Protein-energy Supplementation Research Articles

Zebu cattle fed dry distiller's grain or cottonseed meal had greater nitrogen utilization efficiency than non-supplemented animals.

This study evaluated intake, apparent digestibility, ruminal parameters, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis in grazing beef cattle fed a mineral mix or combination of two coproducts (cottonseed meal and dried distiller's grains (DDG)) during the wet season. Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu pastures were managed under continuous stocking to maintain a fixed grazing height of 25cm using put-and-take methodology. Eight rumen cannulated Nellore steers were used to evaluate the different supplementation strategies. The experiment was composed of four treatments: (1) mineral mixed (MM; ad libitum); (2) energy-protein supplement using corn grain (energy) and cottonseed meal (protein; CS); (3) energy-protein supplement with 50% of the cottonseed meal replaced by DDG (50DDG); and (4) energy-protein supplement with 100% of the cottonseed meal replaced by DDG (100DDG). Except for MM, all supplements were supplied at a level of 0.3% of body weight (BW). A double Latin square was the experimental design performed, with eight cannulated animals, four treatments, across four experimental periods. There was a difference between dry matter and nutrient intake among treatments. The nitrogen balance was different between MM and the other treatments. There was a linear decrease in the rumen ammonia nitrogen levels under CS, 50DDG, and 100DDG. There were no treatment effects on the other parameters evaluated (P ≥ 0.10). Replacing the protein source in the supplement composition did not affect the metabolic parameters and the microbial protein synthesis. Supplementation at a rate of 0.3% BW, compared to MM supplementation, increased the nitrogen utilization efficiency in grazing cattle.

The Effects of Castration, Implant Protocol, and Supplementation of Bos indicus-Influenced Beef Cattle under Tropical Savanna Conditions on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality

Simple SummaryRanchers in tropical savannas must alter management to deal with forage shortages during seasonal droughts while adding value to their calf crop. Castration, pasture supplementation, and growth-promoting implant protocol (GPIP) can improve growth performance, carcass yield, and perhaps meat quality, potentially increasing profitability. The researchers measured the effects of pasture supplementation and GPIP use in bulls (Experiment I) and/or steers (Experiment II). Bulls offered a strategic protein-energy supplementation (SS) outperformed those offered a traditional mineral mix (MS) in live weight gains, carcass yield, and yield of expensive meat cuts. A combination of a high-potency implant (HPI) followed by a low-potency implant (LPI) resulted in more tender steaks from SS bulls. Tenderness was improved by HPI-LPI in SS bulls or by LPI in SS steers. It is concluded that (a) SS improved growth performance and carcass yield of bulls, while castration improved carcass quality (grading); and (b) the response to GPIP in cutability and tenderness was dependent on castration status. These results are useful for ranchers finishing calves in tropical savannas worldwide.The effects of castration, supplementation, and implant protocol (IP) on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed cattle were evaluated. Two experiments followed a two-way ANOVA and a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Experiment-I, 99 bulls were evaluated for: (a) supplementation (mineral (MS) or strategic protein-energy supplementation (SS), and (b) IP (repeated (day-0 and day-90) Zeranol-72 mg implantation (Zeranol–Zeranol) or Trenbolone Acetate-140 mg/Estradiol-20 mg (day-0) followed by Zeranol-72 mg (day-90) (TBA/E2–Zeranol). Experiment II, 50 animals were evaluated for: (a) IP (like Experiment-I), and (b) male class (steers vs. bulls). In Experiment-I, SS bulls had greater growth rate, carcass yield, and yield of high-valued boneless lean cuts than MS bulls, while decreasing (p < 0.05) time to harvest. Steaks from SS-bulls on TBA/E2–Zeranol IP were more (p = 0.05) tender than SS/Zeranol–Zeranol counterparts. Experiment-II bulls had greater growth than steers, but decreased (p < 0.05) carcass quality aspects. Zeranol–Zeranol increased (p < 0.01) meat tenderness of steers. Interactions (p < 0.05) affected cutability (Experiment-II) and meat sensory traits (Experiment-I/II). The SS improved growth, carcass yield, and shortened days until harvest of bulls, while TBA/E2–Zeranol IP positively affected tenderness in bull meat only. Castration improved carcass quality while the implant effects on cutability and tenderness were male-class dependent.

Protein-energy supplementation on productive and nutritional performance of grazing beef heifers

This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effect of protein-energy supplementation on productive performance, intake, digestibility, and microbial protein synthesis in heifers fed tropical forage. Twelve Nellore heifers at 11 months of age, with a mean initial body weight of 248.8 ± 11.40 kg were used. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments and six replicates. The treatments evaluated were: control (without supplementation); and supplementation in the amount of 1.5 kg animal-1 day-1. Forage samples were collected to evaluate the chemical composition and the total availability of dry matter of the pasture consumed by the animals. To evaluate the intake and forage digestibility, a trial was performed using internal and external markers. In this study no effect of supplementation was observed on the intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), forage DM, or neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap; P &gt; 0.10). However, supplementation increased (P &lt; 0.01) the intakes of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC). Additionally, an upward trend (P=0.076) was observed in the intake of digested OM (DOM) with supplementation. On the other hand, supplementation increased (P &lt; 0.01) the digestibility coefficients of OM, CP, EE, and NFC, although supplementation did not affect the ruminal synthesis of nitrogen compounds (MICN), efficiency of protein microbial synthesis (EMS), relative microbial nitrogen (RMICN) or urine urea nitrogen (UUN) excretion (P &gt; 0.57). Lastly, supplementation increased (P=0.050) the average daily gain of the animals, although no effect (P &gt; 0.10) was observed on their final body weight. These results suggested that protein-energy supplementation improves the productive performance and nutritional characteristics of grazing beef heifers.

Enhancing Nutrition and Antenatal Infection Treatment (ENAT) study: protocol of a pragmatic clinical effectiveness study to improve birth outcomes in Ethiopia

IntroductionThe WHO Nutrition Target aims to reduce the global prevalence of low birth weight by 30% by the year 2025. The Enhancing Nutrition and Antenatal Infection Treatment (ENAT) study will...

CHARACTERIZATION OF GROWTH OF SOCORRO ISLAND MERINO LAMBS

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on the growth of Socorro Island Merino lambs and to model their growth curve using nonlinear mathematical models. The weight of 41 Socorro Island Merino lambs was recorded at birth and at 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 315 and 365 days of life from May 2019 to September 2021. The effects on growth of sex, genotype, year of birth, and parity of the dam were analyzed. Four non-linear models (Brody, Logistic, Gompertz and von Bertalanffy) were fitted for determining the best model to describe growth curve. Birth weight and pre-weaning growth rate were not affected (P 0.05) by any of the factors studied, while weaning weight was only significantly affected (P 0.05) by sex. Year of birth significantly affected (P 0.05) post-weaning growth rate and weight of the lamb from 270 days, while sex significantly affected (P 0.05) weight at 315 days. The Gompertz and Brody models were the best fitted to describe growth curves of lambs. Purebred males showed a larger response to increasing levels of energy-protein supplementation, while they had greater mature weight and lower maturation rate compared to females and crossbred males. In conclusion, knowledge of growth and factors influencing growth pattern can help implement appropriate management strategies and make decisions aimed at the conservation of Socorro Island Merino lambs.

Impact of focus feeding on reproductive losses, prolificacy, or fecundity of estrous synchronized ewes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a focus feeding (energy-protein supplementation) after a fixed timed artificial insemination (TAI) and before the review service, on reproductive and metabolic variables. Multiparous Merino ewes (312) from a commercial flock (-30° 44´ S; -57°39´ W) grazing native pastures were synchronized with progestogens devices for 12 days (Days -14 to -2) and eCG at removal and cervical TAI (Day=0). On Day 7 post-TAI the ovulation rate (OR) was estimated, and two groups were formed: Supplemented (S; n = 155) and Control (C; n = 157). The S group was supplemented with soybean meal (1.2% of body weight) between Days 8 and 14. The review service was carried out between Days 14 and 21 using 2.5% fertile chest painted rams and the non-service return rate on Day 21 (NR-D21) calculated. Blood samples were obtained from 25 ewes of each group on Days 8, 12, 14, and 17 to evaluate no esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and urea plasma concentrations. On Day 26 OR was evaluated on the ewes with review service. Embryo losses, fertility, prolificacy, and fecundity of both services were estimated on Day 60 by transabdominal ultrasonography. No significant differences were observed in NR-D21 (65.8 vs. 63.7%), fertility (62.4 vs. 64.5%), prolificacy (1.32±0.75 vs. 1.33±0.76), fecundity (85.2 vs. 82.8%), or embryo losses from TAI service, or OR (1.16±0.37 vs. 1.15±0.36), fertility (87.7 vs. 92.4%), prolificacy (1.00±0.0 vs. 1.02±0.14) or fecundity (87.7 vs. 90.6%) of the review service for S and C groups respectively (P > 0.05). The urea concentrations increased significantly between Days 12 and 14 in S group (P < 0.05), and the NEFA concentration decreased faster with supplementation in the S group (P > 0.05). We concluded that a high energy-protein supplementation before the review service does not increases the reproductive losses from TAI, neither prolificacy nor fecundity of the review service.

Effect of frequency of protein energy supplementation on the performance of Nelore steers during the dry season

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the frequency of provision of protein energy supplementation on pasture during the dry period of the year on the performance of Nelore steers in rearing phase. FAZU teaching school conducted the experiment from July to September 2017. Twenty-two animals of the Nelore breed, aged 12 months and mean initial weight of 232.22 (± 20) kg, modules of 2 ha each, subdivided in six paddocks of Panicum maximum cultivars Mombaça and Tanzânia. The experimental design was completely randomized (DIC) and the averages were compared by the Tukey test at 5% significance. There was no significant difference between the three frequencies of supply of energy protein supplementation, in relation to the average daily weight gain, which were 837; 881 and 855g, at the frequencies of 7; 5 and 3 times per week, respectively. However, there was a significant difference (P &lt;0.05) for the mean daily weight gain between the treatment in which the animals received mineral supplementation (434g), which was lower than the treatments in which the animals were fed with protein energy supplement at the level of 0.25% of body weight. In conclusion, during the period and in the evaluation conditions of this experiment, there was no difference in the effect of the frequency of supply of a protein energy supplement in the supply level of 0.25% of the animals' body weight. The average daily gain was higher for the animals that received the protein energy supplement compared to those supplemented with mineral. Five times a week supplementation obtained the best economic benefit among the evaluated frequencies.

Effects of mineral or protein-energy supplementation and genetic group on metabolism parameters of young beef bulls grazing tropical grass during the rainy season

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of mineral or protein-energy supplementation and animal genetic groups on rumen fermentation, digestibility and microorganisms of young beef bulls grazing tropical grass during the rainy season. Twelve (nn = 4 per genetic group) ruminally cannulated beef bulls [16 ± 2-months-old and 411 ± 34 kg initial body weight (BW)] were used in a cross-over design, with 4 periods, in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Factors included: 1) two supplementation strategies (SS; mineral supplement [30 g/100 kg BW per day] and protein-energy supplement [300 g/100 kg BW per day]); and 2) three genetic groups (GG; Nellore [NL], ½Angus½Nellore [AN] and Senepol [SN]). Animals were continuously allocated in twelve paddocks composed of Urochloa brizantha (A. Rich.) Stapf. cv. Xaraés for 126 days during the rainy season. Supplementing animals of all GG with protein-energy supplement resulted in an increase of the intake of DM, OM, CP, EE, NFC and ME, and apparent total-tract digestibility of CP and EE. Additionally, animals fed protein-energy supplement showed highest rumen NH3N concentration, microbial-N synthesis, and retained-N. However, a decrease in rumen pH and acetate:propionate ratio was observed when animals were fed protein-energy supplement. Except for Ruminococcus flavefaciens, the relative abundance of total Archaea and Prevotella.spp. were increased when animals where fed protein-energy supplement. Moreover, a GG effect was observed on the relative abundance of total Archaea, Prevotella.spp. and Ruminococcus flavefaciens, which were highest in NL, SN and AN animals, respectively. SN animals fed protein-energy supplement showed an increase of Streptococcus bovis and Selenomonas ruminantium relative abundance, while Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus were highest in NL animals supplement mineral and protein-energy supplement, respectively. In conclusion, protein-energy supplementation to beef bulls grazing high-quality tropical grass is an effective strategy to increase rumen fermentation during the rainy season. In addition, it modulated rumen microorganism leading to an increase in the relative abundance of Prevotella.spp., Streptococcus bovis and Selenomonas ruminatium, and a decrease in acetate:propionate ratio in Senepol animals.

Principles of Providing Nutrition to People Living with HIV/AIDS : a Literature Review

Introduction: Inadequate nutritional status in a person with HIV-AIDS (PLWHA) has a high risk of declining health in general. If a person is infected with HIV but has a good nutritional status, his immune system will be better than someone who is infected with HIV but has poor nutritional status. With good nutritional status, it can prevent HIV disease from entering the AIDS stage. Malnutrition that occurs in a person with HIV/AIDS can accelerate the progression of HIV disease and hinder treatment, thereby worsening the patient's condition. The use of Antiretroviral (ARV) has an effect that can worsen a person's condition if it is not accompanied by good nutritional intake.Methods: The method used in this study is a literature review with predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sample: The total number of samples obtained from the results of the literature review is 128 respondents. The instrument used in evaluating the research is using an instrument from The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Results: Protein-energy enriched macronutrient supplementation along with ARV initiation was effective in improving physiological nutritional status and immune response in PLWHA.Conclusion: This can prevent people living with HIV from experiencing malnutrition and wasting, can restore the ideal body weight, increase and maintain the body's ability to fight various opportunistic infections, increase the effect of drugs, and can improve and improve the quality of life of PLWHA patients

Fortified Balanced Energy-Protein Supplements Increase Nutrient Adequacy without Displacing Food Intake in Pregnant Women in Rural Burkina Faso

BackgroundIn many low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of energy and nutrient deficiencies is high among pregnant women. Balanced energy-protein (BEP) supplements are a promising strategy to cover nutritional requirements during pregnancy and improve birth outcomes. However, the displacement of nutrient-dense foods by BEP might attenuate the efficacy of supplementation. ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study of participants in a randomized controlled trial evaluated the difference in energy and macro- and micronutrient intakes, food groups, and nutrient adequacy between a control and intervention group receiving either a daily iron–folic acid (IFA) tablet or IFA and BEP supplement during pregnancy, respectively. MethodsWe collected a single multiple-pass 24-h recall from 470 pregnant women from the MIcronutriments pour la SAnté de la Mère et de l'Enfant (MISAME) III study that investigates the efficacy of BEP supplementation on birth outcomes and infant growth. Dietary intake (median and IQR) and nutrient adequacy were assessed using individual recipes and preparation methods of mixed dishes for each participant. Linear regression models were fitted to compare energy and nutrient intakes. ResultsDietary energy, and macro- and micronutrient intakes were significantly higher among women in the intervention group when including BEP [2329 kcal/d (1855, 3008 kcal/d) compared with 1942 kcal/d (1575, 2405 kcal/d) in the control group (all P < 0.001)]. The difference in median energy intake (448 kcal/d; 95% CI: 291, 605 kcal/d) was approximately equivalent to a daily dose of the BEP supplement (393 kcal). Nutrient adequacy ratios for both groups were low for all micronutrients (between 0.02 and 0.66), when excluding BEP (except iron and folic acid, due to standard supplemental doses) from analysis. However, nutrient intakes increased to the Estimated Average Requirement for pregnant women when including BEP supplements. ConclusionsBEP supplementation increases energy and macro- and micronutrient intakes among pregnant women and fills nutrient gaps without displacing food intake. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03533712 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03533712).

Response to iodine supplementation in the growth and quality of Texel lamb meat

Iodine deficiency determines reproductive problems especially in the production of thyroid hormone, affecting the functions that thyroidal hormones regulate, such as energy metabolism, thermoregulation, reproduction, growth, muscle and bone tissue function. Indeed a certain concentration of iodine in the diet can promote performance in production in terms of fattening and growth. The main goal of the work was the supplementation with iodine salt from weaning to work on the production and quality of carcass and meat of early lambs of the Texel breed. Three random groups were formed. In one group, iodine salt was administered daily individually, in another group salt without iodine and finally a third "control" group without salt aggregate. All these animals were fed on natural field with an energy-protein supplement. The weaning weight and its evolution (daily gain) were determined, fortnightly until the work weight (35 kg) was reached. Blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and Selenium (Se) were evaluated. In the carcass were measured the hot and cold carcass weight, pH, colour; GR point and in the meat tenderness will be determined in the Longissimus dorsi muscle. Se concentrations, neutral detergent fiber, crude protein and iodine in pastures were also determined. The results show that no significant differences were found for any of the characters measured.

Effects of Maternal Nutrition on Female Offspring Weight Gain and Sexual Development.

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences postnatal life of animals; nevertheless, few studies have investigated its effects on the productive performance and reproductive development of heifers. This study evaluated the performance, reproductive development, and correlation between reproduction × fat thickness and performance × ribeye area (REA) traits of heifers. We also performed an exploratory genomic association during the rearing period in heifers submitted to fetal programming. The study comprised 55 Nellore heifers born to dams exposed to one of the following nutritional planes: control, without protein-energy supplementation; PELT, protein-energy last trimester, protein-energy supplementation offered in the final third of pregnancy; and PEWG, protein-energy whole gestation, protein-energy supplementation upon pregnancy confirmation. Protein-energy supplementation occurred at the level of 0.3% live weight. After weaning, heifers were submitted to periodic evaluations of weight and body composition by ultrasonography. From 12 to 18 months, we evaluated the reproductive tract of heifers to monitor its development for sexual precocity and ovarian follicle population. The treatments had no effect (p > 0.05) on average daily gain; however, the weight of the animals showed a significant difference over time (p = 0.017). No differences were found between treatments for REA, backfat, and rump fat thickness, nor for puberty age, antral follicular count, and other traits related to reproductive tract development (p > 0.05). The correlation analysis between performance traits and REA showed high correlations (r > 0.37) between REA at weaning and year versus weight from weaning until yearling; however, no correlation was found for reproductive development traits versus fat thickness (p > 0.05). The exploratory genomic association study showed one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for each treatment on an intergenic region for control and PEWG, and the one for PELT on an intronic region of RAPGEF1 gene. Maternal nutrition affected only the weight of the animals throughout the rearing period.

Effects of different maternal nutrition approaches on weight gain and on adipose and muscle tissue development of young bulls in the rearing phase.

This study evaluated the effects of prenatal nutrition on body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), rump fat thickness (RFT), backfat thickness (BFT), ribeye area (REA), muscle cell area (MCA), and the number of cells in REA (NCREA) of young Nellore bulls during the rearing period. After pregnancy confirmation (30days of pregnancy), 126 Nellore cows were separated into three prenatal nutritional treatments (NP (control; 0.03% of BW), only mineral supplementation; PP (0.3% of BW), protein-energy supplementation in the final third; and FP (0.3% of BW) protein-energy supplementation during the entire pregnancy). After calving, all animals were submitted to the same environmental conditions (sanitary and nutritional) and the different supplementation protocols ceased. The males (63 bulls) were evaluated during the entire rearing phase (210 ± 28days to 540 ± 28days of age) to weight gain (BW and ADG), carcass characteristics (RFT, BFT, and REA), and for histological assessments (MCA and NCREA; 7 animals per treatment randomly selected). All phenotypes were subjected to an analysis of variance. The different prenatal stimuli had no effect on BFT, RFT, MCA, and NCREA (P > 0.05); however, prenatal nutrition influenced BW of the animals during the rearing phase (P < 0.01) and showed a tendency on ADG (P = 0.09) and REA (P = 0.08). In conclusion, the offspring from FP treatment showed greater BW during the rearing phase in comparison to the NP group. This is related to a greater protein offered in prenatal nutrition, increasing muscle development during the gestational period.

182 Economic Impact of Bale Grazing on Delayed Feedlot Entry Steer Performance, Carcass Measurement, and Net Return

Abstract Senturklu et al., (2018) defined merits of delayed feedlot entry while grazing in an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS). In a three-year follow up study, yearling steers (n = 144) grazed either an ICLS or a native range system (NR). After 177.9 days, free-ranging ICLS and NR steers were fed cover crop hay bales 43.6 days to determine transition period bale-grazing on finishing performance, carcass measurements, and system net return. ICLS and NR gains did not differ (P = 0.24). ICLS 43.6-day bale grazing gain was greater (1.38 vs. 0.80 kg; P = 0.01). Feedlot arrival weight was greater for ICLS compared to NR (569.3 vs 530.1 kg; P = 0.04) and fed 95.7 days. Systems end weight (P = 0.19), gain (P = 0.57), ADG (P = 0.06), and gain cost (P = 0.71) did not differ. ICLS steer hot carcass weight (HCW: 444.8 vs. 419.2 kg; P = 0.03) and fat depth (1.35 vs. 1.17 cm; P = 0.04) were greater. NR steer dressing percent (62.48 vs. 61.83 %; P = 0.01) and muscling ratio to HCW (3.96 vs. 3.81 sq. cm.; P = 0.007) were greater. Choice quality grade did not differ (98.6 vs. 98.6; P = 1.00). Annual cow and steer winter feed cost were $752.00. ICLS grazing cost for NR was $115.30, pea-barley $74.98, unharvested corn $108.87, and cover crop $58.82 totaled $357.97 compared to $207.77 for the NR system. ICLS and NR steer bale and protein-energy supplement cost was $110.47 vs. 103.05, finishing cost $310.57 vs. 313.67 (P = 0.84), and total expense was lower for the NR system ($1531.01 vs. $1376.49). Carcass value was greater for the ICLS steers compared to NR steers ($2013.93 vs. $1921.67; P = 0.03). ICLS and NR systems’ net returns were ($482.92 vs. $545.18). NR system net return was $62.26 greater.

Effects of supplementation on production and age anticipation at first mating of ewe lambs in tropical pastures.

Studies on the rearing of ewe lambs in the Cerrado are scarce, so the objective was to evaluate the effects of protein-energy supplementation with 1.6 and 2.4% BW on the productive and reproductive performance of ewe lambs raised on pastures of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. Twenty-four Texel ewe lambs, with a mean age of 5months, were distributed in two treatments with provision of energy protein supplementation at levels of 1.6 and 2.4% BW, formulated for average daily gains of 150 and 200g/day for ewe lambs weighing 20kg, respectively. The experimental delineation adopted was the completely randomized design, with fifteen repetitions per treatment. The performance of the ewe lambs was evaluated by weight at the beginning and end of the breeding season (BS), average daily gain (ADG), and total weight gain (TWG). The count of fecal eggs was performed monthly. The evaluation of the ewe lambs reproductive organs took place at 8months of age. The fertility of the ewe lambs was detected by transrectal ultrasonography at the end of the BS. The supplementation level of 2.4% BW was higher for ADG and TWG; however, it did not influence the other performance characteristics. There was no effect of supplementation on the reproductive characteristics, parasite load, and nutrients of the pasture. Pasture nutrients were influenced by the month of use. Supplementation levels were not effective to ensure the reproductive success of 8-month-old ewe lambs.

The effectiveness of nutrition interventions in improving frailty and its associated constructs related to malnutrition and functional decline among community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition interventions on frailty and factors related to frailty, including malnutrition, sarcopenia and functional ability, among community dwelling older adults. A secondary aim was to synthesise current clinical guidelines for the identification and management of frailty, and then identify whether they aligned with the findings of the literature review. A systematic literature review was undertaken using four electronic databases to identify randomised controlled clinical trials that assessed the effect of nutrition interventions on frailty and outcomes related to frailty in community-dwelling older adults (PROSPERO #CRD42017069094). The quality of the included studies was appraised. A rapid review was conducted using the Google Scholar database to identify existing clinical recommendations relating to the second aim. The search strategy identified 13 studies. Multifactorial interventions with nutritional education and protein-energy supplementation improved frailty stratus and physical performance in 75% and 58% of studies, respectively. Weight and nutritional status improved in 80% of studies that used oral nutritional support. The recommended process for clinical management of frailty involves screening, followed by full assessment using validated instruments and the development of a comprehensive management plan with a multidisciplinary team. Multifactorial interventions were found to be more effective than nutrition intervention alone for improving frailty and physical performance. Protein-energy supplementation tended to be effective only in malnourished older adults. The results were inconclusive for the use of micronutrient supplementation for frailty and outcomes related to frailty. Existing clinical guidelines are aligned with the evidence recommending comprehensive interventions to improve frailty.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Adherence of Nutritional Supplement Amongst Pregnant Women in Rural Ethiopia

ObjectivesProviding balanced protein energy (BEP) supplementation to pregnant women in low-and-middle income countries has been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and adherence of a proposed BEP product among pregnant women in rural Ethiopia prior to initiation of a clinical effectiveness study. MethodsThis formative study was conducted from October-November 2018 among pregnant women in the rural Amhara region of Ethiopia, prior to the “Enhancing Nutrition and Antenatal Infection Treatment (ENAT)” study [ISRCTN15116516]. Questionnaires to assess acceptability of a micronutrient fortified corn soy blend (CSB) BEP supplement were administered using a 7-point Likert scale (0 = strongly disagree, to 7 = strongly agree) after 2 and 4 weeks of utilization. Acceptability domains included: color, taste, texture, odor, portion size, ease of use, and adult favorability. Women were also given weekly provisions of daily sachets of the supplement and monitored weekly for adherence over one month. Results39 women participated in the study and 33 completed the study at 4 weeks. Quantitative results demonstrated high acceptability (mean Likert score >6 of 7) for the following domains: color, odor and perceived adult favorability at mid and end point. Scores on acceptability and perception of the product remained generally stable through the duration of use. The average number of sachets consumed was 6.4 in week 1, 6.6 in week 2, 7 in week 3, and 6.9 in week 4. 43% of women consumed the portion in one sitting, whereas 57% of women split up the portion to consume throughout the day. The majority (66%) of women reported consuming the full daily serving. 26% of respondents reported sharing the supplement with family members. ConclusionsThese findings show that most women in rural Amhara, Ethiopia, found the BEP supplement acceptable and had positive perceptions of the product. Sharing of the product and completion of the full daily serving were important considerations. Overall, the BEP supplement demonstrated good feasibility of implementation in our study population. Future studies should consider utilizing such strategies to understand factors that may affect uptake and adherence of nutritional supplements. Funding SourcesBill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Evaluation of reproductive traits and the effect of nutrigenetics on bulls submitted to fetal programming

Nutritional stimuli during the gestational period in dams have long-term effects on the offspring in terms of health and production rates. This study assessed the effect of fetal programming in 126 pregnant Nellore cows on reproductive and nutrigenetic traits of the progeny during the rearing phase. For that purpose, three nutritional treatments were used in these cows during pregnancy: PP – protein-energy supplementation in the final third, FP – protein-energy supplementation during the entire pregnancy, and NP – (control) only mineral supplementation. The male progeny (64 bulls) was evaluated for scrotal circumference and seminal traits at 12, 15, and 18 months of age. In addition, we performed a genomic association (35 K SNPs) for scrotal circumference at 12 and 18 months of age. Only the total sperm defects showed significant difference between groups (P < 0.05), regardless of age, while major and minor sperm defects and vigor showed tendencies (P < 0.10). In the time analysis, only the minor sperm defects did not differ between ages, regardless of treatment (P = 0.92). We found genes that are associated with genetic variance at different ages and treatments (BTBD9, WNT2, ASZ1, WWOX and SLC26A8). Thus, prenatal protein-energy supplementation showed effects on the total of abnormal sperm cells between treatments, genotype-environment interaction, and some SNPs that explain more than 1% of the genetic variance on bulls during the rearing phase. These are evidences that different strategies of prenatal supplementation may have acted on epigenetic factors and may have caused changes in gene expression of animals. This contributes to the knowledge about mechanisms that involve fetal programming in beef cattle.

Productive, nutritional, and metabolic performance of Chino Santandereano cattle receiving different degrees of protein-energy supplementation.

Cattle of Colombian creole breed Chino Santandereano in the raising phase were subjected to stabling for 100 days in order to determine the productive, nutritional, and metabolic capacity when exposed to different degrees of protein-energy supplementation. Sixteen whole males with an initial mean weight of 377.69 ± 16.55 kg were used in completely randomized delineation with four treatments and four repetitions per treatment, as follows: UNS, not supplemented; low, supplemented with amounts relative to 0.5% of body weight; medium, supplemented with amounts relative to 1.0% of the live weight; and high, supplemented with amounts relative to 1.5% of body weight. At the end of each experimental period, the animals were weighed, and samples of feed, feces, blood, and urine were collected to determine the performance, consumption, and digestibility of the nutritional components, and nitrogen balance. In the greater performance, consumption, and digestibility of DM, OM, C-NFCP, EE, and NFC, the concentration of ureic nitrogen in blood and urine (P <0.05) was observed in supplemented animals when contrasted with UNS. Bovine Chinese Santandereano presents high productive, nutritional, and metabolic potential as a response to high levels of protein-energy supplementation.

Energy-protein supplementation before and after parturition of Nellore primiparous cows in the Brazilian tropical savannah

Reproduction is associated to the profitability of beef herds, which affects the level of productivity and is influenced by nutritional level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of protein and energy supplementation, before and after parturition, on reproductive variables of Nellore primiparous cows extensively raised in the Brazilian tropical savannah. Eighty pregnant heifers with parturition estimated for a 45 d period during the dry season were randomly divided into four treatments: Control, received a mineral salt and urea mixture pre and postpartum; PRE, protein-energy mixture from the 210th gestational day until parturition; POS, protein-energy mixture from parturition until 90 d afterwards; PREPOS, protein/energy mixture from the 210th gestational day until the 90th day after parturition. Number of days to complete uterine involution (UI) was 37.0 (Control); 31.3 (PRE); 33.1 (POST) and 25.3 (PREPOST) with differences (P&lt;0.05). Calving Interval (CI) was 370.4 (Control), 369.5 (PRE); 365.9 (POST) and 343.7 (PREPOST) days, with differences (P&lt;0.05). Pregnancy rate (PR) was 64.7%; 76.5%; 65.0%; and 55.0%, respectively, for CONTROL PRE, POS, PREPOS, without difference (p&gt;0.05). In conclusion, energy-protein supplementation of Nellore primiparous cows raised in extensive systems under tropical conditions, before and after parturition, reduces days to uterine involution and calving interval.