Browsing by Author "Norris, Aaron B. (TTU)"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item Effects of isoenergetic supplementation as water use mitigation strategy on water footprint and health of nursing bull calves(2023) Macias Franco, Arturo; Da Silva, Aghata Elins Moreira; De Moura, Felipe Henrique; Norris, Aaron B. (TTU); Roloson, Serena Breanne; Gerrard, David E.; De Mello, Amilton; Fonseca, Mozart A.Sustainable livestock systems focus on mitigating natural resource use such as water. Dietary management strategies can significantly reduce the water footprint of livestock animals; however, animal health is of concern when animals reduce water intake due to subacute dehydration. To evaluate potential consequences of this nutritional management intervention, a total of 23, 60±3 days old nursing Holstein bull calves, weighing 94.7±12.07 kg, were distributed in a completely randomized design and received one of three diets. Control was a basal diet composed of a non-medicated milk replacer (milk replacer; n=7), and the additional two diets, were composed of the same non-medicated milk replacer in addition to either lipid [n=8; milk replacer+menhaden fish oil (3 %)] or soluble carbohydrate [n=8; milk replacer+corn starch (7%) isoenergetic to fat group] supplements. Animals were offered ad libitum mineral mix and water, as well as 120 g/day of a composite mix of dried microbrewery's spent grains. Data were analyzed as linear and generalized linear mixed models with diet as a fixed effect and animal as random utilizing R studio (R Core Team, 2021, Vienna, Austria; SAS Inst., Cary, NC). Within supplementation groups, lipid supplemented calves had the highest lymphocyte (63.24 vs 57.69 counts/100 lymphocytes; P<0.033), and lowest neutrophil counts (29.3 vs 35.3 counts/100 lymphocytes; P<0.047). Supplementation significantly increased total serum protein (P=0.001) and skin moisture (P<0.011), with carbohydrate group having the highest skin moisture (5.30 vs 3.99; P<0.047). Supplementation also decreased fecal fluidity scores (P<0.001) with no significant change in serum electrolytes (P>0.256). No significant differences were found amongst treatments for the ingestive behavior (P>0.338). The carbohydrate-supplemented calves significantly decreased all daily water footprints compared to the control and fat-supplemented groups: blue a 47.55 L decrease, (P<0.001), green a 265.62 L decrease (P=0.005), and gray a 55.87 L decrease (P=0.009) water footprint, as well as total water footprint (369.04 L, P=0.004). Our results indicate the potential to maintain animal performance while increasing water use efficiency through diet supplementation tailored to mitigate water use, without adverse effects on animal health.Item Nutritional Aspects of Ecologically Relevant Phytochemicals in Ruminant Production(2021) Tedeschi, Luis O.; Muir, James P.; Naumann, Harley D.; Norris, Aaron B. (TTU); Ramírez-Restrepo, Carlos A.; Mertens-Talcott, Susanne U.This review provides an update of ecologically relevant phytochemicals for ruminant production, focusing on their contribution to advancing nutrition. Phytochemicals embody a broad spectrum of chemical components that influence resource competence and biological advantage in determining plant species' distribution and density in different ecosystems. These natural compounds also often act as plant defensive chemicals against predatorial microbes, insects, and herbivores. They may modulate or exacerbate microbial transactions in the gastrointestinal tract and physiological responses in ruminant microbiomes. To harness their production-enhancing characteristics, phytochemicals have been actively researched as feed additives to manipulate ruminal fermentation and establish other phytochemoprophylactic (prevent animal diseases) and phytochemotherapeutic (treat animal diseases) roles. However, phytochemical-host interactions, the exact mechanism of action, and their effects require more profound elucidation to provide definitive recommendations for ruminant production. The majority of phytochemicals of nutritional and pharmacological interest are typically classified as flavonoids (9%), terpenoids (55%), and alkaloids (36%). Within flavonoids, polyphenolics (e.g., hydrolyzable and condensed tannins) have many benefits to ruminants, including reducing methane (CH4) emission, gastrointestinal nematode parasitism, and ruminal proteolysis. Within terpenoids, saponins and essential oils also mitigate CH4 emission, but triterpenoid saponins have rich biochemical structures with many clinical benefits in humans. The anti-methanogenic property in ruminants is variable because of the simultaneous targeting of several physiological pathways. This may explain saponin-containing forages' relative safety for long-term use and describe associated molecular interactions on all ruminant metabolism phases. Alkaloids are N-containing compounds with vast pharmacological properties currently used to treat humans, but their phytochemical usage as feed additives in ruminants has yet to be exploited as they may act as ghost compounds alongside other phytochemicals of known importance. We discussed strategic recommendations for phytochemicals to support sustainable ruminant production, such as replacements for antibiotics and anthelmintics. Topics that merit further examination are discussed and include the role of fresh forages vis-à-vis processed feeds in confined ruminant operations. Applications and benefits of phytochemicals to humankind are yet to be fully understood or utilized. Scientific explorations have provided promising results, pending thorough vetting before primetime use, such that academic and commercial interests in the technology are fully adopted.