Growth of thoroughbreds fed a low-protein supplement fortified with lysine and threonine

Growth and protein status were examined in Thoroughbred foals and yearlings offered pasture supplements with different crude protein contents and amino acid compositions. Both supplements contained 3.0 Mcal/kg DM, 10% corn oil, 1.4% calcium, and three sources of fiber. The control supplement contained 14% CP and 22% soybean meal, whereas the experimental supplement contained 9% CP and 3% soybean meal and was fortified with 0.6% lysine and 0.4% threonine. Mares and foals were fed twice daily (0700 and 1400) and kept on 12.14-hectare pastures (mixed grass and ladino clover) until weaning (6 mo). Weanlings continued on specified supplements and pastures for seven additional months. Physical measurements and blood samples were taken monthly for a period of 14 mo. Measurements included BW, ADG, body condition (BC), wither height, hip height, body length, girth, forearm length, front and hind cannon length, and carpus and fetlock circumference. Blood plasma analysis included total protein, albumin, creatinine, and urea nitrogen. Effect of diet and time were evaluated by analysis of variance with repeated measures. No differences (P > 0.05) were found in physical measurements between the control and Lys/Thr groups (ADG 0.7 +/- 0.02 kg/d, BC 4.9 +/- 0.05) for the observational period. Blood data also showed no difference (P > or = 0.05) for the period (albumin 2.9 +/- 0.03 g/dL, total protein 5.7 +/- 0.10 g/dL, creatinine 1.1 +/- 0.02 mg/dL). Differences in ADG between the control and experimental groups were observed in November (0.73 +/- 0.06 vs 0.91 +/- 0.04 kg/d, P = 0.01) and December (0.56 +/- 0.04 vs 0.67 +/- 0.06 kg/d, P = 0.07) and again in April (0.65 +/- 0.12 vs 0.86 +/- 0.06 kg/d, P = 0.06). These results suggest that the foals offered the Lys/Thr grew at the same or greater rates than foals on the control supplement. When a low-protein diet was fortified with the first two limiting amino acids, the protein was utilized more efficiently for growth and development. This study gives further insight into the role of protein quality during a foal's 1st yr of growth.     

Protein metabolism in growing pigs fed corn or cassava peel based diets containing graded protein levels

Sixty-four Large White cross Landrace weanling pigs were randomly allotted to eight treatments in a two by four factorial arrangement. The two dietary variables were cassava peel (0 and 40 per cent) and crude protein (20, 15, 10 and 5 per cent). Total serum protein concentration was significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced by protein deficiency and by its interaction with cassava peel. The multiple coefficient of determination (R2) showed that protein intake was the primary factor determining changes in serum protein. R2 values for cyanide intake (independent variable) on serum protein (dependent variable) increased from day 30 to 90 of the trial. Serum urea was increased on the 5 per cent protein diets on days 60 and 90 of the trial. The R2 values for cyanide and protein intake on serum urea concentration increased from day 30 to day 90 of the trial. Serum creatinine increased (P less than 0.05) on the 5 per cent protein diet on day 90 of the trial. The R2 value for the effects of protein intake on serum creatinine was higher than for cyanide intake on days 30 and 90. The results confirm the progressive and pronounced effects of long term cyanide intake on serum nitrogenous metabolites in pigs consuming between 110 and 120 ppm hydrocyanic acid, especially in diets containing 10 per cent or less protein.     

Essential oils improved weight gain,growth and feed efficiency of young dairy calves fed 18 or 20% crude protein starter diets

The objective was to evaluate interactions between starter protein (180 vs. 200 g/kg, DM basis) and a mixture of essential oils (EOs; containing thymol, eugenol, vanillin, limonene and guaiacol) on growth, metabolic and ruminal functions of Holstein dairy calves. In a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design, 48 calves, 3 days old (averaging BW 42.7 ± 1.9 kg), were allocated into groups fed the following diets: (i) 180 g/kg CP with no EO (180P‐NEO); (ii) 180 g/kg CP with EO (180P‐EO); (iii) 200 g/kg CP with no EO (200P‐NEO); and (iv) 200 g/kg CP with EO (200P‐EO). The EO was supplemented as 1 g/kg of starter DM. Calves were fed ad libitum starter diet and were weaned at day 59 of age, but diets continued until day 80. There were no interactive effects of CP and EO on intake and growth. Pre‐weaning feed efficiency tended to be increased for 200P‐EO (p = .09). Average daily gain and feed efficiency during pre‐weaning period as well as weaning weight were increased (p < .05) by EO, whereas wither height was increased by EO (p = .03) and tended to be increased for 200P vs. 180P (p = .06). Post‐weaning blood urea nitrogen concentration tended to be lower in 180P vs. 200P (p = .08). Ruminal short‐chain fatty acids concentration was greatest in 200P‐EO. The EO increased both butyrate (p = .02) and propionate proportions (p = .01) and reduced acetate proportional ratio (p < .01). Ruminal ammonia‐N was tended to be lower in calves‐fed EO (p = .05) and was lower in those fed 180P vs. 200P (p < .01). In conclusion, supplementation of the starter diet with essential oil improved weight gain, growth and feed efficiency of dairy calves, irrespective of dietary protein content.     

Effects of graded levels of lysine and excess arginine and threonine on young pigs fed practical diets

Three experiments were conducted to estimate the lysine requirement of the weanling pig and the effects of excess arginine and threonine on that estimate. Feeding 1.15% dietary lysine in Exp. 1 and 1.20% in Exp. 2 maximized feed efficiency and resulted in the lowest plasma urea N values. Adding .15% threonine to the diets in Exp. 2 did not affect (P greater than .10) performance of the pigs, but increased (P less than .01) plasma urea N and decreased (P less than .01) plasma lysine concentrations. Supplemental arginine (.22%) did not affect performance of the growing pigs in Exp. 3, but it increased (P less than .01) plasma urea N. Pigs fed a corn-soybean meal diet utilized feed more efficiently (P less than .05) than those fed a corn-fish meal-dried whey diet. The most likely cause for this response was that the corn-soybean diet contained more lysine (.82%) than expected, whereas the corn-fish meal-dried whey diet had close to the expected content of lysine (.72%). From these results, it was concluded that the lysine requirement of the weanling pig fed practical diets is at least 1.15 or 1.20% of the diet. Also, added arginine or threonine did not adversely affect the performance of pigs.     

The plasma level of triacylglycerols in horses fed high-fat diets containing either soybean oil or palm oil

The influence of dietary soybean oil versus palm oil on the plasma level of triacylglycerols was determined in a crossover experiment with four horses. Based on published data for humans and laboratory animals it was expected that a diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids in the form of soybean oil compared to saturated fatty acids in the form of palm oil would lower the plasma triacylglycerol level. The feeding of soybean oil versus palm oil for a period of four weeks did not change the level of plasma triacylglycerols in horses. Mean levels of triacylglycerol, free fatty acids and 3-hydroxybutyrate were 0.17 (SE, 0.04), 0.44 (SE, 0.063) and 0.16 (SE, 0.008) mmol/l, respectively. The fatty acid composition of the plasma triacylglycerols reflected the fatty acid composition of the diets. The activity of lipoprotein lipase was not different between the treatments. It is concluded that, under the present experimental conditions, the feeding of soybean oil to horses does not affect triacylglycerol secretion into plasma and thus does not influence the concentration of plasma triacylgycerols, when compared to the feeding of palm oil.     

Influence of threonine intake on whole-body protein deposition and threonine utilization in growing pigs fed purified diets.

The relationship between available threonine (Thr) intake and whole-body protein deposition (PD) was established using the serial slaughter method in 36 individually housed growing gilts between 39 and 77 kg live BW. Pigs were prescreened for their maximum PD (PDmax), based on a N balance starting at 25 kg BW while they consumed semi-ad libitum a nonlimiting diet. Pigs were fed combinations of a casein and cornstarch-based diet that was confirmed to be first-limiting in Thr and a protein-free diet starting at approximately 30 kg BW. Casein-bound Thr was provided at 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, or 120% of estimated Thr requirements for PDmax. Energy intake was kept constant across treatments and exceeded requirements for PDmax. Pigs were fed three equal meals per day; feeding levels were adjusted weekly based on BW. Pigs were killed at either 39 kg BW (n = 2 per treatment) or 77 kg BW (n = 4 per treatment) for determining chemical body composition. Composition of 39-kg BW pigs was not different across treatments (P > 0.10); therefore, an overall mean initial body composition was used to estimate body protein content at the initial BW. Across treatments, mean daily ME intake was 25.3 (SE 0.08) MJ/d and did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatments. Average daily true ileal digestible Thr intake varied between 5.33 and 9.66 g/d, representing means for pigs on the lowest and the highest Thr intakes, respectively. Mean PD was 93, 102, 118, 124, 139, and 133 (SE 4.2) g/d for pigs on the six respective treatments. Dietary Thr intake did not influence (P > 0.10) Thr content of body protein at the final BW or the partitioning of body protein between carcass, viscera, and blood. The efficiency of Thr utilization for PD was lowest (P < 0.05) at the highest Thr intake level and highest (P < 0.05) at the lowest Thr intake level. It was similar (P > 0.10) at the four intermediate Thr intake levels, in which the relationship between true ileal digestible Thr intake and PD was linear. Based on these four treatments, calculated Thr disappearance, which is closely associated with inevitable Thr catabolism, was 23.5 (SE 0.55)% of available Thr intake. This value is consistent with an efficiency of using available Thr intake above maintenance Thr requirements (54 mg/kg BW0.75) for Thr retention with PD of 73.4 (SE 1.11)%. Based on N balances conducted at approximately 40 and 75 kg BW, the marginal efficiency of Thr utilization was not influenced by BW.     

Selection line x diet interactions for two lines of pigs fed 12 or 24% protein diets

An experiment with crossbred swine was conducted over six generations of selection based on an index (Index) of average daily gain in weight (ADG) in a test period from 56 d of age to 91 kg gross weight and average backfat thickness (ABF) measured from ultrasonic scans at 91 kg. Test pigs of the high protein select (HS) and control (HC) lines were fed a 24% crude protein (CP) diet and pigs of the low protein select (LS) and control (LC) lines were fed a 12% CP diet during the test period. The extent of genetic (selection line) x environmental (dietary) interaction effects was determined based on feeding closely related boars and gilts from both the HS and LS lines on both diets. Tests were conducted in 1986 and 1987 with progeny of the fifth and sixth generations of selection. Records for 472 pigs sired by 37 boars and out of 101 dams were analyzed for effects of selection and diets on AGE of pig at 91 kg, ADG, ABF, LMA (longissimus muscle area at the last rib) and Index. Statistically significant interactions effects of line x diet were noted (P less than .01) for AGE, ADG and Index, traits with low to moderate heritabilities (h2). For ABF and LMA, body composition traits with moderate or higher h2, interaction effects of line x diet were near zero. These results suggest that for best all-around future performance, traits such as AGE and ADG, selection probably should be practiced under dietary conditions under which future populations will be produced. For body composition traits such as ABF and LMA, selection probably would be more effective if pigs were fed a more enriched protein diet. However, as a practical matter, to more rapidly improve the genetic merit of the swine population, both the central station and on-the-farm testing programs should be conducted under standard commercial production systems.     

Growth performance responses to increased tryptophan supplementation in growing barrows fed three different very low crude protein corn and soybean meal-based diets fortified with essential amino acids

Seventy-five individually fed barrows averaging 35 kg were used in a series of three experiments for 6-week growth assays (25 barrows each) to determine the effects of l -tryptophan (Trp) supplementation on growth performance and to establish the lower limits of dietary crude protein (CP) levels. Corn and soybean meal (SBM)-based diets containing 9% (Experiment 1), 10% (Experiment 2), and 11% CP (Experiment 3) fortified with deficient essential amino acids (AAs) except Trp were used as basal diets for each experiment. The experimental diets were supplemented with 0.00%, 0.02%, 0.04%, or 0.06% Trp. A 16% CP corn–SBM-based diet was set as a positive control in each experiment, and feed and water were provided ad libitum. Average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio improved quadratically (P < 0.05) as supplemented Trp increased in the 9% and 10% CP group, although these positive effects were not observed in the 11% CP group. Because the maximum performance parameters in 9%, 10%, and 11% CP groups were not different from that of the 16% CP positive control group, the marginally reduced level of dietary CP without growth performance being affected appears to be around 9% at most. A potential reduction of nitrogen intake was clearly indicated.     

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.     

The concentration of plasma triacylglycerols in horses fed diets containing either medium chain triacylglycerols or an isoenergetic amount of starch or cellulose.

In a Latin square design, six horses were fed hay and concentrates with isoenergetic amounts of either starch, cellulose or medium chain triacylglycerols (MCT). The dietary variables provided on average 22% of total dietary net energy. Plasma triacylglycerols and other variables of lipid metabolism were determined. The experimental periods lasted 21 days. Blood samples were taken just before the morning meal and three and six hours later. The diet rich in MCT significantly raised the plasma level of triacylglycerols when compared to either the starch- or cellulose-rich diet. The plasma concentrations of 3-hydroxybutyrate, total cholesterol and phospholipids were significantly higher when the horses were fed the ration with MCT instead of either cellulose or starch. Postprandial insulin concentrations were lowest for the MCT diet, and concentrations of free fatty acids were highest. Lipoprotein lipase activity was not significantly different for the three diets. Our study does not support the idea that cellulose feeding generates sufficient acetic acid in the caecum and colon, so that it would enhance the provision of cytosolic acetyl-CoA which in turn would stimulate hepatic fatty acid synthesis and then raise plasma triacylglycerols.     

Influence of the dietary ratio between sulphur containing amino acids and lysine on performance of growing-finishing pigs fed diets with various lysine concentrations.

This study was conducted to determine the optimal ratio between sulphur containing amino acids and lysine in diets for growing-finishing pigs. Therefore, a total of five trials was carried out in which growing-finishing pigs (live weight range between 53 and 105 kg) were fed diets with various concentrations of lysine (0.62, 0.70 and 0.78%) and various ratios between sulphur containing amino acids to lysine. The diets contained 12.9 MJ ME per kg and 13.5% CP; the ratio between sulphur containing amino acids to lysine was adjusted by individual supplementation of the diets with DL-methionine. Increasing dietary levels of lysine from 0.62 to 0.78% continuously increased daily body weight gains and improved feed conversion efficiency as well as carcass characteristics. There was no significant interaction between the dietary lysine supply and the ratio between sulphur containing amino acids to lysine on animal performance parameters. This means that the effect of the ratio of sulphur containing amino acids to lysine was similar for various dietary lysine concentrations. The optimum ratio between sulphur containing amino acids to lysine according to quadratic regression analysis was 0.60, for both, growth and feed conversion. Reducing the ratio between sulphur containing amino acids to lysine from 0.59 to 0.53 and 0.47 reduced body weight by 3 and 12%, resp., and elevated the feed conversion ratio by 2 and 12%, resp. An increase of the ratio between sulphur containing amino acids to lysine from 0.59 to 0.65 failed to increase the animal performance. In contrast to animal performance parameters, optimum carcass characteristics (eye muscle area, fat area above eye muscle, meat-fat ratio and lean percentage) were achieved already at a ratio of sulphur containing amino acids to lysine of 0.53.     

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.     

Effects of crude protein and sodium intake on water turnover in cats fed extruded diets

The comprehension of strategies to increase urine production may be important, especially in kibble diets to prevent urolithiasis in cats. The effects of increasing amounts of crude protein (CP) and sodium on the water turnover of cats were evaluated using the water balance (WB) method and the deuterium dilution technique. The study followed a randomized block design, with three blocks of eight cats, two cats per food type in each block, and six cats per food. Four extruded diets with different amounts of CP and sodium were evaluated (on DM basis): 28% CP and 0.58% sodium; 39% CP and 0.64% sodium; 52% CP and 0.76% sodium; and 64% CP and 0.87% sodium. Cats were individually housed in cages for 8 days to measure WB, urea excretion, and faecal and urine characteristics. Deuterium oxide was used to evaluate water turnover, and during the period cats were housed in a collective cattery. The data were analysed by an F test, and the means were compared by polynomial contrasts. The ɑ level of significance was set at 0.05. The methods were compared by Pearson correlation, and Bland and Altman analysis. The increase in the CP content elevated linearly the renal excretion of urea (p < .001), and, together with the higher sodium intake, elevated the renal solute load, which resulted in a linear increase in urine production and water intake (p < .01). The urine density, metabolic water, and faecal and insensible water losses did not differ (p > .05). The water flux increased linearly when using the deuterium method (p < .001), but the obtained values were 20.85 ± 11.11 ml/cat/day higher than those verified using the WB method (p = .001). Higher CP and sodium amounts in dry diets increased the urine production and water consumption of cats, and this can be explored as a possible option to increase urination.     

Effects of rumen‐protected methionine on milk production in early lactation dairy cattle fed with a diet containing 14.5% crude protein

We evaluated the influence on milk production of feeding early lactation cows a diet that included 14.5% crude protein (CP) and that did not meet methionine (Met) requirements or that met them by supplying rumen‐protected Met (RPMet). Thirty‐nine multiparous Holstein cows were allocated into two groups. For 15 weeks after calving, each group was fed one of the two total mixed rations, Control (n = 20) or Treatment (n = 19). The Treatment group received added RPMet at 0.034% (8 g/day) of the Control diet on dry matter basis. The adequacies of Met for the Control and Treatment groups were 96% and 106%, respectively, and for other amino acids, >110%. The CP level (14.5%) was 1 percentage point lower than that recommended by the Japanese Feeding Standard (2006). No between‐group differences were found in milk yield (40 kg/day), milk composition, plasma profile, rumen fermentation, nitrogen balance, or cow health. Met intake and the amount of rumen‐undegradable feed Met were higher in the Treatment group (p < 0.05). Microbial Met and total metabolizable Met did not differ between groups. Supplying RPMet in a 14.5% CP diet during early lactation did not dramatically affect milk production, because the amount of total metabolizable Met was unchanged.     

Performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and plasma constituents of meat type drakes fed diets containing different levels of lysine with or without a microbial phytase.

This experiment was conducted to study growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and plasma constituents of Campbell drakes fed diets containing different levels of lysine with or without a microbial phytase. Basal vegetable duck all-mash diets were fed during the growing (1-35 d of age), and finishing period (36-56 d of age) and were formulated to contain 0.90% and 0.73% lysine (negative control), respectively. These diets were supplemented or not with L-lysine HCl, which resulted in a dietary lysine level of 0.90, 0.95, 1.01 and 1.06% and 0.73, 0.80, 0.87 and 0.94%, during the growing and finishing period, respectively. Furthermore, the diets were fed with or without 600 FTU phytase (Natuphos) except for those containing 1.06 and 0.94% lysine during the growing and finishing period, respectively (positive control). A lysine level of 1.01/0.87% in the growing/finishing diet significantly increased BWG and improved FCR of drakes by 2.1 and 1.8%, respectively. Phytase significantly increased BWG by 2.1% and 3.5% after feeding the basal diet and 1.01/0.87% lysine, respectively. Also, FCR was significantly improved by 2.2 and 1.8% of groups fed 0.95/0.80, and 1.01/0.87% lysine, respectively. Phytase as an independent variable increased BWG by 1.8, and improved FCR by 1.0%. Lysine and/or phytase did not affect carcass yield, and meat quality treats as well as plasma constituents of drakes. However, lysine level at 0.95/0.80% and 1.01/0.87% significantly decreased abdominal fat deposition compared to either the negative or the positive control. In conclusion, a lysine level of 1.01/0.87% in the growing/finishing diets for drakes is adequate. After phytase supplementation of the basal diet the BWG at a lysine level of 0.90/0.73% were similar to the positive control (1.06/0.94% lysine). However, the best FCR was obtained after feeding diets containing 1.01/0.87% lysine supplemented with phytase.     

Comparison of wheats of high or conventional protein content with added lysine in diets for layers

1. High‐protein wheats (196 or 210 g/kg) were compared with conventional wheat (163 or 162 g/kg) in layers’ diets in three experiments.

2. In diets of 160 g protein/kg without added lysine, high‐protein wheats caused lower rates of production and egg size than conventional wheats in White Leghorns. Lysine supplementation of the former diets eliminated these differences.

3. The improvements in egg production and egg weight were significant with 1 g additional lysine/kg and egg production tended to improve further with 2 g additional lysine/kg, as did egg weight with all subsequent additions, but not significantly so.

4. With diets containing high‐protein wheats supplemented with lysine, high egg production and egg weight could be obtained without a protein supplement (e.g. soyabean meal).

5. In broiler‐breeders egg production was lower and food conversion poorer with high‐protein wheat despite added lysine.     

Utilization of alternative protein meals with or without multiple-enzyme supplementation in broilers fed low-energy diets

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different protein meals, with or without enzyme supplementation, on the performance of broilers. A diet based on a combination of protein meals (15% soybean meal, and 5% each of sunflower meal, canola meal, rapeseed meal, and cottonseed meal) was compared with 4 other diets containing 15% soybean meal and 20% of sunflower meal, canola meal, rapeseed meal, or cottonseed meal. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 2,630 kcal of ME/kg and 0.95% digestible lysine, with all other essential amino acids set to meet or exceed the ideal protein ratios. Each diet was fed with or without supplemental exogenous enzyme (Rovabio Excel at 500 g/metric ton of feed) to 6 replicate pens of 50 chicks from 1 to 35 d posthatch as coarse mash. In the cottonseed meal-based diet, supplemental enzyme resulted in high 35-d feed intake and FCR compared with the cottonseed meal-fed groups with no enzyme. There was a significant (P < 0.05) diet × enzyme interaction for 35-d feed intake and FCR. Birds fed the sunflower meal-based diet had significantly (P < 0.05) higher final BW gain and lower FCR as compared with those fed rapeseed meal- or cottonseed meal-based diets, whereas the BW gain of birds fed the rapeseed meal-based diet was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with birds in all other groups. In conclusion, in low-ME broiler diets formulated on a digestible amino acid basis, up to 20% sunflower meal and canola meal can be safely incorporated into the diet. Supplementation of Rovabio failed to exert any positive effect on production parameters when used with diets containing high levels of each of the common protein meals.     

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of male broilers fed diets varying in digestible threonine to lysine ratio from 21 to 49 days of age

Two experiments were conducted to ascertain digestible Thr to Lys ratio of male broilers from 21 to 35 d of age (experiment 1) and 35 to 49 d of age (experiment 2) based on growth performance and processing yields. In both experiments, 2 diets (dilution and summit; 3,108 kcal ME/kg and 18.2% CP in experiment 1; 3,163 kcal ME/kg and 17.2% CP in experiment 2) consisting of corn, soybean meal, poultry by-product meal, and peanut meal formulated to be surfeit in limiting amino acids with exception of digestible Lys and Thr were mixed at various proportions to create 8 titration dose-response diets. Digestible Lys was formulated to contain 95% of the requirements from 21 to 35 and 35 to 49 d of age. In each experiment, gradient treatment structure was arranged in a randomized complete block design. Calculated digestible Thr to Lys ratios ranged from 0.512 to 0.806 in approximately increments of 0.040 (1,600 Hubbard × Cobb 500 broilers; experiment 1) and 0.552 to 0.793 in approximately increments of 0.035 (3,000 Ross × Ross 708 broilers; experiment 2). In experiment 1, digestible Thr to Lys ratio for male Hubbard × Cobb 500 broilers was estimated at 0.68 and 0.67 for BW gain and feed conversion from 21 to 35 d of age. In experiment 2, digestible Thr to Lys ratio of Ross × Ross 708 was determined at 0.68 and 0.63 for feed conversion ratio with quadratic and linear broken-line models, respectively. Meat weights and yields were not affected by the dietary treatments in either experiment. These data indicate that a digestible Thr to Lys ratio of 0.68 can optimize growth performance of broilers from 21 to 35 and 35 to 49 d of age.