Effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) leaves on productive performance of growing lambs.

Eighteen 4-month-old lambs, with a mean live weight (LW) of 19.47 ± 0.20 kg, were used to evaluate the nutritive value of date palm leaves (DPL) ensiled with different additives in a completely randomized design. Lambs were stratified into three groups of 6 lambs each and fed a control diet comprising 60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and 40% DPL silage (T1). In other treatments, the DPL silage (DPLS) of the control treatment was replaced with EM1 additive-treated DPLS (T2) or El-Mofeed additive-treated DPLS (T3). Apparent digestibility, total digestible nutrient, digestible crude protein, dry matter intake, daily weight gain (DWG), price of DWG, daily profit, and economics of feed efficiency were higher (P < 0.05) for the additives-treated DPLS relative to the control, with T2 enhancing these parameters compared with T3. With exception of ruminal pH, which was reduced, concentrations of ruminal NH3-N and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) increased 4 h post feeding. However, ruminal NH3-N and total VFA were greater (P < 0.05) for the additives-treated DPLS, with T2 producing higher values than T3. Ruminal pH and feed cost/kg LW gain were lower for T2 relative to other treatments. Blood constituents were within the normal ranges for lambs, though slightly altered by treatments. Whereas serum total protein, albumin, and globulin were affected (P < 0.05) in this rank order, T1 < T3 < T2, other serum parameters were not affected. Relative feed cost and relative daily profit were lower and higher respectively for T2 than for T3. It is concluded that additives-treated DPLS is nutritionally superior to untreated DPLS as a roughage source in total mixed rations fed to growing lambs. However, for improved performance of the lambs and economic benefits, EM1-treated DPLS is recommended.

Influence of organic phosphorus on reproductive performance and metabolic profiles of anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics at the end of breeding season.

The effect of organic phosphorus on metabolic, haematological and hormonal status, restoration of ovarian functions and conception rate in anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics were evaluated. Anoestrous Farafra ewes (n = 24; 34.72 ± 0.52 kg body weight) were allocated into two equal groups: control and phosphorus groups. The ewes of phosphorus group were treated with sodium 4-dimethylamino-2-methyl-phenyl-phosphonate as an organic bound phosphorous twice a week for successive 3 weeks. Ovarian follicle development and corpora lutea were checked three times a week till occurrence of oestrus using ultrasonography while pregnancy was confirmed at 30 days post-service. Plasma metabolites, reproductive hormones, thyroid hormones and minerals were detected at weeks -2, -1, 0 (mating day) and + 4 weeks post-oestrus. Phosphorus group had significantly (p < .05) short interval to oestrous resumption if compared to control ewes (2.1 ± 0.8 weeks vs. 4.6 ± 1.1 weeks). In addition, phosphorous supplementation significantly (p < .05) increased the number of antral follicles (developed and their sizes in addition to sizes of corpora lutea (8.72 ± 0.3 mm vs. 7.46 ± 0.9 mm) as well. Number of services per conception (2.6 vs. 1.4; p < .01) was higher in control group than that of phosphorus group. Pregnancy rate (80 vs. 50%) was significantly (p < .01) higher in phosphorus group when compared to control. White blood cells in treated ewes (10.8 ± 0.44; p < .05) and monocytes (2.93 ± 0.13; p < .01) were higher than that of control group (white blood cells; 9.53 ± 0.50 and monocytes; 2.24 ± 0.14). Metabolic parameters did not differ between phosphorus and control groups during different times of treatment. It could be concluded that phosphorous administration to anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics could improve reproductive performance and restore ovarian activity at the end of spring and early summer.

Sensitive method for measuring lactate dehydrogenase activity in human serum by differential-pulse polarography.

A sensitive and accurate differential-pulse polarographic method is reported for the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The method is based on the polarographic measurement of the NAD+ formed via the enzymic reaction of LDH with pyruvate and NADH. The method was successfully applied to measure LDH activity in the serum of normal and diseased individuals.