Dietary Energy Content Research Articles

Changes in the Fatty Acid Composition of Vegetable Oils Affect the Feeding Behavior, Feed Preference, and Thermoregulatory Responses of Sheep

This research evaluated the effects of energy supplementation on sheep’s feeding behavior, feed preference, and thermoregulatory responses using technical cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) and different vegetable oils with different unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) compositions. The experiment was completely randomized with five treatments: a mixture of CNSL (0.5%) + vegetable oils [canola (high in monounsaturated fatty acids—MUFA), and corn, soybean, sunflower, or cottonseed oil (high in polyunsaturated fatty acids-PUFA) at 1.5%] based on total diet dry matter, with eight replications. Forty uncastrated male sheep, with an average initial BW of 24.44 ± 1.5 kg, were evaluated for 70 days. The CNSL + vegetable oil blend did not affect DM and neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) intake (p > 0.05). However, diets with canola oil resulted in higher SFA intake (p < 0.05) than other oils. The canola oil + CNSL blend led to a higher intake of UFA and MUFA and lower PUFA intake than other oil blends (p < 0.05). Sheep fed canola oil ruminated fewer boli per day than those fed soybean and sunflower oils. Using three sieves (pef1.18) reflected in higher sheep aNDF intake. Respiratory frequency and surface temperature of sheep were lower before feeding than 3 h after, without effects of the type of oil. Higher serum creatinine and cholesterol levels were observed in sheep fed CNSL with corn and canola oils compared to other oils. Serum calcium was lower in sheep fed CNSL with soybean and canola compared to sunflower and corn. Including CNSL with vegetable oils with different FA compositions did not affect physiological and thermographic variables. However, sheep showed better diet selectivity and lower bolus rumination with higher MUFA (canola oil) content. Including CNSL with canola oil in sheep diets is recommended, as it increases dietary energy content, enhances diet selectivity, reduces PUFA intake, and does not impact animal health.

A Dynamic Tool to Describe Lamb Growth and Its Use as a Decision Support System.

A dynamic model has been developed to simulate aspects of feedlot lamb growth and body composition, including energy and protein requirements, growth rate, composition of gain, and body mass. Model inputs include initial body mass (kg), standard final mass (kg), age (days), and dietary energy concentration (Mcal·kg-1). The model was assessed as a decision support tool using a dataset of 564 individual measures of final body mass and diet energy. The simulations provide graphical and numerical descriptions of nutrient requirements, composition of gain, and estimates of animal performance over time. The model is accurate and precise, with a root mean squared error of 7.79% of the observed final body mass and a coefficient of determination of 0.89 when simulating the same variable. The model can be used as a reliable decision support tool to estimate final body mass and the days on feed required to reach a certain final mass with precision and accuracy. Moreover, the dynamic model can also serve as a learning tool to illustrate practical principles of animal nutrition, nutrient requirement relationships, and body composition changes. This model holds the potential to enhance livestock management practices and assist producers in making informed decisions about feedlot lamb production.

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.

143 Effect of increasing dietary net energy content at a constant lysine on feed intake and performance of 7 to 11 kg and 11 to 20 kg pigs

Abstract Information about NE requirements for nursery pigs is still limited. Therefore, 2 experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary NE contents on growth performance of 7 to 11 kg pigs (Exp. 1) and 11 to 20 kg pigs (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, mixed-sex pigs (n = 192; PIC; initial body weight (BW) of 7.8 ± 1.07 kg] were assigned to 4 diets for 14 d. Diets 1 to 4 were formulated to contain 4 levels of NE (9.8, 10.1, 10.4 and 10.7 MJ/kg) and adequate in all AA with standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys being constant at 1.42%. In Exp. 2, mixed-sex pigs (n = 192; PIC; initial BW of 11.2 ± 1.54 kg) were assigned to 4 diets for 21 d. Diets 1 to 4 contained 4 levels of NE (9.6, 9.9, 10.2 and 10.5 MJ/kg) and adequate in all AA (1.32% SID Lys). For both studies, there were 6 pen replicates (4 entire males and 4 gilts/pen) per treatment, and diets were based on corn, soybean meal, whey powder, wheat bran and soy oil. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed (mash) and water. Individual pigs and pen feed disappearance were weighed weekly to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency gain to feed ratio (G:F). Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the GLM procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. In Exp. 1, ADFI tended to decrease (quadratic; P ≤ 0.08) with increasing NE levels during d 0 to 7 and d 8 to 14. The ADG during d 0 to 7 tended to be greater (158, 192, 187 and 152 g for diets 1 to 4; quadratic; P = 0.08) at 10.1 MJ/kg NE; however, the overall ADG (d 0 to 14) was not affected by the NE levels. Although not significant, G:F, Lys utilization efficiency were greatest at 10.1 MJ/kg NE for the overall period. In Exp. 2, ADFI decreased (827, 783, 768 and 749 g for diets 1 to 4; linear; P = 0.05) with increasing NE levels during d 15 to 21 but was not affected (P &amp;gt; 0.05) for other periods. The ADG (d 8 to 14) tended to be greater at 9.6 MJ/kg NE (quadratic; P = 0.06) and G:F (d 15 to 21) tended to be greater at a dietary NE of 10.2 MJ/kg (linear; P = 0.10). However, the overall (d 0 to 21) ADG and G:F were not affected (P &amp;gt; 0.05) by NE levels. Although not significant, G:F and Lys utilization efficiency were greatest at a dietary NE of 10.2 MJ/kg for the overall period. These results indicate that G:F of 7 to 11 kg pigs and 11 to 20 kg pigs maximized at a dietary NE content of 10.1 MJ/kg and 10.2 MJ/kg, which correspond to 1.41 and 1.29 g SID Lys/MJ NE, respectively.

Impact of Various Ration Energy Levels on the Slaughtering Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Qualities of Honghe Yellow Cattle.

Consumers are increasing their daily demand for beef and are becoming more discerning about its nutritional quality and flavor. The present objective was to evaluate how the ration energy content (combined net energy, Nemf) impacts the slaughter performance, carcass characteristics, and meat qualities of Honghe yellow cattle raised in confinement. Fifteen male Honghe yellow cattle were divided into three groups based on a one-way design: a low-energy group (LEG, 3.72 MJ/kg), a medium-energy group (MEG, 4.52 MJ/kg), and a high-energy group (HEG, 5.32 MJ/kg). After a period of 70 days on these treatments, the animals were slaughtered and their slaughter performance was determined, and the longissimus dorsi muscle (LD) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles were gathered to evaluate meat quality and composition. Increasing the dietary energy concentration led to marked improvements (p < 0.05) in the live weight before slaughter (LWBS), weight of carcass, backfat thickness, and loin muscle area. HEG also improved the yield of high-grade commercial cuts (13.47% vs. 10.39%) (p < 0.05). However, meat quality traits were not affected by treatment except for shear force, which was affected by dietary energy. A significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the intramuscular fat (IMF) content was observed in the HEG. Little effect on the amino acid profile was observed (p > 0.05), except for a tendency (p = 0.06) to increase the histidine concentration in the BF muscle. Increasing dietary energy also reduced C22:6n-3 and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and enhanced C18:1 cis-9 and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs, p < 0.05). Those results revealed that increasing energy levels of diets could enhance slaughter traits and affect the meat quality and fatty acid composition of different muscle tissues of Honghe yellow cattle. These results contribute to the theoretical foundation to formulate nutritional standards and design feed formulas for the Honghe yellow cattle.

The influence of ripening on the nutrient composition and antioxidant properties of New Zealand damson plums.

The current study pioneers a comprehensive exploration into the influence of ripening stages on the nutritional composition and antioxidant attributes of the New Zealand damson plums (Prunus domestica ssp. Insititia). Sampled at early-, mid-, and late-ripening stages from randomly selected plum trees, the investigation unveiled notable significant (p < .05) declines in multiple parameters as ripening progressed. Noteworthy reductions in dry matter (from 21% to 19.33%), stone weight (from 30.23% to 24.30%), total dietary fiber (from 3.15% to 2.5%), energy content (from 280 to 263 kJ/100 g), vitamin D3 (from 1.67 to 1.53 μg/100 g), vitamin A (from 4.2 to 3.87 μg/100 g), and specific minerals (e.g., Ca, Mg, and P) emerged as a hallmark of this progression. Additionally, plums harvested at the advanced ripening stage exhibited heightened moisture content in contrast to their early-stage counterparts. Conversely, ash, protein, carbohydrates, total sugar, and minerals (including K, Na, Zn, and Se) demonstrated no significant alteration (p > .05) across ripening stages. Remarkably, damson plums that were harvested at the end of the ripening stage displayed reduced phenolic content and total antioxidant activity compared to those acquired at the early-mid ripening phase. This research collectively highlights the substantive impact of harvesting time and ripening stage on the nutritional and antioxidant profiles of damson plums cultivated in New Zealand.

Efeito da inclusão de Ceratophyllum demersum cru e fermentado na dieta sobre o desempenho de crescimento e digestibilidade em juvenis de carpa capim, Cte-nopharyngodon Idella Val.

A 12-week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, feed efficiency, digestibility and carcass composition of young grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val, 1844) (4.03±0.16 g) fed on a control diet and two experimental diets (38.5% crude protein). The experiment aimed to assess the utilization of raw hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum (HR) and fermented (HF) by adding 20% of each of the alternative ingredients separately to the control diet (C) to completely compensate barley, a portion of wheat bran and 20% of fish meal. Results indicated that all growth and feed efficiency parameters among groups were no significantly different (P&gt;0.05) in specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and protein productive value (PPV) of fish fed HR and HF with the control diet. There was no effect (P&gt;0.05) in stimulating digestibility (ADCtotal) when HR and HF were added to the diet. Both HR and HF produced significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher satiation level associated with lower dietary digestible energy contents. The evacuation rate was not affected significantly (P&gt;0.05) by the inclusion of raw or fermented hornwort. Whereas, the moisture, protein and lipid levels in carcass were similar (P&gt;0.05) in all groups, except for the control diet (C), which recorded the highest ash level (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, the incorporation of raw or fermented hornwort up to 20% level was found to be not suitable, and there were adverse effects on the growth and feed efficiency of experimental fish.

Digestibility of crude nutrients and minerals in C57Bl/6J and CD1 mice fed a pelleted lab rodent diet

In laboratory animals, there is a scarcity of digestibility data under non-experimental conditions. Such data is important as basis to generate nutrient requirements, which contributes to the refinement of husbandry conditions. Digestibility trials can also help to identify patterns of absorption and potential factors that influence the digestibility. Thus, a digestibility trial with a pelleted diet used as standard feed in laboratory mice was conducted. To identify potential differences between genetic lines, inbred C57Bl/6 J and outbred CD1 mice (n = 18 each, male, 8 weeks-old, housed in groups of three) were used. For seven days, the feed intake was recorded and the total faeces per cage collected. Energy, crude nutrient and mineral content of diet and faecal samples were analyzed to calculate the apparent digestibility (aD). Apparent dry matter and energy digestibility did not differ between both lines investigated. The C57Bl/6 J mice had significantly higher aD of magnesium and potassium and a trend towards a lower aD of sodium than the mice of the CD1 outbred stock. Lucas-tests were performed to calculate the mean true digestibility of the nutrients and revealed a uniformity of the linear regression over data from both common laboratory mouse lines. The mean true digestibility of crude nutrients was > 90%, except for fibre, that of the minerals ranged between 66 and 97%.

Impacts of β‐Mannanase on Fecal Viscosity, Digestible Energy Content, Amino Acid Digestibility, and Nutrient Loss in Juvenile Nile Tilapia Fed Soybean Meal‐Rich Diets

This study evaluated the impact of increasing dietary β‐mannanase (BM) supplementation (Natupulse TS, BASF, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany) on fecal viscosity and pH, apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of energy and nutrients, including amino acids, fecal nutrient loss in contents of soybean meal (SBM)‐based diets fed to juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. A total of 504 fingerlings (initial body weight of 31.5 ± 4.2 g) were randomly distributed into 24 aquaria (70 L each) in a completely randomized design using six dietary treatments and four replicates of 21 fish per aquarium. Fish were fed diets containing BM at 0, 1600, 3200, 4800, 6400, and 8000 TMU (thermostable endo‐1,4‐BM units) kg−1 and hand‐fed six times a day until apparent satiety for 30 days. Chromium oxide was employed as an indigestible marker. The ADC of gross energy, crude protein, crude lipids, and essential amino acids exhibited a quadratic effect with the maximum point in fish fed 4818, 4722, 4615, and 4816 TMU kg−1 BM, respectively. The digestible energy (DE) content of diets presented a quadratic effect, and the maximum point was obtained in fish fed 4803 TMU BM kg−1 diet, which improved the DE content by +1.2 MJ kg−1 relative to the BM‐unsupplemented diet. The fecal pH, fecal viscosity, organic matter loss, and nitrogen loss presented a quadratic effect with the minimum point in fish fed 4810, 4839, 4750, and 4801 TMU BM kg−1 diet, respectively. Principal component analysis indicated that dietary BM at 4800 and 6400 TMU BM kg−1 diet was associated with improvements in the ADC of gross energy, crude protein, and crude lipids. In conclusion, including 4803 TMU BM kg−1 diet effectively improves DE content and optimizes nutrient digestibility and feces pH and viscosity in Nile tilapia fed an SBM‐based diet.

Effects of Dietary Energy Concentration and Feed Intake on Growth Performance of Newly Received Growing Cattle Fed Diets Based on Corn and Corn Co-Products

Effects of Dietary Energy Concentration and Feed Intake on Growth Performance of Newly Received Growing Cattle Fed Diets Based on Corn and Corn Co-Products

Nutritional guide to feeding wheat and wheat co-products to swine: a review.

Inclusion of wheat grain can offer feeding opportunities in swine diets because of its high starch, crude protein (CP), amino acid (AA), and phosphorus (P) content. High concentrations of starch within wheat grain makes it a good energy source for swine. Mean energy content of wheat was 4,900 and 3,785 kcal/kg dry matter (DM) for digestible energy and metabolizable energy, respectively. CP concentration can vary based on the class of wheat which include hard red winter, hard red spring, soft red winter, hard white, soft white, and durum. The average CP of all wheat data collected in this review was 12.6% with a range of 8.5% to 17.6%. The AA concentration of wheat increases with increasing CP with the mean Lys content of 0.38% with a standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of 76.8%. As CP of wheat increases, the SID of AA in wheat also increases. Mean P of wheat was 0.27% and median P was 0.30%. Off-quality wheat is often associated with sprouts, low-test weight, or mycotoxin-contamination. Sprouted and low-test weight wheat are physical abnormalities associated with decreased starch within wheat kernel that leads to reductions in energy. The assumed energy value of wheat grain may need to be reduced by up to 10% when the proportion of sprouted to non-sprouted wheat is up to 40% whereas above 40%, wheat's energy may need to be reduced by 15% to 20%. Low-test weight wheat appears to not influence pig performance unless it falls below 644kg/m3 and then energy value should be decreased by 5% compared to normal wheat. Deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination is most common with wheat grain. When content is above the guidance level of 1mg/kg of DON in the complete diet, each 1mg/kg increase in a DON-contaminated wheat-based diet will result in a 11% and 6% reduction in ADG and ADFI for nursery pigs, and a 2.7% and 2.6% reduction in ADG and ADFI, in finishing pigs, respectively. Wheat co-products are produced from the flour milling industry. Wheat co-products include wheat bran middlings, millrun, shorts, and red dog. Wheat co-products can be used in swine diets, but application may change because of differences in the final diet energy concentration due to changes in the starch and fiber levels of each wheat co-product. However, feeding wheat co-products are being evaluated to improve digestive health. Overall, wheat and wheat co-products can be fed in all stages of production if energy and other nutrient characteristics are considered.

Effect of dietary concentrations of Metabolisable energy and crude protein on the performance and behavior of ducks

ABSTRACT 1. The study evaluated the effect of dietary metabolisable energy (ME) content and crude protein (CP) level on the growth performance and behaviour of ducks. 2. A total of 720, Cherry Valley ducks were allocated to 36 pens in groups of 20 birds. For the initial period, from 1 to 21 d age, six diets, containing a standard (SME), low (LME) and high (HME) ME of 12.14, 11.93 and 12.35 MJ/kg, and standard (SCP) or high (HCP) CP contents of 210 or 220 g/kg diet, respectively, were mixed. For the period from 22 to 42 d age, the diets contained ME of 12.98 (SME), 12.77 (LME), 13.19 (HME) MJ/kg and the levels of CP were 170 (SCP) or 180 (HCP) g/kg, respectively. 3. An ME by CP interaction was seen from 1 to 21 d age in ducks fed HME + HCP diet, which had greater weight gain than those fed LME + SCP (P < 0.05). Compared to LME + SCP, dietary HME decrease feeding but increased walking behaviour compared to LME + SCP and SME + SCP (P < 0.05). High CP in LME and SME diets increased drinking behaviour (P < 0.05), but there was no change in HME diet. Compared to LME, feeding HME reduced ground pecking (P < 0.05). Feeding HME reduced feeding behaviour (P < 0.05) from 22 to 42 d age. During the same period, standing behaviour was reduced in HCP + LME (P < 0.05). Drinking was reduced in LME + SCP compared to SME + HCP and HME + HCP (P < 0.05). 4. A diet formulated with HME and HCP is effective for enhancing growth performance of ducks aged 1-21 d and saving time for feeding or ground pecking, which may induce spending more time on other activities.

Multiphase diets may improve feed efficiency in fattening crossbreed Holstein bulls: a retrospective simulation of the economic and environmental impact

Beef industry needs alternative feeding strategies to enhance both economic and environmental sustainability. Among these strategies, adjusting the diet dynamically according to the change of nutritional requirements (multiphase diet) has demonstrated its economic and environmental benefits in pig production systems. Therefore, this retrospective study aims to assess, through simulation, the theoretical economic and environmental benefits of introducing a multiphase diet for crossbreed bulls feeding (one or more diet changes). For this, individual data of BW, BW gain, and daily intake were recorded from 342 bulls during the last fattening period (112 days). These data were used to estimate individual trajectory of energy and protein requirements, which were subsequently divided by individual intake to calculate the required dietary energy and protein concentrations. The area between two functions (i.e., ƒ1: constant protein concentration in the original diet during fattening and ƒ2: estimated protein concentration requirements) was minimised to identify the optimal moments to adjust the dietary concentration of energy and protein. The results indicated that both energy and protein intake exceeded requirements on average (+16% and +28% respectively, P < 0.001), justifying the adoption of a multiphase diet. Modelling the individual trajectories of required metabolisable protein (MP, g/kg DM) during the fattening period resulted in exponential decay model in relation to BW [32120 × exp(−0.026 × BW) + 59.9], while the dietary net energy concentration followed a slightly quadratic model [2.26–0.0026 × BW + 0.000003 × BW2]. Minimisation of the area between curves showed two optimal moments to adjust the diet: at 312 kg and 385 kg of BW, indicating three diet phases: (a) <312 kg, (b) 312–385 kg, and (c) 385–600 kg. For the second and third phases, the dietary energy and protein concentration should be 70 g MP/kg DM and 1.70 Mcal/kg DM and 61 g MP/kg DM and 1.65 Mcal/kg DM, respectively. These diet adjustments might improve economic profitability by 29 €/animal, reduce estimated nitrogen excretions by 16% (P < 0.001), and maintain similar weight gain (P > 0.16) compared to the commercial diet. However, the decrease in dietary energy concentration led to increased fibre concentration, which in turn increased the estimated CH4 emissions of animals with the multiphase diet (+44%, P < 0.001). Hence, multiphase diet could theoretically reduce feeding cost and nitrogen excretion from fattening cattle. Further in vivo studies should confirm these results and find optimal nutritional strategies to improve economic profitability and environmental impact.

297 Determining the Effects of Energy Concentrations and Diet Forms on Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs

Abstract Our objective was to determine the effects of two different dietary energy concentrations and diet forms on growth performance of nursery pigs. Barrows and gilts (n = 1,300 PIC337×Camborough, initial BW = 6.7±1.40 kg) were used in a 35-day growth trial with 52 pens in two rooms, 13 pens per treatment, and 25 pigs per pen. At the beginning of the trial, pens within each room were formed by segregating pigs into three body weight (BW) categories and gender, and then randomly allotted to one of four treatments in a randomized complete block design. Pigs were fed in three dietary phases and phase changes occurred based on assigned feed budget (Phase 1: 2 kg/pig, Phase 2: 4 kg/pig, and Phase 3: ad libitum until 35d post-weaning). Treatments consisted of a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with one factor being the energy concentration of the diets with 2 levels (low and high) and the other factor being the diet form with 2 plans (mash throughout phases 1 to 3 or mash in phase 1 and 2 then pelleted in phase 3). Pellet size was 4 mm, and PDI measurements averaged 84.0 and 83.4% in the low and high energy diets, respectively. Growth performance data were analyzed using a generalized mixed model in Minitab and considered pen as the experimental unit. The statistical model considered fixed effects of BW category, energy, diet form, and their interaction, and random effects of room. All data are reported as least square means and considered statistically significant at P &amp;lt; 0.05. There was no evidence for a significant interaction between energy level and diet form (P &amp;gt; 0.10) for any response criteria. Increasing energy of the diet fed to nursery pigs did not result in significant differences (P &amp;gt; 0.10) in overall average daily gain (ADG; 356 and 367 g/d), average daily feed intake (ADFI; 501 and 510 g/d), or feed efficiency (G:F; 711 and 719 g/kg) between low and high energy, respectively. Feeding a pelleted diet in the last nursery phase resulted in increased (P = 0.004) overall ADG (368 vs 355 g/d), increased (P = 0.018) final BW (19.6 and 19.2 kg), and improved (P = 0.002) overall G:F (727 and 702 g/kg) compared with pigs fed mash diets throughout the entire nursery period. There was no evidence for differences in ADFI due to diet form. In addition, no evidence for treatment differences were observed for overall removal and mortality rates. In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, there was no evidence for an energy impact in nursery pig growth performance. Feeding a pelleted diet in the last nursery phase resulted in improvements in overall ADG, G:F, and final BW of nursery pigs.

PSVI-17 Digestawell XG Improves Piglet Performance When Dietary Net Energy Content is Decreased

Abstract Plant based dietary ingredients contain non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Both soluble and insoluble NSP may limit intestinal absorption and digestion of dietary nutrients along the intestinal tract of monogastric animals. Increased digesta viscosity also occurs, which results in satiety and potential health issues. DIGESTAWell XG (Probiotech International Inc.), a commercially available enzyme-based feed additive that contains increased endo-1,4-β-xylanase and endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase activity, hydrolyzes NSP resulting in increased nutrient availability and digestibility. Therefore, it was hypothesized that nursery pigs consuming low net energy (NE) diets with DIGESTAWell XG will demonstrate similar growth performance as nursery pigs consuming greater NE diets. A 47-day trial was conducted with 21-day old nursery pigs (6.0 kg) allocated to three groups: control (CON), low energy (-56 kcal/kg feed; LE), and low energy + enzyme (LE+E). All groups had 13 pens of 28 pigs (n = 364), and received wheat and corn mix based diets that had a similar NSP content (11.4%). CON diets had greater NE (2,456 kcal/kg feed) relative to the LE and LE+E groups (2400 kcal/kg feed). The diet of the LE+E group was supplemented with DIGESTAWell XG at 0.22kg/Ton of feed. For each pen the daily feed intake, weekly weight, diarrhea index and mortality were recorded. Data were analyzed by an ANOVA model (Statistix 8.0; Analytical Software, FL) including treatment and pen as fixed and random effects, respectively, and a Chi-square test for pairwise differences. Compared with both CON and LE, LE+E increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during weeks 4 to 7 and weeks 1 to 7, and significantly increased final weight (Table 1). During weeks 1 to 3, ADG and ADFI did not differ between CON and LE+E groups, and the LE+E group was significantly greater than LE. Over the entire period, LE impacted (P &amp;lt; 0.05) negatively the feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with CON, however, during weeks 4-7 the LE+E had similar FCR compared with CON (P &amp;gt; 0.05). No significant effects were observed on mortality or diarrhea index. In conclusion, DIGESTAWell XG improves piglet performance when dietary NE content is decreased which may offer some formulation flexibility.

Effect of different energy, protein levels and their interaction on productive performance, egg quality, digestibility coefficient of laying Japanese quails

For the evaluation of the effects of various quantities of crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) (kcal/kg diet) in Japanese quail lay chicken meals on performance, digestion coefficients, and nutritional value. An experiment was undertaken in the summer season; 216 eight-wk-old Japanese quail laying hens were allocated at random to 1 of 9 groups in a factorial design (3×3) experiment involving 3 levels of CP (18, 20, and 22%) plus 3 levels of ME (2,800, 2,900, or 3,000 kcal/kg ME diet). The testing period lasted from 8 to 20 wk. The findings demonstrated that the relationship between protein and energy levels significantly impacted all productive outcomes except the feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). Throughout the overall period 8 to 20 wk of age, the greatest measurements of egg weight (11.9 g) and egg mass (8.33 g) occurred in hens fed 20% CP with 2,900 kcal/kg diet, yet the lowest values of egg weight (11.2 g) and egg mass (6.72 g) were noticed in hens fed 22% CP with 2,900 kcal/kg diet. The data showed that the combination of dietary energy and protein levels had a substantial (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) effect on all egg quality trials evaluated. The results indicated that the interaction between dietary energy and protein concentrations substantially impacted DM and EE digestion ratios (P < 0.01). Finally, when feeding layer Japanese quail between the ages of 8 and 20 wk during the summer, a dietary energy content of 2,900 kcal ME/kg with 20% CP is recommended.

Effects of dietary fiber on growth, feed efficiency and nutrient utilization of tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii, Bleeker 1853) fry

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine dietary fiber utilization level in Barbonymus schwanenfeldii fry based on the growth, feed efficiency and nutrient utilization. Intestinal α-amylase activity and liver and intestinal histology were used to evaluate the growth performance of fish. Five isonitrogenous (48% crude protein) and isocaloric (20.1 kJ g⁻¹ gross energy) diets were prepared with different fiber levels (0.9%, 3.18%, 5.97%, 8.34% and 10.73%). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of fish (0.557 ± 0.001 g) at 20 fry per 100 L glass aquarium. Results revealed that tinfoil barb fry tolerated 10.73% dietary fiber without compromising their growth. Average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio linearly decreased with increasing fiber levels (P = 0.02). Protein efficiency had a positive association with dietary fiber levels (P = 0.03). Although whole body protein, ash and fiber contents were not related to dietary fiber levels, energy and lipid content linearly decreased with increased dietary fiber levels (P = 0.03). Retention of dietary protein and carbohydrate positively related to dietary fiber levels (P = 0.03). However, lipid and energy retentions were independent of dietary fiber concentrations. Intestinal α-amylase activity showed a unique association with dietary fiber intake in intestinal bulb (P < 0.0001) and hindgut (P = 0.01). However, irrespective of higher midgut amylase activity, its specific content was independent of dietary fiber levels. Besides, there were not any histopathological signs on the gut and liver of fish fed 0.9–10.73% dietary fiber. Meanwhile, condition factor and viscerosomatic index were independent of dietary fiber. Since feeding 10.73% dietary fiber did not affect the growth performance and nutrient utilization, it was concluded that B. schwanenfeldii fry could tolerate 10.73% crude fiber in their practical diet. However, future studies are warranted to determine maximum tolerability of fiber by the fish using further increase in dietary fiber level.

Management Updates on Prepartal Stress Effects on Transition Cow and Calf Health

The transition phase is thought to be the most critical period in high-producing dairy cows’ productive cycle. Maternal stresses during the peripartum period affect both dam and newborn calf health. The objective of this review article was to describe the role of prepartal metabolic and environmental stressors on postpartum-related disorders in both cows and newborn calves. The transition phase (21 d before to 21 d after calving) is considered the most critical period in dairy cattle life. Decreased dry matter intake coincides with increased nutrient demands due to the onset of lactation. It can lead to negative energy balance and tremendous metabolic challenges for high-producing dairy cows. During this time, insulin concentrations and peripheral tissue sensitivity decrease, leading to fat mobilization from adipose tissue. Such incidences would increase levels of non-esterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyric acid in plasma. The success in the transition from the dry to lactating phase depends on how the cow could deal with such challenges. Failure to handle such metabolic alterations may predispose cattle to costly metabolic disorders such as ketosis, fatty liver, retained placenta, displacement abomasum, and infectious diseases, including metritis and mastitis in the postpartum period. The energy content of dairy cow diets in the dry-off (40 days before calving) or close-up (21 days before calving) periods may influence cow physiology and health in the peripartum period. The role of a transition period diet on cow health and productivity in the early or overall lactation period has been frequently investigated. However, the role of stressors such as nutritional deficiencies, heat stress, stocking density, and grouping in the late gestation period on the health and performance of cows and calves are much less addressed. Therefore, the present review delineates and reviews updates on the role of maternal stresses during the peripartum period on dam as well as newborn calf physiology and behavior.

Effect of incorporation of seaweed (Portieria hornemanii) and Tilapia fish protein concentrate on the nutritional, physical and sensory attributes of cookies

SummaryWheat flour is deficient in many nutrients and is the main ingredient of cookies. In the present study, Tilapia fish protein concentrate (FPC) (5%) and seaweed (Portieria hornemanii) (2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%) were incorporated into cookie formulation. The treatments were respectively T3, T4, T5 and T6. Cookies prepared without FPC and seaweed (T1) and 5% FPC (T2) alone acted as a control. Proximate composition, total dietary fibre, mineral content, physical properties (baking loss, fracturability, colour and textural properties) and sensory characteristics were analysed. Improvement in the protein (4.98–8.19%) (P &lt; 0.05), carbohydrate (63.74%), Total dietary fibre (3.35%), energy (546–574 Kcal/100 g cookies), spread factor (1.82–1.89) and mineral content was observed in cookies containing seaweed and FPC compared to control. High overall acceptability was obtained by T3 compared to the control. The present study showed cookies that are nutritionally improved as well as have good sensory acceptability can be developed by incorporating seaweed and FPC. In the future, the incorporation of specific purified compounds from seaweeds into cookies can be done.

Macronutrient composition of sea otter diet with respect to recolonization, life history, and season in southern Southeast Alaska.

The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) population of Southeast Alaska has been growing at a higher rate than other regions along the Pacific coast. While good for the recovery of this endangered species, rapid population growth of this apex predator can create a human-wildlife conflict, negatively impacting commercial and subsistence fishing. Previous foraging studies throughout the sea otter range have shown they will reduce invertebrate prey biomass when recolonizing an area. The goal of this study was to examine and quantify the energy content of sea otter diets through direct foraging observations and prey collection. Our study area, Prince of Wales Island in southern Southeast Alaska, exhibits a gradient of sea otter recolonization, thus providing a natural experiment to test diet change in regions with different recolonization histories. Sea otter prey items were collected in three seasons (spring, summer, and winter) to measure caloric value and lipid and protein content. We observed 3523 sea otter dives during the spring and summer. A majority of the sea otter diet consisted of clams. Sea otters in newly recolonized areas had lower diet diversity, higher energetic intake rates (EIR, kcal/min), and prey had higher energy content (kcal/g). Females with pups had the highest diet diversity and the lowest EIR. Sea otter EIR were higher in the fall and winter vs. spring and summer. Sea cucumber energy and lipid content appeared to correspond with times when sea otters consumed the highest proportion of sea cucumbers. These caloric variations are an important component of understanding ecosystem-level effects sea otters have in the nearshore environment.