Increased Digestibility Coefficients Research Articles

Digestibility of nutrients in bulls raised for meat, depending on the level of chromium in the diet

The article presents data on the digestibility of nutrients when various doses of chromium picolinate are included in the diet of bulls. The second group of animals receiving chromium picolinate at a dose of 1.739 mg/kg of dry matter feed was characterized by better consumption characteristics of crude protein, crude fiber and nitrogen-free extractive fractions, as well as increased digestibility coefficients, which was confirmed by stimulation of protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism processes. Mineral metabolism was characterized by an increase in magnesium by 12.5%, phosphorus by 26.4-34.8% with a slight change in calcium (0.7-1.7%). Thus, the dosage of chromium picolinate (1.739 mg/kg of dry matter) is optimal for the nutrients’ metabolism in bulls raised for meat.

Establishing the optimal adenosine 5′-monophosphate level for hybrid striped bass Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis: Effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and immune modulation during acute and chronic stress

Five separate feeding trials were conducted with juvenile hybrid striped bass to evaluate the effects of dietary adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) on growth performance, innate immunity, digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, and physiological responses after acute and chronic stress challenges. For all trials, a basal diet was formulated principally from soybean meal, soy protein concentrate, and fishmeal to contain 40% crude protein, 10% lipid, and 2.5 kcal estimated digestible energy g−1. The experimental diets were prepared for the dose-response trial by supplementing AMP to the basal diet at six graded levels (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.5 and 2.0% of dry weight) at the expense of cellulose. Based on weight gain and protein retention responses after 8 weeks of feeding, the minimum requirement was estimated in a two-slope broken line model to be 0.46% and 0.34% of dry diet, respectively. Therefore, a diet supplemented with 0.5% AMP was evaluated against the basal dietary treatment in the four follow-up trials. The subsequent digestibility trial (4-week) showed that dietary AMP at 0.5% significantly (P < 0.05) improved apparent digestibility coefficient for organic matter and energy. Nevertheless, after 8 weeks of feeding, there were no significant interaction effects on the digestive enzymes trypsin, lipase, amylase, alkaline and acid phosphatases due to diet (basal and 0.5% AMP), intestinal section (anterior and posterior), or sampling time (10 h after and 20 h post prandial). In the acute-stress challenge trial, fish fed the diet with 0.5% AMP for 6 weeks had significant (P < 0.05) enhancement of innate immunity as reflected in the activity of plasma anti-protease at 0.5 and 1 h post-stress challenge (air exposure). A subsequent chronic stress trial, in which fish were cultured in 15 ppt salinity for 4 weeks, showed that plasma lysozyme activity and anti-protease activity were significantly immunosuppressed in fish fed the basal diet compared to those fed the diet supplemented with AMP at 0.5%. In addition, blood glucose was significantly higher in fish fed the basal diet; whereas, no statistical significance was detected in weight gain, plasma cortisol, hematocrit, or osmolality between both dietary treatments. To conclude, this study demonstrated that an exogenous supply of AMP at 0.5% of diet enhanced growth response of juvenile hybrid striped bass, enhanced their protein retention and increased digestibility coefficients for organic matter and energy. Furthermore, dietary AMP at 0.5% of dry weight showed capabilities to modulate immune responses under stressful conditions through enhancement of innate immunity and resistance to stress-induced immunosuppression.

Application of iodine helated forms, cobalt and selenium when feeding young cattle

The article explores hematological and biochemical parameters of blood, dynamics of live weight gain of young cattle of black-and-white breed when being fed feeding of a fodder additive. The experiment was conducted under conditions of dairy complex Priamurye of Tambov district of Amur region in 2017-2018. The researchers arranged experimental groups of calves by means of similar pairs taking into account age, live weight and physiological condition. There were three groups of animals arranged, one control group and two experimental ones. Each group included 10 calves aged 12 months. The conditions of young cattle keeping were similar. The control group calves were fed with basic diet at the farm, the 1st experimental group received iodine, cobalt and selenium in mineral form, whereas the 2nd experimental group received the same elements in helated (organic) form. At the end of the experiment, the coefficients of digestibility of crude protein, crude fat, nitrogen-free extractives and crude fiber were determined on the basis of the data on the amount of nutrients consumed and isolated by animals with feces. When microelements in mineral and helated forms were included in the basic diet of young cattle, microelements in organic form had a positive effect on hematological and biochemical parameters of blood of calves of the 2nd experimental group. Application of elements in organic form in the diets of young cattle increased digestibility coefficients of nutrients. This contributed to live weight gain, average daily and absolute growth of animals in the 2nd experimental group.

Effect of extrusion processing of soybean meal on ileal amino acid digestibility and growth performance of broiler chicks

The present experiments were conducted to investigate the efficacy of extrusion of inadequately processed soybean meal (SBM) on amino acid (AA) digestibility and performance of broiler chicks. In Exp. 1, 180 day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly distributed between 6 pen replicates (15 chicks each) of 2 dietary treatments; diets based on SBM or extruded SBM (ESBM) as the main protein sources. Based on the results of Exp. 1 and AA digestibility assay, Exp. 2 was designed using 216 day-old Ross broiler chicks (6 replicates of 18 chicks each), in which dietary SBM content was replaced by 86% using ESBM. This replacement caused about a 9% decrease in dietary crude protein (CP) level. Results showed that coefficients of CP and AA digestibility were greater (P < 0.05) for ESBM than those of SBM. Extrusion processing of SBM increased digestibility coefficients of Lys, Thr, Cys, Leu, Phe, Tyr, Pro, Ser, and Gly. Except during the starter period, dietary inclusion of ESBM increased (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) in Exp. 1 and caused increases (P < 0.01) in average daily weight gains (ADWG) throughout the trial period. Also, using ESBM improved the (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratio (FCR) during starter and finisher periods. In Exp. 2, reducing dietary CP level using ESBM decreased both ADFI (P < 0.05) and ADWG (P < 0.01) in the starter period. During grower, finisher, and entire trial periods, however, ADFI and ADWG were not influenced by dietary treatments. Dietary inclusion of ESBM improved (P < 0.05) FCR value in the finisher period. Although carcass yield was not affected by dietary treatments, reducing dietary CP level resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in abdominal fat percentage. Moreover, a decrease in dietary CP level reduced (P = 0.08) breast yield. The present findings indicate that extrusion of SBM could improve its nutritive value for broiler chicks. Using ESBM, one can reduce dietary CP level by about 9% without any detrimental effect on performance parameters of broiler chicks.

Dietary mannan-oligosaccharides supplementation could affect performance, immunocompetence, serum lipid metabolites, intestinal bacterial populations, and ileal nutrient digestibility in aged laying hens

Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) have been identified as feed additives that potentially affect gastrointestinal status in different animal species. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of supplemental MOS on production performance, immunological responses, and ileal bacterial communities in aged laying hens. A total of one-hundred-fifty 68 weeks-aged laying hens (Hy-Line W-36) were randomly allotted to the 6 replicates (5 hens per each) of 5 experimental diets. Dietary treatments consisted of 5 different levels of MOS (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2g/kg of diet). After a 7-d of adaptation, the main experimental period was commenced for 70-d subdivided into two 35-d periods (69–74 and 74–79 weeks of age). Results showed that dietary supplementation of MOS at the levels of 1 and 1.5g/kg increased (P<0.05) egg production percentage during the whole experimental period. As a result, the greatest egg mass was allotted to these experimental groups throughout the trial period. Supplementation of MOS at the levels of 1–2g/kg reduced (P<0.01) serum concentrations of triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins, and increased (P<0.01) serum high-density lipoproteins compared to the control hens. Dietary supplementation of MOS increased (P<0.05) antibody production titers against Newcastle and infectious bronchitis disease viruses. Moreover, inclusion of MOS into the diets increased digestibility coefficients of crude protein (P<0.01) and dry matter (P<0.05). Ileal population of Salmonella was greater (P<0.01) in control birds compared with other experimental groups. Supplemental MOS at the level of 1g/kg decreased (P<0.05) ileal enumerations of Escherichia coli and total bacteria. The present findings indicate that dietary MOS supplementation, particularly at the levels of 1 and 1.5g/kg, could increase production performance and feed conversion efficiency in aged laying hens. These improvements could be mainly attributed to the increased ileal nutrient digestibility and reduced pathogenic intestinal bacteria as the result of dietary supplementation of MOS.

Effect of dietary supplementation of butyric acid glycerides on performance, immunological responses, ileal microflora, and nutrient digestibility in laying hens fed different basal diets

A total of 150 laying hens (55-wk-old) were used to investigate the effect of different levels of butyric acid glycerides (BAG) on performance, egg quality, ileal microbial populations, and nutrient digestibility in hens fed different basal diets. Dietary treatments consisted of 2 different basal diets (corn- or wheat-based diets) and 3 supplemental BAG levels (0, 2.5, and 5.0g/kg) in a 2×3 factorial arrangement with 5 replicate cages and 5 hens per cage. The study lasted for 77d, including 7d for adaptation and 70d as the main experimental period. In addition to performance variables, antibody responses to different antigens were assessed after the inoculation. Furthermore, ileal digesta was collected from 3 euthanized hens per replicate at the end of the study to determine microbial count and ileal nutrient digestibility. Results showed that dietary BAG supplementation (2.5 and 5.0g/kg) increased egg production and egg mass, but it had more impact in hens fed wheat-based diets (basal diet×BAG, P<0.05). Dietary supplementation of BAG increased both egg production and egg mass, but those response criteria were greater with 5.0g/kg compared with 2.5g/kg. The heavier egg weights were observed for the hens fed corn-based diets (P=0.001), however, feed intake was not influenced by dietary treatments. Supplemental BAG (2.5 and 5.0g/kg) improved feed conversion ratio and it was lower in hens fed 5.0g/kg than those fed 2.5g/kg of BAG, especially in those hens fed the wheat-based diets (basal diet×BAG, P=0.022). Yolk color index was greater (P<0.001) in eggs produced by hens fed on corn-based diets. In contrast to Newcastle antibody titer, dietary inclusion of BAG (2.5 and 5.0g/kg) increased (P=0.011) antibody response against sheep red blood cell during primary response. Serum concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol were lower (P<0.01) in hens fed wheat-based diets, and they increased (P<0.01) as supplemental BAG level was increased. Total bacterial count and Escherichia coli (E. coli) population were greater (P<0.05) when hens were fed wheat-based diets, and dietary BAG supplementation (2.5 and 5.0g/kg) reduced (P<0.05) total bacteria and ileal E. coli enumerations. Supplemental BAG (2.5 and 5.0g/kg) increased digestibility coefficients of ether extract (P=0.009) and also total ash, even though there was the interaction on total ash (P=0.045). The present findings indicate that BAG supplementation of diets could increase production performance of laying hens, probably because of the decreased intestinal E. coli count, and this effect was more obvious in wheat-based diets.

Usage of treated rice straw with exogenous anaerobic bacterial enzymes (ZAD) for Ossimi sheep

The objectives of this study were to verify the potential benefits of growing green barley on anaerobic enzyme (ZAD) treated rice straw. In addition, the work intended to investigate the effect of this treatment on digestibility parameters in Ossimi sheep. A complete random design was used to distribute twelve mature male of Ossimi sheep (45.0+0.5kg wt.) on the following treatments: Rice straw with grown barley (RSGB) without either ZAD or orange pulp (control, T1), RSGB plus ZAD (T2), RSGB plus orange pulp (T3) and RSGB+ZAD+orange pulp (T4). The obtained results could be summarized as follow:1.Significant decreases were observed in %CF from 38.09 for T1 to 32.01 and 30.02 for rations T4 and T2 respectively (P<0.05). Percentage values of NDF were 70.01, 72.10 and 76.01 for rations T4, T2 and T1 respectively (P<0.05); while %ADF values were 50.05, 52.10 and 58.10 for rations T4, T2 and T1 respectively (P<0.05) %ADL was 6.01 for T4 versus 8.01for T1. Significant increases in %CP content to 7.96, 7.10, 7.95 were observed for rations T4, T3, T2 respectively compared to the control ration which was 5.75 (P<0.05).2.Adding ZAD to RSGB significantly increased (P<0.05) %TDN to 55.02 and 59.02 for treatments T2 and T4 respectively and increased digestibility coefficients of CP to 72.43 and 77.70 respectively.3.Rams fed rations T2, T3 and T4 had significantly higher values of ruminal ammonia-N 3h post feeding values were 25.41, 25.03, 25.96mg/100ml respectively and total volatile fatty acids 3h. Post feeding values were 8.20, 8.13 and 8.26meq/100ml respectively.4.Adding either ZAD, orange pulp or both to RSGB significantly increased (p<.05) plasma total protein values were 6.43, 6.23, 5.82g/dl for treatments T4, T3, and T2 respectively, while treating rations with ZAD reflected low level of GPT 6h. Post feeding values were 20.64 and 20.61 for treatments T2 and T4 respectively versus T1 (20.90μ/l).It could be concluded that the anaerobic enzyme matrix (ZAD) improved the nutritive value of soilless green barley and improved their digestibility coefficients in Ossimi sheep.

Prebiotics Have Limited Effects on Nutrient Digestibility of a Diet Based on Fish Meal and Soybean Meal in Goldfish

AbstractThis study evaluated four prebiotics: GroBiotic‐A (a mixture of partially autolyzed brewers yeast, dairy ingredient components and dried fermentation products), mannanoligosaccharide (MOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), and the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) inulin on digestibility of diets based on fish meal and soybean meal by goldfish Carassius auratus. A basal diet was formulated with 50% of the protein provided by dehulled, solvent‐extracted, soybean meal and the other 50% by menhaden Brevoortia sp. fish meal. Each prebiotic was supplemented to the basal diet at 1% by weight. A diet containing all of its protein from menhaden fish meal also was prepared as a control diet. Chromic oxide was added to the diets at 1% by weight. Each diet was fed to adult goldfish in duplicate 110‐L aquaria for 8 weeks. The dried fecal material from each aquarium was pooled over time and analyzed for protein, lipid, organic matter, and chromium in order to compute coefficients of apparent digestibility. Genomic DNA of luminal gut microbiota also was isolated from the fecal samples of goldfish fed the various diets and was subjected to PCR using bacteria‐specific PCR primers. Then, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the resulting amplicons was conducted as a means of assessing diversity of microbiota in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Results revealed that none of the prebiotics affected apparent digestibility coefficients of the diet based on fish meal and soybean meal compared with the basal diet, although the diet supplemented with MOS consistently yielded the lowest values. In addition, goldfish digested the fish‐meal–soybean‐meal‐based diets as well as the control diet. No differences in microbiota of goldfish fed the various prebiotics were revealed by DGGE. These results are in contrast to those obtained with carnivorous fish species such as the red drum Sciaenops ocellatus in which the prebiotics increased digestibility coefficients of diets based on fish meal and soybean meal and altered GI tract microbiota.

The effects of supplementary bacterial phytase on dietary true metabolisable energy, nutrient digestibility and endogenous losses in precision fed turkeys

1. A total of 40 female BUT9 turkeys were used in a precision-feeding assay to investigate the effect of dietary phytase on true metabolisable energy corrected for N retention (TME N ), coefficients of true dry matter (TDMD), mineral, amino acid and nitrogen (TND) digestibilities and the excretion of endogenous mucin, measured as sialic acid (SA). 2. Five treatments were used in this study: control (C), C + 250 phytase units (FTU) per kg feed, C + 500 FTU, C + 2500 FTU, and glucose only for endogenous losses estimation. Diets were formulated to be nutritionally adequate with the exception that the P content was relatively low (3·6 g/kg non-phytate P). 3. Inclusion of phytase increased TND in a quadratic manner with the optimum being achieved at approximately 500 FTU, at which TND was 37 % greater than in the control. The concentration of SA in the excreta decreased linearly with increased phytase supplementation. Dietary TME N , TDMD and true mineral digestibility coefficients were not significantly affected by phytase supplementation. 4. Phytase inclusion increased digestibility coefficients for indispensable, dispensable and total amino acids in a linear manner. The scale of the response to phytase was greatest with threonine and least with lysine digestibility, suggesting a specific mechanism of action that benefits gut health. 5. The strong negative relationship between secretion of SA and threonine digestibility suggests that a large part of the threonine benefit may be from reduced mucin synthesis. This supports the hypothesis that dietary phytase may play a role in improving the health status of the intestine and, as a result, reduces the maintenance energy requirements of turkeys.

Performance of Broiler Chicks Fed Normal and Low Viscosity Rye or Barley with or without Enzyme Supplementation

This experiment was conducted to measure nutrient digestibility and performance in broiler chicks fed diets based on normal and low viscosity rye or barley fed with and without enzyme (pentosanase and β-glucanase) during a 17 day growth trial. A total of 150 one-day old, male broiler chicks (5 birds per pen and 5 pens per treatment) were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a 3×2 factorial design experiment (3 cereals×2 enzyme levels). Digestibility coefficients were determined using chromic oxide. Digestibility coefficients for dry matter and crude protein were significantly (p=0.0001) higher for the barley-based diets than for any of the rye-based diets. Digestibility coefficients for gross energy did not differ (p>0.05) due to cereal grain. There were no differences in the digestibility coefficients for dry matter and gross energy between chicks fed normal and low viscosity rye. However, the digestibility coefficient for crude protein was higher (p=0.01) for the low viscosity rye compared with the normal viscosity rye. Addition of enzyme to the diet significantly (p=0.0001) increased digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein and energy. There were no significant differences in weight gain, feed intake or feed conversion between birds fed barley or rye or between birds fed normal or low viscosity rye. Enzyme supplementation significantly improved (p=0.0001) weight gain, intake and feed conversion. The overall results of this experiment indicate that unsupplemented barley and rye do not support adequate growth rates in poultry. Enzyme supplementation dramatically improved broiler performance. In addition, genetic selection to reduce the viscosity of rye had only a modest effect on the nutritive value of rye for broilers. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 2 : 234-238)

Effect of Limestone Buffers on Digestibility of Complete Diets and on Performance by Dairy Cows

In feeding and digestion trials with lactating dairy cows fed complete mixed diets ad libitum without or with limestone buffer, the complete dry matter ratio was 50:50 corn silage to concentrate. During the 44-wk feeding trial, lactating cows fed a complete diet containing 2.71% limestone had similar intakes of dry feed but produced 7.3% more milk than cows fed a complete diet containing .14% limestone. In digestion trials at maintenance intakes of feed, digestibilities of dry matter, energy, starch, cell wall, and crude protein were higher than when intakes of feed ranged from 2.8 to 3.4 multiples of maintenance during lactation. Addition of 2.71% limestone to the diet at the higher intakes of feed during lactation increased digestibility coefficients for dry matter from 66.1 to 69.5%, energy from 65.4 to 68.3%, starch from 85.9 to 94.6%, cell wall from 51.3 to 55.1%, and crude protein from 65.7 to 67.8%. Limestone as a buffer for this diet of high energy improved both production and diet efficiency possibly by maintaining an environment in gastrointestinal tract more desirable for utilization of both starch and cell wall at intakes of feed above maintenance.

Increased Utilization of Bluestem Hay with the Addition of Water or Certain Protein Sources

A two phase experiment was conducted with 28 lambs to test ways of increasing the intake and nutritive value of a low protein mixed grass forage (Primarily Andropogon spp). During phase one lambs were fed hay ad libitum for 30 days. Treatments were control and two levels of water sprayed over the hay prior to each feeding. Added water resulted in a significant increase in digestibility of fibrous components and in digestible and metabolizable energy per gram of dry matter (DM). Voluntary water intake decreased with increasing amounts of water sprayed over the hay. In phase two, four different milo-based protein supplements were fed with the hay Rations containing dehydrated alfalfa meal and corn gluten meal had increased digestibility coefficients and total digestible nutrients (TDN) compared with rations containing soybean meal or brewer's dried grains. No differences in intake parameters were noted among the four treatments. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily potassium gain were significantly affected by the source of supplemental protein. Carcass grades and specific gravity of lambs supplemented with brewer's dried grains or dehydrated alfalfa were higher than in the other two groups. The data indicate that rations containing 60% grass hay can, when properly supplemented, support excellent performance in lambs.