Effects of Corn Cob-based Diets on the Levels of Nutritionally Related Blood Metabolites and Onset of Puberty in Mukota and Landrace×Mukota Gilts

Mashatise, E.,Hamudikuwanda, H.,Dzama, K.,Chimonyo, M.,Kanengoni, A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.10

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of nutritionally related blood metabolites, age and body weight at puberty in gilts fed on corn cob-based diet in Mukota and Landrace${\times}$Mukota crossbred gilts. Ten gilts of each of Mukota and crossbred genotypes were fed two diets for 14 weeks in a 2${\times}$2 (breed${\times}$diet) factorial treatment arrangement. A corn-cob based diet, designed to contain 2,304 kcal ME/kg, and a standard pig grower diet, were used. The corn cob constituted 20 percent of the total ration. Fortnightly, bodyweights and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were recorded. Blood samples were collected to determine blood glucose, urea and creatinine levels. The average daily bodyweight gain (ADG) in the Mukota was lower (p<0.05) than in the crossbred gilts. Crossbred gilts fed on the corn cob-based diet had lower (p<0.05) urea values from eight weeks from the start of the experiment (p<0.05) compared to Mukota gilts fed the same diet. There were no differences in blood glucose and creatinine concentrations between diets and genotypes. The lack of differences in the nutritionally-related blood metabolites suggest that corn cobs could be incorporated at 20 percent inclusion without compromising blood metabolite concentrations and age at puberty of the Mukota and Landrace${\times}$Mukota gilts.

Protein Status of Indigenous Nguni and Crossbred Cattle in the Semi-arid Communal Rangelands in South Africa

Mapiye, C.,Chimonyo, M.,Dzama, K.,Marufu, M.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.2

The objective of the current study was to determine factors influencing concentrations of protein-related blood metabolites in indigenous Nguni and crossbred cattle in the semi-arid communal rangelands in South Africa. The body condition scores (BCS), packed cell volume (PCV) and serum concentrations of protein-related metabolites were determined seasonally in 100 cattle raised on communal rangelands from August 2007 to May 2008. Nguni cattle had lower (p<0.05) albumin-globulin ratio, albumin, urea and creatinine, and higher (p<0.05) globulin concentrations than the local crossbreds. Local crossbreds had higher (p<0.05) alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations and lower (p<0.05) aspartate aminotransferase concentrations in the postrainy season than Nguni cattle. The creatinine concentrations of Nguni and crossbred cattle were lowest in the sour rangeland during the hot-wet season. The albumin concentrations of Nguni and crossbred cattle were higher (p<0.05) whilst PCV, albumin-globulin ratio and creatine kinase concentration were lower (p<0.05) in the sour rangeland than in the sweet rangeland. Total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase concentrations of Nguni and crossbred cattle were lower (p<0.05) in the hot-wet and late cool-dry seasons than in other seasons across rangeland types. Urea concentrations in both breeds were highest in the sweet rangeland in the hot-dry season compared to other seasons. It was concluded that Nguni cattle had lower concentrations of protein metabolites than local crossbreds and protein deficiencies were most prominent in the sweet rangeland during the cool-dry seasons.

Seasonal Changes in Energy-related Blood Metabolites and Mineral Profiles of Nguni and Crossbred Cattle on Communal Rangelands in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Mapiye, C.,Chimonyo, M.,Dzama, K.,Marufu, M.C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.6

The objective of the current study was to determine seasonal changes in glucose, cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), serum inorganic phosphorous (SIP), calcium, magnesium and iron concentrations in Nguni and crossbred cattle on the sweet and sour rangelands of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Body weights, body condition scores (BCS) and serum concentrations of energy-related metabolites and mineral profiles were determined in late cool-dry, hot-dry, hot-wet, post-rainy and early cool-dry seasons in 100 cattle raised on communal rangelands from August 2007 to May 2008. Nguni cattle had lower (p<0.05) and higher (p<0.05) serum concentrations of glucose in the hot-wet and post-rainy seasons, respectively, compared to crossbreds in the same seasons. Serum cholesterol and NEFA concentrations in Nguni were lower (p<0.05) than in the crossbreds. Nguni and crossbred cattle had higher (p<0.05) serum NEFA concentrations on the sweet rangeland during the late cool-dry season than on sour rangeland. Nguni cattle had higher (p<0.05) SIP concentration in the hot-wet season than the crossbreds. Generally, both breeds had lowest SIP concentration during the hot-wet season on the sour rangeland. The lowest magnesium and highest iron concentrations were observed in the hot-wet and post-rainy seasons, respectively, compared to other seasons. Cattle on the sour rangeland had lower (p<0.05) iron concentrations than those on the sweet rangeland. It was concluded that Nguni cattle had lower cholesterol and NEFA, and higher SIP concentrations in the hot-wet season than crossbreds and energy deficits mostly occurred during the late cool-dry season on the sweet rangeland.

Influence of Maize Cob Inclusion Level in Pig Diets on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Mukota × Large White F₁ Crossbred Male Pigs

Chimonyo, M.,Kanengoni, A.T.,Dzama, K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.12

A trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and carcass characteristics of LW ${\times}$ Mukota $F_1$ crosses when fed diets containing graded levels of maize cob meal. Sixteen LW ${\times}$ Mukota $F_1$ crossbred pigs of approximately 4.5 months of age, were randomly allocated to four diets that contained 0, 100, 200 and 300 g maize cobs/kg, which corresponded to 276.4, 360.3, 402.9 and 523.5 g NDF/kg, respectively. The pigs were fed ad libitum for 14 weeks. The diets were formulated to contain similar levels of energy (ca. 9MJ ME/kg) and protein (ca.160 g CP/kg). Average daily feed intake (ADFI), daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were monitored for 14 weeks. At slaughter, the cold dressed weight (CDM) and backfat thickness (BFT) were determined. There was no significant linear relationship (p>0.05) between level of cob inclusion and ADFI. The ADG decreased as level of maize cobs increased (p<0.001). The pigs that were on 300 g cobs/kg had the highest FCR (p<0.05) as compared to pigs on the other three diets. No differences (p>0.05) were observed in the CDM between pigs that were fed diets that had 0 and 100 g maize cobs/kg. In addition, pigs on 100 and 200 g cobs/kg diets had the same CDM (p>0.05). The diet that contained 300 g cobs/kg gave the lowest (p< 0.001) CDM. Both BFT parameters showed a decrease (p<0.05) as level of maize cobs increased. An increase in CDM was associated with an increase in BFT (p<0.001), with the correlation coefficient between K7.5 and CDM being 0.84 (p<0.001). It can, therefore, be concluded that crossbred pigs perform well on diets containing up to 200 g/kg maize cobs.

Relationship between Nutritionally-related Blood Metabolites and Gastrointestinal Parasites in Nguni Goats of South Africa

Gwaze, F. Rumosa,Chimonyo, M.,Dzama, K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.9

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between faecal egg counts and nutritionally-related blood metabolites in Nguni goats of South Africa. Body weights, body condition scores (BCS), FAMACHA scores, faecal and blood samples were collected from 96 Nguni castrates. Faecal samples were analysed using the modified McMaster technique for nematodes and the sedimentation method for trematodes. Blood was analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine. Season had an effect on glucose, globulin, total protein, creatinine, PCV and faecal egg counts (FEC). Globulin, PCV, creatinine and FEC were significantly higher in the wet season compared to the dry season. A quadratic relationship existed between faecal egg count loads and BCS whilst negative linear relationships were observed between faecal egg counts and creatinine, albumin and cholesterol levels of Nguni goats.

Genetic Evaluation of Somatic Cell Counts of Holstein Cattle in Zimbabwe

Mangwiro, F.K.,Mhlanga, F.N.,Dzama, K.,Makuza, S.M. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2000 Animal Bioscience Vol.13 No.10

The objectives of the study were to examine non-genetic factors that influence somatic cell counts in dairy cattle and to estimate the genetic parameters of somatic cell counts. A total of 34, 097-test day somatic cell count records were obtained from the Zimbabwe Dairy Services Association (ZDSA). The data were from 5, 615 Holstein daughters of 390 sires and 2, 541 dams tested between May 1994 and December 1998. First lactation cows contributed 22, 147 records to the data set, while 11, 950 records were from second and later parity cows. The model for analysis included fixed effects of month of calving, year of calving, stage of lactation, calving interval and test date. Milk yield and age on test day were fitted in the model as covariates. The additive genetic effects pertaining to cows, sires and dams and the residual error were the random effects. The Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood algorithm was used for analysis. The heritability of somatic cell scores was low at $0.027{\pm}0.013$ for parity one cows and $0.087{\pm}0.031$ for parity two and above. Repeatability estimates were $0.22{\pm}0.01$ and $0.30{\pm}0.01$ for the two lactation groups, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between the somatic cell scores and test day milk production were small and negative. It seems that there is no genetic link between somatic cell counts and milk yield in Holstein cattle in Zimbabwe. The results also seem to indicate that somatic cell count is a trait that is mainly governed by environmental factors.

Potential of Using Maize Cobs in Pig Diets - A Review

Kanengoni, A.T.,Chimonyo, M.,Ndimba, B.K.,Dzama, K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.12

The quest to broaden the narrow range of feed ingredients available to pig producers has prompted research on the use of low cost, unconventional feedstuffs, which are typically fibrous and abundant. Maize cobs, a by-product of a major cereal grown worldwide, have potential to be used as a pig feed ingredient. Presently, maize cobs are either dumped or burnt for fuel. The major challenge in using maize cobs in pig diets is their lignocellulosic nature (45% to 55% cellulose, 25% to 35% hemicellulose, and 20% to 30% lignin) which is resistant to pigs' digestive enzymes. The high fiber in maize cobs (930 g neutral detergent fiber/kg dry matter [DM]; 573 g acid detergent fiber/kg DM) increases rate of passage and sequestration of nutrients in the fiber reducing their digestion. However, grinding, heating and fermentation can modify the structure of the fibrous components in the maize cobs and improve their utilization. Pigs can also extract up to 25% of energy maintenance requirements from fermentation products. In addition, dietary fiber improves pig intestinal health by promoting the growth of lactic acid bacteria, which suppress proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines. This paper reviews maize cob composition and the effect on digestibility of nutrients, intestinal microflora and growth performance and proposes the use of ensiling using exogenous enzymes to enhance utilization in diets of pigs.