Precision-fed Cecectomized Rooster Assay Research Articles

Evaluation of protein and energy quality of rendered spent hen meals

This study evaluated three spent hen meals (SHM) that were produced in commercial rendering plants. The levels (percentage) of selected nutrients (mean and range) in the meals were: CP, 64 (56 to 71); ash, 16 (12 to 18); lysine, 4.0 (3.6 to 4.3); methionine, 1.3 (1.2 to 1.4); cystine, 1.1 (0.8 to 1.5). Protein efficiency ratios (PER; weight gain per unit of protein intake) were determined in chicks fed 10% CP diets containing a SHM as the only source of dietary protein. The PER values for the SHM averaged 1.6 but varied from 1.1 to 2.2. An experiment was conducted using New Hampshire x Columbian chicks during the 7 to 20 d age period to determine the effect of substitution with either 7.5 or 15% of a SHM to a 21.5% CP corn-soybean meal diet. When substituted at 7.5%, growth performance was not affected by two of the SHM but was depressed by the other one. Growth performance was decreased by all SHM when substituted at 15% of the diet. True amino acid digestibility and TMEn of the SHM were determined using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay in which four roosters were crop-intubated with 30 g of a SHM and excreta were collected for 48 h. True amino acid digestibility varied among SHM (P < or = 0.05) and digestibility of cystine was substantially lower than digestibility of the other amino acids. Mean TMEn (kilocalories per gram of DM) of the SHM was 3.003 but varied by 44% among samples. The results of this study indicated that SHM has substantial nutritional value for poultry but the nutritional quality may vary greatly among samples.

Bioavailability of Digestible Lysine in Heat-Damaged Soybean Meal for Chick Growth

Previous experiments indicated that true digestible Lys values for soybean and cottonseed meals obtained with the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay were accurate estimators of Lys bioavailability for chick growth. This study was conducted to determine whether the digestible Lys in overheated soybean meal (SBM) was totally bioavailable for protein synthesis. Soybean meal alone or mixed with dextrose (SBM: dextrose ratio = 3:1) was autoclaved at 114 C and 97 kPa for 0 to 60 min. True digestibility of Lys in SBM was determined using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. Bioavailability was then assessed by chick growth assay using purified crystalline amino acid diets deficient in Lys that were supplemented with varying levels of crystalline L-Lys·Cl or a SBM. Multiple regression slope-ratio methodology indicated that the digestible Lys in unautoclaved SBM was 100% bioavailable. For SBM autoclaved for 40 or 60 min and SBM-dextrose autoclaved for 20 min, bioavailability of digestible Lys based on weight gain or carcass Lys gain was 81 to 87% and significantly less (P < 0.05) than 100%, whereas bioavailability values based on feed efficiency and carcass N gain did not differ (P > 0.05) from 100%. Bioavailability values for digestible Lys in SBM:dextrose autoclaved for 30 min ranged from 55 to 73% for all performance criteria. Partitioning the response criteria, so that only the response to the supplemental Lys source (not the basal diet) was being evaluated, increased the bioavailability values for all treatments except SBM: dextrose autoclaved for 30 min. The results of this study indicated that digestible Lys in severely heat-damaged SBM measured by the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay was not totally bioavailable for protein synthesis.

Bioavailability of the Digestible Lysine and Valine in Cottonseed and Soybean Meals for Chicks

Previous research showed that formulation of chick diets containing cottonseed meal (CSM) using true digestible amino acid (AA) values was superior to formulation based on total AA; however, optimum growth performance could not be obtained from high CSM diets even when formulated on a digestible AA basis. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to determine whether the digestible AA in CSM were totally bioavailable or utilizable for protein synthesis. Soybean meal (SBM) was also evaluated for comparison. True digestibility of Lys and Val in CSM and SBM were determined using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. Bioavailability was then assessed by chick growth assay using purified crystalline AA diets deficient in Lys or Val that were supplemented with varying levels of the test AA, CSM, SBM, or AA mixtures simulating the digestible AA composition of CSM and SBM. Multiple regression slope-ratio methodology indicated that bioavailability of the digestible Lys in CSM and the digestible Lys and Val in SBM did not differ (P > 0.05) from 100% for most response parameters. Bioavailability of the digestible Val in CSM ranged from 78 to 96% depending on response parameter. Bioavailabilities of crystalline Lys and Val in the AA mixtures simulating CSM and SBM were generally lower than the bioavailabilities of the digestible Lys and Val in CSM and SBM. The results of this study indicated that the digestible Lys and Val in SBM and CSM as measured by the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay are totally or almost totally bioavailable for protein synthesis.

Assessment of Intestinal Amino Acid Availability in Cattle by Use of the Precision-Fed Cecectomized Rooster Assay

The digestibilities of amino acids in duodenal digesta of steers were measured using a precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. Freeze-dried duodenal digesta from steers fed five different diets were utilized. Amino acids present in digesta of steers fed diets supplemented with corn gluten meal were more digestible than those from digesta of steers fed diets supplemented with soybean meal, blood meal, fish meal, or no true protein source. Measurements of amino acid digestibility in the cecectomized rooster were similar to those obtained previously when measured with reference to chromic oxide in steers fitted with duodenal and ileal cannulae, suggesting that the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay is an appropriate technique for estimating small intestinal digestibility of amino acids in cattle.