Dietary protein degradability effect on performance of lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis.

The study investigated the effects of dietary protein degradation rate on growth performance and immune response of crossbred Dorper × short-tail Han ram lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Eighteen lambs were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments, rapidly degradable protein (RDP), moderately degradable protein (MDP), and slowly degradable protein (SDP) diets. Feed intake and body weight of the lambs were recorded weekly until 42 days post-infection. The fecal egg count (FEC), FAMACHA scores, and immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA) were also monitored during the experimental period. A metabolic trial was conducted to assess apparent digestibility and volatile fatty acids were also determined. The lambs in SDP and MDP groups had higher feed, nutrient intake, weight gain, and feed efficiency than those in the RDP group. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the lambs in RDP group was higher than those in the SDP and MDP groups. A significant (P < 0.001) decrease in FEC was observed in the SDP and MDP groups. Dietary treatment had no significant effect on FAMACHA scores and concentration of serum antibodies. Concentration of acetic acid was higher (P < 0.013) in the lambs fed RDP than those fed the SDP and MDP diets. The lambs fed SDP diet had higher apparent digestibility than those fed the RDP diet. The poor performances in RDP group could be overcome by including SDP that ensures adequate post-ruminal protein supply reaching the small intestine.

Effects of physicochemical and structural properties of single and double feedstuffs derived from different botanic sources on in vitro starch digestion and glucose release kinetics.

Starch is the largest constituent in animal diets. The aims of this study were as follows: (a) to assess the variability of basic physicochemical properties and in vitro starch digestion of starchy feedstuffs and investigate relationship between physicochemical properties and starch digestion of the feedstuffs, and (b) to explore the effects of different sources of starchy feedstuffs on starch digestion and glucose release. In this study, we determined the inherent molecular structure and granular structure of starch and chemical compositions of seven starchy feedstuffs, as well as starch digestion in single feedstuff and different feedstuffs combined with corn. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results revealed significant difference between granule shape and size of starch of different feedstuffs. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectra for barley and wheat had lower (p < 0.05) absorbance band at areas A_860 and A_928 than other feedstuffs, yet rice starch had the lowest value for ratio (R) (1047/1022). Moreover, digestion rate ranged from 0.0157/min for resistant starch (sorghum) to 0.029/min for rapidly starch (broken rice). The principle component analysis (PCA) showed that predicted glycaemic index (pGI) was positively related to A_1022, glucose and rapidly (RDS) content and negatively related to A_995, A_1047, R (1047/1022), resistant starch (RS) and amylose content. Most of the feedstufss with corn combination had no effect on rate of starch digestion. In addition, different starchy feeds and corn combination changed the rate of starch digestion, when barley, however, sorghum combined with corn seemed to affect rate of starch digestion. To sum up, different sources differed in basic physicochemical and structural properties, which would influence the digestion rate of starch and the release of glucose. Combination of different feedstuffs particular sorghum with corn has interactive effect on starch digestion and the release of glucose.

Influence of metabolizable protein and minerals supplementation on detrimental effects of endoparasitic nematodes infection in small ruminants.

Endoparasitic nematode infection could have negative impacts on performances of sheep and goats. However, supplementary protein and minerals can also affect nematodes. This paper reviews present information on the importance of protein and minerals supplementation as means to control nematode infection in small ruminants. Protein supplementation seems to improve host resilience by diverting metabolizable protein (MP) towards dealing with detrimental effects of the infection and thus improve production and reproductive performances of animal. A large body of evidence shows that supplementation of copper, iron, and zinc can also enhance host resistance against nematode infection as shown by decreased fecal egg count (FEC) and worm burdens. As such, protein and mineral supplementations can play a major role in sustainable control of parasitic nematode infection and thus reduce reliance on chemotherapic drugs.

Effects of Astragalus membranaceus fiber on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, microbial composition, VFA production, gut pH, and immunity of weaned pigs.

Astragalus membranaceus is an herbaceous perennial plant, growing to about 2 feet tall, with sprawling stems and alternate leaves about 12-24 leaflets. In total, 24 cross bred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) piglets weaned at 4 weeks with an average body weight of 10.84 ± 1.86 kg, were divided into four groups and randomly assigned to dietary treatments containing different AMSLF levels (0.00%, 2.50%, 5.00%, and 7.50%). The piglets in the control group (0.00% AMSLF) were fed basal diet and other treatment groups were fed basal diet in addition to 2.50%, 5.00%, and 7.50% pulverized AMSLF. The results indicated that supplementation with AMSLF significantly (p < 0.05) decreased diarrheal incidence in piglets. There was significant difference between treatment in terms of ADFI, ADG and FCR. Both 5.00% and 7.50% treatments significantly increased growth performance. The digestibility of gross energy and dry matter increased (p > 0.05) with increasing AMSLF level. The level of blood IL-2 and TNF-α were significantly affected by AMSLF supplementation with 7.50% AMSLF group having higher (p < 0.05) IL-2 and TNF-α levels than the other treatment groups. The 16SrDNA sequencing results from the four treatments showed that the potentially active bacterial microbial population and diversity in pig cecum were dominated by the phyla Bacteriodetes and Firmicutes regardless of the AMSLF supplementation. The Shannon diversity, PD whole tree diversity indices and Chao analyses exhibited significant variability in species richness across the treatments. The principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) showed significant (p < 0.1) differences between bacterial communities in all treatment groups. Results from the current study suggested that AMSLF supplementation increased composition of bacterial microbiota in pig gut. In conclusion, dietary supplements with AMSLF could potentially be used to prevent diarrheal incidence and improved pig production.