Coefficient Of Total Tract Apparent Digestibility Of Dry Matter Research Articles

Is the inclusion of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pulp in the concentrate of weaned light lambs worth it?

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of dietary carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pulp, a by-product of the fruit processing industry, on light lamb performances, time budget behaviour, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) and blood metabolites. A total of 144 crossbred lambs with 41 ± 5.5 days of age were monitored in two consecutive batches. They were housed in groups of 6 lambs (3 females and 3 males) balanced according to weaning body-weight and assigned to one of three isoenergetic and isoproteic concentrate-based diets: C0 (without carob pulp), C15 (150 g/kg of carob pulp) and C30 (300 g/kg of carob pulp). At 50, 65 and 80 days of age, feed, faeces and blood samples were collected, and behaviour was recorded. The type of concentrate did not have effect on lamb growth and concentrate intake (P > 0.05). However, the concentrate feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher for C15 and C30 compared to C0 (P < 0.05). The time budget behaviours were not affected by diets (P > 0.05). The time spent lying resting and standing static increased throughout the fattening period (P < 0.05), but self-grooming, feeding, exploration, movement and positive social interactions decreased with age (P < 0.05). Regarding the CTTAD of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP), it was noted that C30 had the lowest digestibility of these nutrients with respect to C0 and C15 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the total condensed tannins (CT) content in faeces was higher in C30 compared to C0 and C15 (P < 0.05). The age of lambs affected the CTTAD of DM, OM, CP and phosphorus, which were lower at 50 days than in the rest of control days (P < 0.05). Blood metabolites were not affected by experimental diets (P > 0.05). However, urea concentrations increased significantly from 50 to 65 days of age, while glucose decreased concomitantly (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary carob pulp inclusion up to 300 g/kg does not negatively affect animal daily gains, daily activity budgets and metabolic nutritional status, but reduces diet digestibility and increases the concentrate FCR. Although a carob pulp inclusion of up to 150 g/kg in the energy-rich concentrate-based diet for weaned light lambs increases the concentrate FCR while keeping the daily gain, this dietary strategy would be a good trade-off between animal performances and circular economy principles.

The use of phytogenic silica as internal marker for the measurement of feed digestibility in rabbits

Phytogenic silica (PS) is the silicon assimilated from soil and ultimately precipitated into or onto the cell wall structure of plant tissues in an amorphous (SiO2), non-digestible by animals, form. The PS is the major fraction of the hydrochloric acid-insoluble ash (AIA), which is used as an internal marker in feed digestibility studies; however, PS can be quantified by methods more rapid and sensitive than AIA. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate PS as an alternative to AIA internal marker for the measurement of total tract apparent digestibility in rabbits. Thirty rabbits were used to calculate the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) of the same basal diet according to the European reference method (ERM), the AIA and the PS technique (n = 10 rabbits/method). Total faecal collection was carried out in AIA and PS rabbits to determine faecal marker recovery. The concentrations of AIA in diets and faeces were 12.89 ± 0.066 and 31.58 ± 0.042, whereas those of PS were 13.98 ± 0.066 and 36.59 ± 0.059, respectively (mean±SEM). Faecal marker recovery was 100.3 ± 1.43 % and 100.8 ± 1.48 % for AIA and PS (P= 0.939), respectively. The CTTAD of DM did not differ between methods (P= 0.935) and was 0.589 ± 0.0055, 0.591 ± 0.0056 and;0.588 ± 0.0060 for ERM, AIA and PS, respectively. Also, the CTTAD of GE was similar between all methods (P= 0.914) and was 0.581 ± 0.0058, 0.585 ± 0.0060 and 0.584 ± 0.0064 for ERM, AIA and PS, respectively. The PS determination required less sample quantity (by 98 %) and reagent volumes (by 68–82 %) and had a 7-fold higher sample throughput compared to AIA. In conclusion, PS is a reliable internal marker in rabbits and offers the possibility of calculating the CTTAD of diets with the same precision as ERM.

Do Growing Rabbits with a High Growth Rate Require Diets with High Levels of Essential Amino Acids? A Choice-Feeding Trial.

Simple SummaryTwo diets were designed to investigate the effect of the growth rate on amino acid requirements in growing rabbits: M diet (with medium levels of amino acids, following current nutritional recommendations for growing rabbits) and H diet (with high levels of lysine, sulphur amino acids and threonine compared with current nutritional recommendations). Performance, nutrient retention and digestibility (faecal and ileal) trials, as well as a choice-feeding test were conducted. We found no differences in animal performance, nutrient retention and digestibility parameters between diets, but the animals showed a preference for the M diet, expressed by a high intra-individual repeatability in preference. Our results provide useful information and nutrition tools to move towards precision protein nutrition in growing rabbits.As a consequence of the genetic selection process in growing rabbits, there are currently fast-growing animals exhibiting an average daily gain that may exceed 45 g/d. The protein requirements of these animals, namely amino acid requirements, may differ from animals with low growth rates. The objective of this work was to evaluate growth performance, the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD), the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids and nutrient retention of fast-growing rabbits when they had access to a diet with high levels of amino acids and/or a diet formulated with current nutritional recommendations in a choice-feeding trial. To this end, two diets were formulated: the M diet following current nutritional recommendations for growing rabbits (including 8.1, 5.8 and 6.9 g/kg dry matter (DM) of total lysine, sulphur amino acids and threonine, respectively) and the H diet with higher levels of total lysine, sulphur amino acids and threonine (9.4, 6.6 and 7.8 g/kg DM, respectively). A total of 220 weaned rabbits, from a paternal line selected for the growth rate, had free access to the M diet, the H diet or both (MH) diets from 28 to 63 days of age. The CTTAD of DM, crude protein and gross energy from 49 to 53 days of age as well as the AID of amino acids of the diets at 63 days of age were determined. Protein, amino acids and energy retained in the empty body from 28 to 63 days of age were also registered. No significant differences in growth performance, CTTAD, AID and nutrient retention between dietary treatments were observed. However, animals fed the H diet showed a higher AID of cysteine (p < 0.05) and higher threonine retention (p < 0.05) compared to the M diet. As regards the choice-feeding trial, MH animals showed a higher feed intake of the M diet compared to the H diet (+8.61%; p < 0.001), and furthermore, more than 50% of the animals preferred the M diet throughout the experimental period (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that animals with high growth rates do not show significantly higher productive traits when fed the H diet compared to the M diet. As regards choice feeding, MH animals were capable of choosing their preferred diet, showing high intra-individual repeatability in preference for the M diet. It would be interesting to continue studying this behaviour of choice based on amino acid levels.

Reliability of acid-insoluble ash as internal marker for the measurement of digestibility in rabbits

&lt;p&gt;The present study aimed to evaluate acid-insoluble ash (AIA) as an internal marker for the measurement the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) in rabbits through two experiments (E1 and E2). In E1, 48 rabbits were used to calculate the CTTAD of the same basal diet according to the European reference method (ERM), the AIA and the titanium dioxide (TiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; with 1 g of TiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;/kg diet) techniques (n=16 rabbits/method). The effect of feed sample quantity on dietary AIA content was investigated and total collection of faeces was carried out to calculate marker recovery. In E2, 48 rabbits were allotted to three groups fed diets with no sugar beet pulp (SBP0) or with 100 (SBP100) and 200 (SBP200) g sugar beet pulp/kg (n=16 rabbits/group). Each group was divided into two subgroups, ERM and AIA (n=8 rabbits/subgroup), in which CTTAD was measured using the European reference and AIA method, respectively. In AIA subgroups, only 10% of the total daily faecal output was sampled from 9:00 to 9:30 am. Feed analysis in E1 showed that increasing sample quantity from 5 to 9 g did not affect the dietary AIA content; however, the analytical error was 7 and 5 times lower (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.05) for 9 g, when compared to 5 and 7 g samples. Feed analysis also showed 1.030±0.003 g TiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;/kg diet. Faecal marker recovery was 99.80±0.03 and 96.89±0.16% for AIA and TiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, respectively. The CTTAD of dry matter (DM), did not differ between methods in E1, but a 5-fold higher variability (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.05) was observed for the TiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; technique in comparison with the ERM and AIA methods. Also, no differences in the CTTAD of DM between the ERM and AIA methods were found in E2. In conclusion, AIA is a reliable internal marker in rabbits and offers the possibility of measuring the CTTAD of diets with precision, when complete faecal collection or feed intake measurement is not possible.&lt;/p&gt;

Effects of replacement of alfalfa by big-leaf mulberry on growth performance, digestion and meat quality in growing rabbits

&lt;p&gt;This study aimed to investigate the effect of sundried big-leaf mulberry (BLM) as a replacement for alfalfa on the growth performance, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen (N) utilisation and meat quality in New Zealand White rabbits. One hundred and sixty weaned rabbits, aged 35±1 d and with a body weight of 755±26 g, were randomly assigned to the 4 treatments with 20 replicates of 2 rabbits (1 male and 1 female) each. Animal performance was evaluated between the 35th and 77th d of age in 40 animals per treatment. The coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients and N utilisation were measured between 77 to 83 d of age in 30 animals per treatment. The control rabbits were fed a corn-soybean meal-alfalfa meal based diet. The three experimental groups were fed a similar diet in which the alfalfa meal was replaced by 10% (BLM10), 20% (BLM20), or 30% (BLM30) BLM. The final body weights and average daily gain were higher (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.05) in BLM20 rabbits compared to control and BLM30 rabbits. Although BLM inclusion had no effects on the CTTAD of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;gt;0.10), the CTTAD of ether extract was higher in rabbits fed the diets based on BLM (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.05). No effect of treatment was noted on ingested and faecal N. Urinary (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.05) and retained N (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.10) were higher in animals fed with BLM30 and BLM20 diets, respectively. Dietary BLM supplementation increased a* (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.05) and tended to reduce L* (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.10) in rabbit meat samples. It was concluded that replacing alfalfa meal with BLM (20%) can promote growth and increase ether extract digestibility. Additionally, dietary BLM supplementation can increase the redness value of meat.&lt;/p&gt;

Digestibility of raw soybeans in extruded diets for dogs determined by different methods

The objective was to evaluate the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) and metabolisable energy (ME) of raw soybeans (RSB) in extruded diets for dogs by three methods (difference, regression and substitution). We also evaluated the urease and trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity, CTTAD, ME and faecal characteristics of adult dogs fed diets containing increasing RSB levels. Six dogs, distributed in a 6 × 6 Latin square design, were fed extruded diets containing 0, 60, 120, 180, 240 or 300 g of RSB/kg. Urease and TI were reduced in all diets after extrusion (p < .01), but TI was not completely inactivated. The inclusion of RSB linearly reduced (p < .01) the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter and crude protein (CP) and linearly increased (p < .05) the digestibility of fat and gross energy and the ME of diets. The CTTAD of DM, CP and fat, and ME of RSB, predicted by the substitution method were: 0.767, 0.758, 0.960 and 20.7 MJ/kg, respectively. The dietary inclusion of RSB reduced faecal DM content and promoted a quadratic increase (p < .01) of pH and ammonia. Increasing RSB in diet reduced CTTAD estimate errors (p < .05). When 300 g of RSB were added per kg of diet, CTTAD of RSB estimated by the three methods did not differ (p>.05). The three methods can be used to determine RSB digestibility. Diet extrusion may not be able to completely deactivate the protease inhibitors present in the RSB. Highlights Extrusion may not be able to deactivate protease inhibitors of raw soybeans. Raw soybeans reduce nutrient digestibility of extruded diets in dogs. The substitution method is recommended to evaluate digestibility of raw soybeans.

Endogenous fat losses and true and apparent fat digestibility in adult and growing dogs fed diets containing poultry offal fat.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dietary nutrients, endogenous fat loss (EFL), dietary metabolizable energy (ME) content, coefficient of true digestibility (CTD) of fat and faecal parameters of dogs. A total of 16 puppies and 8 adult dogs were distributed according to a double Latin square experimental design. A basal diet was formulated, to which increasing levels (60, 120 and 180g/kg) of poultry offal fat oil were added. EFL was estimated using hyperbolic and linear regression as a function of LW/day and dry matter (DM) intake, respectively, and the CTD of fat was calculated. The CTTAD of acid-hydrolysis ether extract (AHEE) and ME content increased as dietary poultry offal fat level increased both in adult dogs and in puppies (p<.05). The CTTAD of DM and crude protein were higher in adult dogs than in puppies. EFL was estimated by hyperbolic regression as y=98.1094-13.6202/x and y=99.1280-26.1366/x, where y=CTTAD of AHEE (%) and x=AHEE intake/kgBW, for adult dogs and puppies, respectively, which yielded EFL values of 138 and 262mgAHEE per kgBW per day for adult dogs and puppies respectively. The EFL estimated by linear regression was 7.89g and 8.97g/kgDM intake for adult dogs and puppies respectively. The CTD estimated by both methodologies was higher in puppies than in adults (p<.05). Lower faecal DM and score, and higher ammonia production were obtained in puppies than adult dogs (p<.05). The results indicate good fat utilization and that fat digestibility is underestimated, as the CTTAD of AHEE does not take into account EFL, particularly at low-fat inclusion levels and in growing dogs, which have greater EFL than adult dogs.

Lepidium cake as a feedstuff for pigs

The European reliance on imported protein feed for animal feed is not considered sustainable. A way to improve the sustainability of pig production could be by increasing the use of locally produced feedstuff and co-products that are not used for human consumption. Thus, there is a need to explore novel feed resources. Field cress, Lepidium campestre, is a wild Brassica species and is very winter hardy, thus, it can grow even in the northern part of Europe. Currently there is an interest in developing L. campestre for future food (oil) and biodiesel production. Besides, its cake has previously been suggested as a feed source to animals. Therefore, a total of 8 pigs having an initial body weight of 26.5 kg (standard deviation: ± 2.5 kg) were used in a 44-d feeding experiment to evaluate the effect of different inclusion rates of lepidium cake (LC) on palatability, coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD), blood profile, and feeding behavior. A total of 4 diets were formulated: a cereal-based control diet and 3 diets containing 4, 8, and 12% of LC (LC4, LC8, and LC12). The experiment was conducted in change-over design, using 4 diets and 4 periods. Each period consists of 11 d, including 7 d of adaptation followed by 4 d of faeces collection. Fecal samples for CTTAD determinations were collected at d 8, 9, 10, and 11 of each period. Blood samples were collected and analyzed at d 8 of each period. Feeding behavior was evaluated in d 1 and 8 of each period. The result of the study showed that the CTTAD of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, dietary fiber, non-starch polysaccharides, and gross energy was linearly and quadratically affected by diet (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the CTTAD of ether extract was not affected linearly or quadratically. Eating time was not affected by different inclusion rates of LC, but longer eating time (P < 0.05) was recorded in pigs fed the control diet than those fed different inclusion rates of LC. Eating rate was (P = 0.01) also affected by treatment. Accordingly, greater eating rate was documented in pigs fed diet containing 12% LC than those fed the control diet. Furthermore, pigs eating control feed showed a greater frequency of feeding behaviors (searching, throwing, rooting, and moving feed) than those consuming the diet containing 4% of LC. We can suggest that LC is palatable feed to grower pigs, but the result would indicate that the presence of high total dietary fiber and glucosinolate in the cake reduced its CTTAD and energy value.

Spray-dried egg in the diet of dogs: implications for recovery nutritional, palatability and haematology

There is a growing demand for alternative protein sources in dog nutrition due to the high cost of the ingredient. Spray-dried egg (SDE) is a potential protein source in this context. The objective of this study was to evaluate the digestibility, palatability, and blood profile of diets containing different amounts of spray-dried egg (SDE) and the blood parameters of dogs fed these diets. For the study of digestibility and faecal quality (Experiment 1), eight Beagles were distributed in a double Latin square design (4X4), with four treatments (0, 4, 8, and 12% SDE) and four periods, totalling eight repetitions per treatment. In experiment 2, to evaluate palatability, 20 dogs were presented with two diets: 0% SDE vs 4% SDE. To evaluate the haematological factors (Experiment 3), eight dogs were maintained in a single group and were initially fed a control diet (0%SDE) for 10 days, followed by a diet containing 12% SDE for 10 days. In Experiment 1, a linear increase was found in the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) and in the metabolisable energy (ME) as the level of SDE was increased in the diet. The CTTAD of DM and CP in SDE and the ME obtained by regression analysis were 93.6%, 91.3%, and 5738.9 kcal kg-1, respectively, demonstrating that SDE is a highly digestible protein source for dogs. There were no changes in the stool characteristics of dogs fed SDE. The results of Experiment 2 indicate that the dogs preferred the diet that included 4% SDE. In the haematological study (Experiment 3), increases in albumin, red blood cells, haemoglobin, and total circulating protein were observed, with no change in the other histological variables. The inclusion of SDE improved the digestibility and palatability of the diet and increased the albumin content, red blood cell count, haemoglobin level, and total protein level without changing the faecal characteristics.

Effect of potato on kibble characteristics and diet digestibility and palatability to adult dogs and puppies

The objective was to evaluate kibble characteristics, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, metabolisable energy (ME), palatability, and faecal characteristics of diets containing potato starch (PS) fed to adult dogs and puppies. Four diets containing 0, 100, 200, or 300 g/kg PS, at the expense of corn, were evaluated in three experiments. Experiment 1 evaluated the physical characteristics of the diets. Experiment 2 evaluated diet digestibility and faecal characteristics in eight adult dogs (7 years old) and eight puppies (6 months old) according to a double 4 × 4 Latin square design. Experiment 3 evaluated palatability (0 vs. 100 g/kg of PS and 0 vs. 300 g/kg of PS diets) using 16 puppies. Diets with the highest PS level presented the largest kibbles expansion ratio, greater hardness and number of pores while the density was decreased (p < .001). The inclusion of PS increased (p < .05) CTTAD of dry matter (DM) and gross energy, and ME of diets and faecal DM, for adult dogs and puppies, and CTTAD of crude protein and total starch in puppies (p < .05). Potato starch reduced ammonia levels in the faeces of puppies (p < .001). Faecal pH and score were not influenced by dietary PS inclusion either in adult dogs or puppies (p > .05). Puppies preferred diets (p < .05) containing higher PS levels. The addition of PS in the diets produces kibbles with a high expansion index and low density. Potato starch is a good starch source for adult dogs, and particularly for puppies, as it improves the digestibility of dietary nutrients and increases faecal DM, in addition of being more palatable than corn.HighlightsPotato starch increases expansion and reduces density of kibbles.Potato starch presents higher digestibility and metabolizable energy than corn.Potato starch improves diet palatability.

Effects of inclusion rate of high fiber dietary ingredients on apparent ileal, hindgut, and total tract digestibility of dry matter and nutrients in ingredients fed to growing pigs

An experiment was conducted to determine if values for the coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility (CIAD), the coefficient of hindgut apparent disappearance (CHAD), and the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dry matter (DM) and nutrients in high-fiber ingredients measured at 150 g/kg inclusion are also accurate if measured at 300 g/kg inclusion in diets fed to pigs. The second objective was to confirm that most of the insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) is not fermented by growing pigs. Twenty ileal-cannulated pigs (BW: 30.64 ± 2.09 kg) were allotted to a replicated 10 × 4 incomplete Latin Square design with 10 diets and four 26-d periods. There were 2 pigs per diet in each period for a total of 8 replications per diet. A corn and soybean meal (SBM) basal diet and a corn-SBM diet with 300 g/kg corn starch were formulated. Six diets were formulated by replacing 150 or 300 g/kg corn starch by 150 or 300 g/kg corn germ meal (CGM), sugar beet pulp (SBP), or wheat middlings (WM). Two additional diets were formulated by adding 150 or 300 g/kg canola meal (CM) to the diet containing corn, SBM, and 300 g/kg corn starch at the expense of corn and SBM. Effects of inclusion rate of each fiber source in the diet on CIAD, CHAD, and CTTAD of DM and nutrients were analyzed using orthogonal contrasts. Independent t-tests were used to compare inclusion rates within each ingredient. Results indicated that CIAD and CHAD of CP, acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE), and most fiber fractions in CM decreased (P<0.05) as inclusion level increased from 150 to 300 g/kg, but that was not the case for CGM, SBP, or WM. The CTTAD of DM, organic matter (OM), AEE, and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) in CGM increased (P<0.05) if 300 g/kg rather than 150 g/kg was included in the diet and CTTAD of DM, OM, acid detergent fiber, and SDF in WM increased (P<0.05) as inclusion level increased. No differences in CTTAD of DM and nutrients in CM and SBP were observed between inclusion rates. The CTTAD of IDF ranged from 0.529 in WM included at 150 g/kg to 0.862 in SBP included at 300 g/kg in the diet. In conclusion, CIAD, CHAD, and CTTAD of most nutrients in test ingredients is not different between 150 and 300 g/kg inclusion rate. Under the conditions of this experiment, there was relatively high digestibility of IDF.

Effects of Ecklonia cava as fucoidan-rich algae on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology and caecal microflora in weanling pigs.

ObjectiveIn the present study, role of increasing levels of Ecklonia cava (seaweed) supplementation in diets was investigated on growth performance, coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, serum immunoglobulins, cecal microflora and intestinal morphology of weanling pigs.MethodsA total of 200 weaned pigs (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc; initial body weight 7.08±0.15 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments on the basis of body weight. There were 5 replicate pens in each treatment including 10 pigs of each. Treatments were divided by dietary Ecklonia cava supplementation levels (0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, or 0.15%) in growing-finishing diets. There were 2 diet formulation phases throughout the experiment. The pigs were offered the diets ad libitum for the entire period of experiment in meal form.ResultsThe pigs fed with increasing dietary concentrations of Ecklonia cava had linear increase (p<0.05) in the overall average daily gain, however, there were no significant differences in gain to feed ratio, CTTAD of dry matter and crude protein at both phase I and phase II. Digestibility of gross energy was linearly improved (p<0.05) in phase II. At day 28, pigs fed Ecklonia cava had greater (linear, p<0.05) Lactobacillus spp., fewer Escherichia coli (E. coli) spp. (linear, p<0.05) and a tendency to have fewer cecal Clostridium spp. (p = 0.077). The total anaerobic bacteria were not affected with supplementation of Ecklonia cava in diets. Polynomial contrasts analysis revealed that villus height of the ileum exhibited a linear increase (p<0.05) in response with the increase in the level of dietary Ecklonia cava. However, villus height of duodenum and jejunum, crypt depth, villus height to crypt depth ratio of different segments of the intestine were not affected.ConclusionThe results suggest that Ecklonia cava had beneficial effects on the growth performance, cecal microflora, and intestinal morphology of weanling pigs.

Variation in coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus and coefficient of total tract standardized digestibility of phosphorus in different corns fed to growing-finishing pigs

This study was conducted to determine the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) and coefficient of total tract standardized digestibility (CTTSD) of phosphorus (P) in nine corn sources fed to growing-finishing pigs. Ten barrows (initial of BW, 55.8±3.0kg) were individually housed in metabolism cages. Experimental diets consisted of nine different corns and one P-free diet for measurement of basal endogenous loss of P. Corn sources included 5 yellow-corns from the United States (USY-1 to 5), 2 yellow-corns from South Africa (SAY-1 and 2), and 2 white-corns from South Africa (SAW-1 and 2). Pigs were arranged in a 10×8 incomplete Latin square design with 10 diets and 8 periods. The CTTAD of dry matter (DM) in SAW-1 was greater (P<0.01) than that of USY-3, USY-5 or SAY-2. Pigs fed SAW-1 showed greater (P<0.01) CTTAD of nitrogen (N) than those fed USY-3, USY5 or SAY-2. The CTTAD and CTTSD of P across the nine corns averaged 0.43 and 0.49, respectively, but the values were not significantly different among the corn grains. In conclusion, the digestibility of DM and N varies in corn and needs to be determined to improve the efficiency with which the grain and corn based diets are utilized by growing pigs.

Effects of fermented and extruded wheat bran on total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients, minerals and energy in growing pigs

A pig digestibility trial was conducted to investigate the effects of fermentation or extrusion of wheat bran included in a basal diet on coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) regarding dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE), starch, energy (GE), phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca). In the experiment, 9 growing pigs were allocated to a 3×3 Latin square design to measure the CTTAD of the basal diet containing different modified wheat bran variants, and therefore to demonstrate relative differences in the CTTAD among the diets as a result of wheat bran modification. The wheat bran was used in native form (NWB), as fermented bran ensiled with Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus plantarum (FWB) and as extruded wheat bran (EWB). Wheat bran variants were included at 200gkg−1 in a phosphorus deficient basal diet. The obtained results show that the CTTAD of DM was increased when feeding the diet with FWB (+2%, P<0.05) instead of NWB (0.87). Likewise the CTTAD of OM was also increased with FWB (+2%, P<0.05), compared to NWB (0.88). Also the CTTAD of CF was improved with FWB and EWB (+9%, P<0.05), related to NWB (0.58). The CTTAD of ash was improved with FWB (+14%, P<0.05) compared to NWB (0.60). Correspondingly, the CTTAD values of P and Ca were also elevated when feeding the FWB diet. P-digestibility was increased in the FWB feeding group compared to those groups fed with NWB (+35%, P<0.05) and EWB (+53%, P<0.05). Regarding the Ca digestibility, similar results were obtained (P<0.05). While the CTTAD of energy was increased in the FWB (+3%, P<0.05) and EWB (+2%, P<0.05) feeding groups compared to that of NWB (0.85), the N-balance and the CTTAD of starch were not affected by the treatments. Nevertheless, the CTTAD of EE was enhanced in the FWB treatment group (+40%, P<0.05), and was also improved by extrusion (+30%, P<0.05) compared to the NWB (0.50) treatment. In conclusion, fermented and extruded wheat bran exert some significant influence on the apparent total tact digestibility of several essential nutrients, minerals and energy when included in a basal diet, whereby fermentation seems to be the more potent strategy, as positive effects on the CTTAD of P and Ca could only be observed in the feeding group with FWB.

Effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis LS 1–2 fermentation biomass on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, cecal microbiota and intestinal morphology of weanling pig

The present study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis LS 1–2 and citrus-juice waste fermentation biomass (BS 1–2 fermentation biomass) on growth performance, coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, serum immunoglobulins, cecal microbiota and intestinal morphology of weanling pigs. A total of 240 weaned pigs (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc, initial body weight (BW): 6.4±0.5kg; 21 days of age) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments on the basis of BW (4 pens per treatment with 15 pigs in each pen). The dietary treatments included a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5g/kg BS 1–2 fermentation biomass. The experimental diets were fed in a meal form for 2 phases (days 0–14, phase I and days 14–28, phase II). Pigs fed increasing dietary concentrations of BS 1–2 fermentation biomass had linear improvement (P<0.05) in overall average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain:feed (G:F) and CTTAD of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP). Also, overall ADG and ADFI of pigs fed 3.0 and 4.5g/kg diets BS 1–2 fermentation biomass were greater (P<0.05) than pigs fed the control diet; whereas, G:F and CTTAD of DM, GE and CP of pigs fed 4.5g/kg diet BS 1–2 fermentation biomass were greater (P<0.05) than pigs fed the control diet. At days 14 and 28, dietary increasing levels of BS 1–2 fermentation biomass linearly increased (P<0.05) serum IgG and IgA concentrations. At days 28, pigs fed increasing dietary concentrations of BS 1–2 fermentation biomass had fewer (linear, P<0.05) cecal Clostridium spp. and coliforms. Moreover, pigs fed the 4.5g/kg diet BS 1–2 fermentation biomass had fewer (P<0.05) cecal Clostridium spp. and coliforms than pigs fed the control diet. On day 28, there was a significant linear effect of treatment on the villus height and villus height:crypt depth (VH:CD) of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of pigs. Pigs fed the diet supplemented with 4.5g/kg BS 1–2 fermentation biomass had greater (P<0.05) villus height and VH:CD (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) than those fed the control diet. The results suggest that BS 1–2 fermentation biomass had beneficial effects on weanling pigs growth performance, CTTAD of nutrients, cecal microbiota, serum immunoglobulins and intestinal morphology. Additionally, citrus-juice waste can be used as a substrate for growth of probiotic B. subtilis LS 1–2 under solid substrate fermentation.

Effect of maize conservation technique and phytase supplementation on total tract apparent digestibility of phosphorus, calcium, ash, dry matter, organic matter and crude protein in growing pigs

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of different maize conservation techniques and phytase addition on coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), ash, dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP). In the first experiment, 9 growing pigs were allotted to a triplicate 3×3 Latin square design to measure CTTAD of P in three different maize conserves. Maize was either dried (dried maize), ensiled after milling (maize silage) or tight-closed-stored as whole grain (TCS-maize). Diets consisted of the differently conserved maize alone supplemented with amino acids and a mineral and vitamin source. To achieve P-deficient diets, no P was added. In experiment 2 same experimental design, diet composition and feedstuffs were used as in the first study. However, in this study diets were supplemented with 750FTUphytasekg−1 diet from Schizosaccharomyces pombe. To evaluate the effect of phytase supplementation, results of both experiments were pooled for statistical analysis. The obtained results show that the CTTAD of P was greater (P<0.0001) when maize was fermented compared with dried maize (0.42 in maize silage, 0.37 in TCS-maize, 0.28 in dried maize). The CTTAD of P was enhanced in all conservation types through phytase addition (0.46 in dried maize, 0.55 in maize silage and 0.52 in TCS-maize) (P<0.0001). Moreover, CTTAD of Ca was higher in the fermented maize groups (P<0.0001) compared with dried maize. However, it was not influenced by phytase supplementation.The CTTAD of DM and OM were not influenced by fermentation. The CTTAD of CP was lower in fermented maize (P<0.05) compared to dried maize, whereby this effect was more pronounced in maize silage. However, the CTTAD of DM, OM and CP were not influenced by phytase supplementation.In conclusion, maize fermentation in the form of ensiling increases CTTAD of P in growing pigs. Therefore lower P supplementations are required and P excretions with manure can be reduced. Although CTTAD of P is improved when phytase is added, fermentation still offers advantages compared to dried maize.

Effect of a diet containing white lupin hulls (Lupinus albus cv. Amiga) on total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients and growth performance of rabbits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of white lupin hulls in a rabbit diet on the digestibility of nutrients and growth performance. Two experimental diets were formulated: C [control: 168 g crude protein (CP) and 409 g neutral detergent fibre (NDF)/kg) and WLH diet (substituting 100 g wheat bran by 50 g barley and 50 g white lupin hulls/kg: 162 g CP and 391 g NDF/kg). A total of 24 weaned rabbits were individually housed, randomly allocated to 2 groups and fed one of the 2 experimental diets from 31 to 73 d of age. The coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dry matter, gross energy, CP and NDF of the experimental diets were determined in rabbits between 45 and 49 d of age. The diets had a similar digestible protein/digestible energy ratio (11.2 and 10.7 g/MJ for the C and WLH diet, respectively). Rabbits showed normal figures for growth rate (on av. 52.4 g/d), feed intake (on av. 155.1 g/d) and feed conversion ratio (on av. 2.97). There were no significant differences between treatments in the CTTAD of dry matter (0.656 and 0.666 for the C and WLH diet, respectively), gross energy (0.667 and 0.677 for the C and WLH diet, respectively), CP (0.770 and 0.777 for the C and WLH diet, respectively) or NDF (0.451 and 0.428 for the C and WLH diet, respectively). It may be concluded that white lupin hulls can serve as a suitable by-product for rabbit feed and do not significantly reduce the nutritive value of the diet.

Effects of dietary supplementation of antimicrobial peptide-A3 on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal and fecal microflora and intestinal morphology in weanling pigs

In this study, effects of dietary supplementation of the antimicrobial peptide-A3 (AMP-A3) on growth performance, coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, serum immunoglobulins, intestinal and fecal microflora and intestinal morphology in weanling piglets were evaluated when used as a substitute to the antibiotics. A total of 240 weanling piglets (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc, initial body weight (BW): 5.74±0.38kg) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments on the basis of BW. There were 4 replicate pens in each treatment with 15 pigs per pen. The dietary treatments were: PC (positive control; basal diet+1.5g apramycin/kg diet) and AMP-A3 (basal diet supplemented with 0, 60 and 90mg AMP-A3/kg diets). The experimental diets were fed in a meal form for 2 phases (d 0–14, phase I and d 15–28, phase II post-weaning). Pigs fed the PC diet had greater (P<0.05) overall average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and the CTTAD of crude protein (CP, phase I) and dry matter (DM) and CP (phase II) than pigs fed the AMP-A3 diet. Increasing levels of dietary AMP-A3 linearly improved (P<0.05) overall ADG and CTTAD of DM and CP (phase I and II). Pigs fed the PC diet had lower (P<0.05) coliforms (cecum and feces) and total anaerobic bacteria (TAB, cecum) than pigs fed the AMP-A3 diet. When pigs offered increasing levels of the AMP-A3 diets, there was a linear decline (P<0.05) in TAB, coliforms and Clostridium spp. in the ileum, cecum and feces (d 14 and 28). Pigs fed the PC diet had lower (P<0.05) crypt depth and greater (P<0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) of the jejunum than pigs fed the AMP-A3 diets. Increasing levels of AMP-A3 in the diets of pigs increased (linear, P<0.05) villus height and VH:CD and decreased (linear, P<0.05) crypt depth of the duodenum and jejunum. Dietary treatments had no effect (P>0.05) on the coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility of amino acids and serum immunoglobulin concentrations. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the AMP-A3 had beneficial effects on growth performance, CTTAD of nutrients, intestinal morphology and intestinal and fecal microflora and can be used as a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in weanling pigs.

Effects of steam conditioning at low and high temperature, expander conditioning and extruder processing prior to pelleting on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in nursery pigs and broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of feed conditioning prior to pelleting and extrusion processing on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain to feed (G:F) and coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) in nursery pigs and broiler chickens. The mash, based on wheat, fishmeal and soybean meal, was subjected to 4 heat treatments (hydro-thermal processing) giving Diet 1: unconditioned mash as control (mash); Diet 2: low-temperature steam conditioning before pelleting (STP47); Diet 3: high-temperature steam conditioning before pelleting (STP90); Diet 4: expander conditioning before pelleting (EXP); and Diet 5: extruder processing (EXT).Nursery pigs (average body weight of 5.6kg) were used in a 36-d experiment. The results showed that hydro-thermal processing improved G:F in nursery pigs (P=0.006) compared to the mash. The G:F was also improved for pigs fed the EXT diet compared to the EXP diet (P=0.030). The CTTAD of dry matter was greater in pigs fed the hydro-thermal processed diets compared to the mash (P=0.018), and in pigs fed the STP47 compared to the STP90 (P=0.001). The CTTAD of organic matter was improved for pigs fed STP47 and STP90 diets compared to the EXP and EXT diets (P=0.010), and for the STP47 compared to the STP90 diets (P=0.001). The CTTAD of protein (P=0.004) and energy (P=0.001) was greatest in pigs fed the STP47 compared to the STP90. Starch digestibility was improved in pigs fed the EXT compared to the EXP diet (P=0.041).Broiler chickens (1-d old, average body weight of 41g) were used in a 21-d experiment. The ADFI and ADG were greater (P<0.05) for broiler chickens fed the STP47 and the STP90 diets compared to those fed the EXP and the EXT diets. The EXP diet improved ADG (P=0.015) and ADFI (P=0.003) compared to the EXT diet. Starch digestibility was greater in broiler chickens fed the hydro-thermal processed diets compared to the mash (P=0.023).In conclusion, hydro-thermal processing, in particular extruder processing, improved G:F for nursery pigs due to improved digestibility. For broiler chickens, all hydro-thermal processing increased starch digestibility, but due to reduced feed intake of the expanded and in particular the extruded diets, only steam conditioning before pelleting improved growth rate and feed utilisation.

The response of growth performance, nitrogen, and phosphorus excretion of growing–finishing pigs to diets containing incremental levels of maize dried distiller's grains with solubles

A completely randomized design experiment was performed to examine the effect of formulating incremental concentrations of dietary maize dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) on a net energy (NE) and ileal digestible amino acid (IDAA) basis, on growth performance and coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) parameters of growing–finishing pigs. The study investigated the effect of incrementally replacing diet wheat with DDGS on pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) balance, phosphorus (P) balance and manure ammonia emissions. Three hundred and fifty-two pigs (42.4 kg, SD = 6.4 kg) were blocked on the basis of initial body-weight (BW) and assigned to one of four dietary treatments: (T1) basal diet, (T2) basal diet with 100 g/kg DDGS, (T3) basal diet with 200 g/kg DDGS and (T4) basal diet with 300 g/kg of DDGS. The inclusion of DDGS in the diet was achieved by decreasing concentrations of wheat and all dietary treatments were formulated to contain similar concentrations of IDAA, available P and NE. There was no effect of increasing levels of DDGS on daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass characteristics during the experimental period (P>0.05). There was a linear decrease (P<0.01) in the CTTAD of dry matter and gross energy with increasing levels of DDGS in the diet. There was a linear increase in N intake (P<0.001), urinary N excretion (P<0.01) and total N excretion (P<0.01) with increasing levels of DDGS in the diet. There was a linear decrease (P<0.01) in P intake as the level of DDGS increased in the diet. There was no difference in manure ammonia emissions as the level of DDGS increased in the diet (P>0.05). In conclusion, when formulated on a NE and IDAA basis, consumption of DDGS at inclusion rates of up to 300 g/kg does not affect growth performance or carcass characteristics. While incremental consumption of dietary DDGS increased total N excretion, this was not reflected in elevated manure ammonia emissions.