Isonitrogenous Mixture Research Articles

Complete replacement of corn grain with crude glycerin for dairy cows

The biodiesel process generates crude glycerin as a coproduct, which is primarily glycerol, but also includes varying amounts of other materials that may impact the value of crude glycerin as a feed for livestock. The response of dairy cows to the complete substitution of finely-ground mature corn with crude glycerin in diets containing a high content of non-forage fiber sources was evaluated. The goal was to maximize milk yield per unit of cultivated corn and to have a high replacement rate of corn starch by glycerol in the diet. Eighteen Holsteins (185±58 days in lactation) were housed in sand-bedded tie stalls and individually fed. Cows received a sequence of two treatments in a crossover design with 28-day periods. Treatments were: 1) control diet containing 14.8% ground corn (Control, CTL), or 2) a diet with complete substitution of ground corn with an isonitrogenous mixture of crude glycerin and soybean meal (Glycerin, GLY) at 12.3 and 2.7% of the ration dry matter (DM), respectively. Diets had (% of DM) 33.8% forage, 19.4% citrus pulp, and 8.6% whole cottonseeds. Crude glycerin contained 6.3% moisture, 76.2% glycerol, and 8,800 ppm of methanol, on an as-fed basis. No effect on DM intake (DMI, 16.7 kg/d) was observed, whereas GLY decreased milk yield from 23.4 to 21.3 kg/d. The daily secretion of lactose was lower (0.94 vs 1.05 kg/d) and there was a trend for total solids (2.57 vs 2.79 kg/d) to be lower for GLY than CTL. Plasma glucose concentration was decreased for cows fed the GLY diet (51.6 vs 58.3 mg/dL). Glycerin increased butyrate in rumen fluid (19.9 vs 15.6% of total volatile fatty acids) and decreased acetate (58.7 vs 64.6% of total volatile fatty acids) and the acetate to propionate ratio (2.79 vs 3.30). Total tract apparent OM digestibility was increased with GLY (74.1 vs 70.8% of intake). The ratios of milk yield to DMI (1.40 vs 1.30 kg milk/kg DMI) and milk energy secretion to digestible OM intake (DOMI) (1.47 vs 1.30 Mcal/kg) were decreased in GLY. There was no difference between treatments on rumen microbial yield, estimated by the daily excretion of urinary allantoin, and urinary allantoin per unit of DOMI. Eating time per unit of DMI was reduced for cows fed GLY (12.6 vs 14.2 min/kg DMI) and rumination rate did not differ between treatments (18.2 min/kg DMI). Overall, the substitution of ground corn with a crude glycerin and soybean meal mixture increased OM digestibility and decreased rumen acetate to propionate ratio, plasma glucose concentration, milk yield, and efficiencies of feed and energy utilization.

The Replacement Value of Brewers Yeast Slurry-Maize Offal Mixture for Full fat Soybeans and Maize in the Diets of Pigs

Sixteen crossbred pigs (Large Whie x Landrace x Hamoshire) were used in two feeding trials to evaluate the replacement value of brewers yeast slurry-maize offal mixture (BYS-MO) for full fat soybean (FFSB) and maize in the diets of pigs, and in addition to determine carcass characteristics in experiment 2. In experiment 1 four isocaloric (3250 Kcal/kg) and isonitrogenous (18% crude protein maize - full - fat soybean based diets containing 0, 22.75, 40 and 59.15% of a 1.5: 1 (weight/weight) mixture of BYS_MO were fed ad libitum for 30 days. Parameters concluded included daily feed intake, daily weight gain, feed to gain ratio, protein efficiency ratio, cost per kg weight gain, linear and jointed carcass parameters and weights of internal organs. Due to the high protein content (44.3% of CP) of BYS, the BYS_MO mixture gave a product whose protein content of 34.3% was close to that of FFSB (36.4% CP). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) among treatments in all the parameters measured. However, the cost of feed was lower for the diets containing BYS-MO than the control diets in both experiments, thereby reducing the cost per kg weight gain from #129.20 to #96.20, #84.00 and #43.50 respectively for diets i, ii, iii and iv in experiment 1 and from #133.37 to #116.38, #109.77 and #108.06 respectively for diets i, ii, iii and iv in experiment 2. The 1.5:1 (weight/weight) brewers yeast slurry-maize offal mixtutre can replace up to 40 to 59% of maize and full fat soybeans in diets for weaner-grower pigs and finishing pigs withoutv any adverse effects on performance and carcass quality.

Effect of dietary nitrogen level and source on mRNA expression of urea transporters in the rumen epithelium of fattening bulls

ABSTRACTThis paper aims to study the effect of the dietary treatments on mRNA expression of urea transporter B (UT-B) and some aquaporins (AQP) in rumen epithelium of Italian Simmental young bulls. Eighty animals allocated to 16 pens were fed from about 500 to 650 kg body weight with four experimental diets, which resulted from the combination of two crude protein levels (125 and 110 g/kg dry matter, diets M and L, respectively) and two nitrogen sources (soybean meal (SBM) or SBM partly replaced by an isonitrogenous mixture of corn and urea; diets −U and +U, respectively). At slaughtering samples of blood and rumen epithelium were collected from six bulls for each diet. Blood samples were analysed for haematological parameters and quantitative PCR was carried out on the mRNA extracted from the rumen epithelium samples. The bulls fed diets M had lower plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase than those receiving diets L (78.9 vs. 88.3 U/l, p = 0.04). Plasma urea was higher (p = 0.03) for diets M and lower for diets +U (2.0 vs. 2.5 and 1.73 vs. 2.00 mmol/l, respectively, in M and L diets, p = 0.04). The effect of dietary treatments on rumen UT expression were limited to AQP3, which was down regulated (p = 0.01) in diets +U. Finally, a high positive correlation (R2 = 0.871) between the expressions of AQP7 and AQP10 was found. In conclusion, the AQP3 appears very responsive to dietary treatments and therefore it is a candidate to be further studied in rumen metabolism experiments. The close relationship between mRNA expression of AQP7 and AQP10 indicates a similar function of these two proteins.

Performance of Beef Replacement Heifers Supplemented with Dried Distillers Grains or a Mixture of Soybean Meal and Ground Sorghum Grain

The feed, labor, and equipment costs of developing heifers in a confined feeding system are relatively high. High Plains beef producers can reduce input costs by developing heifers on dormant native range; however, heifers are typically unable to consume sufficient crude protein (CP) from the low-quality ( 30% CP). Traditionally, producers have used oilseed meals in this capacity, but with the expansion of the ethanol industry, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDG) have become widely available as an alternative protein source for producers in corn and sorghum-producing regions. Adequate heifer body weight and body condition score at first breeding are essential to minimize age at first calving and to increase lifetime productivity. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation of DDG or an approximately isonitrogenous mixture of soybean meal and ground sorghum grain on growth and reproductive performance of replacement heifers grazing low-quality, dormant native range.

Substituição parcial de farelo de soja por ureia de liberação lenta em rebanhos leiteiros comerciais

Dois experimentos foram conduzidos para avaliar a substituição parcial de farelo de soja por ureia encapsulada (Optigen®II, Alltech do Brasil, Curitiba, PR, Brasil). Na dieta Controle, 1kg de farelo de soja foi substituído por mistura isonitrogenada que continha 160g de Optigen®II + 2,5kg de silagem de milho no Exp.1, ou 150g de Optigen®II + 850g de milho moído fino no Exp.2. No Exp.1, 61 vacas Holandês foram blocadas e alocadas a um tratamento por 21 dias, e as medidas da mesma variável no final da padronização utilizadas como covariável. No Exp.2, 97 vacas foram alocadas a uma sequência dos dois tratamentos por 21 dias, em delineamento de reversão simples. A resposta aos tratamentos foi avaliada do dia 17 ao 21. Em ambos os experimentos, não houve diferenças entre os tratamentos na composição em nutrientes da dieta oferecida e das sobras, nas sobras como % do oferecido, no peso vivo e no escore de condição corporal dos animais. A produção diária de leite foi 38,4 kg/d no Controle e 38,9 no Optigen®II (P=0,62) no Exp.1, e 27,0kg/d e 27,2 no Exp.2 (P=0,64), respectivamente. A ureia encapsulada reduziu a porcentagem de gordura no leite no Exp.2 (P=0,04). O Optigen®II aumentou o nitrogênio ureico no leite de 16,3 para 17,3mg/dL no Exp.1 (P<0,01) e as relações entre o leite produzido e o alimento consumido (P=0,08) e entre a alantoína e a creatinina urinárias (P=0,03) no Exp.2. A substituição parcial de farelo de soja por Optigen®II não induziu queda no desempenho.

Invasive Burn Wound Infection

Dear Editor, I read the article by Pattanshetti et al. [1] with great interest. The authors randomized 30 consecutive adult patients with burn injury (involving <60% of total body surface area) to receive tube feeds of either glutamine-enriched isonitrogenous diet or non-glutamine-enriched isonitrogenous diet. All patients were admitted to a single institution and received enteral feeds till the wounds healed “completely” or received a skin graft. The primary outcomes measured were incidence of “wound infection” detected by “wound culture” and incidence of “bacteremia” detected by “blood culture” [1]. The secondary outcomes measured were duration of hospital stay and mortality. The authors found statistically significant reduction in “wound infection” rates and duration of hospital stay but no statistically significant reduction in the incidence of “bacteremia” or mortality in patients receiving glutamine supplementation. The authors conclude that administration of glutamine in their patients prevented translocation of luminal gut bacteria and hence reduced incidence of burn wound infection [1]. I would like the authors and the editors of the Indian Journal of Surgery to clarify certain issues regarding the article. Firstly, the authors mention that “wound cultures” were performed weekly to diagnose “wound infection” in all patients [1]. Detection of bacteria on a wound surface swab can confirm bacterial colonization of the wound. It does not diagnose invasive wound infection. A wound biopsy is required to confirm bacterial invasion of sub-eschar viable tissue [2]. This invasive wound infection can lead to bacteremia and sepsis in a burn patient. Secondly, the authors mention that “most of the bacteria cultured from the wound were of gut origin. Thus, wound infection in patients with burns is not always due to contamination from hospital environment, it could be due to endogenous bacteria” [1]. It is a well known fact that translocated gut bacteria can cause bacteremia, sepsis and multi-organ failure in patients with extensive deep dermal and full thickness burns [3]. Translocated bacteria however, do not cause invasive burn wound infection. Fecal contamination of burn wounds can logically explain the authors’ findings. Thirdly, the authors state that “the depth of burn wound has not got any role in the initial management of patients with burns” [1]. The management of superficial and deep dermal burns are completely different. The issue of burn wound infection and mortality from sepsis are issues in the management of patients with deep dermal and full thickness burns [4]. These are non-issues in patients with epidermal or superficial dermal burns. Fourthly, the authors mention that “The glutamine supplementation or the isonitrogenous mixture was given until the end of the study” [1]. However, the authors do not mention how many patients tolerated their tube feeds and how many patients needed their tube feeds to be stopped due to ileus. It is important to know if the intended nutritional supplement actually reached the patient’s intestine. Fifthly, the authors do not mention their source of funding for conducting the study. Nor do they disclose any conflict of interest. However, finding images of commercially available glutamine packets (Glutammune, Claris Lifesciences Limited, Ahmedabad, India) in the article makes one wonder if a conflict of interest actually exists. Lastly, the results and discussion sections in this article have been amalgamated into one. I would like to appeal to the editor that a standard format for all published articles be maintained. In conclusion, I would like to add that the peer-reviewers of a submitted article should ask the authors pertinent questions before an article is deemed fit for publication. Accepting the drawbacks of a study does not show the author(s) in poor light. On the contrary, it improves the quality of published articles and provides a clear message to the reader. It is probably time that editors of our esteemed journal enforce the principles they espouse [5].

Enteral glutamine supplementation reducing infectious morbidity in burns patients: a randomised controlled trial

Enteral glutamine supplements have been shown to reduce infectious morbidity in trauma patients, but their effect on patients with burns is not completely studied. The objective of this study was to measure the impact of enteral glutamine supplementation on infectious morbidity and in turn, the hospital-stay in patients with burns. Thirty patients with burns were randomly divided into two groups with 15 patients in each, the study (glutamine supplemented) and control group. Patients were randomised to receive either isonitrogenous mixture without glutamine or isonitrogenous mixture with glutamine until complete healing of the burn wound occurred. Incidence of positive blood culture, wound culture, total leucocyte count, hospital-stay and mortality was recorded. The results showed that the incidence of positive blood culture was considerably reduced in the study group (0.20±0.41) vs. control (0.73±0.96; p = 0.065). The incidence of positive wound culture was significantly reduced in the study group (1.00 ± 1.25) vs. control (3.53 ± 2.47; p = 0.001). In addition, the wound healing was better and hospital-stay days were reduced in the study group (22.73 ± 9.13 days) vs. (39.73 ± 18.27 days; p = 0.003). These results indicate that enteral glutamine supplementation in adult burn patients could abate the degree of infectious morbidity and reduce hospital-stay.

Effects of ornithine α-ketoglutarate on protein metabolism in Yoshida sarcoma-bearing rats

Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) is recognized to improve nutritional status in various catabolic states, such as burn injury, trauma, and sepsis. However, in wasting diseases, such as induced by cancer, the data are scarce and the precise mechanisms by which OKG acts on protein metabolism are still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of OKG to affect protein metabolism in an aggressive model of cancer and to modulate the ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent pathway, which in skeletal muscle is the critical degradative pathway implicated in many catabolic states, including cancer-associated cachexia. Experiments were carried out in Yoshida sarcoma-bearing and healthy pair-fed rats. Three groups of 16 young male rats were studied during 9 days following tumor implantation: two groups of tumor-bearing rats fed a balanced regimen enriched with either OKG (5 g/kg body weight/day, OKG-K) or an isonitrogenous mixture of non-essential amino acids (C-K), and one group of healthy pair-fed rats (PF). As expected, Yoshida sarcoma induced muscle atrophy, decreased nitrogen balance, enhanced 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) excretion and increased mRNA levels for ubiquitin and 14-kDa ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2. OKG supplementation did not improve muscle mass or protein balance and did not reduce enhanced 3-MH excretion in Yoshida sarcoma-bearing rats. Furthermore, OKG did not suppress in the cancer rats the enhanced expression of ubiquitin and 14-kDa E2, despite OKG decreased by 23% the ubiquitination rate in cancer rats (OKG-K vs. C-K, P<0.05). These data suggest that OKG action is not universal; i.e. depending upon the model under study. In the circumstances, OKG did not counteract the increase in ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent proteolysis observed in Yoshida sarcoma-bearing rats.

Pretreatment of starved rats with ornithine α-ketoglutarate: effects on hepatic mRNA levels and plasma concentrations of three liver-secreted proteins

Objective Ornithine α-ketoglutarate (OKG) displays anabolic properties at the hepatic level, but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. This study investigated in vivo the ability of OKG to modulate hepatic gene expression of three liver-secreted proteins: albumin, transthyretin, and retinol binding protein. Methods One hundred eighty rats were fed for 5 d with a balanced regimen enriched with OKG (5 g · kg −1 · d −1) or an isonitrogenous mixture (alanine, glycine, and serine). Hepatic mRNA levels and plasma concentrations of the three proteins studied were determined at the end of the nutrition period and after 1, 2, and 3 d of food deprivation. Results were compared by analysis of variance and Bonferroni-Dunn tests. Results At the end of the nutrition period, hepatic mRNA levels and plasma concentrations of the three proteins were not modified by OKG supplementation. However, OKG largely increased mRNA levels of albumin, transthyretin, and retinol binding protein on the first day of starvation compared with control animals (+68%, +64% and +51%, respectively; P < 0.01 versus control). OKG precociously increased albuminemia (on day 2) but had no effect on plasma concentrations of transthyretin and retinol binding protein. Neither regulation of polyamine hepatic concentration nor alteration in hepatic amino acid content seemed to be implicated in these actions. Conclusion This study is the first to demonstrate that OKG regulates in vivo liver gene expression during acute malnutrition by modulating hepatic mRNA levels.

Does dietary ornithine α-ketoglutarate supplementation protect the liver against ischemia–reperfusion injury?

Nutritional supplementation with glutamine, arginine and their precursors has been proposed to contribute to the protection against ischemia-reperfusion-related injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate in an isolated perfused rat liver model the preventive effect of a 4-day oral ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) supplementation against warm ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury, and the involvement of nitric oxide synthesis. Rats were fed a controlled regimen supplemented with either OKG (5 g kg(-1); n=15) or an isonitrogenous mixture of non-essential amino acids (Control; n=6) for 4 days. Livers were subsequently prepared for isolated perfusion experiments, including a 45 min no-flow ischemic period. The OKG-treated group was divided into two groups according to the absence (OKG; n=8) or presence of a NO-synthase inhibitor, L-N(omega)-nitro-arginine methyl ester (OKG L-NAME; n=7) during liver perfusion. Liver cytolysis after ischemia was demonstrated by an elevated alanine aminotransferase release during the last 15 min of reperfusion that was significantly higher in the OKG-L-NAME group. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF(alpha)) production was transiently increased only in the control group just after ischemia. At the end of the reperfusion period, liver superoxide dismutase activity was significantly lower in the OKG-L-NAME group compared to control animals. Dietary OKG administration had only a limited effect in this model of mild hepatic I-R, leading mainly to reduced TNF(alpha) production. As the content of lipid peroxidation products was not modified, it seems that OKG acts on the inflammatory response rather than on oxidative reactions. This action can tentatively be attributed to the role of OKG as a glutamine precursor rather than to the synthesis of arginine and nitric oxide.

Supplementation of diets containing pea meal with exogenous enzymes: Effects on weight gain, feed conversion, nutrient digestibility and gross morphology of the gastrointestinal tract of growing broiler chicks

1. The potential for the nutritional improvement of pea-based diets by supplementation with a cocktail of exogenous carbohydrases was investigated using growing broiler chicks. 2. Pea meals (grown in the UK) were included in wheat-based diets at 300 g/kg as a partial replacement for an approximately isonitrogenous mixture of wheat and soybean meal. A wheat/soybean meal diet served as a control and each diet was supplemented with a cocktail of α-amylase, pectinase and cellulase. The diets were fed to 1-d-old broiler chicks for a period of 21 d. Weight gain and feed conversion were monitored weekly and excreta were collected during the final week in order to determine nutrient digestibility coefficients and metabolisable energy. On d 21, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract was excised and gross morphology measured. 3. Inclusion of pea meal reduced weight gain, feed conversion, nutrient digestibility and also increased the relative sizes of the distal sections of the GI tract. 4. Enzyme addition partially ameliorated the detrimental effects of pea meal inclusion although similar improvements were also noted for birds fed on the control diet. 5. It is concluded that the nutritive value of pea-meal-based diets can be improved by the addition of carbohydrases, and that some pea cultivars show considerable potential as vegetable protein sources for broiler chicks.

Glutamine administration during total parenteral nutrition protects liver adenosine nucleotides during and after subsequent hemorrhagic shock.

Glutamine supplementation of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in stressed patients has been advocated. To determine whether glutamine supplementation affects the host response to conditions of stress, animals were given TPN with or without glutamine for 7 days. They were then subjected to the acute stress of hemorrhagic shock, which results in marked loss of hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP), with accumulation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and the metabolites adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine. This loss of ATP and accumulation of metabolites contributes to subsequent tissue damage. The hypothesis of the study was that glutamine supplementation would significantly improve restoration of hepatic adenosine nucleotides before and after hemorrhagic shock. Sprague-Dawley rats were given TPN for 7 days. One half of the animals (n = 8) received TPN supplemented with glutamine, while one half received TPN with an isonitrogenous mixture of alanine and glycine. Animals were subjected to hemorrhagic shock for 30 minutes and then resuscitated using only heparinized shed blood. Liver biopsies were taken pre- and post-shock, and at 30 and 60 minutes after resuscitation. ATP, ADP, AMP, and their metabolites were measured using gradient high-performance liquid chromatography. After 7 days of TPN, baseline values of ATP, ADP, AMP, and metabolites were similar between the 2 groups before the initiation of shock. Glutamine-treated animals manifested a 40% decrease in ATP level immediately after shock and recovered to 90% of baseline within 60 minutes. By contrast, the control animals manifested a 66% decrease in ATP level after the shock period and recovered only to 60% of baseline at 1 hour postresuscitation. Similar changes were observed in ADP levels and were accompanied by corresponding changes in AMP and adenosine metabolites, all of which rose during shock and fell after resuscitation. Glutamine supplementation significantly protected the liver from tissue damage caused by hemorrhagic shock. ATP levels remained higher during shock and recovered more rapidly after resuscitation. Glutamine supplementation may help to protect cellular energy stores in the stressed organism and may offer opportunities for therapeutic intervention during and after stress.

Supplementation of diets containing pea meal with exogenous enzymes: effects on weight gain, feed conversion, nutrient digestibility and gross morphology of the gastrointestinal tract of growing broiler chicks

1. The potential for the nutritional improvement of pea-based diets by supplementation with a cocktail of exogenous carbohydrases was investigated using growing broiler chicks. 2. Pea meals (grown in the UK) were included in wheat-based diets at 300 g/kg as a partial replacement for an approximately isonitrogenous mixture of wheat and soybean meal. A wheat/soybean meal diet served as a control and each diet was supplemented with a cocktail of α-amylase, pectinase and cellulase. The diets were fed to 1-d-old broiler chicks for a period of 21 d. Weight gain and feed conversion were monitored weekly and excreta were collected during the final week in order to determine nutrient digestibility coefficients and metabolisable energy. On d 21, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract was excised and gross morphology measured. 3. Inclusion of pea meal reduced weight gain, feed conversion, nutrient digestibility and also increased the relative sizes of the distal sections of the GI tract. 4. Enzyme addition partially ameliorated the detrimental effects of pea meal inclusion although similar improvements were also noted for birds fed on the control diet. 5. It is concluded that the nutritive value of pea-meal-based diets can be improved by the addition of carbohydrases, and that some pea cultivars show considerable potential as vegetable protein sources for broiler chicks.

Acute Enteral Glutamine Infusion Enhances Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in Human Duodenal Mucosa

The heat shock protein, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), contributes to the protection of the intestine. Some experimental models suggest that induction of HO-1 by glutamine may contribute to the preservation of intestinal mucosa. The effect of an enteral infusion of glutamine for 6 h on HO-1 expression in duodenal mucosa was studied in healthy men and women and compared with an isonitrogenous mixture of amino acids. After enteral infusion, endoscopic duodenal biopsies were performed and either fixed in formalin for immunohistochemistry or frozen for HO-1 mRNA analysis by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Histologic examination revealed that HO-1 was constitutively expressed in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), and that glutamine increased the grade of HO-1 immunostaining (P </= 0.01). Glutamine also increased the percentage of HO-1 immunoreactive lamina propria cells (LPC, 10.5 vs. 7.5%, P </= 0.05). Glutamine significantly increased HO-1 mRNA expression compared with control amino acids: median (range) 156 (102-182) vs. 100 (68-179)%, P </= 0.05. The mRNA level for HO-1 was correlated with the percentage of immunoreactive LPC (r = 0.55, P = 0.017) and the grade of immunostaining in IEC (r = 0.51, P = 0.030). In conclusion, glutamine enhanced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression in human duodenal mucosa. These data support further evaluation of the effects of glutamine on intestinal HO-1 during states of intestinal inflammation.

Influence of dietary rumen-degradable protein supply on rumen characteristics and carbohydrate fermentation in beef cattle offered high-grain diets

Four crossbred Holstein–Friesian heifers (initial live weight 306±6.1 kg) fitted with rumen and duodenal cannulae were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments in a double 2×2 crossover design. Both diets were composed of (g/kg as fed) 250 barley straw and 750 concentrate. The concentrate consisted of (g/kg as fed) 655 corn and 225 barley (Diet C) and 225 corn and 655 barley (Diet B), respectively. During Period 1, two heifers were given Diet C and the other two heifers were given Diet B and all four heifers were infused intraruminally, during four sequential 16-day intervals, with four levels of effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP). ERDP was given as an iso-nitrogenous mixture of urea and casein at 0, 25, 50 or 75 g/kg of concentrate intake. Animals offered Diet B ate more DM, OM and NDF than those offered Diet C (97.6, 89.9 and 37.6 g/kg versus 94.4, 87.3 and 31.9 g/kg metabolic live weight ( W 0.75), respectively ( P<0.05). Starch digestion did not differ significantly between diets, but fibre was better digested in Diet C than in Diet B, i.e. 56.5% versus 47.5%, 51.3% versus 36.4% and 50.5% versus 40.2% for arabinose, xylose and cellulose–glucose digestibilities, respectively ( P<0.05). Mean rumen ammonia concentrations increased linearly from 29.1 mg/l when no ERDP was infused to 184.5 mg/l when ERDP was infused at the highest level. Ruminal pH was lower ( P<0.05) in animals offered Diet B than those offered Diet C (6.29 versus 6.46) and in ERDP-supplemented rather than unsupplemented diets (6.73 versus 6.28). However, pH never fell below 5.5. There were no differences in effective rumen degradability between Diets B and C, and increasing the ERDP supply promoted an increase in straw ( P<0.05) and corn ( P<0.1) DM disappearance from polyester bags. The diets without ERDP infusion were apparently deficient in degradable N because rumen microbial yield increased from 76.0 to 102.5 g N/d ( P<0.05) when ERDP infusion rate was increased from 0 to 25 g/kg of concentrate, irrespective of which type of grain concentrate was used. With further increases in ERDP, microbial yield maintained constant and there was no further effect on intake and digestion of DM, OM and fibre components. The rumen ammonia concentration promoting maximum microbial yield under the conditions of this experiment was approximately 81 mg/l.

The influence of replacing fish meal partially in the diet with soybean meal on growth and body composition of juvenile tin foil barb ( Barbodes altus)

Juvenile Barbodes altus (0.90±0.02 g body weight) were fed 42% crude protein diets in which dietary protein was supplied by brown fish meal (FM) (60% crude protein) or an isonitrogenous mixture of soybean (defatted, with hulls, 44% crude protein) and FM. Diet 1 was a control diet containing 73% FM (100% fish meal protein (FP)) as a protein source and without any soybean meal (SP). Diets 2–4 contained 27%, 37%, and 52% SBM with FM (ratios of FP to soybean meal protein (SBM) were 3:1, 2:1, and 1:1, respectively). Fish fed the diet containing FP/SP ratio of 1:1 had significantly ( P<0.05) lower weight gain and feed efficiency than fish fed with the other diets. There was no significant difference in body weights of fish fed with the other three diets. When compared to the control (Diet 1), fish fed with the other three diets did not show any significant difference in body protein content. However, body fat content was significantly higher in fish fed with the control diet than the fish fed with diets containing FP/SP ratios of 2:1 and 1:1. Whole-body ash content was significantly lower in fish fed with a diet containing fish-protein/soy-protein ratio of 1:1 than in those fed the other diets. The results of the present study indicate that SBM may be included in the diet up to 37% as a substitute for FM, replacing about 33% of FP.

1119 Glycyl-glutamine supplemention and high dose therapy

The amino acid, l-glutamine is the major energy substrate of the intestinal epithelium. Dietary supplementation reduces GI toxicity after RT and CT in animal models. The maximal insult to the gut occurs during high dose conditioning therapy and in this study glycyl-l-glutamine (GLG) supplementation is commenced one day before high dose therapy starts. <i>In vitro</i> testing showed minimal shifts in chemo or radiosensitivity with glutamine supplementation. This double blind randomised trial compares 50g/day GLG iv supplementation versus an isonitrogenous mixture of aminoacids. Serum glutamine concs were doubled from a mean of 398 at baseline to 812 <i>μ</i>molar at end of infusion.GLG (19)Placebo (12)Median days to 0.5 neutrophils1416Median days to 50 platelets1821Median hospital stay post graft19 (12–44)22 (14–48)Mucositis score (nurse)3.17.5 These results suggest a beneficial effect of GLG supplementation on gastrointestinal toxicity and haematological recovery with reduction in hospital stay and warrant further study.

Substitution of Soybean Protein for Fish Protein in Formulated Diets for Red Swamp Crawfish Procambarus clarkii1

AbstractA 10 week laboratory growth trial was conducted with red swamp crawfish Procambarus clarkii to determine the amount of soybean protein that could be substituted for fish protein in formulated crawfish diets without reducing growth. Crawfish received 32% crude protein, isocaloric diets in which protein was supplied by soybean (soy) meal, menhaden fish meal or an isonitrogenous mixture of soybean and fish meal calculated to provide graded levels of each protein source. Dietary protein was provided as: 1) 100% soy protein; 2) 75% soy protein: 25% fish protein; 3) 50% soy protein: 50% fish protein; 4) 25% soy protein: 75% fish protein; and 5) 100% fish protein. Crawfish fed soy protein: fish protein (SP:FP) mixtures or fish protein alone exhibited better (P &lt; 0.05) weight gain than crawfish fed a diet containing soy protein as the only protein source. Diets containing 25% soy protein: 75% fish protein (1:3 ratio) and 50% soy protein: 50% fish protein (1:1 ratio) produced greater (P &lt; 0.05) weight gains than a diet in which fish protein was the sole protein source. Survival, feed efficiency ratio, maturation rate, net protein and energy retention, and body composition of crawfish did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) among diets with SP:FP ratios of 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1. However, maximum (P &lt; 0.05) weight gain occurred in crawfish fed the 1:3 SP:FP ratio. Although crawfish fed SP:FP ratios of 1:1 and 3:1 had lower weight gains in the laboratory than crawfish fed a 1:3 SP:FP ratio, SP:FP ratios of 1:1 and 3:1 might be adequate for supplemental diets fed to pond‐reared crawfish that have access to natural sources of food.

Glutamine enhancement of structure and function in transplanted small intestine in the rat.

Total parenteral nutrition is required by all patients in need of small bowel transplantation. Untoward side effects of total parenteral nutrition include atrophy and hypofunction of the small intestine. Glutamine, the preferred fuel for the enterocyte, is presumably present in insufficient amounts in diets given to patients with intestinal dysfunction. In a rat model of total parenteral nutrition and small bowel transplantation, this study investigated the following: (1) whether glutamine improves graft structure and function, (2) the optimal route of glutamine delivery (intravenous vs direct infusion into the graft), and (3) the effect of glutamine on ultrastructure of the graft enterocyte. Lewis rats underwent small bowel transplantation as a Thiry-Vella graft and received total parenteral nutrition for 14 days while assigned to one of four infusion groups: 2% intravenous glutamine; 2% intravenous isonitrogenous mixture, nonessential amino acids (control); 2% glutamine into the graft; or 2% nonessential amino acids into the graft (control). Graft mucosal villous height, villous surface area, crypt depth, weight, protein, deoxyribonucleic acid content, glucose absorption, and enterocyte ultrastructure were then evaluated. Infusion of glutamine directly into the graft significantly increased mucosal villous height (p = .045), surface area (p = .029), and glucose absorption (p = .004) when compared with controls. Intravenous glutamine infusion significantly increased mucosal villous height (p = .002), surface area (p = .001), weight (p = .005), and glucose absorption (p = .04) when compared with controls. Most enterotrophic and functional benefits of glutamine were not significantly different between intravenous infusions and direct administration into the graft.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of dietary soybean and fish-protein ratios on growth and body composition of red drum ( Sciaenops ocellatus) fed isonitrogenous diets

An 8-week growth trial was conducted with red drum ( Sciaenops ocellatus) to determine the amount of soybean protein that could be substituted for fish protein in formulated diets without reducing growth. In the laboratory, juvenile red drum (7.4 ± 0.1 g) were fed 34%-crude-protein diets in which dietary protein was supplied by soybean (soy) meal, menhaden fish meal or an isonitrogenous mixture of soybean and fish meal calculated to provide graded levels of each protein source. Dietary protein was provided as: (1) 100% soy protein; (2) 100% soy protein with a methionine supplement (calculated to approximate the methionine content of menhaden fish meal); (3) 75% soy protein: 25% fish protein; (4) 50% soy protein: 50% fish protein, (5) 25% soy protein: 75% fish protein; and (6) 100% fish protein. Diets containing only soy protein or soy protein plus a methionine supplement were poorly consumed by red drum. Approximately half of the fish that received these diets died during the first 4 weeks of the growth trial and the remainder lost weight. The 100%-soy and 100%-soy + methionine diets were therefore considered unacceptable for practical use and both treatments were terminated after 4 weeks. Among the remaining treatment groups, red drum fed diets containing only fish protein (100 FP), or soy-protein: fish-protein (SP: FP) ratios of 1: 3 (25 SP: 75 FP) and 1: 1 (50 SP: 50 FP) had higher ( P < 0.01) growth rates than fish fed a 3: 1 (75 SP:25 FP) soy-protein: fish-protein ratio. Feed efficiency ratio was highest ( P < 0.01) in fish fed a 1: 1 mixture of soy and fish protein. However, feed consumption was lower ( P < 0.01) in red drum fed a 1: 1 soy-protein: fish-protein ratio than in those fed 3: 1 and 1: 3 SP: FP ratios, or 100% fish protein. Although consumption of the 1: 1 SP: FP diet was lower than that of the 1: 3 SP: FP and 100% fish-protein diets, weight gain of fish fed the 1: 1 SP: FP ratio did not differ ( P > 0.05) from that of fish fed the diets with higher levels of fish protein. This indicated a superior cost: benefit ratio for the 1:1 soy-protein: fish-protein mixture in a 34%-crudeprotein diet for fingerling red drum.