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Zinc sulphate heptahydrate was microencapsulated by spray-drying using maltodextrin, HI-CAP® 100 and whey protein isolate as wall materials. Spray-drying conditions were optimised using Taguchi orthogonal array design with encapsulation efficiency and bulk density as responses. The influences of wall material, wall material to zinc ratio and inlet air temperature were evaluated. Microcapsules prepared with HI-CAP® 100 in 20:1 loading ratio at 185 °C had maximum encapsulation efficiency (92.65%), whereas 10:1 ratio yielded maximum bulk density (541.2 kg/m3). SEM micrographs revealed the spherical structure of microcapsules, while EDX confirmed the presence of zinc in the microcapsules. SEM micrographs, FTIR and XRD analyses showed that zinc was successfully encapsulated as microcapsules. The tapped, bulk and particle densities of zinc microcapsules were in the range of 586.15–698.15, 437.40–541.20 and 1263.25–1436.50 kg/m3, respectively, while flowability was ‘fair' to ‘passable’. The adsorption isotherm of microcapsules was sigmoidal, and was described by GAB model. Fortification of milk with zinc microcapsules did not affect its inherent organoleptic qualities.

The trial was aimed at evaluating probable superiority, if any of nano zinc (NZn) over inorganic zinc (Zn) on immunity, serum minerals and T3 , T4 , and IGF-1 hormone profiles in goats. NZn was synthesized by using 0.45 M aqueous solution of Zn nitrate and 0.9 M aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (average particle size 74 nm). Twenty-four male goats were grouped into four groups as per their body weight and were supplemented with either a basal diet with concentrate and straw at 50:50 ratio (Negative control, NC) alone or supplemented with 50 mg/kg Zn (Control) from inorganic Zn source, that is ZnO (IZn-50), 50 mg/kg Zn from NZn (NZn-50) or 25 mg/kg Zn from NZn (NZn-25). No change was observed in thyroid hormone status on zero and 90th day of experimental feeding, but NZn supplementation improved (p CD 4 + (cluster of differentiation in %) was more (p CD 8 + count than NC and similar (p > 0.05) to IZn-50 and NZn-25 groups without affecting (p > 0.05) the ratio of CD 4 + , CD 8 + among the treatment groups. Thus, NZn supplementation at 25 mg/kg had similar immunity and serum T3 , T4 and IGF-1 profiles compared with IZn at 50 mg/kg dose.

Sperm carries a reservoir of proteins regulating the molecular functions to attain functional competence. Semen samples collected from buffalo bulls were assessed for sperm functional attributes (n = 11) and proteome profiling (n = 6). Sperm proteins were extracted and profiled by employing LC–MS/MS. Overall, the buffalo sperm contained 1365 proteins, of which 458 were common between the groups. The unique proteins were 477 and 430 in good and poor quality semen, respectively. In the whole proteome of buffalo sperm, sexual reproduction with phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein1 (PEBP1), fetuin-B (FETUB) and acrosin (ACR) was the most enriched (p = 8.44E−19) biological process, also with thermogenesis (p = 0.003), oocyte meiosis (p = 0.007) and vascular smooth muscle contraction (p = 0.009) apart from metabolic pathways. In good quality semen, mesenchyme migration (p = 1.24E−07) and morphogenesis (p = 0.001) were abundant biological processes. In good quality semen, the fluid shear stress (p = 0.01) and, in poor quality semen, valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation (p = 3.8E−05) pathways were enriched. In good quality semen, 7 proteins were significantly (p

Background: Boron (B), a novel micronutrient is known to influence utilization of macrominerals. Present study was conducted in layer birds to study the effect of B supplementation to inadequate calcium (Ca) diet on mineral content in serum, tissue and antioxidant status. Methods: A total of 80 commrcial White Leghorn layers, 25 weeks old with a uniform body weight were randomly assigned to one of the 4 groups of 20 hens in each dietary group viz., Normal calcium (NC), inadequate/low calcium (LC), Normal calcium with 40 ppm B (NCB) and inadequate/low calcium with 40 ppm B (LCB). Dietary level of calcium was maintained at 100 and 90% of the requirement and sodium borate was used as B source. At the end of feeding trial, blood and tissue samples were collected for estimating mineral and biochemical parameters. Result: Boron supplementation did not significantly alter the serum mineral content, serum alkaline phosphatase and total antioxidant activity but significantly (P less than 0.025) increased the superoxide dismutase activity in layers fed inadequate Ca diet. Boron supplementation to both diets significantly (P less than 0.03) increased phosphorus (P) content in bone and muscle, and magnesium (Mg) content in muscle (P less than 0.019). Boron supplementation to Ca inadequate diet significantly (P less than 0.006) enhanced the P and Mg content in liver. Content of B was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in serum, bone and liver of hens supplemented 40 ppm of B. Implication of this study is amelioration of abiotic stress due to inadequate Ca intake with B supplementation. It is concluded that 40 ppm B supplementation positively influenced the Ca, P and Mg utilization and serum SOD activity.

Dietary boron improves immune and antioxidant status and calcium metabolism in mammals. However, till date the effects of dietary boron supplementation on male reproduction, especially on sperm production and sperm quality in farm animals are not documented.The present study was aimed to investigate the influence of dietary boron on semen production, semen quality, immunity and molecular changes in the testis, blood and seminal plasma and to assess the interrelationship with other minerals in male goats.The study was conducted in 21 adult male goats divided into 3 groups (control, boron and selenium supplemented groups, n = 7 each). In boron group, boron was supplemented at 40 ppm and in selenium group, selenium was supplemented at 1 ppm over and above the basal level. In control group, only the basal diet was fed without supplementary boron or selenium. The feeding trial was carried out for 60 days. Selenium was taken as a positive control for the dietary boron supplementation experiment. Following feeding trials, the sperm concentration, kinematics and functional attributes, immunity and molecular level changes in the testis, biomolecular changes in the blood and seminal plasma and also interrelationship with other minerals were studied.The average sperm concentration (million/ml) and the total sperm production (million/ejaculate) were significantly (p 0.05) increased in boron supplemented group when compared to selenium and control groups. The boron levels in blood plasma (r = 0.65) and seminal plasma (r = 0.54) showed a positive correlation with sperm progressive motility. Blood and seminal plasma metabolic biomarker namely, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p 0.01) was significantly lower in the boron and selenium supplemented group than control, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p 0.05) was significantly lower in the boron supplemented group than selenium and control group. There was a significant increase in the mRNA expression of serine proteinase inhibitor (SERPIN) and interferon γ (IFNγ) in the testis of boron supplemented than the control group. Boron supplementation up-regulated the immune-regulatory gene, interleukin 2 (IL2) and antioxidant gene, catalase (CAT) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). On contrary, toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) mRNA expression was significantly (p 0.05) down-regulated in boron and selenium supplemented groups.The study revealed that dietary boron supplementation increased the sperm output, sperm motility and enhanced the immune and antioxidant defense capacity in male goats. The improved semen quality can be attributed to enhanced expression of testicular SERPIN, a crucial protein for the regulation of spermatogenesis process.

Seventy-five White Leghorn hens during peak egg laying cycle were randomly divided into 5 groups: 1 group with 0.32% NPP (control), 2 groups with 0.24% NPP and laboratory (T1) or commercial...

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of phytase which was laboratory produced by Aspergillus foetidus on the growth performance, mineral retention, and bone traits of broilers fed with low dietary calcium and phosphorus. Materials and Methods: The extracellular phytase enzyme secreted into the crude filtrate was concentrated by ammonium sulfate precipitation to obtain an activity of 500 phytase units (FTU). A total of 90 1-day-old chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into three treatment groups with five replicates having six birds each. Dietary treatment, T1, was with 0.45% non-phytate P (NPP) during starter and 0.40% during finisher phase with 1% Ca. Dietary treatment, T2, had 0.37% NPP during starter and 0.32% in finisher phase with 1% Ca and supplemental lab phytase at 500 FTU/kg. Dietary treatment, T3, was similar to T2 with a lower Ca of 0.8%. Results: There was no significant difference among the dietary treatments with regard to body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and Ca retention (p>0.05). However, a significant improvement in retention of P by birds was observed in phytase supplemental groups T2 and T3 (p

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A study was conducted to validate the effects of nano form of zinc (NZn) on nutrient digestibility, zinc retention, organ and serum zinc profile, and hepatic metallothionein gene expression in Wistar albino rats (WAR). Nano zinc (NZn) was synthesized through chemical method, by using 0.45 M zinc nitrate [Zn(NO3)2.6H2O] and 0.9 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The NZn particle in its oxide form was characterized by TEM-EDAX and XRD, and found to be in nano range (below 100 nm. Zinc was supplemented to the Wistar albino rats (WAR) through synthetic semi-purified diet either without Zn, or as inorganic zinc (IZn; 25 mg/kg), or as synthesized NZn (25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125 or 50 mg/kg DM) for 60 days. The zinc content was observed to be significantly (P

In the scenario of increased reports on boron (B) supplementation in animal diets for beneficial effects, there is inadequate information on B content of animal feeds. The present study was carried out to quantify the level of B in animal feeds commonly used in tropical feeding systems. Samples of a total of 225 feeds were procured. The feed samples were oven dried, ground to 1 mm size and wet digested, filtered using Whatman filter paper (no 42) and volume made up to 100 ml by deionized water. Boron (B) content was estimated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The level of B in fibrous feeds ( n = 83) was higher than in concentrate feeds ( n = 120) and unconventional feeds ( n = 22). The range of B content among the feed samples analyzed ( n = 225) showed a wide range from rice bran to cowpea fodder (0.69–59.1 mg/kg). The spatial distribution of B indicates that most feed samples analyzed showed B content lower than 20 mg/kg with mean and median of 17.7 ± 0.96 and 14.4, respectively. It is evident from the present study that appreciable quantity of B is detected in all the major categories of feedstuffs which was comparable to the levels of essential trace elements like copper and zinc. These findings would facilitate in assessing the supplementary value of tropical feeds for boron.

Summary This study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of ammonia-generating diet on serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea levels, serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations and granulosa cell growth and secretion parameters in ewes (Ovis aries). Ewes were fed with 14% CP diet (control) or ammonia-generating diet or ammonia-generating diet plus soluble sugar. The serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea level, serum oestrogen and progesterone levels and granulosa cell (obtained from ovaries of slaughtered ewes) growth parameters and secretory activities were estimated. Ammonia-generating diet (high-protein diet) increased the serum ammonia and urea concentration. Supplementation of soluble sugar significantly reduced the ammonia concentration in serum with comparable levels as in control group; however, the urea level in the same group was higher than that observed in control group. Supplementation of soluble sugar significantly reduced the follicular fluid ammonia concentration; however, the level was significantly higher compared to control group. Supplementation of soluble sugar brought down the follicular fluid urea level comparable to that observed in control group. Oestrogen and progesterone levels remained unchanged in ewes fed with different types of diet. Oestrogen and progesterone secretion were significantly lowered from granulosa cells recovered from ewes fed with high ammonia-generating diet. Low metabolic activity and high incidence of apoptosis were observed in granulosa cells obtained from ovaries of ewes fed with ammonia-generating diet.

A feeding trial was designed to assess the effect of super dosing of phytase in corn-soya-based diets of broiler chicken. One hundred and sixty-eight day-old broilers were selected and randomly allocated to four dietary treatment groups, with 6 replicates having 7 chicks per treatment group. Two-phased diets were used. The starter and finisher diet was fed from 0 to 3 weeks and 4 to 5 weeks of age respectively. The dietary treatments were consisted of normal phosphorus (NP) group without any phytase enzyme (4.5 g/kg available/non-phytin phosphorus (P) during starter and 4.0 g/kg during finisher phase), three low-phosphorus (LP) groups (3.2 g/kg available/non-phytin P during starter and 2.8 g/kg during finisher phase) supplemented with phytase at 500, 2500, 5000 FTU/kg diet, respectively, to full fill their phosphorus requirements. The results showed that super doses of phytase (at 2500 FTU and 5000 FTU/kg) on low-phosphorus diet improved feed intake, body weight gain, ileal digestibility (serine, aspartic acid, calcium, phosphorus), blood P levels and bone minerals such as calcium (Ca), P, magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) content. It could be concluded that super doses of phytase in low-phosphorus diet were beneficial than the normal standard dose (at 500 FTU/kg) of phytase in diet of broiler chicken.

Pineapple is a commercially important fruit crop grown in Asian and African countries. Pineapple fruit residue (PFR) accounts for more than 65 % of the processed fruits, and its disposal is a major problem due to its high moisture and sugar content predisposing it to fungal growth and spoilage. Silage technique was adopted to address this problem, and the PFR silage was evaluated for its feeding value. It was observed that on 15th day, the pH of PFR silage was 4.2–4.3 and lactic acid content was 6–8 % (DM basis). Combination of 4 parts leafy crown and 1 part peels/pomace was found very ideal to achieve moisture content of 65–70 % and produced a good quality silage with minimum fungal count (

Little is known about biological significance of effects of dietary Boron (B) and Calcium (Ca) interaction on health and production of farm animals. This is a preliminary investigation to evaluate the effects of B supplementation in lambs fed diets with (normal) or without adequate (low) levels of Ca. Twenty-four crossbred ram lambs were randomly distributed into four groups with six animals each in a 2x2 factorial design namely, normal-Ca diet (NCa) and low-Ca diet (LCa) fed without or with 40 ppm B (NCaB-40 and LCaB-40). The lambs were fed paddy straw and hybrid napier hay-based total mixed ration (60 roughage: 40 concentrate) during 180 days experimental period. Compared to control, the LCa diet lowered (P0.05) to become at par with the control (NCa) upon supplementation of B (LCaB-40). The mRNA expression of SOD1 was lowered (P0.05) with the control (NCa). Further, B-supplementation restored lowered (P

This experiment was conducted to assess efficacy of phytase of fungal (Aspergillus foetidis)-origin on apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients in broiler chicken fed with a maize-soybean based diet. A feeding trial was conducted on 126 chicks, divided into three dietary treatments with six replicates having seven chicks in each following a completely randomized design. Semi purified phytase of Aspergillus foetidis (MTCC 11682) was used for feeding. The dietary treatments consisted of one normal phosphorus (NP) group without any phytase enzyme, two low phosphorus (LP) groups LP500 and LP1000 with supplemental laboratory phytase at 500 and 1000 FTU/kg, respectively. The apparent ileal digestibility coefficient (AIDC) of most amino acids were improved significantly (P

The influence of Boron (B) supplementation on immune and antioxidant status of rats with or without abiotic stress induced by dietary calcium (Ca) restriction was studied in a feeding trial of 90 days. Wistar strain rats (3-4 wk age, n=84) were divided into 7 dietary groups (4 replicates of 3 each) viz., normal-calcium (100%) basal diet alone (NC, control) or supplemented with B at 5 (NCB-5), 10 (NCB-10), 20 (NCB-20) and 40ppm (NCB-40) levels; low-calcium (50%) basal diet alone (LC) or supplemented with 40ppm B (LCB-40). After 75 days of experimental feeding, rats were challenged with intraperitoneal injection of sheep RBCs to assess their humoral immunity. At the end of the trial, cell-mediated immunity was assessed as foot pad reaction to sheep RBCs injected into the hind leg paws. Eight rats from each group were sacrificed to collect blood for estimation of minerals and total antioxidant activity, and liver for superoxide dismutase gene expression analysis. Supplementation of graded levels of B (5, 10, 20 and 40ppm) as borax in NC diets significantly increased (P

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of nano-zinc as a feed supplement on rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility in goats (Capra hircus). Nano-sized zinc was synthesized by using 0.45M aqueous solution of zinc nitrate and 0.9M aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide as a salt of ZnO in nano form (NZnO). The particle size thus obtained was 74 nm and later it was confirmed to be zinc by using TEM-EDAX. Twenty-four male goats were divided in four groups on the basis of BW and were supplemented with either a basal diet with concentrate and straw at 50: 50 ratio (Control) alone or supplemented with 50 ppm zinc from inorganic ZnO (IZn-50), 50 ppm zinc from NZnO (NZn-50) or 25 ppm zinc from NZnO (NZn-25). The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, total carbohydrates, and nutritive value of the diets in terms of DCP, TDN (%) and ME (Mcal/kg) did not vary (P>0.05) among treatment groups. The ADF and cellulose digestibility was significantly higher (P

The influence of dietary boron (B) supplementation on bone mineralization in rats with or without dietary calcium (Ca) restriction was studied in a feeding trial of 90d. Wister strain male rats (n=84; ∼34 wks of age) were divided into seven dietary groups (4 replicates of 3 each) namely, Normal-Ca (100%) basal diet alone (NC, control; 1.69 ppm B) or supplemented with B at 5 (NCB-5), 10 (NCB-10), 20 (NCB20) and 40 ppm (NCB-40) levels; low-Ca (50%) basal diet alone (LC) or supplemented with 40 ppm B (LCB-40). After 90d of experimental feeding, a 5d digestibility trial was conducted to estimate gut absorption of minerals. Eight rats from each group were sacrificed to collect blood for estimation of minerals, femur bone for assessment of minerals, bone breaking strength and radiography, and liver for appraisal of relative mRNA abundance of calmodulin (CAL), vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) and thyroid receptor binding protein (TRBP). Boron supplementation to Ca adequate diets improved (P

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of super dosing of phytase in either normal or low phosphorus or low calcium corn-soy based diets of broiler chicken. A total of 112 healthy, day-old, Cobb chicks were distributed randomly to 4 treatments with 4 replicates each having 7 chicks. In the first two groups, normal recommended P diet (0.45% available P during starter and 0.40% during finisher phase) was fed without phytase supplementation (control) or supplemented with phytase (@ 2500 FTU; phytase unit/kg diet). The third group was supplemented with phytase (@ 2500 FTU/kg diet) to a low P (0.31% available P during starter and 0.15% during finisher phase) diet with normal Ca (1% Ca in diet). In the fourth group, it was similar to third diet but with lower (0.8%) level of Ca. The inorganic P was not added to third and fourth groups during finisher phase. The body weight gain and feed intake of chicks were similar during starter, finisher and overall phase. The feed conversion ratio was lower in the third group during finisher phase as compared to other 3 groups, however, it was similar when compared during overall phase. The bone morphology and mineralization was not affected either by normal or lower P levels in diet supplemented with super dosing of phytase. The results indicated that super dosing of phytase on low P and Ca diets were beneficial than the normal standard dose of phytase in diet of broiler chicken.

A feeding trial was conducted to assess efficacy of phytase of fungal (Aspergillus foetidis)-origin in broiler chicken fed on a maize-soybean based diet in terms of growth performance, blood minerals, bone morphometry and mineralization. Partially purified phytase of Aspergillus foetidis (MTCC 11682) was used for feeding. A feeding trial of five weeks duration was conducted involving 126 chicks, divided into three dietary treatments with six replicates having seven chicks in each following a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments consisted of one normal phosphorus (NP) group without any phytase enzyme (0.45% available P during starter and 0.40% during finisher phase), two low phosphorus groups LP500 and LP1000 (0.32% available P during starter and 0.28% during finisher phase) with supplemented laboratory phytase at 500 and 1000 FTU/kg, respectively. Growth performance of broilers was lower (P 0.05) in broiler chickens fed on NP and LP1000 diets. The bone ash and mineral content of tibia was similar (P>0.05) among the groups. It may be concluded that immobilized partial purified fungal phytase at 1000FTU/kg was effective in replacing 0.12% non-phytate phosphorus in the diet for growth performance and mineral utilization in broiler chicken.