Caecal fermentation characteristics, blood composition and growth of rabbits on substitution of soya-bean meal by unconventional high-glucosinolate mustard (Brassica juncea) meal as protein supplement

Abstract

Effect of graded levels of high-glucosinolate mustard (Brassica juncea) meal as substitute of soya-bean meal (SBM) in broiler rabbit diets was studied. Forty weaning rabbits of Soviet Chinchilla and White Giant breed were randomly allocated to one of four experimental diets containing mustard meal (MM) 0, 80, 160 and 245 g/kg. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. MM had 54.8 mg total glucosinolates (TGLSs) per g dry matter (DM). Diets had TGLS 3.8, 8.4 and 11.98 mg/g DM in 80, 160 and 245 g MM diets, respectively. MM-incorporated diets had higher digestible and linearly (P , 0.01) higher metabolisable energy (ME) content. However, the effect on total tract apparent digestibility of DM, and crude protein was quadratic. Average daily gain (ADG) reduced (P , 0.05) linearly with increasing MM levels in diet, still 80 and 160 g MM diets had similar ADG compared to that of SBM diet. Caecum weight reduced linearly (P , 0.05) with increasing MM levels in diet. The pH of caecal content ranged between 5.85 and 6.19, total N between 1.19 and 1.48 (g per 100 g) and total volatile fatty acids between 4.7 and 5.8 mmol per 100 g, and they were not statistically different. NH 3 -N ranged between 31.2 and 39.0 mg per 100 ml, and reduced linearly (P , 0.05) while trichloroacetic acidprecipitable nitrogen increased linearly (P , 0.01, ranged between 114 and 247 mg per 100 ml) with increasing MM levels in diet. Blood haemoglobin, packed cell volume and lymphocytes were higher (quadratic effects, P , 0.05) on 245 MM diet, whereas white blood cell count reduced linearly (P , 0.01). Serum aspartate aminotransferase increased linearly (P , 0.01) while alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity, protein, erythrocytes sedimentation rate and red blood cell counts were not affected by MM. Serum Cu, Na and K content increased linearly (P , 0.05) with increasing MM levels. Liver Cu concentration showed quadratic (P , 0.05) increase. Rabbits tolerated 8.4 mg TGLS per g diet (160 g MM per kg) during active growth without any apparent effect on health and growth. It is concluded that MM can replace up to 66% SBM protein in rabbit feeding, whereas complete replacement of SBM with MM reduced feed intake and ADG by 23% and 13%, respectively. Further studies are required to confirm these inclusion levels and glucosinolate tolerance of rabbits.

Assessment the level of some heavy metal in vital body fluids and blood parameters in lactating Awassi ewes

“…Another similar study (26) employed lactating goats exhibited increase neutrophils as results of elevation in serum lactase level due to increase production of dehydrogenase during the lactation period, especially in those animals with mild to chronic mastitis (27)(28)(29). Total RBCs count exhibited no changes despite of the increase in PCV and Hb values of summer lactating ewes compare to spring lactating ewes, this results is in similarity to Abdelatif et al and Tripathi et al (30,31) who, found that increase PCV, Hb in Awasii ewe during lactation period regardless to the season and may be due to variation influencing factors such as sex, age, breed, nutritional status and grazing in high altitudes areas (32).…”

Effects of high-protein or conventional canola meal on growth performance, organ weights, bone ash, and blood characteristics of weanling pigs

“…Reduced red blood cell number, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume have been reported in pigs fed a rapeseed meal diet due to the high concentration of glucosinolates in this diet (Schöne et al, 1990). Feeding a diet containing a high level of glucosinolates also decreased white blood cell concentration, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume in growing rabbits (Tripathi et al, 2008). However, in the present experiment, only a few differences were observed in the total and differential blood counts and all values were within the normal range, indicating that inclusion of up to 40% of high-protein or CM-CV does not have negative effects on pig health.…”

Comparison between the effects of feeding copper sulphate‐treated and untreated rapeseed cake containing high glucosinolates on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and nitrogen metabolism in steers

“…Intact GLS present in rapeseed is biologically inactive. However, GLS can be hydrolysed into TC, ITC and OT by myrosinase released from rapeseeds by crushing (Tripathi et al, 2008). The RSC in the present study was the by-product of rapeseeds after extracted for oil by hot-pressing.…”

“…High intake of GLS impairs thyroid function and causes I deficiency in animals (Tripathi & Mishra, 2007). Cu 2+ improves thyroid function through enhancing the synthesis of T3 and T4 in animals fed Cudeficient diet (Tripathi et al, 2008). Supplementing Cu 2+ also delays the occurrence of I deficiency induced by GLS toxicity to animals (Das & Singhal, 2005 CuSO 4 treatment seemed to be unnecessary for steers.…”