Metabolizable Energy Levels Research Articles

Hepatic Injury Induced by Dietary Energy Level via Lipid Accumulation and Changed Metabolites in Growing Semi-Fine Wool Sheep.

Liver injury threatens the overall health of an organism, as it is the core organ of the animal body. Liver metabolism is affected by numerous factors, with dietary energy level being a crucial one. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate hepatic injury and to describe its metabolic mechanism in ruminants fed diets with different dietary energy levels. A total of 25 Yunnan semi-fine wool sheep were fed diets with five dietary metabolic energy levels and were randomly assigned to five groups as follows: low energy (LE), medium–low energy (MLE), medium energy (ME), medium–high energy (MHE), and high energy (HE). The results revealed that the average optical density (AOD) of lipid droplets in the LE, MLE, and HE groups was higher than that in the ME and MHE groups. The enzyme activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was the lowest in the ME group. An increase in dietary energy level promoted the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and altered the malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) concentration quadratically. In addition, both high and low dietary energy levels upregulated the mRNA abundance of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Metabonomic analysis revealed that 142, 77, 65, and 108 differential metabolites were detected in the LE, MLE, MHE, and HE groups, compared with ME group respectively. These metabolites were involved in various biochemical pathways, such as glycolipid, bile acid, and lipid metabolism. In conclusion, both high and low dietary energy levels caused hepatic injury. Section staining and metabonomic results revealed that hepatic injury might be caused by altered metabolism and lipid accumulation induced by lipid mobilization.

Influence of metabolizable energy and protein levels on age and weight at puberty in male buffalo

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of different levels of metabolizable protein (MP) and metabolizable energy (ME) on nutrients utilization, growth performance, age and weight at puberty of Murrah male buffalo calves. Sixteen growing male buffalo calves weighing around 310±15 kg were divided into four groups of 4 animals each. The animals were offered four different total mixed rations containing different ME and MP levels, viz. 100,100; 115,100; 100,115; 115,115% as per ICAR (2013) standard in groups T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The animals were fed individually ad lib. from around 13 months of age to age at puberty and at the 18 months a metabolic trial was conducted. Dry matter intake in calves fed all the treatment diets remained similar. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), crude protein conversion ratio (CPCR) and metabolisable energy conversion ratio (MECR), live weight gain were also similar among the groups. Nutrient intake, digestibility and N balance were similar in all the groups. Age at puberty was comparatively lower (around 20 months) in T4 than other groups (20– 24 months), while body weight at that time was similar in all the groups. In conclusion, there were no significant improvement in body weight, ADG, nitrogen balance, age and weight at puberty in male buffalo calves with 15% increase in MP and ME in diet.

Effects of Dietary Energy Levels on Rumen Fermentation, Gastrointestinal Tract Histology, and Bacterial Community Diversity in Fattening Male Hu Lambs.

This study investigated rumen fermentation and histological and microbial diversity in male Hu lamb fed diets with different metabolizable energy (ME) levels (MEA, 9.17 MJ/kg, MEB, 10.00 MJ/kg, and MEC, 10.82 MJ/kg). Thirty-six male Hu lambs were randomly allotted to three treatments, and the feeding trial lasted for 67 days. Rumen fermentation results suggest that the iso-valerate had a significant effect on dietary energy level. The papillary height (PH) of rumen was the highest in the MEB group, the crypt depth (CD) was significantly increased in the duodenum and jejunum, and the villus height (VH)-to-CD ratio (VH/CD) was significantly decreased in the duodenum by increasing dietary energy levels; the VH, villus width (VW), and VH/CD also had significant differences in the ileum. 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) number, the ACE, and Chao1 indices were linearly decreased by increasing dietary energy level; 24 phyla including 124 genera were identified, and the relative abundance of Papillibacter and Quinella linearly decreased by increasing the dietary energy level. Compared to MEA and MEB groups, the relative abundance of unidentified_Veillonellaceae and Anaerovibrio was significantly increased in the MEC group at the genus level. The relative abundance of the carbohydrate metabolism pathway predicted by Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) was linearly increased by increasing the dietary energy levels. Three metabolic pathways identified in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) level 3 were significantly influenced as the dietary energy level increased. In summary, these results demonstrated that the dietary energy levels affected the rumen fermentation parameters, morphological structures of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and the composition and function of rumen microflora in male Hu sheep.

High-level dietary crude protein decreased backfat thickness and increased carcass yield score in finishing Hanwoo beef cattle (Bos taurus coreanae).

Recently, a high level of dietary crude protein (CP) has become of interest as a possible practice to improve the carcass quality of beef cattle, and its level has been increasing in the field. However, there is little scientific evidence that supports this. This study was conducted to test whether a high dietary CP level would improve growth performance, body metabolism, and carcass traits in Hanwoo beef cattle. A total of 32 Hanwoo finishing beef cattle (18 multiparous cows, six heifers, and eight steers) participated in a 12-weeks feeding trial. Two kinds of total mixed rations were prepared to contain two different CP; 156 g/kg for the control (CON) and 173 g/kg of CP for the treatment (HCP), while maintaining a similar level of metabolizable energy. The experiment was ended when more than half of the steers reached the target body weight (730 kg). Blood was collected at the end of the experiment. After harvesting, the carcass trait was evaluated at the slaughterhouse according to Korean standards. The carcass yield score and grade were also calculated based on revised criteria. Overall, dry matter intake, average daily gain, blood metabolites concentration, and the carcass traits, except for backfat thickness and the yield score, did not differ between the treatments. The HCP had lower backfat thickness than those of CON. There was no difference in the carcass yield grade, but the yield score was higher in the HCP treatment. According to the newly revised carcass grading criteria, both yield score and grade were higher in HCP than in CON. Increasing CP supply decreased the carcass’s backfat thickness without altering growth performance and body metabolism, resulting in improved yield score and grade. Therefore, feeding a high CP diet may be beneficial in the farm income, although it may also increase feed cost and nitrogen excretion to the environment.

De-oiled soy lecithin positively influenced growth performance, nutrient digestibility, histological intestinal alteration, and antioxidant status in turkeys fed with low energy diets

ABSTRACT 1. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of supplementing an emulsifier (de-oiled soybean lecithin (DSL)) in a low metabolisable energy (ME) diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcase characteristics, intestinal morphology, blood metabolites, and antioxidant status in growing turkeys. 2. A total of 480 one-day-old turkeys were assigned to one of four dietary treatments with of eight replicates of 15 birds each. Experimental treatments included a basal diet (BE) with commercially recommended levels of ME, a reduced energy diet (RE) with 0.42 MJ/kg reduction in dietary ME content, the RE diet + 1 g/kg DSL (DSL-1), and RE + 2 g/kg DSL (DSL-2). 3. After 112 days, the body weight, average daily gain, and feed:gain in turkeys fed the supplemented for BE diets were better (P < 0.05) than in those fed RE, and those fed diet DSL-2 had the best performance. Although the RE diet decreased abdominal fat and relative liver weight (P < 0.05), compared to the BE diet, and supplementation with either level of DSL did not influence these variables. 4. There were linear increases (P < 0.05) in fat digestibility, nitrogen-corrected apparent ME, and duodenal villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and villus surface area in LE diet supplemented with DSL. From the jejunal morphology, crypt depth was decreased by DSL-supplemented diets (P < 0.05). 5. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and malondialdehyde concentrations were lower, whereas the serum superoxide dismutase activity was greater for the DSL-2 group compared to the BE and RE groups (P < 0.05). 6. The findings suggested that, while low-ME diets impaired turkey growth performance, dietary supplementation of DSL could reverse such impacts of these diets. The DSL-supplemented diet at the inclusion level of 2 g/kg was advantageous over both BE and RE diets in terms of intestinal morphology, lipid profile, and antioxidant status in growing turkeys.

Improving Yield and Quality of Wild Pork and Pigs in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam - and Solutions to Enhance Competitiveness to Thailand and China

Thanapongtharm (2016) stated that in Thailand, pig production intensified significantly during the last decade, with many economic, epidemiological and environmental implications. Also detailed geographical analysis of the different production systems will be used to spatially-inform planning decisions for pig farming accounting for the specific health, environment and economical implications of the different pig production systems. Pig farming is very important in Vietnam, esp. In Thai Nguyen city and Northern provinces, pork products are suitable for people's taste. At present, most pig breeds are selected and raised in accordance with local conditions, especially wild boar and hybrids are very popular with people, the demand for products is increasing day by day. Lander et al (2020) pointed Pigs have played a central role in the subsistence and culture of China for millennia. The close relationship between pigs and people began when humans gradually domesticated wild pigs over 8,000 years ago. While pigs initially foraged around settlements, population growth led people to pen their pigs, which made them household trash processors and fertilizer producers. Study results show for instance, For commercial cross-bred wild boar farming, a diet with a protein level of 16-14% and a metabolic energy level of 3000-2900 kcal/kg of feed in the diet for growth and fattening most appropriate, which has both the growth ability of hybrid wild pigs and economic efficiency under semi-wild breeding conditions in Thai Nguyen ecological environment. Last but not least authors present food processing of wild pigs into delicious stir-dried pork.

Effects of dietary energy level and guanidino acetic acid supplementation on growth performance, carcass quality and intestinal architecture of broilers

Energy, known as the most expensive nutrient in broiler feed, is what strongly adjusts and affects the growth of broilers. Creatine has a key role in cellular energy metabolism and could be synthesised from guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) in the liver; however, its de novo synthesis is not able to adequately fulfil the demand of energy metabolism, especially in fast-growing modern broilers. So the aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of commercial GAA in energy-reduced broiler diets on performance and intestinal development. Overall, 11 400 day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments with ten replicates in each. Dietary treatments were designed as a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with three levels of dietary metabolisable energy (AME&lt;sub&gt;n&lt;/sub&gt;) recommended by Aviagen for Ross 308 broilers (12.55 MJ/kg, 12.97 MJ/kg and 13.38 MJ/kg for starter, grower and finisher, respectively), 0.209 MJ/kg and 0.418 MJ/kg reduced and two levels of GAA (0.00% and 0.06%). There was no significant GAA × AME&lt;sub&gt;n&lt;/sub&gt; interaction for all performance parameters, carcass traits and jejunal morphological parameters (except for the villus width). Reduction of dietary AME&lt;sub&gt;n&lt;/sub&gt; (0.209 MJ/kg and/or 0.418 MJ/kg) caused a significant depression in body weight (BW) gain (P &amp;lt; 0.001) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P &amp;lt; 0.001). However, a decreasing AME&lt;sub&gt;n&lt;/sub&gt; level increased villus height (P &amp;lt; 0.003) and villus surface area (P &amp;lt; 0.03), while crypt depth and villus width were similar. The GAA improved final BW and FCR by 1.77% and 1.66%, respectively (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Birds fed low energy diets supplemented with GAA showed a significant improvement in the performance so that BW and FCR were the same as in the control birds; however, no such positive effects were obtained in jejunal villus development. Hence, it might be concluded that 0.06% GAA supplementation improves BW and FCR and can save at least 0.209 MJ/kg dietary AME&lt;sub&gt;n&lt;/sub&gt; in broiler diets.

Performance, biochemical and physiological parameters of Dorper × Santa Ines lambs fed with three levels of metabolizable energy.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance and the blood biochemical and physiological parameters of Dorper × Santa Ines lambs receiving three levels of metabolizable energy (ME). A completely randomized design with three treatments (ME levels) and eight replicates (lambs) was used. Twenty-four non-castrated male lambs of four months of age and 21.07 ± 3.91kg body weight (BW) received a diet composed of 40% Tifton 85 hay and 60% concentrate feed, on a dry matter basis. The amount of feed supplied was adjusted to meet 115, 201, and 288kcal ME per kg of metabolic weight (MW = BW0.75) daily. Average daily gain and the intake of dry matter (g/day and % BW0.75/day), nutrients, and energy increased linearly (P < 0.001) with ME level. The dry matter intake relative to BW (% BW/day) and feed conversion ratio showed quadratic responses (P < 0.05) to ME level. Serum creatinine decreased linearly (P = 0.038), whereas plasma glucose increased linearly (P = 0.045) with ME level. Serum urea presented a high variation (standard error range = ±1.98-6.07 mg/dL) in response to 288kcal/kg0.75/day of ME supply, and did not stabilize during the trial. Respiratory rate increased linearly (P < 0.001) with ME level at each time of day (morning/afternoon), but with higher intensity in the afternoon. Heart rate and rectal temperature increased linearly (P < 0.001) with ME level. Given that the range of ME level simulated a restricted-to-ad libitum ME intake, the best response in terms of feed efficiency can be obtained with 252kcal/kg0.75/day of ME supply, which probably reflects the best balance of metabolic and physiological parameters. Thus, in order to achieve high productive performance in tropical environments, feedlot lambs should be fed with high-concentrate diets.

Nutritional, Functional and Microbiological Analysis of Powdered Seed of Moringa oleifera

This study looked to establish the proximate composition, mineral content, water absorption capacity, energy values and microbial load of the seeds of Moringa oleifera following processing. The study was carried out using standard physicochemical and microbiological techniques. Proximate analysis revealed that M. oleifera seed powder was rich in protein (34.39%) and fat (37.76%). The mean crude fibre, ash and carbohydrate values were 5.10%, 5.93% and 9.42% respectively while moisture was relatively low at 7.40%. The water absorption capacity, gross energy and metabolisable energy levels were determined as 428.01%, 509.67 Kcal/100g and 398.22 Kcal/100g respectively. The heavy metal levels were low to negligible but the calcium and phosphorus levels were somewhat high at 437.85 mg/kg and 525.10 mg/kg respectively with a ratio of 0.834. Counts of 1730 CFU/g and 121 CFU/g were obtained for total heterotrophic bacteria and total fungi. The fungi and bacteria obtained were Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus niger, Bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus and Micrococcus luteus. No coliforms were recorded. The results from this study established M. oleifera seed powder as a good source of energy, protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus amongst other minerals and nutrients. Its nutritional and mineral content support coagulation/ flocculation and use in livestock and aquaculture feed.

Investigation of dependences of the morphological composition of body and amino acid composition of trout meat proteins (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on levels of the energy value of feeds

The article studies the effect of using complete compound feeds with different energy levels on the morphological composition of the body and the amino acid composition of trout meat proteins. The experiment aimed to establish the influence of different levels of energy nutrition of commercial rainbow trout on the morphological composition of their body and the amino acid composition of meat proteins. For this purpose, five experimental groups were formed using the analog method. The study lasted 210 days and was divided into two periods: comparative (10 days) and main (200 days). During the comparative period, the study fish consumed compound feed of the control group. During the main period, the energy level in experimental compound feeds for different experimental trout groups ranged from 16 to 20 mJ per 1 kg. It was found that with an increase in the mass of two-year-old trout, the mass of muscle tissue and the yield of edible parts probably increases. Feeding fish with an increased amount of metabolic energy (20 mJ.kg-1) resulted in a significant change in the weight of internal organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Increasing the metabolic energy in the compound feeds of fish from 18 mJ.kg-1 to 19 – 20 mJ.kg-1 leads to a significant increase in bowel mass by 13.3 – 5.0%. An increase in the level of metabolic energy in rainbow trout diets from 18 mJ.kg-1 to 19 – 20 mJ.kg-1 contributed to a likely increase in the methionine content in meat. A similar pattern was observed for the tryptophan content. It was found that the content of most essential amino acids in the protein of rainbow trout meat exceeds the corresponding values in the "ideal" protein, except for the content of isoleucine and leucine, which refers them to limiting amino acids.

Ajuste de curvas de crescimento em codornas de corte por inferência Bayesiana

Objetivou-se comparar curvas de crescimento em codornas de corte (Coturnix coturnix coturnix), entre sexo e dietas com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável (EM), por meio de modelos de regressão não lineares sob inferência Bayesiana. Utilizaram-se registros de pesos corporais referentes à 579 machos e 581 fêmeas, pesadas ao nascimento, aos 7, 14, 21, 35 e 42 dias de idade. As dietas foram compostas por três diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável, sendo 2750; 2950 e 3150 kcal de EM/kg1. Os modelos avaliados empregaram as funções de Gompertz, Logística, Richards e Von Bertalanffy, considerando-se o parâmetro relacionado à taxa de maturidade (K) como aleatório. Foram geradas cadeias de Markov, via amostrador de Gibbs, adotando-se o Critério de Deviance na escolha do modelo mais adequado. Em ambos os sexos, a função de Gompertz apresentou ajuste significativamente superior de acordo com o critério avaliado, e menor estimativa de variância residual, indicativo de maior precisão na predição do peso corporal dos animais. Foi observada taxa de crescimento absoluto distintas entre os sexos, dessa forma a descrição de curvas de crescimento deve ser realizada de forma individualizada. As análises indicaram que o nível de 2750 kcal/kg de EM na dieta promove o crescimento de forma similar aos outros níveis na fase de 1 a 14 dias de idade em machos e de 1 a 21 dias de idade em fêmeas. Após estas idades, observou-se melhor desempenho utilizando-se o nível de 3150 kcal/kg de EM para machos e níveis de 2950 e 3150 kcal/kg para fêmeas.

Effect of the use of flaked maize in diets with reduced metabolic energy on performance, egg quality, and serum parameters in layer quails

&lt;b&gt;The research was conducted to determine the effects of substituting raw maize with flaked maize in diets containing different levels of metabolic energy on the performance, egg quality, and serum parameters of layer quails. In the experiment, 120 female quails at ten weeks of age were randomly allocated to six treatment groups with four replicates, each consisting of five quails. The quails were fed six diets, with two forms of maize (raw or flaked) and three metabolic energy levels (2750, 2825 or 2900 (control) kcal/kg) during a ten-week trial. Compared with the control group, reducing the metabolic energy level of the diet to 2750 kcal/kg negatively affected egg production (P &lt; 0,01), egg mass (P &lt; 0,01), feed conversion ratio (P &lt; 0,01), and serum cholesterol concentration (P &lt; 0,05). Eggshell thickness decreased significantly in the group receiving 2750 kcal/kg metabolic energy in the diet, and the yolk b* value increased significantly (P &lt; 0,01). The use of flaked maize in the diets significantly increased egg production (P &lt; 0,05), egg mass (P &lt; 0,05), eggshell thickness (P &lt; 0,05), and yolk L* value (P &lt; 0,01) and significantly decreased the feed conversion ratio (P &lt; 0,05) and b* value of the yolk (P &lt; 0,05). Although the effects of the interactions of the metabolic energy levels and forms of maize on the egg yolk b* value were significant (P &lt; 0,01), this effect was not significant for the other parameters. The results indicate that layer quails can be fed diets containing 2825 kcal/kg metabolic energy and that replacement of raw maize with flaked maize in the diet positively affects performance and egg quality.

206 An Investigation into the Role of Dietary Essential Fatty Acids Ratios and Energy Level on Growth Performance, Inflammation, and Joint Health of Grow-finish Pigs

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary metabolizable energy level and the ratio of linoleic acid:linolenic acid (n6:n3) on the growth performance and inflammatory status of grow-finish pigs. A total of 240 growing pigs (BW = 41.5 ± 6.1 kg) were randomly assigned to either a high (3.55 Mcal/kg; HE) or low (3.29 Mcal/kg; LE) energy dietary treatment with a high (23:1) or low (12:1) n6:n3 in a 2 x 2 factorial design (n = 16). Diets were fed across three 28-day phases and were balanced for linoleic acid inclusion. Pigs were housed 4 pigs per pen. Blood samples were collected on weeks 1, 3, 6, and 12 of the study. Synovial fluid was collected from the hock joint on weeks 1 and 12 for inflammatory marker analysis. The pen was the experimental unit and data were analyzed as repeated measures using PROC MIXED (SAS 9.4) with energy, ratio, and the interaction as fixed effects. Compared to LE, pigs receiving HE had increased BW (P &amp;lt; 0.05) at d28 (73.0 vs. 69.9kg), d56 (105.0 vs. 100.7kg), and d84 (135.3 vs. 129.9kg). For the overall period, HE had increased ADG compared to LE (1.10 vs. 1.06kg; P &amp;lt; 0.05) and improved G:F (0.41 vs. 0.37; P &amp;lt; 0.05), while LE increased ADFI compared to HE (2.88 vs. 2.72kg; P &amp;lt; 0.05). There was no effect of ratio or energy ratio interaction for growth performance. C-reactive protein tended to be reduced in hock synovial fluid of pigs receiving LE (1854.3 vs. 2277.3ng/mL; P &amp;lt; 0.10). Across all treatments, CRP was reduced in the synovial fluid and plasma in week 12 compared to week 1 (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In conclusion, dietary n6:n3 ratio did not impact growth performance or CRP response regardless of energy level.

Dietary metabolizable energy, digestible lysine, available phosphorus levels and exogenous enzymes affect broiler chicken performance

The nutritional composition of diets and the provision of exogenous enzymes play important roles in animal performance. Here, we evaluated the individual and combined impact of nutrients (metabolizable energy (ME), digestible lysine (dLys), available phosphorus and calcium (avP–Ca)) and exogenous multicarbohydrase and phytase complex (MCPC) enyzmes on the growth performance and feed efficiency of broiler chickens from 10 to 42 days (d) of age. Experimental diets were formulated in a Box-Behnken design to contain various levels of ME (11.89, 12.21, 12.54 or 13.06 MJ/kg), dLys (0.91%, 0.93%, 0.96% or 1.00%) and avP/Ca (0.12/0.47%, 0.21/0.58% or 0.33/0.68%). The effect of MCPC was expressed in terms of the extra nutrients released. The diets were formulated to have consistent substrate contents (i.e., arabinoxylan and phytate). Feed intake (FI), BW gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were described via polynomial equations (R2 = 0.99, 0.98 and 0.81, respectively), with interconnections between variables (ME, dLys and avP–Ca). Available P–Ca was the most important factor affecting FI (quadratically), and BWG and FCR (linearly). Reducing the avP content from 0.33% to 0.12% in diets lacking MCPC resulted in 25% and 33% decreases in FI and BWG, respectively, and a 12% increase in FCR. The ME and dLys contents also linearly affected these performance parameters to a lesser degree; FI decreased by 400 g when the ME was reduced by 1.17 MJ/kg, and by 300 g following a 0.09% reduction of dLys, while the same reductions in ME and dLys decreased BWG by 120 g and 150 g, respectively. The inclusion of MCPC alleviated the reduction of FI, BWG and FCR by decreasing the avP–Ca. Thus, ME and dLys were the most important factors affecting BWG and FCR in broilers fed diets containing MCPC. When MCPC was added, ME negatively affected FI (r = −0.89, P < 0.001), whereas the dLys content was correlated with BWG (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). Both ME and dLys affected FCR (r = −0.83 and −0.85, respectively). Supplementing MCPC allowed the reduction of ME, dLys and avP–Ca in the diet without affecting performance. Indeed, MCPC’s effect promoted with the release of the following nutrients: 0.56 MJ ME/kg, 0.06% dLys, and 0.15% and 0.13% avP and Ca, respectively. The results indicate nutrient effect and interaction on performance and feed additive potential for nutrient release.

Effects of maternal dietary energy restriction on breast muscle fibre development in the offspring of broiler breeders.

ObjectiveThe effects of maternal dietary energy levels on breast muscle fibre development in offspring of broiler breeders were investigated.MethodsA total of 480 20-week-old Arbor Acres (AA) healthy female broiler breeders, with an average body weight of 2.33±0.01 kg, were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates and 20 broiler breeders for each replicate and fed a corn and soybean meal diet with 100%, 80%, 70%, and 50% energy levels, respectively. Approximately 300 eggs per treatment were collected for incubation for 6 days. Then, 120 0-day-old female broilers at each energy level were randomly selected and divided into 6 replicates with 20 broilers for each replicate, with this experimental phase with the offspring lasting for 49 days.ResultsCompared with the 100% energy group, the breast muscle fibre diameter at embryonic day 21 in the 80% energy group was significantly reduced (p<0.05). In the 80% energy group, the muscle fibre density of the breast increased significantly (p<0.05) at embryonic days 15 and 21. The breast muscle fibre diameter of the offspring in each group was significantly decreased (p<0.05) on the 1st day. The breast muscle sarcomere length of the embryos in the 80% energy group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in the 70% and 50% energy groups. Compared with the 100% energy group, the expression of the myostatin gene in the offspring was significantly decreased (p<0.05).ConclusionIn conclusion, the effects of a maternal dietary energy level of 80% in this study were found to be optimal for breast muscle fibre development in offspring, which indicated that the metabolic energy level of AA broilers of 9.36 MJ/kg for the mid-term diet for laying eggs has a more practical significance.

Effects of Supplemental Feed with Different Levels of Dietary Metabolizable Energy on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Grazing Naturalized Swan Geese (Anser cygnoides).

Simple SummarySwan geese are becoming a very popular economic wildfowl in China, however, there lacks nutrient requirement guidelines for farmed Swan geese. This study evaluated the effects of supplemental feeding of dietary metabolizable energy (ME) level [9.5, 11.5, and 13.5 MJ/kg of dry matter (DM)] on growth and carcass characteristics of grazing Swan geese. The results showed that growth performance and body-size measurements (except shank length) were greatly improved by offering supplemental feeds to grazing geese, with no difference among supplemental feeding treatments. As DM intake (DMI) decreased with increasing dietary ME from day 29 to 56; meanwhile, slaughter, semi-eviscerated, eviscerated, and thigh muscle yield decreased with increasing dietary ME on day 56, and a well-balanced supplemental diet with ME of 9.5 MJ/kg of DM was recommended to improve growth and meat production of grazing Swan geese.Grazing Swan geese (Anser cygnoides) have good meat quality but grow slowly. This study aimed to study whether supplemental feeding could improve growth performance of grazing Swan geese and investigate a suitable dietary metabolizable energy (ME) level of supplemental diet for grazing Swan geese. Naturalized healthy male Swan geese (n = 144; 42 ± 2.0 days and 1.21 ± 0.17 kg) were randomly allocated into 4 groups and grazed on pasture alone (control, CON) or offered supplemental diets with ME of 9.5, 11.5, or 13.5 MJ/kg of DM after grazing. Growth performance and body-size measurements (including bone development) were lower (p < 0.05) in CON versus supplemented geese, as well as slaughter measurements on days 28 and 56. The DM intake linearly decreased (p < 0.01) with increasing dietary ME from day 29 to 56. Slaughter, semi-eviscerated, eviscerated, and thigh muscle yield linearly (p < 0.01) decreased with increasing dietary ME on day 56. Lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) for breast and thigh muscle on days 28 and 56, and breast muscle shear force on day 56, were lower (p < 0.01) in supplemented versus CON geese. In conclusion, supplemental feeding improved growth performance and carcass characteristics of grazing Swan geese, and supplemental feed with ME of 9.5 MJ/kg of DM could be offered to improve growth and meat quality of grazing Swan geese.

Effects of chromium yeast supplementation on productive and metabolic responses of laying hens fed diets containing different energy levels

This study evaluated the effects of chromium yeast (Cr yeast) and two apparent metabolizable energy (AME) levels on productive performance, egg quality, and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in laying hens. A total of 192 Bovans White laying hens at 47 weeks of age were randomly assigned to eight dietary treatments (six replicates each) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement: four levels of supplemental Cr (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 ppm as Cr yeast) and two AME levels (2,780 [...]

Metabolizable energy and digestible lysine for Japanese quails reared in a hot climate

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible lysine (DLys) on the laying performance, egg quality, and economic profit of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared in a hot climate. Seven hundred eighty Japanese quails, 63 days old and weighing 149 ± 0.010 g, were used in a randomized experiment with 12 treatments, arranged in a 3 × 4 factorial design (ME levels of 2600, 2875 or 3150 kcal/kg; and DLys levels of 0.90, 1.05, 1.20 or 1.35%), five replicates per treatment and 13 birds per experimental unit. The 112 days of experimental period was divided into four 28-days laying cycles to determine performance and egg quality. The temperature and humidity index fluctuated daily between 82.02±2.76 to 72.65±1.13. There was an interaction between ME and DLys on metabolizable energy intake per gram of produced egg. Increasing dietary DLys levels increased linearly DLys intake (mg/bird/day) and expenditure (mg/g of produced egg) without affecting laying performance and egg mass and quality. Quails fed with dietary 2875 or 3150 kcal/kg adjusted voluntary feed intake to maintain similar ME intake and, as a consequence, had similar percentage of posture, egg mass, viable eggs for sale, egg weight, and economic return. In contrast, these variable responses were lower for those fed with dietary 2600 kcal/kg. Dietary 3150 kcal/kg ME showed the highest responses (P

Effects of dietary energy levels on Pectoralis major mixed muscle protein turnover and body composition in two broiler lines housed in different grow-out environments.

This study determined the Pectoralis (P) major mixed muscle protein turnover (PT) in two meat broiler lines, Line A and Line B, during the finishing grow-out feeding period (21-42days) as affected by the dietary metabolizable energy (ME) levels and ambient temperatures. Experimental finishing diets consisted of 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120% ME of recommended nutrient guidelines for energy level. Fractional synthesis rates (FSR) or fractional degradation rates (FDR) were measured in P.major at day 36 and 42. Protein and fat mass gain were measured, and respective energy retention efficiencies as protein and fat (EREp and EREf) were determined. Metabolic heat production (HP) was also reported. Experimental feeding studies were conducted in cool season (24hr mean: 69.91˚F and 63.98% RH) and in hot season (24hr mean: 77.55˚F and 86.04% RH). Results showed that FSR or FDR values were not affected by dietary ME levels at day 36, whereas reduced FSR (p<.05) were observed at day 42 fed diets with reduced ME levels (≤100% ME) which could have resulted from greater maintenance energy requirement of maturing broilers at that age. Broilers fed reduced ME diets (≤100% ME) maintained protein mass (equivalent to broilers fed ≥100%-120% ME) by reduced FDR and increased feed intake. Grow-out ambient temperature did not affect FSR or FDR values across ME levels. Line B retained higher protein mass, lower fat mass and greater HP compared to Line A. This was followed by higher feed intake in Line B. Further, Line B exhibited higher EREp and lower EREf across dietary ME levels. In summary, PT homeostasis and body composition changes in broiler lines studied seemed to be regulated by the birds' intent to normalize energy intake as per physiological need by controlling feed intake.

OPTIMUM PROTEIN AND ENERGY LEVELS FOR FOUR GENO- TYPES OF LOCAL AND EXOTIC GROWER PULLETS IN THE HUMID TROPICS

TWENTY four dietary combinations of metabolisable energy (ME) levels 2,6-3.2 Mcal/kg and protein levels 14-22%, were fed to equal numbers of 4 genotypes of local x exotic chickens in 2 experiments, to identify the optimum diet for growth under tropical conditions. The diet with ME 3.0 Mcal/Kg and 18% protein proved the most ade­quate in promoting maximum biological and economic efficiency for growing pullets 8.20 weeks old. Feed consumption was depressed by ME values above 3.0 Mcal/kg (P&lt;0.005) but not by 2.6-3.0 Mcal/kg ME values. Body weights at 140 days wre significantly correlated with protein levels but negatively with age at first egg. High protein levels accelerated sexual maturity but the correlation was not significant. The local male x exotic female cross exhibited high heterosis and was equal to or better than the exotic, while its reciprocal cross was nearly as poor as the local, in overall performance. Both groups showed slight indications of dietary specifici­ty but not enough evidence of separate dietary re­quirements.