Supplementation of protease,alone and in combination with fructooligosaccharide to low protein diet for finishing pigs

Effects of adding protease with or without fructooligosaccharide (FOS) to low protein diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fecal noxious gas emission were evaluated in 160 finishing pigs (57.70 ± 1.16 kg) in a 9‐week study. Pigs were randomly divided into four dietary treatments, PC: positive control diet (15.97% crude protein (CP)); NC: negative control diet (12.94% CP); PRO: NC supplemented with 0.05% protease; PROFOS: NC supplemented with 0.05% protease and 0.1% FOS. During weeks 4–9 and weeks 0–9, gain : feed ratio was impaired (P < 0.05) in pigs fed NC diet compared with those fed PC, PRO and PROFOS diets. Pigs fed PC, PRO and PROFOS diets had higher (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of CP than pigs fed NC diet. Pigs fed PROFOS diet had reduced (P < 0.05) ammonia emissions compared to pigs fed NC and PRO diets. These data indicate that reducing dietary CP concentrations impaired growth performance, decreased ATTD of CP and reduced ammonia emissions. Supplementation of protease in low CP diet improved growth performance and increased ATTD of CP. Dietary supplementation with protease and FOS in low CP diet improved growth performance, increased ATTD of CP and decreased fecal ammonia emission.     

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall extract and poplar propolis ethanol extract supplementation on growth performance,digestibility, blood profile,fecal microbiota and fecal noxious gas emissions in growing pigs

A total of 105 growing pigs (24.91 ± 1.06 kg) were used in a 6‐week trial to investigate the effects of including Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall extract and poplar propolis ethanol extract (SPE) in the diet on growth performance, digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbiota and fecal noxious gas emissions. Pigs were randomly allocated to one of three dietary treatments (seven pens/treatment, five pigs/pen) according to initial body weight and sex (two gilts and three barrows). Treatments consisted of a corn soybean meal basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.05 or 0.10% SPE. There was a significant linear improvement (P < 0.05) in average daily gain, gain/feed, the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and gross energy, blood lymphocyte percentage, immunoglobulin G concentration, fecal Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus counts as well as fecal NH₃ and H₂S emissions associated with the inclusion of SPE in the diet. Average daily feed intake, red blood cells and white blood cells concentration were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by SPE supplementation in the diets. In conclusion, results indicate that dietary SPE supplementation can improve growth performance, digestibility and fecal microbiota, and decrease fecal gas emissions in growing pigs.     

Effects of xylanase supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood parameters,fecal microbiota,fecal score and fecal noxious gas emission of weaning pigs fed corn‐soybean meal‐based diet

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of xylanase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, blood parameters, fecal microflora shedding, fecal score and fecal noxious gas emission of weaning pigs fed corn‐soybean meal based diet. A total of 150 weaning pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 7.85 ± 0.93 kg were randomly allocated to three treatments based on BW and sex (10 replicate pens with five pigs, two gilts and three barrows) were used in this 42‐day trial. Dietary treatments were: (1) CON, basal diet; (2) X1, basal diet +0.005% xylanase; (2) X2, basal diet +0.01% xylanase. The xylanase supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), and gain : feed ratio (G:F) from days 29 to 42 and the in overall period, dry matter, nitrogen and energy digestibility, and fecal Lactobacilli counts, and linearly decreased (P < 0.05) blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration, fecal NH₃ and H₂S emission. Additionally, at weeks 5 and 6, there was a linear decrease in fecal score with xylanase supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of xylanase improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility, shifted microbiota by increasing fecal Lactobacillus counts, decreased BUN concentration, fecal score, and fecal NH₃ and H₂S emission in weaning pigs.     

Nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and fecal microbiota are influenced by chitooligosaccharide supplementation of growing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary chitooligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and fecal microbiota in growing pigs. A total of 144 [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] pigs with an initial body weight of 23.6 ± 1.1 kg were allotted to one of the following dietary treatments: 1) basal diet; 2) basal diet with 44 mg/kg of tylosin (100 mg/kg tylosin); 3) basal diet with 5 g/kg of COS and 4) basal diet with 5 g/kg COS and 44 mg/kg tylosin. There were nine replications per treatment with four pigs per pen. Throughout the experiment, pigs that were treated with a combination of COS and tylosin had a lower ADFI (P = 0.02) and higher gain/feed ratio (P < 0.05) than the other treatments. In addition, administration of either COS or tylosin alone significantly increased the digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy (P < 0.05). The red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, as well as the serum albumin concentrations were not affected by COS or tylosin supplementation. However, the lymphocyte proportion and serum total protein concentration were increased in pigs fed tylosin supplemented diets compared with those pigs fed diets not supplemented with tylosin (P < 0.05). Administration of tylosin significantly increased serum IgG concentration (P = 0.02); however, treatment with COS or tylosin supplementation had no effect on the total cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations. The serum HDL cholesterol concentration was significantly increased in pigs treated with COS (P = 0.02) compared to the pigs fed diets without COS. The COS administration also decreased the number of fecal Escherichia coli (P < 0.01), whereas the number of fecal Lactobacilli was not influenced by either COS or tylosin administration. Results of the current study indicate that dietary supplementation of COS can improve nutrient digestibility and haematological profiles, as well as decrease of fecal E. coli populations in growing pigs.     

Effects of multistrain probiotics on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood profiles,faecal microbial shedding,faecal score and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the efficacy of multistrain probiotics in weaning pigs. A total of 125 28‐day‐old weaning pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial average body weight (BW) of 7.26 ± 0.76 kg were randomly allotted into 5 treatments, 5 replicate pens/treatment with 5 pigs/pen for 42‐day experiment. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; PC1, CON + 0.01% multistrain probiotics; PC2, CON + 0.03% multistrain probiotics; PC3, CON + 0.06% multistrain probiotics; PC4, CON + 0.1% multistrain probiotics. On day 14, pigs fed the PC4 diet had higher BW gain than pigs fed the CON diet. On day 42, pigs fed multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher BW gain than pigs fed the CON diet. From days 1 to 14, pigs fed the PC2, PC3 and PC4 diets had higher (p < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the CON diet. From day 15 to 42, pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and gain: feed ratio (G:F) than pigs fed the CON diet. In the overall period, pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher (p < 0.05) ADG and pigs fed the PC2 and PC4 diets had higher (p < 0.05) G:F than pigs fed the CON diet. On day 42, pigs fed the PC4 diet had higher (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE), faecal Lactobacillus counts and lower (p < 0.05) E. coli counts and NH₃ emission than pigs fed the CON diet. Pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had lower (p < 0.05) H₂S and total mercaptans emissions than pigs fed the CON diet. Conclusions, dietary supplementation with 0.1% probiotics improved growth performance, nutrition digestibility and intestinal microflora balance and decreased faecal noxious gas emissions in weaning pigs.     

Effect of protease derived from Pseudoalteromonas arctica supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,meat quality,noxious gas emission and blood profiles in finishing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of protease derived from Pseudoalteromonas arctica (PPA) in finishing pigs. A total of 160 pigs were used in this 10‐week trial. Dietary treatment groups were as follows: CON (basal diet); TRT1 (basal diet + 0.1% PPA); TRT2 (basal diet + 0.2% PPA); and TRT3 (basal diet + 0.3% PPA). During weeks 1–5, pigs fed with different levels of PPA‐supplemented diet showed linear increase (p < .05) in the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen (N) and linear decrease (p < .05) in the concentrations of serum total protein. During weeks 6–10, pigs fed with different levels of PPA‐supplemented diet showed a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio (p < .05). During the overall period, there was a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio (p < .05) associated with the inclusion of PPA. Pigs fed diets with 0.2% PPA supplementation had lower (p < .05) feed conversion ratio than those fed CON diet during weeks 6–10 and the overall period, and had higher (p < .05) ATTD of N than those fed CON diet during weeks 1–5. Pigs fed diets with PPA supplementation had lower (p < .05) concentrations of serum total protein than those fed CON diet on week 5. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with PPA diet has beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, backfat thickness and the concentrations of serum total protein.     

Effects of Astragalus membranaceus,Codonopsis pilosula and allicin mixture on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,faecal microbial shedding,immune response and meat quality in finishing pigs

A 12‐week trial with 120 [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] pigs (45.65 ± 1.93 kg) was conducted to evaluate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula and allicin mixture (HM) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microbial shedding, immune response and meat quality in finishing pigs. Pigs were allocated to one of three treatments with 0, 0.025% (HM1) and 0.05% (HM2) HM supplementation in a randomized complete block design according to sex and BW. Each treatment contained 10 replications with four pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per pen. Dietary HM resulted in a higher G:F (p < 0.05) than CON group during weeks 7 to 12 and the overall periods. Pigs fed HM2 diet had higher ADG than pigs fed CON diet. Pigs fed HM2 supplementation diet led to a higher (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) than pigs fed CON diet at week 6, while the supplementation of HM led to a higher (p < 0.05) ATTD of DM and GE than pigs fed CON diet at week 12. The faecal E. coli counts were reduced, and Lactobacillus counts were increased by increasing HM supplementation (p < 0.05). Pigs fed HM1 diet had higher (p < 0.05) WBC concentration than those fed CON and HM2 diets at week 6. Pigs fed HM‐supplemented diet had higher (p < 0.05) IgG and IgA concentrations than those fed CON diet at week 12. Pigs fed HM diet noted better (p < 0.05) meat colour and redness value than pigs fed CON diet. Pig fed HM2 reduced (p < 0.05) the lightness value compared with CON group. In conclusion, dietary HM supplementation exerted beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial balance (increased Lactobacillus counts and decreased E. coli counts), immune response and meat quality.     

Effects of complex probiotic supplementation in growing pig diets with and without palm kernel expellers on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood parameters,fecal microbial shedding and noxious gas emission

In Experiment 1, a total of 100 growing pigs (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]) with an average initial body weight (BW) of 24.88 ± 1.57 kg were randomly allotted to 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two concentrations of palm kernel expellers (PKE) in diets at 0% or 10%, and two concentrations of supplemental probiotics at 0 or 6.0 × 10⁷ colony‐forming units/kg. There were five replicate pens per treatment with five pigs per pen. In Experiment 2, eight barrows with average initial BW of 25.78 ± 0.19 kg were allotted to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four diets and four periods per square. Four experimental diets were the same as Experiment 1. In Experiment 1, dietary probiotic supplementation improved (P < 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG), nutrient digestibility and the fecal Lactobacillus counts. Furthermore, interactive effects (P < 0.05) between PKE and probiotics were observed on ADG and growth‐to‐feed ratio. In Experiment 2, an interactive effect (P < 0.05) of PKE and probiotics was observed in apparent ileal digestibility of nitrogen and some amino acids. In conclusion, dietary probiotics did not improve PKE utilization and the use of probiotics in non‐PKE‐containing diet was more favorable than in PKE‐containing diet.     

Inclusion of Yucca schidigera extract in diets with different protein levels for dogs

This study evaluated the effects of inclusion of Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) in two diets with different levels of crude protein (CP) for dogs on facal odour, nutrient digestibility, ammonia concentration in feces and hematological and serum biochemical profiles. Twenty adults Beagles were used, distributed in a randomized block design in a 2 × 4 factorial design (two diets, 25% and 34% CP, and four YSE levels: 0, 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg) with five replicates, obtained during two experimental periods. The fecal odour reduced (P < 0.05) when 500 mg/kg of YSE was used in diets with higher CP. The inclusion of YSE reduced (P < 0.05) fecal ammonia, and the inclusion of 250 and 500 mg/kg YSE reduced intestinal gas. The inclusion of 750 mg/kg YSE increased the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and tended to increase the serum cholesterol concentration, regardless of the protein level of the diets. There was no effect on the digestibility of nutrients, fecal consistency, nitrogen balance and thickness of the intestinal wall. The inclusion of 500 mg/kg YSE is effective in reducing fecal odour in dogs receiving diets with 34% of CP. Regardless of the protein content, YSE reduces fecal ammonia, but may cause adverse effects if included at higher doses.     

Effects of different protein sources completely replacing fish meal in low‐protein diet on growth performance,intestinal digestive physiology,and nitrogen digestion and metabolism in nursery pigs

The study compared the effects of selected proteins replacing fish meal in low‐protein diets on piglets’ growth performance, intestinal digestive physiology, and nitrogen digestion and metabolism. Five reduced CP, amino acid (AA)‐supplemented diets containing 4% of either S50, HP300, concentrated degossypolized cottonseed protein (CDCP), P50, or fish meal were assigned to six pens with 11 pigs for a 28‐day study period. Compared with fish meal, dietary proteins did not affect growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, serum hormone levels and biochemical parameters, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP and most AA, colonic short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents, duodenal and ileal morphology, digestive enzyme activity, and pH in small intestine of piglets. However, HP300, CDCP, and P50 decreased (p < 0.05) fecal N excretion per weight gain. AID of Ile in S50 and HP300 and Glu in P50 were improved (p < 0.05), and AID of Gly in other proteins was reduced (p < 0.05). S50 and P50 lowered (p < 0.05) the contents of colonic isobutyric and isovaleric. S50 and HP300 reduced (p < 0.05) jejunal villus height. CDCP increased (p < 0.05) the pepsin activity in stomach. S50, HP300, and CDCP decreased (p < 0.05) pH in the proximal colon. Overall, the selected proteins could completely replace fish meal in low‐protein diet without impairing piglets’ growth via maintaining intestinal digestive physiology, and nitrogen digestion and metabolism.     

Comparative standardized ileal amino acid digestibility and metabolizable energy contents of main feed ingredients for growing pigs when adding dietary β-mannanase

The present study was conducted to test whether the dietary supplementation of β-mannanase affects amino acids (AA) digestibility, metabolizable energy (ME) contents of corn, wheat, soybean meal, distillers dried grains with solubles, and palm kernel meal (PKM), nutrient digestibility, and growth performance of pigs. In Exp. 1, 22 cannulated pigs were used for 10 dietary treatments including 5 feed ingredients and 2 β-mannanase concentrations (0 and 0.5 g/kg of the diet) in 6 periods in an incomplete Latin square design to determine the AA and energy digestibility. In Exp. 2, 200 growing pigs were randomly allotted to 4 treatments with 2 nutrient levels (high and low) and 2 concentrations of β-mannanase (2 × 2 factorial arrangement) in 2 phases (phase 1, d 0 to 21; and phase 2, d 22 to 42). In Exp. 1, β-mannanase increased the mean standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in all feed ingredients. The amount of digestible energy was increased (P < 0.05) in β-mannanase-treated PKM. Pigs fed β-mannanase showed a greater (P < 0.05) digestibility of gross energy (GE). The feed-to-gain (F:G) ratio was improved (P < 0.01) in pigs fed high-nutrient diets. Pigs fed β-mannanase in the diets had greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain and F:G. In phase 2, the concentration of fecal ammonia was decreased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed β-mannanase. Considering the 2 experiments, it can be concluded that β-mannanase increases the SID of AA, which has to be considered in balancing the rations.     

Effects of chito-oligosaccharide supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and fecal shedding of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus in weaning pigs

A total of 50 weaning pigs (16 d of age; 4.72 +/- 0.23 kg of BW) were selected to investigate the effect of dietary chito-oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on growth performance, fecal shedding of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus, apparent digestibility, and small intestinal morphology. Pigs housed in individual metabolic cages were assigned randomly to 5 treatments (n = 10), including 1 basal diet (control), 3 diets with COS supplementation (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), and 1 diet with chlortetracycline (CTC) supplementation (80 mg/kg). Fresh fecal samples were collected to evaluate shedding of E. coli and Lactobacillus on d 0, 7, 14, and 21 postweaning. Fresh fecal samples collected from each cage from d 19 to 21 were stored frozen for determination of apparent total tract digestibility. On d 21, all pigs were killed to collect the middle sections of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum for determination of mucosa morphology. Supplementation of COS at 100 and 200 mg/kg and supplementation of CTC improved (P < 0.05) overall ADG, ADFI, and G:F in comparison with the control. Supplementation of COS at 200 mg/kg as well as supplementation of CTC increased (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of DM, GE, CP, crude fat, Ca, and P, whereas COS at 100 mg/kg increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of DM, Ca, and P in comparison with the control diet. Pigs receiving diets supplemented with COS or CTC had a decreased (P < 0.05) incidence of diarrhea and decreased diarrhea scores compared with control pigs. Fecal samples from pigs receiving diets supplemented with COS had greater (P < 0.05) Lactobacillus counts than those from control pigs and pigs receiving diets supplemented with CTC on d 14 and 21. However, supplementation of COS at 200 mg/kg and supplementation of CTC decreased (P < 0.05) E. coli counts in the feces on d 21 compared with the control diet. Dietary supplementation of COS at 200 mg/kg and of CTC increased (P < 0.05) the villus height and villus:crypt ratio at the ileum and jejunum, and COS at 100 mg/kg also increased (P < 0.05) the villus height in the ileum compared with the control diet. The current results indicated that dietary supplementation of COS at 100 and 200 mg/kg enhanced growth performance by increasing apparent digestibility, decreasing the incidence of diarrhea, and improving small intestinal morphology.     

Effects of supplemental palygorskite instead of zinc oxide on growth performance,apparent nutrient digestibility and fecal zinc excretion in weaned piglets

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of palygorskite instead of zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility and zinc contents in serum and feces in weaned piglets. One hundred and sixty‐five piglets (28 days of age, 7.10 ± 0.86 kg) were allotted to five treatments on the basis of weight and sex. Each treatment included three replicates of 11 piglets. The piglets were fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0 mg/kg (control group), 1800 mg/kg, 2400 mg/kg, or 3000 mg/kg palygorskite or 2500 mg/kg ZnO for 28 days. There was no significant difference for incidence of diarrhea among the four treatments during the 0–14‐day feeding period. Compared with the control group, piglets offered diets supplemented with 1800 mg/kg palygorskite had higher (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and crude protein digestibility. Fecal digestibility of energy in 1800 mg/kg palygorskite and ZnO groups were higher (P < 0.05) than that in the control group. Both the zinc concentrations in serum and fecal zinc excretion in palygorskite groups and control group were all lower (P < 0.05) than that in the ZnO group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 1800 mg/kg palygorskite can improve growth performance and nutrient digestibility and can also decrease zinc excretion in feces in weaned piglets.     

Evaluation of pigeon pea leaves (Cajanus cajan) replacing alfalfa meal on growth performance,carcass trait,nutrient digestibility,antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters of rabbits

A 30‐day experiment was performed to determine the effect of pigeon pea leaves (PPL) on growth performance, carcass trait, meat quality, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters of growing rabbits. In a completely randomized design, PPL replaced alfalfa meal at the level of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%, which were named PPL0 (control), PPL10, PPL20 and PML30 respectively. Two hundred New Zealand white rabbits at 6 weeks with similar weight (870.23 ± 15.98 g) were allocated to four dietary groups with five replicates containing 10 rabbits/per replicate (male). The results showed that: (a) PPL powder contained 24.26% crude protein, 4.34% crude fat, 17.86% crude fibre, 7.05% ash, 1.35% calcium, 0.28% phosphorus, 1.09% lysine and 0.20% methionine, and the chemical compositions are on DM basis; (b) the ratio of feed to gain of rabbits fed diet PPL10 was significantly better (p < 0.05) than those fed other three diets; (c) the content of longissimus dorsi (LD) moisture in the rabbits fed diets without PPL (control group) was 12% lower than that in the PPL30 diets (60.1 vs. 72.1; p < 0.05). In PPL10, PPL20 and PPL30 diets, the leg muscle (LM) b*(yellowness) value was 33%, 30% and 22.6% higher than the control group respectively. The rabbits fed diets PPL0 had lower (p < 0.05) LM crude protein and ash and higher (p < 0.05) crude fat of LD and LM as compared with those fed other diets; (d) crude protein and energy digestibility of PPL0 and PPL10 diets were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than PPL30 diets; and (e) serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity of the rabbits fed PPL10 and PPL30 diets was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that fed PPL20 diets. Liver total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) activity of the PPL30 groups was 1.3% higher (p < 0.05) than the PPL10 group. Additionally, the control group (PPL0) had the highest (p < 0.05) blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol (TCHO) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) content compared with the groups supplemented with PPL. The PPL30 group had the highest (p < 0.05) triiodothyronine (T₃) and tetraiodothyroxine (T₄) value among the dietary groups.     

Effects of beet pulp supplementation on growth performance,fecal moisture,serum hormones and litter performance in lactating sows

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of beet pulp supplementation on growth performance, fecal moisture, serum hormones and litter performance in lactating sows. Ninety primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments in a 21‐day trial starting 3 days before parturition. The three dietary treatments were supplemented with 0, 10 and 20% beet pulp, respectively. Backfat loss and fecal moisture content were increased (P < 0.05), where cortisol and norepinephrine levels were decreased (P < 0.05) in sows fed beet pulp supplementation diets compared with control diet, but there was no difference between 10% and 20% beet pulp supplementation treatments. No effect was observed on bodyweight, average daily intake, weaning to estrus interval, epinephrine level in sows and litter weight, litter size, survivability in piglets among dietary treatments. Taken together, beet pulp supplementation has no significant effect of growth performance of lactating sows and piglets with decreased cortisol and norepinephrine levels in lactating sows, but it can increase fecal moisture content which is beneficial for sow feces excretion.     

Effect of inclusion of HMBi in the ration of goats on feed intake,nutrient digestibility,rumen bacteria community and blood serum parameters

The objective of this experiment was to test the effect of supplementation of analogues of methionine 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoic acid isopropyl ester (HMBi) on growth, digestibility, antioxidant index, abundance and composition of rumen bacterial community in Xiangdong Black Goats. Thirty-six growing Xiangdong Black Goats were divided into four groups in such a way that each group had three replicate and each replicate had three animals. Experimental groups were assigned four levels of HMBi in basal diet: 0% HMBi (on dietary DM basis); 0.05% HMBi; 0.10% HMBi and 0.20% HMBi. Goats fed 0.10% HMBi in basal diet had higher average daily weight gain (p < .05). Goats fed 0.05% HMBi had higher apparent digestibility of gross energy (p < .01). The group 0% HMBi supplementation had a higher level of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde (p < .01). The goats fed 0.20% HMBi in basal diet had a higher level of insulin and leptin (p < .01) than 0% HMBi supplementation goats. 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing analysis revealed similarities in the community composition, species diversity and relative abundance of dominant bacteria at the phylum and genus levels among the four groups. In conclusion, HMBi supplementation has no negative effect on apparent digestibility, antioxidant index and the ruminal bacteria composition. Therefore, 0.10% supplementation of HMBi is recommended in the diet of goats to improve the growth performance.     

Effect of graded levels of dietary betaine on ileal and total tract nutrient digestibilities and intestinal bacterial metabolites in piglets*

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of graded dietary inclusion levels of betaine on ileal and total tract nutrient digestibilities and intestinal bacterial metabolites in piglets. A total of eight barrows with an average initial body weight of 7.9 kg were randomly allocated to one of the four assay diets with two pigs per treatment in four repeated measurement periods. The assay diets included a basal diet based on wheat, barley and soybean meal alone, or supplemented with a liquid betaine product at dietary levels of 1.5, 3.0, or 6.0 g betaine per kilogram diet (as‐fed). Ileal digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fibre increased both quadratically and linearly, and ileal digestibility of glycine increased linearly as dietary betaine level increased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, total tract digestibility of crude protein increased quadratically (p < 0.05) and total tract digestibilities of most amino acids tended to increase quadratically (p = 0.06 to p = 0.11) with increasing dietary betaine level. Moreover, there were linear increases in the concentrations of most bacterial metabolites which were significant p < 0.05 for ileal d ‐lactic acid and for faecal diaminopimelic acid. The results demonstrate that dietary betaine supplementation stimulates bacterial fermentation of fibre in the small intestine and bacterial degradation of crude protein in the large intestine.     

饲用枯草芽孢杆菌对育肥猪生长性能、养分消化、粪便特征及经济效益的影响

文章旨在评估日粮添加不同水平的饲用枯草芽孢杆菌对9～24周龄育肥猪生长性能、养分表观消化及粪便特征的影响。将600头9周龄平均初始体重为（22.96±0.09）kg的商品猪随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复40头。对照组饲喂基础日粮,T1和T2组肥猪分别饲喂基础日粮+100和200?mg/kg枯草芽孢杆菌（3×108?CFU/kg）,试验共进行15周。结果：与对照组相比,T2组15?w育肥猪体重显著提高4.37%（P＜0.05）,同时T1和T2组1～15?w育肥猪的平均日增重较对照组分别显著提高3.81%和5.35%（P＜0.05）,饲料报酬分别显著提高4.44%和4.44%（P＜0.05）。T1和T2组育肥猪干物质表观消化率分别较对照组显著提高8.75%和9.37%（P＜0.05）,同时T1组育肥猪有机物表观消化率较对照组显著提高了6.13%（P＜0.05）。日粮添加100和200?mg/kg枯草芽孢杆菌可以显著降低6和15?w育肥猪粪便中氨气浓度和大肠杆菌数量（P＜0.05）,同时T1和T2组15?w育肥猪粪便中乳酸杆菌数量也显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论：日粮添加100～200?mg/kg饲用枯草芽孢杆菌（3×108?CFU/kg）可改善9～24周龄育肥猪的饲料报酬,改善干物质表观消化率,降低粪中氨气浓度和大肠杆菌数量。 [关键词]育肥猪|枯草芽孢杆菌|生长性能|养分消化|粪便特征     

Effect of dietary energy on digestibilities,rumen fermentation,urinary purine derivatives and serum metabolites in Tibetan and small‐tailed Han sheep

Tibetan sheep are indigenous to the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, graze the grassland all year round without supplementation and are well‐adapted to the harsh conditions. Small‐tailed Han sheep were introduced to the plateau and are raised mainly in feedlots. Based on their different backgrounds, we hypothesized that the ability to cope with poor diets would be better in Tibetan than in Han sheep. To test our prediction, we examined the effect of dietary energy on apparent digestibilities, rumen fermentation, urinary purine derivatives and serum metabolites by using a 4 × 4 Latin square design in each sheep breed. Four diets were formulated to be low in crude protein (~7%) but to differ in metabolizable energy concentration. Average daily gain was greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.01) and increased linearly with an increase in energy intake (p < 0.001). The digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, and neutral and acid detergent fibres were greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.05). Ruminal pH was lower (p < 0.05), while volatile fatty acids (VFAs), urea‐N, ammonia‐N and soluble protein‐N concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in Tibetan than in Han sheep. As a molar proportion of total VFA, acetate decreased (p < 0.001) with an increase in dietary energy whereas propionate and butyrate increased (p < 0.05). Urinary purine derivative excretion was greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.01), as was microbial nitrogen production; both parameters increased with dietary energy (p < 0.01). Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 increased (p < 0.05) as energy level increased, while non‐esterified fatty acids and growth hormone decreased (p < 0.05). It was concluded that Tibetan sheep were better able to cope with low‐protein, low‐energy diets and, consequently, our prediction was supported.     

Effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,diarrhoea scores,blood profiles,faecal microflora and faecal noxious gas emission in weanling piglets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary fenugreek seed extract (FSE) on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), diarrhoea scores, blood profiles, faecal microflora and faecal gas emission in weanling pigs. A total of 135 weanling pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace)  × Duroc] with an average BW of (7.96 ± 1.03 kg; 28 days of age) were used in a 42‐day study. Piglets were randomly allotted to three experimental diets with nine replicate pens and five pigs per pen. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; FSE1, basal diet + 0.1% FSE; FSE2, basal diet + 0.2% FSE. Pigs were fed with phase 1 (0–14 days) and phase 2 (14–42 days) diets in the form of mash. Average daily gain (ADG) was linearly increased (p = 0.031) by FSE supplementation compared with CON diet during days 0–14. From days 14–42, FSE2 diet had increased ADG and growth efficiency (G/F) compared with the CON diet (p = 0.014 and 0.026 respectively). Moreover, ADG and G/F were increased by FSE supplementation during days 0–42 (linear, p = 0.037 and 0.014 respectively). Energy digestibility was higher (linear, p = 0.030) by FSE supplementation at 6 weeks. On day 42, dietary supplementation of FSE linearly increased red blood cells (RBC) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration (p = 0.042 and 0.038 respectively). Piglets fed FSE2 diet had higher (linear, p = 0.025) serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentration compared with those fed CON diet. However, piglets fed FSE2 diet had linearly reduced faecal ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) gas emission compared with those fed the CON diet (p = 0.018 and 0.010 respectively). In conclusion, FSE supplementation increased the performance and reduced faecal gas emission in weanling pigs.