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This study assessed the metabolic, reproductive, and udder health profiles of pure Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows and their Sahiwal crossbreeds (F1, F2, F3) under sub-tropical conditions. A total of 180 dairy cows were evaluated over 8 weeks postpartum, focusing on milk yield, serum metabolites (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, cortisol, and progesterone), somatic cell count (SCC), and reproductive performance. F2 cows exhibited the highest milk yield, particularly by week 6, with an overall weekly yield of 183.9 L, while HF cows had the lowest yield at 140.3 L. Serum glucose levels were highest in F2 cows during week 5, and cortisol was significantly higher in F2 cows than in other breeds. However, no significant differences were observed in cholesterol or triglyceride levels across the breeds, suggesting consistent metabolic management. The SCC was significantly higher in pure HF cows, indicating a greater susceptibility to sub-clinical mastitis. Reproductive performance, measured by the postpartum estrus interval (PEI) and the interestrus interval (IEI), declined with increasing HF genetics, with F1 cows showing the best adaptation to local conditions. Progesterone levels were higher in F1 cows, supporting better luteal activity and ovarian resumption. The study concludes that crossbreeding HF with Sahiwal improves milk production and reproductive health while reducing the risk of mastitis, with F1 and F2 cows showing the most favorable outcomes.

There is a paucity of information with respect to group-training for artificial vagina and its influence on semen characteristics and sexual behavior of young untrained rams. A total of 18 healthy Najdi rams (with an initial body weight of 40-45 Kg and 7-8 month-old) were consequently used herein to test the usefulness of group-training for artificial vagina-mediated semen collection during the breeding season. Rams were randomly segregated into three groups ( = 6 rams per protocol), and the whole experiment was lasted for 10 weeks. The 1 group was subjected to a training protocol where one untrained ram was placed for 20 min with a teaser ewe, while the 2 group were subjected to a protocol where one untrained ram was placed for 20 min with one trained ram and a teaser ewe, whereas the 3 group were subjected to a protocol where three untrained rams were placed for 20 min with one trained ram and a teaser ewe. The obtained results clearly ( < 0.05) showed that training young rams in group has increased their sperm concentration and sexual stimulation, shortened the period of their training time, and descriptively had a complete training efficiency. The sexual stimulation of young untrained rams was intensified by the competition between rams in the co-presence of a trained ram. Collectively, these data may suggest that group-training of rams at puberty is a better protocol for AV-mediated semen collection compared to individual training. Some shortcomings were noted herein, but research dealing with this subject may very well improve the reproductive performance of young untrained rams.

Forty-eight growing Awassi lambs were used in a 70-day trial to investigate the effects of different levels of dietary sunflower hulls (SFH) on growth, rumen morphology, fiber digestibility and meat characteristics of lambs. Animals were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 3 replicates of 4 lambs each. The diet was composed of total mixed ration (TMR) without SFH (control group), and the TMR diet supplemented with SFH at a level of 5% (SFH5), 10% (SFH10) and 15% (SFH15). Lambs in the treatment groups had greater BW changes (p = 0.04) and ADG (p = 0.04) than the lambs in the control group. Intake of dry matter, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were also significantly (p < 0.05) higher in SFH15 compared to SFH10. Digestibility of ADL and empty stomach weight were also significantly (p < 0.05) higher in SFH10 and SFH15, respectively. Cooking loss, blood total cholesterol and total protein decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in SFH15. Ruminal lightness (L) and yellowness (b) also increased significantly (p < 0.05) in SFH15. We concluded that the TMR diet supplemented with up to 15% SFH improved weight gain, digestibility, meat cooking loss and rumen color in Awassi lambs.

Lohmann Brown hens (n = 420), at 28 weeks of age, were divided into five dietary treatments, and each treatment included six replicates of 14 laying hens. Dietary crude protein (14%) was presented as the control diet. Dietary L-Thr was added to the control diet for 12 weeks. Dietary Thr levels are 0.43%, 0.49%, 0.57%, 0.66%, and 0.74%, based on digestible base. From 28 to 40 weeks, hen-day egg production presented a quadratic trend to supplementing dietary Thr (R2 = 0.96, p = 0.02), and reached a maximum level at 0.58%. Serum uric acid demonstrated a quadratic trend (R2 = 0.62, p = 0.02) at 0.59%. Both serum total cholesterol and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG-CoA) reductase showed lower levels (p < 0.05) at 0.66% Thr. Serum CuZn-SOD elevated (p < 0.05) at 0.49%, 0.57%, and 0.66% Thr, as compared to the control group, and showed a quadratic trend (R2 = 0.87, p = 0.003) at 0.56%. Supplemental L-Thr decreased (p < 0.05) the expression of ileal HSP70 at 0.66% Thr. In summary, the optimal dietary Thr requirements to optimize egg production, serum uric acid, and serum CuZn-SOD were 0.58%, 0.59%, and 0.56%, respectively, by regression analysis.

The aim of this study was to find the effect of synthetic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the performance, antioxidant status, and immune response in broiler exposed to summer stress. A total of 400-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) was randomly distributed into five treatments (5 replicates). One group served as a control (basal diet only) while the others were supplemented with GABA at the rate of 25 (GABA-25), 50 (GABA 50), 75 (GABA-75), and 100 (GABA-100) mg/kg feed. The experiment was continued for 35 days. Feed intake during the third week was significantly higher ( P  < 0.05) in GABA-75 and GABA-100, however, it increased significantly ( P  < 0.05) in GABA-100 during the fourth and fifth week. Overall mean feed intake was significantly ( P  < 0.05) high in GABA-75 and GABA-100. From the results, we found that body weight improved significantly ( P  < 0.05) in GABA-50 in week-3. During the fourth, fifth, and overall, body weight increased significantly ( P  < 0.05) in GABA-100. Significantly, high ( P  < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) was found in GABA-100 during the third, fourth, fifth, and on an overall basis. Mean Malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased significantly ( P  < 0.05) in GABA-100 while Paraoxonase (PON1) and Newcastle disease (ND) titer increased significantly ( P  < 0.05) in the same group. We concluded that performance traits, antioxidant status, and immune response improved in broiler supplemented 100 mg/kg GABA, exposed to cyclic heat stress.

The aim of this study was to find the effect of synthetic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the performance, antioxidant status, and immune response in broiler exposed to summer stress. A total of 400-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) was randomly distributed into five treatments (5 replicates). One group served as a control (basal diet only) while the others were supplemented with GABA at the rate of 25 (GABA-25), 50 (GABA 50), 75 (GABA-75), and 100 (GABA-100) mg/kg feed. The experiment was continued for 35 days. Feed intake during the third week was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in GABA-75 and GABA-100, however, it increased significantly (P < 0.05) in GABA-100 during the fourth and fifth week. Overall mean feed intake was significantly (P < 0.05) high in GABA-75 and GABA-100. From the results, we found that body weight improved significantly (P < 0.05) in GABA-50 in week-3. During the fourth, fifth, and overall, body weight increased significantly (P < 0.05) in GABA-100. Significantly, high (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) was found in GABA-100 during the third, fourth, fifth, and on an overall basis. Mean Malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in GABA-100 while Paraoxonase (PON1) and Newcastle disease (ND) titer increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the same group. We concluded that performance traits, antioxidant status, and immune response improved in broiler supplemented 100 mg/kg GABA, exposed to cyclic heat stress.

One of the most important problems in the production of camels in arid and semi-arid zones is the reduced feed intake and consequent low growth rate during summer. Under these stressful environmental conditions, chromium (Cr) supplementation to the diet of growing camel calves may be beneficial. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding a diet supplemented with different levels of Cr on growth performance of camel calves reared in a hot arid environment. A total of 15 male camel calves (4–5-month-old, 123 ± 7 kg body weight) were used in this study. The animals were divided into three equal groups (A, B, C), 5 animals each, and housed individually under shelter. Camel calves were fed ad libitum on either total mixed ration (TMR) without Cr supplementation (group A), TMR supplemented with 0.5 mg Cr/kg DM (group B), or TMR supplemented with 1.0 mg Cr/kg DM (group C). Supplementation of 0.5 mg Cr/kg DM to the diet of camel calves did not alter feed intake, however, increased not significantly (P = 0.086) average daily gain (ADG) and N retention. Plasma cortisol level was reduced by 10 %, and feed utilization efficiency was improved by 12 % in 0.5 mg Cr/kg DM-supplemented group compared to the control. Thus, 0.5 mg Cr/kg DM dietary supplementation to camel calves reared under hot summer condition increased weight gain by 17 % and reduced feeding cost of producing a unit of weight by 11 %.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different levels of Spirulina platensis in the diet on performance, immune response, hematological, activity of selected bacteria and rumen morphology of lambs. Forty-eight weaned lambs (aged 3 months) were used and then divided into four groups with 6 pens per group (2 lambs/pen), including a control group and three groups fed pelleted complete feed containing 0.20%, 0.40% and 0.80% spirulina powder, respectively. The study lasted 70 days, during which all target parameters were assessed and analysed. The results showed that spirulina powder had a positive effect on body weight and daily weight gain of lambs on days 42–70 and 1–70 (p < 0.05). Daily feed intake was also increased by spirulina powder (p < 0.05). The T2 and T3 had a higher white blood cell count (35 and 70 days) (p < 0.05). The percentage of granulocytes increased at T3 (35 days) and T2 (70 days), while lymphocytes at T3 (35 and 70 days) and monocytes at T1 and T2 (35 days) were decreased (p < 0.05). Red blood cell counts and percent haematocrit were lower at T1 (35 days), T1 and T3 (70 days) (p < 0.05). IL-2 in T3 (35 and 70 days), IL-4 in T1 (35 days) and IL-10 in the spirulina groups (70 days) were higher (p < 0.05). Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens was higher in the T2 and T3 groups and lower in the T1 group (p < 0.05). In addition, Ruminocoocus Albus, Ruminococcus Flavefaciens and Streptococcus Bovis were higher in the Spirulina groups (p < 0.05). Papilla height (T2), papilla area, density and total papilla area (T2 and T3) were increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that lambs fed Spirulina platensis had higher weight gain and feed intake, white blood cell count and IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 levels, rumen microbiota, papilla height, density, and total papilla surface area compared to the control group, with most parameters tending to be higher in dose. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms and to determine the most effective and safest dose of Spirulina platensis for lambs.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of freshly sprouted barley on the growth of lambs, in addition to its nutritional value and digestibility. In addition, sprouted barley digestibility and rumen fermentation were studied in vitro on a dry matter (DM) basis. A total of 45 three-month-old Awassi lambs were randomly assigned to five treatments of sprouted barley (0, 25, 50, 75, 100%) diets. Bodyweight, weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency were recorded every two weeks. Nutrient analyses were performed on feed, faecal, and urine samples. DM and non-fibrous carbohydrates were measured. Digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), as well as gas production, pH value, ammonia-N, and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), were determined in vitro using continuous culture. The results showed that final bodyweight was lower (p < 0.05), while feed intake and the feed-to-gain ratio were increased (p < 0.05) in sprouted barley treatments. Nutrient analysis indicators of sprouted barley treatments (25 to100%) were lower (p < 0.05) for DM, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, lignin and ash, and higher for total digestible nutrients, NDF, fat, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and net energy than the traditional diet. In the in vivo study, the digestibility of nutrients in sprouted barley treatments was improved (p < 0.05), while the diet (sprouted barley 100%) had the lowest digestibility of DM, OM, and NDF compared with the other treatments in the in vitro study. In conclusion, the addition of sprouted barley improved digestibility, and fermentation characteristics, while having a negative effect on growth. Further studies are recommended for optimal growth performance.

In a 90-day study, 32 growing lambs aged 3 months were utilized to evaluate the effects of various levels of spirulina dietary supplement on productive performance, nutritional digestibility, and meat quality in growing Najdi lambs. The lambs were put into 4 groups of 8 lambs each at random. The diet consisted of a total mixed ration (TMR) without spirulina (CONT), and the TMR diet supplemented with spirulina at the levels of 2 ppm (SPP2), 4 ppm (SPP4), and 8 ppm (SPP8). The treatment groups, especially SPP8, showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in body weight and average daily gain (p < 0.05) compared to the CONT group. Dry matter intake and acid detergent fiber were also significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in SPP8 compared to other treated groups and CONT. The N absorption, N retention, and percentage of N digestibility coefficient were greater (P < 0.05) in lambs in the treatment groups than in the CONT. Blood biochemistry variables were not significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected by the treatments, with the exception of the serum concentration of triglyceride and bilirubin. Carcass profile and meat quality, including back fat, body wall fat, and cooking loss, were increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with dietary spirulina. From the results of the present study, it was concluded that spirulina dietary supplementation at the level of 8 ppm increased weight gain, nutritional digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and meat composition in growing Najdi lambs.