Ileal Digestibility Coefficients Research Articles

ESTIMATION OF METABOLIZABLE AND DIGESTIBLE ENERGY OF RAMON (Brosimum alicastrum Swartz) SEED IN BROILERS UNDER TROPICAL CONDITIONS

<p><strong>Background.</strong> The current maize production in México is insufficient to supply both human and animal consumption. As maize is the main ingredient used in the formulation of poultry diets, each year, the importation of this cereal rises, thereby, the replacement of this conventional input can be made with alternative resources, such as the Ramón (<em>Brosimum alicastrum</em> Swartz) seed. <strong>Objective.</strong> To determine the chemical composition of Ramon seed meal (RSM), together with the estimation of the apparent metabolizable energy (AME), true metabolizable energy (TME), their digestible coefficients, as well as the apparent ileal digestible energy (AIDE) and apparent ileal digestibility coefficient (AIDC) of gross energy (GE). <strong>Methodology. </strong>Two experiments were performed using Cobb broilers; in the first experiment AME, TME and the digestible coefficients were calculated using 24 broilers (twelve 3-week-old and twelve 6-week-old) eight of them were randomly selected for determination of endogenous losses (EL). The sixteen remaining were precision-fed a single dose of RSM and total excreta collection was used. In the second experiment, three diets: 1) 100% maize; 2) 40% RSM-60% maize and; 3) 60% RSM-40% maize) were made to determine the AIDE and AIDC of each ingredient using the difference method. Diets were randomly assigned to a total of 51 7-week-old broilers, distributed in six, six and five replicates respectively (three broilers per replicate). <strong>Results. </strong>No differences were found for the<strong> </strong>AME (1863 and 1909 kcal/kg for 3 and 6 weeks, respectively) and TME (2234 and 2271 kcal/kg, for 3 and 6 weeks, respectively) values of the RSM. The AIDE and AIDC of RSM at 40 and 60% inclusion (2408 and 2538 kcal/kg, and 0.64 and 0.67, respectively) were found to be lower than that of maize (3179 kcal/kg and 0.81). <strong>Implications. </strong>These results provide information regarding the incorporation of ramon as an energy resource in tropical poultry diets. <strong>Conclusion.</strong> The estimated value of RSM in broilers was 1886 Kcal/kg for AME, 2252.5 Kcal/kg for TME and 0.476 and 0.569 for their digestibility coefficients of GE, respectively. For the AIDE, the estimated value was 2408.8 and 2538.7 Kcal/kg at 40 and 60% inclusion of RSM, with 0.640 and 0.674 AIDC, respectively.</p>

Influence of graded levels of maize distillers dried grains with solubles (mDDGS) on the performance, digestive tract development and carcass characteristics of broilers

Abstract The present study investigated the feeding value of maize distillers dried grains with solubles (mDDGS) for broiler chickens. As the first step, the nutrient composition, apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of mDDGS were determined. These values were used to formulate iso-nutrient and isocaloric diets to evaluate the influence of graded levels of mDDGS on broiler performance, digestive tract development and carcass characteristics. Five maize-soybean based diets containing 0 or 5, 10, 15 and 20% of mDDGS, were formulated and cold-pelleted at 65 °C. Each diet was offered ad libitum to six replicates (eight birds per replicate cage) during starter (day 1–21) and finisher (day 22–35) phases. The mDDGS was analysed to contain (% dry matter (DM) basis): CP, 27.8; total non-starch polysaccharides, 28.6 and soluble non-starch polysaccharides, 5.6. The AME was determined to be 10.23 MJ/kg DM. The average ileal digestibility coefficient of indispensable AA was 0.826. The Inclusion of 20% mDDGS resulted in poorer (P < 0.05) feed per gain (quadratic effect, P < 0.05) during the starter period, but no negative effects (P > 0.05) were observed finisher period and the overall production period (day 1–35). Feed intake and feed per gain (linear effect, P < 0.05) decreased with increasing inclusions of mDDGS during finisher period and overall period. A tendency (P = 0.06) for linear improvement in excreta quality was observed with increasing inclusion levels of mDDGS. Relative digestive tract weights and carcass and breast meat yields were not influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments. A linear (P < 0.05) decrease was observed for the relative lengths of jejunum, ileum and the small intestine. The results indicated that, when balanced for metabolisable energy and digestible amino acids, mDDGS can be incorporated into broiler starter and finisher diets up to 15 and 20%, respectively, with no adverse effects on live performance, carcass characteristics or excreta quality.

Transgenic, high-protein sorghums display promise in poultry diets in an initial comparison

This study aimed to compare the inclusion of transgenic sorghums against commercially available sorghums on growth performance in broiler chickens. Isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were offered to a total 288 male Ross 308 broiler chickens from 14 to 35 d posthatch. Three dietary treatments were diets based on transgenic sorghums with a mean protein content of 154.7 g/kg and 5 treatments were based on commercially available sorghum hybrids with a mean protein content of 90.6 g/kg. Soybean meal inclusions in the commercial sorghum diets averaged 215 g/kg, which was reduced to 171 g/kg in the transgenic sorghum diets because of the higher protein contents. Overall growth performance was highly satisfactory, and commercial sorghums supported 2.55% (2,330 vs. 2,272 g/bird; P = 0.010) more weight gains and 2.74% (2,929 vs. 2,851 g/bird; P = 0.012) higher feed intakes; however, the transgenic sorghums supported a fractionally better FCR (1.255 vs 1.257; P = 0.826). There were no statistical differences in apparent jejunal and ileal starch and protein (N) digestibility coefficients between treatments. The transgenic sorghum diets generated slightly, but significantly, higher AME:GE ratios and AMEn, but the commercial sorghum diets generated 6.33% (235 vs. 221 g/kg; P < 0.001) greater breast meat yields. Apparent ileal digestibility coefficients of 16 amino acids averaged 0.839 and 0.832 for transgenic and commercial sorghum-based diets, respectively, without any significant differences in individual amino acids. This outcome suggests amino acid digestibilities of the transgenic sorghums may be inherently higher than commercial hybrid sorghums as the 25.7% higher average soybean meal inclusions would have advantaged amino acid digestibilities in commercial sorghum diets. The possibility that the digestibilities of amino acids in the kafirin component of transgenic sorghums was enhanced by modifications to the structure of kafirin protein bodies is discussed. In conclusion, transgenic sorghums with higher protein concentrations led to 20.5% reduction of soybean meal inclusions in broiler diets, and this change did not compromise feed conversion efficiency compared to standard commercial hybrid sorghums.

Effect of different levels of whole corn germ on energy values and ileal digestibility in broilers.

This study evaluated the effects of broiler age (A) and levels of replacement (L) of control diet (CD) on the utilization of energy and nutrients of whole corn germ. 720 one-day-old broilers (b) were allocated at completely randomized design to six treatments and six replicates, in three assays: pre-starter (1-8 days, 10 b/cage), starter (15-22 days, 6 b/cage), and grower (28-35 days, 4 b/cage) phases. The treatments were: CD and four test diets (L): 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300 g kg-1 of the CD replaced by WCG levels. The data were adjusted to the response surface model. The stationary points for apparent energy metabolizable (AME) and AME corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) were: 4173 and 3591 kcal kg-1, respectively, and coefficients of gross energy (AMCGE), crude protein (AMCCP), dry matter (AMCDM), and ether extract (AMCEE) were: 49.3, 40.4, 72.6, and 61.3%, respectively; and Ileal digestibility coefficient of crude protein (IDCCP), dry matter (IDCDM), digestibility crude protein values (DCP), and digestibility dry matter value (DDM) were: 78.0, 57.96, 8.50, and 56.17%, respectively. The EP for AMEn was at 18 days of age, 28 g kg-1 WCG. There was a correlation between A and L on digestibility and metabolisability of nutrient's WCG.

Apparent nutrient digestibility, metabolizable energy and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of commercial partially defatted Hermetia illucens meal for laying hens

Abstract A digestibility study with laying hens was carried out to determine the nutritional value of a commercial and representative (batch to batch variance adjusted) insect meal based on Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae, (from black soldier fly) which was the objective in this study. A basal diet (BD; CP 15%), formulated and fed as such and an experimental diet (HD; CP 21%) consisting of BD with inclusion of 18% of the HI meal were used in the study. The BD and HD were fed to eight and six replicate metabolic cages, respectively, with eight Dekalb White laying hens each from 25 to 27 weeks of age. Diets (pelleted with TiO2 as marker) and water were available for ad libitum intake. Excreta was collected during the last three days to determine AMEn and apparent total tract faecal nutrient digestibility coefficients (ATTDC). Distal ileal content was collected at the last day of the experiment to determine apparent ileal amino acids digestibility of diets and HI meal. Using table values for endogenous losses standardised ileal amino acids digestibility coefficient (SIDC) of HI meal were also calculated. Analysed nutrients (g/kg) in HI meal were: 47 moisture, 529 crude protein, 71 ash, 135 fat and thus 218 was calculated as carbohydrates. Determined AME AMEn for HI meal was 3,846 kcal/kg dry matter (DM) and AMEn was 3,498 3,671 kcal/kg DM and ATTDC AFD for crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrates was 0.830, 0.940 and 0.680, respectively. Average SID coefficient for the 18 amino acids was 0.861 86.1%. Among indispensable amino acids SIDC ranged from 0.790% for threonine to 0.950% for phenylalanine and was 0.840% for lysine. These findings highlight that HI meal is an interesting alternative protein source for soybean meal (SBM). Besides market prices and availability, demands for more sustainable poultry production will determine the use of HI meals as alternative for SBM in poultry diets in the near future, especially in regions where SBM is imported from overseas.

A comparative study on the effect of limestone particle size on performance, ileal digestibility of calcium and phosphorus, and bone characteristics in broilers and pullets

ABSTRACT 1. The effects of limestone particle size on growth performance, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) traits, ileal morphology, duodenal gene expression of calbindin, apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AIDC) of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) and tibia characteristics in broilers and pullets were assessed in broilers and pullets. These birds have different growth rates and likely different responses to parameters, such as particle size. 2. A total of 240 chicks aged one day, 120 Ross 308 female broilers, and 120 Hy-Line pullets were allocated randomly into four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two bird types (broilers vs. pullets) and two limestone particle sizes (<0.5 mm versus 1–2 mm) to give six replicates containing 10 chicks in each from 1 to 21 d of age. 3. Feed intake and weight gain were greater (P < 0.001) and feed per gain (FCR) was better (P < 0.001) in broilers compared to pullets from 1 to 21 d of age. Greater villus width (P < 0.01), villus height (P < 0.001) and crypt depth (P < 0.01) were seen for broilers compared to pullets. 4. Pullets fed coarse Ca particles had higher calbindin gene expression at 21 d of age (P = 0.05). Both AIDC of Ca and P were higher (P < 0.001) in broilers compared to pullets. The AIDC of Ca from 0.463 to 0.516 was increased (P < 0.05) by feeding coarse limestone particles. A significant interaction was found between bird type and limestone particle size (P < 0.01), where pullets fed coarse Ca particles had higher bone P concentration in tibia than broilers. 5. Broilers had better ileum absorptive capacity and growth performance compared to pullets. The AIDC of Ca and P was higher in broilers than in pullets. Increased limestone particle size elevated villus height, AIDC of Ca and concentration of P in the tibia.

An Accurate Estimate of the Amino Acid Content of Human Milk Collected from Chinese Women Adjusted for Differences in Amino Acid Digestibility

BackgroundThe amino acid (AA) composition of human milk is used to define the AA requirements of the infant. Thus, it is important that estimates of composition be as complete and accurate as possible. When determining AA composition using standard hydrolysis methods, some AAs are progressively destroyed while others are incompletely released. For accuracy, AA composition needs to be determined using multiple hydrolysis times. The true ileal digestibility of AAs also needs to be taken into consideration. ObjectiveThe objective was to bring together AA compositional (determined using multiple hydrolysis intervals) and digestibility data determined using the piglet to give an estimate of the absorbed AA profile of human milk with reference in particular to Asian females. MethodsMature milk was collected from Chinese females. AA analysis using multiple hydrolysis intervals and a nonlinear regression model was used to accurately estimate AA composition. Human milk, as well as a protein-free diet, were fed to piglets (n = 6), and ileal digesta were collected (piglet age, 21 d) to determine the true ileal AA digestibility of AAs in human milk. ResultsTrue ileal AA digestibility coefficients ranged from (mean ± standard error of the mean) 0.61 ± 0.081 for tyrosine to 1.01 ± 0.030 for tryptophan, with a digestibility for total nitrogen of 0.90 ± 0.013. Convergence criteria were met for the modeling for each AA, and the model had a level of significance of P < 0.0001 for each AA. The amount of available AAs (total AA content as per the model prediction multiplied by the true ileal AA digestibility coefficient determined in the piglet) are reported. ConclusionsAn estimate of the absorbed AA profile of mature milk collected from Chinese females is provided. For the first time, data is presented for cysteine.

Effect of age on the standardized ileal amino acid digestibility of soybean meal and canola meal in broilers

Standardized ileal digestibility coefficients (SIDC) of nitrogen (N) and amino acids (AA) in two protein sources (soybean meal [SBM] and canola meal [CM]) were investigated at six broiler ages (d 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42). Two assay diets were formulated to contain either SBM (413 g/kg) or CM (553 g/kg) as the sole dietary AA source. Titanium dioxide (5 g/kg) was added as an indigestible marker. A total of 696 male broilers at 1 d old were allotted to 12 replicate cages per age group. Each assay diet was offered to birds for 4 d prior to the ileal digesta collection on d 7 (14 birds/cage), 14 (12 birds/cage), 21 (10 birds/cage), 28 (8 birds/cage), 35 (8 birds/cage) and 42 (6 birds/cage), respectively. The apparent digestibility coefficients were standardized using age-specific basal endogenous AA flows. In the SBM group, though the SIDC of N tended to be influenced (quadratic; P = 0.075) by age, no linear or quadratic response of age effect was observed on the average SIDC of indispensable (IAA) and total AA (TAA). An age effect (quadratic; P < 0.05) was observed on the average SIDC of dispensable AA (DAA) in SBM with the highest value recorded at d 7, followed by a decrease from d 14 to 28, which increased beyond d 35. The SIDC of some individual AA (Arg, Thr, Trp, Cys, Pro) were affected (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001) in a quadratic manner by age. In the CM, the SIDC of N, average SIDC of IAA, DAA and TAA were influenced (quadratic; P < 0.05 or P < 0.001) by age. The SIDC of N and average SIDC of DAA and TAA were higher from d 7 to 14, declined at d 21, and then increased beyond d 28. The average SIDC of IAA was low between d 7 and 28 and increased thereafter. The SIDC of individual AA were affected (linear or quadratic; P < 0.05 or P < 0.001) by different magnitudes by age. The age influence on the SIDC AA was variable, depending on the protein source and AA. The results demonstrate that age-specific SIDC AA data might need consideration in broiler feed formulations.

The influence of non-bound amino acid inclusions and starch-protein digestive dynamics on growth performance of broiler chickens offered wheat-based diets with two crude protein concentrations

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of high and low inclusions of non-bound amino acid (NBAA) in standard and reduced-crude protein (CP), wheat-based diets on growth performance in broiler chickens. Dietary treatments were formulated to either 210 or 180 g/kg CP. The 210 g/kg CP diets contained either 12.1 or 21.1 g/kg NBAA and 180 g/kg CP diets contained either 44.0 or 55.5 g/kg NBAA. The formulations also generated different dietary starch:protein ratios which impacted on starch-protein digestive dynamics. Each of the four dietary treatments were offered to 7 replicates of 15 birds housed in floor pens from 14 to 35 days post-hatch or a total of 420 male Ross 308 chickens. Growth performance, relative abdominal fat-pad weights, breast muscle and leg shank yields were determined. Ileal starch and protein (N) digestibility coefficients, disappearance rates and starch:protein disappearance rate ratios were defined. Apparent ileal digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates of 16 amino acids were determined at 35 days post-hatch and free concentrations of 20 amino acids in systemic plasma were determined at 34 days post-hatch. The transition from 210 to 180 g/kg CP diets depressed weight gain by 11.3% (1742 versus 1964 g/bird) and FCR by 10.4% (1.606 versus 1.455), although both parameters were subject to treatment interactions. The treatment interaction (P < 0.001) observed for FCR was because high NBAA inclusions significantly improved FCR by 4.17% (1.424 versus 1.486) in birds offered 210 g/kg CP diets, but significantly depressed FCR by 3.36% (1.632 versus 1.579) in 180 g/kg CP diets. A quadratic relationship (r = 0.860; P < 0.001) between dietary NBAA inclusions and FCR was detected, which indicated that when NBAA inclusions exceed 18.5 g/kg efficiency of feed conversion deteriorated. However, a multiple linear regression (r = 0.913; P < 0.001) was detected for FCR where both NBAA inclusions and analysed dietary starch:protein ratios were significantly (P < 0.001) related to FCR. This relationship indicates that growth performance of broiler chickens offered wheat-based diets is strongly influenced by dietary NBAA inclusions coupled with dietary starch:protein ratios and consideration is given to the possible underlying mechanisms.

The influence of dietary crude protein concentrations, grain types and arginine:lysine ratios on the performance of broiler chickens.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) concentrations, grain types and arginine:lysine ratios on performance parameters of broiler chickens. The 2×2×2 factorial array of dietary treatments harnessed two CP concentrations (210 and 170g/kg), two feed grains (wheat and sorghum), and two arginine:lysine ratios (104 and 110). Each dietary treatment was offered to 7 replicates of 14 birds per floor pen, a total of 784 off-sex male, Ross 308 broilers, from 14 to 35d post-hatch. The dietary CP reduction compromised weight gain by 10.0% (2078 versus 2310g/bird) as a main effect and FCR by 7.51% (1.474 versus 1.371), subject to an interaction. In a three-way interaction (P=0.008), expanded arginine:lysine ratios improved FCR by 2.30% in 170g/kg CP, sorghum-based diets but compromised FCR by 2.12% in corresponding wheat-based diets. Sorghum was the more suitable feed grain in reduced-CP diets as sorghum generated significant advantages in weight gain of 7.59% (2154 versus 2002g/kg) and FCR of 6.94% (1.421 versus 1.527) in birds offered 170g/kg CP diets. Both dietary CP and feed grain generated significant and divergent impacts in apparent ileal digestibility coefficients for the majority of 16 assessed amino acids. Dietary CP reductions increased non-bound amino acid inclusions (NBAA) in wheat-based diets (48.96 versus 9.80g/kg) to a greater extent than sorghum-based diets (35.3 versus 9.50g/kg) and increasing dietary NBAA inclusions were linearly associated with compromised weight gain (r=-0.834; P<0.001) and FCR (r=0.862; P<0.001). Increasing ratios of free arginine to lysine plasma concentrations were linearly (r=-0.466; P=0.004) related to improvements in FCR. The implications of the observed outcomes are discussed and possible explanations are advanced.

Dietary crude protein reductions in wheat-based diets with two energy densities compromised performance of broiler chickens from 15 to 36 days post-hatch

This study was designed to investigate the impacts of 2 energy densities (13.0 and 12.5 MJ/kg ME) in wheat-based diets with 3 tiers of CP concentrations (210, 190, and 170 g/kg) on the performance of broiler chickens. The parameters assessed included growth performance (15-36 d posthatch), carcass traits, nutrient utilization, starch-protein digestive dynamics, apparent ileal amino acid digestibility coefficients, and the free amino acid and ammonia (NH3) concentrations in systemic plasma. Also, the feasibility of substituting soybean meal with canola meal in 190 g/kg CP diets was investigated. The dietary CP reduction from 210 to 170 g/kg significantly compromised weight gain by 12.4% (1,890 vs. 2158 g/bird) and FCR by 5.33% (1.501 vs. 1.425). The 0.5 MJ energy density reduction compromised FCR by 3.25% (1.525 vs. 1.477; P=0.013) in birds offered 170 g/kg CP diets. Reducing dietary CP and energy densities interactively influenced (P=0.027) apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen corrected metabolizable energy (AMEn) (P=0.022) such that reducing dietary CP increased these parameters but reducing dietary energy densities decreased AME and AMEn. The 150 g/kg canola meal inclusion with the elimination of soybean meal displayed some promise. Dietary CP reductions (and increased nonbound amino acid inclusions) linearly associated with increased plasma ammonia (NH3) concentrations (r=-0.607; P=0.010) and plasma NH3 was linearly related to depressed weight gains (r=-0.565; P=0.018). The association of dietary non-protein-bound amino acid (NPBAA) inclusions and elevated plasma NH3 concentrations have profound implications for the successful development of reduced-CP, wheat-based broiler diets.

Total amino acid level affects the results of standardized ileal digestibility assays for feed ingredients for swine.

It has been demonstrated that the fiber content of oilseed meals and total amino acids (AA) in distillers' grains products affects standardized ileal digestibility (SID) values from swine assays and that total protein concentration affects the AA digestibility in assays using chickens. This analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis that the total AA content of test samples affects the SID assay results. Databases containing total AA profiles and SID values of 20 feedstuffs commonly fed to pigs from 2 sources, AMINODat 5.0 (Evonik Industries, 2015) and the Nutrient Requirements of Swine, 12th edition (NRC, 2012) were used to compare AA concentration effects on standardized ileal digestibility coefficients. Databases were compared with AA and SID available in both data sets. The total AA values were similar for the 2 databases with an R 2 of 0.979 (P<0.001). The linear relationship between digestibility coefficients from the 2 databases was highly significant, an R 2 of 0.810 (P<0.001). Both databases had increased SID values with increasing AA contents within and across feed ingredients. The SID=f(AA concentration) relationship was confirmed with an individual paper. Since SID, as typically measured, is a function of both digestion and absorption, both processes following Michaelis-Menten kinetics, SID=f(AA concentration) may simply be a natural phenomenon. Other reasons for the relationship were explored. Methods of estimating endogenous AA losses and misapplication statistical procedures may contribute to variation in results and at least partially explain why SID=f(AA concentration).

Fermented rapeseed meal enhances the digestibility of protein and macro- and microminerals and improves the performance of weaner pigs

Fermented rapeseed meal has the potential to replace enzymatic and pro- and prebiotic additives, organic acids, and zinc oxide in diets for piglets. The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of rapeseed meal fermented using Bacillus subtilis strain 87Y (FRSMb) in the amount of 8% of diets for weaners on growth performance, digestibility of nutrients and minerals, and the amount of biogenic substances excreted into the environment. A total of 288 pigs were used in the experiment. The study was conducted using on 288 pigs. The experiment was begun when the pigs were 28 days old. The piglets in the control group (C) were fed a standard compound feed. Piglets in groups FRA (8% fermented rapeseed meal + pro- and prebiotic additives, organic acids, and ZnO) and FR (8% fermented rapeseed meal) received a diet containing 8% FRSMb in place of some of the soybean meal in the standard feed. Additives, pro- and prebiotic additives, organic acids, and ZnO were removed from the diet for the piglets in group FR. Rapeseed meal was fermented using Bacillus subtilis strain 87Y. The experiment was carried out for a period of 60 days. Gain:Feed (G:F) between 28 and 88 days was lowest in group FR. Coefficients of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) and coefficients of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) of crude protein (CP), crude fat, and crude fibre were higher in group FRA than in group C (P < 0.05). Coefficients of apparent total tract digestibility and CAID of Cu, Zn and Fe were increased (P < 0.05) in group FR relative to groups FRA and C. Absorption and retention of P and retention as a percentage of absorption were higher in the groups receiving 8% FRSMb than in group C (P = 0.001; P = 0.008 and P = 0.007, respectively). Most indicators of Ca balance were increased (P < 0.05) in the pigs in groups FRA and FR in comparison to group C. The level of ammonia released in the faeces of the piglets was lower in group FR than in the control group (23.28% reduction). The amount of Cu excreted in the faeces was higher in group C (P = 0.009), but the amount excreted in the urine was higher in group FRA (P < 0.001). The results of the research suggest that the inclusion of 8% FRSMb in diets for piglets has a beneficial effect by improving the digestibility of protein and minerals and thus reducing their excretion into the environment.

The effects of a Bacillus licheniformis and phytase mixture added to broiler diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and cecal microecosystem

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the effects of Bacillus licheniformis and 6-phytase added alone or in combination to broiler chicken diets on the growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility coefficient (AID) of nutrients, microbial activity, and cecal bacterial communities. In total, 400 one-day-old female Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments (10 replicate pens, 10 birds each). The following groups were defined: NC (negative control), basal diet without any feed additive supplementation; NC+Pro, basal diet with addition of the B. licheniformis preparation (500 g/t of diet); NC+Phy, basal diet with addition of phytase (200 g/t of diet); and NC+Pro+Phy, basal diet combined with both studied additives. B. licheniformis positively affected (P&lt;0.05) the feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the first 10 d of bird rearing. Moreover, phytase supplementation elevated the FCR from 21 to 35 d. In the entire experiment, an interaction between phytase and probiotic was observed only in terms of decreasing the bird FI (P=0.005) without a negative effect on the FCR (P&gt;0.05). Furthermore, the AID of ether extract was improved by phytase supplementation. In terms of the cecal microecology, both separately administered factors promoted Lactobacillaceae in the ceca. Interactions between probiotic preparation and phytase were noted that indicated a decreased Clostridiales population and favored Ruminococcaceae proliferation. It can be concluded that for the first time in the available literature, the favorable interactions between B. licheniformis and phytase resulted in improved performance and cecal microbiota changes in broilers.

Production and Evaluation of Encapsulated Zinc Oxide on Performance, Ileal Digestibility and Zinc Transporter Gene Expression in Broiler Chicken.

The present study was undertaken for the production of encapsulated zinc and its evaluation in broiler chicken diet. The process of microencapsulation involved the use of polymers, gum arabic and maltodextrin with a maximum encapsulation of efficiency of 66%. Encapsulated material contained about 20% zinc oxide (ZnO) as core material following the freeze-drying process. One hundred and ninety-two-day-old broiler chicks were distributed in four groups in six replications having eight birds in each. The four groups comprised control (inorganic source of zinc), En-Zn-100 (encapsulated zinc at 100% of control), En-Zn-50 (encapsulated zinc at 50% of control), and Org-Zn-50 (Zn-methionine at 50% of control). The experiment was carried out for 35 days following standard management practices. The live weight gain, feed intake and FCR were comparable among groups. Plasma and muscle zinc (ppm) content was unaffected by the level or source of zinc supplementation. The zinc apparent ileal digestibility coefficient was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in En-Zn-50 fed groups, while crude protein digestibility was not affected by the level or form of Zn supplementation. Bone weight, length, and zinc content were comparable, and bone ash content was significantly different among the groups. Relative expression of ZnT2 was significantly upregulated in encapsulated zinc-fed groups. From the study, it could be concluded that supplementation of zinc either as encapsulated or organic form at 50% of inorganic source (ZnO) could be sufficient to maintain the growth performance, serum, tissue and bone mineral content in broiler chicken.

Effect of replacement of soybean oil by Hermetia illucens fat on performance, digestibility, cecal microbiome, liver transcriptome and liver and plasma lipidomes of broilers

BackgroundIn contrast to protein-rich insect meal, the feed potential of insect fat is generally less explored and knowledge about the suitability of insect fat as a fat source specifically in broiler diets is still limited. In view of this, the present study aimed to comprehensively investigate the effect of partial (50%) and complete replacement of soybean oil with insect fat from Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae in broiler diets on performance, fat digestibility, cecal microbiome, liver transcriptome and liver and plasma lipidomes. Thus, 100 male, 1-day-old Cobb 500 broilers were randomly assigned to three groups and fed three different diets with either 0 (group HI-0, n = 30), 2.5% (group HI-2.5, n = 35) or 5.0% (HI-5.0, n = 35) Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae fat for 35 d.ResultsBody weight gain, final body weight, feed intake, and feed:gain ratio during the whole period and apparent ileal digestibility coefficient for ether extract were not different between groups. Cecal microbial diversity did not differ between groups and taxonomic analysis revealed differences in the abundance of only four low-abundance bacterial taxa among groups; the abundances of phylum Actinobacteriota, class Coriobacteriia, order Coriobacteriales and family Eggerthellaceae were lower in group HI-5.0 compared to group HI-2.5 (P < 0.05). Concentrations of total and individual short-chain fatty acids in the cecal digesta were not different between the three groups. Liver transcriptomics revealed a total of 55 and 25 transcripts to be differentially expressed between groups HI-5.0 vs. HI-0 and groups HI-2.5 vs. HI-0, respectively (P < 0.05). The concentrations of most lipid classes, with the exception of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and lysophosphatidylcholine in the liver and cholesterylester and ceramide in plasma (P < 0.05), and of the sum of all lipid classes were not different between groups.ConclusionsPartial and complete replacement of soybean oil with HI larvae fat in broiler diets had no effect on growth performance and only modest, but no adverse effects on the cecal microbiome and the metabolic health of broilers. This suggests that HI larvae fat can be used as an alternative fat source in broiler diets, thereby, making broiler production more sustainable.

Determination and prediction of digestible energy, metabolizable energy, and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in barley for growing pig

Two experiments were performed to determine the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) and standardized ileal digestibility coefficients (SIDC) of amino acids (AA) in barley for pigs, and to develop prediction equations for the DE, ME and SIDC of AA based on its chemical composition. In Exp. 1, twenty-two castrated male pigs (29.5 ± 1.3 kg) were allotted to a replicated 11 × 3 incomplete Latin square design, including 11 diets and 3 consecutive periods. A corn-soybean meal basal diet and 10 test diets containing 400 g/kg of each barley at the expense of corn and soybean meal were prepared, and all diets had a constant ratio of corn to soybean meal. Each period includes 7 d of adaption and 5 d of total feces and urine collection. The DE and ME contents were measured by the total collection method. In Exp. 2, twenty-two ileal-cannulated pigs (30.5 ± 2.1 kg) were used in a duplicated 11 × 3 incomplete Latin square design with 11 diets and three 7-day periods. Titanium dioxide (3 g/kg) was added to all diets as indicator and ieal digesta were collected on d 6 and 7 of each period. Barley was the sole nitrogen source in 10 barley diets and a nitrogen-free diet was used for the endogenous nitrogen losses. The results showed great variations in ether extract (EE), calcium (Ca), ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and crude fiber (CF) among samples of barley. On an air-dry basis, the DE and ME in barley for pigs were 12.26 (11.29–13.58) MJ/kg and 11.87 (10.95–13.15) MJ/kg, respectively. The optimal prediction equations for DE and ME were: DE (MJ/kg) = −23.594 + 0.358 crude protein (CP) + 0.043 EE (R2 =0.95) and ME (MJ/kg) = 0.338 + DE - 0.014 ADF (R2 =0.99), respectively. The SIDC of lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), threonine (Thr), and tryptophan (Trp) in barley were 0.767 (0.731–0.809) g/kg, 0.825 (0.803–0.872) g/kg, 0.809 (0.793–0.822) g/kg, and 0.794 (0.760–0.858) g/kg, respectively. The best-fit prediction equations for SIDC of Lys, Met, Thr and Trp in barley fed to pigs were: SIDC Lys = 0.721 + 0.002 EE (R2 =0.79), SIDC Met = 1.045–0.00041 total starch (R2 =0.69), SIDC Thr = 0.739 + 0.001 ADF (R2 =0.69) and SIDC Trp = 1.468–0.006 CP - 0.001 neutral detergent fiber (R2 =0.99), respectively. The study confirms the large variations in chemical composition of different sources of barley, which contributes to the differences of DE, ME and SIDC of AA in barley fed to pigs and the fiber fraction can be used as key predictors.

True ileal digestibility of phosphorus from dicalcium phosphate in diets for broilers

The objective of this study was to determine the true ileal digestibility coefficient of phosphorus (TIDCP) of three dicalcium phosphates of different origins in diets for broilers using the regression method. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 × 2 + 1 factorial scheme with three dicalcium phosphates (DCP1, DCP2 and DCP3), two inclusion values (0.75 and 1.5 g/kg of P), and a basal diet. The seven diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal: one (basal) diet lacked dicalcium phosphate, and six diets contained a concentration gradient of the test ingredients. Each test ingredient had two inclusion values of 0.75 and 1.5 g/kg of P. Titanium dioxide was added to the experimental diets at 5 g/kg as an indigestible indicator. A total of 252 Cobb 500 male broilers, 19 days old (average weight ± SD, 806 ± 29 g) were housed in metabolic cages and assigned to the seven test diets. On the 22nd day of life, all birds were euthanized, and the ileal contents were collected. The apparent digestibility of the diets was influenced by dicalcium phosphate source (P < 0.05), with greater P digestibility birds that received diets with the inclusion of DCP2. P digestibility was unaffected (P > 0.05) by increasing dietary concentrations of P. The TIDCP of DCP1, DCP2 and DCP3 was determined, by the regression method, to be 0.3639, 0.4897 and 0.3553, respectively. The endogenous P losses estimated by the regression method for DCP1, DCP2, and DCP3 were 0.66, 0.27 and 0.76 g/kg DM, respectively. In despite of differences in diet digestibility, there were no differences between TIDCP values (P > 0.05), as determined by covariance analysis. The use of a medium value of P digestibility for different sources of dicalcium phosphates can lead to errors or the use of large safety margins in the formulation of broiler diet.

Regression-derived phosphorus digestibility responses of broiler chickens to heat treatment of soybean meal and poultry meal

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of autoclaving soybean meal (SBM) or poultry meal (PM) on their respective regression-derived phosphorus (P) ileal digestibility and utilization coefficients. On day 19 post hatching 384 or 320 Cobb 500 male broiler chickens were individually weighed and allotted into 6 or 5 treatments in Experiment 1 or 2, respectively. Both experiments consisted of 8 replicate cages with 8 birds per cage in a randomized complete block design. In the first study, 6 diets were formulated with either non-autoclaved or autoclaved soybean meal at 380, 480, or 580 g/kg in a 2 × 3 factorial. The second consisted of 5 diets including one corn-soybean meal and cornstarch based basal diet and 4 diets with 40 or 80 g/kg of non-autoclaved PM or autoclaved PM (APM). Chromic oxide was added as an indigestible index to determine the ileal digestibility and retention of nutrients. Birds received the experimental diets for 3 d and excreta collection was conducted during the last 2 d. At the end of the experiments all birds were euthanized by CO2 asphyxiation and ileal digesta samples were collected. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the GLM procedure. In both studies autoclaving decreased (P < 0.05) DM digestibility and retention. Increasing the inclusion level of test ingredients caused a linear increase (P < 0.05) in intake of digestible and utilizable P in both studies, and linear reductions in the digestibility and retention of DM and P in the soybean meal study. Inclusion of autoclaved SBM resulted in higher (P < 0.01) ileal digestibility of P and retention of P and Ca. The estimated ileal digestibility of P in SBM, autoclaved SBM, PM and APM were 45, 53.6, 61.2, and 61.2%, respectively, the corresponding retention were 40.6, 45, 51.7, and 59.2%, respectively. Comparison of the regression coefficients revealed that autoclaved SBM tended (P = 0.058) to have higher P digestibility than non-autoclaved while no effect was noted with PM.

Effects of broiler chicken age and dietary protease on the standardised ileal digestibility of amino acids in seeds from two lupin species

Abstract The extent to which lupin seeds can replace soybean meal in diets for broiler chickens is limited, and one of the reasons for this may be a lack of careful consideration given to the age-related amino acid availability differences in the feed formulation process. This study aimed to determine and compare standardised ileal digestibility (SID) coefficients of amino acids (AA) in raw seeds of the Lupinus luteus (YL) and the Lupinus angustifolius (NLL) cultivars as sole sources of AA in the diet of broiler chickens aged 14 or 28 days. An additional purpose was to check the influence of exogenous mono-component protease added to lupin-based assay diets on AA SID in birds at both ages. Each assay diet was offered to six replicatecages. On both sampling days, the contents from the lower half of the ileum were collected for determination of the apparent digestibility values. The SID coefficients were calculated using the age-appropriate basal ileal endogenous AA losses determined from birds fed a N-free diet. Results indicated a substantial advantage of YL over the NLL in SID of Met, Cys, His, Leu, Gly, Asp, Glu, Pro, Tyr and the average of total AA for 14-d-old chickens. With the exception of Cys and Tyr, there was no significant difference between these Lupinus species in the SID of AA in 28-d-old birds. The significant age-related differences within species were found only for the seeds of NLL, where the higher SID for Met, His, Ala, Pro, and the averages of total and indispensable AA were noted in birds aged 28 d. The protease increased SID of most AA from L. luteus in older broilers, whereas for L. angustifolius its efficacy was more pronounced in younger birds, giving the SID values similar to those determined at 28 d on an enzyme-unsupplemented diet. In conclusion, the SID coefficients of indispensable AA determined at 14 or 28 days of age for yellow lupin should not be applied to the precise formulation of starter-type feeds containing seeds of NLL.