No abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of genotype and season on daily milk yield (DMY) and mineral composition of pasture-based dairy cows. This was done by collecting data from 20 Friesian, 20 Jersey and 20 Friesian × Jersey crossbred cows in the early stage of their 4 th parity in winter and spring, respectively. Automated milk meters were used to measure the DMY. Mineral composition was determined by using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometric (ICP-OES) method. The data collected from milk yield and mineral composition were analysed using the general linear model of SAS. The results showed that milk yield was highest from Friesian cows both in spring and winter seasons while Jersey cows had the lowest yield. Seasonal effects were also observed in mineral concentrations, with winter having higher values for aluminium, boron, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc and sodium while phosphorus was higher in spring. Crossbred cows yielded higher concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. It was therefore concluded that both milk yield and mineral compositions are affected by genotype and season.

No abstract

This study determined the dietary effects of pomegranate peel powder meal (PPPM) supplementation on growth performance, digestibility, carcase and organ weights, serum, and some meat antioxidant enzyme indices of Cobb 500 birds. Birds (n ¼ 432) were randomly assigned to six experimental groups of four replicates each and were fed either diets supplemented with 2, 4, 6 and 8 g/kg of PPPM (PPPM2, PPPM4, PPPM6 and PPPM8), 0% additives (Negative control; NEGCON), or with a-Tocopherol acetate at 200 g/tonne (Positive control; POSCON). The diet  week interaction effect on feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed that the POSCON diet promoted a better FI and FCR at week 3. However, the FCR of the POSCON birds was comparable to that of the NEGCON, PPPM 4 and PPPM6 birds. The average final body weight and average daily weight gain was highest in the PPPM 2 and PPPM 4 birds, whereas, PPPM 2 birds had improved FCR and protein efficiency ratio compared with the POSCON birds. Thigh weight was highest in the PPPM 4 group, whereas PPPM 8 birds had the highest breast weight compared with the POSCON. Birds fed the PPPM 4 diet also had improved nutrient digestibility compared with the POSCON birds. Spleen and gizzard weights were highest in PPPM 4 birds compared with the NEGCON group. The concentration of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was decreased in PPPM 4 birds, whereas meat from PPPM 8 group had the highest catalase enzyme activity. It can be concluded that birds fed 4 g/kg PPPM outperformed the birds that were fed a-tocopherol supplemented (POSCON) diets in terms of performance, digestibility, carcase and organ indices. The effect of pomegranate peel powder meal supplementation was also pronounced in decreasing the concentration of AST at 4 g/kg and increasing the activity of catalase enzyme at 8 g/kg compared with the POSCON and NEGCON diets. HIGHLIGHTSDietary pomegranate peel powder can improve performance in broilers. Dietary pomegranate peel powder can enhance the enzyme activity of broiler meat.

Myrothamnus flabellifolius (Welw.) is used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of depression and mental disorder, asthma, infectious diseases, respiratory, inflammation, epilepsy, heart, wound, backaches, diabetes, kidney ailments, hypertension, hemorrhoids, gingivitis, shingles, stroke, and skins conditions. The effectiveness of M. flabellifolius is due to the presence of several secondary metabolites that have demonstrated efficacy in other cell and animal models. These metabolites are key in cell regulation and function and have potential use in animal production due to antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, for an improvement in growth performance, feed quality and palatability, gut microbial environment, function, and animal health. The purpose of this review is to provide a detailed account on the potential use of M. flabellifolius in animal nutrition. Limitations towards the use of this plant in animal nutrition, including toxicity, economic, and financial issues are discussed. Finally, novel strategies and technologies, e.g., microencapsulation, microbial fermentation, and essential oil extraction, used to unlock and improve nutrient bioaccessibility and bioavailability are clearly discussed towards the potential use of M. flabellifolius as a phytogenic additive in animal diets.