of 65xa0:xa035 as per their maintenance requirement. Dry-matter intake was higher ( P 0.75 /day) than in goats (57.1xa0g/kgW 0.75 /day), whereas digestibility of OM, NDF and ADF was better in goats than in sheep. The rumen protozoa of sheep and goats were a B -type population with numbers varying between 0.31–0.45×10 6 cells/ml rumen liquor. The total protozoa, holotrichs, spirotrichs, Isotricha , Dasytricha , small and large spirotrichs were higher ( P Isotricha and large spirotrichs, although numerically fewer in number, collectively contributed 91 and 89% of protozoal cell mass in the rumen of sheep and goats, respectively. It is concluded from the study that under control feeding, dry-matter intake was lower while fibre digestibility was higher in goats compared to sheep, possibly due to higher number of ciliate protozoa as well as holotrichs and spirotrichs in their rumen medium.