Additivity of standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in mixed diets containing multiple protein sources for growing pigs fed three crude protein levels

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) levels of semi‐purified diets on the additivity of values for standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in mixed diets from multiple protein sources for growing pigs. A total of 28 barrows (initial BW, 66.4 ± 1.3 kg) were surgically fitted with simple T‐cannulas at the distal ileum and assigned to a replicated 14 × 4 incomplete Latin square design with 14 diets and 4 periods. The 14 experimental diets consisted of a nitrogen‐free diet; a corn‐based diet (80 g CP/kg); nine semi‐purified diets containing soya bean meal (SBM), canola meal (CM) or corn distillers dried grains with solubles (cDDGS), each type (protein source) of semi‐purified diets supplied 80, 120 or 160 g CP/kg, respectively; three mixed diets based on corn, SBM, CM and cDDGS formulated to contain 120, 160 and 200 g CP/kg respectively. Pigs were fed each of the 14 diets during a seven‐day period, and ileal digesta were collected from 08:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m on day 6 and 7. Chromic oxide was added as an indigestible marker. Results indicated that the SID of CP and AA were not affected by CP levels (p > .05). Values for SID of AA were additive (p > .05) with the exception of His and Lys; Arg and Lys; Arg, Lys, Thr, Asp, Cys and Gly in the mixed diets containing 120, 160 and 200 g CP/kg respectively (p < .05). In conclusion, additivity of SID values of AA in the mixed diets at different CP levels was not affected by the CP levels of semi‐purified diets for growing pigs. Therefore, it is recommended that SID values of AA should be used to formulate practical diets containing multiple ingredients for pigs.     

Evaluation of standardized ileal digestible lysine requirement for 8–20 kg pigs fed low crude protein diets

Two experiments were conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID Lys) requirement for weaned pigs fed with low crude protein (CP) diet. In Experiment 1, 144 pigs were fed a normal CP (20%) diet with 12.3 g/kg SID Lys and five low CP (18.5%) diets providing SID Lys levels of 9.8, 11.1, 12.3, 13.5, and 14.8 g/kg, respectively, for 28 days. Reducing dietary CP from 20% to 18.5% enhanced (p < 0.05) the growth performance. The average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased (linear and quadratic; p < 0.05), serum urea nitrogen (SUN) decreased (linear and quadratic; p < 0.05) as SID Lys increased. The SID Lys levels required to maximize ADG and optimize G:F were 12.8 and 13.1 g/kg using a curvilinear plateau model, and to minimize SUN was 13.4 g/kg using a two‐slope broken‐line model, which averaged 13.1 g/kg SID Lys. In Experiment 2, 18 pigs were used in a 12‐day N balance trial and received the same diets of Experiment 1. Total N excretion was decreased when dietary CP reduced and further decreased when SID Lys increased. Collectively, 1.5% dietary CP reduction improved the growth performance and decreased the N excretion; the optimal SID Lys requirement was at 13.1 g/kg of 8–20 kg pigs fed with 18.5% CP diet.     

Effects of dietary lysine levels on apparent nutrient digestibility and cationic amino acid transporter mRNA abundance in the small intestine of finishing pigs,Sus scrofa

One hundred and twenty pigs were used to evaluate the effects of different dietary lysine levels on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, and abundance of cationic amino acid transporter messenger RNA (mRNA) in the small intestine of finishing pigs. Pigs received a low lysine diet (LL, 0.60% lysine), moderate lysine diet (ML, 0.80% lysine) or a high lysine diet (HL, 1.00% lysine) for 28 days. A digestion test was carried out during the third week. Although the apparent nutrient digestibility in pigs fed experimental diets were different (P < 0.05) and the highest when pigs were fed ML diet, diets did not change the growth performance. In the duodenum, mRNA abundance of PepT-1, as detected by real-time RT-PCR, was reduced in the LL diet (P < 0.05). A greater abundance of b^0,+AT and PepT-1 mRNA was associated with the ML diet (P < 0.05) in the jejunum and ileum, respectively. In the ileum, the HL diet had a lower abundance of CAT-1 mRNA compared with other diets. These results showed that the finishing pigs would gain better nutrient digestibility when the dietary lysine content was 0.80%, and dietary lysine levels influenced the expression of cationic amino acid transporter mRNA in the small intestine of finishing pigs.     

Estimation of the optimum standardized ileal digestible total sulfur amino acid to lysine ratio in late finishing gilts fed low protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids

A total of 90 gilts were used to investigate the effects of various standard ileal digestible (SID) total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) to lysine (Lys) ratios on the performance and carcass characteristics of late finishing gilts receiving low crude protein (CP) diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids (CAA). Graded levels of crystalline methionine (Met) (0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8 or 1.1 g/kg) were added to the basal diet to produce diets providing SID TSAA to Lys ratios of 0.48, 0.53, 0.58, 0.63 or 0.68. At the termination of the experiment, 30 gilts (one pig per pen) with an average body weight (BW) of 120 kg were killed to evaluate carcass traits. Increasing the SID TSAA to Lys ratio increased average daily gain (ADG) (linear and quadratic effect, P < 0.05), improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (linear and quadratic effect, P < 0.05) and decreased serum urea nitrogen (SUN) concentration (linear and quadratic effect, P < 0.05) of finishing gilts. No effects were obtained for carcass traits. The optimum SID TSAA to Lys ratios to maximize ADG as well as to minimize FCR and SUN levels were 0.57, 0.58 and 0.53 using a linear‐break point model and 0.64, 0.62 and 0.61 using a quadratic model.     

Comparison of spray‐dried egg and albumen powder with conventional animal protein sources as feed ingredients in diets fed to weaned pigs

We evaluated the apparent (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in spray‐dried egg (SPE) and albumen powder (AP) compared with spray‐dried porcine plasma (SDPP), dried porcine solubles (DPS) and fish meal (FM). Additionally, the effects of these egg byproducts as a replacement for conventional animal proteins on the performance and nutrient digestibility of piglets were studied. In Exp. 1, six barrows fitted with ileal T‐cannulas were allotted to a 6 × 6 Latin Square design and fed six diets. The AID and SID of AA were generally higher in AP and FM (P < 0.01) than in the other protein sources. In Exp. 2, 150 piglets weaned at 21 days, were fed diets containing the five protein sources for 3 weeks. Weight gain of piglets fed SDPP was the highest among the treatments. Dry matter and protein digestibility for pigs offered SDPP were higher (P < 0.01) than those offered FM and DPS. AP decreased (P < 0.05) Escherichia coli counts in the cecum. DPS decreased (P < 0.05) serum diamine oxidase compared with SPE. In conclusion, AP and SPE are competitive with traditional animal protein sources and can be successfully fed to piglets without compromising performance.     

Apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients and amino acids in soybean meal,fish meal,spray‐dried plasma protein and fermented soybean meal to weaned pigs

This study sought to determine whether fermentation could increase apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), energy (E) and amino acids (AA) in fermented soybean meal (FSBM) greater than that of soybean meal (SBM) in weaned pigs. Four weaned pigs (10.00 ± 0.30 kg) were surgically equipped with T‐cannulas and randomly followed a 4 × 4 Latin square design of treatments (SBM, FSBM, fish meal and spray‐dried plasma protein). Overall, the fermentation process was able to reduce the amount of anti‐nutritional factors (ANF), including trypsin inhibitors, raffinose and stachyose, in the FSBM diet, which were significantly reduced by 39.4, 92.2, and 92.9%, respectively, as compared to the SBM diet. As a consequence of ANF reduction in FSBM, the AID of DM, N and E as well as AA was significantly greater with FSBM than SBM. Taken all together, the fermentation process improved the nutritional quality of SBM, due to ANF reduction, leading to improvement of digestibility of AA. As such, FSBM can be potentially used as a specialized feed ingredient, especially for young animal diets in an attempt to reduce diet costs.     

日粮中添加发酵饲料对育肥猪养分消化率及肠道菌群的影响

为研究日粮中添加不同水平的发酵饲料对育肥猪养分消化率及肠道菌群的影响,试验选用560头杜×长×大三元育肥猪[(75.37±2.65)kg],根据体重、性别随机分为7组,每组5个重复,每个重复16头,对照组饲喂育肥猪日粮,试验组分别在育肥猪日粮中添加5%或10%的发酵饲料A、B、C,饲喂21 d后每组选5头育肥猪肛门采集新鲜粪便测定肠道菌群多样性;并在饲喂第29天和第30天,各组每个重复连续收集粪便混合后测定养分消化率。结果表明:日粮中添加发酵饲料对育肥猪粗蛋白质、能量和干物质的消化率没有显著影响(P>0.05),相比对照组,饲喂发酵饲料组的粗蛋白质消化率有所提高(最高组提高2.9%);同时肠道菌群中乳杆菌属丰度有所增加,表明在日粮中添加一定比例的发酵饲料可以改善育肥猪养分消化率和肠道健康。     

Nutritional value of a new source of fermented soybean meal fed to growing pigs

Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA), concentrations of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME), and the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in a new source of fermented soybean meal (Fermex 200) are greater than in conventional soybean meal (SBM-CV). In experiment 1, 9 barrows (initial body weight: 9.17 ± 1.03 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a triplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. A nitrogen-free diet and 2 diets that contained cornstarch and SBM-CV or Fermex 200 as the sole source of crude protein (CP), and AA were formulated. Results indicated that there were no difference between SBM-CV and Fermex 200 for SID of CP and AA. In experiment 2, 24 growing pigs (initial body weight: 14.19 ± 1.18 kg) were housed individually in metabolism crates. Pigs were allotted to a corn-based diet or 2 diets that contained corn and SBM-CV or corn and Fermex 200. Feces and urine samples were collected using the marker-to-marker approach with 5-d adaptation and 4-d collection periods. Results indicated that the concentration of DE and ME in Fermex 200 were not different from DE and ME in SBM-CV. In experiment 3, 40 barrows (initial body weight: 11.01 ± 1.38 kg) were allotted to 1 of 4 diets with 10 replicate pigs per diet. Four diets were formulated to contain Fermex 200 or SBM-CV and either 0 or 1,000 units/kg of microbial phytase. Pigs were housed individually in metabolism crates. Fecal samples were collected as explained for experiment 2. Results indicated that the STTD of P in Fermex 200 was greater (P < 0.01) than in SBM-CV, but the addition of microbial phytase to the diets increased the ATTD and STTD of P in SBM-CV, but not in Fermex 200 (interaction; P < 0.01). In conclusion, the SID of AA and concentrations of DE and ME in Fermex 200 were not different from values determined for SBM-CV, but the STTD of P was greater in Fermex 200 than in SBM-CV if microbial phytase was not added to the diet.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Effects of herbage ingestion upon ileal digestibility of amino acids in heavy Iberian pigs fed on an acorn‐based diet

We conducted two experiments with heavy Iberian pigs to determine the ileal digestibility of amino acids (AA) in acorns and freshly cut herbage, and the effects of adding fresh herbage upon the supply of ileal digestible AA when pigs were fed on holm‐oak acorns. In Experiment 1, carried out in cannulated pigs of 107 kg bodyweight (BW), daily intake of acorns reached 44.9 g DM/kg^0.75 BW. Arg, His and Thr showed the lowest apparent ileal digestibility (AID) values, whereas Met, the branched‐chain AA and Phe had the highest coefficients. The AID of total EAA was 0.716 but only 0.222 for NEAA. Most of the digestive and absorptive processes of acorn protein occurred before the hindgut. Acorn provides (per kg DM) 2.27 g apparent ileal digestible Lys and 22.7 g apparent total digestible AA. Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) values for EAA, NEAA and total AA were 0.924 ± 0.020, 0.784 ± 0.041 and 0.860 ± 0.029. In Experiment 2 fresh herbage was given to six cannulated Iberian pigs of 140 kg either as a single feed (13.7 g DM/kg^0.75 BW) or as a supplement to acorns (28.4 g DM/kg^0.75 BW). When only freshly cut forage was offered the AID of the EAA, NEAA and total AA was close to 0.65 and supplied (per kg DM ingested) 5.61 g AID Lys and 91.7 g digestible AA. Standardized ileal values were 0.744 ± 0.023, 0.912 ± 0.038 and 0.831 ± 0.030 respectively. The addition of fresh forage to the acorns led to a significant decrease in AID of AA in acorn due to digesta transfer to the hindgut: His (p < 0.01), Met (p < 0.001), Phe (p = 0.092), Thr (p < 0.05) and Val (p < 0.05), but Arg, Lys and the branched‐chain AA remained unaffected. The main contribution of herbage to AA nutrition of the grazing Iberian pig relies mainly on increasing the supply of digestible AA for pig tissues.     

Estimation of the standardized ileal digestible lysine requirement and optimal sulphur amino acids to lysine ratio for 30–50 kg pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) requirement and the ideal SID sulphur amino acids (SAA) to Lys ratio for 30–50 kg crossbred pigs. In experiment 1, a total of 72 crossbred pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 28.9 kg were allotted to one of six dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. Each diet was assigned to six pens containing two pigs each. Six diets were obtained by supplementing graded levels of L‐Lysine?HCl to create six dietary levels of SID Lys (0.70%, 0.80%, 0.90%, 1.00%, 1.10% and 1.20%). Responses of weight gain (ADG) and gain:feed (G:F) to increasing the SID Lys content of the diet fitted well with the curvilinear‐plateau model; whereas, for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) two‐slope linear broken‐line model was well fitted. The optimal SID Lys requirement for the pigs of this period was 1.10%. Experiment 2 was a dose–response study using SID Met+Cys to Lys ratios of 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70% and 64%. A total of 72 crossbred pigs with initial BW of 32.9 kg were randomly allotted to receive one of the six diets. Diets 1–5 were formulated to contain 1.0% SID Lys to be second limiting in Lys and diet 6 contained 1.11% SID Lys to be adequate in Lys. The average optimal SID SAA:Lys ratio for maximal ADG and G:F and minimal PUN was 65.2% using curvilinear‐plateau and linear broken‐line models.     

可消化钙水平对饲喂不同磷含量日粮生长猪生长性能和骨成分的影响

本研究开展了30 d的饲养试验以确定可消化钙水平对饲喂不同磷含量日粮生长猪生长性能和骨成分的影响。试验选择平均体重为(50.21±2.1)kg的生长猪180头,随机分为15组,每组12头猪,每个重复4头猪。试验日粮采用3×5因子设计,可消化磷水平分别为1.4、2.7、4.1 g/kg,可消化钙水平分别为1.3、2.5、3.8、5.0,和6.3 g/kg。结果表明,日粮可消化钙和可消化磷水平对生长猪末重、日增重、饲料报酬、骨钙和骨磷含量的影响具有显著交互作用(P<0.05)。在可消化钙磷比值分别为1.20∶1和1.25∶1,可消化磷水平为2.7 g/kg时,预测的最大体重为87.20 kg,日增重为1.23 kg。但由于方程的线性性质,没有得到预测的最大饲料报酬。随着日粮可消化钙水平的增加,无论饲粮中可消化磷水平是多少,平均日采食量均表现为显著降低(P<0.05)。可消化磷含量为2.7和4.1 g/kg时,预测的骨骼灰分最大值分别为55.8和60.1 g/kg,对应的可消化钙磷比值分别为2.03∶1和1.59∶1。综上所述,当日粮磷水平达到或低于需要水平时,过量的钙对50~85 kg猪生长性能具有负面影响。而当可消化钙水平高于需要水平时,饲粮中含有高于需要水平的可消化磷可以使猪的生长性能最大化。骨灰分最大化所需的可消化钙水平大于生长性能最大化需要的可消化钙水平,同时当磷水平达到需要量时,保证足够的骨矿化而不影响生长性能所需的可消化钙磷比为1.23∶1。     

Evaluation of vegetable protein in canine diets: Assessment of performance and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility using a broiler model

Recent technological advances in the human food industry with respect to meat processing have decreased the availability of animal proteins to the pet food industry which typically formulates diets with an excess of animal protein. In the long term, this is not sustainable; thus, alternative protein sources need to be investigated. This study examined three canine diets, comparing a typical animal protein‐based diet (control) with two experimental diets where the animal protein was substituted in part with vegetable protein (formulated based either on total protein or amino acid content) using a broiler model. Each diet was fed to six cages each containing two birds from day 15, 18 cages in total (36 birds). Excreta were collected from days 19 to 21. On day 23, birds were euthanized and weighed, and their ileal digesta were collected and pooled for each cage. In addition, one leg per cage was collected for evaluation of muscle mass. Results showed no significant difference in animal performance (feed intake or live weight gain) or muscle to leg proportion across the diets. Birds fed the control diet and the diet balanced for amino acid content exhibited the greatest coefficients of apparent metabolizability for nitrogen (p < .001). Birds fed the diets that contained partial replacement of animal with vegetable protein generally had greater ileal digestibility of amino acids compared to birds fed the control (animal protein) diet. Analysis of excreta showed no dietary difference in terms of dry matter content; however, birds fed the diet balanced for total protein and the diet balanced for amino acid content had significantly greater excreta nitrogen than the control (p = .038). Overall, the study suggests vegetable proteins when formulated based on amino acid content are a viable alternative to animal proteins in canine diets.     

硒代蛋氨酸对断奶仔猪生长性能、抗氧化及免疫性能的影响

文章旨在研究日粮添加有机硒(硒代蛋氨酸)对断奶仔猪生长性能、血清抗氧化和免疫性能的影响。试验选择26 d断奶的杜×长×大仔猪1080头[平均体重(9.82±1.18)kg],随机分为6组,每组4个重复,每个重复45头。对照组饲喂基础日粮(硒含量为0.03 mg/kg),无机组饲喂在基础日粮中添加0.4 mg/kg硒(亚硒酸钠),有机硒组在基础日粮中分别添加0.2、0.4、0.6和0.8 mg/kg硒(硒代蛋氨酸),试验共进行42 d。结果显示:日粮添加0.4和0.8 mg/kg有机硒较对照组显著降低了断奶仔猪22～42 d的料重比(P <0.05)。0.4 mg/kg有机硒组较对照组和0.4 mg/kg无机硒组显著提高了血清GSH-Px和T-AOC活力(P <0.05)。与对照组相比,0.2和0.4 mg/kg有机硒组显著提高了肝脏GSH-Px活力(P <0.05),而0.2 mg/kg有机组肝脏T-AOC活力最高(P <0.05)。与对照组相比,无机硒组和有机硒组显著降低了肝脏和肌肉MDA含量(P <0.05)。与对照组相比,无机硒组和有机硒组显著降低了肝脏MDA含量(P <0.05)。0.6 mg/kg有机硒组较对照组、0.4 mg/kg无机硒组和0.2、0.4 mg/kg有机硒组显著提高了断奶仔猪21 d血清硒含量(P <0.05);与对照组相比,0.4和0.6 mg/kg有机硒组显著提高了仔猪42 d血清硒含量(P <0.05)。0.8 mg/kg有机硒组较对照组和0.4 mg/kg无机硒组显著提高了仔猪42 d血清硒含量(P <0.05)。结论 :日粮添加硒代蛋氨酸可以改善断奶仔猪的生长性能,提高其抗氧化性能和血清硒含量,断奶仔猪适宜的硒代蛋氨酸添加水平为0.2～0.4 mg/kg(以硒计)。     

玉米赤霉烯酮污染日粮添加膨润土对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分利用率及生殖器官发育的影响

文章旨在评估玉米赤霉烯酮污染日粮添加膨润土对断奶仔猪生长性能、养分利用率、血清生化指标及生殖器官发育的影响。试验1选择28 d断奶仔猪[(10.00±0.85)kg]960头,随机分为8组,每组4个重复,每个重复30头。试验1日粮采用4(玉米赤霉烯酮水平:0、0.3、0.6和0.9 mg/kg)×2膨润土(0、2或0.5或1 g/kg),试验阶段28～56 d。试验2选择56 d仔猪[(27.00±1.40)kg]480头,分组同试验1。试验2日粮玉米赤霉烯酮水平同试验1,膨润土水平为0或2 g/kg,试验阶段57～75 d。结果显示:随着日粮玉米赤霉烯酮水平的升高,日增重和饲料报酬显著线性降低(P <0.05)。日粮添加膨润土显著提高了28～56 d断奶仔猪饲料报酬(P <0.05)。日粮添加2 g/kg膨润土显著提高了57～75 d断奶仔猪的平均日增重(P <0.05)。日粮玉米赤霉烯酮显著降低了采食量和饲料报酬(P <0.05),但添加膨润土显著提高了饲料报酬(P <0.05)。随着日粮玉米赤霉烯酮水平的升高,干物质和氮表观消化系列表现为显著的线性降低(P <0.05)。28 d断奶仔猪阴户宽度、长度和面积随着日粮玉米赤霉烯酮水平的升高表现为显著的线性升高(P <0.05)。玉米赤霉烯酮污染日粮添加2 g/kg膨润土显著降低了阴户长度和面积(P <0.05)。日粮添加膨润土显著提高了2和4周龄仔猪粪中乳酸杆菌含量(P <0.05),显著降低大肠杆菌含量(P <0.05)。结论 :断奶仔猪采食较低水平玉米赤霉烯酮污染日粮会降低营养物质消化率,诱发氧化应激,使生长性能下降。添加膨润土后可以缓解采食玉米赤霉烯酮污染日粮对仔猪的毒副作用。     

液态或颗粒饲料添加精氨酸对21～42 d断奶仔猪生长性能和血浆氨基酸水平的影响

文章旨在研究饲喂颗粒料或液态料以及日粮添加精氨酸对断奶仔猪生长性能及血浆必需氨基酸和非必需氨基酸含量的影响。试验选择21 d断奶的健康仔猪672头,随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复28头。试验日粮采用2×2多因素方差设计,2种饲料形态(液态料或颗粒料),2个精氨酸水平(0或6 g/kg精氨酸),试验共进行21 d。断奶后前10 d饲喂液态料较颗粒料显著改善了仔猪的平均日采食量、平均日增重和料比(P<0.05);在断奶后第11~13天液态料向颗粒料过渡阶段,液态料组较颗粒料组对日增重和料比具有负面影响(P<0.05);饲料形态和添加精氨酸以及饲料形态和仔猪日龄对断奶仔猪的平均日采食量的影响具有显著交互效应(P<0.05)。断奶后前10 d,饲喂液态料的仔猪较颗粒显著提高了干物质摄入量(P<0.05);断奶后前10 d饲喂添加精氨酸的液态料仔猪,由液态料向固体料过渡,显著提高了采食量和日增重(P<0.05)。液态或颗粒饲料添加精氨酸显著降低了断奶仔猪血浆尿素氮含量(P<0.05);饲喂液态料的断奶仔猪在28和37 d较颗粒料组显著降低了血浆尿素氮含量(P<0.05)。除了色氨酸、组氨酸、谷氨酸和甘氨酸外,液态料较颗粒料均显著提高了断奶仔猪血浆氨基酸水平(P<0.05);颗粒料或液态料添加精氨酸显著提高了断奶仔猪血浆亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、精氨酸和甘氨酸水平(P<0.05)。综上所述,断奶后仔猪饲喂液态料可以提高生长性能,但无论颗粒料还是液态料添加精氨酸均可以显著提高血浆精氨酸水平,降低尿素氮含量。     

Effects of dietary lysine/protein ratio and fat levels on growth performance and meat quality of finishing pigs

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary lysine/protein ratio and fat levels on the growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality of finishing pigs fed feed made from food waste, including noodles and chocolate. Four dietary treatments, 2 levels of lysine/protein ratio (0.035 and 0.046) and 2 levels of fat (3.3% and 6.0%), were adapted to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Each diet for the finishing pigs contained the same levels of adequate crude protein (16%) and lysine (0.58–0.75%), and similar levels of high total digestible nutrients (90.2–92.6%). In total, 32 LWD pigs with an average body weight of 57.2 kg were assigned to 4 dietary groups. The pigs were slaughtered at about 115 kg. Growth performance was not influenced by the dietary treatments. Carcass characteristics were slightly influenced by the dietary fat level. As the dietary lysine/protein ratio decreased, the marbling score of Longissimus dorsi muscle increased and the intramuscular fat (IMF) increased from 6.82% to 9.46%. Marbling score was not significantly influenced by the dietary fat level. These results indicate that IMF increased without adverse effects on growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality, when pigs were fed a diet with low lysine/protein ratio.     

Determination and prediction of the apparent and standardized ileal amino acid digestibility in cottonseed meals fed to growing pigs

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in cottonseed meals (CSM) and to develop prediction equations for estimating AA digestibility for growing pigs based on the chemical composition and AA content of CSM. 10 CSM were collected from 10 provinces in China. 11 barrows (initial body weight: 34.4 ± 1.9 kg), fitted with an ileal T‐cannula, were allotted to 6 × 11 Youden square with 6 periods and 11 diets. The diets included one N‐free diet and 10 CSM test diets containing 40% CSM as the sole source of AA. The nitrogen‐free diet was used to measure the basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. The AID and SID for crude protein (CP), Lys, Met, Trp, and Thr among the 10 CSM differed (p < 0.05). With R² values exceeding 0.30, significant linear regression equations for CP, Lys, and Thr were obtained. The best fit equations for predicting the AID and SID of Lys were: AID of Lys = 82.94–0.65 neutral detergent fiber, with R² = 0.44, residual standard deviation (RSD) = 4.03 and p = 0.04; and SID of Lys = 135.34–1.01 neutral detergent fiber + 34.27 Thr – 58.06 Trp – 84.93 Met, with R² = 0.90, RSD = 1.42 and p = 0.01. In conclusion, the results of AID, SID and prediction equations could be used to evaluate the digestibility of CSM in growing pigs.     

Effects of fermented garlic powder supplementation on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood characteristics and meat quality in growing‐finishing pigs

One hundred pigs (BW = 50.7 ± 1.89 kg) were used to investigate the effects of fermented garlic powder (FGP) in growing‐finishing pigs. Pigs were allotted to one of five treatments, included: (i) NC (basal diet); (ii) PC (NC + 44 mg/kg of Tylosin); (iii) FGP1 (NC + 1 g/kg FGP); (iv) FGP2 (NC + 2 g/kg FGP); and (v) FGP4 (NC + 4 g/kg FGP). Supplemental FGP increased average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed ratio compared with those fed NC diet throughout the experiment (P < 0.05, linearly). Dietary PC treatment increased the ADG and average daily feed intake during the first 6 weeks (P < 0.05). The inclusion of FGP2 and FGP4 treatments had higher apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen (P < 0.05) than those in the NC treatment. Dietary NC treatment exhibited lower (P < 0.05) lymphocyte count (6 and 12 weeks) and immunoglobulin G (12 weeks) than those in the other treatments. Marbling scores were higher (P < 0.05) in FGP treatment groups than the NC treatments. Pigs fed on FGP2 and FGP4 diets evidenced lower 2‐thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value (P < 0.05) than those in the NC and PC treatments. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that the administration of FGP at a level of 2 or 4 g/kg improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality in growing‐finishing pigs.     

Effect of L‐lysine on expression of selected genes,serum concentration of amino acids,muscle growth and performance of growing pigs

Lysine (Lys) is the first limiting amino acid (AA) in most feed formulations for pigs and most abundant, along with leucine, in muscle proteins. An experiment was conducted with 17 pigs (17.7 ± 0.05 kg initial BW) to identify a role of dietary Lys in the control of protein synthesis in pigs. Fourteen pigs were randomly assigned to one of the two wheat‐based dietary treatments: Lys‐deficient, 3.0 g/kg (DEF) and Lys‐adequate, 10.8 g/kg (ADE). Samples from jejunum mucosa, liver, Longissumus and Semitendinosus muscles, and blood were collected. The other three pigs were sacrificed at the beginning of the trial to measure basal carcass composition. Weight gain, gain:feed ratio, Lys intake and loin eye area were greater in ADE than in DEF pigs (p < 0.01). Muscle‐related carcass characteristics were better, and myosin heavy chain IIb expression (MyHC IIb) in Semitendinosus was higher in ADE than in DEF pigs. Expression of AA transporters CAT‐1 was lower (p < 0.05), serum Lys was higher and serum Val was lower in pigs fed the ADE diet. The higher muscularity, MyHC IIb expression in Semitendinosus muscle and Lys serum of pigs fed the ADE diet suggest that Lys increases growth rate not only by functioning as protein construction unit but also as potential control of the protein synthesis process.