Lutein, a dihydroxycarotenoid, has antioxidant and immunomodulatory potential. Two 2 × 2 × 2 factorial designs examined effects of carotenoids during in ovo embryogenesis and, in the diet posthatch, on the systemic inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In both trials, breeder hens were fed a carotenoid-replete (40 mg lutein/kg) or a carotenoid-deplete diet, eggs were collected, and chicks were hatched from carotenoid-deplete or carotenoid-replete eggs. Meat-type chicks (n = 160 and n =144, respectively) were then fed diets containing 0 or 40 mg lutein/kg diet and either injected or not injected with LPS. LPS injection increased plasma haptoglobin and Zn (P < 0.01) and reduced plasma Fe and Cu (P < 0.01). Chicks hatched from carotenoid-deplete eggs had greater changes in plasma Fe and S post-LPS than chicks hatched from carotenoid-replete eggs (P < 0.05 for each). Compared with chicks fed 40 mg lutein/kg diet, chicks fed 0 mg lutein had greater body weight losses and higher plasma haptoglobin and relative thymus, bursa, and spleen weights post-LPS (P < 0.05). Data suggest that a lack of carotenoid exposure, either in ovo or posthatch, increases parameters of systemic inflammation.

Objective: This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with soybean or canola oil on milk production and the composition of long chain fatty acids as well as weight changes in the goats and their kids. Methods: Thirty nine mulitparous crossed AlpinexNubian goats (initial body weight [BW] 43.5 +/- 1.7 kg) from the day of parturition were assigned to the treatments: grazing control (n = 15); grazing plus 20 mL/goat/d of supplemental soybean oil (n = 12); and grazing plus 20 mL/goat/d of supplemental canola oil (n = 12) from November 26, 2014 to March 7, 2015. The planned contrasts were: CI (control vs supplemented with oils); CII (soybean vs canola oil) to compare the treatment effects. Results: The vegetable oil supplementation reduced weight losses in lactating goats (CI: -0.060 vs 0.090 kg/d; p = 0.03) but did not improve milk production or affect kids' growth. The content of C4, C6, C8, C10, C11, C14, and C18:1n9t in the milk was increased (p<0.05) with respect to control. However, C12, C14, C16, C18, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, and C18:3n3 were reduced (p<0.05) in supplemented goats. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was increased (p<0.05) in goats supplemented with oils compared to the control group. Conclusion: Supplementation with 20 mL/d of soybean or canola oil did not affect milk production or kids' performance; however, it increased CLA concentration and reduced the reduced weight losses in lactating goats.

Pinos-Rodriguez, J.M., Aguirre-Rivera, J.R., Mellado, M., García-López, J.C., Álvarez-Fuentes, G., Méndez-Villazana, J.C. 2007. Chemical and digestibility characteristics of some woody species browsed by goats in Central Mexico. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 32: 149–153. A study was conducted during fall in Central Mexico to determine the chemical composition, the in situ disappearance and rate of in situ fermentation of ten common woody species used by goats in a semi-humid landscape. Leaves of Parkinsonia aculeata, Pithecellobium dulce, Ceratonia siliqua, Leucaena glauca, Crataegus pubescens, Calliandra eriophylla, Dalea bicolor, Eysenhardtia texana, Atriplex canescens and Amelanchier denticulata were analyzed. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ash content of fodder tree leaves ranged between 29.3 and 63.9, 8.5 and 28.2 and 3 and 18.9, respectively. Both acid detergent fiber (21–47%) and neutral detergent fiber (56.4–81.2%) contents were high. DM disappearance of shrubs and trees was in the range 48–85%, with the highest (P<0.05) disappearance rate at all incubation time for Atriplex canescens, Pithecellobium dulce and Leucaena glauca. These data reaffirm the considerable potential of Atriplex canescens, Leucaena glauca and Pithecellobium dulce as high quality forages for ruminants.

Pinos-Rodríguez, J.M., Aguirre-Rivera, J.R., García-López, J.C, Rivera-Miranda, M.T., González-Muñoz, S., López-Aguirre, S. and Chávez-Villalobos, D. 2006 Use of “maguey” (Agave salmiana Otto ex. Salm-Dick) as forage for ewes. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 101–107. Nutritive value of various parts of maguey (Agave salmiana) was estimated. Results suggest that heads of nine months old castrate maguey showed a better nutrient composition. On sheep feeding trial, body weight (BW) gain was observed to be larger (P<0.05) for ewes fed chopped bagasse as compared to whole ones. In another trial, ewes were fed whole maguey, upper portion maguey leaves or immature flowering stalk, plus concentrate (300 g/ewe); BW gain was larger (P<0.05) for ewes fed flowering stalk (quiotes), as compared to those fed whole maguey, and ewes showed no digestive problems. Maguey bagasse and quiotes with little supplemental concentrate constitute maintenance ration for sheep.