Effect of diet composition and lysine supply on growth and body composition in juvenile turbot (Psetta maxima)

A 10-week feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of feeding level and dietary lysine concentration on growth, protein and lysine retention, and body composition in juvenile turbot. Maintenance requirement for lysine and the efficiency of lysine utilisation were determined as well. Two experimental diets were formulated based on fishmeal or wheat gluten as main protein sources, containing 6.4 g (Diet A, control) and 4.5 g lysine per 100 g CP (Diet B), respectively. Diets were fed once daily at six feeding levels (per day 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, 1.2%, and 1.5% of body weight [BW] and ad libitum) to a total of 432 fish of 48 g initial BW. No differences in the growth parameters were observed between diets at the same feeding level, except a lower feed to gain ratio (p < 0.05) at the highest feeding level at Diet B. Whole-body composition was not affected by diet, whereas muscle protein concentration was significantly lower for fish fed Diet B. Amino acid concentration in whole-body protein was affected by dietary treatment and fish fed Diet B showed lower concentrations of all essential amino acids. In fish muscle protein, lysine, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, and valine concentrations were significantly lower in Diet B. Efficiency of lysine utilisation for growth (k_lys) was determined by linear regression analysis and amounted for 0.69 for Diet B. The maintenance lysine requirement defined at zero lysine retention was 6.5 mg · kg^?0.8 · d^?1. Lysine intakes at zero protein retention were 13.0 mg and 12.9 mg · kg^?0.8 · d^?1 for Diet A and B, respectively. Growth and nutrient retention were similar for both diets and, therefore, a lysine deficiency in Diet B did not occur. In conclusion, a proportion of 330 g wheat gluten per kg feed did not influence growth performance and maintenance requirement for lysine in juvenile turbot. However, the effect of diet composition on the amino acid profile of body protein might be relevant for the derivation of the amino acid requirement from protein retention.     

The nutritive value of Tower rapeseed meal for swine

Two experiments involving 144 Yorkshire × Lacombe gilts, with an average initial weight of 20 kg, were conducted. In Experiment 1 the gilts were allotted to a control diet containing soya bean meal (SBM) or to diets in which either 50% or all of the supplementary protein was provided by Tower rapeseed meal (RSM). In the second experiment the two diets had either SBM or Tower RSM as the supplementary protein source. In a third diet Tower RSM was supplemented with sufficient lysine to equal the calculated available lysine level of the SBM control diet. In Experiment 1, gilts given the SBM diet grew from 20 to 60 kg significantly faster (P<0.01), and had better feed conversion efficiency (P<0.01), than those given the RSM diets. A 50% replacement of SBM by Tower RSM gave intermediate results. Partial or total replacement of SBM by Tower did not significantly affect the growth rate or feed conversion efficiency of the gilts when growing from 60 to 100 kg liveweight. Serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations of the gilts at 100 kg were lower in pigs fed on the RSM diets but the differences were not significant. In the second experiment, total replacement of SBM by Tower RSM, with or without the addition of lysine, significantly (P<0.001) reduced growth rate and feed conversion efficiency during the growing period (20–60 kg) but did not significantly affect performance during the finishing period (60–90 kg). Serum T3 concentration was not significantly affected by the addition of Tower RSM to the diet but T4 concentrations were significantly reduced (P<0.01). None of the carcass parameters studied were significantly affected by the addition of Tower RSM to the diets.     

the effect of the combination of microbial phytase and amino acid supplementation of diets for finishing pigs on p and n excretion and carcass quality

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a combined low-protein, low-phosphorus diet supplemented with limiting amino acids and microbial phytase on performance, nutrient utilization and carcass characteristics of late-finishing barrows. 4?×?8 crossbreed barrows were continuously housed in metabolism cages from 70?–?110?kg BW and were fed diets, either conventional (A) or protein reduced (B) or protein and phosphorus reduced diets (C) based on barley, maize and soybean meal. Diet A (positive control) contained in air dry matter 13% and 10% CP as well as 0.49% and 0.42% P at growth phases I (70?–?100?kg BW) or II (100?–?110?kg BW), respectively. Diet B was low in CP (11.3%, 8.4%), diet C low in CP and low in P (CP: as B, P: 0.36%, 0.30%). To diet B the limiting amino acids lysine, methionine, threonine and trypthophan were added to meet the levels in diet A. To diet C the limiting amino acids and 800 FTU/kg Aspergillus-phytase were supplemented. At the end of the balance periods the barrows were slaughtered, the carcasses scored and loin chops, ham and Phalanx prima IV were analysed for nutrients and minerals. The CP or P reduction in diets B and C did not generally negatively affect growth, feed efficiency, absolute nitrogen retention or overall carcass performances of the pigs. With the low CP diets B and C, N excretion per unit BWG was decreased by about 23%. The addition of microbial phytase (diet C) increased apparent total tract digestibility of P by about 20%. In spite of 30% reduction of P intake (diet C), the absolute P retention related to 1?kg BW did not differ between treatments. Thus, phytase supplementation in diet C reduced P excretion per unit BWG by about 33%. Phytase raised apparent digestibility of Zn by about 20% but not Ca digestibility. Generally the carcass traits and meat characteristics were not affected by any of the diet strategies. Mineralization of the Phalanx prima IV was also similar in all treatment groups. However, phytase supplementation led to significantly increased zinc concentration in bones (25%). In contrast, Fe incorporation into the Phalanx prima IV was not affected. In general, the feeding regimen introduced in this experiment offers substantial benefits in maintaining a sustainable environmental-friendly pork production even at the stage of late-finishing barrows.     

Amino acid requirement of growing pigs depending on amino acid efficiency and level of protein deposition 1st communication: lysine

The study was conducted to evaluate the variability of efficiency of lysine utilisation in different feed proteins for growing pigs including wheat, unprocessed soybean flakes (SF), hydrothermal processed SF, corn gluten meal (CGM), two batches of soybean protein concentrate (SPC-1, SPC-2), different batches of peas (Pisum sativum) and field beans (Vicia faba). Data about efficiency of lysine are important for further conclusions related to lysine requirement in dependence on level of daily protein deposition. In N-balance studies 161 growing barrows (40-65 kg BW) of the genotype [Piétrain x (Duroc x Landrace)] were randomly allotted into 23 experimental treatments (n = 7) with diets in which lysine was the first limiting amino acid. Data from the N-balance trials were used to calculate efficiency of lysine and consequently lysine requirement based on an exponential N-utilisation model. Results from the present studies indicate that efficiency of lysine in different feed proteins varies in a very wide range and this variation greatly affected the calculated lysine requirement. Therefore, the variation in efficiency of lysine should be taken into account in requirement calculations and consequently in diet formulation for pigs. The results of model calculation for the lysine requirement depending on daily protein deposition (130, 145 and 160 g/d) and efficiency of lysine are given for different standards for comparison (g x kg(-0.67) x d(-1), g x d(-1) and percentage of lysine in the diet). The calculated lysine requirement of growing barrows (50 kg BW) corresponding to an average lysine efficiency was 15.5, 18.0 and 21.1 g/d for daily protein deposition of 130, 145 and 160 g, respectively. The results of the model calculation for 145 or 160 g daily protein deposition are in agreement with actual studies and recommendations of NRC (1998) and DLG (2002) for lysine supply.     

Evaluation of optimum lysine and threonine supplements to a wheat and barley-based diet in rats

Experiments were conducted on growing male SPF-rats to study the optimum supplementation with essential amino acids of diets containing wheat and barley (1.4:1) as the only source of nitrogen. In growth and balance experiments comprising 30 and 17 combinations of L-lysine and L-threonine, respectively, the concentrations of the two amino acids corresponding to maximum body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, biological value of protein and net protein utilization were calculated using multiple regression analysis. Addition of lysine and threonine to the basal diet markedly improved the nutritional value of cereal proteins. The optimum concentrations found were 0.69–0.70% total dietary lysine and 0.52–0.55% total dietary threonine. Statistical analysis showed that the number of observations used for the estimation of regression functions in the growth experiment could be reduced to ca. 100 without substantially affecting precision.     

Meat meal in the diet of the early-weaned pig IV. The supplementation of diets with tryptophane,lysine and methionine

Two experiments were conducted with 72 pigs between 28 and 56 days of age to study the effect of tryptophane supplementation on their performance when fed on diets containing wheat and meat meal.In the first experiment, pigs were fed on a basal diet (Diet 1) or on the same diet supplemented with calcium dihydrogen phosphate (Diet 2), bone meal (Diet 3) or bone meal plus tryptophane (Diet 4), all to 3.1% calcium. The weight gains of the pigs (315 g day^?1) fed on Diet 3 were significantly lower than that of the pigs fed on the other three diets (363 g day^?1). The feed conversion ratios showed a similar trend. Diet 3 contained 0.16% tryptophane while the other diets contained 0.18–0.19% tryptophane. The crude protein, lysine and methionine contents of all diets were similar.In the second experiment, a basal diet containing meat meal and bone meal was supplemented with tryptophane, lysine plus methionine or all three amino acids. Feed intake was increased by all amino acid supplements. Weight gains were improved significantly (57%) by the addition of all three amino acids to the diets, but the improvements due to tryptophane alone (28%) or methionine plus lysine (35%) were not significant. Tryptophane supplementation alone or with lysine plus methionine increased the nitrogen retention of the pigs.It was concluded that the requirement for tryptophane of pigs between 28 and 56 days of age was greater than 0.16% of diets containing wheat and meat meal.     

Potential use of high levels of vegetal proteins in diets for market-sized gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

The effect of partial or total dietary substitution of fishmeal (FM) by vegetal protein sources on growth and feed efficiency was carried out in on-growing gilthead sea bream (mean initial weight 131 g). The Control diet (FM 100) contained FM as the primary protein source, while in Diets FM 25 and FM 0 the FM protein was replaced at 75% and 100%, respectively, by a vegetable protein mixture consisting of wheat gluten, soybean meal, rapeseed meal and crystalline amino acids. Diets FM 25 and FM 0 also contained krill meal at 47 g/kg in order to improve palatability. At the end of the trial (after 158 d), fish survival was above 90%. Final weight and the specific growth rate were statistically lower in fish fed the Control diet (361 g and 0.64%/d), compared with 390–396 g and 0.69–0.70%/d after feeding vegetal diets. No significant differences were found regarding feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The digestibility of protein and amino acids (determined with chromium oxide as indicator) was similar in all diets. The blood parameters were not significantly affected by treatments. The activity of trypsin and pepsin was significantly reduced after feeding Diet FM 0. In the distal intestine, the villi length in fish fed Diet FM 25 was significantly longer and the intestine of the fish fed the FM 100 diet showed a smaller number of goblet cells. In conclusion, a total FM substitution by a vegetal mix supplemented with synthetic amino acids in on-growing sea bream is feasible.     

Effects of supplementing a CP-reduced diet with rumen-protected methionine on Fleckvieh bull fattening

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing a CP-reduced diet with rumen-protected methionine on growth performance of Fleckvieh bulls. A total of 69 bulls (367 ± 25 kg BW) were assigned to three feeding groups (n = 23 per group). The control (CON) diet contained 13.7% CP and 2.11 g methionine/kg diet (both DM basis) and was set as positive control. The diet reduced in CP (nitrogen) (RED) diet as negative control and the experimental RED + rumen-protected methionine (MET) diet were characterised by deficient CP concentrations (both 9.04% CP). The RED + MET diet differed from the RED diet in methionine concentration (2.54 g/kg DM vs. 1.56 g/kg DM, respectively) due to supplementation of rumen-protected methionine. Rumen-protected lysine was added to both RED and RED + MET at 2.7 g/kg DM to ensure a sufficient lysine supply relative to total and metabolisable protein intake. Metabolisable energy (ME) and nutrient composition were similar for CON, RED, and RED + MET. Bulls were fed for 105 days (d) on average. Individual feed intake was recorded daily; individual BW was recorded at the beginning of the experiment, once per month, and directly before slaughter. At slaughter, blood samples were collected and carcass traits were assessed. Reduction in dietary CP concentration reduced feed intake, and in combination with lower dietary CP concentration, daily intake of CP for RED and RED + MET was lower compared with CON (P < 0.01). Daily ME intake was reduced in RED and RED + MET compared with CON (P < 0.01). Consequently growth performance and carcass weights were reduced (both P < 0.01) in both RED and RED + MET compared with CON. Supplemental rumen-protected methionine was reflected in increased serum methionine concentration in RED + MET (P < 0.05) as compared to RED but it did not affect growth performance, carcass traits and serum amino acid (AA) concentrations, except for lysine which was reduced (P < 0.01) compared to CON and RED. In conclusion, bulls fed RED or RED + MET diets were exposed to a ruminal CP deficit and subsequently a deficit of prececal digestible protein, but methionine did not appear to be the first-limiting essential AA for growth under the respective experimental conditions.     

Nutritional evaluation,using rats,of diets based on cereals and ethanol-grown yeast

Six experiments on growing rats were conducted to measure the nutritive value of diets based on cereals (wheat and barley, 1:1) and ethanol-grown yeast. Optimum protein provision in isonitrogenous diets (11.3% crude protein) determined on the basis of live weight gain, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio was found to be 60 and 40% for cereal and yeast protein, respectively, corresponding to a diet containing 84.5% cereals and 13.2% yeast (Experiments 1 and 2). The addition of single amino acids (l-lysine, 0.05–0.15%; dl-methionine, 0.1–0.3%) or their combinations (l-lysine + dl-methionine, 0.05 + 0.1%; 0.1 + 0.1%; 0.05 + 0.2%; and 0.1 + 0.2%) to the diet containing 13.2% yeast had no significant effect on either growth rate or feed efficiency (Experiments 3 and 4). A non-fortified diet alone proved to be comparable in nutritive value to a standard diet containing high-quality protein components.The diet with yeast providing 20% and cereals providing 80% of the total protein (5.55% yeast, 92.15% cereals) with combined supplement of amino acids ($\text{dl}\text{-methionine}\text{0.2\% +}\text{l}\text{-lysine}\text{0.2\% +}\text{l}\text{-isoleucine}\text{0.1\%}$; Experiment 5) promoted growth rate and feed efficiency similar to the standard diet, in spite of the fact that the experimental diet protein-content was about 3% lower. In a separate experiment (Experiment 6), similar results were achieved with the supplement of l-lysine alone (0.15% of the diet).As suggested by the results of model experiments on rats, the nutritive value of diets based on cereals and ethanol-grown yeast, possibly supplemented with amino acids, is comparable with that of diets containing animal protein components.     

Effects of dietary protein and amino acid levels on the expression of selected cationic amino acid transporters and serum amino acid concentration in growing pigs

The absorption of lysine is facilitated by leucine, but there is no information regarding the effect of crude protein, lysine and leucine levels on the expression of cationic amino acid transporters in pigs. Therefore, an experiment was conducted with 20 pigs (14.9 +/- 0.62 kg initial body weight) to evaluate the effect of two protein levels, and the content of lysine, threonine, methionine and leucine in low crude protein diets on the expression of b(0,+) and CAT-1 mRNA in jejunum, Longissimus dorsi and Semitendinosus muscles and serum concentration of amino acids. Treatments were as follows: (i) wheat-soybean meal diet, 20% crude protein (Control); (ii) wheat diet deficient in lysine, threonine and methionine (Basal diet); (iii) Basal diet plus 0.70% L-lysine, 0.27% L-threonine, 0.10% DL-methionine (Diet LTM); (iv) Diet LTM plus 0.80% L-leucine (Diet LTM + Leu). Despite the Basal diet, all diets were formulated to meet the requirements of lysine, threonine and methionine; Diet LTM + Leu supplied 60% excess of leucine. The addition of lysine, threonine and methionine in Diet LTM increased the expression of b(0,+) in jejunum and CAT-1 in the Semitendinosus and Longissiums muscles and decreased CAT-1 in jejunum; the serum concentration of lysine was also increased (p < 0.01). Further addition of L-leucine (Diet LTM + Leu) decreased the b(0,+) expression in jejunum and CAT-1 in the Longissimus dorsi muscle (p < 0.05), increased the serum concentration ofleucine and arginine and decreased the concentration of isoleucine (p < 0.05). Pigs fed the Control diet expressed less b(0,+) in jejunum, and CAT-1 in the Semitendinosus and Longissiums muscles expressed more CAT-1 in jejunum (p < 0.05) and had lower serum concentration ofisoleucine, leucine and valine (p < 0.05), but higher lysine concentrations (p < 0.01) than those fed Diet LTM. These results indicated that both, the level and the source of dietary amino acids, affect the expression of cationic amino acid transporters in pigs fed wheat-based diets.     

A nutritional evaluation of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

Experiments were conducted with rats, pigs, chickens and laying hens. Buckwheat had a high neutral detergent fibre content of 20%; digestible energy measured with pigs was 11.5 MJ/kg, and a mean metabolizable energy value of 11.0 MJ/kg with poultry. Growth studies with rats and chicks showed that buckwheat in mono-grain diets was superior to cereal grains. However, it was not possible to identify limiting amino acids in buckwheat, and supplementation with fat and protein sources did not promote the growth responses anticipated. Removal of the fibrous hulls from buckwheat by sifting did not increase growth rate, but food conversion was improved.Although chemical analysis indicated that amino acids were adequate to maintain egg production, this was not confirmed in laying trials even when additions of lysine and methionine were made to buckwheat. The most favourable response to buckwheat was achieved in pig-growth studies. Growth rate on an all-buckwheat diet was not different from that on an all-wheat (12% CP) diet but addition of lysine improved growth rate and feed conversion. Addition of 10% meat meal or sunflower meal to buckwheat gave similar growth and feed conversion to those of a commercial grower diet. Amino acid disappearance, measured at the terminal ileum of pigs prepared with re-entrant cannulas, gave values ranging from 90% for methionine to 65% for leucine, although there was substantial variation among pigs.It was apparent that buckwheat as the sole grain source was not suitable for the species examined. Differences in performance between individual animals may be attributed to their capacity to degrade the buckwheat fibre. This may in part explain the variation in the response of individuals to the experimental diets and therefore a tendency to mask responses to the various supplements. It can be concluded from this study that buckwheat as the sole source of energy is unsuitable for pigs and poultry even though in the diets of pigs it gave acceptable growth rate and feed conversion. Some pigs, however, did not take readily to this grain and often took several hours to consume their rations. Poor acceptability, perhaps due to the presence of a toxin or other chemical compounds, appears to be associated with this grain.     

Lupin-seed meal (Lupinus albus cv. Hamburg) as a source of protein for growing pigs

Two experiments were performed to evaluate Lupinus albus cv. Hamburg as a source of protein for growing pigs. The first was in a factorial design, involving two levels of feeding (restricted and ad libitum) and five isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets (0, 10.3, 20.7 and 31% Hamburg, and 31% Hamburg supplemented with 0.20% synthetic L-lysine). The growth performance of pigs from 22 to 70 kg live weight was unaffected by 10.3% Hamburg replacing soya-bean meal and meat and bone meal, but at higher levels both growth rate and feed conversion efficiency were significantly depressed. Feed intake was not significantly affected by the level of Hamburg, but dressing percentage decreased significantly from 84.3 to 80.2% as the proportion of Hamburg was increased from 0 to 31%. The addition of synthetic lysine to the 31% Hamburg diet improved feed conversion efficiency, but not to the level of the diet containing no Hamburg.Hamburg contained 2100 mg/kg manganese and the effects of levels of manganese from 72 to 1330 mg/kg on pig performance between 20 and 55 kg live weight were studied in the second experiment. Up to 1330 mg/kg manganese in the diet did not affect the growth performance or carcass quality of pigs. In both experiments, the growth performance of pigs given 31 or 33% Hamburg diets, each supplemented with 0.20% synthetic L-lysine, was lower than that of pigs receiving diets without Hamburg.The digestible energy content and alkaloid content of Hamburg were 18.2 (SE ± 0.38) MJ/kg dry matter and 0.018%, respectively.     

The effect of adding water into the mixer on pelleting efficiency and pellet quality in diets for finishing pigs without and with use of an expander

Two diets for finishing pigs were used to determine the effect of adding water into the mixer on processing characteristics and pellet quality. Diet 1 was based on barley, oats and soybean meal (barley-based diet) and Diet 2 was based on maize and soybean meal (maize-based diet). Both diets were produced without and with use of an expander. Adding up to 120 g water/kg into the mixer prior to steam conditioning and pelleting (steam conditioning) of the barley-based diet, improved pelleting efficiency, pellet durability index (PDI) and modified PDI (with five hexagonal nuts added into the tumbling box), by 15, 10 and 10%, respectively. When water was added into the mixer prior to expanding the barley-based diet, PDI increased from 93 to 95% and modified PDI from 91 to 94%. The maize-based diet was processed with motor load held constant to maximize feed mill output, and production rate held constant to minimize energy use. At a constant motor load and a constant production rate, adding up to 30 g water/kg into the maize-based diet prior to steam conditioning increased pelleting efficiency by 22 and 9%, PDI was improved from 84 to 89% and from 79 to 87%, respectively. Expander conditioning of the maize-based diet increased PDI from 92% at none to 94% at 30 g/kg water addition. Correspondingly, modified PDI was increased from 89 to 93% at none and 30 g water/kg into the mixer prior to expander conditioning. The overall conclusion from the experiment was that adding water into the mixer before steam conditioning improved pelleting efficiency and pellet quality in barley- and maize-based diet for finishing pigs.     

Effects of dietary amino acid l‐lysine on survival,growth and haemato‐biochemical parameters in Indian catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1974), fingerlings

An 8‐week feeding experiment was conducted to estimate the dietary lysine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (total length = 6.35 ± 1.10 cm; weight = 4.70 ± 0.65 g) by feeding six isonitrogenous (400 g/kg CP) and isocaloric diets (17.90 kJ/g) containing six supplemental lysine levels ranging from 11.0 to 23.5 g/kg (diets I to VI, in incremental steps of 2.5 g/kg). Triplicate groups with 20 fish each were stocked in 75‐L circular continuous flow‐through troughs and fed experimental diets at 4% BW/day twice daily (08:00 and 18:00 h). Maximum live weight gain (304%), best‐feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1.46) and protein efficiency ratio (PER, 1.71) were obtained at 18.5 g/kg dietary lysine, beyond which these values showed a slight declining tendency. Best values for somatic and hematological indices were also obtained at this level. Significantly (p < .05) higher body protein and low carcass moisture and intermediate fat contents were noted in fish fed diets containing 18.5 g/kg lysine. The quadratic regression analyses of live weight gain, FCR, PER and body protein deposition (BPD) data indicated lysine requirements at 19.3, 18.8, 18.6 and 18.6 g/kg of dry diet, respectively. Based on these results, it is recommended that the H. fossilis diet should contain lysine at a level of 19.0 g/kg of dry diet, corresponding to 47.5 g/kg of dietary protein, for optimum growth and efficient feed utilization.     

Impact of amino acid and CP restriction from 20 to 140 kg BW on performance and dynamics in empty body protein and lipid deposition of entire male,castrated and female pigs

Breeding leaner pigs during the last decades may have changed pig’s empty body (EB) composition, a key trait for elaborating feeding recommendations. This research aimed to provide new experimental data on changes in the chemical composition of the EB of pigs from 20 to 140 kg BW. In addition, the impact of a reduction in the dietary CP associated with lower lysine, methionine+cystine, threonine and tryptophan levels was determined. In total, 48 males, castrates and females weighing 20 kg BW were allocated either to a control grower–finisher diet formulated according to current Swiss feeding recommendations, or a low CP grower–finisher diet (80% of control). Feed intake was monitored and pigs were weighed weekly. The chemical composition of EB (blood, hairs and hoofs, offals, bile, carcass) was determined at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 kg BW on four pigs per gender and diet (eight pigs per gender at 20 kg). The five fractions were weighed and samples were analysed for dry matter, protein, fat and energy. Nutrient deposition rates and N efficiency were calculated by using the 20 kg BW category as reference. Analysis revealed an accurate feed optimisation for the aforementioned essential amino acids (EAA), whereas digestible isoleucine content in the low CP diet was at 70% of the control diet. Despite similar feed intake, daily gain and feed efficiency were impaired (P<0.01) from 20 to 100 kg BW in the low CP compared with the control pigs. In the same growth period, castrates had the greatest feed intake but, together with females, displayed the lowest (P<0.01) feed efficiency. Protein deposition was reduced (P<0.01) by up to 31% with low CP diet and was lower (P<0.01) in castrates and females than males at 100 kg BW. The greatest fat deposition rates were found with low CP diet and castrates. N efficiency improved (P<0.05) by 10% with the low CP diet from 100 to 140 kg. The males displayed the greatest (P<0.05) N efficiency. These findings suggest that the CP content of finisher II diets could be reduced to 102, 102 and 104 g/kg for females, castrates and males, respectively, without a negative impact on protein deposition or growth. It remains unclear whether the negative effects found in the BW range from 20 to 100 kg on the EB deposition were due to the 20% reduction of the dietary CP and the five limiting EAA or to other EAA via an unbalanced EAA profile.     

Phenotypic and genetic relationships between growth and feed intake curves and feed efficiency and amino acid requirements in the growing pig

Improvement of feed efficiency in pigs has been achieved essentially by increasing lean growth rate, which resulted in lower feed intake (FI). The objective was to evaluate the impact of strategies for improving feed efficiency on the dynamics of FI and growth in growing pigs to revisit nutrient recommendations and strategies for feed efficiency improvement. In 2010, three BWs, at 35±2, 63±9 and 107±7 kg, and daily FI during this period were recorded in three French test stations on 379 Large White and 327 French Landrace from maternal pig populations and 215 Large White from a sire population. Individual growth and FI model parameters were obtained with the InraPorc^R software and individual nutrient requirements were computed. The model parameters were explored according to feed efficiency as measured by residual feed intake (RFI) or feed conversion ratio (FCR). Animals were separated in groups of better feed efficiency (RFI⁻ or FCR⁻), medium feed efficiency and poor feed efficiency. Second, genetic relationships between feed efficiency and model parameters were estimated. Despite similar average daily gains (ADG) during the test for all RFI groups, RFI⁻ pigs had a lower initial growth rate and a higher final growth rate compared with other pigs. The same initial growth rate was found for all FCR groups, but FCR⁻ pigs had significantly higher final growth rates than other pigs, resulting in significantly different ADG. Dynamic of FI also differed between RFI or FCR groups. The calculated digestible lysine requirements, expressed in g/MJ net energy (NE), showed the same trends for RFI or FCR groups: the average requirements for the 25% most efficient animals were 13% higher than that of the 25% least efficient animals during the whole test, reaching 0.90 to 0.95 g/MJ NE at the beginning of the test, which is slightly greater than usual feed recommendations for growing pigs. Model parameters were moderately heritable (0.30±0.13 to 0.56±0.13), except for the precocity of growth (0.06±0.08). The parameter representing the quantity of feed at 50 kg BW showed a relatively high genetic correlation with RFI (0.49±0.14), and average protein deposition between 35 and 110 kg had the highest correlation with FCR (−0.76±0.08). Thus, growth and FI dynamics may be envisaged as breeding tools to improve feed efficiency. Furthermore, improvement of feed efficiency should be envisaged jointly with new feeding strategies.     

Coupling diet quality and Bowman-Birk and Kunitz-type soybean proteinase inhibitor effectiveness to Diatraea saccharalis development and mortality

We used bioassays to investigate the effect of Bowman‐Birk and Kunitz‐type soybean proteinase inhibitors on two artificial diets (diets 1 and 2) which are commonly used to feed laboratory colonies of larvae of the moth Diatraea saccharalis, monitoring food intake and utilization, and larval development and mortality. Diet 1 was less nutritious, with a low protein content and reduced mineral and essential amino acid (e.g., cysteine, lysine, and methionine) content, while diet 2 was richer and more complete. When proteinase inhibitors were incorporated into the artificial diets, the effects on larval development were significantly greater for those larvae fed diet 1, with the chronic ingestion of proteinase inhibitors reducing the level of trypsin‐like activity in the midgut of larvae fed this diet. Larvae fed diet 2 also showed a reduced level of tryptic activity in the midgut, but this was less marked than for diet 1. These results indicate that despite their inhibitory effect on midgut enzymes, the effectiveness of proteinase inhibitors is directly dependent on the quality of the diet. The different effects seen on insect biology when proteinase inhibitors are added to rich or poor diets suggests that the role of anti‐nutritional proteins in the control of insects might not be adequately addressed by bioassays based on the incorporation of inhibitors into artificial diets.     

Efficacy of virginiamycin and a commercially-available lactobacillus probiotic in swine diets

Eight feeding trials using 708 cross-bred pigs were conducted to evaluate the addition of virginiamycin and a commercially-available lactobacillus fermention product (probiotic) to starter, grower and finisher diets based on maize and soya bean meal. Virginiamycin was added at a level of 11 mg/kg of diet, and lactobacillus probiotic at 1 g/kg in starter diets and 500 mg/kg in grower and finisher diets. In the combined analysis of four starter trials, pigs fed on diets containing virginiamycin tended to eat more and grow faster than pigs fed on the control diet, but feed efficiency was not different. Furthermore, daily gain, daily feed intake and feed efficiency were not improved by the addition of lactobacillus probiotic to starter diets. In the combined analysis of a starter—grower—finisher and a grower—finisher trial, virginiamycin supplementation did not alter overall pig performance compared with control. Pigs fed on a positive control diet containing chlortetracycline, penicillin and sulfamethazine had a nonsignificantly greater daily gain and feed intake.Daily gain for the lactobacillus probiotic-fed pigs was lower (P < 0.05) than that of the negative controls, but daily feed intake and feed efficiency were not significantly different. In three growing—finishing trials in which virginiamycin and lactobacillus probiotic were compared in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, daily gain and feed intakes were greater (P < 0.01) for pigs given virginiamycin. The lactobacillus probiotic did not improve daily gain, feed intake or feed efficiency. Overall, no interaction between virginiamycin and lactobacillus probiotic occurred.     

Effect of cereal type and plant extract addition on the growth performance,intestinal morphology,caecal microflora,and gut barriers gene expression of broiler chickens

Feeding broiler chickens on diets based on cereal grains of high non-starch polysaccharides content such as wheat and barley can negatively impact their performance and gut health. Plant extracts can be used as a potential tool to alleviate these negative effects. The present study assessed the effects of dietary cereal type and the inclusion of a plant extract blend (PEB) on the growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, caecal microflora, and gene expression of selected biomarkers for gut integrity in broiler chickens in a 42-d experiment. Ross-308 male broilers were assigned into different dietary treatments and fed on two cereal types (corn- vs. wheat/barley-based) with/without added graded concentrations of a PEB (0, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg diet). There were no significant differences in the growth performance parameters, intestinal histomorphology, and caecal microflora due to the impact of dietary cereal type. However, lactobacilli count in the caecal microflora was increased in the group fed on a corn-based diet. The PEB supplementation especially at a level of 500 to 1000 mg/kg diet significantly increased the average BW and decreased the feed conversion ratio. It also increased the villi length of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, decreased the duodenal crypt depth, and increased the villi length to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Supplementation of the PEB decreased the total bacterial and coliform count and increased the lactobacilli count in a linear pattern. Gene expression of Occludin and Junction Adhesion Molecule was significantly increased in the PEB supplemented diets, whereby no influence was observed on mucin expression. In conclusion, supplementation of a PEB at levels of 500–1000 mg/kg can be used as a tool to improve broiler performance and gut health.     

饲料中添加溶菌酶对吉富罗非鱼生长、免疫-抗氧化功能及血清抗菌性能的影响

为研究在饲料中添加不同水平的溶菌酶制品对吉富罗非鱼(GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus)生长性能、免疫-抗氧化功能和血清抗菌性能的影响, 选用平均体重为(11.350.08)g的吉富罗非鱼960尾, 随机分为6组(每组4个重复, 每个重复40尾), 分别投喂基础饲料(对照组)和5种添加水平分别为18、36、54、72和90 mg/kg溶菌酶制品的试验饲料, 养殖周期为60d。结果表明: (1) 54 mg/kg溶菌酶添加组鱼的生长性能和饲料利用情况最优, 增重率和蛋白质效率均显著高于对照组, 饲料系数显著低于对照组(P0.05); 肝体比随溶菌酶添加水平的增加呈现下降趋势, 90 mg/kg添加组显著低于对照组(P0.05); 脾脏指数在36和54mg/kg添加组显著低于对照组(P0.05); 全鱼粗蛋白和粗灰分含量在54 mg/kg添加组均呈现较高水平, 显著高于对照组(P0.05)。(2)溶菌酶添加水平对罗非鱼的免疫-抗氧化能力产生影响, 54和72 mg/kg添加水平能显著提高鱼体血清和肝脏的超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶活性, 降低丙二醛含量(P0.05); 肝脏溶菌酶活性在54和72 mg/kg添加组均显著高于对照组(P0.05), 而血清溶菌酶活性随溶菌酶添加水平的增加呈现下降趋势(L90组除外), 显著低于对照组(P0.05)。(3)血清抗菌试验显示, 54和72 mg/kg溶菌酶添加组罗非鱼对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、嗜水气单胞菌和溶藻弧菌的抑制能力显著高于对照组(P0.05), 而对枯草芽孢杆菌的抵抗能力最低, 比对照组分别低34.71%和42.21% (P0.05)。结果表明, 在本试验条件下, 在吉富罗非鱼饲料中添加54 mg/kg溶菌酶制品可以改善其生长性能; 当添加水平为54和72 mg/kg时, 罗非鱼的免疫-抗氧化能力和血清抗菌性能均得到了显著提高。