Influence of the novel urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide on ruminant nitrogen metabolism: II. Ruminal nitrogen metabolism, diet digestibility, and nitrogen balance in lambs

Three lamb metabolism experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of chronic administration of the novel urease inhibitor N (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) on ruminal N metabolism, fermentation, and N balance. In Exp. 1, ruminally cannulated wethers (n = 28; 45.0 +/- .9 kg) were administered one of seven doses of NBPT (0 [control], .125, .25, .5, 1, 2, or 4 g of NBPT daily) and fed a common cracked corn/cottonseed hull-based diet twice daily containing 2% urea at 2.5% of initial BW for the duration of the 15-d experiment. Overall, NBPT decreased (linear P < .0001; quadratic P < .001) ruminal urease activity, resulting in linear increases (P < .0001) in ruminal urea and decreases in ruminal NH3 N concentrations. However, the detection of an NBPT x day interaction (d 2 vs 15; P < .01) indicated that this depression in urea degradation diminished as the experiment progressed. Increasing NBPT linearly decreased (P < .01) total VFA concentrations on d 2 of the experiment, but it had no effect (P > .10) on d 15. Increasing NBPT had no effect (P > .10) on DM or ADF digestibilities, but it linearly decreased (P < .01) N digestibility. Supplementing NBPT produced a linear increase (P < .05) in urinary N excretion and a linear decrease (P < .01) in N retention. In Exp. 2, ruminally cannulated wethers (n = 30; 46.8 +/- .6 kg) were fed one of two basal diets (2.0 vs 1.1% dietary urea) at 2.5% of initial BW and dosed with either 0 (control), .25, or 2 g of NBPT daily for the duration of the 15-d experiment. There were no NBPT x dietary urea interactions (P > .10) for Exp. 2. Increasing NBPT depressed (linear and quadratic P < .0001) ruminal urease activity, producing linear (P < .0001) increases in urea N and linear decreases in NH3 N in the rumen. As in Exp. 1, an NBPT x day interaction (P < .05) was noted for urea, NH3 N, and total VFA concentrations; the maximum response to NBPT occurred on d 2 but diminished by d 15 of the experiment. Administration of NBPT did not influence (P > .10) DM, ADF, or N digestibilities in Exp. 2. In Exp. 3, wether lambs (n = 30; 26.4 +/- .7 kg) were subjected to the same treatment regimen as in Exp. 2 for a 14-d N balance experiment. Although several NBPT x dietary urea interactions (P < .05) were noted, increasing NBPT did not affect (P > .10) N digestibility. Administration of NBPT quadratically increased (P < .10) urinary N excretion, producing a linear decrease (P < .05) in N retention. These results suggest that although NBPT is capable of inhibiting ruminal urease short-term, the ruminal microflora may be capable of adapting to chronic NBPT administration, thereby limiting its practical use in improving the utilization of dietary urea.     

Utilization of dietary urea nitrogen is stimulated by D‐mannitol feeding in rabbits

The effect of D‐mannitol as an indigestible sugar on apparent digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen (N) utilization and growth performance, have been investigated in growing rabbits fed a urea‐containing diet. In experiment 1, 40‐day‐old male rabbits were fed a commercial diet with urea 10 g/kg with added glucose or D‐mannitol 60 g/kg each. Thereafter, in experiment 2 the rabbits aged 55 days were fed a commercial diet with or without urea 10 g/kg. Feed restriction at 55 g/kg^0.75/day was carried out in both experiments. Addition of D‐mannitol to the urea‐containing diet decreased urinary N excretion, which consequently increased N retention and ratios of retained N to consumed N or apparently absorbed N. Addition of urea alone to the diet increased daily N intake and urinary N excretion but did not affect N retention. Weight gain and feed efficiency were improved by D‐mannitol feeding, whereas feeding with urea alone did not affect these parameters. Utilization of dietary urea was enhanced in growing rabbits fed the urea‐containing diet with D‐mannitol, resulting in improvement of N retention and growth performance.     

Influence of the novel urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide on ruminant nitrogen metabolism: I. In vitro urea kinetics and substrate digestion

Two in vitro digestion experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of the novel urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) on in vitro urea kinetics, substrate digestion, and fermentation characteristics. In Exp. 1, in vitro incubations were conducted in 50-mL test tubes containing .25 g of ground fescue hay to which 0, 6.5, 13, 26, or 52 mg of NBPT in a buffered ruminal fluid innoculum was added. Tubes were incubated in triplicate at 39 degrees C and replicated on consecutive days, with NH3 N and urea concentrations measured at 0, 10, 30, 60, 120, 240, and 360 min. Samples for VFA analysis were collected at 6 h, and incubations were continued through 48 h to estimate true digestibility (based on NDF analysis). Increasing the dose of NBPT tended (P < .12) to linearly depress the rate of urea hydrolysis and decreased (P < .0004) subsequent NH3 N formation. Although total VFA concentration at 6 h increased linearly (P < .03), acetate:propionate and estimated true digestibility decreased (P < .01) with increasing NBPT concentration. In Exp. 2, we compared in vitro urea kinetics and digestion of forage-only or mixed forage-grain substrates in response to addition of NBPT. In vitro incubations were conducted in 50-mL test tubes containing either .5 g of ground fescue hay or .5 g of a ground fescue hay and ground corn mixture (50:50, DM basis) to which 0, 6.5, 13, 26, or 52 mg of NBPT in a buffered ruminal fluid innoculum was added. Tubes were incubated in triplicate at 39 degrees C and replicated on consecutive days, with NH3 N and urea concentrations measured at 0, .5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h. At 48 h, samples for VFA analysis were collected and true digestibility (based on NDF analysis) was estimated. No (P > .10) NBPT dose x substrate interactions were detected. Increasing the dose of NBPT depressed (P < .003) the rate of urea hydrolysis and subsequent NH3 N formation, regardless of substrate. Although total VFA concentration was unaffected (P > .10), the acetate:propionate and estimated true digestibility decreased (P < .002) with higher NBPT addition. In both experiments, the rate of urea degradation was not different (P > .20) from zero for the 26 and 52 mg NBPT treatments, indicating that nearly complete inhibition of urease had been achieved. We conclude that NBPT can be used to reduce the rate of NH3 N release from dietary urea and, thereby, offers the potential to improve nonprotein nitrogen utilization in ruminants.     

Response to Varying Dietary Energy and Protein With or Without Enzyme Supplementation on Growth and Performance of Leghorns: Growing Period

Bovans White Leghorn pullets were utilized to evaluate the use of an enzyme cocktail from 0 to 126 d of age. Dietary treatments varied in CP, ME, and enzyme (EZ) supplementation. Feed intake, BW gain, and feed conversion ratio data were gathered in addition to determining nutrient retention and digestibility during the trial. Cumulatively, feed consumption was decreased by EZ supplementation when added to a required ME diet. Body weight gains were similar across dietary treatments; however, cumulative feed conversion ratio was significantly improved with EZ supplementation. Interactions regarding nutrient retention and digestibility were numerous. Similar responses were noted for energy and protein retention values during the trial with changes in response to dietary treatments as the pullets aged. Compared with feeding an industry applicable diet (required ME/CP without EZ − $0.27/lb gain), all dietary treatments reduced production costs with significant reductions when reducing CP. Lowest feed cost ($)/lb gain and percent excreta N was feeding pullets a diet with reduced ME and CP supplemented with EZ ($0.262/lb gain; 5.19% N). Possible further reductions in ME or dietary CP, or both, with EZ supplementation may prove to be even more economical and environmentally friendly.     

Milk production,nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in lactating cows fed total mixed ration silages containing steam‐flaked brown rice as substitute for steam‐flaked corn,and wet food by‐products

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of substituting brown rice grain for corn grain in total mixed ration (TMR) silage containing food by‐products on the milk production, whole‐tract nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in dairy cows. Six multiparous Holstein cows were used in a crossover design with two dietary treatments: a diet containing 30.9% steam‐flaked corn (corn TMR) or 30.9% steam‐flaked brown rice (rice TMR) with wet soybean curd residue and wet soy sauce cake. Dietary treatment did not affect the dry matter intake, milk yield and compositions in dairy cows. The dry matter and starch digestibility were higher, and the neutral detergent fiber digestibility was lower for rice TMR than for corn TMR. The urinary nitrogen (N) excretion as a proportion of the N intake was lower for rice TMR than for corn TMR with no dietary effect on N secretion in milk and fecal N excretion. These results indicated that the replacement of corn with brown rice in TMR silage relatively reduced urinary N loss without adverse effects on feed intake and milk production, when food by‐products such as soybean curd residue were included in the TMR silage as dietary crude protein sources.     

低蛋白质饲粮中添加尿素对肉兔消化代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究低蛋白质饲粮中添加尿素对肉兔消化代谢的影响。采用单因子随机区组试验设计,选择 ９０只 ５０日龄体重相近的健康新西兰兔,随机分为 ３组,１个对照组和 ２个试验组,每组 １５个重复,每个重复 ２只。对照组饲喂粗蛋白质含量为 １１．１１％的基础饲粮,２个试验组分别饲喂在基础饲粮中以糊化淀粉缓释尿素的方式添加 １％、２％和 ３％尿素的试验饲粮。预试期为 １０ｄ,正试期为 ３０ｄ。正试期的第 １３～１８天收集试验兔排出的全部粪便和尿液。结果表明：与对照组相比,１％尿素组试验兔的有机物表观消化率、总能表观消化率及利用率、沉积氮、氮利用率和消化氮利用率显著或极显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０５或 Ｐ＜０．０１）,而 ２％尿素组试验兔的消化能、代谢能、沉积氮、氮利用率和消化氮利用率显著或极显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５或 Ｐ＜０．０１）。对照组试验兔盲肠内容物脲酶活性和微生物蛋白浓度显著或极显著低于其余 ２组（Ｐ＜０．０５或 Ｐ＜０．０１）,而 ２％尿素组试验兔盲肠内容物氨氮和尿素氮浓度显著或极显著高于其余 ２组（Ｐ＜０．０５或 Ｐ＜０．０１）。由此得出,低蛋白质饲粮中添加 １％尿素可改善肉兔有机物、总能和氮的利用效率,提高盲肠内容物脲酶活性和微生物蛋白浓度;添加 ２％尿素则会降低肉兔氮的利用效率,提高盲肠内容物脲酶活性及微生物蛋白、氨氮和尿素氮浓度。     

Effects of dietary protein and fermentable fiber on nitrogen excretion patterns and plasma urea in grower pigs

Effects of dietary protein concentration (high, 18.5; low, 15.7%) and fermentable fiber (control; soyhulls, SH; and sugar beet pulp, SBP) on N excretion patterns and plasma urea were tested in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. The objectives were: 1) to determine if reduced dietary protein together with fermentable fiber would reduce urinary N excretion further than a single diet manipulation, 2) to determine if effects of diet manipulations were similar between pigs with restricted and free access of feed, and 3) to further develop predictions of urinary N excretion using plasma urea. Diets were formulated to 3.30 Mcal digestible energy (DE)/kg and 2.4 g of digestible lysine per Mcal DE, and supplemented with lysine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, or valine to ensure meeting an ideal AA profile. Pigs (30.5 +/- 3 kg; n = 36) were housed in metabolism crates with restricted access to feed (3 x 110 kcal DE/kg BW(0.75)) from d 1 to 18, and free access from d 19 to 26. Feces and urine were collected from d 15 to 18 and d 23 to 26, and blood was sampled on d 17 and 25. With restricted access to feed, urinary N was reduced 28% and N retention was reduced 12% for the low- compared to high-protein diet (P < 0.01; as g/d). Fecal N was increased 4% units for SH and 6.5% units for SBP (P < 0.01; as % of N intake) and urinary N was reduced 5% units for SH (P < 0.10) and 9% units for SBP (P < 0.05) compared to the control. With free access to feed, urinary N was reduced 27% (P < 0.05; as g/d) and N retention was reduced 7% (P < 0.10) for the low- compared to high-protein diet. Fecal N was increased 5% units for SH and 9% units for SBP (P < 0.001; as % of N intake), and urinary N was reduced 9% units for SH and 10% units for SBP (P < 0.01) compared to the control. For either restricted or free access to feed, fermentable fiber did not affect N retention (P > 0.10). A protein x fiber interaction was not observed for urinary N excretion (P > 0.10), indicating that reducing dietary protein and including fermentable fiber reduced urinary N excretion in an additive manner. Daily urinary N excretion was related positively and linearly with plasma urea in pigs with free access to feed (R2 = 0.71; at 0800). In summary, reduction of dietary protein reduced urine N excretion, and fermentable fiber shifted N excretion from urine to feces. Effects of dietary protein and fermentable fiber on reducing urinary N excretion are additive.     

Nitrogen balance and mineral excretion in growing male pigs injected with a human growth hormone-releasing factor analog.

A human growth hormone-releasing factor analog ([Desamino-Tyr1,D-Ala2,Ala15] hGRF(1-29) NH2) has been reported to reduce feed intake and increase growth and feed efficiency in a dose-dependent manner in growing pigs. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of this analog on nitrogen (N) balance and mineral excretion. Fifteen castrated male Yorkshire x Landrace pigs (45.9 +/- 1.4 kg) were randomly allotted to 2 groups: control (saline, n = 7) and GRF (6.66 micrograms/kg sc, TID, n = 8). The animals were injected for 20 consecutive days: feces and urine were collected during the last 10 d of injection. The animals had free access to water and food until satiety (approximately 15 min) at 07:00, 11:00, 15:00, 19:00, 23:00 and 07:00 h. The diet consisted of a hog fattening ration (18.0% crude protein). Blood samples were collected on the last day of the study by venipuncture. This analog increased (P < 0.05) insulin-like growth factor-1 and glucose serum concentrations and decreased (P < 0.05) serum urea nitrogen concentration and feed intake. The GRF-treated animals ingested less N, excreted less N in urine and feces to retain a similar amount of N than controls. The apparent coefficient of digestibility of the N has been slightly increased (P < 0.05) by GRF. Urinary excretion of P, K, and Cl decreased (P < 0.01) with GRF treatment. In conclusion, this GRF analog increased N digestibility and retention relative to N ingestion and reduced urinary N, P, K, and Cl excretion.     

Nutrient utilization in lambs fed diets high in sodium or potassium

Twenty-four wether lambs averaging 47 kg were used to study the effects of dietary K and Na additions on metabolism of lambs. Lambs were randomly allotted to four treatments and fed 900 g/d of the following: control diet consisting of 50% ground tall fescue hay and 50% concentrate; K diet calculated to contain 4% K with K added as KCl; Na diet calculated to contain 4% Na with Na added as NaCl, and K-Na diet containing 2% K and 2% Na with K and Na added from the same sources as in the K and Na diets. Water intake and urine excretion were highest for lambs fed the Na diet. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) digestibilities were similar among treatments. The K-Na diet resulted in decreased (P less than .05) acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility compared with lambs fed the Na diet. Nitrogen (N) retention was highest (P less than .05) in lambs fed the K diet and lowest in those fed the Na diet. Rumen NH3-N was lower (P less than .05) in lambs fed the Na diet compared with controls. Rumen K at 2 and 6 h postfeeding was highest (P less than .05) and rumen Na at 6 h lowest (P less than .05) for lambs fed the K diet. Plasma K values at both sampling times were highest (P less than .05) in lambs fed the K diet. At 6 h postfeeding, plasma Mg was higher in control lambs compared with those fed the K-Na diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

不同蛋白质水平条件下氨基酸平衡日粮对生长猪氮、磷及能量代谢的影响

选用平均体重为(40±2)kg杜长大三元杂交去势公猪3头,按3×3的拉丁方进行试验设计,试验分3期,每期为7 d,采用全收粪法,研究不同蛋白质(CP)水平的氨基酸平衡日粮CP水平分别为14%、16%和18%)对氮、磷及能量代谢的影响。结果表明:不同蛋白质水平日粮处理间的氮表观消化率差异不显(著P>0.05),氮的沉积率以14%CP和16%CP组显著高于18%CP组(P<0.05),而14%CP和16%CP组之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。粪氮排出量14%CP日粮组显著低于16%CP和18%CP日粮组(P<0.05),16%CP日粮组和18%CP日粮组间无显著差异(P>0.05)。随着日粮蛋白质水平下降,生长猪的氮排出量、粪氮和尿氮均减少,总排泄氮中尿氮的比例较大,而粪氮则较少。不同蛋白质水平日粮对磷和能量的消化利用无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

Energy metabolism and protein balance in growing rats fed different levels of dietary fibre and protein.

A study was performed to investigate the effect of different levels of dietary fibre (DF) and dietary protein on visceral organ size, digestibility, nitrogen balance and energy metabolism in rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats, initial body weight about 76 g were used in a factorial design consisting of three levels of DF (low, 100 g/kg DM: medium, 250 g/kg DM and high, 290 g/kg DM) and two levels of dietary protein (low, 120 g/kg DM and high, 223 g/kg DM). The added fibre source was soybean hulls and Danish fish meal was used as sole source of dietary protein. Measurements of gas-exchange were done on six rats (one group) while urine and faeces were collected individually. The ratio of food/empty body gain increased (P<0.05) with increasing DF and decreasing levels of dietary protein. The weight of the digestive tract was larger (P<0.05) in rats fed the high fibre diet than in those fed the low fibre diet. The digestibility of nutrients and energy decreased linearly with increasing level of soybean fibre (P<0.05). An increased intake of DF was associated with a concomitant loss of protein and energy to faeces. The microbial degradation of NSP and other unabsorbed carbohydrates caused considerably changes in N metabolism of the colon. In rats fed the low protein diets increased levels of DF decreased N excretion in urine and increased N excretion in faeces, while the ratio of retained/digested protein remained constant. When rats were fed the high protein diet protein retention dropped in response to DF both absolute and relative to digested amount, indicating that energy intake could be a limiting factor. Heat production as a percentage of metabolizable energy (HP/ME) was higher (P<0.05) in rats fed the low protein diet than in rats fed the high protein diet, but no significant difference was found among DF levels.     

Effects of excess arginine with and without supplemental lysine on performance, plasma amino acid concentrations and nitrogen balance of young swine

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of excess arginine on performance, plasma amino acid levels and N balance of young pigs (initial weights 6.9, 7.0 and 10.3 kg, respectively). In a 28-d growth trial, various amounts of arginine (0 to 1.6%) were added to a conventional starter diet. Addition of arginine decreased (P less than .01) average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain (ADG), but had no effect on feed efficiency (G/F). Plasma urea, arginine and ornithine concentrations were elevated (P less than .001) by the increasing dietary arginine levels at d 14 and 28. Plasma histidine levels were reduced (P less than .01) at d 28. Plasma lysine levels exhibited a cubic response (P less than .05) at d 14, but were not affected by excess arginine at d 28. In a second growth trial ADFI and ADG were decreased (P less than .05), but G/F was not affected by the addition of 1.6% dietary arginine. Lysine supplementation (0, .15 or .30%) increased performance in the absence of excess arginine, but the main effect of lysine was not significant for any performance criteria. As in the first experiment, plasma concentrations of urea, arginine and ornithine were increased (P less than .001) by the addition of arginine. Plasma histidine was not affected by either arginine or lysine. Plasma lysine levels were reduced (P less than .001) by dietary arginine and increased (P less than .001) by lysine. In a N balance experiment, addition of 1.6% dietary arginine increased N digestibility, but decreased apparent biological value. Nitrogen balance was not affected by added arginine. Lysine addition did not improve any of these three indices of N utilization. The inability of lysine supplementation to alleviate any of the adverse effects of excess arginine in young swine indicates that the reduced performance is caused by a generalized amino acid imbalance, and not by a specific interference with lysine utilization in the manner of a classical arginine-lysine antagonism.     

Effects of feeding early‐harvested orchardgrass–perennial ryegrass mixed silage instead of heading stage harvested timothy silage on digestion and milk production in dairy cows

We evaluated the effects of replacement of heading stage harvested timothy silage with early‐harvested orchardgrass–perennial ryegrass mixed (OP) silage while maintaining or reducing concentrate input on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, nutrient digestibility, and N balance in dairy cows. Nine multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three dietary treatments: TYL, a diet containing timothy silage where forage‐to‐concentrate ratio (FC) was 50:50; OPL, a diet containing OP silage where FC ratio was 50:50; and OPH, a diet containing OP silage where FC ratio was 60:40. We observed that an equal replacement of timothy with OP silage increased DMI, milk yield, milk protein production, and nutrient digestibility but decreased milk fat content (TYL versus OPL). We observed that replacing timothy with OP silage while reducing concentrate input increased milk fat and protein yield, nutrient digestibility, and feed efficiency and reduced urinary N loss with no effect on DMI or milk fat content (TYL versus OPH). These results show that replacing timothy with OP silage can be a good approach to improve milk production, feed efficiency, and N utilization and reduce concentrate input. However, milk fat depression should be considered when an equal substitution is performed.     

Nitrogen metabolism and recycling in Holstein heifers

To study the effect of dietary N level on urea kinetics and recycling, four Holstein heifers (267 +/- 3.6 kg) were used in a Youden square design. Isocaloric diets with a N content of 1.44, 1.89, 2.50, 2.97, and 3.40% were fed at approximately 1.8 times maintenance intake. Increasing the N content of the diet increased urinary N excretion (P < 0.001) and N balance (P < 0.01), but did not affect the fecal N excretion (P = 0.21). Increasing the level of dietary N, increased urea production (P < 0.001) and excretion (P < 0.001), but no effect (P = 0.24) could be detected in the amount of N recycled to the gut. Urea recycled with the saliva, however, increased (P < 0.001) both in absolute and relative terms, with increasing dietary N. No difference could be detected on the amount of recycled N that was used for anabolism or returned to the ornithine cycle, but less (P = 0.001) N originating from urea was excreted in feces as dietary N increased. Ruminal ammonia concentration increased (P < 0.001) with increasing N intake, but total tract neutral detergent fiber digestibility was depressed only on the lowest N intake diet. No difference (P = 0.30) was detected in ruminal microbial yield among diets, but more (P < 0.003) N was derived from blood urea at low N intakes, and the efficiency of use of the recycled N decreased (P < 0.001) with increasing levels of dietary N. Adaptive changes to low-N diets were a decrease (P < 0.003) in the renal clearance of urea and an increase (P < 0.001) in the gastrointestinal clearance of urea. Urea transporters were present in the rumen wall of the heifers and differentially expressed depending on dietary N content, but their role in the transfer of urea into the rumen remains uncertain. Different mechanisms of N salvage and recycling were involved when animals were fed low-N diets that ensured a supply of endogenous N to the gastrointestinal tract and, due to the reduced contribution of dietary N, an increased efficiency of the N recycled was observed.     

Effects of adding fiber sources to reduced-crude protein,amino acid-supplemented diets on nitrogen excretion,growth performance,and carcass traits of finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of adding fiber sources to reduced-crude protein (CP), amino acid-supplemented diets on N excretion, growth performance, and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, six sets of four littermate barrows (initial weight = 36.3 kg) were allotted randomly to four dietary treatments to determine N balance and slurry composition. Dietary treatments were: 1) fortified corn-soybean meal, control, 2) as fortified corn-soybean meal with CP lowered by 4 percentage units and supplemented with lysine, threonine, methionine, tryptophan, isoleucine, and valine (LPAA), 3) same as Diet 2 plus 10% soybean hulls, and 4) same as Diet 2 with 10% dried beet pulp. Nitrogen intake, absorption, and retention (g/d) were reduced (P < 0.04) in pigs fed the low- protein diets, but they were not affected (P > 0.10) by addition of fiber sources to the LPAA diet. However, N absorption, as a percentage of intake, was not affected (P > 0.10) by dietary treatment. Nitrogen retention, expressed as a percentage of N intake, was increased (P < 0.02) in pigs fed the low-protein diets, but it was not affected by fiber addition to the LPAA diet. Urinary and total N excretion was reduced (P < 0.01) by 50 and 40%, respectively, in pigs fed the low- protein diets, but it was not affected (P > 0.10) by fiber addition. However, fiber addition to the LPAA diet tended to result in a greater proportion of N excreted in the feces than in the urine. Slurry pH, ammonium N content, and urinary urea N excretion were reduced (P < 0.10) in pigs fed LPAA, and a further reduction (P < 0.06) in slurry ammonium N content and urinary urea N was observed with fiber addition. Also, fiber addition to the LPAA diet increased (P < 0.02) slurry VFA concentrations. In Exp. 2, 72 pigs were blocked by body weight and sex and allotted randomly to three dietary treatments that were similar to those in Exp. 1, with a corn-soybean meal control diet, LPAA diet, and a LPAA diet with 10% soybean hulls. Pigs were fed the diets from 28.6 to 115 kg, and all pigs were killed for collection of carcass data. Growth performance and most carcass traits were not affected (P > 0.10) by dietary treatment. These data suggest that reducing CP with amino acid supplementation markedly decreased N excretion without influencing growth performance. Fiber addition to a LPAA diet had little effect on overall N balance or growth performance, but tended to further reduce slurry ammonium N concentration and increase volatile fatty acid concentrations.     

不同水平的蛋氨酸铜对奶牛瘤胃内环境及日粮表观消化率的影响

[目的]为探讨日粮中添加不同水平的蛋氨酸铜对奶牛瘤胃内环境及日粮表观消化率的影响。[方法]在日粮中分别添加0 mg/kg、18 mg/kg、27 mg/kg DM的蛋氨酸铜,采用3×3拉丁方试验设计,试验动物为3头装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的中国荷斯坦奶牛,平均体重500 kg,均处于干奶期,试验基础日粮由混合精料、羊草和玉米全株青贮组成,精粗比为30∶70。[结果]表明,日粮添加蛋氨酸铜有提高瘤胃pH值、NH3-N的趋势;但对各时间点的瘤胃液pH值、NH3-N没有显著影响（P〉0.05）;添加27 mg/kg DM的蛋氨酸铜显著提高了日粮各个营养物质的表观消化率。[结论]添加蛋氨酸铜不影响奶牛瘤胃的内环境,添加27 mg/kgDM的蛋氨酸铜可以提高日粮的表观消化率。     

The effects of urea supplementation on production and parasitological responses of sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis.

Merino wether lambs were individually confined and fed a basal diet of oaten chaff containing essential minerals which was untreated or contained 3% urea. Within each dietary group animals were orally infected with either 200 H. contortus (H), 1000 T. colubriformis (T) or both species (H + T) thrice weekly or remained uninfected (C). Weight gain, wool production, and parasite burden were measured over a 19-week period. Sheep on the diet containing urea gained more weight, consumed more feed and grew more wool of higher fibre diameter than their counterparts given no urea. On both diets uninfected sheep consumed more feed than infected sheep and the sheep given no urea and infected with both H and T worm species consumed the least feed. Parasitised sheep gained less weight than uninfected control sheep. Sheep with urea in their diet had lower faecal egg counts when infected with H alone or with H and T but there was no effect of urea on egg count of sheep infected with T alone. In contrast, T numbers after slaughter were reduced in sheep fed diets containing urea whereas H numbers were not affected by diet. It was concluded that supplementation with urea can increase resilience to parasitism thereby improving production and also enhance resistance mechanisms against worms in young sheep on low quality roughage diets. These responses can be partly attributed to stimulation of feed intake, presumably due to enhanced ruminal digestion, but also to elevated rumen NH3-N levels which would be expected to have increased rumen microbial protein synthesis and availability to the intestines.     

Effects of dietary protein and oathull fiber on nitrogen excretion patterns and postprandial plasma urea profiles in grower pigs

The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine if dietary protein reduction or oathull fiber inclusion would reduce urinary N excretion in grower pigs, 2) to determine if plasma urea could predict urinary N excretion among diets differing in protein and fiber content with an expected range in N excretion patterns, and 3) to determine the postprandial time point to sample blood for the best prediction. Three dietary protein concentrations (high, 19.7; medium, 16.9; low, 13.8%) and two fiber levels (high, 5.0; low, 3.6% crude fiber) were tested in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. Diets (wheat, barley, soybean meal; oathulls as fiber source) were formulated to 3.25 Mcal of digestible energy (DE)/kg and 2.2 g of digestible lysine/Mcal DE for low- and medium-protein diets, and 2.4 g/Mcal of DE for high-protein diets, and supplemented with lysine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, or valine to meet an ideal amino acid profile. Pigs (32 +/- 3.4 kg; n = 42) were housed in metabolism crates for 19 d. On d 10 or 11, catheters were installed by cranial vena cava venipuncture. Daily feeding allowance was adjusted to 3x maintenance (3 x 110 kcal DE/kg body weight(0.75)), and was fed in two equal meals. Feces and urine were collected from d 15 to 19. Five blood samples were collected in 2-h intervals on d 16 and 19. Fecal, urinary, and total N excretion was reduced linearly with a reduction of dietary protein (P < 0.001); the reduction was greater for urinary (48%) and total N excretion (40%) than for fecal N excretion (23%). Similarly, the ratio of urinary to fecal N was reduced linearly with a reduction of dietary protein (P < 0.001). Retention of N (g/d) was reduced linearly, but N retention as a percentage of N intake was increased linearly with a reduction of dietary protein (P < 0.001). The addition of oathulls did not affect N excretion patterns and plasma urea (P > 0.10). Dietary treatments did not affect average daily gain or feed efficiency (P > 0.10). A dietary protein x time interaction affected plasma urea (P < 0.001). For medium- and high-protein diets, plasma urea increased postprandially, peaking 4 h after feeding, and then decreased toward preprandial levels (P < 0.05). Plasma urea did not alter postprandially for the low-protein diet (P > 0.10). Urinary N excretion (g/d) was predicted by 3.03 + 2.14 x plasma urea concentration (mmol/L) at 4 h after feeding (R2 = 0.66). Plasma urea concentration is indicative of daily urinary N excretion and reduction of dietary protein is effective to reduce total and urinary N excretion.     

Effect of dietary crude protein level and degradability on ruminal fermentation and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows

The objectives of this experiment were to investigate the effects of two ruminally degradable protein (RDP) levels in diets containing similar ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) and metabolizable protein (MP) concentrations on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and transfer of ruminal ammonia N into milk protein in dairy cows. Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows were allocated to two dietary treatments in a crossover design. The diets (adequate RDP [ARDP] and high RDP [HRDP]), had similar concentrations of RUP and MP, but differed in CP/RDP content. Ruminal ammonia was labeled with 15N and secretion of tracer in milk protein was determined for a period of 120 h. Ammonia concentration in the rumen tended to be greater (P = 0.06) with HRDP than with ARDP. Microbial N flow to the duodenum, ruminal digestibility of dietary nutrients, DMI, milk yield, fat content, and protein content and yield were not statistically different between diets. There was a tendency (P = 0.07) for increased urinary N excretion, and blood plasma and milk urea N concentrations were greater (P = 0.002 and P = 0.01, respectively) with HRDP compared with ARDP. Milk N efficiency was decreased (P = 0.01) by the HRDP diet. The cumulative secretion of ammonia 15N into milk protein, as a proportion of 15N dosed intraruminally, was greater (P = 0.003) with ARDP than with HRDP. The proportions of bacterial protein originating from ammonia N and milk protein originating from bacterial or ammonia N averaged 43, 61, and 26% and were not affected by diet. This experiment indicated that excess RDP in the diet of lactating dairy cows could not be efficiently utilized for microbial protein synthesis and was largely lost through urinary N excretion. At a similar MP supply, increased CP or RDP concentration of the diet would result in decreased efficiency of conversion of dietary N into milk protein and less efficient use of ruminal ammonia N for milk protein syntheses.     

Effects of diets with different protein and DL-methionine levels on the growth performance and N-balance of growing minks

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of diets with different protein and dl-methionine (Met) levels on nitrogen (N) retention, nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and some blood parameters in growing minks. Eighty healthy male minks were selected and randomly divided into five groups with different types of diet. The dietary protein levels, expressed as percentage of dry matter (DM), were 36% (HP) and 28% (LP), corresponding to average 363g and 295g protein/kg DM, respectively. LP was supplemented with Met (0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9% DM); the codes were LP+M1, LP+M2 and LP+M3, respectively. From July to middle of September, the average daily gain and feed: gain ratio (F/G) of the minks that received the diet with 0.6% Met added to the low protein diet was better than feeding HP and other groups. Fecal N and Urinary N of group LP+M2 were the lowest one, in contrast, the daily retention of N was the highest one. Digestibility of DM and CP were not affected by different diets, but digestibility of fat declined with dietary protein level decreasing. Serum urea nitrogen (SUN) was affected by different protein and Met levels. Considering all factors the best performance could be observed offering LP+M2, the prime level of Met was 13.87 g/kg DM in dietary, and 258.5 g digestible protein kg(-1) DM was enough for mink in growing period. Furthermore, addition of Met in low protein diets for minks would be beneficial in terms of reduced feed expenses and lower nitrogen emissions to the environment.