Greater Final Body Weight Research Articles

Inclusion Prosopis juliflora Pod Meal in Grazing Lambs Diets: Performance, Digestibility, Ingestive Behavior and Nitrogen Balance.

Simple SummaryThis research investigated the interest in the replacement of ground corn by Prosopis juliflora pod meal in lambs’ diets. Mesquite or Vilayati babul (Prosopis juliflora (Sw) DC) is a drought resistant, evergreen, spiny tree with drooping branches and a deep laterally spreading root system, constituting a rich source of carbohydrates and proteins in an animal diet, with a crude energy concentration comparable to ground corn. In the present study, Prosopis juliflora pod meal inclusion in the diet of lambs replaced ground corn totally without affecting production and can become a an economically viable dietary ingredient for the animals’ grazing.Prosopis juliflora is an arboreal legume that concentrates its nutritive value in pods (fruits), constituting a rich source of carbohydrates and with a crude energy concentration comparable to ground corn. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of inclusion of Prosopis juliflora pod meal (0 or control, 250, 500 and 750 g/kg total DM) as a replacement for ground corn in the diet of lambs on performance, digestibility, ingestive behavior, and nitrogen balance of lambs grazing in the Megathyrsus maximus pasture. Forty Santa Inês uncastrated lambs with an average body weight (BW) of 24.2 ± 0.55 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design. There was a linear increase in the non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), ether extract (EE) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility with Prosopis juliflora pod meal supplementation in the diet of the lambs. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake, and digestibility and time spent ruminating were not affected by Prosopis juliflora meal supplementation. Prosopis juliflora pod meal inclusion increased time spent feeding and idling of lambs, however, without affecting spent time ruminating. Lambs fed with Prosopis juliflora pod meal presented greater final BW, gain: feed ratio, N-balance, microbial protein production ef-ficiency, N-urea urinary (NUU) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). However, the average daily weight (ADG), total weight gain and hot carcass yield as well as N ingested, N excreted in feces and urine, total purines, ab-sorbed purines and N microbial production in lambs were not influenced by Prosopis juliflora pod meal inclusion. The Prosopis juliflora pod meal inclusion up to the 750 g/kg level in the concentrate supplement totally replace ground corn in the diet of grazing lambs improving the NFC intake and NDF digestibility, supplement acceptability, microbial protein production efficiency and consequently the performance. The addition of Prosopis juliflora pod meal as a replacement for ground corn in the concentrate does not influence the microbial protein production; however, there was an improvement in the efficiency of microbial synthesis.

PSIX-10 Effect of different levels of DMI on O2 consumed, CO2 released, growth and carcass characteristic in feedlot cattle

Abstract Our objective was to determine the effect of different levels of dry matter intake (DMI) on O2 consumption, CO2 emission, growth, and carcass characteristic in feedlot cattle. The experiment used 60 individually fed backgrounded Angus × SimAngus-crossbred steers (n = 30) in a randomized complete block design. Steers (paired blocked by body weight and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: ad-libitum (AI) or restricted intake (RI; the same diet fed at 85% of the AI) finishing diet. The diet contained 61% cracked corn, 9% corn silage, 15% DDGS, 5% soyhulls, and 10% of a protein-mineral-vitamin premix. Measurement of CO2 emission, and consumption of O2, were taken using the Greenfeed system (n = 15/treatment) once the steers were fed for 140 days. Plasma and gas samples were collected 10 d before slaughter, 1 h before and 2 h after feeding. Plasma glucose and insulin concentration and gasses (O2 and CO2) were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS evaluating the fixed effect of treatment, time (repeated measurement) and their interaction. Growth and carcass characteristics were analyzed with a similar model, without the time statement and its interaction. Compared with RI, AI steers had greater (P < 0.01) DMI and average daily gain (ADG). Steers on AI tended to have greater final body-weight (BW) (P = 0.07) and ribeye area (P = 0.09) (Table 1). There was no effect of treatment (P ≥ 0.11) on G:F, subcutaneous (BF) and intramuscular (IM) fat, O2 consumption and CO2 emission. Plasma glucose concentration of AI steers were greater before and after feeding than RI (P < 0.05; Table 2). In conclusion, feeding steers ad-libitum increased DMI, ADG, and plasma glucose concentration, but does not affect G:F, BF, IM fat, CO2 emission, and consumption of O2.

토종 실용계의 사육밀도 및 사료 내 에너지 수준에 따른 생산성, 혈액, 면역 및 계육 품질에 미치는 영향

The study determined the effects of stock density (SD) and energy level (EL) on growth performance, serum biochemistry, and meat quality in Korean native chickens. A total of 240 chickens were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments including two stock density (low, 14, and high, 16 chickens per m²) and two energy level (low, 2,950, 3,000, 3050 ME kcal/kg, and high 3,150, 3,200, 3,250 ME kcal/kg, for starter, grower, and finisher, respectively). During the whole period of the experiment, the chickens were fed <i>ad libitum</i>. The greater final body weight and weight gain were achieved in chickens fed high energy diet, whereas the final body weight and weight gain were significantly reduced in high-density treatment compared with the low density. Chickens in low-density groups had a higher feed intake compared with high-density treatment, however, the energy level did not affect the feed intake. An improved overall feed conversion ratio was detected in the high energy treatment. There was a significant interaction between stock density and energy level on cholesterol concentration. The concentration of aspartate transaminase in serum was increased by higher stock density. There was a significant treatment interaction on IgM levels. Moreover, the carcass rate was significantly increased in the high energy level treatment. Based on the findings, we suggest that rearing chickens in low density with high dietary energy levels could be beneficial by improving the growth performance.

Crude protein and lactose effects on performance, intestinal and immune function of piglets fed diets without antimicrobials growth promoters

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of crude protein (CP) and lactose (LAC) levels on performance, intestinal morphology and gene expression associated to epithelial integrity and activation of the immune system of piglets fed antimicrobial free diets. A total of 120 weaned piglets with initial weight 7.9 ± 0.9 kg were assigned to a randomized block design, in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (20.0 and 24.0% CP and 8.0%, 12.0%, and 16.0% LAC), with 10 replicates. The reduction of dietary protein from 24.0 to 20.0% was based on concept of ideal protein, keeping the same SID lysine values. Piglets fed 24.0% CP had higher average daily feed intake (ADFI). Diets containing 12.0 or 16.0% LAC resulted in higher ADFI and average daily gain of piglets compared to 8.0% LAC. Pigs fed 12.0% LAC diets had greater final body weight than those fed 8.0 and 16.0% LAC diets. Piglets consuming 20.0% CP diets had lower SUN. Piglets fed 12.0 or 16.0% LAC diets had higher duodenum and ileum villous height (VH). Interactions were observed for duodenum, jejunum and ileum crypt depth (CD) and duodenum and ileum VH:CD ratio. Piglets fed 24.0% CP diet with 12.0 or 16.0% LAC had lower duodenum and ileum CD, and higher duodenum and ileum VH:CD ratio than those fed 8.0% LAC. At 24.0% CP, piglets fed 16.0% LAC had lower expression of Hp and ZO-1. Concentration of 12.0% LAC in the diet improves performance of piglets from 21 to 35 days of age regardless CP content. The inclusion of 12.0 or 16.0% LAC in the diet promotes improvements in intestinal morphology, which are more evident in the diet with 24.0% CP. In addition, increasing LAC content in the diet with 24.0% CP decreases the activation of the immune system and reduces the permeability of the intestinal epithelium.

Effects of Exogenous Glucocorticoid Administration on Feed Intake in Beef Cattle

Abstract Calves (n = 63) from Angus crossbred cows were weighed and randomly assigned to treatments within 4 h of parturition (d 0). Each calf was intravenously infused with either a low cortisol [LC; n = 22, 3.5 µg hydrocortisol sodium succinate/kg body weight (BW)], high cortisol (HC; n = 20, 7.0 µg/kg BW), or a sham infusion control (CON; n = 21, similar volume of saline). Each calf was administered a second infusion of its respective treatment 24 h postpartum. Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture before infusion and daily from d 0–17 of age and analyzed for leptin concentrations using a validated radioimmunoassay. Animal BW was collected every 14 d from d 0 until the end of the study. Heifers (n = 31; 367±4 d of age) and steers (n = 32; 385±4 d of age) entered a Growsafe system to measure feed intake (FI) and were allowed a 2-wk adjustment period to a commercial ration (1.27 Mcal NEm/kg and 15.8% CP and 0.45 Mcal NEg/kg and 13.8% CP, respectively; DM basis). Heifer body condition score (BCS) was collected at the beginning and end of the trial. Heifers were fed for 70 d and steers until they obtained a 12th rib back fat (BF) thickness of 1.15 cm. Data were analyzed via ANOVA or repeated measures using appropriate models of SAS. Serum leptin concentrations observed a treatment by day interaction (P = 0.0028), in which HC and LC were decreased compared to CON from d 2–17 of age. Calf birth BW and adjusted 205-d BW did not differ (P &amp;gt; 0.056) between treatments. Heifer BW gain, BCS change, and number of feed events were increased (P = 0.001) in LC compared to HC and CON. Steers did not differ between treatments (P &amp;gt; 0.080) in BW, BW gain, or BF thickness. However, LC steers observed greater daily FI (P = 0.047) and tended to have greater final BW (P = 0.080). In summary, exogenous cortisol administered to calves at parturition reduced leptin concentrations and improved FI of beef steers during a feeding trial.

Inclusion of dicopper oxide instead of copper sulfate in diets for growing-finishing pigs results in greater final body weight and bone mineralization, but reduced accumulation of copper in the liver.

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that inclusion of Cu oxide (Cu2O) in diets for growing-finishing pigs improves body weight (BW) and bone mineralization, and reduces accumulation of Cu in the liver compared with pigs fed diets containing Cu sulfate (CuSO4). Two hundred growing pigs (initial BW: 11.5 ± 0.98 kg) were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 2 blocks of 100 pigs, 5 dietary treatments, 5 pigs per pen, and a total of 8 pens per treatment. Treatments included the negative control (NC) diet that contained 20 mg Cu/kg, and 4 diets in which 125 or 250 mg Cu/kg from CuSO4 or Cu2O were added to the NC diet. The experiment was divided into 4 phases and concluded when pigs reached market weight. Pig weights were recorded on day 1 and at the end of each phase and feed provisions were recorded throughout the experiment. On the last day of phases 1 and 4, 1 pig per pen was sacrificed to obtain samples of liver and spleen tissue, and the right metacarpal was collected. Results indicated that pigs fed diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg from CuSO4 had greater BW at the end of phases 1 and 2 than pigs fed NC diets. Pigs fed diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg from Cu2O had greater (P < 0.05) BW at the end of phases 1, 2, 3, and 4 compared with pigs fed NC diets, and these pigs also had greater BW at the end of phases 3 and 4 than pigs fed all other diets. Pigs fed the diets with 250 mg Cu/kg tended to have greater (P < 0.10) feed intake than pigs fed the NC diet at the end of phase 2, and for the overall experimental period, pigs fed diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg from Cu2O had greater (P < 0.05) feed intake than pigs on all other treatments. However, no differences in gain:feed ratio were observed among treatments. Copper accumulation in liver and spleen increased with Cu dose, but at the end of phase 1, pigs fed 250 mg Cu/kg from CuSO4 had greater (P < 0.05) Cu concentration in liver and spleen than pigs fed 250 mg Cu/kg from Cu2O. Pigs fed diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg from Cu2O had greater (P < 0.05) quantities of bone ash and greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of Ca, P, and Cu in bone ash than pigs fed NC diets or the 2 diets containing CuSO4, but Zn concentration in bone ash was less (P < 0.05) in pigs fed diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg from Cu2O. To conclude, supplementing diets for growing pigs with Cu2O improves growth performance and bone mineralization with less Cu accumulation in liver compared with pigs fed diets containing CuSO4.

232 Effects of bismuth subsalicylate and encapsulated calcium-ammonium nitrate on beef cattle performance and liver mineral concentration

Abstract The effects of bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) and encapsulated calcium-ammonium nitrate (eCAN) on feedlot beef cattle performance and liver mineral concentration were evaluated. Two hundred Angus steers (BW = 385 ± 27 kg) were used in a randomize complete block design (block = BW) and allocated to 50 pens (4 steers/pen) where treatments were randomly assigned as follows: CTL (urea at 0.70%, 0.28% ruminally available sulfur [RAS]), NIT (eCAN at 2.0%, 0.28% RAS), UBS (urea at 0.70%, BSS at 0.33%, 0.28% RAS), NITBS (eCAN at 2.0%, BSS at 0.33%, 0.28% RAS), and LOW-S (urea at 0.70%, 0.14% RAS). Steers were fed for 171 d and weighed every 35 d. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded weekly. Liver biopsies were taken on d -5 and 124 from the same randomly selected animal per pen. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used with the fixed effect of BSS, eCAN, S, BSS × CAN, and the random effect of block. Cattle consuming urea as non-protein nitrogen source (NPNS) had greater final body weight (FBW; P = 0.045) than cattle consuming eCAN. There was a NPNS effect where eCAN reduced DMI (P &amp;lt; 0.001) and average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.041), but did not affect feed efficiency (G:F; P = 0.876). There was a tendency for BSS to reduce DMI (P = 0.095), but not affect ADG (P = 0.436) or G:F (P = 0.876). The effect of S was also observed (P = 0.042) where LOW-S cattle consumed less feed than CTL. A reduction of final liver Cu concentration was observed (P = 0.042) where BSS reduced the concentration of Cu by 58%. Bismuth subsalicylate did not affect cattle performance; however, it might be detrimental to cattle consuming low Cu diets.

Defatted yellow mealworm larvae (&lt;I&gt;Tenebrio molitor&lt;/I&gt; l.) meal as possible alternative to fish meal in quail diets

The effects of replacing fish meal (FM) in the diet with defatted mealworm larvae meal (DMLM) on growth, carcass, and biochemical constituents of serum of Japanese quail chicks were investigated. A total of 600 unsexed one-day-old chicks were allotted to five dietary treatments with six replicates of 20 chicks each. The diets were formulated by replacing FM with DMLM at the levels of 25% (D25), 50% (D50), 75% (D75), and 100% (D100). The FM, D25 and D50 diets resulted in greater final bodyweight, higher bodyweight gain, and improved feed conversion ratio compared with the other diets. Diets that contained DMLM decreased the feed intake compared with the FM diet. The FM and D25 diets increased the hot and cold carcass yields compared with the other diets, whereas the D75 and D100 diets significantly enhanced the relative weight of the small intestine and abdominal fat compared with FM, D25, and D50. The replacement of FM with DMLM reduced the serum globulin, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and the albumin to globulin ratio significantly. The best protein and energy efficiency ratios and European efficiency factor were obtained with the D25 and D50 diets. In conclusion, the replacement of FM with DMLM at the levels of 25% and 50% produced positive results in growth performance, in serum albumin to globulin ratio, and in nutrient use efficiency in quail.Keywords: performance, serum biochemistry, slaughtering

Effect of rumen-protected lysine on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and plasma amino acid profile in feedlot steers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate growth performance, carcass characteristics, and plasma amino acid profiles of feedlot steers fed rumen-protected Lys. Forty-two Angus-cross steers (304 ± 25 kg) were blocked by weight and fed treatment diets for 180 d (growing days 0 to 55; finishing days 56 to 180): 1) Lys-deficient diet (CON; n = 12 steers), 2) Lys-adequate diet containing soybean meal (POS; n = 12 steers), or 3) Lys-deficient diet plus supplemental rumen-protected Lys (RPL; AjiPro-L; Ajinomoto Animal Nutrition North America, Eddyville, IA; n = 18 steers). Consecutive day bodyweights (BWs) were recorded to begin and end growing and finishing. Individual steer dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded. Blood was collected on days 0, 56, and 179 for analysis of physiological free amino acids. Steers were harvested on day 180 and carcass characteristics were recorded. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed of SAS 9.4. Steer was the experimental unit and treatment was the fixed effect for all parameters. Block was a fixed effect for growth performance, feed intake, and carcass data. The day 0 value for each parameter of physiological free amino acids was used as a covariate during analysis. The CON steers had greater BW, average daily gain (ADG), and gain to feed (G:F) at the end of growing (day 56; P ≤ 0.05) vs. POS and RPL. The CON steers also had greater final BW (P = 0.04) and overall ADG (P = 0.04) than RPL, while POS was intermediate. Carcass characteristics were not different across treatments [hot carcass weight, dressing percent, ribeye area, back fat, kidney/pelvic/heart (KPH) percent, marbling, or calculated yield grade; P ≥ 0.13]. Plasma urea N was greater in POS steers on days 56 and 179 (P ≤ 0.04). Plasma Lys and Arg concentrations were greater in POS at day 56 (P ≤ 0.02); however, there was no difference among treatments for these two variables at day 179 (P ≥ 0.44). Steers in all treatments had greater DMI than predicted, causing a negative metabolizable Lys balance for all treatments during growing. Though the metabolizable Lys balance was positive for POS and RPL-fed steers during finishing, the increased metabolizable Lys in these treatments may have decreased performance if other amino acids were imbalanced due to increased intakes.

Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Serum Metabolites, and Meat Composition of Tibetan Sheep during the Cold Season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Simple SummaryThe Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) is an ovine breed well adapted to the harsh plateau environment. For a long period of time, Tibetan sheep farming has been an important pillar industry for native herders on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. With the increasing demand for sheep meat and products, nutrition research has gained increasing importance. In this study, the effects of three different dietary protein levels (10.1%, 12.1%, and 14.1%) on growth performance, carcass traits, serum metabolites, and meat composition were investigated in Tibetan sheep during the cold season. The results showed that the diets containing 12.1% and 14.1% protein were better than a diet containing 10.1% protein for enhancing the growth performance, carcass performance, and meat products of the Tibetan sheep.Dietary protein is a critical nutrient that directly influences the health and production of livestock. Recent studies showed that protein supplements could enhance the growth performance of Tibetan sheep. However, there is a lack of information regarding the influence of dietary protein levels on carcass traits and meat composition. This study investigated the effects of dietary protein levels on growth performance, carcass traits, serum metabolites, and meat composition in Tibetan sheep during the cold season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A total of eighteen 1-year-old, healthy, castrated Tibetan sheep with similar initial body weights (31.7 ± 0.72 kg) were randomly divided into three treatment groups with different dietary protein level (low protein (LP, 10.1%); medium protein (MP, 12.1%); high protein (HP, 14.1%)) diets. The results indicated that the Tibetan sheep fed with the MP and HP diets had greater final body weights (BWs), average daily gains (ADGs), and average daily feed intakes (ADFIs) (p < 0.05). The MP and HP diets also improved the hot carcass weight, net meat (including the fat) weight, and bone weight of the sheep significantly (p < 0.05). Besides, the dietary protein levels could significantly affect the serum concentrations of growth hormone (p < 0.05). The diameter of muscle fibers in the MP group was significantly greater than that in the LP group (p < 0.05), while the density of muscle fibers showed the opposite trend. The dietary protein levels only significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the ether extract content and profile content of the longissimus dorsi muscle but had no effect on other parameters of meat composition. In summary, our results indicate that dietary protein levels affect growth performance, carcass traits, and meat composition and that diets containing 12.1% and 14.1% protein are recommended to obtain better production performance and meat products in Tibetan sheep, rather than a diet containing 10.1% protein, during the cold season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

The Ratio of Dietary n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Influences the Fat Composition and Lipogenic Enzyme Activity in Adipose Tissue of Growing Pigs.

Currently, there is a growing interest among consumers in selecting healthier meat with a greater proportion of essential fatty acids (FA). This experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of different ratios of dietary n-6:n-3 on growth performance, FA profile of longissimus dorsi (LD), relative gene expression of cytokines, meat quality, and blood parameters in finishing pigs. A total of 108 finishing pigs was randomly allotted to three treatments including a control (basal diet) and low ratios (4:1 and 2:1) of n-6:n-3. The 4:1 and 2:1 diets decreased the overall stearic acid in LD. There were reductions in the content of stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, total saturated acid, and n-6:n-3 ratio of LD in pigs fed 4:1 and 2:1 diet compared with the control diet. The 4:1 and 2:1 diets increased the concentration of α-Linolenic acid and polyunsaturated FA in the LD of pigs. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase enzyme gene was down-regulated in pigs fed 2:1 diet compared with finishing pigs fed the control or 4:1 diets. The relative expression of hormone-sensitive lipase was increased in pigs fed 2:1 and 4:1 ratio diets. Lower total cholesterol of plasma was observed in finishing pigs fed 2:1 and 4:1 diets. The cooking loss ratio of meat was lower in pigs fed the 2:1 and 4:1 diets compared with the control diet. Pigs fed the 4:1 and 2:1 diets had greater final body weight. In conclusion, the 2:1 and 4:1 diets have the potential to increase the meat quality and growth performance of pigs.

PSII-14 Effects of high protein DDGS in SFC or DRC-based diets on finishing performance of steers

Abstract The effect of high protein dried distillers grains plus solubles in steam flaked corn (SFC) or dry rolled corn (DRC)-based diets on finishing performance was evaluated. Crossbred steers (n = 360, 288 ± 0.54 kg) were blocked into 3 BW blocks and assigned randomly to one of 36 pens. The treatment design was a 2 × 3 factorial. One factor was SFC or DRC-based diets, and the other factor was a control with no DGS (CON), regularly produced DDGS (DDGS), or High Protein DDGS (HiPro) included at 30% in the diet (DM basis). Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS, with pen serving as the experimental unit. There was an interaction (P = 0.02) between distillers treatment and corn processing for G:F, as including DDGS in DRC diets increased G:F from 0.157 to 0.163, with no difference when using HiPro (P = 0.18; 0.161). In SFC-based diets, there was a tendency (P = 0.11) for DDGS and HiPro to reduce G:F from 0.175 in CON diets to 0.171 in both DDGS and HiPro. When including HiPro, G:F tended (P = 0.10) to decrease SFC-based diets, with no difference (P = 0.18) in DRC-based diets. Gain increased using either distillers source (P 0.01) compared to feeding CON, and tended (P = 0.10) to be greater for DDGS than HiPro. Dry matter intake was lower (P &lt; 0.01) for cattle fed SFC-based diets than DRC-based diets, resulting in greater (P &lt; 0.01) G:F. Carcass adjusted final body weights mimicked the response observed in ADG, as DDGS tended (P = 0.10) to have a greater final bodyweight than HiPro and both were heavier (P &lt; 0.01) than CON. Including either DDGS or HiPro in DRC-based diets improved G:F, but including DDGS or HiPro in SFC-based diets had no impact on G:F.

Age-dependent hepatic alterations induced by a high-fat high-fructose diet.

The present study aimed to evaluate and clarify how the age at which the intake of a high-fat and high-fructose diet begins can affect animals' livers. Thirty-eight male wistar rats aged 6 and 12weeks were fed a high-fat and high-fructose diet for 13weeks. Inflammatory cytokines, hepatic glycogen, serum and hepatic triacylglycerol and pAkt protein content in the liver were assessed. Percentage of weight gained, and visceral adiposity were also evaluated. Young animal presented increased hepatic triacylglycerol and decreased glycogen, while adult animals had no significant alterations regarding its contents. IL6 and IL10 to IL6 ratio were also altered in young animals exposed to HFHF, while adult animals fed with HFHF had only increases in TNF-α. Both groups which received HFHF had increased serum triacylglycerol and visceral adiposity. However, only young animals gained more relative weight and had greater final body weight, gains which were related to alterations found in hepatic triacylglycerol and glycogen. Age of which consumption begins interferes in how the liver deals with an excess of nutrient and subsequent proinflammatory stimulation, leading to different phenotypes.

Evaluation of the suitability of broiler chicken and turkey commercial feed mixes in the diets of grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.) during the rearing period

The aim of the study was to evaluation of the suitability of broiler chicken and turkey commercial feed mixes in the diets of grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.) during the rearing period. The study was carried out on a farm authorized by the Minister of the Environment to conduct breeding and farming of grey partridge, DL Pgl-6713-23/15852/13/RN dated 24 April, 2013. The research material consisted of grey partridge chicks assigned to two groups: one, fed the complete feed mix for turkeys IB-1 till 4 weeks of rearing, followed by the complete feed mix for turkeys B-2 from 5 weeks on (group I, n = 22) and the other, fed the complete feed DKA-Starter for broiler chickens (group II, n = 22). The rearing cycle took 8 weeks. Observations within the experiment included deaths records and monitoring of health status, body weight, feed intake and maintenance conditions. Better parameters of partridges rearing were attained as a result of IB feeding. Birds fed with IB-1 and IB-2 feed mixes showed a higher body weight, as compared to chicks fed DKA-Strater (DKA-S). The difference persisted from the first week of rearing to the end of the feeding trial (respectively 0.32 g and 4.59 g). From day 1 until 8 weeks of age, partridges fed the IB feed showed greater average daily gains (4.17 g), a faster rate of growth (181.67%) and a greater final body weight, all at a lower feed intake compared to those fed mix with DKA-S. It has been found that the IB feed mix can successfully be used in the nutrition of grey partridges.

Effect of energy source and level, and sex on growth, performance, and carcass characteristics of long-fed lambs

The objective of the present study was to assess energy source, level, and sex of the lamb, on the growth, performance, and carcass characteristics of long-fed lambs (218 days on feed and 294 days of age). Ewe (n = 24) and wether (n = 24) lambs were blocked by sex and stratified by initial weight to pens containing four lambs within a pen, with two pens of each sex assigned to each of the three dietary treatments. The three diets offered were ad libitum access (WSC100) to whole shelled corn (WSC), 85% access of the ad libitum WSC diet (WSC85), and ad libitum access to alfalfa pellets (AP). Lambs offered WSC100 had greater (P < 0.05) ADG when compared with lambs offered WSC85 or AP, which resulted in a greater (P < 0.05) final body weight (93.6, 83.4, 86.0 kg, respectively). Lambs offered AP had a greater (P < 0.01) DMI when compared with lambs offered WSC100 or WSC85. Wether lambs had a greater final body weight (90.6 vs. 87.5 kg; P < 0.05), ADG (P < 0.05), and DMI (P < 0.01) when compared with ewe lambs. Lambs offered WSC had a greater (P < 0.01) G:F and a lower (P < 0.01) feed cost per unit of gain when compared with lambs offered AP. Lambs offered WSC100 had a greater final body weight (P < 0.05), hot carcass weight (HCW; P < 0.05) and visceral fat weight (P < 0.01) compared with lambs offered AP or WSC85. Lambs consuming WSC100 or WSC85 had a lighter reticulum (P < 0.01), omasum (P < 0.01), small (P < 0.01) and large intestine (P < 0.05), cecum (P < 0.05), and total tract weight (P < 0.01), but a greater (P < 0.05) amount of kidney fat compared with lambs offered AP. Wether lambs had a greater (P < 0.05) HCW, but a lighter (P < 0.05) small intestine weight when compared with ewe lambs. Lambs offered WSC100 had a greater final body weight (P < 0.01) and produced carcasses with a greater HCW (P < 0.01), backfat thickness (P < 0.05), body wall thickness (P < 0.01), yield grade (P < 0.05), and marbling score (P < 0.05) when compared with carcasses from lambs offered AP or WSC85. However, carcasses from lambs offered WSC100 had a lower percentage of boneless closely trimmed retail cuts (P < 0.05) when compared with carcasses from lambs offered AP or WSC85. Both WSC100 and WSC85 diets produced lamb carcasses with greater (P < 0.01) dressing percentages and kidney fat weights when compared with carcasses from lambs offered AP. Wether lamb carcasses had a greater final body weight, HCW, dressing percentage, and BWT when compared with ewe lamb carcasses. Overall, lambs offered WSC100 or WSC85 grew faster and more efficiently with a lower feed cost of gain. Lambs offered WSC100 and WSC85 also had a lower total digestive tract weight compared with lambs offered AP. However, feeding WSC100 produced carcasses with greater amounts of fat in multiple fat depots when compared with lambs offered AP or WSC85.

Effects of dietary supplementation of natural and fermented herbs on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, meat quality and fatty acid composition in growing-finishing pigs

The present experiment was conducted to determine effects of herbs (Artemisia capillaris and Acanthopanax senticosus) in natural and fermented forms on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, meat quality and fatty acid composition in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 96 pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an average initial body weight (BW) of 25.46 ± 1.07 kg were randomly allotted into one of three dietary treatments. The dietary treatments included: (1) CON (basal diet), (2) NH (basal diet +0.05% natural herbs) and (3) FH (basal diet +0.05% fermented herbs). Pigs fed NH and FH diets had greater final BW than those fed CON diet (p < .05). During the whole period of the experiment, pigs fed NH and FH diets had a greater average daily gain than those fed CON diet, and the average daily feed intake in FH dietary treatment was greater than CON dietary treatment (p < .05). The FH dietary treatment had improved apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter compared with CON and NH dietary treatments (p < .05). The ATTD of nitrogen in NH and FH dietary treatments was greater than that in CON dietary treatment (p < .05). Moreover, fermented herbs decreased saturated fatty acids (SFA) but increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and PUFA to SFA ratio in Longissimus dorsi muscle. In conclusion, natural or fermented herbs improved growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing-finishing pigs. Additionally, fermented herbs supplementation positively changed fatty acid profiles in Longissimus dorsi muscle.

Effects of dietary β-glucan supplementation on growth performance and immunological and metabolic parameters of weaned pigs administered with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary β-glucan (BG) on growth performance and blood parameters in weaned pigs administered with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Twenty four pigs [24 ± 2 days old; 6.60 ± 0.04 kg body weight (BW)] were randomly allocated into two groups (12 pigs per group) with diets supplemented with 0 or BG at 200 mg kg-1 diet (CON vs. BG). These pigs were fed for a 35-day trial. On day 36, six pigs each from CON and BG were intramuscularly administered LPS (50 μg kg-1), while another 6 pigs from CON were intramuscularly administered an equivalent amount of sterile saline. Blood samples were collected at 3 h and rectal temperature data were collected at 0, 4, 8 and 24 h after LPS administration. Results showed that the pigs fed with BG diet had an increased average daily gain in rectal temperature during week 4, week 5 and the overall period, compared with the pigs fed with CON diet (P < 0.05), and resulted in greater final BW (P < 0.05). LPS administration increased the rectal temperature of the pigs fed with CON diet at 4, 8 and 24 h post administration (P < 0.05), and also increased the serum concentrations of pig-major acute phase protein, haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukine-1 beta (P < 0.05). However, the pigs fed with BG diet had higher concentration of serum complement 3 (P < 0.05) and lower concentration of serum Pig-MAP, HP and interleuking-6 (P = 0.08) compared to that of pigs fed with CON diet after the LPS administration. Moreover, relative to the non-administered pigs, LPS administration increased the concentrations of serum creatinine, direct bilirubin and some of the amino acids in pigs after LPS administration (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the study suggested that feeding BG diet could improve the growth performance and partially alleviate the inflammation response of pigs after LPS administration.

Effects of a nursery feed regimen with spray-dried bovine plasma on performance and mortality of weaned pigs positive for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Objective: To compare performance and mortality of weaned pigs positive for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) provided either a feed regimen with spray-dried bovine plasma (SDBP) or a feed regimen with a combination of alternative proteins and additives (ALT). Materials and methods: Pigs (n = 960) weaned at 21 days of age were allotted by sex and initial body weight (BW) into four nursery rooms, each with 10 pens and 24 pigs per pen. Pigs were provided either the SDBP or ALT regimen, each with three phases (phase 1, days 1-14; phase 2, days 15-21; phase 3, days 22-48 post weaning). Phase 1 and 2 diets for the SDBP regimen contained 5.0% and 2.5% SDBP, respectively, and phase 1 and 2 diets for the ALT regimen contained combinations of specialty proteins and additives as alternatives to SDBP. All pigs were fed a common phase 3 diet. Results: Pigs fed the SDBP regimen had higher (P &lt; .05) average BW at days 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 48 post weaning. Cumulative average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake were higher (P &lt; .05) for pigs fed the SDBP regimen. There was a tendency (P = .07) for pigs fed the SDBP regimen to have lower mortality (21 of 480 pigs) compared to the ALT regimen (35 of 480 pigs). Implications: Under these conditions, PRRSV-positive pigs fed the SDBP regimen have greater final BW and tend to have lower mortality compared to pigs fed the ALT regimen.

Growth performance, feeding behavior, and selected blood metabolites of Holstein dairy calves fed restricted amounts of milk: No interactions between sources of finely ground grain and forage provision

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of grain sources and forage provision on growth performance, blood metabolites, and feeding behaviors of dairy calves. Sixty 3-d-old Holstein dairy calves (42.2 ± 2.5 kg of body weight) were used in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with the factors being grain sources (barley and corn) and forage provision (no forage, alfalfa hay, and corn silage). Individually housed calves were randomly assigned (n = 10 calves per treatment: 5 males and 5 females) to 6 treatments: (1) barley grain (BG) without forage supplement, (2) BG with alfalfa hay (AH) supplementation, (3) BG with corn silage (CS) supplementation, (4) corn grain (CG) without forage supplement, (5) CG with AH supplementation, and (6) CG with CS supplementation. All calves had ad libitum access to water and starter feed throughout the experiment. All calves were weaned on d 49 and remained in the study until d 63. Starter feed intake and average daily gain (ADG) was greater for calves fed barley than those fed corn during the preweaning and overall periods. Calves supplemented with CS had greater final body weight and postweaning as well as overall starter feed intake than AH and non-forage-supplemented calves. During the preweaning and overall periods, feeding of CS was found to increase ADG compared with feeding AH and nonforage diets. However, feed efficiency was not affected by dietary treatments. Calves supplemented with CS spent more time ruminating compared with AH and control groups; nonnutritive oral behaviors were the greatest in non-forage-supplemented calves. Regardless of the grain sources, the rumen pH value was greater for AH calves compared with CS and non-forage-supplemented calves. Blood concentration of BHB was greater for CS-supplemented calves compared with AH and non-forage-supplemented calves. Furthermore, body length and heart girth were greater for calves fed barley compared with those fed corn, and also in forage-supplemented calves compared with non-forage-supplemented calves. These results showed no interactions between grain sources and forage provision on calf performance; however, the inclusion of CS and barley in starter diets could enhance the growth performance of Holstein calves during the transition from liquid to solid feed.

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of Hereford sired steers born to beef-cross-dairy and Angus breeding cows

Steers from Angus, Angus×Holstein Friesian, Angus×Holstein Friesian-Jersey and Angus×Jersey cows and a Hereford sire were measured for their carcass and meat quality characteristics. Steers from the Angus×Holstein Friesian cows had a greater final body weight and carcass weight (P<0.05). Steers from Angus×Jersey cows had the lowest carcass weight and dressing-out percentage (P<0.05). There was a greater fat depth over the rump at 12 and 18months of age for the steers from Angus cows (P<0.05) but, not at 24months of age. The steers had similar meat quality characteristics across the breed groups. Steers from Angus×Holstein Friesian and Angus×Jersey cows had a higher ratio of n6 to n3 fatty acids. Using beef-cross-dairy cows to produce steers for meat production does not impact on meat quality. Using Jersey in the breed cross reduced the carcass tissues in the live weight and the potential meat yield.