Effect of a two-step fermentation method with rumen liquor on protein quality of wheat bran and rice bran to use as poultry feed.

The availability of high quality protein rich feed in many developing countries is limited as well as expensive. Low-quality agro-industrial by-products, i.e., rice bran (RB) and wheat bran (WB), are therefore used as poultry feed irrespective of their low protein content. The main objective of the present study was to improve the protein content and the amino acid profiles of these by-products through rumen liquor mixed fermentation process. A two-step fermentation of some agricultural by-products (e.g., WB and RB) was performed in a controlled environment for 3 h and 6 h. In the 1st and 2nd steps, feedstuff (brans), McDougall buffer as well as collected rumen liquor were mixed with following the proportion of 1:2:3, respectively. After fermentation, brans were dried at 100 °C in an oven. Dried sample were used to analyze the crude protein (CP) as well as amino acid (AA) content. In 1st and 2nd fermentation of the WB, CP content increased 3.3 ± 0.2% (3 h), 4.3 ± 0.2% (6 h) and 7.7 ± 0.1% (3 h), 8.5 ± 0.1% (6 h), respectively compared to control. On the other hand, RB protein content increased by 3.3 ± 0.1% (3 h), 0.8 ± 0.1% (6 h) and 7.3 ± 0.3% (3 h), 4.0 ± 0.1% (6 h) in the 1st and 2nd fermentation step, respectively compared to control. Majority of the AA increased compared to control during the 1st fermentation step for RB and WB. However, In WB, some of the AA did not show significant difference. A number of AA were decreased after the 2nd step for both RB and WB except Methionine, which increased in both steps. In 1st and 2nd steps, Methionine increased by 24.9 ± 5.1% (3 h), 25.9 ± 5.8% (6 h) for WB and 12.2 ± 3.2% (3 h), 13.0 ± 4.5% (6 h) for RB, respectively compared to control. In conclusion brans protein and amino acid quality optimization might be possible through methodical rumen liquor mixed fermentation process for better utilization as poultry diet.

Growth Curves and Body Condition of Young Cats and Their Relation to Maternal Body Condition.

The aim of the present study was to assess factors like litter, individual and maternal effects on kitten overweight at 8 months of age, defined as body condition score (BCS) ≥ 6, in an intact cat family. To minimize confounding, a homogenized cat population was used. After categorization of the life weight data according to the kittens' sex, BCS and maternal non-pregnant phenotype (overweight (OM), lean (LM), variable (VM)), analyses including Pearson's correlation coefficients, two-way ANOVA, linear, linear broken-line regression and repeated measures mixed model analyses were performed. Overweight and OM kittens gained weight most quickly, and females reached their peak weight earlier than males (6.2 ± 0.6 vs. 7.4 ± 0.2 months). In females but not in males the age to reach peak weight differed markedly according to category. Male (5.82 ± 0.09, p < 0.01) and OM kittens' (5.80 ± 0.11, p = 0.07) BCS at 8 months was higher and they were heavier than their counterparts, from 3 and 5 months onwards, respectively. Litter size negatively correlated with overweight (r = −0.30, p < 0.01) and birthweight showed a positive correlation to live weight (R2 = 0.05, p = 0.05) and monthly weight gain (R2 = 0.18, p < 0.01) over time. This study supports routine monitoring of birthweight, growth rate and maternal phenotype prior to pregnancy to identify kittens at risk for becoming overweight.

Anaerobic fermentation of rice bran with rumen liquor for reducing their fiber components to use as chicken feed.

Rice bran is a very cheap and abundant agricultural by-product in rice producing countries. Additionally, many developing countries used these by products as poultry feed. Rice bran (RB) contains high fiber and chicken is not capable to digest those fibrous feed effectively, resulting in low production performance. The main objectives of this study were to decrease fiber components of RB through fermentation by adding rumen liquor to increase their utilization efficacy in chicken. A single-step fermentation of RB was conducted for 12 h (n = 6) under anaerobic conditions, maintaining proper temperature and ideal pH. Rice bran, buffer substances, and rumen liquor were mixed at the ratio of 1:2:3, respectively. The fresh and fermented rice brans were examined for the content of acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude fiber (CF), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Other fiber components were determined by substracting the value of ADL from ADF (celluloses) and ADF from NDF (hemicelluloses), respectively. One-way analysis of variance was done to compare the mean nutrient components followed by Tukey's multiple comparison tests at P < 0.05. The pH of fermented brans was decreased with growing fermentation period but appropriate pH was maintained due to the developed protocol. After fermentation, the fiber components of RB were reduced significantly (P < 0.05). However, CP component was not altered significantly after the fermentation of brans. The NDF, ADF, cellulose, hemicellulose contents were reduced by 16.2 ± 0.52, 7.2 ± 0.32, 20.0 ± 0.38 and 23.6 ± 0.54%, respectively compared to the fresh brans. As the fiber content reduced significantly after fermentation that clearly, increases the usability of brans as chicken feed.

Method development to reduce the fiber content of wheat bran and rice bran through anaerobic fermentation with rumen liquor for use in poultry feed.

OBJECTIVE: Wheat bran (WB) and rice bran (RB) are the agricultural by-products used as poultry feed in many developing countries. However, their use for poultry feed is limited due to high fiber and the presence of anti-nutritional substances (e.g. ß-glucans). The objective of this study was to develop a method to improve the quality of those brans by reducing the fiber content. METHODS: A two-step fermentation method was developed where the second fermentation of first fermented dry bran was carried out. Fermentation was performed at a controlled environment for 3 h and 6 h (n = 6). The composition of brans, buffer solution and rumen liquor was maintained in a ratio of 1:2:3, respectively. Brans were analyzed for dry matter, crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content. Celluloses and hemicelluloses were calculated from the difference of ADF-ADL and NDF-ADF, respectively. Samples were compared by two-factor analysis of variance followed by Tukey's multiple comparison tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: CF %, ADF % and cellulose tended to decrease and NDF % and hemicellulose content was reduced significantly (p<0.05). After the 1st fermentation step, NDF decreased 10.7%± 0.55% after 3 h vs 17.0%±0.78% after 6 h in case of WB. Whereas, these values were 2.3%± 0.30% (3 h) and 7.5%±0.69% (6 h) in case of RB. However, after the 2nd fermentation step, the decrease in the NDF content amounted to 9.1%±0.72% (3 h), 17.4%±1.13% (6 h) and 9.3%±0.46% (3 h), 10.0%±0.68% (6 h) in WB and RB, respectively. Cellulose and hemicellulose content was reduced up to 15.6%±0.85% (WB), 15.8%±2.20% (RB) and 36.6%±2.42% (WB), 15.9%±3.53% (RB), respectively after 2nd fermentation of 6 h. CONCLUSION: Two-step fermentation process improved the quality of the brans for their use in poultry feed.

Food intake and energy expenditure in growing cats with and without a predisposition to overweight.

Overweight and obesity are multifactorial diseases caused by an imbalance in energy metabolism. An underlying genetic predisposition is often a factor in these conditions. In the cat breeding family of the Institute of Animal Nutrition at the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, a segregating overweight phenotype with a genetic contribution was observed. From this breeding family, 26 kittens were followed from birth up to 8 months of age. During this time, food intake was measured using an automatic feeding station, and energy expenditure was investigated using indirect calorimetry at the ages of 4 and 6 months. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed and blood glucose, leptin and insulin were measured at the ages of 4, 6 and 8 months. The kittens were also weighed daily for the first 2 weeks of life, every second day until weaning and once per week until 8 months of age. The body condition score (BCS) was evaluated monthly between 2 and 8 months of age. The main finding of this study is that a predisposition to overweight is connected to a higher food intake early in life, with no significant alterations in energy expenditure. The leptin blood levels were related to body fat percentage, and insulin sensitivity did not seem to be affected.

Effect of metoclopramide treatment of bitches during the first week of lactation on serum prolactin concentration, milk composition, and milk yield and on weight gain of their puppies.

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of metoclopramide orally administered to healthy bitches on serum prolactin and milk lactose concentrations, gross energy, and dry matter content and on puppy weight gain during early lactation. ANIMALS 20 client-owned bitches and their 121 puppies. PROCEDURES 10 bitches received metoclopramide (0.2 mg/kg, PO, q 6 h for 6 days; treatment group) starting 10 to 24 hours after birth of the last puppy of the litter (day 0), and 10 bitches served as the control group. Blood and milk samples from all bitches were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6. Milk samples for days 1 and 2 and days 4 and 6 were pooled because of small volume. Puppies were weighed twice daily. RESULTS Serum prolactin concentration increased significantly over time in both groups, and no treatment effect was detected. When day-to-day changes were analyzed, the prolactin concentration increased from day 0 to day 1 in the treatment group but not in the control group. Milk lactose concentration increased significantly and was higher in the treatment group than in the control group. Milk dry matter content was unchanged, whereas the time course for milk gross energy content differed significantly between treatment and control bitches. Puppy weight gain was not affected by metoclopramide treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Oral administration of metoclopramide to healthy bitches after parturition induced a transient increase in serum prolactin concentration and stimulated milk lactose production. It is likely bitches with insufficient or delayed milk production could benefit from metoclopramide treatment.

Metabolic response to three different diets in lean cats and cats predisposed to overweight.

BACKGROUND: The existence of a genetic predisposition to obesity is commonly recognized in humans and rodents. Recently, a link between genetics and overweight was shown in cats. The goal of this study was to identify the effect of diet composition on plasma levels of glucose, insulin, free fatty acids and triglycerides in cats receiving different diets (high-carbohydrate, high-fat and high-protein diets). RESULTS: Insulin and leptin concentrations were significantly correlated with phenotype. Insulin levels were lower, whereas leptin levels were higher in cats predisposed to overweight. The other blood parameters were not correlated with phenotype. Intake of the high-carbohydrate diet resulted in higher insulin concentrations compared with the two other diets. Insulin levels were within the values described for non-obese cats in previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in metabolic response between the two groups. As the high-carbohydrate diet led to the highest insulin blood concentrations, it might be useful to avoid such diets in cats predisposed to overweight. In addition, even cats with genetically linked obesity can regain insulin sensitivity after weight loss.

Energy requirement and food intake behaviour in young adult intact male cats with and without predisposition to overweight.

Obesity is a common problem in cats. In the experimental cat family of the institute of animal nutrition besides a "normal" lean phenotype, cats with predisposition to an overweight phenotype are present. To investigate energy requirements and food intake behaviour of intact male cats of different phenotypes, six "normal" lean cats (GL) and six cats disposed to overweight (GO) were used. At the beginning of the experiment, all cats had an ideal body condition score of 5. To reach this the GO cats had to pass a weight-loss program. Energy requirements of the cats were determined using respiration chambers, whereas the amount and frequency of food intake was measured with a feeding station recording the data automatically. Energy requirement at weight constancy of the GO cats was even on fat-free mass (FFM) significantly (P = 0.02) lower (162.6 kJ/kg FFM/d) than that of the "normal" lean cats (246 kJ/kg FFM/d). The GO cats also showed a higher food intake 34.5 ± 1.5 g dry matter/kg body weight(0.67) compared to the GL cats (24.0 ± 2.1 g dry matter/kg body weight(0.67))(P = 0.001). In conclusion quantifiable differences in food intake and behaviour in cats predisposed to overweight compared to "normal" lean cats were found.

Segregation analysis of overweight body condition in an experimental cat population.

The goal of this study was to analyze the mode of inheritance of an overweight body condition in an experimental cat population. The cat population consisted of 95 cats of which 81 cats could be clearly classified into lean or overweight using the body condition scoring system according to Laflamme. The lean or overweight classification was then used for segregation analyses. Complex segregation analyses were employed to test for the significance of one environmental and 4 genetic models (general, mixed inheritance, major gene, and polygene). The general genetic model fit the data significantly better than the environmental model (P ≤ 0.0013). Among all other models employed, the major gene model explained the segregation of the overweight phenotype best. This is the first study in which a genetic component could be shown to be responsible for the development of overweight in cats.