Plasma urea-N Concentrations Research Articles

Effects of Lasalocid or Monensin Supplementation on Digestion, Ruminal Fermentation, Blood Metabolites, and Milk Production of Lactating Dairy Cows

Six ruminally fistulated midlactating multiparous Holstein cows were used in a double 3×3 Latin square design (35-d periods) to study the effects of lasalocid (LAS) and monensin (MON) supplemented at 24 mg/kg of dry matter on digestion, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, and milk production. Cows were blocked according to milk production and fed a red clover silage-based total mixed ration (17.8% crude protein) without supplementation or supplemented with LAS or MON. Daily dry matter intake, milk production, and milk fat and protein concentrations were similar among treatments and averaged 23.5kg, 36.6kg, 3.36%, and 3.38%, respectively. Rumen lipogenic:glucogenic volatile fatty acids and NH3-N concentration were lower, and apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and gross energy were higher with than without ionophore supplementation. Compared with LAS, MON increased concentrations of plasma urea-N and milk urea-N, and excretion of urinary urea-N and total N. Monensin also decreased N retention and tended to reduce plasma concentration of nonessential AA in comparison with LAS. Both ionophores reduced daily fecal excretion of N by 13g compared with the control, but MON increased daily losses of urinary N by 36g compared with LAS. Results from this study suggest that postabsorptive metabolism of N might be altered by the type of ionophore fed.

Fontes protéicas e energéticas com diferentes degradabilidades ruminais para novilhos de corte

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of synchronization of starch (finely ground or steam-flaked corn) and protein (soybean meal or urea) rumen degradation on dry matter intake, total tract digestibility and rumen parameters of finishing Nelore steers. Four Nelore steers (300 kg LW) were utilized in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design, 2 x 2 factorial arragment: two corn processing methods (fine grinding vs. steam flaking) and two protein sources (soybean meal vs. urea). The diets contained 13% grass hay and 87% concentrate. Steam flaking decreased (p < 0.01) starch concentration in duodenal digesta, which would explain lower ruminal pH (p < 0.15) and concentration of N-NH3 (p < 0.01), plasma urea-N concentration (p < 0.01); and the increased molar concentration of ruminal propionate (p < 0.01). As compared to fine grinding, steam-flaking corn increased (p < 0.01) total tract digestibility of starch (98.8 vs. 88.6%), but decreased (p < 0.01) NDF digestibility (41.9 vs. 12.1%). Protein sources had no effect on the evaluated variables. Increasing starch degradability through steam-flaking of corn improved dietary protein utilization by beef steers.

Effect of Glutamine Supplementation on Splanchnic Metabolism in Lactating Dairy Cows

The suggestion that glutamine (Gln) might become conditionally essential postpartum in dairy cows has been examined through increased postruminal supply of Gln. Net nutrient flux through the splanchnic tissues and mammary gland was measured in 7 multiparous Holstein cows receiving abomasal infusions of water or 300g/d of Gln for 21 d in a crossover design. Milk yield increased significantly (by 3%) in response to Gln supplementation, but the 2.4% increase in milk protein yield was not statistically significant. Glutamine treatment had no effect on portal or hepatic venous blood flows. Net portal appearance of Gln and Glu was increased by Gln supplementation, accounting for 83% of the infused dose with, therefore, only limited amounts available to provide additional energy to fuel metabolism of the portal-drained viscera. The extra net portal appearance of Gln was offset, however, by a corresponding increase in hepatic removal such that net Gln splanchnic release was not different between treatments. Nonetheless, the Gln treatment resulted in a 43% increase in plasma Gln concentration. Infusions of Gln did not affect splanchnic flux of other nonessential amino acids or of essential amino acids. Glutamine supplementation increased plasma urea-N concentration and tended to increase net hepatic urea flux, with a numerical increase in liver hepatic O2 consumption. There were no effects on glucose in terms of plasma concentration, net portal appearance, net liver release, or postliver supply, suggesting that Gln supplementation had no sparing effect on glucose metabolism. Furthermore, mammary uptake of glucose and amino acids, including Gln, was not affected by Gln supplementation. In conclusion, this study did not support the hypothesis that supplemental Gln would reduce glucose utilization across the gut or increase liver gluconeogenesis or mammary glutamine uptake to increase milk protein synthesis.

Lysine requirement of finishing pigs administered porcine somatotropin by sustained-release implant1,2

To alleviate the need for daily injection of porcine somatotropin (pST), a sustained-release implant (pSTSR) was devised that continuously delivers a daily dose of 2 mg of pST for 42 d. Ninety-six white composite (Large White x Landrace) finishing barrows (83.6 +/- 1.2 kg BW) were assigned to receive zero or two pSTSR implants (4 mg pST/d) and to consume one of six diets differing in total Lys concentration (0.29, 0.52, 0.75, 0.98, 1.21, or 1.44%, as-fed basis). Diets were formulated to be isocaloric and based on the ideal protein concept. Pigs were housed individually, allowed ad libitum access to feed and water, and slaughtered at 112 kg of BW. The pSTSR affected neither ADG (P = 0.88) nor 10th rib LM area (LMA; P = 0.51), but it decreased (P < 0.01) ADFI, average backfat thickness, 10th rib fat depth, weights of leaf fat and ham fat, improved (P < 0.05) G:F, and increased (P < 0.01) weights of four trimmed lean cuts (T-cuts), and percentages of ham lean and bone. Increasing total Lys increased ADG (quadratic; P < 0.05) and ADFI (linear; P < 0.01). The G:F, plasma urea N concentrations (PUN), and T-cuts were affected by the interaction pSTSR x dietary Lys (P < 0.01). Without pSTSR, the G:F did not differ (P = 0.37) among pigs fed 0.52% and greater total Lys. With pSTSR, the G:F was less (P < 0.05) for pigs fed 0.52% than 0.98 and 1.44% total Lys. Increases in dietary total Lys resulted in increased PUN (P < 0.01), and incremental increases were less in pSTSR-implanted pigs. Maximal yield of T-cuts was at 0.98% dietary total Lys in nonimplanted pigs and 1.21% total Lys in pSTSR-implanted pigs. Estimates of total Lys requirements of pigs without and with pSTSR, respectively, were 0.52 and 0.86% for growth (ADG and G:F) and 0.73 and 0.88% for lean production (LMA and T-cuts). Equivalent apparent ileal digestible Lys requirements of pigs without and with pSTSR, respectively, were 0.44 and 0.68% for growth, and 0.62 and 0.75% for lean production. With ADFI of 3.5 kg daily, an intake of approximately 26.1 g of total daily Lys (0.75%) or 22.4 g of apparent ileal digestible Lys is needed to maximize lean production in finishing barrows receiving 4 mg pST/d via sustained-release implant.

Urea Kinetics in Wethers Exposed to Different Ambient Temperatures at Three Dietary Levels of Crude Protein

Eighteen Suffolk wether lambs (BW = 24 kg) were chronically exposed to temperatures of cold (2°C) or warm (22°C). The experimental design consisted of a 2×3 factorial with a single crossover of environment treatment. The sheep were closely shorn and were housed in individual metabolic crates in controlled environment rooms. Sheep consumed pelleted diets ad libitum, which consisted of mainly barley grain and brome grass, and diets contained 7, 11 or 14% crude protein (CP). Animals were catheterized via one jugular vein with a PVC catheter and received a single injection of 60-65 Ci of ( 14 C)urea. Plasma urea-N (PUN), urinary urea (UU), and carbon specific radioactivity were measured. Urea metabolism was not affected by environment. Percent urea recycling and urea space clearance were highest (p<0.05) on the low nitrogen diet. Urea pool was increased (p<0.10) for the 14% CP diet. Both UU and PUN concentration were positively related (p<0.01) with diet CP content. Therefore, dietary CP content significantly influenced urea metabolism, however, cold exposure did not alter those parameters. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 6 : 795-801)

The tryptophan requirement of growing and finishing barrows1,2,3

Five experiments were conducted to determine the true ileal digestible Trp (tidTrp) requirement of growing and finishing pigs fed diets (as-fed basis) containing 0.87% (Exp. 3), 0.70% (Exp. 4), 0.61% (Exp. 5), and 0.52% (Exp. 1 and 2) tidLys during the early-grower, late-grower, early-finisher, and late-finisher periods, respectively. Treatments were replicated with three or four replications, with three or four pigs per replicate pen. Treatment differences were considered significant at P = 0.10. Experiment 1 was conducted with 27 pigs (initial and final BW of 78.3 +/- 0.5 and 109.8 +/- 1.9 kg) to validate whether a corn-feather meal (FM) tidTrp-deficient (0.07%) diet, when supplemented with 0.07% crystalline l-Trp, would result in growth performance and carcass traits similar to a conventional corn-soybean meal (C-SBM) diet. Pigs fed the corn-FM diet without Trp supplementation had decreased growth performance and carcass traits, and increased plasma urea N (PUN) concentration. Supplementing the corn-FM diet with Trp resulted in greater ADG and G:F than pigs fed the positive control C-SBM diet. Pigs fed the corn-FM diet had similar carcass traits as pigs fed the C-SBM diet, but loin muscle area was decreased and fat thickness was increased. In Exp. 2, 60 pigs (initial and final BW of 74.6 +/- 0.50 and 104.5 +/- 1.64 kg) were used to estimate the tidTrp requirement of finishing pigs. The levels of tidTrp used in Exp. 2 were 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.12, or 0.14% (as-fed basis). Response variables were growth performance, PUN concentrations, and carcass traits and quality. For Exp. 2, the average of the estimates calculated by broken-line regression was 0.104% tidTrp. In Exp. 3, 4, and 5, barrows (n = 60, 60, or 80, respectively) were allotted to five dietary treatments supplemented with crystalline l-Trp at increments of 0.02%. The basal diets contained 0.13, 0.09, and 0.07% tidTrp (as-fed basis) in Exp. 3, 4, and 5, and initial BW of the pigs in these experiments were 30.9 +/- 0.7, 51.3 +/- 1.1, and 69.4 +/- 3.0 kg, respectively. The response variable was PUN, and the basal diet used in Exp. 3 and 4 contained corn, SBM, and Canadian field peas. The tidTrp requirements were estimated to be 0.167% for pigs weighing 30.9 kg, 0.134% for pigs weighing 51.3 kg, and 0.096% for pigs weighing 69.4 kg. Based on our data and a summary of the cited literature, we suggest the following total Trp and tidTrp requirement estimates (as-fed basis): 30-kg pigs, 0.21 and 0.18%; 50-kg pigs, 0.17 and 0.14%; 70-kg pigs, 0.13 and 0.11%; and in 90-kg pigs, 0.13 and 0.11%.

The effect of a condensed tannin-containing forage on methane emission by goats1

The objective of this study was to compare methane emission by goats consuming the condensed tannin-containing forage sericea lespedeza (Les-pedeza cuneata) or a mixture of crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum) and Kentucky 31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Two groups of 12 Angora does (initial average BW = 41.5 +/- 2.7 kg) that previously grazed a pasture of sericea lespedeza or crabgrass/tall fescue for approximately 4 mo were used. After 1 wk of adaptation to metabolism cages, gas exchange was measured for 24 h in an open-circuit respiration calorimetry system with four head boxes. Forage harvested daily from the previously grazed pastures was consumed ad libitum. Crude protein concentration was 10.3 and 13.0%, IVDMD was 64.5 and 75.3%, and the level of condensed tannins was 17.7 and 0.5% for sericea lespedeza and crabgrass/tall fescue, respectively. Dry matter intake (1.11 vs. 0.67 kg/d) and digestible DMI (estimated from IVDMD; 0.71 vs. 0.51 kg/d) were greater (P < 0.01) for sericea lespedeza than for crabgrass/tall fescue. Ruminal ammonia N (3.7 and 9.9 mg/dL; P < 0.001) and plasma urea-N concentrations (16.7 and 20.9 mg/dL; P = 0.07) were lower for sericea lespedeza than for crabgrass/tall fescue. Concentrations of individual and total VFA and the acetate-to-propionate ratio in ruminal fluid did not differ between treatments (P > 0.19). Despite higher DMI by goats fed sericea lespedeza, daily energy expenditure (409 vs. 431 kJ/kg BW(0.75)), heart rate (70 vs. 73 beats/min), and the ratio of energy expenditure to heart rate (5.82 vs. 5.94) did not differ between sericea lespedeza and crabgrass/tall fescue, respectively (P > 0.13). Methane emission expressed as both quantity per day or relative to DMI was lower (P <0.001) for sericea lespedeza than for crabgrass/tall fescue (7.4 vs. 10.6 g/d and 6.9 vs. 16.2 g/kg DMI). Substantial differences between the forages in condensed tannins concentration and methane emission by Angora goats suggest that condensed tannins decreased methane emission.

Effect of live weight gain of steers during winter grazing: III. Blood metabolites and hormones during feedlot finishing.

Two experiments were conducted using 48 Angus x Angus-Hereford steers in each experiment to determine the effect of previous winter grazing BW gain on jugular concentrations of metabolites and hormones during feedlot finishing. In each experiment, steers were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) high rate of BW gain grazing winter wheat (HGW), 2) low rate of BW gain grazing winter wheat (LGW), or 3) grazing dormant tallgrass native range (NR) with 0.91 kg/d of a 41% CP (DM basis) supplement. Steers grazed for 120 or 144 d in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. Plasma and serum were collected from all steers before placement into a feedlot, and six or seven times during finishing in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. In Exp. 1, before steers entered the feedlot, concentrations of insulin, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) were greater (P < 0.05) in HGW than in LGW or NR steers, and concentrations of IGF-I and plasma urea-N were greater (P < 0.05) in steers that grazed wheat pasture than in NR steers. In Exp. 2, concentrations of glucose, T3, T4, and IGF-I were greater (P < 0.05) in steers that grazed wheat pasture than NR steers. In Exp. 1 (P < 0.19) and 2 (P < 0.86), glucose concentration did not differ among treatments during finishing. In Exp. 1, insulin concentration across days on feed was greater for HGW than LGW steers, which were greater than for NR steers (treatment x day interaction, P < 0.03). In Exp. 2, insulin concentration increased (P < 0.001) as days on feed increased. Concentrations of IGF-I were greater in steers that had grazed wheat pasture, whereas the increase in IGF-I with increasing days on feed was greater for NR steers (treatment x day interaction, P < 0.003). Concentrations of T3 and T4 during finishing were greater (P < 0.001) in HGW and LGW than in NR steers in Exp. 1. In Exp. 2, T4 concentration also differed (P < 0.009) among treatments (HGW > LGW > NR). In Exp. 2, final concentration of glucose was greater (P < 0.01) in NR than in HGW and LGW steers, and serum insulin concentration was greater (P < 0.04) in NR than LGW steers. Final concentrations of T3 (P < 0.01) and T4 (P < 0.004) were greater in NR than in HGW steers. Our data show that previous BW gain can affect blood metabolites and hormones in steers entering the feedlot. However, lower concentrations of T3, T4, and IGF-I in steers when they entered the feedlot did not inhibit the growth response of previously restricted steers.

Nitrogen utilisation and ureogenesis as affected by dietary nucleic acid in rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) and turbot ( Psetta maxima )

We evaluated the influence of dietary nucleic acid (NA) supplied either as an RNA extract (RNA) or as brewer's yeast (BY) on nitrogen (N) utilisation, N excretion and ureogenesis in a freshwater teleost, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and a marine teleost, the turbot (Psetta maxima). Five diets containing two levels of NA or BY were formulated for each species, and fed to juvenile rainbow trout (initial body weight (IBW): 21.7 g) and turbot (IBW: 11.8 g) over 8–10 weeks. Besides growth and N utilisation, we monitored total ammonia-N and urea-N excretion rates and measured the activities of selected enzymes (glutamate dehydrogenase, ornithine carbamoyltransferase, arginase and uricase). There was no clear N sparing effect of dietary NA or BY supplementations in either species. Feeding diets containing the RNA extract led to an almost two-fold increase in postprandial plasma urea-N and uric acid concentrations and in urea-N excretion rates. Glutamate dehydrogenase and arginase activities were decreased in fish fed NA supplemented diets. Uricase activities were inversely related to dietary NA levels. Data on N excretion and enzyme activities clearly suggest that ureogenesis is influenced by dietary NA in both species.

Nutrient Intake and Digestibility of Cotton Gin Trash Treated with Hypochlorite Oxidant or Extruded

Bernard, J.K., Woldeghebriel, A. and Mueller, T.C. 2001. Nutrient intake and digestibility of cotton gin trash treated with hypochlorite oxidant or extruded. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 19: 165–176. To determine the effect of hypochlorite oxidant and extrusion on nutrient intake and digestibility of gin trash (GT) and compare GT with pelleted cottonseed hull (PCSH), two trials were conducted. Treatments included PCSH, untreated (CONT), predigested with a hypochlorite oxidant (PD), extruded (EXT) and predigested and extruded (P&E) byproduct. Five Holstein heifers were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design and fed diets containing 25% GT or PCSH. Dry matter (DM) intake of heifers was not different among treatments but intake of diets containing GT was 17% lower than PCSH. Apparent digestibility of DM, OM, and NDF was similar for all treatments; however, ADF digestibility was lowest for PCSH compared to CONT, PD and P&E. Ruminal NH3-N concentration was highest for P&E compared to PCSH, CONT and PD. Extrusion decreased molar proportions of acetate (A) and increased propionate (P) resulting in lower A:P ratios. Molar proportions of butyrate was greatest for CONT and P&E and molar proportions of isovalerate was greatest for PCSII and PD. Concentrations of plasma urea-N (PUN) and glucose were not different among treatments. In situ digestibility of DM and NDF was greatest for GT compared to PCSH. Treatment of GT with the mixed oxidant or extruding the GT did not improve DM or NDF digestibility at 48 and 96 h compared to CONT. All GT treatments were digested equally at 192h. Extrusion improved bulk density of GT by 63% but did not improve DM intake or apparent digestibility. Extruding the material treated with the mixed oxidant in the current study appeared to eliminate any potential increase in apparent digestibility compared with the PD byproduct. This may in part be attributed to the potential loss of solublized components resulting in increased concentration of less digestible fraction in the remaining material.

Rumen Parameters and Urea Kinetics in Goats and Sheep

The effects of animal species and supplements on rumen fluid characteristics, plasma urea-N (PUN) concentration, plasma urea-N pool size, urea-N degradation in the gut and urea-N net flux (urea-N synthesis rate) were studied in goats and sheep, with some minor differences detected. The animals were fed either chopped rice straw ad libitum+200 g soybean meal (SBM), or chopped rice straw ad libitum+190 g soybean meal+300 g sago meal (SBM+SM) for 14 days. The supplements were isonitrogenous (80 g crude protein/animal/d). [14C]-urea was used as the marker for urea metabolism studies. Two animals from each species were fed either supplement in a cross-over design in two periods. The results showed that rumen pH was significantly (p<0.001) lower in animals fed SBM+SM than those fed SBM supplement. The ammonia concentrations of rumen fluid were significantly (p<0.01) higher in sheep (382.9 mg N/L) than goats (363.1 mg N/L) when fed SBM supplement but lower (282.5 mg N/L) than that of goats (311.0 mg N/L) when fed SBM+SM supplement. Total VFA concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher in animals fed SBM+SM supplement than those fed SBM supplement. Goats had significantly (p<0.01) higher molar proportions of acetate (79.1, 77.7%, respectively) than sheep (75.8, 74.0%, respectively) in both supplements. The molar proportion of acetate was significantly (p<0.05) higher, while that of butyrate lower in animals fed SBM supplement than those fed SBM+SM supplement. In animals fed SBM supplement, the molar proportion of propionate was significantly (p<0.01) higher in sheep (18.0%) than in goats (15.6%), but in animals fed SBM+SM, the molar proportion of butyrate was significantly (p<0.01) higher (9.6%) in sheep than in goats (7.2%). Plasma urea-N concentration, plasma urea-N pool size, urea-N degradation in the gut, urea-N net flux and the fraction of urea-C from the blood entering the rumen were not significantly different between goats and sheep fed either supplement. However, PUN concentration was significantly (p<0.05) lower in animals fed SBM+SM supplement (average of 13.8 mg N/100 ml) than in those fed SBM supplement (average of 16.5 mg N/100 ml). The urea net flux was significantly (p<0.05) higher in goats (average of 14.5 g N/d) than sheep (average of 12.9 g N/d), and animals fed SBM supplement showed higher (average of 14.9 g N/d) urea net flux than animals fed SBM+SM supplement (average of 12.9 g N/d) A significant (p<0.05) positive correlation was observed between urea-N net flux and urea-N degradation; urea-N net flux and pool size; urea-N net flux and urea excretion in the urine; and PUN and rumen ammonia in goats. While in sheep, significant (p<0.05) positive correlation was observed between urea-N net flux and urea excretion in the urine; and PUN and rumen ammonia.

Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate and creatine effects on growth and plasma metabolites of nursery pigs.

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) and creatine monohydrate on growth performance and plasma metabolites of nursery pigs. In each experiment, treatments were replicated with four to five pens of four to six pigs each. Each experiment lasted from 3 to 4 wk and Phase I (1.6% Lys) and Phase II (1.3 to 1.5% Lys) diets were fed for 9 to 16 d each. In Exp. 1, pigs (4.7 kg and 15 d of age) were fed diets containing 0, .10, or .75% OKG. Daily gain during a 13-d Phase I period and ADFI during Phase I and overall (29 d) were increased (P < .10) in pigs fed .75% OKG. Gain:feed ratio was not affected (P > .10) by diet. In Exp. 2, pigs (7.1 kg and 23 d of age) were fed 0 or .50% OKG during Phase I only. During Phase I, II, and overall, ADG and ADFI were not affected (P > .10) by OKG supplementation, but gain:feed was decreased during Phase I (P < .04), Phase II (P < .08), and overall (P < .04). Plasma urea N (PUN), glucose, and NEFA concentrations were not affected (P > .10) by OKG supplementation in this experiment. In Exp. 3, pigs (5.8 kg and 20 d of age) were fed diets containing 0, .10, or .50% creatine. Creatine tended to linearly decrease ADG (P = .11) and plasma albumin (P = .12) and PUN (P < .10) concentrations in Phase II (d 12 to 26). In Exp. 4, 850 mg of OKG or 750 mg of creatine was provided daily by oral capsule to pigs 4 d before weaning to 2 d after weaning. Pigs within a litter received either no capsule or capsules containing OKG or creatine. After weaning, pigs that received no capsule before weaning received no treatment, .50% creatine, or .50% OKG in the nursery diet. Pigs that received OKG before weaning received no treatment or .50% OKG, and pigs that received creatine before weaning received no treatment or .50% creatine in the nursery diet. Pigs weighed 3.9 kg 4 d before weaning and 4.9 kg at weaning at an average age of 20 d. The OKG provided by capsule decreased ADG (P < .02) and ADFI (P < .09) during Phase II. The OKG did not affect (P > .10) plasma NEFA, glucose, or urea N concentrations. Creatine added to the nursery diet increased (P < .02) ADFI and decreased (P < .10) gain:feed during Phase II and overall. Creatine in the nursery diet also increased (P < .01) PUN, but it did not affect plasma glucose or NEFA concentrations. Creatine and OKG have variable effects on growth performance and plasma metabolites of nursery pigs.

Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Feedlot Cattle Fed Ensiled Soybean Straw Treated with Various Alkalis

ABSTRACT A beef growing-finishing study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding ensiled chopped soybean straw (SBS) (35% dry matter) treated with various alkalis on performance carcass characteristics. Concentrations of alkalis used in the diets were either 0 (control) or 4% (w/w) of the straw dry matter. A fescue hay (FH) diet was used as a positive control. Thirty-five Angus and Hereford steer and heifer calves averaging 202 kg body weight were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups. Treatments were: (1) water, (2) NaOH, (3) Ca(OH)2, (4) NH4OH, and (5) FH. The diets were fed 141 days including a 21-day adaptation period. Sodium hydroxide and Ca(OH)2 treatments decreased (P < 0.05) the organic matter concentration while the NH4OH increased (P < 0.05) the nitrogen level of the straw. Alkali treatments decreased (P < 0.05) the acid detergent fiber (ADF) and increased (P < 0.05) the hemicellulose contents of the straw compared to the water treatment. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences among final weights and average daily gain of animals fed alkali treated forage and those fed fescue hay. Average dry matter intake and feed:grain ratio did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatments. Also, alkali treatments increased (P < 0.05) carcass weight compared the water treatment, whereas other carcass characteristics did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatments. Cattle fed the NH4OH treated SBS had the highest (P < 0.05) plasma urea-N (PUN) and ruminal ammonia-N concentrations than those fed the other treatments. Plasma urea-N did not differ (P > 0.05) among cattle fed SBS treated with NaOH, Ca(OH)2 or water and those fed FH diets. Ruminal ammonia-N concentrations were the lowest (P < 0.05) for cattle fed NaOH treated SBS. Ruminal pH value was the lowest (P < 0.05) for cattle fed the ensiled control compared to the other treatment groups. Alkali treatments did not (P > 0.05) affect the molar concentrations of VFAs. Molar proportion of acetate was higher (P < 0.05) for animals fed NaOH treated SBS than for those fed the water treatment. Molar proportion of propionate, butyrate, valerate, as well as acetate:propionate ratio did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatments.

Nitrogen metabolism of sheep and goats consuming Acacia brevispica and Sesbania sesban.

We described the effects of two East African browses, Acacia brevispica and Sesbania sesban, on nitrogen metabolism of sheep and goats. The A. brevispica had a substantial amount of proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins); S. sesban did not. The browses were fed at three levels in combination with vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) and teff straw (Eragrostis abyssinica). Fecal N, N balance, and plasma urea N (PUN) were estimated with intact animals. Ruminal ammonia (RuA) and VFA concentrations were estimated with ruminally fistulated animals. Urinary N loss, PUN, RuA, and VFA concentrations were higher for S. sesban diets than for A. brevispica diets. Fecal N was highest with diets including A. brevispica due to high levels of fecal neutral-detergent insoluble N. Nitrogen retention was highest for diets including S. sesban. Nitrogen retention was adequate for A. brevispica diets because low urinary N compensated for high fecal N. Four hypotheses describe possible effects of tannins on N metabolism: 1) escape of protein from the rumen to the lower tract; 2) increased microbial yield; 3) increase in N-containing endogenous products; and 4) protein made indigestible in tannin-protein complexes. The effect of tannins in A. brevispica on N metabolism can best be described by the formation of indigestible tannin-protein complexes, although increased production of endogenous products is also possible.

Effects of feeding Yucca schidigera extract in diets varying in crude protein and urea contents on growth performance and cecum and blood urea and ammonia concentrations of rabbits

Yucca extract (YE) has ammonia-binding properties. It was hypothesized that by binding ammonia in the cecum, YE could influence cecal utilization of crude protein (CP) and dietary urea. Two experiments were undertaken using New Zealand White weanling rabbits (5–6 weeks of age). In both experiments, YE was mixed at 250 mg kg −1 of diet, and six individually fed rabbits were used per treatment. In Experiment 1, the four diets were: (1) high-protein (HP); (2) HP + YE (HPYE); (3) medium-protein (MP); (4) MP + YE (MPYE). The two protein levels were 23% and 19%. Average daily gain (ADG) was higher ( P < 0.01) in HPYE vs. HP whereas it was similar in MP vs. MPYE. There was no significant interaction between CP and YE. Feed intake was similar among treatments. Feed/gain in HPYE was better than in HP ( P < 0.05). Cecal urea-N (CUN), cecal ammonia-N (CAN) and cecal pH did not differ significantly among the four treatments. Plasma urea-N (PUN) concentrations differed among treatments ( P < 0.01). The PUN differed ( P < 0.05) between HP and MP treatments. The interaction of CP and YE was significant ( P < 0.01). The PAN was higher ( P < 0.05) for HP than for the other treatments. Cecal propionate was lower ( P < 0.05) for MP than for HP treatments. In Experiment 2, diets were: (1) low protein (LP); (2) LP + YE (LPYE); (3) LP + urea; (4) LPU + YE (LPUYE). The two CP treatments were 16.5% CP and 16.5% CP + 2% urea. The ADG was highest ( P < 0.05) for the LPYE, and was lower ( P < 0.05) for the LPU than for the LP treatments. CUN was similar among treatments, whereas CAN was lowest ( P < 0.05) in LPUYE. The PUN was higher ( P < 0.05) in the LPU than in the LP treatments, and was higher for LPU than for LPUYE. There were no differences in PAN. Cecal acetate and propionate concentrations were higher in LPYE than in the other groups, indicating a favorable effect of YE on cecal fermentation. It is concluded that YE modifies the utilization of dietary CP and urea by rabbits, by influencing cecal fermentation. This effect is probably mediated by ammonia binding.

Dietary nitrogen and phosphorus depletion in cattle and their effects on liveweight gain, blood metabolite concentrations and phosphorus kinetics

SUMMARYIn a 15-week animal-house experiment, 24 steers were offered one of six diets based on molasses andad libitumbarley straw. Three levels of dietary nitrogen (N) and three levels of dietary phosphorus (P), in factorial combination, were formulated by the addition of urea, formaldehyde-treated wheat gluten and monosodium orthophosphate. Food intake, liveweight gain, plasma metabolites and P kinetics were measured under dietary regimens similar to those experienced by cattle grazing Australia's northern semi-arid rangelands.The adverse effect of the low dietary N on both liveweight change and feed intake was greater and more immediate than that of the dietary P deficiency. The reduction in feed intake due to the P deficiency approached that caused by the N deficiency after 10 weeks. Under conditions of adequate dietary N, there was a trend for the effects of P deficiency on liveweight gain to be exacerbated. Dietary N and P deficiency reduced the concentrations of plasma urea-N and inorganic P respectively. Dietary N deficiency had no effect on cortical rib bone thickness but P deficiency markedly decreased bone thickness. Faecal endogenous loss of P and P absorption efficiency ranged from 9 to 21 mg/kg LW and 0·63 to 0·82 respectively for P intakes from 6 to 41 mg·kg LW. Faecal endogenous losses were closely related to dry matter intake and plasma inorganic P together. Dietary N deficiency affected the efficiency of absorption of P.The results of this experiment indicate that cattle consuming diets containing low levels of N and P require supplementary N and P in combination to avoid severe depletion since an increase in N intake alone exacerbated the P deficiency. The results are also discussed in relation to the published findings regarding P metabolism and the implications for the calculation of P requirements.

Use of plasma urea nitrogen as a rapid response criterion to determine the lysine requirement of pigs.

Five experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential use of plasma urea N (PUN) concentrations as a rapid response criterion to determine amino acid requirements. A preliminary experiment (Exp. 1) indicated that a 3-d feeding time was required to re-equilibrate PUN concentrations after a change in the dietary concentration of lysine. In Exp. 2, 3, and 4, PUN was used to estimate the lysine requirement of growing pigs at different specific BW. Thirty individually penned crossbred pigs weighing 32 and 44 kg in Exp. 2 and 3, respectively, were assigned to five dietary treatments (.60, .70, .80, .90, and 1.00% lysine) for 5 d. The PUN decreased quadratically (P < .05) to increasing dietary lysine. A two-slope, broken-line regression model estimated the requirement at .85% in Exp. 2 and at .76% in Exp. 3. In Exp. 4, 60 crossbred pigs (30 barrows and 30 gilts) weighing 70 kg were assigned to five dietary lysine concentrations: .50, .60, .70, .80, and .90% for 4 d. Increasing lysine caused PUN to decrease quadratically (P < .01). The estimated requirements were different (P < .05) between sexes: .69% for barrows and .75% for gilts. In Exp. 5, the validity of using PUN as a rapid response criterion was verified by comparing the estimated lysine requirement based on PUN with the requirement determined in a 7-d N balance. Twenty crossbred barrows averaging 19 kg were used. Dietary lysine concentrations were .60, .75, .90, 1.05, and 1.20%. A quadratic response was observed in PUN (P < .05) and N retention (NR) (P < .01) with increasing lysine. The estimated lysine concentrations that maximized rates of NR and minimized PUN (1.03 vs. 1.05) were not different (P > .10). Therefore, PUN concentrations can be used in short-term trials to accurately estimate the dietary lysine required to maximize total N utilization in pigs at a specific BW. In addition, the two-slope broken-line regression model had the highest R2 and the lowest mean square error compared with three other models as means for estimating lysine requirement from PUN concentrations.

Relationship of rate of lean tissue growth and other factors to concentration of urea in plasma of pigs.

The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the relationship between plasma urea N concentrations (PUN) and lean tissue growth and 2) to compare the value of different variables, related to lean growth and renal function, to correct the relationship between dietary lysine concentration and PUN response for variation not related to amino acid adequacy. Forty-eight gilts (64.8 kg BW) were individually penned (blocks based on initial BW) for 50 d: a 10-d adjustment, a 35-d pretreatment, and a 5-d treatment period. During the pretreatment period, ADFI, urine specific gravity (SG), serum creatinine (SC), PUN, and daily fat-free carcass lean (DFFCL), empty body protein (DEBP), total carcass fat (DCF), and empty body lipid (DEBLI) depositions were measured. Partial correlation coefficients (ADFI effect removed) indicated a strong and inverse relationship between PUN and lean growth (DFFCL and DEBP) (r = -.88 and -.91, respectively, P < .01) and a positive relationship between PUN and fat deposition (DCF and DEBLI) (r = .66 and .54; respectively, P < .22). Treatments consisted of six dietary lysine concentrations (.475, .550, .625, .700, .775, and .850%). Initial and final BW in the treatment period were 103.3 and 107.7 kg, respectively. Pretreatment PUN (PUNO) was the pretreatment variable with the greatest R2 and the smallest MSE when used in the model describing the response of PUN (PUN1) to dietary lysine. The estimated lysine requirements from the PUN1 response corrected with either PUN0 or with the combination of PUN0, ADFI, DFFCL, DCF, SG, and SC were not (P > .05) different (.656 vs > 678%, respectively). We conclude that 1) PUN concentrations have a potential value as an indicator of the efficiency of lean tissue growth and 2) pretreatment PUN is a useful variable to correct treatment PUN for variation not related to amino acid adequacy.

Corn supplementation of lambs grazing alfalfa.

We investigated the effects of supplementing Rambouillet x Suffolk wether lambs grazing irrigated 'Cimarron' alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) with three levels (0 [C0], 123 [C123], and 247 [C247] g of DM.lamb-1.d-1) of cracked corn. Each treatment group also received 190 g of a supplement designed to prevent bloat. Replicated pastures (three per treatment) grown on a fine, mixed, thermic Torretic Paleustoll soil were grazed rotationally (forage plus supplement allowance of 6.5% of BW/d) by lambs for 85 d during spring 1992. Supplemental corn levels were analyzed as single degree of freedom contrasts for linear and quadratic effects. At the start of the experiment, lambs weighed 30.7 +/- .32 kg. Average daily gains for C0 C123, and C247 were 141, 154, and 169 g/d, respectively. Lamb production per hectare increased quadratically (P < .01) with increasing corn level (C0 [716 kg of lamb/ha], C123 [816 kg of lamb/ha], and C247 [964 kg of lamb/ha]). Supplementation with C247 vs C0 increased carcass weights (11%), dressing percentage (6%), and backfat thickness (30%). Plasma urea N (PUN) concentrations did not differ (P > .10) between C0 and C123 after 27 d of corn supplementation, but after 75 d PUN concentrations between C0 and C123 had decreased (P < .10) by 11%. For C247, PUN concentrations after 27 and 75 d of corn supplementation had decreased (P < .10) by 17 and 18%, respectively, compared with C0. Plasma urea N concentrations increased (P < .01) linearly (r2 = .93) with an increase in digestible CP:DE ratio (DP:DE).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of trenbolone acetate alone and in combination with oestradiol-17β for reducing weight loss in cattle

The effect of various doses of trenbolone acetate, either atone or in combination with oestradiol-17G, on liveweight loss of steers fed restricted amounts of low-quality roughage was determined in a series of experiments. It was found that for steers of 350-400 kg liveweight, a dose of at least 300 mg trenbolone acetate had to be used for significant reduction of the rate of weight loss. Treatment with 300 and 400 mg trenbolone acetate significantly (P &lt; 0.01) reduced concentrations of plasma urea-N. It was also shown that steers grazing dry season pasture and implanted with 300 mg trenbolone acetate lost significantly (P &lt; 0.001) less weight than their untreated counterparts (-8 v. -14 kg). Regardless of dose, trenbolone acetate in combination with oestradiol-17P did not significantly reduce the rate of weight loss or plasma urea-N concentration. The importance of these results in terms of the likely use of trenbolone acetate in cattle in the northern Australian dry season is discussed.