This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of substituting wheat straw with corn stover (CS) on the growth performance and blood parameters of lambs fed on a concentrate diet. Male lambs were split into two groups, with 16 lambs in each. Following a 7-days adaptation period, one group received a diet containing 0 g/kg CS (CS0) and the other group received 100 g/kg CS (CS100) for 56 days. The following growth-related parameters were evaluated: feed intake, digestibility, N balance, total weight gain, average daily gain and blood parameters. The production cost was also assessed. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) intake increased (p ≤ .05) for lambs fed the CS100 diet. Lambs introduced to the CS100 diet were better able to digest (p ≤ .05) DM, CP, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre. N intake and retention improved, while N lost in faeces tended to increase (p ≤ .08) in lambs fed the CS100 diet. Average daily weight gain was greater (p = .03), and cost of gain was lower (p = .001) for lambs fed the CS100 diet. Blood glucose increased while creatinine was reduced (p < .05) for lambs fed the CS100 diet. These results indicate that feeding lambs the CS100 diet is efficient and would increase profitability. In conclusion, feeding corn stover had a positive impact on growth rate, reduced production costs, and had no negative effect on health. Therefore, we recommend that lambs should be fed diets that include CS100.

This research was conducted out at Jerash University farm in Jordan, 2020. The aim was to evaluate the effect of some feed additives, two levels of Omega-3 (5 kg/ton) [T1], (10 kg/ton) [T2] and (Probiotics with exogenous enzymes mixture, 1 kg/ton) [T3], and commercial feed [T4] on growth performance and carcass parameters during 16-35 days of age. A hundred forty and four birds at sixteen days old Hubbard chicks were distributed randomly into four treatments. Each treatment included 3 replicates, each of 12 chicks. Live body weight (Wt) at 28-day-old, T1 had a higher than the T4. Weight gain (WG) was significantly differed among treatments, as it exceeded the T1 during the fourth week and the T4 during the fifth week. Feed consumption (FC) significantly differed among treatments; T4 had the least FC during the third and fourth weeks while T3 had the least FC values during the fourth and fifth weeks. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significant among treatments during the fifth week, with T2, T3, and T4 values being significantly lower. WG and FCR were non-significant, while FC and mortality were significant between treatments, with T3 being the lowest over the entire period (16-35 days). Carcass characteristics were not significant except for dressing ratio and spleen weight which was lower at T1 and T3, respectively. The research findings indicated that Probiotics with exogenous enzymes could decrease FC without affecting the final body weight of Hubbard broiler chickens under the conditions of production in Jordan.

This study evaluated effects of dietary supplementation of jalapeño powder containing capsaicin on inflammation in 24 beef steers (213 ± 6.2 kg BW) exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Treatments were a 2 × 2 factorial of 2 dietary supplements that supplied 0 or 0.74 ± 0.02 mg kg-1 BW of capsaicin (-CAP vs. +CAP), and 2 infusions of sterile saline that supplied 0 or 0.5 μg kg-1 BW of LPS (-LPS vs. +LPS). Steers were limit-fed a diet for 15 d, and supplemented with dietary treatments from d 8 to 15. On d 15, LPS was infused (via i.v. catheters) 3 h after feeding. Respiration rates, rectal temperatures, and blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after LPS infusion. Data was analyzed using mixed models and repeated measures. A CAP × LPS interaction occurred for respiration rate (P = 0.07) and serum glucose (P = 0.06). Respiration rate was greater for +LPS than -LPS steers fed -CAP, and not different for +LPS and –LPS steers fed +CAP. Glucose was not different for +LPS and -LPS steers fed –CAP, and lower for +LPS than -LPS steers fed +CAP. An LPS × h interaction (P < 0.01) occurred for all variables. Respiration rates were greater for +LPS than –LPS steers at 2 h, and not different at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h. Rectal temperatures were greater for +LPS than –LPS steers at 2 and 4 h, not different at 8 and 12 h, and lower at 24 h. Cortisol and IL-6 of +LPS steers were greater at 2, 4, 8, and 12 h (IL-6 only), and not different from –LPS steers at 24 h. Serum prolactin was greater for +LPS than -LPS steers at 2 h, lower at 8 and 12 h, and not different at 24 h. Insulin and tumor necrosis factor-α were greater for +LPS than –LPS steers at 2 h, and not different at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h. Interferon-γ was not different at 0 and 2 h, greater for +LPS than –LPS at 4 h, and not different at 8, 12, and 24 h. Serum glucose was greater for +LPS than –LPS steers at 2 h, lower at 4 h, and not different at 8, 12, and 24 h. Results demonstrated that dietary supplementation of jalapeño powder containing capsaicin did not reduce LPS-induced inflammation in steers.

This study was preliminary to a research project that evaluated the potential for capsaicin to decrease inflammation in cattle. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of capsaicin on rumen microbial fermentation and gas production in an in vitro system. Rumen fluid was collected from 2 ruminally-cannulated heifers fed an alfalfa hay-based diet. Strained rumen fluid (50 mL) was mixed with McDougal’s buffer (50 mL) and anaerobically incubated at 39°C in 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks that contained treatments. Treatments were 1 g of ground alfalfa hay that contained either 0% (CON) or 2% (CAP) jalapeño powder (contained 1,280 ppm capsaicin). Gas production was measured from 24 flasks (12 replicates per treatment) that were incubated for 24 h, and gas measurements were recorded at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, and 24 h. Rumen microbial fermentation products (pH, NH3, and VFA) were collected from 2 runs of 32 incubating flasks that were stopped after 0, 6, 12, or 24 h of incubation (8 replicates per treatment at each incubation time). Data were analyzed statistically as repeated measures using mixed models. A treatment × hour interaction (P = 0.02) occurred for gas production; gas production was not different at 0, 2, 8, 10, 12, 18, and 24 h, but was greater (P < 0.05) for CAP than CON at 4 and 6 h. No treatment × hour interactions (P ≥ 0.24) occurred for pH, total VFA, and individual VFA proportions. Ammonia concentrations tended to be lower for CAP than CON at 24 h (treatment × hour, P = 0.12). Ammonia and total VFA concentrations were not different (P ≥ 0.23) between CON and CAP, and pH tended to be greater (P = 0.11) for CAP than CON. Molar percentages of acetate were greater (P < 0.01), and molar percentages of propionate, butyrate, and valerate were lower (P < 0.01) for CAP than CON. Thus, acetate:propionate ratio was greater (P < 0.01) for CAP than CON. Ruminal pH decreased (P < 0.01), and concentrations of NH3 and total VFA increased (P < 0.01) as incubation time increased. These results demonstrate that the addition of 2% jalapeño powder to a ground alfalfa hay substrate altered rumen microbial fermentation and gas production. These effects on rumen microbial fermentation were in favor of acetate production

Locoweeds impair performance and may cause death in grazing livestock. Novel feed products are needed that counter or minimize the toxic effects of locoweed. The objective was to evaluate effects of 3 feed product formulations on plasma AA of lambs consuming locoweed. Forty wether lambs (39 ± 0.4 kg BW) were housed individually and fed 620 g/d of alfalfa hay and 100 g/d of cornbased feed twice daily in equal portions for 20 d. Lambs were equally divided into 4 blocks, and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments within each block. Treatments were: no locoweed or feed products (CON); 20 g/d of locoweed (LOCO); 20 g/d of locoweed and 50 g/d of feed product 1 (AK1); 20 g/d of locoweed and 50 g/d of feed product 2 (AK2); 20 g/d of locoweed and 50 g/d of feed product 3 (AK3). Locoweed and feed products replaced alfalfa hay in the basal diet. Plasma from jugular venous blood was collected on d 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 20 of treatment. Treatment × day interactions (P < 0.05) were detected for plasma Gly and Thr, but not for other AA (P > 0.05). Plasma Gly was not different among treatments on d 0, but was greater for LOCO, AK1, AK2 and AK3 than CON on d 3 (except AK1 and AK2), 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 20. Plasma Thr was not different among treatments on d 0 and 6, but was greater for LOCO, AK1, AK2 and AK3 than CON on d 3 (except AK1 and AK2), 9 (except AK2), 12 (only AK2), 15, 18, and 20. Plasma, Leu, Met, Val, Ala, Asn, and Pro were greater (P < 0.05), while Glu was lower (P < 0.05) in lambs fed treatments containing locoweed compared with CON. The increase in plasma AA in lambs fed locoweed suggests that AA uptake was impaired and(or) tissue protein degradation was increased. Plasma concentrations of His, Ile, Lys, Phe, Trp, Asp, Gln, Ser, and Tyr were not different (P ≥ 0.07) between lambs fed treatments containing locoweed and CON. Lambs supplemented with AK1, AK2, or AK3 had plasma AA that were not different (P ≥ 0.07) than lambs fed LOCO. We conclude that locoweed consumption alters plasma AA in lambs and that addition of novel formulations did not counter the effects of locoweed on plasma AA.

Swainsonine toxicity causes organ damage, decreases production, and may alter digestive function of livestock consuming locoweed. Therefore, novel products are needed to improve animal tolerance to swainsonine. This study evaluated effects of 3 novel feed products on sheep visceral organ mass and jejunum cell proliferation. Forty wether lambs (39 ± 0.4 kg BW) were divided into 4 BW blocks, and randomly assigned within block to 5 treatments. Lambs were individually fed 620 g/d of alfalfa hay and 100 g/d of corn-based feed twice daily in equal portions for 20 d. Treatments were: no locoweed or feed products (CON); 20 g/d of locoweed (LOCO); 20 g/d of locoweed and 50 g/d of feed product 1 (AK1); 20 g/d of locoweed and 50 g/d of feed product 2 (AK2); 20 g/d of locoweed and 50 g/d of feed product 3 (AK3). Locoweed and feed products (contained bacterial cell walls, yeasts, and enzymes) replaced alfalfa hay in the diet. After a 24 h fast, 4 randomly selected lambs from each treatment were euthanized on d 21. Data were analyzed using mixed models and contrasts to compare CON with the average for treatments containing locoweed (LOCO, AK1, AK2, and AK3), LOCO vs. AK1, LOCO vs. AK2, and LOCO vs. AK3. Hot carcass weights were lower (P < 0.05) for lambs fed treatments with locoweed compared with CON. Fasting BW and HCW were lower (P < 0.05) for lambs fed AK2 than LOCO. Treatment did not affect (P ≥ 0.09) carcass dressing percentage and weights (relative to fasting BW) of jejunum, total small intestine, pancreas, spleen, and heart. Weights (relative to fasting BW) of the rumen complex, duodenum, large intestine, liver, kidney, and lung were greater (P < 0.05), and ileum weights were smaller (P < 0.05) in lambs fed treatments with locoweed than CON. However, these organ weights were not different (P ≥ 0.18) for lambs fed AK1, AK2, or AK3 compared with LOCO. Mesenteric fat was less (P < 0.05) in lambs fed AK2 than LOCO, and jejunum cell proliferation was greater (P < 0.05) in lambs fed AK1 than LOCO. Results suggest that the novel feed products evaluated in the current study did not minimize the visceral organ weight changes associated with swainsonine toxicity in sheep.

Locoweed may result in impaired performance and possibly death when consumed by livestock. Novel products are needed that increase the tolerance of livestock to swainsonine, the toxicant in locoweed. The objective was to determine the efficacy of proprietary feed products to reduce locoweed toxicity in sheep. Wether lambs (n = 40; 39 ± 0.4 kg BW) were housed individually and fed 620 g/d of alfalfa hay and 100 g/d of corn-based feed in equal portions twice daily for 20 d. Lambs were equally divided into 4 BW blocks, and within block were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments (randomized complete block design). Treatments were: no locoweed or feed products (CON); 20 g/d of locoweed (LOCO); 20 g/d of locoweed and 50 g/d of feed product 1 (AK1); 20 g/d of locoweed and 50 g/d of feed product 2 (AK2); 20 g/d of locoweed and 50 g/d of feed product 3 (AK3). Locoweed and feed products replaced alfalfa hay in the basal diet. Serum from venous blood was collected on d 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 20, and rumen fluid was collected on d 9 and 20 of treatment. Swainsonine was detected in serum and rumen fluid of lambs fed LOCO, AK1, AK2, and AK3, but was not detected in lambs fed CON. Serum swainsonine of lambs fed LOCO, AK1, AK2, and AK3 increased (P < 0.05) from d 0 to d 3, and remained elevated for the remainder of the study. Serum alkaline phosphatase was greater (P < 0.05) in lambs fed treatments with locoweed than CON, and was less (P < 0.05) in lambs fed AK3 than LOCO. Serum thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), serum total iron, and serum transferrin saturation were less (P < 0.05) in lambs fed treatments with locoweed than CON. Serum thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) were also lower in lambs fed AK1 than LOCO. Serum insulin was lower (P < 0.05) in lambs fed AK2 than LOCO. Serum urea N, and rumen fluid pH, ammonia, and total VFA were not different (P > 0.10) among treatments. In locoweed-fed treatments, rumen fluid swainsonine was not different (P > 0.10) for lambs fed AK1, AK2, or AK3 than LOCO. The results suggest that the novel feed products evaluated in the current study did not reduce serum or rumen swainsonine and had minimal effects on serum chemistry of lambs consuming locoweed.

Novel products are needed that could reduce locoweed toxicity, alleviate impaired performance, and prevent possible death when consumed by livestock. This study evaluated the effect of 3 feed additives on swainsonine intake and excretion, nutrient digestibility, and N retention of 40 wether lambs (39 ± 0.4 kg initial BW). Lambs were blocked by initial BW and assigned to 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design (4 blocks). Treatments were a control diet (86% alfalfa hay and 14% corn-based supplement) fed to lambs at 1.8% of BW (as fed) for 20 d (CON), CON with 20 g/d locoweed replacing alfalfa hay (LOCO), LOCO with 50 g/d of feed additive 1 replacing alfalfa hay (AK1), LOCO with 50 g/d of feed additive 2 replacing alfalfa hay (AK2), and LOCO with 50 g/d of feed additive 3 replacing alfalfa hay (AK3). Lambs were housed individually for 14 d in pens and then for 6 d in metabolism crates for total fecal and urine collections. Statistical analysis used the mixed procedure of SAS with lamb as the experimental unit. Intake, fecal, and urinary swainsonine were greater (P < 0.05) for LOCO, AK1, AK2, and AK3 than CON. Intake of swainsonine was lower (P < 0.05) for AK3 than LOCO, fecal swainsonine was lower (P < 0.05) for AK1 than LOCO, and urinary swainsonine was less (P < 0.05) for AK1 and AK2 than LOCO. Treatments did not affect (P 2 0.20) DM intake, fecal DM, or DM digestibility. Nitrogen intake was less (P < 0.05) for AK1, AK2, and AK3 than for CON and LOCO, but fecal N and urine N was not affected (P 2 0.11) by treatments. Nitrogen digestibility was not different (P = 0.26) among treatments, but N retention was less (P < 0.05) for AK1 and AK3 than CON. In summary, lamb consumption of locoweed with the feed additives evaluated in the current study does not significantly affect DM and N digestibility. Decreased fecal and urinary swainsonine in lambs receiving AK1 indicated that it may affect metabolism of swainsonine in sheep.