Greater Nutrient Intake Research Articles

EFFECT OF DIETS CONTAINING PYRIDOXINE AND ASCORBIC ACID AT GRADED LEVELS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Vitamin C and B6 play crucial roles in enhancing appetite and promoting feed intake of ruminant animals. These vitamins are involved in the regulation of various biological processes, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters that control hunger and satiety. By providing an adequate amount of Vitamin C and B6 in the diet, West African Dwarf goats are likely to exhibit improved feed intake, resulting in a greater nutrient intake and better growth performance. A study was conducted to investigate the effect of diets containing ascorbic acid and pyridoxine at graded levels on the growth performance of WAD goats. A total of twenty (20) West African Dwarf (WAD) goats aged less than a year old were used for a feeding trial that lasted for 12 weeks. This study was carried out at the Small Ruminant Unit of the College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria. The goats were randomly allotted on weight equalization into four (4) dietary treatments consisting of five (5) goats per treatments which were: basal concentrate diet (control), basal concentrate diet (100kg) + 50g of ascorbic acid, basal concentrate diet (100kg) + 50g of pyridoxine, basal concentrate diet (100kg) + 25g of ascorbic acid + 25g of pyridoxine. Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. Data obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% probability level. Results obtained also showed that the treatments had no significant (P<0.05) effect on all the growth performance parameters under consideration. Goats fed diets containing 50g of pyridoxine had highest value for total feed intake (248.29g/day) and total protein intake (22.18g/day) while goats fed diets containing 50g ascorbic acid had higher mean values for majority of growth performance parameters which were final weight (8.20kg), metabolic weight gain (4.45g/day/W0.75), metabolic final weight (4.84g/day/W0.75), daily weight gain (20.40g/day). The results of this study indicated that the inclusion of Ascorbic Acid at 50g inclusion rate (T2) is best in supplementing concentrate diets for a better growth performance.

Potential use of vitiviniculture waste in mixed cactus pear silages with elephant grass in lamb diet

The aim was to evaluate intake, digestibility, water balance, nitrogen balance, ingestive behavior, performance, and carcass traits of lambs on diets containing levels of vitiviniculture waste in mixed cactus pear silages with elephant grass. Twenty-four crossbred male lambs (150 days of age, 20.75 kg ± 1.33 kg body weight) were assigned to a randomized block design, with four treatments (diets) and six animals per treatment. The experimental diets consisted of four elephant grass mixed silages (MS), containing different levels of cactus pear and vitiviniculture waste: MS1 – 255 g/kg cactus pear and 108 g/kg vitiviniculture waste; MS2 – 216 g/kg cactus pear and 144 g/kg vitiviniculture waste; MS3 – 180 g/kg cactus pear and 180 g/kg vitiviniculture waste; MS4 – 144 g/kg cactus pear and 216 g/kg vitiviniculture waste, on a dry matter basis (DM). The experiment lasted 86 days, preceded by 20 days of adaptation. The inclusion of vitiviniculture waste in silages resulted in a quadratic effect for intakes of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and total carbohydrates, digestibility of DM and ether extract, metabolizable water, and water balance (P < 0.05), with the highest values of intake and digestibility observed in lambs fed on MS2. The MS in diets resulted in a reduction in the carcass conformation of the lambs (P = 0.034). Under the experimental conditions, the use of up to 144 g/kg vitiviniculture waste in the composition of mixed cactus pear and elephant grass silages (MS2) in diets for confined lamb as it provides greater nutrient intake and dry matter digestibility.

Alleviation of chromium toxicity in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) using salicylic acid and Azospirillum brasilense

BackgroundChromium (Cr) contamination in soil poses a serious hazard because it hinders plant growth, which eventually reduces crop yield and raises the possibility of a food shortage. Cr’s harmful effects interfere with crucial plant functions like photosynthesis and respiration, reducing energy output, causing oxidative stress, and interfering with nutrient intake. In this study, the negative effects of Cr on mung beans are examined, as well as investigate the effectiveness of Azospirillum brasilense and salicylic acid in reducing Cr-induced stress.ResultsWe investigated how different Cr levels (200, 300, and 400 mg/kg soil) affected the growth of mung bean seedlings with the use of Azospirillum brasilense and salicylic acid. Experiment was conducted with randomized complete block design with 13 treatments having three replications. Significant growth retardation was caused by Cr, as were important factors like shoot and root length, plant height, dry weight, and chlorophyll content significantly reduced. 37.15% plant height, 71.85% root length, 57.09% chlorophyll contents, 82.34% crop growth rate was decreased when Cr toxicity was @ 50 µM but this decrease was remain 27.80%, 44.70%, 38.97% and 63.42%, respectively when applied A. brasilense and Salicylic acid in combine form. Use of Azospirillum brasilense and salicylic acid significantly increased mung bean seedling growth (49%) and contributed to reducing the toxic effect of Cr stress (34% and 14% in plant height, respectively) due to their beneficial properties in promoting plant growth.ConclusionsMung bean seedlings are severely damaged by Cr contamination, which limits their growth and physiological characteristics. Using Azospirillum brasilense and salicylic acid together appears to be a viable way to combat stress brought on by Cr and promote general plant growth. Greater nutrient intake, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and greater root growth are examples of synergistic effects. This strategy has the ability to reduce oxidative stress brought on by chromium, enhancing plant resistance to adverse circumstances. The study offers new perspectives on sustainable practices that hold potential for increasing agricultural output and guaranteeing food security.

Snaplage with microbial inoculant or organic acids has altered fermentative losses, microorganism counts, starch content and improves feed intake, digestibility and modulates ruminal fermentation in lambs

ABSTRACT Two experiments were performed to evaluate snaplage ensiling additives and determine the effects of feeding snaplage to lambs. In Exp. 1, grains, ears and husk from maize harvested at the R4 phenological stage were ensiled (65.3% DM content) in 30 min-silos in a completely randomised design with the following treatments: control (CON); microbial inoculant (INO), (Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici) at 4 g/ton of ensiled material; and organic acids (OA), a blend of organic acids at 2 g/kg of ensiled material. In Exp. 2, nine lambs were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Lambs were randomly assigned to the following diets: control (CON); rehydrated maize silage (RHC), diet containing 380 g/kg RHC; or snaplage (SNAP), diet containing 770 g/kg of SNAP. Snaplage with OA exhibited greater DM recovery, lactic acid bacteria count and DM content than other treatments. Snaplage with INO had the lowest counts of aerobic bacteria and mould. Lambs-fed SNAP had greater nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and N retention compared to other groups. Incorporating OA to snaplage decreased DM losses and improved microbiological quality and chemical composition. Feeding snaplage to lambs may improve DM intake and apparent digestibility.

Influence of reducing starch in the diets with similar protein and energy contents on lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, digestibility, behaviour and blood metabolites in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows

BackgroundIt is not clearly known whether parity can affect the outcomes of starch reduction in the diet of lactating dairy cows.IntroductionA 2 × 2 factorial study was conducted to evaluate the effects of reducing starch in the diets with similar protein and energy contents on lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, behaviour and blood metabolites in primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) dairy cows.MethodsTwenty PP cows (DIM = 37 ± 10; 40 ± 5 kg/day of milk; mean ± SD) and 20 MP cows (DIM = 37 ± 9; 48 ± 5 kg/day of milk) were used in present study. Treatments were a factorial arrangement of two levels of starch (high vs. low) and two parity categories (PP vs. MP): (1) high‐starch diet (29.2% ± 0.70) and PP cows (HS‐PP); (2) low‐starch diet (22.3% ± 0.52) and PP cows (LS‐PP); (3) high‐starch diet and MP cows (HS‐MP) and (4) low‐starch diet and MP cows (LS‐MP). All diets were formulated to be similar in crude protein (16.1 % of dry matter) and NEL (1.60 Mcal/kg of dry matter) contents. The amount of metabolise protein was 2688 g/day in high‐starch diet and 2728 g/day in low‐starch diet. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive periods and included 4 weeks for adaptation and 3 weeks for data collection.ResultsDry matter intake and the yield of milk true protein and lactose increased but milk fat: protein ratio and nutrient digestibility decreased for cows fed the HS diets compared with the LS diets. The ruminal proportion of propionate was greater but acetate, the acetate to propionate ratio and sorting against long particles (19 and 8 mm) were lower for cows fed the HS diets than the LS diets. Multiparous cows had a greater nutrient intake and milk yield, longer rumination meal length, greater BW, but lower plasma total antioxidant capacity, non‐esterified fatty acids, faeces pH compared with PP cows. An interaction between parity and the dietary level of starch was detected on feed efficiency measured as FCM yield/DMI in the way that only within PP cows low‐starch diet was more efficient than HS diets. We found another interaction effect of parity × starch on back fat thickens (BFT) change in the way that only within PP cows BFT change was greater for HS compared with LS diet.ConclusionOverall, regardless of the benefit derived from feeding a reduced‐starch diet by partially replacing grains with sugar beet pulp in the diets on nutrient digestibility, a reduced‐starch diet may be used more efficiently in PP than in MP cows but at expense of body reserves (i.e. BFT) loses.

Grain Foods in US Infants are Associated with Greater Nutrient Intakes, Improved Diet Quality and Increased Consumption of Recommended Food Groups.

There are limited data providing guidance on grain foods as part of a healthy dietary pattern in infants and may represent a gap in knowledge for the development of the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Scientific Advisory Committee report currently in progress. An analysis using infant data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was conducted to assess grain food relationships with nutrient and energy intakes, diet quality, and food group consumption in infant consumers relative to non-consumers. Grain consumers were defined as infants consuming foods from the main grain food group, as defined by the US Department of Agriculture, and included whole and refined/enriched grains. All infants consuming grain foods had greater energy (kcal) vs. grain non-consumers (p’s < 0.0047). While infant grain consumers 6- to 12-months-old (N = 942) had higher daily intakes of sodium and added and total sugars, these infants also had significantly higher dietary fiber, calcium, folate, potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, choline, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin B6 compared to non-consumers. In 13- to 23-month-olds (N = 1668), grain consumption was associated with greater daily dietary fiber, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 relative to non-consumers. Diet quality scores were significantly higher in all infant grain consumers examined in comparison to non-consumers (p’s < 0.0065). Grain intake was also linked with greater daily intake of several recommended food groups in both younger and older infants versus non-consumption of grains. The current analysis provides evidence to substantiate the inclusion of whole and enriched grain foods as part of the infant dietary pattern as beneficial associations between grain food consumption and dietary quality are apparent. Eliminating and/or reducing grain foods in infant dietary patterns may lead to unintended nutrient and health consequences.

Breakfast and beyond: the dietary, social and practical impacts of a universal free school breakfast scheme in the north west of England, UK.

Breakfast is widely recognized as the most important meal of the day due to the numerous benefits associated with breakfast consumption including healthy weight maintenance and greater nutrient intake. In an effort to promote healthy breakfast habits, many schools provide breakfast to children before the start of the formal school day. At present, a government-supported scheme is being rolled out to increase the number of school breakfast clubs available to children across the UK; however, few research studies have investigated the impact of school breakfast provision within this country. The current study aimed to address this issue by gaging the views of parents, children and school staff on a universal free breakfast scheme in the North West of England, UK. Interviews revealed that school breakfast has the potential to influence outcomes beyond diet, including social relationships, punctuality and academic performance.

Reproductive behavior of crossbred dairy cows grazing an intensive silvopastoral system under tropical dry forest conditions

ABSTRACT It is widely accepted that selection for high milk yield in dairy cows has negatively affected their reproductive performance. After calving, dairy cows experience a nutritional imbalance due to an asynchrony in the occurrence of the lactation and dry matter intake peaks. In the tropics, this situation is exacerbated due to poor quality and/ or availability of the diet. A study was carried out to describe the nutritional and reproductive behavior of two-to-four parturition crossbred cows (Gyr (Bos indicus) x Holstein (Bos taurus)) divided in two groups according to their calving to first service interval (CFSI): Group 1: ≤50 days CFSI, n=7; Group 2: ≥50 days CFSI, n=8. Animals were grazing in an intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) based on Leucaena leucocephala and Cynodon plectostachyus and also received protein, energy and mineral supplementation. Dry matter (DMI) and nutrient intake were individually estimated and correlations between reproductive and nutritional parameters were performed. Additionally, serum progesterone concentration was monitored. Group 2 had greater forage and total DMI and milk production than Group 1 (P&lt;0.05). Hence, Group 2 had greater nutrient intake from forages than Group 1 (P&lt;0.05). Group 1 had a positive nutritional balance and an optimum reproductive performance compared to Group 2, which had a negative energy balance and lengthier days with open intervals (P&lt;0.05). It was corroborated that protein and energy are required in adequate levels, to ensure that uterus undergoes involution correctly and ovarian activity starts soon in the postpartum period.

A Large‐Scale Behavior Change Initiative to Improve Infant and Young Child Feeding Had Positive Impact on Language and Motor Development in Bangladesh

Promotion of adequate nutrition early in life through interventions aimed at improving infant and young child feeding (IYCF) has the potential to contribute to motor, cognitive, and social‐emotional development. This study evaluated this potential in Bangladesh where IYCF interventions were implemented in 300 sub‐districts through the Alive &amp; Thrive (A&amp;T) initiative.A cluster‐randomized, non‐blinded, impact evaluation design was employed comparing two intervention packages i.e., intensive interpersonal counseling on IYCF, mass media, and community mobilization vs. non‐intensive standard nutrition counseling and mass media. Twenty sub‐districts were randomized to either intensive or non‐intensive intervention areas. Cross‐sectional household surveys were conducted at baseline (2010) and four years later (2014) in the same communities. About 4,000 children aged 0–47.9 months in Bangladesh were surveyed at baseline and endline. Language development was measured with 21 items in which the mother was asked if her child had reached each milestone, ordered from least advanced to most advanced, resulting in a score from 0 to 21. Gross motor development was measured through mother report and observation with 29 ordered items, resulting in a score from 0 to 29. We derived difference‐in‐difference impact estimates using fixed‐effects regression models that assessed differences between the two intervention packages over time, adjusting for geographic clustering, infant age, gender, and covariates that differed between packages from baseline to endline.The difference‐in‐difference in language development scores between intensive and non‐intensive areas was 1.07 (p&lt;0.001) among children 6–23.9 months and 0.78 (p&lt;0.10) among children 24–47.9 months. For motor development, the difference‐in‐difference was 0.84 (p&lt;0.10) among 6–23.9 month old children. From baseline to endline, the program had positive impact on language development among children 6–23.9 months (increase of 0.92 for intensive vs. decrease of 0.37 for non‐intensive) and a protective effect among children 24–47.9 months (increase of 0.07 for intensive vs. decrease of 0.87 for non‐intensive).The large‐scale intensive package in Bangladesh had substantial, significant impact on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices (reported elsewhere). The intensive package, which promoted active, responsive feeding and strategies to manage poor appetite, had significant impact on language development and a marginally significant impact on motor development. Pathways to better development could include greater dietary diversity, more frequent feeding, and/or more effective strategies to manage poor appetite (all three could result in greater nutrient intake) and/or greater caregiver engagement with the child. Thus, both nutritional and behavioral mechanisms could be responsible for the improvements in child development; these mechanisms should be further studied.Support or Funding InformationFunding: Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, through Alive &amp; Thrive, managed by FHI 360; CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), led by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Effects of diets with high and low protein contents and two concentrate levels in Santa Ines×Texel lambs

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing two levels of crude protein (CP) and concentrates on the intake, total nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance (NB), microbial efficiency, and performance of lambs. The diets consisted of 10% or 14.25% CP and 40% or 60% concentrate, with corn silage as the forage. In the digestibility assay, four intact male F1 Santa Ines×Texel lambs, with an average body weight of 21.0±2.48kg and rumen-cannulated, were used. The lambs were distributed in a 4×4 Latin square design with four treatments and four periods. There was no effect of the CP×concentrate interaction on the variables that were studied. There was an effect of CP levels on the intake and digestibility of CP, as well as on the amounts of N that were ingested, absorbed, and retained from urine (NB). There was also an effect of CP levels on uric acid excretion. In the performance assay, 32 intact F1 Santa Ines×Texel lambs with an average body weight of 19.0±2.02kg were used. They were distributed in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized block design with eight replicates. There was a significant interaction between CP and concentrate levels on the ether extract (EE) intake. The CP level affected the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP, neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (apNDF), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and rumen-degraded protein (RDP), as well as the carcass gain (CG) and the feed conversion (FC). Concentrate levels affected the intake of DM, OM, CP, NFC, TDN, and RDP, as well as the CG, the CG/average daily gain (ADG), and the FC. It was concluded that levels of CP and concentrate do not affect microbial efficiency or nutrient digestibility, except for CP digestibility. A high level of CP or concentrate in the diet results in greater nutrient intake and better animal performance.

Chick embryogenesis: a unique platform to study the effects of environmental factors on embryo development.

Bird embryogenesis takes place in a relatively protected environment that can be manipulated especially well in domestic fowl (chickens) where incubation has long been a commercial process. The embryonic developmental process has been shown to begin in the oviduct such that the embryo has attained either the blastodermal and/or gastrulation stage of development at oviposition. Bird embryos can be affected by "maternal effects," and by environmental conditions during the pre-incubation and incubation periods. "Maternal effects" has been described as an evolutionary mechanism that has provided the mother, by hormonal deposition into the yolk, with the potential to proactively influence the development of her progeny by exposing them to her particular hormonal pattern in such a manner as to influence their ability to cope with the expected wide range of environmental conditions that may occur post-hatching. Another important aspect of "maternal effects" is the effect of the maternal nutrient intake on progeny traits. From a commercial broiler chicken production perspective, it has been established that greater cumulative nutrient intake by the hen during her pullet rearing phase prior to photostimulation resulted in faster growing broiler progeny. Generally, maternal effects on progeny, which have both a genetic and an environmental component represented by yolk hormones deposition and embryo nutrient utilization, have an important effect on the development of a wide range of progeny traits. Furthermore, commercial embryo development during pre-incubation storage and incubation, as well as during incubation per se has been shown to largely depend upon temperature, while other environmental factors that include egg position during storage, and the amount of H2O and CO2 lost by the egg and the subsequent effect on albumen pH and height during storage have become important environmental factors to be considered for successful embryogenesis under commercial conditions. Manipulating environmental temperature during the period of egg storage, during the intermediate pre-incubation period, and incubation period per se has been found to significantly affect embryo development, hatching progress, chick quality at hatching, and chick development post-hatching. These temperature manipulations have also been shown to affect the acquisition of thermotolerance to subsequent post-hatching thermal challenge. This chapter will focus on: a. "maternal effects" on embryo and post-hatching development; b. environmental effects during the post-ovipositional period of egg storage, the intermediate pre-incubation period, and incubation period per se on chick embryogenesis and subsequent post-hatching growth and development; and c. effects of temperature manipulations during the pre-incubation and incubation periods on acquisition of thermotolerance and development of secondary sexual characteristics in broiler chickens.

Supplementing endophyte‐infected tall fescue or reed canarygrass with alfalfa or birdsfoot trefoil increases forage intake and digestibility by sheep

We hypothesized that alfalfa (ALF) or birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) eaten prior to a meal of endophyte-infected tall fescue (TF) or reed canarygrass (RCG) would provide benefits not possible when TF or RCG are eaten alone. In trial 1, four groups of five lambs were first offered ALF for 30 min followed by either TF or RCG for 3.5 h in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of a completely randomized design that included grass (TF or RCG) with or without ALF. Trial 2 was similar to trial 1 except we used a new group of lambs fed BFT. Forage, fecal and urine samples were collected and analyzed for dry matter intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter, energy (in Kcal), nitrogen and neutral detergent fiber. A meal of either ALF or BFT prior to eating TF or RCG caused lambs to eat more total dry matter and nitrogen (both in g d⁻¹) and energy (in MJ d⁻¹) than lambs fed only TF or RCG (P < 0.05). Lambs fed ALF slightly reduced intake of TF and RCG relative to unsupplemented animals. Lambs fed BFT ate slightly less RCG, but much more TF than unsupplemented animals (P < 0.10). Lambs ate much less BFT than ALF, but they were stimulated to eat TF to a greater degree by BFT than by ALF. The enhanced intake of TF by lambs provided BFT, as well as the greater nutrient intake by lambs fed legumes and grasses was likely due in part to complementary profiles of alkaloids, saponins, and tannins.

Bean Consumption Is Associated with Greater Nutrient Intake, Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure, Lower Body Weight, and a Smaller Waist Circumference in Adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown positive findings associated with legume consumption and measures of cardiovascular disease and obesity. However, few observational trials have examined beans as a separate food variable when determining associations with health parameters.Objective: To determine the association of consuming beans on nutrient intakes and physiological parameters using the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002.Methods: Using data from NHANES 1999-2002, a secondary analysis was completed with a reliable 24-hour dietary recall where three groups of bean consumers were identified (N = 1,475). We determined mean nutrient intakes and physiological values between bean consumers and non-consumers. Least square means, standard errors and ANOVA were calculated using appropriate sample weights following adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity and energy.Results: Relative to non-consumers, bean consumers had higher intakes of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, and copper (p's < 0.05). Those consuming beans had a lower body weight (p = 0.008) and a smaller waist size (p = 0.043) relative to non-consumers. Additionally, consumers of beans had a 23% reduced risk of increased waist size (p = 0.018) and a 22% reduced risk of being obese (p = 0.026). Also, baked bean consumption was associated with a lower systolic blood pressure.Conclusions: Bean consumers had better overall nutrient intake levels, better body weights and waist circumferences, and lower systolic blood pressure in comparison to non-consumers. These data support the benefits of bean consumption on improving nutrient intake and health parameters.

Consumo, digestibilidade aparente, produção e composição do leite e variáveis ruminais em vacas leiteiras alimentadas com dietas à base de cana-de-açúcar

Doze vacas da raça Holandesa, puras e mestiças, foram distribuídas em três quadrados latinos 4 x 4, com o objetivo de avaliar o consumo e a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, a produção e composição do leite, o pH e a amônia ruminais. As dietas foram constituídas à base de silagem de milho (SM) (AG 1051) com relação volumoso:concentrado (V:C) de 60:40, com base na matéria seca (MS), ou à base de cana-de-açúcar (CA) (RB 855536) com relação V:C de 60:40, com 0,35 ou 1% da mistura uréia+sulfato de amônio (SA) ou V:C de 50:50 com 1% de uréia+SA. O consumo de MS foi de 17,8; 14,9; 14,4 e 15,8 kg/dia, para as dietas, respectivamente. O maior consumo de MS resultou, também, em maior consumo de nutrientes para a dieta à base de SM, com exceção dos carboidratos não-fibrosos, em que se verificou maior consumo para a dieta com CA com 50% de concentrado. A produção de leite (PL) foi maior para a dieta à base de SM, não havendo diferença na PL entre as dietas contendo CA, sendo de 22,0; 19,0; 18,6 e 20,1 kg/dia e a produção de leite corrigida para 3,5% de gordura foi de 23,0; 19,7; 19,4 e 21,3 kg/dia para as dietas SM, CA 0,35%, CA 1%, CA 1% 50:50, respectivamente. Em relação à composição do leite, não foram encontradas diferenças entre as dietas. Os teores de gordura foram de 3,8, 3,8, 3,8 e 3,9% para as dietas, respectivamente. Não foram verificadas diferenças quanto à digestibilidade aparente da MS, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e carboidratos totais entre as dietas. A digestibilidade aparente da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) foi maior para a dieta contendo SM (47%). Não houve diferença na digestibilidade da FDN, entre as diferentes dietas com CA, 32, 31 e 31%, respectivamente. Dentro de cada tempo (antes e três horas após a alimentação matinal), não houve diferença nos valores de pH e compostos nitrogenados amoniacais (N-NH3) entre as dietas.

Integrating novel forage management into sheep farm systems

Sheep have a higher intake of nutrients when offered continuous free access to ryegrass and white clover growing separately than when offered the same species growing as a mixture. To determine if this greater nutrient intake would translate to higher animal performance, three experiments of 3-6 weeks duration measured liveweight gain by ewes+twin lambs in early spring, weaned lambs in mid-late spring and hoggets during late winter to identify the class of sheep most responsive to this form of forage presentation. Offering pasture comprised of ryegrass and clover growing separately resulted in higher average daily gains for weaned lambs (330 vs 185 g/ day, P

Effect of nutrient intake on the development of the somatotropic axis and its responsiveness to GH in Holstein bull calves.

We investigated the effect of increasing nutrient intake on the responsiveness of the GH/IGF-I system in calves fed a high-protein milk replacer. Fifty-four Holstein bull calves were fed one of three levels (low, medium, and high; n = 18 per treatment) of a 30% crude protein, 20% fat milk replacer to achieve target rates of gain of 0.50, 0.95, or 1.40 kg/d, respectively, for low, medium, and high. Six calves per treatment were slaughtered at approximately 65, 85, and 105 kg BW. Additionally, six calves were slaughtered at 1 d of age to provide baseline data. Plasma aliquots from blood samples collected weekly were analyzed for IGF-I, insulin, glucose, NEFA, and plasma urea nitrogen (PUN). Plasma IGF-I and insulin, measured weekly, increased (P < 0.001) with greater nutrient intake from wk 2 of life to slaughter. Plasma glucose and NEFA also increased (P < 0.05) with nutrient intake. In addition, each calf underwent a GH challenge beginning 4 d before the scheduled slaughter. Plasma from blood collected before the first GH injection and 14 and 24 h after the third injection was analyzed for IGF-I and PUN. Response to challenge, calculated as the absolute difference between the prechallenge and 14-h postchallenge plasma IGF-I concentrations, was significant in calves on all three treatments. Plasma urea nitrogen was not different among treatments as measured weekly but decreased (P < 0.001) following GH challenge in all calves. Results of ribonuclease protection assays showed increased expression of hepatic mRNA for GH receptor 1A and IGF-I with increased intake. The amounts of GH receptor and IGF-I mRNA in muscle and adipose, however, were not affected by intake. In summary, plasma IGF-I was elevated in calves with increased nutrient intake, and the elevations in plasma IGF-I following short-term administration of GH were significant in all calves by 65 kg BW. Data demonstrate that in well-managed milk-fed calves the somatotropic (GH/IGF-I) axis is functionally coordinated and sensitive to nutrient intake and GH.

A5. An assessment of the diets of people with rheumatoid arthritis

Background A proportion of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) use diet as a form of therapy for their condition. There is no firm evidence to confirm the mechanisms by which nutrition affects the disease process or symptoms but the research in this area has suggested a number of theories. It is proposed by some that the nutritional status of RA subjects is compromised due to their symptoms or the drug treatments they use. Alternatively, nutrition is proposed to influence the inflammatory process that is central to this condition. Finally, the ’Food Allergy Theory’ suggests that the symptoms of RA may be the result of food allergy/intolerance in some people. This study aimed to investigate the specific actions RA subjects take with regard to diet and the nutrient composition of these specialized diets. The effects that these habits have on nutritional status have also been discussed. Methods An ex-post facto study was completed with subjects being recruited from an arthritis self-help group by means of a postal questionnaire. Fifty-four subjects responded to the questionnaire and 25 of these went on to complete a 3-day diet diary. These subjects were divided into two study groups: those who believed that diet had no effect on their condition or symptoms (Diet Group 1) and those who believed it did have some effect (Diet Group 2). Results Food avoidance and supplementation were the most common dietary habits reported by people with rheumatoid arthritis, with 50% of respondents reporting supplementation and 67% food avoidance. The nutrient intakes from food of the two study groups differed significantly, with Diet Group 2 generally achieving or exceeding the Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) ( DoH, 1991) and the National Food Survey references (NFS) ( MAFF, 1996) more often that Diet Group 1. Additionally, Diet Group 2 had fewer nutrient intakes below the RNIs ( DoH, 1991) and the NFS references ( MAFF, 1996). Furthermore, when expressed in terms of nutrient density, Diet Group 2 had greater nutrient intakes per 1000kcals for the majority of nutrients, suggesting a more nutrient-dense diet. Conclusion Individuals who have an interest in diet and nutrition and believe it affects their condition appear to have a more nutrient-dense, well-balanced, healthier diet than those who do not have any such belief.

Ethnic and Gender Variation in the Dietary Intake of Rural Elders

This study describes the dietary intake of 130 rural older adults (≥ 70 years) and assesses the differences in intake attributable to age, gender, and ethnicity (African-, European-, and Native American). Intakes of most nutrients were found to be lower than recommended, and the percentage of calories from fat exceeded recommendations. Age was not significantly associated with any of the nutrients. Men had significantly greater nutrient intakes than women with the exception of the African American men. The low caloric intakes, coupled with relatively high fat intakes, may lead to deficiencies of key nutrients, particularly among African American men.

Comparative studies of herbage intake and performance of lambs grazing Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) pastures under rotational management in summer

Grazing experiments were conducted on Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus cv. Massey Basyri)/white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Grasslands Tahora) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cv. Grasslands Roa)/white clover pastures in late spring‐summer (Nov‐Jan, Experiment 1) and summer‐early autumn (Jan‐Mar, Experiment 2) to assess behaviour and performance of lambs and to evaluate the effects of low concentrations of condensed tannins (CT) in the grasses on lamb performance. In each experiment, 48 lambs were allocated to three groups, balanced for previous grazing experience and sex, in sets of 16. One group was slaughtered at the start of the experiment to measure carcass weight; the other two groups of lambs rotationally grazed paddocks within each pasture. Half of the lambs within each pasture were drenched with 10 g polyethylene glycol (PEG; mol. weight 3350) twice daily at 0830 and 1630 hrs and the remaining lambs were drenched with water as a control. There were similar sward surface height, herbage mass, and bulk density on both swards. Yorkshire fog had a higher proportion of sown grass and lower proportions of other grasses and white clover than tall fescue. There was slightly higher total N (3.37 vs 3.30 ± 0.013%, P< 0.05) on tall fescue than on Yorkshire fog in summer, but no significant difference in organic matter digestibility (OMD) for the diets from the two pastures. The diet from Yorkshire fog had higher CT concentrations overall. Herbage organic matter (OM) intake was not significantly different between the two pastures overall, but was significantly reduced by PEG administration in Experiment 2 (P < 0.01 ). Previous grazing experience had no significant effects on lamb performance. Lambs had greater carcass weight (14.7 vs 13.9 ± 0.2 kg, P < 0.05) and faster carcass weight gain (32 vs 20 ± 3.1 g/day, P < 0.05) on Yorkshire fog than on tall fescue in Experiment 1, but not in Experiment 2, and faster rate of clean wool growth on Yorkshire fog than tall fescue in Experiment 2 (123 vs 112 ± 2.8 mg/ 100 cm2 per day, P < 0.05). It is concluded that Yorkshire fog cv. Massey Basyn offers potentially greater nutrient intake and weaned lamb performance than tall fescue cv. Grasslands Roa in summer pastures. The limited content of condensed tannins in the Yorkshire fog pasture had no measurable effects on lamb performance, and it is suggested that particularly low concentrations of CT measured in tall fescue may have been an artefact of the analytical process.

Diet selection and digestion in Iguana iguana: the importance of age and nutrient requirements.

The green iguana, Iguana iguana, is herbivorous throughout life, and depends on a microbial fermentation system in the hindgut to degrade plant fiber. Because the metabolic rates of lizards are proportional to body mass raised to the 0.80 power, hatchling iguanas have 2X, and juveniles 1.4X, greater relative energy requirements (kJxg body mass-1xday-1) than full-grown adults. Growing animals also need a higher protein intake, for contruction of body tissues, than do mature animals. This study investigated how growing iguanas achieve a relatively greater nutrient intake than adults. Hatchling and juvenile iguanas do not have higher relative capacities of the digestive tract than mature iguanas, nor do they digest plant materials more effectively. Instead, growing iguanas select diets higher in digestible protein, and digest the same food 1.3X to 2X more rapidly, than adults. Young iguanas may accomplish their shorter food transit times by maintaining higher body temperatures.