Enhancement of selectivity, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level, alkaline phosphatase activity and reproductive performance in gilts and primiparous sows using 14-epimer of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

Selecting breed-worthy gilts as sow replacements is essential for continuity of pig production cycle. Though vitamin D3 (VD3) is known to enhance reproductive performance of multiparous sows, there is still a knowledge gap on its impact in developing gilts and primiparous sows. This study was aimed to quantify plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and examine the reproductive performance of primiparous sows fed diets supplemented with regular VD3, and its 25(OH)D3 epimers. The study sample comprised 10-week-old replacement gilts (50 % Landrace x 50 % Yorkshire, N = 180) assigned in a randomized complete block design to three treatments [2,000 IU/kg of VD3 (T1), 25 µg/kg of 14­epi-25(OH)D3, half dose (T2), and 50 µg/kg of 25(OH)D3 (T3)] equilibrated to 2,000 IU/kg in base diets. Selections occurred at 22, 27 and 35 weeks of age, respectively. Plasma 25(OH)D3, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone structure and reproductive performance were analyzed. Dietary treatments influenced carpus (P = 0.023), fore view stance (P = 0.017), infantile vulva (P = 0.014), inverted (P = 0.048), and prominent teat (P < 0.001). Post-partum 25(OH)D3 concentration and ALP activity were elevated by day 25 (P < 0.001). Treatment diets also influenced total born (P < 0.001), born alive (P = 0.048), and still born (P = 0.049). Two factors affect circulating 25(OH)D3 and ALP activity: physiological changes in sows during lactation, and dietary 25(OH)D3 intake. 14­epi-25(OH)D3 is a potent metabolite for improving maturation of reproductive organs in developing gilts. It also reduces still birth in primiparous sows.

Evaluation of pineapple stem starch as a substitute for corn grain or ground cassava in a cattle feedlot for 206 or 344 days: feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and economic evaluation.

The pineapple stem starch substituted for ground cassava or corn as a carbohydrate source in the concentrate diet. The experiment used 36 Holstein crossbred steers (aged 22 months) with an average initial body weight of 453.0 ± 35.3 kg. The experimental units were randomly assigned to three different starch sources of concentrate diets: ground corn (GC), ground cassava (CA), or pineapple stem starch (PS) with two different feeding periods: (1) period 1 for 206 days or (2) period 2 for 344 days with six replicates per treatment (two steers per replication), arranged in a completely randomized design. The animals were slaughtered at the end of the experimental periods. After that, the feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and economic return were evaluated. The results showed that the steers fed PS had a greater weight gain, average daily gain, and lower feed: gain ratio when fed for 206 days than when fed for 344 days, but dry matter intake, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acids profile did not differ between treatments in both periods of feeding except C14:1 and C18:0. The steers fed PS showed the greatest economic return. As a substitute for cassava or corn, pineapple stem starch had no negative impact on the feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. These results indicate that pineapple stem starch could be a useful feedstuff for the feedlot steers diets as an alternative starch source.

Cashew nut shell liquid potentially mitigates methane emission from the feces of Thai native ruminant livestock by modifying fecal microbiota.

The methane-mitigating potency of cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) was evaluated by investigating gas production from batch cultures using feces from Thai native ruminants that had been incubated for different periods. Feces was obtained from four Thai native cattle and four swamp buffaloes reared under practical feeding conditions at the Kasetsart University farm, Thailand. Fecal slurry from the same farm was also included in the analysis. CNSL addition successfully suppressed the methane production potential of feces from both ruminants by shifting short chain fatty acid profiles towards propionate production. Methane mitigation continued for almost 150 days, although the degree of mitigation was more apparent from Day 0 to Day 30. Bacterial and archaeal community shifts with CNSL addition were observed in feces from both ruminants; specifically, Bacteroides increased, whereas Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae decreased in feces to which CNSL was added. Fecal slurry did not show marked changes in gas production with CNSL addition. The findings showed that the addition of CNSL to the feces of ruminants native to the Southeast Asian region can suppress methane emission. Because CNSL can be easily obtained as a byproduct of the local cashew industry in this region, its on-site application might be ideal.

Feeding cashew nut shell liquid decreases methane production from feces by altering fecal bacterial and archaeal communities in Thai local ruminants.

The effect of feeding cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) on fecal fermentation products and microbiota was investigated in Thai native cattle and swamp buffaloes. Four of each animal were fed rice straw and concentrate diet with control pellets without CNSL for 4 weeks, followed by the same diet with pellets containing CNSL for another 4 weeks, so that CNSL was administered at a level of 4 g/100 kg body weight. Feces were collected the last 2 days in each feeding period. CNSL alkyl phenols were recovered from feces (16%-28%) in a similar proportion to those in the diet, indicating that most functional anacardic acid was not selectively removed throughout the digestive tract. In vitro production of gas from feces, particularly methane, decreased with CNSL feeding. The proportion of acetate in feces decreased with CNSL feeding, whereas that of propionate increased, without affecting total short-chain fatty acid concentration. CNSL feeding changed fecal microbial community, particularly in swamp buffaloes, which exhibited decreases in the frequencies of Treponema, unclassified Ruminococcaceae, and Methanomassiliicoccaceae. These results suggest that CNSL feeding alters not only rumen fermentation but also hindgut fermentation via modulation of the microbial community, thereby potentially attenuating methane emission from the feces of ruminant animals.

Effect of pineapple stem starch feeding on rumen microbial fermentation, blood lipid profile, and growth performance of fattening cattle.

Pineapple stem starch (PS) was evaluated for its suitability as a new starch source in concentrate for fattening cattle, based on the growth performance, blood profile, and rumen parameters of 36 steers in a 206-day feeding study. PS was formulated as a 40% concentrate and fed with forage in comparison with ground corn (GC) and ground cassava (CA) formulated at the same level. PS feeding improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio without affecting feed intake. PS did not obviously influence blood lipid profiles throughout the experiment. Ruminal concentration of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) increased with PS without affecting SCFA composition throughout the feeding study. Rumen amylolytic group, especially Ruminococcus bromii, was dominant in the rumen microbial community, and showed increased abundance by PS feeding throughout the experiment. These results clearly indicate the potential of PS as a useful starch source for fattening cattle in terms of rumen fermentation and growth performance.

Selection of plant oil as a supplemental energy source by monitoring rumen profiles and its dietary application in Thai crossbred beef cattle.

Objective: The present study was conducted to select a plant oil without inhibitory effects on rumen fermentation and microbes, and to determine the optimal supplementation level of the selected oil in a series of in vitro studies for dietary application. Then, the selected oil was evaluated in a feeding study using Thai crossbred beef cattle by monitoring growth, carcass, blood and rumen characteristics. Methods: Rumen fluid was incubated with substrates containing one of three different types of plant oil (coconut oil, palm oil and soybean oil) widely available in Thailand. The effects of each oil on rumen fermentation and microbes were monitored and the oil without a negative influence on rumen parameters was selected. Then, the dose-response of rumen parameters to various levels of the selected palm oil was monitored to determine a suitable supplementation level. Finally, an 8-month feeding experiment with the diet supplemented with palm oil was carried out using 12 Thai crossbred beef cattle to monitor growth, carcass, rumen and blood profiles. Results: Batch culture studies revealed that coconut and soybean oils inhibited the most potent rumen cellulolytic bacterium Fibrobacter succinogenes, while palm oil had no such negative effect on this and on rumen fermentation products at 5% or higher supplementation level. Cattle fed the diet supplemented with 2.5% palm oil showed improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) without any adverse effects on rumen fermentation. Palm oil-supplemented diet increased blood cholesterol levels, suggesting a higher energy status of the experimental cattle. Conclusion: Palm oil had no negative effects on rumen fermentation and microbes when supplemented at levels up to 5% in vitro. Thai crossbred cattle fed the palm oil-supplemented diet showed improved FCR without apparent changes of rumen and carcass characteristics, but with elevated blood cholesterol levels. Therefore, palm oil can be used as a beneficial energy source.