CP Levels Research Articles

Advances, Implications, and Limitations of Low-Crude-Protein Diets in Pig Production.

Currently, five crystalline essential amino acids (Lys, Met, Thr, Trp, and Val) are generally used, allowing formulation of low-crude-protein (CP) diets. Moreover, Ile may also be used depending on its economic value and the specific feeding program. Experimentally, it has been shown that further reduced CP levels can be achieved by supplemental His, Leu, and Phe to the diets. However, decreasing the dietary CP level while maintaining optimal ratios of amino acids has shown contradictory effects on pigs' growth performance. Due to the divergence in the literature and the importance for practical formulation strategies in the swine industry, a literature review and a meta-analysis were performed to estimate the minimum CP level that would not compromise pig performance. Based on the present review, there is a minimum CP level after which the growth performance of pigs can be compromised, even though diets are balanced for essential amino acids. Considering average daily gain and gain to feed, respectively, these levels were estimated to be 18.4% CP (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.3 to 18.4) and 18.3% CP (95% CI: 17.4 to 19.2) for nursery, 16.1% CP (95% CI: 16.0 to 16.2) and 16.3% CP (95% CI: 14.5 to 18.0) for growing, and 11.6% CP (95% CI: 10.8 to 12.3) and 11.4% CP (95% CI: 10.3 to 12.5) for finishing pigs.

Lysolecithin Improves Broiler Growth Performance through Upregulating Growth-Related Genes and Nutrient Transporter Genes Expression Independent of Experimental Diet Nutrition Level.

We investigated the effect and interaction of lysolecithin (LPL) and nutrition level on growth performance, nutrient ileal digestibility, expression of growth-related genes and nutrient transporter genes in broilers. A total of 1280 one day old Ross 308 mixed sex chicks with an average body weight 42.23 ± 2.4 g were randomly allotted into 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (20 replicates per treatment and 16 chickens per replicate) with two types of diet (Normal nutrition treatments starter, grower and finisher diets with ME of 3000 kcal/kg, 3100 kcal/kg and 3200 kcal/kg, respectively, and CP level of 22%, 21%, and 20%, respectively; high nutrition treatments diets with 50 kcal/kg ME and 0.5% CP higher than normal nutrition treatment at each stage). Two levels of LPL supplementation (0 and 500 mg/kg) were also employed. From day 21 to day 35 and full stage of the experiment, the birds fed a high nutrition (HN) diet had a greater body weight gain (BWG) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed a normal nutrition (NN) diet (p < 0.05). Besides, lysolecithin increased BWG significantly (p < 0.05). The birds fed a diet with LPL revealed increasing fat digestibility compared to birds fed the basal diet (p < 0.05). LPL significantly increased the ileal digestibility of amino acids, including Ile, Thr, Phe, His, Arg, Tyr, Glu, Pro, Gly, Ala (p < 0.05). No interaction was found between LPL and nutrition level in BWG, FCR and nutrient digestibility. In HN diet, the genes expression of myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1), myogenin (MYOG), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), fatty acid-binding protein (FABP1), cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT1) and Y + L amino acid transporter 1 (y+, LAT1) were significantly elevated via LPL supplementation (p < 0.05). In NN diet, LPL significantly increased the genes expression of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), MYOD1 and y+, LAT1 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, upregulating the nutrients transporter gene and growth-related gene expression of the host, independent of nutrition level changes, may be the action mechanism of lysolecithin on growth promotion in animals.

Being as big as small clauses get: the syntax of participial adjuncts in German and English

This paper presents a comparative syntactic account of participial adjuncts in German and English. While the typological literature describes German participial adjuncts as much more restricted than their English counterparts both syntactically and semantically, this paper presents empirical evidence that these differences have been exaggerated. Based on a corpus of more than 3000 participial adjuncts, it is argued that these adjuncts have a clause-like internal structure in both languages. Participial adjuncts are analysed as small clauses that can project all the way up to CP level, with a subject that is either phonetically null PRO controlled via Agree or an overt DP that is case licensed either by an element outside the participial clause or through default case. At the same time, the corpus data show that these participial constructions constitute a versatile group of adjuncts when it comes to their argument-structural properties and categorial nature. An analysis couched within the framework of Distributed Morphology is presented that can account for this diversity. This empirically based and theoretically founded account of participial adjuncts contributes to our understanding of the structural possibilities of small clauses cross-linguistically.

Effects of lowering dietary protein content without or with increased protein-bound and feed-grade amino acids supply on growth performance, body composition, metabolism, and acute-phase protein of finishing pigs under daily cyclic heat stress.

This study investigated the effects of a low-protein diet with or without an increase in dietary protein and feed-grade amino acids (AAs) on the growth performance, body composition, metabolism, and serum acute-phase proteins of finishing pigs reared in thermoneutrality or cyclic heat stress conditions. A total of 90 gilts (67.7 ± 6.2 kg) were distributed in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (two ambient temperatures and three diets). Ambient temperatures (AT) were thermoneutral (TN, 22 °C for 24 h) and cyclic heat stress (CHS, 12 h to 35 °C and 12 h to 22 °C). The evaluated diets (D) were high crude protein (HP); low CP-free AA-supplemented diets (LPAAs); low CP-free AA-supplemented diets and digestible Lys level (+20%), and Lys:AA ratios above recommendations (LPAA+). The experimental period lasted 48 d (two experimental phases: days 0-27 and days 28-48, respectively). CHS pigs had higher skin temperature (P < 0.05) than TN pigs. Pigs in CHS had higher rectal temperature (P < 0.05) than TN pigs until day 38 but similar (P > 0.10) to TN pigs from 38 to 45 d. For the entire experiment, CHS pigs had lower (P < 0.05) final BW, average daily gain and daily feed intake, net energy intake, body lipid, bone mineral, lipid deposition, energy retention, Lys and CP intake, and nitrogen excretion than TN pigs. The level of CP intake impacted nitrogen excretion, nitrogen retention efficiency, and urea as pigs fed HP had the highest values, and pigs fed LPAA had the lowest values (P < 0.05). On day 27, CHS pigs had lower (P < 0.05) free triiodothyronine than TN pigs. LPAA+ pigs had lower (P < 0.05) insulin than LPAA. On day 48, CHS pigs had lower (P < 0.05) thyroxine, albumin, and lactate than TN pigs. On day 27, pigs fed LPAA+ had higher (P < 0.05) lactate than pigs fed HP or LPAA. Both AT and D were enough to stimulate the immune system as CHS pigs had lower (P < 0.05) transferrin and 23-kDa protein levels than TN pigs, and HP pigs had higher haptoglobin than LPAA on day 27. These results confirm the deleterious effects of high AT on performance, body composition, metabolism, and immune system stimulation in finishing pigs. These data also show that a diet with low levels of CP can be provided to pigs in CHS without affecting performance and body composition while reducing nitrogen excretion. However, the use of a diet with an AA level above the requirements obtained by increasing intact protein and free AA did not attenuate the impact of CHS on performance and body composition of pigs.

Evaluation of the Role of Faecal Calprotectin in the Management of Psoriatic Patients under Treatment with Biologic Drugs.

Background: Fecal calprotectin has emerged as a significant, validated, and non-invasive biomarker allowing for the evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease. Our study assessed the reliability of the use of faecal calprotectin as a valuable tool in the management of psoriatic patients on biological therapy. Methods: This was a single-centre prospective study including adult patients affected by moderate-to-severe psoriasis starting biological therapy. Faecal calprotectin levels were evaluated at baseline and at week 24 (W24) of treatment in all enrolled patients. Results: Overall, 129 patients were enrolled. The mean baseline faecal calprotectin levels were 74.7 μg/g and a significant reduction was detected at W24 of biological therapy (57.5 μg/g). An analysis of faecal CP values stratified by therapy type was performed. No significant reduction was assessed at W24 for any of the anti-IL17 drugs, whereas a significant reduction was detected for all IL23 inhibitors. Conclusions: Our study showed the potential use of faecal CP levels as a valuable tool for exploring intestinal inflammation in the management of psoriatic patients undergoing treatment with biologic drugs.

Productive and Nutritional Characteristics of Native Grasses from the Floodplain Banks Ecosystem in the Colombian Orinoquia

Productive and nutritional evaluations of native grasses are usually scarce, limiting their use in the feeding of herbivorous species. This study aims to determine the forage yield and nutritional value of native grasses from the floodplain “banks” ecosystem in the Colombian Orinoquia. Four native grasses (Paspalum plicatulum, Axonopus compresus, Axonopus purpussi, and Paspalum spp.) and a “control” grass (introduced Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato) were sown and sampled at 30, 40, and 50 days of age. On each sampling date, biomass production in a 1 m2 frame was estimated, and the chemical composition was analyzed using near-infrared spectroscopy. Data analysis included repeated measures analysis, correlations, and multiple linear regression. The grasses’ nutritional characteristics varied as follows: dry matter (DM, 0.9–2.5 ton/ha), crude protein (CP, 4.3–10.2%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 61–73.9%) ash (3.2–8.7%), and dry matter digestibility (DMD, 50.8–56.3%). P. plicatulum achieved comparable forage production to that of the “control” grass. A. purpussi, Paspalum sp., and P. plicatulum presented similar CP and ash contents, and a higher Ca:P ratio. Regression analysis indicated that DMD was affected by the CP and acid detergent fiber (ADF) levels. These native grasses constitute promising nutritional alternatives that must be considered in the region’s livestock-production systems; however, detailed studies to evaluate animal performance and consumption are still required.

Individual egg production of Hy-Line Brown hens during the early laying phase in response to dietary CP levels

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gradually increased dietary CP level on the dynamics of individual egg production of laying hens from 18 to 54 weeks of age. Forty Hy-Line Brown hens were divided into five treatments of eight replicates each and were fed diets formulated to have five different CP concentrations: 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18% CP with the same energy content. For each experimental diet, the contents of lysine, methionine + cysteine, threonine, and tryptophan were maintained at minimum requirement concentrations by supplying synthetic amino acids. Clutch characteristics were recorded (e.g., number, size, patterns, egg weight, etc.) and individual egg production curves were modeled according to Grossman and Koops (2001). Clutch size was defined as the unstopped length of individual egg production on a daily basis. BWs were also recorded every week to account for changes in BW during the experimental period. Three hens were excluded from the statistical analyses as their laying patterns were very inconsistent. Four clutch patterns with data weighted on a weekly basis were identified. Heavier hens tended to lay more regular clutch patterns when compared to their lighter counterparts within the same treatment. In contrast, irregular clutch patterns (too many pauses between clutches) were more common in hens fed low CP diets (≤16%). This could be explained by imbalances in amino acids supply according to their theoretical requirements and adverse effects caused by amino acids interactions. Low CP diets were able to maintain egg production and mean clutch size up to 54 weeks of age. The maximum clutch size and the modeled proportion of maximum production for the increasing phase (k1) displayed a linear response to the graded addition of CP content to the diet. No differences were detected among treatments for the age at the beginning of the maximum clutch (22.6 ± 2.82 weeks). Egg weight displayed a quadratic response that was maximized when hens were fed 17% CP in the diet. Our approach appears to be promising for ranking individual laying hens based on their clutch performance to evaluate both CP and amino acids adequacy of diets.

Evaluation of the Level and Polymorphism of the Osteocalcin Gene in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The hormone is known as the bone protein γ-carboxyglutamic acid. The hormone belongs to the family of proteins that depend on vitamin K, as this vitamin is a catalyst in the formation of (γ-carboxylation) that determines its attraction to the bone matrix and calcium, and this contributes to the formation of bones. Moreover, the non-carboxylated form of the hormone that exerts hormonal properties and is also involved in glucose and energy metabolism, stimulates osteoblasts to secrete insulin directly and indirectly from the pancreas through the synthesis of glucagon-like-peptide 1 GLP-1 From the small intestine this enhances insulin sensitivity in fat cells and muscle cells. This property may have an effect on bone mineralization and may lead to a change in bone quality and an increased risk of fractures.&#x0D; The aim of the study is to evaluate the level of osteocalcin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in comparison with the healthy ones and its relationship with the enzymes (GSH, CP, SOD), and to detect the gene encoding the hormone osteocalcin in the disease and to find the relationship between the hormone osteocalcin and vital variables.&#x0D; Blood samples were collected from (30) healthy people (15) males and (15) females, their ages ranged from (25-60) years and (30) patients from (19) males and (11) females in a hospital Salah Al-Din General and Al-Sharqat General Hospital, and the analyzes were measured in the central laboratory of the hospital, which were examined by the specialist doctor.&#x0D; This study showed that the levels of OC in the blood serum of people with rheumatoid arthritis is statistically higher compared to the healthy ones, and a significant decrease in the level of GSH for patients compared with the healthy ones, and a significant increase in the level of CP and the level of SOD for patients compared with the healthy ones, and there is a positive correlation between the level of OC and the level of CP And a negative relationship between OC level, GSH level and SOD level. It was revealed that there were significant differences at the level of probability (P&lt;0.01) of repeating the allele for the OC gene between the group of patients and the healthy ones, where the value of the repeating of the mutated C allele increased and the level of the normal T allele decreased within the group of patients compared to the healthy ones.

Comprehensive assessments of pulmonary circulation in children with pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease.

Pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease (CHD-PH) encompasses different conditions confounded by the left-to-right shunt, left heart obstruction, ventricular dysfunction, hypoxia due to airway obstruction, dysplasia/hypoplasia of the pulmonary vasculature, pulmonary vascular obstructive disease, and genetic variations of vasoactive mediators. Pulmonary input impedance consists of the pulmonary vascular resistance (Rp) and capacitance (Cp). Rp is calculated as the transpulmonary pressure divided by the pulmonary cardiac output, whereas Cp is calculated as the pulmonary stroke volume divided by the pulmonary arterial pulse pressure. The plots of Rp and Cp demonstrate a unique hyperbolic relationship, namely, the resistor–capacitor coupling curve, which represents the pulmonary vascular condition. The product of Rp and Cp is the exponential pressure decay, which refers to the time constant. Alterations in Cp are more considerable in CHD patients at an early stage of developing pulmonary hypertension or with excessive pulmonary blood flow due to a left-to-right shunt. The importance of Cp has gained attention because recent reports have shown that low Cp potentially reflects poor prognosis in patients with CHD-PH and idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. It is also known that Cp levels decrease in specific populations, such as preterm infants and trisomy 21. Therefore, both Rp and Cp should be individually evaluated in the management of children with CHD-PH who have different disease conditions.

Partial Replacement of Soybean Meal with Canola Meal or Corn DDGS in Low-Protein Diets Supplemented with Crystalline Amino Acids-Effect on Growth Performance, Whole-Body Composition, and Litter Characteristics.

Simple SummaryDietary protein reduction with amino acid supplementation is a nutritional approach to reducing environmental pollution. Soybean meal is nutritionally superior to alternative protein feedstuffs, such as corn distillers dried grain with solubles (cDDGS) and canola meal (CM), because of its relatively good balance of amino acids. This study investigated the usage of CM or cDDGS compared to SBM in low-protein broiler diets and their effects on growth performance, carcass yield, whole-body composition, and litter characteristics. The results demonstrated that replacing soybean meal with cDDGS or CM negatively affected the performance of the birds, whereas reducing dietary protein reduced the litter surface ammonia, irrespective of protein feedstuff. Therefore, complete replacement of SBM with cDDGS or CM in low-protein diets is not feasible for optimum performance in broiler chickens.A 42-day study was conducted to explore the application of supplemental amino acids (AA) in low-protein diets with soybean meal (SBM), canola meal (CM) or corn distillers dried grain with solubles (cDDGS) as the main protein feedstuffs. The responses of interest were growth performance, carcass yield, whole-body composition, litter ammonia and litter N. On d 0, a total of 540 Cobb 500 (off-sex) male broilers were allocated to 36 floor pens. All the birds received one starter diet that met nutrient requirements during the first 10d. Thereafter, six experimental diets were provided in grower and finisher phases. The diets included a positive control (PC): a corn–SBM diet with adequate protein. The protein level of the negative control (NC) was decreased by 45 g/kg relative to the PC. The next two diets had the same protein levels as the NC but with cDDGS added at 50 or 125 g/kg. The last two diets had the same CP as the NC but with CM added at 50 or 100 g/kg. All the low-protein diets had the same level of standardized ileal digestible indispensable AA according to Cobb 500 recommended level. Gly and Ser were added as sources of non-specific N. The dietary protein reduction in corn–SBM diets at both phases decreased (p < 0.05) weight gain and increased (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR). Increasing levels of cDDGS or CM, at a constant CP level, linearly decreased (p < 0.05) the weight gain and feed intake, whereas increasing CM level linearly increased (p < 0.05) FCR in the grower and finisher phases. The eviscerated and carcass yields decreased, whereas the fat yield increased (p < 0.05) with reduced protein in corn–SBM diet. Increasing levels of cDDGS and CM at a constant CP level quadratically decreased (p < 0.05) the eviscerated weight, whereas the fat weight linearly decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of cDDGS and CM. The birds receiving the PC diet had a lower (p < 0.05) lean muscle (%) and a higher fat (%) compared to birds receiving the NC diet at d 21. However, on d42, birds receiving the PC diet had decreased (p < 0.05) bone mineral density, bone mineral content and lean weight compared to those receiving the NC diet. The litter ammonia increased (p < 0.05) with the increasing levels of protein in the SBM diets. In conclusion, 50 g/kg inclusion levels of CM and cDDGS at the same low-protein levels as SBM produced a similar growth response to the NC, whereas higher levels were detrimental. Hence under the conditions of the current experiment, complete replacement of SBM with DDGS or CM in low-protein diets was not feasible.

Reducing dietary crude protein in broiler diets does not compromise performance and reduces environmental impacts, independently from the amino acid density of the diet

The objective of the present experiment was to investigate the influence of dietary CP, standardized ileal digestible ( SID) Lys level and their interaction in male Ross 308 broilers. From day 10, six experimental treatments were tested until day 35. The six experimental treatments consisted in a 3 × 2 factorial design with 3 levels of dietary SID Lys/CP (equaivalent to 3 levels of dietary CP) and 2 levels of dietary SID Lys. Growth performance, uniformity, carcass traits, litter quality, blood & gut parameters, nitrogen ( N ) emissions and global warming potential ( GWP ) were measured or calculated. There was no interaction for all criteria except for NH 3 and N 2 O volatilization. The increase of dietary SID Lys/CP did not affect growth performance or uniformity, increased abdominal fat yield, decreased all N related parameters (litter N, blood uric acid, N excretion, NH 3 and N 2 0 volatilization). There was an interaction between dietary CP and AA origin for GWP; GWP was further reduced after CP reduction when using AA from EU. Increasing SID Lys improved growth performance, increased uniformity, increased breast meat yield, reduced abdominal fat yield, but increased N emissions and GWP. This study indicates that dietary CP can be drastically reduced in different nutritional contexts without negatively affecting growth performance, and with positive benefits on the environment.

Biological functions and clinical significance of calprotectin. Review

Recently, in addition to clinical, endoscopic and morphological studies, the algorithm for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) also includes some serum and fecal biomarkers that help select patients for endoscopy, as well as distinguish between organic and functional (non‑inflammatory) diseases (for example, irritable bowel syndrome). Among the latter, the definition of fecal calprotectin (CP) is used mostly often, it is a well‑studied biomarker of inflammation due to its stability, reproducibility of analysis, low cost, and high diagnostic value. The presented review highlights the latest data on the main biological CP functions and the clinical application of its definition in inflammatory diseases of intestine, skin, joints, etc.&#x0D; It is shown that CP belongs to the family of calcium‑binding leukocyte S100 proteins and consists of two monomers: S100A8 and S100A9. CP is constitutively expressed by monocytes, dendritic cells, activated macrophages, keratinocytes of the oral cavity and squamous epithelium of the mucosa. Thus, the CP expression in a healthy person is limited by a small number of specialized cells and is usually activated during inflammation. Both subunits of CP, S100A8 and S100A9, have a wide range of intracellular and extracellular immunomodulatory properties, control the intracellular pathways of innate immune cells and are responsible for organizing the response to the inflammatory process.&#x0D; Determination of fecal CP enables distinguishing between non‑inflammatory and inflammatory bowel diseases, it is a non‑invasive inexpensive method, and the CP itself remains stable at room temperature in the feces for at least 3 days. In the diagnosis of IBD, fecal CP is a more sensitive marker than C‑reactive protein, which has made it an excellent (i.e., highly sensitive) biomarker for detecting intestinal inflammation in IBD and has contributed to its widespread use worldwide. The value of the level of fecal Cp &lt; 40 mg/g can reliably exclude IBD, and a value &gt; 250 mg/g dictates the need for endoscopic examination of the patient for IBD or raises the suspicion of its recurrence.&#x0D;

Dietary enrichment with crude protein content and feed additives (Bacillus spp. and yeast strains) improves growth performance, survival and circulating hemocytes in juvenile White shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

In this study the enrichment dietary effect with different crude protein levels (CP) and feed additives on growth, survival, feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed consumption (FC) and total hemocyte count (THC) in juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei were evaluated. The study covered two bioassays: in the first one, juveniles were daily fed for 45 days with four experimental diets containing: (1) Control, commercial feed (35% CP); (2) 29% CP; (3) 32% CP; (4) 35% CP. After the 29% CP diet was selected, juveniles in bioassay II were daily fed for 45 days with a single CP diet complemented with probiotics: (1) Control, commercial feed (35% CP); (2) 29% CP; (3) 29% CP + Bacillus mix at 1×106 CFUg–1 feed; and (4) 29% CP + yeast mix at 1×106 CFUg–1 feed. Juvenile shrimp fed with experimental diets gained significantly more weight and increased survival, FCR, FC and THC compared with control diet. However, differences among experimental diets were not significant. In bioassay II, juvenile shrimp fed with experimental diet + feed additives significantly increased survival, FCR, FC and THC compared with control diet. Growth of juveniles significantly increased with 29% CP and 29% CP + yeast mix diets, compared with control group. Complementing the diet with yeast mix showed higher survival and THC of juveniles compared with the other experimental treatments. Different CP levels in shrimp diet improved growth, survival and circulating hemocytes, and addition of mixed yeast as feed additive induced better survival and immune response in juvenile shrimp.

Effect of legume hay supplementation on feed intake, growth, digestibility and volatile fatty acid production of Xhosa goats

Abstract &#x0D; The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sex and supplementing Chloris gayana hay with either Lablab purpureus or Vigna unguiculata on growth, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and apparent nutrient digestibility. Eighteen goats, one-year-old, of average live weight 14.13 ±0.24kg was apportioned in a completely randomized design to three diets which were iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic. Animals were housed individually with 6 animals per treatment composed of three males and three females. Total DM intake was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in T2 (694.8 g/head/day) and T3 (688.1 g/head/day) compared to T1 (607.8 g/head day). The goats gained at a rate of 35.0g/d; 45.0g/d and 38.3g/d for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Goats on T2 showed a non-significantly higher (P &gt; 0.05) growth rate exhibiting total gain of 2.68kg compared to 2.08kg and 2.33kg for T1 and T3, respectively. Animals on T1 (19.16) exhibited a significantly lower FCR (P &lt; 0.05) than T2 (15.44) and T3 (18.11). Apparent DM digestibility were significantly different (P &lt; 0.05) among treatment diets. Sex significantly influenced DM, ADF and NDF digestibilities (P &lt; 0.05). There were no significant (P &gt; 0.05) differences in individual VFA molar concentrations among treatment diets and due to sex for acetate, propionate, valerate, iso-butyrate and iso-valerate. However, diets significantly influenced butyrate concentration (P &lt; 0.05) with 0.25, 0.95 and 0.25mM for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The percentage molar concentration for acetate was 75%, 73%, and 77% while the propionate concentration was 12%, 8% and 10.7 % for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The acetate to propionate ratio was 6.2, 9.12 and 7.15 for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that Cowpea and Lablab forages can support growth in goats at the same level of CP as in commercial pellets.

Evaluation of improved Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa) grass cultivars for adaptation and nutritive values

This study was undertaken in three experiments. The first experiment conducted to study adaptation and the nutritive value for the three varieties (Brachiaria decumbence cv. Basilisk, B. brizantha cvs. Xaraes, & B. brizantha cvs. Piatã) compared with Rhodes grass (Fine cut) and local Brachiaria, B. botuliform cv. Local, to evaluate DM. CP. CF. NDF.EE. Ash Moreover, Lignin contents. While the other two experiments are conducted for analysis of fresh and silage samples. For the fresh a sample was collected for shed drying in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory for a period of 28 days to establish a complete drying. As well, different sample was collected for fermentation as silage in the animal nutrition laboratory for 28 days, then shed dried, the samples were, then grinded, each well labeled and packed to avoid moisture transfer. The samples were taken to Central Animal Research Station at Kuku for the subsequent chemical analysis of the varieties under investigation. The present result revealed that when comparing the fresh samples and silage samples, there was a significant difference in chemical composition in (DM. CP., CF., EE, Ash and lignin). While there was no significant difference in NDF among the treatments.On the other hand, B. brizantha cvs. Xaraes, Piatã revealed a higher crude fiber on a fresh basis and medium lignin content among the treatments when made as silage.The DM showed significant differences in all treatments, local Brachiaria has a higher level of DM, CF, Ash and Lignin contents than other treatments. CP significantly showed a low-level content as silage and a high level of lignin.This study concluded that local Brachiaria has a high level of CP on a fresh basis followed by Rhodes grass and lower CP as silage. Rhodes grass and Brachiaria Decumbence showed a higher crude protein level and low lignin contents than all other grasses under investigation, being in silage form. Because of high crude protein (11.79%) and lower Lignin content were recommended as the best forage grass followed by Brachiaria basilisk and Brachiaria Xaraes to be used as animal feed silage during the dry season.

Determination of Seismic Performance Factors for Buildings with Concentrically Braced Frame Systems under the Excitation of Near- and Far-fault Records

Performance coefficients are widely used in seismic design codes to achieve performance objectives. The values of these coefficients have significant importance in achieving pre-specified performance goals. Studies have shown that near-fault earthquakes decrease the ductility and increase the risk of failure in the structures; however, the current codes use the same performance coefficients to design structures against near- and far-fault records. In the present study, 1-, 5-, 10- and 15-story special concentrically braced frame (SCBF) structures designed in the region with high seismic hazard have been evaluated. Non-linear static, linear dynamic, and incremental non-linear dynamic analyses under the influence of two sets of near- and far-fault records extracted from FEMA-P695 have been used to calculate the performance coefficients. Furthermore, the fragility curves are calculated for three performance levels (IO, LS, CP) using a probabilistic assessment of the results derived from incremental dynamic analysis to investigate the relationship between obtained factors with the probability of exceedance from a specified level. According to the mean results of all records, the behavior factor for the steel special concentrically braced frame is 5.92. The mean behavior factor obtained for the near-fault records is 35% less than the far-fault records. Differences in the obtained behavior factor for structures under excitation of two types of earthquake records (near- and far-fault) are observed in the fragility curves related to the probability of exceedance from CP level. However, there is no significant correlation between the resulted behavior factors and the probability of exceeding IO and LS levels.

O109 Ammonia emission from pig’s slurry: effect of moderate changes in CP level and additive combination

O109 Ammonia emission from pig’s slurry: effect of moderate changes in CP level and additive combination

Effects of dietary crude protein concentration on animal performance and nitrogen utilisation efficiency at different stages of lactation in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

Nitrogen (N) excretion from livestock production systems is of significant environmental concern; however, few studies have investigated the effect of dietary CP concentration on N utilisation efficiency at different stages of lactation, and the interaction between dietary CP levels and stages of lactation on N utilisation. Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (12 primiparous and 12 multiparous) used in the present study were selected from a larger group of cows involved in a whole-lactation study designed to examine the effect of dietary CP concentration on milk production and N excretion rates at different stages of lactation. The total diet CP concentrations evaluated were 114 (low CP), 144 (medium CP) and 173 (high CP) g/kg DM, with diets containing (g/kg DM) 550 concentrates, 270 grass silage and 180 maize silage. During early (70–80 days), mid- (150–160 days) and late (230–240 days) lactation, the same 24 animals were transferred from the main cow house to metabolism units for measurements of feed intake, milk production and faeces and urine outputs. Diet had no effect on BW, body condition score, or milk fat, protein or lactose concentration, but DM intake, milk yield and digestibilities of DM, energy and N increased with increasing diet CP concentration. The effect of diet on milk yield was largely due to differences between the low and medium CP diets. Increasing dietary CP concentration significantly increased urine N/N intake and urine N/manure N, and decreased faecal N/N intake, milk N/N intake and manure N/N intake. Although increasing dietary CP level significantly increased urine N/milk yield and manure N/milk yield, differences in these two variables between low and medium CP diets were not significant. There was no significant interaction between CP level and stage of lactation on any N utilisation variable, indicating that the effects of CP concentration on these variables were similar between stages of lactation. These results demonstrated that a decrease in dietary CP concentration from high (173 g/kg DM) to medium level (144 g/kg DM) may be appropriate for Holstein-Friesian dairy cow to maintain milk production efficiency, whilst reducing both urine N and manure N as a proportion of N intake or milk production.

Interactive effect of amino acids balanced at ideal lysine ratio and exogenous protease supplemented to low CP diet on growth performance, carcass traits, gut morphology, and serum metabolites in broiler chicken

This study evaluated the effect of amino acids balanced at a specific lysine ratio with exogenous protease supplementation and reduced CP levels in the broiler diet. In total, 480 straight-run broiler chicks (Ross-308) were used for the study. A completely randomized design in the factorial arrangement was applied, with 4 treatments of 6 replicates with 20 birds each. Treatments consisted of 2 lysine ratios (100% and 110%; factor 1) without or with exogenous protease supplementation (200 g/ton; factor 2). Twenty percent reduction of CP from standard requirements of Ross-308 (18.4% vs 23% in starter and 17.2% vs 21.5% in grower phase) was made in all the treatment diets. Growth performance (feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, livability), carcass traits (live and carcass weight, carcass yield, heart, liver, gizzard, leg quarter, breast weight, and abdominal fat percentage), gut morphology (villus height, crypt depth, and villus height and crypt depth ratio), and serum metabolites (total protein, albumin, and uric acid) were evaluated. A significant interaction (p ≤ 0.05) for lysine ratio and protease was noted in body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass traits, and gut morphology throughout the experimental period yet a non-significant (p > 0.05) influence was observed on serum metabolites. It was concluded that the broiler diet with a net reduction of 20% CP from Ross-308 standards, balanced for amino acids at lysine ratio 110% and supplemented with exogenous protease, could be used to improve growth performance, intestinal health, and carcass traits.

Nitrogen fertilization strategies with protected urea for tropical grasses in an integrated crop-livestock system

The intercropping of corn and grass allows for the production of grains, and simultaneously, the recuperation and renovation of pastures. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N doses on the yield, structure, chemical-bromatological characteristics, and the N use efficiency of Brachiara brizantha cultivars in an integrated crop-livestock system. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications, in a slip-plot scheme. The plots were formed of two grass plants, Marandu and Paiaguás, intercropped with corn and subplots composed of nitrogen doses (70, 100, and 130 kg N ha-1). During the system’s establishment (1st cycle), the Paiaguás grass presented higher values for all morphogenic and structural characteristics and higher forage yield when compared to Marandu grass. After the corn harvest, the interaction effect of the N doses and the cultivars for the foliar structure emergence and the number of living leaves was observed. The variables foliar elongation rate, stem elongation rate, and phyllochron were not influenced by any of the investigated factors (P&gt;0.05). The highest DM content was obtained with the application of 100 kg ha-1 of N, whereas, for the other chemical characteristics, there was only an effect among the cultivars. Paiaguás grass exhibited the highest levels of NDF, ADF, lignin, and MM. CP levels were not influenced by the factors studied. Marandu grass and the use of 70 kg N ha-1 are recommended for intercropping with corn