Oats In Diet Research Articles

Avaliação bromatológica e perfil de ácidos graxos da carne de frangos de corte alimentados com rações contendo farinha de peixe ou aveia-branca

Objetivou-se analisar a composição química e o perfil de ácidos graxos (AG) da carne de frangos (peito e coxa/sobrecoxa) alimentados com rações contendo farinha de peixe e aveia. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos, três repetições e dez aves por unidade experimental. Como tratamentos, avaliaram-se rações contendo: 4,5 ou 9% de farinha de peixe; 10 ou 20% de aveia; e ração-testemunha. Não houve diferença significativa na composição química do peito. As amostras de coxa/sobrecoxa das aves alimentadas com dietas formuladas com 9% de farinha de peixe e 10% de aveia apresentaram maior quantidade de lipídios em comparação às obtidas com as rações controle e com 20% de aveia. A composição de ácidos graxos saturados, tanto do peito como da coxa/sobrecoxa, não diferiu entre as aves. A ração com 20% de aveia aumentou a quantidade de ácido palmitoléico no peito em comparação àquela com 9% de farinha de peixe. O acúmulo deste ácido graxo nas amostras de coxa/sobrecoxa foi maior nas aves alimentadas com as rações contendo aveia e menor naquelas alimentadas com 9% de farinha de peixe. Em comparação às rações com aveia, a ração com 9% de farinha de peixe apresentou maior potencial de aumento dos ácidos graxos poliinsaturados ω-3 (α-linolênico) no peito e ω-6 na coxa/sobrecoxa. Entretanto, a ração contendo 9% de farinha de peixe ocasionou maior acúmulo de ω-3 na coxa/sobrecoxa. A utilização de aveia na ração melhora o perfil de ácidos graxos monoinsaturados, especialmente o palmitoléico, enquanto a utilização de 9% de farinha de peixe na ração melhora o perfil dos ácidos graxos poliinsaturados, principalmente ω-6 e ω-3.

Effects of processing of wheat or oats starch on physical pellet quality and nutritional value for broilers

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of cereal starch exposed to various processing techniques on physical pellet quality and nutritional value of the diets fed to broiler chickens. In experiment 1, diets with equal amounts of oat hulls, rapeseeds and fish meal were cold-pelleted or steam-conditioned and pelleted with or without inclusion of 200 g pure wheat starch/kg. Durability of the pellets was reduced ( p<0.05) for the starch-containing diets compared to non-starch diets under both processing conditions. Despite a significant improvement ( p<0.05) in pellet quality within starch containing-diets as a consequence of gelatinised starch addition, pellet durability was lower ( p<0.05) for gelatinised starch-containing diets compared to non-starch diets. In experiment 2, wheat and de-hulled oat-based diets were cold-pelleted, steam-pelleted or extruded before being fed to broiler chickens. The extent of starch gelatinisation was higher for oat diets than for wheat diets under all processing conditions. Feed/gain was lower ( p<0.05) and AME n higher ( p<0.05) for oat versus wheat diets. The increase in AME n was also reflected in starch digestibility which was significantly higher for oats compared to wheat diets in all segments of the gastrointestinal tract. As a consequence of increased gelatinisation a significant improvement ( p<0.05) in starch digestibility was observed for extruded wheat diets compared with either cold- or steam-pelleted wheat diets. An improved ( p<0.05) starch digestibility due to extrusion processing was only observed at a duodenal level for oat diets.

Starch Source Evaluation in Calf Starter: II. Ruminal Parameters, Rumen Development, Nutrient Digestibilities, and Nitrogen Utilization in Holstein Calves

Ruminal parameters, rumen development, nutrient digestibilities, and N utilization were estimated in Holstein calves fed starch from different sources. Ground corn, ground barley, ground wheat, and crimped oats were used to formulate 4 isostarch (25% of starter dry matter) pelleted diets. These diets were randomly allocated to calves (16 calves per treatment, 8 female and 8 male) and fed ad libitum along with mixed grass hay throughout the experiment. Ruminal contents and blood were sampled at d 35, 50, and 70 of age to estimate ruminal parameters and plasma β-hydroxybutyrate, respectively. At d 70, twenty-four male calves (6/treatment) were randomly selected, euthanized, and forestomach weight, papillae length (PL), papillae width (PW), rumen wall thickness (RWT), and papillae concentration were measured. At d 63, twenty-four female calves (6/treatment) were randomly selected and moved to metabolism stalls to estimate total tract apparent nutrient digestibilities and N utilization. Female calves were given 2 wk for adaptation to experimental facilities and then total collections of feces and urine were made from d 77 to 84 of age. Ruminal pH at d 35 of age was higher in calves fed corn and oat diets than in those fed barley and wheat diets. Ruminal pH at d 50 and 70 of age was the lowest in calves on barley diets followed by those on oat and wheat diets and then by those on the corn diet. Ruminal total volatile fatty acid concentrations at d 35 of age were greatest in calves fed corn or wheat diets followed by those fed barley and oat diets. Calves on corn and wheat diets maintained greater ruminal volatile fatty acids concentrations at d 50 and 70 of age. Ruminal ammonia, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were also greater in calves on the corn and wheat diets. Full and empty weights of forestomach, PL, PW, RWT, and papillae concentrations were greater in calves on corn and wheat diets. Daily average intake of nutrients (dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, starch, Ca, and P) was greater in calves fed corn and wheat diets than in those fed barley and oat diets. Starch source did not influence the total tract apparent digestibilities of nutrients in calves. Daily N retention (g/d) was greatest on the corn diet followed by the wheat diet and then the barley and oat diets. In conclusion, calves on a corn diet have greater ruminal capacity to accommodate feed bulk. More physically and metabolically functional rumens in calves on corn and wheat diets probably resulted in greater feed consumption and N retention.

Phytate utilization and phosphorus excretion by broiler chickens fed diets containing cereal grains varying in phytate and phytase content

Eighty, 12-day-old, male broiler chicks, were fed one of four diets to determine the effects of feeding grains varying in phytate phosphorus (P) and intrinsic phytase activity on ileal and excreta P digestibility and composition. The diets contained approximately 970.7 g grain kg −1 (maize, high fat–low lignin oat, normal barley or low-phytate barley) with the cereal supplying the sole source of dietary P. The diets were fed for a 7-day acclimation period followed by a 2 day excreta collection while ileal digesta was collected at slaughter on day 21. The coefficients of ileal apparent digestibility (CIAD) for P and phytate P ranged from 0.79 (normal barley) to 0.86 (maize and low-phytate barley) and 0.76 (low-phytate barley) to 0.89 (maize), respectively. The CIAD for phytate P was significantly greater in the maize and high fat–low lignin oat diets, while the low-phytate barley diet had the lowest coefficient (P>0.002). The coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) for P and phytate P ranged from 0.25 (maize) to 0.35 (low-phytate barley) and 0.90 (maize and low-phytate barley) to 0.96 (high fat–low lignin oat), respectively, with no significant differences between diets. There was very little phytate P in excreta regardless of the type of grain fed (<0.13 of total P) with no significant differences between diets. Phytate P degradation was not related to the level of intrinsic phytase in the diet. In summary, current results indicate that, regardless of the type of grain fed, dietary phytate P is highly digestible when large amounts of calcium and P are not added into poultry diets and little phytate P is excreted.

Starch Source Evaluation in Calf Starter: I. Feed Consumption, Body Weight Gain, Structural Growth, and Blood Metabolites in Holstein Calves

Holstein calves were fed pelleted iso-starch (25% of starter dry matter) diets containing barley (n=16), corn (n=16), oat (n=16), and wheat (n=16) starch for 12 wk of age. Feed consumption, nutrient intake, body weight (BW) gain, skeletal growth, and selected blood metabolites in calves during preweaning (d 1 to 49) and postweaning (d 50 to 84) periods were measured. Average daily starter consumption during pre-weaning and postweaning periods was the greatest in calves fed corn died followed by those fed a wheat diet and then in those fed barley and oat diets. During the preweaning period, the calves provided corn and wheat diets consumed greater amount of mixed grass hay than those fed barley and oat diets. During the postweaning period, mixed grass hay intake was the greatest in calves provided corn diet followed by those fed a wheat diet and then in those fed barley and oat diets. Nutrients (dry matter, crude protein, starch, and neutral detergent fiber) intake followed the solid feed consumption pattern in calves. Body weight and body measurements (body length, body barrel, heart girth, wither height, and hip height) at birth and at weaning (d 49) in calves fed different starch sources were similar. Body weight and body measurements at postweaning (d 84) were the greatest in calves fed a corn diet followed by those fed a wheat diet and then in those fed barley and oat diets. Overall average BW gain and total dry matter intake were the greatest in calves fed a corn diet than in those fed wheat, barley, and oat diets. Feed efficiency was greater in calves fed corn and wheat diets than in those fed barley and oat diets. Blood glucose, blood urea N, triglycerides, cholesterol, and creatinine were reduced with the advancing age of calves. Lesser blood glucose and greater blood urea N concentrations at wk 8, 10, and 12 of age were noticed in calves fed corn diet than in those fed barley, oat, and wheat diets. Occurrence of diarrhea was more frequent in calves fed oat diet than in those provided barley, corn, and wheat diets. Starch sources did not influence respiratory score, rectal temperature, and general appearance score. In conclusion, the calves on corn diet consumed more solid feed and gained greater BW than those fed barley, oat, and wheat diets.

Screening of nutrient digestibilities and intestinal pathologies in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, fed diets with legumes, oilseeds, or cereals

Ten different plant protein and/or starch sources were studied in a 5-week experiment with triplicate groups of 0.7-kg Atlantic salmon in seawater, pre-adapted to a diet with fish meal, faba beans, sunflower cake, and wheat gluten as sources of protein and starch. The experimental ingredients were corn gluten, defatted soybean, defatted sunflower, dehulled lupin, defatted double-low rapeseed, whole field pea, whole and dehulled faba bean, whole wheat and naked oat, tested one at a time (14–24% inclusion). The diets were balanced by addition of pure wheat starch and/or pure cellulose, to obtain equal macro nutrient compositions. The control diet consisted of fish meal, wheat starch, cellulose and fish oil. The results showed reduced faecal dry matter content in fish fed the soybean diet and to a lesser extent in those fed the sunflower, lupin and rapeseed diets. Diets containing lupin and rapeseed resulted in a moderate increase in the viscosity of the digesta, while diets with wheat and oat increased viscosity of digesta more. Apparent digestibility of lipid decreased linearly with increasing dietary cellulose level. A significant reduction in the digestibility of crude protein was seen for the soybean, sunflower, rapeseed and oat diets, reflecting reduced digestibilities of most amino acids. The salmon fed the corn gluten, lupin, pea, bean and wheat diets had protein digestibilities comparable to the control group. The digestibility of phosphorus was highest for salmon fed the rapeseed diet and lowest for fish fed the oat diet. Faecal excretion of sodium was highly elevated for salmon fed the soybean diet, and moderately elevated for fish fed the corn gluten and sunflower diets. Faecal excretion of zinc was elevated in the fish fed the oat diet. None of these observations were significantly related to the dietary concentration of phytic acid. A histological examination of the stomach, mid- and distal intestine of all groups showed no other irregularities than enteritis in the distal intestine of salmon fed soybean meal. The present study demonstrated a potential for several plant ingredients, such as field pea and faba bean, partly replacing high-quality fish meal in diets for Atlantic salmon, based on nutrient digestibilities and absence of pathologies in the stomach and intestine.

In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Barley, Husked Oat, Naked Oat, Triticale, and Buckwheat Wastes and Their Influence on the Growth and Biomarkers of Antioxidant Status in Rats

The study was aimed at verification of the following hypothesis: differences in antioxidant capacity of diets consisting of different cereals and byproducts affect the antioxidant status of the consumers of these diets. To validate that hypothesis this study investigated the contents of polyphenols and alpha-tocopherol as well as the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in vitro of cereals and their fractions (barley, husked and naked oat, oat bran, and triticale); the nutritional and antioxidant properties of diets containing these cereals, applied in a 4-week feeding experiment on rats, were also assessed. Among the cereals examined, the highest TAC was reported for barley (13.16 micromol of Trolox/g) and the lowest for naked oat (3.84 micromol of Trolox/g). Compared with cereals, the TAC of buckwheat waste was 2-3 times higher (25.2 micromol of Trolox/g). The antioxidant capacity of diets, calculated in vitro, ranged from 6.35 micromol of Trolox/g for naked oat type diet to 10.51 micromol of Trolox/g for barley type diet. Results of an in vitro study were confirmed in changes of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the serum of rats fed diets with the highest and lowest antioxidant capacities in vitro; the barley diet increased the activity of GPx (37.63 units/mL) and decreased the level of TBARS (4.82 microg/g), whereas the naked oat diet had an opposite effect (31.16 units/mL and 5.91 microg/g, respectively).

Role of Insoluble Fiber on Gizzard Activity in Layers

Effect of access to wood shavings on gizzard activity was examined for birds fed pelleted wheat and oat diets with or without whole cereal inclusion. Layers on litter floor fed wheat diets with access to coarse wood shavings showed up to 60% higher weight of the gizzard and its content than caged layers fed the same diets without access to wood shavings. No such effect was found by feeding oat diets. Thus, a significant interaction was found, indicating that the appetite for wood shavings may be dependent of fiber level of the diet. Appetite for wood shavings and paper was examined for birds fed wheat and oat diets in 2 other experiments. The intake of wood shavings and paper by birds fed a wheat-based diet was numerically twice as high as in birds fed an oat-based diet. However, the individual variation was remarkably high. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration in the gizzard of birds fed the oat diet was up to twice (P < 0.05) the fiber concentration in the gizzard of birds fed the wheat diet. Passage of structural fibers through the gizzard and the appetite for feathers in the absence of structural fibers were also studied in an experiment using diets based on rice and casein. Coarse fiber structures were observed to accumulate in the gizzard. In the absence of fiber, birds ate feathers, indicating that birds may eat feathers to compensate for the lack of structural components in the feed.

A novel high-amylose barley cultivar (Hordeum vulgare var. Himalaya 292) lowers plasma cholesterol and alters indices of large-bowel fermentation in pigs

Hordeum vulgare var. Himalaya 292 is a new barley cultivar with altered starch synthesis and less total starch but more amylose, resistant starch (RS) and total and soluble NSP including beta-glucan. To determine its nutritional potential, young pigs were fed diets containing stabilised wholegrain flours from either Himalaya 292, Namoi (a commercial barley), wheat bran or oat bran at equivalent dietary NSP concentrations for 21 d. Serum total cholesterol was significantly lowered by the Himalaya 292 diet relative to wheat bran, indicating that Himalaya 292 retained its hypocholesterolaemic potential. In all groups SCFA concentrations were highest in the proximal colon and decreased towards the rectum. Digesta pH was lowest in the proximal colon and highest in the distal colon. Large-bowel and faecal pH were significantly lower in the pigs fed the barley and oat diets, indicating greater bacterial fermentation. Caecal and proximal colonic pH was lowest and SCFA pools highest in the pigs fed Himalaya 292. Total and individual SCFA were lowest in the mid- and distal colon of the pigs fed Himalaya 292 or oat bran. These data suggest the presence of more RS in Himalaya 292 and suggest that its fermentation was rapid relative to transit. Differences in faecal and large-bowel anaerobic, aerobic, coliform and lactic acid bacteria were relatively small, indicating a lack of a specific prebiotic action. These data support the potential of this novel barley cultivar to improve health through plasma cholesterol reduction and increased large-bowel SCFA production.

Protein fractions of oats and possibilities of oat utilisation for patients with coeliac disease

The applicability was evaluated of 16 different oats species and varieties of different provenance in the coeliac diet in view of the composition of the protein complex and immunological testing during two-year experiments (2001 and 2002). Determination was carried out of total nitrogen content (average of evaluated oats collection in 2001 was 2.21%, in 2002 2.78%), protein nitrogen content (average 2001 1.94%, 2002 2.28%), and crude protein (N&amp;nbsp;&amp;times;&amp;nbsp;6.25) content (average 2001 13.80%, 2002 17.37%). The proportions of different protein fractions play a decisive role for the aims of this study because, based on the existing knowledge, coeliacally active protein components are present particularly in the prolamin fraction. The percentage of prolamins (determined by discontinual fractionation after Osborne) in the author&amp;rsquo;s evaluated collection of oats species and varieties under the conditions of Central Bohemia reached on average 17.68% of the total protein in 2001, and 15.36% in 2002. The average percentage of albumins and globulins of the total protein reached 36.97% in 2001 and 41.04% in 2002, the average percentage of glutelins of the total proteins was 37.61% in 2001 and 34.10% in 2002, and residual was on average 7.55% in 2001 and 8.70% in 2002, respectively, of the total protein. Electrophoretic analysis of reserve (gluten) proteins (SDS-PAGE ISTA) showed in the oats collection evaluated the percentage of LMW + prolamins in the range 56&amp;ndash;77% of the total reserve proteins in 2001, and 52&amp;ndash;73% in 2002. The results of A-PAGE electrophoretic analysis of prolamin proteins confirmed the presence of &amp;alpha;-prolamins, that ranged in the total content of prolamins from 50 to 88% in 2001, and from 77 to 100% in 2002, while &amp;beta;- + &amp;gamma;-prolamins ranged in 2001 from 11 to 49%, and in 2002 from 0 to 22%. These values do not give serious guarantees for the possible utilisation of oats in the gluten-free diet. The results of the immunological evaluation of the amount of prolamins in oats grains using ELISA showed great differences between different varieties and the experimental years. In 2001, 7 oats samples out of 13 evaluated, and in 2002 10 samples out of 12 evaluated were below the limit for the gluten-free diet (10 mg prolamins (gliadins)/100 g of sample dry matter), but the other varieties exceeded the limit, particularly in 2001, very significantly. The results obtained in the evaluated collection of species and varieties of oats revealed a great variability in the structure of the protein complex and in the immunological testing. In addition a significant effect of the year on the results of all analyses was evident. Based on our results, the use of oats in the diet for coeliac disease can be very risky for these reasons. &amp;nbsp;

Effects of cereal grain supplementation on apparent digestibility of nutrients and concentrations of fermentation end-products in the feces and serum of horses consuming alfalfa cubes.

Twenty geldings (five groups; similar age and BW) were used in a completely randomized design experiment to determine effects of grain supplementation of an alfalfa-cube diet on apparent nutrient digestibility and hindgut fermentation. The geldings were housed individually, fed their diets in two equal meals (0600 and 1800), and adapted to five dietary treatments over 6 wk. The treatments were alfalfa cubes (1% of BW; DM basis) without (control) or with one of four rolled cereal grains (i.e., barley, corn, naked oats, or oats) to provide a target level of 0.4% of BW as total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC). Due to acute laminitis, three geldings (one in the control group and two in the barley group) were excluded. Because of this and multiple incidents of gas colic, TNC level was decreased to 0.2% of BW to ensure the geldings' health throughout the adaptation (7 d) and sample collection (5 d) periods. Grain intakes varied (P < 0.05) and reflected the different TNC concentrations. Apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, and cellulose were not affected (P > 0.05) by grain supplementation and averaged 63.2, 63.1, 79.5, 42.7, 39.9, and 50.3%, respectively. Regardless of the source, grain supplementation increased (P < 0.05) apparent digestibility of TNC (from 85.6 to 94.6%) and decreased (P < 0.05) fecal pH (from 7.04 to 6.74). Fecal concentrations of total VFA (mg/g of DM) were greatest for the barley and naked oats diets (averaging 11.73), intermediate for the oats diet (8.00), and least for the control and corn diets (averaging 5.00; P < 0.05). Fecal concentrations of lactate (microg/g of DM) were greatest for the barley diet (254), intermediate for the oats diet (138), and least for the remaining diets (averaging 100; P < 0.05). Fecal concentrations of NH3 N (mg/g of DM) were greatest for the naked oats diet (1.68), intermediate for the barley and oats diets (averaging 0.86), and least for the remaining diets (averaging 0.63; P < 0.05). Serum concentration of lactate was 46% higher (P < 0.05) for the control than for the grain diets (averaging 0.05 mg/100 mL). Feeding barley, corn, naked oats, and oats contributed to 13, 15, 8, and 20% higher (P < 0.05) serum NH3 N concentrations than the control diet (0.25 mg/100 mL). Higher (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of urea N (mg/100 mL) were detected for the control, barley, and naked oats diets (averaging 25.28) than for the corn or oats diets (averaging 22.21). Results suggest that horses consuming alfalfa cubes could be supplemented with rolled barley, corn, naked oats, or oats at levels not exceeding 0.2% of BW as TNC without affecting nutrient digestion or overall health negatively.

Beneficial effects of oats in the gluten-free diet of adults with special reference to nutrient status, symptoms and subjective experiences.

In several studies oats have been reported to be tolerated by coeliac patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the nutritional and symptomatic effects of including oats in the gluten-free diet, as well as the patients' subjective experiences. Twenty adult coeliac patients included large amounts of oats in their diet. Food intake, gastrointestinal symptoms, blood samples and body weight were examined and compared with examination at baseline. Diet compliance was checked monthly. The results are based on fifteen patients eating oats for 2 years plus three with only 6-months consumption. The median daily intake of oats was 93 (range 27-137) g/d, and the compliance was good. The mean intakes of Fe and dietary fibre increased (P<0.001) with the oat diet, as well as the intakes of thiamin and Zn (P<0.02). The bioavailability of Fe tended to decrease; this seems not to have influenced the Fe status. Temporary increased flatulence was experienced the first few weeks, as well as improved bowel function with oats in the diet. All patients who carried out the whole study period wanted to continue eating oats after the study, as they found that addition of oats in the gluten-free diet gave more variation, better taste and satiety. Oats improved the nutritional value of the gluten-free diet, had no negative effects on nutritional status and were appreciated by the subjects. Including oats can help coeliac patients following a strict gluten-free diet.

Adult coeliac patients do tolerate large amounts of oats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether adult patients with coeliac disease in remission could include large amounts of oats in their daily gluten-free diet for an extended period of time without adverse effects. Twenty adult coeliac patients in remission included large amounts of uncontaminated rolled oats in their daily diet for a prolonged period. The examinations, performed four times during the study period, included small bowel endoscopy with biopsies, blood samples (nutritional status, serological analysis), height and body weight, gastrointestinal symptoms and dietary records. Gastrointestinal symptoms and diet were also investigated through unannounced telephone interviews once a month during the study period. No adverse effects of a large intake of oats were seen in small bowel histology, serology nor in nutritional status in the 15 subjects who completed the whole study period. Two of the subjects dropped out because of gastrointestinal symptoms and three for non-medical reasons. The median intake of oats was 93 g/day and the compliance to the oat diet was found to be good. Examinations of the patients after drop-out did not show any deterioration in small bowel histology or nutritional status nor raised levels of antibodies. Results from this study indicate that adult patients with coeliac disease in remission can include large amounts of controlled wheat-free rolled oats for an extended period of time without adverse effects.

Effect of chemical content and physical characteristics on nutritional value of wheat, barley and oats for poultry

Five wheat, barley and oat varieties were grown on two locations in Norway in 1998 and 1999. These 60 batches of wheat, barley and oats were analysed for chemical contents and physical characteristics. Diets with and without enzyme addition containing 770 g cereals of each batch per kg DM were fed to broiler chickens from 7 to 21 days of age. Apparent metabolisable energy (AME) value of the diets without enzyme added was also determined using adult cockerels. Overall, no major difference in AME value determined with broilers existed between wheat, barley and oats diets when enzymes were not used. AME value of the wheat diets was negatively ( P<0.05) correlated to feed intake. Enzyme addition gave a consistent increase in broiler performance and AME value. Composition varied considerably among batches of wheat. Starch and fat content was positively ( P<0.05) correlated to AME value, while protein content was negatively ( P<0.05) correlated. Falling number was also negatively ( P<0.05) correlated to AME value. A negative relationship between baking quality characteristics and nutritional value of wheat for poultry therefore seemed to exist. Viscosity of the wheat was not closely associated with nutritional value. Considerable variation in nutritional value, which was largely caused by variations in viscosity of the grain, was found among barley varieties. Nutritional value increased ( P<0.05) and variation between batches of barley decreased when enzymes were added to the diet. Water extract viscosity and in vitro digestion viscosity were equally well suited as predictors of nutritional value of barley to poultry, while acid extract viscosity was poorly correlated to nutritional value. Considerable variation in nutritional value was found among oats varieties. Nutritional value increased ( P<0.05) and variation between batches of oats decreased when enzymes were added to the diet. Fibre content was negatively ( P<0.05) associated with nutritional value, while fat content was positively ( P<0.05) associated with nutritional value. When enzymes were not used, viscosity of the cereal also tended to be negatively associated with nutritional value. AME value was consistently higher when determined with adult cockerels than with growing broiler chickens. It is therefore concluded that AME values determined with adult cockerels may have limited value for evaluation of nutritional value of cereals for growing broiler chickens.

Effect of molassed sugar beet pulp on nutrient utilisation and metabolic parameters during exercise.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of partly replacing oats with molassed sugar beet pulp in a traditional hay/oat diet on nutrient utilisation and metabolic parameters in exercising horses. In a change-over experiment, 4 Standardbred geldings were fed a hay and oat-based diet (Oat diet) and a hay and oat-based diet where oats was partially replaced with molassed sugar beet pulp (MSBP diet). Each experimental period was 21 days during which total collection of faeces and urine was made and an exercise test (ET) performed. The crude fat digestibility was lower on the MSBP diet (P<0.05), while there were no differences in digestibility of other nutrients and energy and in the urinary excretion of nitrogen and energy. At rest plasma insulin were lower (P<0.05) 60 and 90 min postprandially on the MSBP diet, while no differences were found in plasma glucose and insulin between the diets during the ET. The peak plasma and muscle lactate values were lower (P<0.05) on the MSBP diet and the content of muscle glycogen was higher (P<0.05) after the ET on the MSBP diet. In conclusion, the metabolic response differed between diets giving a lower lactate response and a higher glycogen content in muscle after exercise on the MSBP diet. This suggests that the dietary carbohydrate composition may influence the rate of glycogenolysis with lactate production and support the hypothesis that MSBP can replace oats in a hay based diet without impairing nutrient utilisation and metabolic response in exercising horses.

Effects on exercise metabolism of varying dietary starch and sugar proportions.

Studies of the effect of varying dietary carbohydrate compositions on exercise metabolism of horses are scarce. In the present study, the starch and sugar proportions were altered in the diet to 4 Standardbred horses. In a crossover experiment, the horses were offered a hay and oat diet, where the oats were substituted for barley syrup (BS) at 4 levels (BS 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg). Each diet was consumed for 21 days and both an incremental treadmill exercise test (IE) and a 40 min submaximal exercise test (SE) were performed. During the IE there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in mean VO2 on BS 1.5 and at the highest speed respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was significantly lower on BS 1.0 and 1.5. During the SE, RER and HR were significantly higher on BS 1.0 and 1.5. There were no significant effects of diets on plasma levels of glucose, lactate and insulin. Following the SE there was a significant decrease in the muscle glycogen content on BS 0, which was not observed in the other diets. In addition, there was a numerical decrease in the glycogen utilisation with increasing proportions of sugar in the diet. In conclusion, this study indicates that horses on diets with a high sugar inclusion respond with an increased heart rate during exercise of lower intensities; and that the response in VO2 and RER may differ depending on the exercise intensity. In addition, glycogen utilisation during submaximal exercise was lowered when daily sugar intake was increased. However, further investigation is needed to evaluate whether this strategy of feeding could be beneficial for exercising horses competing over endurance distances.

Research note: a consistent low starch digestibility observed in pelleted broiler chicken diets containing high levels of different wheat varieties

Ileal digestibility in 21-day-old broiler chickens given cold-pelleted diets containing 770 g/kg DM of four different varieties of wheat, barley or oats was studied. The major objective was to study variation in starch digestibility of wheat diets, and to compare digestibility between grain species. Titanium dioxide was used as a marker. Each of the four ileal samples per diet consisted of chyme from Meckel’s diverticulum to the ileo–caeco–colonic junction from three birds. Average coefficient of apparent ileal starch digestibility was lower than 0.83 in all wheat varieties studied. Starch digestibility increased significantly ( P<0.01) when diets were supplemented with non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, reaching average values between 0.89 and 0.93. Average starch digestibility of barley and oats diets not supplemented with enzymes was 0.96 and 0.99, respectively. The results indicate that wheat starch may be poorly digested by broilers, and that enzyme supplementation does not fully alleviate this problem.

An Oat-Containing Hypocaloric Diet Reduces Systolic Blood Pressure and Improves Lipid Profile beyond Effects of Weight Loss in Men and Women

Hypertension, dyslipidemia and overweight contribute substantially to cardiovascular disease risk. One of the most effective methods for improving high blood pressure and lipid profiles is loss of excess weight. Other recommendations for reducing cardiovascular risk include changes in dietary micronutrient, macronutrient and fiber intakes. To better define a diet for reduction in cardiovascular risk, 43 adults (body mass index 26.4 +/- 3.3, range 20.5-33.9 kg/m(2)) participated in an 8-wk study to determine the effects of two diets on weight, blood pressure, lipids and insulin sensitivity. For 2 wk, weight was maintained and all subjects consumed a control diet. For the next 6 wk, subjects consumed one of two hypocaloric diets (maintenance energy minus 4.2 MJ/d): the control diet (n = 21) or a diet containing oats [45 g/(4.2 MJ dietary energy. d), n = 22]. There was no significant difference between groups in changes in weight loss (control -4.0 +/- 1.1 kg, oats -3.9 +/- 1.6 kg, P = 0.8). The oats diet resulted in greater decreases in mean systolic blood pressure (oats -6 +/- 7 mm Hg, control -1 +/- 10 mm Hg, P = 0.026), whereas diastolic blood pressure change did not differ between the two groups (oats -4 +/- 6 mm Hg, control -3 +/- 5 mm Hg, P = 0.8). The oat diet resulted in significantly greater decreases in total cholesterol (oats -0.87 +/- 0.47 mmol/L, control -0.34 +/- 0.5 mmol/L, P = 0.003) and LDL cholesterol (oats -0.6 +/- 0.41 mmol/L, control -0.2 +/- 0.41mmol/L, P = 0.008). In summary, a hypocaloric diet containing oats consumed over 6 wk resulted in greater improvements in systolic blood pressure and lipid profile than did a hypocaloric diet without oats.

The effect of dietary protein source and protected methionine (Lactet) on wool growth and microbial protein synthesis in Merino wethers

With increasing awareness of the importance of controlling tender wool, there is a need to describe supplementary feeds in terms of their effects on wool growth. Since wool growth is largely a function of the quantity and quality of absorbed protein, the aim of this experiment was to compare the protein quality of different diets in relation to their ability to promote wool growth. An additional aim was to compare observed responses with those predicted using feeding models based on metabolisable protein. Sixty-four Merino weaner wethers were allocated to 8 treatment groups in a factorial design consisting of 4 diets each at 2 levels of protected methionine. The 4 roughage-based diets consisted of different protein sources: Rumentek®-protected canola meal (at 33% of the diet), oats plus urea (oats at 46% and urea at 2.6%), Lupinus angustifolius (at 36%), and L. albus (at 36%). The 2 levels of protected methionine were 0 or 3 g/day as Lactet. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic and were fed at 1.5 × maintenance metabolisable energy. The experiment lasted 13 weeks, which included a 3-week balance collection period in which faeces and urine were collected. Wool growth in sheep fed the protected canola meal diet was 37% greater than in sheep fed oats (1.37 v. 1.0 mg/cm2 per day), and 73% greater than in sheep fed L. angustifolius (P &lt; 0.001). Wool growth from the oat diet was 26% greater than from the L. angustifolius diet (P &lt; 0.05). There was no effect of diet on rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations. Lactet increased wool growth by 18% across all diets (P &lt; 0.001), representing an additional 0.17 mg/cm2 per day or 1.7 g/head per day. There were no significant differences in liveweight gain between the diets unless Lactet was added. When Lactet was added, lupins produced a significantly higher liveweight gain than oats or protected canola meal. Lactet increased mean liveweight gain by 22% across all diets (P &lt; 0.05). Lactet also increased the concentration of plasma albumin, decreased plasma α-amino nitrogen, and increased urinary excretion of creatinine and purine derivatives (P &lt; 0.05). The findings highlight the need to evaluate feed sources in terms of protein degradability and sulfur amino acid composition, particularly when assessing effects on wool growth. The inability of current feeding models to incorporate differences in amino acid flows, particularly sulfur amino acids, is an impediment to evaluating supplement quality in terms of wool growth.

Strain, Fiber Source, and Enzyme Supplementation Effects on Pullet Growth, Nutrient Utilization, Gut Morphology, and Subsequent Layer Performance

The fiber in pullet diets has been recognized as an influence on pullet performance. This study attempted to discover the type and degree of influence which various levels of fiber have. High dietary fiber from two sources (flaxseed or oats, or a combination of flaxseed and oats, with or without enzyme supplementation) were compared to a control corn/soy type ration in two strains of Leghorn pullets (Hisex White or DeKalb Delta). Experimental diets were fed from 4 to 17 wk of age and then layer performance was evaluated from 18 to 38 wk of age. Diets with flaxseed significantly reduced pullet weight gain and feed conversion (feed:gain) to 17 wk of age. Dietary fiber from oats alone improved weight gain and feed:gain compared to the flaxseed or flaxseed with oat diets. Dietary fiber from both sources increased gizzard size and viscosity of gut contents compared to the corn/soy control. Performance in the laying period (18-38 wk) indicated no significant change in performance due to dietary fiber inclusion in pullet rations.