限饲对辽宁绒山羊生产性能及消化代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究限饲对辽宁绒山羊生产性能及消化代谢的影响。将20只1周岁、体重(22.29±1.05)kg辽宁绒山羊母羊随机分为4个采食水平组,即干物质为基础分别为自由采食100%(AL),以及自由采食组采食量的90%(IR90)、80%(IR80)和70%(IR70)。结果表明:不同限饲水平对绒山羊的体重和日增重有显著影响(P<0.05),日增重随饲喂水平的下降而显著下降,分别为32.20、17.40、10.80 g/d和-8.20 g/d;饲料增重比在AL和IR90两组间无显著差异(P>0.05),其余各组间差异显著(P<0.05)。不同限饲水平对绒山羊的营养物质表观消化率无显著性影响(P>0.05)。不同限饲水平显著影响进食氮、粪氮排出和沉积氮(P<0.05);随限饲水平的下降,沉积氮分别为3.05、2.62、1.87 g/d和1.18 g/d;限饲水平对尿氮的排出和氮的利用率影响差异不显著(P>0.05)。在本试验条件下,限饲显著影响绒山羊的体重、日增重和氮沉积,辽宁绒山羊育成母羊粗蛋白的维持需要为46.16 g/d,高于NRC(1981)的相同生长阶段山羊蛋白质维持需要量推荐值。     

饲喂水平对多浪羊生产性能及内脏器官发育的影响

文章旨在研究不同饲喂水平对20~35 kg多浪羊公羔的生产性能和内脏器官发育的影响。采用完全随机试验设计,将15只多浪羊公羔随机分为3组,每组5只羊。三组试验羊分别按自由采食(AL组)、自由采食量的70%(IR70组)和自由采食量的40%(IR40组)3个饲喂水平投喂试验饲粮。当自由采食的羊只体重达到35 kg时进行屠宰试验测定。结果表明,净增重、平均日增重、干物质采食量、宰前活重、空体重和胴体重在3组间差异显著(P0.05)且呈现相同的变化规律,即AL组IR70组IR40组;屠宰率、净肉率、胴体净肉率和骨重三组间差异不显著(P0.05);瘤胃占宰前活重比例在自由采食组较高,与IR70组差异不显著(P0.05),但显著高于IR40组(P0.05);肝脏占宰前活重的比例三组之间差异显著(P0.05)。结果提示,饲喂水平对多浪羊的生产性能会产生显著的影响;饲喂水平会影响到胃室的增重和发育,影响最大的是瘤胃和皱胃;多浪羊公羔的主要内脏器官发育受饲喂水平的影响程度不一致,其中肝脏受体重的影响最为显著。     

猪的补偿性生长反应对生长性能、胴体和肌肉增重及肉品质成分的影响

限饲/再营养的饲养策略应用到养猪业,可缩短达到屠宰体重时的年龄和提高最终的日增重(ADG),改善胴体和肌肉水平的蛋白质和脂肪沉积速率,从而提高猪肉的营养价值。126头杜洛克×(大白×长白)猪(母猪和阉猪,平均体重30 kg),同窝同性别仔猪按体重随机分组,自由采食组(AL)生长期(体重30~70 kg)和肥育期(70~110 kg,n=56)均自由采食。或限饲组按平均日采食量的65%(以体重为基础)在生长期限饲,肥育期自由采食(补偿生长,n=56)。在每个饲喂体系中,15头猪体重达到70 kg时屠宰,41头在110 kg时屠宰。另外,14头猪30 kg时屠宰用来计算组织沉积速率。限饲组在生长期平均日增重比自由采食组显著降低(-35%,P=0.001),但在肥育期比自由采食组显著增加( 13%,P=0.001),主要由于限饲使肥育期(补偿生长)的日采食量(ADFI)和增重:饲料比(G∶F)显著(P=0.001)比自由采食组好。这样,限饲组达到110 kg体重时比自由采食组早19 d。限饲组达到70 kg体重时比自由采食组瘦肉含量高(例如,限饲组和自由采食组的背膘厚分别为11.7 mm,13.5mm,P=0.023),而限饲组达到110 kg体重时比自由采食组背膘厚降低(限饲组和自由采食组的背膘厚分别为20.6mm,21.0 mm,P=0.536)。70 kg体重时,背最长肌(LM)的肌内脂肪含量(IMF)无差异(分别为1.25%,1.49%,P=0.118);但110kg体重时有差异(限饲组和自由采食组分别为2.19%,2.53%,P=0.034)。饲喂体系影响增重的组成成分。从30~70 kg阶段,限饲减少(P=0.001)胴体中的瘦肉和脂肪组织以及肌肉中的蛋白和脂肪含量。从70~110kg阶段,限饲显著增加(P=0.016)胴体中的脂肪组织而不是肌肉组织,但是肌肉中的脂肪和蛋白质含量不受影响。这样,限饲后的再营养促进皮下脂肪的沉积大于肌内脂肪的沉积。饲喂体系几乎不影响110 kg时的肉质。限饲显著降低(P=0.014)肉的多汁性及相关的肌内脂肪的评分,但不影响肉质其他方面的感官评分。提高肌内脂肪含量和提高猪肉品质或许调整限饲和再营养期的初始和持续期长短来实现。     

猪的补偿性生长反应对生长性能、胴体和肌肉增重及肉品质成分的影响

限饲/再营养的饲养策略应用到养猪业,可以缩短达到屠宰体重时的年龄和提高最终的日增重(ADG),改善胴体和肌肉水平的蛋白质和脂肪沉积速率,从而提高猪肉的营养价值。126头杜洛克×(大白×长白)猪(母猪和阉猪,平均体重30 kg),同窝同性别仔猪按体重随机分组,自由采食组(AL)生长期(体重30~70 kg)和肥育期(70~110 kg,n=56)均自由采食。或限饲组按平均日采食量的65%(以体重为基础)在生长期限饲,肥育期自由采食(补偿生长,n=56)。在每个饲喂体系中,15头猪体重达到70 kg时屠宰,41头在110 kg时屠宰。另外,14头猪30 kg时屠宰用来计算组织沉积速率。限饲组在生长期平均日增重比自由采食组显著降低(-35%,P=0.001),但在肥育期比自由采食组显著增加( 13%,P=0.001),主要由于限饲使肥育期(补偿生长)的日采食量(ADFI)和增重:饲料比(G∶F)显著(P=0.001)比自由采食组好。这样,限饲组达到110kg体重时比自由采食组早19 d。限饲组达到70 kg体重时比自由采食组瘦肉含量高(例如,限饲组和自由采食组的背膘厚分别为11.7 mm,13.5 mm,P=0.023),而限饲组达到110 kg体重时比自由采食组背膘厚降低(限饲组和自由采食组的背膘厚分别为20.6 mm,21.0 mm,P=0.536)。70 kg体重时,背最长肌(LM)的肌内脂肪含量(IMF)无差异(分别为1.25%,1.49%,P=0.118);但110 kg体重时有差异(限饲组和自由采食组分别为2.19%,2.53%,P=0.034)。饲喂体系影响增重的组成成分。从30~70 kg阶段,限饲减少(P=0.001)胴体中的瘦肉和脂肪组织以及肌肉中的蛋白质和脂肪含量。从70~110 kg阶段,限饲显著增加(P=0.016)胴体中的脂肪组织而不是肌肉组织,但是肌肉中的脂肪和蛋白质含量不受影响。这样,限饲后的再营养促进皮下脂肪的沉积大于肌内脂肪的沉积。饲喂体系几乎不影响110 kg时的肉质。限饲显著降低(P=0.014)肉的多汁性及相关的肌内脂肪的评分,但不影响肉质其他方面的感官评分。提高肌内脂肪含量和提高猪肉品质或许调整限饲和再营养期的初始和持续期长短来实现。     

40～90 kg牦牛犊牛能量代谢规律及需要量研究

本试验旨在探究40～90 kg牦牛犊牛能量代谢规律及需要量。选取35头健康、体重相近的(60±3)日龄牦牛犊牛(公),分为3组,分别为初期屠宰组(IS组,7头)、中期屠宰组(MS组,7头)、末期屠宰组(FS组,21头),而FS组又分为自由采食组(AL组,21头)、70%采食组(IR70组,21头)和40%采食组(IR40组,21头)。预试期30 d,正试期90 d。AL组、IR70组和IR40组牦牛犊牛分梯度饲喂基础饲粮。当IS组、MS组、AL组牦牛犊牛体重分别达到48、64、88 kg时,5组各选择5头牦牛犊牛进行屠宰。在试验结束前2周进行消化代谢试验和气体代谢试验。结果表明：1)AL组的终末体重、平均日增重和平均日采食量显著高于IR70组和IR40组(P<0.05)。2)AL组的粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维表观消化率显著高于IR70组和IR40组(P<0.05),AL组的总能、粪能、代谢能和消化能显著高于IR70组和IR40组(P<0.05),AL组和IR40组的总能消化率、总能代谢率显著高于IR70组(P<0.05)。3)AL组和IR70组...     

限饲对肉用羔羊组织器官生长发育的影响

文章旨在讨论营养限饲对20～35 kg杜寒杂交公羔组织和器官发育的影响.将21只试验羊随机分为3组,按照自由采食(AL组)、自由采食量的70％ (IR70组)和自由采食量的40 ％(IR40组)3个水平饲喂,每组7只羊.当AL组的试验羊体重达35 kg时21只羊全部屠宰,测定各胃室、重要组织及内脏器官的增重与发育情况.结果表明:AL组瘤胃重占胃总重比例最高,为67.08％,与IR70组差异不显著(P＞0.05);肝脏重占宰前活重比例以AL组最高,显著高于IR70组和IR40组(P＜0.05).说明营养限饲会显著影响杜寒杂交公羔内脏器官的增重与发育;对4个胃室的重量与发育比例的影响程度不一致.     

早期数量限饲对肉用仔鸡生产性能、胴体品质的影响

试验研究了早期数量限饲对肉用仔鸡生产性能、胴体品质的影响。以320只1日龄AA+肉用仔鸡为试验动物。设4个处理组,每个处理组4个重复,每个重复20只肉仔鸡。对照组根据AA+商品代肉鸡营养标准配制。各处理肉用仔鸡1～7日龄均为自由采食,8～14日龄对照组、限饲90%组、限饲80%组和限饲70%组分别饲喂自由采食量的100%、90%、80%和70%,15日龄恢复自由采食,以后按常规饲养管理。每周末,以重复为单位全部称重。分别于42、49日龄,每个重复随机抽取4只肉用仔鸡禁食12h、称重、屠宰、测定屠体品质。试验结果表明:在第2周,限饲各组肉仔鸡的体重和日增重分别显著低于对照组(P0.05);在第3周,限饲90%组完成补偿生长,体重与对照组差异不显著(P0.05);在第4周,限饲80%和70%组完成补偿生长,体重与对照组差异不显著(P0.05);5、6、7周及2～6、2～7周各组在体重、日增重、日采食量和饲料转化率等都无显著差异(P0.05)。早期数量限饲对肉仔鸡胴体特性没有显著影响(P0.05),限饲70%～80%,具有改善饲料转化效率、胸肌率、腹脂率的作用。     

饲喂水平对杜寒F1代公羔羊体内主要矿物质含量及分布的影响

本文旨在研究饲喂水平对杜寒F1代公羔羊体内主要矿物质含量及分布规律的影响。选用杜寒F1代公羔羊21只,随机分为3组,即自由采食组(AL组)、70%限饲组(IR70组)和40%限饲组(IR40组),每组7个重复,每个重复1只,AL组体重达到35 kg时进行比较屠宰试验,测定各组织中钙、磷、镁、钠、钾含量。结果表明:饲喂水平对羔羊体增重、骨骼、肌肉、皮、脂肪、内脏(包括血液)增重影响显著(AL组>IR70组>IR40组)(P<0.05),对羊毛重影响不显著(P>0.05);在各组织中,仅有IR70组内脏(包括血液)中钙含量显著高于IR40组(P<0.05),AL组和IR70组内脏(包括血液)中磷含量显著高于IR40组(P<0.05);在分布上,骨骼是钙、磷、镁、钠的主要储存部位,分别占机体总量的98.5%、83.4%、71.7%和41.5%,而钾主要储存于肌肉中,占机体总量的49.4%。结果提示,饲喂水平提高,羔羊各组织重量显著增加(除羊毛重外),骨骼、肌肉和皮中钙、磷、镁、钠、钾含量均无显著变化,饲喂水平为维持需要时,钙和磷含量最低。骨骼是钙、磷、镁和钠的主要储存部位,而钾主要储存于肌肉中。     

不同饲喂水平对萨福克羊×阿勒泰羊杂交羔羊生长和屠宰性能的影响

试验选用体重相近的健康萨福克羊×阿勒泰羊杂交肉羊公羊30只(18.03 kg±1.02 kg),随机均分为自由采食组(AL)18只、70％自由采食水平组(70％)6只和40％自由采食水平组(40％)6只3个处理组,研究不同饲喂水平对杂交羔羊生长和屠宰性能的影响.结果表明:随采食水平的提高,羔羊体重和日增重均呈现显著的增加的趋势,羔羊宰前活重、胴体重和空体重均呈现显著的增加趋势,但屠宰率差异不显著(P＞0.05).     

不同饲喂水平对肉用绵羊生长性能、屠宰性能及器官指数的影响

本文旨在研究不同饲喂水平对20～35 kg杜寒杂交公羔的生长性能、屠宰性能和器官指数的影响.采用单因素完全随机区组试验设计,将21只平均体重为(19.14±2.37)kg公羔随机分为3组,按照自由采食(AL组)、自由采食量的70％(IR70组)和自由采食量的40％(IR40组)3个水平饲喂,每组7只羊,每只羊为1个重复.当AL组的试验羊体重达到35 kg时进行屠宰试验,测定生长性能、屠宰性能及重要内脏器官的重量和发育情况.试验期66 d.结果表明:不同的饲喂水平对净增重、平均日增重和干物质采食量有显著的影响(P＜0.05),生长性能和部分屠宰指标表现为相同的变化规律,即AL组＞IR70组＞IR40组,3组之间差异显著(P＜0.05);屠宰率、净肉率和胴体净肉率组间无显著性差异(P＞0.05);AL组瘤胃重占复胃总重比例最高,为67.08％,与IR70组差异不显著(P＞0.05);肝脏重占宰前活重比例以AL组最高,显著高于IR70和IR40组(P＜0.05).结果提示,饲喂水平对肉用绵羊生长性能、复胃的重量与发育、主要生理器官的发育具有不同程度的影响;本试验结果与NRC( 2007)肉羊的饲养标准有一定的差距.     

Effects of dry matter intake restriction on diet digestion, energy partitioning, phosphorus retention, and ruminal fermentation by beef steers

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of DMI restriction on diet digestion, ruminal fermentation, ME intake, and P retention by beef steers. In Exp. 1, twelve Angus x steers (average initial BW = 450 +/- 18 kg) were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 diets that were formulated to promote a 1.6-kg ADG at intake levels corresponding approximately to 100% (ad libitum, AL), 90% (IR90), or 80% (IR80) of ad libitum DMI. In Exp. 2, twelve crossbred steers (average initial BW = 445 +/- 56 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulae were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 diets that were formulated to promote a 1.6-kg ADG at AL or IR80. All diets delivered similar total NE, MP, Ca, and P per day. During both experiments, fecal DM output by IR80 was less (P /= 0.20) among treatments during both experiments, whereas P retention was similar (P >/= 0.46) among treatments during Exp. 1. Total VFA and the molar proportion of acetate of AL were greater (P 相似文献   

Effects of Feed Intake Restriction on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Beef Steers,

Crossbred steers (n = 264, 311 ± 1.6 kg initial BW) were blocked by BW, randomly assigned to one of four treatments (28 pens, 7 pens per treatment), and fed a common 90% concentrate diet to determine the effects of the severity of caloric restriction on animal performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments were 1) ad libitum access to feed for 151 d (AL100); 2) 75% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, 95% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, and ad libitum access to feed for 21 d (AL85); 3) 80% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, 100% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, and ad libitum access to feed for 21 d (AL90); and 4) 85% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, 105% of DMI by AL100 for 65 d, and ad libitum access to feed for 21 d (AL95). Feed was offered for AL85, AL90, and AL95 based on DMI by AL100 the previous week. All steers were fed a similar quantity of DM for 4 d prior to initial, interim, and final BW determinations to minimize gastrointestinal fill differences. Overall DMI was greater (P<0.01) for AL100 than for the average of the remaining treatments and decreased linearly (P<0.01) among AL95, AL90, and AL85. Overall ADG (carcass-adjusted) was less (P<0.01) for AL85, AL90, and AL95 than for AL100, whereas overall ADG:DMI (carcass-adjusted) did not differ (P>0.10) between AL100 and the average of the remaining treatments. Overall ADG and ADG:DMI (carcass-adjusted) responded quadratically (P<0.05) with increasing DMI restriction. Hot carcass weight, longissimus area, and kidney, pelvic, and heart fat percentage were greater (P<0.05) for AL100 than for the remaining treatments and responded quadratically (P<0.10) among AL85, AL90, and AL95. Marbling score was greater (P<0.10) for AL100 than for the average of the remaining treatments, and the number of carcasses grading Prime + Choice tended to be higher (P<0.15) for AL100 and AL95. Restricting feed intake of finishing yearling steers to an average of 85 to 95% of ad libitum for 130 d of a 151-d feeding period generally resulted in slower ADG, lesser marbling scores, and carcasses that were lighter and leaner compared with yearling steers allowed ad libitum to feed and harvested after an equal number of days on feed.     

早期数量限饲对肉仔鸡生长性能和胴体特性的影响

试验研究了早期数量限饲对肉仔鸡生长性能和胴体品质的影响。200只8日龄艾维茵肉仔鸡被随机分成4组,每组五个重复,每重复10只鸡。对照组基础饲粮根据NRC营养水平配制,试验组肉仔鸡从8日龄开始喂料量分别为对照组的90%、80%和70%,限饲1周后各组恢复自由采食。试验结果表明:在第2周,限饲各组肉仔鸡的体重和日增重分别显著低于对照组(P<0.05);在第3周,限饲90%组完成补偿生长,体重与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05);在第4周,限饲80%和70%组完成补偿生长,体重与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05);5、6、7周及2～7周各组在体重、日增重、日采食量和饲料转化率等方面都无显著差异(P>0.05)。早期数量限饲对肉仔鸡胴体特性没有显著影响(P>0.05)。     

色氨酸对5～10周龄扬州鹅生长性能和屠宰性能的影响

选用270只21日龄的扬州公鹅,随机分成6组,每组3个重复,每个重复15只鹅。采用2×3二因子试验设计,采用两种饲喂方式(自由采食和90%限制饲喂,限制饲喂组鹅饲料供给量为前一天自由采食组饲料消耗量的90%)和低、中、高3个色氨酸(Trp)水平(含量分别为0.14%,0.22%和0.30%),分别对3个不同生长阶段的生长性能和屠宰性能指标进行测定。结果表明,在28～42日龄,与低、高Trp组相比,中Trp组扬州鹅平均日采食量和平均日增重显著提高(P<0.05),饲喂方式和Trp水平对扬州鹅平均日采食量、平均日增重和饲料转化率有交互作用(P<0.05);在42～56日龄,自由采食组扬州鹅平均日采食量和饲料转化率极显著高于限制饲喂组(P<0.01),平均日增重显著高于限制饲喂组(P<0.05)。与低、高Trp组相比,中Trp组扬州鹅平均日采食量显著提高(P<0.05),Trp水平对平均日增重和饲料转化率无显著影响(P>0.05),饲喂方式和Trp水平对扬州鹅平均日采食量有交互作用(P<0.05);在56～70日龄,Trp水平对扬州鹅平均日采食量、平均日增重和饲料转化率均无显著影响(P>0.05)。饲喂方式和Trp水平对扬州鹅平均日增重和饲料转化率有交互作用(P<0.05);在28～70日龄,自由采食组扬州鹅平均日采食量和平均日增重极显著高于限制饲喂组(P<0.01)。与低、高Trp组相比,中Trp组扬州鹅平均日采食量和平均日增重显著提高(P<0.05),而Trp水平对饲料转化率无显著影响(P>0.05),饲喂方式和Trp水平对扬州鹅平均日采食量和平均日增重有交互作用(P<0.05)。自由采食组扬州鹅全净膛率、胸肌率和腹脂率显著高于限制饲喂组(P<0.01),随着Trp水平的增加,扬州鹅胸肌率显著增加(P<0.01),而Trp水平对其他屠宰性能指标无显著影响(P>0.05),饲喂方式和Trp水平对扬州鹅腹脂率有交互作用(P<0.01)。由此可知,饲粮中Trp水平过低或过高均会对扬州鹅生长性能产生不利影响,并且这种不利的影响具有阶段性,因此日粮添加适当水平的Trp能够一定程度改善扬州鹅生长性能。     

Growth performance, diet apparent digestibility, and plasma metabolite concentrations of barrows fed corn-soybean meal diets or low-protein, amino acid-supplemented diets at different feeding level

Two experiments, each with 36 barrows with high-lean-gain potential, were conducted to evaluate apparent nutrient digestibilities and performance and plasma metabolites of pigs fed corn-soybean meal diets (CONTROL) and low-protein diets. The low-protein diets were supplemented with crystalline lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and methionine either on an ideal protein basis (IDEAL) or in a pattern similar to that of the control diet (AACON). Amino acids were added on a true ileally digestible basis. The initial and final BW were, respectively, 31.5 and 82.3 kg in Exp. 1 and 32.7 and 57.1 kg in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, the CONTROL and IDEAL diets were offered on an ad libitum basis or by feeding 90 or 80% of ad libitum intake. Pigs were fed for 55 d. In Exp. 2, the CONTROL, IDEAL, and AACON diets were offered on an ad libitum basis or by feeding 80% of the ad libitum intake. Pigs were fed for 27 d. Pigs fed the CONTROL diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and feed efficiency (G/F) than pigs fed the IDEAL (Exp. 1 and 2) and AACON diets (Exp. 2). As the level of feed intake decreased, ADG decreased (P < 0.05), but G/F tended to improve (P < 0.10) for pigs fed 90% of ad libitum in Exp. 1 and for pigs fed 80% of ad libitum in Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, the apparent total tract digestibilities of DM and energy were greater (P < 0.01) for pigs fed the IDEAL diet than for pigs fed the CONTROL diet. In Exp. 2, the apparent total tract digestibility of protein was greatest in pigs fed the CONTROL diet (P < 0.05) and was greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the AACON diet than in pigs fed the IDEAL diet. Plasma urea concentrations were lower in pigs fed the IDEAL diet than in pigs fed the CONTROL diet, regardless of feeding level. For pigs fed the CONTROL diet, plasma urea concentrations were lower when feed intake was 80% of ad libitum (diet level, P < 0.01). In summary, pigs fed the IDEAL and the AACON diets gained less and had lower plasma urea concentrations than pigs fed the CONTROL diet. Based on these data, it seems that the growth potential of pigs fed the IDEAL and AACON diets may have been limited by a deficiency of lysine, threonine, and(or) tryptophan and that the amino acid pattern(s) used was not ideal for these pigs.     

Effects of dietary energy source and level and injection of tilmicosin phosphate on immune function in lipopolysaccharide-challenged beef steers

Twenty-four Angus x Hereford crossbred steers (247 kg BW; SE = 2.4 kg) were used in a completely random design to evaluate the effect of energy source and level with or without antibiotic administration on measures of immune function. Steers were fed 1 of 3 dietary treatments: a 70% concentrate diet ad libitum (70AL), a 30% concentrate diet ad libitum (30AL), and a 70% concentrate diet offered in an amount calculated to provide NE(g) intake equal to the 30AL treatment (70RES). Half the steers in each dietary treatment received a s.c. injection of tilmicosin phosphate (ANTI; 1 mL/30 kg of BW); the other half received an equal volume of saline s.c. (SAL). Steers were offered the treatment diets for 28 d before and were administered the ANTI or SAL injections 2 d before indwelling catheters were placed in the jugular vein and 2.0 microg/kg of BW of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered i.v. Blood serum was collected at 30-min intervals from -2 to 6 h and at 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h relative to the LPS challenge. Increased energy intake (70AL) increased (P < or = 0.04) DMI, ADG, and rectal temperature (RT) after the challenge compared with the 70RES treatment. The 30AL treatment increased the maximum concentrations and area under the response curve of the proinflammatory cytokines (PIC) interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-6 (P < or = 0.05) compared with the average of the 70AL and 70RES treatments. Decreased energy intake (70RES vs. 70AL) increased IL-6 (P < or = 0.003) but did not significantly increase interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P > or = 0.14) after LPS administration. Tilmicosin administration decreased the time to attain maximal RT (P = 0.01) by 1 h without altering the peak RT (P = 0.85), and tilmicosin interacted with energy intake to increase prechallenge PIC in 70RES vs. 70AL (P < or = 0.05). Results indicate that increased PIC response, presumably resulting from a combination of decreased energy intake and from direct effects of roughage, may be a mode of action for the slight decrease in morbidity that often occurs when newly received, stressed calves are fed roughage-based receiving diets. Tilmicosin phosphate might have immunomodulatory capacity beyond its direct effects on pathogenic bacteria, and these effects could interact with dietary energy intake in cattle.     

Effects of programmed growth rate and days fed on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate a feeding regimen in which a programmed amount of feed was offered daily to control growth rate of steers. In Exp. 1, steers (n = 107, 309 +/- 3 kg) were used to determine effects of offering ad libitum access to feed (AL) vs a programmed intake feeding regimen (PI) and the number of days steers were fed (168 vs 203) on performance and carcass characteristics. Steers in the programmed intake feeding regimen were fed to achieve a predicted gain of 1.13 kg/d for the first 78 kg of gain, 1.36 kg/d for the next 124 kg of gain, and were given ad libitum access to feed for the final 54 or 103 kg of gain before slaughter (for steers fed for 168 d or 203 d, respectively). Feed efficiency was greater (P < 0.02) for steers in the PI than for those in the AL feeding regimen (0.193 vs 0.183 kg gain/kg feed, respectively). From d 169 to 203, steers in the PI feeding regimen had greater (P < 0.06) ADG (1.60 vs 1.38 kg/d) and similar (P = 0.38) feed efficiency than steers in the AL regimen. In Exp. 2, steers (n = 96; 308 +/- 3 kg BW) were offered feed ad libitum throughout the experiment (AL) or were programmed to gain at a high (PI-H) or low (PI-L) growth rate. For the first 78 kg of gain, intake was restricted to achieve predicted gains of 1.13 kg/d (PI-L) or 1.25 kg/d (PI-H). For the next 124 kg of gain, intake was restricted to achieve predicted gains of 1.36 kg/d (PI-L) or 1.47 kg/d (PI-H). Feed was offered ad libitum for the final 58 kg of gain. Overall ADG was similar (P > 0.37) among feeding regimens despite lower DMI for the steers in the PI-L and PI-H feeding regimens than for those in the AL regimen. Feeding regimen did not affect (P < 0.22) carcass characteristics. Programmed intake feeding regimens sustained growth rate and feed efficiency for an extended period of time without detrimental effects on carcass characteristics.