Assessment of growing condition variables on alfalfa productivity.

This study was conducted to assess the impact of growing condition variables on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) productivity. A total of 197 alfalfa yield results were acquired from the alfalfa field trials conducted by the South Korean National Agricultural Cooperative Federation or Rural Development Administration between 1983 and 2008. The corresponding climate and soil data were collected from the database of the Korean Meteorological Administration. Twenty-three growing condition variables were developed as explaining variables for alfalfa forage biomass production. Among them, twelve variables were chosen based on the significance of the partial-correlation coefficients or potential agricultural values. The selected partial correlation coefficients between the variables and alfalfa forage biomass ranged from -0.021 to 0.696. The influence of the selected twelve variables on yearly alfalfa production was summarized into three dominant factors through factor analysis. Along with the accumulated temperature variables, the loading scores of the daily mean temperature higher than 25°C were over 0.88 in factor 1. The sunshine duration at temperature between 0°C-25°C was 0.939 in factor 2. Precipitation days were 0.82, which was the greatest in factor 3. Stepwise regression applied with the three dominant factors resulted in the coefficients of factors 1, 2, and 3 for 0.633, 0.485, and 0.115, respectively, and the R-square of the model was 0.602. The environmental conditions limiting alfalfa growth, such as daily temperature higher than 25°C or daily mean temperature affected annual alfalfa production most substantially among the growing condition variables. Therefore, future cultivar selection should consider the capability of alfalfa to be tolerant to extreme summer weather along with biomass production potential.

In vivo nutritive value of rice feed for sheep and its application for cattle feed.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of polished rice (PR) vs unpolished rice (UPR) as a potential feedstuff for sheep in order to use as a replacer to corn in sheep diet, and as well as to present the application in the formulation of cattle diet. Six corriedale ewe were randomly assigned to each treatment. UPR and PR were provided as a dietary treatment together with timothy grass as a basal diet in a crossover design for two period with 15-d duration for each period. The ratio of experimental and basal feeds were 33.3% and 66.7%, respectively. The differences in the total digestible nutrient (TDN) contents between sheep and cattle was determined according to the references. The number of data collected sheep and cattle was 9 and 17, respectively. The PR showed higher nutrients digestibility than UPR. Similarly, higher TDN content was observed PR than UPR (p < 0.05). As a result, the replacement of corn in the formulate feed with UPR and PR feed rice could be possible with the ratio of 91.2% and 100.0%, respectively. The result of comparation the TDN contents of UPR and PR in sheep and cattle, the PR has no difference in the nutritive value which suggests the applicability of the results of sheep to cattle. On the other hand, UPR has known to have different nutritive value between sheep and cattle, so caution should be taken when preparing formula feeds for cattle.

In vivo evaluation of garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation to rice straw-based diet on mitigation of CH4 and CO2 emissions and blood profiles using crossbreed rams.

BACKGROUND: Two experiments were implemented using three cannulated crossbreed rams (Corriedale × Suffolk) fed rice straw-based diet. In vivo evaluation of garlic powder (GP) supplementation to rice straw-based diet on CH4 and CO2 emissions and blood profiles of the rams (body weight = 52 ± 3 kg) was performed. The design was a triplicate 3 × 3 Latin square. Groups were the control (no GP) and two GP groups, which were given supplementation for 0.1 (GP0.1) and 0.5% (GP0.5) of concentrate. The differences between two experiments were data missing of GP0.1 and uncontrolled environment in Experiment 1. Blood profiles were added in Experiment 2. RESULTS: In Experiment 1, supplementation of GP to the rams reduced CH4 production significantly (P < 0.05) by 38%. Dry matter intake was not different among the groups in both experiments. In Experiment 2, CH4 was lower in the GP0.5 group than the control group by 7%, whereas CO2 showed no difference among the groups. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase was significantly (P > 0.05) lower in the GP0.5 group than the control group, whereas glutamic pyruvic transaminase, total protein, urea N, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and non-esterified fatty acids were not significantly (P > 0.05) different. CONCLUSIONS: GP supplementation, particularly GP0.5, decreases CH4 emissions in rams fed rice straw-based diets. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of water addition to total mixed ration on water intake, nutrient digestibility, wool cortisol and blood indices in Corriedale ewes.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding water to total mixed ration (TMR) on fresh water intake, nutrient digestibility, wool cortisol, and blood indices in Corriedale ewes under hot and humid conditions. METHODS: Nine non-pregnant Corriedale ewes (ave. body weight = 41±3.5 kg) were individually fed diets based on maintenance requirements in metabolic crates. Ewes were assigned to three treatment groups according to a triplicate 3×3 Latin Square design for 3 periods of 21 days duration each (9 ewes per treatment, 27 replications). Treatments were TMR (crude protein [CP] = 16.1, total digestible nutrients = 69.1%) moisture levels for 40%, 50%, and 60%. RESULTS: No differences were found in body weight gain among all treatment groups (p>0.05). Nitrogen balance including digestible N, retained N, and urinary and fecal N showed no change among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Fresh water intake was the lower in 50% TMR moisture group than in the other groups (p<0.05). Other than ether extract which was higher in 60% TMR moisture group (p<0.05) the differences among nutrient digestibilities including CP, organic matter, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and non-fiber carbohydrate were not significant (p>0.05). No significant difference was observed for serum protein, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, and triglyceride among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Wool and blood cortisol were not different among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Blood hematology including red blood cell, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, basophils, and eosinophils were not different among the treatment groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that TMR moisture at 40%, 50%, and 60% had no effects on N balance parameters, and nutrient digestibilities except for the ether extract under hot and humid conditions. Additionally there were no effects on stress conditions include wool cortisol, as well as blood cortisol levels of ewes.

Coat and hair color: hair cortisol and serotonin levels in lactating Holstein cows under heat stress conditions.

The deleterious effects of heat stress on animal health are being increasingly recognized. This study aimed to determine hair cortisol (HC) and serotonin levels in lactating Holstein cows under heat stress conditions with different coat and hair-cut color. Forty-five multiparous lactating Holstein cows (days in milk = 130 ± 47, body weight = 753 ± 85 kg) were divided to two main groups of over 80% black coat color (BC) and over 85% white coat color (WC) visually observed based on registry certificates and subdividing to black hair sample (BH) and white hair samples (WH) in 2 × 2 factorial arrangements. Hair samples were taken from the forehead of the individuals. Higher HC levels were observed in BC than WC cows (P < 0.05). No differences were found in HC levels between BH and WH groups (P > 0.05). Serotonin levels showed no difference between BC and WC (P > 0.05). Interaction between coat color and hair color was not significant (P > 0.05). The cortisol levels in hair are not affected by pigmentation. However, pigmentation within the coat alters cortisol levels. In conclusion, white coat color retains less cortisol than the black coat. Therefore, white coats are preferable for dairy cows under heat stress conditions.

Effects of Chromium Methionine Supplementation on Blood Metabolites and Fatty Acid Profile of Beef during Late Fattening Period in Holstein Steers.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of chromium methionine (Cr-Met) chelate supplementation on blood metabolites and fatty acid profile of beef from Holstein steers during late fattening period. Fifteen Holstein steers were allotted randomly into two groups including the control (non Cr-Met feeding, NCM, ave. body weight [BW] = 483±25.7 kg) and the treatment (Cr-Met feeding for 4 months, 4CM, ave. BW = 486±27.5 kg) group. The feeding amount of Cr-Met to animals was limited to 400 ppb/cow/d and was supplemented to total mixed ration. No difference in blood albumin, alkaline phosphatase, urea-nitrogen, calcium, creatine, glucose, total protein, triglyceride, and cholesterol were observed between the treatment groups (p>0.05). The level of high density lipoprotein was higher in the 4CM group than the NCM group, whereas low density lipoprotein was lower in the 4CM group (p<0.05). The fatty acid composition (caprate, laurate, myristate, pentadecanoate, palmitate, palmitoleate, margarate, cis-11 heptadodecanoate, stearate, oleate, trans-vaccenate, linoleate, cis-11 eicosenoate, docosa hexaenoic acid, and docosa pentaenoic acid) of the beef showed no difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The arachidonic acid level tended to be higher in the 4CM than the NCM group (p = 0.07). Cr-Met had no influence (p>0.05) on the ratio of saturated, unsaturated, unsaturated/saturated, monounsaturated/saturated and polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids whereas the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the 4CM group was comparatively higher than the NCM group (p<0.05). This study concluded that feeding Cr-Met supplementation in 400 ppb/d to Holstein steers for 4 months during late fattening period can improve some blood metabolites and beef quality by increasing PUFA and gamma-linoleate compositions of beef.

Effects of forage level and chromium-methionine chelate supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics and blood metabolites in Korean native (Hanwoo) steers.

A feeding trial was carried out to determine the effects of chromium methionine (Cr-Met) chelate and forage level over two years, 1(st) fattening and 2(nd) fattening period on growth parameters, carcass characteristics and blood metabolites of 46 Korean native (Hanwoo, Bos Taurus, BW = 183 ± 44 kg) steers. Treatments were: 1) Steers in the low forage (LF) group were fed diets that consisted of 60% concentrate and 40% forage; 2) Steers in the high forage (HF) group were fed diets that consisted of 40% concentrate and 60% forage. Following the 1(st) fattening period, steers (BW = 480 ± 37.6 kg) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: LF (40 F plus no Cr-Met supplementation in the 2(nd) fattening period), LFCM (40LF plus added 400 ppb of Cr-Met during the 2(nd) fattening period), HF (60 F plus no added Cr-Met during the 2(nd) fattening period) and HFCM (60 F plus added 400 ppb of Cr-Met in the 2(nd) fattening period). Dry matter intake of the treatment diets did not differ during the raising and 1(th) fattening period (P > 0.05). The ADG in the raising period showed no difference between the 40 F and 60 F groups (P > 0.05). Carcass characteristics including rib-eye area and meat yield index were higher in HF than the other treatment groups (P < 0.05). The HF group tended to show a higher (P = 0.08) marbling score than the LF group whereas the HFCM group showed a higher marbling score than the LFCM group (P < 0.05). HDL was higher and LDL lower in groups fed with Cr-Met than in other groups whereas glucose showed the lowest value in HF group (P < 0.05). Triglyceride (TG), Cholesterol, PUN and total protein (TP) were the same among all treatment groups (P > 0.05). The Insulin concentration in the blood was significantly higher for the HFCM group than for the LF, LFCM and HF groups (P < 0.05). It is concluded that supplementation of chromium-methionine chelate could improve meat quality in beef steers.

Globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) content in HeLa cells is correlated to Shiga toxin-induced cytotoxicity and Gb3 synthase expression.

Globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotetraosylceramide (Gb4) are the proposed functional receptors for Shiga toxin (Stx). To elucidate the effect of Gb3 content on Stx-induced cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, we cloned HeLa cells and determined the correlation between glycolipids content and Stx-induced cytotoxicity. The 29 HeLa cell clone (HLCC) lines used showed a wide range of sensitivity to Stx, compared to Gb3-rich cells which were more sensitive, showing as little as 20% viability to 100 pg/ml Stx. In contrast, Gb3-deficient cells proved resistant as they were more than 80% viable to 100 ng/ml Stx. Gb3 content in the HLCC lines corresponded with Stxs-induced cytotoxicity as well as Gb3 synthase expression, but no correlation with Gb4 content was noted. These data show that Gb3 content, which is regulated by the expression of Gb3 synthase, determines the sensitivity of HeLa cells toward Stx.