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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Microbial degradation of mimosine in goats
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1995) Prabhakaran, P; KAU; Devasia, P A
    An investigation was carried out to find out the extent of in vitro microbial degradation of pure mimosine (T1) and that of immature leaves (T2), mature leaves (T3), tender stems (T4) and seeds (T5) of L. leucocephala using strained rumen liquor obtained from three rumen fistulated Saanen – Malabari crossbred goats maintained under standard conditions of feeding and management. The proximate chemical composition and mimosine content of different edible parts of leucaena during the months of May, June and July were determined. While immature leaves and seeds had higher crude protein content, seeds had higher crude fat, tender stems had higher crude fibre and mature leaves had higher ash content compared to other edible parts of subabul. The average mimosine concentrations of T2, T3, T4 and T5 were 12.11 + 0.05, 4.89 + 0.02, 3.90 + 0.04 and 10.70 + 0.08 per cent respectively during May; 11.66 + 0.06, 5.23 + 0.03, 3.62 + 0.03 and 10.44 + 0.05 per cent respectively during June and 9.96 + 0.05, 4.92 + 0.03, 3.73 + 0.02 and 9.51 + 0.04 per cent respectively during July on a dry matter basis. The average mimosine concentrations of strained goat rumen liquor incubated with 37.50 mg/100 ml of added mimosine in pure form or as immature leaves, mature leaves, tender stems and seeds showed significant reduction at every 12 hr intervals from 0 to 48 hr of incubation, the final average concentrations being 23.98 + 0.37, 23.14 + 0.37, 22.20 + 0.28, 23.12 + 0.52, 23.35 + 0.37 mg/100 ml of SRL. The percentage of in vitro degradation in respect of T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 increased significantly at every 12 hr intervals of incubation from 0 to 48 hr, even though the degradation was incomplete with all treatments, the average percentage degradation at 48 hr of incubation being 31.69 + 1.02, 34.49 + 1.18, 37.12 + 0.99, 34.54 + 1.50 and 33.41 + 1.03 respectively. The overall average rate of disappearance of mimosine in µg.ml-1 . h-1 in respect of T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 for the entire period of 48 hr of incubation were 2.33, 2.54, 2.74, 2.54 and 2.44 respectively with highest rates during 0 to 12 hr, lower rates during 24 to 36 hr and least rates during 36 to 48 hr. The production of ammonia and VFA coincided with the active degradation of mimosine, there being faster degradation upto 12 hr of incubation with highest concentrations of ammonia and VFA at 12 hr of incubation. The overall results indicated that the rumen microorganisms of crossbred goats degrade mimosine to DPH, ammonia and VFA and that mimosine does not inhibit the microbial activity, even though the possible role of leucaena endogenous enzymes in the partial degradation of mimosine recorded in the present study cannot be ruled out.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of dried spleen as growth stimulator in kid rations
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1994) Shyama, K; KAU; James, C S
    An investigation was carried out to assess the effect of dried spleen as a growth promotant in kid rations. Twenty four female Malabari kids with an average body weight of 8.5 kg were distributed randomly and as uniformly as possible into four groups (groups 1, 11, 111 and IV) of six animals each, with regard to age and weight. The four dietary treatments A, B, C and D were allotted to the kids in the groups 1, 11, 111 and IV respectively, ration A with a concentrate mixture containing 16 per cent crude protein supplemented with dried buffalo spleen at the rate of 0.1 per cent, ration B forming the control diet at 16 per cent protein level without incorporation of spleen, ration C with a concentrate mixture containing 12 per cent crude protein supplemented with dried buffalo spleen at the rate of 0.1 per cent, ration D forming the control diet at 12 per cent protein level. Jack leaves formed the sole source of roughage to the animals. The experimental duration was 120 days. The results indicated that incorporation of dried spleen in the ration enhanced the growth performance of animals, especially in animals maintained on low level of protein, as evidenced by the cumulative and average daily weight gain registered in that descending order being 7.52 kg and 62.64 g, 7.4 kg and 61.67 g, 6.88 kg and 57.36 g and 5.00 kg and 41.67 g for the animals maintained on rations C, A, B and D respectively. The efficiency of feed and protein utilisation also exhibited the same trend. It was also noticed that, a cost of production per kilogram gain of Rs.32.58 and 26.14 were registered for animals maintained on spleen incorporated rations (rations A and C) as against Rs.35.08 and 38.63 respectively for the animals maintained on corresponding control groups (ration B and D) indicating a better cost efficiency in spleen incorporated groups, especially in animals maintained on low level of crude protein in the ration. The haematological studies reveal that R.B.C., W. B. C., haemoglobin, plasma protein, plasma calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were within the normal range prescribed for the species. The animals maintained on ration C showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in plasma calcium level when compared to that of the control. Digestibility studies reveal no significant difference in digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen free extract between the four groups. Animals maintained on the spleen incorporated rations (groups 1 and 111) showed better digestibility (P < 0.01) of crude protein and ether extract than the respective control groups (groups 11 and IV). Incorporation of dried spleen could not bringforth any influence on fibre digestion. The results of the balance experiment showed better retention of nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the animals maintained on spleen incorporated diets. The higher retention of these parameters could be substantiated by the comparatively lower faecal and urinary excretion of these, in animals maintained on spleen incorporated rations (rations A and C). An overall assessment of the results, indicated that incorporation of dried buffalo spleen in the ration of goats, at the rate of 0.1 per cent, certainly augment the nutrient utilisation by increasing the digestibility and retention, and can be recommended as a harmless natural growth promotant with economic benefit.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Influence of feed enzymes on nutrient availability and production performance of laying hens
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Satyamoorthy, B; KAU; Maggie Menachery, D
    The influence of feed enzymes, viz., cellulose or protease supplemented at levels of 0.06 or 0.02 per cent respectively, on nutrient availability and on production performance was evaluated in a standard and a less dense layer ration using one hundred IWN strain of Single Comb White Leghorn pullets of 20 weeks of age for an experimental period of 20 weeks. A standard layer ration was formulated as per BIS, 1993. With 18 per cent crude protein and 2600 kcal of ME per kg of feed and a less dense layer ration with 16 per cent crude protein and 2500 kcal of ME per kg of feed. A few feed ingredients such as jowar, deoiled rice bran, wheat bran and undecorticated sunflower cake were included in both rations. A numerical improvement was noticed in percentage hen – housed and hen – day egg production in enzyme treated groups, however, the increase in egg number was not statistically significant. Egg weight and egg quality characteristics such as yolk and albumen indexes, Haugh unit scores and shell thickness were not affected by enzyme treatment. A positive influence of the enzymes on feed intake by birds was observed in as much as the feed intake with less dense ration supplemented with enzymes was not different statistically from those with the control ration. There was positive enzyme effect on feed per egg in treatment groups on standard layer ration with both enzymes and in less dense ration with protease. Feed efficiency for egg production (egg number) was significantly higher in birds fed standard layer ration with cellulose and protease than those on other treatments (P < 0.05). There was improvement in digestibility of crude protein and utilisation of energy, even though the differences noted were not significant statistically. The enzyme treatment of rations reduced moisture content of excreta. The microbial load on the surface of eggs was comparatively low in enzyme treated groups. The intestinal viscosity was reduced with enzyme addition in feed mixtures. The cost – benefit analysis indicated that but for the prohibitive enzyme cost, the feed enzymes were nutritionally beneficial. Based on the present investigation it is concluded that there is tremendous scope for enzymes in feed industry, especially at the present context of feed shortages and the emphasis for the utilisation of alternative feed resources in poultry rations.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Optimum energy and protein requirements of broiler rabbits
    (Department of Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Ganga Devi, P; KAU; James, C S
    A detailed investigation involving two series of growth studies spread over a period of 24 weeks in Soviet Chinchilla and Cross Bred rabbits was carried out to establish the optimum energy and protein requirements for growth and to ascertain the optimum age for economic slaughter. One hundred and eight weanling Soviet Chinchilla and 108 weanling cross bred (SC X NZW) rabbits formed the experimental subjects. Rabbits of each breed were divided into nine identical groups and maintained factorially on three levels of crude protein (CP) viz., 12, 16 and 20 per cent and digestible energy viz., 2000, 2500 and 3000 kcal/kg for over a period of 168 days involving metabolism and slaughter studies during 8th, 16th and 24th week of experiment and production traits along with associated characters were studied and the salient results are presented. Rabbits maintained on different energy protein combinations showed significant difference in growth rate (P <0.01). Both dietary energy and crude protein were found to influence the average daily gain. The highest rate of gain was achieved in animals maintained on ration containing comparatively higher DE and CP while lowest rate of gain was noticed in animals maintained on low energy, low protein diet. On further scrutiny of the data, an appreciably better and identical growth response was observed in animals maintained on ration containing 3000 kcal DE/kg with 16 per cent CP and ration containing 2500 kcal DE/kg with 20 per cent CP in both pure bred and cross bred rabbits. It is also noticed that for maximum growth rate a ration containing 2500 kcal. DE/kg need be sufficient as further increase in DE have not evinced any better response on ADG, which supports the view that for optimum biological response, a ration containing 2500 kcal DE/kg is sufficient for both pure bred and cross bred rabbits. As between the periods it was observed that the animals attained maximum ADG during the first 56 days of experiment and there after ADG gradually declines irrespective of the level of CP or DE in the ration. Both dietary energy and crude protein significantly influenced (P <0.01) the feed conversion efficiency of animals. Highest efficiency of feed conversion was noticed in rabbits maintained on Ration D containing 2500 kcal DE/kg and 20 per cent CP the values being 9.27 in SC and 8.85 in CB rabbits and further increase in DE from 2500 kcal/kg to the extent of 3000 kcal/kg did not contribute better feed efficiency. Data on feed efficiency further revealed that maximum efficiency was observed during the first eight weeks after weaning and there after there is a linear reduction in feed efficiency as the age advances, in all the nine dietary treatments. With regard to cost of production the maximum biological and economical efficiency could be observed in animals maintained on ration containing 2500 kcal DE/kg with 20 per cent CP and when the cost of production was evaluated in between the periods viz., 0-56 days, 56-112 days and 112-168 days, the cost efficiency is seen maximum during 0-56 days of experiment. Dry matter intake on percentage of body weight was found decreasing on increasing the dietary energy level. Haematological values were with in the normal range and were not significantly influenced by the dietary energy and protein levels. Digestibility of nutrients and percentage retention of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were significantly influenced by the dietary treatments with an increasing trend on increasing the dietary energy and protein level. From the metabolism studies carried out during 8th, 16th and 24th week of experiment, the percentage retention of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were found reduced on advancing the age of animals. Slaughter studies conducted at 8th, 16th and 24th week of experiment revealed that dressing percentage is directly proportional to the pre-slaughter weight of the animals. Higher dressing percentage is recorded in animals having higher body weight and vice-versa. Carcass yield were higher at 16th and 24th week of experiment than that at eighth week of experiment.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of dried spleen as a growth promoter in the ration of crossbred calves
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Sagathevan, S; KAU; George Mathen
    An investigation was carried out to assess the effect of dried spleen as a growth promoter m the ration of crossbred calves Twenty crossbred heifer calves of six to nine months of age were distributed randomly into four groups (group I II III and IV) as uniformly as possible with regard to age and body weight The animals m groups I II III and IV were maintained on concentrate ration A containing 20 per cent crude protein concentrate ration B containing 20 per cent crude protein and 0 1 per cent dried buffalo spleen concentrate ration C containing 15 per cent crude protein and concentrate ration D containing 15 per cent crude protein and 0 1 per cent dried buffalo spleen respectively The animals in groups I II III and IV showed average daily weight gain of 633 667 572 and 594 gramsrespectively The animals m group I and II showed higher weight gain than those m group III and IV but on statistical analysis there was no significant difference among the four groups The dried buffalo spleen biostimulator did not have any effect on change m body measurements viz height at withers body length and chest girth biostimulator treated group and control The animals in group I and II had higher digestibility coefficients for crude fibre neutral detergent fibre hemicellulose and cellulose than the animals m group III and IV The digestibility coefficient for crude protein was higher in group III and IV A critical assessment of the overall results obtained during the course of the present study indicates that addition of dried spleen biostimulator at a rate of 0 1 per cent m the ration did not have any effect on growth feed efficiency haematological value rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility m crossbred calves with an average daily gain of 600 grams per day
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of fish meal on growth and feed conversion efficiency in crossbred calves
    (Department of Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Subramanian, R; KAU; Ramachandran, P
    An investigation spread over a period of 126 days was carried out to assess the effect of fish meal in concentrate mixtures of calves for growth. Eighteen crossbred calves of 5-7 months of age and about 70 kg mean initial body weight, divided into three identical groups formed the experimental subjects. The calves in groups I, II and III were maintained on concentrate mixtures containing 0 (diet A) , 5 (diet B) and 10 (diet C) per cent respectively of fish meal along with grass hay fed ad libitum as the sole roughage. Data on body weight and body measurements, feed conversion efficiency, digestibility of nutrients, haematological values and economics of feeding of the calves were the criteria employed for the evaluation. The intake of DM, CP, DCP and TDN (g/kg metabolic body weight) were not significantly different among the animals in three groups. The digestibility coefficients of crude protein and ether extract were significantly higher in animals of group I than in those of groups II and III. The average daily gain in body weight were 487, 500 and 554 g respectively for the animals in groups I, II and III respectively and the increase in growth response was linearly and positively correlated to the level of fish meal in the diet. Although, body measurements did not reveal any significant difference among the groups, the slightly higher values obtained in group III indicated that calves fed diet containing 10 per cent fish meal had higher skeletal and muscle growth than those fed diets A and B. Highest feed and protein conversion efficiency were shown by calves of group III fed fish meal at 10 per cent level in the diet followed by those in group II and I. Diet C containing 10 per cent fish meal in the concentrate mixture was proved to be most cost effective. Though the haematological parameters did not reveal any significant difference among the groups, the slightly higher value for plasma protein obtained for animals in group III indicated the relatively better nutritional status of animals maintained on diet C over the animals on diet A and B. An overall critical assessment of the results clearly indicated that fish meal can be included in calf ration at 10 per cent level in partial replacement of vegetable protein supplements like groundnut oil cake, with beneficial results in terms of biological and economic efficiency.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nutritive evaluation of prawn waste as cattle feed
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) George Varughese; KAU; Maggie D Menachery
    Prawn waste collected from three major fish landing areas viz., Kochi, Kodungalloor and Kozhikode contained on an average 21.9 per cent dry matter, 37.6 per cent crude protein, 24.4 per cent total ash, 17.4 per cent acid detergent fibre, 8.91 per cent calcium and 1.72 per cent phosphorus. Prawn waste procured from Kochi area had higher dry matter, total ash, acid detergent fibre, calcium and phosphorus and less of crude protein. The results of in situ degradability studies carried out in three rumen fistulated cows indicated that the dry matter and crude protein degradabilities of prawn waste ranged from 35 to 45 and 44 to 56 per cent respectively. Prawn waste from Kochi area had lower (P<0.0l) dry matter and crude protein degradabilities than the other two areas. Metabolism trials conducted in adult, non-producing cattle using standard concentrate mixtures containing 0, 10 or 20 per cent prawn waste registered in the ration digestibility coefficients to the extent of 53 to 56, 52 to 55, 63 to 67, 61 to 64 and 60 to 63 per cent for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen free extract respectively. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in the digestibilities of nutrients in the three treatments. The animals on all the rations were on positive nitrogen balance. It is inferred that prawn waste can be safely and economically incorporated upto 20 per cent level in the concentrate mixtures of adult non-producing cattle.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of bypass protein on yield and composition of milk in cross bred cows
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Kalbande, V H; KAU; Thomas, C T
    Experiments were carried out to evaluate common feeds and fodders based on their rumen degradability rates and to assess the effect of varying bypass protein levels in concentrate mixtures on rumen fermentation profile and yield and composition of milk in Jersey crossbred cows. The dry matter and nitrogen disappearance rates in respect of nine concentrate feed ingredients and five green roughages commonly used in cattle rations, were determined using nylon bag technique in rumen fistulated crossbred cows. The effective protein degradability rates for groundnut cake, gingelly cake, cotton seed cake, coconut cake, yellow maize, jowar, wheat bran, rice bran, tapioca flour, green maize (Zea mays), green jowar (Sorghum bicolor) and guinea (Panicum maximum), para (Brachiariamutica) and napier grass (Pennisetumpurpureum) were found to be 66.17, 78.89, 27.72, 19.93, 22.64, 47.96,74.16, 60.59, 68.83, 56.93, 58.80, and 35.74, 45.39 and 36.68 per cent respectively at a rumen outflow rate of 0.05 per hour. Among the four oil cakes, gingelly cake and groundnut cake were more degradable in the rumen, whereas, cotton seed cake and coconut cake were comparatively insoluble and more resistant to degradation and thereby better sources of bypass protein for ruminants. The results on degradability measurements with respect to energy feeds revealed that yellow maize contained the least amounts of both soluble and degradable nitrogen as compared to jowar, wheat bran, rice bran and tapioca flour. Wheat bran was found to have higher contents of both rapidly soluble and potentially degradable protein as compared to rice bran. Among the different green fodders tested for protein degradability measurements, cereal fodders like maize and jowar were found more soluble and degradable as compared to different grasses. The effect of three varying ratios (high, medium and low) of Rumen Degradable Protein (RDP) to Undergradable Dietary Protein (UDP) of 37:63, 52:48 and 70:30 in isonitrogenous and isocaloric concentrate mixtures on rumen fermentation profile was studied using rumen fistulated Jersey crossbred cows. Rumen pH and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were found to be lower with concentrate mixture containing a higher UDP level of 63.38 per cent when compared with those having medium and low UDP levels of 47.55 and 29.75 per cent respectively at all post feeding intervals. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations as well as the concentration of individual fatty acids viz., acetate, propoionate and butyrate were also found higher in animals fed on concentrate mixture with the highest UDP level. The effect of the three UDP/bypass protein levels in isonitrogenous and isocaloric concentrate mixtures on milk yield and milk composition was studied using eighteen medium producing Jersey crossbred cows in their early lactation period for 100 days starting from 5th day post partum. The food consumption of the animals was found to increase with increasing UDP levels in concentrate mixtures, the percentage dry matter intake of animals calculated over the entire period of experiment being 3.70, 3.38 and 3.14 respectively for groups fed on concentrate mixtures of high, medium and low bypass protein levels. While animals maintained on the concentrate mixture with the higher UDP level of 63.38 per cent recorded a total gain of 10.83 kg over a period of 100 days, those fed concentrate mixtures with UDP levels of 47.55 and 29.75 per cent respectively lost body weights to the extent of 3.33 and 5.83 kg over the same period of the experiment. The average daily milk yields were found to be 10.11, 7.18 and 6.32 kg respectively for groups fed on concentrate mixtures with high, medium and low UDP levels. The results on milk composition as influenced by varying UDP levels in concentrate mixtures revealed that while milk fat percentage was not altered with degradability changes both milk protein and total solids were found to increase corresponding to increase in UDP levels. The feed conversion efficiency of milk production as well as persistency of milk production was also found to be higher UDP levels over the entire period of the experiment. The income over feed cost per cow per day, calculated over the experimental period of 100 days were found to be Rs. 44.54, 29.91 and 25.28 with the three concentrate mixtures of high, medium and low UDP levels respectively. The overall results clearly revealed that in medium producing Jersey crossbred cows on a grass based diet, a UDP level of 63.38 per cent may be considered optimum in a concentrate mixture with 20 per cent CP and 70 per cent TDN for higher production and better economic efficiency in their early part of lactation.