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This study used a meta-analytic approach to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with seaweed on milk yield, milk composition, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and enteric methane (CH4) emissions of dairy cows. Data used in statistical analyses were obtained from 23 peer-reviewed scientific articles. Effect size was assessed using weighted mean differences (WMD) between seaweed-supplemented and control treatments. Dietary supplementation with seaweed decreased (p < 0.05) dry matter intake, milk protein content, milk urea nitrogen, and somatic cell count. In contrast, milk fat content, milk lactose content, and milk iodine increased (p < 0.05) in response to dietary supplementation with seaweed. Dietary supplementation with seaweed did not affect (p > 0.05) nutrient digestibility, total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate. Dietary supplementation with seaweeds increased (p < 0.05) ruminal pH and ruminal concentration of butyrate and valerate. In contrast, lower (p < 0.05) ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration, acetate/propionate ratio, daily CH4 emission, CH4 yield, and CH4 intensity were observed in response to dietary supplementation with seaweeds. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with seaweed modifies milk composition, improves ruminal fermentation, and decreases enteric methane emissions without negatively affecting milk yield or feed efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Exogenous enzymes can improve domestic ruminants' productive performance by improving the amount of nutrients obtained from their rations, mainly from the fibrous portions. Dietary inclusion of exogenous enzymes can act synergistically with endogenous enzymes from the rumen during digestion and can modify the populations of ruminal communities and methane emissions. In the present study, dietary supplementation of a multi-enzyme (M-E) complex (Optimax E®) at 0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8% of dry matter (DM) increased nutrient digestibility, daily weight gain, and net energy, and improved feed conversion and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Results confirm that including Optimax E® can be used to improve lambs' performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of the M-E complex (xylanase, glucanase, cellulase, and invertase) Optimax E® on the performance of growing lambs, their digestibility, and their rumen microbiota, and to estimate NEm, NEg, and ruminal methane levels. Forty lambs (Katahdin x Dorset; 22.91 ± 4.16 kg) were randomly assigned to dietary concentrations of ME (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8% DM) and fed individually for 77 days. Increasing M-E improved feed conversion (p < 0.05) as well as NEm and NEg (p < 0.05), which were associated with increased in vivo DM and NDF digestion (linear and quadratic p < 0.01). Few microbial families showed abundancy changes (Erysipelotrichaceae, Christensenellaceae, Lentisphaerae, and Clostridial Family XIII); however, the dominant phylum Bacteroidetes was linearly reduced, while Firmicutes increased (p < 0.01), resulting in a greater Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio. Total Entodinium showed a quadratic response (p < 0.10), increasing its abundancy as the enzyme dose was augmented. The daily emission intensity of methane (per kg of DMI or AGD) was reduced linearly (p < 0.01). In conclusion, adding the M-E complex Optimax E® to growing lambs' diets improves their productive performance by acting synergistically with the rumen microbiota, modifying the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio toward more efficient fermentation, and shows the potential to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions from lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the dietary inclusion of neem leaves on the productive and biochemical performance of fattening lambs. Design/methodology: Forty male lambs were assigned according to a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of dietary inclusion of neem at 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 g kg-1 DM for 35 days. Results: The inclusion of neem leaf in the diet did not affect the productive performance (P>0.05), while protein and energy metabolites were modified (P≥0.05). Limitations on study/implications: The bioactive compounds present in neem modified the metabolites related to protein and energy metabolism, although these changes did not reflect improvements in the productive performance. Conclusions: The inclusion of dietary neem (2.5-7.5 g kg-1) has no effect on the productive performance, although it does modify some energy and protein metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of supplements to increase the body and antler size in Odocoileus virginianus (whitetailed deer) is rampant; however, the impact of this strategy on the size of surrounding species assemblages needs to be better understood. This work aimed to determine the effect of the multinutrient block (MNB) for white-tailed deer on the richness and abundance of birds and mammals and the presence of predators. We realized this work in Santa Cruz Nuevo, Puebla, Mexico, from 2017 to 2019. A completely randomized design with two treatments and eight replicates per treatment was used, for which 16 completely randomized sites were chosen, within which a camera trap was installed, and the animals' visits to the site were recorded. Plots of 50 m² were established, and two MNBs (protein and minerals) were placed in the central part of eight squares. The other eight sites served as control treatments. The response variables were animal richness and relative abundance. The results showed that animal richness was higher in the MNBs sites (10.6 species; P < 0.05) and lower (7 species) in the control. The relative abundance of the sites with MNBs was higher for predators: coyote (Canis latrans), bobcat (Lynx rufus), puma (Puma concolor), and mammals less than 10 kg (rabbits, rodents and other omnivores). However, there were no significant differences in the relative abundance of white-tailed deer (P= 0.1568). In conclusion, the presence of the MNBs modifies the relative abundance of predators but does not increase the presence of white-tailed deer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different levels of protected herbal choline (CHP) on productive performance, carcass characteristics, and serum metabolites in ewes. Design/Methodology/Approach: Fifty-two Hampshire × Suffolk ewes (29.95±3.90 kg of initial body weight, IBW) were randomly assigned to one within four treatments: 0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9% choline kg-1 dry matter (DM). The experimental design was complete randomized, in order to detect linear or quadratic trends. Results: No treatment effects were detected in the production variables, dorsal fat thickness and Longissimus dorsi muscle area, and AML with the addition of protected herbal choline in the diet (p>0.05). CHP linearly increased the concentration of cholesterol, glucose, albumins, globulins, total proteins (p≤0.05) and phosphatidylcholine (p≤0.10). The triglyceride concentration had a quadratic response (p≤0.05) to the addition of CHP. Study limitations/Implications: The level of choline supplementation in sheep depends on whether the source is herbal or synthetic. Findings/Conclusions: The addition of CHP in ewe diets raised the concentration of phosphatidylcholine, modified the concentration of protein and lipid metabolites. However, no improvements in production were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]