Effect of crude protein concentration and sugar-beet pulp on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen excretion, intestinal fermentation and manure ammonia and odour emissions from finisher pigs

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the interaction between high and low dietary crude protein (CP) (200 v. 150 g/kg) and sugar-beet pulp (SBP) (200 v. 0 g/kg) on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) excretion, intestinal fermentation and manure ammonia and odour emissions from 24 boars (n = 6, 74.0 kg live weight). The diets were formulated to contain similar concentrations of digestible energy (13.6 MJ/kg) and lysine (10.0 g/kg). Pigs offered SBP-containing diets had a reduced (P < 0.05) digestibility of dry matter, ash, N, gross energy and an increased (P < 0.001) digestibility of neutral-detergent fibre compared with pigs offered diets containing no SBP. There was an interaction between CP and SBP on urinary N excretion and the urine : faeces N ratio. Pigs offered the 200 g/kg CP SBP-based diet had reduced urine : faeces N ratio (P < 0.05) and urinary N excretion (P < 0.05) compared with those offered the 200 g/kg CP diet without SBP. However, there was no effect of SBP in pigs offered 150 g/kg CP diets. Manure ammonia emissions were reduced by 33% from 0 to 240 h (P < 0.01); however, odour emissions were increased by 41% (P < 0.05) when pigs were offered SBP diets. Decreasing dietary CP to 150 g/kg reduced total N excretion (P < 0.001) and ammonia emissions from 0 to 240 h (P < 0.05). There was an interaction between dietary CP and SBP on branched-chain fatty acids (P < 0.001) in caecal digesta. Pigs offered the 200 g/kg CP SBP-containing diet reduced branched-chain fatty acids in the caecum compared with pigs offered the 200 g/kg CP diet containing no SBP. However, there was no effect of SBP in the 150 g/kg CP diet. In conclusion, pigs offered SBP-containing diets had a reduced manure ammonia emissions and increased odour emissions compared with diets containing no SBP. Pigs offered the 200 g/kg CP SBP-containing diet had a reduced urine : faeces N ratio and urinary N excretion compared with those offered the 200 g/kg CP diet containing no SBP.     

Effect of low-protein amino acid-supplemented diets on the growth performance, gut morphology, organ weights and digesta characteristics of weaned pigs

A 21-day study was conducted to determine whether isoleucine might limit the performance of piglets fed low-crude protein (CP), amino acid (AA)-supplemented diets and to investigate the potential benefits of low-CP diets on gastrointestinal health in weaned pigs. Ninety-six piglets (initial BW = 6.44 ± 0.14 kg), housed four per pen, were randomly assigned to one of four diets, resulting in six replicate pens per diet. Dietary treatments were as follows: (1) 210 g/kg CP diet, (2) 190 g/kg CP diet deficient in isoleucine, (3) 190 g/kg CP diet supplemented with crystalline isoleucine up to the level in the 210 g/kg CP diet and (4) 170 g/kg CP diet supplemented with isoleucine and valine on the ideal protein ratio basis (60% and 70% relative to lysine, respectively). Pigs were allowed to adapt to the new environment for 4 days before the experiment commenced. Overall, pigs fed the 210 g/kg CP diet had higher (P < 0.05) average daily gain and lower (P < 0.05) feed : gain ratio compared with those fed the other diets. The faecal consistency score of pigs fed the 210 g/kg CP diet was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed the other diets. Pigs fed the 170 g/kg diet had lower (P=0.02) small intestine weight than those fed the 210 g/kg CP diet. Pigs fed the 210 g/kg CP diet had deeper (P < 0.05) crypt in the duodenum and ileum and higher (P < 0.05) ammonia N concentration in caecal digesta than those fed the other diets. There were no effects of diet on microbial population and volatile fatty acid concentration in the caecal digesta except for propionic acid whose concentration was higher (P < 0.05) for pigs fed the 170 g/kg diet than those fed the 190+isoleucine and the 210 g/kg CP diets. The results indicate that the low-CP, AA-supplemented diet reduced crypt hypertrophy, ammonia N concentration in the caecal digesta, small intestine weight and the performance of piglets. Also, the results of the current study were inconclusive with respect to whether isoleucine may limit the performance of pigs fed a low-CP, AA-supplemented diet.     

Effect of crude protein and phosphorus level on growth performance, bone mineralisation and phosphorus, calcium and nitrogen utilisation in grower-finisher pigs

Two experiments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement were conducted to evaluate the effect of crude protein (CP) (130 vs. 200 g/kg) and phosphorus (P) (4.0 vs. 6.0 g total P/kg) level in a phytase supplemented diet (500 FTU [phytase units]/kg) in grower-finisher pigs. Owing to the design of the experiment, as dietary P level increased, there was also an increase in dietary calcium (Ca) level in order to maintain a dietary Ca to P ratio of 1.6:1. In Experiment 1, four diets were fed to 56 pigs (n = 14, initial body weight [BW] 36.7 +/- 4.2 kg) to investigate the interaction between CP and P on growth performance, bone mineralisation and digesta pH. Experiment 2 consisted of 16 entire male pigs (n = 4; offered identical diets to that offered in Experiment 1) for the determination of total tract apparent digestibility and nitrogen (N), P and Ca utilisation. There was an interaction between CP and P level on bone ash, bone P and bone Ca concentrations (p < 0.05). Pigs offered low CP-low P diets had a higher bone ash, P and Ca concentrations than pigs offered high CP-low P diets. However, there was no effect of CP level at high P levels on bone ash, P and Ca concentrations. Pigs offered low P diets had a lower ileal pH compared with pigs offered high P diets (p < 0.05). In conclusion, offering pigs a high CP-low P, phytase-supplemented diet resulted in a decrease in bone mineralisation.     

Effect of crude protein and phosphorus level on growth performance,bone mineralisation and phosphorus,calcium and nitrogen utilisation in grower-finisher pigs

Two experiments in a 2?×?2 factorial arrangement were conducted to evaluate the effect of crude protein (CP) (130 vs. 200 g/kg) and phosphorus (P) (4.0 vs. 6.0 g total P/kg) level in a phytase supplemented diet (500 FTU [phytase units]/kg) in grower-finisher pigs. Owing to the design of the experiment, as dietary P level increased, there was also an increase in dietary calcium (Ca) level in order to maintain a dietary Ca to P ratio of 1.6:1. In Experiment 1, four diets were fed to 56 pigs (n?=?14, initial body weight [BW] 36.7?±?4.2 kg) to investigate the interaction between CP and P on growth performance, bone mineralisation and digesta pH. Experiment 2 consisted of 16 entire male pigs (n?=?4; offered identical diets to that offered in Experiment 1) for the determination of total tract apparent digestibility and nitrogen (N), P and Ca utilisation. There was an interaction between CP and P level on bone ash, bone P and bone Ca concentrations (p?<?0.05). Pigs offered low CP–low P diets had a higher bone ash, P and Ca concentrations than pigs offered high CP–low P diets. However, there was no effect of CP level at high P levels on bone ash, P and Ca concentrations. Pigs offered low P diets had a lower ileal pH compared with pigs offered high P diets (p?<?0.05). In conclusion, offering pigs a high CP–low P, phytase-supplemented diet resulted in a decrease in bone mineralisation.     

The interaction between lactose level and enzyme supplementation and form of barley processing on performance, digestibility and faecal volatile fatty acid concentration of weanling pigs fed barley-based diets

A 2×3 factorial arrangement was used to investigate the interaction between lactose level (170 g/kg versus 275 g/kg), enzyme supplementation (with or without endo-1,3 (4)-β-glucanase) and toasting (raw barley versus toasted barley) in barley-based diets (250 g/kg) on piglet performance and diet digestibility postweaning. One hundred and forty-four weaned piglets (24 days old, 6.5 kg live weight) were blocked on the basis of live weight and were assigned to one of six dietary treatments (n = 6) for 21 days as follows: (1) 170 g lactose/kg and barley (250 g/kg), (2) 275 g lactose/kg and barley (250 g/kg), (3) 170 g lactose/kg and toasted-flaked barley (250 g/kg), (4) 275 g lactose/kg and toasted-flaked barley (250 g/kg), (5) 170 g lactose/kg and barley (250 g/kg) plus β-glucanase, (6) 275 g lactose/kg and barley (250 g/kg) plus β-glucanase. There was an interaction (P<0.05) between lactose level and β-glucanase supplementation on average daily gain (ADG), food conversion ratio (FCR) and coefficient of total tract apparent digestibilities (CTTAD) of dry matter (DMD), organic matter (OMD) and nitrogen (N). Pigs offered 170 g lactose/kg and β-glucanase supplementation had an improved FCR and ADG compared to the treatment based on 170 g lactose/kg and unsupplemented barley. However, β-glucanase supplementation at 275 g lactose/kg had no significant effect on FCR and ADG compared to the 275 g lactose/kg and unsupplemented barley. Pigs offered diets containing 170 g lactose/kg plus β-glucanase had a significantly higher CTTAD for DMD, OMD and nitrogen compared to the 275 g lactose/kg plus β-glucanase diet. However, there was no significant effect of lactose level in the unsupplemented diets. Pigs offered high lactose diets showed significantly increased total VFA concentration, molar proportions of butyric acid and reduced acetic acid compared to those offered low lactose diets. Pigs offered β-glucanase supplemented diets showed reduced (P<0.05) total VFA concentration compared to unsupplemented diets. In conclusion, β-glucanase supplementation improved diet digestibility and pig performance compared to the unsupplemented diet at the low lactose level only. There was no response of β-glucanase supplementation at the high level of lactose.     

Effect of inulin supplementation on selected gastric, duodenal, and caecal microbiota and short chain fatty acid pattern in growing piglets

We explored whether bifidobacteria and lactobacilli numbers and other selected bacteria in the upper intestine and the caecum of growing pigs were affected by diet and intake of inulin. Starting at two weeks after weaning (28 d) 72 pigs were fed two types of diets (wheat/barley (WB) or maize/gluten (MG)), without or with 3% inulin (WB + I, MG + I) for three and six weeks. Intestinal bacteria were quantified by fluorescence-in-situ-hybridization (n = 8/group). Duration of feeding had no effect on the variables tested, so data for both periods were pooled. Gastric total bacteria amounted to log(10) 7.4/g digesta. Bifidobacteria were detected in stomach and duodenum two weeks after weaning and disappeared thereafter. In jejunum and caecum bifidobacteria were present at a level of log(10) 7.0/g digesta. Inulin did not alter numbers of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, enterococci, enterobacteria and bacteria of the Clostridium coccoides/Eubacterium rectale-group. Inulin disappearance in stomach plus jejunum was higher with the MG diet (73.7 vs. 60.7%, p = 0.013). Caecal acetate was lower in inulin-supplemented diets (p < 0.05) whereas propionate and butyrate were higher in pigs fed the WB diets (p < 0.05). With the WB diet total caecal short chain fatty acids concentration was higher which resulted in a lower pH value (p < 0.05).     

Effects of increasing the intake of dietary β-glucans by exchanging wheat for barley on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen excretion, intestinal microflora, volatile fatty acid concentration and manure ammonia emissions in finishing pigs

An experiment (complete randomised design) was conducted to investigate the linear and quadratic effects of barley β-glucan inclusion level on total tract nutrient apparent digestibility, nitrogen excretion, intestinal microflora, volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile and manure ammonia emissions in pigs. Twenty-four boars (66 kg) were assigned to one of four treatments: (T1) 0 g/kg barley (control diet) (5.6 g/kg β-glucan), (T2) 222 g/kg barley (12.1 g/kg β-glucan), (T3) 444 g/kg barley (18.9 g/kg β-glucan) and (T4) 666 g/kg barley (25 g/kg β-glucan). Barley was substituted for wheat in the diet. The diets were formulated to contain similar concentrations of digestible energy and digestible lysine. There was a linear decrease (P < 0.001) in the total tract apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy and neutral-detergent fibre with increasing β-glucan concentration. Faecal nitrogen excretion was affected by dietary β-glucan concentration (quadratic P < 0.05). There was a linear decrease in Enterobacteria concentrations (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary β-glucan concentration. Increasing dietary barley levels caused a linear decrease in colonic (P < 0.01) and caecal pH (P < 0.001). Total caecal VFA and propionic acid were affected by dietary β-glucan concentration (quadratic, P < 0.05). There was a linear decrease in the proportion of acetic acid (P < 0.001), isobutyric acid (P < 0.01) and isovaleric acid (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of dietary barley in both the caecum and colon. There was a linear increase in the proportion of propionic acid (P < 0.001) and butyric acid (P < 0.05) with increasing barley in the colon. In conclusion, high level of dietary β-glucan (25 g/kg) is required to reduce offensive odour forming branched-chain VFAs; however, diet digestibility is compromised at such levels.     

Effect of dietary crude protein levels in a commercial range, on the nitrogen balance, ammonia emission and pollutant characteristics of slurry in fattening pigs

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary levels of crude protein (CP), close to the range used commercially and to the European Commission recommended values, on the nitrogen (N) balance, ammonia (NH(3)) emission and pollutant characteristics of the slurry from growing and finishing pigs. Three feeding programmes with different CP levels were compared during the growing and the finishing periods of fattening. Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and for the digestible lysine : metabolisable energy ratio to be similar in all the diets for each phase, but differed in CP concentration (160, 150 and 140 g CP/kg for the growing phase and 155, 145 and 135 g CP/kg for the finishing phase). Faeces and urine from barrows (eight replicates per diet) allocated in metabolism cages were collected separately for 5 days to calculate the N balance and for 2 days to measure NH(3) emission in a laboratory system for 240 h. Excreta were analysed for pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), total N, electrical conductivity (EC), total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD(5)), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH(4)-N reduction of dietary CP content led to a linear decrease of urinary (P < 0.05) and total (P < 0.05) N excretion, and N excretion/feed intake (P < 0.001). The emission of NH3 was similar in all diets (P > 0.05) during the 240 h of study. However, in the growing phase, the NH(3)-N level in slurry was lower (P < 0.05) for the low-CP diet. In addition, the CP level had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on total VFA, EC, TS, VS, COD or BOD(5) contents of excreta. These parameters were higher (P < 0.05) in slurry from the finishing phase than from the growing phase. However, NH(4)-N in the slurry decreased (P < 0.05) by 20.3% and 28.4% when the CP level was decreased by 9.30 or 21.40 g/kg, respectively. It is concluded that lowering dietary CP levels even by small amounts and using CP levels close to these used in commercial diets and close to the European Commission recommended values will decrease urinary and total N excretion in the slurry of growing-finishing pigs. The slurry from finishing pigs is more concentrated than that from growing pigs.     

Effects of age and mannanoligosaccharides supplementation on production of volatile fatty acids in the caecum of rabbits

This trial studied the effect of including mannanoligosaccharides (MOS, Bio-Mos^®, Alltech Inc., USA) in the diet on the caecal volatile fatty acids (VFA) and pH of rabbits from 34 to 90 days of age. Three experimental diets were compared: control diet, zinc bacitracin (ZnBac) diet (control diet with 0.1 g ZnBac/kg feed) and MOS diet (control diet with 2.0 g MOS/kg feed). Rabbits were slaughtered at 34, 48, 69 and 90 days of age and caecal contents were collected and analyzed for dry matter, pH and VFA concentration. The empty caecum and caecal contents weights relative to live weight were also determined.Age affected (P<0.0001) VFA concentration and pH values in the caecum. The pH decreased with age whereas VFA concentration increased. Rabbits fed MOS had higher (P<0.05) VFA and tended (P=0.098) to had lower pH in the caecum than rabbits fed ZnBac and control diets. Acetic, propionic and butyric acids concentrations in the caecum increased with MOS but its molar proportions were similar among diets. Diet had no effect on empty caecum weight and caecal contents weight and dry matter concentration. There was no interaction effect between diet and age. From 34 to 90 days of age, VFA production was higher (P<0.05) in the caecum of rabbits fed MOS than in those fed ZnBac diet and control diet.The addition of MOS to the diet increased the VFA concentration in the caecum of growing rabbits from 34 to 90 days of age.     

The effects of seaweed extract inclusion on gut morphology, selected intestinal microbiota, nutrient digestibility, volatile fatty acid concentrations and the immune status of the weaned pig

An experiment (complete randomised design) was conducted to investigate the effects of Laminaria hyperborea and Laminaria digitata seaweed extract inclusion on gut morphology, selected intestinal microbiota populations, volatile fatty acid concentrations and the immune status of the weaned pig. Twenty-eight piglets (24 days of age, 6.5 ± 1.4 kg live weight) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments for 7 days and then sacrificed: (T1) basal diet (control); (T2) basal diet and 1.5 g/kg L. hyperborea seaweed extract; (T3) basal diet and 1.5 g/kg L. digitata seaweed extract; and (T4) basal diet and 1.5 g/kg of a combination of L. hyperborea and L. digitata seaweed extract. The seaweed extract contained both laminarin and fucoidan. Digesta samples were taken from the caecum and colon to measure the enterobacteria, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli populations and for volatile fatty acid analysis. Tissue samples were taken from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum for morphological examination. Blood samples were taken to determine the cytokine gene expression profile and to measure the phagocytotic capacity of the blood. Pigs offered diets containing L. hyperborea seaweed extract had less bifidobacteria in the colon (P < 0.05) and lactobacilli in the caecum (P < 0.05) and colon (P < 0.001). The inclusion of L. digitata seaweed extract resulted in lower populations of enterobacteria in the caecum and colon (P < 0.01), bifidobacteria in the caecum (P < 0.05), and lactobacilli in the caecum (P < 0.05) and colon (P < 0.001). Pigs offered the combination of L. hyperborea and L. digitata seaweed extracts had less enterobacteria (P < 0.05) and lactobacilli (P < 0.01) in the caecum and colon. Pigs offered the L. digitata-supplemented diet had a reduced villous height in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05). The inclusion of the L. digitata seaweed extract increased the molar proportion of butyric acid in the colon (P < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the ammonia concentration in the colon with the inclusion of L. hyperborea (P < 0.01) and L. digitata (P < 0.05) seaweed extracts. An increase in the expression of the Interleukin-8 mRNA was observed on day 6 with the supplementation of the combination of L. hyperborea and L. digitata seaweed extract (P < 0.05). The inclusion of L. hyperborea seaweed extract resulted in an increase in total monocyte number (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of L. hyperborea and L. digitata seaweed extract alone and in combination reduced the enterobacteria, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli populations in the caecum and colon, while only marginal effects on the immune response was observed.     

The effect of cereal type and enzyme addition on pig performance, intestinal microflora, and ammonia and odour emissions

Two 2 × 2 factorial experiments were conducted to investigate the interaction between cereal type (wheat v. barley) and exogenous enzyme supplementation (with or without) on odour and ammonia emissions (experiment 1) and growth performance (experiment 2) in grower-finisher pigs. The enzyme supplement used contained endo-1, 3 (4) - β- glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) and endo-1, 4 - β-xylanase (E.C 3.2.1.8). The diets were formulated to contain similar levels of net energy (9.8 MJ/kg) and lysine (10.0 g/kg). The experimental treatments were as follows: (1) wheat-based diet, (2) wheat-based diet containing a β-glucanase and β-xylanase mixed enzyme supplement, (3) barley-based diet and (4) barley-based diet containing a β-glucanase and β-xylanase mixed enzyme supplement. In experiment 1, the diets were offered to the pigs for 23 days in sealed pens (eight pigs per pen) and this was repeated four times (n = 4). Odour and ammonia emissions were measured on days 9, 11, 14, 16, 21 and 23 of each replicate period. Odour samples were collected in 20-l Nalophan bags and analysed for odour concentration using an ECOMA Yes/No Olfactometer. Ammonia concentrations in the ventilation air were measured using Dräger tubes. In experiment 2, 220 pigs were group fed in mixed sex pens using single-space feeders (11 pigs per feeder, six boars and five gilts) (n = 5). There was a cereal × enzyme interaction in odour emission rates, ammonia emissions and selected microbial populations in the caecum and colon (P < 0.05). The addition of an enzyme supplement to the barley-based diet increased both odour and ammonia emission, however the addition of an enzyme to the wheat-based diet decreased ammonia emission rates and had no effect on odour emission. Pigs offered the unsupplemented barley-based diet had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower population of Enterobacteriaceae spp. and a higher population of Bifidobacteria spp. compared with enzyme-supplemented barley diets. However, there was no effect of enzyme supplementation in wheat-based diets. In the performance experiment, neither cereal type nor enzyme inclusion had an effect on pig performance or carcass characteristics. In conclusion, the inclusion of an enzyme mix to barley-based diets increased odour and ammonia emissions, while the addition of an enzyme mix to wheat-based diets decreased ammonia emissions.     

The interaction between lactose level and crude protein concentration on piglet post-weaning performance,nitrogen metabolism,selected faecal microbial populations and faecal volatile fatty acid concentrations

A performance study and a nitrogen balance study (2×3 factorial) were conducted to investigate the interaction between lactose level (215 and 125 g/kg) (lactofeed 70; 860 g whey permeate/kg, 140 g soya bean meal/kg, Volac International, UK) and crude protein (CP) concentration (160, 185 and 210 g/kg) on post-weaning piglet performance, nitrogen metabolism, faecal microbiology and faecal volatile fatty acid concentrations. In the performance trial, 252 piglets (7.6 kg; 33 days of age) were assigned to one of six dietary treatments following a 12-day period on a commercial creep diet (17 MJ/kg DE, 16 g lysine/kg). The experimental diets were fed for 28 days (days 12–40) and were formulated to have identical digestible energy (15 MJ/kg) and total lysine (14.5 g/kg) contents. In the N balance experiment, 24 boars (20 kg live weight) were offered the same diets as in the performance trial. Faecal samples were collected for selected microbial populations. There was an interaction (P<0.05) between lactose and CP concentration in daily gain (ADG) and daily feed intake (ADFI) (P<0.01) during the weaner period (days 12–40). At the high lactose level there was a linear increase in ADG and ADFI with increasing CP. However, at the low lactose level there was no increase in ADG or ADFI above the medium CP. Pigs offered 215 g lactose/kg had a higher dry matter (P<0.001), organic matter (P<0.001), energy (P<0.001), nitrogen (P<0.01) and neutral detergent fibre (P<0.05) coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility compared to pigs offered 125 g lactose/kg. There was an interaction between lactose and CP concentration for nitrogen intake (NI) (P<0.05), urine pH (P<0.05) and selected faecal microbial populations. At the high CP level, pigs offered diets containing 215 g lactose/kg had a higher NI and a lower urine pH than pigs offered 125 g lactose/kg (P<0.05). However, the inclusion of lactose had no significant effect on either NI or urine pH at the low or medium CP concentration. At the low lactose level there was a linear increase in faecal E. coli population and a linear decrease in faecal Lactobacilli population with increasing CP. However at high lactose levels CP concentration had no effect on either E. coli or Lactobacilli populations. Pigs offered 215 g lactose/kg had a significantly higher Bifidobacteria population compared to pigs offered 125 g lactose/kg. There was a linear decrease in Bifidobacteria population as CP increased. In conclusion, at the high lactose level there was a linear increase in ADG and ADFI with increasing CP concentrations. There was no increase in these parameters above 185 g CP/kg at the low lactose level.     

Physiological effects of lactulose and inulin in the caecum of rats

A model experiment was performed on rats to evaluate the effect of partial or total substitution of saccharose (S) and cellulose (C) by preparations of lactulose and inulin on the development and metabolism of the caecum. In the experimental diets given to rats for 4 weeks, the examined preparations were administered either with an equivalent amount of cellulose (each at 4% of the diet) or as sole source of dietary fibre at 8% of the diet. Compared to the saccharose group cellulose had no effect, and low doses of lactulose and inulin in the diet increased to a medium extent the weight of the caecum wall and caecal digesta. The addition of lactulose and inulin at 8% increased significantly the content of caecal digesta (4.62 and 4.11?g/100g BW, respectively) and the weight of the caecal wall (1.10 and 0.86?g/100g BW, respectively), compared to the groups with saccharose and cellulose (0.73, 0.90 and 0.24, 0.28?g/100g BW, respectively). Cellulose and cellulose partially-substituted with lactulose and inulin caused an increase in the dry matter content of caecal digesta (26.5–27.5%), compared to other groups (21.8–22.8%). The administration of lactulose and inulin preparations was accompanied by a significant drop in pH (5.47–5.81), compared to the groups with cellulose or saccharose (6.83–6.91), and a decrease in the ammonia concentration in the caecal digesta, compared to the cellulose control (0.27–0.40 and 0.62?mg/g, respectively). The group with 8% lactulose was characterized by the highest activities of microbiological α- and β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase in the caecal digesta. Cellulose and both preparations significantly decreased the activity of β-glucuronidase, compared to the saccharose group (0.39–0.89 and 1.52?U/g, respectively). The highest concentration of VFA in the caecal digesta was observed in the saccharose group (89.2?μmol/g), and the lowest concentration in the group where cellulose was totally substituted by lactulose and inulin (55.1 and 57.5?μmol/g, respectively). The total production of VFA in the caecum was fourfold higher with 8 % lactulose and inulin (254.7 and 236.4?μmol/100g BW, respectively) than in both controls groups (65.1 and 67.8?μmol/100g BW, respectively). The high dose of inulin and lactulose increased the share of propionic acid in the VFA profile (C₂:C₃:C₄) compared to both control groups. When 4% inulin was added to the diet a significant increase of butyrate concentration in the caecum was observed.     

Effects of fibre level and dietary mannanoligosaccharides on digestibility,caecal volatile fatty acids and performances of growing rabbits

The current experiment with 3 trials aimed to study the effect of two levels of dietary fibre – high fibre (HF; 323 g aNDFom/kg) and low fibre (LF; 248 g aNDFom/kg) – and the effect of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) addition (1 g/kg) to the LF diet (LFM) on the performances and health status of growing rabbits, digestibility and caecal fermentative characteristics. In the growth trial 132 rabbits of both sexes were used (11 cages with 4 rabbits per treatment) from weaning (32 days of age) to slaughter (67 days of age). Rabbits fed HF diet showed a significantly higher weight gain and live weight at 67 days than rabbits fed LF diet (2032 g vs. 1935 g) (P<0.05). Feed and digestible energy intake increased with dietary fibre level (P<0.05). During the growing period rabbits fed HF diet had a feed intake 26% higher than those fed LF diet. Feed efficiency ratio was worse in HF animals (0.334 vs. 0.385; P<0.05). Addition of MOS to LF diet did not affect growth performance parameters (P>0.05). Mortality and morbidity rate were not affected by treatments. In the digestibility 24 rabbits from 46 to 51 days of age trial were used. The HF diet resulted in a significant (P<0.05) decrease in digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and protein while the aNDFom digestibility was not significantly different between diets (P>0.05). Supplementation with MOS had no effects on digestibility (P>0.05). In the 3rd trial the caecal traits were measured in 30 rabbits with 46 days of age that received the experimental diets in the previous 14 days. Caecal production of total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetate and propionate were significantly higher (P>0.05) on rabbits fed HF diets than on rabbits fed LF diets. The total VFA concentration increased 64% (from 5.01 to 8.20 mmol/100 ml) and acetate increased 73% (from 3.73 to 6.44 mmol/100 ml). Butyrate production was not different between diets (P>0.05). Fibre level did not affect proportions of VFA and caecal contents and caecal weights. Addition of MOS to LF diet did not affect any caecal trait (P>0.05). It was concluded that the reduction of dietary fibre level increases feed digestibility but worsens rabbit growth performances. Supplementation of low fibre diet with 1 g MOS/kg is not enough to reduce its negative effects on growth performances.     

Bacteriophage cocktail and multi-strain probiotics in the feed for weanling pigs: effects on intestine morphology and targeted intestinal coliforms and Clostridium

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of bacteriophage cocktail, probiotics and a combination of these two supplements on performance and gut health of weanling pigs. In Experiment 1, 150 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to three treatments on the basis of BW. The dietary treatments included a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg bacteriophage cocktail. Pigs fed 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg bacteriophage product had greater (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter from day 22 to 35, ileal Lactobacillus spp., villus height (duodenum and jejunum), and fewer coliforms (ileum) and Clostridium spp. (ileum). In Experiment 2, 200 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to four treatments. Dietary treatments included basal diet, basal diet supplemented with 3.0 g/kg fermented probiotic product (P), 1.0 g/kg bacteriophage cocktail (B) and combination of 1.0 g/kg bacteriophage cocktail and 3.0 g/kg fermented probiotic product. Pigs fed bacteriophage cocktail diets had greater (P<0.05) overall ADG, gain to feed ratio (G:F), fecal score from day 8 to day 21, and pigs fed bacteriophage cocktail diets had fewer coliforms (ileum) Clostridium spp. (ileum and cecum). Probiotics significantly increased G:F, colonization of Lactobacillus spp. in ileum. At day 35, bacteriophage treatment group showed greater (P<0.05) villus height of the duodenum, but a deeper crypt in duodenum. The present results indicate that the bacteriophage cocktail had a potential to enhance the performance and gut health of weanling pigs, however their combination with probiotics did not show an interaction.     

Effects of phytase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 inclusions on the performance, mineral balance and bone parameters of grower-finisher pigs fed low-phosphorus diets

Two experiments, a performance experiment and a mineral balance study, were conducted on grower-finisher pigs (42 to 101 kg live weight) to investigate the effects of Peniophora lycii phytase enzyme and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient retention and excretion, and bone and blood parameters. The two experiments were designed as a 2 × 2 factorial (two levels of phytase and two levels of 25-OHD3). The four diets were T1, low-phosphorous diet; T2, T1 + phytase; T3, T1 + 25-OHD3 and T4, T1 + phytase + 25-OHD3 diet. In all, 25 μg of 25-OHD3 was used to replace 1000 IU of vitamin D3 in diets T3 and T4. Diets were pelleted (70°C) and formulated to contain similar concentrations of energy (13.8 MJ DE/kg), lysine (9.5 g/kg) and digestible phosphorus (P; 1.8 g/kg). Neither the inclusion of phytase nor 25-OHD3 in the diet had any effect on pig performance. There was an interaction between phytase and 25-OHD3 on calcium (Ca) and P retention (P < 0.01) and on the apparent digestibility of ash (P < 0.01), P (P < 0.001) and Ca (P < 0.001). Pigs offered phytase diets only, had a higher retention of Ca and P and digestibility of ash (P < 0.01), P (P < 0.001) and Ca (P < 0.01) compared with pigs offered unsupplemented diets. However, when the combination of phytase and 25-OHD3 were offered, no effects were detected compared with 25-OHD3 diets only. Pigs fed phytase diets had higher bone ash (P < 0.01), bone P (P < 0.01) and bone Ca (P < 0.05) concentrations compared with pigs offered non-phytase diets. In conclusion, pigs offered phytase diets had a significantly increased bone ash, Ca and P than pigs offered unsupplemented phytase diets. However, there was no advantage to offering a combination of phytase and 25-OHD3 on either bone strength or mineral status compared to offering these feed additives separately.     

Nitrogen utilisation by dairy cows fed diets differing in crude protein level with a deficit in ruminal fermentable nitrogen

We studied the efficiency of nitrogen utilisation by dairy cows, using three diets differing in the crude protein (CP) level but with similar deficits (10 g x kg(-1) dry matter, DM) in ruminal fermentable nitrogen. There was no difference in milk yield from the cows offered the three diets (130, 145 and 160 g CP x kg(-1) DM). The milk protein content differed between the two most extreme diets (28.9 vs. 29.9 g x kg(-1), P < 0.05), resulting in higher protein yields for the highest CP treatment (P < 0.01). The efficiency of nitrogen utilisation, calculated as the proportion of ingested nitrogen recovered in the milk, was significantly higher for the 130 g CP x kg(-1) DM diet than for the other two diets (0.37 vs. 0.33 and 0.32 respectively. P < 0.01). The different diets also resulted in different levels of nitrogen excretion into the environment (237, 270 and 330 g N x d(-1), P < 0.01). Hepatic deamination of the amino acids may have generated additional energy to enable the animal to make use of the additional nitrogen in the diet, resulting in an increase in plasma urea concentration.     

Digestibility and utilisation of diets composed of wet distillers' solids or soyabean meal and supplemented with liquid lysine product for growing pigs

A digestibility and balance trial was carried out to study the nutrient digestibility and utilisation of protein and energy in wet distillers' solids derived from barley or soyabean meal. Eight growing pigs (30–72 kg liveweight) were used in an 8 × 6 cyclic change-over experimental design, in which eight experimental diets were arranged 2 × 2 × 2 factorially. The corresponding factors were the protein source (wet distillers' solids (DS) or soyabean meal (SBM)), protein supply (130 or 162 g crude protein (CP) kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM)) and liquid lysine product supplementation.DS and SBM contained 565 g and 485 g CP kg⁻¹ DM, respectively, and the respective lysine contents in CP were 39 g and 64 g per 160 g N. The liquid lysine product contained 527 g CP kg⁻¹ DM and lysine in CP 193 g per 160 g N.No differences were found in the total tract digestibility of the nutrients or energy among diets composed of DS or SBM without lysine supplementation. Those diets with liquid lysine product supplementation, however, had opposite effects on the digestibility of the diets composed of the different protein sources. Lysine supplementation improved the digestibility of ash (P < 0.001), ether extract (P < 0.05) and crude carbohydrates (CCH) (P < 0.05) in diets composed of DS and adversely impaired the digestibility of organic matter and CCH (P < 0.05) in diets composed of SBM. The calculated digestibility of CP and gross energy were respectively 91.2% and 88.3% in SBM and 90.2% and 85.0% in DS. The digestible and calculated net energy contents were respectively 18.16 MJ kg⁻¹ DM and 10.73 MJ kg⁻¹ DM for SBM and 19.31 MJ kg⁻¹ DM and 10.40 MJ kg⁻¹ DM for DS.The pigs on the diets composed of DS had higher total (P < 0.001) and urea (P < 0.01) nitrogen (N) excretion in urine and lower daily retention of N (P < 0.001) than the pigs on the diets composed of SBM. The liquid lysine product supplementation of the diets decreased the total and urea N excretion in urine (P < 0.001) and improved the daily N retention (P < 0.001). With lysine supplementation, the protein utilisation of the diets composed of DS was improved to the level of the diets composed of SBM. No differences were observed in the utilisation of energy among the diets composed of different protein sources.It is concluded that DS is highly digestible, but its protein is efficiently utilised only with lysine supplementation.     

Physiological effects of lactulose and inulin in the caecum of rats

A model experiment was performed on rats to evaluate the effect of partial or total substitution of saccharose (S) and cellulose (C) by preparations of lactulose and inulin on the development and metabolism of the caecum. In the experimental diets given to rats for 4 weeks, the examined preparations were administered either with an equivalent amount of cellulose (each at 4% of the diet) or as sole source of dietary fibre at 8% of the diet. Compared to the saccharose group cellulose had no effect, and low doses of lactulose and inulin in the diet increased to a medium extent the weight of the caecum wall and caecal digesta. The addition of lactulose and inulin at 8% increased significantly the content of caecal digesta (4.62 and 4.11 g/100g BW, respectively) and the weight of the caecal wall (1.10 and 0.86 g/100g BW, respectively), compared to the groups with saccharose and cellulose (0.73, 0.90 and 0.24, 0.28 g/100g BW, respectively). Cellulose and cellulose partially-substituted with lactulose and inulin caused an increase in the dry matter content of caecal digesta (26.5-27.5%), compared to other groups (21.8-22.8%). The administration of lactulose and inulin preparations was accompanied by a significant drop in pH (5.47-5.81), compared to the groups with cellulose or saccharose (6.83-6.91), and a decrease in the ammonia concentration in the caecal digesta, compared to the cellulose control (0.27-0.40 and 0.62 mg/g, respectively). The group with 8% lactulose was characterized by the highest activities of microbiological alpha- and beta-galactosidase and beta-glucosidase in the caecal digesta. Cellulose and both preparations significantly decreased the activity of beta-glucuronidase, compared to the saccharose group (0.39-0.89 and 1.52 U/g, respectively). The highest concentration of VFA in the caecal digesta was observed in the saccharose group (89.2 micromol/g), and the lowest concentration in the group where cellulose was totally substituted by lactulose and inulin (55.1 and 57.5 micromol/g, respectively). The total production of VFA in the caecum was fourfold higher with 8 % lactulose and inulin (254.7 and 236.4 micromol/100g BW, respectively) than in both controls groups (65.1 and 67.8 micromol/100g BW, respectively). The high dose of inulin and lactulose increased the share of propionic acid in the VFA profile (C2:C3:C4) compared to both control groups. When 4% inulin was added to the diet a significant increase of butyrate concentration in the caecum was observed.     

Influence of incrementally substituting dietary soya bean meal for rapeseed meal on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen excretion, growth performance and ammonia emissions from growing-finishing pigs

A completely randomised design experiment was performed to examine the effects of replacing different levels of soya bean meal (SBM) with rapeseed meal (RSM) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) balance and manure ammonia emissions of growing-finishing pigs. Pigs (n = 336; mean live weight 42.1 kg) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments containing per kg diet: 210 g SBM; 140 g SBM and 70 g RSM; 70 g SBM and 140 g RSM; and 210 g RSM. All diets were formulated on an ileal digestible amino acid, net energy and available phosphorus basis. There was no significant treatment effect on average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and carcass characteristics. There was a linear decrease in gross energy digestibility (p < 0.01) as RSM increased at the expense of SBM in the diet. There was a linear decrease in urinary N excretion (p < 0.01), N digestibility (p < 0.05), total N excretion (p < 0.05) and N retention (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of RSM. There was no effect of dietary treatment on manure ammonia emissions. The results of this study indicate that RSM can be used as a direct replacement for SBM with no associated depression in performance, when formulated on an ileal digestible amino acid and net energy basis. Consumption of diets containing incremental levels of RSM linearly decreased urinary N and total N excretion, reflecting the associated decrease in crude protein concentrations.