Amino acid digestibilities in different samples of wheat shorts for growing pigs.

An experiment was carried out to investigate the variability in apparent ileal amino acid (AA) digestibilities in simulated samples of wheat shorts consisting of different proportions of wheat bran (WB), wheat shorts (WS), and wheat flour (WF), hereafter referred to as wheat fractions. The proportions of WS, WB, and WF and the NDF content (DM basis) of the wheat fractions were as follows: A, 70% WS, 30% WB, and 42.3% NDF; B, 85% WS, 15% WB, and 41.8% NDF; C, 100% WS and 41.3% NDF; D, 85% WS, 15% WF, and 35.2% NDF; and E, 70% WS, 30% WF, and 29.5% NDF. Six barrows, average initial BW of 37.2 kg, fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, were fed one of six experimental diets according to a 6 x 6 Latin square design. Six diets were formulated to contain 17% CP (as-fed basis). Diets A, B, C, D, and E contained 17.53% soybean meal (SBM), which contributed 50% of the CP in these diets. The wheat fractions contributed the remaining 50% of the CP in these diets. Diet F contained 35.05% SBM, which was the sole source of dietary CP. Chromic oxide was used as the digestibility marker. During the first experimental period, the daily dietary allowance was provided at a rate of 5% (wt/wt) of the average BW. Thereafter, the daily dietary allowance was increased by 100 g at each successive period. Each experimental period comprised 12 d. Following a 7-d adaptation period, feces were collected for 48 h and ileal digesta for a total of 24 h. The apparent ileal digestibilities of AA in the wheat fractions were calculated using the difference method. The digestibilities were usually lowest in the wheat fractions containing WB and highest in those containing no WB. The average of the digestibilities of the indispensable AA was 63.5% for wheat fraction A, which contained 30% WB, and 71.9% for wheat fraction C, which did not contain WB. There were no differences (P > .05) in lysine digestibilities among the wheat fractions, which ranged from 54.7 to 64.1%. Of the indispensable AA, with the exception of arginine, lysine, and methionine, the apparent ileal digestibility values of AA were negatively correlated (P < .05) with the NDF content in the wheat fractions.     

Effects of xylanase supplementation on the apparent digestibility and digestible content of energy, amino acids, phosphorus, and calcium in wheat and wheat by-products from dry milling fed to grower pigs

Wheat by-products are feedstuffs that vary in nutritional value, partly because of arabinoxylans that limit nutrient digestibility. Millrun is a byproduct from dry milling wheat into flour and contains varying amounts of the bran, middlings, screening, and shorts fractions. The digestible nutrient content of mill-run is not well known. Effects of xylanase supplementation (0 or 4,000 units/kg of diet) on energy, AA, P, and Ca digestibilities were studied in a wheat control diet and 5 diets containing 30% of a by-product (mill-run, middlings, shorts, screening, or bran) in a 2 x 6 factorial arrangement of treatments. The wheat control diet was formulated to contain 3.34 Mcal of DE/kg and 3.0 g of standardized ileal digestible Lys/Mcal of DE. Diets contained 0.4% chromic oxide. Each of 12 ileal-cannulated pigs (32.5 +/- 2.5 kg) was fed 6 or 7 of 12 diets at 3 times the DE requirement for maintenance in successive 10-d periods for 6 or 7 observations per diet. Feces and ileal digesta were each collected for 2 d. Xylanase tended to increase (P < 0.10) ileal energy digestibility by 2.2 percentage units and the DE content by 0.10 Mcal/kg of DM and increased (P < 0.05) ileal DM digestibility by 2.8 percentage units; a diet x xylanase interaction was not observed. Xylanase increased (P < 0.05) total tract energy and DM digestibilities and the DE content. A diet x xylanase interaction was observed; xylanase increased (P < 0.05) total tract energy digestibility of the millrun diet from 72.1 to 78.9%, DE content from 3.19 to 3.51 Mcal/kg of DM, and DM digestibility from 71.5 to 78.6%. Diet affected (P < 0.05) and xylanase improved (P < 0.05) digestibility and digestible contents of some AA in diets and by-products, including Lys, Thr, and Val. Xylanase increased (P < 0.05) Lys digestibility by 13.8, 5.0, 5.2, 6.0, and 14.1 percentage units in millrun, middlings, shorts, screening, and bran, respectively. Diet affected (P < 0.01) total tract P and Ca digestibilities. Xylanase increased (P < 0.05) digestible P and Ca contents. In summary, nutrient digestibility varies among wheat by-products. Millrun contained 2.65 Mcal of DE/kg of DM, which xylanase increased to 3.56 Mcal of DE/kg of DM. Xylanase improved nutrient digestibility and DE content in wheat by-products; and the extent of improvement depended on the by-product. Xylanase supplementation may maximize opportunities to include wheat byproducts in swine diets and ameliorate reductions in nutrient digestibility that may be associated with arabinoxylans.     

Xylanase supplementation improves energy digestibility of wheat by-products in grower pigs

Value-added processing of cereals produces high-value fractions for food and bio-processing application and by-products that are used in animal nutrition to reduce feed costs. Wheat by-products contain arabinoxylans that might limit nutrient digestibility. Effects of xylanase supplementation (0 or 4375 U/kg feed) on energy digestibility were studied in a wheat control and by-product diets (30% millrun, middlings, shorts, screenings, and bran) in a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement. The wheat control diet was formulated to contain 3.34 Mcal digestible energy (DE)/kg and 2.8 g apparent digestible lysine/Mcal DE, and included 0.4% chromic oxide as a marker for digestibility. Twelve ileal-cannulated pigs (32.5 ± 2.5 kg) were each fed seven of 12 diets. Faeces and then digesta were each collected for 2 d, and diet digestibility values are reported. Wheat had higher ileal and total-tract energy digestibility than by-products (P < 0.01). Xylanase improved energy digestibilities for by-products (P < 0.001) but not for wheat. Among by-products, ileal energy digestibility was lowest for middlings (62%), then bran < screenings < millrun, and highest for shorts (66%). Xylanase improved (P < 0.05) ileal energy digestibility of millrun by 19% to 76%. Total-tract energy digestibility of millrun improved from 72 to 79% (similar to wheat) with xylanase (P < 0.05). In summary, xylanase improved energy digestibility in the selected wheat by-product diets, indicating that arabinoxylans in wheat by-products limit nutrient digestibility.     

The effects of thermal treatment of field peas (Pisum sativum L.) on nutrient and energy digestibility by growing pigs

An experiment was conducted to measure the effect of thermal treatment on the digestibility of CP, AA, starch, NDF, ADF, and energy in field peas fed to growing pigs. Five pea-containing diets were formulated. The peas included in these diets were either not heat-treated (control) or extruded at 75, 115, or 155 degrees C or pelleted at 75 degrees C. A N-free diet was also included in the experiment to measure basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. The 6 diets were fed to 6 growing pigs (initial BW: 69.3 +/- 2.9 kg) that were allotted to dietary treatments in a 6 x 6 Latin square design. A T-cannula was installed in the distal ileum of each pig, allowing for the collection of ileal digesta. Each experimental period lasted 9 d; fecal samples were collected on d 6 and 7, and ileal samples were collected on d 8 and 9 of each period. Apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) for CP, AA, starch, and energy and standardized ileal digestibility values (SID) for CP and AA were calculated. Apparent total tract digestibilities (ATTD) for NDF, ADF, starch, and energy were also calculated. As the extrusion temperature increased, the AID and SID for CP and all AA, except Pro, increased (quadratic, P < 0.05). In contrast, except for Arg and Pro, the peas that were pelleted at 75 degrees C had AID and SID for CP and AA that were similar to those obtained for the control peas but less (P < 0.05) than the AID for the peas that were extruded at 75 degrees C. The AID for starch and energy increased (linear, P < 0.001) as the extrusion temperature increased to 155 degrees C (from 89.8 to 95.9% and from 71.5 to 79.0%, respectively), but the AID for starch and energy in the pelleted diet was not different from the AID in the control diet (90.1 vs. 89.8% and 69.1 vs. 71.5%, respectively). The ATTD for starch varied from 98.6 to 99.7% and did not differ among treatments. Likewise, no differences were observed for the ATTD of NDF and ADF. However, the ATTD for energy in the diets increased from 89.0 to 93.3% (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05) as field peas were extruded, and the ATTD for energy in the pelleted diet was also greater (P < 0.05) than that of the control diet (91.6 vs. 89.0%). In conclusion, extrusion of field peas increases the AID of CP, AA, starch, and energy and the ATTD of energy. Pelleting field peas at 75 degrees C does not influence the AID of nutrients or energy but improves the ATTD of energy.     

The influence of soy oligosaccharides on apparent and true ileal amino acid digestibilities and fecal consistency in growing pigs

Fourteen ileally cannulated pigs (BW = 35 +/- 2 kg) were randomly allotted to a replicated 7 x 7 Latin square design experiment to evaluate the influence of the soybean oligosaccharides (OS), raffinose and stachyose, on ileal nutrient digestibility and fecal consistency. Semipurified diets containing soy protein concentrate (SPC) or soybean meal (SBM) as the sole protein sources were fed. Soy solubles (SS), a by-product of SBM processing containing 3.5% raffinose and 11.5% stachyose, were used to increase dietary raffinose and stachyose concentrations. The seven dietary treatments were SPC, SPC + 9% SS, SBM, SBM + 9% SS, SBM + 18% SS, SBM + 24,000 U alpha-galactosidase enzyme preparation/kg diet, and a low-protein casein (LPC) diet used to calculate true digestibility. Diets, with the exception of the LPC diet, were formulated to contain 17% CP. All diets contained 0.5% chromic oxide as a marker for ileal digestibility determination. The experimental periods were divided into a 5-d diet adaptation followed by 2-d of ileal digesta collection. Diets and digesta were analyzed for DM, N, Cr, amino acids (AA), raffinose, and stachyose. Fecal consistency was determined on d 6 and 7 of each experimental period. The apparent and true ileal AA digestibilities were not different (P < 0.05) for the SPC and SBM control diets. When SS was added to the SPC diet, apparent and true N and AA digestibilities were depressed (P < 0.05) with the exception of Trp and Pro. The apparent and true ileal N and AA digestibilities were not different (P > 0.05) between the SBM control and SBM + 9% SS diets with the exception of Glu. There was a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in apparent and true DM, Val, Gly, and Tyr digestibilities when increasing levels of SS were added to the SBM diet. The addition of alpha-galactosidase did not improve apparent or true ileal N or AA digestibilities except for apparent and true Val and Tyr. Ileal raffinose digestibility was improved (P < 0.05) by addition of a-galactosidase, but was not affected by any other dietary treatment. Ileal stachyose digestibility was not affected (P > 0.58) by treatment. Fecal consistency likewise was not affected (P > 0.36) by dietary treatment. In conclusion, soy OS reduced nutrient digestibilities, but the reductions were small, ranging from approximately 1.1 to 7.4 percentage units. This suggests that other factors may be negatively impacting SBM digestibility.     

Effect of phytase supplementation to a low- and a high-phytate diet for growing pigs on the digestibilities of crude protein, amino acids, and energy

Supplementation of microbial phytase usually improves the digestibility and utilization of phosphorus in feedstuffs of plant origin. The effect of phytase supplementation on the digestibilities of AA also has been examined, but the results have been inconsistent. This study was carried out to determine the effect of phytase (Natuphos) supplementation, at a rate of 2,000 phytase units/kg, to two basal diets on the apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) of GE, CP, and AA, and on the apparent total-tract digestibilities (ATTD) of CP and GE. The basal diets contained 18% CP and were formulated (as-fed basis) to contain either a low (0.22%) or high content (0.48%) of phytate P. The high-phytate diet contained 20% rice bran, which is a rich source of phytate and has low intrinsic phytase activity. Eight barrows (average initial BW = 40.6 kg), fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, were fed the four diets according to a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design. The pigs were fed twice daily at 0800 and 2000, equal amounts each meal, at a rate of 2.4 times the daily maintenance requirement for ME. Each experimental period comprised 14 d. Ileal digesta were collected from 0800 to 2000 on d 12, 13, and 14. Feces were collected from 0800 on d 8 until 0800 on d 12. Chromic oxide was used as the digestibility marker. The AID of GE, CP, and AA and the ATTD of CP and GE were less in the high- than in the low-phytate diet (P < 0.01). With the exception of glutamic acid, phytase supplementation did not affect (P > 0.10) the AID of CP and AA. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of phytase on the ATTD of CP and GE. These results show that if a response occurs to phytase supplementation, it is independent of the dietary phytate content.     

Determination of the ileal amino acid and energy digestibilities of corn distillers dried grains with solubles using grower-finisher pigs

An experiment evaluated the ileal apparent and standardized AA and apparent energy digestibilities in grower-finisher pigs of 5 sources of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from corn. The 5 DDGS sources were analyzed for AA, GE, NDF, ADF, and color score. Diets were formulated to contain 15% CP from the test DDGS sources (approximately 60% of the diet). A low-protein (5% casein) diet was used to estimate basal endogenous AA losses. The experiment was conducted in 2 replicates of a 6 x 6 Latin Square design, with 6 treatments and six 1-wk periods. The experiment used 12 crossbred barrows [(Yorkshire x Landrace) x Duroc], averaging 28 kg of BW and 60 d of age, and surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum. After a 10-d recovery period, treatment diets were fed in meal form, initially at 0.09 kg . BW(0.75). Feed intake was equalized between pigs within each period and increased for each subsequent period. Periods included 5 d of diet acclimation followed by two 12-h ileal digesta collections, one on d 6 and one on d 7. Apparent and standardized digestibility of AA was calculated using chromic oxide (0.4%) as an indigestible marker. The results demonstrated that apparent and standardized lysine digestibilities ranged from 24.6 to 52.3% and 38.2 to 61.5%, respectively. Average apparent essential AA digestibility was lower (P < 0.05) in sources 1 and 5, the 2 sources that were darkest in color. Apparent and standardized digestibility of the averaged nonessential AA were lower (P < 0.05) in source 5 than in all other sources. Source 5, the darkest colored DDGS, had a 10% lower (P < 0.05) average apparent and standardized essential AA digestibility and was more than 15% lower (P < 0.05) in lysine digestibility than the 3 lightest colored sources. Apparent ileal energy digestibility did not differ among the 5 sources. Lysine content and digestibility seemed to be reduced to a greater extent by the darker colored DDGS than the other essential AA, suggesting that the Maillard reaction reduced total lysine content and lowered its digestibility. These results, therefore, imply that darker colored DDGS sources may have lower (P < 0.05) analyzed lysine contents, as well as lower (P < 0.05) lysine and essential AA digestibilities, than lighter colored DDGS sources.     

Evaluation of mobile nylon bag technique for determining apparent ileal digestibilities of protein and amino acids in growing pigs

The mobile nylon bag technique (MNBT) may offer a simple, rapid means for assessing ileal AA digestibility of pig feed ingredients. In the present study, the effects of washing bags recovered from digesta, the amount and fineness of feeds, and feed trypsin inhibitor activity on apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) of CP and AA were determined with the MNBT. Twenty-four ileorectal anastomosed pigs (Yorkshire x Chinese Black barrows, 30 kg initial BW), of which 12 were fitted with duodenal T-cannulas, were used. Not washing the bags recovered from ileal digesta resulted in a reduction (P < 0.05) in apparent ileal digestibilities of CP and AA determined by MNBT. Washing the bags for more than 4 min overestimated (P < 0.05) the apparent ileal digestibilities of CP and AA compared with those determined with the anastomosed pigs. Sample size and fineness of grinding also affected (P < 0.05) apparent ileal digestibilities of CP determined by MNBT. The apparent ileal digestibilities of CP determined by MNBT were reduced (P < 0.05) when sample size exceeded 0.75 g and when feed was ground through screens with a mesh size of more than 1.0 mm. The closest agreement between results obtained by MNBT and a conventional ileal digestibility assay occurred when 0.75 g of feed ground through a 1.0-mm mesh screen was used per bag and bags were washed for 2 min after retrieval from digesta. Further studies are warranted to investigate the use of the mobile nylon bag technique for predicting the ileal digestibilty of AA for feeds containing antinutritional factors.     

Effect of dietary protein content on ileal amino acid digestibility, growth performance, and formation of microbial metabolites in ileal and cecal digesta of early-weaned pigs

Diarrhea incidence in weaned pigs may be associated with the concentration of intestinal microbial metabolites (ammonia, amines, and VFA) that are influenced by dietary CP content. Three experiments were conducted to determine effects of a low-protein, AA-supplemented diet on ileal AA digestibility, growth performance, diarrhea incidence, and concentration of microbial metabolites in ileal and cecal digesta of pigs weaned at 14 d of age. In Exp. 1, 8 pigs fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum were assigned in a crossover design to 2 diets containing 24 or 20% CP using wheat, corn, full-fat soybeans, whey powder, fish meal, and blood plasma as the main ingredients. Supplemental AA were added to the diets to meet the AA standards according to the 1998 NRC recommendations. Chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker. Diets were fed at 2.5 times the ME requirement for maintenance. The reduction of dietary CP decreased (P < 0.05) the apparent ileal digestibility of most AA, except Lys, Met, Thr, Val, and Pro. Dietary CP content did not affect the pH of ileal digesta or ileal concentrations of ammonia N, cadaverine, putrescine, or VFA. In Exp. 2, 8 pigs fitted with a simple T-cannula in the cecum were assigned to 2 diets, similar to Exp. 1. Dietary CP content did not affect the pH of cecal digesta. The reduction in CP content decreased (P < 0.05) cecal ammonia N, acetic acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, total VFA, and putrescine concentrations by 28 to 39%. In Exp. 3, 32 pigs were assigned to 2 diets, similar to Exp. 1, according to a randomized complete block design. Pigs had free access to feed and water. Dietary CP content did not affect growth performance or fecal consistency scores during the 3-wk study, and diarrhea was not observed. The results of these experiments indicate that lowering the dietary CP content combined with supplementation of AA markedly reduced the production of potentially harmful microbial metabolites in cecal digesta of early-weaned pigs without affecting growth performance.     

The influence of xylanase on the fermentability,digestibility, and physicochemical properties of insoluble corn-based fiber along the gastrointestinal tract of growing pigs

In theory, supplementing xylanase in corn-based swine diets should improve nutrient and energy digestibility and fiber fermentability, but its efficacy is inconsistent. The experimental objective was to investigate the impact of xylanase on energy and nutrient digestibility, digesta viscosity, and fermentation when pigs are fed a diet high in insoluble fiber (>20% neutral detergent fiber; NDF) and given a 46-d dietary adaptation period. A total of 3 replicates of 20 growing gilts were blocked by initial body weight, individually housed, and assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: a low-fiber control (LF) with 7.5% NDF, a 30% corn bran high-fiber control (HF; 21.9% NDF), HF + 100 mg xylanase/kg (HF + XY [Econase XT 25P; AB Vista, Marlborough, UK]) providing 16,000 birch xylan units/kg; and HF + 50 mg arabinoxylan-oligosaccharide (AXOS) product/kg (HF + AX [XOS 35A; Shandong Longlive Biotechnology, Shandong, China]) providing AXOS with 3–7 degrees of polymerization. Gilts were allowed ad libitum access to fed for 36-d. On d 36, pigs were housed in metabolism crates for a 10-d period, limit fed, and feces were collected. On d 46, pigs were euthanized and ileal, cecal, and colonic digesta were collected. Data were analyzed as a linear mixed model with block and replication as random effects, and treatment as a fixed effect. Compared with LF, HF reduced the apparent ileal digestibility (AID), apparent cecal digestibility (ACED), apparent colonic digestibility (ACOD), and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), NDF, and hemicellulose (P < 0.01). Relative to HF, HF + XY improved the AID of GE, CP, and NDF (P < 0.05), and improved the ACED, ACOD, and ATTD of DM, GE, CP, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose (P < 0.05). Among treatments, pigs fed HF had increased hindgut DM disappearance (P = 0.031). Relative to HF, HF + XY improved cecal disappearance of DM (162 vs. 98 g; P = 0.008) and NDF (44 vs. 13 g; P < 0.01). Pigs fed xylanase had a greater proportion of acetate in cecal digesta and butyrate in colonic digesta among treatments (P < 0.05). Compared with LF, HF increased ileal, cecal, and colonic viscosity, but HF + XY decreased ileal viscosity compared with HF (P < 0.001). In conclusion, increased insoluble corn-based fiber decreases digestibility, reduces cecal fermentation, and increases digesta viscosity, but supplementing xylanase partially mitigated that effect.     

Nutritional value for swine of extruded corn and corn fractions obtained after dry milling

The experiment was designed to assess whether corn fractions or extrusion of corn can result in feed ingredients with a greater nutritional value than corn. Corn grain (8.0% CP, 0.21% P, 9.8% NDF) was processed by extrusion (82.8 degrees C, 345 kPa steam pressure for 12 s) or by dry milling to derive fractions rich in germ (13.1% CP, 1.19% P, 17.2% NDF), hulls (8.1% CP, 0.27% P, 32.6% NDF), and endosperm, namely tails (6.6% CP, 0.07% P, 3.6% NDF) and throughs (7.4% CP, 0.15% P, 4.5% NDF). Relative recovery in each fraction was 16, 20, 44, and 20%, respectively. Ileal digestibility of DM, P, and amino acids was determined using diets containing 7.0% CP from soybean meal and 5.3% CP from one of the test products. To allow for determination of standardized ingredient, ileal digestibility, basal endogenous AA losses were determined using a protein-free diet (74.6% cornstarch and 18.7% sucrose). Soybean meal ileal digestibility was determined using a diet (12.3% CP) based on soybean meal (23.3%). Eight barrows (27 +/- 2 kg) fitted with T-cannulas were fed 8 experimental diets (5-d adaptation and 2-d collection period) such that each diet was evaluated in at least 5 barrows. Relative to corn (77.9 +/- 1.2%), ileal digestibility of DM was greater for extruded corn (82.5%; P = 0.02), tails (85.9%; P < 0.01), and throughs (85.0%; P < 0.01), but it was lower for hulls (62.2%; P < 0.01) and germ (51.1%; P < 0.01). For P, corn (41.6 +/- 9.5%), throughs (47.2%), and hulls (57.3%) had similar ileal digestibility, but germ (7.9%) had lower ileal digestibility (P = 0.02) than corn; tails (27.6%) and extruded corn (23.5%) were not different from corn or germ but were lower than throughs and hulls. For total AA, corn (84.7 +/- 2.4%), throughs (84.3%), and hulls (85.8%) had similar ileal digestibility, but germ (76.6%) had lower ileal digestibility (P < 0.01) than corn; tails (82.0%) and extruded corn (81.7%) were intermediate. In conclusion, germ and hulls have a low ileal DM digestibility; germ also has low AA and P digestibility. Extrusion improved the ileal DM digestibility of corn. To maximize the ileal digestibility, removal of germ and hull from corn or extrusion of corn may thus be of interest.     

Determination of true ileal amino acid digestibility and the endogenous amino acid outputs associated with barley samples for growing-finishing pigs by the regression analysis technique

This study was conducted to determine true ileal AA digestibility coefficients and the endogenous AA outputs associated with barley samples for growing-finishing pigs using the regression analysis technique with dual digestibility markers. Six barrows, with 30.5 and 58.6 kg average initial and final BW, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum and fed six barley-based diets at close to ad libitum feed intake according to a 6 x 6 Latin square design. The six diets contained 97% of six barley samples varying from low to high in CP and AA contents (8.5, 9.2, 9.8, 11.5, 12.6, and 15.6% CP, respectively, on DM basis). The dietary NDF content ranged from 16.8 to 23.8% on DM basis. Chromic oxide (Cr2O3) and acid-insoluble ash (AIA) were used as digestibility markers. Each experimental period lasted 7 d. Ileal digesta were collected, at 2-h intervals, for a total of 24 h during d 6 and 7. There were linear relationships (P < 0.01) between dietary contents of apparent ileally digestible and total CP and AA as determined by using either Cr2O3 or AIA as a digestibility marker. The use of Cr2O3 vs AIA affected (P < 0.01) the determination of true ileal AA digestibility coefficients and the endogenous CP and AA outputs. However, there were no differences (P > 0.01) in the true ileal AA digestibility coefficients in barley samples between this study and the average values reported in the literature. The endogenous CP and AA outputs determined in this study were higher (P < 0.01) than reported values (35.1+/-3.0 vs 14.7+/-1.1 g CP/kg DMI). It is concluded that dual digestibility markers should be used to measure true ileal AA digestibility coefficients and endogenous AA outputs when dietary fiber content is high and the ileal digesta is collected through a simple T-cannula in the pig. True rather than apparent ileal AA digestibility coefficients determined in barley samples should be used in diet formulation for swine. The gastrointestinal endogenous AA secretion, recycling, and output losses are important in whole-body AA utilization and homeostasis, especially when fiber-enriched diets are fed to growing-finishing pigs.     

Effect of supplementation of xylanase and phospholipase to a wheat-based diet for weanling pigs on nutrient digestibility and concentrations of microbial metabolites in ileal digesta and feces

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing a wheat-based diet with xylanase and phospholipase either alone or in combination on the ileal and fecal digestibilities of nutrients and energy in early-weaned pigs. In addition, the concentrations of ammonia, lactate, and VFA were measured in ileal digesta and feces. The experiment was carried out with 16 barrows weaned at the age of 11 d with an average initial BW of 4.1 kg. On d 4 and 5 postweaning, the piglets were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum. The experiment was designed as a balanced incomplete block design with three periods. The piglets received the basal diet with or without supplementation of either xylanase or phospholipase or a combination of these. There was a positive (P = 0.005 to 0.018) effect on the digestibility values of GE, OM, CP, crude fiber (CF), and NDF with xylanase supplementation. Apart from lysine, threonine, cysteine, glycine, and proline, the digestibility values of all AA were improved (P = 0.001 to 0.024). Phospholipase supplementation had a positive effect on CP (P = 0.047) and CF (P = 0.002) digestibilities, but no effect on ether extract (EE) digestibility. Supplementation of both enzymes showed the largest response in nutrient digestibilities, except that EE digestibility was not affected. No differences were found in D-/L- lactate, and ammonia concentrations among treatments. Acetate and propionate concentrations tended to increase when xylanase was supplemented and were highest for the combination of both enzymes. Despite the positive effects on ileal nutrient and energy digestibilities, there was no effect of xylanase or the combined enzyme supplementation on the fecal digestibilities of OM, CP, EE, CF, NDF, ADF, or GE, and on fecal concentrations of VFA. Phospholipase alone slightly decreased the total-tract nutrient and energy digestibilities (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the combination of both enzymes generally led to the highest increases in ileal digestibilities, which were of small numerical magnitude (approximately 2%). However, on a relative basis, this increase of 2% represents approximately 13% of the remaining diet that was available for digestion based on the fact that approximately 15% of the diet was not digested in the control pigs. Thus, the potential benefits in the nutrition of weanling pigs from combinations of enzymes should be validated under practical conditions.     

Effect of common antinutritive factors and fibrous feedstuffs in pig diets on amino acid digestibilities with special emphasis on threonine

Most feedstuffs contain antinutritive factors (ANF) such as insoluble fibers, lignins, tannins, and lectins. Intake of these ANF has the ability to reduce nutrient digestibility and to increase endogenous protein losses, such as through increased intestinal mucus secretion. The objective of this experiment was to determine the apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) of AA of 6 ANF-enriched diets to estimate endogenous protein loss associated with these ingredients in diets for young pigs. Forty-two 10-kg BW pigs fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 casein-based diets with: no supplement (control), 100 g/kg of canola meal (CM), 100 g/kg of wheat bran (WB), 150 g/kg of barley (BR), 22.5 g/kg of lignin (LG), 15 g/kg of kidney beans [as a lectin (LE) source], and 15 g/kg of tannins (TN). All diets were formulated to be similar in N, indispensable AA, and caloric contents. After a 7-d adaptation to the test diets, N balance was conducted for 5 d, followed by 24 h of collection of digesta for analyses of AA. Pigs fed BR had 17% lower ADG and 15% lower feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) compared with control and CM pigs. Pigs fed diets containing WB and BR had lower N retention as a percentage of absorbed N compared with all other groups (P = 0.03). The AID for CP was lower in BR, WB, and LE pigs compared with control. Of the AA, AID of Thr was notably lowest in BR, WB, and TN pigs (P < 0.05). The standardized ileal digestibility was lower in WB and BR pigs for most indispensable AA. Altogether, these data suggest that hemicellulose fiber, at concentrations typical in commercial swine diets, reduces AID of AA by increasing endogenous losses. Understanding the differential effects of ANF on endogenous losses of individual dietary AA will improve the accuracy of diet formulation.     

Effect of phytase supplementation to diets for weanling pigs on the digestibilities of crude protein, amino acids, and energy

Four experiments were conducted with weanling pigs fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, to determine the effect of phytase supplementation to four diets on the apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) of CP and AA, and the apparent total-tract digestibilities (ATTD) of CP and DE. Phytase (Natuphos, DSM Food Specialties, Delft, The Netherlands) was supplemented at rates of 0, 500 or 1,000 FTU/kg to the four diets. A 20% CP (as-fed basis) corn-soybean meal diet was used in Exp. 1; a 20% CP wheat-soybean meal diet in Exp. 2; a 20% CP wheat-soybean meal-canola meal diet in Exp. 3; and a 19% CP barley-peas-canola meal diet in Exp. 4. In each experiment, six barrows, fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, were fed the basal plus phytase-supplemented diets according to a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Each experimental period comprised 14 d. The piglets were at fed 0800 and 2000 daily, equal amounts for each meal, at a daily rate of at least 2.4 times the maintenance requirement for ME. Feces were collected from 0800 on d 8 until 0800 on d 12 of each experimental period. Ileal digesta were collected from 0800 to 2000 on d 12, 13, and 14. Chromic oxide was used as the digestibility marker. The average initial and final BW (average of all experiments) were 7.9 and 16.5 kg, respectively. Phytase supplementation did not improve the AID of CP and AA in Exp. 1, 2, and 4; however, there were improvements (P < 0.05) or tendencies (P < 0.10) toward improvements in the AID of CP and AA or the ATTD of CP and the content of DE with phytase supplementation in Exp. 3. These results suggest that the AA response factor to microbial phytase supplementation depends on diet composition.     

Evaluation of the homoarginine technique for measuring true ileal amino acid digestibilities in pigs fed a barley-canola meal-based diet

The homoarginine technique has been suggested as a means to determine true ileal amino acid digestibilities in nonruminant animals fed protein-containing diets. Conditions for guanidinating lysine to homoarginine in barley and canola meal and the effect of this process on nutrient composition and ileal digestibilities in the resulting material were investigated. Conditions tested were methylisourea concentration (0.4, 0.5, or 0.6 M) and reaction time (4 or 6 d) at pH 10.5. Using 0.4 methylisourea M solution for 4 or 6 d gave guanidination rates of 72.5 and 78.5% for barley and 72.3 and 75.2% for canola meal, respectively. Using 0.5 M gave 88.0 and 84.6% guanidination rates in barley and canola meal, respectively, after a 6-d reaction time. Under these conditions, guanidination did not change the nutrient composition of barley (P > 0.10), whereas it increased CP (38.4 vs 49.0%), crude fiber (10.2 vs 16.0%), acid detergent fiber (30.0 vs 43.4%) and neutral detergent fiber (29.8 vs 49.4%) levels in canola meal (P < 0.05). Four 33.6-kg barrows fitted with a simple T-cannula at the terminal ileum were fed a 16% CP unguanidinated barley and canola meal-based diet for four consecutive 14-d periods. Ileal digesta were collected continuously for 24 h on d 12 and 14 to determine apparent nutrient digestibilities. On the morning of d 14, pigs were fed a diet in which half of the barley and canola meal was replaced with guanidinated material for determining true ileal amino acid digestibilities. Digesta samples were pooled by pig and by 24-h period to give 16 observations per diet. Apparent ileal digestibilities of DM, CP, and AA in the unguanidinated and guanidinated barley-canola meal diet were similar (P > 0.10) despite the changes observed in canola meal. Apparent ileal lysine digestibility was 73.9 and 74.5% in the unguanidinated and guanidinated diet, respectively. The true ileal lysine digestibility was 88.1%. The present results show that guanidination does not interfere with digestion and further support the use of the homoarginine method for determining true ileal amino acid digestibilities in pigs fed practical diets. A methylisourea solution of 0.5 M and a 6-d reaction time are recommended for converting lysine to homoarginine in barley and canola meal.     

Effect of micronized pea and enzyme supplementation on nutrient utilization and manure output in growing pigs

An experiment was done to determine manure output, N and P excretion, and apparent digestibilities of AA, CP, P, and DM in growing pigs fed barley-based diets containing micronized or raw peas with or without supplementation with enzyme containing primarily beta-glucanase and phytase (Biogal S+). Eight barrows (21.5 +/- 1.2 kg of initial BW) fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum were used in a 40-d trial and housed in metabolism cages. Pigs were assigned in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design to 4 experimental diets: 1) barley-raw peas control (BRP), 2) barley-micronized peas (BMP), 3) BRP plus enzyme, and 4) BMP plus enzyme (BMP+E). Pigs received 2.6 times maintenance energy requirements based on BW at the beginning of each experimental period. During each experimental period, pigs were acclimatized to their respective diets for 5 d followed by a 3-d period of total fecal and urine collection and another 2-d period of ileal digesta collection. Samples were analyzed for DM, AA (diets and digesta only), N, and P. Wet fecal output of BRP plus enzyme-fed pigs tended to be lower (P = 0.07) than the amount produced by BMP-fed pigs. The amounts of dry feces and urine produced were not different among treatments (P > 0.10). Supplementing the BRP and BMP diet with enzyme increased (P = 0.002) the daily P retained per pig. Pigs fed the enzyme-supplemented diets tended to have lower (P = 0.06) fecal P excretion and greater urinary P excretion (P = 0.001) compared with pigs fed the nonsupplemented diets, but total P excretion was not influenced by diet (P > 0.10). Pigs fed the BMP+E diet retained more (P = 0.006) N per day than pigs fed the BMP diet. However, N excretion was not influenced by dietary treatment (P > 0.10), although BMP+E-fed pigs excreted 13.2% less N in the feces compared with those fed the nonenzyme supplemented controls. Inclusion of micronized peas with or without enzyme supplementation did not affect urinary or fecal N excretion (P > 0.10) compared with the BRP. Dietary treatment had no effect (P > 0.10) on ileal or fecal DM or CP digestibilities. Apparent ileal digestibilities of AA were usually lower (P < 0.05) in the BRP diet compared with the other diets. Enzyme supplementation improved P digestibility at the ileal and fecal level. The current results indicate that utilizing micronized peas in barley-based pig grower diets enhances P retention.     

Relative ileal amino acid flows and microbial counts in intestinal effluents of Goettingen Minipigs and Saddleback pigs are not different

We explored the suitability of Goettingen Minipigs as models to measure ileal AA digestibility and evaluate dietary proteins for conventional pigs. Further, a potential for secondary ileal microbial colonization 5 mo after establishing end-to-end ileorectal anastomosis was investigated. Goettingen Minipigs (BW 18 kg) and Saddleback pigs (BW 27 kg) fitted with end-to-end ileorectal anastomosis were fed six diets based on barley and oilseed meals and three diets based on wheat and milk powder differing in total and ileal digestible lysine. Apparent ileal digestibilities of CP (N x 6.25) and of 20 AA were determined. No differences (P = 0.062 to 0.982) were found in AA apparent ileal digestibilities between breeds. Therefore, Minipigs are a reasonable model to estimate apparent ileal digestibility of AA for evaluation of dietary proteins. However, the apparent ileal digestibility of CP (P = 0.048) was higher in Minipigs than in Saddleback pigs (barley and oilseed meals-based diets 70% vs. 66%; wheat and milk powder-based diets 80% vs. 77%), which is probably due to a smaller contribution of non-AA-nitrogen in the ileal effluent of Goettingen Minipigs. For lysine, the apparent ileal digestibilities (means of both breeds) ranged from 78 to 85% in wheat and milk powder-based, and 70 to 78% in barley and oilseed-based diets. Experimentally derived concentrations of ileally digestible lysine confirmed the values predicted from a published table. Microbial counts were not affected by breed as shown for lactobacilli, with 9.1+/-0.2 and 9.1+/-0.2 (P = 0.977), enterococci with 4.8+/-0.3 and 5.6+/-0.4 (P = 0.162), and yeasts with 4.6+/-0.3 and 4.6+/-0.4 (P = 0.906) log cfu/g effluent for Goettingen Minipigs and Saddleback pigs, respectively. The counts did not change over 5 mo, suggesting that no secondary microbial colonization occurred in pigs with end-to-end ileorectal anastomosis.     

The site of intestinal disappearance of DL-methionine and methionine hydroxy analog differs in pigs

A study was conducted with pigs to determine the sites of and the influence of dietary wheat middlings (WM) as a fiber source on the absorption of dl-Met (DLM) and dl-2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoic acid (HMTBA). Twelve 25-kg barrows were used in a replicated 6 × 4 incomplete Latin-square design with 6 diets and 4 periods per pig. Each pig was surgically fitted with simple T-cannulas in the terminal duodenum and ileum 2 wk before the initiation of the experiment and housed in a stainless-steel metabolism crate. The 6 diets were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial of WM at 0 (CON) or 8% and Met source including none, DLM, or HMTBA. Supplemental DLM doubled the duodenal free Met concentration from 9.6 to 19.6 g/100 g of DMI. Supplemental DLM also increased the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of free Met from 52 to 92% (P < 0.05). Adding 8% WM increased (P < 0.01) duodenal NDF concentrations by 2 g/100 g of DMI and decreased (P < 0.05) AID of free Met. No HMTBA was detected in digesta collected from the duodenum or ileum of pigs fed the CON + HMTBA or the WM + HMTBA diets, indicating complete absorption before the terminal duodenum regardless of WM inclusion. Interactions between Met supplementation and WM were observed for the digestibility of all other nutrients (P < 0.05). Fiber and AA digestibility in the ileum were the greatest for the CON + HMTBA diet, and least for the WM + HMTBA diet. The CON + HMTBA diet had greater AID of ADF, NDF, CP, and Thr, and greater AID of ADF, NDF, ash, Arg, Ile, Gly, and Pro when compared with the CON and CON + DLM diets, respectively (P < 0.05). The WM + HMTBA had less AID of ADF, CP, and all AA with the exception of Lys, Trp, and Val when compared with the CON + HMTBA (P < 0.05). In summary, absorption of HMTBA in the pig is complete by the end of the duodenum, but negative interaction between HMTBA and WM can decrease the AID of most AA.     

Apparent precaecal digestibility of nutrients and level of endogenous nitrogen in digesta of the small intestine of growing pigs as affected by various digesta viscosities.

Sixteen male growing pigs of about 24 kg BW were fitted with both a duodenal re-entrant and a post-valve T-shaped cannula inserted in the caecum. The animals were divided into four groups. Each group received one of the following diets: corn starch-soybean protein isolate-based diet without (diet C) and with carboxymethylcellulose (diet CMC) or a rye-wheat-based diet without (diet RW) and with xylanase addition (diet RWX). The diets provided similar levels of apparent precaecal digestible crude protein (CP), lysine, methionine + cystine, threonine and tryptophan. Additionally, [15N]-yeast was given with the diets during the first 10 days of the experiment. For estimation of digesta viscosity, N-flow of dietary and endogenous origin, apparent precaecal digestibilities of dry matter (DM), CP, amino acids and non starch polysaccharides (NSP) (only in pigs fed diets RW and RWX), ileal and duodenal digesta were quantitatively collected on day 16 and 17, respectively. The endogenous N-proportion was measured by the ratio of 15N enrichment in the digesta and urine. The duodenal and ileal digesta supernatant viscosity increased as carboxymethylcellulose was included into the diet. Xylanase addition to the rye-wheat based diet reduced the viscosity in the ileal digesta. There were no differences in precaecal digestibilities of DM, CP and amino acids between diet C and CMC. The precaecal digestibilities of DM and soluble and insoluble NSP increased from 69.5% to 73.9%, from 1.3% to 47.9% and from 17.0% to 35.4%, respectively, as xylanase was added to the rye-wheat-based diet. The apparent precaecal digestibility of most essential amino acids increased by 2 to 5 percent units. The amounts of endogenous N at the duodenal level were estimated to be 158, 233, 313 and 276 mg per 12 h per kg0.75 BW of pigs fed diets C, CMC, RW and RWX, respectively. The corresponding values at the ileal level were 95, 107, 164 and 150 mg per 12 h per kg0.75 BW. For endogenous N amounts, significant differences were observed between diets C and CMC (duodenum) and also between semi-purified and cereal-based diets (duodenum and ileum). Methodological aspects for the estimation of endogenous N using the isotope dilution technique are discussed. Obviously, the digesta viscosity per se does not affect the nutrient absorption and endogenous N flow within the small intestine of pigs. Other properties of complex dietary fibre, digesta passage rate or bacterial activity probably contribute to the observed changes.