Niacin supplementation improves growth performance and nutrient utilisation in Chinese Jinjiang cattle

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of niacin supplementation on the growth performance and nutrient utilisation in Chinese Jinjiang cattle was investigated. A total of 48 finishing male Jinjiang cattle aged 24–30 months, with body weights of 200 ± 15 kg, were randomly divided into four groups. The cattle were fed a finishing diet (concentrate to forage ratio of 80:20). The diets for the control, NA320, NA480 and NA640 groups were supplemented with 0, 320, 480 or 640 mg/kg of niacin, respectively. The body weight and feed consumption of the 48 cattle were recorded on days 1, 28, and 56 of the experiment. Assessment of feed digestibility was conducted from days 52 to 56 of the study. Blood samples were collected from each animal on day 56. From days 1 to 56 of the study, the results indicated a significant increase in the average daily weight gains (p < .05) and lower feed to gain ratios (p < .05) for the NA480 and NA640 groups than for the control group. Furthermore, supplementation with 640 mg/kg niacin increased the apparent digestibility of all nutrients (p < .05), whereas supplementation with 480 mg/kg niacin enhanced the apparent digestibility of crude protein (p < .05). Moreover, supplementation with 480 and 640 mg/kg niacin increased the content of serum nonesterified fatty acids (p < .05). Therefore, it was concluded that supplementation with 640 mg/kg niacin in a high-concentrate diet may be beneficial to growth and nutrient utilisation in Chinese Jinjiang cattle.