Search

This study aimed to evalúate the palatability, nutrient digestibility, metabolisable energy (ME) and faecal characteristics of diets in dogs fed increasing levels of herbal phosphatidylcholine (herbal mix)versusan unsupplemented diet (with only 377 mg choline provided by 1 kg food) or choline chloride(2000 mg choline/kg food) in 40 adult dogs. In experiment 1, a palatability test was conducted to make two pairwise comparisons: 0 versus 200; and 0 versus 400 mg/kg herbal mix. In experiment 2, a digestibility test was performed to evaluate herbal mix at 0, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg and 2000 mg choline provided by choline chloride. Results from experiment 1 indicated that the dogs preferred diets containing herbal mix to the unsupplemented diet (P

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a polyherbal mixture based on Withania somnifera, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tinospora cordifolia and Emblica officinalis, on lamb’s growth and blood metabolites. Thirty-two lambs (initial body weight BW 25 ± 4.1 kg) were randomly assigned to the treatments which consisted of the polyherbal ImmuPlus at dietary concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% of dry matter (DM) for 60 days. There was a quadratic response to polyherbal in average daily gain (p < 0.01) and feed conversion (p < 0.05). The optimal concentration estimated by regression for maximum ADG was 0.14 ± 0.08% DM of ImmuPlus. Ruminal DM digestibility was not affected but pH was reduced linearly (p < 0.05). Ruminal N-NH3 (p < 0.01) and total VFA concentration showed a quadratic increment (p < 0.05) whereas butyrate proportion was increased linearly (p < 0.05). There was no effect in most blood metabolites related to energy metabolism, but uric acid was linearly reduced (p < 0.01) and bilirubin showed a quadratic decrement (p < 0.05). Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (p < 0.01) increased linearly (p < 0.10), lymphocytes and segmented neutrophils showed a quadratic response (p < 0.01) and platelets showed a linear reduction (linear p < 0.05). The inclusion of ImmuPlus improved the daily gain in finishing lambs and feed efficiency at 0.1% DM without altering blood chemistry and blood biometry.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of a polyherbal mixture (HM) containing saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides on productive performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of lambs during the final fattening period. Thirty-six Dorper × Katahdin lambs (23.27 ± 1.23 kg body weight (BW)) were housed in individual pens and were assigned to four treatments (n = 9) with different doses of HM: 0 (CON), 1 (HM1), 2 (HM2) and 3 (HM3) g of HM kg−1 of DM for 56 days. Data were analysed as a completely randomized design using the MIXED and GLM procedures of statistical analysis system (SAS), and linear and quadratic effects were tested to evaluate the effects of the HM level. DM digestibility decreased in lambs fed HM3 (p &lt, 0.05). There was no effect of HM on daily weight gain, dry matter intake, final BW, feed conversion, carcass characteristics, colour (L* and a*) and meat chemical composition. Meat pH, cooking loss and drip loss increased linearly (p &lt, 0.05) when the HM dose was increased. The Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) of meat was lower (p &lt, 0.05) in lambs fed HM3. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 3 g HM kg1 of DM improves meat tenderness. However, high doses of HM in the diet may decrease the digestibility of DM and increase the cooking loss and drip loss of lamb meat during the final fattening period.

The objective was to analyze the effects of adding anthocyanin delphinidin-3-O-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in animal diets. Scientific articles published before 2021 in clinics, pharmacology, nutrition, and animal production were included. The grains/concentrate, metabolic exigency, and caloric stress contribute to increasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS); the excess of ROS unbalance the oxidants and antioxidants. Cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside and delphinidin-3-O-sambubioside have antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anthelmintic activities. In the rumen, anthocyanin might show interactions and/or synergisms with substrates, microorganisms, and enzymes which could reduce the fiber degradability, but increase the potential methane (CH4) emissions; since anthocyanin interferes in the biohydrogenation of fats, they increase the fat milk and meat quality. Anthocyanins reduce plasma oxidation and deposit in tissues, increasing the milk and meat antioxidant activities. Cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside and delphinidin-3-O-sambubioside act as inhibitors of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACEi) and rennin expression which may improve milk yield (there is not enough evidence in ruminants, though). Polyphenols affect the reproductive potential. Sub products of HS contain as many amounts of polyphenols as calyces, and their inclusion in diets would positively affect the average daily gain and fat meat quality. Including HS in ruminant diets can improve the meat and milk quality.

Requirements of lambs for choline and methionine have not been clearly established, but because of their metabolic relationship, the availability of these two nutrients may affect protein synthesis and energy balance. Therefore, a trial was carried out to evaluate the effect on productive performance and blood metabolites of including methionine and choline from polyherbal mixtures in finishing lamb diets. Forty Hampshire x Suffolk lambs weighing 26.9 ± 2.8 kg were used for a 45-day experiment. The treatments were arranged as a 2x2 factorial, in which the factors were dietary supplementation with herbal methionine and choline at two levels (0% and 0.4% of dry matter (DM)). The treatments had no effects on the lambs’ productive variables (daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed to gain ratio), carcass characteristics and lipid metabolites (P >0.05). The results indicated that the inclusion of polyherbal mixtures containing methionine, choline and their combination at 0.4% of DM in finishing lamb diets showed no benefits in productive response or in blood metabolites related to lipid metabolism. Keywords: amino acid, lipid metabolites, productive performance, ruminally protected, vitamin

A polyherbal feed mixture containing (Achyrantes aspera, Trachyspermum ammi, Citrullus colocynthis, Andrographis paniculata, and Azadirachta indica) was evaluated in growing calves through blood chemistry, blood biometry, and gene expression during the pre-ruminant to weaning period. Forty Holstein calves (initial BW 45.6 ± 3.2 kg; 22.8 ± 0.9 days post birth) from a dairy farm were randomly assigned to the following treatments: 0, 3, 4, and 5 g/d of a polyherbal mixture, dosed in colloid gels with gelatin. Calves were housed in individual outdoor boxes with ad libitum access to a 21.5% CP calf starter and water and fed individually with a mixture of milk and a non-medicated milk replacer (22% CP). Blood samples were collected on day 59 for blood chemistry, blood biometry, and gene expression analysis in leukocyte through microarray assays. Immunoglobulins were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The animals treated with the polyherbal mixture showed a quadratic effect on final body weight, daily weight gain, final hip height, and final thoracic girth. The best performance results were obtained with a treatment dose of 4 g/d. The serum IgG increased linearly with the treatment doses. Gene set enrichment analysis of upregulated genes revealed that the three biological processes with higher fold change were tight junction, mucin type O-Glycan biosynthesis, and intestinal immune network for IgA production. Also, these upregulated genes influenced arachidonic acid metabolism, and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis. Gene ontology enrichment analysis indicated that the pathways enriched were PELP1 estrogen receptor interacting protein pathways, nuclear receptors in lipid metabolism and toxicity, tight junction, ECM-receptor interaction, thyroid hormone signaling pathways, vascular smooth muscle contraction, ribosome function, glutamatergic synapse pathway, focal adhesion, Hippo, calcium, and MAPK signaling pathways.

The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of rumen fermentation while estimating it’s in vitro protein degradation (from ruminal ammonia concentration) and kinetics regarding two herbal feed plant additives. The tested herbal mixtures were elaborated with Phaseolus mango and Linum usitatissimum, providing lysine (Lys) and Trigonella foenum-graecum and Allium sativa, providing Methionine (Met). They were compared to alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and solvent extracted soybean meal (Glicine max), as standard sources of protein using the in vitro gas production technique modified to estimate N-NH3, recording fermentation kinetics and dry matter digestibility (72 h), in a completely randomized design followed by Tukey test. Ruminal ammonia concentration in the herbal mixtures was lower (P

Se evaluó el efecto del nivel de urea sobre la degradación del pasto Elefante (Pennisetum purpureum) en el suplemento fermentado,Sacchapulido(SP). Se determinó el pH, N-NH3, la degradación in situ(DI) y efectiva (DE), así como, los parámetros cinéticos de materia seca (MS), FDN y FDA del forraje. Se utilizaron cinco bovinos fistulados en rumen en un diseño cuadro Latino 5 x 5. La desviación estándar indicó que los suplementos tienen entre 0.5 y 1.0% de urea, aportaron un 10% más de biomasa por el aumento de tamaño de la fracción potencialmente degradable (PD) del alimento, tanto en la FDN, como en el contenido celular. Debido al costo de la urea, se recomienda el uso del SP con 0.5% de urea.

Background. Goodea atripinnis is an omnivorous fish that is only found in the state of Aguascalientes. Its population is being drastically reduced and its survival is considered to be threatened. To avoid its extinction, ex situ breeding programs are being implemented. To implement these programs, however, it is necessary to have feeding plans that allow the nutritional needs of this species to be met. Goals. To evaluate the effects of different protein levels in the diet (25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 % PC) on the growth of G. atripinnis. Methods. A randomized complete-block design with five treatments (protein levels) and 3 aquariums per treatment was used, each aquarium containing 20 fish. The experiment lasted 150 days. Daily feed intake and changes in weight and length of each fish were recorded every 15 days. Results. We found differences in final weight and total weight gain (p

Objective This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with soybean or canola oil on milk production and the composition of long chain fatty acids as well as weight changes in the goats and their kids. Methods Thirty nine mulitparous crossed Alpine×Nubian goats (initial body weight [BW] 43.5±1.7 kg) from the day of parturition were assigned to the treatments: grazing control (n = 15); grazing plus 20 mL/goat/d of supplemental soybean oil (n = 12); and grazing plus 20 mL/goat/d of supplemental canola oil (n = 12) from November 26, 2014 to March 7, 2015. The planned contrasts were: CI (control vs supplemented with oils); CII (soybean vs canola oil) to compare the treatment effects. Results The vegetable oil supplementation reduced weight losses in lactating goats (CI: −0.060 vs 0.090 kg/d; p = 0.03) but did not improve milk production or affect kids’ growth. The content of C4, C6, C8, C10, C11, C14, and C18:1n9t in the milk was increased (p

The trans-10, cis-12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces milk fat in dairy cows, causing a lower cheese yield. This could be mitigated by adding palmitic acid (PA) to the diet, as it stimulates fat synthesis in mammary gland. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding PA to the diet of grazing dairy cows complemented with trans-10, cis-12 CLA on the yield and fatty acid (FA) profile of Mexican tropical cream cheese. The lowest cheese yield was the result of the treatment with CLA alone. Supplementing PA to the cows with low fat concentration in their milk, from the effect of the trans-10, cis-12 isomer, mitigates the decrease in cheese yield. The process of cheese making does not modify the profile of FAs, so the supplemented cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer transfers to the cheese, giving added value to the Mexican tropical cream cheese.

Aquaculture is an industry in development around the world that allows covering the nutritional demand with a high nutritional value. Within this industry, monosex crops of some species, such as the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), stand out. In this study, the effect of the administration of 17α-ethinyl estradiol and 17α-methyltestosterone on the morphometry of Nile tilapia at different times was evaluated. Nile tilapia were raised under controlled conditions and divided into three groups: control: no hormone treatment; feminized: treated with 17α-ethynyl estradiol and masculinized: treated with 17α-methyltestosterone. The measurements were made at 5, 10, 15, 25, 35, 40, 50, 60 and 70 days after fertilization with the morphometric technique “truss protocol.” The data were analyzed using a general linear model of repeated measurements and analysis of variance of comparison of means. The growth curve was made using the Gompertz logistic model. The results showed that the masculinized larva presented a higher growth rate and increased daily gain of weight 2.05-2 mg compared to the controls and feminized 1.67-3 mg and 7.57-4 mg, respectively. The sexual reversion of Nile tilapia with 17 α-methyltestosterone increases the growth curve of the masculinized organism and the uniformity of the final size.

Veterinaria Mexico OA ISSN: 2448-6760 Cite this as: Rojo-Rubio R, Gonzalez-Cortazar M, Olmedo-Juarez A, Zamilpa A, Arece-Garcia J, Mendoza-Martinez GD, Lee-Rangel HA, Vazquez-Armijo JF, Mendoza-de Gives P. Caesalpinia coriaria fruits and leaves extracts possess in vitro ovicidal activity against Haemonchus contortus and Haemonchus placei . Veterinaria Mexico OA. 2019;6(4). doi: 10.22201/fmvz.24486760e.2019.4.601. The ovicidal effect of hydro-alcoholic extracts from mature fruits and dried leaves of the Caesalpinia coriariatree , against Haemonchus contortus and H. placei was evaluated by the egg hatching inhibition test (EHIT). Secondary compounds within the extracts were identified by high performance liquid chromatography. Five extract concentrations were assessed in the inhibition tests (25.0, 12.5, 6.2, 3.1 and 1.5 mg/mL), using distilled water and Thiabendazole (0.5 mg/mL) as negative and positive controls, respectively. The results were analysed under a 2 × 2 × 6 completely randomized factorial design, and mean differences were established by the Tukey’s post hoc test. The 50% (EC 50 ) and 90% (EC 90 ) effective concentrations for each extract were determined using a Probit analysis.A concentration-dependent ovicidal effect of hydro-alcoholic extracts from both leaves and fruits was observed, reaching a 100% efficacy against both nematode species with the 25.0 mg/mL concentration (p < 0.05). The EC 50 for the fruit and leaves extracts were established as 1.63 and 3.91 mg/mL, and as 3.98 and 11.68 mg/mL, against H. contortus and H. placei , respectively. The most important secondary compounds identified in extracts were free-condensed tannins, gallic acid and methyl-gallate.In conclusion,hydro-alcoholic extracts from C. coriaria mature fruits and dried leaves inhibit in vitro egg hatching of H. contortus and H. placei .

Objetive. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the feed intake, digestibility and growth of pigs fed with two feeds (A and K) specially formulated for this species and a commercial feed for growing rabbits with supplementation of vitamin C (RF+VC). Materials and methods. Eighteen Guinea pigs of 248±38 g initial body weight were distributed in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement 3×2 (dietary treatments and sex). Feed and neutral detergent fiber intake, weight gain, feed/gain, and morphometric variables were measured individually for 30 days. Dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibility were measured during the last seven days of the experiment. Results. There were no differences on feed intake (p=0.88); however, the dry matter digestibility was higher (p0.05). There were no differences (p>0.01) in the morphometric variables among dietary treatments, but there were sex differences as the males were bigger than the females (p, Objetivo. Evaluar el consumo, la digestibilidad y el crecimiento de cuyes alimentados con dos alimentos (A y K) formulados para esta especie y un alimento para conejos en crecimiento con suplementación de vitamina C (AC+VC). Materiales y métodos. Dieciocho cuyes (Cavia porcellus) de 248±38 g de peso vivo inicial se distribuyeron en un diseño completamente al azar con un arreglo factorial 3 × 2 (tipo de alimento y género). La ingesta de alimento, fibra detergente neutro, el aumento de peso, la conversión alimenticia, y los cambios en las variables morfométricas se midieron diariamente, mientras que la digestibilidad de la MS y FDN se determinaron al final del periodo. Resultados. No hubo diferencias en el consumo de MS (p=0.88); sin embargo, la digestibilidad de la MS fue mayor (p0.05). No hubo diferencias (p>0.01) en las variables morfométricas entre los alimentos, pero los machos fueron más grandes que las hembras (p

The environmental sustainability of beef production is a significant concern within the food production system. Tannins (TANs) can be used to minimize the environmental impact of ruminant production because they can improve ruminal fermentation and ruminants’ lifetime performances and mitigate methane (CH4) emissions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with TANs as sustainable natural alternative to reduce the environmental impact on growth performance, rumen fermentation, enteric CH4 emissions, and nitrogen (N) use efficiency of beef cattle through a meta-analysis. A comprehensive search of studies published in scientific journals that investigated the effects of TANs’ supplementation on the variables of interest was performed using the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases. The data analyzed were extracted from 32 peer-reviewed publications. The effects of TANs were assessed using random-effects statistical models to examine the standardized mean difference (SMD) between TANs’ treatments and control (non-TANs). The heterogeneity was explored by meta-regression and subgroup analysis was performed for the covariates that were significant. TANs’ supplementation did not affect weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, or N use efficiency (p > 0.05). However, it reduced the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in rumen (SMD = −0.508, p < 0.001), CH4 emissions per day (SMD = −0.474, p < 0.01) and per unit dry matter intake (SMD = −0.408, p < 0.01), urinary N excretion (SMD = −0.338, p < 0.05), and dry matter digestibility (SMD = −0.589, p < 0.001). Ruminal propionate (SMD = 0.250) and butyrate (SMD = 0.198) concentrations and fecal N excretion (SMD = 0.860) improved in response to TANs’ supplementation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it is possible to use TANs as a CH4 mitigation strategy without affecting cattle growth rate. In addition, the shift from urinary to fecal N may be beneficial for environment preservation, as urinary N induces more harmful emissions than fecal N. Therefore, the addition of tannins in the diet of beef cattle could be used as a sustainable natural alternative to reduce the environmental impact of beef production.

Introducción : El objetivo fue determinar la relación entre las concentraciones séricas de calcio (Ca 2+ ), ácidos grasos no esterificados (AGNE) e insulina preparto con pérd idas en la producción de leche (PL) en el inicio de la lactancia. Método : Doscientas cuarenta y tres vacas Holstein - Friesian ( 780 ± 36 kg PV; con más de dos lactancias ) fueron muestreadas por pu n ción coccígea varias veces antes, durante y después del part o. Para cada muestreo y cada m e tabolito, las concentraciones séricas se estratificaron con umbrales y se relacionaron con la PL. Resultados : Cuando los niveles de Ca 2+ fueron bajos 10 días antes del parto y se relacionaron con la PL a los 10 días posparto, se observó que el 77.11% de las vacas perdieron 2.20 kg de leche; mientras en el día 20, el 66.41% de las vacas perdieron 1.40 kg animal - 1 día - 1 . Por el contrario, cuando los AGNE fueron altos 10 días antes de parto y se relacionaron con PL, 67.40% de las vacas mostraron riesgo de perder 0.80 kg, mientras que a los 20 días posparto, el 22.00% de las vacas perdieron aproximadamente 0.90 kg vaca - 1 día - 1 . La determinación de insulina preparto baja y PL en los días 10 y 20 de lacta n cia indicó que 6.02% de las vacas perdieron 0.80 y 0.70 kg de leche animal - 1 día - 1 para los días 10 y 20 de lactancia. Conclusión : En conclusión, niveles bajos de calcio, AGNE alto e insulina baja en sangre, o b tenidos 10 días antes de parto fueron asociados con pé rdidas en producción de leche en los días 10 y 20 después del parto. También se observó que los niveles bajos de calcio p o drían causar mayores pé rdidas de leche que los niveles altos de ácidos grasos no ester i ficados y las concentraciones bajas de insulina prepa r to.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic impact of supplementing dairy cows with mixtures of polyherbal products supplying conjugates of choline (BioCholine, BC), lysine (OptiLysine, L) and methionine (OptiMethionine, M), considering the costs of veterinary treatments, the nutraceutical effects of the mixtures, the partial cost and returns of milk production. Eighty postpartum Holstein cows were randomly assigned to individually receive. The pellets no containing (Control, 20 cows) and containing polyherbal products (g/d) (BC20, 19 cows; BC40, 17 cows; BC20+L40+M20, 12 cows, and BC40+L80+M40, 12 cows) were offered to cows during the milking through automatic feeders in the course of 90 days in a commercial farm. Treatment costs were grouped in terms of antibiotics, healing, anti-inflammatories, glucogenics, hormonal, intra-mammary treatments, restorative and vitamins. Milk production was not affected (P>0.05) by polyherbal additives but there were numerical differences in the number of treatments and costs; animal health cost per cow showed a high variation coefficient (average 347%). Cows receiving BC40 and BC20+L40+M20 had reduced animal health cost per cow but only the treatment BC40 showed residual effects post experiment with an economic improvement of 2.1% over the control group, showing benefits associated to a reduction in the number of doses with antibiotics and doses of immune-stimulants. Cows receiving BC40 had the best milk yield numerically in combination with the lower number of animal health costs which resulted in the highest income.

Herbal formulas during pregnancy have been used in developing countries. Despite that, the potential effects on the mother and offspring and whether those supplements elicit epigenetic modifications is still unknown. Therefore, our objectives were to determine the effects of supplemental herbal choline source (BCho) on the percentage of 5-hmC in whole blood from gestating ewes and their offspring, as well as determining the milk quality and growth of the offspring. Thirty-five gestating Rambouillet ewes were randomly assigned to five treatments: T1, supplementation of 4 g per day (gd&minus, 1) of BCho during the first third of gestation, T2, supplementation of 4 gd&minus, 1 of BCho during the second third of gestation, T3, supplementation of 4 gd&minus, 1 of BCho during the last third of gestation, T4, supplementation of 4 gd&minus, 1 of BCho throughout gestation, and T5, no BCho supplementation (control). For the 5-hmC DNA analysis, whole blood from ewes was sampled before pregnancy and at each third of gestation (50 days). Whole blood from lambs was sampled five weeks after birth. The evaluation of the nutritional programming effects was conducted through the percentages of 5-hmC in the lambs. Compared with other treatments, the whole blood from ewes supplemented during T1 and T4 had the greatest 5-hmC percentages (p &lt, 0.05). However, only ewes fed BCho throughout gestation (T4) maintained the greatest percentages of 5-hmC (p &lt, 0.05). The lamb growth performance indicated that the BCho maternal supplementation did not affect the nutritional programming. However, the lambs born from ewes supplemented during T2 had the greatest 5-hmC percentages (p &lt, 0.05). Our data suggest that ewes supplemented during T4 with BCho increase and maintain the percentages of 5-hmC in whole blood, and the offspring born from ewes supplemented with BCho during T2 maintained the greatest percentages of 5-hmC 35 d after they were born.

Veterinaria Mexico OA ISSN: 2448-6760Cite this as:Martinez-Aispuro JA, Sanchez-Torres MT, Mendoza-Martinez GD, Cordero-Mora JL, Figueroa-Velasco JL, Ayala-Monter MA, Crosby-Galvan MM. Addition of calcium propionate to finishing lamb diets. Veterinaria Mexico OA. 2018;5(4). doi:10.22201/fmvz.24486760e.2018.4.470Calcium (Ca) propionate can be added to ruminant diets as a glucogenic substrate. However, due to its hypophagic effect, it is necessary to establish the optimal dose that can be used to replace grains in finishing diets for lambs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effect of four concentrations of Ca propionate in lamb diets on productive performance and rumen fermentation. Thirty two Hampshire x Suffolk lambs (23.82 ± 0.40 kg initial body weight), distributed in a completely randomized design, were given a diet with four concentrations of Ca propionate (g kg−1): 0, 10, 20 or 30 g, for 42 days. The results were tested for linear or quadratic responses. The final weight, average daily gain and feed: gain ratio showed quadratic responses (P ≤ 0.01). The optimal dose was established at 13.77 g kg−1 DM. Addition of Ca propionate did not affect variables related to rumen fermentation (pH, total volatile fatty acids, acetate, butyrate or rumen ammonia-N; P ≥ 0.05) . Nonetheless, glucose and propionate concentrations showed a quadratic response (P ≤ 0.05). The highest concentrations of propionate in rumen were observed with 15.14 g kg−1 DM. Results indicate that Ca propionate can be included in a dose of up to 13.77 g kg−1 DM in feedlot rations, to attain best lamb performance.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la variacion en la composicion botanica de la dieta del venado cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus en la Reserva de la Biosfera Tehuacan-Cuicatlan (RBTC), Mexico. Las especies consumidas se identificaron mediante el analisis microhistologico de epidermis en excretas frescas. Los muestreos se realizaron en epocas humedas y secas del 2011 al 2013 en San Gabriel Casa Blanca, dominado por bosque tropical seco (BTS) y matorral crasicaule, y en San Pedro Chicozapotes, dominado por BTS; ambas localidades del estado de Oaxaca. La dieta anual consistio de 83 especies de 36 familias; 13 especies representaron mas de 50 % de la dieta. Las hojas y tallos tiernos de las especies arboreas y herbaceas fueron las mas frecuentemente consumidas. La composicion de la dieta no difirio (P > 0.05) entre epocas del ano pero si entre localidades de estudio. La composicion de las plantas consumidas por el venado fue similar a lo reportado en otros BTS. Los resultados de este estudio permiten comprender las estrategias ecologicas de forrajeo del herbivoro en los BTS y podrian tener relevancia en las unidades de manejo para la conservacion de la vida silvestre (UMAs) en la RBTC y en areas aledanas a la misma.

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of four local energy sources (sorghum grain, green banana, polished rice, and sugarcane molasses) fed to dairy cows on intake, milk production and composition, and economic viability in a silvopastoral system in Costa Rica (Turrialba). Twelve grazing cows (Jersey × Central American Milking Creole), with a mean live weight of 332 kg (SD 34), were supplemented with 0.5 kg of dry matter (DM)/100 kg/LW of Erythrina porppigiana fresh foliage daily. Experimental design was a replicated change-over 4 × 4 Latin Square. The pasture composition was 11 and 17 % of star grass (Cynodon niemfuensis), 32 and 28 % of ruzzi grass (Brachiaria rusisiensis), and 45 and 42 % of natural grasses (Axonopus compresus and Paspalum conjugatum) at initial and final times of the essay, respectively. The grass allowance was 30.14 DM/cow/day. Significant differences were found among treatments for variable milk fat content (P 0.05). Sorghum presented the highest (41.2 g/kg milk) content of milk fat, followed by green banana (39.2 g/kg milk), polished rice (38.3 g/kg milk) and molasses (38.1 g/kg milk). Non-significant differences (P 0.05) resulted for total milk production (sorghum 9.0 kg/cow/day; green banana 8.9 kg/cow/day; polished rice 8.8 kg/cow/day; molasses 8.6 kg/cow/day) and fat-corrected milk (FCM). The financial analysis showed that all treatments were economically viable; however, supplementation with green bananas and molasses were the most favorable due to the low costs incurred.

Amphibians are globally threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation; species within the order Ambystoma are not the exception, as there are 18 species of mole salamanders in Mexico, of which 16 are endemic and all species are under some national or international status of protection. The mole salamander, Ambystoma altamirani is a microendemic species, which is distributed in central Mexico, within the trans-Mexican volcanic belt, and is one of the most threatened species due to habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species. Nine microsatellite markers were used to determine the genetic structure, genetic variability, effective population size, presence of bottlenecks and inbreeding coefficient of one population of A. altamirani to generate information which might help to protect and conserve this threatened species. We found two genetic subpopulations with significant level of genetic structure (FST = 0.005) and high levels of genetic variability (Ho = 0.883; He = 0.621); we also found a small population size (Ne = 8.8), the presence of historical (M = 0.486) and recent bottlenecks under IAM and TPM models, with a low, but significant coefficient of inbreeding (FIS = -0.451). This information will help us to raise conservation strategies of this microendemic mole salamander species.

Yeasts and organic minerals are used in diets to improve health, productive performance and some carcass characteristics of ruminants and non-ruminants. Thirty-two lambs (Pelibuey×Katahdin; BW=(30.55±1.67) kg; n=8) were used in a 56-d feeding experiment to study the effects of different levels of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; yeast), selenium (Se) and chromium (Cr) mixed (Se-Cr), and a mixture of yeast-Se-Cr on growth performance and carcass traits. Animals were stratified by body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1) control group (0.0 g kg−1 yeast); 2) yeast (1.50 g kg−1 dry matter intake (DMI) d−1); 3) Se-Cr premix (1.5 mg kg−1 DMI d−1 for each mineral); and 4) yeast-Se-Cr mixture. There were no treatment effects on final BW; whereas lambs fed Se-Cr or yeast-Se-Cr had higher (P0.05) among treatment groups. In conclusion, supplementation with yeast, Se-Cr mixed or yeast-Se-Cr did not improve ADG, final BW, back fat content and carcass yield of growing of Pelibuey×Katahdin lambs. Supplementation with Se-Cr and yeast-Se-Cr increased DMI, and approximately 250 g ADG animal−1 d−1 was produced with no negative effects on growth and health of the animals.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of adding protected palmitic acid (PA) to the ration of grazing dairy cows supplemented with protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on milk production, chemical composition and fat profile. Six cows were used, 3/4 American Swiss × Zebu, under a rotational grazing system in a mixed sward with Cynodon plectostachyus, Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria brizantha. Furthermore, each cow received daily 4 kg concentrates and 8 kg sorghum silage, which made up the basal diet. The cows were distributed into three two-cow groups. Three treatments were randomly assigned to the groups, using a cross design: (1) control (basal diet), (2) basal diet + CLA (50 g/d) and (3) basal diet + CLA (50 g/d) + PA (412 g/d). The following variables were evaluated: forage intake, milk production, protein, fat and lactose concentration in milk, and milk fatty acid (FA) profile. There were no differences in forage intake between treatments; however, there were differences in milk production, protein, fat and lactose yield and fat concentration, which increased significantly in group CLA + PA when compared with group CLA. The concentration of FA synthesised de novo was lower when PA was included in the diet. Adding PA to the diet of grazing cows mitigates the milk fat decline caused by including trans-10, cis-12 CLA in the diet.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of four levels of fish oil on lamb performance, carcass yield, ruminal fermentation, and leptin gene expression in perirenal fat. Thirty-two lambs (24.10±2.15 kg, Katahdin × Pelibuey) were used in a completely randomized experimental design. The lambs were assigned to one of four dietary treatments (n = 8 lambs/treatment), expressed as g/kg DM basis: 0 fish oil and 300 corn; 10 fish oil and 250 corn; 20 fish oil and 205 corn; and 30 fish oil and 170 corn. The lambs were weighed on consecutive days at the beginning (days 0 and 1) and at the end (days 55 and 56) of the trial. Ruminal fluid samples were collected on day 56 to evaluate the ruminal fermentation pattern. The lambs were slaughtered on day 56; perirenal adipose tissue samples were collected and the carcass yields were recorded. Volatile fatty acids, ammonia N, and leptin mRNA expression were not affected by the dietary treatments. However, the dry matter intake, average daily gain, final body weight, and the hot carcass yield showed either increased linear or quadratic responses as the proportion of fish oil increased in the ration; the estimated optimal level obtained of fish oil levels for average daily gain was 11.2±0.21 g/kg and 12.8±4.67 g/kg for feed conversion. Additionally, feed efficiency and backfat thickness had an increment, showing quadratic response as the proportion of fish oil increased in the diet. Increasing the fish oil concentration in the diet does not affect leptin messenger ribonucleic acid expression. The lamb performance can be improved with 12 g/kg fish oil in diets of finishing lambs.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la distribucion del venado temazate rojo (Mazama temama) en Puebla, a traves de un muestreo en campo, fundamentado en referencias bibliograficas y entrevistas a personas relacionadas con la especie. El muestreo se realizo mediante el recorrido de cuadrantes lineales con longitud variable y anchura fija, para determinar la presencia del venado por medio de la observacion directa (animales observados) e indirecta (huellas, excretas, talladeros o animales cautivos). La distribucion regional se obtuvo a partir de la informacion generada en los sitios donde se corroboro la presencia de temazate, con ayuda de un Sistema de Informacion Geografica (SIG), empleando el programa Arc View 3.2. Los resultados del SIG sugieren que el venado se distribuye en el Totonacapan y la zona poniente de la Sierra Norte y en la zona oriental de la Sierra Negra, en una superficie total de 99,410.96 ha. El indice de similitud (95.2) entre sierras, por evidencia directa o por rastros, indica presencia y distribucion similar de temazate rojo, concordando con los resultados del SIG. Se concluye que la distribucion regional de temazate rojo en Puebla se concentra en 42 municipios pertenecientes a la Sierra Norte y zona oriental de la Sierra Negra

To investigate dietary differences in two coexisting competing predators, we determined prey consumed by bobcats (Lynx rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) from scats in the Izta-Popo National Park, central Mexico. Use of prey by bobcats and coyotes showed a Pianka's index of overlap of 0.94, much higher than in other studies of the diet of these two species. Diets of bobcats were comprised primarily of eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus, 33.7%), rodents (22.7%), Mexican cottontail (S. cunicularius, 13.1%), the endemic and endangered volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi, 12.5%), Merriam's pocket gopher (Pappogeomys merriani, 9.3%), and long-tailed partridge (Dendrortyx macroura, 1.4%). Prey used by coyotes included primarily eastern cottontail (43.8%), rodents (15.7%), Mexican cottontail (12.0%), Merriam's pocket gopher (6.4%), and volcano rabbit (5.5%).