Energy and protein requirements for maintenance of Hu sheep during pregnancy

This study aimed to determine the effect of stage and level of feed intake on energy metabolism,carbon-nitrogen(C-N)balance,and methane emission to determine energy and protein requirements for maintenance of maternal body including pregnancy tissues during pregnancy using the method of C-N balance.Twenty-one ewes carrying twin fetuses were randomly divided into three groups of seven ewes each in the digestion and respirometry trial at d 40,100,and 130 of gestation,respectively.Three groups were fed a mixed diet either for ad libitum intake,70 or 50%of the ad libitum intake during pregnancy.The results showed that the apparent digestibility of C and N were increased as feeding levels decreased at each stage of gestation.The daily net energy requirements for maintenance(NE_m)were 295.80,310.09,and 323.59 k J kg~(–1)BW~(0.75)(metabolic body weight)with a partial efficiency of metabolisable energy utilization for maintenance of 0.664,0.644,and 0.620 at d 40,100,and 130 of gestation,respectively.The daily net protein requirements for maintenance were 1.99,2.35,and 2.99 g kg~(–1 )BW~(0.75) at d 40,100,and 130 of gestation,respectively.These results for the nutritional requirements of the net energy and protein may help to formulate more balanced diets for Hu sheep during pregnancy.     

Energy Requirements for Maintenance and Growth of German Mutton Merino Crossbred Lambs

A comparative slaughter trial and a metabolism trial were conducted to determine the requirement of net energy (NE) and metabolizable energy (ME) by the crossbreed of German Mutton Merino×Inner Mongolia Merino for fattening from 35 to 50 kg of body weight (BW). 49 crossbred female lambs ((33.9±2.3) (SD) kg BW) of German Mutton Merino×Inner Mongolia Merino were used. 34 lambs were randomly chosen for comparative slaughter, which were offered an identical mixture diet (concentrate:roughage=55:45) at 100, 75 or 55% of ad libitum intake, whereas the remainders were used in the metabolism trial to evaluate the ME of the diet after methane production was measured by open-circuit respirometry. As feed intake decreased from 100 to 75 and 55% of ad libitum intake, the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) linearly increased (P=0.010) from 60.8 to 63.6 and 66.9%, respectively, and methane production decreased from 52.1 to 44.3 and 39.9 Ld-1, respectively, but the ratio of methane energy to gross energy intake increased linearly (P=0.010) from 8.20 to 8.96 and 10.97%, respectively. Consequently, the ME values of the diet increased from 9.35 to 9.64 and 9.85 MJ kg-1 DM, respectively. The NE requirement for maintenance (NEm) was 255 kJ kg-1 BW0.75, and the ME requirement for maintenance (MEm ) was 352 kJ kg-1 BW0.75, with a partial energy efficiency for maintenance (km) of 0.72. The NE requirement for growth (NEg ) ranged from 1.26 to 4.66 MJ d-1 as average daily gains increased from 100 to 300 g d-1, with a partial energy efficiency for growth (kg ) of 0.45. These results indicated that the NE g required by crossbred female lambs of German Mutton Merino×Inner Mongolia Merino was lower than the recommendation of the American or British nutritional system.     

Protein requirements of early-weaned Dorper crossbred female lambs

The net protein(NP) and metabolizable protein(MP) requirements of Dorper crossbred female lambs from 20 to 35 kg body weight(BW) were assessed in a comparative slaughter trial. Thirty-five Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred lambs weaned at approximately 50 d of age((19.1±2.37) kg of BW) were used. Seven randomly selected lambs were slaughtered at the beginning of the trial as baseline group(BL). An intermediate group of seven randomly selected lambs fed ad libitum(AL) intake was slaughtered when the lambs reached an average BW of 28.6 kg. The remaining 21 lambs were allotted randomly to three levels of dry matter intake: AL or restricted to 70 or 40% of the AL intake. All lambs were slaughtered when the sheep fed AL intake reached 35 kg of BW. Total body N and N retention were determined. The results showed that the maintenance requirements for NP and MP were 1.75 and 3.37 g kg~(–1) metabolic shrunk body weight(SBW0.75), respectively. The partial efficiency of protein use for maintenance was 0.52. The NP requirements for growth ranged from 10.9 to 42.4 g d~(–1) for the lambs gaining 100 to 350 g d~(–1) from 20 to 35 kg BW. The partial efficiency of MP for growth was 0.52. In conclusion, the NP and MP requirements for the maintenance and growth of Dorper crossbred female lambs were lower than those reported by AFRC(1993) and NRC(2007) recommendations.     

Macromineral requirements of Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred female lambs

A comparative slaughter trial was conducted to determine the net mineral requirements for maintenance and growth of Dorper crossbred female lambs raised from 20 to 35 kg of body weight(BW).Thirty-five Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred female lambs of(20.3±1.14) kg BW were used: 7 lambs were randomly chosen and slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment as the baseline group for measuring the initial body composition; another 7 lambs were randomly chosen and offered a pelleted mixed diet ad libitum and slaughtered at(27.0±0.73) kg BW; the remaining 21 lambs were randomly divided into 3 groups of 7 animals each and subjected to the same diet either ad l ibitum or at 70 or 40% of ad libitum intake.The 21 lambs were fed in 7 slaughter groups, with each group consisting of one lamb from each treatment(ad libitum, 70 or 40% of ad libitum intake).The 3 groups were slaughtered when the sheep fed ad libitum attained(33.8±0.52) kg of BW.The body composition of five minerals(Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg) was determined.The net mineral requirements for maintenance were 35.01, 25.18, 9.30, 31.35, and 2.03 mg kg–1 empty BW(EBW) for Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg, respectively, and the net growth requirement per kg of EBW gain ranged from 9.73 to 8.87 g of Ca, 5.83 to 5.27 g of P, 1.73 to 1.63 g of Na, 3.73 to 4.08 g of K, and 0.26 to 0.25 g of Mg for Dorper crossbred lambs in China, respectively.The estimates of mineral requirements with Dorper crossbred lambs in the current study were not consistent with the recommendations from previous studies.     

Effect of Energy Intake during Dry Period on Production Performance of Postparturient Cows

24 healthy periparturient cows were randomly allocated into three groups and fed 100% energy diet(NRO standard diets), 120% energy diet and 80% energy diet, respectively, beginning at 28 days prior to anticipated parturition. After parturition, all the cows were provided with the lactation ration ad libitum until the day 56 postpartum.The objectives of the study were to investigate the effect of energy intake during the dry period on the production performance in the postpartum cows. The results indicated that the cows fed with high energy diet during the dry period had a lower dry material intake (DMI) and reduced milk production and a significant body weight (BW) loss compared with the cows fed with 80% energy diet and 100% energy diet. The results suggested that energy intake during the dryperiod was an important factor that influences and regulates DMI, milk production and energy equilibration of postparturient cows.     

Use of the N-alkanes to Estimate Intake,Apparent Digestibility and Diet Composition in Sheep Grazing on Stipa brevifl ora Desert Steppe

The application of n-alkane as markers to estimate herbage intake, apparent digestibility and species composition of diet consumed by grazing sheep was studied. Six local Mongolian sheep were used to determine dry matter （DM） intake, apparent DM digestibility and species composition of diet during summer, autumn and winter. Animals were orally dosed twice daily with n-alkane gelatin capsules containing 60 mg C32-alkane as an external marker. Diet composition was estimated by comparing the odd-chain n-alkanes pattern profile （C27-C31） of the consumed plant species with the n-alkanes fecal concentrations of grazing animals, using a non-negative least squares algorithm called EATWHAT software package. The alkane pair C32：C33 and C33 alkane were used to estimate DM intake and diet apparent DM digestibility, respectively. The results showed that daily dry matter intake of the sheep were 1.77, 1.61 and 1.18 kg d-1 in summer, autumn and winter, respectively. Apparent DM digestibility, crude protein （CP）, metabolizable energy （ME） and neutral detergent fiber （NDF） intake of diet consumed by sheep decreased significantly （P〈0.01） from summer to winter, with no evident changes in ADF and ADL intake. Diet composition indicated Artemisia frigida Willd was the most dominant diet component, contributed 79.68, 68.12 and 86.26% of sheep＇s diets in summer, autumn and winter, respectively. Cleistogenes songorica Ohwi and Convolvulus arnmannii Desr were the important components of the diet. Although Stipa breviflora Griseb is one of the main plant species in the study area, the sheep rarely choosed it. The study indicated that CP and ME in diet consumed by sheep were deficient in winter. Therefore, appropriate supplementation strategies should be indispensable during this period.     

Energy and Protein Requirements for - to -Week-Age Gushi Chicks

In this experiment, 540 male and female chicks of 1-day-age were selected respectively and reared separately. 3 × 3 factorial experiment was designed. Gushi chicks were fed with nine diets under different metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP). Effects of different diets on the performances and carcass ingredients of 0-to 4-week-age Gushi chicks were studied by rearing, comparative slaughter and metabolism experiments. Based on the results of three experiments, ME intake per kilogram metabolic weight was regarded as dependent variable (Y), and its corresponding net energy (NE) deposition per kilogram metabolic weight was regarded as independent variable (X), respectively. Lineal regressive analysis was made according to the mathematic model: Y=a+bX. Maintenance ME(MEm) and the converted coefficient from net energy for gain(NEg) to ME for gain(MEg) were found out, then ME requirement was divided into MErm+ MEg,which is ME = 359.14 W0.75 + 10.47/△W; CP intake and corresponding metabolic weight were regarded as dependent variable and independent variable respectively, and then regressive analysis was made. The result was CP = 0. 57 + 8.21 W0.75. Consequently, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake and metabolic weight were put into the regressive equations, and then ME and CP requirements for 0- to 4-week-age Gushi chicks were obtained, 12.38 MJ kg-1 and 20.13%, respectively, the ratio of CP to ME was 16.26 g MJ-1.     

Effect of three insect-resistant maizes expressing Cry1Ie,Cry1Ab/Cry2Aj and Cry1Ab on the growth and development of armyworm Mythimna separata(Walker)

Three transgenic maize events(IE09 S034, Shuangkang 12–5 and C0030.3.5) produced Cry1 Ie, Cry1 Ab/Cry2 Aj and G10-EPSPS, Cry1 Ab and EPSPS, respectively, all of which target the Asian corn borer. The oriental armyworm Mythimna separata(Walker) is the secondary target. In this study, the effects of the three Bt maizes on the development and survival of armyworm were studied. The results showed that IE09 S034 had insecticidal activity against 1 st instar larvae, and the survival rate of armyworm fed with Bt maize for 10 days was 46.2%, significantly lower than that of the control. The larvae at 3 rd–6 th instar were more tolerant of the Bt toxin than the early instar larvae. However, Shuangkang 12-5 had good insecticidal activity against 1 st–5 th instar larvae. The mortality was nearly 100% when the larvae were fed with Shuangkang 12-5 before 3 rd instar, and the toxin had quick-acting efficacy. This event significantly inhibited the development of armyworm; that is, the larval duration of the 3 rd and 4 th instar larvae fed with Shuangkang 12-5 was prolonged by 4.5 and 3.0 days, respectively. The pupal weight and egg number were also significantly lower than those of the control. For C0030.3.5, it could control 1 st–5 th instar larvae effectively. The mortality rates were all over 50% if 1 st–3 rd larvae were fed with this event. The pupal weight of 4 th–6 th instar larvae fed with Bt maize were only 53.9, 56.8 and 54.6%, respectively, compared to that of the control. The number of eggs laid was significantly less than the control. The results indicate that all three transgenic maize events exhibit the potential to provide effective control of early instar larvae of armyworm, which can be commercialized in future to control lepidoptera pests such as Asian corn borer and armyworm.     

Effects of sustained cold and heat stress on energy intake,growth and mitochondrial function of broiler chickens

To study the correlation of broiler chickens with energy intake, growth and mitochondrial function which exposed to sustained cold and heat stress and to find out the comfortable temperature, 288 broiler chickens(21-day with(748±26) g, 144 males and 144 females) were divided randomly into six temperature-controlled chambers. Each chamber contained six cages including eight AA broilers per cage, each cage as a repeat. After acclimation for one week(temperature, 21°C; relative humidity, 60%), the temperature of each chamber was adjusted(finished within 1 h) respectively to 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, or 30°C(RH, 60%) for a 14-day experimental period. After treatment, gross energy intake(GEI), metabolizable energy intake(MEI), the ratio of MEI/BW, metabolizability, average daily gain(ADG), the concentration of liver mitochondria protein and cytochrome c oxidase(CCO) were measured respectively. Our results confirmed that when the temperature over 26°C for 14 days, GEI, MEI and CCO activities were decreased significantly(P0.05), but the concentration of liver mitochondria protein was increased and metabolizability of broilers was not influenced(P0.05). Compared with treatment for 14 days, the ratio of MEI/body weight(BW) were also decreased when the temperature over 26°C after temperature stress for 7 days(P0.05), meanwhile mitochondrial protein concentration was increased at 10°C and CCO activity was not affected(P0.05). Additionally at 22°C, the ADG reached the maximal value. When kept in uncomfortable temperatures for a long time, the ADG and CCO activities of broiler were reduced, which was accompanied by mitochondrial hyperplasia. In summary, our study focused on the performance of broilers during sustained cold and heat environmental temperatures ranging from 10 to 30°C. From the point of view of energy utilization, moreover, 22 to 26°C is comfortable for 28–42 day s broilers. And these could provide the theoretical basis on the high efficient production.     

Effect of Hypoglycemia on Performances, Metabolites, and Hormones in Periparturient Dairy Cows

In this research work, 24 multiparous holstein cows were used to evaluate the effect of hypoglycemia on periparturient metabolism and lactation performance. The cows were arranged into two groups of hypoglycemia （L） and normal plasma glucose （N） based on plasma glucose level. The same diets were fed ad libitum from 28 days before expected calving date to 28 days after calving. The parameters relative to energy balance, such as dry matter intake （DMI）, body weight （BW）, milk yield （MY）, and concentrations of plasma glucose, nonesterified fatty acids （NEFA）, β-hydroxybutyric acid （BHBA）, insulin （INS）, glucagons （GLN）, leptin （LP）, neuropeptide Y （NPY） in plasma were measured at regular intervals. Incidence of hypoglycemia was higher prepartum than that of postpartum （88% vs. 50%）, and the recurrence of hypoglycemia was reversed （31% vs. 100%）. Hypoglycemia did not affect feed intake before and after calving. With the increase of postpartum feed intake, incidence of hypoglycemia decreased rapidly, even disappeared at 28 days of postpartum. Hypoglycemia had no impact on prepartum BW, but BW in L group was lower than that of cows in N group at 1 day and 14 days of postpartum （P〈0.05）. Milk yield was not affected by hypoglycemia. Cows in L group had higher plasma NEFA concentration than cows in N group. It reached a peak （1442 μmol L^-1 vs. 1052 μmol L^-1） at day 1 of postpartum （P〈0.05）. Plasma BHBA concentration of cows in L group was higher than that in N group, which reached a peak （2.01 mmol L^-1 vs. 1.34 mmol L^-1） at 14 days of postpartum （P〈0.05）. Plasma concentration of INS and GLN was unaffected by treatment, but postpartum plasma GLN concentration obviously increased, especially in L group. Plasma concentration of LP and NPY before calving was unaffected by treatment, but postpartum LP level in L group was slightly lower than that in N group, and NPY level in L group was significantly higher than that in N group （P〈0.05）. Overall, periparturient dairy cows are easy to develop hypoglycemia, which stimulates lipid metabolism. Adaptive changes of some metabolites and hormones, such as NEFA, BHBA, INS, GLN, LP, NPY are of benefit to increase feed intake and recovery of NEB in periparturient period, but there still are some issues on interaction of those endocrine factors in the energy balance of periparturient cows to be understood further.     

饲养水平对肉用绵羊空怀期和哺乳期能量代谢平衡的影响

【目的】繁殖母羊不同生理时期的营养对其生产水平有极大的影响,配种期营养决定了受胎率,妊娠期营养决定了羔羊出生重、成活率和成长潜能,哺乳期营养决定了羔羊的生长率,而断奶后的营养补偿了妊娠期和哺乳前期所消耗的营养储备并为下一繁殖周期做准备。而能量代谢研究则是家畜营养研究的基础,肉羊上的研究也主要集中在幼畜和生长期,对哺乳期的研究甚少,严重制约了中国肉羊产业的健康发展。本试验用日粮饲喂量梯度方法,研究不同饲养水平下,杜泊×小尾寒羊杂交母羊空怀期和哺乳期能量的消化代谢和气体代谢特点。【方法】饲养试验需要控制非试验因素一致或凸显出单一因素,是营养需要量研究中最常用的方法,结合消化代谢和气体代谢试验可系统研究母羊不同生理期的能量代谢平衡。选取15只健康的杜寒杂交母羊做同期发情处理,分娩后根据随机区组设计按体重分为3个处理组（自由采食,80%自由采食和60%自由采食）,每个处理5只母羊;另安排同品种同龄未配种母羊为空怀母羊组。在哺乳期20、50和80 d分别进行消化代谢和气体代谢试验。【结果】随着饲养水平的降低,碳（Carbon, C）和能量表观消化率显著升高（P＜0.05）。乳碳随着哺乳期的延长显著降低（P＜0.05）;粪碳和尿碳占食入碳的比例随着饲养水平的下降显著降低（P＜0.05）,且在哺乳期显著高于空怀期（P＜0.05）。消化能代谢率随着饲养水平的下降显著上升（P＜0.05）,在空怀期和哺乳20、50、80 d时分别为78.55%-82.93%、79.53%-85.89%、79.40%-83.49%、80.99%-85.33%;呼吸熵随饲养水平的下降显著下降（P＜0.01）,而不同时期间基本一致,变化范围在0.83-0.96之间。甲烷产生量及其与DMI（kg）、代谢体重（W^0.75）的比值随着饲养水平的下降显著降低（P＜0.05）。 【结论】饲养水平显著影响饲粮C和能量表观消化率（P＜0.05）。母羊O₂消耗量、CO₂和CH₄生成量及呼吸熵（RQ）与采食量显著相关（P＜0.05）。哺乳显著的提高了母羊对C和能量的消化利用（P＜0.05）。     

20-35 kg杜寒杂交公羔羊能量需要参数

[目的]旨在确定20-35 kg杜寒杂交F1代公羔羊维持和生长的代谢能与净能需要量,为杜寒杂交羔羊的科学饲养提供参考依据.[方法]本试验采用完全随机区组试验设计,正试期66 d.筛选基本同龄的杜寒杂交公羔羊50只,其中35只用于比较屠宰试验,15只用于消化代谢试验.当用于比较屠宰试验的35只羊体重为(20.26±1.29)kg时,随机抽取7只进行屠宰用以估测试验羊初始体组成;剩余的28只羊分为自由采食组(AL,14只)、70％自由采食组(IR70,7只)和40％自由采食组(IR40,7只)3个饲喂水平组.当自由采食组的14只羊体重达到(28.54±2.29) kg时,随机抽取7只羊进行屠宰;将剩余的21只羊按上述3个饲喂水平饲喂,每个饲喂水平包括7只羊.当自由采食组羊只平均体重达到35 kg时,按屠宰规程进行屠宰.在消化代谢试验中,将体重为(32.38±2.23) kg的15只杜寒杂交公羔羊随机分为3个处理组(每个处理组5只羊),试验日粮及饲喂水平同比较屠宰试验,采用全收粪尿法收集粪、尿,采用开放式呼吸测热系统测定24 h甲烷产生量、CO2排放量和耗氧量.[结果]杜寒杂交公羔羊维持净能和维持代谢能需要量分别为250.61和374.21 kJ·kg-1SBW0.75,代谢能维持利用效率为0.67;在20-35 kg体重阶段,日增重分别为100、200、300和350 g·d-1生长净能和生长代谢能的需要量变化范围在1.10-5.04 MJ.d-1和2.63-12.03 MJ·d-1,代谢能的生长利用效率为0.419.[结论]20-35 kg杜寒杂交F1代公羔羊能量代谢参数(包括维持净能、维持代谢能、生长净能和生长代谢能)参数值略低于NRC和AFRC肉羊能量需要量的推荐标准.     

道寒杂交公羊育肥期能量需要量研究

【目的】确定道寒杂交公羊育肥期维持和生长的净能与代谢能需要量参数,为肉羊的科学饲养提供理论依据。【方法】本试验选用34只年龄相近（6月龄）、平均体重(34.54±0.40)kg的无角道赛特和小尾寒羊杂交公羔为试验羊。其中25只用于比较屠宰试验,随机分为自由采食组（15只）、60%自由采食组（5只）、40%自由采食组（5只）,其中自由采食组又随机分为3组,每组5只。在正式试验开始后的第1天、第19 天（平均体重43 kg）、第63 天（平均体重50 kg）分别从自由采食第一组、第二组、第三组中选择体重接近的4只试验羊进行屠宰,同时,从60%自由采食组、40%自由采食组中分别选择体重接近的4只试验羊与自由采食第三组一起屠宰。另外9只用于消化代谢试验,同样按上述饲喂水平随机分为3组,采用全收粪尿法收集粪、尿,利用推荐公式对试验羊的甲烷能进行预测。【结果】道寒杂交公羊育肥期的维持净能需要量为286.88 kJ•kg-1 EBW0.75（269.09 kJ•kg-1 BW0.75）,维持代谢能需要量为423.89 kJ•kg-1 EBW0.75（397.60 kJ•kg-1 BW0.75）。日增重100—350 g时生长净能和生长代谢能需要量分别为1.45—6.20 MJ•d-1、3.21—13.72 MJ•d-1。代谢能维持利用效率为0.68,代谢能生长利用效率为0.45。【结论】道寒杂交公羊育肥期能量代谢参数值与NRC（2007）推荐的能量需要量相比有一定差异。     

杜泊羊和湖羊杂交F1代公羊能量及蛋白质的需要量

为解决目前在畜牧业中广泛存在的营养供给不能满足动物需要或者营养供给过剩造成的饲料资源浪费等问题,以20～35 kg杜泊羊和湖羊杂交F1代公羔为研究对象,将营养需要解析为维持需要和生产需要,由饲养试验、消化代谢试验和比较屠宰试验组成。在消化代谢试验中,将12只试验羊随机分为自由采食、70%采食量以及50%采食量3个组,采用全粪尿收集法得到3个采食量水平的ME值、蛋白质和能量消化率,并利用比较屠宰试验分3期进行屠宰测定,将得到的数据建立系列数据模型,最终推算出营养需要量。结果显示:维持净能(NEm)需要量为46.3 kcal/kg0.75、维持代谢能(MEm)需要量为112.0 kcal/kg0.75、维持净蛋白质(NPm)需要量为1 009±98 mg/kg0.75,20～35 kg日增重300 g的公羔生长净能需要量为2.58～5.42 MJ/d、日增重300 g的生长净蛋白质需要量为111～129 g/d。本研究结果确定了该品种肉羊育肥期前半阶段的能量和蛋白质需要量,为该品种肉羊营养的科学供给提供了理论依据。     

饲喂水平对杂交肉羊(母)营养物质代谢及能量需要参数的影响

采用完全随机试验设计,将15只出生日期相近、体况良好、体重均匀的杂交母羊随机分成3组(每个处理5只羊),分别按自由采食(AL)、限饲70%(IR70)和限饲40%(IR40)3水平投喂试验饲粮,试验期26 d,连续两期试验。结果表明,饲喂水平对杜寒杂交母羊生长性能及营养物质采食量有极显著影响(P0.01),但对营养物质消化率无影响(P0.05);饲喂水平对杂交肉羊甲烷排放量、甲烷能及产热量均有极显著影响(P0.01);试验母羊绝食60 h时,FHP为0.20和0.24 MJ·kg~(-1)·W0.75,NEm为0.24和0.288 MJ·kg~(-1)·W0.75。文章旨在利用"开放式"呼吸测热装置研究杜寒杂交母羊营养物质代谢及能量需要参数,为肉羊科学饲养提供依据。     

舍饲山羊营养盈缺分析

对33只不同品种及不同生理阶段的舍饲山羊测定日采食量,并参照美国NRC(1981)山羊营养需要标准进行营养盈缺分析,结果表明:山羊日粮代谢能为9.35～10.20 MJ/kg时,山羊干物质采食量占体重百分比为2.3 %～3.7 %,接近或高于标准.山羊每日摄入的粗蛋白质、钙和磷数量明显超过标准;公羊、空怀母羊日摄入代谢能高于标准,而妊娠母羊、哺乳母羊和波杂育成羊日摄入代谢能水平接近NRC标准或缺乏.     

Indirect calorimetry to estimate energy requirements for growing and finishing Nellore bulls

Determination of nutritional requirements is the basis for diet formulation.The objectives of this study were to determine the net energy requirements for maintenance(NE_m) and weight gain(NE_g) in Nellore bulls during the growing and finishing phases,and to estimate efficiency of metabolizable energy(ME) utilization for maintenance and gain(k_m,k_g).Five Nellore bulls were housed in individual pens at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais(Belo Horizonte,Brazil) and evaluated over four experimental periods at 210,315,378 and 454 kg shrunk body weight(SBW),approximately.During each period,heat production(HP) was quantified by open circuit indirect calorimetry for three feeding levels:ad libitum,restricted and fasting.The NE_m requirement was determined by linear regression between the Log of HP and the ME intake(MEI) for the ad libitum and restricted levels.This requirement was also determined by quantifying fasting heat production(FHP).The NE_g requirement was calculated by the difference between MEI and HP during ad libitum feeding.The k_m and k_g were calculated by the relationship between net energy(NE) and ME requirements for maintenance and weight gain(ME_m,ME_p),respectively.The NE_m requirements per kg of metabolic empty body weight(EBW~(0.75)) fluctuated between 348 and 517 kJ d~(-1),showing a decreasing trend with age,and were higher than the values reported in the literature.The NE_g requirements ranged between 48.3 and 164 kJ kg~(-1) EBW~(0.75) d~(-1),and varied according to age and weight gain.The k_m values varied between 58.6 and 69.7%,while k_g varied between 23.4 and 40.2%.We concluded that NE_m and NE_g requirements were influenced by age and possibly by the level of stress,nervousness and activity of animals into the respirometry chamber.Further studies should quantify HP with records of positional changes(time spent standing vs.lying down).Additionally,HP quantification should be repeatedly performed in the same experimental period to obtain a representative value of NE_g requirements.