Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116593
Everton C. de. Medeiros , André L. da Silva , José Morais Perreira Filho , Kevily H. de O.S. de Lucena , Gildênia A. Pereira , Mônica T. Cavalcanti , Juliana P.F. de Oliveira , Elzania S. Pereira , Edson C. Silva Filho , Leilson R. Bezerra
<div><div>The objective of this study was to produce and characterize a slow-release urea (SRU) coated in stearic acid microspheres and compare it to uncoated urea (U) and a commercial rumen-protected urea in the diet of lambs. In the first phase, SRU microspheres were produced using a 2:1 ratio of stearic acid to urea and evaluated in a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial experiment. The factors included two drying methods [lyophilization (LYO) and oven drying (OD)] and the presence or absence of a sulfur (S) source. This resulted in four treatments: oven-dried without sulfur (OD), oven-dried with sulfur (ODS), lyophilized without sulfur (LYO), and lyophilized with sulfur (LYOS). Thermogravimetric (TG) analyses revealed that the addition of sulfur reduced (<em>P</em> < 0.05) urea protection capacity regardless of the drying method. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the LYO microspheres exhibited a more intact surface structure compared to the other treatments. An interaction between drying method and sulfur presence was observed for total nitrogen (N), crude protein (CP), and water activity (<em>P</em> < 0.05). All treatments showed similar production yields (88.6–89.4 %) and encapsulation efficiency (99.7–101 %), with no significant effect from drying method or sulfur inclusion. However, sulfur-enriched microspheres (ODS and LYOS) had higher moisture contents (<em>P</em> < 0.05) compared to their non-sulfur counterparts (OD and LYO). Additionally, water activity was lower (<em>P</em> = 0.043) in the OD treatment. Based on thermal stability and urea retention, the lyophilized microspheres without sulfur (LYO) were selected. In the second phase, the LYO microspheres were tested in a feeding trial with 30 uncastrated crossbred lambs (Santa Ines × Dorper), aged approximately 6 months and with an average body weight of 23.2 ± 1.0 kg. The animals were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design: (1) control diet with 1.5 % free urea (U), (2) diet with 1.5 % commercial SRU, and (3) diet with 4.5 % LYO (on a dry matter basis). The study evaluated performance, ingestive behavior, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Lamb fed SRU-LYO and commercial SRU presented higher nutrients intake, eating time, chews number, N-intake and N-digested compared to U. In contrast, lamb fed SRU-LYO exhibited lower spent idling time, chewing activity, N-urinary excretion and NH<sub>3</sub>-N concentration compared to U and commercial SRU (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Lambs fed SRU-LYO presented higher ruminating time, N-total excreted, final BW, total weight gain, and ADG compared to those receiving U and commercial SRU (<em>P</em> < 0.05), and U and SRU-LYO presented higher feeding efficiency than commercial SRU. Slow-release urea was successfully microencapsulated using stearic acid and lyophilization (SRU-LYO). Compared to uncoated urea and commercial SRU, the inclusion of 4.5
{"title":"Encapsulation of slow-release urea in stearic acid microspheres: Effects on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and performance in lambs","authors":"Everton C. de. Medeiros , André L. da Silva , José Morais Perreira Filho , Kevily H. de O.S. de Lucena , Gildênia A. Pereira , Mônica T. Cavalcanti , Juliana P.F. de Oliveira , Elzania S. Pereira , Edson C. Silva Filho , Leilson R. Bezerra","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116593","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116593","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study was to produce and characterize a slow-release urea (SRU) coated in stearic acid microspheres and compare it to uncoated urea (U) and a commercial rumen-protected urea in the diet of lambs. In the first phase, SRU microspheres were produced using a 2:1 ratio of stearic acid to urea and evaluated in a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial experiment. The factors included two drying methods [lyophilization (LYO) and oven drying (OD)] and the presence or absence of a sulfur (S) source. This resulted in four treatments: oven-dried without sulfur (OD), oven-dried with sulfur (ODS), lyophilized without sulfur (LYO), and lyophilized with sulfur (LYOS). Thermogravimetric (TG) analyses revealed that the addition of sulfur reduced (<em>P</em> < 0.05) urea protection capacity regardless of the drying method. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the LYO microspheres exhibited a more intact surface structure compared to the other treatments. An interaction between drying method and sulfur presence was observed for total nitrogen (N), crude protein (CP), and water activity (<em>P</em> < 0.05). All treatments showed similar production yields (88.6–89.4 %) and encapsulation efficiency (99.7–101 %), with no significant effect from drying method or sulfur inclusion. However, sulfur-enriched microspheres (ODS and LYOS) had higher moisture contents (<em>P</em> < 0.05) compared to their non-sulfur counterparts (OD and LYO). Additionally, water activity was lower (<em>P</em> = 0.043) in the OD treatment. Based on thermal stability and urea retention, the lyophilized microspheres without sulfur (LYO) were selected. In the second phase, the LYO microspheres were tested in a feeding trial with 30 uncastrated crossbred lambs (Santa Ines × Dorper), aged approximately 6 months and with an average body weight of 23.2 ± 1.0 kg. The animals were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design: (1) control diet with 1.5 % free urea (U), (2) diet with 1.5 % commercial SRU, and (3) diet with 4.5 % LYO (on a dry matter basis). The study evaluated performance, ingestive behavior, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Lamb fed SRU-LYO and commercial SRU presented higher nutrients intake, eating time, chews number, N-intake and N-digested compared to U. In contrast, lamb fed SRU-LYO exhibited lower spent idling time, chewing activity, N-urinary excretion and NH<sub>3</sub>-N concentration compared to U and commercial SRU (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Lambs fed SRU-LYO presented higher ruminating time, N-total excreted, final BW, total weight gain, and ADG compared to those receiving U and commercial SRU (<em>P</em> < 0.05), and U and SRU-LYO presented higher feeding efficiency than commercial SRU. Slow-release urea was successfully microencapsulated using stearic acid and lyophilization (SRU-LYO). Compared to uncoated urea and commercial SRU, the inclusion of 4.5 ","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116593"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116590
Mohammad Javad Mohammad Aghaei, Mehdi Hossein Yazdi, Mehdi Kazemi-Bonchenari, Mehdi Mirzaei
Early-life social environment and weaning strategy play a critical role in shaping the development, health, and welfare of dairy calves. This study investigated the interactive effects of housing system (individual vs. pair) and weaning age (50 vs. 65 days) on feed intake, growth, health, behavior, and metabolic indicators in pre-weaned Holstein calves. A total of 66 four-day-old calves (33 males, 33 females) were randomly assigned to four treatments: individual housing with weaning at 50 days (IN-WA50, n = 11), individual housing with weaning at 65 days (IN-WA65, n = 11), pair housing with weaning at 50 days (PA-WA50, n = 11 pairs), and pair housing with weaning at 65 days (PA-WA65, n = 11 pairs), resulting in 22 individually and 44 pair-housed calves. Calves remained in their assigned housing until 80 days of age. Total dry matter intake (TDMI) tended to be higher in pair-housed calves (PA; P = 0.09), while final body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) tended to be greater in calves weaned at 65 days (WA; P = 0.09 and P = 0.06, respectively). Starter intake also tended to be higher in WA50 (P = 0.06) and PA (P = 0.09) groups. Feed efficiency (FE) improved significantly in WA65 calves (P = 0.03). At day 80, WA65 calves had greater withers and hip heights (P = 0.03), and a tendency for longer body length (P = 0.09). While average fecal and respiratory scores were unaffected, PA-WA50 calves had significantly fewer days and episodes of diarrhea (P < 0.01). Pair housing also tended to reduce both the number (P = 0.07) and duration (P = 0.09) of respiratory episodes. PA calves spent more time standing (P < 0.01), whereas IN calves spent more time lying (P = 0.01). Calves weaned at 50 days exhibited more feeding activity (P = 0.02) and a tendency for increased rumination time (P = 0.09) than those weaned at 65 days. WA65 calves showed higher serum glucose concentrations throughout the trial (P = 0.046), while WA50 calves had higher overall BHB levels (P < 0.01). PA calves exhibited the highest BHB at day 80 (P = 0.04), with a significant interaction observed at day 50 (P = 0.045). Cortisol levels showed only a trend toward increase in WA65 calves at weaning (P = 0.09). In conclusion, delayed weaning improved growth and metabolic adaptation, whereas early social housing enhanced behavioral activity and contributed to a lower incidence and shorter duration of specific health symptoms. Stress indicators showed only mild and non-significant trends.
生命早期的社会环境和断奶策略对奶牛的发育、健康和福利起着至关重要的作用。本研究探讨了圈舍制度（单个vs对）和断奶年龄（50 vs 65天）对断奶前荷斯坦犊牛采食量、生长、健康、行为和代谢指标的交互影响。共66头4日龄犊牛（公33头，母33头）被随机分配到4个处理组：50天断奶的单独圈养（in - wa50, n = 11）、65天断奶的单独圈养（in - wa65, n = 11）、50天断奶的成对圈养（PA-WA50, n = 11对）和65天断奶的成对圈养（PA-WA65, n = 11对），共22头单独圈养和44头成对圈养。小牛一直待在指定的房子里，直到80天大。对舍犊牛总干物质采食量（TDMI）趋于较高（PA, P = 0.09），65日龄断奶犊牛末重（BW）和平均日增重（ADG）趋于较高（WA, P = 0.09和P = 0.06）。WA50组（P = 0.06）和PA组（P = 0.09）的发酵剂采食量也有增加的趋势。WA65犊牛的饲料效率显著提高（P = 0.03）。在第80天，WA65犊牛有更大的肩隆和臀高（P = 0.03），体长有更长的趋势（P = 0.09）。虽然平均粪便和呼吸评分未受影响，但PA-WA50犊牛的腹泻天数和发作次数显著减少（P <； 0.01）。成对住房也倾向于减少呼吸发作次数（P = 0.07）和持续时间（P = 0.09）。PA犊牛站立时间较多（P <； 0.01），而IN犊牛躺着时间较多（P = 0.01）。与65 d断奶犊牛相比，50 d断奶犊牛表现出更高的采食活性（P = 0.02）和反刍时间增加的趋势（P = 0.09）。在整个试验过程中，WA65犊牛的血清葡萄糖浓度较高（P = 0.046），而WA50犊牛的总体BHB水平较高（P <； 0.01）。PA犊牛在第80天表现出最高的BHB (P = 0.04)，在第50天观察到显著的相互作用（P = 0.045）。WA65犊牛在断奶时皮质醇水平仅呈上升趋势（P = 0.09）。总之，延迟断奶改善了生长和代谢适应，而早期的社会住房增强了行为活动，并有助于降低特定健康症状的发生率和缩短持续时间。应激指标仅显示出轻微和不显著的趋势。
{"title":"Effects of social contact (individual vs pair housing) and weaning age on growth, health and behavior of Holstein calves fed intensified milk feeding program","authors":"Mohammad Javad Mohammad Aghaei, Mehdi Hossein Yazdi, Mehdi Kazemi-Bonchenari, Mehdi Mirzaei","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116590","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116590","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Early-life social environment and weaning strategy play a critical role in shaping the development, health, and welfare of dairy calves. This study investigated the interactive effects of housing system (individual vs. pair) and weaning age (50 vs. 65 days) on feed intake, growth, health, behavior, and metabolic indicators in pre-weaned Holstein calves. A total of 66 four-day-old calves (33 males, 33 females) were randomly assigned to four treatments: individual housing with weaning at 50 days (IN-WA50, n = 11), individual housing with weaning at 65 days (IN-WA65, n = 11), pair housing with weaning at 50 days (PA-WA50, n = 11 pairs), and pair housing with weaning at 65 days (PA-WA65, n = 11 pairs), resulting in 22 individually and 44 pair-housed calves. Calves remained in their assigned housing until 80 days of age. Total dry matter intake (TDMI) tended to be higher in pair-housed calves (PA; P = 0.09), while final body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) tended to be greater in calves weaned at 65 days (WA; P = 0.09 and P = 0.06, respectively). Starter intake also tended to be higher in WA50 (P = 0.06) and PA (P = 0.09) groups. Feed efficiency (FE) improved significantly in WA65 calves (P = 0.03). At day 80, WA65 calves had greater withers and hip heights (P = 0.03), and a tendency for longer body length (P = 0.09). While average fecal and respiratory scores were unaffected, PA-WA50 calves had significantly fewer days and episodes of diarrhea (P < 0.01). Pair housing also tended to reduce both the number (P = 0.07) and duration (P = 0.09) of respiratory episodes. PA calves spent more time standing (P < 0.01), whereas IN calves spent more time lying (P = 0.01). Calves weaned at 50 days exhibited more feeding activity (P = 0.02) and a tendency for increased rumination time (P = 0.09) than those weaned at 65 days. WA65 calves showed higher serum glucose concentrations throughout the trial (P = 0.046), while WA50 calves had higher overall BHB levels (P < 0.01). PA calves exhibited the highest BHB at day 80 (P = 0.04), with a significant interaction observed at day 50 (P = 0.045). Cortisol levels showed only a trend toward increase in WA65 calves at weaning (P = 0.09). In conclusion, delayed weaning improved growth and metabolic adaptation, whereas early social housing enhanced behavioral activity and contributed to a lower incidence and shorter duration of specific health symptoms. Stress indicators showed only mild and non-significant trends.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116590"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116592
Christian Friis Børsting, Samantha Joan Noel, Saman Lashkari, Anne Louise Frydendahl Hellwing
Emission of enteric methane from cattle is a challenge for sustainable milk production. Blends of essential oils (EO), as a feed additive, have the potential to reduce enteric methane from cattle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate dairy cow performance, methane emissions and rumen microbiome, when fed a grass-clover silage-based diet supplemented with a blend of EO from the company Agolin SA (AR). Thirty-six Holstein cows were allocated to one of two treatment groups and were fed either a standard TMR diet, or the same diet added 1 g per cow per day of the AR product, which contained 200 mg active blend of EO. The experiment was conducted for a period of 10 weeks in a continuous design plus a pre-period of 1 week. The cows had free access to GreenFeed methane measurement devices throughout the experiment. Individual dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, milk composition, rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) were measured. Rumen microbiome was analyzed from metagenomic sequencing of DNA from rumen samples and quantitative PCR targeting total Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi and Protozoa. There was no effect of AR on DMI (P = 0.25), energy-corrected (ECM), milk yield (P = 0.47), or feed efficiency (P = 0.64). Furthermore, there was no significant effect of AR on production of methane per day (P = 0.67), per kg DMI (P = 1.00), or per kg ECM (P = 0.71). In conclusion, adding 200 mg of EO to diets with a high proportion of grass-clover silage had no significant effect on dairy cow performance, methane emissions, rumen fermentation or rumen microbiome.
{"title":"Performance, feed efficiency, methane emission and rumen microbiome in lactating dairy cows fed a grass-clover silage-based diet supplemented with an essential oil blend","authors":"Christian Friis Børsting, Samantha Joan Noel, Saman Lashkari, Anne Louise Frydendahl Hellwing","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116592","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116592","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Emission of enteric methane from cattle is a challenge for sustainable milk production. Blends of essential oils (EO), as a feed additive, have the potential to reduce enteric methane from cattle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate dairy cow performance, methane emissions and rumen microbiome, when fed a grass-clover silage-based diet supplemented with a blend of EO from the company Agolin SA (AR). Thirty-six Holstein cows were allocated to one of two treatment groups and were fed either a standard TMR diet, or the same diet added 1 g per cow per day of the AR product, which contained 200 mg active blend of EO. The experiment was conducted for a period of 10 weeks in a continuous design plus a pre-period of 1 week. The cows had free access to GreenFeed methane measurement devices throughout the experiment. Individual dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, milk composition, rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) were measured. Rumen microbiome was analyzed from metagenomic sequencing of DNA from rumen samples and quantitative PCR targeting total Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi and Protozoa. There was no effect of AR on DMI (<em>P</em> = 0.25), energy-corrected (ECM), milk yield (<em>P</em> = 0.47), or feed efficiency (<em>P</em> = 0.64). Furthermore, there was no significant effect of AR on production of methane per day (<em>P</em> = 0.67), per kg DMI (<em>P</em> = 1.00), or per kg ECM (<em>P</em> = 0.71). In conclusion, adding 200 mg of EO to diets with a high proportion of grass-clover silage had no significant effect on dairy cow performance, methane emissions, rumen fermentation or rumen microbiome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116592"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquaculture is a rapidly developing food-producing industry that often faces threats from pathogenic agents. Since persistent use of antibiotics is associated with several drawbacks, nutritional supplements, probiotic preparations, and immunostimulants are being used to improve health conditions of aquaculture species. Generally regarded as safe (GRAS) microorganisms capable of growing on low-cost substrates with high protein contents and desirable fatty acid profiles are significant in this regard. In the current investigation, a tropical marine strain of Yarrowia lipolytica (NCIM 3589) capable of growing on waste substrates [waste cooking oil (WCO), whey, and raw glycerol] was evaluated for applications in aquaculture as feed. When the concentrations of the three substrates were varied, the maximum biomass of Y. lipolytica NCIM 3589 was obtained with 0.7 % WCO, 50 % whey, or 1 % glycerol. Effects of the harvested biomass on the crustacean model species (Artemia salina) with respect to growth, survival, resistance towards aquaculture pathogens, and immune responses were monitored. Biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Y. lipolytica NCIM 3589 grown on glucose was considered as control samples (C1 and C2, respectively). On the other hand, Y. lipolytica NCIM 3589 cultivated on WCO (T1), whey (T2), and glycerol (T3) were the test samples used as feed for A. salina. Specimens fed with T3 samples were larger and displayed well-developed appendages. Moreover, A. salina groups fed with T3 and T1 samples showed better survival (100.00 ± 0.00 and 95.55 ± 7.70 %, respectively); resistance towards Vibrio harveyi MTCC 7771 (95.55 ± 3.85 and 71.10 ± 3.85 % respectively) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 2295 (93.33 ± 6.67 and 46.67 ± 11.55 %, respectively) compared to those fed with other diets. Total protein content, a greater variety of fatty acids, presence of specific types of fatty acids were some features that probably contributed to better growth and pathogen resistance. There was upregulation of hsp70, tgase, and proPO genes in groups of larvae fed with Y. lipolytica NCIM 3589 diets (C2, T1, T2, and T3) compared to those fed with S. cerevisiae (C1) diets, indicative of increased immunity in the former sets. This study demonstrates the potential of the marine yeast capable of growing on low-cost substrates in improving survival, overall health, and immune responses in aquaculture organisms.
{"title":"The tropical marine yeast Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3589 as a feed for Artemia salina: evaluation of nutritional and immunostimulatory properties","authors":"Sayali Haldule , Akanksha Kashikar , Smita Zinjarde","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116587","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116587","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aquaculture is a rapidly developing food-producing industry that often faces threats from pathogenic agents. Since persistent use of antibiotics is associated with several drawbacks, nutritional supplements, probiotic preparations, and immunostimulants are being used to improve health conditions of aquaculture species. Generally regarded as safe (GRAS) microorganisms capable of growing on low-cost substrates with high protein contents and desirable fatty acid profiles are significant in this regard. In the current investigation, a tropical marine strain of <em>Yarrowia lipolytica</em> (NCIM 3589) capable of growing on waste substrates [waste cooking oil (WCO), whey, and raw glycerol] was evaluated for applications in aquaculture as feed. When the concentrations of the three substrates were varied, the maximum biomass of <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 was obtained with 0.7 % WCO, 50 % whey, or 1 % glycerol. Effects of the harvested biomass on the crustacean model species (<em>Artemia salina</em>) with respect to growth, survival, resistance towards aquaculture pathogens, and immune responses were monitored. Biomass of <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em> and <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 grown on glucose was considered as control samples (C1 and C2, respectively). On the other hand, <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 cultivated on WCO (T1), whey (T2), and glycerol (T3) were the test samples used as feed for <em>A. salina</em>. Specimens fed with T3 samples were larger and displayed well-developed appendages. Moreover, <em>A. salina</em> groups fed with T3 and T1 samples showed better survival (100.00 ± 0.00 and 95.55 ± 7.70 %, respectively); resistance towards <em>Vibrio harveyi</em> MTCC 7771 (95.55 ± 3.85 and 71.10 ± 3.85 % respectively) and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> MTCC 2295 (93.33 ± 6.67 and 46.67 ± 11.55 %, respectively) compared to those fed with other diets. Total protein content, a greater variety of fatty acids, presence of specific types of fatty acids were some features that probably contributed to better growth and pathogen resistance. There was upregulation of <em>hsp70</em>, <em>tgase</em>, and <em>proPO</em> genes in groups of larvae fed with <em>Y. lipolytica</em> NCIM 3589 diets (C2, T1, T2, and T3) compared to those fed with <em>S. cerevisiae</em> (C1) diets, indicative of increased immunity in the former sets. This study demonstrates the potential of the marine yeast capable of growing on low-cost substrates in improving survival, overall health, and immune responses in aquaculture organisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116587"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116576
Mostafa Bokharaeian , Barış Kaki
Heat stress impairs growth, feed efficiency, and metabolic function in lambs. Rumen-protected betaine (RPB) may alleviate these effects by enhancing thermotolerance, improving nutrient utilization, and supporting rumen function. This study evaluated the effects of dietary RPB supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, nitrogen metabolism, microbial protein synthesis, and glucose tolerance in heat-stressed lambs. Forty crossbred lambs [Île-de-France × (Dalagh × Romanov)] with an initial body weight of 33.3 ± 2.67 kg were randomly assigned to four treatments: (i) control (CTRL, no RPB), (ii) RPBL (low dose of 2 g RPB/head/day), (iii) RPBM (medium dose of 4 g RPB/head/day), and (iv) RPBH (high dose of 6 g RPB/head/day) for 67 days. RPB supplementation improved final body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01), without affecting dry matter intake (DMI). Apparent digestibility of crude protein and fiber fractions increased linearly (p < 0.05). Ruminal NH₃-N concentrations declined (p < 0.01), while total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and butyrate increased (p < 0.05). RPB also enhanced nitrogen retention, reduced urinary and fecal nitrogen excretion (p < 0.01), and increased microbial protein synthesis (p < 0.001). Furthermore, glucose tolerance tests revealed improved glucose clearance and reduced insulin responses in RPB-fed lambs (p < 0.001). In conclusion, RPB supplementation, particularly at medium levels, enhanced growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, rumen fermentation efficiency, and glucose metabolism in lambs under heat stress. These findings highlight RPB as a promising nutritional strategy to improve resilience and productivity in hot climates.
{"title":"Effects of rumen-protected betaine on performance, rumen function, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen metabolism in heat-stressed lambs","authors":"Mostafa Bokharaeian , Barış Kaki","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116576","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116576","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heat stress impairs growth, feed efficiency, and metabolic function in lambs. Rumen-protected betaine (RPB) may alleviate these effects by enhancing thermotolerance, improving nutrient utilization, and supporting rumen function. This study evaluated the effects of dietary RPB supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, nitrogen metabolism, microbial protein synthesis, and glucose tolerance in heat-stressed lambs. Forty crossbred lambs [Île-de-France × (Dalagh × Romanov)] with an initial body weight of 33.3 ± 2.67 kg were randomly assigned to four treatments: (i) control (CTRL, no RPB), (ii) RPBL (low dose of 2 g RPB/head/day), (iii) RPBM (medium dose of 4 g RPB/head/day), and (iv) RPBH (high dose of 6 g RPB/head/day) for 67 days. RPB supplementation improved final body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01), without affecting dry matter intake (DMI). Apparent digestibility of crude protein and fiber fractions increased linearly (p < 0.05). Ruminal NH₃-N concentrations declined (p < 0.01), while total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and butyrate increased (p < 0.05). RPB also enhanced nitrogen retention, reduced urinary and fecal nitrogen excretion (p < 0.01), and increased microbial protein synthesis (p < 0.001). Furthermore, glucose tolerance tests revealed improved glucose clearance and reduced insulin responses in RPB-fed lambs (p < 0.001). In conclusion, RPB supplementation, particularly at medium levels, enhanced growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, rumen fermentation efficiency, and glucose metabolism in lambs under heat stress. These findings highlight RPB as a promising nutritional strategy to improve resilience and productivity in hot climates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116576"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116574
Yeojin An, Thi Kim Thi Pham, Yoon Soo Song, Beob Gyun Kim
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Amino acid digestibility and energy concentrations in cashew nuts and copra meal fed to pigs” [Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 329 (2025) 116469]","authors":"Yeojin An, Thi Kim Thi Pham, Yoon Soo Song, Beob Gyun Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116574","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116574","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"330 ","pages":"Article 116574"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145569045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116577
Reshma Gurung , Frank W. Abrahamsen , Kim Mullenix , Woubit Abebe , Arthur L. Goetsch , Khim B. Ale , Nar K. Gurung
Weaning is a stressful period for beef calves, and these stresses might affect the immune system and increase infection risks. This study investigated the effects of Chromium Propionate (CrP) supplementation on growth performance and immune responses of weaned beef calves. A total of 12 pens (n = 12; 6 pens/group, 10 calves/pen), were assigned to two treatment groups (Control: 0 ppm; Treated: 0.5 ppm on a dry matter basis from KemTRACE® Cr propionate, 0.4 %) in a completely randomized design with subsampling, with six pens allocated to each treatment group. Calves were fed free-choice bermudagrass hay, water, mineral blocks, and a 50:50 mix of soybean hulls and corn gluten meal for 60 days. Calves’ body weights were measured on days 0, 30, and 60. Blood was sampled from calves from a subset of four pens (n = 4; 2 pens/group) to perform complete blood counts, serum biochemistry analysis, cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-alpha), and serum IgG antibody titers measurements. Cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and humoral immune response was assessed by chicken ovalbumin (cOVA) injections. Average daily gain from day 30–60 was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by Cr supplementation. Cytokine concentration of IL-2 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the Cr-treated beef calves, indicating immune modulation and a shift towards a Th1-type immune response. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an indirect indicator of cortisol, was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), supporting that Cr supplementation may lower physiological stress and improve immune homeostasis. Moreover, IL-4 and TNF-alpha tended to be lower (P < 0.1), suggesting a potential for regulated inflammatory immune response. These findings suggest that Cr supplementation in beef calves’ feed may improve their growth performance and immune function.
{"title":"Evaluation of chromium propionate on growth performance and immune response in weaned beef calves","authors":"Reshma Gurung , Frank W. Abrahamsen , Kim Mullenix , Woubit Abebe , Arthur L. Goetsch , Khim B. Ale , Nar K. Gurung","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116577","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116577","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Weaning is a stressful period for beef calves, and these stresses might affect the immune system and increase infection risks. This study investigated the effects of Chromium Propionate (CrP) supplementation on growth performance and immune responses of weaned beef calves. A total of 12 pens (n = 12; 6 pens/group, 10 calves/pen), were assigned to two treatment groups (Control: 0 ppm; Treated: 0.5 ppm on a dry matter basis from KemTRACE® Cr propionate, 0.4 %) in a completely randomized design with subsampling, with six pens allocated to each treatment group. Calves were fed free-choice bermudagrass hay, water, mineral blocks, and a 50:50 mix of soybean hulls and corn gluten meal for 60 days. Calves’ body weights were measured on days 0, 30, and 60. Blood was sampled from calves from a subset of four pens (n = 4; 2 pens/group) to perform complete blood counts, serum biochemistry analysis, cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-alpha), and serum IgG antibody titers measurements. Cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and humoral immune response was assessed by chicken ovalbumin (cOVA) injections. Average daily gain from day 30–60 was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by Cr supplementation. Cytokine concentration of IL-2 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the Cr-treated beef calves, indicating immune modulation and a shift towards a Th1-type immune response. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an indirect indicator of cortisol, was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), supporting that Cr supplementation may lower physiological stress and improve immune homeostasis. Moreover, IL-4 and TNF-alpha tended to be lower (P < 0.1), suggesting a potential for regulated inflammatory immune response. These findings suggest that Cr supplementation in beef calves’ feed may improve their growth performance and immune function.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116577"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-18DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116575
Ishini A. Appuhami , D. Allen Davis , Yoonhang Lee , Abdulmalik A. Oladipupo , Brent M. Vuglar , Fernando Y. Yamamoto , Mark Farmer , Timothy J. Bruce
Phytogenic feed additives derived from plant-based sources like essential oils and extracts are increasingly utilized in aquaculture. They have the potential to bolster immune responses, enhance disease resistance, and improve growth performance in fish. The current study investigated the effect of commercial phytogenic feed additives (Actifor Pro, Actifor Power, Fresta Protect, Syrena Boost, and Enviro QS) on growth performance, immunity and disease susceptibility of juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) within an indoor recirculating system. Over eight weeks, 750 juvenile channel catfish (14.8 ± 0.5 g, initial weight) were stocked in 30 tanks (25 fish tank−1) and fed either a control or five phytogenic-supplemented diets. Growth performance, including weight gain, survival, and feed conversion ratio, was similar among treatments (P > 0.05). Following the feeding trial, fish were challenged with virulent Aeromonas hydrophila (vAh; ML09–119; 1.86 × 107 CFU mL−1 immersion dose in water). Seven days post-exposure to vAh, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated improved survival probability in the phytogenic-treated groups (P = 0.009). Sera lysozyme activity significantly differed across the groups (P = 0.014); moreover, the catfish fed with Fresta Protect had higher sera lysozyme activity than the control group. Biochemical testing of an additional thirteen markers in the sera, including ions, glucose, digestive enzymes, and cholesterol, did not reveal any treatment-related differences. The expression of immune-related genes (il1b, il8, tnfa, and tgfb) was not affected after eight weeks of the feeding trial, regardless of the dietary treatment. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that Cetobacterium somerae was the most abundant gut microbe across all diets, with the highest prevalence in the Syrena Boost group (80.54 %). While the overall microbial diversity did not change significantly between treatments, dietary phytogenic compounds influenced the presence or abundance of certain bacterial species, such as Cellulosilyticum lentocellum, Clostridium disporicum, Plesiomonas shigelloides, and Niameybacter massiliensis.
{"title":"Evaluation of phytogenic product supplementation on the growth performance, immune function, and gut microbiota composition in fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)","authors":"Ishini A. Appuhami , D. Allen Davis , Yoonhang Lee , Abdulmalik A. Oladipupo , Brent M. Vuglar , Fernando Y. Yamamoto , Mark Farmer , Timothy J. Bruce","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116575","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116575","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phytogenic feed additives derived from plant-based sources like essential oils and extracts are increasingly utilized in aquaculture. They have the potential to bolster immune responses, enhance disease resistance, and improve growth performance in fish. The current study investigated the effect of commercial phytogenic feed additives (Actifor Pro, Actifor Power, Fresta Protect, Syrena Boost, and Enviro QS) on growth performance, immunity and disease susceptibility of juvenile channel catfish (<em>Ictalurus punctatus</em>) within an indoor recirculating system. Over eight weeks, 750 juvenile channel catfish (14.8 ± 0.5 g, initial weight) were stocked in 30 tanks (25 fish tank<sup>−1</sup>) and fed either a control or five phytogenic-supplemented diets. Growth performance, including weight gain, survival, and feed conversion ratio, was similar among treatments (<em>P</em> > 0.05). Following the feeding trial, fish were challenged with virulent <em>Aeromonas hydrophila</em> (vAh; ML09–119; 1.86 × 10<sup>7</sup> CFU mL<sup>−1</sup> immersion dose in water). Seven days post-exposure to vAh, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated improved survival probability in the phytogenic-treated groups (<em>P</em> = 0.009). Sera lysozyme activity significantly differed across the groups (<em>P</em> = 0.014); moreover, the catfish fed with Fresta Protect had higher sera lysozyme activity than the control group. Biochemical testing of an additional thirteen markers in the sera, including ions, glucose, digestive enzymes, and cholesterol, did not reveal any treatment-related differences. The expression of immune-related genes (<em>il1b, il8, tnfa</em>, and <em>tgfb</em>) was not affected after eight weeks of the feeding trial, regardless of the dietary treatment. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that <em>Cetobacterium somerae</em> was the most abundant gut microbe across all diets, with the highest prevalence in the Syrena Boost group (80.54 %). While the overall microbial diversity did not change significantly between treatments, dietary phytogenic compounds influenced the presence or abundance of certain bacterial species, such as <em>Cellulosilyticum lentocellum</em>, <em>Clostridium disporicum</em>, <em>Plesiomonas shigelloides</em>, and <em>Niameybacter massiliensis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116575"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-17DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116573
Sun Qi , Sarfraz Hussain , Wang Boyu , Yang Xuewei , Jing Jiaojiao , Li Shuangfei , Naveed Ahmed
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential to human and animal physiology, and are commonly found in dietary supplements. However, the effects of PUFAs on the development, immunity, and gut microbiota of Amphiprion ocellaris are unclear. This study investigated the effects of PUFAs from the microalga Schizochytrium sp. on the growth, immunity, and gut microbial community composition of A. ocellaris. PUFAs promoted fish development, with the 7 % PUFAs group showing higher weight gain (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) (107.63 % day⁻¹ and 0.73 % day⁻¹, respectively). A lower amount (5 %) of PUFAs had higher feed conversion ratios (FCRs) than the higher amount of PUFAs (7 %) and no addition of PUFAs. Metagenomic results showed notable fluctuations in the microbial composition, particularly a reduction in the viral community in the PUFA-treated groups. Immunological parameters showed that PUFA supplementation increased liver lysozyme, IgM, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, suggesting a better response to oxidative stress. Microbial diversity was negatively associated with immunological response, particularly blood IgM levels. These results indicate that PUFA supplementation may improve fish development and immunity, but excessive PUFA consumption may harm gut microbial diversity and immunity. This work contributes to producing alternative food supplements that can effectively promote growth and improve fish immunity.
{"title":"Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation improves growth, immunity, and gut microbiota composition in the fish Amphiprion ocellaris","authors":"Sun Qi , Sarfraz Hussain , Wang Boyu , Yang Xuewei , Jing Jiaojiao , Li Shuangfei , Naveed Ahmed","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116573","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116573","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential to human and animal physiology, and are commonly found in dietary supplements. However, the effects of PUFAs on the development, immunity, and gut microbiota of <em>Amphiprion ocellaris</em> are unclear. This study investigated the effects of PUFAs from the microalga <em>Schizochytrium sp</em>. on the growth, immunity, and gut microbial community composition of <em>A. ocellaris</em>. PUFAs promoted fish development, with the 7 % PUFAs group showing higher weight gain (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) (107.63 % day⁻¹ and 0.73 % day⁻¹, respectively). A lower amount (5 %) of PUFAs had higher feed conversion ratios (FCRs) than the higher amount of PUFAs (7 %) and no addition of PUFAs. Metagenomic results showed notable fluctuations in the microbial composition, particularly a reduction in the viral community in the PUFA-treated groups. Immunological parameters showed that PUFA supplementation increased liver lysozyme, IgM, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, suggesting a better response to oxidative stress. Microbial diversity was negatively associated with immunological response, particularly blood IgM levels. These results indicate that PUFA supplementation may improve fish development and immunity, but excessive PUFA consumption may harm gut microbial diversity and immunity. This work contributes to producing alternative food supplements that can effectively promote growth and improve fish immunity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116573"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145546863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-16DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116572
Maria M. Della Rosa, Arjan Jonker, Alicia Barnett, Peter H. Janssen, Juan F. Uribe-Gomez, Paul Maclean, Ignacio Lizarraga, M. Ajmal Khan
Early-life management can influence methane (CH₄) production in ruminants after weaning, and the type of forage fed to animals can interact with the early-life interventions. However, the persistence of the effect of early life interventions has been little studied in cattle. The study aim was to evaluate the interaction effect between weaning age (10 vs. 20 weeks) and diet on CH₄ production and ruminal fermentation from dairy-beef heifers when they were 22-months old. Hereford × Friesian female calves were weaned from milk at 10 weeks of age (n = 36) or at 20 weeks of age (n = 36). When the heifers were 22-months old and weighed 523 ± 33 kg (mean ± standard deviation), they grazed ad libitum mature ryegrass-based herbage (Lolium perenne; RG) or ad libitum chicory (Cichorium intybus; CHI) in a crossover design with two 21-day periods. Methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) production were measured using GreenFeed units. There was no effect of weaning age or of weaning age × diet interaction on CH4 (g/d) and CO2 (kg/d) production, residual CH4 and acetate plus butyrate to propionate plus valerate (AB:PV) ratio. Methane production was 6 % less (165 ± 25 vs 168 ± 26 g/d) and CO2 production was 12 % greater (8.1 ± 0.6 vs 7.2 ± 0.5 kg/d) and AB:PV was 6 % greater in heifers grazing CHI compared to those grazing RG. Methane production was therefore lower from heifers grazing CHI than from heifers grazing RG, but the weaning age intervention resulted in a similar CH₄ production in 22-month-old cattle.
{"title":"Methane emissions and ruminal fermentation in 22-month-old dairy-beef heifers, previously weaned at different ages, grazing ryegrass or chicory herbage in summer","authors":"Maria M. Della Rosa, Arjan Jonker, Alicia Barnett, Peter H. Janssen, Juan F. Uribe-Gomez, Paul Maclean, Ignacio Lizarraga, M. Ajmal Khan","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116572","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116572","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Early-life management can influence methane (CH₄) production in ruminants after weaning, and the type of forage fed to animals can interact with the early-life interventions. However, the persistence of the effect of early life interventions has been little studied in cattle. The study aim was to evaluate the interaction effect between weaning age (10 vs. 20 weeks) and diet on CH₄ production and ruminal fermentation from dairy-beef heifers when they were 22-months old. Hereford × Friesian female calves were weaned from milk at 10 weeks of age (n = 36) or at 20 weeks of age (n = 36). When the heifers were 22-months old and weighed 523 ± 33 kg (mean ± standard deviation), they grazed <em>ad libitum</em> mature ryegrass-based herbage (<em>Lolium perenne</em>; RG) or <em>ad libitum</em> chicory (<em>Cichorium intybus</em>; CHI) in a crossover design with two 21-day periods. Methane and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) production were measured using GreenFeed units. There was no effect of weaning age or of weaning age × diet interaction on CH<sub>4</sub> (g/d) and CO<sub>2</sub> (kg/d) production, residual CH<sub>4</sub> and acetate plus butyrate to propionate plus valerate (AB:PV) ratio. Methane production was 6 % less (165 ± 25 vs 168 ± 26 g/d) and CO<sub>2</sub> production was 12 % greater (8.1 ± 0.6 vs 7.2 ± 0.5 kg/d) and AB:PV was 6 % greater in heifers grazing CHI compared to those grazing RG. Methane production was therefore lower from heifers grazing CHI than from heifers grazing RG, but the weaning age intervention resulted in a similar CH₄ production in 22-month-old cattle.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"331 ","pages":"Article 116572"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145546862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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