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Soybean meal and grain corn are feedstuffs that normally used as the main ingredients in poultry feeds as a source of protein and energy in tropical countries. The availability of these feedstuffs for broiler nutrition nowadays is becoming more competitive. Thus, food security, especially in the developing countries, would be susceptible. Currently, efforts are being made to use alternative feedstuffs as a sustainable feed resources to substitute portion of soybean meal and grain corn in poultry diets due to their high price since both of the raw material were imported. In Malaysia, usage of PKC is common in ruminant diets, but limited in the non-ruminant diets especially in poultry diets due to the high fiber content of PKC. Several works have been conducted to increase the nutritional contents of PKC as one of the measures to reduce and/or eliminate the constraints of utilizing PKC in poultry diets. The method used to achieve this target is either through physical, chemical, biological or combination of these treatments. This paper discusses the use of PKC as the sustainable feed resources that can be incorporated in the poultry feeds. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve nutritional values of PKC in order to reduce feeding cost of poultry.

Simple Summary: Traditionally, inorganic zinc (Zn) was supplemented in broiler chicken diets at higher levels than recommended to meet optimal body requirements. Nonetheless, this practice poses challenges since increased Zn excretion in feces results in heavy metal contamination. The application of nanomaterial feed supplements in animal feed has recently evolved due to its unique properties in increasing nutrient utilization toward precision animal nutrition. Additionally, the high bioavailability and utilization rate of nanomaterial Zn are believed to improve broiler physiological function and production, and the results can support their practical application in the poultry industry. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of dietary biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on broiler zinc uptake in serum and selected tissues, tibia bone quality parameters, and antioxidative status. A total of 180 broiler chickens (Cobb500) were randomly allotted to five experimental groups consisting of six replicates and six birds in each pen. Each group was fed a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg ZnO (control) and 10, 40, 70, and 100 mg/kg ZnO NPs for 35 days. Resultantly, Zn uptake and accumulation in serum, breast muscle, tibia bone, and liver were linearly and significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increasing dietary ZnO NPs supplementation at 100 mg/kg compared to the control group (dietary 100 mg/kg ZnO), implying effective absorption capacity of ZnO NPs. This was followed by lower Zn excretion in feces in broilers fed ZnO NPs compared to controls (p < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary ZnO NPs at 40, 70, and 100 mg/kg levels improved broiler tibia bone morphological traits, such as weight, length, and thickness. Similarly, tibia bone mineralization increased in broilers fed ZnO NPs at 100 mg/kg compared to the control (p < 0.05), as demonstrated by tibia ash, Zn, Ca, and P retention. Antioxidative status in serum and liver tissue was also increased in broilers fed dietary ZnO NPs at 70 and 100 mg/kg compared to the control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary ZnO NPs increased Zn absorption in broiler chickens and had a positive influence on tibia bone development and antioxidative status in serum and liver tissue, with dietary ZnO NPs supplementation at 70 and 100 mg/kg showing the optimum effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pennisetum purpoides is one of the most widely cultivated tropical forages and it is often used as animal feed in Indonesia. However, grass feeding could not fulfill the need of nutrients if served as single feed because it contained of high crude fiber and low protein. In terms of nutritional adequacy, animal feed should contain complete nutritional value in order to achieve an optimum productivity. This experiment aimed to elucidate the potential of tropical grass as a feed in ruminant by using an in vitro gas production technicque. The grasses were determined for proximate analysis, Van Soest fiber fractions (neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin), and in vitro rumen fermentation parameters. This study was conducted from January until April 2018 at Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. This study used a randomized block design with 3 replications. There were three treatments tested in this study, i.e. (1) Pennisetum purpoides (T1), (2) Setaria splendida (T2), (3) Setaria anceps (T3). Parameters measured in the in vitro study is total gas production. Data were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and continued with Duncan test if there was a significant difference among treatments. The data showed that gas production is not significantly different (P>0,05).

The study purpose was to evaluate the effect of different forms of rumen-protected fat (RPF) that is high in fatty acid on body weight and sperm quality in male Malin sheep. Twenty male adult Malin sheep were randomly assigned to four treatment groups namely; CON: control, PF: 2% prilled fat, CS: 2% calcium salt fatty acid and CO: 2% canola oil respectively. No significant difference was observed in the body weight changes among the treatment group. Rams that received PF had the highest (P<0.05) semen volume while the animal received CO had the highest (P<0.05) sperm concentration than other treatment group. A significant increase (P<0.05) in the sperm membrane integrity in PF (44%) and CS (42%) than CON. Live sperm was also significantly higher in PF and CS group (79%) than control. No significant effect (P>0.05) was found in abnormal sperm percentage in animals with different dietary supplements with control. In conclusion, the result indicates that supplementation of rumen-protected fat from palm oil to adult male Malin sheep helped to improve the sperm plasma membrane integrity and live sperm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress may have long-lasting effects on the reproductive physiology where the fertility will be reduced. During gestation, heat stress affects also the reproductive success of the cow through its direct effect on the early foetus development. The present case reports the incidence of heat stress causing abortion of a full-term foetus and a retained placenta in a cow. A 4-year-old Kedah-Kelantan cross cow weighing 250 kg was presented with a primary complaint of abortion and a retained placenta. The cow was managed intensively on a dirt ground without shade. Physical examination revealed that the cow was pyrexic (40°C) with congested mucous membrane. However, the body temperature reduced after the cow was showered and transferred into a shade facility. The most noticeable abnormality was the fouled smelling placenta hanging from the vulva. The case was diagnosed as abortion due to environmental stress. Treatment of flunixin meglumine 1.1 mg/kg and oxytetracycline 20 mg/kg were administered accordingly where the cow responded well to the medication. The farm manager was advised to shift all pregnant animals into a facility with shade and practise good waste management in the farm to prevent the occurrence of abortion and other problems related to heat stress. The prognosis of the case was good with prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumen protected fat (RPF) have been used to increase the energy density of the animal feed and most RPF product used in animal feed come from palm oil. RPF are widely used in dairy cows because it can compensate for the energy deficiency during lactation. However there is lack of knowledge on the effect of RPF on testosterone level and testicular traits in Malin rams. Most common RPF type used in animal feed is prilled fat and calcium soap of fatty acid (Casa). Both prilled fat and Casa have been chemically treated to be protected from hydrolysis and biohydrogenation in the rumen. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of RPF on testosterone level and testicular traits in Malin rams. Twenty adult Malin rams were randomly and equally assigned to four treatments: T1: Control, T2: 2% prilled fat, T3: 2% calcium soap fatty acid and T4: 2% canola oil. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in plasma testosterone level of rams among the different treatment groups. Mean scrotal circumference and total weight of testis were also not significantly different (P>0.05) among treatments. Seminiferous tubule score, Leydig cell score and seminiferous tubule diameter were also not significantly (P>0.05) affected by fat supplement studied. In conclusion, supplementation of rumen protected fat from palm oil to Malin rams does not improve their testosterone level and measurements of testicular traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]