Recently, many feedstuffs have been introduced to animal diets to increase the content of beneficial fatty acids in dairy products. Therefore, this study aimed to research the effect of including ...hempseed cake in dairy goats concentrate mixtures on the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of semi-hard goat cheese that is traditionally produced on family farm. The feeding of goats was based on meadow hay ad libitum and 1200 g/day/head of concentrate mixture. In the first experimental group, 60 g/kg DM of hempseed cake (HSC-60) was administered; meanwhile, in the second experimental group, 120 g/kg DM of hempseed cake (HSC-120) was included in the diet. The chemical composition of cheese was mostly unaffected by enriching the goats’ nutrition with hempseed cakes. Dietary HSC-120 increased C18:1 n-9 and C18:3 n-6 compared to the control, and increased C22:6 n-3 in cheese compared to HSC- 60, although both HSC-120 and HSC-60 lowered n-6/n-3 ratios in cheese. Feeding goats with HSC-120 may have contributed to the development of the functional properties of semi-hard goat cheese made on family farm, as compared to the cheese produced by goats fed with commercial concentrate mixtures.
The research objective was to determine haematological and biochemical parameters in blood of 30 Lacaune dairy sheep during different stages of lactation (early: 60th, medium: 120th and late: 180th ...days). The sheep were on average 4 years old, in 3rd lactation. Haematological parameters were determined in whole blood (white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB) concentration, haematocrit (HCT) value, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and platelet (PLT) count), and a blood smear was used for determination of differential blood cell count. Determined biochemical parameters in blood serum were: concentration of minerals (Ca, P-inorganic, Mg and Fe), concentration of total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), globulins (GLOB), urea, glucose (GUK), cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TGC), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), enzyme activities (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD). With progression of lactation stages, sheep blood tests proved significant increase in WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, monocytes, Fe, urea, TP, ALB, CHOL, HDL, LDL, BHB, AST, GGT and ALT as well as a decrease in lymphocytes, Mg, GUK and SOD. Determined changes in haematological and biochemical blood parameters of Lacaune dairy sheep during different lactation stages proved good quality nutrition of sheep and indicate the need to include this dairy breed/genotype in prospective schemes for definition of referential values for these indicators in sheep.
This study investigated the effect of dietary selenium supplementation (organic and inorganic) of late-gestation ewes on blood selenium concentrations and metabolic and antioxidant status indicators ...in ewes and their lambs. In addition, the efficacy of selenium transfer from ewes to lambs during the suckling period was determined. The study was conducted on 30 Merinolandschaf ewes and their lambs and lasted four months. The feed mixture of the control group (group I) contained no added selenium, while the feed mixture of group II was enriched with 0.3 mg/kg of organic selenium sources and the third group with 0.3 mg/kg of inorganic selenium sources. In ewes and their lambs, selenium supplementation significantly (p < 0.01; p < 0.05) increased selenium concentration, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity and decreased malondialdehyde concentration compared to the control group. Selenium supplementation had a positive effect on metabolism and hematological indicators in lambs. A positive correlation was found between antioxidant indicators in the whole blood of ewes and lambs. The good transfer of selenium from ewes to lambs was complemented by higher correlation coefficients when the feed mixture was supplemented with organic compared to inorganic selenium.
The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations of essential trace and toxic elements in the milk of Lacaune sheep during lactation in intensive rearing systems. This research was ...conducted with 30 Lacaune sheep that were monitored in the early (60 days of lactation), medium (120 days of lactation), and late (180 days of lactation) stages of lactation. The sheep were fed a pelleted feed mixture (1 kg/day), a cereal mixture (600 g/day), and alfalfa hay (ad libitum). The essential (Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, Mo, Se, Cr, and Ni) and toxic element (heavy metals: Cd, Pb, As, and Hg) concentrations in the feed and milk were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Significant variations in the main essential trace and toxic elements, except for the Mo, Se, Ni, As, and Hg concentrations, were found in the milk of Lacaune sheep during lactation. As lactation progressed, in the late stage of lactation, significantly higher concentrations of Co, Mn, Mo, Cr, and Pb were found, while Zn and Cu in the milk of Lacaune sheep decreased significantly (4.15 and 0.21 mg/kg) compared to their concentrations in the early stage of lactation (5.66 and 0.43 mg/kg). Significantly lower concentrations of Fe and higher concentrations of Cd were found in the medium stage (0.23 mg/kg and 1.08 µg/kg) of lactation compared to both the early and late stages of lactation. An analysis of the correlation coefficients between the essential trace and toxic elements in Lacaune sheep milk during lactation determined a significantly positive correlation between Fe:Cr, Fe:Mn, Fe:Co, Fe:Se, Zn:Ni, Zn:Se, Cr:Mn, Cr:Co, Cr:Se, Cr:Mo, Mn:Co, Mn:Pb, Co:Ni, Co:Se, Ni:Se, Se:Mo, Se:Pb, and Cd:Pb. A significantly negative correlation was also found between Cu:Mn, Zn:Mo, Cg:Hg, and Hg:Pb. Based on the obtained results, it is recommended that the influence of the stage of lactation, as well as the breed of sheep, should be included when designing experiments. In general, sheep milk is rich in essential trace elements, but it also contains a very low content of toxic elements, which provides justification for increasing the breeding of Lacaune sheep and indicates the convenience of consuming their milk without risking the consumer's health.
The research objective was to examine the influence of the first third of the lactation stage on 18 mineral elements in Alpine goat milk. The research was carried out on 20 goats of the French-Alpine ...breed, which were on average 5 years old and in the fourth lactation. The goats were monitored on the 30th and the 90th day of lactation. Their milk was analysed for chemical composition by the infrared spectroscopy. By means of inductively coupled plasma (ICP), a total of 18 minerals were analysed (Ca, P, K, Na, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Mn, Mo, Co, Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb, As and Hg). The period of milk sampling in the first third of lactation significantly influenced the changes in concentrations of Na, Se, Mo, Cr, Ni and As. Significantly higher concentrations of Na and As were determined in milk sampled on the 90th day, while lower concentrations of Se, Mo, Cr and Ni were determined in milk sampled on the 30th day of the first third of lactation. Analysis of the correlation coefficients between the investigated trace elements and the selected toxic elements in Alpine goat milk showed a significantly positive correlation between Ca:Mg, Ca:P, Ca:Co, Ca:Ni, Ca:Mo; Mg:P, Fe:As, Pb:Cd and P:Ni. In the first third of lactation, Alpine goat milk contained a very low concentration of heavy metals. The described changes indicate that Alpine goat milk is rich in essential elements, while the concentration of toxic elements is very low in the first third of lactation.
In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of different proportions of red corn rich in anthocyanins on the diet of fattening lambs considering their productive traits, blood metabolic profile, ...and antioxidative status. The research was carried out with 30 Merinolandschaf lambs, 90 days old and weaned. The feed mixture for lambs (n = 10) of the control group contained yellow corn, while in the feed mixture of experimental group I (n = 10), yellow corn was replaced with red corn at 50% (RC50), and in experimental group II (n = 10), yellow corn was 100% replaced with red corn (RC100). An automatic three-part differential haematology analyser was used to determine haematological parameters in whole blood, and biochemical parameters were determined in blood serum using a biochemical analyser. A diet containing red corn did not affect productive traits or the majority of the examined parameters. However, higher blood haemoglobin content, increased aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase activity, and decreased glucose and non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were found in the serum of RC100 lambs. These results indicate a positive effect of red corn rich in anthocyanins on the metabolic profile without any changes in the productive traits of lambs.
The objective of this study was to assess the impact that diets supplemented with grape seed cake rich in polyphenols had on lactating goats. The study investigated the quantity and quality of goat ...milk, the metabolic profile of blood, and the antioxidative status. The study involved 24 French Alpine dairy goats throughout their lactation period. The goats were, on average, 5 years old (±three months) and in the fourth lactation. The experiment lasted for 58 days. The control group (CON) had a diet without grape seed cake (GSC). The experimental groups were given a diet containing 5% and 10% GSC on a dry matter basis (GSC5 and GSC10, respectively). A slightly higher milk production, as well as protein and fat milk content, were found in GSC5 and GSC10, but the differences were not significant. Goat milk in the GSC10 group exhibited significantly higher activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase, as well as decreased concentrations of GUK and SCC. The feeding treatments did not affect significant differences in hematological and biochemical indicators, except for the BHB content, which can be associated with a higher energy value of feed containing GSC. There was an observed elevation in the activity of SOD within the blood of GSC5, and GSC10 was measured as well. The determined changes justify the supplementation of GSC rich in polyphenols to goat feed, especially in the amount of 10%, as it can reduce stress caused by lactation, which is known as a very stressful production period for animals.
The aim of the paper was to research the possibility of using hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in animal nutrition. In animal nutrition, hemp seeds can be used, as well as hempseed cake, and hemp oil as ...supplement in feed mixtures. Hemp seeds are rich in crude protein and crude fat with adequate proportions of linoleic (LA, C18:2 n-6) and linolenic (ALA, C18:3 n-3) acid. The addition of hemp oil in diets of dairy goats increased milk fat with increasing conjugated fatty acid (CLA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) proportions. When feeding ewes with addition of hemp seeds (180 g/day) or hempseed cake (480 g/day), higher milk fat content was observed with higher proportions of LA, CLA and ALA. Addition of hempseed cake (143 g/ kg DM) in diets of cows increased milk yield, compared to the control group and the group with higher levels of hempseed cake (233 or 318 g/kg DM). Nutrition of laying hens with hemp seeds in diet (10 and 20%) provided enrichment of yolk fat with ALA, and did not negatively influence laying performance. The aforementioned indicated possibility of using hemp in diets of animals without major changes in production, and with possible increase of desirable fatty acids in animal products.
Cilj je ovoga rada istražiti mogućnost upotrebe konoplje (Cannabis sativa L.) u hranidbi domaćih životinja. U hranidbi domaćih životinja mogu se koristiti sjemenke, pogača od sjemenki konoplje i ulje konoplje kao dodatak krmnim smjesama. Sjemenke konoplje su bogate sirovim bjelančevinama i sirovim mastima s odgovarajućom koncentracijom nezasićenih masnih kiselina, osobito linolnom (LA, C18:2 n-6) i linolenskom (ALA, C18:3 n-3) kiselinom. Dodatak ulja konoplje u obroke koza u laktaciji povećao je udio masti u mlijeku te je doveo do povećanja koncentracije konjugirane linolne (CLA) kiseline i polinezasićenih masnih kiselina (PUFA). Pri hranidbi ovaca krmnim smjesama s dodatkom sjemenki konoplje (180 g/dan) ili pogače sjemenki konoplje (480 g/dan) utvrđeno je povećanje količine mliječne masti, kao i povećanje koncentracije LA, CLA i ALA. Pogača sjemenki konoplje (143 g/kg ST) u obrocima krava povećala je količinu proizvedenoga mlijeka u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom i skupinom krava koje su konzumirale više razine pogače sjemenki konoplje (233 ili 318 g/kg ST). Hranidba kokoši nesilica pogačom sjemenki konoplje u obrocima (10 i 20%) rezultirala je obogaćivanjem žumanjka ALA-om, pri čemu nije utvrđen negativan utjecaj na pokazatelje nesivosti. Navedeno ukazuje na mogućnost upotrebe konoplje u obrocima domaćih životinja bez većih promjena u proizvodnji, uz mogućnost povećanja poželjnih masnih kiselina u animalnim proizvodima.
This study investigated the effect of red corn in the feed mixture of dairy goats on production traits, blood metabolic profile, and antioxidative status. The study was conducted on 30 French Alpine ...dairy goats. The feed mixture for the goats in the control group (CC) contained yellow corn (100%). In the first experimental group (RC50), yellow corn was partially (50%) replaced by red corn (RC), and in the second experimental group (RC100), yellow corn was completely (100%) replaced by red corn. No significance variations (p > 0.05) were determined in production traits of dairy goats between dietary treatments. A significant increase in hemoglobin (84.43, 100.00 and 106.55 g/L), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (7.98, 9.70 and 12.54 pg), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (293.57, 357.50 and 462.78 g/L) was found in the RC groups, and a decrease in erythrocytes in the RC100 compared with the RC50 group of goats (from 8.71 to 10.45 × 1012 L). A significant increase in blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the RC groups was found (0.29, 0.53, and 0.44 U/mL). The results indicate maintaining production traits and a moderate effect on blood metabolic profile (most hematologic parameters) as well as a positive antioxidative effect RC.
The aim of this study was to determine the quality of corn silage as the dominant component in the diet of dairy cows in three counties of Eastern Croatia; Brod-Posavina, Osijek-Baranja, and ...Vukovar-Srijem. The practical part of the research included 25 dairy farms in each County in which corn silage was sampled and then analyzed. The monitored nutritional, fermentative, and physical indicators expressed as average values were satisfactory. Indicators of chemical composition: dry matter (DM) = 349 g/kg, crude protein = 71 g/kg DM, crude ash = 39 g/kg DM, crude fiber = 186 g/kg DM, acidic detergent fiber (ADF) = 212 g/kg DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) = 393 g/kg DM, acidic detergent lignin (ADL) = 17 g/kg DM, starch = 325 g kg DM, energy value expressed in net energy for lactation (NEL, MJ/kg DM) = 6.78, average digestibility of organic matter (dOM) = 75.8% and digestible neutral detergent fibers (dNDF)= 53.7%. Indicators of silage fermentation included the measurement of an average pH of 3.86, a concentration of lactic acid = 56.37 g/kg DM, and acetic acid of 20.68 g/kg DM. Physical indicator, determination of silage particle size distribution (three sieve system) recorded following values: sieve 1 = 7.1%; sieve 2 = 56.3%; sieve 3 = 24.8% and box at the bottom = 11.7%. Given the established statistical significance of the tested differences in average values for nine indicators of nutritional and energy value of corn silage between counties, it is possible to confirm that the quality of silage was better in Osijek-Baranja and Brod-Posavina counties than in Vukovar-Srijem County. Based on significant deviations in the minimum and maximum, and by determining a larger number of non-compliant samples in some indicators than the average values, it leads to the conclusion of uneven quality of silage in some producers.
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