2023

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.iuls.ro/handle/20.500.12811/3681

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Analysis of the interrelationships of stakeholders involved in the management of transhumance in southern Benin
(Springer Nature, 2023-03-13) Azalou, Maximilien; Assani, Alassan S.; Worogo, Hilaire S. S.; Idrissou, Yaya; Azando, Erick B. V.; Pascal, Constantin; Alkoiret, Ibrahim T.
The management of pastoral mobility is a stakeholder-centered approach for the integration of resource conservation and agricultural development. This study aimed to characterize the stakeholders of transhumance and to analyze their influence in the municipality of Djidja in southern Benin. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 300 stakeholders involved in transhumance and pastoral resource management. The Likert scale (1 to 5) was used to assess the levels of influence and focus groups were conducted. The results showed that several stakeholders (transhumant herders, agro-pastoralists, farmers, hunters, fishermen, loggers, gendarmerie, Garso, CTAF, cattle farmers’ associations, farmers’ associations, SCDA, and communal transhumance committee) were involved in transhumance with diverse interests, backgrounds, knowledge, and power (P < 0.05). More than half of the farmers (72%) blame transhumant herders whose practices are source of multiple conflicts among (please mention what kind of conflicts and with whom by providing example). Statistical analysis indicated a strong influence with significant differences (P < 0.001) in the pastoral resources by four stakeholders including the communal transhumance committee, the association of herders, the Garso (scout and intermediary for transhumant herders), and the transhumant herder. This research demonstrates how the systematic analysis of the activities carried out by the stakeholders, the interconnected activities between them, and their relationships can offer insights for a better coordination of transhumance. For effective pastoral management, it is therefore important to build a dialogue between the different stakeholders involved in transhumance in southern Benin.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Microbiological Assessment of Broiler Compound Feed Production as Part of the Food Chain—A Case Study in a Romanian Feed Mill
(MDPI, 2022-12-30) Lăpușneanu, Dragoș-Mihai; Simeanu, Daniel; Radu Rusu, Cristina-Gabriela; Zaharia, Roxana; Pop, Ioan-Mircea
Compound feed and the raw materials used in their production are potential vectors of microbiological contamination in the food chain. The purpose of this study was to microbiologically asses raw materials (maize, wheat, soybean meal, and sunflower meal), and broiler compound feed (starter, grower, and finisher) from a representative feed mill in Romania; the microbiological contaminants that were analyzed were yeasts and molds, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens. Our study occured during the years 2019 and 2020; in 2019, 191 samples of raw materials and 360 samples of compound feed were analyzed and in 2020, 143 samples of raw materials and 241 samples of compound feed were analzyed. Among the tested samples of raw materials, the mean values of the yeasts and molds for maize, wheat, soybean, and sunflower meal were 1.3 × 103, 9.5 × 102, 6.4 × 102, and 7.4 × 102 cfu/g in 2019 and 1.5 × 103, 1.0 × 103, 5.2 × 102, and 7.1 × 102 cfu/g in 2020. In the analyzed compound feed samples, the mean amounts for the starter, grower, and finisher were 5.9 × 102, 4.2 × 102, and 4.2 × 102 cfu/g in 2019 and 5.3 × 102, 6.5 × 102, and 5.8 × 102 cfu/g in 2020. Potentially toxigenic fungi from Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium genera have been identified as the most common in all of the samples. In the raw materials, in both years the highest numbers of Aspergillus-positive samples were recorded: 66.6% in 2019 and 100% in 2020 for the maize samples, 50% in 2019 and 75% in 2020 for the wheat samples, 76% in 2019 and 87.5% in 2020 for the soybean meal samples and 71.4% in 2019 and 100% in 2020 for the sunflower meal. In the starter compound feed, the Aspergillus genera was prevailing in 2019 (46.6%), while in 2020, the species of the Penicillium and Cladosporium genera were identified in the majority of the samples (50%); for the grower and finisher compound feed, the Aspergillus genera was predominantly identified in 2019 (60% and 72.2% of the samples, respectively) and 2020 (61.5% and 46.6%, respectively). All of the results of the bacteriological analysis for determining the contamination with Salmonella spp., E. coli, and Clostridium perfringens were negative. Based on the results obtained in this study, monitoring and analysis of microbiological hazards in a feed mill will help to control and prevent contamination and have a direct impact on food safety.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Study Regarding The Beef Meat Production Evolution Worldwide And National Level
(University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 2023) Țenu, Felicia; Șerban, Andreea; Donosă, Raluca-Elena; Alecu, Ciprian-Ionel; Maciuc, Vasile
The global beef industry has been growing steadily in recent years due to the fact that the largest beef exporters and importers in beef producing countries continue to invest financially in the global market. Beef, one of the most important products in the world livestock market, is often recognized as a premium source of protein in the human diet, therefore it is widely consumed in most countries around the world. In 2020, at the national level, the number of cattle slaughtered in industrial units (slaughterhouses) decreased by 15.6% compared to the previous year. Also, the beef production decreased from 196,000 tons in 2017 to 173,000 tons in 2020, even though the slaughter yield has increased. There are about 1 billion beef cattle worldwide, and compared to poultry and pigs, beef cattle have the lowest feed-to-meat conversion efficiency. Strategies to improve beef cattle performance emphasize operational and reproductive management, host genetics, functional efficiency of the rumen and respiratory microbiome, and forage structure and composition. There have also to consider the herd health and immunity and the need for beef cattle to thrive in a changing environment.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Body Conformation Analysis Through Biometric Traits of Aubrac Cattle Breed
(University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 2023) Mădescu, Bianca-Maria; Lazăr, Roxana; Bolohan Acornicesei, Ioana; Ciobanu, Marius-Mihai; Boișteanu, Paul-Corneliu
The purpose of this paper was to highlight the results of biometric measurements were performed on cattle of the Aubrac breed, exploited in Romania. Were measured a total number of 84 bovine, both adult females and bulls (12-18 months), in three farms in the region of Moldova. The highest recorded average for biometric parameters was: height at the withers (133.23 cm at females, 130.24 cm at bulls); rump height (140.78 cm at females and 130.46 cm at bulls); chest girth (202.15 cm at females and 204.22 cm at bulls); slantwise body length (159.64 cm at females, respectively 161.22 cm at bulls). Body conformation indices were calculated based on the obtained values. Cattle exploited within farm 2, show the most pronounced massiveness. Weight values between 553.21 and 603.13 were recorded in adult females and between 551.89 and 618.82 in bulls. As a general conclusion, we can state that the animals taken in the study, exploited in the three farms, present overall reports that denote a well-proportioned body development, within the specific morpho-productive type.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Stimulative feeding influence over milk production at Karakul of Botosani breed
(University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 2023) Pascal, Constantin; Nechifor, Ionică; Florea, Alexandru-Marian
The main objective of the research carried out, was to determine the impact due to additional feeding on the specific performance of milk production in Botoșani Karakul sheep breed. In order to achieve the main objective of the research, two groups of adult females between three and six years of age were formed. Both lots were maintained under similar conditions, applying a traditional technology based on feeding them from the stock during the cold season and on pasture during the warm season. The experimental treatment was represented by the fact that L2 benefited from additional feeding applied 25 days before the mating date. This batch received a 170 g amount each morning consisting of a mixture of cultivated cereals (ground corn, sunflower meal, barley and oat grains). Live weight and body condition evaluation at mating time indicates a 2.41 kg higher live weight at L2 but also an improvement in body condition by 0.31 points. For live weight, a significant difference between groups was obtained for P≤0.05. Regarding the milk production obtained from the females in relation to the BCS assigned to L1 the biggest difference was between BCS = 3.0 and BCS = 1.5 and in L2 between BCS = 2.5 and BCS = 1.5, both situations being significant for P<0.01.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
The effectiveness of heat treatment processes applied to sour cream for the production of butter, validated by enzymatic methods
(University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 2023) Davidescu, Mădălina-Alexandra; Pânzaru, Claudia; Simeanu, Daniel; Ciobanu, Andrei; Mădescu, Bianca-Maria; Poroșnicu, Ioana; Creangă, Șteofil
The purpose of this article was to evaluate the efficacy of heat treatment procedures used on sour cream, a raw material used to make butter. To investigate the safety of sour cream, 25 samples of unpasteurized sour cream, 25 samples of pasteurised sour cream, and 25 samples of butter were evaluated. The samples were then subjected to enzymatic and biochemical analysis. The titratable acidity of unpasteurized sour cream resulted was 19.84±0.10 °T. All 25 samples tested positive for peroxidase activity. The titratable acidity of pasteurised sour cream was 20.24°T, although the peroxidase activity was negative. Using the reductase test with methylene blue, the samples of unpasteurized sour cream ranged in the second quality class, with a discoloration interval of samples substrate till 289.60±3.49 minutes. The titratable acidity of the butter was 2.59±0.04°T, and the peroxidase activity was negative in all 25 samples. The sour cream heat treatment techniques have been validated, with the examination of the two dairy products yielding good findings in compliance with standards.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Effect of non-genetic factors on birth weight in a population of Teleorman Black Head sheep breed
(University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 2023) Ciobanu, Andrei; Ivancia, Mihaela; Davidescu, Mădălina-Alexandra; Șerban, Dana-Andreea; Creangă, Șteofil
Considering the increasing demand for sheep meat, it is necessary to optimize the breeding strategies and the management of sheep breeding in Romania in order to satisfy this demand by obtaining animals with high genetic potential in terms of body development traits. Knowing that some of the main factors such as sex, parity, type of birth are considered sources of variation of several growth-related traits within the sheep species, the aim of the present work was to determine the influence of these factors on the birth weight of a population of Teleorman Black Head sheep. In order to achieve the scope, the birth weight character of 732 lambs born in the 2021 lambing season was studied. The data obtained by weighing were statistically processed in Excel using the software 'Real statistics'. The sex ratio was 1:0.77, with 407 females and 316 males, which had an average birth weight of 4.053 ± 0.039 kg and 4.19 ± 0.044 kg, respectively. The results showed that birth weight was insignificantly influenced by sex (p>0.01), strongly influenced by parity (p<0.01) and strongly influenced by birth type (p<0.01).
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Research on the use of biofertilizers in mulberry culture and silkworm rearing
(University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 2023) Diniță, Georgeta; Doliș, Marius-Gheorghe; Gheorghe, Anca; Hăbeanu, Mihaela; Mihalcea, Teodor
One of the objectives of the sericultural research is the reducing of research field was the reducing of chemical fertilizers quantity by applying some ecological agricultural practices, among which it can be mentioned, next to using extra-radicular fertilizing, also the biofertilizers of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhize (VAM) type, in the form of commercial products obtained by biotechnologies of high biological performance. The biofertilization of VAM type aims to reduce or eliminate the chemical fertilization, the mulberry being a plant with a high consumption of mineral elements. Also, this type of mycorrhize stimulates the plants growing and development, having a role in soil remediation and nutrition improvement from soil-plant system.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Commercial and natural dog and cat food: studying the benefits and inconveniences of using current types of feed - a review
(University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 2023) Petrescu, Silvia-Ioana; Radu Rusu, Cristina-Gabriela; Matei, Mădălina; Zaharia, Roxana; Pop, Ioan-Mircea
The essential aspects in choosing pet food are the quality and nutrient content of the food. This becomes difficult for pet owners to manage when many diets or types of dogs and cat food are available on the market as will be mentioned in the study: commercial pet food, BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), home-made or vegetarian diets. There are also many brands and recipes in the commercial pet food industry, which again causes confusion and misleads pet owners. Pet owners now treat their dogs and cats as family members, which is why studies show that globally owners have become more aware of their pets' needs. The current study attempts to present the benefits and drawbacks/disadvantages of different varieties of dog and cat food. By providing an overview of pet feeding patterns, the study seeks to clarify the nutritional needs and highlight the physiological digestive capabilities of two specialized carnivores: the dog and the cat.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) analysis in animal feed: a characterization based on modern pollution
(University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 2023) Matei, Mădălina; Pop, Ioan-Mircea
This research aims to confirm and quantify the presence of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOHs) in feed, as well to investigate the contribution of modern pollution sources to the level of contamination. Through simultaneous processes of microwave assisted saponification (MAS), extraction and purification procedures, followed by the LC-GC-FID detection, 8 types of feeds from one of the most polluted areas of the country were analyzed. The results indicated contamination with MOH for most of the feed samples, mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) concentrations above the recommended limits (0.5 mg/kg) being recorded. The data indicated moderate to high contamination for MOSH, from 16.5 mg/kg to 77.3 mg/kg, while average values below the limit of quantification (< LOQ) were highlighted for mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) content. Based on the results, was difficult to establish a clear relationship between feed contamination, crop location and different pollution sources. However, the information obtained by assessing the relationship between feed contamination and pollution, indicated that the pollution sources from the plotting area had an important contribution to the contamination of the analyzed feedstuffs.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Comparative study on the dynamics of cows, milk production and dairy products
(University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 2023) Amariții, Gabriela; Maciuc, Vasile
The aim of this study is to achieve a comparative analysis of the cow livestock number, production of milk and of main dairy products in Romania and European Union. The work is an extensive bibliographic documentation with the application of statistical tests for the period 2017-2021. At European Union level the herd of dairy cows is in decreasing with 5.63% and in Romania with 7.95%, from 1175.4 thousand heads in 2017 to 1081.9 thousand heads in 2021. The largest amount of raw milk available on the farm in 2021 belongs to Germany which records 32531.56 thousand tons, approx. 21% of the total quantity at EU level. In 2021 compared with 2017, the Europeans consumed with 3.91% less fresh dairy products and with approx. 5% more cheese. In the future, will be exploit more productive animals, making cow rearing a part of solutions in food crisis.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Efficiency of growing of chicken broilers under conditions of compliance with EU rules of welfare
(University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 2023) Usturoi, Marius-Giorgi; Custură, I.; Curea, Cornelia-Daniela; Radu Rusu, Răzvan-Mihail; Rațu, Roxana-Nicoleta; Prisăcaru, Marian; Usturoi, Alexandru
The research focused on the effect of the application of the EU welfare rules on the technical-economic results achieved in a chicken broiler breeding farm. In this sense, three rearing halls identical in the usable area and technical equipment were studied, which were populated with day-old chicks Ross-308 following the densities imposed by the annual European funding program, as follows: batch Lm = 19 chickens/m2 (mandatory minimum requirements); batch Lexp-1 = 17 chickens/m2 (density reduced by 10% compared to the minimum requirements); batch Lexp-2 = 16 chickens/m2 (density reduced by 15% compared to the minimum requirements). The level of production indicators was directly influenced by the density ensured, an aspect highlighted by the values calculated for the European Production Efficiency Factor and, respectively, for the European Broiler Index, which was much higher in the lot with only 16 chickens/m2 (Lexp-2). The conclusion of the study was that the economic efficiency of chicken meat production farms affiliated with the annual European funding program strictly depends on the allocations received, as there are no price differences compared to farms that do not comply with welfare norms.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Advanced Design for Experimental Optimisation of Physico-Mechanical Characteristics of Sustainable Local Hemp Concrete
(MDPI, 2023-05-23) Adam, Laurențiu; Judele, Loredana; Motrescu, Iuliana; Rusu, Ion; Lepădatu, Daniel; Bucur, Roxana-Dana
The meaning of technological progress is to produce economic development and to increase the level of personal comfort. Sustainability can only be achieved if, at the microsystem level as well as at the macrosystem level, the secondary effects of the activities undertaken by people on the environment are in a state of neutrality compared to the impact they can produce on natural conditions. This neutrality can be intrinsic or can be achieved through coercive and compensatory measures. If we take into account the production of carbon dioxide that accompanies a product from the stages of conceptualisation, design, procurement of materials, execution, operation, maintenance, decommissioning and recycling the waste produced at the end of use, then nothing can be sustainable in pure form. Nevertheless, there are products whose production, both as a raw material and as a technological process, can be neutral in terms of carbon emissions. Moreover, they can even become carbon negative over time. This is also the case with eco-sustainable hemp concrete, whose capacity to absorb carbon dioxide starts from the growth phase of the plant from which the raw material is obtained and continues throughout the existence of the constructed buildings. Not only does it absorb carbon dioxide, but it also stores it for a period of at least 50 years as long as the construction is guaranteed, being at the same time completely recyclable. However, in order to obtain an optimal mixture from the point of view of raw material consumption, represented by industrial hemp wood chips and the binder based on lime and cement, multiple experiments are necessary. The study presented in this work is based on the use of an advanced method of experimental planning (design of experiments method), which makes possible the correlation between the values obtained experimentally and the algorithm that generated the matrix arrangement of the quantities of materials used in the recipes. This approach helps to create the necessary framework for parametric optimisation with a small number of trials. Thus, it is possible to obtain the mathematical law valid within the minimum and maximum limits of the studied domain that defines the characteristics of the material and allows the achievement of optimisation. The material is thus designed to satisfy the maximum thermal insulation requirements that it can achieve depending on a certain minimum admissible compressive strength.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Impact of Red Sludge Dumps, Originating from Industrial Activity, on the Soil and Underground Water
(MDPI, 2023-02-26) Mintaș, Olimpia-Smaranda; Simeanu, Cristina; Berchez, Octavian; Marele, Daniela-Camelia; Osiceanu, Adrian-Gheorghe; Rusu, Teodor
In the aluminum industry, one of the most sensitive economic and environmental problems is the management of resulting waste such as slag, ash and sludge, which become potential sources of pollution. Red sludge, which results from the aluminum industry, is a mixture made up of different forms of iron and aluminum oxides, sodium and aluminum silicates, various titanium compounds, constituted in the residue left after the alkaline solubilization of alumina. The Purpose of this research is to quantify the environmental aspects involved in the storage of sludge in a landfill that has an area of 381,189 square meters and is located in the hearth of a former ballast tank in the western industrial area of the town of Oradea, Romania. The objective of the research was to determine the impact of red sludge dumps, which originated from industrial activity, on the soil and groundwater. The degree of degradation of the soil cover was highlighted by analyzing a number of 12 soil samples (4 collection points, at 3 depths). A total of 14 samples (7 samples on 2 depths) were investigated to monitor the migration mode of the sludge in the structure of the dam. In order to monitor the quality of groundwater, samples from 3 observation boreholes were analyzed. Soil monitoring results did not indicate values of the analyzed parameters above the values imposed by the national legislation on soil quality. Since the dumps were not waterproofed, the quality parameters of the water from the observation boreholes were exceeded, and gravity caused the water to drain into the underground water network in the area. Based on the samples from the observation boreholes, several measurements exceeded allowable values: pH values of the water sample taken from upstream of the dump exceeded the value limits by about 7%, and both upstream and downstream, water samples indicate an excess of 13.60% in the aluminum indicator, 267% in the sulfate ion, and 417% in the sodium ion. This shows a risk of pollution which requires additional monitoring.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Selected Characteristics of Multifloral Honeys from North-Eastern Romania
(MDPI, 2023-12-22) Albu, Aida; Simeanu, Cristina; Pop, Ioan-Mircea; Pui, Aurel; Tarcău, Doina; Cucu Man, Simona-Maria
The aim of this research was to evaluate some characteristics (moisture, total solid substances, specific gravity, pH, FA, ash, electrical conductivity, TPC and TFC, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, nickel, cobalt, and lead) of fifteen multifloral honey samples. The quality of the investigated honey was confirmed by the obtained results: moisture, FA, and EC values were below the limit value regulated by the legislation. The average content of total polyphenols and total flavonoids of 29.91 mg GAE/100 g and 2.13 mg QE/100 g confirm the antioxidant properties of honey. Determination of minerals showed that potassium (101.4–1212.6 mg kg−1) was the most abundant mineral in honey, followed by sodium (40.7–302.3 mg kg−1) and calcium (41.8–230.9 mg kg−1). Lead was found in two samples, with a content under the limit stipulation by legislation; nickel was found in one sample of 0.10 mg kg−1, and the content of cobalt was below the detection limit. Significant correlations (p < 0.001) were observed between mm Pfund and electrical conductivity, TPC, TFC, P, Ca, and Zn; strong correlations (p < 0.001) were between electrical conductivity with Ash, TPC, TFC, K, and P. FTIR analysis confirmed the differences obtained by analyzing multifloral honey samples.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
An Appropriate Genetic Approach to Endangered Podolian Grey Cattle in the Context of Preserving Biodiversity and Sustainable Conservation of Genetic Resources
(MDPi, 2023-12-08) Davidescu, Mădălina-Alexandra; Pânzaru, Claudia; Usturoi, Alexandru; Radu Rusu, Răzvan-Mihail; Creangă, Șteofil
In the context of the general phenomenon of diminishing genetic diversity, especially in cattle, the conservation of endangered species plays a primary role. The disappearance of some animal populations can irreparably affect the biodiversity of genetic resources. Among the most ancient European cattle are breeds that belong to the Podolian group, the history of which is still not well established. The common origin of these breeds is the wild ox (Bos taurus primigenius), which has been declared extinct since the 17th century. The purpose of this paper is to highlight and compare the latest studies on the origin, evolution, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic relationships of Podolian cattle, with special emphasis on the endangered Romanian Grey Steppe. The importance of studying these cattle derives from the special biological properties by which they have distinguished themselves over time (adaptability and resistance to diseases, severe climate and habitat conditions, hardiness, and longevity). The bibliographic references reviewed in this study confirm that these breeds are carriers of valuable genes that must be preserved for improvement of other cattle and protection of biodiversity. The information presented represents a valuable tool for efforts to conserve endangered cattle.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): A Review Focused on Occurrence and Incidence in Animal Feed and Cow Milk
(MDPI, 2023-04-15) Matei, Mădălina; Zaharia, Roxana; Petrescu, Silvia-Ioana; Radu Rusu, Cristina-Gabriela; Simeanu, Daniel; Mierliță, Daniel; Pop, Ioan-Mircea
Persistent organic pollutants have particular ecotoxicological importance and they are amongst the most harmful groups of persistent pollutants. The complexity of persistent organic pollutants highlights the different sources of pollution from which they came and, depending on which, their profile could be characterized. In the first part of this review, the main characteristics of persistent organic pollutants were described, focusing on their complexity and toxic potential in relation to environmental elements. The second part of the review includes data related to the occurrence and incidence of persistent organic pollutants in different types of feed and cow’s milk, focusing on the characteristic profile of pollutants as an indicator of the sources of pollution. Moreover, a description regarding the timing and duration of the contamination of feed and milk was carried out, evaluating the distribution of pollutants within the analyzed samples and highlighting those whose presence is predominant or whose residues persist in the environment for long periods. The review concludes that the identification of pollution sources associated with different proportions of organic pollutants found in different samples could represent a suitable solution for biomonitoring the potential contamination in a geographical area.
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Diet Influence on Sperm Quality, Fertility, and Reproductive Behavior in Karakul of Botoșani Rams
(MDPI, 2023-11-19) Pascal, Constantin; Nechifor, Ionică; Florea, Alexandru-Marian; Pânzaru, Claudia; Simeanu, Daniel
This study aims to analyze the influence of an improved diet with vitamins and minerals (VM) on the live weight, body condition, quality of sperm, behavior, and fertility of rams. The biological material comprised two groups of rams (L1—control and L2—VM supplemented), each consisting of 15 individuals. After a complete one-year cycle, they received different dietary treatments at the beginning of the preparation for the reproduction period. Although in the onset of the mounting period (SM), no significant differences were observed for live weight (p > 0.05), providing supplemental feeding of a VM complex allowed a better capitalization of body reserves, and, consequently, the rams’ groups differed significantly by the end of mating season (FM), for live weight (+4.1%; p < 0.001) and body condition score (+15.9%; p < 0.05). Adding vitamins and minerals to the L2 diet also improved sperm color (p < 0.001), sperm concentration (+11.8%; p < 0.01), live spermatozoa (+2.6%; p < 0.001), and decreased abnormal spermatozoa proportion (−7.0%; p < 0.01). The increase in the scrotum circumference in L2 (+4.57%) suggests that VM supplements improved testosterone secretion, spermatogenesis, and ejaculate volume (+10.20%; (p < 0.001), with a positive impact (p < 0.001) on mating behavior, on the gestation installation (+11.2%) and on the number of obtained lambs (+14.0%), as well as on the key economic indicators (+13.8% incomes per ram).
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Animal Nutrition and Productions
(MDPI, 2023-04-25) Simeanu, Daniel; Radu Rusu, Răzvan-Mihail
listelement.badge.access-status Open Access ,
Impact of Different Levels of Crude Protein on Production Performance and Meat Quality in Broiler Selected for Slow Growth
(MDPI, 2023-02-11) Usturoi, Marius-Giorgi; Radu Rusu, Răzvan-Mihail; Usturoi, Alexandru; Simeanu, Cristina; Doliș, Marius-Gheorghe; Rațu, Roxana-Nicoleta; Simeanu, Daniel
The production performance and meat quality of the slow-growing hybrid Hubbard JA757 were monitored under conditions of diets differentiated by crude protein content. A total of 1200 as-hatched day-old chickens were equally and randomly allotted into two treatments (T-1 and T-2), with six replicates provided for each treatment (100 chickens/replicate). T-1 chickens received standard diets (according to Hubbard Company recommendations), and those in T-2 were fed diets supplemented with crude protein (+0.5% CP in the growing phase and +1.0% CP in the finishing phase). At the end of the investigations (age 56 days), the T-2 chickens performed better than the T-1 chickens for growth traits (+2.72% body weight; +2.77% daily growth gain; −0.34% mortality; and −4.15% feed conversion ratio); for slaughtering (+0.66% dressed yield; +1.10% breast weight; and +1.25% thigh weight); and for quality meat (+0.55% dry matter in thigh muscles and +1.52% dry matter in breast muscles) (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) occurred between treatments for body weight, daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio due to the 0.5% CP feed supplementation during the 15–28 day age period, justifying the usefulness of the CP increasing throughout the grower diet only and not during the finishing period.

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