Digestible Energy Research Articles

Impact of including two types of destoned olive cakes in pigs' diets on fecal bacterial composition and study of the relationship between fecal microbiota, feed efficiency, gut fermentation, and gaseous emissions.

The microbial population in the pig's gastrointestinal tract can be influenced by incorporating fibrous by-products into the diets. This study investigated the impact of including two types of dried olive cake (OC) in pigs' diets on fecal bacterial composition. The correlation between fecal microbiota and growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut fermentation pattern and slurry gas emissions was also evaluated. Thirty male Pietrain x (Landrace x Large white) pigs (47.9 ± 4.21 kg) were assigned to three groups: a control group (C), a group fed a diet with 20% partially defatted OC (20PDOC), and a group fed a diet with 20% cyclone OC (20COC) for 21 days. Fecal samples collected before and after providing the experimental diets were analyzed for the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Pigs were weighed, and feed intake was recorded throughout the study. Potential ammonia and methane emissions from slurry were measured. No significant differences in alpha diversity indexes were found. The taxonomic analysis revealed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidota phyla were dominant at the phylum level across all groups. Differential abundance analysis using ALDEx showed significant differences among groups for various bacteria at the phylum, genus, and species levels at the end of the experiment. Pigs from 20PDOC and 20COC groups exhibited increased abundances of health-promoting bacteria, such as Plactomycetota at the phylum level and Allisonella and an unidentified genus from the Eggerthellaceae family at the genus level. These changes influenced short-chain fatty acids' (SCFA) concentration in slurries, leading to greater acetic, butyric, caproic and heptanoic acids in OC-fed groups, especially 20COC pigs. A volatility analysis revealed significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) between Uncultured_Bacteroidales and Unculured_Selenomonadaceae and energy digestibility. Monoglobus and Desulfovibrio showed a positive significant (p < 0.05) correlation with total SCFA, indicating a high impact on gut fermentation. However, growth performance parameters and potential gas emission displayed no significant correlations with a specific bacterial genus. In conclusion, our results suggest that OC inclusion into pig diets could positively modulate and contribute to the gut microbiota's favorable composition and functionality. Also, nutrient digestibility and gut fermentation patterns can be associated with specific microbial populations.

Impact of extrusion temperature and moisture incorporation on nutrient digestibility in barramundi (Lates calcarifer) diet

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of extrusion temperature and moisture incorporation procedure on nutrient digestibility of diets fed to barramundi (Lates calcarifer). A single premix was processed under six contrasted extrusion processing conditions, with extruder barrel temperatures set at 100 °C and 110 °C, and liquid water either incorporated in the preconditioner, in the barrel, or in both. In a subsequent 33-day feeding trial, grow-out fish (758.3 ± 24.5 g) were fed the 6 diets and apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were assessed for 42 fatty acids, 17 amino acids, protein, lipids and energy. Digestibility of protein (92.3–93.7%), lipid (84.1–89.4%), and energy (69.4–75.2%) also remained unaffected by extrusion settings (P > 0.05). However, lower extrusion temperature and moisture incorporation in both preconditioner and barrel resulted in higher digestibility of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), long-chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), omega-3, omega-6 and 22:6 docosahexaenoic n-3 (DHA). Moreover, lower extrusion temperature significantly improved ADCs of essential amino acids, except lysine, histidine, and threonine (P < 0.05). The results showed no significant impact (P > 0.05) of the tested extrusion parameters on fish growth (TGC: 2.11 ± 0.17), feed intake, or feed conversion performance (FCR: 1.67 ± 0.13). The study unveils diverse responses to extrusion temperature and moisture levels regarding amino acid and fatty acid digestibility. These findings highlight the advantages of preconditioning during the extrusion process to enhance fatty acid digestibility.

Nutrient utilization and energy balance profile in probiotic supplemented Asian elephants

Aim: A study was methodized to evaluate whether supplementation of probiotics could impact the utilization of nutrients and energy in Asian elephants. Materials and Methods: Eighteen elephants were randomly selected for 60 days experiment including five days of the digestibility trial and divided into three groups with six elephants each i.e. control with no probiotic (T1) and the other two with probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus in T2 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in T3 groups at 1 × 109 CFU/gm concentrate per 50 kg body weight/ day orally. Results: : The intakes of ether extract and total ash revealed significant whereas the digestibility coefficients of total ash and acid-insoluble ash exhibited a highly significant effect of treatment. However, other values of intakes and the digestibility coefficients of proximate principles and fibre fractions could not reveal any significant effect. Practical nutritional worth, plane of nutrition and energy balance profile were also found to be non significant among the groups. Increasing trend of intake and the digestibility of energy; and the relative difference was associated with increased DM intake and NDF digestibility. The mean values for TDN%, NR, digestible DM and OM intakes and TDN intake were obtained to be higher for probiotic supplemented groups than the control group. Conclusion: It is concluded that probiotic supplementation could not exhibit any significant effect on nutrients and energy utilization in elephants. However, further research is needed to examine the effects of high doses, strain and viability of the probiotics.

Time budgets differ in horses during continuous and space-restricted rotational grazing

Horses can become obese and develop related health issues such as laminitis from excessive grazing on high-quality pasture grass; limiting pasture intake can allow weight loss to occur. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of space-restricted rotational grazing on body weight (BW) and time budgets in horses. Eight mature geldings and mares with maintenance-only requirements were randomly assigned to either a space-restricted rotational grazing group (SRG; BW 512 ± 6 kg; n = 4) or a continuous grazing group (CG; BW 517 ± 49 kg; n = 4) for 42 d SRG horses grazed an area with dimensions to provide 80–90 % of mean digestible energy requirement for the 4 horses over a 7-d grazing period; whereas, the CG horses continuously grazed similar non-toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue pasture providing greater than maintenance requirements for the 42 d Horses in the SRG group were moved to a new area every 7 d for 6 weeks. On d 7 at 1600 h of each week, horses were brought inside, and feed was withheld overnight. At 0700 h the next day, BWs were recorded prior to turnout. Observers recorded behaviors simultaneously on SRG and CG horses every six minutes throughout the day three days per week according to an ethogram. This included 30 s scans of all horses. Proportion of grazing and standing had an inverse relationship. Proportion of grazing was affected by the treatment by time interaction, which grazing was displayed more in SRG than CG during weeks 2 and 3, and then reversed weeks 4, 5 and 6.

Assessing the effects of live yeast supplementation to diets containing high starch of dairy cows on rumen fermentation and methane production in vitro

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of live Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (LY) supplementation on high-starch diets for dairy cows. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, four treatment groups were examined: adequate starch without LY (AS-control), AS with LY (AS-LY), high starch without LY (HS-control), and HS with LY (HS-LY). LY was added at 2.9 × 106 CFU/200 mg DM or without yeast. In vitro gas and methane (CH4) production, organic matter (OM) digestibility, rumen fermentation, and metabolizable energy (ME) were analyzed. The Hohenheim Gas Test apparatus was used, and total gas volumes were measured at various incubation hours. Results showed no significant effects of LY or dietary starch ratio on gas kinetics, total gas, or CH4 production. Similarly, OM digestibility, fermentation kinetics, and ME were unaffected. In conclusion, LY supplementation did not alter in vitro gas, CH4 production, OM digestibility, rumen fermentation, or ME. Further research could investigate the underlying mechanisms, such as rumen microbial population influences.

Feeding a Multi-Enzyme Blend to Enhance the Nutrient Digestibility of Wheat-Canola Expeller Diets in Ileal-Cannulated Weaned Pigs.

Canola expeller (CE) contains ~200 g/kg residual oil, but also fiber that impairs nutrient digestibility in weaned pigs. To study if feed enzymes increase digestibility, six diets containing either the basal or two CE samples mixed in at 250 g/kg (CE-A or CE-B) were formulated with or without a multi-enzyme blend containing cellulase, xylanase, glucanase, amylase, protease, invertase, and pectinase. The basal diet containing 620 g/kg wheat and 150 g/kg barley served as control. Twelve ileal-cannulated barrows (9-15 kg) were fed the six diets in a replicated 6 (pigs) × 3 (periods) Youden square. Ileal digestibility of gross energy and amino acids was 5% greater for basal than CE diets without differences between CE samples. Diet energy values were 4% greater for CE than basal diets due to residual oil in CE. Inclusion of the multi-enzyme blend increased total tract digestibility of energy of the basal but not CE diets by 2%. Net energy value was greater for CE-A than CE-B because CE-A contained more residual oil. In conclusion, feeding 250 g/kg CE increased diet energy values; thus, CE can substitute added fat in weaned pig diets. Feeding the multi-enzyme blend increased the energy digestibility of wheat and barley-based diets fed to weaned pigs. However, research is needed to identify enzyme combinations that increase the nutrient digestibility of CE.

Partitioning among-animal variance of energy utilization in lactating Jersey cows

Animals vary in the way in which they utilize energy due to diet, genetics, and management. Energy consumed by the animal supports milk production, but considerable variation among-animals in energy utilization is thought to exist. The study objective was to estimate the among-animal variance in energy utilization in data collected from Jersey cows using indirect calorimetry. Individual animal-period data from 15 studies (n = 560) were used. The data set included 115 animals from 44 to 410 DIM producing 11.5 to 39.1 kg/d of milk. On average, the 63 treatments in the data set ranged 14.8 to 19.5% CP, 21.4 to 43.0% NDF, 16.2 to 33.3% starch, and 2.21 to 6.44% crude fat. Data were analyzed with the Glimmix procedure of SAS (9.4) with random effects of cow, treatment nested within period, square, and experiment. The percentage of among-animal, dietary treatment, and experimental variance was calculated as the variance associated with each fraction divided by the sum of variance from animal, dietary treatment, experiment, and residual which was considered the total variance. The percentage of among-animal variance was characterized as high or low when the value was greater than or less than the mean value of 29.2%. Among-animal variance explained approximately 29.3 - 42.5% of the total variance in DM intake (DMI), gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy of lactation (NEL) in Mcal/d. When energetic components of feces, urine, and heat in Mcal/d were expressed per unit of DMI the among-animal variance decreased by 20.4, 4.82, and 9.55% units, respectively. However, among-animal variance explained 4.80, 8.78, and 5.02% units more of the total variation for methane energy, lactation energy, and tissue energy in Mcal/d when expressed per unit of DMI. Variance in energetic efficiencies of DE/GE, ME/GE, and ME/DE were explained to a lesser extent by among-animal variance (averaging 17.8 ± 1.95%). The among-animal contribution to total variance in milk energy was 28.8%. Milk energy was a large proportion of the energy efficiency calculation which included milk energy plus corrected tissue energy over net energy intake which likely contributed to the 22.2% of total among-animal variance in energy efficiency. Results indicate that among-animal variance explains a large proportion of the total variation in DMI. This contributes to the variance observed for energy fractions as well as energy components when expressed in Mcal/d. Variation in energetic loss associated with methane was primarily explained by differences among-animals and was increased when expressed per unit of DMI highlighting the role of inherent animal differences in these losses.

Effect of solid-state fermentation of Brewer's spent grain on digestibility and digestive function of european seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

This study assessed the effects of dietary inclusion of solid-state fermented (SSF) brewer’s spent grain (BSG) with Aspergillus ibericus on nutrient and energy digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, and intestinal histomorphology of juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Five diets (18 % crude lipids and 45 % crude protein) were formulated, including a control diet (without BSG), two diets with 10 % and 20 % unfermented BSG (10BSG and 20BSG), and two other diets with 10 % and 20 % fermented BSG (10BSG-SSF and 20BSG-SSF). SSF affected the BSG's nutritional composition, including a 21 % increase in protein content and reductions in lipid (49 %), cellulose (30 %), hemicellulose (34 %), and lignin (7.3 %) content. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds were minimal before SSF but significantly increased after SSF. Dietary incorporation of 20 % BSG-SSF increased the digestibility of dry matter (p<0.01), protein (p=0.03), isoleucine (p=0.03), glutamate (p=0.02), lipids (p=0.04) and energy (p=0.04) compared to the 20BSG diet. Moreover, SSF also modulated digestive enzyme activity, reducing total protease (p=0.03) and trypsin (p=0.01) activities in fish fed the 10BSG-SSF diet compared to the control diet. Fish fed the 20BSG diet showed changes in intestinal histomorphology compared to those fed the control diet, and SSF of BSG appeared to mitigate these effects.Overall, these results indicate that SSF is a promising technique for enhancing the nutritional quality of low-value agro-industrial by-products, such as BSG, increasing their potential use as feed ingredients and contributing to reducing the climate and environmental footprint of aquaculture production.

Effects of bulk tank milk, waste milk, and pasteurized waste milk on the nutrient utilization, gastrointestinal tract development, and antimicrobial resistance to Escherichia coli in preweaning dairy calves

This study aimed to assess the effect of bulk tank milk (BTM), waste milk (WM), and pasteurized waste milk (PWM) on nutrient digestibility, ruminal and cecal fermentation, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, and antimicrobial resistance of fecal Escherichia coli from dairy calves at 2 periods (30 and 60 d of age). Calves were grouped according to BW, serum protein levels, and breed composition. Three treatments were included: BTM (n = 21), WM from cows under antibiotic treatment (n = 21), and PWM (WM submitted to HTST pasteurization; n = 21). A total of 63 calves were used, of which 18 animals (n = 6 per treatment) were evaluated in the period of 4 to 30 d, and 45 (n = 15 per treatment) from 4 to 60 d. During the experimental period, a daily intake of 6 L of milk was divided into 2 equal meals, with ad libitum access to water and starter. Milk and feed intakes were recorded daily. Apparent total-tract digestibility and nitrogen balance were conducted from 25 to 29 d of age (n = 6) and from 53 to 57 d of age (n = 15). Animals were slaughtered at 30 ± 1 and 60 ± 1 d of age for the assessment of ruminal and cecal fermentation and GIT development. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted at 1, 30, and 60 d of age (n = 15/treatment). Statistical analysis used a linear mixed-effects model for continuous outcomes and generalized linear models for single measurements (R software). Treatments WM and PWM had lower rumen pH, higher ruminal acetate concentration, larger reticulorumen and liver, and a higher prevalence of fecal-resistant E. coli compared with BTM at both 30 and 60 d. Up to 60 d, both BTM and WM treatments exhibited higher digestibility of ether extract and gross energy compared with the PWM, whereas WM and PWM treatments showed increased nitrogen intake and retention compared with the BTM treatment. These findings suggest that pasteurization of WM negatively affects nutrient digestibility and calf performance, while also affecting rumen development. Additionally, the use of milk containing antibiotic residue leads to the selection of resistant E. coli in the GIT over time.

Evaluation of Effective Energy Values of Six Protein Ingredients Fed to Beagles and Predictive Energy Equations for Protein Feedstuff.

This study evaluated the nutrition composition, the nutrient digestibility, and the energy value of six protein ingredients used in pet food by the difference method in six beagles within a 7 × 6 incomplete Latin square design. The results showed that the apparent total tract digestibility of gross energy (GE) and organic matter (OM) in beagles fed the fish meal (FM) and corn gluten meal (CGM) diets was higher than for those fed the meat and bone meal (MBM), soybean meal (SBM), mealworm meal (MM), and yeast extract (YE) diets (p < 0.05). The digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy (NE) of the MM diet were greater than the other diets, and MBM was the lowest (p < 0.05). The ME of protein ingredients was positively correlated with organic matter and negatively correlated with the ash content. The NE of protein ingredients was positively correlated with the crude protein content and negatively correlated with the ash content. The study resulted in predictive energy equations for protein ingredients that were more accurate than the NRC's predictive equation of ME when the ash content of the ingredient was more than 30% DM. In conclusion, the nutrient digestibility and energy value of corn gluten meal were similar to those of fish meal and those of soybean meal were similar to yeast extract. All predictive energy equations for six protein feedstuffs had slight differences with measured energy values.

Effects of a Novel Consensus Bacterial 6-Phytase Variant on Growth Performance and Bone Ash of Broilers Fed Complex Diets Highly Deficient in Minerals, Digestible Amino Acids and Energy through 42 Days of Age.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing the dose of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant expressed in Trichoderma reesei (PhyG) in broilers fed complex diets highly deficient in minerals, dig AA, and energy. Diets were a nutrient-adequate control (PC); a nutrient-reduced control (NC) formulated with a reduction in available P (avP) by 0.199%, Ca by 0.21%, crude protein by 0.72-1.03%, dig Lys by 0.064-0.084%, Na by 0.047%, and ME by 87.8 kcal/kg, respectively; and NC supplemented with PhyG at 500, 1000, and 2000 FTU/kg feed. BW was decreased and FCR increased in the NC vs. PC, while the PhyG treatments were similar to the PC. Carcass yield and bone ash were also maintained with PhyG supplementation. Phytase provided economic benefit on a feed cost per kg of weight basis for 1 to 35 d; the cost reductions equated to USD 0.006, 0.016, and 0.02/kg BWG at 500, 1000, and 2000 FTU/kg. In conclusion, this trial demonstrated that supplementation with a novel consensus phytase variant in diets highly deficient in minerals, dig AA, and energy maintained growth performance and provided economic benefit, with production benefits being maximized at inclusion levels of 2000 FTU/kg.

Assessing genotypes of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as an alternative to maize silage for sheep nutrition.

Nutritive value of five Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) genotypes (IG96-50, IG96-96, IG96-358, IG96-401 and IG96-403) weredetermined. Their sugar contents (>70 mg/g of dry matter) and ensiling potential were evaluated using in vitro batch culture and in vivo studies. Research indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in the dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and lignin contents of the C. ciliaris genotypes tested. Genotypes also differed (P < 0.05) in total carbohydrates, structural carbohydrates, non-structural carbohydrates and protein fractions. Genotype IG96-96 had the lowest total digestible nutrients, digestible energy and metabolizable energy contents (377.2 g/kg, 6.95 and 5.71 MJ/kg of dry matter, respectively), and net energy values for lactation, maintenance and growth. After 45 days of ensiling, C. ciliaris silages differed (P < 0.05) in dry matter, pH, and lactic acid contents, and their values ranged between 255-339, 4.06-5.17 g/kg of dry matter and 10.8-28.0 g/kg of dry matter, respectively. Maize silage had higher (P < 0.05) Organic Matter (919.5g/kg of dry matter), ether extract (20.4g/kg of dry matter) and hemi-cellulose (272.3 g/kg of dry matter) than IG96-401 and IG96-96 silages. The total carbohydrates and non-structural carbohydrates of maize silage were higher (P < 0.05), while structural carbohydrates were comparable (P < 0.05) with C. ciliaris silages. Sheep on maize silage had (P < 0.05) higher metabolizable energy, lower crude protein, and digestible crude protein intake (g/kg of dry matter) than those on C. ciliaris silage diets. Nitrogen intake and urinary-N excretion were higher (P < 0.05) on genotype IG96-96 silage diet. Overall, this study suggested that certain C. ciliaris genotypes, notably IG96-401 and IG96-96, exhibited nutritive values comparable to maize silage in sheep studies, offering a promising avenue for future exploration as potential alternatives in diversified and sustainable livestock nutrition programs.

Effects of Starter Diet Energy Concentration on Nutrient Digestibility and Subsequent Growth Performance and Meat Yields of Broilers under Two Coccidiosis Control Programs.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the live performance, processing characteristics, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients and energy (IDE) in broilers under two coccidiosis control programs (CCP) and fed three starter diet energy levels. Treatments were a factorial arrangement of CCP [in-feed diclazuril (ACD) or vaccinated after hatch (VAC)] and three starter diet energy levels [3008 (standard), 3058 (moderate), and 3108 (high) kcal/kg apparent MEn] achieved with different soybean oil concentrations. Birds were reared in floor pens (12 per pen) and received experimental starter diets from 0 to 18 d and common grower and finisher diets to 43 d. At d 11, VAC birds had higher (p < 0.05) excreta oocyst counts and lower (p < 0.05) plasma carotenoids, nutrient AID, and IDE than ACD birds. From 0 to 18 and 0 to 31 d, VAC decreased (p < 0.05) body weight gain and increased (energy × CCP, p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio of birds fed the moderate and high-energy diets but not for those fed the standard energy diet. From 0 to 43 d, VAC only increased the feed conversion ratio of birds fed the moderate-energy starter diet (energy × CCP, p < 0.05). Carcass yields were lower (p < 0.05) for VAC birds than for ACD birds, and interactive effects (p < 0.05) were observed for wing yield. In summary, increasing dietary lipid concentration to account for Eimeria-induced reductions in lipid digestibility during the starter period of coccidiosis-vaccinated broilers may exacerbate, rather than ameliorate, these impacts on bird performance.

Exogenous xylanase increases total tract digestibility of energy and fiber in diets for gestating and lactating sows, but does not influence reproductive performance of sows

The hypothesis that exogenous xylanase added to diets for gestating and lactating sows will increase the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and total dietary fiber (TDF), increase digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy, and improve the reproductive performance of sows was tested. Two diets for gestating sows and two diets for lactating sows were formulated without or with 100 g per ton of an exogenous xylanase (16,000 units/kg). Diets were fed in two consecutive reproductive cycles. From 106 animals, 48 pregnant sows, organized in 4 blocks of 12 sows (6 sows per treatment in each block), were placed for 10 days in metabolism crates starting on day 35 (mid-gestation) and again on day 95 (late-gestation) with feces and urine being collected for 4 days. Sows were moved to the lactation unit on day 106 of gestation and feeding of lactation diets was initiated. Fecal samples were collected (grab-sampling) from days 10–14 post-farrowing. The number and weight of pigs born, mummified, stillborn, and weaned per sow were recorded, and survival rate and litter average daily gain were calculated. Litters were weaned on day 20 ± 1. All animals were rebred and 46 sows were placed in metabolism crates in mid and late-gestation as in the first cycle, and treatments in the farrowing unit during the second cycle were also as in the first cycle; however, colostrum and milk samples were collected from sows in the second cycle. Results indicated that reproductive performance was not different between sows fed control diets and sows fed diets with xylanase during the two reproductive cycles. In the first gestation period, the ATTD of TDF in late-gestation was greater (P < 0.05) in sows fed the diet with xylanase than in sows fed the control diet. During the first lactation, sows fed the diet with xylanase had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of GE and TDF, and greater (P < 0.05) DE than sows fed the control diet. During the second gestation, sows fed the diet with xylanase had greater (P < 0.05) DE in mid-gestation. During the second lactation, sows fed the diet with xylanase had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of GE and TDF, and greater (P < 0.05) DE than sows fed the control diet. In conclusion, DE was greater in diets with xylanase than in control diets during the two reproductive cycles, and sows fed the lactation diet with xylanase had greater digestibility of fiber than sows fed the control diet.

Substituting effects of winged bean tuber-modified starches for cassava chip in concentrate diets on rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and blood metabolites in Thai native beef cattle.

This study examined the effects of substituting winged bean tuber steam (WBTS) modified starches for cassava chips (CSC) in the concentrate diet on rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and blood metabolites in Thai-native beef cattle. Four Thai-native bulls were assigned randomly as a 4×4 Latin square design, which represents the amount of CSC replaced with WBTS in the concentrate mixture diets at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Increasing levels of WBTS replacement for CSC in the concentrate diets had a quadratic effect on total dry matter (DM) intake (p<0.05). Replacement of WBTS at 20% and 30% for CSC did not alter total DM intake compared to 0% WBTS, whereas 10% WBTS replacement could significantly increase total DM intake by 0.41 kg DM/d compared to the control group. In addition, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility showed a quadratic increase (p<0.05) when CSC was substituted at various levels of WBTS in the concentrate diet (p<0.05). Replacement of CSC with WBTS at 10% and 20% showed higher NDF digestibility when compared to 0% replacement. There was a quadratic increase in blood glucose at 4 h post-feeding, and the average blood glucose value was significantly lower (p<0.01) when substituting CSC with WBTS. Substituting WBTS for CSC at 10% in the concentrate diet showed the highest blood glucose concentration when compared to other treatments. Replacing CSC with WBTS at 10% and 20% shows a higher concentration of C3 than those of other treatments (0% or 30%). The nitrogen (N) intake increased linearly (p<0.05) when substituting WBTS for CSC at all levels in the diet. Additionally, N retention and the ratio of N retention to N intake increased (p<0.05) when substituting WBTS for CSC at 10%, 20%, and 30% compared to 0%. The gross energy intake (GEI), digestible energy intake (DEI), and energy efficiency (DEI/GEI) were quadratically increased when substituted with various levels of WBTS for CSC in the concentrate diet. The findings indicate that substituting 10% of CSC in the concentrate diet with WBTS may be sufficient as an alternative feed resource for improving nutrient utilization and metabolic efficiency in beef cattle diets.

159 Concentrations of energy in pistachio shell powder fed to gestating sows and lactating sows

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), and metabolizable energy (ME) in pistachio shell powder are not different from those in soybean hulls when fed to gestating sows. The second hypothesis was that the ATTD of GE and DE in pistachio shell powder are not different from those in soybean hulls when fed to lactating sows. In Exp. 1, gestating sows (n = 24) were housed in metabolism crates and were fed a corn-based control diet or two diets that included corn and 20% pistachio shell powder or 20% soybean hulls. Sows were fed the experimental diets for 13 d with feces and urine being quantitatively collected for 4 d, after a 6 d of adaptation. Concentrations of DE and ME were calculated. In Exp. 2, lactating sows (n = 24) were housed in farrowing crates and fed a diet based on corn and soybean meal (SBM) or two diets that contained corn, SBM and 20% of either pistachio shell powder or soybean hulls. All diets contained corn and SBM at a ratio of 2.87:1.00 and 0.40% TiO2 as the digestibility marker. Lactating sows were allowed ad libitum access to the experimental diets and feces were collected for 6 d after a 7 d of adaptation to the diets. The DE in each diet and in pistachio shell powder and soybean hulls was calculated. Each experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design and each experiment used two blocks of 12 sows, with 4 sows per diet in each block. The statistical model in both experiments included diet or ingredient as the fixed effect and block and replicate within block as the random effects. Results from Exp. 1 indicated that the ATTD of GE and DE and ME on an as-fed basis as well as on a dry matter basis were less (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in pistachio shell powder compared with corn and soybean hulls and DE and ME in soybean hulls were less (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than in corn (Table 1). Results from Exp. 2 indicated that the ATTD of GE and DE in pistachio shell powder were less (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than in soybean hulls. In conclusion, pistachio shell powder has a high concentration of fiber and energy digestibility and concentrations of energy in pistachio shell powder were, therefore, less than in soybean hulls when fed to gestating or lactating sows, but gestating sows appear to be better at digesting pistachio shell powder than lactating sows. This is likely due to the restricted feed intake of gestating sows that allows more time for nutrient and energy digestion and absorption in the intestinal tract compared with lactating sows.

49 Effects of xylanase or a stimbiotic on growth performance and total tract digestibility of nutrients by pigs weaned from sows fed a lactation diet without or with xylanase

Abstract Two hypotheses were tested 1) the offspring of sows fed xylanase in lactation have greater growth performance after weaning than offspring of sows fed no xylanase, and 2) xylanase and a stimbiotic (i.e., xylanase in combination with xylo-oligosaccharides) improve growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and total dietary fiber (TDF), and digestible energy (DE) of diets for weanling pigs. A total of 120 newly weaned pigs from sows fed a lactation diet without xylanase and 120 pigs from sows fed a lactation diet containing 16,000 beechwood xylanase units (BXU) per kg of an exogenous xylanase were used [initial body weight (BW) = 5.81 ± 0.50 kg]. Pigs were allotted to a 2 × 3 factorial with two sow groups (lactation diet without or with xylanase) and three dietary treatments (i.e., control, control plus 100 g/t of xylanase, or control plus 100 g/t of stimbiotic). The xylanase (Econase XT) and the stimbiotic (Signis) were procured from AB Vista, Marlborough, UK. Pigs were weaned in 4 blocks and allotted to 12 pens per block, with 5 pigs per pen for a total of 8 replicate pens per treatment. Pigs were fed phase 1 diets from d 1 to 14, phase 2 diets from d 15 to 28, and phase 3 diets from d 29 to 42 post-weaning. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were calculated. Fecal samples were collected at the end of phases 2 and 3. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Sow group, diet, and the interaction between sow group and diet were fixed effects, and block and replicate within block were random effects. Results indicated that for the overall experiment, there were no interactions between sow group and diet, and sow lactation diet treatment did not impact any post-weaning growth or digestibility parameters in the weaned pigs (Table 1). However, weaned pigs had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ADG, G:F, ATTD of GE and TDF, and DE in phase 2 if fed the diet with stimbiotic than if fed the xylanase diet or the control diet, but pigs fed the xylanase diet had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ADG, G:F, ATTD of GE and TDF, and DE than pigs fed the control diet (Table 2). In phase 3, pigs fed the diet with xylanase or stimbiotic had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ADG, ATTD of GE and TDF, and DE than pigs fed the control diet. In conclusion, pigs fed diets containing xylanase or stimbiotic had greater nutrient digestibility and DE, resulting in greater overall ADG, G:F, and final body weight on d 42 post-weaning, but feeding sows xylanase in lactation did not influence post-weaning growth performance.

111 Current and future usage of soybean meal in swine diets in China

Abstract The objective of this presentation was to introduce the utilization tendency and research progress of soybean meal (SBM) in swine diets in China. As for the utilization tendency of SBM in China, it not only brings great pressure to the food security of China, but also directly pushes the high production cost of animal products. In 2022, 117 million tons of protein feed was consumed by the animal husbandry in China, accounting for nearly 1/3 of the total protein feed consumption in the world. Thus, the application of low-protein diet has been promoted with the strong support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China since 2018. With the related techniques, including popularizing low protein diet, developing new protein feed resources, promoting precise nutrition, and feeding technology, even though the compound feed output has increased by more than 84 million tons in 2022 in China, the SBM consumption in feed has reduced 6%. Recently, the geopolitical challenges, regional unrest and climate change tendency have increased the great uncertainty of protein feed supply, which requires us to deeply understand the significance of SBM reduction and substitution in animal feed. As for the research progress, the available energy contents of SBM were determined on growing pigs. Barrows [n = 24; initial body weight (BW) = 36 ± 1.4 kg] were randomly allotted to 4 diets containing SBM with either corn basal or corn-soybean meal basal, and total feces and urine collection method and indirect calorimetry method were used to determine the available energy of SBM. The results showed that the average digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), net energy (NE), and retained energy (RE) values in SBM [17.36, 16.52, 10.62, and 5.06 MJ/kg dry matter (DM), respectively] determined using the corn-SBM-basal diet were not different from the those determined using the corn-basal diet. Moreover, the best fitted prediction equations developed based on 22 SBM samples produced from soybeans from China (n = 6), USA (n = 6), Brazil (n = 7) or Argentina (n = 3) were: DE = 38.44 - 0.43 CF - 0.98 GE + 0.11 ADF (R2 = 0.67, P &amp;lt; 0.01) and ME = 2.74 + 0.97 DE - 0.06 CP (R2 = 0.79, P &amp;lt; 0.01). The in vitro digestion kinetics of SBM from different sources showed that the release of amino acids in the 0-10 min time interval was significantly negatively correlated with the NE of SBM (R2 = -0.34).

Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids and metabolizable energy in three sources of high-protein corn distillers dried grains fed to weanling pigs

Two experiments were conducted to test the null hypothesis that there are no differences in the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and metabolizable energy (ME) among three sources of high-protein distillers dried grains (HP-DDG) fed to weanling pigs. The three sources included an experimental HP-DDG product and two commercial HP-DDG products (i.e., HP-DDG 40 and HP-DDG 50) that were fed to weanling pigs. In experiment 1, eight barrows (initial body weight: 11.09 kg) were allotted to one of four diets using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four diets and four periods of seven days in each square. A nitrogen-free diet and three diets containing each source of HP-DDG as the sole source of AA were prepared. Results indicated that values for the SID of Lys in the experimental HP-DDG; HP-DDG 50, and HP-DDG 40 were 0.524, 0.638, and 0.642, respectively. The SID of most AA in the experimental HP-DDG was less (P < 0.05) than in the other sources of HP-DDG, but no differences were observed between HP-DDG 40 and HP-DDG 50. In experiment 2, thirty-two weanling pigs (initial body weight: 18.0 kg) were randomly allotted to one of four diets. A corn diet was formulated to contain corn as the sole source of energy and three additional diets contained corn and each source of HP-DDG. Pigs were housed individually in metabolism crates and feces and urine were collected separately for four days after five days of adaptation. Digestible energy (DE) and ME in the three sources of HP-DDG were calculated by difference. Results from experiment 2 indicated that the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) in the corn diet was greater (P < 0.05) than in the diets containing the experimental HP-DDG or HP-DDG 40, and the ATTD of GE in the diets containing the experimental HP-DDG or HP-DDG 50 was greater (P < 0.05) than in the diet containing HP-DDG 40. On a dry matter basis, ME in the experimental HP-DDG, HP-DDG 40, and HP-DDG 50 were 17.05, 16.72, and 18.23 MJ/kg, respectively, with the ME of HP-DDG 50 being greater (P < 0.05) than in HP-DDG 40, but not different from the ME in the experimental HP-DDG. In conclusion, the SID of most AA in HP-DDG 40 and HP-DDG 50 was greater than in the experimental HP-DDG. The DE and ME in HP-DDG 50 was greater than in HP-DDG 40, but DE and ME in HP-DDG 40 were not different from DE and ME in the experimental HP-DDG.

153 Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids and concentration of metabolizable energy in three sources of corn protein fed to weanling pigs

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA), apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), and concentrations of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) are not different among three sources of corn protein (i.e., new corn protein, ANDVantage 50Y, ANDVantage 40Y) when fed to weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, ileal-cannulated barrows [n = 8; initial body weight (BW) = 11.09 kg; SD = 0.46] were fed an N-free diet or three diets containing each corn protein as the sole source of AA. Pigs were allotted to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 diets and 4 periods of 7 d in each square. Ileal digesta were collected for 2 d and the SID of AA was calculated. In Exp. 2, weanling pigs (n = 32; initial BW = 18.0 kg; SD = 1.21) were fed a corn-based basal diet or three diets containing corn and each source of corn protein. Pigs were housed individually in metabolism crates and feces and urine were quantitatively collected for 5 d after 7 d of adaptation. Concentrations of DE and ME in all diets were calculated and DE and ME in the three sources of corn protein were calculated by difference. Data from both experiments were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with pig as the experimental unit. In Exp. 1, the statistical model included diet as the fixed effect and square, pig, and period as random effects. In Exp. 2, the model included ingredient as the fixed effect. Results from Exp. 1 demonstrated that the SID of all indispensable AA except Arg and His in ANDVantage 40Y and ANDVantage 50Y were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) compared with the new corn protein, but no differences were observed between ANDVantage 50Y and ANDVantage 40Y (Table 1). Results from Exp. 2 indicated that on a dry matter basis, concentration of DE in ANDVantage 50Y was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than in ANDVantage 40Y, the new corn protein, and corn, but ME in ANDVantage 50Y was not different from the ME in the new corn protein (Table 2). Concentration of ME in the new corn protein was not different from ME in corn, ANDVantage 40Y, or ANDVantage 50Y. In conclusion, the new source of corn protein had concentrations of AA that were not different from ANDVantage 50 Y, but this new corn protein had decreased digestibility of AA compared with other corn proteins. The new corn protein also had less DE compared with ANDVantage 50Y, but ME in the new corn protein was not different from corn, ANDVantage 40Y, or ANDVantage 50Y.