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.

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Journal: Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science Vol. 65, 2014

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.

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Journal: Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science Vol. 65, 2014

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.

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Journal: Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science Vol. 64, 2013

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.

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Journal: Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science Vol. 63, 2012

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.

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Journal: Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science Vol. 65, 2014

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.

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Journal: Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science Vol. 65, 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using corn silage (SILAGE) or wheat hay (HAY) as a source of forage on nursing performance of Awassi ewes. Forty ewes (body weight; BW = 43.5 ± 1.58 kg) and their single lambs (BW = 6.3 ± 0.28 kg) were randomly assigned to two diets; SILAGE vs. HAY (four pens/diet; five ewes/pen). Concentrate feeding was restricted to 1.1 kg dry matter (DM)/ewe/d, whereas forage was offered ad libitum. The study lasted for 56 d (7 d of adaptation and 49 d of data collection). Ewes and lambs were weighed after the adaptation period and at the end of the study. Milk yield and blood samples were collected on days 9, 16, 23, 30, 37, 44 and 51. Intakes of forage and total DM were greater (P<0.05) in SILAGE-fed ewes compared to those fed HAY. Additionally, intakes of crude protein, ether extract and net energy were also greater (P≤0.002) in the SILAGE group. However, neutral and acid detergent fiber intakes were greater (P=0.022) in the HAY than in the SILAGE group. Average daily gain was greater (P=0.032) in the SILAGE than the HAY group. Circulating glucose concentration was greater (P=0.023) in the SILAGE treatment compared to the HAY group, while serum urea nitrogen was similar (P=0.914) in both groups. Milk, total milk solids, protein and fat yields were greater (P<0.05) in the SILAGE than in the HAY group. Dietary replacement of wheat hay with corn silage to early lactating Awassi ewes improved feed intake, yields of milk and milk components, ewe body weight, and lamb average daily gain.

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Journal: Animal Feed Science and Technology 192 (2014) 24–28

Nutrient intake, diet digestibility, N balance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality were evaluated in Awassi lambs fed different levels of sesame meal (SM). Twenty-seven Awassi lambs of similar weight (BW= 18.8±0.74 kg) and age (65±1.09 days) were equally divided into three treatments and fed individually high concentrate diets for 60 days. Group one served as a control and did not receive SM (SM0). Group two (SM8) and three (SM16) received 8 and 16% SM, respectively. Intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP) were highest (P < 0.05) for the lambs fed the SM8 followed by the SM0 and SM16 diets, respectively. Whereas, intake of ether extracts (EE) was greater for SM16 followed by the SM8 and SM0. Intake of metabolizable energy (ME) was greater (P < 0.05) for SM8 than SM0 and SM16 treatments. Final weight and average daily gain (ADG) were greater (P < 0.05) for SM8 than for both the SM0 and SM16 diets. All groups had similar feed conversion ratio; nevertheless production costwas lower (P < 0.05) for SM8 and SM16 compared to SM0 diet. Digestibility of DM, OM, CP, and EE and N retention were similar among all treatment diets. Fasting live weight was greater (P < 0.05) for lambs fed SM8 diet than for lambs fed SM0 and SM16 diets. Dressing percentage was greater (P < 0.05) for SM0 diet when compared to SM8 and SM16 diets. Lungs and trachea weights were higher (P < 0.05) in lambs fed SM8 diet than SM0 and SM16 diets. Loinweightwas greater (P < 0.05) in lambs fed SM8 diet compared to SM0 and SM16 diets. Lambs receiving the SM8 and SM16 diets had greater (P < 0.05) total percentage in loin than the SM0 diet. No differences were observed in carcass and longissimus muscle linear dimensions, fat measurements, and meat quality characteristics among the treatment diets. It is concluded that sesame meal could replace 8% of soybean meal in the diet without any detrimental effect on lamb growth and meat quality, thus reduces feeding cost.

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Journal: Small Ruminant Research 82 (2009) 13–17

Abstract Twenty nursing Awassi ewes (BW=50±2.35 kg, age=4.5±1.2 years) with their lambs were used to evaluate the effects of feeding calcium salts in lactation diets on performance and pre-weaning growth of their lambs. Treatments were 0% calcium salts (CON) or 5% calcium salts (FAT). At the end of the study, a digestibility experiment was performed. Milk yield was greater (P< 0.05) for ewes fed the FAT diet than the CON diet. Milk composition was similar (P>0.05) between diets. However, milk energy value (kcal/day) tended to be greater (P=0.07) for the FAT diet than the CON diet. Concentrations of milk C18:1c9 and C20:0 were greater (P<0.05) in ewes fed the FAT diet than the CON diet. However, concentration of trans-10, cis-12 CLA was lower (P=0.05) in the FAT diet than in the CON diet. No differences in feed intake and body weight change were detected between diets. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were similar (P>0.05) for diets. For lambs, weaning weight was not affected by treatments. However, average daily gain and total gain were greater (P=0.053) for the FAT diet than the CON diet. Results suggest that supplementing lactating ewes with calcium salts at the beginning of lactation phase improves daily milk yield of ewes and pre-weaning growth of their lambs with no major negative impact on feed

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Journal: Trop Anim Health Prod (2011) 43:1211–1217

Twenty-one Awassi male lambs were used to evaluate the effect of replacing barely grains by Prosopis juliflora pods (PJP) on growth performance, digestibility, and carcass and meat characteristics. Lambs were fed finishing diets and assigned randomly to one of three dietary treatments. Treatment diets were no PJP (CON; n = 7), 100 g/kg PJP (PJP100; n = 7), and 200 g/kg PJP (PJP200; n = 7). Dry matter (DM) intake tended to be greater (P=0.08) for the PJP200 group than the CON group while the PJP100 groupwas intermediate. Organic matter (OM) intakewas the highest (P<0.05) for the PJP200 group compared to the CON and the PJP100 groups. Crude protein (CP) intake was greater (P<0.05) for the PJP200 group than the CON group with no differences between the CON and the PJP100 groups. Neutral detergent fibre (aNDF) tended to be greater (P=0.07) while acid detergent fibre (ADF) was greater (P<0.05) for the PJP200 than the CON and the PJP100 groups. Digestibility of DM, OM, CP, aNDF, and ADF along with rumen fluid pH and the N retained were similar among all treatment diets. No differences were noticed in final weight, total gain, and average daily gain (ADG) among all treatment diets. Lambs receiving the CON diet had lower (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio than the PJP100 and the PJP200 diets. Cost of gain was lower (P<0.05) for the PJP200 when compared to the PJP100 and the CON groups, with no differences between the CON and the PJP100 diets. No differences were observed between treatment diets in dressing percentage, hot and cold carcass weights, non-carcass components, carcass cut weights, and loin cut tissue percentages and the carcass and longissimus muscle linear measurements among treatment groups except for gigot width (G), maximum shoulder width (Wf), width behind shoulders (Wth) and eye muscle area. Gigot width, maximum shoulder width, width behind shoulders, and eye muscle area were greater (P<0.05) for the PJP200 than the CON group with no differences between the CON and the PJP100 treatment diets. Meat quality parameters measured were all comparable among the treatment diets with the exception of water holding capacity which was greater in the PJP200 group. Meat of all the treatments had similar tenderness results and within the acceptable tenderness range. These data indicate that feeding fattening Awassi lambs diets containing up to PJP200 did not affect growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass and meat characteristics while being cost effective. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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Journal: Animal Feed Science and Technology 146 (2008) 42–54