Efficiency Of ME Research Articles

Ruminal methane emission and lactational performance of cows fed rapeseed cake and oats on a grass silage–based diet

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of lipid from rapeseed cake and oats on ruminal CH4 emission and lactational performance of dairy cows. Twelve lactating Nordic Red cows, of which 4 were primiparous, and averaging (±SD) 48 ± 22.9 DIM, 37.8 ± 7.14 kg/d milk yield were enrolled in a switch-back design experiment with 3 periods of 4 wk each. The cows were assigned into 6 pairs based on parity, DIM, milk yield, and BW at the beginning of the experiment. The experimental treatments were (1) rapeseed cake and oats (RSC+O), and (2) rapeseed meal and barley (RSM+B) as the concentrate feeds. Cows in each pair were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 groups, which received the treatments in 2 different sequences (i.e., group 1 received RSC+O in period 1 and 3, and RSM+B in period 2, whereas group 2 was fed RSM+B in period 1 and 3, and RSC+O in period 2). The diets consisted of a partially mixed ration with grass silage mixed with either oats or barley, according to the treatment sequence, and the rapeseed cake or meal being mixed into a pellet with either oats or barley according to the treatments, and a mineral mix. The pellet was delivered at a fixed amount (i.e., 6 kg/d for multiparous and 5 kg/d for the primiparous cows) from the milking robot. The actual forage to concentrate ratios for RSC+O and RSM+B were 51:49 and 52:48, respectively, with NDF concentrations of 41.5% and 36.0% and CP concentrations of 17.0% and 16.7% of diet DM. Dry matter intake, milk yield, and gas exchange (with a GreenFeed system attached to the milking robot) were recorded daily, and milk composition and spot fecal samples were collected during the last week of each period. Based on feed analysis, and DMI of the cows during the experiment, the total fat content of the experimental diets was 4.1% and 2.7% of DM for RSC+O and RSM+B diets, respectively. Dry matter intake was 1.6 kg/d lower, and milk yield tended to be 1.0 kg/d greater for RSC+O versus RSM+B. There were no differences in ECM yield and milk composition between the treatments, whereas milk ME efficiency was greater for cows fed RSC+O than RSM+B. Methane yield (g/kg DMI) did not differ between treatments, but CH4 production (g/d) was 9.4% and CH4 intensity as g/kg ECM was 11.7% lower for RSC+O versus RSM+B. The lower CH4 production was likely caused by the lower DMI and fiber digestibility, observed with the RSC+O diet. In addition, the greater lipid intake also contributed to lower rate of fermentation and subsequent decrease in CH4 production. Overall, feeding rapeseed cake with oats in a grass silage-based diet increased feed efficiency while decreasing CH4 emission intensity in lactating cows. This provides a practical way of mitigating ruminal CH4 emission from dairy operations while maintaining milk production with commonly used feedstuffs in Nordic conditions.

Transcriptomics integrated with metabolomics reveals the effect of cold stress on rice microspores

BackgroundMicrospore culture is one of the important biotechnological tools in plant breeding. The induction of microspore embryogenesis is a critical factor that affects the yield of microspore-derived embryo productions. Cold treatment has been reported to reprogram the gametophytic pathway in various plant species. However, the exact mechanism(s) underlying the effect of cold pre-treatment of floral buds on the efficiency of ME is still not clear.ResultsIn this study, the effects of cold stress on the microspore totipotency of rice cultivar Zhonghua 11 were investigated. Our results revealed that a 10-day cold treatment is necessary for microspore embryogenesis initiation. During this period, the survival rate of microspores increased and reached a peak at 7 days post treatment (dpt), before decreasing at 10 dpt. RNA-seq analysis showed that the number of DEGs increased from 3 dpt to 10 dpt, with more downregulated DEGs than upregulated ones at the same time point. GO enrichment analysis showed a shift from ‘Response to abiotic stimulus’ at 3 dpt to ‘Metabolic process’ at 7 and 10 dpt, with the most significant category in the cellular component being ‘cell wall’. KEGG analysis of the pathways revealed changes during cold treatment. Mass spectrometry was used to evaluate the variations in metabolites at 10 dpt compared to 0 dpt, with more downregulated DEMs being determined in both GC-MS and LC-MS modes. These DEMs were classified into 11 categories, Most of the DEMs belonged to ‘lipids and lipid-like molecules’. KEGG analysis of DEMs indicates pathways related to amino acid and nucleotide metabolism being upregulated and those related to carbohydrate metabolism being downregulated. An integration analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics showed that most pathways belonged to ‘Amino acid metabolism’ and ‘Carbohydrate metabolism’. Four DEMs were identified in the interaction network, with stearidonic acid involving in the most correlations, suggesting the potential role in microspore totipotency.ConclusionsOur findings exhibited the molecular events occurring during stress-induced rice microspore. Pathways related to ‘Amino acid metabolism’ and ‘Carbohydrate metabolism’ may play important roles in rice microspore totipotency. Stearidonic acid was identified, which may participate in the initiation of microspore embryogenesis.

Kinetic characterization of a new phenol degrading Acinetobacter towneri strain isolated from landfill leachate treating bioreactor

The objective of this study was to establish and to mathematically describe the phenol degrading properties of a new Acinetobacter towneri CFII-87 strain, isolated from a bioreactor treating landfill leachate. For this purpose, the biokinetic parameters of phenol biodegradation at various initial phenol concentrations of the A. towneri CFII-87 strain have been experimentally measured, and four different mathematical inhibition models (Haldane, Yano, Aiba and Edwards models) have been used to simulate the substrate-inhibited phenol degradation process. The results of the batch biodegradation experiments show that the new A. towneri CFII-87 strain grows on and metabolizes phenol up to 1000 mg/L concentration, manifests significant substrate inhibition and lag time only at concentrations above 800 mg/L phenol, and has a maximum growth rate at 300 mg/L initial phenol concentration. The comparison of the model predictions with the experimental phenol and biomass data revealed that the Haldane, Aiba and Edwards models can be used with success to describe the phenol biodegradation process by A. towneri CFII-87, while the Yano model, especially at higher initial phenol concentrations, fails to describe the process. The best performing inhibition model was the Edwards model, presenting correlation coefficients of R2 > 0.98 and modelling efficiency of ME > 0.94 for the prediction of biomass and phenol concentrations on the validation datasets. The calculated biokinetic model parameters place this new strain among the bacteria with the highest tolerance towards phenol. The results suggest that the A. towneri CFII-87 strain can potentially be used in the treatment of phenolic wastewaters.

Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine Requirement of 20 to 40-kilogram Philippine Black Tiaong Native Pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus)

Twenty growing Philippine black Tiaong native pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments using a randomized complete block design to determine whether there were differences in SID Lys Requirements. There were five (5) replicate pigs per treatment. Diets were formulated with 0.717, 0.865, 1.010, and 1.156% SID Lys, respectively, which corresponded to SID Lys:ME ratios of 2.11, 2.54, 2.97, and 3.40 g/Mcal. All pigs were offered ad libitum intake from d 0 to 35. Overall (d 0 to 35), Philippine black Tiaong native pigs fed with 1.01% SID Lys had better performance than pigs not fed with 1.001%SID Lys. Moreover, pigs fed with increasing % SID Lys had quadratic relationships in ME efficiency at d 0 to 3(P=0.01). However, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in carcass and meatquality characteristics. Meanwhile, a quadratic relationship (P=0.02) was observed in the kidney, whereas a linear response (P=0.004) was noted in the liver with increasing graded levels of % SID Lys. Additionally, a quadratic response was observed in the value of gain/pig(P=0.02), feed cost/kg gain (P=0.02), and margin over feed cost (MOFC)/pig (P=0.01) on a live weight basis and there is a linear relationship were revealed in carcass basis (feed cost/pig, P=0.009; feed cost/kg gain, P=0.006) and live weight basis (feed cost/pig, P=0.009). From the results of this study, it is concluded that diets containing 1.01% SID Lys and alysine: ME ratio of 2.97 g/Mcal are recommended for use in the feeding of Philippine black Tiaong native pigs at 20 to 40-kg.

One-step synthesis of methyl eugenol/Schiff base mesoporous silica nanoparticles sustained-release performance with high lure efficiency

The mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) was modified by salicylaldimine, furfuralimine, and benzaldehyde imine, respectively, denoted as Sal-MSN, Fur-MSN, and Ben-MSN for methyl eugenol (Me) delivery by one-step method. The results confirmed that Me was successfully adsorbed by Schiff base mesoporous silica, which maintained regular hexagonal pore structure. Me is distributed in amorphous state in the pores of the mesoporous silica indicated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) curves. Schiff base modification strengthened the interaction between Me and mesoporous silica, leading to its higher sustained-release performance and the disappearance of sudden release in sustained-release performance comparing with Me-MSN before Schiff base modification. Me and Me-MSN were most consistent with the First-order kinetic and logistic equation, respectively. After Schiff base modification, Me-Sal-MSN, Me-Fur-MSN, and Me-Ben-MSN were most consistent with Korsmeryer–Peppas kinetic equation. Therefore, the difference of Me concentration was no longer the main control factor of sustained-release system after Schiff base modification. In the attraction of Bactrocera dorsalis test, the lure efficiency for per unit Me for Me-MSN, Me-Sal-MSN, Me-Fur-MSN, and Me-Ben-MSN equal to 2.83, 3.31, 3.32, 4.24 times of pure Me. After Schiff base modification, the samples showed higher lure efficiency due to their ideal sustained-release performance without sudden release. In short, the lure efficiency of Me was improved by the Schiff base mesoporous silica sustained-release system, in the meanwhile its service life was also prolonged.

Influence of supplementation of growing diets enriched with rumen-protected methionine and lysine on feedlot performance and characteristics of digestion in Holstein steer calves

The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of rumen-protected methionine and lysine on growth performance of calf-fed Holstein steers during the initial 84-d feedlot phase and relate responses to measures of AA supply to the small intestine. Seventy-two Holstein steer calves (128 ± 9 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to 12 pens (6 steers per pen). Steers were fed a diet based on steam-flaked corn formulated to provide 105% of theoretical MP requirements plus 0, 0.4, and 0.8% Smartamine ML (Adisseo, Alpharetta, GA; 55% l -lysine-HCl and 15% dl -methionine coated with a pH-sensitive polymer). Six Holstein steers (143 ± 13 kg) with cannulas in rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a crossover design to evaluate characteristics of digestion and AA supply to the intestine of the basal diet plus 0 versus 0.8% Smartamine ML. Methionine and lysine supplementation did not affect DMI ( P = 0.27) but enhanced ADG, gain efficiency (linear effect, P = 0.03), and estimated dietary NE (linear effect, P = 0.04). Amino acid supplementation increased ( P < 0.01) intestinal supply of methionine and lysine and postruminal (2.4%, P = 0.03) and total-tract (3.2%, P < 0.01) N digestion. Metabolizable methionine and lysine supplies for the growth performance trial were associated (R 2 ≥ 0.88) with the efficiency of ME for maintenance and gain. Supplementation with rumen-protected methionine and lysine may enhance gain efficiency and dietary energetics of growing Holstein calves during the early growing phase. The magnitude of the response is likely dependent on the otherwise general adequacy of nonspecific MP.

Energy partitioning in cattle fed diets based on tropical forage with the inclusion of antibiotic additives.

The aim of this study was to describe energy partitioning in dairy crossbreed bulls fed tropical forage-based diets supplemented with different additives. Twenty F1 crossbred bulls (Holstein x Gyr) with initial and final live weight (LW) averages of 190 ± 17 and 275 ± 20 kg were fed sorghum (Sorghum bicolour) and Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania) silage (70:30 DM basis) with supplemented concentrate at a forage to concentrate ratio of 50:50. The bulls were allocated to four treatment: control groups (without additives), monensin [22 mg/kg monensin dry matter (DM)] (M), virginiamycin (30 mg/kg virginiamycin DM) (V), and combination (22 mg/kg DM of monensin and 30 mg/kg DM of virginiamycin) (MV), in a completely randomised design. The intake of gross energy (GE, MJ/d), digestible energy (DE, MJ/d), metabolizable energy (ME, MJ/d), as well as energy losses in the form of faeces, urine, methane, heat production (HE), and retained energy (RE) were measured. Faecal output was measured in apparent digestibility trial. Right after the apparent digestibility trial, urine samples were collected in order to estimate the daily urinary production of the animals. Heat and methane production were measured in an open circuit respirometry chamber. The intake of GE, DE, and ME of the animals receiving monensin and virginiamycin alone or in combination (MV) showed no differences (P>0.05) from the control treatment. However, the MV treatment reduced (P<0.05) the methane production (5.44 MJ/d) compared to the control group (7.33 MJ/d), expressed in MJ per day, but not when expressed related to gross energy intake (GEI) (CH4, % GEI) (P = 0.34). Virginiamycin and monensin alone or in combination did not change (P>0.05) the utilization efficiency of ME for weight gain, RE and net gain energy. This study showed that for cattle fed tropical forages, the combination of virginiamycin and monensin as feed additives affected their energy metabolism by a reduction in the energy lost as methane.

Energy requirements of early‐weaned Dorper cross‐bred female lambs

The net and metabolizable energy (NE and ME) requirements of Dorper cross-bred female lambs with BWs of 20-35kg were assessed in a comparative slaughter trial. Thirty-five Dorper×thin-tailed Han cross-bred female lambs weaned at ~50days of age (20.3±2.15kg BW) were used. Seven randomly selected lambs were slaughtered at the start of the trial (baseline group). An intermediate group consisting of seven randomly selected lambs fed adlibitum was slaughtered when the lambs reached an average BW of 28.5kg. The remaining 21 lambs were allotted randomly to three levels of dry matter intake: adlibitum or restricted to 70% or 40% of the adlibitum intake. All the lambs were slaughtered when the sheep fed adlibitum reached a BW of 35kg. Total body energy, nitrogen, fat, ash and moisture content were determined. In a digestibility trial, an additional 15 Dorper×thin-tailed Han cross-bred female lambs (28.7±1.75kg BW) were housed in metabolism cages and used in a completely randomized design experiment to evaluate the ME value of the diet at the three feed intake levels. The maintenance requirements for NE and ME were 245.5 and 380.3kJ/kg metabolic shrunk body weight (SBW0.75 ) respectively. The partial efficiency of energy use for maintenance was 0.645. The NE requirements for growth ranged from 1.18 to 5.18MJ/d for the lambs gaining 100-350g/d from 20 to 35kg BW. Partial efficiency of ME for growth was 0.44. In conclusion, the current study suggests that the NE requirement for maintenance and growth of Dorper early-weaned cross-bred female lambs is lower than the current AFRC and NRC recommendations.

Effect of Varying Levels of Concentrate Feeding on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Parameters and Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Goat Kids

An experiment on 27 Barbari kids (67d old; 5.9±1.52 kg LW) in three equal groups assessed the influence of increasing concentrate level at 10 (10-C), 20 (20-C) g/kg LW or ad libitum (Ad-C) on performance, gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes and haemato-biochemicals for 120d with free access to water, dry and green roughage. Concentrate feeding enhanced average daily gain (P<0.001), with the similar total feed DM intake in the three groups. However, DM intake through roughage and green reduced (P<0.005) with higher concentrate feeding. Feed efficiency for gain improved by concentrate feeding and the best FCR (4.7 kg feed/kg gain) was observed in Ad-C kids. Total ME and protein intake was similar, while efficiency of ME (MJ/kg gain; P<0.001) and protein (g/kg gain; P<0.082) increased with higher concentrate feeding. Rumen fluid pH and NH3-N were different while TVFA were similar among three groups. Faecal egg count (FEC) in different groups showed a linear trend (P=0.075) of low prevalence with increase in concentrate feeding. The mean FEC was 2.6 times higher in 10-C kids (6891 eggs/g), 1.7 times in 20-C kids (4529 eggs/g FEC) compared to Ad-C kids (2609 eggs/g). Plasma protein and albumin reduced (P<0.05), while globulins, and plasma urea did not change, whereas blood Hb levels had increased (P<0.05), while WBC reduced (P<0.05) with higher concentrate levels. Concentrate feeding improved (P<0.05) carcass traits. It was concluded that, higher concentrate feeding promoted growth and lowered GI nematodes burdens, where animals consumed 57% concentrate in total diet.

Optimizing energy, protein and amino acid needs in diet of starting and growing Aseel chicks

A study was conducted involving day-old Kadaknath chicks (n=288) to evaluate their optimum dietary energy, protein and amino acid levels for 0–20 weeks of age. Six dietary treatments with two levels of energy (2700 kcal and 2500 kcal ME/kg) each with three levels of protein (20, 18 and 16%), following 2 x3 factorial design, were formulated. Each of such diet was randomly allotted to 4 replicated groups of 12 chicks each kept in battery brooder cages for 0–12 weeks of age. In second experiment female Kadaknath growing chicks 12 wks of age (n=120) were randomly re-distributed to six dietary treatments with two levels of energy (2700 kcal and 2500 kcal ME/kg) each with three levels of protein (16, 14 and 12%) following a 2 x 3 factorial design were formulated and each of such diet was randomly offered to 4 replicated groups of 5 growing chicks each kept in growing cages from 12 to 20 wks of age. Results indicated that body weight gain of chicks (0-12wk) fed 2700 kcal ME/kg diet was significantly higher (P<0.01) than those fed diets with 2500 kcal ME/kg. Feed conversion ratio was better in 2700 kcal ME/kg in comparison to those fed 2500 kcal ME/kg. Body weight gain of chicks (0–12 wks) fed 18 and 20% CP was significantly higher in comparison to chicks those fed 16% CP. The gain in body weight during 12–20 weeks of age remained similar in all the protein levels and protein x energy interaction but significantly higher gain in body weight was recorded at low energy than higher energy diet. Feed intake was recorded significantly higher (P<0.001) at low energy than high energy diet but feed conversion efficiency remained similar due to different energy levels. The feed conversion efficiency and ME efficiency were significantly lower in low protein diet whereas protein efficiency was comparable in different protein levels in diet. The results revealed that the optimum dietary energy, protein and amino acid levels for 0–12 wks age Kadaknath chicks were 2700 kcal ME/kg, 18% CP and 1.12% lysine, 0.50% methionine and 0.70% threonine, respectively. Whereas during 12–20 weeks of age, dietary energy level of 2500 kcal ME/kg with 14% CP, 0.66% lysine, 0.30% methionine and 0.54% threonine was optimum.

Energy requirements for maintenance and growth of early-weaned Dorper crossbred male lambs

This study aimed to investigate the net and metabolizable energy (NE and ME) requirements of Dorper crossbred lambs. Thirty-five Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred intact male lambs weaned at approximately 50d of age (20.26±1.29kg of BW), were used. Seven randomly selected lambs were slaughtered at the start of the trial (baseline group). An intermediate group consisting of 7 randomly selected lambs fed for ad libitum intake was slaughtered when the lambs reached an average BW of 28.2kg. The remaining 21 lambs were alloted randomly to 3 levels of dry matter intake: ad libitum, or restricted to 70 or 40% of the ad libitum intake. All the lambs were slaughtered when the ad libitum fed sheep reached 35kg of BW. Total body energy, crude protein, fat, ash, and moisture contents were determined. In a digestibility trial, fifteen Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred intact male lambs (32.38±2.23kg of BW) were housed in metabolism cages and used in a completely randomized design experiment to evaluate the ME value of the diet at 3 feed intake levels. The results showed that the maintenance requirements for NE and ME were 250.61 and 374.21kJ/kg metabolic shrunk body weight (SBW0.75), respectively. The partial efficiency of energy use for maintenance was 0.67. Net energy requirements for growth ranged from 1.12 to 5.31MJ/d, for the lambs gaining 100 to 350g/d from 20 to 35kg BW. Partial efficiency of ME for growth was 0.42. In conclusion, the current study suggested that the NE requirement for maintenance and growth of Dorper×thin-tailed Han early-weaned crossbred lambs were lower than those reported by existing AFRC and NRC nutritional systems.

Effects of level of feeding on energy utilization by Angora goats1

Twelve mature Angora does were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square to determine effects of feeding level on energy utilization. Fiber growth and change in tissue (nonfiber) mass were determined in the first 4 wk of 6-wk periods, preceded by 14 or 18 d of adaptation. Determination of ME intake and gas exchange measures occurred in wk 4, followed by feeding near maintenance, then fasting in wk 5 and 6 to determine the ME requirement for maintenance (ME(m)). A 60% concentrate diet was fed at levels to approximate 100, 125, and 150% of assumed ME(m) [low, medium (med), and high, respectively]. Digestibilities and diet ME/GE were not affected by treatment with different amounts of feed offered and subsequent intake near ME(m). Heat energy during fasting (261, 241, and 259 kJ/kg of BW(0.75); SEM = 8.7) and efficiency of ME used for maintenance (71.6, 69.6, and 69.2%; SEM = 2.29) were similar among treatments, although ME(m) differed (P < 0.04) between med and high (365, 344, and 377 kJ/kg of BW(0.75) for low, med, and high, respectively; SEM = 10.3). Tissue gain was less (P < 0.01) for low than for the mean of med and high (MH; -0.6, 23.7, and 29.8 g/d), although clean fiber growth only tended (P < 0.09) to differ between low and MH (5.60, 6.57, and 7.36 g/d for low, med, and high, respectively; SEM = 0.621). Intake of ME was greater (P < 0.01) for MH than for low (6.87, 8.22, and 8.41 MJ/d for low, med, and high, respectively). Total heat energy was less (P < 0.02) for low vs. MH and tended (P < 0.07) to be greater for high than for med (6.03, 6.31, and 6.77 MJ/d); mobilized tissue energy was low but greater (P < 0.02) for low vs. MH (0.16, 0.01, and 0.04 MJ/d for low, med, and high, respectively). Efficiency of ME use for fiber growth was similar among treatments (17.2, 16.3, and 17.7% for low, med, and high, respectively; SEM = 1.61). In conclusion, efficiency of ME use for fiber growth was similar to the NRC recommendation regardless of feeding level, although ME(m) was decreased perhaps because of experimental conditions used. Energy appeared partitioned to fiber growth, but preferential usage was not complete possibly because energy metabolism for tissue accretion reached a plateau with the greatest feeding level.

Exigências de energia de bovinos de corte em pastejo

Objetivou-se determinar as exigências e as eficiências de utilização de energia para ganho de peso e mantença de bovinos de corte em pastejo. A área experimental foi composta de cinco piquetes de Brachiaria decumbens. Utilizaram-se 27 bovinos anelorados não-castrados, com peso vivo (PV) médio inicial de 311,0 kg e idade média de 14 meses. Três animais foram abatidos após o período de adaptação para servirem como referência para as estimativas do peso de corpo vazio (PCVZ) e da composição corporal iniciais dos animais mantidos no experimento. Dos 24 restantes, quatro foram designados ao grupo mantença com tempo de pastejo restrito para limitar o consumo de energia a nível próximo da mantença. Os animais restantes (20) foram distribuídos em quatro tratamentos: mistura mineral, autocontrole, suplemento três vezes/semana (segunda, quarta e sexta); e suplemento diariamente. A exigência líquida de energia para mantença foi estimada como o anti-log do intercepto da equação obtida pela regressão linear entre o logaritmo da produção de calor (PC) e o consumo de energia metabolizável (CEM), assim como pelo coeficiente "a" da equação de regressão exponencial entre a produção de calor e o consumo de energia metabolizável dos animais sob suplementação, juntamente com o daqueles sem suplementação e os do grupo mantença. As quantidades de energia e gordura no ganho aumentaram com o peso vivo dos animais. As exigências de energia líquida para ganho de peso de bovinos anelorados não-castrados em pastejo podem ser obtidas pela equação: ER = 0,0617*PCVZ0,75*GDPCVZ1,0564. O requisito energético diário para mantença foi de 64,00 kcal/PV0,75. A eficiência de uso da EM para mantença estimada foi de 0,64 e a eficiência de uso da EM para ganho de 0,26.

Investigation of the block ACK scheme in wireless ad hoc networks

A Block Transmission and Acknowledgement (BTA) scheme, also called Block ACK, has been proposed in the IEEE 802.11e wireless local area networks (WLAN) specification to improve efficiency of the me...

A comparison of grinding processes and wet feeding of wheat-based diets on AME, production, and gastrointestinal tract development of broiler chicks

This experiment studied the effect of grind mill type [hammer (HM) or attrition (AM)], grind size (5.6 mm 4.8 mm, and 2.4 mm) and wheat type [Durum or Hard Red Spring (HRS)] on the performance, energy retention (AME), and the gut development of broilers fed these diets with or without 1.2 g water-1 g dry feed added. Twenty-four dietary treatments (2 grind types × 3 grind sizes × 2 wheat types × wet or dry feeding) were each fed to four cages of six male broilers from 1 to 17 d of age. Wet diets were prepared daily. Feeding diets with water increased 17 d body weight and feed intake of broilers compared with feeding the diets dry. Body weight and feed intake of broilers fed the HM diets were greater than those of broilers fed diets containing wheat processed by AM. Feed intake and FCR with HRS-based diets were higher than those for Durum-based diets. The AME for Durum was higher than for HRS and the ME efficiency (kcal g-1 BW) was greater, indicating a lower efficiency. The AME intake of HM ground wheat was higher than for that for wheat ground with the AM. The type of grinding, the wheat type, and the addition of water all affected the length and weight of the digestive system, likely through their effects on the rate of water absorption and passage through the gut. Particle size did not affect any measurement. Hammer milling produced a uniform particle size and less fines and may be better suited for processing wheat in broiler diets. Key words: Broiler, wheat, wet feeding, AME, gut development

Feeding Value of High-oil Corn for Taiwan Country Chicken

The feeding value of high-oil corn fed to Taiwan Country (TC) chicken was examined by measuring apparent metabolizable energy (AME), growth performance, sexual maturity, carcass characteristics, and plasma pigmentation. In a completely randomized design, 870 sex-intermingled one-wk-old chicks were assigned to one of 30 floor pens, 29 birds per pen, and each pen randomly assigned to one of five dietary treatments. The experiment was ended when birds were 16 wk of age. The five dietary treatments varied in main fat sources, which were corn oil (CO), high-oil corn (HOC), lard (LRD), whole soybean (WSB) and yellow corn (YC), respectively. All the diets were formulated isonitrogenously, isocalorically, and of equal lysine and methionine contents except YC, in which equal amounts of YC replaced HOC. The results indicated that feed conversion in HOC was 8% higher (p<0.05) than YC whereas the calculated AME of HOC was only 3.5% to 4.0% higher than that of YC. No significant differences were observed in body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and ME efficiency for body weight gain among CO, HOC, LRD, and WSB. No significant differences existed in both skin and muscle pigmentation of breast among the five dietary treatments. No significance differences existed in plasma carotenoid content measured at various ages among the five dietary treatments except that birds fed with HOC had less (p<0.05) plasma carotenoids at 16 wk-old. The results indicate that if the price of high-oil corn is no more than 1.05 times that of yellow corn, the dietary cost per kg of body weight gain for TC chickens fed diets containing high-oil corn will be less, although their body weight may be lighter compared to chickens fed diets formulated with other fat sources. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 9 : 1348-1354)

ChemInform Abstract: Pentacoordinate Organoaluminum Chemistry: Catalytic Efficiency of Me3Al in the Epoxide Cleavage with Alkynyllithiums.

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

Pentacoordinate Organoaluminum Chemistry: Catalytic Efficiency of Me3Al in the Epoxide Cleavage with Alkynyllithiums

A new and highly effective catalytic method for epoxide alkynylations has been developed that involves the chelation-controlled alkylation of heterosubstituted epoxides with Me3Al via pentacoordina...

Hybrid computational and experimental approach for the study and optimization of mechanical components

Increased demands on the performance and efficiency of me- chanical components impose challenges on their engineering design and optimization, especially when new and more demanding applica- tions must be developed in relatively short periods of time while satisfy- ing design objectives, as well as cost and manufacturability. In addition, reliability and durability must be taken into consideration. As a conse- quence, effective quantitative methodologies, computational and experi- mental, should be applied in the study and optimization of mechanical components. Computational investigations enable parametric studies and the determination of critical engineering design conditions, while ex- perimental investigations, especially those using optical techniques, pro- vide qualitative and quantitative information on the actual response of the structure of interest to the applied load and boundary conditions. We discuss a hybrid experimental and computational approach for investiga- tion and optimization of mechanical components. The approach is based on analytical, computational, and experimental solutions (ACES) meth- odologies in the form of computational, noninvasive optical techniques, and fringe prediction (FP) analysis tools. Practical application of the hy- brid approach is illustrated with representative examples that demon- strate the viability of the approach as an effective engineering tool for analysis and optimization. © 1998 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engi- neers. (S0091-3286(98)00405-X)

Energy metabolism of growing pigs after transportation, regrouping, and exposure to new housing conditions as affected by feeding level.

An experiment was performed to evaluate alterations of energy metabolism with time in 10 groups of 16 barrows just after transportation. Ten-week-old pigs were fed at once (four groups; LF) or twice (three groups; MF) maintenance level (35 and 75 g.kg-.75.d-1, respectively), or allowed ad libitum access to feed (three groups; HF). The 13.5-d experimental period was divided into two balance periods. Heat production (HP) decreased with time. The changes in HP with time were different among feeding level groups (P < .001); the LF group had the greatest decrease. Metabolizable energy intake remained constant with time for the LF and MF groups and decreased for the HF group. Requirements for maintenance energy and efficiency of ME for growth decreased with time. Feeding level influenced (P < .001) energy retention (ER) during the total experimental period. The LF group had a negative ER (-65 kJ.kg-.75.d-1), whereas in the MF and HF groups positive values for ER were obtained (346 and 757 kJ.kg-.75.d-1, respectively). At all feeding levels, animals had a positive protein gain. The level differed between feeding levels (P < .001). Differences among groups (P < .001) were observed in energy retained as fat. Data from the present experiment show that young pigs are not in a steady state of energy metabolism during the 2 wk after transportation. During this period, the relationship between metabolic rate and feed intake alters with time.