Wheat-soybean Meal-based Diet Research Articles

Effect of particle size of wheat on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and gut microbiota in growing pigs

This research was conducted to determine the effect of particle size of wheat on digestibility (in vitro and in vivo), growth performance, and gut microbiota in growing pigs. The pig were fed wheat–soybean meal-based diets containing 70.85% wheat ground to mean particle sizes of 330, 430, 450, 470, 580, and 670μm. Before blended into diet, the ground wheat were used to measure dry matter (DM) and crud protein (CP) in vitro digestibility by the two-step method (pepsin and trypsin). Then, a total of 30 barrows with an average bodyweight (BW) of 21.2±1.2kg were fed 6 diets containing different particle sizes of wheat (330, 430, 450, 470, 580, and 670μm) to determine apparent digestibility of DM, gross energy (GE), and N in vivo. Finally, the effect of the particle size of wheat on growth performance and microbiota was assessed by feeding the same diets for 28 d with 6 pens per diet and 10 pigs (initial BW: 10.4±0.9kg) per pen. Reducing particle size from 670 to 330μm increased the DM digestibility from 17% to 26% (linear, P<0.05) and CP digestibility from 55% to 66% (linear, P<0.05). Digestibility experiment in growing pigs demonstrated that particle size exerted no effect on DM and GE digestibility in vivo. In contrast with in vitro digestibility, as the particle size of wheat reduced, apparent N in vivo digestibility increased first and then decreased, with the particle size of 430μm supporting the greatest N digestibility (quadratic, P=0.028). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain/feed were unaffected by particle sizes. However, the diarrhea incidence increased (P<0.05) with the particle size reduced. A quadratic effect (P=0.038) of the particle size and average daily gain (ADG) was also observed, with the greatest ADG occurring with 430–470μm. Moreover, the increase in the particle size of wheat from 430 to 470μm increased (P<0.05) the number of beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacterium sp. and Lactobacillus sp.), but also suppressed (P<0.05) bacterial pathogens (Eschericha coli), which effectively promoted (P=0.02) the diversity of gut microflora. The results in the study indicated that the particle size of wheat from 430 to 470μm was acceptable in diets for growing pig.

Lipidemic Responses of Male Broiler Chickens to Enzyme-supplemented Wheat-soybean Meal-based Diets with Various Levels of Metabolizable Energy

Effects of 2 various levels of AME (according to the manual recommendation and 100 kcal kg(-1) less than it), 2 levels of endo-beta-D-mannanase enzyme (0, 1 g kg(-1)) and 2 levels of xylanase enzyme (0 and 1 g kg(-1)) on serum lipid parameters as a 2(3) factorial arrangement were tested in 120 male broiler chicks fed wheat-soybean meal-based diet. These birds were randomly assigned to 8 experimental groups with 3 pen per group and 5 birds per pen. The serum HDL-cholesterol (HDL), LDL-cholesterol (LDL), Total-cholesterol (TC) and Triglycerides (TG) concentrations were measured at 31 and 41 day of age. The concentrations of serum TG, TC and LDL of 41-day-old birds demonstrated to be lower than those of 31-d-old (p < 0.001). Some hypolipidemic responses were observed in the broiler chicks fed on (1) Diet supplemented with only beta-mannanase, (2) Normal-AME diets supplemented with p-mannanase, (3) Normal-AME diets supplemented with Xylanse and (4) Normal-AME diets supplemented with both beta-mannanase and Xylanase (p < 0.01). In the other hand, some hyperlipidemic responses were detected in the broiler chicks fed on low-AME diets supplemented with xylanse or beta-mannanase enzymes, alone or in combination (p < 0.01). Regardless of AME, adding both xylanse and beta-mannanase to the wheat-soybean meal-based diets have both hyperlipidemic and hypolipidemic effects together (p < 0.01).

Effects of expeller pressed camelina meal and/or canola meal on digestibility, performance and fatty acid composition of broiler chickens fed wheat–soybean meal-based diets

This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of graded levels of camelina meal and/or canola meal on digestibility, performance and fatty acid composition of broiler chickens. A total of 180-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of the six treatments. The control diet was based on wheat and soybean meal and contained 15% canola meal. The experimental diets contained 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% or 15% camelina meal added at the expense of canola meal. Chromic oxide (0.35%) was added to all diets as a digestibility marker. On the morning of day 22, birds were killed by cervical dislocation and their abdominal fat pad was obtained. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and energy as well as nitrogen retention all declined linearly (p < 0.01) with increasing levels of dietary camelina meal. Weight gain (p < 0.01) and feed intake (p = 0.08) were linearly reduced as the level of camelina meal in the diet increased. Feed conversion ratio was also negatively affected by camelina meal (p < 0.01). Birds fed diets containing 15% camelina meal had significantly higher (p < 0.01) levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, total n-3 fatty acids, total n-6 fatty acids and a significantly lower ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids (p < 0.01) than birds fed canola meal. In conclusion, the inclusion of camelina meal in their diet significantly reduced the growth and feed conversion ratio of broilers compared with canola meal. However, the potential to incorporate n-3 fatty acids into carcass tissues may provide some justification for including camelina meal in poultry rations.

Effects of yeast cell wall-derived mannan-oligosaccharides on jejunal gene expression in young broiler chickens

The use of mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) has gained in popularity in recent years due to regulatory restrictions of using AGP in food animal production. Benefits of MOS usage include improvement on animal performance, feed efficiency, and gastrointestinal health. The molecular mechanisms of these functions however are not clear. The goal of the current study was to use a transcriptomics approach to investigate the effects of MOS on the intestinal gene expression profile of young broilers and characterize biological gene pathways responsible for the actions of MOS. One hundred and twenty 1-d-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 2 groups and were fed either a standard wheat-soybean meal-based (control) diet or the same diet supplemented with 2.2 g/kg of MOS (Bio-Mos, Alltech, Nicholasville, KY) for 3 wk, followed by jejunal gene expression profiling analysis using chicken-specific Affymetrix microarrays. Results indicated that a total of 672 genes were differentially expressed (P < 0.01 and fold change >1.2) in the jejunum by MOS supplementation. Association analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes are involved in diverse biological functions including energy production, cell death, and protein translation. Expression of 77 protein synthesis-related genes was differentially regulated by MOS in the jejunum. Further pathway analysis indicated that 15 genes related to oxidative phosphorylation were upregulated in the jejunum, and expression of genes important in cellular stress response, such as peroxiredoxin 1, superoxide dismutase 1, and thioredoxin, were also increased by MOS. Differential expression of genes associated with cellular immune processes, including lysozyme, lumican, β 2-microglobin, apolipoprotein A-1, and fibronectin 1, were also observed in MOS-fed broilers. In summary, this study systematically identified biological functions and gene pathways that are important in mediating the biological effects of MOS in broilers.

Effects of a xylanase and protease, individually or in combination, and an ionophore coccidiostat on performance, nutrient utilization, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens fed a wheat-soybean meal-based diet

The effects of 2 single exogenous and monocomponent feed enzymes, and their combination, and an ionophore coccidiostat on production performance, feed AME(n), nutrient utilization, and intestinal morphology were studied in broiler chickens. One-day-old unvaccinated and unsexed Ross 308 birds (n = 320) were kept in groups of 8 on wood shavings in pens raised from the floor and fed one of 5 experimental diets, replicated 8 times, for 36 d. Treatments were 1) a wheat-soybean meal-based feed with no added coccidiostats or exogenous enzymes (CON), 2) CON + ionophore coccidiostat (Narasin), 3) CON + xylanase (Ronozyme WX CT; XYL), 4) CON + serine protease (Ronozyme ProAct CT; PRO), or 5) CON + xylanase + serine protease (XYL+PRO). Enzymes were added on top in the feed formulation. Diets contained 0.5% TiO₂ to facilitate estimations of total tract apparent nutrient utilization. Treatments had no effect on BW gain or feed intake, but feed conversion, apparent digestibility of starch and fat, and feed AME(n) were improved with all enzyme treatments. The relative length of the ileum was reduced with XYL+PRO. For all parameters measured, the effects of XYL+PRO were similar to when XYL and PRO were fed individually. Narasin had no effect on production performance or nutrient utilization but reduced the relative lengths of jejunum and ileum. Relative lengths and weights of duodenum and cecum were unaffected by treatments. In conclusion, the improved feed conversion with both a xylanase and a protease was reflected in increased nutrient utilization, but their combination was not superior to when supplied separately. Narasin did not affect performance or nutrient utilization but reduced the relative lengths of the jejunum and ileum.

Multi-carbohydrase and phytase supplementation improves growth performance and liver insulin receptor sensitivity in broiler chickens fed diets containing full-fat rapeseed

The effect of a combination of carbohydrase and phytase enzymes on growth performance, insulin-like growth factor 1 gene expression, insulin status, and insulin receptor sensitivity in broiler chickens fed wheat-soybean meal diets containing 6% (starter) and 12% (grower-finisher) of full-fat rapeseed (canola type; low glucosinolate, low erucic acid) from 1 to 42 d of age was studied. A total of 510 one-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments, with 17 pens per treatment and 10 birds per pen. The dietary treatments consisted of a control diet and P- and Ca-deficient diets supplemented with either phytase (500 U/kg) or a combination of phytase and a multi-carbohydrase enzyme (Superzyme OM). The diets were pelleted at 78 degrees C and were fed ad libitum throughout the starter (9 d), grower (18 d), and finisher (15 d) phases of the experiment. Over the entire trial, growth performance of birds fed the phytase-supplemented diet did not differ from birds fed the control diet. The use of phytase in combination with a multicarbohydrase enzyme improved (P = 0.007) the feed conversion ratio from 1.90 to 1.84. Insulin liver receptor sensitivity increased by 9.3 and 12.3% (P = 0.004) for the phytase- and the carbohydrase-phytase-supplemented diets, respectively. There was no effect of phytase alone or carbohydrase and phytase supplementation on total plasma cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. However, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased (P = 0.007) for the phytase-carbohydrase treatment. Gene expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 tended to decrease by 32% (P = 0.083) after phytase-carbohydrase supplementation. The combination of carbohydrase and phytase enzymes may serve as an attractive means of facilitating nutrient availability for digestion and thus enhance the feeding value of wheat-soybean meal-based diets containing full-fat rapeseed. However, the extent to which the effects of enzyme addition on insulin receptors are associated with growth performance of broiler chicken requires further research.

Influence of Paprika Extract Supplement on Egg Quality of Laying Hens Fed Wheat-Based Diet

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of paprika extract (PE) on egg performance and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 960 fifty-three wk-old laying hens were randomly allotted into five groups and each of six replicates with 32 birds. The birds were fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with 0, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.8% PE respectively. The experiment lasted 4 weeks. RFC value linearly increased with an increase in dietary PE (P < 0.01) and achieved 9.9 when dietary PE added by 0.8%. L* value of egg yolk decreased with increase in dietary PE (P < 0.05), The a* value linearly increased with an increase in dietary PE (P < 0.01), while b* value unaffected (P<0.05). There were no effect of dietary PE on Haugh unit and cholesterol content in yolk (P<0.05). However, carotenoid content in yolk linearly increased with an increase in dietary PE (P < 0.01). No differences were observed in egg size, laying rate, feed intake and feed conversion among dietary treatments (P<0.05). The results indicated supplementation of paprika extract significantly improved egg yolk color when hens fed wheat-based diet and yolk coloration could reach an ideal grade when paprika extract added by 0.8%.

Maternal Dietary α-Linolenic Acid (18:3n-3) Alters n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism and Liver Enzyme Activity in Hatched Chicks

We investigated the effects of dietary alpha-linolenic acid (LNA; 18:3n-3) of laying hens on the fatty acid composition of liver microsomes and activity of Δ-6 desaturase in hatched chicks. Laying hens were fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets with (Flax) or without ground flax (control). At Day 21 of feeding, fertile eggs were collected and incubated. On the day of hatching, chicks (n = 6) were killed, and liver microsomes were isolated and assayed for Δ-6 desaturase enzyme activity. The total n-3 fatty acids in the Flax eggs was 13.0% compared with 2.3% (P < 0.001) in the control group. LNA was the major n-3 fatty acid in the Flax eggs and constituted 10%. The long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (20:5n-3, 22:5n-3, and 22:6n-3) constituted 3.1% in Flax eggs compared with 1.5% in control eggs. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) composed 2.1 and 1.2% in Flax and control eggs (P < 0.05), respectively. The liver microsomes of Flax chicks incorporated higher 18:3n-3, 20:5n-3, and 22:5n-3 (P < 0.05) with a concomitant reduction in 20:4n-6, 22:4n-6, and 22:5n-6 compared with control chicks (P < 0.05). The Δ-6 desaturase activities in Flax and control groups were 49.4 and 82.8 pmol/min per mg of protein, respectively (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate the role of maternal and yolk n-3 fatty acids in modulating the activity of rate-limiting enzymes for PUFA synthesis in hatched chicks.

Effects of dietary buffers on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and stomach morphology in finishing pigs2

The effects of supplemental alkaline salts on growth performance, blood chemistry, and stomach morphology were determined in two experiments using 248 finishing pigs fed finely ground diets. In Exp. 1, 128 pigs (56 kg average initial BW) were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet (488-microns mean particle size) for 66 d. Treatments were control and 1, 2, or 3% added NaHCO3 in a randomized complete block design. Average daily gain (linear effect, P < .005), dressing percentage (linear effect, P < .04), and plasma urea N concentration (linear effect, P < .004) decreased as the concentration of NaHCO3 in the diet was increased, but primarily at the 2 and 3% additions. Feed intake, gain/feed, backfat thickness, stomach ulceration score, blood gases (pCO2 and HCO3), and plasma Na and K were not affected by treatment (P > .11). In Exp. 2, 120 pigs (55 kg average initial BW) were fed a pelleted wheat-soybean meal-based diet (355-microns mean particle size) during a 64-d growth assay. Treatments were 1) control, 2) 1% NaHCO3, and 3) 1% KHCO3. Average daily gain, ADFI, gain/feed, backfat thickness, stomach keratinization score, blood pCO2, plasma urea N, and digestibilities of DM and N were not affected by treatment (P < .15). However, addition of NaHCO3 and KHCO3 tended to decrease (P < .10) the incidence of ulcers and increased (P < .05) the concentration of blood HCO3- and digestibility of GE. These data indicate that 1% addition of either NaHCO3 or KHCO3 may help to reduce the severity of gastric ulcers in finishing pigs without adversely affecting growth performance or nutrient digestibility.

Do dietary buffers improve growth performance or nutrient digestibility or decrease stomach ulcers in finishing pigs? (1993)

The effects of supplemental buffers in finely ground diets were determined in two experiments. In Exp. 1, 128 pigs (123 lb average initial body wt) were fed a cornsoybean meal-based diet (488 μm mean particle size for corn) for 66 d. Treatments were a control and 1, 2, or 3% added sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Average daily gain, dressing percentage, and plasma urea N concentration decreased as the concentration of NaHCO3 in the diet was increased. However, the reduction in average daily gain occurred only at the 2 and 3% additions. Feed intake, feed/gain, backfat thickness, stomach ulceration score, stomach keratinization score, and blood gases (pH and HCO3) were not affected by treatment. In Exp. 2, 120 pigs (121 lb average initial body wt) were fed a pelleted wheat-soybean meal-based diet (355 μm mean particle size for the wheat) during a 64-d growth assay. Treatments were: 1) control; 2) 1% added NaHCO3; and 3) 1% added potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3). Average daily gain, feed intake, feed/gain, backfat thickness, stomach keratinization score, plasma urea N concentration, and digestibilities of dry matter and nitrogen were not affected by treatment. However, addition of NaHCO3 and KHCO3 tended to decrease the incidence of ulcers and increased the digestibility of gross energy. These data indicate that a 1% addition of either NaHCO3 or KHCO3 may help to reduce the severity of gastric ulcers in finishing pigs without adversely affecting growth performance or nutrient digestibility.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 18,1993