Ruminants

14 pages, 310 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Organic Selenium and Probiotic Supplementation on the Performance of Indigenous and Crossbred Dairy Cows during Summer in the Tropics

by Kaushalendra Kumar, Ravi Ranjan Kumar Sinha, Pankaj Kumar Singh, Amrendra Kishor, Pramod Kumar, Surinder Singh Chauhan and Ravindra Kumar

Ruminants 2023, 3(2), 158-171; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3020015 - 19 Jun 2023

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to establish the influence of organic selenium and a yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in combination on animal performance, physiological status, milk production and blood metabolites in indigenous and crossbred dairy cows during hot-humid climatic conditions in [...] Read more.

The aim of the present study was to establish the influence of organic selenium and a yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in combination on animal performance, physiological status, milk production and blood metabolites in indigenous and crossbred dairy cows during hot-humid climatic conditions in tropics. A total of 18 indigenous dairy cows and 18 crossbred dairy cows were divided into two groups(control and treatment) containing 9 cows each based on parity and milk yield for a period of 45 days. The control group were fed on a basal diet comprising a concentrate mix, wheat straw, and multi-cut sorghum greens, while the treatment group were offered basal rations supplemented with organic selenium (4 g/d) along with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (10¹⁰ CFU/g; 4 g/d). There were no significant changes found in feed intake, body weight and animal physiology; however, better feed efficiency was recorded in both of the treatment groups, irrespective of breed variation. There was a non-significant increase in milk yield recorded in both treatment groups in comparison with the control. Similarly, no significant effects were observed on the haemato-biochemical profile in both animal types. Hence, it can be concluded that the supplementation of organic selenium and probiotics in combination to indigenous and crossbred dairy cattle moderately improved feed efficiency and overall performance without affecting metabolic status under heat stress conditions in the tropics. Full article

9 pages, 1704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Annual Sexual Behavior in Boer Bucks Located in the Guerrero Tropics in Mexico

by José Luis Ponce-Covarrubias, Ethel Caterina García y González, Blanca Celia Pineda-Burgos, Aurora Matilde Guevara-Arroyo, Pedro Enrique Hernández-Ruiz, Fernando Torres-Agatón, Maricela Ruiz-Ortega, Marisol Paredes-Alvarado, José Manuel Robles-Robles, José del Carmen Rodríguez-Castillo, Oscar Ángel-García and Edgar Valencia-Franco

Ruminants 2023, 3(2), 149-157; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3020014 - 13 Jun 2023

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intensity of the annual sexual behavior (SB) of Boer bucks under tropical conditions in southern Mexico. For one year, 16 extensively grazing males were evaluated for SB individually with estrogenized goats. From the beginning [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intensity of the annual sexual behavior (SB) of Boer bucks under tropical conditions in southern Mexico. For one year, 16 extensively grazing males were evaluated for SB individually with estrogenized goats. From the beginning of the experiment and every 30 days, body weight (BW), body condition (BC), testicular circumference (TC), odor intensity (OI), and SB (nudging, ano-genital sniffing, flehmen, mounting attempts, mounts with intromission, and self-urination) were recorded. The bucks showed more intense SB during the months of November to May than during the months of June to October (p < 0.05). Greater frequencies were found for nudging, ano-genital sniffing, mounting attempts, and self-urination in the months of November to May (p < 0.001). BW was lower during the months of January to August than in the months of September to December (p < 0.05). On the other hand, TC increased from October to December (p < 0.05). Similarly, the OI in males varied over time (time effect; p < 0.001). In fact, an increased odor was found from October to December. The conclusions are that breed male goats from the tropics of Guerrero have a more intense SB during the months of November to May, but TC, OI, BW, and BC correspond to the time of the year when forage availability is the greatest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Management of Ruminants)

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9 pages, 651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Vegetable Oils or Glycerol on the In Vitro Ruminal Production of Greenhouse Gases

by Cynthia Sofía Castañeda-Rodríguez, Gerardo Antonio Pámanes-Carrasco, Jesús Bernardo Páez-Lerma, Esperanza Herrera-Torres, Elia Esther Araiza-Rosales, Vicente Hernández-Vargas, Hiram Medrano-Roldán and Damián Reyes-Jáquez

Ruminants 2023, 3(2), 140-148; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3020013 - 23 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1111

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the ruminal fermentation parameters and in vitro Greenhouse gas (GHG) production derived from the fermentation of a balanced sheep diet with the addition of vegetable oils (canola, corn, safflower, and sunflower) or glycerol at different [...] Read more.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the ruminal fermentation parameters and in vitro Greenhouse gas (GHG) production derived from the fermentation of a balanced sheep diet with the addition of vegetable oils (canola, corn, safflower, and sunflower) or glycerol at different proportions (0, 20, and 40 g/kg of dry matter, DM). The fermentations showed that the highest G_max was obtained with the addition of 40 g/kg of sunflower oil and 20 g/kg of glycerol with values of 180.97 and 179.95 mL/g DM, respectively. The treatment with 40 g/kg DM of corn oil showed the lowest values in CH₄ production (7.15 mL/g DM when compared to the control) and it seemed to be a potential feeding strategy for reducing GHG emissions without affecting gas production. However, the N-NH₃ content for this treatment in both doses (1.90 and 1.88 mg/dL) indicated that some toxicity for the animal could be expected. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ruminal Microbiota, Fermentation Process, Enteric Methane Emissions, and Animal Performance)

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7 pages, 571 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Outbreak of Acute Clinical Mastitis in Primigravidae Ewes in the Immediately Pre-Partum Period

by Dimitrios Gougoulis, Labrini V. Athanasiou, Natalia Gabriela Vasileiou, Nikolaos Voulgarakis, Konstantina Dimoveli and Vasiliki Mavrogianni

Ruminants 2023, 3(2), 133-139; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3020012 - 06 May 2023

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Abstract

An outbreak of acute mastitis was investigated in a dairy sheep farm in Central Greece with a prevalence of 8.2%. Two animals were examined with symptoms of hyperacute inflammation in one of the two mammary glands. Affected glands presented swollen to grossly enlarged, [...] Read more.

An outbreak of acute mastitis was investigated in a dairy sheep farm in Central Greece with a prevalence of 8.2%. Two animals were examined with symptoms of hyperacute inflammation in one of the two mammary glands. Affected glands presented swollen to grossly enlarged, warm and painful. In both animals, haematological examination revealed mild anaemia, increased leucocyte counts with mature neutropaenia and left shift, and marked thrombocytosis. Bacteriological examinations of mammary gland secretion yielded heavy growth of Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Escherichia coli from each of the two animals, respectively. Serological examination revealed a high percentage of positive samples for small ruminant lentivirus infection in both animals. The somatic cell count in the bulk-tank milk was 0.65 × 10⁶ cells/mL. The housing conditions were inadequate with high levels of ammonia, intense stocking and muddy bedding. This pathological condition in nulliparous ewes was attributed to the extensive oedema of mammary gland and teat, the relaxation of immunity during the peri-parturient period and the heavily contaminated environment. These findings are in general agreement with corresponding incidents in heifers. Following our instructions for improving housing conditions, no other similar incidents were recorded. Full article

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12 pages, 317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cactus Pear Silage to Mitigate the Effects of an Intermittent Water Supply for Feedlot Lambs: Intake, Digestibility, Water Balance and Growth Performance

by Ismael de Sousa Nobre, Gherman Garcia Leal de Araújo, Edson Mauro Santos, Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho, Italo Reneu Rosas de Albuquerque, Juliana Silva de Oliveira, Ossival Lolato Ribeiro, Silvia Helena Nogueira Turco, Glayciane Costa Gois, Thieres George Freire da Silva, Alexandre Fernandes Perazzo, Anderson de Moura Zanine, Daniele de Jesus Ferreira, Francisco Naysson de Sousa Santos and Fleming Sena Campos

Ruminants 2023, 3(2), 121-132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3020011 - 17 Apr 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1633

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake, digestibility, water balance and growth performance of lambs receiving diets containing cactus silage under an intermittent water supply. Thirty-six male, uncastrated Santa Inês lambs with an initial weight of 19.8 ± 2.1 kg [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake, digestibility, water balance and growth performance of lambs receiving diets containing cactus silage under an intermittent water supply. Thirty-six male, uncastrated Santa Inês lambs with an initial weight of 19.8 ± 2.1 kg and age of 6 months were distributed in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, with three proportions of cactus pear in the diets (0 (control diet containing Tifton hay), 21% and 42% of dry matter) and three periods of intermittent water supply (0, 24 and 48 h), with four repetitions. Lambs that received diets non-isonitrogenous with cactus silage showed higher intakes of dry matter (p < 0.001), total digestible nutrients (p < 0.001), water excretion via faeces (p < 0.001) and water balance (p < 0.001). Lambs that received diets with cactus silage showed higher digestibility of total carbohydrates, non-fibre carbohydrates (p = 0.005), water intake via food (p < 0.001), total water intake (p < 0.001), water excretion via urine (p < 0.001) and water balance (p < 0.05), when compared to the control diet. Lambs that received diets with cactus silage promoted growth performance (p = 0.001). When using 42% forage cactus silage in place of Tifton hay and water offered at 48 h intervals, intake, digestibility, and performance of feedlot lambs were improved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ruminal Microbiota, Fermentation Process, Enteric Methane Emissions, and Animal Performance)

10 pages, 615 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Circadian Lying Behaviour Assessed in a Commercial Mixed Horned Dairy Goat Herd

by Ines Maurmann and Maren Bernau

Ruminants 2023, 3(2), 111-120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3020010 - 02 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 923

Abstract

In general, the lying behaviour of dairy goats follows a circadian progression. As lying times might have an effect on the health, performance and welfare of dairy goats, housing conditions and management practices should follow circadian behavioural patterns. In the present study, a [...] Read more.

In general, the lying behaviour of dairy goats follows a circadian progression. As lying times might have an effect on the health, performance and welfare of dairy goats, housing conditions and management practices should follow circadian behavioural patterns. In the present study, a mixed horned herd of Bunte Deutsche Edelziege was used. Goats were housed in a commercial dairy goat farm in south Germany. During two lactation periods, 20 goats in each period were fitted with an accelerometer to detect lying behaviour. To analyse the accelerometer data, a mixed linear model was used. The highest frequencies of lying bouts (FLBs) occurred in the afternoon, and the lowest ones occurred during milking. Generally, the least square means ± SE of the FLB counts per goat ranged between 1.72 ± 0.07 (20:00–21:59 P.M.) and 2.87 ± 0.07 (12:00–13:59 P.M.). The longest lying bouts (LBD) occurred at night, and lying bouts remained relatively short in the afternoon between milking times. The maximum LBD was 52.20 ± 0.01 min/bout (at night, 02:00–03:59 A.M.), and the shortest duration was 14.31 ± 0.01 min/bout (during morning milking, 08:00–09:59 A.M.). The interactions of time and month had a significant impact on FLB and LBD (p < 0.0001), and so did the interactions of horn status and time (p < 0.05). Further research is necessary to analyse the lying behaviour of dairy goats in more detail to improve management practices. Full article

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11 pages, 675 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Associative Effects Affect In Vitro Digestibility Estimates Using Artificial Fermenters?

by Larissa Frota Camacho, Tadeu Eder da Silva, Marcia de Oliveira Franco and Edenio Detmann

Ruminants 2023, 3(2), 100-110; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3020009 - 01 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1087

Abstract

We aimed to test the associative effects among forages, and between forage and concentrates on the in vitro digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fibre using an artificial ruminal fermentation system. The study consisted of two assays, in which associative effects were [...] Read more.

We aimed to test the associative effects among forages, and between forage and concentrates on the in vitro digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fibre using an artificial ruminal fermentation system. The study consisted of two assays, in which associative effects were evaluated among three forages, sugarcane, maize silage, and Tifton 85 hay under two incubation conditions (single feed or all feeds together in a jar), and the associative effects between sugarcane and soybean meal and/or ground maize. For the first assay, sugarcane digestibility increased (p < 0.02), whereas the maize silage digestibility decreased (p < 0.01) when forages were incubated together in the same jar. Tifton hay digestibility was not altered (p ≥ 0.57) by the incubation condition. In the second assay, the sugarcane digestibility was depressed (p < 0.05) when the forage was incubated along with maize grain. For both assays, the pattern of repeatability for digestibility estimates presented an influence of the incubation condition. We concluded that the incubation of different feeds together in the same jar using artificial fermenters causes associative effects among them. These effects can influence the estimates of in vitro dry matter and fibre digestibility and alter their repeatability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ruminal Microbiota, Fermentation Process, Enteric Methane Emissions, and Animal Performance)

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Ruminants, Volume 3, Issue 2 (June 2023) – 7 articles

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