The effect of milk source on body weight and immune status of lambs

Challenges and opportunities in producing high-quality edible mushrooms from lignocellulosic biomass in a small scale

Mushrooms are high-value products that can be produced from lignocellulosic biomass. Mushrooms are the fruiting body of fungi and are domestically cultivated using lignocellulosic biomass obtained from agricultural byproducts and woody biomass. A handful of edible mushroom species are commercially cultivated at small, medium, and large scales for culinary and medicinal use. Details about different lignocellulosic biomass and their composition that are commonly used to produce mushrooms are outlined in this review. In addition, discussions on four major processing steps (i) producing solid and liquid spawn, (ii) conventional and mechanized processing lignocellulosic biomass substrates to produce mushroom beds, (iii) maintaining growth conditions in climate-controlled rooms, and (iv) energy requirements and managements to produce mushrooms are also provided. The new processing methods and technology outlined in this review may allow mushrooms to be economically and sustainably produced at a small scale to satisfy the growing food needs and create rural jobs. KEY POINTS: • Some of the challenges faced by small-scale mushroom growers are presented. This review is expected to stimulate more research to address the challenges.

Cow products: boon to human health and food security

The world population exceeded 7.8 billion people in 2020 and is predicted to reach 9.9 billion by 2050 as per the current increasing rate of 25%. In view of this, ensuring human health and food security has become an issue of key importance to countries with different degrees of economic development. At the same time, the livestock sector plays a strategic role in improving the economic, environmental, and sociocultural stewardship of any nation. The cow (Bos indicus) has held a distinctive role in human history ever since its domestication because of its valued harvests like dairy products (milk, clarified butter, yogurt, curd, and buttermilk) excreta like dung and urine. These products, except dung, provide all the necessary energy and nutrients to ensure the proper growth and development of the human. They are the source of many bioactive substances, which possess immense pharmacotherapeutic action against various physiological, metabolic and infectious disorders, including COVID-19. The use of urine and dung can be considered a low-cost agricultural practice for farmers and has been extensively used in modern agriculture practices to ensure food security via soil fertility, plant pathogens, and pests. Cow urine mediated synthesized nanomaterial also display distinctive characteristics and novel applications in various fields of science and technology. Thus, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of cow products, describing their biochemical constituents, bioactivities, and their utilization in the area ranging from human welfare to agriculture sustainability. An attempt is also made to present possible applications in bioenergy production and pollution reduction.

Effects of pepper extract in suckling lamb feed: Growth performance, metabolism, and oxidative responses

Our objective was to determine whether the inclusion of pepper extract would improve health in suckling lambs, stimulating antioxidant activity, and improving performance. We used Lacaune lambs distributed in four treatments, with four repetitions per treatment and three lambs per repetition: control group (T0) and treatments T1, T2, and T3 that received 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of pepper extract, respectively. Groups T1 and T2 consumed more significant amounts of silage than group T0, and animals from group T1 consumed more concentrate and, consequently, consumed more solids. The addition of pepper extract enhanced growth performance, with the lowest dose (T1) giving rise to the most significant weight gain, average daily gain, and body weight, compared to T0. Regression analysis showed that the optimum point for pepper extract supplementation was 301.5 mg/kg. The levels of total protein and globulins were significantly higher for animals supplemented with pepper extract (day 28) than the control; the concentrations of albumin and urea increased over time but did not differ significantly among treatments. Serum glucose levels decreased significantly over time; however, the groups supplemented with pepper extract showed higher concentrations than group T0. The hematocrit was significantly higher in groups fed pepper extract; hemoglobin concentrations were also more significant, increasing over time in both groups. The groups that consumed the pepper extract had higher leukocyte counts due to greater lymphocytes and neutrophils. Levels of non-protein thiols increased significantly over time, while lipid peroxidation levels decreased significantly in all groups. The concentrations of reactive oxygen species significantly decreased in the serum of group T3 animals, those fed with pepper extract (day 28), compared to the control. In general, the addition of pepper extract in lamb feed can enhance weight gain, increase antioxidant levels, and stimulate the production of leukocytes and globulins in lambs.

Short communication: Comparative estimation of colostrum quality by Brix refractometry in bovine, caprine, and ovine colostrum

Newborn ungulates depend on the timely supply of colostrum containing sufficient immunoglobulins to obtain passive immunity against disease. Brix refractometry enables a rapid on-farm estimation of colostrum quality and has been intensively studied in bovines. However, the suitability of Brix refractometers for assessing colostrum quality in goats and ewes has been scarcely evaluated. The present study compared bovine, caprine, and ovine colostrum quality estimation using an optical Brix refractometer. In addition, between-species variations in the relationships between Brix values and colostrum constituents (IgG, fat, protein, and lactose) and the accuracy of Brix refractometry at different cutoff values were evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. We measured the Brix value and contents of IgG, fat, protein, and lactose in 324 colostrum samples (108 cows, 116 does, and 100 ewes). Thresholds for classification of good colostrum quality (as determined by ELISA) were set at 50 mg IgG/mL in cows and 20 mg/mL in does and ewes. Bovine colostrum showed the greatest IgG concentrations compared with caprine and ovine colostrum. Fat and protein content was higher in sheep colostrum compared with the other species, whereas the highest lactose concentrations were detected in goat colostrum. Brix values ranged from 11.4 to 34.6% (22.1 ± 4.2%; mean ± standard deviation), 15.4 to 40.0% (28.5 ± 6.8%), and 8.8 to 39.8% (21.6 ± 5.3%) in bovine, ovine, and caprine colostrum, respectively. In all 3 species, Brix was highly correlated with IgG and protein concentrations (cows, r = 0.83 and 0.98; goats, r = 0.83 and 0.89; sheep, r = 0.75 and 0.87). Optimal cutoff points for greatest accuracy of Brix measurements were 19.3% Brix in cows [with 87.1% sensitivity (Se) and 100% specificity (Sp)], 20.7% Brix in does (with 53.5% Se and 100% Sp), and 26.5% Brix in ewes (with 75% Se and 91.3% Sp). In conclusion, Brix refractometry is an acceptable tool for on-farm estimations of colostrum quality in does and ewes despite distinct between-species variations in colostrum composition.

Milk Replacer Supplementation with Docosahexaenoic Acid from Microalgae Does Not Affect Growth and Immune Status in Goat Kids

Simple Summary

The consumption of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has beneficial effects on human health. Meat from suckling goat kids is highly valuable, especially in Mediterranean countries. Based on this, several strategies have been implemented to increase the content of DHA in foodstuffs such as meat and meat products. Several studies have observed how feeding diverse sources of DHA can improve the fatty acid profile in goat kid meat. However, few studies have focused on the effect of using these DHA supplements on growth and the immune system development in these animals. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of DHA supplementation on growth and the immune system development in newborn goat kids. The current study showed that the DHA supplementation did not affect either growth or the immune status of goat kids during the first 35 days of life.

Abstract

Consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has beneficial effects for consumers’ health. Consequently, there is an increased interest in enhancing meat fatty acid profiles (i.e., PUFA and DHA content) through diverse nutritional strategies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementing a microalgae-derived product rich in DHA on growth and immune system development in newborn goat kids. In this experiment, newborn goat kids were fed milk replacer (MR) supplemented with three levels of a microalgae-derived product rich in DHA (DHA-Gold^®, Martek Biosciences, MD, USA). Groups were designed as follows: MR-NS (milk replacer without DHA-Gold^® supplementation; n = 10), MR-DHA-9 (9 g of DHA-Gold^®/L milk replacer; n = 10) and MR-DHA-18 (18 g of DHA-Gold^®/L milk replacer; n = 10). The immune status of the kids was evaluated by the plasma IgG and IgM concentrations, as well as by the complement system and chitotriosidase activities. Dietary supplementation with DHA did not affect either growth or innate and humoral immunity (p > 0.05). This study concludes that supplementation with DHA does not cause negative effects on growth and immune status in newborn goat kids.

Use of glycerol and propylene glycol as additives in heat-treated goat colostrum

This experiment aimed to evaluate the suitability of glycerol and propylene glycol to reduce microbial count and preserve immune properties in heat-treated goat colostrum. Colostrum samples from 11 goats were each divided into 9 aliquots. Different concentrations (2, 6, 10, and 14%; vol/vol) of either glycerol or propylene glycol were added to the aliquots. Phosphate buffer solution was added to one aliquot, which was set as the control (CG). After the respective additions, all colostrum samples were heat treated at 56°C for 1 h. After cooling, aerobic mesophilic bacteria were cultured. The samples were frozen until free fatty acid, IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations and chitotriosidase activity were measured. No differences were found in aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts between either 10 or 14% glycerol and propylene glycol additives. These additions reduced bacterial count to a greater extent than CG, and 2 or 6% additions. Colostrum IgG concentration was not affected by either of the additives or their concentrations. The propylene glycol additive reduced IgA and IgM concentrations and chitotriosidase activity, compared with CG. Conversely, glycerol did not affect any of the studied immune variables. In conclusion, glycerol addition to goat colostrum before heat treatment is suitable to enhance bacterial reduction, whereas colostrum immune properties were not affected.

Effect of Age and Weaning on Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Serum Parameters in Lambs Fed Starter with Limited Ewe-Lamb Interaction

Sixty neonatal Hu lambs were weaned at either 21 (n = 30) (early weaning, EW) or 49 days (n = 30) of age (control, CON). The starter intake and body weight (BW) of lambs was recorded weekly from birth to 63 days of age. Diarrhea rate of lambs was measured from birth to 35 days. Six randomly selected lambs from each treatment were slaughtered at 26, 35, and 63 days of age, respectively. Ruminal pH, NH3-N, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, as well as serum parameters including immunity, antioxidant status, and inflammatory parameters from randomly selected lambs from each treatment were measured. There was no difference in BW at birth and day 21 between the two groups of lambs (p > 0.05). However, BW of the lambs in the EW group was significantly lower than those in the CON group (p < 0.01) from 28 to 49 days of age. Average daily gain (ADG) of the lambs in the EW group was significantly lower than those in the CON group (p < 0.01) at three weeks after early weaning. Starter intake of the lambs in the EW group was obviously higher than that in the CON group (p < 0.01) from day 28 to 49. In addition, the diarrhea rate was significantly higher than that in the CON group from day 5 to 14 after weaning (p < 0.01). The EW group had heavier carcasses (p < 0.01) and rumen relative to whole stomach weights (p < 0.01). Rumen pH was increased by age (p < 0.01) and was not affected by early weaning (p > 0.05). Early weaning decreased abomasum relative to whole stomach weight (p < 0.01) and increased total VFA concentrations (p < 0.01) at day 26. There was no difference in lambs' immunity and stress indicators (p > 0.05). The results indicated that lambs weaned at 21 days of age had decreased ADG and higher diarrhea rate, although the overall immunity was not compromised. Long-term study is needed to further validate the feasibility of early weaning strategy in lambs.

Growth performance and health of nursing lambs supplemented with inulin and Lactobacillus casei

OBJECTIVE

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of Agave tequilana inulin and Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) on growth performace, hematological variables, serum metabolites, and total coliforms in nursing lambs.

METHODS

The experimental design was completely randomized; treatments were T1, control (pre-starter concentrate, PC), T2: T1+2% inulin, and T3: T1+2% inulin+L. casei; treatments were compared with Tukey test (p≤0.05); and 45 new born Kathadin×Dorset lambs (4.8±0.8 kg birth weight) were the experimental units (15 per treatment). The variables were daily weight gain (DWG), dry matter intake and diarrheas incidence (%) during 56 d. Twenty-four hours after birth and at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to evaluate hematological variables and serum metabolites. Besides, the populations of total coliforms and lactobacilli were estimated in fecal samples.

RESULTS

Addition of agave inulin and L. casei increased (p≤0.05) DWG 356, 384, and 415 g/d, weaning weight 24.92, 26.18, and 28.07 kg, as well as lactobacilli population 5.79, 6.32, and 6.48 Log10 cfu/g, for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Lambs fed L. casei had decreased (p≤0.05) populations of total coliforms (T1 = 6.18, T2 = 5.77, and T3 = 5.07 Log10 cfu/g), diarrheas incidence (T1 = 11.67%, T2 = 8.33%, and T3 = 5.0%), and serum cholesterol concentration (11% in T2 and 13% in T3, compared to control).

CONCLUSION

The combination of Agave tequilana inulin and L. casei increases weight gain and improves intestinal health by reducing coliforms and diarrheas incidence in Katahdin× Dorset lambs during the pre-weaning period.

Sheep and goats raised in mixed flocks have diverse immune status around parturition

Several physiological and metabolic changes take place in dairy ruminants around parturition (late pregnancy, parturition, and early lactation). Dairy species are genetically selected for their higher milk production compared with non-dairy species. This fact causes a constant stress that impairs the immune status of the animal, with consequences for its welfare and performance. In the present study, we assessed the immune status of high-yield dairy sheep and goats by quantifying IgG and IgM concentrations, as well as chitotriosidase (ChT) and complement system [total complement system (TC) and alternative complement pathway (AC)] activity in blood plasma around parturition. We also measured IgG and IgM concentrations and ChT activity in colostrum and milk during the first 40 d postpartum. The lowest blood IgG concentration was at parturition in both species. We detected no differences in blood IgG concentrations between species. Blood IgM concentrations were constant in both species throughout the study period. However, blood IgM concentrations were greater in sheep than in goats. Blood ChT activity was greater in goats than in sheep, and both species showed constant activity of this enzyme throughout the study period. We observed no differences in complement system (TC and AC) activity between sheep and goats. In addition, both TC and AC activity were constant in both species throughout the experiment. In general, IgG and IgM concentrations were greater in sheep colostrum than in goat colostrum, but these differences disappeared after d 4 (IgG) and d 3 (IgM) postpartum. In both species, the highest IgG and IgM concentrations were measured in colostrum, gradually decreasing during the first days postpartum. Chitotriosidase activity decreased in both species from colostrum to milk, although goats always showed greater ChT activity than sheep. Both sheep and goats seemed to be more susceptible to infectious diseases around parturition. As well, goats showed greater ChT activity in blood, colostrum, and milk than sheep. This fact may give these animals additional protection against parasite and fungal infections.

Immunoglobulin G content and colostrum composition of different goat and sheep breeds in Switzerland and Germany

Colostrum represents the sole source to acquire humoral immunity and is an important energy source for newborn lambs and goat kids. However, colostrum composition (i.e., the contents of IgG, fat, protein, and lactose) is affected by various factors such as parity and litter size and, potentially, by breed. In the present study, we examined the colostrum composition of different goat and sheep breeds raised for milk and meat production in Switzerland and Germany. Ten goat breeds (Anglo-Nubian, Appenzell, Boer, Bunte Deutsche Edelziege, Chamois-colored, Grisons Striped, Peacock, Saanen, Toggenburg, and Valais Blackneck) and 10 sheep breeds (Brown-Headed Meat, East Friesian Milk, German Blackheaded Mutton, Gray Horned Heath, Lacaune Dairy, Merino Land, Swiss Black-Brown Mountain, Swiss Charollais, Swiss White Alpine, and Valais Blacknose) were involved in this study. First colostrum samples were obtained from ewes (n = 100) and goats (n = 116) between 10 and 390 min after parturition and analyzed for total IgG, fat, protein, and lactose contents. Colostral IgG concentrations varied between 4.8 and 75.0 mg/mL in goats, and between 6.2 and 65.4 mg/mL in ewes, and the time interval between milking and parturition did not affect colostral IgG concentrations. In goats, the highest IgG concentrations were found in Boer (meat-type; 61.0 ± 10.3 mg/mL; mean ± SD) and the lowest concentrations were observed in Bunte Deutsche Edelziege (milk-type; 26.5 ± 12.5 mg/mL). In sheep, East Friesian Milk and Lacaune Dairy showed the lowest colostral IgG concentrations (17.9 ± 7.3 and 20.2 ± 8.0 mg/mL, respectively), and the highest values were observed in the Merino Land breed (44.2 ± 15.7 mg/mL). The lowest fat and protein concentrations and concomitantly highest lactose concentrations were observed in colostrum of East Friesian Milk and Lacaune Dairy sheep. Parity number did not affect colostrum composition in sheep or goats. In contrast, colostral fat content was higher in ewes bearing twins and triplets than in those carrying singletons. Increasing litter size tended to be associated with higher protein and lower lactose concentrations in ovine (i.e., singletons vs. twins vs. triplets) and caprine colostrum (i.e., singletons vs. twins), whereas colostral IgG concentrations were not affected by litter size. In conclusion, IgG and concentrations of other colostrum constituents showed a wide range in goats and ewes and were mainly affected by the type of breed.

A proteomics study of colostrum and milk from the two major small ruminant dairy breeds from the Canary Islands: a bovine milk comparison perspective

Colostrum and milk feeding are key factors for the newborn ruminant survival, affecting the future performance of the animal. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the potential of feeding newborn ruminants (mainly goat kids and lambs) with colostrum and milk from other more productive ruminant species (mainly cows). Although some studies regarding differences between colostrum and milk from these three species have been performed, herein we conduct for the first time a comparison using a proteomics 2-Dimensional Electrophoresis gel-based approach between these three ruminant species. In this study colostrum and milk samples from six Holstein cows, six Canarian sheep and six Majorera goats were used to determine the chemical composition, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM) concentrations and proteomics profiles. Results showed that in general sheep colostrum and milk contained higher fat, protein and lactose percentages compared to bovine and goat samples. Additionally, no differences in the IgG or IgM concentrations were found among any of the three studied species, with the exception of sheep colostrum that showed the highest IgM concentration. With reference to the proteomics-based approach, some high abundant proteins such as serum albumin precursor, beta-caseins or different immunoglobulins components were found in colostrum, milk or even both. Nevertheless, differences in other proteins with immune function such as serotransferrin or lactoperoxidase were detected. This study shows that despite the similar immunoglobulin concentrations in colostrum and milk from the three studied species, differences in several immune components can be detected when these samples are studied using a proteomics approach. Finally, this study also provides a base for future investigation in colostrum and milk proteomics and metabolomics.

Effects of suckling duration on growth, slaughtering and carcass quality characteristics of Kivircik lambs

Effects of suckling length (45, 75 and 120 days) and birth type (single and twin) on lamb growth, slaughtering and carcass quality characteristics were investigated using 40 Kivircik lambs. SC-45 and SC-75 lambs were weaned at 45 and 75 days of age, respectively, whilst SC-120 lambs remained with their mothers until the end of the experimental period. Lambs from all studied groups were slaughtered at 120 days of age. Weaning treatment caused a decrease in average daily gain in SC-45 and SC-75 lambs, and therefore, final weight was higher in SC-120 lambs than lambs from weaned groups. SC-120 lambs had higher empty body weight, cold carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass measurements, carcass fatness (proportions of the kidney knob and channel fat, subcutaneous and intramuscular fat in pelvic limb) and non-carcass fatness (omental and mesenteric fat proportion) than weaned lambs. As a conclusion, the potential losses in meat production due to weaning should be considered before deciding the weaning of lambs at early ages.

Establishment of the biochemical and endocrine blood profiles in the Majorera and Palmera dairy goat breeds: the effect of feed restriction

Feed restriction, and seasonal weight loss (SWL), are major setbacks for animal production in the tropics and the Mediterranean. They may be solved through the use of autochthonous breeds particularly well adapted to SWL. It is therefore of major importance to determine markers of tolerance to feed restriction of putative use in animal selection. Two indigenous breeds from the Canary Islands, Palmera and Majorera, are commonly used by dairy goat farmers and, interestingly, have different phenotype characteristics albeit with a common ancestry. Indeed, Majorera is well adapted to feed restriction whereas the Palmera is susceptible to feed restriction. In addition, regardless of their importance in dairy production, there are only a limited number of reports relating to these breeds and, to the best of our knowledge, there is no description of their blood metabolite standard values under control conditions or as affected by feed restriction. In this study we analysed the blood metabolite profiles in Majorera and Palmera goats aiming to establish the differential responses to feed restriction between the two breeds and to characterise their metabolite standard values under control conditions. We observed significant differences in creatinine, urea, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), cholesterol, IGF-1 and T3 due to underfeeding. Furthermore, a PCA analysis, revealed that animals submitted to undernutrition could be distinguished from the control groups, with the formation of three separate clusters (Palmera individuals after 22 d of subnutrition (PE22); Majorera individuals after 22 d of subnutrition (ME22) and animals assigned to control conditions (MC0, MC22, PC0 and PC22)), highlighting different responses of the two breeds to undernutrition.