Journal of Animal Production, Print ISSN: 2008-6776., Online ISSN: 2382-994X

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary substitution of different levels of Maize silage (MS) with Jerusalem artichoke aerials part silage (JAAPS) on feed intake, digestibility and microbial protein syntheses in twenty Chall male sheep (live body weight of 65.3±2.3 kg). Four iso-energetics and iso-nitrogenus diets (forage-to-concentrate ratios; 64:36) were formulated in which MS was replaced by different levels (0, 180, 360, or 540 g/kg dietary DM) of JAAPS. The diets were fed to four experimental animals groups in a completely randomized design for a 31-days period. Dry matter intake and dry matter digestibility were 2139 and 699 in control diet and 2095 g/day and 697 g/kg DM in diet contains 540 g/kg DM JAAPS respectively. The replacement of MS by JAAPS did not affect dry matter intake and nutrients intake. Digestibility of dietary nutrients was not affected by experimental diets. By replacing the JAAPS instead of MS, there was no significant statistical change in the microbial protein synthesis. It is concluded that the partial substitution of MS for JAAPS, up to 540 g/kg DM, in diet of sheep has no adverse effect on feed intake and diet digestibility. So the Jerusalem artichoke aerial parts could be used as a silage in sheep diets.

Abstract This research was conducted to investigate the effect of processing sesame straw with low steam pressure, sulfuric acid and enzyme mixture on digestibility and ruminal fermentation, protozoa population, rumination and some blood parameters of Arabi sheep. Twelve sheep were fed with control diet (without sesame straw), diet containing sesame straw processed with 2.4 % sulfuric acid and low steam pressure at 130 °C for 120 minutes and 3 gr/kg DM enzyme, diet containing sesame straw processed by sulfuric acid and enzyme and diet containing sesame straw processed with water. The dry matter and organic matter intake, daily gain, feed conversion, apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, NDF and ADF did not differ between treatments.The processing did not affect ammonia nitrogen, pH, and rumen protozoa species of sheep. Chewing, rumination and resting times were different between treatments and the greatest rumination time (491.67 minutes per day) was for processing with acid and enzyme (P<0.05). The eating, rumination and chewing time for dry matter, ADF and NDF, and blood glucose and urea of sheep were not different. Therefore, according to results of this experiment, sesame straw processed with water, processed with sulfuric acid and low steam pressure and enzymes and processed with acid and enzyme can be used at the expense of wheat straw in the sheep nutrition.

Abstract In this experiment, the effect of oak kernel on digestibility, rumen fermentation and some blood parameters of Arabi sheep and Najdi goat were investigated. In this research, oak kernel (63%) was used for feeding six Arabi sheep and six Najd goats with the mean live weight of 50 ± 3 Kg for 28 days, and digestibility and fermentation, rumination and some blood parameters were measured. Obtained data were analyzed in split plots design. The results showed that dry matter intake and digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were not affected by treatment and type of livestock. Regardless of the type of livestock, dry matter intake and crude protein digestibility in control treatment was significantly higher and regardless of the type of treatment, the digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fibre of goat was higher than sheep (P<0.05). The ammonia nitrogen and pH of rumen between control and oak treatments for goats and sheep was almost the same. Time to eating, rumination and chewing for dry matter, NDF and crude protein between control and oak diets in sheep and goats was not different. Feeding the livestock with oak had no significant effect on the amount of blood glucose, urea nitrogen, cholesterol and triglycerides in sheep and goats. The results of this experiment showed that 63% oak fruit could be used in diet of Najd goat and Arabi sheep.

Abstract The aim was to evaluate effects of in vitro fermentation of different forages co-incubated with different types of non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) on gas production, digestibility, microbial biomass, medium pH and ammonia concentration. A completely randomized design with factorial arrangement  (9 treatments and 3 replicates) were used wherein wheat straw, alfalfa hay and corn silage constituted main forage sources and starch, sucrose and pectin were components of NFC. 0.2 g of each forage samples incubated with 0.3 g of each NFC component for 24 h and gas production, apparent and true digestibility, microbial biomass, pH and ammonia concentration measured.  Forage and NFC sources, alone but not in combination, had a significant effect on gas production, digestibility as well as ammonia concentration (p<0.05). The estimated microbial biomass was lower for wheat straw samples (0.14 vs. 0.16 g /g DM digested for other forage samples), but was not affected by NFC and its interaction with forage sources (p<0.05). Also, NFC sources affected medium pH significantly with the lowest values for sucrose while the highest for pectin. Results showed that previously known effects of NFC sources in vivo are also consistently observed in vitro while it was not affected by co-incubation with different forage sources.

Abstract The present experiment conducted to investigate the effect of processing broiler litter with different levels of tannin extracted from pomegranate peel on in vitro rumen digestion and fermentation, rumen fungi and bacteria growth using completely randomized design in Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. Dietary treatments were adding pomegranate peel extract to broiler litter at levels 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 percent of dietary dry matter (DM). The gas and potential of gas production were constant with increasing level of pomegranate peel extract up to 20 and 15 percent, respectively. Rate of gas production was similar between treatments, except for diets containing 20 and 35 percent of pomegranate peel extract which decreased significantly (P<0.05). Increasing the level of pomegranate peel extract decreased rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration, but increased partitioning factor, microbial protein production and efficiency of microbial protein compared to control diet (P<0.05). Highest and lowest two-step crude protein digestibility was observed in diets containing 15 and 35 percentage pomegranate peel extract, respectively (P<0.05). After three days incubation of diets in specific rumen bacteria medium with increasing level of pomegranate peel extract, DM digestibility and ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased (P<0.05). Dry matter digestibility in all of investigated times were constant by incubation of treatments containing pomegranate peel extract in specific rumen fungi medium. According to the results, processing of broiler litter with pomegranate peel extract up to 25 percent of dry matter has potential to improve nitrogen metabolism in ruminants without any negative effects on nutrients digestibility.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Pomegranate seed pulp (PSP) containing long-chain fatty acids with L-carnitine (LC) on performance and carcass traits of thirty two Mahabadi male kids. Experimental diets were 1) diet without PSP and LC  2) diet with 10% PSP Kg/DMI and without LC  3) diet without PSP and with 300ppm LC Kg/DMI and 4) diet with 10% PSP and 300ppm LC Kg/DMI. Kids were slaughtered at the end of study and carcass characteristics were measured. Addition of PSP and LC in diet decreased kidney fat (P<0.05). The kids fed with PSP and LC supplement had higher fat digestibility than other treatments (P<0.05). Furthermore, the use of PSP in the diet decreased the feed cost per Kg of hot carcass (P=0.05). The results of this study indicated that replacing a part of dietary cereal grains with PSP and LC supplement decreased kidney fat. Also, the simultaneous use of LC and PSP increased apparent digestibility of fat, and showed numerically higher performance. According to the results of this study, the PSP can be used as an economical  byproduct without negative effects on performance, and along with LC in the diet of kids it will reduce kidney fat as well.

Abstract Two experiments were carried out to determine the physicochemical properties of soy oil sources and investigate the effect of their use in broilers diets on growth performance. In the first experiment, fatty acids composition of the experimental oils was determined and then the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of oils was estimated through two methods, including multiplying the digestibility of the oil by its gross energy value as well as subtracting AME value of the basal diet from diets containing the oils using Leghorn mature roosters. In the second experiment, the effects of four dietary treatments containing 5% of each oil source was studied on the performance of Ross 308 broilers, replicated 5 times, using a completely randomized design. Linoleic acid content turned out to be 51.46% in soybean oil (SO), 11.35% in hydrogenated soybean oil (HSO), 32.53% in recycled soybean oil (RSO) and 40.03% in acidulated soybean oil soap-stock (ASO). The AME of the oils obtained by multiplying method for SO, HSO, RSO and ASO appeared to be 8920, 8733, 8602 and 7836 kcal/kg, respectively. When calculated by subtracting method, the AME of the oils turned out to be 9016, 8794, 8765 and 7906 kcal/kg, respectively, which indicates higher values obtained from the latter method than former one. Moreover, HSO improved feed intake compared with SO (P<0.05). Also, ASO reduced daily weight gain and increased FCR in grower period compared with SO. It is concluded that recycled soybean oil appeared to have no adverse effect on broiler performance.

Abstract The possibility of manufacturing and effects of a slow release non-protein nitrogen product on ruminant nutrition were evaluated in two separate experiments. In first experiment, making of slow release component was followed by connecting branched carbon chain to the molecule of urea to reduce the degree of solubility. Then, the sample product was analyzed to assess its chemical structure, and also physical and chemical properties. In second experiment, in an in-vivo study, rumen fermentation characteristics, digestibility of feed, microbial protein production and nitrogen balance of produced compound were evaluated and compared with conventional use of urea and also a diet without non-protein nitrogen source. For this, four rumen fistulated adult sheep were used in change over Latin square experimental design. Infrared and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and physical and chemical properties were considered as indicators of the formation of the desired compound. Our data showed that using the slow release product in the diet reduced the nitrogen concentration and altered the amount and ratio of volatile fatty acids as well as pH values in the rumen. Feed intake and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, NDF and ADF as well as microbial protein production were not affected by the use of slow released product but there were significant differences between diets in relation to the nitrogen digestibility and nitrogen balance (P<0.01). It could be concluded that the slow release product of non-protein nitrogen has the potential to provide urea efficiently and its use in ruminant diets provides safer conditions as compared to the traditional use of urea nitrogen.

Abstract This research was conducted to determine the effect of gamma ray (GR) (100 and 150 kGy), sodium hydroxide (50 g/kg DM) and calcium oxide (160 g/kg DM) on gas production parameters and in vitro digestibility of soybean straw. All treatments, except for the gamma ray (100 and 150 kGy) did not have gas production up to 4 hours after incubation and there was a lag time. From 8 to 96 hours of incubation, the highest gas production was observed in sodium hydroxide + gamma ray (100 and 150 kGy) treatments (P< 0.05). Processing had no effect on gas production rate (P>0.05), but increased gas production potential (b) (P<0.05). The highest amount for b fraction was observed in sodium hydroxide + GR (100 and 150 kGy) treatment. Organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy (ME), net energy (NE) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) increased by processing (P<0.05). The highest increase was observed for sodium hydroxide (100 and 150 kGy). In vitro digestibility of the dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) was increased by GR, sodium hydroxide, and their combination (P<0.05). However, treatments with calcium oxide did not affect these traits. Except for GR at doses of 100 and 150 kGy, the other treatments reduced ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) (P<0.05). Microbial mass production after 24 hours incubation showed decrease in calcium oxide and calcium oxide + GR treatments (P<0.05). Based on the results of this research, nutritional value of soybean straw improves with GR and sodium hydroxide treatments.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding of  steeped barley grain with lactic acid (LA) and citric acid (CA) on dry matter intake, feeding behavior, apparent nutrients digestibility, rumen pH and milk production. Eight early lactating Holstein cows in the second parities were used in 4×4 Latin square change- over design. Treatments  consisted of basis diet containing 1) dry rolled barley grain (DR), 2) dry rolled barley grain steeped in an equal quantity of tape water alone (W), 3) or in 0.75% LA, or 4) 1% CA for 24 h. The result of this study showed that dry matter intake, feeding behavior and apparent nutrients digestibility did not significantly different among treatments. Rumen pH was greater at 6 h after feeding in LA and CA diets (P<0.05). Treatments had no effect on fecal score and pH. Milk and Fat corrected milk production unaffected by treated barley. While milk protein and none- solids fat were significantly greater in CA diet in compared to others (P<0.05). Others milk composition had not influenced by type of processing. In conclusion, treated barley grain with LA and CA had increased rumen pH 6 h after feeding but other characters including milk production and composition, apparent nutrient digestibility and feeding behavior unaffected by barley grain processing method.

Abstract In order to investigate antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of pomegranate peel powder (PPP), this research was conducted as completely randomized design arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment using pomegranate peel powder (0 and 2 percent) and soybean oil (SO, zero and six percent in growing period; zero and eight percent in finishing period). One hundred and sixty 11-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens assigned to four treatments of four replicate each. The results showed that PPP improved the antibody titer in 39-day broilers, increased fat digestibility, improved lactobacillus and decreased E coli micro flora in ileum and cecum significantly (P ≤ 0.05). The SO decreased DM digestibility and lactobacillus micro flora and E coli in ileum and cecum (P ≤ 0.05). As a conclusion adding PPP to the fat containing diets in comparison to control diets; without PPE and SO, improved antibody titer, beneficial gastric micro flora in ileum and cecum and had not any deleterious effect on overall broiler performance.

Abstract The digestibility and fermentation parameters of the diets containing leaf, pod and seed of the Subabul tree in sheep was determined by using two steps digestion and gas production (GP) methods. The experimental diets consisted of 0.0 (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent of the leaf, pod and seed of the Subabul tree that were replaced with alfalfa in diets of sheep. Diets containing 50 percent seed of the Subabul had higher GP compared to the control diet (P<0.05). The highest true digestibility of organic matter in Subabul leaf was belonged to diet contains 100 percent leaf. The diet contain 100 percent had the highest partitioning factor (PF) and microbial biomass efficiency (P<0.05) compared to other levels of the Subabul pod. The digestibility of DM, NDF and ADF of diets contain the pod of the Subabul tree for all levels were less than control (P<0.05). There are no significant differences between digestibilities of NDF and ADF of diets contain up to 75 percent the leaf of the Subabul tree and others diets. Digestibility of DM, NDF and ADF was more than control diet (P<0.05) by increasing the amount of the seed of the Subabul tree in the diets (75 and 100 percent of the seed of the Subabul). According to the results, the leaf and seed of the Subabul can be replaced up to 100 percent with alfalfa in the diets of sheep without any negative effect on fermentation and digestion. The nutritional value of sheep diets can be improved by replacing the alfallfa with Subabul tree seeds.

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate effect of different sources of copper on gas production parameters and nutrients digestibility in Zandi male lambs. In the first experiment, 18 male lambs (initial body weight 17.53±1.62) divided into three groups and fed one of the three experimental diets for 70 days. Dietary treatments were control (basal diet without copper supplement), basal diet plus 10 ppm copper from sulfate and basal diet plus 10 ppm from proteinate copper. In comparison with control, copper supplementation improved average daily gain and feed conversion ratio, but there was no significant difference among the dietary treatments for dry matter intake. Dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and acid detergent fiber digestibility was higher for lambs fed with organic copper compared to lambs fed with control and inorganic copper (P<0.01). In the second experiment, an in vitro gas production technique was used to evaluate the effects of copper sources on the amount and rate of gas production, dry matter degradability, utilization of metabolizable energy (ME), and ruminal fermentation patterns using rumen fluid from three lambs as inoculum. Rate of gas production (c) did not differ among the treatments. Asymptotic of gas production (b) was higher for diets containing supplemental copper compared to control. It seems that supplementation of fattening lamb diet with of organic copper could be improved rumen fermentation and performance of lambs.

Abstract This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of (zero, 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg Atriplex forage) malva sylvestris on digestibility and microbial fermentation of Atriplex in one-humped camel. Fermentation parameters by gas production technique and in vitro digestibility by two-stage digestion were measured by two years old female fistulated camels. Addition 40 and 60 mg/kg malva sylvestris increased gas produced from Atriplex forage (P<0.05). Gas production rate constant didn’t affect by malva sylvestris (P>0.05). Addition malva sylvestris (60 mg/kg) to Atriplex, significantly decreased partitioning factor, microbial biomass, the efficiency of microbial biomass and organic matter actually degradable (P<0.05). Addition of Malva sylvestris 40 and 60 mg/kg were significantly reduced medium pH (P<0.05). The compared with control the highest ammonia-nitrogen concentrations was for treatment containing 20 mg/kg malva sylvestris (11.37 mg/100 ml) (P<0.05). Also this treatment had the greatest NDF digestibility comparison to control (P<0.05). Adding malva sylvestris in 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg to Atriplex increased the protozoa population at 12 and 24 in comparison to control 48 h incubation (P<0.05). Species of Diplodinium camli, Diplodinium maggi, Epidinium ecudatum and Eudiplodinium maggi in treatments containing malva sylvestris were the highest. In conclusion, high fermentation malva sylvestris increase digestibility and gas production of Atriplex in one-humped camel diets.   

Abstract This research was assigned to study the top crop yield potential and nutritive value of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), using a completely randomized designed with three treatments and four replications. The forage was cut at three growing stages where plant high, fresh and dry forage yield and leave/steam ratio were recorded. First and second cut were made when the plant heights were 100-150 and 150-200 cm, respectively. Forage from the third cut was at the early bloom stage (200-250cm). Then the cuts were chopped and sampled and nutrient contents and in vitro digestibility of the samples were determined. The amount of fresh and dry forage yield were 45.20 and 15.95 (ton/h) in first cut, and 64 and 29.85 (ton/h) in the last cut (flowering stage), respectively. Yield of second cut was significantly higher (p

Abstract The effect of replacing alfalfa by artichoke hay on nutrient digestibility, gas production parameters, performance and carcass characteristics of Lori-Bakhtiari lambs was studied. The lambs in control group received diet containing 30 percent alfalfa, 15 percent barley straw and 55 percent concentrate and in test group alfalfa hay was replaced with artichoke hay, completely. Dry matter intake was higher for test group lambs (P<0.05), but average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were not differed between experimental groups. Gas production rate was not differed between groups, but b fraction was higher for test group (P<0.05). Replacing alfalfa by artichoke caused to increasing digestibility of dry matter and organic matter (P<0.05). However, control diet had higher digestibility of crude protein and NDF (P<0.05). After slaughter, there were no significant differences between groups in carcass characteristics and percentage of internal organs. Results of this study showed that artichoke hay could be replaced with alfalfa hay in finishing lambs diet.

Abstract This experiment was conducted to investigate the digestibility and fermentation parameters of diets containing flower, pod with seed and leaf of siris in sheep by two-step digestion and gas production methods. The experimental diets were including zero, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent of Siris flower, pod and leaf. The result showed that gas production potential of diet containing 50 percent leaf was greater than other treatments (P<0.05). Gas production rate of diet containing 75 percent flower showed significant increase compared with the other diets (P<0.05). Partitioning factor, microbial biomass, biomass efficiency were the greatest for diets containing 100 percent leaf and different levels of pod (P<0.05). Dry matter digestibility of diets including different levels of siris leaf, 50 percent siris flower and 25 percent siris pod and neutral detergent fiber digestibility of diets including different levels of siris flower and 25 percent Siris pod were higher compared to control diet (P<0.05). The lowest concentration of ammonia nitrogen was belonged to diets containing 100 percent leaf and pod of Siris (P<0.05). It could be concluded that Siris leaf, flower and pod with seed of siris can be used instaed of alfalfa in sheep diet and increase digestibility and diet ruminal fermentation.

Abstract In this study, about 1000 kg of wet Rose Flower pulp were obtained from Ghamsar – Kashan in Iran and dried in air for 10 days. The DM, CP, Ash, EE, total extractable phenols, total tannin, Ca and P of Rose flower extraction pulp (RFEP) were 96.0, 12.5, 6.5, 1.8, 2.7, 1.3, 1.1 and 0.1 percent, respectively. Four adult Chaal sheep in a changeover design used for determination of digestibility, dry matter intake and nitrogen balance. The sheep fed by four diets with different ratio of RFEP: alfalfa (0.0:100, 15:85, 30:70 and 45:55). Digestibility of DM and OM were not affected by experimental diets. Inclusion of 30 percent or more RFEP, decreased CP digestibility (P< 0.05). Dry matter intake was not affected by inclusion of different levels of RFEP in diets. The nitrogen balance of diets including zero, 15, 30 and 45 precent RFEP were 3.1, 2.6, 1.4 and 1.1 gram per day, respectively (P< 0.05). The DM and CP effective degradability of RFEP were 68.5 and 67.8, respectively. It seems that Rose flower extraction pulp can be used as a part of roughage in the ruminant’s diet.

Abstract The effect of Aspergillus niger waste, a by product of citric acid extraction (yeast waste) on in vitro digestibility of alfalfa hay at different times of incubation (24 and 48h) and fattening performance of male lambs studies. Different levels (five, 10, 15 and 20 percent) of yeast waste were added to alfalfa hay and subjected to the in vitro digestibility trial. In fattening trial, twenty Sanjabi lambs (20.8 kg initial BW, three months of age) divided into two groups in a CRD design. The use of yeast waste of different levels, increased Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility of alfalfa hay at initial 24 h of incubation (P< 0.05) but the difference in digestibility at the last 48 h of incubation was not significant. Average daily gain, FCR and DM intake and carcass parts between treatments were not significant.

Abstract The fresh Pomegranate seed pulp (PSP, containing 47.5 percent dry matter) was ensiled within plastic buckets (three kg weight) for 70 days and then chemical composition, phenolic compounds concentration and DM ruminal degradability parameters and ruminal, post-ruminal and total tract digestibility of DM were measured. The results showed that ensiling significantly decreased total phenolic compounds, total tannins, gallic acid, tannic acid, penicillin and punicalagin A content of PSP but condensed tannins, ellagic acid and punicalagin B content were not affected by preservation method. DM ruminal degradability parameters, rapidly and slowly potentially degradable fractions and effective degradability on passage rate of 0.02, 0.05 and 0.08 per h were not significantly affected by treatments but ensiling increased the ruminal and total tract digestibility of DM and decreased the DM degradability rate constant and DM post-ruminal digestibility. Based on the results of this study ensiling could improve the nutritional value of PSP.