Effects Of Dietary Electrolyte Balance Research Articles

Effect of dietary electrolyte balance and arginine to lysine ratio on hematological, antioxidant and immunological traits in dual-purpose breeding hens under cyclic heat stress condition

A total of 245 hens and 35 cocks (32 weeks age) were assigned to seven treatment groups (five replicates with seven hens and one cock) to investigate the effect of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) and arginine to lysine ratio (Arg/Lys) on birds’ physiological and biochemical traits under cyclic heat stress (CHS) condition. Birds were housed in an environmentally controlled facility having four sectors. The first group (positive control, PC) was kept under thermoneutral conditions and fed diet with DEB of 180 mEq and Arg/Lys of 1.25, whereas the other six treatments were kept in the second sector under CHS and fed diet with DEB and Arg/Lys equal to: 180 mEq and 1.25 (negative control, NC); 250 mEq and 1.25; 320 mEq and 1.25; 180 mEq and 1.37; 250 mEq and 1.37; 320 mEq and 1.37, respectively. Hens on NC group had significantly decreased red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and its fractions. The groups fed different DEB and Arg/Lys in diet significantly enhanced the blood parameters and plasma lipid profile compared NC group. Hens under CHS fed on 250 and 320 DEB with 1.37 Arg/Lys recorded the lowest concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) compared with the other groups. Triiodothyronine (T3) activity was not differed among groups, while T4 activity in layer exposed to CHS (NC group) recorded the highest activity compared to PC. From findings, it can be concluded that laying hens fed a diet having DEB 250 mEq with 1.37 Arg/Lys could be successfully applied to counteract the adverse effect of CHS and to improve blood hematological and biochemical traits, antioxidants, and immunity response.

Effect of dietary electrolyte balance on the interplay between water fluxes and digestive functioning along the gastrointestinal tract of freshwater rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Aquaculture feed formulation is shifting from fish meal and fish oil toward other ingredients, such as plant-based ingredients, which lead to different levels and forms of minerals in diets. Dietary minerals are essential not only for growth, but also for acid-base balance and the homeostasis of fish body fluids. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is involved in the process of osmoregulation of salt and water during digestion, but this process can be hampered when the dietary electrolyte balance (dEB = Na - K + Cl, mEq/kg) is altered. To better understand the interaction between feeding and osmoregulation along the GIT, two diets with low (−100 mEq/kg) and high (+600 mEq/kg) dEB were designed. Freshwater rainbow trout (average initial weight, 306 g) were fed for 6 weeks. Faeces were collected during the last week for digestibility analyses. The final sampling took place over three days, with fish being sampled at 2 time points after feeding (3 and 7 h) and dissected to collect chyme from 4 GIT segments: stomach, proximal, middle and distal intestine. Chyme was analysed for dry matter, pH, osmolality, crude protein (CP) and mineral content. Yttrium oxide (Y2O3) was used as an inert marker to measure water fluxes, mineral fluxes, and nutrient digestibility from different gut segments. Both dEB and time after feeding altered (p < 0.05) chyme characteristics and water fluxes in the stomach and proximal intestine, but there was no interaction effect (p > 0.05). dEB also affected (p < 0.01) chyme pH and sodium (Na) fluxes in the stomach. Faecal digestibility of dry matter (DM) and CP was higher (p < 0.001) when fish were fed a high dEB diet compared to a low dEB diet. The opposite was observed for Ca availability, which was lower at the high dEB diet than at the low dEB diet (p < 0.001). In contrast to faecal digestibility, CP and mineral digestibility measured in the different gut segments were different predominantly in the middle and distal intestine. Our findings suggest that the GIT plays a role in regulating the alterations caused by the contrasting dEB, and that this regulation is stronger in the middle and distal intestine. Furthermore, this regulation affects nutrient and mineral digestibility in the middle and distal segments of the GIT.

Effect of Dietary Electrolyte Balance and Probiotic on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Japanese Quails Under Heat Stress Conditions

Effect of Dietary Electrolyte Balance and Probiotic on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Japanese Quails Under Heat Stress Conditions

Effects of dietary electrolyte balance and calcium supply on mineral and acid-base status of piglets fed a diversified diet.

Dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) is known to affect acid-base status and mineral metabolism, but is rarely considered in diet formulation for pigs. Yet, the use of a wide variety of local feedstuffs in Europe contributes to lowering the dEB and increasing the fibre content. Hence, mineral requirements may be modified and skeletal health affected. Therefore, the effects of a lower dEB and a higher dietary Ca level on acid-base balance and mineral status were assessed in young pigs fed a diversified diet. A total of twenty-four weaned pigs were fed a control moderate-dEB diet (C) or a diversified moderate-dEB (D), low-dEB (D-A) or low-dEB supplemented with Ca (D-CA) diet. Growth performance, venous blood gas and chemistry, urine pH, mineral balance and femur characteristics were determined. With an equivalent dEB compared with the C diet, the D diet caused an acidification of the urine and increased the excretion of P as a result of a higher dietary content of S. Low-grade metabolic acidosis occurred in piglets fed the D-A diet with changes at systemic and urine levels. A higher excretion of ammonia and P in urine was observed and some bone characteristics tended to be negatively affected. Ca supplementation partially counteracted the effects of low-grade acidosis. Urine excretion of P and ammonia was alleviated and bone characteristics improved. In conclusion, a higher Ca supply must be considered in more diversified diets to counteract the risk of evolving towards low-grade metabolic acidosis which can negatively affect bone.

Effect of Different Dietary Electrolyte Balance Values at High Temperature Peaks on Performance and Egg Quality of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

SUMMARY The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of dietary electrolyte balance on the live performance and egg quality of Japanese quail subjected to high temperatures peak. Six hundred birds were distributed, according to a completely randomized experimental design, into 5 treatments with 8 replicates of 15 birds each. The following electrolyte balance values were applied: 140, 196, 241, 286, and 320 mEq/kg. The performance parameters evaluated were egg production, daily feed intake, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio. Egg quality was evaluated relative to egg weight, egg specific gravity, yolk weight, eggshell weight, albumen egg weight, eggshell thickness, and yolk color. Dietary balance electrolytic influenced quadratically egg mass and feed conversion rate. Quail fed diets containing electrolytic balance between 196 and 241 mEq/kg feed presented better yolk and albumen weight results. Dietary electrolyte balance affects the performance and egg quality of laying Japanese quail when submitted to high peak environmental temperatures.

Effects of dietary electrolyte balance on reproductive performance and blood profiles in sows

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) on reproductive performance and blood constituent profiles in sows. A total of 80 sows (Landrace × Large white, mean body weight 268.5 ± 4.68 kg, mean parity 2.6 ± 0.75) were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments with forty replicates per treatment and one sow per replicate according to body weight (BW) and parity. The dietary treatments included diets with dEB values of 165 and 300 mEq/kg from d 0 of gestation to farrowing, transitioning to the same lactation diet with 200 mEq/kg dEB throughout the subsequent 28 d of lactation. Dietary electrolyte balance values were obtained by manipulating dietary sodium and chloride concentrations. The total numbers of piglets born, born alive, total weaned, litter weight at birth and weaning in sows fed the 165 mEq/kg diet of gestation were increased (P < 0.05) compared with those fed the 300 mEq/kg diet. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in survival rate at birth and weaning, average birth weight, average weaning weight, lactation average daily feed intake, average daily gain of piglets (d 0–28 of lactation), sow BW loss or backfat thickness changes between both treatments. Sows fed the 165 mEq/kg diet of gestation had lower (P < 0.05) serum non esterified fatty acid and cortisol on d of farrowing and cortisol on d of weaning compared with those fed the 300 mEq/kg diet. Taken together, increasing dEB (165 to 300 mEq/kg) from d 0 of gestation to d of farrrowing decreased litter size at birth and weaning as well as litter weight at birth and weaning.

Evaluating the effects of adaptation length, dietary electrolyte balance, and energy source on ileal endogenous amino acid losses in pigs fed nitrogen-free diets

Sixteen cannulated pigs were used to evaluate the effect of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB, low vs. high), energy source (cornstarch vs. dextrose), and adaptation length (3–4 or 6–7 d) to the die...

Effect of Dietary Electrolyte Balance on Water Intake, Litter Moisture and Production of Broiler chicks at Pre-Starter and Starter Phases

Underestimating the negative impacts of ammonia produced in litters of poultry birds raised under high temperature-humidity index is dangerous, as broiler chickens (BC) are sensitive to high ammonia concentrations which can result in blindness and overall decrease in productive performance. Hence, it is ideal to maintain litter moisture by optimizing the utilization of water by broiler chicks. The balance of acid-base in broilers could be enhanced by supplementing diets or water of BC under heat stress with electrolytes. However, electrolytes increase water intake and might affect litter quality. Therefore, effect of varying dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on water intake (WI), litter moisture (LM) and productive performance of BC were investigated at pre-starter and starter phases using a total of three hundred, 1-day-old Arbor Acre chicks that were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments [210 (T1), 240 (T2), 270 (T3), 300 (T4), 330 (T5) and 360 (T6)] mEq/Kg DEB, in a completely randomised design. Birds were reared at pre-starter phase (PSP) of 0 - 14 days and starter phase (SP) of 14 - 21 days, under the temperature-humidity index of 24.97 - 35.19. Water intake and litter moisture were monitored. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Water intake was enhanced at PSP and SP in birds on 360 mEq/kg, but with increased litter moisture. However, a dietary electrolyte balance of 270 mEq/kg improved performances of broiler chicks at pre-starter and starter phases.

TECHNIQUES TO MINIMIZE THE EFFECTS OF ACUTE HEAT STRESS OR CHRONIC IN BROILERS

ABSTRACT High environmental temperature is limiting factor in broiler production. In order to minimize the undesirable consequences of acute or chronic heat stress, the techniques of fixed dietary electrolyte balance and early heat conditioning were evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible interactions and effects of dietary electrolyte balance and early heat conditioning on feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio, mortality, energy bioeconomic index, fecal moisture, abdominal fat, and breast meat color (L*a*b*) of broilers submitted to chronic or acute heat stress. In total, 1280 chicks, were equally divided in experiment I (chronic heat stress, 6h/day at 32oC from 35 to 39 d of age) and II (acute heat stress, 36 oC for 6h at 38 days of age). The data of both experiments were combined and analyzed according to a 2x2x2 factorial arrangement (early heat conditioning (ETC) or not; fixed dietary electrolyte balance (EB) or not; and exposure to acute or chronic heat stress). ETC consisted of exposing 5-d-old birds to 36.0 °C for 24 hours. No interaction among the evaluated factors was detected. Birds exposed to acute heat stress presented significantly higher compared with chronic heat stress. Fixed dietary EB resulted in significantly higher fecal moisture. Lower abdominal fat percentage was obtained in birds exposed to chronic relative to acute heat stress. Higher breast meat L* and b* values were observed in birds exposed to acute heat stress than those submitted to chronic heat stress, indicating worse meat quality.

Examining the effect of dietary electrolyte balance, energy source, and length of feeding of nitrogen-free diets on ileal endogenous amino acid losses in broilers

The effect of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB), energy source (ES), and length of feeding of nitrogen-free diet (NFD) on ileal endogenous amino acid (EAA) loss in mg/kg dry matter intake (DMI) was evaluated in broiler chickens. In Experiment 1, 720 chickens consisting of 15 replicate cages with 6 chickens/replicate were used. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial and consisted of 4 NFD with 2 levels (low or high) of DEB and 2 ES [corn starch (CS) or dextrose (DX)], and 2 sampling time-points (diets were fed for either 72 h (d 16 to 19) or 120 h (d 16 to 21). Experiment 2 used 360 chickens in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 levels (low or high) of DEB and 2 ES (CS or DX). Diets were fed for 72 h (d 18 to 21). All birds had access to feed and water on an ad libitum basis. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS appropriate for a completely randomized design for a factorial arrangement of treatments. For Experiment 1, there were interactions (P < 0.05) between the 3 main factors for nitrogen and all the AA except Trp. Broilers that were fed DX-based NFD with high DEB for 72 h had the highest (P < 0.05) EAA losses. In Experiment 2, there was no interaction between DEB and ES except for His and Lys. When ileal EAA losses from birds fed the low DEB, CS-based NFD were used to standardize apparent ileal digestibility values from a previous study, there was no effect of length of feeding on standardized ileal AA digestibility values. In conclusion, DX-based NFD with high DEB increased endogenous AA loses. Despite differences in ileal EAA losses from CS-based NFD, standardized ileal AA digestibility values were not influenced by the length of feeding of NFD. Based on the results from these studies, NFD could be fed for 72 h without influencing SIAAD values.

277 Effects of dietary electrolyte balance and crude protein on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs from 110 to 130 kilograms

277 Effects of dietary electrolyte balance and crude protein on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs from 110 to 130 kilograms

Evaluation of different dietary electrolyte balance in weanling pigs diets

A total of 160 weanling pigs ((Duroc×Landrace)×Yorkshire; average initial body weight of 7.67±0.97kg, 28±1 d of age) were allotted into 1 of 4 treatments to determine effects of dietary electrolyte balance (dEB, Na+K−Cl mEq/kg of the diet) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. Pigs were fed 4 diets with different dEB levels: 0, 83, 166, and 250mEq/kg of dEB for 4 weeks. Various dEB values were obtained by altering the concentrations of calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. Pigs fed diets with dEB of 166 and 250mEq/kg exhibited greater average daily gain (ADG) than those fed 0mEq/kg diet throughout the experiment (P<0.05). During d 14–28 and d 0–28, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) was greater in 166 and 250mEq/kg dietary treatments compared with 0mEq/kg dietary treatment (P<0.05). However, no difference was observed on gain to feed ratio between dietary treatments throughout the experiment (P>0.05). 166 and 250mEq/kg dietary treatments had greater apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter and nitrogen compared with 0mEq/kg dietary treatment (P<0.05). There was no effect on ATTD of gross energy between dietary treatments (P>0.05). Taken together, these results suggested that weanling pigs obtained optimal growth performance and nutrient digestibility when fed diets with dEB in the range of 166–250mEq/kg.

Effects of Dietary Electrolyte Balance and Crude Protein Level on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Blood Analytes of Finishing Pigs

Effects of Dietary Electrolyte Balance and Crude Protein Level on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Blood Analytes of Finishing Pigs

Effects of dietary electrolyte balance and addition of electrolyte–betaine supplements in feed or water on performance, acid–base balance and water retention in heat-stressed broilers

The effects of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) and electrolyte–betaine (El-Be) supplements on heat-stressed broiler performance, acid–base balance and water retention were evaluated during the period 31–40 d of age in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments.A total of 240 broilers were assigned to 6 treatment groups each with 8 replicates of 5 birds per cage and were exposed to cyclic high temperature (32 – 24 ± 1°C). Birds were provided with diets having DEB of either 180 or 220 mEq/kg. El-Be supplements were either added to the diet, water or not added to either of them to complete the array of 6 treatment groups.An additional 80 birds were kept at thermoneutral temperature (20 ± 1°C) and were provided with tap water and diets with DEB of either 180 or 220 mEq/kg to serve as negative controls.Exposure to high temperature depressed growth performance, increased rectal temperature and decreased potassium (K+) retention. In high-temperature room, birds fed on diets with DEB of 220 mEq/kg tended to increase BW from 35–40 d of age. However, at thermoneutral temperature, broilers fed on diets with DEB of 220 mEq/kg increased K+ retention.Adding El-Be supplements in feed or water improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), enhanced water consumption and increased K+ and sodium (Na+) retention.Interactions between DEB and El-Be supplements tended to affect body weight gain and FCR during the periods 35–40 and 31–40 d of age, respectively. It is suggested that when using a diet with DEB of 180 mEq/kg, adding the El-Be supplements in drinking water was more beneficial than in feed. Adding the supplements in feed or water was equally useful when using DEB of 220 mEq/kg.

Effects of dietary electrolyte balance on the performance, plasma biochemistry parameters and immunoglobulin of sows during late gestation and lactation

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) on the performance, urine pH, plasma biochemistry parameters, milk composition and immunoglobulin of sows during late gestation and lactation. Forty-eight sows (Landrace×Large white, mean parity 4.1±1.75) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments, with twelve replicates per treatment and one sow per replicate according to body weight and parity number. The dietary treatments were with dEB values of −100, 0, 162 (control group), and 300mEq/kg from day 90 of gestation to farrowing, transitioning to −100, 0, 198 (control group), and 300mEq/kg dEB, respectively, throughout the subsequent 21 days of lactation. Dietary electrolyte balance values were obtained by manipulating dietary sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) levels. Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) concentrations were held constant across experimental diets. Blood and urine samples were collected on day 107 of gestation, day of farrowing and weaning (day 21 of lactation). The colostrum and milk samples were obtained on day 0 and day 14 of lactation, respectively. The results showed that average daily feed intake (ADFI) of lactating sows was lower in sows fed a –100mEq/kg diet compared with the other three groups (P<0.05) and other parameters of the sow or litter performance were not different (P>0.05) among dietary treatments. Urine pH values were lower (P<0.05) in sows fed −100 and 0mEq/kg diets compared with the control and 300mEq/kg group, and urine pH of the control group was lower (P<0.05) than that of 300mEq/kg group at all sample periods. Additionally, the pH of the urine was also lower in sows fed −100mEq/kg diet compared with the 0mEq/kg group at the day of weaning (P<0.05). Plasma Cl and Mg concentrations were higher in sows fed −100 or 0mEq/kg diet compared with the control group (P<0.05) at all measurement stages. No differences were observed among dietary treatments in plasma Ca, P concentrations (P>0.05). The percentages of protein, lactose and fat in the colostrum and milk were similar among dietary treatments (P>0.05). The immunoglobulin in plasma, colostrum and milk was higher in sows fed −100 or 0mEq/kg diet compared with the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, changing dEB during late gestation and lactation did not affect sow or litter performance; or the percentages of protein, lactose, or fat in either colostrum or milk. Decreasing dEB increased plasma Cl and Mg concentrations and enhanced immunoglobulin in plasma, colostrum and milk and reduced urine pH, while, ADFI of lactating sows was lower in sows fed −100mEq/kg diet compared with the other three groups.

Effects of dietary electrolyte balance on growth performance, nitrogen metabolism and some blood biochemical parameters of growing rabbits.

The effects of different dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on growth performance, nitrogen (N) metabolism and some blood biochemical parameters were investigated in 2 to 3 months old growing rabbits. A total of 150 growing rabbits of 2 months age were randomly divided into five groups according to average body weight, with 30 rabbits in each group. The DEB levels of the five experimental diets were −154, −3.16, +201, +347, and +500 meq/kg of dry matter (DM), respectively. There was a 7-d adaptation period and a 23-d experimental period. The results showed that the DEB levels had a quadratic affect on the average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.001). The greatest ADFI was achieved when the DEB level was +201 meq/kg DM. Fecal N (FN) content linearly decreased (0.047), while digestible N (DN), retained N (RN), efficiency of intake N converted into digestible N (DN/IN) and the efficiency of intake N converted into retained N (RN/IN) linearly increased with the DEB increase (0.020, 0.004, 0.021, and 0.049, respectively). Serum phosphorus (P) ion content linearly increased with the DEB increase (p = 0.036). The DEB had a quadratic relationship with serum anion gap (AG) (p = 0.002) and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) content (p = 0.016). The DEB levels quadratically affected base excess (BE) in the plasma (p<0.001). In conclusion, the DEB unaffected growth performance but affected feed intake, N metabolism and some blood biochemical parameters of growing rabbits.

Effect of dietary electrolyte balance on production, immune response and mineral concentrations of the femur in broilers

The aim of this study was to assess the age-related effects of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on the performance, immune response (from day 0 to 42) and macromineral content of femur ash of broilers. The DEB values of the purchased commercial broiler diets were modified with the addition of NH4Cl or NaHCO3 to formulate the diets (DEB 325, 250, 175, 100, 25 and -50 mmol/kg) for this investigation. A total of 396 chickens were divided into 6 treatment groups and fed with the experimental diets for 6 weeks. During the first two weeks of life, DEB did not influence feed intake and body weight gain; however, by the 21st day of age DEB 175 and between 22 and 42 days of age DEB 250 mmol/kg gave significantly better results than the control. DEB did not affect the macromineral concentrations of bone ash. The immune response of broilers on low DEB (< 175 mmol/kg) was faster and more intensive than that of chickens on diets with medium or high DEB (> 175 mmol/kg). It can be concluded that the optimal DEB value required for the best body weight gain is significantly influenced by the age of broilers. Our results call attention to the discrepancy between the decreasing DEB level of commercial broiler diets and the age-related increase of 'electrolyte requirements' of broilers. It is also interesting that DEB may influence not only the performance but also the immune response of broilers.

&lt;b&gt;Efeito do balanço eletrolítico da ração sobre parâmetros ósseos e da cama de frango&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;doi: 10.5007/2175-7925.2010v23n1p203

Effect of the electrolyte balance in the ration on bone and poultry litter parameters. The effects of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on the femurs and litter of broilers were evaluated. Nine hundred and sixty birds from 7 to 21 days of age and eight hundred and sixteen birds from 22 to 38 days of age were used in the first and second experiments, respectively, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (DEB: 200, 240, 280 and 320mEq/kg) and four replicates. Poultry litter was analyzed for moisture, pH, volatilized ammonia and bulk. Femurs were weighed and analyzed for bone density, morphometry and weight/length index. DEB did not affect (P>0.05) the bones at 21 and 38 days or the pH, volatilized ammonia or bulk of litters at 21 days, but there was a linear effect (P 0.05) of the treatments on the pH or volatilized ammonia of litters at 38 days of age. However, the moisture (Ŷ =35.01 + 3.30X, R 2 =0.29) and bulk (Ŷ =194.17 + 31.12X, R 2 =0.54) of the litters increased (P<0.03) when the DEB value was higher than 280mEq/kg. It was concluded that diets with 200mEq/kg of DEB can be used for broilers with no negative effects on bone and poultry litter parameters.

The Effects of Dietary Electrolyte Balance on the Performance and Eggshell Quality in the Early Laying Period

3 Abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB = Na + +

Effects of dietary electrolyte balance and molasses in diets with dried distillers grains with solubles on growth performance in nursery and finishing pigs (2007)

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) and(or) molasses in diets with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance of nursery and finishing pigs. For Exp. 1, 126 nursery pigs (35 d old and average wt of 22.5 lb) were used with six pigs/pen and seven pens/treatment. Treatments were a corn-soybean meal-based control and diets with 30% DDGS without and with 0.93% sodium bicarbonate to adjust the dEB back to that of the control diet. Pigs fed the control diet had greater ADG (P<0.03) and ADFI (P < 0.08) but did not differ (P>0.58) in F/G compared to pigs fed diets with DDGS. Addition of sodium bicarbonate to nursery diets with 30% DDGS did not improve (P>0.3) growth performance. For Exp. 2, a total of 70 gilts (average wt of 196 lb) were assigned with two pigs/pen and five pens/treatment. The pigs were fed experimental diets for 26 d, a common diet for 6 d, and then reassigned to a different treatment for an additional 26-d assay. The end result was 10 pens/treatment. Treatments were a corn-soybean meal-based control and diets with 40% DDGS without and with molasses (5%) and sodium bicarbonate (none, 1, and 2%). Pigs fed the control diet had greater (P<0.001) ADG, ADFI, and better (P<0.03) F/G compared to those fed diets with DDGS. Adding molasses and(or) sodium bicarbonate did not affect ADG (P>0.26), ADFI (P>0.16), or F/G (P>0.24). In conclusion, adding sodium bicarbonate and(or) molasses to diets with high inclusion of DDGS did not improve growth performance in nursery or finishing pigs.; Swine Day, 2007, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 2007