Twenty-four crossbred ram lambs (1/2 Finnish Landrace ×1/2 Rahmani) aged 3-4 months and averaged 22.25±0.93 kg live body weight were randomly divided into three treatments (8 lambs in each) according to their live body weight. The experimental period lasted 6 months from May to October 2015. Ram lambs were orally treated with 0 (control), 1 (T1) and 2 (T2) mg rocket oil (RO)/kg LBW. Growth performance, puberty and semen characteristics of ram lambs, some blood parameters and economic efficiency were estimated. The results showed that final LBW of ram lambs at puberty increased (P<0.05) in T2 and T1 as compared to control. Total weight gain increase (P<0.05) in T2 compared with control (18.22 vs.16.62 kg). Average daily gain was higher (P<0.05) in T2 than in T1 and control (161.2 vs. 125.6 and 112.3 g/d). Ram lambs of T2 expressed first ejaculate (puberty) 34.6 days earlier (P<0.05) than those in control. Scrotal circumference and testes volume increased (P<0.05) in T1 and T2 compared with in control. Semen quality (ejaculate volume, initial motility, live spermatozoa, sperm cell concentration and sperm output) was better (P<0.05) in T2 and T1 than in control. Serum total antioxidant capacity was higher (P<0.05) in T2 than in control and T1. Relative economic feed efficiency increased for T1 and T2 lambs (111 and 137%) compared with controls. It could be conclude that daily addition of 2 mg rocket oil (watercress oil)/kg live body weight of ram lambs could lead to earlier age at puberty, improvement in growth performance at puberty, higher reproductive ability and better economic feed efficiency of ram lambs.
Thirty-six Zaraibi doe goats of 3-5 years old and average live body weight (LBW) of 28.14±0.93kg were randomly distributed into three groups (12 doe goats in each) according to their LBW and reproductive status. The experimental period of does lasted for 12 months and buck treatment started two months before breeding season in September. Mating was carried out using twelve sexually mature fertile and tested bucks of 41.25±2.1 kg LBW and aged 24 months were divided into three groups receiving the same treatments of doe goats.Rocket oil (watercress oil) was received daily oral does at levels of 0, 1 and 2 mg/kg LBW for G1, G2 and G3, respectively. The results showed that the bucks in G3 showed the highest (P<0.05) scrotal circumferences (30.25 cm), followed by G2 (29.25 cm) and G1 (27.75 cm) at the end of experiment. Bucks in G3 showed the lowest (P<0.05) reaction time and abnormal sperm percentage and the highest (P<0.05) ejaculate volume, and percentages of sperm motility, and live sperm, as well as sperm concentration and total sperm output compared with G2 and G1. Fertility rate was 90, 100 and 100% for mated does and 75, 91.66 and 91.66% for all treated does in G1, G2 and G3, respectively (P<0.05). Litter size and sex ratio were the highest (P<0.05) in G3 and G2 compared with G1, while mortality rate was the lowest (P<0.05) in G3 (6.26%), followed by G2 (11.11%) and G1 (15.38%). Weaning weight, total gain and average daily gain of born kids were higher (P<0.05) in G3 than in G2 and G1. Average daily milk yield was higher (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G1, being 1318 and 1426 vs. 1162 g, respectively. Percentage and yield of milk constituents were higher (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G1. Only, concentration of serum albumin increased (P<0.05) with rocket oil additive as compared to G1, while the other blood parameters were insignificantly different among the experimental groups. Does in G3 showed the highest economic feed efficiency for milk production as compared to those in G2 and G1.
he objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of two supplemented algae on nutritive value of lactating Damascus goats rations and its effect on performance of kids, milk production, milk composition, digestion coefficients, feed intake and feed conversion. Twenty seven Damascus lactating goats of 2-4 years old and average live body weight of 48.5±1.4kg were chosen divided and into three similar groups (9 animals each) R1 (control), R2 and R3. The groups were assigned at random to receive one of the three experimental rations. Animals of group R1 were fed 50% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + 30% berseem hay + 20% wheat straw (control), R2 were fed 50% CFM + 30% berseem hay + 20% wheat straw with supplemented algae (Spirulina) and R3 were fed 50% CFM + 30%berseem hay + 20% wheat straw with supplemented algae (Ulva rigida) 0.2% of feed intake. At the end of the trial, three digestibility trials were conducted to determine digestibility coefficients and nutritive value of experimental rations. In addition, rumen liquor and blood samples were taken to determine some parameters. All supplemented in the present study decreased (P<0.05) CF, ash, ADL and hemicelluloses, but CP content had increased. The results revealed that the algae supplementation recorded highest digestibility coefficients (P<0.05) for all nutrients fiber fractions and nutritive value of R2 (P<0.05) compared with control. Nutrients digestibility coefficients, concentrations of ruminal ammonia nitrogen and total volatile were significantly (P<0.05) higher, which ruminal pH values were significantly (P<0.05) lower for rams fed algae supplemented diets than control at the sampling times 4 hrs. The highest body weight was recorded with R2. The algae supplemented recorded better feed conversion (DMI/daily milk yield) for R2 and R3, respectively compared with the control (R1). It could be concluded that supplemented goats ration with algae tended to increase digestibility coefficients and nutritive values, increased milk yield and improved feed conversion as kg DM intake per kg milk yield.
hirty-six crossbred ewes (½ finish Landrace x ½ Rahmani) aged 3-6 years and averaged live body weight (47.3 ± 1.73 kg) were randomly divided into three groups (12 ewes in each) according to their live body weight and reproductive history. All ewes were fed the same basal ration contained (CFM 50% and fresh berseem 50% on DM basis. Rocket oil (watercress oil) was received daily at levels 0.0,1.00 and 2 mg / 10 kg LBW for G1, G2 and G3, respectively. The experimental period was lasted for 150 days consisted of 3 periods, (late pregnancy 45 days), suckling (60 days) and rest or flushing (45 days). Income ewes in mating season was also studied. The results showed that the body weight changes of ewes during the different physiological stages as affected by rocket oil treatment were significantly gradually increased. The changes were higher (P < 0.05) in G3 by about 9.8% and in G2 by about 9.2% than control (8.2%). Average 6% FCM yield was higher (P < 0.05) in G2 and G3 than G1 being 564.7 and 626.5 vs 499.5 g, respectively. Percentage and yield of milk constituents were higher (P < 0.05) in G3 and G2 than G1 expect lactose% and solid not fat%. Ewes in G3 and G2 treated with rocket oil attained the best utilization efficiency as DM, TDN and DCP compared with those in G1. Concentrations of serum total protein and albumin were increased (P < 0.05) with rocket oil additive as compared with G1. While, creatinine, AST cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in blood serum were the highest (P < 0.05) in G1 compared with G2 and G3. Meantime the other serum blood parameters (globulin, urea and ALT concentration) were insignificantly differed among the experimental groups. Ewes treated with rocket oil (G2 and G3) showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher LBW at mating fertility rate%, pregnancy rate% lambing rate%, little size and twining rate% than those of control. Meantime the other tested characteristics showed higher values in G2 and G3 than G1 but without significant differences. Weaning weight, total gain and average daily gain of born lambs along with feed conversion were higher (P < 0.05) in G3 and G2 than G1. Semen quality (ejaculate volume, initial motility, live sperm, abnormal sperm, sperm cell concentration and total sperm) of lambs were better (P < 0.05) in G3 and G2 than in control. Adding rocket oil at level 1.0 and 2.0 mg / 10 kg / L.B.W during feeding crossbred ewes lead to significant (P < 0.05) improvement in their productive and reproductive performances along with higher feed efficiency. Also growth and reproductive performance of lambs from their dams were improved.
Twenty one growing crossbred ram lambs with average body weight of 19.67±0.42 kg and 4 months of age were divided into 3 similar groups (7 in each). All animals were fed diets consisted of 50% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) plus 50% berseem hay (BH) in the 1 st group (control, G1) or plus 50% conserved mixture {sugar beet pulp (SBP) + BH, 1:1} in the 2 nd group (G2) or plus 50% conserved mixture (SBP+BH, 2:1) in the 3 rd group (G3). Results showed that CP and CF contents decreased but NFE content increased in diets of G2 and G3 than in G1. Lambs in G2 showed the highest (P<0.05) digestibility coefficients of all nutrients and TDN value, while, G1 showed the highest (P<0.05) DCP value. Lambs in G3 recorded the highest (P<0.05) DM intake. The TDN intake was higher (P<0.05) by G2 and G3 than G1. Lambs in G1 revealed the highest (P<0.05) DCP intake. The highest (P<0.05) ruminal pH value and NH3-N concentration was recorded in G1, while, G2 showed the highest (P<0.05) ruminal TVFA's concentration. The highest (P<0.05) concentrations of total protein, albumin and T4, was found in blood plasma of G2, while G1 had the highest concentrations of globulin, T3, urea-N, AST and ALT. Glucose concentration was nearly similar in all groups. Lambs in G2 showed the heaviest (P<0.05) weight, the highest (P<0.05) total weight gain and average daily gain, followed by G3, while G1 had the lowest values (P<0.05) Amount of DM and DCP/ kg gain was higher (P<0.05) for G1than G2 and G3. Amount of TDN/kg gain was nearly similar in all groups. Economic feed efficiency was higher (P<0.05) for G2 and G3 than G1. Lambs in G2 revealed the earliest (P<0.05) age, the heaviest weight, the highest scrotal circumference and the highest testosterone concentration at age of puberty, followed by lambs in G3, while those in G1 had opposite trends. From these results it could be concluded that lambs fed diet containing conserved sugar beet pulp (50% sugar beet pulp + 50% berseem hay) showed the best results concerning feed intake, digestibility, nutritive value, rumen fermentation activity, growth rate, feed conversion, economic efficiency and earliest age at puberty
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