Relative Performance of Fattening Lambs on Raw and Processed Cottonseed Meal Incorporated Diets

Nagalakshmi, D.,Sastry, V.R.B.,Agrawal, D.K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.1

In order to find the feasibility of feeding raw or processed cotton (Gossypium) seed meal (CSM), 30 male crossbred lambs were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments with 6 animals each. Lambs were fed each of the isonitrogenous and isocaloric concentrate mixtures containing 30% deoiled groundnut cake (DGNC) (reference diet), 40% raw, 45 minute cooked, 1% $Ca(OH)_2$ or iron (1 part free gossypol:0.3 parts iron) treated CSM (replacing about 50% nitrogen moiety of reference concentrate mixture). The concentrate mixture was fed to meet 80% of CP requirements (NRC, 1985) along with ad libitum maize (Zea mays) hay for 180 days. Incorporation of raw or processed CSM did not affect the palatability of diets as evidenced by higher (p<0.01) or comparable overall daily intakes of DM and protein (CP and Digestible CP) per kg $W^{0.75}$ by lambs in comparison to reference group. Intakes of DE and ME increased (p<0.01) due to inclusion $Ca(OH)_2$ treated CSM in diets, while the intakes were lower (p<0.01) on iron treated CSM based diet when compared with reference diet. The intakes of DM, CP, TDN, DE and ME by reference and experimental lambs were higher than the requirements stipulated by NRC (1985). The growth rate was highest (p<0.01) in lambs fed on diets with cooked CSM followed by those fed raw or $Ca(OH)_2$ treated CSM based diets. The growth of lambs fed on iron treated CSM diets was depressed (p<0.01) in comparison to that of other experimental lambs probably due to increased iron intake (889 mg/kg DM of diet) which was much higher than the toxic levels of 500 ppm (NRC, 1980). The lambs on various diets utilized DM with similar efficiency while the utilization of energy (TDN, DE and ME) was more efficient (p<0.01) when the diets contained raw or cooked CSM in comparison to that of reference diet. The lambs fed raw and $Ca(OH)_2$ treated CSM incorporated diets utilized DCP with higher (p<0.01) efficiency than the lambs fed reference diet. The feed cost per kg weight gain was lower (p<0.01) on raw, cooked and $Ca(OH)_2$ treated CSM based diets in comparison to reference diet. Cooking of CSM for 45 minutes further reduced the feed cost of weight gain.

Influence of Feeding Processed Cottonseed Meal on Meat and Wool Production of Lambs

Nagalakshmi, D.,Sastry, V.R.B.,Rao, V. Kesava Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.1

In order to assess the effect of feeding raw or processed cotton (Gossypium) seed meal (CSM) on meat and wool production, 30 male crossbred lambs (3-4 months) of uniform body weight were assigned equally to five dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. The CSM was processed by three different methods i.e., cooking the meal at $100^{\circ}C$ for 45 minutes, treatment with 1% calcium hydroxide ($Ca(OH)_2$) for 24 h and iron treatment in the ratio of 1 part free gossypol (FG) to 0.3 parts of iron for 30 minutes. The lambs were fed isonitrogenous and isocaloric concentrate mixtures, containing 30% deoiled peanut meal (reference diet) and 40% of either raw, cooked, $Ca(OH)_2$ or iron treated CSM for 180 days. The raw and variously processed CSM replaced about 50% nitrogen of reference concentrate mixture. The concentrate mixtures were fed to meet 80% of the protein requirements (NRC, 1985) along with ad libitum chopped maize (Zea mays) hay. The slaughter weight, empty body weight and carcass weight was higher ($p{\leq}0.01$) in lambs fed cooked CSM incorporated diets, compared to diets containing deoiled peanut meal (DPNM). These parameters were not influenced by feeding diets containing either raw, $Ca(OH)_2$ or iron treated CSM in comparison DPNM diets. The carcass length, loin eye area and edible and inedible portion of carcass and the meat: bone ratio in whole carcass were also not affected by feeding CSM based diets. Among various primal cuts, the yield of legs was lower ($p{\leq}0.05$) from raw CSM fed lambs in comparison to DPNM fed lambs. The fat content in the Longissimus dorsi muscle was reduced ($p{\leq}0.05$) in lambs fed processed CSM based diets compared to those fed DPNM diet. Replacing DPNM with either raw or processed CSM based diets did not influence the sensory attributes and overall acceptability of meat. The wool yield was higher ($p{\leq}0.05$) in iron treated CSM fed lambs. The fibre length and fibre diameter were comparable among lambs on various dietary regimes. Among lambs fed variously processed CSM diets, the feed cost per kg of edible meat production was lower ($p{\leq}0.05$) on $Ca(OH)_2$ treated CSM, followed by cooked CSM diet and then on raw CSM based diets compared to DPNM diet. The CSM after 1% $Ca(OH)_2$ treatment or cooking for 45 minutes appears to be a satisfactory protein supplement in lamb diets for meat and wool production to replace at least 50% nitrogen of scarce and costly peanut meal.

Effect of Feeding Neem (Azadirachta indica) Kernel Meal on Growth, Nutrient Utilization and Physiology of Japanese Quails (Coturnix cotrnix japonica)

Elangovan, A.V.,Verma, S.V.S.,Sastry, V.R.B.,Singh, S.D. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.9

The present study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of feeding neem kernel meal (NKM) containing diet to growing Japanese quails, which was incorporated into a standard quail diet at 0, 50, 75 or 100 g/kg in place of soyabean meal and deoiled rice bran. Each diet was offered to 30 quail chicks housed in battery cages from day one to five weeks of age. The chicks fed NKM diets gained 123.3, 122.6 and 121.6 g mean body weight, respectively, and which were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of 129.9 g gained by those of birds fed the control diets. The feed intake and feed conversion ratio of birds in different dietary groups were not significantly altered due to dietary variations. Mean values for retention of dietary energy, N and Ca were found to insignificantly differ (p>0.05) among the treatment groups but P retention was significantly (p<0.01) lower for quails fed 100 g/kg NKM than those in other groups. Blood biochemical constituents, carcass characteristics and organoleptic test for meat also were not found to vary significantly (p>0.05) due to dietary treatments. The histopathology of liver and kidney tissues from NKM fed quails revealed mild degenerative changes. It could be concluded that inclusion of NKM in quail diet reduced the growth besides inducing mild pathological changes in liver and kidney tissues.

Growth Performance, Humoral Immune Response and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens Fed Alkali Processed Karanj Cake Incorporated Diet Supplemented with Methionine

Panda, K.,Sastry, V.R.B.,Mandal, A.B. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.5

A study was conducted to see the effect of dietary incorporation of alkali (1.5% NaOH, w/w) processed solvent extracted karanj cake (SKC) supplemented with methionine on growth performance, humoral immune response and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens from 0 to 8 weeks of age. One hundred and twenty, day- old broiler chicks were wing banded, vaccinated against Marek' disease and distributed in a completely randomized design (CRD) into 3 groups of 40 chicks each, which was further replicated to 4 and fed on diet containing soybean meal and those of test groups were fed diets containing alkali (1.5% NaOH) treated SKC partially replacing soybean meal nitrogen of reference diet (12.5%) without or with supplementation of methionine (0.2%). Individual body weight of chicks and replicate-wise feed intakes were recorded at weekly intervals throughout the experimental period. Feed consumption from 1 to 14, 28, 42 and 56 d of age was recorded for each replicate and feed conversion efficiency (weight gain/feed intake) for the respective period was calculated. Mortality was monitored on daily basis. On 28$^{th}$ day of experimental feeding, two birds of each replicate in each dietary group (8 birds/diet) were inoculated with 0.1 ml of a 1.0% suspension of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and the antibody titre (log 2) was measured after 5 days by the microtitre haemmagglutination procedure. After 42 days of experimental feeding, a retention study of 4 days (43-47 d) duration was conducted on all birds to determine the retention of various nutrients such as DM, N, Ca, P and GE. On 43$^{rd}$ day of experimental feeding, one representative bird from each replicate of a dietary treatment (4/dietary group) was sacrificed, after fasting for two hours with free access to water, through cervical dislocation to observe the weight of dressed carcass, primal cuts (breast, thigh, drumstick, back, neck and wing), giblet (liver, heart and gizzard), abdominal fat and digestive organs. The body weight gain of chicks fed reference diet and those fed diet incorporated with NaOH treated SKC (12.5% replacement) with or without methionine supplementation was comparable during 0 to 4 weeks of age. However, dietary incorporation of alkali processed SKC replacing 12.5% nitrogen moiety of soybean meal resulted in growth retardation, subsequently as evidenced by significantly (p<0.05) lowered body weight gain during 0 to 6 weeks of age in birds fed diet incorporated with alkali processed SKC at 6.43% without methionine as compared to those supplemented with methionine or reference diet. Dietary incorporation of alkali (1.5% NaOH) processed SKC replacing 12.5% of soybean meal nitrogen in the diet of broiler chickens had no adverse effect on feed conversion ratio during all the weeks of experimental feeding. The humoral immune response (HIR) as measured by the antibody titre in response to SRBC inoculation was comparable among all the dietary groups. No significant difference in the intake and retention of DM, N, Ca, P or GE was noted among the chicks fed reference and alkali processed SKC incorporated diets with or without methionine supplementation. None of the carcass traits varied significantly due to dietary variations, except the percent weight of liver and giblet. The percent liver weight was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the birds fed diet incorporated with alkali processed SKC as compared to that in other two groups. Thus solvent extracted karanj cake could be incorporated after alkali (1.5% NaOH, w/w) processing at an enhanced level of 6.43%, replacing 12.5% of soybean meal nitrogen, in the broiler diets up to 4 weeks of age, beyond which the observed growth depression on this diet could be alleviated by 0.2% methionine supplementation.

Haematological and Immunological Response in Lambs Fed on Raw and Variously Processed Cottonseed Meal

Nagalakshmi, D.,Sastry, V.R.B.,Agrawal, D.K.,Katiyar, R.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.1

An experiment was conducted with twenty crossbred male lambs to assess the effect of cotton (Gossypium) seed meal (CSM) on blood constituents and immunity. Lambs were randomly assigned to a reference diet (30% deoiled peanut meal, DPNM) and four test diets containing 40% of either raw, 45 minutes cooked, 1% $Ca(OH)_2$ and iron (1 free gossy-pol, FG : 0.3 Fe) treated CSM (replacing approximately 50%, reference concentrate mixture). These isonitrogenous and isocaloric concentrate mixtures were fed to meet 80% of protein requirements (NRC, 1985) along with ad lib maize hay for 180 days. Blood was collected at 60, 120 and 180 days post feeding. The lambs were sensitized with Brucella abortus S99 antigen after 140 days and were subjected to ELISA and delayed type hypersensitivity. Blood haemoglobin, erythrocyte count, leucocyte count, total protein, total albumin, total globulin, urea, creatinine concentration and aspartate aminotransferase activity in lambs fed on raw or processed CSM were comparable to the values of reference lambs. The higher (p<0.01) blood glucose levels observed in CSM fed lambs at 60 days of feeding was latter reduced to the levels comparable with those on reference diet at 120 and 180 days of feeding. The alanine amino transferase activity was lower in lambs fed raw and cooked CSM containing diets at 120 and 180 days of feeding. A marginal increase in serum iron and alkaline posphatase activity was observed in iron treated group and raw CSM fed lambs, respectively. The humoral immune response and DTH reactivity was lower (p<0.05) in lambs fed raw CSM (consuming 302.83 mg FG/day). Cooking, $Ca(OH)_2$ and iron treatment of raw CSM showed a positive response in alleviating the suppression of immune response owing to the reduced consumption of FG by 40.19, 17.40% and 26.73%, respectively in these diets. The present study thus indicated that consumption of 40% raw CSM (302.83 mg FG/day) though did not affect majority of the haematological and blood biochemical parameters, but markedly suppressed the immune mechanism of lambs.

Effect of Feeding High Glucosinolate Rapeseed Meal to Laying Japanese Quail

Elangovan, A.V.,Verma, S.V.S.,Sastry, V.R.B.,Singh, S.D. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.9

The laying performance of Japanese quails fed graded levels of high glucosinolate ($92.5{\mu}mole/g$) rapeseed meal (RSM) was assessed. One hundred and twenty Japanese quails aged 1 day-old were assigned at random to four dietary treatments consisting of 0, 50, 75 or 100 g/kg RSM in the diet replacing part of the soybean meal and de-oiled rice bran in a standard quail ration. 12 female representative quails from each diet were selected at random and housed in individual cages from 7-20 wk of age. The egg production, feed intake and FCR was comparable among the different dietary groups. The egg quality characteristics, organoleptic evaluation of boiled eggs as well as the haematological (haemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count) and biochemical (glucose, protein, cholesterol, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase) constituents did not differ significantly among the groups. The gross and histopathological studies of vital organs did not reveal any appreciable changes. The feed cost was reduced by the incorporation of RSM in the diet, but only the production cost of quails fed the 75 g/kg RSM was lower in comparison to other groups. In the present study, the laying potential of Japanese quail was well-maintained up to the 100g/kg dietary level of rapeseed meal.

Neem (Azadirachta indica) Seed Cake in Animal Feeding-Scope and Limitations - Review -

Gowda, S.K.,Sastry, V.R.B. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.5

The different products of neem (Azadirachta indica) are utilized for variety of purposes in industry, health and animal agriculture in the Indian subcontinent. The cake from seeds after oil extraction is a good source of nutrients (CP: 35-38%; EE: 4.5-5.5%; CF: 12-15%; Ca: 0.75%; P: 0.45% on DM), and in particular, the one out of its kernel is proteinaceous and is relatively balanced in its amino acid and mineral profile. But the cake is toxic and bitter to taste owing to triterpenoids (nimbin, salannin, azadirachtin), which restricts its safe inclusion in livestock diet. Several feeding trials with raw cake have revealed poor palatability and adverse performance among different categories of livestock and poultry. Internal organ changes included histological alteration in intestine, liver, kidney and distruption of spermatogenesis and ovarian activity. Ruminants appears to tolerate reasonably higher levels of the cake and to a limited low levels of dietary inclusion also proved to be tolerable in monogastric farm animals. Debitterization through solvent (hexane, ether) extraction, water washing, alkali (NaOH, 1.5, 2.5 or 3%, wt/wt) soaking and urea (1.5 or 3%, wt/wt) - ammoniation have been tried with appreciable success in improving the palatability and nutritive value of the cake. For enhanced utilization, decortication of neem seeds is to be done effectively at industrial level with maximum oil recovery. The resultant proteinaceous kernel by-product could be a cheaper unconventional protein supplement after suitable processing.

BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND HISTOPATHOLOGY OF VITAL ORGANS IN RABBITS FED ON PROCESSED NEEM (Azadirachta indica) KERNEL MEAL INCORPORATED DIETS

Gowda, S.K.,Katiyar, R.C.,Sharma, A.K.,Sastry, V.R.B. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1996 Animal Bioscience Vol.9 No.4

Blood biochemical and histopathological changes in vital organs of rabbits were studied after 19 wk of feeding composite diets (75 concentrate : 25 roughage) incorporating either urea (2%, wt/wt) ammoniated or alkali (1.5%, wt/wt) treated neem kernel meal (NKM) replacing peanut meal protein of control diet by either 50 or 100%. The blood biochemical constituents (Haemoglobin, Alanine amino transferase, Aspartate amino transferase, Total protein, Blood urea nitrogen &Cholesterol) in rabbits fed on processed NKM diet at either levels, were comparable to the values of thos on control diet except a lowered (p < 0.05) blood glucose concentration in processed NKM fed rabbits as compared to that in control diet fed ones. Histological examination revealed increased goblet cell activity, stunting of jejunal villi, mild tubular degeneration in kidney and hepatic fibro-cellular reaction in rabbits fed on urea ammoniated and alkali treated NKM diets with less marked changes in the latter. Testicular changes with variable degree of disorganization and vacuolation of spermatogonial cells were noticed in rabbits fed higher levels of urea-ammoniated and alkali treated NKM. Thus, alkali treatment and urea-ammoniation were effective in detoxification of meal, but the processing technology is to be further perfected to prevent cumulative effect of residual neem bitters in long term feeding.

Effect of Different Degradable Protein and Starch Sources on the Blood Metabolites and Rumen Biochemical Profile of Early Weaned Crossbred Calves

Pattanaik, A.K.,Sastry, V.R.B.,Katiyar, R.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.5

Thirty new born crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) calves, divided randomly in a $3{\times}2$ factorial design, were fed calf starters containing one of three protein sources i.e., groundnut cake (GN), cottonseed meal (CS) and meat and bone meal (MB) along with either raw (M) or gelatinized maize (MG) for 90d. Milk was fed upto 56d of age. Green oats and respective calf starters were offered from 14d of age onwards ad lib. Clinical profile of serum suggested significantly (p<0.05) higher albumin and lower alanine aminotransferase activity due to CS feeding. Alklaine phosphatase activity varied significantly (p<0.05) among dietary treatments showing interaction between protein and starch sources. Inclusion of gelatinized maize resulted in significantly higher concentration of serum globulin (p<0.05) and alkaline phosphatase activity (p<0.01). reduced (p<0.05) ruminal pH was accompanied by a significant decrease (p<0.01) in $NH_3-N$ concentration in the strained rumen liquor (SRL) of MG fed calves. Ruminal amylase activity was lower (p<0.05) on MG diets. Alanine aminotransferase activity in the rumen exhibited a significant (p<0.01) interaction between protein and starch sources. While feeding of CS significantly (p<0.01) reduced alanine aminotransferase activity, inclusion of thermally processed maize reduced (p<0.01) both aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities in the rumen. The overall blood picture was similar among treatments, whereas rumen metabolites especially enzyme activities, seems to be altered with source of degradable protein an starch.

Quantification of Karanjin, Tannin and Trypsin Inhibitors in Raw and Detoxified Expeller and Solvent Extracted Karanj (Pongamia glabra) Cake

Panda, A.K.,Sastry, V.R.B.,Kumar, A.,Saha, S.K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.12

Despite being a rich source of protein (28-34%), karanj (Pongamia glabra) cake is found to be bitter in taste and toxic in nature owing to the presence of flavonoid (karanjin), tannin and trypsin inhibitor, thereby restricting its safe inclusion in poultry rations. Feeding of karanj cake at higher levels (>10%) adversely affected the growth performance of poultry due to the presence of these toxic factors. Therefore, efforts were made to detoxify karanj cake by various physico-chemical methods such as dry heat, water washing, pressure cooking, alkali and acid treatments and microbiological treatment with Sacchraromyces cerevisiae (strain S-49). The level of residual karanjin in raw and variously processed cake was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography and tannin and trypsin inhibitor was quantified by titrametric and colorimetric methods, respectively. The karanjin, tannin and trypsin inhibitor levels in such solvent and expeller pressed karanj cake were 0.132, 3.766 and 6.550 and 0.324, 3.172 and 8.513%, respectively. Pressure-cooking of solvent extracted karanj cake (SKC) substantially reduced the karanjin content at a cake:water ratio of 1:0.5 with 30-minute cooking. Among chemical methods, 1.5% (w/w) NaOH was very effective in reducing the karanjin content. $Ca(OH)_2$ treatment was also equally effective in karanjin reduction, but at a higher concentration of 3.0% (w/w). A similar trend was noticed with respect to treatment of expeller pressed karanj cake (EKC). Pressure cooking of EKC was effective in reducing the karanjin level of the cake. Among chemical methods alkali treatment [2% (w/w) NaOH] substantially reduced the karanjin levels of the cake. Other methods such as water washing, dry heat, HCl, glacial acetic acid, urea-ammoniation, combined acid and alkali, and microbiological treatments marginally reduced the karanjin concentration of SKC and EKC. Treatment of both SKC and EKC with 1.5% and 2.0% NaOH (w/w) was the most effective method in reducing the tannin content. Among the various methods of detoxification, dry heat, pressure cooking and microbiological treatment with Saccharomyces cerevisiae were substantially effective in reducing the trypsin inhibitor activity in both SKC and EKC. Based on reduction in karanjin, in addition to tannin and trypsin inhibitor activity, detoxification of SKC with either 1.5% NaOH or 3% $Ca(OH)_2$, w/w) and with 2% NaOH were more effective. Despite the effectiveness of pressure cooking in reducing the karanjin content, it could not be recommended for detoxification because of the practical difficulties in adopting the technology as well as for economic considerations.