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This study aimed to determine the effect of grass variety on intake, nutrient digestibility, and performance of thin-tailed sheep. The research was conducted in Suket Ijo Farm, Sanggrahan, Wedomartani, Sleman, Yogyakarta. Twelve female thin-tailed sheep with an average body weight of 15 kg and the age of 8 to 10 months were used in this study. The sheep were given the feed formulation based on dry matter (DM): (67%), water spinach straw (8%), and 25% of either Gamma Umami grass (P1), local Napier grass (P2), or dwarf Napier grass (P3). The variables observed were feed nutrient consumption, nutrient digestibility, and thin-tailed sheep performance. The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the means were separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that the treatment feed had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the consumption of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude fiber (CF), dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), crude protein digestibility (CPD), crude fiber digestibility (CFD), average daily gain (ADG), and ration conversion. However, it had no significant effect (P>0.05) on crude protein (CP) consumption and extract ether digestibility (EED). The highest ADG was in treatment P1, 105.46 g, with a ration conversion of 5.74. Hence, it was concluded that the diet containing Napier grass variety Gamma Umami showed higher feed nutrient digestibility and improved thin-tailed sheep's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the effect of the cutting process and drying period using sunlight on the hay quality of dwarf Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and Asystasia gangetica. Hay quality of both species was evaluated in a completely randomised design corresponding to five drying periods (one to five days), with or without cutting process, with three replicates. Both plants were harvested at a vegetative stage and then divided into two portions: unchopped and chopped. Plants were dried using sunlight for the respective drying period, and hay quality was examined in physical and chemical analyses. Each sample was analysed for dry matter (DM) content. The A. gangetica at four days drying period and Napier grass at five days drying period were selected for chemical analysis. Results showed that the physical characteristics of hays for both plants were not affected by the drying periods and cutting process. Asystasia gangetica achieved higher DM content than Napier grass for almost all drying periods. For Napier grass, the three days were drying periods that achieved the desirable DM content (> 85.0%), while two days were drying periods for A. gangetica. Napier grass contained higher crude fibre and ether extract contents than A. gangetica, while crude protein content appeared vice versa. The nutritive values of both plants were not affected by the cutting process. In conclusion, Napier grass's three days drying periods and a two days drying period of A. gangetica can achieve the desirable DM content under sunny conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of recipients physiological condition on pregnancy rate and subsequent kidding in does. Oestrus was synchronised by inserting controlled internal drug release device (CIDR, 0.33 g natural hormone progesterone; EAZI-BREED CIDR, Pharmacia & Upjtohn Limited, NZ) and an i.m. injection of 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) (Folligon®; Intervet International B.V., EU). A total of 31 Boer crossbred (Boer × local) recipient does were divided into two treatment groups namely intact group (15 does) and used group (63 does). Intact group may be defined as those goats that had not used for any surgery, while used group may be defined as those goats that had been used for surgery such as laparoscopic ovum pick up, embryo transfer. On Day 7 after CIDR removal, ovaries were checked for corpus luteum (CL) and recipient does with functional CL were only used as recipients. After flushing, recovered embryos were examined under a stereomicroscope and only transferrable embryos (morula and blastocyst) were transferred. Uterine horn was exteriorised over the surface of abdomen with the help of a grasping forceps and a surgical blade. One to 3 fresh embryos along with a small amount of flushing medium were transferred into the lumen of the anterior part of the uterine horn. Once completed, the uterine horn was placed back into the peritoneal cavity and the incision was sutured. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at around 30 to 35 days after embryo transfer by using a real-time ultrasound scanner. The average numbers of embryos transferred per recipient doe were 2.60 and 2.56 for intact and used groups, respectively. The percentage of pregnancy was 26.67 for intact group. No pregnancy was recorded in used group. Average embryo survival rate was calculated based on the number of kids born, which was 7.69. Average gestation length was 148 days. From the findings obtained in this research, it could be concluded that intact does were favourable as recipient in ET programme than repeated surgery does. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Royal jelly (RJ) was applied as a supplement in feed to examine its impact on rabbit buck fertility. The aims were to evaluate the effect of RJ on sperm progressive motility and on histology of testis in rabbits. Twenty male rabbits were divided into four groups, each consisting of five bucks: Control (0mg), T1 {100mg RJ/kg body weight (BW)}, T2 (200mg RJ/kg BW), and T3 (300mg RJ/kg BW), with dietary treatment administered for 8 weeks. Sperm progressive motility (%), testis weight (g) and diameter of seminiferous tubule (µm) were measured. T1 group showed significantly higher (P<0.05) sperm progressive motility and seminiferous tubule diameter compared to the other groups, while an excessive concentration of RJ had a negative impact on the sperm quality, potentially because its components may result in an imbalance in redox reactions due to antioxidative activity. It is concluded that an appropriate dose of RJ improved the reproductive characteristics, but the results do depend on the dose administered to the rabbit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]