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Higher long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids contents in roosters' sperm plasma membrane along with age‐related decrease in antioxidant defense make the spermatozoa very susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Ginger root contains abundant amounts of gingerol, shogaols, gingerdiol and other active compounds, which known as antioxidant compounds to enhance semen quality. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of ginger root on semen quality, blood chemistry, immune response, testicular histology and reproductive performance of Ross‐308 breeder roosters from 47 to 60 weeks of age. The feeding of ginger root resulted in an increase in parameters related to sperm forward motility and seminal total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and following there was a tendency to increase and decrease in seminal superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde concentration, respectively; however, sperm concentration was not affected. There was an increase and tendency to increase in blood total protein and TAC in the supplemented group respectively. The roosters fed ginger supplemented diet had a higher spermiation index; and following there was tendency to increase seminal tubes spermatozoids number (p = 0.056) and repopulation index (p = 0.058). Despite the improved seminal antioxidant status and a tendency to lower embryonic mortality in the ginger‐received group, the fertility and hatchability rate of roosters were statistically insignificant. Supplementations of ginger root in ageing rooster's diet had a beneficial effect on sperm motility, seminal antioxidant status and testicular spermiation index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus buchneri (LAB) and orange pulp (OP) supplementation on chemical composition, in vitro and in situ degradability, dry matter (DM), pH and aerobic stability of alfalfa silage. Treatments were 1) alfalfa without any additive (control), 2) alfalfa + OP (70% alfalfa mixed with 30% fresh OP, LAB0), 3) treatment 2 with 1.5 g LAB/ton (LAB1), 4) treatment 2 with 3 g LAB/ton (LAB2) and 5) treatment 2 with 4.5 g LAB/ton (LAB3). Treatments were replicated three times in laboratory mini silos for 90 d in a closed barn with a ambient temperature (15 to 18 oC). As a result of this study, the experimental treatments did not affect on DM of silage at the end of the ensiling period. Control treatment had the highest pH (4.5) among the experimental treatments ( P<0.05). Supplementation alfalfa with OP resulted in significant increase in water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) ( P<0.05). Treating alfalfa silage with OP and LAB improved aerobic stabilities of treatments significantly, as compared to LAB0. Supplementation of silage with OP and bacterial inoculant increased DM digestibility. These findings indicated that LAB can improve the aerobic stability and quality of silage in laboratory silos and also, OP and LAB might improve silage quality and cause better silage management in the farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to document the effects of supplementation alfalfa silage with molasses, orange pulp and Lactobacillus buchneri on in vitro dry matter digestibility and gas production. The treatments included: 1) alfalfa hay (control); 2) alfalfa hay with bacterial additive 3×108 cfu/g; 3) alfalfa hay with orange pomace; 4) alfalfa hay with orange pomace and bacterial additive 3×108 cfu/g; 5) alfalfa hay with 5% molasses; 6) alfalfa hay with 5% molasses and bacterial additive 3×108 cfu/g. Alfalfa hay harvested at flowering stage and after 24 hours wilted and mixed orange pomace with a ratio of 2100 g and 760 g, respectively, and was ensiled for 90 days. The data were analyzed in a completely randomized design with three replications. After 24 h incubation, treatments AO (alfalfa + orange pulp) and CON (without additive) had the highest and lowest in vitro gas production (p<0.05) and adding orange pulp and molasses increased gas production. Adding inoculant decreased in vitro DM digestibility. Results showed that ensiling alfalfa with orange pulp and molasses can improve silage quality and increased gas production and in vitro DM digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]