Influence of phytase and xylanase supplementation of a wheat-based diet on ileal and total tract digestibility in growing pigs

The effect of phytase and xylanase supplementation of a wheat-based pig diet on the ileal and total tract apparent digestibility of dietary components and minerals were studied in eight growing pigs fitted with a PVTC cannula in a randomized block design experiment. The diets (A and B) were similar in major ingredient composition and in nutrient content. In diet A, part of the limestone was replaced with di-calcium phosphate to increase the content of available phosphorus (P). Diet B was fed without or with supplementation with phytase (500 FTU/kg; diet BP), xylanase (4000 XU/kg; diet BX) and phytase + xylanase (500 FTU and 4000 XU/kg; diet BPX). There were no differences (P > 0.05) between diets in the ileal or total tract digestibility of organic matter (OM), NDF and crude protein (CP). The ileal and total tract digestibility for P and Ca differed (P < 0.05) between diets, while there were no treatment effects for Zn. The ileal and total tract digestibility for P and Ca was higher (P < 0.05) on diets BP and BPX than on the other diets. In conclusion, phytase improved the utilization of dietary P and Ca in a wheat-based diet, while xylanase had no additional benefits in terms of OM and CP digestibility or mineral utilization. Phytase had no effect on the digestibility of OM, CP or NDF.     

Effect of an enzyme complex derived from Trichoderma longibrachiatum on ileal digestibility of amino acids and non-starch polysaccharides in piglets

A digestibility trial on piglets was conducted to study the effect of an enzyme complex derived from Trichoderma longibrachiatum (Roxazyme G2) supplemented to a rye-based diet on apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and NSP-constituting sugars. Enzyme supplementation at 200 mg kg^− 1 increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of total amino acids from 67.1 to 70.8. As the dietary concentration of Roxazyme G2 increased from 0 to 100 mg/kg, the ileal digestibility of the NSP constituents gradually increased. No further increase was observed with the supplementation level of 200 mg/kg. The improvement in the digestibility of arabinose + xylose (685%, P < 0.05) was much higher than that of the remaining sugars (110%, P < 0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility of galactose was positively influenced by Roxazyme G2 but it remained negative in all dietary treatments, presumably due to the high concentration of galactose in endogenous secretions. It is concluded that Roxazyme G2 effectively degrades non-starch polysaccharides in upper digestive tract and marginally improves amino acid availability in young pigs.     

Xylanase supplementation improves energy digestibility of wheat by-products in grower pigs

Value-added processing of cereals produces high-value fractions for food and bio-processing application and by-products that are used in animal nutrition to reduce feed costs. Wheat by-products contain arabinoxylans that might limit nutrient digestibility. Effects of xylanase supplementation (0 or 4375 U/kg feed) on energy digestibility were studied in a wheat control and by-product diets (30% millrun, middlings, shorts, screenings, and bran) in a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement. The wheat control diet was formulated to contain 3.34 Mcal digestible energy (DE)/kg and 2.8 g apparent digestible lysine/Mcal DE, and included 0.4% chromic oxide as a marker for digestibility. Twelve ileal-cannulated pigs (32.5 ± 2.5 kg) were each fed seven of 12 diets. Faeces and then digesta were each collected for 2 d, and diet digestibility values are reported. Wheat had higher ileal and total-tract energy digestibility than by-products (P < 0.01). Xylanase improved energy digestibilities for by-products (P < 0.001) but not for wheat. Among by-products, ileal energy digestibility was lowest for middlings (62%), then bran < screenings < millrun, and highest for shorts (66%). Xylanase improved (P < 0.05) ileal energy digestibility of millrun by 19% to 76%. Total-tract energy digestibility of millrun improved from 72 to 79% (similar to wheat) with xylanase (P < 0.05). In summary, xylanase improved energy digestibility in the selected wheat by-product diets, indicating that arabinoxylans in wheat by-products limit nutrient digestibility.     

Effects of microwave irradiation on ruminal protein degradation and intestinal digestibility of cottonseed meal

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of microwave irradiation on ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and to monitor the fate of true proteins of cottonseed meal (CSM) in the rumen. Duplicate nylon bags of untreated or irradiated CSM (microwave power of 800 W for 2, 4 and 6 min) were suspended in the rumen of four non-lactating Holstein cows for up to 48 h, and resulting data were fitted to non-linear degradation model to calculate degradation parameters of CP. Proteins of untreated and treated CSM bag residues were fractionated by gel electrophoresis. Intestinal digestibility of CP was measured using the mobile nylon bag technique. From in situ results, microwave irradiation decreased (P < 0.05) the water soluble fraction and degradation rate, but increased the potentially degradable fraction of CP. The effective degradability of CP decreased (P < 0.05) as processing period increased. Irradiation for 2 and 4 min increased (P < 0.05) intestinal digestibility of ruminally undegraded CP, but extending to 6 min lowered (P < 0.05) the beneficial effect that 4 min had on intestinal CP digestibility. Electrophoretic results indicated that globulin 9S in untreated CSM (whereas globulin 9S, globulin 5S and albumin 2S in microwave irradiated CSM) make the bulk of escaped protein. Based upon these results, microwave irradiation at a power of 800 W for 4 min had the greatest potential to increase digestible undegraded protein.     

The correlation between passage rate of digesta and dry matter digestibility in various stages of swine

The relationship between passage rate of digesta (PRD) and apparent faecal dry matter digestibility (DMD) was investigated in five trials. In trial 1, 2, and 3, 36 weanling (16.9 ± 3.0 kg), 24 growing (51.3 ± 8.8 kg), and 23 finishing (104.8 ± 5.2 kg) barrows were housed in metabolic crates. The beginning and end of 5-day collection periods were marked by the addition of 0.5% indigo carmine to the feed for total faeces collection and PRD determination by observing the time required for the marker to appear. In trial 4 and 5, 21 gestating gilts (215.0 ± 15.0 kg), and 19 lactating sows were individually penned. Addition of 0.5% chromic oxide to the feed enabled indirect determination of DMD and PRD. The PRD, which ranged from 12 to 80 h, was positively correlated with DMD in weanling (R² = 0.483, P < 0.001), growing (R² = 0.425, P < 0.01), and finishing (R² = 0.553, P < 0.001) pigs. Body weight and DMD were not significantly correlated in weanling (R² = 0.001, P = 0.893), growing (R² = 0.000, P = 0.995), or finishing (R² = 0.092, P = 0.156) pigs. A positive correlation between PRD, which ranged from 27 to 102 h, and DMD occurred in gestating gilts (R² = 0.231, P < 0.05), but not in lactating sows (R² = 0.014, P = 0.633). The results indicate that longer retention times of digesta improve DMD in swine. Also the results indicate the importance of PRD as a potential independent variable in digestibility assessments.     

Effects of low-protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids on performance and intestinal development in piglets over the first 2 weeks after weaning

This study was conducted to determine the effects of low-protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids (AA) on performance and intestinal development in barrows (n = 32) over 2 weeks after weaning at 18 ± 1 day. Four maize-soybean meal based diets providing 0.93 g standardized ileal digestible lysine/MJ ME were prepared. The treatments were a control diet containing 23.1% CP (crude protein) and three low-protein diets (21.2, 18.9, and 17.2% CP, respectively), which were supplemented with crystalline AA to achieve an ideal AA pattern. Piglets were raised individually and had free access to feed and water. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were measured weekly. Severity of diarrhea was monitored twice per day. Blood from all piglets was taken for determining serum urea nitrogen on d 0, 7, and 14 and serum free AA concentration on d 14. At the end of the experiment, all piglets were killed to measure morphology of the small intestine and disaccharidase activities. Reducing CP level did not affect ADFI (P > 0.10) but resulted in poorer (linear, P < 0.05; quadratic, P < 0.05) ADG and feed:gain ratio (F:G) over the 2-week study period. However, most of the effect of dietary CP was due to the significant deterioration of performance with the 17.2% CP diet. Faecal consistency was improved linearly (P < 0.01) with dietary CP decrease. Reducing dietary CP from 23.1 to 17.2% resulted in a linear (P < 0.001) and quadratic (P < 0.001) decrease in serum urea nitrogen levels on d 7 and 14. Serum arginine (P < 0.001), glutamine (P < 0.05), and proline (P < 0.05) concentrations were decreased in pigs fed the 17.2% CP diet compared with those fed the control diet on d 14. Villous height was decreased (P < 0.05) in the duodenum and jejunum by the reduction of dietary CP. As dietary CP declined, lactase and sucrase activities were reduced (P < 0.01) in the proximal jejunum. In conclusion, reducing CP concentration from 23.1 to 17.2% led to decreased growth performance associated with morphological changes of the gut and reduced disaccharidase activities in the small intestine. But reducing dietary CP from 23.1 to 18.9% did not affect intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activities.     

Supplementation of dietary enzymes has varying effects on apparent protein and amino acid digestibility in reproducing sows

The effects of two enzyme (Enz) products on ileal and total tract digestibility (ID and TTD) were evaluated in sows (n = 8) fed corn–soybean meal diets. Treatments were: 1) control diet; 2) control + Enz 1 (protease and cellulase activity); and 3) control + Enz 2 (xylanase activity). Ileal and fecal samples were collected at week 6–7 and 12–13 of gestation and week 2–3 of lactation. There were no improvements in digestibility during gestation. The ID% of dry matter (DM: 77.3, 79.3, 81.7) and N (81.2, 82.5, 84.3) as well as TTD% of DM (89.8, 90.7, 90.8) and N (89.0, 90.0, 90.6) during lactation were affected to varying degrees by the enzymes. The TTD of DM (P = 0.05) and N (P = 0.10) were positively affected by Enz 1. The ID of DM (P = 0.01) and N (P = 0.02) as well as TTD of DM (P = 0.05) and N (P = 0.02) were improved by Enz 2. The improvement in ID of N was not associated with any particular amino acids (AA) but represented small increases in ID of 8 of 10 essential AA with Enz 1 (P = 0.04) and 10 of 10 for Enz 2 (P = 0.01). The product containing xylanase activity, in particular, appears to have potential to increase digestibility of nutrients during lactation in sows.     

Increasing diet viscosity using carboxymethylcellulose in weaned piglets stimulates protein digestibility

Ileal indigestible protein may be an important factor for the occurrence of post weaning diarrhoea in piglets. Depending on the quantity of indigested protein, an imbalance in the microbial community can occur, resulting in an overgrowth of pathogens. Diet viscosity may influence nutrient digestibility and substrate availability for microbial growth. Therefore, we examined the effect of dietary viscosity in piglet nutrition. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was added as a model substance in order to increase diet viscosity. The effect of 1% supplemented CMC on nutrient digestibility, morphological and physiological parameters was measured in piglets 3 weeks post weaning at 26 days of age. The main effects of inclusion of CMC were:

– A 10% slower gastric emptying rate (P = 0.18).

– An increased protein hydrolysis in the gastric fraction, measured as increased nitrogen concentration in the liquid phase of gastric contents (26% in control vs. 34% in experimental group; P = 0.13).

– An increased production of the protein hydrolysing enzyme amino-peptidase from 359 U/g protein for the control diet to 516 U/g protein for the experimental diet (P < 0.01).

– A numerical increase in apparent ileal protein digestibility by 6% from 75.2% to 79.5% (P = 0.22) and a significant increase in faecal protein digestibility by 5% (P = 0.044).

These results indicate that an optimized diet viscosity might be one factor exerting a beneficial influence on protein digestibility. We hypothesize that the effect of diet viscosity on gastric emptying rate is the major factor.     

Ileal amino acid and phosphorus digestibility responses of pigs to microbial phytase supplementation of high-phytin diets

The hypothesis that increase in dietary phytin amplifies phytin binding to protein thereby reducing protein digestion, which is alleviated by phytase, was tested. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments was used to investigate the response of growing pigs to supplemental phytase (0, or 1200 units/kg) in low- or high-phytin P diets (2.2 or 3.9 g/kg). Eight crossbred barrows (28–30 kg) were canulated and assigned to crates using a double, 4 × 4 Latin Square design. Pigs were fed each of the 4 diets at 3 times metabolic BW (0.09  BW kg ^0.75) for 7 d. Ileal digesta was collected for 12 h on d 6 and d 7 by attaching plastic bags to the cannula. Feed and ileal digesta were analyzed for N, energy and P. Phytase had no effect on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of N or AAs. The AID of some AAs was higher in the high-phytin diet, which contradicts the hypothesis that higher phytin content would have a negative impact. In contrast, the AID of P was depressed by high dietary phytin (P < 0.01) and increased by phytase (P < 0.01) more so at the higher dietary phytin resulting in a phytin × phytase interaction (P < 0.01).     

Phyzyme XP phytase improves growth performance and nutrient utilization in wheat-based diets fed to weaned pigs

The effect of phytase (Phyzyme XP) on performance and nutrient utilization in piglets fed wheat-based diets was evaluated using 24 male pigs averaging 7 kg. Four experimental diets containing either 0 (positive control, adequate nutrients), 0 (negative control (NC), reduced nutrients), 500 or 1000 U/kg of phytase were used for each of two dietary phases (day 0 to 14 and day 14 to 33). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Animals were weighed at weekly intervals until day 28 and feed intake (DFI) recorded daily. From day 28 to 33 pigs were fed at 3 times maintenance energy intake and DFI recorded. Total amounts of faeces and urine were recorded for each individually housed pig. Digestibilities and balance of dry matter (DM), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE) were calculated for feed, faeces and urine. Compared to the NC, daily live weight gain was improved (P < 0.05) for pigs receiving the highest level of supplemental phytase in phase 2. Phytase addition at 1000 FTU/kg also increased faecal digestibilities of P and Ca (P < 0.05). Contrasts comparing NC and Phytase diets showed that Ca (P < 0.02) and P (P < 0.05) balance were improved.     

Effect of fibrolytic enzyme inclusion in high concentrate fattening diets on nutrient digestibility and growth performance of Awassi lambs

The objective of this study was to study the effect of fibrolytic enzyme (FE) inclusion on nutrient digestibility and growth performance of Awassi lamb fed on a high concentrate diet. Thirty weaned Awassi lambs (initial body weight = 20.4 ± 3.0 kg) were fed a high concentrate diet (with or without the addition of FE (15 lambs/treatment)) for 60 d in a completely randomized design. The diet contained 17, 7, 58.5, 15, and 2.5% wheat straw, wheat bran, barley grain, soybean meal and minerals, respectively. Lambs were fed ad libitum twice daily at 08:00 and 15:00 h. Dry matter, OM, CP, and NDF intakes were all similar (P > 0.05) for lambs fed diet with or without the FE and averaged 1078, 941, 171, and 432 g/d, respectively. Metabolizable energy intake was also not affected (P > 0.05) by the enzyme supplementation and averaged 2.87 Mcal/d. Dry matter, OM, CP, and NDF digestibilities were all unaffected (P > 0.05) by the enzyme inclusion and averaged 64.8, 67, 65.7 and 60.4%. Final body weight, average daily gain, and feed to gain ratio were all unaffected (P > 0.05) by the FE inclusion and averaged 34.9 kg, 222 g/d, and 5.4, respectively. In summary, FE treatment of high concentrate diet for lambs had no effect on nutrient intake or any of the growth performance parameters. Therefore, supplementing such diets with FE for fatting Awassi lambs is not recommended.     

The effect of dietary yeast and protected methionine on performance and trace minerals status of growing Awassi lambs

Eighteen growing Awassi lambs were used in this study to determine the effect of supplementing two levels of yeast and methionine (cyc-methionine) on the trace elements bioavailability, growth rate, and general performance. The lambs were divided to three groups. The dietary treatments were the control diet (C), control diet plus 2 g cyc-methionine/lamb/day (T₁) and control diet plus 4 g cyc-methionine/lamb/day (T₂).

Lambs fed 2 g/day of cyc-methionine (T₁) showed a significantly higher (P < 0.05) copper, zinc, and cobalt concentrations in liver and meat tissues, but not the same trend in kidney. No significant (P > 0.05) effect of time and time × treatment interaction on copper, zinc, cobalt, and manganese concentrations in blood serum, but cobalt and manganese concentration showed significant (P < 0.05) change by time. Moreover, a significantly (P < 0.05) higher total body gain, average daily gain, dressing percentage, and lower feed conversion were detected in lambs from T₁ compared with the control and T₂ groups.

Feeding 2 g of cyc-methionine to growing lambs increased the net profit by $6.017/lamb and only $3.52/lamb fed 4 g cyc-methionine/day when compared with the control group.

In conclusion, feeding growing Awassi lambs yeast and methionine in a form of cyc-methionine, with a low level of 2 g/day, improve the bioavailability of copper, zinc, and cobalt by growing lambs and their growth performance.     

Performance and nitrogen metabolism of calves fed conventionally or following an enhanced-growth feeding program during the preweaning period

Thirty-seven Holstein and seven crossbred female calves (16.1 ± 4.60 days, and an initial BW of 36.5 ± 3.19) were used to study the effects of conventional (CF) vs enhanced-growth feeding programs (EF) on performance, plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations, and rumen microbial development. After 1 week of adaptation to milk replacer (MR), the CF calves received 4 l/day of MR at 12.5% DM throughout the preweaning period, and the EF calves were offered MR at 18% DM: 6 l/day from 1 to 6 days, 8 l/day from 7 to 26 days, and 4 l/day from 27 days to weaning day (38 days). Calf starter and water were offered ad libitum throughout the study (87 days). Calves fed EF were heavier (P < 0.05) than CF calves at the end of the study (111.7 vs 102.6 ± 1.72 kg, respectively). Until the 27 days, average daily gain (ADG) was greater (P < 0.001) for EF than for CF calves (1.00 vs 0.49 ± 0.061 kg/day, respectively), but it was lower (P < 0.001) from days 27 to 45 of the study (0.32 vs 0.71 ± 0.061 kg/day, respectively), coinciding with the days around weaning. Starter intake was greater (P < 0.001) for CF than for EF calves during the first 45 days of the study (0.60 vs 0.27 ± 0.061 kg/day, respectively) but similar afterwards. As a consequence, EF treatment may have delayed rumen function as suggested by total daily purine derivatives urinary excretion (49.52 vs 33.27 ± 3.095 mmol/day, in CF and EF calves, respectively). Linear regression analyses showed a positive relationship between plasma Trp and Phe concentrations and ADG, and a negative relationship between these two AA and plasma urea concentrations, suggesting that Trp and Phe could be limiting growth in calves fed conventional feeding programs.     

The effect of dietary crude protein concentration and inulin supplementation on nitrogen excretion and intestinal microflora from finisher pigs

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was used to investigate the interaction between dietary crude protein (CP) concentration (200 vs 140 g/kg) and inulin supplementation (0 vs 12.5 g/kg) on nitrogen (N) excretion and intestinal microflora from 16 boars (n = 4, 74.0 kg live weight). The diets were formulated to contain similar concentrations of digestible energy and lysine. Pigs offered the high CP diets had a higher excretion of urinary N (P < 0.01), faecal N (P < 0.01) and total N (P < 0.001) than the pigs offered the low CP diets. Inulin supplementation increased faecal N excretion (P < 0.05) and decreased urine: faeces N ratio (P < 0.05) compared to the inulin free diets. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of dietary treatment on N retention. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) between dietary CP concentration and inulin supplementation on caecal E.coli. Pigs offered the diet containing 200 g/kg CP plus inulin decreased the population of E.coli compared to the inulin supplemented 140 g/kg protein diet. However, CP concentration had no significant effect on the population of E.coli in the unsupplemented diets. Inulin supplementation increased caecal bifidobacteria (P < 0.01) compared to the inulin free diets. In conclusion, inulin supplementation favourably altered N excretion and lowered the population of E.coli at high CP concentrations.     

Sward characteristics, grass dry matter intake and milk production performance is affected by timing of spring grazing and subsequent stocking rate

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of contrasting spring grazing dates (GD) and stocking rate (SR) on sward characteristics, grass dry matter intake and milk production performance of autumn calving dairy cows during the spring period. Two swards were created by grazing in March (early grazing; E) or by delaying first grazing until mid-April (late grazing; L). Two stocking rates, high (H; 5.5) and medium (M; 4.5) were applied across each sward. Forty eight autumn calving Holstein cows (160 ± 35 days in milk) were assigned to one of four (n = 12) different grazing treatments. The experiment began on April 17th and finished after 2 grazing rotations on June 20th. Later spring grazing significantly increased herbage mass (kg DM/ha) above ground level (+ 933, P < 0.05) and > 50 mm (+ 738, P < 0.05). Compressed sward height (+ 22.1 mm, P < 0.05), extended tiller height (+ 73 mm, P < 0.001) and pseudostem height (+ 35 mm, P < 0.001) were also significantly higher for later grazed swards. In the grazing horizon (> 80 mm— extended tiller height), later grazed swards had significantly lower leaf proportion (− 0.09, P < 0.05) and higher dead material (+ 0.05, P < 0.001). Daily herbage allowance (> 50 mm) was on average 12.7, 15.9, 18.2 and 21.9 kg DM/cow for EH, EM, LH and LM, respectively. Daily leaf allowance (> 80 mm) was 10.1, 12.3, 13.3 and 14.5 kg DM/cow for EH, EM, LH and LM, respectively. The EM (16.2 kg DM/cow), LH (+ 0.1 kg) and LM (0.8 kg) treatments all had similar grass DM intake, however there was evidence of an interaction (P < 0.10) between GD and SR, this was due to the low grass DM intake of the EH (13.9 kg DM/cow) treatment. When expressed as UFL (Fill unit) intake the EM treatment recorded the highest value. There was a significant interaction between GD and SR (P < 0.01) for milk, protein yield, 4% fat corrected milk yield (P < 0.05) and protein concentration (P < 0.001). Cows grazing the EM treatment produced 23.9 kg of milk, 876 and 685 g of fat and protein yield. The difference in milk production (cow/day) between EM and EH treatments was + 3.6 kg milk, + 98 g fat and + 107 g protein. The production yield difference between LM and LH treatments was + 1.1 kg milk, + 27 g fat and + 29 g protein in favour of the LM treatment (23.9 kg of milk, 877 and 687 g fat and protein yield). Herbage quality and morphological characteristics are clearly improved with early spring grazing as herbage mass is reduced on subsequent rotations. Swards grazed in early spring allow higher grass utilisation and high milk production performance when grazed at a medium stocking rate. Improved milk production from herbage can be achieved provided herbage mass and allowance are maintained at levels where herbage quality decreases are minimised.     

Comparison of the regression analysis technique and the substitution method for the determination of true phosphorus digestibility and faecal endogenous phosphorus losses associated with feed ingredients for growing pigs

Two digestibility experiments were carried out to comparatively measure true phosphorus (P) digestibility and the faecal endogenous P loss associated with soybean meal (SBM) and wheat middling meal (WM) for growing pigs by the simple linear regression analysis technique and the substitution method. Eight barrows, with an average initial body weight 21 kg, were randomly divided into two groups of four pigs with each group being fed four test diets according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Eight maize starch-based diets containing four levels (on dry matter basis) of P (0.20, 0.24, 0.36 and 0.42%) and P (0.181, 0.26, 0.36, and 0.43%) were formulated from SBM and WM as a sole source of P, respectively. Chromic oxide (0.30%) was used as a digestibility marker. Each experimental period comprised 8 d with a 4-d adaptation and a 4-d collection of faecal samples. Levels of the assay ingredient substitutions had no effects (P > 0.05) on true P digestibility and the endogenous P loss associated with SBM and WM measured by the substitution method. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between the regression technique and the substitution method in measuring the true P digestibility (SBM: 49.4 ± 3.51 vs. 50.6 ± 2.4; WM: 63.7 ± 5.0 vs. 63.2 ± 5.4%) as well as the faecal endogenous P loss (SBM: 0.62 ± 0.10 vs. 0.71 ± 0.11; WM: 0.65 ± 0.16 vs. 0.70 ± 0.17 g/kg dry matter intake) for the growing pig. Thus, true P digestibility and the faecal endogenous P loss in feed ingredients for pigs may be measured by using the regression analysis technique and the substitution method.     

Effects of additional zinc and phytase on zinc availability in piglets and chicks fed diets containing different amounts of phytates

Two maize based diets containing 2.3 g phytic P and 38 mg Zn/kg (P+) or 1.3 g phytic P and 25 mg Zn/kg (P−) were formulated. A third diet (P+/Phytase) was P+ supplemented with 3-phytase (500 FTU/kg). Each of these three basal diets, supplemented or not with 15 mg Zn/kg, was given during 20 days to weaned piglets and to 1-day-old chicks. Chicks fed the P− diets were removed from the data set because of an abnormally low feed intake.

In piglets, added Zn increased bone (P < 0.05) and plasma Zn (P < 0.01) irrespective of the basal diet (basal diet × Zn, P > 0.05). Supplementing P+ with phytase was more efficient in improving these indicators of Zn status than replacing P+ by P−. In chicks, supplemental Zn improved Zn status in a higher extent when added to P+ than to P+/Phytase (basal diet × Zn, P < 0.05). Phytase increased Zn status in a lesser extent than 15 ppm supplemental Zn. More Zn was soluble in gizzard than in stomach which corresponded to the differences in pH (4.2 vs 5.0). Phytase increased soluble Zn in stomach (P < 0.05) but not in gizzard. These results suggest a higher availability of Zn in chicks than in piglets in the absence of phytase. This may explain the higher efficacy of phytase for improved Zn availability in piglets than in chicks.     

Growth performance and metabolic responses in barrows fed low-protein diets supplemented with essential amino acids

This study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementation with Lys, Met, Thr to low-protein diets on growth performance and metabolic responses in growing barrows. Seventy crossbred barrows (Duroc × Yorkshine), with an average initial body weight of 16 kg, were fed diets containing five crude protein (CP) levels (18.2, 16.5, 15.5, 14.5, and 13.6%) and 0.83% true ileal digestible lysine. On d 17 of the trial, all pigs were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter for blood collection. On d 18 and 53, blood samples were obtained at 4 h post feeding. Reducing dietary CP concentration linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, feed efficiency, longissimus muscle area (LMA), and plasma concentrations of urea N and protein, while increasing backfat thickness linearly (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the 13.6% CP diet exhibited the poorest growth performance. On d 53, dietary CP affected plasma IGF-I (quadratic, P < 0.01) and leptin (linear, P < 0.01) concentrations. Plasma leptin levels were correlated positively with backfat thickness (r = 0.76, P < 0.05) and negatively with LMA (r = − 0.64, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between ADG and plasma IGF-I concentrations (r = 0.91, P < 0.05). Our results suggest that adequate provision of nonessential AA and all EAA is required for achieving maximum growth performance and reducing fat accretion in growing pigs fed low-CP diets.     

The interaction between enzyme supplementation and lactose level on the performance of weanling pigs fed barley based diets

A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used to investigate the interaction between lactose level (170 vs. 275 g/kg) and enzyme supplementation (with or without Endo-1,3 (4)-β-glucanase) in barley based diets (250 g/kg) on piglet performance post weaning. Ninety six weaned piglets (24 days old, 6.5 kg live weight) were blocked on the basis of live weight and were assigned to one of 4 dietary treatments (n = 6) for 21 days. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) between lactose level and β-glucanase supplementation on average daily gain (ADG), food conversion ratio (FCR) and apparent digestibilities of dry matter (DMD), organic matter (OMD) and nitrogen (N). Pigs offered 170 g/kg lactose and β-glucanase supplementation had an improved FCR and ADG compared to the 170 g/kg lactose and unsupplemented barley. However, β-glucanase supplementation at 275 g/kg lactose had no effect on FCR and ADG compared to the 275 g/kg lactose and untreated barley. Pigs offered the diet containing the low level of lactose and β-glucanase supplementation increased (P < 0.05) DMD, OMD and N digestibility compared to the β-glucanase supplemented high lactose diet. However, there was no effect of lactose level in the unsupplemented diets. In conclusion, the inclusion of β-glucanase at the 170 g/kg lactose level improved ADG, FCR and diet digestibility. β-glucanase had a negative effect on FCR and ADG at the 275 g/kg lactose level.     

Changes in hormones, growth factor and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs fed betaine

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary betaine supplementation on carcass characteristics, hormones, growth factor and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. Forty-eight crossbred barrows and gilts (Seghers × Seghers × Duroc) weighing about 55 kg were divided into two groups, each with three replicates of eight pigs (four barrows and four gilts) per replicate, and fed corn–soybean meal basal diets supplemented with 0 and 0.125% betaine for 42 days. At trial termination, two pigs (one barrow and one gilt) weighing about 90 kg were selected from each replicate and slaughtered for analyses. The results showed that betaine increased carcass lean percentage and longissimus muscle area by 5.19% (P < 0.01) and 17.85% (P < 0.01), respectively, and decreased carcass fat percentage and average backfat thickness by 13.07% (P < 0.01) and 10.30% (P < 0.05), respectively. Serum growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and insulin levels in pigs fed betaine were elevated by 45.61% (P < 0.01), 55.50% (P < 0.01), 57.95% (P < 0.01), 51.80% (P < 0.01) and 42.34% (P < 0.05), respectively. Fatty acid synthase activity in the 10th rib subcutaneous adipose tissue was decreased by 24.35% (P < 0.05) with betaine supplementation, whereas hormone-sensitive lipase activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, serum free fatty acids concentration in betaine-fed pigs was 25.75% higher compared to controls (P < 0.01). The study suggested that betaine could induce changes in hormones and growth factor in finishing pigs, and therefore could inhibit fat synthesis through reducing lipogenic enzymes activities and promote fat degradation by increasing hormone-sensitive lipase activity, with a resultant decrease in adipose tissue mass and improvement in carcass characteristics.