Digestibility Of Calcium Research Articles

Effect of combination of citric acid and microbial phytase on digestibility of calcium, phosphorous and mineralization parameters of tibia bone in broilers

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of citric acid (CA) and microbial phytase (MP) on digestibility of calcium, phosphorus and mineralization parameters of tibia bone in broilers chicks. A total of 360 Ross-308 male broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (0, 2.5 and 5% CA and 0 and 500 FTU MP). Four replicate of 15 chicks each were fed dietary treatments including: (i) P-deficient basal diet [0.2% available phosphorus (aP)] (NC); (ii) NC + 500 FTU MP per kilogram of diet; (iii) NC + 2.5% CA per kg of diet; (iv) NC + 2.5% CA + 500 FTU MP per kg of diet; (v) NC + 5% CA per kg; and (vi) NC + 5% CA + 500 FTU MP per kg of diet. The content of calcium, phosphorus and length of tibia bone and digestibility of calcium and phosphorus was evaluated. The results show that interaction effect of CA × MP on tibia calcium content and low available phosphorus diets was significant (p<0.01). Adding of CA to P-deficient diets increased tibia phosphorus content of broilers when compared with the control group (p<0.01). Adding MP to P-deficient diets based on corn-soybean meal, cause increased digestibility of calcium, phosphorus and also, length of tibia in broilers (p<0.01). Also, adding of CA to broiler diets deficient in available phosphorus, significantly increased digestibility of phosphorus (p<0.01) and length of tibia (p<0.001) when compared with the control group. From this study, it could be deduced that adding MP to low available phosphorus diets can cause improvement of utilization of phytate phosphorus. Also, adding CA as a chelator to diet can improve tibia mineralization parameters in broilers. Key words : Available phosphorus, calcium, citric acid, microbial phytase.

Dietary cholecalciferol lowers the maximal activity of intestinal mucosa phytase in ducklings fed low-phosphorus diets

Onyango, E. M. and Adeola, O. 2011. Dietary cholecalciferol lowers the maximal activity of intestinal mucosa phytase in ducklings fed low-phosphorus diets. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 399–404. The role of cholecalciferol and phosphorus in the regulation of intestinal mucosa phytase was investigated in White Pekin ducklings. Ninety-six 7-d-old male ducklings were grouped by weight into six blocks of four cages with four ducklings per cage. The average weights of the individual birds in the six subgroups were: 282, 270, 263, 255, 247 and 236 g, respectively. Four corn-soybean meal-based mash diets were randomly assigned to cages within each block. The four diets consisted of cholecalciferol at 0 or 75 µg kg–1 and total phosphorus at 3.6 or 7.0 (or 0.12 or 0.46 available phosphorus, respectively) g kg−1 in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Birds were fed the experimental diets for 9 d under conditions that excluded ultraviolet light. Ducklings fed diets with cholecalciferol concentration at 75 µg kg−1 of diet showed a lower maximal activity and Km value of intestinal mucosa phytase (P&lt;0.05), and higher apparent ileal digestibility of calcium (P&lt;0.0001). Ducklings fed diets with total phosphorus concentration at 7.0 g kg−1 of diet showed no change in intestinal mucosa phytase activity, but had higher weight gain, feed intake, tibia ash, ileal digestibility of phosphorus (P&lt;0.0001), and feed efficiency (P&lt;0.001). In conclusion, dietary cholecalciferol decreased the maximal activity and Km value of intestinal mucosa phytase in ducklings fed low-phosphorus diets.

The effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on performance and nutrients digestibility in broilers fed with diet containing different levels of phosphorous

The effects of yeast culture (YC) with different levels of NPP (non phytate phosphorus) on performance, tibia and blood parameters and ileal digestibility of nutrients were investigated in broilers. A total of 720 one-day-old male broiler (Ross) chicks were divided into 48 groups and fed with 12 diets (4 groups per diet) for 42 days. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. The 12 treatments consisted of: 3 levels of NPP (normal, 80 and 60% normal level) and 4 levels of YC (0.0, 0.15, 0.3 and 0.45 % of diet). The results of this study showed that there were significant interactions (p<0.05) between NPP level and the concentration of YC in the diet with body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the 42 days of the experiment. In the lower levels of NPP, the improvement of FCR was dose dependent on YC. No NPP dietary x YC combination interactions were found in the other measured traits. The lower levels of NPP significantly (p<0.05) decreased ileal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and calcium (Ca). The addition of YC significantly (p<0.05) increased ileal digestibility of both P and Ca. The enhancement of NPP dietary significantly (p<0.05) increased the concentration of P, Ca and ash in the tibia. Only birds fed with the diets containing 0.45% YC significantly had (p<0.05) higher ash percentage than the other groups. Serum Ca and P were significantly (p<0.05) affected by different levels of NPP in the diet. The effect of YC on concentration of serum P and total protein was significant (p<0.05). In conclusion, the increased retention of P, CP and mineral utilization in deficient-NPP diets by YC resulted in increased availability of P and Ca to the broilers, which could have led to improved growth performance. Key words: Yeast culture, phosphorus, broilers, performance, digestibility.

Dry matter and calcium digestibility in captive veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

Although metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a very common disease in reptiles kept as pets, empirical data on the calcium (Ca) metabolism of reptiles are still scarce. We used the opportunity of a large-scale experimental study on growth and clinical manifestations of MBD in captive veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) to measure the apparent dry matter (DM) and Ca digestibility in 19 animals (6-49 g), receiving locust nymphs (Locusta migratoria) of two size classes (0.05 and 0.5 g) with or without supplementation of Ca, vitamin A and cholecalciferol (Group A: Ca 0.04-0.09%DM; Group B: Ca 0.47-0.84%DM). Dry matter digestibility was significantly lower for animals receiving smaller-sized prey. A regression analysis of dietary Ca vs. digestible Ca content revealed a complete 'true' digestibility of Ca for the range of investigated diets, which might indicate that requirements for this mineral were not yet exceeded by the diets used (so that a reduction in Ca absorption would be induced). Options of higher dietary Ca provision, and reactions of chameleons to such diets, should be further investigated.

Meta-análise da digestibilidade ileal de aminoácidos e minerais em suínos alimentados com dietas contendo enzimas

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, por meio da meta-análise, o efeito da fitase e da xilanase sobre a digestibilidade ileal aparente (DIa) de aminoácidos, cálcio e fósforo, em suínos em fase de crescimento. A base de dados consistiu de 21 artigos publicados entre 1998 e 2009, no total de 82 tratamentos e 644 suínos. A meta-análise foi realizada por análise gráfica, de correlação, de variância-covariância. As concentrações de fósforo fítico e as frações fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e lignina em detergente ácido, nas dietas, apresentaram correlações baixas e negativas com a DIa do cálcio, fósforo e aminoácidos. A adição de fitase às dietas aumentou em 2% a DIa da arginina, em 14% a do cálcio e em 34% a do fósforo. A DIa da arginina, fenilalanina, isoleucina e lisina foi 3,3% superior em suínos alimentados com dietas com xilanase, em relação às dietas sem a enzima. O fósforo fítico e as fibras, nas dietas, reduzem a DIa do cálcio, do fósforo e dos aminoácidos essenciais. O uso de fitase e xilanase, nas dietas, melhora o aproveitamento de cálcio, fósforo e alguns aminoácidos. No entanto, o excesso de cálcio e fósforo nas dietas reduz a ação da fitase sobre a digestibilidade ileal dos nutrientes.

Concentration of dietary calcium supplied by calcium carbonate does not affect the apparent total tract digestibility of calcium, but decreases digestibility of phosphorus by growing pigs1

A regional experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that the concentration of dietary Ca does not affect the digestibility of Ca or P in diets fed to growing pigs. Six diets based on corn, potato protein isolate, cornstarch, and soybean oil were formulated. All diets also contained monosodium phosphate, crystalline AA, salt, and a vitamin-micromineral premix. The only difference among the diets was that varying concentrations of calcium carbonate were used to create diets containing 0.33, 0.46, 0.51, 0.67, 0.92, and 1.04% Ca. All diets contained between 0.40 and 0.43% P. Six universities participated in the experiment and each university contributed 2 replicates to the experiment for a total of 12 replicates (initial BW: 23.1 ± 4.4 kg). Pigs were placed in metabolism cages that allowed total, but separate, collection of feces and urine from the pigs. Pigs within each replicate were randomly allotted to the 6 diets and fed experimental diets for 14 d with urine and feces being collected over a 5-d period. Diets, feces, and urine samples were analyzed for Ca and P, and the daily balance, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), and the retention of Ca and P were calculated. Results indicated that intake, fecal excretion, and urinary excretion of Ca increased (linear, P<0.05) as dietary Ca concentration increased. The daily intake of P was not affected by the dietary concentration of Ca, but fecal excretion of P increased (linear, P<0.05) as dietary Ca concentrations increased. In contrast, urinary P output was decreased (linear, P<0.05) as dietary Ca increased. The retention of Ca increased (linear, P<0.05) from 1.73 to 4.60 g/d, whereas the retention of P decreased (linear, P<0.05) from 1.98 to 1.77 g/d as dietary Ca concentrations increased. However, if calculated as a percentage of intake, both Ca and P retention were decreased (linear, P<0.05) as dietary Ca concentration increased (from 55.4 to 46.1% and from 48.4 to 43.5%, respectively). The ATTD of Ca was not affected by the dietary concentration of Ca, but the ATTD of P was decreased (linear, P<0.05) from 56.9 to 46.2% as dietary Ca concentration increased. It is concluded that the dietary concentration of Ca does not affect the ATTD of Ca in calcium carbonate, but increased concentrations of dietary Ca may decrease the ATTD of P in diets based on corn, potato protein isolate, and monosodium phosphate.

Nutrient absorption, feed intake and liveweight change as a consequence of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with increasing alimentary limb lengths in the pig model

Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) combines a restrictive and malabsortive component of the digestive system. Metabolic outcomes of increasing the latter, is a matter of research interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional consequences of RYGBP with different alimentary limb lengths using a pig model. Twenty-six pigs were randomly assigned to four laparoscopic procedures: RYGBP with 300 cm of alimentary limb (T300); RYGBP with 600 cm (T600); RYGBP with 900 cm (T900); sham operation (TS). RYGBP consisted of creating a proximal gastric pouch with a 300, 600 and 900 cm alimentary limb. Sham operation was performed by bowel transections and reanastomosis in the ileum and proximal jejunum together with gastrotomy and closure. Animals were evaluated weekly for weight increase and monthly for food intake. Eighteen weeks after surgery, fecal in vivo apparent digestibility of protein, fat, fiber, calcium and phosphorous were determined. We performed ANOVA and Tukey tests to detect differences in weight, feed intake and digestibility. We observed significant differences in liveweight after 10 weeks among T300, T600 and T900 as compared to TS. No differences were found among T300, T600 and T900. We also observed significant differences in feed intake among T300, T600 and T900 versus TS. No differences among treatments for digestibility of fat; fiber; protein and energy were found. Calcium and phosphorous apparent digestibility differed among treatments. RYGBP reduced weight increase in the porcine model and calcium and phosphorous digestibility was reduced with longer limbs.

Use of a micro-encapsulated eucalyptus-medium chain fatty acid product as an alternative to zinc oxide and antibiotics for weaned pigs

Objective: To compare the effects of eucalyptus-medium chain fatty acids (E-MCFAs), zinc oxide (ZnO), and antibiotics on performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum chemistry parameters of nursery pigs. Materials and methods: Three experiments were conducted. Recently weaned barrows, weighing approximately 7 kg, were allotted to five treatments consisting of a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with antibiotics (33 mg per kg tiamulin and 44 mg per kg lincomycin), ZnO (1500 or 2500 mg per kg), or 0.1% E-MCFAs (Experiments One and Two). In Experiment Three, 1% diatomaceous earth was added as a digestibility marker and the negative control was not used. Results: In Experiment One (n = 24), average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were lower (P &lt; .05), while in Experiment Two (n = 18), ADG was lower (P &lt; .05) for pigs fed the basal diet than for pigs fed any of the supplemented diets. In all three experiments, performance of pigs fed the four supplemented diets did not differ (P &gt; .05). Apparent fecal digestibility of crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, energy, lysine, histidine, phenylalanine, and threonine was higher (P &lt; .05) in the diet supplemented with E-MCFAs than in diets supplemented with ZnO or antibiotics (n = 6). Serum zinc, glutamic-oxaloacetic transferase, and glutamic-pyruvic transferase were higher for pigs fed the ZnO-supplemented diets than for pigs fed the other two treatments (n = 9). Implication: Eucalyptus-MCFAs can be successfully used as a growth promoter in diets fed to nursery pigs.

VPLYV FYTOADITÍV NA STRÁVITEĽNOSŤ MAKROELEMENTOV U ŠPORTOVÝCH KONÍ

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a phytogenic additive in sport horses feed rations on faecal macroelements digestibility. The experiment was realized in Riding Centre of the Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, using 6 warm blood sport horses (geldings). The control group was fed with crimped barley, meadow hay, feed mixture and mineral premix. The experimental feed rations were supplemented with a phytogenic additive containing a blend of essential oils from origanum, anise and citrus, as well as a prebiotic rich in fructooligosaccharides. Higher digestibility of calcium (Ca) (71.11% vs. 69.09%) and phosphorus (P) (52.74% vs. 47.55%) was determined in horses fed the phytogenic additives (P>0.05). In this group of horses we found significantly (P<0.05) higher digestibility of magnesium (Mg), 64.32% in comparison with the control group (43.55%). Insignificantly differences in sodium (Na) digestibility we found (75.98% in control group vs. 76.58% in experimental group). Significantly (P<0.05) higher potassium (K) digestibility we found in horses fed with phytoadditives (57.11%). In horses fed without phytoadditives we detected significantly (P<0.05) lower digestibility of K (30.55%). In conclusion, we found positive effects of a phytogenic additive on macroelements faecal digestibility in sport horses.

Dietary Supplementation of Boron Differentially Alters Expression of Borate Transporter (NaBCl) mRNA by Jejunum and Kidney of Growing Pigs

Inorganic boron (B), in the form of various borates, is readily absorbed across gastrointestinal epithelia. Although there is no stated B requirement, dietary B supplementation is thought to positively affect animal growth and metabolism, including promotion of bone strength and cell proliferation. Because of effective homeostatic control of plasma B levels, primarly by renal excretion, B toxicity in animals and humans is rare. The mechanisms responsible for improved animal performance and borate homeostasis are incompletely understood. Although a Na+-coupled borate transporter (NaBC1) has been identified, the effect of dietary B supplementation on expression of NaBCl has not been evaluated. An experiment was conducted with growing pigs to determine if NaBC1 mRNA was expressed by small intestinal epithelia and kidney of growing barrows and whether dietary B (as borate) supplementation would affect expression of NaBC1 mRNA. A concomitant objective was to test the hypothesis that B supplementation of a phosphorus (P)-deficient diet would improve calcium, phosphorus, or nitrogen retention. Twenty-four crossbred growing barrows (body weight=74.0±9.8 kg) were selected and used in a randomized complete block design experiment with a total of eight blocks and three B supplementation treatments (n=8/treatment). A typical corn-soybean meal basal diet (calculated to contain 41 mg intrinsic B/kg) was formulated to meet or exceed nutrient requirements, except for P, and fed to all pigs for 12 days. The basal diet plus 0, 50, or 100 mg/kg of B (prilled sodium borate pentahydrate, Na₂B₄O₇·5H₂O) was then fed for 18 more days. Feces and urine were collected during days 6 to 16 of the B supplementation, and pigs were killed for collection of jejunal and ileal epithelia and kidney tissue. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that NaBC1 mRNA was expressed by these tissues, a novel finding for jejunal and ileal epithelia. Boron supplementation increased jejunal, but decreased, renal NaBC1 mRNA expression, relative to the 0 mg/kg treatment. The finding that NaBC1 mRNA is regulatable by dietary B is novel. That B supplementation evoked opposite effects on jejunal and kidney NaBC1 mRNA expression indicates that transcriptional regulation of NaBC1 expression may constitute a part of the homeostatic control of B metabolism. In contrast to its effect on NaBC1 mRNA expression, B supplementation did not affect total tract digestibility or retention of phosphorus, calcium, or nitrogen.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Fish bones - a highly available calcium source for growing pigs

In general, there is a lack of scientific documentation of nutritional value of marine by-products. The bone fraction from fish has been regarded as waste. Due to the high mineral content of fish bones, this material can be well suitable as a natural calcium source. In the present study, apparent calcium absorption of different fish bone sources was tested using growing pigs. The experimental diets consisted of boiled salmon frames, or salmon, saithe or cod bones treated with enzymes. Calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)) was used as control. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.7% total calcium of which the added calcium source to be tested contributed about 71% (study 1) and 86% (study 2). Except for the calcium and phosphorus sources, the animals received similar basal diets. Apparent calcium digestibility coefficient was calculated using yttrium as indicator (both studies) and was based on complete collection of faeces and urine (study 2). The experimental design was parallel and cross-over in study 1 and study 2, respectively. In study 1, piglets getting salmon bone treated with enzymes had significantly higher calcium absorption than piglets getting boiled fish bone or calcium carbonate. Therefore, in the second study only enzymatically treated fish bones were included. The higher calcium absorption from enzymatically treated salmon bone was also found in study 2, but this time not significant. Calcium from boiled salmon bones in study I, and from enzymatically treated saithe and cod bones in study II were absorbed as well as the calcium carbonate control. The results indicate that fish bones may be a useful and well absorbed calcium source. Due to the high mineral content of the bone fraction, salmon bones can be well suitable as a natural calcium and phosphorus source in, for example, food, feed or as supplement.

Effects of Antibiotics, Zinc Oxide or a Rare Earth Mineral-Yeast Product on Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Serum Parameters in Weanling Pigs

Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of feeding a newly-developed rare earth mineral-yeast product, zinc oxide (ZnO) or antibiotics on the performance, nutrient digestibility and serum parameters of weanling pigs. In experiment 1, 150 crossbred barrows (24 d old and 6.28 kg BW) were fed one of five dietary treatments consisting of an unsupplemented basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with antibiotics (33 ppm tiamulin and 100 ppm chlortetracycline), ZnO (1,500 or 2,500 ppm) or 0.1% peptide-bound rare earth mineral-yeast. In experiment 2, 576 crossbred barrows (28 d old and 7.20 kg BW) were fed the same diets as those used in experiment 1 modified only by the addition of 1.0% Celite 545 to all diets as a digestibility marker. However, the negative control was not included. In experiment 1, weight gain was significantly lower (p<0.05) for pigs fed the negative control than for pigs fed diets supplemented with antibiotics, ZnO, or rare earth mineral-yeast. Pig performance did not differ between pigs fed the four supplemented diets. In experiment 2, there were no differences in performance between pigs fed diets supplemented with antibiotic, ZnO or rare earth mineral-yeast. The digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, calcium, phosphorus and energy were significantly (p<0.01) higher on the rare earth mineral-yeast diet than on diets supplemented with ZnO. In addition, pigs fed the diet supplemented with rare earth mineral-yeast had significantly (p<0.05) higher digestibility of histidine, lysine, threonine and valine than pigs fed the ZnO supplemented diets. Digestibility coefficients for pigs fed antibiotics tended to be intermediate to those of pigs fed rare earth mineral-yeast or ZnO. In conclusion, the performance of pigs fed rare earth mineral-yeast was basically equal to that of pigs fed antibiotics or ZnO indicating that rare earth mineral-yeast can be successfully used as a growth promoter in diets fed to nursery pigs. The effects of rare earth mineral-yeast appeared to be mediated through improvements in nutrient digestibility.

콜로이드 은과 희토류 원소의 첨가가 육계 생산성에 미치는 영향

Department of Animal Products & Food Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, KoreaABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of rare earth, individually and in combination with colloidal silver on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics and immune response in broiler chicks. A total of 3,872 day-old chicks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were four pens per treatment and 242 chicks per pen. The dietary treatments were T1) CON (control diet), T2) colloidal silver (control diet20 ppb colloidal silver), T3) rare earth elements (control diet500 ppm rare earth), T4) colloidal silverrare earth elements (control diet20 ppb colloidal silver500 ppm rare earth). There were no significant differences in feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among dietary treatments during the whole experimental period (0 to 5 weeks). Body weight gain was greatest in birds fed T3 and T4 diets (p<0.01). Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and calcium were greatest in birds fed T4 diet (p<0.05), while apparent digestibility of phosphorus was lowest in birds fed T3 diet (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in bone strength, carcass characteristics and immune response among dietary treatments. Dry matter content of bone was greatest in birds fed T4 diet (p<0.05), and phosphorus content of bone was greater in birds fed T3 diet than in birds fed T2 and T4 diets (p<0.05). Thus, the results of this study suggest that rare earth elements supplementation, individually and in combination with colloidal silver could improve performance of broilers.(Key words : rare earth elements, colloidal silver, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, broilers)To whom correspondence should be addressed : bjchae@kangwon.ac.kr

Effect of sn-2 Saturated Fatty Acids in Dietary Triglycerides on Fatty Acid and Calcium Digestibility and Leg Abnormalities in Broiler Chickens

Two experiments were conducted to investigate whether increasing the dietary level of sn-2 saturated fatty acids (SFA) could improve total fatty acids (TFA) and Ca digestibility, growth performance and tibia characteristics, and reduce the occurrence of leg abnormalities in broiler chickens. In experiment 1, 30 male broiler chicks were individually fed diets with either low or high levels of sn-2 SFA and one of three levels of Ca in a factorial design manner. The apparent digestibility (AD) of TFA and Ca were measured. Increasing the dietary level of sn-2 SFA increased the AD of TFA (P<0.01) and Ca (P<0.05) in the broilers. Increasing the dietary Ca decreased the AD of TFA and Ca (P<0.01). In experiment 2, four hundred male broiler chicks were fed either a low or high sn-2 SFA diet. Growth performance, tibia characteristics and the occurrences of leg abnormalities during weeks 0 to 6 were measured. Increasing dietary level of sn-2 SFA did not affect growth performance, but increased stress and Ca level in the tibias (P<0.05) and decreased the occurrence of leg abnormalities (P<0.05). These results indicated that increasing the dietary level of sn-2 SFA could improve fatty acid and Ca digestibility and tibia characteristics and reduce the occurrence of leg abnormalities in broilers.

Effect of different levels of copper on growth performance and cecal ecosystem of newly weaned piglets

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of copper sulfate on the growth performance and cecal ecosystem in newly weaned piglets. One hundred piglets weaned at 28±2 d were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 5 replicates of 5 piglets each. Piglets received for 28 d the base diet with i) no addition (control) or with copper addition (from copper sulfate) at ii) 100, iii) 175, and iv) 250 mg/kg−1. On day 21, twenty piglets were randomly selected (one from each replicate) to slaughter and investigate the population and diversity of cecal microorganisms. The results showed that the diets containing 175 and 250 mg/kg−1 copper improved the average daily gain (ADG) by 51% and 60% and decreased the feed to gain ratio (F/G) by 21% and 16%, respectively. Adding 175 or 250 mg/kg−1 copper improved crude protein, ether extract, calcium and phosphorus digestibility. Viable counts of Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacilli in cecum tended to be reduced, while the concentrations of cecal volatile fatty acids (VFA) were increased in pigs fed diet supplemented as copper level increased. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results showed that adding 175 or 250 mg/kg−1 copper reduced the lactobacilli in cecum. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) maps showed that band numbers and intensity of cecal bacterial 16S rDNA decreased as the copper levels increased. The results suggested that the effects of high dietary copper on microflora and their activities and metabolic products might contribute to the intestinal health and result in improved growth performance.

Effect of Partial Substitution of Dietary Spray-dried Porcine Plasma or Fishmeal with Soybean and Shrimp Protein Hydrolysate on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Weanling Piglets

The present experiment was conducted to study the effects of partial replacement of spray-dried porcine protein (SDPP) or fish meal with soybean and shrimp protein hydrolysate (SSPH) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical parameters in weaned pigs. Two hundred and forty 21±2 d old pigs ((Pietrain×Duroc)×(Landrace×Large Yorkshire)) with initial weight of 6.9±0.5 kg were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment and eight piglets per replicate. The control diet (T1) contained 2% SDPP and 6% fishmeal, and SDPP for experimental diets T2 and T3 was replaced with 1% and 2% SSPH, respectively, on an iso-nitrogenous basis. The fishmeal for experimental diets T4 and T5 was replaced with 1% and 2% SSPH, respectively, also on an iso-nitrogenous basis. The experimental period was 21 days. The results showed that weaned piglets fed the diets containing 1% and 2% SSPH as a replacement for SDPP had similar average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed/gain (F/G), diarrhea rate and serum biochemical indices e.g. blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total serum protein (TP), albumin to globulin ratio (A/G), globulin (GLO), serum glucose (GLU), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) to those fed the control diet during 0-10 d and 0-21 d of the experiment. The substitution of 1% SSPH on an iso-nitrogenous basis for fish meal appeared to be beneficial for ADG (p = 0.59) and ADFI (p = 0.23) of piglets during the overall period. The digestibility of calcium was higher (p<0.01) in pigs fed diets containing SSPH than on the control diet. Addition of 1% SSPH on an iso-nitrogenous basis for fish meal could increase the digestibilities of dry matter and energy of the diet. Dietary replacement of fish meal with 1% and 2% SSPH had no effect on the concentrations of BUN, TP, A/G, GLO, GLU, and IgG. In conclusion, dietary SDPP or fish meal could partially replace SSPH without any adverse effect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical parameters in weaned piglets.

Beneficial effects of xylanase and/or phytase inclusions on ileal amino acid digestibility, energy utilisation, mineral retention and growth performance in wheat-based broiler diets

The effects of individual and combined inclusions of xylanase and phytase in broiler diets based on a characterised wheat were evaluated. The positive control diet was formulated to be adequate for phosphorus (P) with 3.8 g kg −1 nonphytate P and the low-P, negative control diet contained 2.6 g kg −1 nonphytate P. The negative control diet was supplemented with xylanase (2000 XU kg −1), or phytase (500 FTU kg −1), or xylanase plus phytase (2000 XU kg −1 and 500 FTU kg −1). Treatment effects on ileal digestibility of amino acids, energy and nitrogen utilisation, ileal digestibility and total tract retention of minerals, toe ash content and the growth performance were determined. In combination, xylanase plus phytase increased mean apparent ileal digestibility (AID) coefficients of 17 amino acids by 8.6%, which exceeded the increases of 4.8% and 5.5% generated by xylanase and phytase, respectively. Increases in AID were significant ( P<0.05) for the majority of amino acids in response to enzyme inclusions with indications of synergistic responses for five amino acids. Xylanase plus phytase increased ( P<0.05) nitrogen-corrected AME by 0.63 MJ kg −1, ileal energy digestibility by 0.89 MJ kg −1 and energy AID coefficient by 6.7% relative to the negative control diet. The enzyme combination increased ( P<0.05) coefficients of ileal nitrogen digestibility by 9.1% and 8.0% relative to positive and negative control diets, respectively. Phytase increased ( P<0.05) ileal calcium digestibility by 32.2% and ileal P digestibility by 28.0% relative to the negative control. Also, phytase increased ( P<0.05) the AID coefficient of sodium to −0.038 from −0.516 in the negative control diet and the combination increased the same coefficient to 0.043. P reduction in the control diet lowered ( P<0.05) bone mineralisation, but toe ash contents were restored by phytase and xylanase plus phytase. P status of the control diets had no effect ( P>0.05) on the efficiency of feed conversion, but xylanase (6.2%), phytase (2.5%) and xylanase plus phytase (3.9%) enhanced ( P<0.05) feed efficiency relative to the negative control. The low-P diet depressed ( P<0.05) weight gain and feed intake but phytase and xylanase plus phytase restored both weight gain and feed intake. Overall, the present data indicate that the simultaneous inclusion of xylanase plus phytase in wheat-based broiler diets was beneficial in terms of nutrient utilisation and growth performance.

Effect of microbial phytase and diet fermentation on ileal and total tract digestibility of nutrients and energy in growing pigs

A digestibility experiment using six ileally cannulated growing gilts (initial BW 31.6 kg) was carried out to study the effect of microbial phytase and diet form on apparent ileal and total tract digestibilities of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and energy and on apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids. The basal P-deficient diet was fed either dry or mixed with water (feed:water ratio 1:2.5) and fermented in a laboratory setup. The enzyme was added to the dry diet at four levels (0, 1 000, 1 500 and 3 000 U/kg) and to the liquid fermented diet at two levels (0 and 1 000 U/kg) using a 6 × 6 Latin square design. The supplementation of microbial phytase to the basal diets significantly (&lt;I&gt;P&lt;/I&gt; &lt; 0.05) improved ileal and total tract digestibility of P and tended to improve the digestibility of Ca. Phytase supplementation at 3 000 U/kg to the dry diet improved ileal and total tract P digestibility by approximately 30 and 60%, respectively. A similar effect was found in the liquid fermented diet supplemented with phytase at 1 000 U/kg. As a result of improved P digestibility, faecal P excretion was reduced by 20–40%. There was no significant effect of phytase addition or diet fermentation on the digestibility of DM, N, energy or amino acids. The response in amino acid digestibility to phytase calculated with acid insoluble ash as a marker was slightly higher than that calculated with Cr&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;.

Effect of dietary isomaltooligosaccharides on nutrient digestibility and concentration of glucose, insulin, cholesterol and triglycerides in serum of growing pigs

Eight growing pigs (25.6 ± 1.1 kg) were used to study the effect of isomaltooligosaccharides (IMO) on nutrient digestibility and concentration of glucose, insulin, cholesterol and triglycerides in the serum. Four diets were formulated by adding 0, 25, 50 and 75 g IMO/kg to the basal diet. Pigs were allotted to treatments according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each treatment consisted of 2 individual pigs used in each of the period and faeces and urine were collected for 4 days. At each experimental period feed intake was measured and blood samples were collected from each pig after a 12 h fasting period. The inclusion of IMO did not influence total tract apparent digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, total ash, and phosphorus or the concentration of insulin and cholesterol in the serum. However, IMO inclusion tended to increase dry matter ( P=0.078) and calcium ( P=0.065) digestibility and triglycerides concentration in the serum ( P=0.061) and decreased glucose concentration in the serum ( P=0.017). It is concluded that the inclusion of IMO in the diet has limited influence on performance of growing pigs.

Influence of particle size and microbial phytase supplementation on the performance, nutrient utilisation and digestive tract parameters of broiler starters

The aim of the present experiment was to examine the interaction between particle size and microbial phytase supplementation on the performance, nutrient utilisation and digestive tract development of broiler starters fed maize-based diets. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments evaluating two maize particle sizes (medium and coarse) and two levels of phytase supplementation (without or with 500 phytase units/kg diet). The two particle sizes were achieved by grinding the whole maize in a hammer mill to pass through 3- and 7-mm screens, respectively. Broiler starter diets, based on maize and soybean meal, were formulated to meet recommended requirements for major nutrients, except phosphorus. Each of the four diets was fed ad libitum to six pens of eight male broilers each, from day 1 to day 21 post-hatching. Phytase supplementation increased (P &lt; 0.001) the feed intake and weight gain, and lowered (P &lt; 0.05) feed per gain in both medium and coarse particle size diets. Coarse grinding improved (P &lt; 0.05) weight gain, but had no effect (P &gt; 0.05) on feed intake and feed per gain. No interactions (P &gt; 0.05) between phytase supplementation and particle size were observed for any of the performance parameters. Phytase supplementation increased (P &lt; 0.001) ileal phosphorus digestibility and toe ash content of birds fed the medium particle size diet, but had no effect in those fed the coarse particle size diet. Apparent metabolisable energy and ileal digestibility of calcium and nitrogen were not influenced by particle size or phytase supplementation. The present findings suggest that the effectiveness of supplemental phytase on broiler performance is not influenced by the particle size of maize.