Astragalus membranaceus is an herbaceous perennial plant, growing to about 2 feet tall, with sprawling stems and alternate leaves about 12-24 leaflets. In total, 24 cross bred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) piglets weaned at 4 weeks with an average body weight of 10.84 ± 1.86 kg, were divided into four groups and randomly assigned to dietary treatments containing different AMSLF levels (0.00%, 2.50%, 5.00%, and 7.50%). The piglets in the control group (0.00% AMSLF) were fed basal diet and other treatment groups were fed basal diet in addition to 2.50%, 5.00%, and 7.50% pulverized AMSLF. The results indicated that supplementation with AMSLF significantly (p < 0.05) decreased diarrheal incidence in piglets. There was significant difference between treatment in terms of ADFI, ADG and FCR. Both 5.00% and 7.50% treatments significantly increased growth performance. The digestibility of gross energy and dry matter increased (p > 0.05) with increasing AMSLF level. The level of blood IL-2 and TNF-α were significantly affected by AMSLF supplementation with 7.50% AMSLF group having higher (p < 0.05) IL-2 and TNF-α levels than the other treatment groups. The 16SrDNA sequencing results from the four treatments showed that the potentially active bacterial microbial population and diversity in pig cecum were dominated by the phyla Bacteriodetes and Firmicutes regardless of the AMSLF supplementation. The Shannon diversity, PD whole tree diversity indices and Chao analyses exhibited significant variability in species richness across the treatments. The principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) showed significant (p < 0.1) differences between bacterial communities in all treatment groups. Results from the current study suggested that AMSLF supplementation increased composition of bacterial microbiota in pig gut. In conclusion, dietary supplements with AMSLF could potentially be used to prevent diarrheal incidence and improved pig production.

Starch is the largest constituent in animal diets. The aims of this study were as follows:(a) to assess the variability of basic physicochemical properties and in vitro starch digestion of starchy feedstuffs and investigate relationship between physicochemical properties and starch digestion of the feedstuffs, and (b) to explore the effects of different sources of starchy feedstuffs on starch digestion and glucose release. In this study, we determined the inherent molecular structure and granular structure of starch and chemical compositions of seven starchy feedstuffs, as well as starch digestion in single feedstuff and different feedstuffs combined with corn. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results revealed significant difference between granule shape and size of starch of different feedstuffs. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectra for barley and wheat had lower (p < 0.05) absorbance band at areas A_860 and A_928 than other feedstuffs, yet rice starch had the lowest value for ratio (R) (1047/1022).Moreover, digestion rate ranged from 0.0157/min for resistant starch (sorghum) to 0.029/min for rapidly starch (broken rice). The principle component analysis (PCA) showed that predicted glycaemic index (pGI) was positively related to A_1022, glucose and rapidly (RDS) content and negatively related to A_995, A_1047, R (1047/1022), resistant starch (RS) and amylose content. Most of the feedstufss with corn combination had no effect on rate of starch digestion. In addition, different starchy feeds and corn combination changed the rate of starch digestion, when barley, however, sorghum combined with corn seemed to affect rate of starch digestion. To sum up, different sources differed in basic physicochemical and structural properties, which would influence the digestion rate of starch and the release of glucose. Combination of different feedstuffs particular sorghum with corn has interactive effect on starch digestion and the release of glucose.

Infection with parasitic nematodes is a serious threat to health and production of small ruminant worldwide. It causes reduction in feed intake, weight gain and eventually death of the host. The primary control method of the nematode infection relied on frequent use of anthelmintic drugs. Unfortunately, this control strategy is no longer effective due to widespread anthelmintic resistance, which necessitates search for novel approaches to control nematodes. Condensed tannin (CT) containing forages have been used as anthelmintic to control parasitic nematodes for years. This paper reviews available information about effects of CT on productivity and health of small ruminants infected with parasitic nematodes. Many of temperate and tropical forages are nutraceutical plants (possess both nutritional and health benefits). Consumption of CT containing forages reduced negative impacts of gastrointestinal parasitism in sheep and goat by regulating establishment of worm as shown in reduced worm burdens, fecal egg count (FEC) and worm fecundity. Parasitized sheep and goats fed forages containing CT had high feed intake and body weight gain, probably due to increase in protein and amino acids supply. Condensed tannins containing feeds result in lighter meat color and tend to improve antioxidant activity. Therefore, the use of CT containing forages to control parasitic nematodes and improve production of small ruminants is one the alternatives to anthelmintic drugs.

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