Replicated Latin Square Research Articles

Canine Food Preference Assessment of Animal and Vegetable Ingredient-Based Diets Using Single-Pan Tests and Behavioral Observation.

Knowledge of canine food selection is critical for both the pet food industry and dog owners, since owners want quality foods that are palatable, while fulfilling their pet’s nutritional requirements. There are two common methods for assessing canine food preference: the two-pan test and the one-pan test. Neither test fully accounts for the complexity of the canine feeding experience nor do they provide applicable representations of canine feeding behavior in the home. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine whether dogs display a preference for animal ingredient-based diets when compared with vegetable ingredient-based diets and (2) examine whether dogs experience neophobia when presented with a novel diet. Eight adult Beagles (average age = 24 months, weighing 8–12 kg) were individually fed each of four novel diets in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design, with 10-d treatment periods and four dietary treatments. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures and significance was declared when p < 0.05. The diets were: animal and vegetable ingredient-based diets, and animal- and vegetable-based ingredients diluted with anhydrous α-d-glucose. The diluted diets were used for a larger study to determine true mineral digestibility. Dogs were fed twice per day (0800 and 1300 h). Behavioral observations were made by video on the first, and last 2 days of each 10-day treatment period of both a.m. and p.m. feedings. Time to consume feed, distraction, hesitation, level of anticipation pre-consumption, and interest post-consumption were recorded. Dogs experienced initial disruptive (neophobic) effects of a novel diet. Neophobia was demonstrated by a decreased (slower) rate of consumption, increased distraction during consumption of the diet, and increased hesitation on the first day of each new diet (p < 0.05). The level of interest post-consumption was highest when dogs consumed the animal-based ingredients diet (p < 0.05). This study presents insights into canine food preference assessment methods that may more accurately represent the dog owner’s experience. Further research is required to determine the minimum length of time necessary to eliminate neophobia to food. In addition, future research should also aim to establish whether interest post-consumption is due primarily to food preference or acute satiety.

223 Comparison of four digestibility markers to estimate fecal output of dogs

The use of chromic oxide is the standard marker for determining digestibility of dog diets. However, this method is not without issue regarding safety and repeatability. Therefore, it was our objective to determine the effect of using alternative markers to estimate fecal output and calculate diet digestibility. Four dietary treatments were produced from sorghum fractions (WSD, whole sorghum diet; FLD, sorghum flour diet; MFD; sorghum mill-feed diet) and rice, corn, wheat 1:1:1 (CON, control) as starch sources and fed to twelve Beagle dogs in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design. Fecal output was estimated using external markers Cr2O3 (0.25%) and TiO2 (0.40%) mixed with the diet prior to extrusion and acid insoluble ash (AIA) as an internal marker and by total fecal collection (TFC). Fecal output of OM, DM, CP, GE, crude fiber, and crude fat by the 4 different methods was analyzed and compared using Pearson partial correlation coefficients from the Error SSCP Matrix. Correlations (R2) were considered significant at P < 0.05. The TiO2 and Cr2O3 were highly (P < 0.05) correlated for estimates of fecal output of all nutrients: 0.93, 0.91, 0.91, 0.91, 0.99, and 0.93 for OM, DM, CP, crude fat, crude fiber and GE, respectively. The TiO2 also had significant correlations (P < 0.05) to TFC (0.59, 0.55, 0.61, 0.61, 0.82, and 0.60 for OM, DM, CP, crude fat, crude fiber, and GE, respectively) and AIA (0.84, 0.82, 0.82, 0.82, 0.84, and 0.86 for OM, DM, CP, crude fat, crude fiber, and GE, respectively). The Cr2O3 was also correlated (P < 0.05) to TFC (0.56, 0.50, 0.57, 0.57, 0.81, and 0.56 for OM, DM, CP, crude fat, crude fiber, and GE, respectively) and AIA (0.75, 0.71, 0.73, 0.73, 0.79, and 0.78 for OM, DM, CP, crude fat, crude fiber, and GE, respectively). The TFC and AIA methods had the poorest correlation among estimates of fecal outputs of OM, DM, CP, crude fat, crude fiber, and GE (0.29, 0.22, 0.33, 0.33, 0.54, and 0.33, respectively). Within these nutrients, only TFC and AIA for crude fiber fecal output correlated (P < 0.05). The study suggests that TiO2 may be a better marker to estimate fecal output in dogs than Cr2O3. TiO2 is considered GRAS and is a common colorant in pet foods. The use of the AIA technique needs to be further studied since it represents a potential option for evaluating diets that are difficult to incorporate external markers.

Characterizing ammonia emissions from horses fed different crude protein concentrations.

Evaluating impact of animal agriculture on air quality has been the focus of recent research. Ammonia (NH) volatilization occurs when undigested protein in feces and urea in urine is broken down by bacteria and enzymes. Information regarding NH emission from equine facilities is limited, and effects of CP intake on NH emissions have not been investigated. Nine mature geldings were used in a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square design study to determine effects of dietary CP on potential NH losses from feces and urine. We hypothesized feeding horses above the CP requirement would result in an increase in NH emissions from urine and feces and different bedding materials would affect NH emissions from urine. Diets were formulated using different ratios of bahiagrass () and Tifton-85 bermudagrass () hays, and a commercial vitamin mineral supplement to provide 3 different CP concentrations and labeled in relation to each other: LOW-CP, MED-CP, and HIGH-CP (10.6%, 11.5%, and 12%, respectively). Each study period consisted of an 11-d diet adaptation phase, followed by a 3-d total collection of urine and feces. To determine total nitrogen (TN) and urea-N concentrations, samples were pooled by period ( = 9). For in vitro determination of NH concentrations, urine and fecal samples were pooled within period by diet ( = 3) and mixed with either wheat straw or wood shavings. Ammonia emission of these samples was measured using a vessel system with an airflow rate (2.5 L/min) at 20°C over a 7-d period. Concentration of NH in each vessel was measured using a photoacoustic multigas analyzer. Temperature, airflow rate, and NH concentration in each vessel were used to calculate NH emission rate (ER). Data were analyzed using a mixed model ANOVA with repeated measures. Urinary TN and urea-N excretion increased as CP intake increased ( < 0.0001). Vessel urinary NH concentrations were not different across diets ( = 0.1225), ranging from 55.48 ppm (LOW-CP) to 101.14 ppm (HIGH-CP); however, they differed between bedding types ( < 0.0001), with straw higher than shavings (97 vs. 73.5 ppm, respectively). Cumulative urinary NH ER tended to be different across diets ( = 0.0550) ranging from 5.87 g/m to 9.97 g/m and bedding types ( = 0.0129), with straw being higher than shavings (11.1 vs. 6.9 g/m, respectively). Overfeeding CP to horses can lead to increased urinary TN and urea-N excretion, which could lead to greater of NH in the atmosphere.

Quantitative Performance Evaluator for Proteomics (QPEP): Web-based Application for Reproducible Evaluation of Proteomics Preprocessing Methods.

Tandem mass spectrometry is one of the most popular techniques for quantitation of proteomes. There exists a large variety of options in each stage of data preprocessing that impact the bias and variance of the summarized protein-level values. Using a newly released data set satisfying a replicated Latin squares design, a diverse set of performance metrics has been developed and implemented in a web-based application, Quantitative Performance Evaluator for Proteomics (QPEP). QPEP has the flexibility to allow users to apply their own method to preprocess this data set and share the results, allowing direct and straightforward comparison of new methodologies. Application of these new metrics to three case studies highlights that (i) the summarization of peptides to proteins is robust to the choice of peptide summary used, (ii) the differences between iTRAQ labels are stronger than the differences between experimental runs, and (iii) the commercial software ProteinPilot performs equivalently well at between-sample normalization to more complicated methods developed by academics. Importantly, finding (ii) underscores the benefits of using the principles of randomization and blocking to avoid the experimental measurements being confounded by technical factors. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD003608.

Effect of dietary net energy concentrations on growth performance and net energy intake of growing gilts.

ObjectiveThis experiment investigated the effect of dietary net energy (NE) concentrations on growth performance and NE intake of growing gilts.MethodsFive diets were formulated to contain 9.6, 10.1, 10.6, 11.1, and 11.6 MJ NE/kg, respectively. A metabolism trial with 10 growing pigs (average body weight [BW] = 15.9±0.24 kg) was conducted to determine NE concentrations of 5 diets based on French and Dutch NE systems in a 5×5 replicated Latin square design. A growth trial also was performed with five dietary treatments and 12 replicates per treatment using 60 growing gilts (average BW = 15.9±0.55 kg) for 28 days. A regression analysis was performed to predict daily NE intake from the BW of growing gilts.ResultsIncreasing NE concentrations of diets did not influence average daily gain and average daily feed intake of growing gilts. There was a quadratic relationship (p = 0.01) between dietary NE concentrations and feed efficiency (G:F), although the difference in G:F among treatment means was relatively small. Regression analysis revealed that daily NE intake was linearly associated with the BW of growing gilts. The prediction equations for NE intake with the BW of growing gilts were: NE intake (MJ/d) = 1.442+(0.562×BW, kg), R2 = 0.796 when French NE system was used, whereas NE intake (MJ/d) = 1.533+(0.614×BW, kg), R2 = 0.810 when Dutch NE system was used.ConclusionIncreasing NE concentrations of diets from 9.6 to 11.6 MJ NE/kg have little impacts on growth performance of growing gilts. Daily NE intake can be predicted from the BW between 15 and 40 kg in growing gilts.

Effect of butyrate infusion into the rumen on butyrate flow to the duodenum, selected gene expression in the duodenum epithelium, and nutrient digestion in sheep.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of butyrate infusion into the rumen on butyrate flow to the duodenum, expression of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) transporters (monocarboxylate transporter-1, -2, and -4) and receptors (G protein coupled receptor-41 and -43) in the duodenal epithelium and nutrient digestion in sheep. Eight wethers (39.0 ± 3.00 kg; mean ± SD) with ruminal and T-shape duodenal cannulas were allocated to 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design with each experimental period lasting for 21 d (12 d of adaptation and 9 d for data and sample collection). Experimental treatments were: 1) distilled water infusion into the rumen (CONT); 2) 15 g/d of butyric acid infusion into the rumen (BUT15); 3) 30 g/d of butyric acid infusion into the rumen (BUT30); and 4) 45 g/d of butyric acid infusion into the rumen (BUT45). The daily dose of butyrate was infused into the rumen via the rumen cannula, with 200 mL of solution of butyric acid and distilled water, at a constant rate (0.1389 mL/min) throughout the day using a peristaltic pump. Correspondingly, 200 mL/d of distilled water was infused into the rumen of CONT. The wethers were fed daily 900 g of chopped meadow hay and 200 g of concentrate in two equal meals at 0600 and 1800 h. Butyrate infusion into the rumen did not affect total SCFA concentration in the rumen fluid ( > 0.11). Molar proportion of butyrate in total SCFA linearly increased, and molar proportion of acetate and isovalerate linearly decreased ( ≤ 0.02) with an increasing amount of butyrate infused into the rumen. The molar proportion of butyrate in total SCFA in the duodenal digesta linearly increased ( < 0.01), and butyrate flow to duodenum tended to linearly increase ( = 0.06) with an increasing dose of exogenous butyrate delivered to the rumen. Butyrate infusion into the rumen did not affect ( ≥ 0.14) the mRNA expression of monocarboxylate transporter-2 and -4 and G protein coupled receptor-43 in the duodenal epithelium. The G protein coupled receptor-41 and monocarboxylate transporter-1 mRNA expression in the duodenal epithelium was very low in many of the analyzed samples. Digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber in the stomach (forestomach and abomasum) decreased for BUT15 and BUT30 and then increased for BUT45 (quadratic, ≤ 0.04); however, neither digestibility in the intestine nor total tract digestibility differed between treatments ( ≥ 0.10).

Effect of source of trace minerals in either forage- or by-product–based diets fed to dairy cows: 2. Apparent absorption and retention of minerals

Eighteen multiparous cows were used in a split-plot replicated Latin square with two 28-d periods to evaluate the effects of source of supplemental Cu, Zn, and Mn (sulfates or hydroxy) on apparent absorption of minerals when fed in either a forage- or by-product-based diet. The by-product diets were formulated to have greater concentrations of NDF and lesser concentrations of starch, and specific ingredients were chosen because they were good sources of soluble fiber and β-glucans, which bind trace minerals in nonruminants. We hypothesized that hydroxy trace minerals would interact less with digesta and have greater apparent absorption compared with sulfate minerals, and the difference in apparent absorption would be greater for the by-product diet compared with the forage-based diet. During the 56-d experiment, cows remained on the same fiber treatment but source of supplemental trace mineral was different for each 28-d period; thus, all cows were exposed to both mineral treatments. During each period cows were fed no supplemental Cu, Zn, or Mn for 16 d, followed by 12 d of feeding supplemental minerals from either sulfate or hydroxy sources. Supplemental minerals for each of the mineral sources fed provided approximately 10, 35, and 32 mg/kg of supplemental Cu, Zn, and Mn, respectively, for both fiber treatments. Total Cu, Zn, and Mn dietary concentrations, respectively, were approximately 19, 65, and 70 mg/kg for the forage diets and 21, 85, and 79 for the by-product diets. Treatment had no effect on dry matter intake (24.2 kg/d) or milk production (34.9 kg/d). Cows consuming the by-product diets had greater Zn (1,863 vs. 1,453 mg/d) and Mn (1,790 vs. 1,588 mg/d) intake compared with cows fed forage diets, but apparent Zn absorption was similar between treatments. Manganese apparent absorption was greater for the by-product diets compared with the forage diets (16 vs. 11%). A fiber by mineral interaction was observed for Cu apparent absorption, as cows fed hydroxy minerals with forage diets had greater apparent absorption compared with cows fed sulfate minerals; however, the opposite was observed with the by-product diets. Source of supplemental trace minerals and type of fiber in diets affected availability of Cu and Mn and should be considered in ration formulation.

Effect of source of trace minerals in either forage- or by-product–based diets fed to dairy cows: 1. Production and macronutrient digestibility

Excess rumen-soluble Cu and Zn can alter rumen microbial populations and reduce fiber digestibility. Because of differences in particle size and chemical composition, ruminal and total-tract digestibility of fiber from forage- and by-product-based diets can differ. We hypothesized that, because of differences in mineral solubility, diets with hydroxy rather than sulfate trace minerals would have greater fiber digestibility, but the effect may depend on source of fiber. Eighteen multiparous cows were used in a split-plot replicated Latin square with two 28-d periods to evaluate the effects of Cu, Zn, and Mn source (sulfates or hydroxy; Micronutrients USA LLC, Indianapolis, IN) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) source (forage diet = 26% NDF vs. by-product = 36%) on total-tract nutrient digestibility. During the entire experiment (56 d) cows remained on the same fiber treatment, but source of supplemental trace mineral was different for each 28-d period so that all cows were exposed to both mineral treatments. During each of the two 28-d periods, cows were fed no supplemental Cu, Zn, or Mn for 16 d followed by 12 d of feeding supplemental Cu, Zn, and Mn from either sulfates or hydroxy sources. Supplemental minerals for each of the mineral sources fed provided approximately 10, 35, and 32 mg/kg of supplemental Cu, Zn, and Mn, respectively, for both fiber treatments. Total dietary concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mn were approximately 19, 65, and 70 mg/kg for the forage diets and 21, 85, and 79 mg/kg for the by-product diets, respectively. Treatment had no effect on dry matter intake (24.2 kg/d) or milk production (34.9 kg/d). Milk fatty acid profiles were altered by fiber source, mineral source, and their interaction. Cows fed the by-product diets had lower dry matter (65.9 vs. 70.2%), organic matter (67.4 vs. 71.7%), and crude protein digestibility (58.8 vs. 62.1%) but greater starch (97.5 vs. 96.3%) and NDF digestibility (50.5 vs. 44.4%) compared with cows fed the forage treatment. Feeding increased concentrations of by-products decreased total digestible nutrients regardless of mineral source. Feeding hydroxy Cu, Zn, and Mn increased NDF digestibility (48.5 vs. 46.4%) but had no effect on total digestible nutrients.

The Effect of increasing levels of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seed on the performance, ruminal fermentation, antioxidant status and milk fatty acid profile of Saanen dairy goats.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seed (DPS) on the performance, ruminal fermentation, antioxidant status and milk fatty acid (FA) profile of dairy goats. Eight multiparous Saanen dairy goats, averaging 97±7days in milk (DIM) and 2150±130g of milk production, were used in a 4×4 replicated Latin square design. Experimental diets contained 0% (control), 6% (DPS6), 12% (DPS12) and 18% (DPS18) of DPS. Dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and the composition and digestibility of the dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and crude protein (CP) were not affected by the diets. Adding DPS to the diet increased linearly total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in milk and blood (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in milk and blood. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in the blood, ruminal pH, NH3 -N, ruminal total volatile fatty acid (VFA), acetate, butyrate, isovalerate and valeric acid concentration had no significant effect among the diets. The propionate acid concentration decreased linearly as DPS was added to the diet, and DPS18 had minimum propionate acid concentration (p<0.05). The inclusion of DPS18 to diets increased linearly the proportion of C18:0 (compared to control) as well as cis-18:1, trans-18:1 (compared to control and DPS6) and decreased C14:1 (compared to control) in milk fat (p<0.05). The concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in DPS18 was higher than other diets (p=0.04). The results of this study implied that replacing DPS with a part of dairy goats' ration had no negative effects on the performance of the animals and could also improve the antioxidant activity and increase the concentration of CLA in their milk.

Impacts of dietary forage and crude protein levels on the shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria in dairy cattle feces

The shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in the feces of ruminants and the consequential risk to the public and environmental health is well reported. However, the influence of dietary manipulation on the shedding of fecal bacteria is not well understood. This study was conducted to improve understanding of the relationship between dietary feed composition and shedding of E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria spp. in dairy feces. Twelve cows were randomly assigned to four treatment diets of two dietary forage levels: low forage (37.4% dry matter, DM) vs. high forage (53.3% of DM) and two dietary crude protein (CP) levels: low protein (15.2% of DM) vs. high protein (18.5% of DM) in a 4×4 replicated Latin square design with four periods each including a 14 d adaptation and 3 d sample collection periods. Generic E. coli was detected in some of the feed ingredients, such as cotton seed, alfalfa hay, almond, and CaCO3, while Listeria was detected in the alfalfa hay and mineral mix. A significant interaction effect was observed between dietary forage and CP on the presence of fecal E. coli O157:H7 (P=0.01) but not with Listeria. On average, the greatest E. coli O157:H7 level (6.6log10 CFU/g of feces) was observed from the high forage and high protein diet and the lowest level was 6.1log10 CFU/g from the low forage and high protein diet. The average Listeria shedding rate was within the range of 1.7–2.3log10 CFU/g among the dietary forage and CP treatments. For the CP treatments, significantly low levels of Listeria were observed from cows fed the high protein (0.9−1.6log10 CFU/g) compared to the low protein (1.3–2.1log10 CFU/g) diet. Considering temporal fluctuations, no significant diurnal pattern was observed for either E.coli O157:H7 or Listeria. In addition, no time of sampling over day by dietary forage or CP content interaction on fecal E.coli O157:H7 or Listeria level was observed. This study showed that diets can influence the shedding of potentially pathogenic bacteria in dairy cow excreta.

Effect of concentrate presentation form on concentrate wastage, eating pattern, and concentrate preference in Holstein bulls fed a finishing high-concentrate diet

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of concentrate presentation form on concentrate wastage, eating pattern, and concentrate preference in Holstein bulls fed a finishing high-concentrate diet. Additionally, the evolution of quality of this concentrate from the feed mill to the feeder was analyzed. In experiment 1, 112 Holstein bulls (272±4.4kg of body weight and 216±1.0days of age) were randomly distributed in 6 pens equipped with a computerized concentrate single-space feeder with lateral protections, a separated straw feeder, and a water bowl. Pens were assigned to either presentation forms of concentrate, pellets (PE) or crumbles (CR). The experiment followed a replicated Latin square design with 28-days periods. All animals received concentrate and straw ad libitum. Daily concentrate consumption and eating pattern, weekly straw consumption, and twice-weekly concentrate wastage were recorded for the last 14days of each period. Animals were weighed every 14days. For each concentrate manufacture, durability, hardness, density, and percentage of fines were determined at the feed mill, silo, feeder, and spillage collectors. In experiment 2, 6 Holstein bulls (404±14.1kg of BW and 254±3.6days of age) were enrolled to assess the concentrate preference for previous presentation forms of concentrate (PE or CR). The experiment consisted in a 7-days adaptation period and a 6-days free-choice period during which PE and CR were offered simultaneously. In Experiment 1, bulls fed PE had greater (P<0.01) concentrate consumptions (7.18 vs. 6.87±0.07kg/d) and lesser (P<0.01) wastage (0.06 vs. 0.11±0.001kg/d) compared with those fed CR. Bulls receiving CR spent more time at the feeder (P<0.01) than bulls fed PE (44.4 vs. 40.7±0.71min/d). In Experiment 2, animals preferred numerically PE over CR (65.5 vs. 34.5±4.89% to total concentrate consumption ratio). Lastly, as expected, concentrate quality based on durability was not a stable parameter, and it more progressively deteriorated (P<0.01) from the mill to the feeder in CR than PE (96.7 vs. 87.1±1.00%). The present study supports the hypothesis that a concentrate form like crumbles, which produces a great percentage of fines at the feeder, can increase concentrate wastage, and, also, it affects eating pattern, increasing the time spent at the feeder, and consequently decreases the concentrate intake. Lastly, animals prefer pellets over crumbles.

Latin square design for chip length machine vision measurement system analysis

ABSTRACTMachine vision systems are widely employed to provide data for analysis and interpretation in many industries, where measurement system analysis (MSA) is used to ensure the validity of these data. In a common MSA, each part is measured by each operator several times, resulting in a two-factor crossed design. However, when other factors in machine vision system must be considered, the MSA becomes more complex. In a chip length vision system, chip locations, chip placement angles, and variability among different chips have been identified as factors that influence measurement variability. A full factorial crossed design on this vision system would call for 1536 trials and cost about 32 hr, which is unacceptable to the practitioners. However, by designing a replicated Latin square experiment, which omits the interaction effects, the number of trials is dramatically reduced to 96 runs. Then, ANOVA is used to estimate variance components. %P/T and are the criteria to finally determine the capability of this machine vision system. The Latin square method for MSA is verified by simulation and applied to a chip manufacturing application.

Use of monosodium glutamate by-product in cow diet on performance of lactating dairy cows.

Eight multiparous lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design to receive four dietary treatments. The dietary treatments were monosodium glutamate by-product (MSGB) replacement for soybean meal in concentrate at four levels: MSGB replacement at 0, 20, 40 and 60%, respectively. Pangola hay was given on an ad libitum basis. It was found that total dry matter intake, concentrate intake, pangola hay intake and all apparent digestibilities were not different among treatments. Ammonia nitrogen concentration in the rumen at 4 h post-feeding was significantly different, in which the 0% treatment had the highest (P < 0.05) while the 20% treatment had the lowest. Milk fat percentage was the highest (P < 0.05) in the 0% treatment. MSGB replacement at 40% and 60% were shown to be the lowest (P < 0.05) feed cost for milk production, and profitability of milk production was the highest (P < 0.05) for the 60% treatment. Based on this experiment, it could be concluded that MSGB replacement for soybean meal at 20-60% in the feed for dairy cows presented no negative effects on their performances. In addition, it could decrease feed cost 2.9-17.3% and increase milk production profit up to 33.3% in the 60% treatment.

Evaluation of chromium oxide and titanium dioxide as inert markers for calculating apparent digestibility in sheep

ABSTRACTThe objective of the present study was to evaluate two markers: chromium oxide (Cr2O3) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). We evaluate the interaction between Cr2O3 and TiO2, and the techniques used to determine it, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and photometry simple (PS). We used six growing sheep distributed in a replicated Latin square 3 × 3 design, with adjustment for the residual error effect. The TiO2 and Cr2O3–TiO2 produced values similar to those obtained by total faecal collection (TFC) or the use of Cr2O3 alone, determined by AAS and PS. Digestibility of the marker/TFC ratio was similar (p > .05) between markers and technique. The use of TiO2 alone or in combination with Cr2O3 seems to be a suitable alternative to TFC and Cr2O3 to calculate apparent digestibility of the total digestive tract determined in sheep by PS and AAS.

Nutrient digestion, microbial protein synthesis, and blood metabolites of Jersey heifers fed chitosan and whole raw soybeans

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of chitosan and whole raw soybean on nutrient intake and total tract digestion, nitrogen utilization, microbial protein synthesis, blood metabolites, and energy balance of dairy heifers. Twelve Jersey heifers (6±0.5 months of age and 139.50±25.56 kg of live weight; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly assigned to a replicated Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The experimental period consisted of 14 days of adaptation to diets, six days of sampling, and five days of washout. The experimental diets were: control (CO); chitosan (CHI, inclusion of 2.0 g kg−1 DM of chitosan); whole raw soybean (WS, 163.0 g kg−1 of WS on diet DM basis); and chitosan + whole raw soybean (CHI+WS). Chitosan decreased dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intakes; however, CHI increased DM total tract digestion. An interaction effect was observed on retained nitrogen, which increased when animals were fed CHI+WS compared with CO or CHI, but did not differ from that of animals fed WS. Chitosan decreased microbial nitrogen and crude protein flow of heifers. Energy balance was improved when heifers received diets containing WS. Efficiency of energy utilization was not affected by experimental diets. An interaction effect was observed for blood high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration, which increased with both dietary inclusion of CHI and WS compared with the other diets, and CHI provided the lowest value of HDL cholesterol. Chitosan and whole raw soybean do not alter nutrient intake and total tract digestion; however, they decrease nitrogen urinary excretion and increase blood HDL cholesterol of heifers.

The consumer testing of food package graphic design

Purpose – This purpose of this paper is to present a technique for measuring the impact of package graphic designs on consumer choice and purchase intentions. The technique allows several proposed graphic designs for the same product to be compared, both with one another and with their immediate competitors up to a maximum of eight designs. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is based upon a fractionally replicated Latin square design with two sets of four package graphic designs and five consumer groups as the independent variables. The dependent variable is consumer choice. Findings – Three fully worked examples of the test are presented. The results show that graphic design has a massive and statistically significant impact on consumer choice, ceteris paribus. The test is able to discriminate strongly between package graphic designs that only apparently differ in detail. Research limitations/implications – The results show that graphic design has a significant impact upon consumer choice, but it also shows that this impact is highly product and situation specific. This may have considerable implications for any claimed wider “empirical generalisations” relating to the impact of graphic designs, or components thereof, on food consumer choice. Practical implications – The methodology presented allows graphic designs to be tested before they enter the marketplace. It replaces opinion with a reliable and quantifiable output that can be easily interfaced with econometric and market share models that have been developed within the choice modelling literature. Originality/value – This appears to be the first paper to appear within the literature that presents a reliable, simple and easily administered test that is capable of quantifying the performance of alternative graphic designs on food packaging.

Effects of dry-rolled or high-moisture corn with twenty-five or forty-five percent wet distillers' grains with solubles on energy metabolism, nutrient digestibility, and macromineral balance in finishing beef steers.

The effects of feeding a dry-rolled corn-based diet (DRCB) or a combination of a high-moisture corn-based diet (HMCB) with dry-rolled corn (DRC; 2:1 ratio of high-moisture corn [HMC] and DRC) with 25 and 45% wet distillers' grains with solubles (WDGS) on energy metabolism and nutrient and mineral balance were evaluated in 8 finishing steers using a replicated Latin square design. The model included the fixed effects of dietary treatment, the WDGS × diet type interaction, and period and the random effects of square and steer within square were also included. Treatments consisted of a DRCB with 25% WDGS, a DRCB with 45% WDGS, a combination of HMCB and DRC with 25% WDGS, and a combination of HMCB and DRC with 45% WDGS. Cattle consuming DRCB consumed a greater amount of DM ( < 0.01) and GE intake was also greater when feeding DRCB with 25% WDGS than when feeding DRCB with 45% WDGS ( < 0.01). As a proportion of GE intake, cattle consuming HMCB had a greater fecal energy loss ( = 0.01). Digestible energy loss as a proportion of GE intake was greater when cattle were fed DRCB than when cattle were fed HMCB ( = 0.01) and when WDGS was included at 45% of DM ( = 0.05). As a proportion of GE intake, cattle consuming DRCB and 25% WDGS respired a greater amount of methane (Mcal) than cattle consuming 45% WDGS. As a proportion of GE intake, ME was greater in DRCB than in HMCB ( = 0.01). Within HMCB, 45% WDGS had more megacalories of retained energy than 25% WDGS. Nitrogen excretion (g) was greater in the urine ( < 0.01) and feces ( < 0.05) when 45% WDGS was included. As a proportion of N intake, total N retained was greater when a greater amount of WDGS was included in the diet ( = 0.05). Digestibility was greater in DRCB than in HMCB ( = 0.02). Starch intake, excretion, and digestibility as a proportion of intake were greater in DRCB than in HMCB ( < 0.01) and when WDGS was included at 25% than when WDGS was included at 45% of the diet ( < 0.01). Intake of ether extract was greater in HMCB when 45% WDGS was included ( < 0.01), and fecal excretion was greater in diets including 25% WDGS than in diets including 45% WDGS ( = 0.02). Sulfur intake was greater as the inclusion of WDGS increased from 25 to 45% ( < 0.01). We interpret that if the basal concentrate portion of the diet is based on HMC, adding an increased amount of WDGS can improve retained energy, and within DRCB, more energy is retained as fat and carbohydrate when cattle were fed 25% WDGS.

Nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation of Thai native purebred compared with Thai native x Lowline Angus crossbred beef cattle

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to compare voluntary feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation of Thai native and Thai native x Lowline Angus crossbred beef cattle fed with different diets. Three different diets consisting of ad libitum rice straw (RS), ad libitum RS supplemented with 0.5% body weight (BW) concentrate (RS+C), and ad libitum Pangola grass hay (PH). The experiment was conducted as 3 × 3 replicated Latin square design with a factorial arrangement of dietary treatment and breed. It was found that Thai native and Thai native x Lowline Angus crossbred beef cattle had comparable roughage intake, BW change, nutrient digestibility, and all parameters from rumen fluid. Cattle fed with different type of feed showed similar roughage intake, BW change, and number of protozoa and fungal zoospore in rumen fluid. However, nutrient intake and digestibility of cattle supplemented with concentrate were higher than those fed the roughage alone. Accordingly, concentration of total volatile fatty acid and proportion of propionic acid in rumen fluid of cattle received concentrate was higher than cattle fed only RS (P < .05) but not for cattle fed with PH. Moreover, the PH-fed group had a higher ammonia concentration in rumen fluid than did the RS-fed group (P < .05). Therefore, the two breeds of beef cattle showed comparable feed response while supplementation of concentrate at 0.50% BW was a useful alternative feeding pattern.

Effect of diet fermentability and unsaturated fatty acid concentration on recovery from diet-induced milk fat depression

Diet-induced milk fat depression is caused by highly fermentable and high-unsaturated fatty acid (FA) diets, and results in reduced milk fat concentration and yield, reduced de novo FA, and increased trans isomers of the alternate biohydrogenation pathways. The hypothesis of the current experiment was that a diet higher in fermentability and lower in unsaturated FA (UFA) would accelerate recovery compared with a high-UFA and lower-fermentability diet. Eight ruminally cannulated and 9 noncannulated multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to treatment sequences in a replicated Latin square design. During each period milk fat depression was induced for 10d by feeding a low-fiber, high-UFA diet [25.9% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 3.3% C18:2]. Following the induction phase, cows were switched to recovery treatments for 18d designed to correct dietary fermentability, UFA, or both fermentability and UFA concentration. Treatments during recovery were (1) correction of fiber and UFA diet [control; 31.8% NDF and 1.65% C18:2], (2) a diet predominantly correcting fiber, but not UFA [high oil (HO); 31.3% NDF and 2.99% C18:2], and (3) a diet predominantly correcting UFA, but not fiber concentration [low fiber (LF); 28.4% NDF and 1.71% C18:2]. Milk and milk component yield, milk FA profile, ruminal pH, and 11 rumen microbial taxa were measured every third day during recovery. Milk yield decreased progressively in HO and control, whereas it was maintained in the LF diet. Milk fat concentration increased progressively during recovery in all treatments, but was on average 9% lower in LF than control from d 12 to 18. Milk fat yield increased progressively in all treatments and was not different between control and LF at any time point, but was lower in HO than control on d 15. Milk trans-10 C18:1 and trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid decreased progressively in all treatments, but was higher in HO than control from d 3 to 18 [136±50 and 188±57% (mean ± SD)], whereas LF caused a smaller increase in these FA compared with control (67±25 and 90±22%). Additionally, milk trans-11 C18:1 and cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid was decreased in control and LF and increased in HO during recovery. Selected microbial species observed changed during recovery, but major treatment differences were only observed for Streptococcus bovis. The LF diet that was similar in UFA but 3.4% units lower in NDF compared with to the control had a similar decrease in alternate trans biohydrogenation intermediates in milk. The HO diet that was similar in NDF but 2.0% units higher in UFA compared with the control had higher alternate trans biohydrogenation intermediates in milk compared with control. However, recovery of milk fat yield was similar between treatments at most time points.

Effects of Using Indian Mulberry Leaves as Feed Additives on Feed Digestion, Ruminal Fermentation and Milk Production in Dairy Cattle

The study considers the effects of the use of Indian mulberry leaves as feed additives on dairy cattle performances. Eight Holstein-Friesian crossbreeds with an average of 475.7 kg/BW were used. The experiment utilized 4 x 4 Replicated Latin Square Design (LSD) that consisted of 4 levels of Indian mulberry leaves additives: 0, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 g/kg DM in total mixed ration (TMR) diet based on rice straw was used as the main roughage source. The trial consisted of four periods of 21 days each. The results from this study showed that there was no effect on DMI. However, the digestibility of DM showed significant difference (p0.05). However, Indian mulberry leaves at 10 g/kg DM could be used in dairy cattle feeding to improve the digestibility of feed DM and maintaining ruminal pH without affecting ruminal fermentation and milk production.