ANIMAL SCIENCE

 

 

PUBLICATION RECORD

 

Barbour, E. K., N. E. Bejjani, N. J. Daghir, O. M. Faroon, M. Bouljihad, and R. Spasojevic. 2000. Induction of early immunopotentiation to fimbriae of Salmonella enteritidis (SE) by administering thymulin and zinc to SE-vaccinated chicken breeders: Relationship to protection. The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science.

Barbour, E. K., M. Boulijihad, B. Hamdar, W. Sakr, A. Eid, and B. Safieh-Garabedian. 1999.  Dynamics of protein 27 of avian leukosis virus and Transforming growth factor ß2. Veterinary Research Communications.

 

Barbour, E. K., L. H. El Jurdi, O. M. Faroon, N. J. Daghir, and M. Bouljihad. 2000.  Chronological recognition by chicken of antigenic polypeptides in Salmonella enteritidis with different plasmid profiles: Relationship to infection rate. The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science.

Barbour, E. K., L. H. El Jurdi, R. Talhouk, M. Qatanani, A. Eid, W. Sakr, M. Bouljihad, and R. Spasojevic. 1999. Emergence of Salmonella enteritidis outbreaks in broiler chickens of Lebanon: Epidemiologic markers and competitive exclusion control. Scientific and Technical Review Journal (Journal of the World Animal Health Organization).

Barbour, E. K., S. K. Hamadeh, and A. Eid. 2000. Infection and immunity in broiler chicken breeders vaccinated with a temperature sensitive mutant of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and impact on performance of offspring. Poultry Science.

Barbour, E. K., S. Husseini Salman, A. Eid, W. Sakr, and S. K. Hamadeh. 2000. Medicinal herbs in feed: A holistic approach for growth promotion, protection against Salmonella enteritidis, and immunopotentiation against bursal disease virus in broiler chicken. Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

Barbour, E. K., R. Tannous, L. El Jurdi, and C. Issa. 2000. Preliminary attempts towards production of table eggs free from Salmonella enteritidis. Journal of Cleaner Production.

Barbour, E. K., N. Usayran El-Khatib, I. C. Al Haddad, D. A. Iytani, A. M. Eid, S. K. Hamadeh, and B. Safieh-Garabedian. 2000. Macrophage recruitment and activation: A model useful in comparison of resistance to Salmonella enteritidis in different broiler breeds. Scientific and Technical Review Journal, Journal of the World Organization for Animal Health.

Bistanji, G., S. K. Hamadeh, S. Hajj Hassan, F. Tami, and R. Tannous. 2000. The Potential of agro-industrial byproducts in Lebanon as feeds for livestock. Livestock Research for Rural Development.

 

Darwish, M. R., S. K. Hamadeh and M. Sharara. Economic sustainability of dry land use: The case study of Irsal, Lebanon. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture.

 

Farran, M. T., G. W. Barbour, M. G. Uwayjan, and V. M. Ashkarian. 2001. Metabolizable energy values and amino acid availability of vetch (Vicia sativa) and ervil (Vicia ervilia) seeds soaked in water and acetic acid. Poultry Science 80:931–936.

 

Farran, M. T., P. B. Dakessian, A. H. Darwish, M. G. Uwayjan, H. K. Dbouk, F. T. Sleiman, and V. M. Ashkarian. 2001. Performance of broilers and production and egg quality parameters of laying hens fed 60% raw or treated common vetch (Vicia sativa) seeds. Poultry Science 80:203–208.

 

Farran, M. T., R. F. Khalil, M. G. Uwayjan, R. N. Hajj, and V. M. Ashkarian. 2000. Performance and carcass quality of commercial broiler strains. J Appl. Poultry Res. 9:252–257.

 

Farran, M. T., M. G. Uwayjan, A. M. A. Miski, N. M. Akhdar, and V. M. Ashkarian. 2000. Performance of broilers and layers fed graded levels of sesame hull. J Appl. Poultry Res. 9:453–459.

 

Hamadeh, S. K., G. N. Bistanji, M. R. Darwish, M. Abi Said, and D. Abi Ghanem. 2001. Sustainability of small ruminants production in semi-arid areas of Lebanon. Small Ruminant Research.

 

Hamadeh, S. K., P. G. Hatfield, R. W. Kott, B. L. Robinson, and B. S. Sowell. 2000. Effects of breed, sex, birth type and colostrum intake on cold tolerance in newborn lambs. Sheep and Goat Research Journal 16-2.

 

Hamadeh, S. K., P. G. Hatfield, B. L. Robinson, N. J. Roth, and R. W. Kott. 2000.  Alpha acid glycoprotein (AGP) as an early indicator of stress in newborn lambs. Sheep and Goat Research Journal 16-2.

 

Hamadeh, S. K., R. Zurayk, F. El-Awar, S. Talhouk, D. Abi Ghanem, and M. Abi Said. 1999. Farming system analysis of drylands agriculture in Lebanon: An analysis of sustainability. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 15:33-43.

 

Usayran, N., M. T. Farran, H. H. O. Awadallah, I. R. Al-Hawi, R. J. Asmar, and V. M. Ashkarian. 2001. Effect of added dietary fat and phosphorus on the performance and egg quality of laying hens subjected to a constant high environmental temperature. Poultry Science 80:1695 –1701.

 

 

 

ABSTRACTS, CONFERENCES, AND PROCEEDINGS

 

Abi Saab, S., F. T. Sleiman, W. M. ElKareh, and H. Farah. 2000. Effect of synchronization method and type of inseminating catheter on conception rate of Awassi ewes raised under different management systems. Proceedings of the Second Scientific Conference of Agricultural Sciences, Assiut, Egypt.

 

Barbour, g. W., A. H. Darwish, M. T. Farran, N. N. Usayran, M. M. Beck, H. H. Machlab, M. G. Uwayjan, and V. M. Ashkarian. 2001. Apparent metabolizable energy of drought tolerant barley cultivars as affected by enzyme supplementation. Poultry Science 80 (Supplement 1):168.

 

Barbour, G. W., M. T. Farran, and A. H. Darwish. 2000. The effect of varying dietary oil, crude protein, and metabolizable energy on performance and carcass yield of female broiler chickens. Poultry Science 79 (Supplement 1):15.

 

Daghir, N. J., M. T. Farran, and G. W. Barbour. 2000. Broiler response to equicaloric high oil corn and normal corn diets with added oil. Poultry Science 79 (Supplement 1):67.

 

Farran, M. T., S. W. El-Kadi, and V. M. Ashkarian. 2000. Performance and egg quality parameters of commercial layers fed graded levels of acetic acid treated vetch seeds. Poultry Science 79 (Supplement 1):114.

 

Farran, M. T., N. J. Daghir, and V. M. Ashkarian. 2000. Performance and egg quality of hens fed 0.1% dietary metal amino acid chelates. Poultry Science 79 (Supplement 1):17.

 

Farran, M. T., w. s. Halaby, F. T. Sleiman, M. G. Uwayjan, and V. M. Ashkarian. 2001. Effect of treated ervil (Vicia ervilia) diets on the performance of layers. Poultry Science 80 (Supplement 1):327.

 

Sleiman, F. T., N. I. Abi Aad, M. G. Uwayjan, and M. T. Farran. July 2000. Effect of feeding gapevine silage on apparent digestibility and performance of small ruminants. American Dairy Science Association, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Sleiman, F. T., M. B. Jamil, M. M. Sidahmad, M. G. Uwayjan, and M. T. Farran. July 1999. Potential of potato vegetation as silage for small ruminants. American Dairy Science Association, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

 

 

 

GRADUATE THESES AND PROJECTS

 

Abi Aad, N. I. February 2000. Digestibility and fermentative characteristics of ensiled pruned vine. F. T. Sleiman, M. T. Farran, A. Miski, and M. G. Uwayjan.

Bistanji, N. G. October 1999. Sustainability of small ruminants production in semi-arid areas of Lebanon. S. K. Hamadeh, F. Sleiman, M. Farran, and M. R. Darwish.

 

El-Bejjani, N. E. May 2000. Influence of fat soluble vitamin administration on dairy milk composition and alfa-tocopherol content. F. T. Sleiman, M. T. Farran, I. Toufeili, and M. G. Uwayjan.

El-Kadi, S. 2000. Performance and egg quality of commercial layers fed graded levels of acid treated vetch seeds. M. T. Farran.



 

RESEARCH PROJECTs

 

Antimicrobial and immunopotentiation activities in indigenous medicinal plants of Lebanon

 

Screening of selected plant extracts for immunopotentiation and antimicrobial activities against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria causing diseases in different anatomical systems of the human and animal bodies. Barbour, E. K., V. Sagherian, S. Husseini, and S. Talhouk.

 

Supported by Mercy Corps Organization, USA
Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Identification and control of predominant animal disease in Lebanon

 

The study of the role of interaction between infectious bursal disease virus and chicken infectious anemia virus on incidence of inclusion body hepatitis in broilers is concluded. In addition, the study of the impact of broiler breed on immunity and resistance to infection by Salmonella Enteritidis is completed. Future investigation will focus on the epidemiology and control of pneumovirus in broiler breeders and their offspring. In addition, a development of a live vaccine against Salmonella Enteritidis infection in commercial layers will be attempted. Medicinal herb preparation will be developed and evaluated in poultry as a growth promoter and immunopotentiator against SE infections and other pathogens. Barbour, E. K., R. Talhouk, B. Garabedian, S. Hamadeh, and S. Husseini.

Supported by URB
Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Nutritional quality of locally produced oil seed meals for poultry

 

Oil extraction plants in Lebanon and in the region are producing large quantities of oil seed meal and selling it to feed mills. To the best of our knowledge, the nutritional value of these oilseed byproducts has not been determined. Knowledge of the nutritional quality of such relatively cheap feedstuffs will help local poultry producers to partially overcome the high feed cost. Experiments are being conducted at the Agricultural Research and Education Center of the American University of Beirut to assess the nutritional quality of locally produced soybean and safflower meals for poultry. Barbour, G. W., and M. T. Farran.

 

Supported by LNCSR

In progress at AUB

 

 

The effect of mycotoxin adsorbents on broiler performance under experimental and field conditions in Lebanon.

 

Feed-related problems associated with the poor quality of feedstuffs, especially those due to aflatoxin constitute a major cause of profit loss to poultry growers. Feed additives in broiler diets might be considered as a means to alleviate or prevent the absorption of these toxic compounds, thus decreasing bird mortality and increasing the profitability of boiler operations. Furthermore, offering the consumer aflatoxin-free broiler products is essential due to its well known carcinogenic activity. Hence, experiments will be conducted in the field and/or at the Agricultural Research and Education Center of the American University of Beirut to compare the efficacy of Mycosorb to hydroxyaluminosilicates in reducing aflatoxin activity in meat-type bird diets. The proposed research project could assist broiler producers in Lebanon and elsewhere by increasing their profits and conforming to human safety standards. Daghir, N. J., and M. T. Farran.

 

Supported by LNCSR

In progress at AUB

 

 

Metabolizable energy of some drought resistant barley varieties.

 

Experiments were conducted to determine the TME, TMEn, AME, AMEn, and apparent and true amino acid availability of three drought-tolerant barley varieties: Litani, Rihan and Pamir. The study showed that metabolizable energy values of all three barley varieties were comparable but lower than that of corn. The true availability of some amino acids, however, was lower in Litani and Rihan only. Darwish, A. H., M. T. Farran, G. W. Barbour, and N. Usayran.

 

Supported by LNCSR

 

 

Ad libitum feeding of ervil diet as an alternative to the fasting method for induction of molt in laying hens

 

Induced molting increases the productivity of hens and improves egg quality parameters but subjects birds to behavioral and physiological stress, leading to increased mortality rate. Animal welfare societies and activists have considered this practice as an appalling treatment to animals. Consequently, the search for a more humane practice has become necessary. Experiments were conducted at the Agricultural Research and Education Center of the American University of Beirut to develop a molting program using dietary ervil seeds, fed ad libitum to laying hens as an alternative to the fasting method. This research project could assist poultry producers in Lebanon and elsewhere by increasing their profits, and could result in a molting program that will comply with the demands of animal welfare activists. Farran, M. T., N. J. Daghir, and G. W. Barbour.

 

Supported by LNCSR

 

 

Improving small ruminant production in Lebanon

 

The livestock sector plays an important role in the economics of the Near East countries, especially sheep, goats and cattle. During the last decade, small ruminant production in the Near East region has been facing serious constraints, mainly feed deficit. A study was conducted in marginal areas of Lebanon to assess the feasibility of four small ruminant production systems ranging from settled to semi nomadic using a cost benefit analysis technique (CBA). The CBA revealed negative returns in three out of four systems. Only the settled system was profitable. The inclusion of labor cost as an opportunity cost may have inflated the total cost with negative effects on feasibility. Moreover, the financial analysis revealed that feed expenses if coupled with grazing costs are major constraints on feasibility of production.


Efforts are now directed towards increasing animal productivity using local resources, namely, crop residues and agro-industrial by-products through their incorporation into feed block supplements. A survey of the agro-industrial byproducts available in Lebanon was conducted and feed blocks using most important potential byproducts were formulated as feed supplement for small ruminants. The survey revealed an abundance of byproducts to be used as feed supplements for livestock animals. Feed block diets were then compared with the four hand-fed diets used in the systems studied in terms of estimated cost, ME and CP per kg of feed. Preliminary analysis showed that the use of feed block diets could improve the economic sustainability of small ruminant production systems. Hamadeh, Sh.

 

Supported by Mashreq/Maghreb Project-International Center for Agriculture Research in Dry Areas

Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Sustainable improvement of marginal lands in Lebanon Arsal A case study

 

Phase I


A follow-up study (1995-1998) funded by the International Development Research Center under their People, Land and Water Program Initiative aimed at analyzing components of change, trends and sustainability in the emerging production systems and at improving prospects for sustainable community development. The land-use system in Arsal, including socio-economic components, was characterized, and its resource base was assessed, with an emphasis on soil and water conservation strategies. Local beneficiaries were involved during different stages of the project and strengthening of local capacities was sought through the establishment of a local user's network. Avenues for non-agricultural income-generating activities for women were explored. The capacity of the recipient institution (AUB) in conducting multidisciplinary research on natural resource management issues was greatly reinforced.

Phase II


The ongoing phase II (2000-2003) aims at testing and evaluating management strategies developed in phase I and assessing and consolidating progress towards sustainability in the major land use systems. The capacity of the local user's network will be evaluated and enhanced with emphasis on gender issues. Hamadeh, S. K. (PL), R. Zureik, F. El Awar, M. R. Darwish, S. Talhouk, and R. Smith.
 

Supported by International Development Research Center

Completed or in progress at AUB

 

 

The potential of potato vegetation as silage for ruminants

 

Potato is currently considered a major crop in Lebanon. However, the benefit from this crop depends mainly on tuber yield. The main objective of this project was to make use of potato vegetation (shoot) as feed, in the form of silage, for ruminant animals without affecting tuber yield and quality. To achieve this goal, harvested vegetation (2 days before tuber harvest) was ensiled in black plastic bags with or without freshly chopped corn forage (FC) or ground yellow corn (GYC) and fed to ram lambs in a digestibility trial. Results showed that pH of ensiled treatments significantly decreased (P<0.05) as the percentage of FC and GYC increased in the mixture. The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), and crude protein (CP), and body weight change (BWC) were significantly lower (P<0.05) for the potato shoot treatment; however, silage dry matter intake was not affected (P>0.05). Digestibility trials of silages containing GYC showed that apparent digestibility of DM, CF, CP, and nitrogen free extract (NFE) was significantly decreased (P<0.05) as the percentage of supplemental GYC decreased. It was concluded that potato shoot (PS)-based silage was palatable and well accepted by lambs, performed a desirable fermentation and did not adversely affect animal performance. Furthermore, the digestibility of PS silage was improved when ensiled with FC or GYC. Sleiman, F. (PL), M. Sidahmed, and M. Uwayjan. 

Supported by URB
Completed or in progress AUB

 

 

The effect of oligosaccharides on broiler performance under experimental and field conditions in Lebanon

 

The increased concerns for chemical residues in broiler meat has led scientists to search for alternatives to antibiotics commonly used as growth promoters in broiler operations. Bio-Mos, a mannan-based oligosaccharide, is reported to have a negative impact on the gut pathogens, thereby improving bird performance and stimulating immune response. Experiments were conducted at the Agricultural Research and Education Center of the American University of Beirut and in the Marjayoun area to compare two commercial growth promoters with Bio-Mos. This project would assist producers in solving growth promoter-related problems, increase profitability, and comply with human safety standards. Usayran, N., M. T. Farran, and A. H. Darwish.

 

Supported by LNCSR