Lower Feed Conversion Efficiency Research Articles

Digestive Morphology of Native Pig Supplemented by Different Levels of Fermented Vigna radiata L.

Enhancing feed efficiency in converting feed mass into pig body mass is a critical phase for the profit in producing pig. To improve the metabolic utilization of dietary nutrients, it relies heavily on a healthy gut or gastrointestinal tract, and only a healthy digestive can result in better feed digestion and better nutrient absorption. Thus, the study investigates the growth performance, the response of the digestive morphology of native pigs, which treatment will stretch higher output and variations under different levels of fermented mungbean. The experimental research design was employed to determine the response of the three (3) pigs treated with mungbean for 70 days. The growth performance of pigs treated with different levels of fermented mungbean has a total gain weight of 7.50kg for Treatment 1; Treatment 2 is 9.00kg and, Treatment 3 is 6.50kg and is observed no significant difference on the final weight and the total weight with a p-value of > 0. 050; the response on digestive morphology such as small intestine, large intestine, heart, stomach, liver, lungs, esophagus, spleen, and kidney of pigs shows no variations on their length, width, and weight with a p-value of >0.050 under the different level of fermented mungbean; and resulted with high output treated with different level of fermented mungbean is observed on Treatment 2 with a lowest feed conversion efficiency of 3.89 for feeds and 1.39 for mungbean. Treatment 2 has the highest gain weight among the treated sample; the intestinal morphology of pigs was comparable under the three treatments; treatment 2 has the lowest feed conversion efficiency.

PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION BY SHEEP FED FICUS LEAVES

Growth and metabolic studies were conducted with 32 sheep (16 rams and 16 ewes) to evaluate Ficus leaves (Ficus thonningia) as substitute for Hyparrhenia rufa (Hyparrhenia) in the diets of sheep. Ficus replaced 0, 25, 50 and 75% of grass and was offered at 3% of animal body weight as DM. all the sheep received concentrate at 1% of body weight as supplement. Digestibilities of DM, NDF, ADF and N were similar (P > 0.05)lower. Nitrogen retention was positive and the values increased with dietary level of Ficus up to 50% and then declined. Differences were not however, significant. Intake of ficus was significant (P < 0.001) and positively related to both total feed intake of (r=0.99) and daily liveweight gains (r=0.55). Average daily liveweight gains (LWG) was 28.75, 33.75, 47.50 and 36.25 g/day for sheep on 25, 50 and 75% dietary level of FIcus. Feed efficiency was 11.35, 21.67, 31.84 and 27.87 (g feed DM/g LWG) for sheep on dietary levels of ficus. The results showed that sheep on diet containing 50% Ficus gained 47.50g/day which represented an increase of about 65.22% higher than value obtained for those on the control diet (0% Ficus) but at lower feed conversion efficiency

Inferring Relationship of Blood Metabolic Changes and Average Daily Gain With Feed Conversion Efficiency in Murrah Heifers: Machine Learning Approach.

Machine learning algorithms were employed for predicting the feed conversion efficiency (FCE), using the blood parameters and average daily gain (ADG) as predictor variables in buffalo heifers. It was observed that isotonic regression outperformed other machine learning algorithms used in study. Further, we also achieved the best performance evaluation metrics model with additive regression as the meta learner and isotonic regression as the base learner on 10-fold cross-validation and leaving-one-out cross-validation tests. Further, we created three separate partial least square regression (PLSR) models using all 14 parameters of blood and ADG as independent (explanatory) variables and FCE as the dependent variable, to understand the interactions of blood parameters, ADG with FCE each by inclusion of all FCE values (i), only higher FCE values (negative RFI) (ii), and inclusion of only lower FCE (positive RFI) values (iii). The PLSR model including only the higher FCE values was concluded the best, based on performance evaluation metrics as compared to PLSR models developed by inclusion of the lower FCE values and all types of FCE values. IGF1 and its interactions with the other blood parameters were found highly influential for higher FCE measures. The strength of the estimated interaction effects of the blood parameter in relation to FCE may facilitate understanding of intricate dynamics of blood parameters for growth.

High anti-Ascaris seroprevalence in fattening pigs in Sichuan, China, calls for improved management strategies

BackgroundAscariasis, caused by Ascaris suum, is an important soil-transmitted parasitic disease of pigs worldwide. It leads to significant economic losses in the pork industry, as a consequence of low feed conversion efficiency in pigs and liver condemnation at slaughter. Despite ascariasis still being widespread on pig farms in many developing and the industrialised countries, there are surprisingly limited data on porcine ascariasis in China, where nearly half of the world’s total pork is produced.MethodsIn the present study, using the recently developed A. suum-haemoglobin (As-Hb) antigen-based serological test, we screened 512 individual serum samples from fattening pigs from 13 farms across seven distinct locations of Sichuan Province in China for anti-Ascaris antibody.ResultsThe prevalence of anti-Ascaris antibody ranged from 0% to 100% on the distinct farms, with the mean (overall) seroprevalence being > 60%. There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between the intensive and extensive farms.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to measure anti-Ascaris seroprevalence in China. The results of this ‘snapshot’ investigation indicate that Ascaris infection in commercial pig farms in Sichuan Province is seriously underestimated, encouraging future, large-scale serological studies to assess the distribution and extent of Ascaris exposure and infection in various regions of China and the world.

Brain and intestine transcriptome analyses and identification of genes involved in feed conversion efficiency of Yellow River carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus)

Feed cost is one of the largest variable input costs in aquaculture. In general, dietary energy is directed toward protein deposition and muscle growth. However, most of the dietary energy will be used to support body maintenance if feed conversion efficiency (FCE) is relatively low. Thus, improving feed efficiency will make great contributions to the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of fish farming industry. In the present study, we performed comparative transcriptome analyses of brain and intestine tissues from extreme FCE groups and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and regulatory pathways that may be involved in FCE and related traits in one of the important common carp strains of China, the Yellow River carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus). Totally, 557 and 341 DEGs between high and low FCE groups were found in brain and intestine tissues, respectively, including 66 up- and 491 down-regulated in brain of high FCE group and 282 up- and 59 down-regulated in intestine of high FCE group (p < 0.01, FDR < 0.05). These DEGs are mainly involved in metabolic pathway, organismal system and genetic information processing pathway. Finally, 20 key DEGs potentially involved in FCE of Yellow River carp were identified from these two tissues. Expression patterns (up or down regulation in the high or low FCE group) of these DEGs have been successfully validated by quantitative real-time PCR of 10 unigenes. This study provides insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying feed efficiency in Yellow River carp and supplies valuable FCE-related candidate gene resources for potential molecular breeding studies.

Exploration of Biological Markers of Feed Efficiency in Young Bulls.

The efficiency with which ruminants convert feed to desirable products is difficult to measure under normal commercial settings. We explored the use of potential biological markers from easily obtainable samples, that is, blood, hair, and feces, to characterize potential causes of divergent efficiency when considered as residual feed intake (RFI) or feed conversion efficiency (FCE). A total of 54 Charolais bulls, 20 in period 1 and 34 in period 2, were examined for individual dry matter intake (DMI) and growth. Bulls were offered a diet of 70:30 wrapped grass silage to concentrate for 99 d. At the conclusion of the test period, blood samples were collected for the determination of vitamins B2 and B6, and plasma used for the determination of metabolites, natural isotopic 15N abundance (15N NIA, expressed as δ15N ‰) and fractionation (Δ15Nplasmaproteins-diet and Δ13Cplasmaproteins-diet) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Feces were analyzed by NIRS. Bulls were slaughtered at 15-17 months of age and carcass characteristics determined. Bulls were ranked according to RFI with extremes (SD ± 0.5; n = 31) classified as either efficient (Neg-RFI) or inefficient (Pos-RFI). Extreme bulls were then classified for FCE (high vs low FCE), changing the groups. Pos-RFI bulls consumed 14% more feed than Neg-RFI bulls for the same level of weight gain. Low FCE bulls tended to eat more, but had lower weight gains than high FCE bulls. No differences were detected in carcass conformation, fat scores, hot carcass weight, or dressing percentage. Yet, heart and bladder weights were heavier in Pos-RFI, and rumen weight tended to be heavier in Pos-RFI bulls. RFI did not affect bulk 15N or 13C fractionation. A negative correlation was observed between FCE and Δ15Nplasmaproteins-diet. Inefficient bulls (Pos-RFI) had higher δ15N in glycine compared to Neg-RFI bulls. Similarly, metabolomic analysis showed a tendency for concentrations of glycine and sarcosine to be elevated in Pos-RFI bulls, whereas aspartic acid and carnosine tended to be elevated, and serine tended to be lower in High FCE. Among vitamins, only flavin adenine dinucleotide concentration was higher in the blood of bulls with High FCE. These results suggest that the two feed efficiency metrics differ in the underlying mechanisms of metabolism, where RFI is driven by differences in the energetic requirements of visceral organs and the extent of AA catabolism.

Effect of graded levels of dietary seaweed (Ulva sp.) on growth, hematological and serum biochemical parameters in dusky kob, Argyrosomus japonicus, sciaenidae

This study was designed to assess the effect of incorporating graded levels of green macroalgae seaweed (Ulva sp.) into diets of juvenile dusky kob (Argyrosomus japonicus) on growth performance, hematology and serum biochemistry. Five experimental diets were formulated to contain 0 (Ulva0), 50 (Ulva50), 100 (Ulva100), 150 (Ulva150) and 200 (Ulva200) g seaweed meal/kg commercial kob feed on a dry matter basis. Seventy-seven dusky kob fingerlings (mean body mass 9.14 ± 0.30 g) were distributed into each of 20 experimental tanks and offered diets at 2.8% body mass. Weight and length of fish were measured weekly for 9 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, fish fed Ulva50 had higher body mass (38.20 ± 1.38 g) compared to those fed the other three Ulva-based diets. Fish offered Ulva200 had significantly (P < .05) lower body mass (13.10 ± 0.53 g) compared to the rest of the groups. The control group achieved specific growth rate (SGR) of 2 g day−1, followed by Ulva50 group at 1.55 g day−1, while the Ulva200 group attained the lowest SGR of 0.54 g day−1. The highest (P < .05) feed conversion efficiency (FCE) (0.14) was recorded for the control group while the Ulva150 group had the lowest FCE (0.08). Lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, basophil, thrombocyte and neutrophil counts were not influenced (P > .05) by dietary treatments. However, the levels of both blood cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase tended to decrease as dietary Ulva inclusion levels increased. These results indicate that Ulva could be incorporated at the rate of 50 g kg−1 in future commercial dusky kob diets without any negative effects on feed utilizationa and growth performance. Hematology and serum biochemistry results indicate that dietary inclusion of Ulva had no adverse effects on physiological status of the fish.

Biological evaluation of dried Azolla in combination with carbohydrases in broiler bird

The study was conducted to evaluate the feeding of dried Azolla (Azolla pinnata) alone and in combination with exogenous feed enzymes in commercial broiler under complete randomized design. For this purpose, day old broiler chicks (n=88) were divided into 4 main groups T0 T1, T2 and T3 with two replicates of 11 chicks each. Group T0 and T2 were given ration containing 0 and 5 per cent dried Azolla, respectively but not feed enzyme viz. phytase and carbohydrase whereas, group T1 and T3 had 0 and 5 per cent dried Azolla, respectively and fed feed enzymes. Overall growth performance in the group fed dried Azolla (T2 and T3) was found to be similar to taht of control groups (T0, T1). Feed intake per unit gain in live weight was found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher in the dried Azolla fed groups thus exhibiting low feed conversion efficiency. There was higher availability of the minerals calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in dried Azolla fed groups T2 and T3 compared to control groups T0 and T1 as exhibited by higher retention of minerals Ca and P in the storage organ viz. tibial bone. It is thus concluded that dried Azolla can be safely incorporated at 5 percent level in poultry broiler feed.

New encounters in Arctic waters: a comparison of metabolism and performance of polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) under ocean acidification and warming

Oceans are experiencing increasing acidification in parallel to a distinct warming trend in consequence of ongoing climate change. Rising seawater temperatures are mediating a northward shift in distribution of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), into the habitat of polar cod (Boreogadus saida), that is associated with retreating cold water masses. This study investigates the competitive strength of the co-occurring gadoids under ocean acidification and warming (OAW) scenarios. Therefore, we incubated specimens of both species in individual tanks for 4 months, under different control and projected temperatures (polar cod: 0, 3, 6, 8 °C, Atlantic cod: 3, 8, 12, 16 °C) and PCO2 conditions (390 and 1170 µatm) and monitored growth, feed consumption and standard metabolic rate. Our results revealed distinct temperature effects on both species. While hypercapnia by itself had no effect, combined drivers caused nonsignificant trends. The feed conversion efficiency of normocapnic polar cod was highest at 0 °C, while optimum growth performance was attained at 6 °C; the long-term upper thermal tolerance limit was reached at 8 °C. OAW caused only slight impairments in growth performance. Under normocapnic conditions, Atlantic cod consumed progressively increasing amounts of feed than individuals under hypercapnia despite maintaining similar growth rates during warming. The low feed conversion efficiency at 3 °C may relate to the lower thermal limit of Atlantic cod. In conclusion, Atlantic cod displayed increased performance in the warming Arctic such that the competitive strength of polar cod is expected to decrease under future OAW conditions.

An assessment of immune and stress responsiveness in Holstein-Friesian cows selected for high and low feed conversion efficiency

The objective of this study was to assess the immune and stress responsiveness of cows identified as extremely high and low feed conversion efficiency phenotypes. The study utilised 16 Holstein-Friesian cows in their third to fourth lactation, and identified as having either extremely high (n = 8) or extremely low (n = 8) feed conversion efficiency. A commercial vaccine was used to induce measurable antibody- and cell-mediated adaptive immune responses and assess general immune responsiveness. Stress responsiveness was assessed by measuring changes in plasma cortisol concentrations in response to yarding and handling. No significant differences in antibody- or cell-mediated immune responsiveness were observed between the extreme high and low feed conversion efficiency phenotypes (P = 0.343 and 0.546, respectively). However, results suggested that plasma cortisol concentrations trended higher in the low feed conversion efficiency phenotype cows than their high feed conversion efficiency counterparts (P = 0.079) 48 h post-yarding and handling. A significant negative correlation was observed between antibody-mediated immune responsiveness and stress responsiveness (r = –0.44, P = 0.043) but not with cell-mediated immune responsiveness (r = 0.135, P = 0.309). This study provides preliminary evidence that cows selected for feed conversion efficiency may have improved stress-coping abilities and immune responsiveness.

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of three chicken strains in response to incremental levels of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf meal

A 90-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal supplementation on growth performance and carcass characteristics of three chicken strains (male and female) that are normally reared under extensive production systems in South Africa. Moringa leaves were harvested by hand, air-dried and milled into M. oleifera leaf meal (MOLM). The MOLM was chemically analysed and used to dilute a commercial broiler finisher diet at 0 (MOLM0), 25 (MOLM25), 50 (MOLM50), and 100 (MOLM100) g/kg DM, producing four dietary treatments. Two hundred and sixteen (216) Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK), Ovambo (OV) and Black Australorp (BA) chickens were raised on a commercial starter mash for 4 weeks. On the fourth week, experimental diets were offered and growth performance data were collected over a period of 13 weeks. Carcass characteristics were measured upon slaughter at the end of the 13-week feeding period. Diet×strain interaction was significant (P<0.001) for feed intake but not (P>0.05) for growth rate and FCE. Feed intake responded to incremental levels of MOLM in an asymptotic fashion. Maximum feed intake was achieved at dietary MOLM inclusion levels between 50 and 70g/kg DM. Black Australorp chickens had the highest feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of 2.35, while OV and PK chickens had lower FCE values of 2.09 and 2.05, respectively. Diet, strain and gender, all had significant effects on dressing percent (P<0.001), leg and thigh weight (P<0.05), and wing weight (P<0.05). Male chickens attained higher (P<0.05) carcass weight, leg and thigh weight, dressing percent, and breast mass than female chickens (P<0.001). In female chickens, diets containing MOLM resulted in chickens with better carcass weight, leg and thigh weight, dressing percent, and breast mass compared to the control. In conclusion, Black Australorp chickens were better at utilizing diets with higher levels of MOLM compared to OV and PK strains. Inclusion of MOLM in chicken diets positively affected growth performance and carcass characteristics of the birds.

Nitrogen loss: an emerging issue for the ongoing evolution of New Zealand dairy farming systems

Here we present a case study of two New Zealand dairy farms located in the southern North Island (latitude 40°S) in which we review the evolution of the system over the past 30 years with particular focus on the relation between intensification and N loss to the environment. Over the period evaluated the two case farms lifted per cow production by over 40% and approximately doubled per ha milk production, partly through identification of efficiencies in farm system design and partly through intensification by feed importation. Based on the production data, animal consumption (t DM ha−1 year−1) and N loss to the environment (kg N ha−1 year−1) were modelled for four scenarios representing the two case farms in the early 1980s and in the 2007/2008 production season. For one case farm, the system was modelled for two further scenarios before and after changes aimed at increasing feed conversion efficiency. Increase in N loss to the environment from dairy farm operations arising from intensification between the early 1980s and the 2007/2008 season were largely offset by a change in the system of farm dairy effluent disposal that reduced N loss. Comparing model output for system configurations with low (38%) and high (49%) feed conversion efficiency, production was 893 and 1,115 kg milk solids (MS) ha−1, N loss to the environment was 19 and 20 kg N ha−1 year−1, and ‘environmental efficiency’ was 21 and 18 kg N leached tonne−1 MS produced, respectively.

Effects of Limited Dissolved Oxygen Supply on the Growth and Energy Allocation of Juvenile Chinese Shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis

Abstract Information about the effect of hypoxia exposure on energy allocation is helpful for better understanding how aquatic animals tolerate and adapt to a hypoxic environment. The growth, molting, and energy allocation were investigated in juvenile Fenneropenaeus chinensis exposed to five different dissolved oxygen (DO) seawaters (2.09 ± 0.15, 3.10 ± 0.29, 4.13 ± 0.25, 4.73 ± 0.12, and 5.48 ± 0.09 mg/L DO) for 30 d. When DO was below 4.13 mg/L, the growth of shrimp was depressed. Feed ingestion and feed conversion efficiency decreased with the decrease of DO. Less feed ingestion was caused by lower daily metabolic energy. Higher proportion of ingested energy lost in metabolism, exuviations, and nitrogen excretion caused lower feed conversion efficiency. More energy lost in exuviations, lower survival rate, soft carapaces of dead shrimp, and cannibalism were found in oxygen deficient groups and it implicated that hypoxia could delay the shrimp recovering from molting and cause cannibalism and higher mortality. The results indicated that hypoxia was an important factor affecting the amount and fitness of shrimp stock because it could cause a high rate of mortality and growth depression.

The performance of early-weaned piglets following transport: Effect of season and weaning weight

Two groups of 48 Cotswold piglets weaned at 17 ± 1 d of age were assigned to road or simulated transport during summer or winter. Following transport [Control (&lt;20 min), 6 h, 12 h or 24 h], piglets were grouped by weaning weight (light, medium and heavy) in pens of four. Body weights were recorded on days 1–8, 10, 12 and 14. From an average weaning weight of 6.28 ± 0.09 kg, piglets lost on average 0.4 ± 0.1 kg. The minimum weight of 5.88 ± 0.1 kg was reached 2.24 ± 0.13 d post weaning and weaning weight was recovered at 3.55 ± 0.16 d post weaning. As transport duration increased from 6 to 24 h, total weight loss increased from 0.33 to 0.45 ± 0.022 kg (P &lt; 0.01). Piglets transported by road in winter had a longer growth check (4.08 vs. 3.18 ± 0.18 d, P &lt; 0.05) showed reduced percent ADG (5.37 vs. 6.61 ± 0.26%, P &lt; 0.05) and lower feed conversion efficiency (FCE) (0.87 vs. 0.96 ± 0.01 kg, P &lt; 0.01) than piglets transported by road in summer. Heavy piglets continued to lose weight longer than light piglets (2.26 vs.1.7 ± 0.16 d, P &lt; 0.02), although relative weight loss was not affected. During winter piglets exposed to road transport required more time to recover their weaning weight than piglets exposed to simulated transport (4.08 vs. 3.04 ± 0.18 d, P &lt; 0.05). While weaning is a confounding effect, these results suggest that longer transport (&gt;12 h) and transport in winter may cause additional stress to early-weaned piglets. Some factors of road transport in winter, possibly driving differences or fluctuating temperatures also negatively affected piglet recovery from weaning. Key words: Early weaning, transport, pigs, season

Influence of dietary oils and protein level on pork quality. 1. Effects on muscle fatty acid composition, carcass, meat and eating quality

This study evaluated the effects of three dietary oils – palm kernel (PKO), palm (PO) and soyabean (SBO) – and two protein levels – high (HP) and low (LP) in a 3 × 2 factorial design involving 60 pigs on growth performance, muscle fatty acid composition and content, carcass, meat and eating qualities. Oil type did not have a significant effect on growth and carcass quality. PKO significantly reduced the polyunsaturated (PUFA) to saturated (SFA) fatty acid (P:S) ratio in longissimus muscle ( P < 0.001). PKO increased the concentrations of lauric (12:0), myristic (14:0), palmitic (16:0) and stearic (18:0) fatty acids and decreased linoleic acid (18:2). The LP diet increased intramuscular fat (IMF) from 1.7 g/100 g muscle in HP to 2.9 g/100 g ( P < 0.001), increased tenderness by 0.6 units ( P < 0.01) and juiciness by 0.5 units ( P < 0.01) on the 1–8 scale, but at the expense of lower daily weight gain ( P < 0.01), lower feed conversion efficiency ( P < 0.01), reduced P:S ratio ( P < 0.001) and increased lipid oxidation ( P < 0.01). The results suggest that PKO and PO could be used in tropical developing countries as cheaper alternatives to SBO for the production of good quality and healthy pork, but their limits of inclusion need to be determined.

ROE ENHANCEMENT IN SEA URCHIN: EFFECTS OF HANDLING DURING HARVEST AND TRANSPORT ON MORTALITY AND GONAD GROWTH IN STRONGYLOCENTROTUS DROEBACHIENSIS

This study addresses effects of handling and air exposure during harvest and transport on mortality and gonad growth of Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis in a proceeding roe enhancement trial. Two experimental factors: (1) handling (gentle and rough) and (2) degree of air exposure (wet and dry) were combined to form 4 different treatments; gentle/dry (GD), rough/dry (RD), gentle/wet (GW) and rough/wet (RW). In the proceeding roe enhancement trial, the highest mortality, exceeding 25%, was observed in the GD treatment. Mortality was 1.5% in RW and RD treatments, whereas no mortality was observed in the GW treatment. Mortality only occurred during the first 4 weeks after harvest. Desiccation appears to be the main cause of mortality. There was a significant increase in gonad index for all treatments during the roe enhancement trial; from 7.6% (median) at the beginning of the trial to 15.7, 14.5, 13.5 and 11.2% (median) at the end for GW, RW, GD and RD respectively. However, the increase in gonad index was significantly lower in the RD compared with the others. The lower gonad growth in RD was probably caused by the high frequency of individuals with visual injuries, a frequency that was an order of magnitude higher than in the other treatments. Overall, there was a clear relationship between visual injuries and gonad index, where individuals with injuries had a significantly lower gonad index at the end of the experiment (median; 10.4%) compared individuals without visual injuries (median; 14.5%). The lower feed consumption and higher feed conversion factor observed in RD indicate that individuals with injuries have a reduced gonad growth caused by a combination of reduced appetite and lower feed conversion efficiency. Regeneration of spines and lesions may have resulted in less resources allocated to gonad growth.

Effect of Sauropus Androgynus (Katuk) Extract on Egg Production and Lipid Metabolism in Layers

The present study was conducted to evaluate effect of Sauropus androgynus extract (SAE) on egg production and lipid metabolism in layer chickens. Forty-eight layers aged 42 weeks (strain RIR) were distributed to 6 treatment groups as follows. One group was fed diet without SAE as the control (P0), and other five groups were fed diet plus hot water-extracted SAE at level of 9 g/kg diet (W9), diet plus ethanol extracted SAE at level of 0.9 g/kg diet (E0.9), diet plus ethanol extracted SAE at level of 1.8 g/kg (E1.8), diet plus methanol extracted SAE at level of 0.9 g/kg (M0.9), and diet plus methanol extracted SAE at level of 1.8 g/kg (M1.8). It was shown that SAE inclusion significantly increased egg production (p<0.05). Methanol-extracted SAE groups had lower egg production than ethanol-extracted SAE group (p<0.05). SAE supplemented groups had better feed conversion efficiency than the unsupplemented group (p<0.05). It was shown that ethanol extracted SAE resulted in the lowest feed conversion efficiency among the SAE supplemented groups (p<0.05). SAE supplementation significantly reduced abdominal fat, gizzard surrounded fat, liver fat (p<0.05), serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, VLDL+LDL-c (p<0.01), atherogenic index (p<0.05), egg cholesterol and triglyceride (p<0.05), but it had no effect on mesenteric fat, sartorial fat and fatty liver score. In conclusion, SAE supplementation could increase egg production but reduced egg cholesterol. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 3 : 364-369)

The influence of the mineral level in drinking water and the thermal environment on the performance and intestinal fluid flux of newly-weaned pigs.

The effects of drinking water containing high levels of dissolved minerals including sulphate (HMW) and a chilled environment on the performance of newly-weaned pigs were evaluated in three replicate 10-d trials. In each trial, 12, 28-d-old pigs were taken from the sow and allocated by weight and litter to treatment groups following a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of HMW vs low-mineral drinking water (LMW) and normal (heat lamp) vs chilled (21 degrees C) pen temperature. No interactive effects of water mineral level and pen temperature on any of the measurements of health and productivity were found. Pigs given the HMW consumed more water on d 7 to 10 and 1 to 10 (P < .05) and more feed from d 4 to 6, 7 to 10, and 1 to 10 (P < .05), had greater weight gains from d 7 to 10 and 1 to 10 (P < .05), and had higher scour scores on d 4 and 7 (P < .05). Pigs maintained in a chilled environment had lower body weights on d 3, 6, and 10 (P < .05), lower feed conversion efficiency from d 7 to 10 (P < .05) and 1 to 10 (P < .05) and 7 to 10 (P < .01). Pen temperature had no effect on feed intake and scour scores. There was a correlation (P < .05) between feed intake and growth rates throughout the trial, between feed intake and water intake on d 4 to 6, 7 to 10, and 1 to 10, and between water intake and growth rate on d 7 to 10.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thyroid Function, Energy Balance, Body Composition and Organ Growth in Protein-Deficient Chicks

Protein-deficient diets (17, 10, 6.5 or 3% protein) and a 24% control diet were fed to growing chicks. A control group was pair-fed daily with each deficient group. Energy intake was lower in the 6.5 and 3% protein groups than in the other groups. However, weight gain, bone growth and feed conversion efficiency were lower with 10% protein or less. Relative thyroid weights were unaffected by dietary protein. Plasma T3 (3,5,3′-trilodothyronine) levels were significantly higher in all deficient groups, whereas plasma T4 (thyroxine) was lower. Plasma rT3 (reverse T3) was unaffected by the protein deficiencies, suggesting that enhanced conversion of T4 to T3 rather than to rT3 had occurred. Hepatic α-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (α-GP) shuttle activity increased markedly in protein-deficient chicks. Efficiency of energy utilization was unaltered in chicks fed 17 or 10% protein but was higher in chicks fed 6.5 and 3% protein than in controls. All deficient chicks had more fat and less protein and water in the tissues. The lower feed conversion efficiency therefore represents almost entirely a shift in body composition toward fat and does not reflect a loss of energy as heat. We conclude that elevations in plasma T3 and in thyroid-controlled α-GP shuttle activity, although sensitive indicators of protein deficiencies, are not good predictors of altered thermogenic activity in protein-deficient chicks.

エゾアワビの栄養要求 ＩＶ エゾアワビの必須脂肪酸要求

Two feeding experiments were conducted to determine the requirement of young (2-4g) abalone Haliotis discus hannai for essential fatty acids (EFA) by feeding them with diets containing various fatty acids at levels of 1 or 5% lipid for 80 days. Feeding a lipid free or an EFA deficient diet resulted in retarded growth and low feed conversion efficiency (FCE), together with an increased level of sterols in body lipids and ω9 fatty acids in the polar lipid fraction from both viscera and muscle. Addition of 18:2ω6 and 18:3ω3 or ω3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (ω3 HUFA, a mixture of 20:5ω3 and 22:6ω3) to the diet improved weight gain and FCE. However, the effect of supplementation of 18:2ω6 or 18:3ω3 on growth and FCE was inferior to that of 20:4ω6 or ω3 HUFA. Feeding 18:2ω6 and 18:3ω3 resulted in elevation of 22:4ω6 and 22:5ω3 in the visceral polar lipids, respectively. However, such an elevation was not apparent in 22:5ω6 and 22:6ω3, suggesting a low ability of abalone to convert 22:4ω6 to 22:5ω6 and 22:5ω3 to 22:6ω3, respectiyely. These results indicate that the abalone requires ω3 and ω6 HUFA as EFA. Judging from the growth rate and EFA index, Σω9/(20:4ω6+20:5ω3+22:6ω3) which was less than 0.8 in the abalone receiving diets with sufficlent amounts of EFA. The requirement of the abalone for ω3 HUFA was estimated to be about 1% of the containing 5% lipid. The requirement was also found to be variable due to dietary lipid level.