No abstract

his study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of protected fatty acids (FA) on nutrient digestibility, rumen parameters, some blood components, milk yield and its composition and lambs growth performance during the pre-weaning period (2 months old) of Suffolk x Ossimi ewes. A total of 36 pregnant ewes, weighing on the average 64.89±1.57 kg in their 2 nd-4 th parities and aged 2.5-4.5 years were divided into three similar groups according to their body weight (12 ewes each) using a complete randomized block design .The feeding trial started 60 days before lambing (late pregnancy period) and continued 60 days after lambing (suckling period). The experimental rations were offered into animals with the rate of 0, 4 and 6% calcium-soap as protected fatty acids (based on DM intake). Body weight, total gain and daily gain of the new born lambs were recorded during the preweaning period (suckling period). The basal rations composed of 60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and 40% roughage (berseem 30% + rice straw 10%, RS).Three digestibility trials were carried out using nine Suffolk x Ossimi crossbred rams with average 62 kg BW and aged 2-2.5 years to determine the digestibility and feeding values of the experimental rations. Data showed that significant higher digestibility at (P <0.05) of OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE for fat supplemented groups than those of control one. Rumen parameters (pH, total VFAs and ammonia-N concentration) were higher in supplemented groups than those of the control one. Values of concentrations of blood plasma total protein and its fractions, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids of experimental ewes were higher in for supplemented groups than that of control one in the two stages of the whole production cycle. Supplemented fat treatments (group) led to significant increases in birth, weaning weights and total gain of lambs, and the highest values were occurred with FA6. Milk yield was higher significantly in supplemented groups than that of control one as well as its composition (fat, total solids and protein, %) were followed the same trend of milk yield among treatments. Generally, it could be concluded that the supplementation of calcium salt of fatty acids at different levels (FA4 or FA6) for rations of Suffolk x Ossimi crossbred ewes improved digestibility, feeding values, increased lambs birth weight and milk yield and its composition beside better feed efficiency, with superiority of 6% level (FA6).

An 8-week trial to examine the impacts of Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris on the growth, nutrient aspects, intestinal efficacy, and antioxidants of 75 New Zealand white male rabbits (initial body weight = 665.93 ± 15.18 g). Herein the study was designed in one-way ANOVA to compare the effects of the two algae species with two levels of supplementations in the feeds of New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were divided into five groups (n = 15/group), where the first group was allocated as the control group (Ctrl) while the second and third groups received A. platensis at 300 or 500 mg/kg diet (Ap300 or Ap500). The fourth and fifth groups fed C. vulgaris at 300 or 500 mg/kg diet (Ch300 or Ch500). The basal diet rabbits exhibited the lowest values of weight, lipase, protease, and the highest feed conversion ratio, which improved noticeably with algae addition, particularly with Ap500, Ch300, and Ch500. All tested groups showed normal intestinal structure. Amylase potency, hematological indicators, and serum biochemistry revealed non-significant variation except for a higher serum total protein and lower total cholesterol in algal groups. The best GPx existed in groups fed algal diets, while favorable SOD and CAT efficiency occurred at the higher level of Arthrospira and both levels of Chlorella. In conclusion, incorporating Arthrospira or Chlorella in the diet of New Zealand white rabbits improved performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal efficacy, and antioxidants. Arthrospira (Ap500) and Chlorella (Ch300 or Ch500) have almost the same beneficial effect on rabbit performance.

his study was conducted to investigate the influence of zinc sulfate and zinc methionine supplementation on the nutrients digestibility, nutritive values of feeds and ruminal fermentation of sheep. Fifteen sheep averaged (52.2 ± 1.40 kg)were divided into five similar groups (three animals each),they were fed basal diet containing 33.34 mg Zn/kg dry matter (DM) with no supplemental Zn (control). Control group was consulted of concentrate feed mixture (CFM), corn silage and rice straw without zinc supplementation. The other four experimental groups supplemental with 30 or 60 mg of Zn/kg of DM from Zn sulfate (ZnS) or zinc methionine (ZnMet) to control diet. Results indicated that zinc addition either as zinc sulfate or zinc methionine increased (P<0.05) the digestibility of all nutrients which were reflected on the nutritive values (as TDN and DCP) of diets. Addition of zinc sulfate or zinc methionine reduced ammonia-N and increased both TVFA's rumen volume, rumen digesta and microbial protein synthesis of sheep.

The present study was conducted to determine the appropriate type of by-products {sugar beet pulp (SBP), grape seeds (GS), olive cake (OC), citrus pulp (CtP), and jojoba meal (JM)} fermented with activated effective microorganisms (EM-Bokashi) to be integrated into the diet of sheep to obtain the best nutrient digestibility and rumen characteristic of Barki sheep. An in vitro experiment was carried out on five fistulated females for rumen fermentation activity, while 15 males were used for digestibility trials. Treatment with EM caused less cell wall content. GS and CtP had higher feed intake (FI) and digestibility coefficients; the lower was found for JM as well less FI. SBP and JM had a higher pH and NH3 concentration, while they were less for GS and CtP. Those had higher total volatile fatty acids (TVFA's) concentration, percentage of acetate, and acetic to propionic (A/P) ratio. JM had less acetate, A/P and higher propionate and butyrate. Higher gas volume after 24h fermentation was noticed for GS and CtP, they were higher kinetic parameters as well, but they were less methane production and more ME (MJ/kg DM), OMD (%) and microbial protein syntheses. Therefore, in conclusion, feeding Bokashi of GS or CtP to sheep can improve productivity, while using Bokashi of JM should be combined with other feeds.