Nedjoua Lakhdara

Sheep farming plays a vital role in Mediterranean rural economies, but its sustainability is threatened by the high cost of imported protein sources such as soybean meal. This study, carried out in an experimental farm in northeastern Algeria, evaluated locally available alternatives - faba beans and sprouted barley - as substitutes in lactating ewes diet. Thirty Ouled Djellal ewes were randomly assigned to three iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets (16 % crude protein): Three concentrates differing only in protein source: soybean meal, faba beans, or a 50 % faba bean– sprouted barley mix (n =10 per group). Milk yield and composition (fat, protein, lactose, total solids, non-fat solids) were measured, and lamb growth was assessed using average daily gain. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. No significant differences were observed in milk yield or lamb growth among treatments (P > 0.05). However, milk composition was significantly influenced by diet. Milk protein differed strongly (P < 0.0001), with the (faba beans) group showing the lowest value (4.99 %), significantly lower than (soybean meal) (7.36 %) and the (faba bean– sprouted barley mix) group (6.88 %). Milk fat was higher in the (soybean meal) (6.38 %) and (faba beans) (5.83 %) groups than in the (faba bean– sprouted barley mix) group (5.26 %) (P = 0.043). Lactose was not significantly affected (P = 0.064). Total solids were significantly lower in the (faba beans) group (16.10 %) compared with (soybean meal) (18.09 %) and the mixed diet (faba bean– sprouted barley mix) (18.64 %) (P < 0.002). Non-fat solids were the most sensitive parameter (P < 0.0001): (faba bean– sprouted barley mix) (15.01 %)> (soybean meal) (12.20 %) > (faba beans) (10.68 %). Lamb growth remained stable regardless of treatment. In conclusion, faba beans and sprouted barley can replace soybean meal in lactating ewes without compromising milk yield or lamb growth. The sprouted barley–faba bean mixture is the most balanced option, supporting the use of local legume–cereal combinations as sustainable alternatives to imported soybean meal.

The os cordis (dextrum and sinistrum) shows considerable variation in its presence, number, size, shape, and position, not only among species but also among individuals of the same breeds. However, quantitative data in cattle remain limited. This study aimed to determine the frequency, number, and anatomical location of ossa cordis in cattle and to explore the influence of age, sex, and breed on the osteometric, weight, and densitometric measurements of the os cordis dextrum. The correlations between these measurements and animal’s age were also examined. A total of 23 bovine hearts from five breeds, including both sexes and divided into two age groups (young adults and adults), were analyzed. Heart and carcass weights were recorded for each animal. After dissection, the ossa cordis were removed, and three osteometric measurements along with bone weight were taken for the os cordis dextrum. Computed tomography was used to obtain three densitometric measurements. Data was analyzed in R using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate methods. Results showed that the os cordis dextrum was present in all individuals, whereas the os cordis sinistrum appeared only in older animals. Furthermore, adults had a significantly larger and heavier os cordis dextrum than young adults. Overall, the weight, size, and density of the os cordis dextrum increased with age. These findings suggest that the os cordis plays a crucial role in supporting and protecting the heart as cattle mature.

Sustainable feeding strategies are needed to improve the quantity and quality of sheep milk. This study evaluated the impact of partially substituting conventional concentrate with date by– products, with or without the addition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on the physicochemical composition of milk produced by Ouled Djellal ewes. 30 ewes were randomly divided into 5 groups. All ewes received wheat straw (1 kg·ewe-1) as roughage (66.66%). In addition to wheat straw, the control group received 33% concentrate (33CON), and the 4 experimental groups received different levels of date by–products and concentrate: 8.33% date by–products + 25% concentrate (8.33 date by–products), 25% date by–products + 8.33% concentrate (25 date by–products), 16.6% date by–products + 16.6% concentrate (16.6 date by– products), and 16.6% date by–products + 16.6% concentrate with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (16.6 date by–products sc). The milk samples were analyzed to determine their fat, protein, lactose, total solids, and non-fat solids content. Milk fat content (P<0.01) and total solids (P=0.025) were significantly higher in the experimental groups than in the control group, particularly in the 25 date by– products and 16.6 date by–products sc rations. Protein and non-fat solids content increased numerically without reaching statistical significance, while lactose levels remained relatively stable in all treatments. Partial substitution of concentrate with date by– products improved milk quality, indicating that date by–products can be a sustainable feed resource for dairy ewes, thereby adding value to their milk products.

The aim of this study is to valorize agro-industrial by-products and to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with date waste and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on production performance, from late-gestation to lactation, of Ouled Djellal ewes and their lambs. The analysis of production performance data showed that there was no significant difference in the weight performance and growth rate of lambs born from ewes supplemented with different proportions of date wastes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It was revealed that the new-born lambs of ewes fed with date waste and Saccharomyces cerevisiae gave results close to or even better than those of lambs in the 33CON control group fed 100% concentrate, particularly 16REB and 25REB. This indicates that ewes were provided with their nutrient requirements for maintenance and production by substituting concentrate with this date by-product at 50% and 75%. Therefore, supplementation of pregnant and lactating ewes with date wastes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae seems to have a positive effect and could be employed as a partial alternative to concentrate.

Background: Intense physical activity, such as football (soccer), can induce exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and associated inflammatory responses. These perturbations can lead to increased levels in serum biomarkers such as creatine kinase (CK) and C-reactive protein (CRP). In response, athletes increasingly employ various recovery modalities, with nutritional interventions featuring antioxidant properties representing a prominent strategy. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of beetroot juice (BEJ) and pomegranate juice (POJ)—beverages recognized for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential—, on modulating CK and CRP levels in football players throughout a regular training cycle. Participants and Methods: A cohort of 18 amateur football players was allocated into three groups (n=6 per group): a pomegranate juice (POJ) group; a beetroot juice (BEJ) group; and a placebo (PLA) group. Baseline CK and CRP levels were determined before and after a high intensity training (HIT) session prior to supplementation. Participants then consumed their daily supplement for 22 days. CK and CRP levels were re-assessed 24 hours before and after HIT sessions on days 12 and 22 of the intervention. Results: Following the 22-day supplementation period, CK levels was significantly lower in both POJ (209.30 ± 44.25 IU/L, p < 0.0001) and BEJ (188.27 ± 26.29 IU/L p < 0.0001) compared to the PLA group (327.75 ± 15.32 IU/L). No statistically significant difference in CK reduction was observed between the POJ and BEJ groups (p >0.05). In contrast, CRP levels did not exhibit any significant changes across the groups at any measurement point (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings reveal that both pomegranate and beet juices supplementation offer comparable protective effects against EMID, as demonstrated by the attenuation of post-exercise CK levels. This underlines the significance of the quality and diversity of bioactive compounds in nutritional recovery strategies. The study also highlights the complex relationship between exercise, muscle damage, and systemic inflammation, necessitating the exploration of further markers for a complete assessment. Keywords: Beta vulgaris; Punica granatum; Antioxidant Supplementation; Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage (EIMD); C-Reactive Protein; Team Sports Nutrition; Recovery Strategies.

Background: This study aims to determine the effects of supplementary diets with date waste and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on biochemical parameters in Ouled Djellel ewes at early and late lactation. Methods: Thirty pregnant ewes, were divided into 5 groups. All ewes received wheat straw (1Kg),in addition to wheat straw, the control group (33CON) received 500 g of concentrate. The other groups (8.33REB,25REB, 16REB,16REBsc) were fed with a mixture of date waste and concentrate in different proportions,and Saccharomyces cerevisiae at a rate of 2 gr/ewe for the 5th group. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and at the end of lactation to determine biochemical profile by spectrophotometry.Feed analyses were performed according to AOAC standards. Results: Ewes fed the 8.33REB, 25REB, 16.6REB, 16.6REBsc rations had lower serum levels for the majority of biochemical parameters compared to the 33CON control group.The results indicated that serum glucose, aspartate aminotransferase and urea decreased slightly in the groups supplemented with date waste and Saccharomyces cervicea (Pand lt;0.05) whereas,albumin and cholesterol were marginally significant.Therefore, date waste could be distributed, partially to ewes as an alternative to concentrate.

Camel meat is considered as good source of nutrition, its taste and texture are similar to that of cattle and has an amino acid content ten times higher than that of the latter. Moreover, its consumption is very low and the manufacture and marketing of cameline meat products are very neglected. The objective of this work is to promote camel’s meat and the derived products from it. Thus, the industry sector should launch and invest in the production of large ranges of camel meat, in order to meet consumer demands.

Among the mammals domesticated by humans for their needs, the dromedary, which is a versatile animal, is used for the production of milk, meat, wool and skin, as well as for sports, tourism and transport. However, knowledge about the breeding and feeding of this animal is limited. The objective of this work is to synthesize previous works on the breeding and feeding of camels in Algeria. The results show that the main farming systems are transhumant, sedentary and nomadic. In addition, the diet of the dromedary is based on different types of Saharan routes and constitutes the main element upon which an extensive camel breeding system is based. Thus, for a better valorization of this species, further studies on the diet and breeding methods of camels are recommended.

This study aimed first to develop an experimental model of obesity and metabolic syndrome over 14 weeks using a diet called “cafeteria”, which is a high-fat diet, to evaluate its consequences on the biochemical and morphometric parameters in ITELV2006 strain rabbits. Second, the trial aimed to evaluate the effect of two strains of probiotics, these being Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12^® and Lactobacillus plantarum 299v^®, on the obesity and MetS induced during the first experiment. Overall, the results of the “cafeteria” diet demonstrated significant changes in numerous biochemical and morphometric parameters, reproducing obesity and the main clinical manifestations of the metabolic syndrome in humans. The administration of the two probiotic strains demonstrated an impact on certain parameters of obesity and induced MetS. This study makes it possible to conclude that probiotics could be useful in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome of rabbits, but in a dependent manner. Furthermore, this study evidenced the importance of selecting specific probiotic strains and dosages to achieve desirable results on rabbits or other species.