Phytic acid is present in grains and seeds as a mixed salt, complexed with various cations, proteins and lipids (Cosgrove, 1966). The phytate-protein complexes may reduce the utilization of the amino acids. Additionally, phytate may form complexes with proteases, such as trypsin and pepsin (Singh and Kricorian, 1982) in gastrointestinal tract. These complexes may reduce the activity of digestive enzymes with a subsequent decrease in the digestibility of dietary proteins. It has been reported that microbial phytase improves the utilization of amino acids in broilers (Ravindran et al., 1999a). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of microbial phytase on performance and apparent digestibility of amino acids in broiler chickens.

Captive Przewalski horses are generally kept as harem bands consisting of several females with their offspring and one stallion (Tilson et al., 1988). These husbandry procedures together with an approximately equal sex ratio at birth, led to an abundance of surplus males (Boyd and Houpt, 1994). In 1986 the European Breeding Programme recommended the establishment of bachelor groups to manage the surplus males in a cost-effective way (Kolter and Zimmermann, 2001). There have been reports of severe and sometimes fatal aggression between stallions during or immediately after their introduction to established bachelor groups (Kolter and Zimmermann, 2001). The main objectives of this study were to investigate the changes in behaviour during and immediately after introduction of Przewalski horses to bachelor groups, taking into account the effects of other factors such as age. The results are discussed in relation to enclosure type, animal husbandry and the social behaviour of equids.

Temperament can defined as “an aspect of an individual’s general make-up characterized by dispositions towards particular patterns of emotional reactions, mood shifts and levels of sensitivity resulting from stimulation” (Reber, 1995: 788). How an animal handles or reacts to a novel object or scenario, that is, the amount of reactivity it shows, is often regarded as an important factor in the assessment of their temperament, though the scenarios tested with horses tend to involve situations that the animal may never again encounter, for example, a maze or a falling, open umbrella (eg. Visser, et al, 2003). Slabbert and Odendaal (1999) developed a test, based on measuring behavioural responses of untrained pups to stimuli of the kind they would encounter as part of their work as adult police dogs, that was found to reliably identify which puppies would later go on to be successfully trained for the job. Many Thoroughbreds will go through the auction ring as foals and/or as yearlings. As the auction ring bears a striking resemblance to the parade ring at most racetracks, this particular scenario may be a potentially valuable one for the purpose of predicting future behaviour. Horses are often quick learners of associations (eg. Kiley-Worthington, 1997: 175) and so a positive or negative first experience in the auction ring could later affect how the animal behaves in the parade ring before a race. Should a horse show signs of distress at the racetrack, it often expends energy, or may gallop too quickly rather than canter steadily on the way to the start, using up energy that could have been used in the race. This analysis investigated whether factors such as age, gender or coat colour are associated with differences in behaviour in the auction ring that could be predictive of a Thoroughbred’s future behaviour. Data were also analysed to see if there was any evidence that the sire of the animals might have influence.

Plant breeders are developing perennial ryegrass (PRG) varieties with elevated water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents as these have been shown to enhance ruminant production (Lee et al., 1999). However, it would seem wise to limit the intake of WSC by horses, as ingestion of high levels of WSC by horses has been associated with the onset of metabolic disorders such as colic and laminitis (Hinkley, 1997). It is not known whether the genetic potential of PRG to accumulate high levels of WSC is expressed under all conditions, and if WSC levels can be controlled through management. In this study the effect of frequency of cutting regime on WSC accumulation and dry matter (DM) yield of a high WSC accumulating PRG variety, AberDart was compared with a control variety, Fennema.

Sweet itch is a major problem for horse owners in parts of the UK where biting midges (Culicoides spp.) feeding on horses may cause considerable skin irritation, known as sweet itch, and behaviour modification. Some horses are more susceptible than others, and various compounds have been used as midge repellents. However often these products require frequent application and can have limited effectiveness. The objective of this experiment was to determine the influence of a novel midge repellent on the behaviour of horses and, as an indicator of repellent abilities, the number of midges landing on the skin of a human volunteer.

Growth of the Ardennes draught horse is not well known as compared to other draught breed horses. Biometry is the science which allows a mathematical approach of measured parameters. The technic provides tools for assessments of growth, aids to diagnosis of skeletal pathologies and assessments of sports aptitudes. According to Martin-Rosset (1990), live weight correlates to the thoracic perimeter. The aim of this study is to use other morphology traits to assess growth rates in Ardennes males foals.

Mineral elements are very important for young horses especially during the development period, not only because of their importance for bone structure, but also because they are significant components of many enzymes catalysing basic biochemical reactions in the organism (Anderson 1991). Most macro-elements are found both in bone and body fluids (Grace 1999). Lonnerdal (2000) suggested that there are some mechanisms in mammary glands that regulate the level of minerals in milk. The aim of this study was to evaluate of the influence of mares’ age, onset of heat and heat length on macro-elements content in their milk.

Most mature horses and ponies in the UK are given restricted amounts of concentrate and forage diets in order to avoid excessive nutrient intake and overfatness, usually in a number of small meals per day. One practical question often asked relates to the timing of concentrate feeding relative to the timing of forage provision. This study’s objective was to examine the effects of feeding concentrate meals either before, with or after forage provision.

Feeding strategies for performance horses generally involves the substitution of one-two thirds of the fibrous feeds (e.g., forages and pastures) with starchy materials, primarily cereal grains. Such strategies can result in enhanced susceptibility to colic or laminitis (Kronfeld and Harris, 1997) which can be reduced through the use of beneficial microbial combinations that increase nutrient availability, modify gut microflora and enhance performance. One source of microbial live populations is a yeast culture Saccharomyces cerevisae (Yea-Sacc 1026; CBS 493.94, Alltech Inc, USA) which has been shown to increase the digestibility of gross energy (GE) and enhance the retention of N in yearling horses (Glade and Biesik, 1986), together with enhanced performance. The aim of this review is to determine the effects of S. cerevisae on the digestibility of nutrients in the mare, and subsequent effects on milk composition, quality and performance of the offspring.

The need for alternatives to the use of antibiotic growth promoters is now well known and accepted by the feed industry. The aim of this experiment was to test the effect of a combination of 5% carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde and 2% Capsicum oleoresin, micro-encapsulated in a hydrogenated fat matrix, as an alternative to the use of antibiotics as growth promoters.

The control of enteropathogens at farm level is an important aspect of food safety. Contamination of poultry carcasses and eggs with human enteropathogens such as Salmonella spp and Campylobacter spp and subsequent dissemination through in the food chain continues to be a public health concern. In pigs, surveillance studies have shown that feeding liquid diets, and particularly fermented liquid diets reduces the incidence of Salmonella positive herds. Liquid pig feed fermented with lactic acid bacteria for 24 h at 30°C contains ca 200 mMol L-1 of lactic acid and has a pH of 3.8-4.0. This renders the feed resistant to contamination by potential pathogens and, when challenged with high doses of Salmonella or E. coli these organisms are rapidly eliminated from the feed (Beal et al 2002). Feeding fermented liquid feed (FLF) to pigs lowers the gastric pH to 4 or less, reduces the coliform population and increases the lactic acid bacteria: coliform ratio (LAB: Coli) in the gut (van Winsen et al 2001, Scholten et al 2002). The objective of this study was to determine if similar beneficial effects on the gut microflora could be achieved in poultry fed fermented mash diets.

The yeast are plenty biological agents known by their participation in the elaboration of several products of human interest, obtained through biotechnological processes. In animal production, its use is recommended as a probiotic, which seems to improve the use of the foods and promote a better balance of the gut microflora. On the other hand, aflatoxicosis are diseases caused by intake of feed contaminated with aflatoxins, which can result in reduction of the animal performance and can promove serious problems of public health. Recently, research has indicated results encouraged to use yeast to control of aflatoxicosis. By these reasons, the aim of this work was to evaluate the capacity of different concentrations of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain Y1026, active, to reduce the induced damages by ingestion of different levels of aflatoxins under different times of exposition.

Colostrum is essential for the newborn lamb as it provides nutrients for energy and heat production and passes on disease immunity in the form of immunoglobulins (IgG). Without colostrum in the first few hours of life the lamb would be at great risk from hypothermia, starvation and septicaemia (Binns et al, 2002). Ewes are sometimes unable to provide their lambs adequate colostrum so there is always a need for substitutes. There are many substitute colostrums available and the aim of this trial was to compare three, hyperimmune bovine colostrum, caprine colostrum and an artificial colostrum as a positive control. CO-LATE Ultra Concentrate whole colostrum supplement for lambs (Net-tex Agricultural Ltd) which is manufactured from whole cow colostrum was selected as the positive control as it was found to be most widely used and of average price. Caprine (goat) colostrum has not been widely researched for use with lambs although it is similar in composition to ewe colostrum which may make it more beneficial than artificial colostrums.

Reproductive failure accounts for substantial losses in the swine industry worldwide. Examinations of reproductive organs of sows culled for infertility showed that one of the most important causes of reproductive failure are urogenital tract infections (UTI) caused by uro-pathogenic bacteria (Wegmann 1993). Prevalence of UTIs ranges from 4 to 20% in sow herds, but can reach up to 45% in problem herds (Both et al. 1980) and are a predisposing factor to Mastitis-Metritis-Agalactia syndrome. A decrease in urinary pH, is one of the natural defence mechanisms against bacterial proliferation in the uro-genital tract (Arnhofer 1986). Therefore down-regulating the urinary pH via dietary means could be used as a prophylactic measure against urinary tract infections in sow herds. The objective of this experiment was to test a dietary urine acidifier based on anionic substances and plant extracts for the effect on urinary pH in sows.

Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) have been used as animal feed supplements to maintain productive performance over the past decade (Hooge, 2003). In recent years new monogastric diseases have emerged, many which have been linked to inadequacies in the immuno-competence of young and fast growing animals and compromise growth. The ability of certain MOS to bind pathogens bearing type 1 fimbrae is well documented (Newman, 1994). When MOS binds pathogens to its surface and interacts with the gut wall, the ‘presentation’ of agglutinated bacteria to immune-specific sites can lead to more efficient and targeted response to pathogens. This paper reviews the trials measuring immune parameters conducted using MOS (Bio-Mos™, Alltech Inc, USA) in poultry and pig diets.

The indigenous poultry germplasm of Andaman & Nicobar Islands includes Nicobari fowl, Barred desi, Naked neck and Frizzle fowl, of which Nicobari fowl is the only native fowl of these Islands. The study of immune status is indirectly correlated with the disease resistance characteristics of the bird’s. The present study was conducted to know the primary humoral antibody response to Sheep RBC (SRBC) and their persistence in the immune system. However, for complete immunocompetence status, beside humoral responses the CMI and phagocytic responses are also to be considered.

The impending EU-wide ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP), and potential legislation over the use of zinc oxide (ZnO), necessitates the need to find credible alternatives. Zinc oxide has proven to be effective at promoting post-weaning growth and reducing the incidence of diarrhoea, although its mode of action remains unclear. The use of probiotics is often proposed as an alternative, but their efficacy remains unpredictable and unproven. Probiotics do, however, have the potential to modulate the gastrointestinal microbiota and immune response (Perdigon et al., 1995). This experiment aimed to investigate whether dietary supplementation with ZnO and a recognised and characterised probiotic strain would enhance post-weaning piglet performance in the absence of AGP.

Early nutrition of the neonatal pig has a major impact on its survival and subsequent development (Cieslak et al., 1983). The success of maternal nutrition trials has been limited in improving the survival and growth performance of piglets. Milk yield and composition has been altered (Jackson et al., 1995; Averette et al., 1999), which subsequently enhanced piglet health and growth performance but feeding supplemental fat had little or no effect on the birth weight of piglets. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of supplementing palm and/or soya oil directly to the piglet on its subsequent growth performance.

The current use of antibiotics in weaner pig diets is likely to be banned from 2006, and alternatives are sought to improve growth and health status of weaner pigs. Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) are mainly known from the brewing industry, but they are also known for their antimicrobial activity and antioxidant properties (Stevens et al., 1998). Hops may be a suitable alternative to antimicrobial growth promoters, particularly when pigs are not able to maximise their growth potential, for example when fed low density rations. The objective of the trial was to investigate the effects of hops on newly weaned piglets on growth performance, liver function and microbiology in diets of different nutrient density.

A substantial and continual economic loss within the pig industry is the 5-20% pre-weaning mortality rate that occurs during the neonatal period (MLC, 2002). The principal causes of piglet death are low birth weight in conjunction with insufficient amounts of body fat reserves (Herpin et al., 1993; Varley, 1995). Studies by Rooke et al. (2000) have demonstrated that the fatty acid profiles of the sows diet during late pregnancy and lactation is an important factor influencing piglet performance. The benefits of dietary manipulations aimed at improving piglet survival, however, remain controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of supplementing the maternal diet with palm and/or soya oil during late gestation on piglet growth performance.