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Two hundred 10-d-old broiler chickens were used to study the effects of different dried olive pulp (DOP) inclusion rates on growth performance and meat quality. Broiler chickens were assigned to 4 experimental treatments (5 replicates of 10 broiler chickens each) for 32 d. The broiler chickens of each treatment were offered a different combination of grower (d 11 to 22; grower phase) and finisher (d 23 to 42; finisher phase) diets in terms of DOP content. The experimental treatments were: control (C), grower and finisher diets with no DOP; treatment 1 (T1), grower and finisher diets with 25 and 50 g DOP/kg, respectively; treatment 2 (T2), grower and finisher diets with 50 g DOP/kg; and treatment 3 (T3), grower and finisher diets with 50 and 80 g DOP/kg, respectively. Feed intake and body weight were recorded to calculate weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Fatty acid (FA) composition, oxidative stability, pH at 24 h post-mortem (pH24), color properties, cooking loss, and tenderness (as shear force) were determined in the breast muscle obtained from 2 broiler chickens/replicate pen of each treatment at d 42. The FCR was greater in T2 and T3 compared to C (P = 0.013) during the grower phase. During the finisher phase, FCR was greater in T3 when compared to C (P = 0.014), and to T1 and T2 (P = 0.031). The addition of DOP increased 18:1n-9 and total monounsaturated FA (P

1. In recent times the use of food waste in animal diets has gained considerable attention because of the increasing demand to cover the needs of human population and the high prices of conventional, arable based, animal feeds.2. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of adding dried human food waste to the diet of meat-type chickens (broilers). Two hundred, one-day-old broilers were divided into two treatment groups, with 10 replicate pens containing 10 birds per pen. The duration of the study was 42 days. In the control (C), the diet did not contain any food waste, whereas in the second treatment (T) food waste residues from hotels made up 15% of the diet. Diets had similar crude protein and metabolisable energy content.3. Feed intake and body weight were recorded in order to calculate weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Carcase and breast muscle yield, the weight of selected internal organs and the level of selected biochemical and haematological parameters were determined. Quality of breast muscle meat was assessed.4. Broilers fed the control treatment consumed more feed and gained more weight compared to broilers fed waste; however, the FCR was similar. No major differences were seen for internal organ weights and haematological parameters, although some differences were observed in colour traits and shear force of meat. It was concluded that there is a potential for use of food waste in broiler diets.

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency in ruminants can be avoided by the inclusion of magnesium oxide (MgO) supplements in their diets. However, the behaviour of MgO supplements in the rumen depends on various factors such as ore-origin, calcination conditions, particle size distribution etc. Moreover, in most cases the solubility of MgO supplements (both in vitro and in vivo ) is not related with their apparent bioavailability, so their quality should be evaluated primarily by using both in vitro and in vivo tests before using them in practice. Thus, the objectives of this study were: to determine: (a) the particle size distribution of four MgO supplements (Δ 1 , Δ 2 , Δ 3 and Δ 4 ) with different chemical composition and their both in vitro and in vivo solubility and (b) their apparent bioavailability. The solubility of MgO supplements was tested in an aqueous NH 4 NO 3 solution ( in vitro ) and in sheep ( in vivo ). Five fistulated wether sheep of Karaguniko breed were used in a Latin-square (5 × 5) design to determine the in vivo solubility. The sheep were kept in metabolism cages and were given a basal diet (800 g alfalfa hay and 600 g concentrates). The same diet plus 2 g of each MgO supplement was given to each sheep respectively during a 17-days period in order to determine their apparent bioavailability. The results showed that the solubility was depended on both the amounts of fine particles and the reactivity of the MgO supplements (P 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 content. Despite the fact that for the most MgO supplements (Δ 2 , Δ 3 and Δ 4 ) a close relationship was found between solubility (both in vitro and in vivo ) with apparent bioavailability this did not occur in the case of Δ 1 MgO supplement. Moreover, the Δ 4 MgO supplement was evaluated as the best candidate for feed supplement in ruminant’s diets, not only due to its better particle size distribution, but also to its significantly high solubility (both in vitro and in vivo ) and bioavailability which was due to its high purity (> 90%) and reactivity (49 s) and lower content in Fe 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 compounds compared to the others. In conclusion, the properties of MgO supplements should be tested both in vitro and in vivo before their use in practice since they are affected by various factors.

Meat quality is related to a variety of muscle types consisting of different muscle fibers which are a reflection of its energy requirements and lipid content. Due to that, factors such as source of suckled milk, age and sex which affect the fatty acid (FA) profile and associated with meat quality should be determined in different muscles, since humans consume different parts of the carcass. A total of 40 goat kids of Damascus breed were used to determine the effect of rearing system, age and sex on the FA profile of Semimembranosus proprius (SP), Longissimus dorsii (LD) and Triceps brachii (TB). The goat kids were assigned into two groups balanced for body weight and sex. The first group (n=20), (10 male and 10 female goat kids) underwent natural rearing and received only maternal milk until weaning. The second group (n=20) (10 male and 10 female goat kids), was subject to artificial suckling with a commercial milk replacer. At weaning (49 days of age), 10 animals from each group were weighed and slaughtered. The remaining goat kids of both groups, after weaning were fed daily 100 g barley hay per animal and a commercial concentrate diet ad libitum up to 98 days of age, where they were also weighted and slaughtered. The results showed that the body weight and the growth rate were significantly higher in males than females goat kids when fed with maternal milk. Moreover, the growth rate was significantly higher in the naturally compared with the artificially goat kids. The muscles FA composition, especially the branched chain FA, saturated FA and n-3 FA, reflects that of the milk source (maternal or artificial). Significant differences were found among the three muscles (SP, LD and TB) of goat kids for several individual FAs. The concentrations of C18:0 and trans C18:1 FA increased significantly whereas n-3 FAs decrease in the fat of goat kids slaughtered at 98 compared 49 days of age, due to the shift from milk to a fodder diet. Sex did not affect the FA profile of goat kids. In conclusion, naturally reared goat kids is better slaughtered at younger age before a shift from milk to a fodder diet whereas a fodder diet compared with a milk replacer can improve muscle FA profile of goat kids .

Milk protein synthesis in the mammary gland involves expression of six major milk proteins' genes whose nutritional regulation remains poorly defined. In this study, the effect of long-term under- and overfeeding on the expression of as1-casein: CSN1S1, as2-casein: CSN1S2, β-casein: CSN2, κ-casein: CSN3, α-lactalbumin: LALBA and β-lactoglobulin: BLG gene in goat mammary tissue (MT) was examined. Twenty-four lactating dairy goat, at 90-98 days in milk, were divided into three homogenous subgroups and fed the same ration, for 60 days, in quantities which met 70% (underfeeding), 100% (control) and 130% (overfeeding) of their energy and crude protein requirements. The results showed a significant decrease in mRNA of CSN1S2, CSN2, CSN3 and LALBA genes in the MT of underfed goats compared with the overfed and on the CSN1S1 and BLG gene expressions in the MT of underfed goats compared with the respective control and overfed. CSN2 was the most abundant transcript in goat MT relative to the other milk proteins' genes. Significantly positive correlations were observed between the mRNA levels of caseins' and BLG genes with the milk yield. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the mRNA levels of CSN1S2 with the milk protein, lactose content and lactose yield and also between the LALBA gene expression with the lactose content and lactose yield respectively. In conclusion, the feeding level and consequently the nutrients availability affected the milk lactose content, protein and lactose yield as well as the milk volume by altering the CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN2, CSN3, LALBA and BLG gene expression involved in their metabolic pathways.

Fat synthesis is under the control of a large number of genes whose nutritional regulation is still poorly documented. In this study, we examined the effect of long term under- and over-feeding on the expression of genes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase: ACACA, fatty acid synthetase: FASN, lipoprotein lipase: LPL, stearoyl-Co A desaturase 1: SCD1, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor G2 : PPARG2, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c: SREBP-1c and hormone sensitive lipase HSL) related to FA metabolism in goat mammary tissue (MT). Twenty four lactating goats were divided into three homogenous sub-groups and fed the same ratio in quantities covering 70% (underfeeding), 100% (control) and 130% (overfeeding) of their energy and crude protein requirements. The results showed a significant reduction on mRNA of ACACA, FASN, LPL, SCD1 and HSL in the MT of underfed goats, compared with the respective overfed. A numerical decrease on the mRNA level of PPARG2 and SREBP-1c in the MT of the underfed goats, compared with the respective controls and the overfed was also observed. In conclusion, the negative, compared to positive, energy balance in goats down regulates the ACACA, FASN, LPL, SCD1 and HSL expressions in their MT which indicates that the decrease in nutrient availability may lead to lower rates of lipid synthesis.

The genes of urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) and its receptor (u-PAR) are part of the fibrinolytic system which plays an important role in white adipose tissue remodeling. The nucleotides sequences of these genes have not been characterized in goats, in contrast to other ruminants (sheep and cow) and were partly isolated in this study. Further to that, taking into account that gene expression is strongly affected by dietary and genetic factors, an experiment was conducted with lactating dairy ewes ( n =12) and goats ( n =12) with the objective to determine if there are differences between them in u-PA and u-PAR gene activity in their subcutaneous adipose tissue (SUBQ) under the same dietary treatments. Ewes and goats were given identical diets in a mid-lactation period and another adapted diet in the late lactation period identical between ewes and goats. This late lactation contained less roughage and were fed in a lower amount, and caused – unintendedly – a negative energy balance since animals lost weight in that period. The results showed that the mRNA expression of u-PAR reduced significantly in the SUBQ of both animal species with Treatment B compared with Treatment A. In addition, the u-PA and u-PAR mRNA expressions were significantly higher in the SUBQ of goats compared to those of sheep, independently from the fed diet and the different days in milk. In conclusion, may be feeding regimen affects the u-PAR mRNA expression while there are significant species differences between sheep and goats in the u-PA and u-PAR mRNA expression of their SUBQ under the same dietary treatments.

An experiment was conducted with 12 lactating dairy ewes and 12 goats with the objective to determine if there are differences between them in lipogenic genes [acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthetase (FAS), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and leptin (LEP)] in their subcutaneous adipose tissue (SUBQ) under the same dietary treatments. The animals were fed with two diets (A, B) in different days of milk (DIM) due to the different milk yield, body weight, etc. in order to have the same food intake and to avoid dietary effects. Diet A with a forage/concentrate ( F / C ) ratio 53/47 on dry matter basis, was offered to each group of sheep and goats from DIM = 105 to DIM = 126, and from DIM = 63 to DIM = 84, respectively. Diet B with a F / C ratio 49/51 on dry matter basis, was offered to sheep and goats individually from DIM = 140 to DIM = 161 and from DIM = 98 to DIM = 119, respectively. The results showed that the mRNA of ACC was significantly lower in sheep SUBQ while the mRNA of LPL, SCD and LEP were higher compared with those of goats independently from the fed diet and the different DIM. In conclusion, there are significant species differences between sheep and goats in the lipogenic gene mRNA expression of SUBQ under the same dietary treatments.

A number of studies have shown that the rumenic acid (RA = cis -9 trans -11 C 18:2 CLA) content of milk fat is usually higher in sheep than in goats, due partly to different dietary regimens. An experiment was conducted with 12 lactating dairy ewes and 12 goats with the objective to compare the two animal species (sheep/goats) fed diet with the same forage/concentrate ( F / C ) ratio, on their milk fatty acids (FA) profile with emphasis on RA and vaccenic acid (VA) production. The experiment was carried out in three consecutive phases, lasted 3 weeks each, immediately after weaning of lambs and kids. In phase I, the ewes and the goats were fed according to their maintenance and lactation requirements, with 14 kg alfalfa hay, 4 kg wheat straw and 12 kg concentrate the 12 ewes ( F / C ratio = 60/40), and with 14 kg alfalfa hay, 4 kg straw and 24 kg concentrate the 12 goats ( F / C ratio = 43/57). In phase II, 14 kg alfalfa hay, 4 kg straw and 14 kg concentrate were offered daily to each group of sheep and goats, with a F / C ratio = 56/44. In phase III, all ewes and goats were fed individually with 0.8 kg alfalfa hay, 0.2 kg wheat straw and 0.8 kg concentrate daily with a F / C ratio = 56/44. The results showed that the different F / C ratio between sheep and goats diets, in phase I, changed significantly the milk FA profile, with no significant difference in RA and VA milk fat content between sheep and goats in phase I. In phases II (group feeding) and III (individual feeding), where sheep and goats fed with the same amount of food of the same F / C ratio, the sheep milk fat had higher RA and VA content compared to goats. In conclusion, these findings support the hypothesis that there are species differences, as RA and VA production concerns, which needs further investigation.

An experiment was conducted with the objective to study the interaction between breed and diet on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and fatty acids profile (FA) content of milk fat of four pure of dairy sheep breeds (Awassi, Lacaune, Friesland and Chios). All sheep used in this study were kept in one flock under the same management. During the winter months (from October to March) all sheep were kept indoors and fed with alfalfa hay and concentrates without any grazing and from April onwards were grazing native pastures without any supplementary feed. A total of 160 individual milk samples were taken from the four breeds at two sampling times: in January (n = 80) and in May (n = 80), when the ewes were in average, on 62 and 185 days in milk. These milk samples were analyzed for FA profile. The results of this experiment showed that the sheep breed had no effect on milk FA profile or on atherogenicity index (AI). The only significant effect was on Δ−9 desaturase activity index expressed as C18:1/C18:0. On the contrary, the diet affected significantly the FA profile of all ewes milk fat, with pasture to cause lower proportions of saturated and higher proportions of unsaturated FA, compared with those of sheep kept and fed indoors. The interaction between breed and diet was significant for the FA C10:0, C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C17:1, C18:1, C18:2n6c, C18:2n6t, C18:3n6 and CLA and for FA groups SCFA, MCFA, LCFA and MUFA. The S/U FA ratio and the Δ−9 desaturase indexes (C14:1/C14:0 and C18:1/C18:0) were also affected by the breed × diet interaction. In conclusion, pasture feeding when compared with supplementary diet, induce large variation in the milk FA profile. In addition pasture increases FA in milk fat which has potential interest for human health. Breed has small effect on milk FA profile, but it can be ignored as it is shown from the interaction breed × diet.

The cis-9, trans-11 C18:2 (CLA) content in milk fat of four pure sheep breeds (Awassi, Lacaune, Friesland and Chios) was examined. All sheep were kept indoors all year round under the same feeding practices, without any grazing at all. Sheep nutrition was based on alfalfa hay and concentrates. A total of 237 individual milk samples were collected at three sampling times (December, January and March) from sheep of different parity and different days in milk, for CLA determination. The results showed that: (a) there was a large variation in milk fat CLA content among individuals consuming the same diet, (b) the CLA content of milk fat was lower in Friesland breed, compared to the other three breeds but without any significant difference among the four sheep breeds, (c) the CLA content of milk fat was not affected by ewes parity or days in milk, (d) there was a negative but not significant correlation between milk fat and CLA concentration, (e) the CLA content of milk fat was not correlated with milk yield. In conclusion, no others factors, such as breed, parity, days in milk, etc., can affect CLA content in milk fat, which means that the dietary ones remain the sovereign factors explaining the highest proportion of CLA content variability in sheep milk fat.

The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of grazing sheep and goat milk fat, throughout their lactation period, was examined. Six sheep and six goat representative farms were selected at random and milk samples were taken at monthly intervals for fatty acids profile determination. Sheep and goat nutrition was based on natural grazing and on supplementary feeding during the winter months. From April onwards, grazing native pastures was the only source of feed for sheep and goats. The University farm whose sheep are kept indoors all year round without any grazing, was also used as reference. Fifteen individual milk samples were also taken in April from a sheep and goat farm respectively, in order to see the variability of CLA inside the farm. The results showed that: a. the CLA content of grazing sheep and goat milk fat increased significantly in April–May (early growth stage of grass) and then declined while that of indoors kept sheep was more or less constant during the same period, b. the isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 of CLA were found in grazing sheep milk fat, while in indoors kept sheep and goats' milk fat only the cis-9, trans-11 isomer was found, c. the CLA content of sheep milk fat was much higher than that of goats, d. a negative correlation between sheep milk fat and CLA content was found and e. there was considerable variation in milk fat CLA content between sheep and goat farms and inside the farms.

Information concerning worm control practices of sheep and goat farmers in the region of Trikala (central Greece) was collected through a questionnaire survey by visiting farms and interviewing farmers. Questionnaires from 57 farmers residing in 23 rural communities were collected. Anthelmintics were used by 89% of the farmers. On average, lambs, kids and goats were treated once annually, while sheep were treated either once or twice annually. Only 2% of farmers reported treatment of animals with anthelmintics when moving to new pastures. The most common broad-spectrum anthelmintics used were those belonging to the benzimidazoles and probenzimidazoles. Fifty nine percent of the farmers used the same anthelmintic group for 3 or more years and 34% used two or more anthelmintic groups in the same year. Almost all farmers reported estimating live weights for calculating anthelmintic doses through visual perception on the basis of an average weight (96%). Tablets and boluses were the most preferred anthelmintic formulation used by 96% of farmers. The selection of an anthelmintic was based for 58% of farmers on recommendation by a veterinarian and for 39% of farmers on the cost of the drug. The most common occasions for deworming the animals were at turn out (86%) and after parturition (31%). Only 6% of farmers reported deworming new animals before introducing them onto the farm. Farmers preferred to seek information about the use of anthelmintics and worm control strategies from veterinarians (63%) and other farmers (37%).

In order to examine the effects of diets, with two hay to concentrate ratios and two forms of concentrates on the rumen fermentation of dry sheep and milk production of lactating ewes, three trials were conducted.In the first trial, four wether sheep, each fitted with a rumen cannula, were used in a 4 × 4 Latin-square design, by allocating them to one of four diets with different hay to concentrate ratio and concentrate type. The diets consisted of 0·5 kg hay and 0·75 kg either starchy (HRSC) or fibrous (HRFC) concentrates, or 0·25 kg hay and 1·0 kg either starchy (LRSC) or fibrous (LRFC) concentrates. The diets were designed to provide similar intakes of energy and crude protein. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia concentrations, pH values and number of protozoa were determined in wether rumen fluid.Total VFA concentration was not significantly affected by diet but acetate and n-butyrate proportions were higher (P < 0·002) on the higher forage diets and propionate higher (P < 0·002) on the lower forage diets. pH values and number of protozoa in sheep rumen fluid were unaffected by treatment, while ammonia concentration was lower (P < 0·05) on the HRFC diet.In the second trial, 60 lactating dairy ewes were allocated to one of four diets for weeks 11 to 15 of lactation (period 1). Ewes were given food daily: 0·87 kg hay and 1·3 kg either HRFC or HRSC concentrates, or 0·4 kg hay and 1·6 kg either LRFC or LRSC concentrates. During weeks 16 to 20 of lactation (period 2), the ewes were given the same amount and type of concentrates but hay was supplied ad libitum and this period formed the third trial.Milk yield and milk composition were affected significantly by hay to concentrate ratio with the lower hay to concentrate ratio resulting in a significant increase in milk yield, milk protein efficiency, protein content and protein and lactose yields. Milk fat content and yield were reduced. Hay intake was proportionately greater (P < 0·002) by 0·15 to 0·20 with starchy than with fibrous concentrate diets in period 2. Problems such as acidosis or ‘off-food’ periods in ewes given the low hay to concentrate ratio diets were not observed, irrespective of concentrate type.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the preservation time of fresh olive tree leaves (OTL) after treatment with ammonia (AM-OTL) solution, the improvement of its nutritive value and the effect on milk yield and milk composition of dairy ewes. The crude protein (CP) content of OTL treated with a 25% aqueous ammonia solution (5 1 per 100 kg fresh OTL) increased from 96 to 180 g kg−1 dry matter (DM) just after the bags were opened, and 164 and 155 g kg−1 DM 2 and 12 months after treatment, respectively. The non-protein nitrogen of AM-OTL was 312 g kg−1 CP compared with 100 g kg−1 CP of fresh untreated OTL (F-OTL). Results of a digestibility experiment showed that the apparent digestibility (g kg−1) of AM-OTL increased (P < 0.05) for CP, crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre by 47.4%, 19.4%, 13.3% and 10.5% and decreased for ether extractives (EE) by 10.7% in relation to F-OTL. The nutritive value was estimated to be 4.60 and 4.81 MJ of net energy of lactation (NEL) kg−1 DM for F-OTL and AM-OTL, respectively. In the second experiment 24 dairy lactating ewes of the Karagouniko breed (55 kg of average BW) were used and divided into two equal groups, immediately after weaning of their lambs. Using a cross-over design, ewes in Group 1 were fed a diet (A) with 1.2 kg AM-OTL + 0.25 kg wheat straw+ 0.88 kg concentrates. Ewes in Group 2 were fed a diet (B) with 0.8 kg alfalfa hay +1 kg concentrates. Diet (A) caused an increase (P < 0.05) in soluble CP and a reduction (P < 0.05) in casein content of milk. Fatty acid composition of milk fat was affected by AM-OTL with a reduction (P < 0.001) of short chain (C6 to C16:l) and an increase of long chain (C18, C18:1) fatty acids. The results showed that ammonia treatment preserves OTL, improves their nutritive value and allows their inclusion in ruminant diets by replacing other expensive roughages.

The objective of this work was to determine the apparent bioavailability of magnesium from four different types of calcined magnesites of Greek origin. These four types (A, B, C, D) were different in particle size fractions and production process. The solubility of the above four magnesium samples and their fractions were determined: (a) in the laboratory using ammonium nitrate solution after 24-h shaking and (b) in vivo using a nylon bag technique after 24-h incubation.Solubility was correlated with apparent bioavailability as determined in a balance experiment with five wether sheep in a 5×5 Latin-square design.Sheep were kept in metabolism cages and were given daily a basal diet (500 g hay + 700 g concentrate) plus 2 g magnesium supplements from types A to D. The magnesium bioavailability of the basal diet was used as a base for the determination of the bioavailability of magnesium in A, B, C and D supplements.Magnesium apparent bioavailability of the basal diet was found to be 0·203 and, for the supplements A, B, C and D, 0·381, 0·339, 0·315 and 0·292 respectively. The solubility of supplements A, B, C and D in ammonium nitrate solution and in vivo (using the nylon-bag technique) was found to be 0·812, 0·805, 0·784 and 0·773 or 0·294, 0·152, 0·102 and 0·200 respectively.The solubilities of the magnesium supplements in ammonium nitrate solution and in vivo both reflected dietary bioavailability differences up to a point, but neither was well enough correlated with the apparent bioavailability as determined by the balance experiment, this being judged to be the most precise method for bioavailability determination.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of maternal undernutrition on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in female sheep offspring. Pregnant ewes were fed to 100% throughout pregnancy (Control) or to 50% from 0 to 30 (R1) or from 31 to 100 days of gestation (R2). Female lambs were selected and fed to appetite throughout the study. At 2, 5.5 and 10 months of age a GnRH challenge was conducted. At the age of 10 months lambs were synchronized and blood samples were collected at 3 h intervals for 72 h following sponge removal. At slaughter (10 months) ovaries were removed and examined macroscopically. Maternal undernutrition did not affect the time of the onset of puberty, defined as the first increase in plasma progesterone concentrationsor=1 ng/ml. The magnitude of the pre-ovulatory gonadotrophin surge and the time to surge were unaffected by treatment. The LH and FSH response to GnRH challenge did not differ between groups at 2 and 5.5 months but at 10 months of age a higher (p0.05) FSH response was found in R1 group. Although the total number of visible follicles and corpora lutea did not differ between groups, a significant higher (p0.05) number of small (2-3 mm diameter) follicles in R1 group and a significant lower number (p0.05) of corpora lutea with diameter 8-11 mm and not even one with diameter12 mm were detected in the ovaries of R2 lambs. In conclusion, maternal undernutrition during the first month of pregnancy resulted in increased pituitary sensitivity to GnRH and increased number of small follicles in the ovary, while during mid to late gestation resulted in a reduction of large corpora lutea in female offspring.

Olive tree leaves (OTL) and grape marc (GM) are by-products with high linolenic (LNA) and linoleic (LA) acid content, respectively, which can be used as dietary ingredients to increase the cis-9 trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of milk fat in sheep and goats. An experiment was conducted with 16 Friesian ewes and 16 Alpine goats to study the effect of OTL and GM inclusion in sheep and goat diets on their milk fatty acid profile, with emphasis on cis-9, trans-11 CLA and vaccenic acid (VA). Ewes and the goats were fed the control (C) diets from parturition to the 90 days in milk (DIM) and then both groups were divided into two sub-groups (treatments). The control groups of both species continued to be fed the C diets, whereas the treated groups were gradually switched over a 2-week period (DIM=91–105) from the C diets to that of treatment 1, which contained air-dried OTL. These OTL diets were fed ad libitum for 1 month (DIM=106–135). After that period, the same treated groups, after 2 weeks of gradual adaptation (DIM=136–150), were switched to treatment 2, which contained air-dried GM. The GM diets were fed ad libitum for 1 month (151–180 DIM). Concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and mono-unsaturated fatty acids increased significantly in milk fat of sheep fed OTL v. C. For goats, only the PUFA in milk fat was increased by feeding OTL compared with C. Relative to C, GM increased significantly the concentration of PUFA only in milk fat of sheep. OTL and GM diets increased the cis-9, trans-11 CLA and VA content in milk fat, compared with C, only in sheep. GM caused a sharp increase in 18:0 only in sheep milk fat, while the OTL diet increased significantly the 18:0 in milk fat of goats. GM and OTL diets also had opposite effects on the 18:1/18:0 ratio of sheep milk fat. In conclusion, OTL and GM, when included in sheep diets altered the milk fatty acid profile with a pronounced increase in cis-9, trans-11 CLA and VA contents. The results show that the response of sheep and goats to OTL and GM diets was different, suggesting a species difference that needs further investigation.

Eighteen lambs (L) and 18 goats (G), 12 weeks of age, were allocated in equal numbers to three diets. The basal (B) diet had no added copper (Cu) while the other two had 30 or 60 mg added Cu per kg dry matter (DM) as CuSO4.5H2O. Lambs and goats were housed and fed individually. After 67 days, deaths from Cu toxicity occurred only in lambs from groups L-30 (basal diet + 30 mg Cu per kg DM) and L-60 (basal diet + 60 mg Cu per kg DM). The remaining lambs and all of the goats were slaughtered at 91 and 137 days respectively.A decreased food intake and loss of weight were observed in some lambs towards the end of the experiment which appeared to be associated with an approaching haemolytic crisis. The additional dietary Cu had a positive effect on food conversion efficiency only in the early stages of the experiment in both lambs and goats. None of the goats died or lost weight.Plasma Cu concentrations and serum glutamate oxalacetate transaminase and creatine kinase activities were elevated in lambs of groups L-30 and L-60 after 2 months, while in goats the concentrations were in normal ranges during the whole experimental period.Additional dietary Cu increased significantly the Cu concentrations of liver, kidney, muscle, spleen, heart, brain, hair and faeces in both lambs and goats. Additional Cu decreased the fresh and dry liver weights of lambs and the liver to live weight ratio whereas the corresponding values for kidneys were increased. The differences between groups of goats in fresh or dry liver and kidney weights were not significant, though the fresh and dry liver weights tended to be higher in groups G·30 and G·60 compared with those in the group G·B.The amount of Cu stored in the livers of the lambs was six to nine times higher than that of the goats. Differences in Cu storage between lambs and goats may be related to species differences in Cuutilization and hence resistance to Cu toxicity.

There is an increasing interest for sustainable forms of livestock production systems, which will provide a balanced relationship between environmental, socio-cultural and economic factors. The small ruminant sector is examined with particular focus on the possibilities of improving the sustainability of small ruminant systems and on the possible role of organic production to meet the demand of sustainability. Current regulations highlighting different approaches and interpretation of organic farming among countries are reviewed. Regulations concerning organic livestock production between the US and the EU are compared. For the future development of organic farming, a strong harmonisation of rules and legislation at international and national level is needed. The process of conversion from conventional to organic poses several problems mainly due to inadequate technical knowledge and value-added activities at farm or regional level with poorly organized marketing. Breeding strategies, feed management and disease control for small ruminant in organic farming are discussed. Animal selection should be designed to reinforce, in a sustainable manner, the relationships between animals and the environment. Feed management will require a better integration between agriculture and livestock, and a transition from monoculture to mosaic, with spatial and temporal integration of agricultural components. Possible alternatives to chemoprophylaxis are available to control helminth diseases, such as the use of homeopathic treatment, and the improvement of genetic resistance to parasite infections. Harmonisation of rules and development of technical assistance at local level may contribute to increase sustainability of small ruminant organic farming not only in developed but also in developing countries. Certification and valorisation of organic products are key points to guarantee and promote this sector. L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03016226

An experiment was carried out on a site where herbage selenium content is known to be low, to examine the value of soluble-glass boluses as a means of providing supplementary copper, cobalt and selenium to ewes. Sixty-one Welsh half-bred ewes were divided into two groups. Thirty ewes were given a single glass bolus and 31 were left as untreated controls. Measurements of plasma copper and caerulo-plasmin concentrations, serum vitamin B12 concentration and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity all showed significant increases owing to treatment with soluble-glass boluses. These glass boluses also gave protection to the foetus and the young lamb in its early life.

In growing billy goats, bulls and heifers, the supplementation of 10 g elementary S/kg ration dry matter reduced the daily weight gain by about 15%. The offer of 10 g S and 10 mg Mo/kg ration did not intensify growth depression. It occurred, however, when 10 g S were applied together with 3 mg Cd. Under these conditions, fattening bulls gained 19% less weight. The monogastric pig reacted less sensitively to the same exposure. The growth depression only reached about 10% and remained insignificantly. On the other hand, pigs with 10 g S and 3 mg Cd gained 17% less weight (p less than 0.05). The supplementation of 20 g elementary S/kg reduced their growth dramatically. These pigs only gained 89 g weight per day. The effect of S (and Mo or Cd) supplementation was mainly due to decreased feed consumption.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of sugar beet molasses (0, 8 and 16%) with or without lasalocid sodium (33 ppm) on rumen liquor and blood parameters of sheep, and on fattening reared Karagouniko breed lambs. In Expt. 1 six adult Karagouniko fistulated wethers were fed six different pelleted diets. The results showed that lasalocid decreased (P less than 0.01) total VFAs concentration in the rumen (7.1%) by reducing (P less than 0.001) acetic, n-butyric and iso-valeric acids while increased (P less than 0.001) propionic acid concentrations. The same trends were observed in molar proportions of the individual VFAs. The total VFAs production was also depressed by 13.75% when molasses were used at the level of 16%. No interaction among the main treatments was observed with the exception of L X M with 16% molasses where the propionic acid concentration decreased, and those of butyric and iso-valeric acids increased. Lasalocid did not alter the mean values of rumen liquor pH and ammonia nitrogen concentration while molasses increased the later parameter. No significant differences on dietary protein degradability were observed among treatments. Lasalocid reduced the beta-HBA concentration by 13% in the blood while molasses increased it (P less than 0.001). Free fatty acids' concentration was decreased by the molasses inclusion to the diets, while lasalocid didn't alter blood glucose concentration. Finally, the number of protozoa in the rumen liquor was reduced by 49 and 70% at 0 and 5 hours post feeding respectively with the addition of lasalocid to the diets, regardless of the use of molasses. In Expt. 2 utilized 86 weaned male Karagouniko fattening lambs, with initial mean LW 13 kg, for 60 days. They were assigned to six groups and fed ad libitum with diets of the same composition as in Exp 1. Lasalocid increased the growth rate by 8.6%, reduced feed consumption by 4.8% (P less than 0.005) and improved feed conversion by 11.8%. Molasses also improved growth rate by 16-34% and increased feed consumption by 15-22%. The interaction of L X M to feed consumption was significant (P less than 0.001). None of the treatments had an effect on carcass characteristics. Finally lasalocid showed its positive action when it was used in combination with molasses in ruminants' diets.

Copper, cobalt and selenium were made available to sheep and cattle as the Tracerglass dissolves within the reticulum. The level of release was able to prevent and cure deficiencies of copper, cobalt and selenium as judged by the blood parameters of these elements. Key words: Ruminants, trace-element deficiencies, cure, soluble-glass