Nutrient Balance Studies Research Articles

28 Integrating homeostasis in practical mineral supplementation recommendations

Abstract A long-established objective in ruminant nutrition is an accurate supply of the 4 main trace metal nutrients Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe, respecting bioavailability, nutritional interactions, and nutrient tolerance. Although, current dietary supplementation practices, justified by the multiple uncertainties of trace metal supply, results in dietary levels that widely exceed nutritional guidelines. Additionally, reference feeding recommendations are defined assuming fixed and highly conservative uptake coefficients, an approach that disregards the opportunity, and limitations, of absorptive regulation, the main homeostatic mechanism of these nutrients. Mitigating deficiency risks by generous supplementation can result in a generally overlooked risk, exceeding tolerable trace metal availability. Complete nutrient balance studies have recently described the overwhelming homeostatic downregulation of trace metals at dietary levels that are not uncommon in practice. This finding calls for a novel approach to define supplementation that resolves this conundrum of trace metal adequacy. This approach integrated 3 elements: a stochastic analysis of native dietary supply; a stochastic analysis of net nutrient requirements; and the identification of the upper and lower boundaries of homeostatic regulation for these 4 nutrients in the bovine species. This last, aims to resolve the main limitation of current dietary guidelines, using the potential maximum uptake rates in homeostatic upregulation, and the minimum uptake rates achievable by downregulation, instead of assuming fixed uptake rates. As result, this approach delivers dietary supply ranges of adequate supply, instead of a minimum dietary level to meet dietary adequacy. The probability distribution of nutrient supply was determined by dry-matter intake variability, diversity in dietary composition, and variability of nutrient occurrence in feedstuffs. The probability distribution of net nutrient requirements was defined by the variability of the components of a classic factorial requirement approach applied to different animal conditions. A maximum apparent absorption efficiency was determined to define lower supply boundaries using published datasets. Upper boundaries were defined as the dietary supply level beyond which apparent absorption empirically has shown to exceed net requirements. As expected, this risk-based approach resulted in much lower supplementation recommendations than current reference models. However, it supports the value of preventive supplementation of Zn and Cu to growing and lactating animals, and Cu to non-lactating non-growing cows. This assessment also indicates merit in Mn supplementation to growing bovines. Furthermore, it confirms that under all circumstances native dietary Fe meets nutritional needs, but it also illustrates a tolerance risk to native Fe supply under multiple productive scenarios. Most interestingly, this analysis illustrates the risk of exceeding trace metal tolerance boundaries with common levels of supplementation under common conditions. This approach offers a novel perspective to trace metal supplementation, pointing at an opportunity to improve nutritional adequacy by reconsidering supplementation practices.

Nutrient Balance and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Irrigated Pigeon Pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] under Various Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

Aims: To evaluate the nutrient balance and nutrient use efficiency of irrigated pigeon peas under various integrated fertilizers Place and Duration of Study: The field trial was conducted at Instructional Farm (North), Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore. Methodology: During the growth phase of the pigeon pea crop, the soil's nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels were monitored to assess their essential nutrient balance. This evaluation was conducted for each treatment, considering the specific nutrient application given to the crop. Additionally, the total quantity of nutrient uptake and the efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium utilization were calculated. Results: Higher availability of nutrients and nutrient uptake at harvest and the maximum values of computed balance and gain values in the nutrient balance studies and agronomic efficiency were observed in the integrated application of 75% RDF + 25% N eq as vermicompost (T2) Conclusion: The integrated application of 75% RDF + 25% N eq as vermicompost (T2) resulted in maximum available nutrients, plant uptake, agronomic efficiency and computed balance nutrient gain.

Influence of farmers’ socio-economic characteristics on nutrient flow and implications for system sustainability in smallholdings: a review

The rise in global human population, coupled with the effects of climate change, has increased the demand for arable land. Soil fertility has been the most affected, among other things. Many approaches to soil fertility management have been proposed by studies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); however, the question of sustainability remains. Nutrient monitoring (NUTMON), which combines biophysical and socio-economic features for soil fertility management, gives an in-situ soil fertility status of a given land use system, which ultimately provides guidance in proposing appropriate soil management techniques in a given land use system. In this review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach was deployed for a systematic search of the literature materials. The review evaluated various studies on nutrient monitoring in SSA soils in order to understand the socioeconomic attributes and their influence on farming systems, as well as nutrient flow and balances. The review identified two dominant smallholder farming systems in SSA: mixed crop-livestock and mixed crop farming systems. Also, this review revealed that most nutrient balance studies in SSA have been done in mixed crop and livestock farming systems. However, regardless of the farming systems, the overall mean nutrient balances in all studies, particularly those of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), were negative, indicating significant nutrient mining. The review further revealed a vast range of biophysical soil fertility management technologies; however, their adoption has been limited by socio-economic aspects including land ownership, gender, financial position, literacy level, and access to inputs. Therefore, in view of this situation, integrating biophysical and socioeconomic disciplines could address the problem of soil nutrient depletion holistically, thus decreasing the existing negative nutrient balances in the SSA region.

351 Awardee Talk: Advances in Animal Nutrition Research

Abstract The major focus of animal nutrition studies is the efficient production of meat, milk, and eggs. Much has changed in animal nutrition over the past forty years that have facilitated these improvements in efficiencies. While advances in technologies have been quantum and research methodologies have improved yet there remains a need for traditional methodologies. Feed intake, growth rate, and feed efficiency still define success. Nutrient balance and digestibility studies, which originated in the 1800s, provide much-needed information regarding the value of feedstuffs. Bioassays are still needed to ascertain the requirements of each nutrient as these are ever-changing because animals are ever-changing. Genetic improvement dictates that requirements be continually reassessed and refined. Technologies that impact animal production, e.g. growth promotants, ionophores, repartitioning agents, hormones, nutraceuticals, etc. may all impact these requirements and should be considered. The challenge for the next generation of researchers will be to interface the technologies, genomic tools, and traditional approaches to provide targeted nutritional strategies tailored for individual genetic potential. Researchers must have a broader grasp of all the available tools if we ever hope to fully implement technologies and interface these with new knowledge to provide optimal nutrition. Changes in consumer preferences will continue to provide new challenges that must be met by research from a continually decreasing pool of researchers. This too will necessitate broader skill sets and increased multi-disciplinary support. The next 40 years will bring even greater changes and challenges. Animal agriculture must continue to improve. A goal of increased efficiency will not be enough. We must improve on every aspect of health, well-being, and perception. Nutrition research will be a component of these improvements but improving technologies will permit the evaluation of much more. Consumers will demand an optimum existence be demonstrated for each animal.

Seasonal disconnect between streamflow and retention shapes riverine nitrogen export in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon.

Watershed nutrient balance studies traditionally focus on annual fluxes. In areas with strongly seasonal, Mediterranean-type climate regimes, riverine nutrient export may be greater during wet seasons when hydrologic forcing overwhelms or bypasses retention mechanisms. By combining data on riverine export with spatially detailed nutrient inputs, we examine how nitrogen (N) supply, retention, and streamflow shape annual and seasonal riverine N export in Oregon's Willamette River Basin (WRB). The WRB has pronounced dry summers and wet winters, and the distribution of farmland, cities and forests create significant spatial variations in N inputs. Local data on N inputs were coupled with streamflow and chemistry to calculate fractional N export for 22 WRB sub-watersheds in the mid-2000s. For the entire WRB, 78% of the N inputs came from agricultural activities, mainly as synthetic fertilizer (69%); the next largest inputs were deposition (10%), alder fixation (5%) and point sources (5%). Crop-specific estimates of fertilizer agreed with county fertilizer sales rates at the high end of extension recommendations. Fractional riverine N export (annual riverine N export / net watershed N input) averaged 38% of net inputs in WRB tributaries, greater than other regions of North America. Fall and winter together accounted for 60-90% of the riverine N export across all watersheds. Summer export was small but was greatest in the watersheds that receive seasonal snowmelt. Large wet season losses, when biotic sinks are less active, result in a relatively high proportion of N inputs exported in this region with a Mediterranean climate and high runoff.

Nutrient Balance Under the Grape Plant in the Azerbaijan Arid Subtropic Zone Soils

The problems of the nutrient balance study under vineyards in the light-chestnut soils of Ganja-Gazakh of Azerbaijan are examined. 3,84kg/h of N/NH3; 0,99kg/h of N/nO3 P₂O₅ of 1,16kg/h penetrate into the soil with the atmosphere precipitations, but 1,73; 1,55; 1,05; 21,69kg/h with the irrigative waters. A total annual nitrogen-6,87-7,29%, phosphorus-0,59-0,79%, potassium-3,92-7,29% were leached from the scattered fertilizer into lizimeters. While a weight of the dry mass and a total quantity of the nutrient increase, an outlet with the annual trimming materials and crops has raised. It is established that a balance of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium under all the versions of the experiment is positive. The balance under a control version where deficit of the nutrient is negative. At an application of fertilizer under the version of N₉₀P₁₂₀K₁₂₀ the balance forms for nitrogen +41, 8-(+44,6); phosphorus +102,2-(+110,1), potassium +81,1-(+85,6) kg/h.

Evaluation of creatinine as a urine marker and factors affecting urinary excretion of magnesium by dairy cows

Nutrient balance studies require measuring urine volume, and urinary excretion can be used to assess Mg bioavailability. A less laborious method than total collection of urine could make balance studies more feasible and expand the utility of using urinary Mg as an index of bioavailability, but the method needs to be accurate and sensitive. Sampling interval can affect accuracy because excretion must be at steady state. Two experiments were conducted to (1) determine whether urinary creatinine could be used to accurately estimate urinary output of nutrients markedly excreted via urine (N, K, Na, S, and Mg; experiment 1) and (2) determine the appropriate sampling schedule to evaluate Mg excretion after abrupt diet changes (experiment 2). Experiment 1 was originally designed to evaluate the interaction of monensin [0 vs. 14 mg of monensin/kg of dry matter (DM)] and Mg source (MgO vs. MgSO4; total diet Mg: 0.36% of DM) under antagonism from increased dietary K (2.11% of DM) on urinary Mg excretion. Experiment 2 evaluated the interaction of Mg concentration (basal vs. supplemental MgO; total diet Mg: 0.20 vs. 0.42% of DM) and K (basal vs. supplemental K2CO3; total diet K: 1.60 vs. 2.57% of DM) on urinary Mg excretion over time. Using 4-d composite samples from total collection of urine (n = 34 cow-periods), the average daily excretion of creatinine was similar to previous estimates (29.0 ± 1.16 mg of creatinine/kg of body weight) but was variable among cows (root mean squared error = 2,980 mg/d; 14% of mean). Treatment-average estimated excretion of urine and urinary N, K, Na, S, and Mg were similar to actual values; however, differences between actual and estimated values could be substantial for individual cows. Using the mean creatinine excretion per kilogram of body weight for all cows to estimate urine eliminates the lack of fit variance resulting in artificially low within-treatment variation for estimated urine volume. The standard error of the mean for estimated urine volume was 23% less (1.93 vs. 2.51) than that for actual urine production. This inflated the type I error rate, and, consequently, statistical inferences on N and K excretion differed when urine output was estimated rather than measured. The standard error of the mean for excretion of Mg calculated with actual or estimated urine production were almost identical (0.92 vs. 0.97); however, similar standard error of the mean was likely caused by differences in the covariance of urinary Mg concentration with estimated or actual urine output. Based on spot sampling (experiment 2), urinary Mg reached steady state by 2 d following an increase in dietary K regardless of Mg level, whereas excretion of urinary Mg following an increase in dietary Mg continued to increase through 7 d. Estimating nutrient excretion with urinary creatinine and body weight on average is accurate, but variance is likely underestimated. Knowing the time course of urinary Mg excretion will improve the value of using urinary Mg concentration to assess diet adequacy or Mg bioavailability.

Nutrient Balance Under the Grape Plant in the Azerbaijan Arid Subtropic Zone Soils

The problems of the nutrient balance study under vineyards in the light-chestnut soils of Ganja-Gazakh of Azerbaijan are examined. 3,84kg/h of N/NH3; 0,99kg/h of N/nO3 P₂O₅ of 1,16kg/h penetrate into the soil with the atmosphere precipitations, but 1,73; 1,55; 1,05; 21,69kg/h with the irrigative waters. A total annual nitrogen-6,87-7,29%, phosphorus-0,59-0,79%, potassium-3,92-7,29% were leached from the scattered fertilizer into lizimeters. While a weight of the dry mass and a total quantity of the nutrient increase, an outlet with the annual trimming materials and crops has raised. It is established that a balance of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium under all the versions of the experiment is positive. The balance under a control version where deficit of the nutrient is negative. At an application of fertilizer under the version of N₉₀P₁₂₀K₁₂₀ the balance forms for nitrogen +41, 8-(+44,6); phosphorus +102,2-(+110,1), potassium +81,1-(+85,6) kg/h.

Nutrient dynamics in soils of intensively cultivated sugarcane - sugarcane cropping system

Field studies were conducted to forecast the emerging nutrient deficiencies, toxicities in soils and plants due to intensive sugarcane-sugarcane cropping system and increasing use of fertilizer and its management practices in Irugur, Palathurai and Athipalayam soil series. The soils were low in available nitrogen (N) and organic carbon, medium in available phosphorus (P) and high in available potassium (K) and sulphur (S). The diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) extractable iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were sufficient in all soil series except Zn in Palathurai series. The order of macronutrient uptake was K > N > P>S and the micronutrient was of Fe > Zn > Mn > B > Cu in Irugur and Palathurai soil series while it was Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > B in Athipalayam series. The available nutrient status of the soil showed wide variations in their availability and it was heavily depleted by continuous cropping system. Nutrient balance studies revealed that there was a positive balance maintained for macronutrients in almost all locations. However, the negative balance of Fe, Zn, Cu and B in Irugur series; Fe, Zn and B in Palathurai and Athipalayam series observed in most of the locations indicated that the yield was limited by these nutrients and needed regular application of those nutrients. The overall data indicated that the necessity for the use of a balanced dose of both macro and micronutrients through integrated nutrient management (INM) practices to maintain the crop yield and soil fertility on sustainable basis in the intensive sugarcane - sugarcane cropping system

Optimizing nitrogen use efficiency in wheat and potatoes: interactions between genotypes and agronomic practices

One approach to decrease the environmental impact of crop production and reduce costs is to optimize agronomic practices and genotypes so that nutrients are used more efficiently. In this study the effects of agronomic practices (rotations, crop protection, fertilization) on yields, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and associated parameters were studied in an experiment using two winter wheat genotypes (Cordiale and Scaro) in one season and two potato genotypes (Sarpo Mira and Sante) in two seasons. The wheat showed no varietal differences in yield and NUE; instead the fertilization regime was the main factor affecting yield and NUE with higher values observed when conventional fertilization was used. The exception was for wheat grown after three years grass/clover ley when there was no added yield benefit from conventional fertilization of the organically bred variety (Scaro). This demonstrates the potential for N fixing crops to provide sufficient N to high yielding cereals if grown for long enough prior to planting. The greatest gains in NUE were achieved by combining an N efficient genotype with conventional crop management in an organic rotation. Fertilization and genotypic variation were the main factors affecting potato tuber yield and NUE, with the late maturing Sarpo Mira displaying elevated yields and NUE compared with the early maturing Sante. The use of organic fertility sources resulted in lower NUE, but N release from organic sources may increase NUE of future crops. This highlights the need for long-term nutrient balance and modelling studies to assess NUE at the crop rotation scale.

The Metabolizable Energy of Dietary Resistant Maltodextrin Is Variable and Alters Fecal Microbiota Composition in Adult Men

Resistant maltodextrin (RM) is a novel soluble, nonviscous dietary fiber. Its metabolizable energy (ME) and net energy (NE) values derived from nutrient balance studies are unknown, as is the effect of RM on fecal microbiota. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study was conducted (n = 14 men) to determine the ME and NE of RM and its influence on fecal excretion of macronutrients and microbiota. Participants were assigned to a sequence consisting of 3 treatment periods [24 d each: 0 g/d RM + 50 g/d maltodextrin and 2 amounts of dietary RM (25 g/d RM + 25 g of maltodextrin/d and 50 g/d RM + 0 g/d maltodextrin)] and were provided all the foods they were to consume to maintain their body weight. After an adaptation period, excreta were collected during a 7-d period. After the collection period, 24-h energy expenditure was measured. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and 454 titanium technology–based 16S rRNA sequencing were used to analyze fecal microbiota composition. Fecal amounts of energy (544, 662, 737 kJ/d), nitrogen (1.5, 1.8, 2.1 g/d), RM (0.3, 0.6, 1.2 g/d), and total carbohydrate (11.1, 14.2, 16.2 g/d) increased with increasing dose (0, 25, 50 g) of RM (P < 0.0001). Fat excretion did not differ among treatments. The ME value of RM was 8.2 and 10.4 kJ/g, and the NE value of RM was −8.2 and 2.0 kJ/g for the 25 and 50 g/d RM doses, respectively. Both doses of RM increased fecal wet weight (118, 148, 161 g/d; P < 0.0001) and fecal dry weight (26.5, 32.0, 35.8 g/d; P < 0.0001) compared with the maltodextrin placebo. Total counts of fecal bacteria increased by 12% for the 25 g/d RM dose (P = 0.17) and 18% for the 50 g/d RM dose (P = 0.019). RM intake was associated with statistically significant increases (P < 0.001) in various operational taxonomic units matching closest to ruminococcus, eubacterium, lachnospiraceae, bacteroides, holdemania, and faecalibacterium, implicating RM in their growth in the gut. Our findings provide empirical data important for food labeling regulations related to the energy value of RM and suggest that RM increases fecal bulk by enhancing the excretion of nitrogen and carbohydrate and the growth of specific microbial populations.

Effects of Adding Super Dose Phytase to the Phosphorus-deficient Diets of Young Pigs on Growth Performance, Bone Quality, Minerals and Amino Acids Digestibilities.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of feeding an Escherichia coli (E. coli) derived phytase to pigs fed P deficient, corn-soybean meal diets. In Exp. 1, one hundred and twenty crossbred piglets (9.53±0.84 kg) were allocated to one of five treatments which consisted of four low P diets (0.61% Ca, 0.46% total P and 0.24% non-phytate P) supplemented with 0, 500, 1,000, or 20,000 FTU/kg E. coli phytase as well as a positive control formulated to be adequate in all nutrients (0.77% Ca, 0.62% total P and 0.42% non-phytate P). The treatments were applied to six pens with four pigs per pen for 28 days. In Exp. 2, ten crossbred pigs (19.66±1.16 kg) fitted with ileal T-cannula were used in a nutrient balance study. The pigs were assigned to treatments similar to those used in Exp. 1 in a doubly replicated 5×4 incomplete Latin square design (5 diets with 4 periods). Each period consisted of a 5-d adjustment period followed by a 3-d total collection of feces and urine and then a 2-d collection of ileal digesta. Supplementation with phytase linearly increased (p<0.05) weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, bone breaking strength and fat-free dry and ash bone weight. There were linear increases (p<0.01) in the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of DM, GE, CP, Ca, total P, inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and some AA with increasing dose of E. coli phytase. Pigs fed 20,000 FTU/kg had a greater (p<0.05) AID of IP6 (80% vs 59% or 64%, respectively) than pigs fed diets with 500 or 1,000 FTU/kg phytase. There were linear increases (p<0.05) in the total tract digestibility of Ca, total P, Na, K, Mg, and Zn as well as in the retention of Mg and Zn with increased phytase dose. The retention and utilization of Cu, and the total tract digestibility of CP and Cu quadratic increased (p<0.05) with increased phytase dose. In conclusion, supplementation of 500 FTU of phytase/kg and above effectively hydrolyzed phytate in low-P corn-soybean diets for pigs. In addition, a super dose of phytase (20,000 FTU/kg) hydrolyzed most of the IP6 and consequently further improved mineral use, protein utilization and performance.

The effects of medium-oil dried distillers grains with solubles on growth performance, carcass traits, and nutrient digestibility in growing–finishing pigs1,2

A total of 288 mixed-sex pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 68.9 kg BW) were used in a 67-d study to determine the effects of increasing medium-oil dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS; 7.63% ether extract, 30.1% CP, 19.53% ADF, 36.47% NDF, and 4.53% ash; as-fed basis) on growth performance and carcass traits in finishing pigs. Treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal control diet or the control diet with 15, 30, or 45% medium-oil DDGS. Diets were fed over 2 phases (69 to 100 and 100 to 126 kg) and were not balanced for energy. Diets were formulated to meet or exceed the AA, vitamin, and mineral requirements and contained constant standardized ileal digestible lysine levels within phase. Increasing medium-oil DDGS decreased (linear, P < 0.02) ADG and G:F. Average daily gain decreased approximately 2.3% for every 15% added medium-oil DDGS whereas G:F decreased approximately 1.3% with every 15% added DDGS. In addition, final BW, HCW, carcass yield, and loin-eye depth decreased (linear, P < 0.03) and jowl iodine value (IV) increased (linear, P < 0.001) with increasing medium-oil DDGS. Nutrient digestibility of the DDGS source was determined using pigs (initially 25.6 kg BW) that were fed either a corn-based basal diet (96.6% corn and 3.4% vitamins and minerals) or a DDGS diet, which was a 50:50 blend of the basal diet and medium-oil DDGS. There were 12 replications for each diet consisting of a 5-d adaptation period followed by 2 d of total fecal collection on a timed basis. Feces were analyzed for GE, DM, CP, crude fiber, NDF, ADF, and ether extract. On an as-fed basis, corn was analyzed to contain 3,871 and 3,515 kcal/kg GE and DE, respectively. Medium-oil DDGS was analyzed to contain 4,585 and 3,356 kcal/kg GE and DE, respectively (as-fed basis). Digestibility coefficients of the medium-oil DDGS were 70.3% DM, 82.9% CP, 61.4% ether extract, 77.4% ADF, 67.5% NDF, and 67.2% crude fiber. Caloric efficiency (ADFI × kcal energy intake/kg BW gain) was not different when expressed on a DE or a calculated ME or NE basis, which suggests that the energy values derived from the nutrient balance study were accurate. In conclusion, increasing dietary inclusion of medium-oil DDGS decreased ADG, G:F, final BW, HCW, and carcass yield and increased jowl fat IV relative to those fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet.

Glucagon-like peptide-2 induces rapid digestive adaptation following intestinal resection in preterm neonates

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a frequent complication after intestinal resection in infants suffering from intestinal disease. We tested whether treatment with the intestinotrophic hormone glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) increases intestinal volume and function in the period immediately following intestinal resection in preterm pigs. Preterm pigs were fed enterally for 48 h before undergoing resection of 50% of the small intestine and establishment of a jejunostomy. Following resection, pigs were maintained on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) without (SBS, n = 8) or with GLP-2 treatment (3.5 μg/kg body wt per h, SBS+GLP-2, n = 7) and compared with a group of unresected preterm pigs (control, n = 5). After 5 days of TPN, all piglets were fed enterally for 24 h, and a nutrient balance study was performed. Intestinal resection was associated with markedly reduced endogenous GLP-2 levels. GLP-2 increased the relative absorption of wet weight (46 vs. 22%), energy (79 vs. 64%), and all macronutrients (all parameters P < 0.05). These findings were supported by a 200% increase in sucrase and maltase activities, a 50% increase in small intestinal epithelial volume (P < 0.05), as well as increased DNA and protein contents and increased total protein synthesis rate in SBS+GLP-2 vs. SBS pigs (+100%, P < 0.05). Following intestinal resection in preterm pigs, GLP-2 induced structural and functional adaptation, resulting in a higher relative absorption of fluid and macronutrients. GLP-2 treatment may be a promising therapy to enhance intestinal adaptation and improve digestive function in preterm infants with jejunostomy following intestinal resection.

Bovine Colostrum to Children With Short Bowel Syndrome

Management of short bowel syndrome (SBS) aims to achieve intestinal autonomy to prevent fluid, electrolyte, and nutrient deficiencies and maintain adequate development. Remnant intestinal adaptation is required to obtain autonomy. In the newborn pig, colostrum has been shown to support intestinal development and hence adaptive processes. The efficacy of bovine colostrum to improve intestinal function in children with SBS was evaluated by metabolic balance studies. Nine children with SBS were included in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Twenty percent of enteral fluid intake was replaced with bovine colostrum or a mixed milk diet for 4 weeks, separated by a 4-week washout period. Intestinal absorption of energy and wet weight was used to assess intestinal function and the efficacy of colostrum. Colostrum did not improve energy or wet weight absorption compared with the mixed milk diet (P = 1.00 and P = .93, respectively). Growth as measured by weight and knemometry did not differ between diets (P = .93 and P = .28). In these patients, <150% enteral energy absorption of basal metabolic rate and 50% enteral fluid absorption of basal fluid requirement suggested intestinal failure and a need for parenteral nutrition (PN). Inclusion of bovine colostrum to the diet did not improve intestinal function. Metabolic nutrient and wet weight balance studies successfully assessed intestinal function, and this method may distinguish between intestinal insufficiency (non-PN-dependent) and intestinal failure (PN-dependent) patients.

Randomised controlled trial of colostrum to improve intestinal function in patients with short bowel syndrome

Colostrum is rich in immunoregulatory, antimicrobial and trophic components supporting intestinal development and function in newborns. We assessed whether bovine colostrum could enhance intestinal adaptation and function in adult short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients. Twelve SBS patients in this randomised cross-over study received 4 weeks oral supplement of bovine colostrum or an iso-energetic and iso-proteinaceous control (2.4 MJ/d, 500 ml/day) separated by a 4-week washout period. Patients were admitted four times for 72-h periods of fluid, electrolyte and nutrient balance studies. Meals, faeces and urine were weighed, and energy, macronutrient and electrolyte contents were analysed to calculate net nutrient uptake. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, and functional tests of handgrip strength and lung functions were performed. Eight patients completed the study and were included in the analysis. Both supplements (colostrum and control) not only increased protein (0.96 ± 0.42 MJ/d, P=0.004 1.03 ± 0.44 MJ/d, P=0.003) and energy (1.46 ± 1.02 MJ/d, P=0.005, 1.76 ± 1.46 MJ/d, P=0.01) absorption but also absolute faecal wet weight excretions (231 ± 248 g/d, P=0.002, 319 ± 299 g/d, P=0.03), compared with baseline measurements. Both supplements improved handgrip strength (P=0.03) while only the control supplement increased lean body mass (1.12 ± 1.33 kg, P<0.049). Colostrum was not found to be superior to the control. Intake of high-protein milk supplements increased net nutrient absorption for adult SBS patients, but at the expense of increased diarrhoea. Despite high contents of bioactive factors, colostrum did not significantly improve intestinal absorption, body composition or functional tests compared with the control.

Energy balance: An overview with emphasis on children

Childhood obesity is a significant public health problem, affecting one in five children in the United States. At the crux of this issue is a dysregulation of energy intake and energy expenditure. This review will provide an overview on energy and nutrient balance. We discuss energy balance studies in children using indirect and direct measures, and focus particularly on obesity as a deleterious consequence in childhood survivors of cancer. Obesity affects 11-57% of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, probably due to increased energy intake and reduced energy expenditure secondary to reduced habitual activity caused by fatigue. However, most of the studies in children with leukemia are retrospective, use BMI as a measure of obesity, and are inconclusive about the impact of the type of treatment on the development of obesity later in life. To better understand the etiology of obesity in both healthy and sick children, we need to undertake nutrient balance studies with appropriate measures of fat mass and fat distribution while keeping in mind the influence of normal tissue growth and puberty on energy balance.

Effects of drying methods on nitrogen and energy concentrations in pig feces and urine, and poultry excreta1

Accurate estimations of nutrient digestion and retention are critical in nutrient balance and feed evaluation studies because errors that occur are often additive. However, there is no standard universal method for drying feces, urine, or excreta before laboratory analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of 4 different drying methods on nutrient concentrations in feces, urine, and excreta. Twelve individually penned growing pigs were fed 1 of 3 diets and 16 pens of 10 growing broilers were fed 1 of 4 diets that differed in NDF and CP. Feces, urine, and excreta that varied in nutrient composition were collected after 7 d of diet adaptation. Samples were dried using 1 of 4 methods: undried (UD), freeze-dried (FD), oven-dried at 55 °C for 48 h (OD55), or oven-dried at 100 °C for 48 h (OD100), after which DM, GE, N, C, and S were determined. In swine feces, drying resulted in a loss of GE (P < 0.10) and S (P < 0.01) by 5 and 58%, respectively, compared with UD feces. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.36) among drying method on DM, GE, N, C, or S concentrations. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.12) in urinary GE due to drying or between drying methods; however, urinary DM was greatest by FD compared with OD (P < 0.05) and greater for OD55 compared with OD100 (P < 0.01). In poultry excreta, GE (P < 0.05), N (P < 0.10), and S (P < 0.01) were reduced by drying by an average of 6, 10, and 66%, respectively. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.50) among drying methods except FD excreta had a greater S concentration than OD (P < 0.10). Regardless of drying method, some GE and N loss appears to be inevitable, but there is no apparent advantage between FD and OD. The apparent greater S losses warrant further investigation.

Technical note: A noninvasive urine collection device for female cattle: Modification of the urine cup collection method

Total urine collection from female cattle requires the use of indwelling urinary catheters or an external device requiring secure attachment with adhesive to the animal; neither method is ideal for the welfare of the cattle. A urine collection device was developed to enable total urine collection in female dairy cattle without the use of adhesive to attach the device to the vulva of the animal; the device was a modification of one described previously for female cattle. The urine collection device was made from polypropylene with maximum dimensions (height × width × depth) of 17.5 × 11.0 × 6.0cm and an opening of approximately 42cm2 to cover the vulva. The device was secured using a commercially available udder support harness that provided snap-fasteners and support for the device to be positioned at the level of the vulva. At the point of attachment, a metal brace surrounded the device and was connected to the udder support by metal rings, which kept the urine cup in proper position as the animal arched to urinate. A metal O-clamp and pieces of rubber, serving as leak-proof washers, connected the bottom of the device to Gooch tubing. Another metal clamp was attached to a polyvinyl chloride adapter that was connected to a rubber hose, and urine was collected into carboys located on the floor approximately 1.5m behind the animals. This modification of a urine cup allows several noninvasive total feces and urine collection studies of unrestricted length to be undertaken without the use of adhesive to attach the device. The floor-level collection system is a practical, portable, and handy system that will permit researchers to perform nutrient balance and metabolic studies on female cattle.

Rice-maize systems of South Asia: current status, future prospects and research priorities for nutrient management

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and maize (Zey mays) are grown in 3.5 million hectares (Mha) in Asia that includes 1.5 Mha in South Asia. These crops are grown in sequence on the same land in the same year either in double–or triple-crop systems to meet the rice demand of a rapidly expanding human population and maize demand of livestock and poultry. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of technical knowledge on agro-ecosystems and adaptation, area and distribution, yield potential and yield gaps, and nutrient management for rice-maize (R-M) systems in South Asia. Rice-maize systems are emerging all around South Asia but in particular are developing quite rapidly in Bangladesh and South and North India. Yield potential of rice and maize, as estimated by ORYZA2000 and Hybrid Maize models, reaches up to 15 and 22 t ha-1, respectively. However, data from several environments in India reveal gaps between potential and attainable yields of maize of upto 100% and between attainable and actual yields of upto 25–50%. Nutrient demand of R-M system is high due to high nutrient removal by high-yielding maize. Nutrient balance studies for these highly–productive and nutrient-extractive systems are scarce in South Asia. The review outlines principles of nutrient management for R-M systems, and identifies development, refinement, and dissemination of the integrated plant nutrition system technologies based on site-specific nutrient management principles as priorities for future research to increase yield, profitability, and sustainability of R-M systems.