Individual Metabolic Cages Research Articles

Use of dry citrus pulp or soybean hulls as a replacement for corn grain in energy and nitrogen partitioning, methane emissions, and milk performance in lactating Murciano-Granadina goats

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of substitution of dietary corn grain by dry citrus pulp or soybean hulls on energy and nitrogen partitioning, substrate oxidation, methane emission, and milk performance in dairy goats during midlactation. Twelve multiparous Murciano-Granadina goats of similar body weight (41.7±2.8kg) were split in 3 groups in an incomplete crossover design. One group of 4 goats was fed a mixed ration with 605g/kg of dry matter of corn grain (CRG), another group replaced corn grain with dry citrus pulp (CTP), and the last with soybean hulls (SYH). The goats were allocated to individual metabolism cages. After 14 d of adaptation, feed intake, total fecal and urine output, and milk yield were recorded daily over a 5-d period. Then, gas exchange measurements were recorded by a mobile open-circuit indirect calorimetry system using a head box. Dry matter intake was similar for all 3 groups (1.53kg/d, on average). Total replacement of the concentrate with fibrous by-products increased fiber apparent digestibility. The metabolizable energy intake was significantly greater for diet CRG than SYH (1,193 vs. 1,079kJ/kg of BW0.75, respectively), CTP showed an intermediate value. The heat production was higher for the fiber diet than starchy diet (908 vs. 843kJ/kg of BW0.75 for SYH and CRG, respectively). The efficiency of use of metabolizable energy for milk production obtained by regression was 0.59. Goats fed CTP and SYH diets produced similar CH4 emissions (34.8g/d, on average), significantly higher compared with goats fed the CRG diet (24.7g/d). Goats of the 3 treatments were in negative energy balance, so the oxidation of fat was greater than for carbohydrates. No significant differences were observed for milk production (1.72kg/d), and milk fat was significantly greater for a more fibrous diet compared with a starchy diet (6.57 vs. 4.95% in SYH and CRG, respectively).

Performance of goats fed on low quality veld hay supplemented with fresh spiny cactus (Opuntia megacantha) mixed with browse legumes hay in Zimbabwe.

Nutrition is a major constraint in smallholder livestock production; hence, the use of alternative sources which are adaptive to long dry seasons is imperative. The study was conducted to establish options of improving nutrition and palatability and also to determine the performance of goats fed on cactus-browse hay as dry season supplements. Palatability and adequacy of nutrition was investigated using 32 castrated male goat kids. The kids were housed in individual metabolism cages for 84 days in a complete randomised design (CRD) with eight replicates for the four treatment diets. Daily experimental diet, basal diet and water intake were measured, and live mass was measured at weekly intervals. Daily diet intake was significantly different (P < 0.05) among treatments. Kids that were supplemented with cactus-Leucaena leucocephala meal (CLLM) consumed more than those on cactus-Acacia angustissima meal (CAAM), cactus-Gliricidia sepium meal (CGSM) and cactus-Pennisetum purpureum meal (CPPM) in that order. CGSM was not readily palatable as goat kids refused to take it when mixed with fresh cactus. Animals that were not supplemented with a source of nitrogen together with those that were supplemented with less palatable diet of CGSM lost weight significantly (P < 0.05) initially but gained weight slightly towards the end of the study. Significantly higher weight gains (P < 0.05) were observed in animals in CLLM and CAAM treatment. It was concluded that fresh cactus could be used to improve poor quality roughage intakes in goats, and therefore, there is need to promote its use in periods of feed deficit especially in smallholder sector.

Whole-body distribution of americium in rats for different pathways of intake

Purpose: To compare data on the whole-body distribution of americium-241 (241Am) in rats following intravenous injection (IV), inhalation, and wound (intramuscular injection, IM).Material and methods: Following exposure, each rat was placed in an individual metabolism cages for the duration of the study, 28 days (d). Urine and feces were collected daily. Tissues and organs were collected and measured.Results: Liver and skeleton were the main sites of deposition for all routes of exposure but the content differed substantially. By 28 d, 241Am content in liver was similar for IV and IM administrations (12 ± 4% and 14 ± 5%, respectively), which was 3-fold higher compared to inhalation. Americium-241 content in skeleton was 27% by the end of the IV study; which was 50% higher compared to the IM study and 6-fold higher compared to inhalation. The cumulative excretion in 28 d was 54% for IV (44% by feces and 10% by urine); 38% for IM (34% by feces and 4% by urine); and 84% for inhalation (83% by feces and 1% by urine).Conclusion: Unperturbed rat models for the three routes of administration are the baseline for evaluating the efficacy of chelating agents.

Transfer of blood urea nitrogen to cecal microbial nitrogen is increased by fructo-oligosaccharide feeding in guinea pigs.

The present study was conducted to determine the mechanism by which nitrogen (N) availability is improved by fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) in guinea pigs. Adult male guinea pigs were fed a commercial pellet diet (50 g/day) with either 5% glucose or 5% FOS for 7 days in individual metabolism cages. After 7 days of feeding the diet, (15) N-urea was administered intravenously 1 h before slaughter under anesthesia. The amount and concentration of total, protein, bacterial, ammonia and urea N and the (15) N atom % excess were measured in blood, liver, gut contents and urine. The (15) N atom % excess of total and protein N, and the amount of total, protein and bacteria N and (15) N in the cecum were significantly increased by the consumption of FOS. Furthermore, the concentration and amount of short-chain fatty acids were significantly increased by the consumption of FOS. In contrast, the amount of urinary (15) N was significantly decreased by the consumption of FOS. These results suggest that consumption of FOS increases transfer of blood urea N into the large intestine for bacterial N synthesis, which is subsequently re-absorbed by cecotrophy, and contributes to the increase of N utilization in guinea pigs.

Determination of physical characteristics, chemical composition and digestion coefficients of treated lemon pulp with Saccharomyces cerevisiae in goat diet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of processing of lemon pulp with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on physical properties, chemical composition, digestion coefficients and blood parameters. Eight adult male Raeini goats were used in a 28-day period. The experimental design was a completely randomised design with two treatments and four replicates. The first 21 days were for adaptation, and the last 7 days were for collecting samples. The animals were housed in individual metabolic cages equipped with a urine-faeces separator and were fed with diet containing alfalfa hay (60%) and lemon pulp (40%) at the maintenance level. Collected data were subjected to analysis of completely randomised design. With diet containing processed lemon pulp, functional specific gravity, bulk density, soluble dry matter, percentage of crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre and crude ash were significantly increased and water-holding capacity, insoluble dry matter, insoluble ash percentage of dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, non-fibrous carbohydrates and nitrogen-free extract were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Digestion coefficient of organic matter in dry matter and metabolisable energy were also decreased in treated lemon pulp (p < 0.05). Compared with untreated lemon pulp, digestibility of crude protein and NDF was higher (p < 0.05), but digestibility of crude fat was lower (p < 0.05). In general, processing of lemon pulp with S. cerevisiae improved the physical characteristics and increased the percentage of crude protein and the digestion coefficients of protein and NDF.

Use of faecal components as markers to estimate intake and digestibility of grazing sheep

This research was carried out to evaluate the use of faecal components as markers to estimate intake and digestibility of Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) of grazing sheep. The research had two phases. In Phase 1 seven indoor experiments were carried out using individual metabolic cages with 16 lambs in each experiment (four treatments with four animals each). Three phenological stages of the pasture (vegetative, pre-flowering and flowering) were evaluated and four different allowances of Italian Ryegrass, collected by grab sampling daily, of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5kg of dry matter/100kg of live weight and ad libitum. The indoor experimental design was completely randomized and the experiments were grouped according to the phenological stages. Organic matter intake (OMI, g/day), total daily production of faeces, faecal crude protein amount (fCP, g/day), faecal crude protein concentration (fCPc, g/kg of organic matter), faecal acid detergent fibre amount (fADF, g/day), faecal acid detergent concentration (fADFc, g/kg of organic matter) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) were assessed in the indoor experiment. In Phase 2, male sheep were used in two grazing experiments to graze Italian Ryegrass under different management conditions, which were herbage allowance, pasture phenological stage and rotational or continuous system. This phase was designed to validate the equations previously obtained. The stocking rate was controlled according the treatment defined, and the herbage mass, sward height, herbage and faecal chemical composition, OMI and OMD were measured. In Phase 1 significant linear regression equations were found between OMI and fCP in each phenological stage (P<0.05). The intake equations were compared by contrasts analysis and found to be different (P<0.001) between phenological stages, confirming the need to use the data separately by maturity stage. Two equations (simple and multiple hyperbolic) were tested for the relationship between OMD and fCPc, and the multiple hyperbolic, which includes fCPc and fADFc showed best accuracy. In Phase 2 the regression between the actual and estimated had a correlation coefficient of 0.94 and relative prediction error of 9.28%, showing the feasibility of using the generated equations.

Scheinbar umsetzbarer Energiegehalt des Glyzerins in der Legehennenfütterung und sein Einfluss auf die Legeleistung sowie auf die Qualität des Hühnereies

Summary The aim of the experiment was to determine the AME N value of feed grade glycerol for laying hens on the one hand and on the other hand to assess the effect of glycerol on egg production, egg weight, egg mass, egg yolk and egg-white ratio, nutrient content of egg (energy, protein and fat content), and fatty acid profile of yolk. The experiment was conducted with 48 Tetra SL laying hens, placed into individual metabolic cages. Birds were divided into four groups and they consumed a mash laying hen diet supplemented with 0 (control), 5.0, 7.5 or 10% glycerol.

Radioisótopo e modelagem matemática na avaliação da suplementação de fitase em dietas para suínos em crescimento

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de níveis crescentes de enzima fitase em dietas para suínos em fase de crescimento, por meio do uso de modelagem matemática. Foram utilizados dados de 20 leitões mestiços, machos castrados, pesando em média, 26,8kg. Os animais ficaram alojados em gaiolas metabólicas individuais para a coleta de fezes e urina, onde permaneceram por um período de 17 dias. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. A dieta experimental fornecida aos leitões foi à base de milho e farelo de soja, suplementada com cinco níveis crescentes de enzima fitase (0, 250, 500, 750 e 1000UF/kg), correspondendo a 0; 0,01; 0,02; 0,03 e 0,04%, respectivamente. As variáveis avaliadas foram: ingestão, excreção, fluxo e refluxo do P nos compartimentos (trato digestivo, corrente sanguínea, tecidos moles e ossos). A enzima fitase não interferiu no P consumido (P&gt;0,05 (F10), no P excretado na urina (F02), no fluxo e refluxo do P nos ossos (F32 e F23) e nos tecidos moles (F42 e F24), entretanto observou-se redução no P excretado nas fezes (F01) em 8,92%; 26,76%; 22,53% e 28,64% para os níveis 0, 250, 500, 750 e 1000UF/kg, respectivamente, e efeito linear positivo para o P endógeno (F12). Pode-se utilizar dietas à base de milho e farelo de soja com 50% de P por fosfato bicálcico, adicionando-se 250UF/kg de dieta para suínos em crescimento, o que reduz em 27% as excreções de P nas fezes.

Acidifying and yeast extract in diets for adults cats

This study evaluated the effects of adding an acidifying agent based on phosphoric acid (A), a yeast extract from a specific strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (Y) and the combination of these two additives in food for adult cats. A test was conducted with 24 animals (mean 3.5 years old), mixed breed, weighing 3.72 ± 0.74 kg, kept in individual metabolic cages and distributed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial design (with or without A 0.6% of dry matter, with or without Y 1.5% of dry matter) totalling four treatments and six replicates of each condition. The experimental period was 15 days. The A or the Y reduced (P< 0.01) the dry matter intake, but the effect was not observed when they were associated. The association improved (P<0.05) the digestibility of dry matter and ashes. The A reduced urine pH (P=0.05) regardless of the presence of the Y. There was no effect (P>0.09) on other parameters evaluated. Results of this study show that the isolated use of 0.6% A or 1.5% Y in diets for cats is not recommended. However, the association of these two additives was beneficial in increasing nutrient digestibility.

Kefir administration reduced progression of renal injury in STZ-diabetic rats by lowering oxidative stress

This study aimed at assessing the effects of Kefir, a probiotic fermented milk, on oxidative stress in diabetic animals. The induction of diabetes was achieved in adult male Wistar rats using streptozotocin (STZ). The animals were distributed into four groups as follows: control (CTL); control Kefir (CTLK); diabetic (DM) and diabetic Kefir (DMK). Starting on the 5th day of diabetes, Kefir was administered by daily gavage at a dose of 1.8mL/day for 8weeks. Before and after Kefir treatment, the rats were placed in individual metabolic cages to obtain blood and urine samples to evaluate urea, creatinine, proteinuria, nitric oxide (NO), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and C-reactive protein (CRP). After sacrificing the animals, the renal cortex was removed for histology, oxidative stress and NOS evaluation. When compared to CTL rats, DM rats showed increased levels of glycemia, plasmatic urea, proteinuria, renal NO, superoxide anion, TBARS, and plasmatic CRP; also demonstrated a reduction in urinary urea, creatinine, and NO. However, DMK rats showed a significant improvement in most of these parameters. Despite the lack of differences observed in the expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was significantly lower in the DMK group when compared to DM rats, as assessed by Western blot analysis. Moreover, the DMK group presented a significant reduction of glycogen accumulation within the renal tubules when compared to the DM group. These results indicate that Kefir treatment may contribute to better control of glycemia and oxidative stress, which is associated with the amelioration of renal function, suggesting its use as a non-pharmacological adjuvant to delay the progression of diabetic complications.

Evaluation of Beta-Carotene, Iron and other Micronutrient Status of Rats Fed Sun or Shade-Dried Fluted Pumpkin (Telfariaoccidentalis) Leaves and its Product, the Leaf Curd

The effects of differently processed leaves and the curd of fluted pumpkin (Telfariaoccidentalis)on beta carotene, iron, ascorbate, zinc, copper and calcium status of rats were evaluated. Fluted pumpkin leaf was divided into four (4) portions. One was shade-dried, another was sun-dried and the other was used to produce leaf curd. The last portion was not processed and served as the control. All the processed samples were milled to fine flour andeach of the pumpkin leaf flour was incorporated into rat chow for a 28-day study period. Twenty (20) male weanling rats were divided into four (4) groups of five (5) rats each. They were housed in individual metabolism cages and fed diets and water ad libitum. Blood samples were drawn before and after the experiment by ocular puncture and were used for biochemical analysis. Blood plasma was used to determine haemoglobin while serum was used to determine pro- vitamin A, ascorbate, ferritin, iron, copper, zinc and calcium. The liver was individually removed and analysed for liver ferritin, ascorbate and other micronutrients. The results showed that the rats fed rat chow supplemented with dried leaf curd had higher serum beta carotene, ascorbate, and ferritin than those of the other groups. The rats fed rat chow supplemented with shade dried-fluted pumpkin leaf had higher (p<0.05) haemoglobin level, liver beta-carotene and ascorbate than the other groups. The result showed that processing fluted pumpkin leaf into leaf curd improved serum beta-carotene, serum and liver ascorbate, serum ferritin and liver iron of rats more than other processing methods.

Effect of cutting interval of Taiwan grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and partial substitution with duckweed (Lemna sp. and Spirodela sp.) on intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation of Pelibuey lambs

The effects of Taiwan grass (TW) cutting interval and partial substitution with duckweed on dry matter intake (DMI), in vivo DM digestibility (DMD), and digestibility of organic matter (OMD), crude protein (CPD), neutral (NDFD) and acid detergent fiber (ADFD), as well as on nitrogen balance, ruminal pH, production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N), was evaluated. For each experimental period (P) of 30 (P1), 45 (P2), and 60 (P3) days of TW grass cutting interval, twelve Pelibuey lambs were randomly assigned to three groups of four lambs each in a completely random design. Average weights of lambs were 25.1±1.5, 27.6±1.9 and 28.6±1.8kg. Lambs were housed in individual metabolic cages, and assigned to three treatments (n=4): (T1) 100% TW, (T2) 80% TW+20% DW, and (T3) 70% TW+30% DW. Each experimental period lasted 16 days: 8 days for adaptation to the diet and 8 days for total feces collection and rumen liquor sampling; urine was collected the last two days. Data were analyzed with MIXED procedure and means compared with the Tukey test. Inclusion of DW decreased DMI (P<0.01), whereas DMD, OMD, CPD, and NDFD increased (P<0.05) as the age of the TW increased; besides, ADFD showed differences (P<0.05) among treatments only in P3. Nitrogen retention improved by DW (P<0.05) in the three periods, and pH was affected by periods (P>0.05) only in P3 (P<0.05). In the three periods, 20 and 30% DW increased NH3–N concentration and the acetate: propionate ratio (P<0.05), but the VFA proportion did not change.

The Effect of L-Carnitine on Oxidative Stress Responses of Experimental Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Rats

ABSTRACTThis study was conducted to investigate the prophylactic effects of carnitine against contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and its relation to oxidant/antioxidant status in kidney, liver, heart, spleen and lung tissues in a CIN rat model. Twenty-eight adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, the control, contrast media (CM), carnitine and contrast media+carnitine (CM+carnitine) groups. Animals were placed in individual metabolism cages, and on the 2nd day, rats were deprived of water for 24 hr. On the 3rd day, contrast media were administered to groups CM and CM+carnitine. L-carnitine was administered on days 2, 3 and 4. Histopathological changes were evaluated in the right kidney after euthanization. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in renal, liver, heart, spleen and lung tissues. The SOD activities in the renal (P<0.05), liver (P<0.001) and spleen (P<0.05) tissues were increased in the carnitine group. The CAT activities in the spleen tissue were decreased (P<0.01) only in the CM group. Renal (P<0.05), liver (P<0.001), spleen (P<0.001) and lung tissue (P<0.01) GSH levels were found to be higher in the carnitine group. In renal, liver and lung tissues, the MDA levels increased in the CM group (P<0.001). The histopathological findings showed that L-carnitine may have a preventative effect in alleviating the negative effects of CIN. Similar to this, L-carnitine may play a major role in the stability of the antioxidant status in the kidney, liver, spleen and lung of the CIN rat model.

Influence of Different Amounts and Sources of Selenium Supplementation on Performance, Some Blood Parameters, and Nutrient Digestibility in Lambs

Two trials were conducted in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of different sources of selenium (Se) on performance, blood metabolites, and nutrient digestibility in male lambs on a barley-based diet. The first trial lasted for 70 days and consisted of 30 lambs (35.6 ± 2.6 kg mean body weight, about 4-5 months of age) which were randomly allotted to five treatments including: (1) basal diet (containing 0.06 mg Se/kg DM; control) without supplementary Se, (2) basal diet + 0.20 mg/kg Se as sodium selenite (SeS 0.20), (3) basal diet + 0.40 mg/kg Se as sodium selenite (SeS 0.40), (4) basal diet + 0.20 mg/kg Se as selenium yeast (SeY 0.20), and (5) basal diet + 0.40 mg/kg Se as selenium yeast (SeY 0.40). For the second trial, four lambs from each group of experiment 1 were randomly allocated to individual metabolic cages for 14 days to measure the effects of dietary Se on nutrient digestibility. The results revealed that there were no significant differences for average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed/gain ratio, hematological parameters (packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell, and hemoglobin values), serum total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and creatine phosphokinase due to supplementation of different amounts and sources of Se in lambs. Dietary Se supplementation significantly improved (P < 0.001) glutathione peroxidase activity in blood. Furthermore, at the end of the trial, serum tri-iodothyronine (T3) amount also increased (P < 0.05), while serum thyroxine (T4) amount decreased (P < 0.05). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber increased (P < 0.05) by Se yeast supplementation. It may be concluded that supplementation of Se in lambs had no significant effect on performance and blood hematology, but increased blood glutathione peroxidase activity and serum T3 amount and decreased serum T4 amount as compared to non-supplemented control lambs. Furthermore, Se yeast improved nutrient digestibility in lambs.

High sulfur content in corn dried distillers grains with solubles protects against oxidized lipids by increasing sulfur-containing antioxidants in nursery pigs1

Some sources of corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) contain relatively high amounts of oxidized lipids produced from PUFA peroxidation during the production process. These oxidized lipids may impair metabolic oxidation status of pigs. The objective of this study was to understand the effects of feeding corn-soybean meal diets (CON) or diets containing 30% highly oxidized DDGS with 1 of 3 levels of supplemental vitamin E (dl-α-tocopheryl acetate), none, the 1998 NRC level (11 IU/kg), and 10x the 1998 NRC level (110 IU/kg), on oxidative status of nursery pigs. The DDGS source used in this study contained the greatest thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value, peroxide value, and total S content (5.2 ng/mg oil, 84.1 mEq/kg oil, and 0.95%, respectively) relative to 30 other DDGS sources sampled (mean values = 1.8 ng/mg oil, 11.5 mEq/kg oil, and 0.50%, respectively). Barrows (n = 54) were housed in pens and fed the experimental diets for 8 wk after weaning and transferred to individual metabolism cages for collection of feces, urine, blood, and liver samples. Total S content was greater in DDGS diets than in CON (0.39 vs. 0.19%). Dietary inclusion of 30% DDGS improved apparent total tract digestibility of S (86.8 vs. 84.6%; P < 0.001) and S retained (2.94 vs. 2.07 g/d; P < 0.01) compared with CON. Although pigs were fed highly oxidized DDGS in this study, serum TBARS were similar between DDGS and CON treatments. There was an interaction between DDGS and dietary vitamin E level for serum concentrations of α-tocopherol. Serum α-tocopherol concentrations were greater (P < 0.001) in pigs fed DDGS diets than those fed CON when dl-α-tocopheryl acetate was not provided or provided at the NRC level but were similar when dl-α-tocopheryl acetate was supplemented at the 10x NRC level. Pigs fed DDGS diets had greater serum concentrations of S-containing AA, particularly Met (P < 0.001) and taurine (P = 0.002), compared with those fed CON. Liver glutathione concentration was greater in pigs fed DDGS diets than CON (56.3 vs. 41.8 nmol/g). Dietary inclusion of DDGS (P < 0.001) and vitamin E (P = 0.03) increased enzyme activity of glutathione peroxidase. The elevated concentrations of S-containing antioxidants (Met, taurine, and glutathione) in vivo may protect pigs against oxidative stress when feeding highly oxidized DDGS. Therefore, the increased S content in DDGS may be beneficial, and increasing concentrations of vitamin E in diets may not be necessary to protect pigs against metabolic oxidative stress when feeding high S and highly peroxidized DDGS.

Chemical and physical predictors of the nutritive value of wheat in broiler diets.

The aim of this study was to establish relationships between chemical and physical parameters of wheat with performance and digestibilities of feed components in broiler chickens fed on wheat-based diets. Ninety-four wheat samples were selected for inclusion in four bird trials. Birds were housed in individual wire metabolism cages from 7 to 28 d and offered water and feed ad libitum. Dry matter intake (DMI), liveweight gain (LWG) and gain:feed were measured weekly. A balance collection was carried out from 14 to 21 d for determination of apparent metabolizable energy (AME), ME:gain, dry matter retention, oil and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility. At 28 d the birds were humanely killed, the contents of the jejunum removed for determination of in vivo viscosity and the contents of the ileum removed for determination of ileal dry matter, starch and protein digestibility. When wheat parameters were correlated with bird performance data, it was found that specific weight was not significantly (p>0.05) related to bird performance. Bird DMI, LWG and gain:feed were best correlated (p<0.05) with the rate of starch digestion, although the coefficients of correlation (r) were still low (0.246 to 0.523). A negative relationship (p<0.01) between AME and total (r = −0.432) and soluble (r = −0.304) non starch polysaccharide (NSP) was observed in this study. Thousand grain weight (TG) was positively correlated with DMI (r = 0.299), LWG (r = 0.343) and gain:feed (r = 0.371). When establishing multiple regression relationships, correlation coefficients greater than 0.8 were achieved for DMI, LWG, gain:feed and ileal crude protein digestibility. However, the economics involved in determining the parameters involved in the regressions make the process impractical.

Effect of fructo‐oligosaccharide on nitrogen utilization in guinea pigs

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) on the nitrogen (N) utilization and digestibilities of dietary nutrients through cecotrophy in guinea pigs. Adult male guinea pigs that were housed or not housed in wooden frames to prevent cecotrophy were fed a commercial pellet diet (50 g/day) with 3% and 5% glucose or FOS for 8 days in individual metabolism cages. In the guinea pigs allowed cecotrophy, addition of FOS to the diet had no significant effects on body weight gain or apparent digestibility of N, but showed significantly lower value for the urinary N excretion and acid-detergent fiber digestibility (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) and significantly higher value for N retention and the N retention rate (P < 0.05). In the guinea pigs prevented from cecotrophy, FOS had no effect on N retention, but showed tendencies toward a higher value for fecal N excretion and a lower value for urinary N excretion. These results suggest that FOS stimulates cecal microbial proliferation, thereby improving N utilization in guinea pigs.

Consumo e digestibilidade de dietas contendo níveis de farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu para ovinos

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients and the nitrogen balance of diets containing babassu-mesocarp meal (BMM) as a replacement for elephant-grass silage (0, 21, 38, 62 and 78%). Twenty sheep were used, housed in individual metabolic cages and distributed in a completely randomized design with four replications. Food intake was noted and faeces and urine excretions were collected and recorded. Intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ash, neutral-detergent fibre, acid-detergent fibre, hemicellulose, and total carbohydrate was not affected by the experimental diets. Changes were observed in the non-fibrous carbohydrates intake (INFC) and a reduction in the intake of ether extract as a % of live weight (LW) and grams per unit of metabolic body size (g MBS-1). Total digestible nutrient intake (ITDN) presented quadratic behaviour, with maximum points at 37.3% and 37.9% of BMM expressed as %LW and g MBS-1 respectively. The apparent digestibility of organic matter, neutral-detergent fibre, acid-detergent fibre, crude protein and non-fibrous carbohydrate decreased with the increase in BBM in the diet. The apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM), ether extract and non-fibrous carbohydrates showed a quadratic response, with maximum ADDM estimated at 10% of BMM. The TDN decreased by 0.28% for each percentage point of BMM added to the diet. The addition of BMM reduced digestibility of the fibres and increased both INFC and ITDN, indicating that this byproduct can be used as an energy source in ruminant diets.

Effects of phytase on growth and slaughter performance, digestibility and nitrogen and mineral balance in heavy pigs

The study aimed at evaluating the effects of phytase (Ronozyme® NP) to the diet of fattening pigs. In comparison with a control diet (C) which included 0.5% calcium salt (CaHPO4), two diets without CaHPO4 were tested: 150Phy and 300Phy, which contained 150 and 300 mg phytase/kg, respectively. Sixty barrows of about 47 kg body weight (BW) each were randomly divided into 3 groups of 20 animals each, every group split into 5 pens. Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were registered. The trial was divided into 2 phases: 0 to 68 days (47 to 100 kg BW) and 69 to116 days (100 to 140 kg BW). During phase II, 6 pigs/diet were housed in individual metabolic cages for the digestibility-balance trial. Addition of phytase resulted in higher ADG (723, 783 and 772 g/d for C, 150Phy and 300Phy, respectively) and improved FCR (2.84, 2.64 and 2.65) in phase I. No differences were registered in phase II, though a better FCR was overall observed. All slaughter parameters and the total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of nutrients – except for calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) –, were similar among treatments. Likewise, total nitrogen (N) excretion did not differ across treatments. Phosphorous (P) excreted for C, 150Phy and 300Phy was 47.1, 53.3 and 52.5% of the PI. Trace-minerals showed similar retentions among diets. Phytase effectively improved growth performance until 100 kg BW at both inclusion levels. Yet, it did not improve growth performance, digestibility, N and P balance in heavier animals.

Tropical tanniniferous legumes used as an option to mitigate sheep enteric methane emission

This study presents the first results from Brazil using SF(6) tracer technique adapted from cattle to evaluate the capability of condensed tannin (CT) present in three tropical legume forages, Leucaena leucocephala (LEU), Styzolobium aterrimum (STA), and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth (MIM) to reduce enteric CH(4) production in Santa Inês sheep. Twelve male lambs [27.88 ± 2.85kg body weight (BW)] were allocated in individual metabolic cages for 20-day adaptation followed by 6days for measuring dry matter intake (DMI) and CH(4) emission. All lambs received water, mineral supplement, and Cynodon dactylon v. coast-cross hay ad libitum. The treatments consisted of soybean meal (710g/kg) and ground corn (290g/kg) [control (CON)]; soybean meal (150g/kg), ground corn (30g/kg), and Leucaena hay (820g/kg) (LEU); soybean meal (160g/kg), ground corn (150g/kg), and Mucuna hay (690g/kg) (STA); and soybean meal (280g/kg), ground corn (190g/kg), and Mimosa hay (530g/kg) (MIM); all calculated to provide 40g/kg CT (except for CON). DMI (in grams of DMI per kilogram BW per day) was lower for LEU (22.0) than CON (29.3), STA (31.2), and MIM (31.6). The LEU group showed emission of 7.8g CH(4)/day, significantly lower than CON (10.5g CH(4)/day), STA (10.4g CH(4)/day), and MIM (11.3g CH(4)/day). However, when the CH(4) emission per DMI was considered, there were no significant differences among treatments (0.37, 0.36, 0.33, and 0.35g CH(4)/g DMI/kg BW/day, respectively, for CON, LEU, STA, and MIM). The sheep receiving STA had shown a tendency (p = 0.15) to reduce methane emission when compared to the CON group. Therefore, it is suggested that tropical tanniniferous legumes may have potential to reduce CH(4) emission in sheep, but more research is warranted to confirm these results.