Total Collection Method Research Articles

Foliage of tropical arboreal species in feeding ovines (Ovis aries): intake, digestibility and balance nitrogen

Objective: To determine the eff ects of supplementation with three tropical arboreal species (Guazuma ulmifolia, Gliricidia sepium y Tithonia diversifolia) on intake, in vivo and in vitro digestibility in hair sheep. Methodology: Th e experiment was carried out in “Las Brisas” farm of Universidad del Tolima, Colombia. Twelve hair sheep, with an average weight of 22.2±2.5 kg, received four treatments in a 4×4 Latin square design with three sheep per experimental unit were used. Th e treatments consisted of: T1 = 100% D. aristatum; T2 = 50% D. aristatum, 25% Guazuma ulmifolia and 25% rice bran; T3 = 50% D. aristatum, 25% Gliricidia sepium and 25% rice bran; and T4 = 50% D. aristatum, 25% Tithonia diversifolia, and 25% rice bran. To determine the intake and digestibility of nutrients, the method of total collection of feces was used. It was observed that the intake and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, fraction of B3 of the protein and fi ber in neutral detergent, increased in relation to the control group in the diets containing tree foliage (p<0,0001). Main results: Th ere were no diff erences for the dry matter intake (p> 0.05) between the treatments containing tropical arboreal species G. ulmifolia (T2), G. sepium (T3) and T. diversifolia (T4). However, diff erences were observed between all treatments (p <0.05) for nutrients digestibility. Conclusion: Th e supplementation of hair sheep with foliage of tropical arboreal species is an interesting alternative to improve the intake and digestibility of diets which can contribute tothe improvement of the productive indicators.

Effect of odontoplasty on apparent digestibility and consumption time of diet for equines

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of odontoplasty on apparent digestibility of diet for horses, consumption time, and particle size of feces. Nine horses were used, aged 14.5±3.3 years and weightng 531±38.7kg. The diet consisted of 1.5% of live weight (LW) in Tifton 85 hay and 0.75% of LW in concentrate for both assays. The experiment consisted of two tests of apparent digestibility using the method of total collection, before and after the odontoplasty, where the consumption time of hay and concentrate was also evaluated and the particle size of the feces was analyzed. An effect (P<0.05) of odontoplasty on the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was observed. Effect of the consumption time for the concentrate (P<0.05) was observed, but not for the forage (P<0.05). There was more retention (P<0.05) of the fecal particles in the sieves of bigger granulometry. The odontoplasty increases the digestibility of dietary nutrients and feces particle size, without changing feces quality. Animals after the procedure have shorter concentrate consumption time.

Electron-impact ionization cross section of formic acid

Experimental electron-impact ionization cross sections of one of the simplest carboxylic acids, formic acid, are presented. The molecular target was studied in two independent experimental setups applying different methods: the total ion collection and the electron–impact mass spectrometry methods. Experimental data were taken at incident electron energies ranging from ionization threshold [11.31 eV; J.C. Traeger, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Process. 66, 271 (1985)] to 76 eV using a total cross section of 4.0 Å2 at 70 eV for the total ion collection method. In the spectrometric method the four main cations COH+, HCOOH+, COOH+ and CO+ are found to contribute to about 97% of the total ionization cross section.Graphical abstract

Effect of exercise on apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients and faecal recovery of ADL and TiO2 in ponies

Exercise and physical training are known to affect gastrointestinal function and digestibility in horses and can lead to inaccurate estimates of nutrient and energy digestibility when markers are used. The effect of exercise on apparent nutrient digestibility and faecal recoveries of ADL and TiO2 was studied in six Welsh pony geldings subjected to either a low- (LI) or high-intensity (HI) exercise regime according to a cross-over design. Ponies performing LI exercise were walked once per day for 45 min in a horse walker (5 km/h) for 47 consecutive days. Ponies submitted to HI exercise were gradually trained for the same 47 days according a standardized protocol. Throughout the experiment, the ponies received a fixed level of feed and the daily rations consisted of 4.7 kg DM of grass hay and 0.95 kg DM of concentrate. The diet was supplemented with minerals, vitamins and TiO2 (3.0 g Ti/day). Total tract digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), CP, crude fat, NDF, ADF, starch, sugar and energy was determined with the total faeces collection (TFC) method. In addition, DM and OM digestibility was estimated using internal ADL and the externally supplemented Ti as markers. Urine was collected on the final 2 days of each experimental period. Exercise did not affect apparent digestibility of CP, crude fat, starch and sugar. Digestibility of DM (DMD), OM (OMD), ADF and NDF tended to be lower and DE was decreased when ponies received the HI exercise regime. For all treatments combined, mean faecal recoveries of ADL and Ti were 87.8±1.7% and 99.3±1.7%, respectively. Ti was not detected in the urine, indicating that intestinal integrity was maintained with exercise. Dry matter digestibility estimated with the TFC, ADL and Ti for ponies subjected to LI exercise were 66.3%, 60.3% and 64.8%, respectively, while DMD for HI ponies were 64.2%, 60.3% and 65.2%, respectively. In conclusion, physical exercise has an influence on the GE digestibility of the feed in ponies provided with equivalent levels of feed intake. In addition, the two markers used for estimating apparent DMD and OMD indicate that externally supplemented Ti is a suitable marker to determine digestibility of nutrients in horses performing exercise unlike dietary ADL.

Evaluating the nutritional value of date pits and demonstrating their application in laying hen diets.

This experiment was carried out to study the feeding value of ground date pits (DP) (Phoenix dactylifera L.) with and without enzyme supplementation on laying hens' performance. Apparent metabolizable energy value of DP was determined by the total collection method using 10 adult Leghorn cockerels. After that, a total number of 144 Lohmann 50-week-old LSL-Lite hens were randomly allocated into six groups consisting of four replicates of six birds, based on a 3×2 factorial arrangement of the treatments. Six iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets including I-corn-soya bean meal-based control, II-corn-soya bean meal oil-based control and III- corn-soya bean meal-based diet (180g/kg DP) were formulated. Each of the diets was supplemented with two levels of an enzyme (0.0 and 0.07g/kg Natozim Plus). The experiment lasted 10weeks after 7days of adaptation. The results revealed that there was no significant difference in feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg production, egg mass, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness and Haugh unit among the treatments. Dietary inclusion of DP significantly decreased body weight gain (BWG), egg weight and yolk colour score. On the other hand, corn-soya bean meal-based control diet with vegetable oil significantly increased egg weight and BWG of birds in comparison with other treatments. The serum biochemical metabolites were not affected by DP and enzyme supplementation. Thus, DP can be used as alternative feedstuff in laying hen diets, up to 18% of the diet with little effect on the performance of hens, including egg weight, and also, it had an adverse effect on yolk colour. Eventually, in terms of performance, the results failed to demonstrate any positive effect of Natozim Plus on either the controls or 18% DP diets.

Effect of different levels of pomegranate marc with or without polyethylene glycol on performance, nutrients digestibility and protozoal population in growing lambs

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of pomegranate marc (PM) supplemented with or without polyethylene glycol (PEG) on performance, intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, ruminal ammonia concentration and protozoal population in growing lambs. Thirty Mehraban male lambs (4–5 months of age; 29.5±1.19kg initial body weight (BW)) were assigned randomly to five treatments (6 lambs per treatment) which were different levels of PM with or without PEG: without PM (Control), 80g PM/kg DM (PM80), PM80 with PEG (PM80+PEG), 160g PM/kg DM (PM160), and PM160 with PEG (PM160+PEG). On day 61 of the fattening period, four animals from each group were selected randomly and housed individually in metabolism crates to evaluate nutrient digestibility by total collection method. Control animals had a greater dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) compared with PM160 (P<0.05). However, lambs fed the high level of PM showed decreased DMI and ADG compared with those fed the low level of PM (P<0.05). The addition of PEG to the PM diets increased DMI (P<0.05), but did not affect the ADG (P>0.05) of lambs. The PM160 diet had lower crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibities compared with other treatments (P>0.05). The addition of PEG to the PM diets increased the digestibilities of OM, CP, NDF and ADF (P<0.05) by lambs. There were no differences among treatments for N intake, fecal N output and N retention (P>0.05). Addition of PEG to the PM diets increased urinary N output and the ratio of urinary to fecal N (P<0.05). Ruminal ammonia concentration, numbers of Entodinium spp. and total protozoa population were higher in control-fed lambs than lambs fed other treatments. Inclusion of PEG in diets containing PM increased ruminal ammonia concentration, blood urea nitrogen, numbers of Entodinium spp. and total protozoa population (p<0.05). In conclusion, addition of 80g PM/kg DM of diet or tannins up to 1.62% of DM had no adverse effect on DMI, ADG, FCR, nutrient digestibility and N retention by lambs but it decreased protozoal population, ruminal ammonia concentration and blood urea nitrogen in lambs fed concentration based diets.

Suitability of n-alkanes and chromium (III) oxide as digestibility markers in calves at the end of the milk feeding period supplemented with a prebiotic.

Prebiotics reveal positive effects on the growth performance of pigs and poultry, and might influence intestinal microflora. This, in consequence, could alter recovery rates of digestibility markers. In the current study, we evaluated the suitability of chromium (III) oxide (Cr2O3) and the synthetic alkanes n-dotriacontane (C32) and n-hexatriacontane (C36) as external markers for digestibility estimation compared with the standard total collection method in calves supplemented with galacto-oligosaccharides. Eight male German Holstein calves (average age ± SD = 57 ± 8 days) were divided into 2 milk replacer feeding groups (group receiving galacto-oligosaccharides [A] and control group [B]). Each of 2 groups of 4 individually fed calves received a distinct milk replacer with added markers for 14 days. They were fed twice daily restrictively with milk replacer, concentrate and hay. After an adaptation period of 10 days, total faeces were collected. Faecal marker recoveries (FMR, means ± SD) for C32 were (72 ± 14)% for A and (80 ± 12)% for B. Faecal marker recoveries for C36 was (82 ± 15)% and (88 ± 13)% for groups A and B, respectively. The FMR for Cr2O3 was (102 ± 11)% and (100 ± 1)% for groups A and B, respectively. There were no significant differences between total collection organic matter digestibility and marker based organic matter digestibility when using Cr2O3 and C36. But, when utilizing C32 to calculate nutrient digestibilities, results differed from the total collection method for organic matter, crude protein and ether extract. The results indicate that Cr2O3 and C36 can be applied in digestibility studies with calves and give accurate estimates for OM and nutrient digestibilities without correction for FMR.

Effect of glycerin on digestibility of diets for pigs determined with different methodologies

Glycerin is a by-product from the biodiesel chain whose energy value can be beneficial to pig diets. In this study, eight barrows were distributed individually into metabolic cages in a completely randomized block design. The animals were fed diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% glycerin from soybean oil and subjected to the methods of total feces and urine collection and chromic oxide marker. We determined the digestibility coefficients (DC); the dietary levels of digestible dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), mineral matter (MM), ether extract (EE), an neutral detergent fiber (NDF); digestible energy (DE); metabolizable energy (ME); and these last two variables corrected for the nitrogen content (DEn and MEn). Digestible OM values increased linearly with glycerin inclusion in the diets. The digestible CP of the diets showed an inversely proportional relationship with glycerin inclusion levels. Digestible MM decreased linearly when determined by the total collection method and quadratically when determined by the marker method. There was a linear increase in the digestible and metabolizable coefficients of energy, DE, DEn, ME and MEn of the diets as the glycerin inclusion level was increased. Inclusion of up to 15% glycerin obtained from soybean oil production increased the digestible fractions of organic matter and energy of the diets.

Effect of glycerin on digestibility of diets for pigs determined with different methodologies

Glycerin is a by-product from the biodiesel chain whose energy value can be beneficial to pig diets. In this study, eight barrows were distributed individually into metabolic cages in a completely randomized block design. The animals were fed diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% glycerin from soybean oil and subjected to the methods of total feces and urine collection and chromic oxide marker. We determined the digestibility coefficients (DC); the dietary levels of digestible dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), mineral matter (MM), ether extract (EE), an neutral detergent fiber (NDF); digestible energy (DE); metabolizable energy (ME); and these last two variables corrected for the nitrogen content (DEn and MEn). Digestible OM values increased linearly with glycerin inclusion in the diets. The digestible CP of the diets showed an inversely proportional relationship with glycerin inclusion levels. Digestible MM decreased linearly when determined by the total collection method and quadratically when determined by the marker method. There was a linear increase in the digestible and metabolizable coefficients of energy, DE, DEn, ME and MEn of the diets as the glycerin inclusion level was increased. Inclusion of up to 15% glycerin obtained from soybean oil production increased the digestible fractions of organic matter and energy of the diets.

Energy coefficients of plant foods for broiler chickens at different ages

In order to determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AME), the AME corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn), the apparent coefficients of metabolization (ACM) of gross energy and the ACM corrected for nitrogen balance (ACMn), an experiment was conducted to evaluate five different plant foods (corn, soybean meal, deactivated full-fat soybean, wheat bran and soybean oil) for broilers at different ages (1-8, 11-18, 21-28, 31-38 and 41-48 days). The method of total excreta collection was used, divided into five metabolism assays. The birds were housed in metabolic cages in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and five replicates per treatment, totaling 25 experimental units. The AME and AMEn values increased with the age of the birds for most foods, except soybean meal. The smaller AMC and AMCn of gross energy were obtained for wheat bran. There was adjustment of the equation to the linear response plateau model for the ACM of corn, soybean meal and deactivated full-fat soybean. The wheat bran and soybean oil were adjusted to the linear regression model. The equations show that the digestibility of energy tends to increase with age, except for soybean meal, which had higher metabolization with younger birds. We conclude that the age of the birds influences the determination of the metabolizable energy of feed.

387 A comparison of total collection and index method estimates of energy values of full fat soybean using regressing method for growing pigs

387 A comparison of total collection and index method estimates of energy values of full fat soybean using regressing method for growing pigs

Estimation of age-related DNA degradation from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue according to the extraction methods.

Techniques for the extraction and use of nucleic acids from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues, preserved over long time periods in libraries, have been developed. However, DNA extracted from FFPE tissues is generally damaged, and long-term storage may affect DNA quality. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the effect of long-term storage on FFPE tissues and evaluate the techniques used to extract DNA from them. In the present study, the yield, purity, and integrity of DNA in FFPE tissue samples was evaluated. Two DNA extraction techniques were used: A silica-binding DNA collection method using QIAamp DNA FFPE Tissue kit (QIA) and a total tissue DNA collection method using a WaxFree DNA extraction kit (WAX). A total of 25 FFPE tissues from lung adenocarcinomas were studied, which had been surgically resected and fixed at Okayama University Hospital prior to examination and subsequent storage at room temperature for 0.5, 3, 6, 9 and 12 years. Extracted DNA was quantified using ultraviolet absorbance, fluorescent dye, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The quality of the DNA was defined by the absorbance ratio of 260 to 280 nm (A260/280) and Q-score, which is the quantitative value of qPCR product size ratio. The results demonstrated that the yield of total DNA extracted using WAX was significantly greater than when QIA was used (P<0.01); however, DNA extracted using WAX included more contaminants and was significantly more fragmented compared with DNA extracted using QIA (P<0.01). Aging had no significant effect on absolute DNA yield or DNA purity, although it did significantly contribute to increased DNA degradation for both QIA and WAX extraction (QIA P=0.02, WAX P=0.03; 0.5 years vs. 3 years, QIA P<0.01, WAX P=0.03; 9 years vs. 12 years). Both extraction methods are viable depending on whether high yield or high quality of extracted DNA is required. However, due to the increased degradation with age, storage time limits the available DNA in FFPE tissues regardless of the extraction method.

Techniques for evaluating digestibility of energy, amino acids, phosphorus, and calcium in feed ingredients for pigs.

Sound feed formulation is dependent upon precise evaluation of energy and nutrients values in feed ingredients. Hence the methodology to determine the digestibility of energy and nutrients in feedstuffs should be chosen carefully before conducting experiments. The direct and difference procedures are widely used to determine the digestibility of energy and nutrients in feedstuffs. The direct procedure is normally considered when the test feedstuff can be formulated as the sole source of the component of interest in the test diet. However, in some cases where test ingredients can only be formulated to replace a portion of the basal diet to provide the component of interest, the difference procedure can be applied to get equally robust values. Based on components of interest, ileal digesta or feces can be collected, and different sample collection processes can be used. For example, for amino acids (AA), to avoid the interference of fermentation in the hind gut, ileal digesta samples are collected to determine the ileal digestibility and simple T-cannula and index method are commonly used techniques for AA digestibility analysis. For energy, phosphorus, and calcium, normally fecal samples will be collected to determine the total tract digestibility, and therefore the total collection method is recommended to obtain more accurate estimates. Concerns with the use of apparent digestibility values include different estimated values from different inclusion level and non-additivity in mixtures of feed ingredients. These concerns can be overcome by using standardized digestibility, or true digestibility, by correcting endogenous losses of components from apparent digestibility values. In this review, methodologies used to determine energy and nutrients digestibility in pigs are discussed. It is suggested that the methodology should be carefully selected based on the component of interest, feed ingredients, and available experimental facilities.

Apparent metabolizable energy value of whole date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and its possible use as a feedstuff for aged laying hens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of whole date palm (WDP) with and without enzyme supplementation on aged laying hen's performance. Apparent metabolizable energy value of WDP was determined by the total collection method using ten adult leghorn cockerels. WDP was substituted with a corn-soybean meal basal diet at 40% level, and then the metabolizable energy of this experimental diet and basal diet was determined. After that, a total number of 256 Bovanz 95-week-old hens were randomly allocated into eight groups consisting of four replicates of eight birds each, based on a 4×2 factorial arrangement of the treatments. Eight iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets including one corn-soybean meal-based control diet and two, three, and four corn-soybean meal-based diets included 70, 140, and 210g/kg ground WDP, respectively. Each of the diets supplemented with two levels of an enzyme (0.0 and 0.07g/kg Natozim Plus). There was no significant difference in feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg production, egg mass, eggshell thickness, and Haugh unit among the treatments (P>0.05). However, yolk color score significantly decreased as dietary WDP level increased. The serum biochemical metabolites were not significantly affected by WDP and enzyme supplementation (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the relative weight of different organs except for abdominal fat. Our findings show that using WDP up to 21% of the diet was more economic and had no adverse effect on productive performance and serum metabolites of laying hens. However, WDP had an adverse effect on yolk color which can be ameliorated by carotenoid supplementation.

Dietary maifanite supplementation did not affect the apparent total tract digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in growing pigs.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary maifanite supplementation and fecal collection method on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) and blood parameters in growing pigs.MethodsThirty-six growing barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire; 27.0±2.6 kg) were allotted to six dietary treatments with 6 pigs per treatment according to body weight in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments were: i) Low Ca+cornstarch (2.25%), ii) Low Ca+maifanite (2.25%), iii) Medium Ca+cornstarch (1.42%), iv) Medium Ca+maifanite (1.42%), v) High Ca+cornstarch (0.64%), and vi) High Ca+maifanite (0.64%). Feces were collected by the total collection (TC) and indicator method (IM). At the beginning and the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from each pig.ResultsFor the TC method, there were no difference in Ca intake, fecal Ca output, Ca retention and the ATTD of Ca between cornstarch and maifanite diets at the same dietary Ca level. However, urinary Ca excretion was lower (p = 0.01) in pigs fed low Ca diets without maifanite supplementation compared with other dietary treatments. Dietary maifanite supplementation had no effect on the P metabolism in growing pigs. For the IM method, there was no difference in Ca digestibility between cornstarch and maifanite diets at the same dietary Ca level. The ATTD of P was greater (p<0.01) in pigs fed the high Ca diet with maifanite supplementation compared with the high Ca diet with cornstarch treatment. Dietary inclusion of maifanite had no effect on blood parameters in growing pigs.ConclusionDietary maifanite supplementation had no effect on the ATTD of Ca and P and serum parameters in growing pigs. The IM resulted in lower digestibility values than the TC method.

Digestibility markers of sheep diets containing hydrolyzed sugarcane-top hay

SUMMARY This experiment evaluated the correlation between the estimates of fecal digestibility and dry matter digestibility (DMD) and nutrients obtained using internal (indigestibles dry materiDM, neutral detergent fiber-iNDF, acid detergent fiber-iADF and acid detergent ligniniADL) and external (chromium oxide-Cr2O3, titanium dioxide-TiO2, and purified and enriched lignin from eucalyptus-LIPE®) markers and the values obtained by the total feces collection method. Twenty uncastrated male sheep, with 29.64±5.53 kg average live weight; approximately 12 months old, were kept in metabolic cages and fed diets containing untreated sugarcane-top hay or sugarcane-top hay hydrolyzed with 3 and 6% urea or 1.5 and 3% calcium oxide (CaO). There was a positive correlation (P&lt;.05) between the fecal production estimated by the markers and via total feces collection, with coefficients higher than 90% for iDM, Cr2O3, and TiO2. The DMD and nutrients estimated with the use of markers was positively correlated (P&lt;.05) with that obtained by total feces collection. Coefficients of correlation for digestibility obtained by total collection were higher than those obtained with Cr2O3, but close to those obtained using TiO2. The coefficient of correlation between the digestibility of protein and fiber fraction estimated with iDM and iNDF and that obtained by total collection was higher than 70%. Internal marker iDM and external markers Cr2O3 and TiO2 are effective in estimating fecal production and DMD and nutrients.

Analisis Kebutuhan Nutrien dan Efisiensi Penggunaan Pakan Bubur Formulasi pada Oposum Layang (Petaurus breviceps Waterhouse, 1839)

ABSTRACT The aims of the research was to analyze nutrient requirements, performance, and feed efficiency of porridge formulation on sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) based on daily feed intake and digestibility. The research was conducted at the Small Mammal Captivity of Zoology Division, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Cibinong, Bogor. Descriptive method was used in this experiment, with 14 days of preliminary period and 70 days (10 weeks) of data collection. The research materials were 16 sugar gliders aged about 3-5 months and randomly divided into 2 treatments ie. 8 heads were given porridge formulation I (P0 - control treatment) and 8 heads were given porridge formulation II (PI) plus superworm 2 times a week. Estimation of feed digestibility done in vivo with the method of the feces total collection. Variables of this experiment are daily feed intake, nutrient requirement, total digestible nutrients (TDN), daily weight gain, and feed efficiency. The feedstuff of the porridge formulation consist of siamese banana (Musa sp.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), grape (Vitis vinifera), pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), boiled egg yolk, baby porridge, calcium, honey, boiled chicken meat, and superworm (Zophobas atratus). The results showed dry matter intake was 5.82 g/head / day or 29.31 g/head / day BB0.75 (P0) and 7.31 g/head/day or 34.16 g/head/day BB0.75 (PI). The average of body weight gain was 0.55 g / head / week (P0) and 0.73 g/head/week (PI) with feed efficiency ratio was 1.36% (P0) and 1.43% (PI). The PI treatment of porridge formulation II has improved the performance of sugar gliders in captivity. Keywords: Daily feed intake, weight gain, porridge formulation, sugar gliders, performance

Effect of enzyme supplements on macronutrient digestibility by healthy adult dogs.

Some enzyme supplement products claim benefits for healthy dogs to compensate for alleged suboptimal production of endogenous enzymes and the loss of enzymes in commercial pet foods secondary to processing. The objective of the current study was to determine macronutrient and energy digestibility by healthy adult dogs fed a commercial maintenance diet with or without supplementation with plant- and animal-origin enzyme products at the dosage recommended by their respective manufacturers. A group of fourteen healthy neutered adult Beagle dogs (average age 8 years) was divided into two equal groups and fed the basal diet alone and then with either the plant- or animal-origin enzyme supplement in three consecutive 10-d periods; the treatment groups received the opposite enzyme supplement in the third period. Digestibility in each period was performed by the total faecal collection method. Serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) was measured at the end of each trial. Data were analysed by repeated measures and the α level of significance was set at 0·05. There were no differences in energy and nutrient digestibility between enzyme treatments. When comparing basal with enzyme supplementation, fat digestibility was higher for the basal diet compared with the animal-origin enzyme treatment, which could be a period effect and was not biologically significant (94·7 v. 93·5%). Serum TLI was not affected by supplementation with either enzyme product. Exogenous enzyme supplementation did not significantly increase digestibility of a typical commercial dry diet in healthy adult dogs and routine use of such products is not recommended.

English

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of oat silage ( Avena sativa ) with and without combination of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (xylanase and cellulase) treatment on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites of Nili-Ravi buffalo calves. Three iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets with oat silage to concentrate ratio of 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30 were formulated. Thirty six Nili-Ravi buffalo calves (9 months old) were used in 2 × 3 factorial arrangement under Randomized Complete Block Design. In first group, the diets were treated with enzymes (Econase Red L ® ) before feeding to buffalo calves. The diets with oat silage to concentrate ratio of 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30 treated with enzymes were ET50, ET60 and ET70, respectively. In second group, the diets without enzyme treatment were fed to buffalo calves. The diets with oat silage to concentrate ratio of 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30 without enzyme treatment were ET50, ET60 and ET70, respectively. Data regarding weight gain, nutrient digestibility, blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen were collected. Digestibility of nutrients was determined by total collection method. Results showed that the dry matter (DM) intake of calves fed exogenous fibrolytic enzymes treated and untreated oat silage was not significantly (P>0.05) different whereas the digestibility of DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was significantly increased (P 0.05) differences were observed in blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen level at 0, 3, 6 and 9 h post-prandial. Total weight gain (122.13 - 139.18 kg) and average daily weight gain (0.317-0.541 kg) of calves fed enzyme treated diets were significantly higher (P<0.05) than calves fed oat silage without enzyme treated diets. Enzyme treatment improved animal performance and nutrient digestibility. However, the performance of claves fed low concentrate and high silage diets either with or without enzyme treatment was better compared to other diets.

Enzyme Complex Added to Broiler Diets: Effects on Performance, Metabolizable Energy Content, and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Balance

Two trials were performed to evaluate the effects of an enzyme complex (EC) on broiler performance, metabolizable energy, and phosphorus and nitrogen balance. In the first trial, 960 one-day-old male Cobb broilers were randomly distributed in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement (three nutritional levels and the inclusion or not of EC), totaling six treatments with eight replicates of 20 birds per pen, and reared until 42 days of age. The control diet was formulated to meet the broilers' nutritional requirements. The other diets contained reduced available phosphorus (P), metabolizable energy, and amino acid levels, considering 100% and 150% of the EC nutritional matrix. The inclusion of the EC (200 g/ton) resulted in better broiler performance, improving weight gain in 4% and feed conversion ratio in 3% (p< 0.05). In the second trial, 240 male broilers were randomly distributed into the same treatments with eight replicates of five birds per cage. The method of total excreta collection was used. There was an interaction (p< 0.05) between diets and EC for P intake, nitrogen (N) intake, and N retention. The EC supplementation improved nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy values in 2.02% (p< 0.05). Significant effects were observed on phosphorus and nitrogen balance (p< 0.05). Phosphorus retention improved in 10.26%, nitrogen retention increased in 5.3%, while nitrogen excretion decreased in 3.3%. Based on the results of the present study, we recommend the addition of 200 g/t of the enzyme complex to broiler diets, considering nutrient reduction based on 100% of the EC nutritional matrix.