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Empirical Scrutiny of Geopolymer Concrete Containing Locally-produced Superplasticizer under Varied Temperatures
No full textCement manufacturing companies contribute greatly to carbon-dioxide emission during production, hence there is need for novel eco-friendly or biodegradable cementitious material, which has the same strength and also durable. Geopolymers which are eco-friendly waste materials, which can also reduce construction cost are therefore considered for this purpose. The geopolymer stabilizing materials, fly ash (FA), kaolin clays powder (KCP), rice husk ash (RHA), and alkaline activator (procured sodium silicate, waste-created sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide) were added at 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%, to the naturally created superplasticizer geopolymer concrete (GPC), so as to solve the problem of workability and efflorescence associated with fly ash based GPC. FTIR results shows major absorbance band at the region between 950 and 3250 cm−1. It means that addition of the naturally made superplasticizer to the geopolymer concrete lowered the viscosity and increased the flow behavior of concrete. The geopolymer concrete consists of super plasticizer (1.5%) and optimum of various binders i.e. 5% FA + 7.5% KC + 10% RHA + aggregate + water. At temperature above 70°C both compressive strength and weight decreases, for naturally made and purchased sodium silicate. The optimal geopolymer product showed substantial strength and durability enhancements at 70°C temperatures, with strength and durability values decline above 70°C, indicating material deterioration. A positive correlation between hot-state temperature, strength and durability properties was also established. The R2 of the Feret on the test set reaches 0.967, indicating its excellent predictive performance
Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections of Ruminants in Pastoral Communities of Ondo State, Nigeria
No full textLivestock are important for food production and agricultural systems; however, helminth infections are a major constraint on their productivity and value. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors for helminth infections in four pastoral communities in Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of 1,165 fecal samples from livestock in four pastoral rural/peri-urban communities (Akungba, Ikare, Oka, and Supare) in the Akoko area of Ondo State were screened for gastrointestinal parasitic infections via the sedimentation technique. The overall prevalence of parasitic infections was 67.7%, with sheep having the highest prevalence of infection (72.8%). The prevalence of parasitic infection was significantly associated with the breed of livestock. Important parasites of public health, including Fasciola species, Strongyloides species, Trichuris species, hookworms, Schistosoma species, Trichostrongylus species, and Fasciola species, which are the most common, were isolated in the current study. Two-thirds (75.5%) of the observed prevalence was due to infection with a single helminth species, whereas the remaining one-third (24.5%) comprised infections with two or three species of helminths. Among multiple infections, Fasciola species plus Strongyloides species coinfection had the highest prevalence (46%). The present findings suggest the need for regular epidemiological surveillance and treatment of infected ruminants with gastrointestinal helminths
ENHANCING GROWTH AND MILK PRODUCTION OF DAIRY BUFFALOES THROUGH HOME-GROWN FORAGES AND COMPLETE NUTRIENT DIET
No full textThis study aimed to boost the growth and milk production of dairy buffaloes while increasing farmers’ income in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. The approach involved utilizing home-grown forages (HGF), such as napier grass and various legumes (Leucaena, Rensonii, and Indigofera), along with a complete nutrient diet (CND). For growing buffaloes, the CND consisted of 23 kg chopped napier grasses, 3 kg legumes, and 1 kg grower concentrates. For lactating buffaloes, the CND comprised 45 kg napier grass, 5 kg legumes, and 2 kg dairy concentrates. Sixty farmers, collectively raising 348 buffaloes, were trained in HGF production and CND preparation. In a 120-day feeding trial for growing buffaloes, a subset of 20 farmers participated, with 10 feeding their buffaloes CND and the other 10 serving as controls. The control group employed traditional feeding practices, involving tethered grazing on native pasture supplemented by cut-and-carry feeding of mixed native grasses. Implementing CND for growing buffaloes resulted in an average daily gain (ADG) of 0.46 kg or an improvement of 53.33 compared to the 0.30 kg ADG observed with traditional feeding. Moreover, CND implementation reduced feed costs, leading to a 98.54 increase in income per growing animal. In a separate feeding trial for lactating buffaloes, another subset of 20 farmers participated, with 10 feeding CND and the remaining 10 serving as controls (traditional feeding). Feeding CND to lactating buffaloes increased daily milk yield from 4.6 kg to 6.0 kg per animal, reflecting a 30.43 improvement compared to those fed with the control diet. This translated to a 41.31 increase in farmers’ income over a 180-day lactation period. The findings underline the effectiveness of HGF production and CND feeding in improving the performance of dairy buffaloes and increasing the financial well-being of farmers in Nueva Ecija, marking a significant advancement in sustainable dairy farming practices. © The Author(s) 202
THE POLYMORPHISM OF LEPTIN AND THYROGLOBULIN GENES IN LAI SIND AND LAI BRAHMAN CATTLE
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in intron 2 region of leptin (LEP) and 5’ untranslated region of thyroglobulin (TG5) genes in Lai Sind and Lai Brahman cattle populations raised in the Central Vietnam. For each cattle group, fifty hair root samples were collected and extracted genomic DNA. The LEP/Sau3AI and TG5/PsuI gene polymorphisms were analyzed using PCR-RFLP technique. The results showed that the SNPs of LEP/Sau3AI and TG5/PsuI were found in the both cattle groups. Three LEP/Sau3AI genotypes were detected, including LEPAA, LEPAB and LEPBB. All of the investigated cattle carried TG5CT genotype. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was reached in the both cattle populations for LEP/Sau3AI, but not for TG5/PsuI. The polymorphisms at these two loci were moderate in the both cattle populations. It can be concluded that the SNPs LEP/Sau3AI and TG5/PsuI can be used as genetic markers for molecular selection in these cattle groups. A selection program is needed to increase the frequency of TG5T allele in Lai Sind and Lai Brahman cattle groups to improve beef marbling score. © The Author(s) 202
EFFECTS OF MANGO (Mangifera indica) LEAVES POWDER ON REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES, OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS, TOXICITY INDICATORS, GROWTH AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF GUINEA PIG (Cavia porcellus)
No full textThe present work aimed to evaluate the effects of Mangifera indica leaf powder (MLP) on reproductive hormones, biomarkers of oxidative stress and toxicity, growth and carcass characteristics of female Cavia porcellus. 40 female guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus L.) aged 2 months with an average weight of 257.65±11.28 g were used. These guinea pigs were weighed, then randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each and subjected to the following rations: T0 (basic diet), T1, T2 and T3 (basic diet + 0.50; 0.75 and 1 MLP, respectively). For 45 days, the guinea pigs of all groups received ad libitum drinking water and the corresponding experimental rations. Reproductive hormones analyses showed a significant (P<0.05) rise in serum progesterone concentration in the highest dose of MLP-treated guinea pigs. Malondialdehyde level was lowest in guinea pigs given feed with the highest dose of MLP while superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were maximum in animals that received the highest doses of MLP. Total Peroxidase activity was greatest in animals fed with the higher MLP dose. The lowest level of cholesterol was noticed in the group that received the greatest dose of MLP. Feed consumption was higher in guinea pigs receiving 0.75 and 1 MLP. The body weight gain and average daily gain had higher values in the subjects fed with MLP feed than those of the control group. Feed efficiency values were improved in animals that that were given 0.5 and 1 MLP with regards to those fed without MLP, the length of small intestine was higher (P<0.05) in 0.75 MLP-treated animals than the other groups, while the greatest value for the density of big intestine was recorded in those that received 0.25 MLP. Based on these values (1 of diet as optimum level), MLP can be used in feed to improve animal production performance. © The Author(s) 202
Biosecurity Compliance and Its Applications in Poultry Production Sectors
No full textPoultry farming has been recognized as one of the most vital sectors for the economy and revenue generation in many countries. For the production of high-quality freshly hatched chicks, effective cleaning and sanitation of the hatchery environment and hatching eggs were crucial components of proper management and hygiene in chicken hatcheries. The current review aimed to assess the efficient ways of mitigating the risk of disease introduction (external biosecurity) and its subsequent dissemination (internal biosecurity) within and between poultry farms and hatcheries. In addition to identifying the variety of risk categories that are applied to various biosecurity industries, this article clarified the equivalent tools, including checklists and/or questionnaires, that can be used to assess biosecurity compliance. The checklist was aimed to evaluate numerous biosecurity protocol categories, including the farm’s infrastructure, employees, their education and training, access control mechanisms, cleaning and disinfection procedures, handling of litter and waste, chick control, registrations, and pest management. In conclusion, external biosecurity was critical to preventing infections from entering hatcheries and poultry farms. Questionnaires or checklists were effective instruments for gathering information on biosecurity and evaluating compliance in poultry farms. © The Author(s) 202
Effects of Breeding Systems on Hen Egg Weight: A Meta-Analysis
No full textIn the egg production industry, egg weight is a critical parameter influencing economic viability. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of cage, free-range, and deep litter breeding systems on hen egg weight using meta-analysis. Articles were searched using Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science yielding 175 articles of which 22 articles were included in the present study. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. A model was used to determine the effect of breeding systems on average hen egg weight. Meta-regression analysis was used to examine the effect of the following moderators, publication year, region, chicken age, and breed. The Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistic were performed for h heterogeneity across used studies. According to the obtained results, there was no significant difference between cage and free-range on average hen egg weight (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.08, I2 = 89, 95CI 0.19–0.34). The free-range breeding system had heavier hen egg weight than deep litter (SMD = 0.54, I2 = 88, 95CI 0.01–0.08). The findings also revealed that deep litter and free range had no significant difference in average hen egg weight (SMD = -0.05, I2 = 87, 95CI -0.28–0.17). Meta-regression findings showed that the origin of the used articles, the age of the chickens, and the chicken breed were observed as the main reasons for heterogeneity. This meta-analysis revealed that a free-range breeding system increased the average hen egg weight. Open Access: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. © The Author(s) 202
Effects of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal on Local Guinea Fowl Breeder Hens’ Performance, Egg Quality, and Blood Parameters
No full textBreeding local guinea fowl has the potential to address protein malnutrition and alleviate poverty in West African countries. The current study aimed to examine the effects of incorporating Moringa oleifera leaf meal into the diet on hematology and biochemical parameters as well as the productive performance of local guinea fowl breeders in Togo. Thus, 512 local guinea fowls (22 weeks of age with an average weight of 1176.7 ± 2.9 g), comprising 384 females and 128 males, were examined for 31 weeks. The fowls were randomly assigned to four dietary groups, namely M0, M1, M2, and M3 containing 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in diets, respectively. Each group had 4 replicates of 32 fowls. During the study, feed intake, body weight, egg-laying rate, and feed conversion ratio were weekly recorded. Blood samples for hematology and biochemical analysis were taken from 12 females (3/replicate) at 34 and 50 weeks of age. Eggs were collected for the quality evaluation. Results showed that feed intake was comparable across all groups during the rearing period (23 to 33 weeks of age). However, it significantly decreased in fowls of the M2 and M3 during the laying period (34 to 50 weeks of age). The live weight of fowls in M3 was significantly higher than other groups before the laying period. The egg production, yolk ratio, and shell ratio of the birds in the M1 were like that of M0 and higher than that of M2 and M3. The feed conversion ratio was not significantly different between groups during the laying period. However, the albumen ratio and haugh unit were improved by feeding Moringa leaves especially at level 1.5. The level of white blood cells and lymphocytes decreased by feeding the Moringa leaves at 1. Neutrophils and platelet levels were comparable across groups. Total proteins, albumin, and transaminases increased in Moringa groups (M1, M2, M3), especially in M3. It was concluded that the use of Moringa oleifera leaves at 0.5 improved egg-laying performance in local guinea fowl. Moreover, 1 and 1.5 of incorporation improved the quality of eggs. © Open Access: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Dietary Protein Levels in the Small Intestine and Carcass Traits of Cross-Breed Chickens
No full textProtein is a source of nutrients that plays a significant role in biological processes. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of feed with different protein levels on the pH and viscosity of the small intestine, ileum characteristics, and carcass traits of cross-breed chickens. A total of 160 cross-breed unsexed chicks aged 2 days were divided into three treatments (T1-T3), each consisting of 6 replications with 9 chicks per replication, consisting of a diet with protein level (T1; starter 18 and finisher 16;), a diet with protein level (T2; starter 20 and finisher 18), and a diet with protein level (T3; starter 22 and finisher 20). Cross-breed chickens were crossed between Bangkok males and Lohmann laying hens. The variables were analyzed, including pH and viscosity of digesta, ileum characteristics consisting of total villous, height of villous, and depth of crypt. The carcass percentages consisting of the carcass, breast, thicks, wings, and back were measured. The research was analyzed using a completely randomized design. The results indicated that different protein levels in treatments were significantly different in total villous, height of villous, and depth of crypt but did not indicate a significant difference in pH and viscosity. Furthermore, the treatments have a significant difference in the carcass percentage and thick percentage but did not significantly affect the breast, wings, and back. It can be concluded that 22 crude protein in the starter and 20 crude protein in the finisher produced the greatest results in the intestinal characteristics and also in the carcass percentage of cross-breed chickens. © Open Access: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Effect of Nano-Liquid Extracts of Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera on The Performance and Carcass Quality of Broiler Chickens
No full textFeed was crucial for achieving optimal productivity in broiler chickens, which required ongoing monitoring of its quantity and quality. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of nanoliquid extracts from Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera used as photobiotic on the performance and carcass quality of broiler chickens. The research involved 128 broiler chickens, which were divided into four treatment groups, each with four replications of eight broiler chickens. The treatments included a control group (T0), a 0.25 nano liquid extract mixture of Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera (T1), a 0.50 nanoliquid extract mixture (T2), and a 0.75 nanoliquid extract mixture (T3). The study utilized an in vivo method and analysed the data using a completely randomized design. The optimal level of nano liquid extract was determined based on chicken performance (feed consumption, body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), income-over-feed cost (IOFC)) and carcass quality (carcass percentage, cooking loss, meat color, water-holding capacity, and texture). The findings indicated that the addition of combined Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera (1:1, w/w) nano-liquid extract in the chickens’ feed significantly influenced body weight, FCR, and IOFC. However, there was no significant effect on feed consumption. Furthermore, the use of Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera combination had a significant impact on all carcass quality parameters beyond *b carcass color. It was concluded that the addition of 0.25 of combined Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera nano liquid extract yielded the most favorable outcomes for the performance and carcass quality of broiler chickens. © The Author(s) 202