Protein, energy and dry matter consumption by racing standardbreds: A field survey

A field survey involving 112 Standardbred race horses in 14 stables at a Detroit racetrack was conducted to determine feeding practices of the Standardbred trainers, to estimate crude protein (CP), digestible energy (DE), and dry matter (DM) consumption by racing Standardbreds, and to compare those intakes with 1989 recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC), “Nutrient Requirements of Horses.” Trainers were interviewed regarding: 1) the age and sex of the horses; 2) their feeding practices, and 3) the horse's training and racing schedule. Only adult horses which were actively racing and continuously stabled at the track were included.

Body weights (BW) estimated using a chest girth measurement resulted in an overall mean BW of 449 kg. Body condition scores were established for each horse with an overall mean score of 5.7 which indicated average body condition for a racing Standardbred at this track. Typical rations from each stable were weighed, and feed samples of hays and concentrates were analyzed at a commercial laboratory to determine CP, DM, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and estimated energy density. A computer program calculated CP, DE, and DM values for each horse's ration based on amounts fed. The software program included with the 1989 NRC publication was used to compare estimated nutrient intakes with current NRC recommendations for a horse of a given BW.

All trainers fed a variety of hays and commercial grain mixes, and five trainers fed oats separately. The mean total intake of feed for all horses on an “as fed” basis was 16.1 kg. The estimated mean DM intake for all horses was 14.4 kg vs. NRC recommended 10.6 kg. The mean percentage of rough-age in the ration for all stables was 64% vs. a NRC recommendation of 35%. The mean CP% on a DM basis for all stables' rations was 14.5% vs. the NRC recommendation of 11.4%. The mean daily CP and estimated DE intakes for all horses were 2113 g and 37.6 Meal, respectively, in contrast to current NRC recommendations of 1189 g CP and 29.7 Meal DE. These data indicate that estimated CP, DE, and DM consumption are above the recommendations of NRC in 1989.     

Physiologic and metabolic response of exercising horses to added dietary fat

Six mature Quarter Horse-type geldings were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment to determine the effects of adding 5 or 10% feed-grade rendered animal fat to the concentrate diet fed to performance horses. The experiment was conducted over a 14-day pre-trial period to acquaint horses to the experimental apparatus, a 28-day conditioning period and 3 diet treatment periods of 21 days, each conducted in a Latin square arrangement. The horses were exercised on a dirt track and diet effects were evaluated during and following a submaximal exercise test (SET) on an equine treadmill. Physiological responses to the SET were determined following each experimental period. Relative to the control, the horses required 21% and 25% less of the concentrate feed (P<.05), containing 5% and 10% added fat, respectively. There was an increase (P<.05) in muscle glycogen concentration as fat was added to the diet. There were no differences due to feeding fat in nutrient digestibility or in oxygen consumption, ventilatory capacity, respiratory quotient, heart rate blood lactate or blood pH during the SET. However, there was an overall decrease (P<.05) in blood glucose and total lipid concentration, when 10% fat was added to the concentrate diet     

Protein, energy and dry matter consumption by racing thoroughbreds: A field survey

A field survey involving 109 horses in 9 stables at a Detroit racetrack was conducted to determine feeding practices and to estimate crude protein (CP), digestible energy (DE), and dry matter (DM) consumption by racing Thoroughbreds, and to compare those intakes with 1989 recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC), "Nutrient Requirements of Horses." Trainers were interviewed regarding: 1) the age and sex of the homes; 2) their feeding practices; and 3) the horse's training and racing schedule. Only adult homes who were actively racing and continuously stabled at the track were included. Body weights (BW) were estimated using a chest girth measurement. The horses had an overall mean body condition score of 5 which indicated average body condition for a racing. Thoroughbred at this track. Feed samples of hay and concentrate from each stable were weighed and analyzed at a commercial laboratory to determine CP, DM, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and estimated energy density. A computer program calculated CP, DE, and DM values for each horse's ration based onamounts fed. The software program included with the 1989 NRC publication was used to compare estimated nutrient intakes with current NRC recommendations for a horse of a given BW. Trainers fed a variety of hays. Eight trainers fed oats and only one fed corn. All trainers fed commercial sweet feeds. The mean total amount of feed for all homes on an "as fed" basis was 13.7 kg. The mean estimated DM intake for all horses was 12.3 kg vs. NRC recommended 11.6 kg. The mean for percentage of roughage in the ration for all stables was 53% vs. a NRC recommendation of 35%. The mean CP% ona DM basis for all stables' rations was 13.8% vs. a NRC recommendation of 11.4%. The means for actual CP and DE intakes for all horses were 1678 g and 33.3 Meal compared with current NRC recommendations of 1324 g CP and 33.1 Meal DE. Protein amounts were above those recommended due to the common practice of feeding relatively higher CP% in the rations than necessary for racehorse performance. These data appear to be more consistent with the recommendations of NRC in 1989 than previous recommendations in 1978.     

Effects of feed form on growth and blood glucose in weanling horses

Eight weanling Standardbred horses were used to evaluate the effects on growth and plasma glucose of two differently processed diets with identical ingredients fed at a rate of 3% of body weight, as fed, daily. The daily ration was divided into two equal feedings at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm. The hay and grain diet (diet HG) consisted of 50% alfalfa hay cubes and 50% of a commercial growing horse texturized grain mix fed as is, without any further processing, with each part fed in separate containers. The completely pelleted diet (diet P) consisted of the same proportions of the hay cubes and grain mix that was ground, pelleted, and fed in a single container. Two groups of four horses were fed either diet P or diet HG for two 21-day periods such that each horse consumed each diet for 21 days. On the last day of each feeding period, 7-mL blood samples were drawn into heparinized evacuated blood tubes for determination of plasma glucose concentration. Blood samples were drawn 30 minutes before the afternoon feeding, immediately before, and every 30 minutes thereafter for 5 hours. Analysis of variance found greater (P = .027) average daily gain for horses fed diet P versus diet HG. A nonsignificant difference was seen in feed efficiency (P = .057) for horses fed diet P versus diet HG. Plasma glucose changes were compared across treatments using area under the curve analysis. No difference (P > .05) was found in the postprandial plasma glucose changes between diet treatments.     

Copper and zinc balance in exercising horses fed 2 forms of mineral supplements

Studies comparing the absorption and retention of various forms of trace minerals in horses have yielded mixed results. The objective of this study was to compare Cu and Zn absorption and retention in exercising horses where the mineral was supplemented in the sulfate or organic chelate form. Nine mature horses were used in a modified switchback design experiment consisting of seven 28-d periods. Horses were fed a diet consisting of 50% concentrate and 50% hay that was balanced to meet the energy, protein, Ca, and P requirements for horses performing moderate-intensity exercise. Horses were subjected to a controlled mineral repletion-depletion diet sequence before feeding the experimental diet to standardize mineral status across horses. The experimental diet was designed to provide 90% of the 1989 NRC for Cu and Zn, with supplemental mineral provided in the inorganic sulfate form (CuSO(4) and ZnSO(4)) or the organic chelate form (Cu-Lys and Zn-Met). Feed, fecal, urine, and water samples collected during a total collection during the last 4 d of the experimental diet periods were analyzed to determine apparent absorption and retention of Cu and Zn from the 2 mineral forms. A formulation error caused horses receiving the organic chelate diet to consume about 3 times the amount of Cu and Zn compared with those fed the sulfate-supplemented diet. Copper and Zn intake and fecal excretion were greater (P < 0.05) for horses consuming the organic chelate-supplemented diet. Apparent absorption values for all horses were negative. Apparent Cu absorption and retention as a percentage of intake were greater for horses fed the organic chelate diet (P < 0.05). It is unknown why excretion of Cu and Zn by the horses during the total collection exceeded the mineral intake. Although Cu-Lys seemed to be better absorbed than CuSO(4) and absorption of Zn-Met and ZnSO(4) were not different, these results are tempered by the observation of abnormally high fecal and urinary excretion values for Cu and Zn in the present study.     

Comparative study of three feeding methods for draught horses of the Swiss army

Three feeding methods were compared in 36 4- to 6-year-old Franche-Montagne horses during the military school of St-Luzisteig (GR) of Spring 1992. The horses were separated into 3 groups: a group with the traditional oats-hay ration (OH), a group with a pelleted feed and hay ration (PFH), and a group with the complete diet (CD). Feed analyses were performed and food consumption, eating behavior and digestibility were studied. The horses received their daily amount of feed in 3 portions covering the requirements for a medium work: OH = 8 kg hay and 3 kg oats, PFH = 8 kg hay and 3 kg pelleted feed and CD = 10 kg of the complete diet. For the 3 rations, the amount of digestible crude protein for horses was higher than the reference value for the requirement of a 600 kg horse with a medium work. In the 3 diets, the calcium content was higher than the required 32 g per day (g/d). Not enough sodium (OH: 1.2 g/d; PFH: 7.3 g/d; CD: 9.6 g/d) and too much potassium (OH: 140.3 g/d; PFH 153.0 g/d; CD: 167.5 g/d) were present in the diets, both without consequences for the blood parameters. In 3 meals of 60 minutes, the horses of the group OH, PFH and CD ingested 82%, 89% and 92%, respectively, of the daily ration. The complete diet was ingested more quickly than the hay. The number of mastications per minute was smaller for the complete diet than for the hay. Ingestion times were similar for oats and pelleted feed. However, the number of mastications per minute was smaller for the pelleted feed. The digestibility of nutrients was not influenced by the method of feeding. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the 3 types of ration studied here are adequate for the swiss army horses if sodium is added to the diet. However, despite the fact that both PFH and CD correct excessive supply or deficiencies of nutrients and despite the fact that these two feeding methods offer nutrients in amounts that are closer to the requirements of the horse, the method PFH was introduced in 1994.     

Influence of dietary fat and time of hay feeding on growth and development of yearling horses

Seventeen Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings were used in a 2×2 factorial experiment to determine 1) whether adding fat (5% corn oil) to the concentrate would influence feed intake, growth and development and 2) whether time of hay feeding would influence energy metabolism on the basal and added fat diets. Yearlings were assigned at random, within breed and gender subgroups, to one of four diets: B-I, basal concentrate with Coastal Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) hay fed immediately after the concentrate; B-D, basal with hay fed 3.5 hr after the concentrate; F-I, basal + fat with the hay fed immediately; and F-D, basal + fat with the hay fed 3.5 hr after the concentrate. The basal concentrate was formulated to meet or exceed NRC (1989) recommendations when fed with the hay. The basal + fat concentrate was formulated at 9.7% higher digestible energy than the basal concentrate and all of the other nutrients were increased proportionately so if the intake was reduced, the yearlings would still meet nutrient needs. The concentrates were fed individually to appetite for two 1.5-hr feeding periods daily in 1.5×3.0 m slip stalls. Hay was group fed in the paddocks at a rate of 1.0 kg/100 kg BW daily divided into two equal feedings. Animals were housed in four 9.1×34.9-m drylot paddocks with three, four, or five animals in each paddock. The mean age at the start of the experiment was 377±8 days. Weight and body measurements for withers height, heart girth, body length, and hip height were taken at the start of the experiment and at 28-day intervals for 84 days. Radiographs for bone mineral estimates were made at the start and completion of the experiment. During the final 28-day period of the feeding trial, three animals from each experimental group were randomly selected for a 24-h period of blood sampling to evaluate the effects of the diets on blood glucose and insulin.Fat addition to the concentrate reduced the daily concentrate DM (P=0.0187) and total feed DM (P=0.0021) intake. When feed intake was expressed as a function of BW, concentrate and total feed intakes were 1.33 and 2.14 kg/100 kg BW daily and were not influenced by diet (P>0.1). Colts consumed more concentrate DM (P=0.0039) and total feed DM (P=0.0022) than fillies. The yearlings gained an average of 0.60 kg/d for the 84 days. Weight gain, body measurements and bone mineral deposition were not influenced by gender or diet. Mean plasma glucose concentrations were higher (P=0.05) in yearlings consuming the basal concentrate with hay fed immediately than when hay feeding was delayed. When fat was fed, the time of hay feeding had no effect on plasma glucose concentrations (P>0.05). Plasma glucose and insulin were lowest just prior to the morning feeding and peaked two to three hours after both morning and afternoon feedings. Fat supplementation reduced plasma insulin (P=0.001). Results suggest that the addition of 5% corn oil to a yearling concentrate may reduce feed intake but will not reduce growth and development of the animal if other nutrients are supplied at concentrations that provide for the animal's daily needs. Delaying hay feeding may be advantageous to growing horses as it may allow the concentrate to move down the tract at a slower rate reducing the glucose peaks.     

Nitrogen Retention and Plasma Amino Acid Responses in Mature Geldings Fed Three Dietary Concentrations of Lysine

Six mature Quarter Horse geldings (age, 11.5 ± 4.7 years; body weight [BW], 526 ± 9.2 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to determine the effects of three dietary lysine (Lys) levels on nitrogen (N) retention and plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations. The geldings were fed a basal diet of concentrate and Bermuda grass hay supplemented with synthetic essential amino acids (EAA) to meet estimated requirements for EAA. Geldings were fed one of three dietary treatments: (1) a basal diet deficient in Lys (L−; 0.027 g of Lys•kg⁻¹ BW•d⁻¹); (2) a basal diet supplemented with synthetic Lys to meet National Research Council (NRC; 2007) requirements (L+; 0.036 g of Lys•kg⁻¹ BW•d⁻¹); or (3) a basal diet supplemented at twice the recommended Lys requirement (2 × L; 0.070 g Lys•kg⁻¹ BW•d⁻¹). Horses fed the 2 × L diet had higher N intakes (P = .0056) than horses fed either the L− or L+ diet. However N retention (P = .63) was not different between treatments. Plasma Lys was greater (P < .0001) in 2 × L than L− and L+ diets. Plasma threonine (Thr; P < .01), methionine (Met; P = .03), and total plasma non-EAA (P < .05) concentrations decreased as dietary Lys increased. These results suggest N retention is not a good response criterion for evaluating the AA requirements of mature horses. However, plasma AA data indicated more efficient use of Thr and Met when horses were fed dietary Lys in concentrations greater than the current requirement recommended by the Nutrient Requirements of Horses (National Research Council, 2007).     

The influence of dietary fiber digestibility on the nitrogen requirements of mature horses

Mature geldings at maintenance were fed different diets in a 4 x 4 Latin square design balanced to account for residual effects in an attempt to determine whether differences in the digestibility of the fibrous portions of feedstuffs would influence dietary nitrogen (N) requirements. Diet 1 contained corn and soybean meal (SBM); diet 2, corn, corn oil and urea; diet 3, corn, SBM, straw and urea; diet 4, corn, alfalfa and urea. Urea supplied 50% of the total N in diets 2 and 3 and 39% of the total N in diet 4. The diets were fed in amounts that met National Research Council (NRC) recommendations for daily digestible energy intakes by mature horses at maintenance and met or exceeded total daily N requirements. True absorbed N was calculated by subtracting the fecal N associated with neutral detergent fiber (NDF-N) from total N intakes; true digestibilities of N ranged from 92.4 to 95.9%. Endogenous and metabolic fecal N excretions ranged from .37 to .56 g N/100 g dry matter intake. Although none of the diets as fed were deficient in N, apparent N digestibility was only 64% of N intake when the horses were fed the diet containing straw (diet 3), compared with 72.5 to 79.6% of total N intake among diets 1, 2 and 4 (P less than .01). Fecal excretions of water soluble, bacterial cell-associated and intestinal cell-associated N fractions were greatest when diet 3 was fed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

半胱胺对鲤鱼生产性能及生化指标的影响

选用8000尾健康体重相近(100g/尾)的鲤鱼随机分为2组,研究在日粮中添加半胱胺(CS)对其生产性能及生化指标的影响。Ⅰ组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;Ⅱ组为试验组,饲喂基础日粮加150mg/kg半胱胺。试验期45d。结果表明,日粮中添加半胱胺可提高鲤鱼的生产性能;对谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶、钾、钠、镁等无显著影响(P>0.05);但显著降低试验组血糖、甘油三酯的含量(P<0.05);极显著提高血液中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、总蛋白质、白蛋白、球蛋白(P<0.01);显著降低血液中钙离子含量(P<0.05)。     

Effect of short-term feed restriction and calorie source on hormonal and metabolic responses in geldings receiving a small meal

The metabolic effects of short-term feed restriction and dietary calorie source were studied in horses receiving high-roughage or high-concentrate diets. Four Thoroughbred geldings were assigned to four treatment groups in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment. The four treatments were 1) a nutritionally adequate high-roughage ration (70% roughage, 30% concentrate; AHR), 2) a nutritionally adequate high-concentrate ration (40% roughage, 60% concentrate; AHC), 3) 70% of the intake of the AHR diet (RHR), and 4) 70% of the intake of the AHC diet (RHC). Diets AHR and AHC were designed to meet the caloric need of horses undergoing moderately intense work. Blood samples were taken on the first 7 d of each period for analysis of serum T4 and T3 concentrations. On d 9 of each feeding period, each horse was fed 1.0 kg of oats as the morning meal. Jugular blood was sampled before and immediately after, as well as at 30 min after, completion of the meal and subsequently every hour for 7 h. Daily serum T4 and T3 concentrations were not affected by day, feeding level, or diet composition. Meal feeding produced an increase (P < 0.01) in T4 and T3 concentrations when horses were adapted to the AHR and AHC diets but not the RHR or RHC diets. Thyroxine concentrations were lowest (P < 0.05) when horses were adapted to the AHC diet. Glucose (P < 0.05), insulin (P < 0.01), and NEFA (P < 0.01) concentrations were higher in response to the meal when horses received RHR than for the other diets. These results indicate that nutrient restriction alters responses to meal feeding in horses and that this response may also be affected by the dietary roughage:concentrate ratio.     

Effects of varying levels of phytase supplementation on dry matter and phosphorus digestibility in horses fed a common textured ration

This study examines the effect of phytase supplementation on dry matter and phosphorus digestibility in mature horses. Four mature sedentary quarter horse geldings were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment. Horses were fed at 2% of the group's average body weight. The experimental diets consisted of textured concentrate of rolled corn, oats, and soybean meal fed in a 50:50 ratio with native prairie grass hay. The treatments were as follows: (1) control (0) with no phytase added to the basal ration, (2) 300 FTU/kg added to the basal ration, (3) 600 FTU/kg added to the basal ration, and (4) 900 FTU/kg added to the basal ration. During the 72-hour collections, total urine and feces were collected. Feed samples were also collect randomly throughout the trial. Feed and fecal sample were analyzed for dry matter, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. Urine samples were analyzed for phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. There was no significance difference in dry matter intake, fecal output, dry matter digestibility, and urinary output across all diets (P > .05). Phosphorus digestibility was not improved with the addition of supplemental phytase (P > .05). The failure to observe an improvement in phosphorus digestibility may be because of the high levels of phosphorus in the diets. Further research needs to be conducted using diets with lower levels of phosphorus.     

Macronutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, plasma indicators of protein metabolism and mineral absorption in horses fed a ration rich in sugar beet pulp

In a cross-over study with six mature horses, the effect of iso-energetic replacement of dietary glucose by beet pulp on macronutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism and mineral absorption was studied. The test ration contained 25% beet pulp in the total dietary dry matter. Beet pulp feeding significantly lowered crude fat and non-structural carbohydrate digestibility, but had no significant effect on digestibility of other macronutrients, faecal and urinary nitrogen excretion and the faecal to urinary nitrogen excretion quotient. However, on the beet pulp diet, plasma ammonia and creatinin concentrations were significantly lower than on the glucose diet. No diet effect on magnesium absorption was observed. It is suggested that dietary beet pulp stimulates the conversion of ammonia into urea.     

Physiological Response of Normal Adult Horses to a Low-Residue Liquid Diet

The anorexic or dysphagic adult horse often requires nutritional support. Providing nutrients by the enteral route is the safest and most economic choice, but the dietary options available for use in horses are somewhat limited. The objective of this study was to compare the physiologic response of normal horses with a low-residue liquid or normal diet over a 10-day feeding period. Two groups of 6 normal adult horses were maintained on 1 of 2 diets for a 10-day period. Diets were formulated to meet the caloric needs of a horse maintained in a stall. The control group was fed 70% timothy hay and 30% textured concentrate for the test period, and the experimental group received the low-residue liquid diet, similar to liquid nutritional formulas designed for human use. Clinical parameters, body weight, packed cell volume, total plasma solids, blood glucose, and serum electrolytes were recorded daily for each horse during the dietary trial period. On days 1, 5, and 10 of the study, a complete blood count, serum biochemical profile, and urinalysis were performed.Horses' serum total bilirubin concentration and pattern of weight loss differed between groups. All other physical parameters, blood chemistry, complete blood count, and urinalysis results remained within the normal reference interval for the horses regardless of diet, although some statistical differences were observed. Horses returned to pasture and free-choice grass diet without complications at the end of the dietary trial period. These results demonstrate that few differences of biologic significance were observed between horses being fed low-residue diet and horses receiving a normal diet of hay and grain over a 10-day period. (Equine Vet J 2003;23:310–317)     

日粮能量水平对五指山猪生长性能、初情期启动及血清激素含量的影响

试验旨在研究不同日粮能量水平对五指山猪生长性能、初情期启动及血清激素含量的影响。选择20头日龄(30±2)d、体重(2.5±0.6)kg、健康的断奶五指山母猪,随机分为2个处理,分别为NRC组(标准组:饲喂基础日粮,按正常的后备母猪饲喂标准量投放饲料)和0.7 NRC组(限饲组:按NRC组70%的投饲量投喂),每个处理10个重复,每个重复1头猪,试验期10周。结果表明,断奶后6~10周时NRC组体重显著高于0.7 NRC组(P<0.05);NRC组平均日增重显著高于0.7 NRC组(P<0.05);日粮能量水平对五指山猪初情期日龄有显著影响(P<0.05),限饲(0.7 NRC)可延缓五指山母猪发情期启动;0.7 NRC组母猪初情期时背膘厚度显著低于NRC组(P<0.05),初情期时0.7 NRC组母猪背膘厚度降低39.7%左右;初情期时,NRC组血清中卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)、雌二酮(E₂)和瘦素(Leptin)含量均显著高于0.7 NRC组(P<0.05)。由此可知,提高日粮能量水平有利于母猪初情期的启动和发情表现。     

Effect of dietary organic microminerals on starter pig performance, tissue mineral concentrations, and liver and plasma enzyme activities

Weanling pigs (n = 160) were used to evaluate dietary essential microminerals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn) on performance, tissue minerals, and liver and plasma enzymatic activities during a 35-d postweaning period. A randomized complete block design with 5 treatments and 8 replicates was used in this study. Organic microminerals were added to complex nursery diets at 0 (basal), 50, 100, or 150% of the requirements of microminerals listed by the 1998 NRC. A fifth treatment contained inorganic microminerals at 100% NRC and served as the positive control. Pigs were bled at intervals with hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), glutathione peroxidase, and ceruloplasmin activities determined. Six pigs at weaning and 1 pig per pen at d 35 were killed, and the liver, heart, loin, kidney, pancreas, and the frontal lobe of the brain were collected for micromineral analysis. The liver was frozen in liquid N for determination of enzymatic activities. The analyzed innate microminerals in the basal diet met the NRC requirement for Cu and Mn but not Fe, Se, and Zn. Performance was not affected from 0 to 10 d postweaning, but when microminerals were added to diets, ADG, ADFI, and G:F improved (P < 0.01) from 10 to 35 d and for the overall 35-d period. Pigs fed the basal diet exhibited parakeratosis-like skin lesions, whereas those fed the supplemental microminerals did not. This skin condition was corrected after a diet with the added microminerals was fed. When the basal diet was fed, Hb and Hct declined, but supplemental microminerals increased Hb and Hct values. Liver catalase activity increased (P < 0.01) when microminerals were fed. The Mn superoxide dismutase activity tended to decline quadratically (P = 0.06) when supplemental microminerals were fed above that of the basal diet. Liver plasma glutathione peroxidase activities were greater (P < 0.01) when dietary organic and inorganic micromineral were fed. Liver concentrations of microminerals increased linearly (P < 0.01) as dietary microminerals increased, indicating that the liver was the primary storage organ. Micromineral tissue concentrations were least in pigs fed the basal diet and increased (quadratic, P < 0.01) to the 50% level of organic microminerals in the various tissues collected. The results indicated that innate microminerals, Cu and Mn, from a complex nursery diet may meet the micromineral needs of the weaned pig, but the need for Fe, Se, or Zn was not met by the basal diet.     

微量元素添加模式对肉鸡生长性能、微量元素代谢和血浆抗氧化性能的影响

本试验旨在研究不同微量元素添加模式对肉鸡生长性能、微量元素代谢和血浆抗氧化性能的影响。选取720羽1日龄科宝(Cobb-500)肉鸡,随机分为4个组,每个组10个重复,每个重复18只鸡。行业标准组:按照农业行业标准NY/T 33—2004添加铜、铁、锌和锰。NRC标准组:按照NRC(1994)推荐量添加铜、铁、锌和锰。NRC比例组:实测基础饲粮中铜、铁、锌、锰的含量,以过量最多的铜(相对于NRC标准)的倍数补齐其余3种元素。相对生物学效价组:假设基础饲粮中微量元素的生物学利用率为额外添加硫酸盐的30%,对其含量进行校准后按照NRC比例组的方法添加。微量元素都以硫酸盐形式添加,试验期42 d。结果表明:1)不同微量元素添加模式未对肉鸡生长性能和死亡率造成显著差异(P0.05)。2)21日龄时,NRC比例组肉鸡十二指肠铜转运蛋白1(Ctr1)的mRNA相对表达量显著高于其余各组(P0.05),NRC比例组和相对生物学效价组肉鸡十二指肠二价金属转运蛋白1(DMT1)的mRNA相对表达量显著高于其余2组(P0.05);42日龄时,NRC标准组和相对生物学效价组肉鸡十二指肠DMT1的mRNA相对表达量显著高于其余2组(P0.05);各组间21和42日龄肉鸡十二指肠锌转运蛋白1(Zn T1)和锌转运蛋白5(Zn T5)的mRNA相对表达量没有显著差异(P0.05)。3)21日龄时,NRC比例组和相对生物学效价组肉鸡血浆总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著高于其余2组(P0.05);42日龄时,与相对生物学效价组相比,NRC比例组肉鸡血浆过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著下降(P0.05)。4)粪便中微量元素浓度和饲粮的微量元素添加浓度存在显著的正相关关系(P0.05)。由此可见,从微量元素吸收效率和肉鸡血浆抗氧化性能来看,考虑基础饲粮微量元素相对生物学效价并按NRC比例添加是更适宜的添加模式,同时减少了粪便中微量元素的排泄。     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Impact of feeding level on digestibility of a haylage‐only diet in Icelandic horses

Eight mature Icelandic geldings were used in an experiment arranged as a change‐over design to evaluate the effect of feeding level on the digestibility of a high‐energy haylage‐only diet. The horses were fed a low feeding level 10.7 g dry matter (DM)/kg body weight (BW) (maintenance) and a high feeding level 18.1 g DM/kg BW (1.5 × maintenance) during two 23 days experimental periods. Total collection of faeces was performed for 6 days at the end of each period to determine the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD). The CTTAD for DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre and energy was higher in horses fed at the low level of feed intake, while feeding level did not affect the CTTAD of crude protein. The largest difference in CTTAD between feeding levels was found for NDF. The content (/kg DM) of digestible energy in the haylage was 11.3 MJ at the low level of feed intake and 10.6 MJ at the high level of feed intake. It can be concluded that feeding level has a large impact on the digestibility and energy value of early cut haylage in Icelandic horses.     

半胱胺对仔猪免疫机能的调节作用

在日粮中添加不同剂量半胱胺，研究半胱胺对仔猪免疫机能的影响。选用90头新生“杜×长×大”三元杂交仔猪，随机分为3组，每组30头，分别饲喂基础日粮、基础日粮+120 mg/kg半胱胺、基础日粮+200 mg/kg半胱胺。试验期为45 d。每窝随机选取20头仔猪,分别在14、24、32、45日龄进行前腔静脉采血，测定部分免疫指标。结果表明，日粮中添加半胱胺能显著提高仔猪体重、平均日增重，降低料重比；显著提高断奶后仔猪血清IgA、IgG含量及白细胞吞噬率和T-淋巴细胞转化率。添加120 mg/kg半胱胺的日粮有较好的促生长作用，而添加200 mg/kg半胱胺的日粮更能增强仔猪的免疫机能。试验结果显示，日粮中添加适量半胱胺，可有效抑制仔猪断奶应激，提高仔猪免疫力。     

Copper,Zinc-Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Exercising Horses Fed Two Forms of Trace Mineral Supplements

Nine mature horses were used to evaluate superoxide dismutase (SOD) response to a low-intensity standard exercise test and the effect of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) supplement form on enzyme activity. The modified switchback experiment was conducted over seven 28-day periods. Horses were conditioned to perform an average daily workload of 3.93 kg∗km∗10⁻³ with a digestible energy (DE) demand of approximately 29 Mcal. Following a controlled Cu and Zn repletion-depletion diet sequence, horses were fed a diet intended to be marginally deficient in Cu and Zn with the minerals supplemented in either sulfate or organic chelate forms. Horses were then subjected to a standardized exercise test to enable evaluation of SOD activity during exercise and immediate recovery. In the final analyses, mineral contents of the experimental diets were significantly different (P < .05). The mean mineral concentration of the sulfate diet was 6.28 ppm Cu and 35.99 ppm Zn, while the chelate diet contained 23.62 ppm Cu and 90.67 ppm Zn. Even so, resting SOD activity was not altered by diet (1793.47 ± 323.00 U/g Hb for the sulfate diet, 1355.70 ± 148.32 U/g Hb for the organic-chelate diet), nor did SOD activity change in response to the low-intensity workout. The SOD activity was unchanged by feeding a Cu and Zn supplemented diet to horses fed to be in a mineral-deficient state. These exercise bouts did not appear to have a significant impact on SOD activity. Other types of oxidative stress should be considered when trying to evaluate the antioxidant responsiveness of this enzyme.