Dietary Protease Supplementation Research Articles

PSI-29 Enhancing growth performance and reducing environmental impact with dietary protease supplementation in growing pigs fed high- and low-density diets

Abstract Exogenous protease has emerged as a promising solution for enhancing protein digestion and utilization in animal diets, offering potential benefits for both animal performance and environmental impact mitigation in pig farming. In a 6-wk trial involving 140 growing pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 24.10 ± 1.66 kg], the effects of dietary protease supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and noxious gas emission were investigated. Pigs were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial design with two levels of nutrient density and 0 or 125 g/ton supplementation of protease. The pigs were blocked by BW and housed in 28 pens with each pen consisting of 5 pigs (3 barrows and 2 gilts). The experimental design employed a randomized complete block design with 7 replicate pens per treatment. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA, with differences between means assessed using Tukey’s test (P < 0.05). Results revealed no significant interaction (P > 0.05) between nutrient density and protease supplementation concerning growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and noxious gas emission. Pigs subjected to high-density diets exhibited greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) compared with those on low-density diets. While protease supplementation did not impact ADG and average daily feed intake (ADFI), there was a tendency towards reduced (P = 0.08) G:F throughout the 6-wk period. Pigs fed high-density diets demonstrated significantly greater (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) compared with their counterparts on low-density diets. Furthermore, the inclusion of protease significantly increased (P < 0.05) ATTD of GE. However, no discernible differences were noted among diets regarding the ATTD of dry matter and nitrogen. Regarding noxious gas emission, protease supplementation did not significantly affect total mercaptans and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emission. Nonetheless, there was a notable trend towards reduced (P = 0.06) ammonia gas (NH3) emission with protease inclusion. Similarly, nutrient density did not exhibit a significant effect (P > 0.05) on noxious gas emission. In conclusion, the results of the study underscore the importance of nutrient density and protease supplementation in optimizing pig performance and environmental sustainability in swine production systems. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and refine strategies for maximizing the benefits of these dietary interventions.

375 The effects of protease supplementation on weaned piglet performance and intestinal function fed greater amounts of lower digestible protein sources

Abstract The present study investigated the impact of dietary protease supplementation on the growth performance and intestinal function of weaned piglets when fed a diet comprising high levels of low digestible protein sources, in comparison with a standard commercially representative piglet diet. A total of 180 weaned piglets, 21 d old, of Duroc × Large White × Landrace crossbreeds, with an initial body weight (BW) of 6.27 ± 0.45 kg, were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: 1) a standard commercial positive control (PC) diet comprising 22.2% soy protein, 5% whey protein, and 3% fish meal, 2) a negative control (NC) diet comprising 30.1% soy protein without whey protein and fish meal, and 3) a NC diet supplemented with 0.02% protease (NC + PROT). The diets were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric and were pelleted at conditions of 0.4 MPa and 75°C. The experimental design employed a completely randomized design with 6 replicate pens per treatment, each pen containing 10 piglets. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA, with differences between means assessed using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (P < 0.05). In terms of piglet performance, feeding the NC diet, containing high levels of low digestible protein sources, resulted in a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in final BW, average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) by 3.1%, 8.2%, and 5.2%, respectively, compared with piglets fed the PC diet. Conversely, the NC diet significantly increased (P < 0.05) the feed-to-gain ratio and incidence of diarrhea by 3.4% and 88.3%, respectively, relative to PC. However, the supplementation of protease in the NC + PROT diet restored final BW, feed-to-gain ratio, and incidence of diarrhea to the same level as PC, while ADG and ADFI were increased (P < 0.05) by 4.6% and 4.3%, respectively. Regarding intestinal function, relative to PC, piglets fed the NC diet exhibited significantly less (P < 0.05) duodenal villus height, crude protein digestibility, and gene expressions of duodenal peptide transporter PepT1 and jejunal amino acid transporter b0,+AT, while blood urea nitrogen and diamine oxidase concentrations were greater (P < 0.05). However, the addition of protease in the NC diet reinstated measures of intestinal function, as NC + PROT-fed piglets showed similar duodenal villus height, crude protein digestibility, gene expressions of duodenal peptide transporter PepT1 and jejunal amino acid transporter b0,+AT, as well as blood urea nitrogen and diamine oxidase concentrations to PC. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of protease in weaned piglets fed higher levels of lower digestible protein sources mitigated losses in growth performance and intestinal functionality by enhancing intestinal development, protein digestibility, nutrient transport efficiency, and overall health status of piglets.

Effects of dietary protease supplementation on in vitro soybean meal protein, dry matter digestibility, and productive performance in starter-to-finisher pigs

Effects of dietary protease supplementation on in vitro soybean meal protein, dry matter digestibility, and productive performance in starter-to-finisher pigs

Dietary Protease Supplementation Improved Growth Performance and Nutrients Digestion via Modulating Intestine Barrier, Immunological Response, and Microbiota Composition in Weaned Piglets.

Despite mounting evidence for dietary protease benefits, the mechanisms beyond enhanced protein degradation are poorly understood. This study aims to thoroughly investigate the impact of protease addition on the growth performance, intestinal function, and microbial composition of weaned piglets. Ninety 28-day-old weaned pigs were randomly assigned to the following three experimental diets based on their initial body weight for a 28-day experiment: (1) control (CC), a basic diet with composite enzymes without protease; (2) negative control (NC), a diet with no enzymes; and (3) dietary protease (PR), a control diet with protease. The results show that dietary proteases significantly enhanced growth performance and boosted antioxidant capacity, increasing the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels (p < 0.05) while reducing malonaldehyde levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, protease addition reduced serum levels of inflammatory markers TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (p < 0.05), suppressed mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors in the jejunum (p < 0.01), and inhibited MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Moreover, protease-supplemented diets improved intestinal morphology and barrier integrity, including zonula occludens protein 1(ZO-1), Occludin, and Claudin-1 (p < 0.05). Microbiota compositions were also significantly altered by protease addition with increased abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001) (p < 0.05) and reduced harmful Terrisporobacter (p < 0.05). Further correlation analysis revealed a positive link between beneficial bacteria and growth performance and a negative association with inflammatory factors and intestinal permeability. In summary, dietary protease addition enhanced growth performance in weaned piglets, beneficial effects which were associated with improved intestinal barrier integrity, immunological response, and microbiota composition.

PSII-17 Effect of protease supplementation on amino acids digestibility of soybean meal fed to growing pigs of different ages

Abstract Protease supplementation can increase amino acids (AA) availability; however, the effectiveness of protease in swine diets varies and has been associated with the type and dose of protease, dietary ingredients, and potentially animal age. This study investigated the interactive effect of protease inclusion level and pig age on standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of protein (CP) and AA of soybean meal (SBM) fed to growing pigs. A corn starch–based diet was formulated with SBM as the sole source of AA and containing titanium as an indigestible marker. Protease was supplemented at 0, 15,000; 30,000 and 45,000 NFP/kg of feed (ProAct 360). An N-free diet was used to estimate basal ileal endogenous AA losses. Ten cannulated pigs (body weight = 21 kg ± 2 kg) were assigned to experimental diets in a duplicate 5 × 5 Latin square design. In Phase I (23 to 30 kg-pigs, 90 ± 17 d of age), ileal digesta was collected in 5 periods of 7 d (5 d adaptation and 2 d ileal digesta collection). In Phase II (50 to 65 kg-pigs. 140 ± 17 d of age), using the same diets, ileal digesta was collected in 5 more periods of 7 d. Pigs were fed at 4% of body weight (BW) adjusted at the end of each period. Diets and ileal digesta were analyzed for CP, AA, and titanium and SID was calculated. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of protease supplementation. The combined data were analyzed as 4 x 2 factorial, including the fixed effects of protease inclusion (excluding N-free diet), age, and their interactions. In phase I, increasing levels of protease resulted in linear improved (P &amp;lt; 0.1) of SID for the majority of indispensable AA (Except Arg, His, Met + Cys, and Trp) and the average of dispensable AA. In phase II, the SID of Ile, Leu, Met, Met + Cys, Val, the average of indispensable AA, and the majority of dispensable AA was quadratically improved. Overall (Phase I and II), the SID of Ile, Leu, Met + Cys, Val, Cys, Glu, Tyr, and the average of dispensable AA was quadratically improved (P &amp;lt; 0.1). In most cases, the supplementation of 30,000 NFP/kg of feed resulted in the greatest AA digestibility improvements. However, the linear response in the first phase for some AA suggests that diets for younger pigs could be supplemented with a greater level (45,000 NFP/kg of feed). There were no interactions between protease levels and age. Younger pigs had improved (P &amp;lt; 0.1) SID of CP and most AA (Except Cys, Gly, and Ser). In conclusion, dietary protease supplementation can improve SID of AA in soybean mean independent of pig age. Pigs age can influence AA digestibility where younger pigs have greater AA digestibility.

Exogenous protease influences protein digestibility, growth performance, and gut microflora in weanling pigs on a limited protein diet

ABSTRACTThe study was conducted to evaluate the impact of dietary level of crude protein (CP) and protease supplementation on growth performance, digestibility of nutrients, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota in weaning pigs. Three hundred cross-bred piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were allotted to five dietary treatments on the basis of initial body weight (BW) and sex. Pigs were group-housed in pens with each treatment with 10 replicate pens with six pigs per pen. The treatments included a standard diet (STD), STD with 0.6% lower protein (STD0.6), STD with 0.6% lower protein and protease supplementation (Pro0.6), STD with 1.0% lower protein (STD1.0), STD with 1.0% lower protein and protease supplementation (Pro1.0). Results indicated a higher BW (p < 0.05) of piglets in the Pro0.6 group at days 0–42 compared to the STD0.6 and STD1.0 groups. The average daily gain was higher (p < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 treatments at days 0–42 compared to the STD0.6 and STD1.0. The gain to feed ratio was higher (p < 0.05) in the STD, and Pro0.6 groups compared to the STD0.6, Pro1.0 and the STD1.0 groups at days 0–42. Dry matter digestibility was lower (p < 0.05) in the STD1.0 group than the Pro0.6 and Pro1.0 groups. The crude protein digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 group compared to the STD, STD0.6 and STD1.0 treatment groups while crude fat digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) in the STD and Pro0.6 compared with the STD0.6 and STD1.0 groups. Digestibility was higher for histidine (p < 0.05), leucine (p < 0.05) in the protease Pro0.6 and Pro1.0 groups than in the STD0.6 and STD1.0 groups. The digestibility of non-essential AA was higher for alanine (p < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 than the STD1.0 group. For faecal microbial population, Faecalibacterium abundance was higher (p < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 compared to all the other groups while the population of Actinobacteria was greater (p < 0.05) in the STD group and lowest in the Pro1.0 treatment. In the ileum, villus height was greater (p < 0.05) in the protease Pro0.6, and Pro1.0 groups compared to the STD0.6, and STD1.0 groups while the villus height to crypts depth ratio was lower (p < 0.05) in the STD 1.0 group compared to the STD, Pro0.6, and Pro1.0 groups. Based on these results, dietary protease supplementation improved nutrient digestibility and gut histo-morphology translating to improved utilisation of nutrients thus positively impacting growth performance in weaned pigs. Further, reducing the CP content in the diets increased the abundance of Muribaculaceae while protease supplementation increased the population of Faecalibacterium in the gut of the weanling piglets on the STD0.6 diet.

Effects of dietary protease supplementation on behaviour, slaughter performance, meat quality and immune organ indices of broilers

Effects of dietary protease supplementation on behaviour, slaughter performance, meat quality and immune organ indices of broilers

Effects of protease enzyme supplementation in weanling pigs' diet with different crude protein levels on growth performance and nutrient digestibility.

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of different levels of crude protein (CP) diets supplemented with dietary protease on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of the weanling pigs. In a 5-week study, 100 crossbred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) of weaner pigs that have an average initial body weight (BW) of 7.17±1.06 kg were assigned to one of four dietary treatments with 5 replications and 5 pigs (3 gilts and 2 castrated male pigs) per pen in a randomized complete block design. The dietary treatments were as follows: Phase 1: CON: basal diets (20.60% CP); low protein (LP): CON − 0.30% CP; PLP1: (CON − 0.30% CP) + 0.05% protease; PLP2: (CON − 0.50% CP) + 0.05% protease. Phase 2: CON: basal diets (18.88% CP); LP: CON − 0.30% CP; PLP1: (CON − 0.30% CP) + 0.05% protease; PLP2: (CON − 0.50% CP) + 0.05% protease. The addition of protease to low CP diets significantly increased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p = 0.039), BW (p = 0.046), average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.049), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) tended to increase (p = 0.053) in the young pigs during phase 1. However, FCR tended to increase throughout the experiment but did not change during phase 2, whereas BW, ADG, and ADFI stayed unchanged throughout phase 2 and overall. There was no significant difference in dry matter, nitrogen (N), and gross energy of nutrient digestibility in all phases and overall in weaned pigs with low CP when protease was fed. In contrast, adding protease to the low CP diets increased the tendency of N digestibility (p = 0.059) during phase 1. It is concluded that dietary protease supplementation tended to increase N retention during the first phase of the weaning period, hence increasing piglet performance.

The effectiveness of protease supplemented poultry by‐product meal‐based diet on growth, nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme activities of rohu ( Labeo rohita )

Proteases are the enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of complex proteins into simpler units for better digestion and absorption of nutrients. This study was conducted to determine the optimum supplementation level and effects of dietary protease addition in poultry by-product meal-based diet (PBM) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, digestive enzyme activities and physiochemical parameters of juvenile rohu, Labeo rohita (initial weight: 11.33 ± 0.02 g). For this purpose, seven iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic experimental diets were formulated to contain a positive control (PC) diet (containing fishmeal and no protease), a negative control (NC) diet (containing PBM and no protease) and five other PBM-based diets supplemented with exogenous protease at the levels of 150, 300, 450, 600 and 750 mg/kg diet. Results indicated that growth performance and body indices of fish fed protease supplemented diets were higher (p < 0.05) compared with those fed the NC diet, while maximum increase was recorded at 450 mg/kg protease supplementation level, which was similar to the PC diet (p > 0.05). Protease supplementation up to 450 mg/kg level linearly improved (p < 0.05) the whole-body proximate composition and digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude lipid (CL) and crude ash (CA) in rohu juveniles. A similar trend (p < 0.05) was observed in the activities of amylases, lipases and proteases in intestinal and hepatopancreatic tissues, peaking at 450 mg/kg which was also similar (p > 0.05) to the PC diet. Protease supplementation significantly improved (p < 0.05) haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Htc) and red blood cells (RBCs) of juveniles while, white blood cells (WBCs) and serum indices remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Based on quadratic regression analysis, the optimal dietary protease supplementation in PBM-based diet for rohu was 433 mg/kg. Conclusively, increase in protease supplementation from 0 to 450 mg/kg levels improved the fish performance and decreased thereafter with further increase in protease levels (600–750 mg/kg).

Effects of dietary protease supplementation on growth rate, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology of weaned pigs.

The addition of dietary proteases (PRO) to weaner diets hydrolyzes soybean-based anti-nutritive factors and improves weaned pig’s dietary digestibility and growth performance. Therefore, this study explores the effects of PRO in a lower crude protein (CP) level diet than that in a commercial diet on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology of weaned pigs. A total of 90 weaned pigs were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments with 6 pigs per pen and 5 replicated pens per treatment using a randomized complete block design (block = body weight [BW]): 1) a commercial weaner diet as a positive control (PC; phase1 CP = 23.71%; phase2 CP: 22.36%), 2) lower CP diet than PC as a negative control (NC; 0.61% less CP than PC), and 3) an NC diet with 0.02% PRO. Pigs fed PC and PRO had higher (p < 0.05) final BW, average daily gain, and/or gain to feed ratio for the first three weeks and the overall experimental period than NC. The PC and PRO groups had greater (p < 0.05) apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, CP, and energy than the NC group. Moreover, pigs fed PC and PRO increased (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of CP compared with those fed NC. In addition, the PRO group had a higher number of goblet cells than the PC and NC groups. However, pig fed PC and PRO increased (p < 0.05) villus height and height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum compared with those fed NC. In conclusion, PRO supplementation in a commercial weaner diet with low CP levels improves growth rate and nutrient digestibility by modulating the intestinal morphology of weaned pigs.

Supplementation of protease to low amino acid diets containing superdose level of phytase for wean-to-finish pigs: effects on performance, postweaning intestinal health and carcass characteristics.

This experiment investigated the effects of protease supplementation to low amino acid (AA) diets containing phytase on pig growth performance, postweaning intestinal health and carcass characteristics. A total of 936 weaned pigs (21 d of age, initial BW 5.87 ± 0.31 kg) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design comparing the main effects of AA supply [standard feeding program: balanced for all nutrients with adjustment of Ca and P due to inclusion of phytase (2,500 FTU/kg in Phase 1 to 4; 500 FTU/kg in Phase 5 to 9) vs. low AA feeding program: 15% lower standardized ileal digestible lysine with relative reduction of all other essential AA] and protease level (0 vs. 0.0125%). Pens were assigned to dietary treatment according to a randomized complete block design with 26 pigs per pen and nine replicates per dietary treatment. Feed and water were provided on an ad libitum basis for all phases throughout the wean-to-finish period. Feed intake and body weight were determined every 2 wk during nursery period and monthly in the grow-finish period. Intestinal health in the first 17 d was assessed based on lactulose:mannitol ratio (L:M), serum IgA, and pen diarrhea assessment. Overall, pigs fed standard wean-to-finish diets had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F than pigs fed low AA diets. Pig growth performance was not different throughout the wean-to-finish period with or without protease supplementation and with no interaction between AA supply and protease supplementation. There were no differences among dietary treatments for carcass characteristics. No difference was observed for urinary L:M and serum IgA; however, the L:M ratio was approximately 32% lower in pigs fed low AA diets + protease compared with pigs fed standard and low AA diets at d 5 and d 17 postweaning. Pigs fed protease supplemented diets had lower incidence of diarrhea (χ2 < 0.05) compared with pigs fed diets without protease. Results of the experiment indicate that dietary protease supplementation benefits intestinal health of nursery pigs.

PSVI-1 Dietary protease supplementation on growth performance and post-weaning diarrhea of nursery pigs

Abstract This experiment evaluated the effect of dietary protease supplementation on pig’s growth performance and post-weaning diarrhea in a 43-d trial. A total of 936 weaned pigs [21 d of age, initial BW 5.87 ± 0.31 kg] were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design (2 nutritional levels × 2 protease levels). The nutritional levels corresponded to a standard feeding program and a reduced feeding program (15% lower SID Lys) and without or with protease supplementation (0.0125% inclusion). Piglets were distributed in 36 pens with 26 pigs per pen and 9 replicates per dietary treatment. Pigs received a common Phase 1 diet and experimental diets in Phase 2, 3, and 4, (0.91, 3.4, 4.5, and 24.0 kg/pig, respectively). Phytase was included at 2,500 U in Phase 2 – 4, all diets met energy and AA:Lys requirements for nursery pigs. Feed intake and body weight were determined every 2 weeks. A pen fecal score assessment was performed at d7, 10, and 14. Performance data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure and fecal score data using the PROC FREQ procedure (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC). No significant interactions (P &amp;gt; 0.05) were observed between dietary treatments. From d15 to 43 and during overall experimental period, pigs fed standard diets had greater BW, ADG, and G:F (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than pigs fed deficient diets (Table 1). On d7, pigs fed deficient diet had more (X2 &amp;lt; 0.05) soft and watery feces, and consequently less normal feces compared to pigs fed standard diets (Figure 1). On d7, 10, and 14, pigs fed diets with protease supplementation had more (X2 &amp;lt; 0.05) normal feces compared to control pigs. Overall, effects of dietary protease supplementation on growth performance were not expressive under the conditions of this study but protease addition benefited intestinal health of nursery pigs.

Influence of dietary protease supplementation to corn–soybean meal-based high- and low-energy diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, and gas emission in growing pigs

A total of 140 growing pigs [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace)] with an average body weight of 24.10 ± 1.66 kg were used in a 6 wk trial to determine the effect of dietary protease supplementation to ...

Effects of protease supplementation on growth performance, blood constituents, and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protease on growth performance, blood constituents, and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. A total of 48 growing pigs (initial body weight, 34.8 ± 0.62 kg) were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments (6 pigs/pen; 4 replicates/treatment). The treatments were a diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON supplemented with 0.01 % of protease (PRO). Pigs were fed respective dietary treatments with a 2-phase feeding program for 12 weeks. Pigs fed PRO had higher average daily gain (ADG; phase I, 866.38 vs. 821.75 g/d; overall, 910.96 vs. 866.30 g/d; p < 0.05) and gain to feed ratio (G:F; phase I, 0.345 vs. 0.363 g/g; p < 0.05) than those fed CON. However, there were no differences on blood constituents and carcass characteristics between CON and PRO of growing-finishing pigs. In conclusion, dietary protease supplementation in the typical diet for growing-finishing pigs improved growth rate.

86 Influence of Protease Supplementation to Corn-Soybean Meal Based High and Low Energy Diets on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profiles, and Gas Emission in Growing Pigs.

A total of 140 growing pigs [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace)] with an average body weight (BW) of 24.10 ± 1.66 kg were used in a 6-wk trial to determine the effect dietary protease supplementation in different energy diets in growing pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design, with 2 levels of nutrient density (low or high nutrient density) and protease (0 or 125 g protease/ton) according to their sex and BW (7 pens with 3 barrows and 2 gilts/pen). Individual pig BW and pen feed consumption were recorded at the end of sixth week to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F). Fresh fecal samples were collected at the sixth week for calculation of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) digestibility. All data were subjected to the mixed procedure of SAS for a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Pigs fed the high density diets increased (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, and energy digestibility compared with the low density diets during 6 weeks. The supplementation of protease in the diet did not have significant effect on BW, ADG, and digestibility of DM and N. However, at week 6, pigs fed the diet with protease supplementation increased energy digestibility (P < 0.05). In addition, trends in increased DM digestibility and G:F) (P = 0.08, P = 0.09 respectively) were observed. With regards to blood profiles, a significant increase in the level of creatinine at the 6th week and trends in increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P = 0.06) and reduction in nor-epinephrine levels (P = 0.07) were also observed. Further more, ammonia gas emission, tended (P = 0.06) to reduce in the faeces of pigs fed protease supplemented diets. In conclusion, these results suggest that supplementation of growing pigs diet with protease significantly increased energy digestibility and creatinine levels, tended to increase G:F, DM digestibility, BUN, and decreased ammonia gas emission and norepinephrine levels. Key Words: digestibility; growth performance; pigs; protease. Table. Effect of different energy diet supplementations of protease on growth performance in growing pigs, wk 0 to 6 Table. Effect of different energy diet supplementations of protease on growth performance in growing pigs, wk 0 to 6

Effect of dietary protease supplementation and sex on dressing percentage and body conformation in broilers

This paper presents research results on the effect of protease on the dressing percentage of conventionally dressed carcass and body conformation in broiler chickens. Broiler diet was supplemented with 0.2% protease (group E-I) and 0.3% protease (group E-II), and protein content in the feed was reduced by 4% (E-I) and 6% (E-II) through a decrease in soybean meal content. Fast-growing Cobb 500 broilers were used for a 63-day fattening trial. Body conformation measurement included absolute carcass conformation measures (metatarsus length, keel length, breast depth, breast angle, thigh girth) and relative body conformation measures - conformation indices (body weight/metatarsus length, body weight/keel length, body weight/breast depth, body weight/thigh girth). Results showed a significant effect of sex on the dressing percentage of conventionally dressed carcass and all body conformation measures, whereas diet had a significant effect on the dressing percentage of conventionally dressed carcass and breast angle values.

Effect of dietary supplementation with protease on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, digestive enzymes and gene expression of weaned piglets.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary protease supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, digestive enzymes and gene expression in weaned piglets. A total of 300 weaned piglets (21 days of age Duroc × Large White × Landrace; initial BW = 6.27 ± 0.45 kg) were randomly divided into 5 groups. The 5 diets were: 1) positive control diet (PC), 2) negative control diet (NC), and 3) protease supplementations, which were 100, 200, and 300 mg per kg NC diet. Results indicated that final BW, ADG, ADFI, crude protein digestibility, enzyme activities of stomach pepsin, pancreatic amylase and trypsin, plasma total protein, and intestinal villus height were higher for the PC diet and the supplementations of 200 and 300 mg protease per kg NC diet than for the NC diet (P < 0.05). Supplementations of 200 and 300 mg protease per kg NC diet significantly increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VH:CD) of duodenum, jejunum and ileum compared with NC diet (P < 0.05). Feed to gain ratio, diarrhea index, blood urea nitrogen, and diamine oxidase were lower for the PC diet and supplementations of 200 and 300 mg protease per kg NC diet than for the NC diet (P < 0.05). Piglets fed the PC diet had a higher peptide transporter 1 (PepT1) mRNA abundance in duodenum than piglets fed the NC diet (P < 0.05), and supplementations of 100, 200 and 300 mg protease per kg NC diet increased the PepT1 mRNA abundance in duodenum (P < 0.05) comparing with the NC diet. Piglets fed the PC diet had a higher b0,+AT mRNA abundance in jejunum than piglets fed the NC diet (P < 0.05), and supplementations of 200 and 300 mg protease per kg NC diet increased the b0,+AT mRNA abundance in jejunum and ileum comparing with the NC diet (P < 0.05). In summary, dietary protease supplementation increases growth performance in weaned piglets, which may contribute to the improvement of intestinal development, protein digestibility, nutrient transport efficiency, and health status of piglets when fed low digestible protein sources.

Effects of dietary supplementation with a protease on the apparent ileal digestibility of the weaned piglet

The effects of an acid-stable protease (RONOZYME ProAct) supplemented to a corn (Zea mays)-soybean (Glycine max) meal-based diet on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients were evaluated in 120 weaned piglets (28 d old; 8.17 ± 0.90 kg). Pigs were divided into 2 equal groups and had free access to mash diet containing 0.4% Cr(2)O(3) as indigestible marker [basal diet (Std)] or this diet supplemented with RONOZYME ProAct at 15,000 PROT [the amount of enzyme that releases 1 μmol of pnitroaniline from 1 μM of substrate (Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroaniline) per min at pH 9.0 and 37°C)/kg (ProA). The ileal content was collected for the digestibility determination after euthanasia of 35 piglets of each group after 14 d of study and 25 piglets of each group after 29 d. Compared to group Std, AID of CP was increased (P < 0.05) after 29 d of treatment in group ProA. The AID of the indispensable AA, Met + Cys, and branched-chain AA was increased (P < 0.05) at the end of the study. In the protease supplemented pigs, the AID of the individual AA was not improved after 14 d of treatment whereas it was increased (P < 0.05) at the end of the experiment for Arg, Asp + Asn, Glu + Gln, His, Ile, Lys, Phe, Thr, Tyr ,and Val. In conclusion, dietary protease supplementation increased AID of AA in piglets.

Dietary Protease Supplementation Attenuates Eccentric-exercise Induced Force Production Decrements By Regulating Leukocyte Activity

Dietary protease supplementation has been purported to reduce the damaging effects of eccentric exercise and accelerate recovery of muscle function, possibly by regulating local inflammation. PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of prophylactic protease supplementation in attenuating eccentric-exercise induced skeletal muscle damage and inflammation. METHODS: Following standard physical and hemodynamic assessment subjects donated fasting venous blood samples. Subjects then performed isokinetic extension/flexion of the quadriceps group on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s, followed by VO2max testing. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume 5.83g daily of either a cellulose placebo (N= 15; 22.27+3.33 yr, 71.17+2.91 in, 179.4+24.05 lb, 50.55+5.66 ml/kg/min) or a proteolytic supplement containing fungal proteases, bromelain, and papain (N= 14; 22.85+5.9 yr, 70.0+2.67 in, 173.11+29.94 lb, 49.69+6.15 ml/kg/min) for a period of 21 days. Following the supplementation period, subjects donated blood samples prior to performing a 45 minute downhill (-17.5%) treadmill protocol at 60% of VO2max. An additional 4 blood draws and 3 muscle function tests were performed over the next 48h. Blood was analyzed using standard hematology and clinical chemistry, ELISA, and bead-array. Blood data were analyzed using MANOVA with repeated measures, while Biodex data were analyzed using MANOVA on %D values. RESULTS: Significant group differences (T1-T3, p= 0.033; T1-T4, p= 0.043) and another strong trend (T1-3h, p= 0.055) were observed for flexion peak torque %D at 60°/s. No significant differences were observed for extension. Following eccentric exercise, muscle force in the protease group actually increased (T1-3h: 4.73%, T1-T3: 3.01%, T1-T4: 6.44%), while the placebo group experienced significant force decrements (T1-3h: -19.54%, T1-T3: -27.94%, T1-T4: -25.87%). Significant group x time interactions (p < 0.05) for the protease group were observed with increases in circulating eosinophils, basophils, and decreases in serum COX2, IL-6, and IL-12. CONCLUSION: Protease supplementation appears to attenuate muscle strength loss following eccentric exercise by altering leukocyte activity and inflammatory responses. Funded by Transformation Enzyme Corp. (Houston, TX) & ACSM Texas Chapter.

Dietary protease can alleviate negative effects of a coccidiosis infection on production performance in broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary protease on coccidiosis infection, production performance, the intestinal mucus layer thickness, and brush border enzyme activity using broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. laboratory isolates ( Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella). In the first study the protease was supplied at a concentration of 2.5 × 10 4 amylase-DU per kg feed. Broiler chickens were housed in cages and were infected at 10 days of age with 10 4.0 E. acervulina, 10 3.8 E. maxima or 10 3.3 E. tenella sporulated oocysts. Coccidial lesion scores, oocysts shedding, sporulation assessment and daily weight gain were used as parameters to quantify the effect of the protease. In the second study the effects of the protease (supplied at a concentration of 2.5 × 10 4 amylase-DU per kg feed) on the thickness of the mucus adherent layer and sucrase-isomaltase activity (SIA) of three regions (duodenum, jejunum and caecum) of the intestinal tract were determined. In experiment 1, no significant interaction between dietary enzyme supplementation and single Eimeria spp. challenge was observed on body weight gain. However, protease addition to the diet resulted in a significant ( P=0.046) higher weight gain after comparing all supplemented and non-supplemented groups. E. maxima infected chickens showed a significant lower body weight gain in comparison with the other Eimeria infected groups. Coccidial lesions were not significantly affected by the dietary protease supplementation, despite the slight tendency to a higher lesion score for E. acervulina on the enzyme supplemented diets. In experiment 2, it was shown that the adherent mucus layer of the duodenum ( P<0.001), jejunum ( P<0.001) and caeca ( P=0.005) was significantly thicker in birds fed the enzyme-supplemented diet. The sucrase-isomaltase activity (SIA) in mucosal scrapings of the jejunum was significantly lower ( P=0.005) in birds fed the enzyme supplemented diet, indicating a higher villus turnover rate. In conclusion, our data suggest that dietary supplementation with a protease reduced the negative impact of a coccidiosis infection on body weight gain of broilers, although the coccidial lesions and oocyst excretion remained unaffected.