The effect of zeranol on live weight gain, feed intake and carcass composition of steers during compensatory growth

To evaluate the effect of zeranol implants in steers on compensatory ++growth, 80 steer calves (9 mo of age; 200 kg) were fed at two feeding levels (RO = 9.2 MJ ME/kg DM; R1 = 6.9 MJ ME/kg DM) for 119 d (Period 1). During Period 2, steers were full-fed to 400 kg BW with (Z1) or without (ZO) zeranol implants. Ten steers were slaughtered at the end of Period 1 to estimate carcass composition. Differences of 100 kg in BW were achieved by restriction in Period 1. Subsequent to restriction, cumulative ADG remained greater (P less than .05) up to the 24th wk of recuperation and implants increased (P less than .001) BW gain by 31% and 24% for RO and R1, respectively. The average daily energy intake (ME/W(.75) in Period 2 was similar for all treatments. Feed conversion was improved by 21.5% (P less than .05) by implants. At the end of Period 2 the R1ZO had 8.6 kg less muscle (P less than .001), 2.9 kg less bone (P less than .001) and 5.9 kg more fat (P less than .05) than the ROZO. In comparison, the carcasses of the implanted animals did not show significant differences (P greater than .05) due to restriction. Carcass daily gains were increased by previous restriction (P less than .01) and implants (P less than .05). Zeranol increased daily live weight gain and feed conversion in animals in continuous growth as well as in those observed in compensatory growth an tended to eliminate a tendency for higher content of fat in carcasses of nonimplanted animals making compensatory growth.     

Influence of feeding level during postweaning growth on circulating concentrations of thyroid hormones and extrathyroidal 5'-deiodination in steers.

An experiment was conducted with 42 growing Montbéliard steers to study the effect of feed restriction, followed by refeeding, on circulating concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) and on hepatic and muscle activities of 5'-deiodinase (5'D). At 9 mo of age, 21 steers were diet-restricted for 3 mo (ADG, 641 g/d), prior to a 4-mo compensatory growth period with ad libitum access to the same diet (ADG, 1,240 g/d). They were compared to 21 control steers continuously gaining 1,100 g/d between 9 and 16 mo of age. Blood samples were collected every 14 d and samples of liver and semitendinosus and triceps brachii (triceps) muscles were obtained at slaughter at the end of the restriction and refeeding periods (12 and 16 mo of age, respectively). Compared to control steers, feed restriction decreased plasma concentrations of T4 after 56 to 83 d of feed restriction (P < 0.05), whereas T3 concentration decreased only after 83 d of feed restriction (P < 0.05). No differences in hepatic and muscle 5'D activities were observed after 87 d of feed restriction and decreased growth rate (12 mo of age). During the refeeding period (compensatory growth), circulating concentrations of T4 and T3 were restored to control levels within 14 d. Moreover, T3 concentration rose above that of control steers after 56 d of refeeding and remained higher for the duration of the experiment (P < 0.05). Hepatic 5'D activity was higher (P = 0.07) in compensated than in control steers at the end of refeeding period (16 mo of age) and higher (P < 0.01) after compensation at 16 mo than during restriction at 12 mo. Activities of 5'D in semitendinosus and triceps muscles were higher (P < 0.001) in 16-mo-old than in 12-mo-old steers, but no differences were observed due to feed restriction or compensatory growth. These results indicate that nutritional status regulates both thyroidal secretion and extrathyroidal T3 production in cattle. The data also suggest that extrathyroidal T3 production may be involved in the mechanism of compensatory growth in cattle.     

Physical and chemical components of the empty body during compensatory growth in beef steers

The composition of carcass and noncarcass tissue growth was quantified by serial slaughter of 26 Angus x Hereford crossbred steers (initial age and weight 289 +/- 4 d and 245 +/- 4 kg) during continuous growth (CON) or compensatory growth (CG) after a period of growth restriction (.4 kg/d) from 245 to 325 kg BW. All steers were fed a 70% concentrate diet at ad libitum or restricted levels. Homogenized samples of 9-10-11th rib and noncarcass tissues were analyzed for nitrogen, fat, ash, and moisture. Growth rate from 325 to 500 kg BW was 1.54 and 1.16 kg/d for CG and CON steers. The weight of gut fill in CG steers was 10.8 kg less (P less than .05) before realimentation and 8.8 kg more (P less than .10) at 500 kg BW than in CON steers. The allometric accretive rates for carcass chemical components relative to the empty body were not affected by treatment. However, the accretive rates for CG steers were greater (P less than .01) for noncarcass protein (.821 vs .265), noncarcass water (.861 vs .507), and empty-body protein (.835 vs. .601) than for CON steers. Final empty-body fat was lower (P less than .001; 24.2 vs 32.4%) and empty-body protein higher (P less than .001; 16.6 vs 14.8%) in CG steers than in CON steers. Consequently, net energy requirements for growth (NEg) were approximately 18% lower for CG steers. We conclude that reduced NEg requirements and changes in gut fill accounted for most of the compensatory growth response exhibited in these steers.     

Growth, body composition, and visceral organ mass and metabolism in lambs during and after metabolizable protein or net energy restrictions

Three trials were conducted to assess effects of metabolizable protein and NE deficiencies on changes in body composition, organ mass and metabolism, and animal growth performance during restriction and realimentation. Growth of lambs was restricted to achieve no change in BW for periods of 5 to 6 wk by limiting intake of metabolizable protein or NE. In Trial 1, changes in body composition and visceral organ mass and metabolism during restriction were compared to unrestricted controls using 36 lambs. Trial 2 was designed to investigate changes in growth, body composition, and visceral organs during restriction and realimentation periods using 44 lambs. Trial 3 was limited to evaluation of differences in performance and carcass characteristics of previously restricted and unrestricted ram lambs (15 total). Results of Trial 1 indicated that liver weights were decreased with nutrient restrictions. Body protein mass was conserved in energy-restricted (ER) lambs and lost in protein-restricted (PR) lambs. Fat was mobilized at similar rates for PR and ER lambs. In Trial 2, liver and intestinal weights, as well as in vitro oxygen consumption by liver slices, were decreased with nutrient restrictions. The reductions persisted after 2 wk of realimentation, yet no compensatory growth was observed. Feed intakes were increased gradually during the first 2 wk of realimentation. Composition of gain during the realimentation period was similar to that of unrestricted lambs. In Trial 3, neither gain nor feed efficiency during realimentation was enhanced as a result of previous nutrient deficiencies. Absence of compensatory growth in Trial 3 is possibly attributable to differences in gastrointestinal fill. Lambs subjected to short-term PR and ER seem to have similar recuperative capacity.     

生长早期不同能量、蛋白限饲水平对肉仔鸡补偿生长的影响

本试验研究肉仔鸡生长早期 (2～ 3周龄 )不同代谢能、蛋白质限饲水平对生产性能和胴体品质影响。结果表明 :(1 )早期低代谢能和低蛋白的限饲处理均可明显降低肉仔鸡生长速度 (P <0 .0 5) ,并在恢复阶段表现出完全补偿生长。 (2 )早期不同代谢能、蛋白限饲水平对饲料转化率没有影响 (P >0 .0 5)。 (3)早期不同代谢能、蛋白限饲水平均有提高胴体产量、胸肉和腿肉比例的趋势 (P >0 .0 5)。 (4)早期低代谢能限饲明显降低 42日龄腹脂重 (P <0 .0 5) ,低蛋白质限饲增加腹脂重 (P >0 .0 5)。     

肉鸡补偿生长技术研究进展

对肉鸡进行补偿生长处理,可降低其死淘率、改善饲料效率,并且不影响其上市活重或净膛重,但遗传(血统)、性别、限饲养分的时期和时间、限饲程度以及恢复饲喂常规饲料时间长短会影响补偿生长效果。本文综述了可用于肉鸡补偿性生长的各种方法和参数,同时归纳了补偿生长的机制。     

不同限饲方法对爱拔益加肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能及骨骼性状的影响

本试验旨在研究不同限饲方法对爱拔益加(AA)肉鸡生长性能、屠宰性能及骨骼性状的影响。试验选用80只7日龄的AA肉鸡,随机分成4组:对照组、料量限饲组、能量限饲组和蛋白质限饲组,每组20只鸡。限饲14d(21日龄)、补偿生长21d(42日龄)后每组分别屠宰8只,取其胸肌、腿肌、腹脂、心脏、肝脏、脾脏、胸腺、法氏囊、骨骼等组织并称重,以及测量骨骼的长度和直径。结果表明:1)限饲后,3个限饲组肉鸡的平均日增重显著低于对照组(P0.05)。补偿生长后,各组肉鸡的平均日采食量、平均日增重和料重比均差异不显著(P0.05),但料量限饲组末重显著低于对照组(P0.05)。2)限饲后,料量限饲组肉鸡的全净膛率、半净膛率、胸肌率、腿肌率和腹脂率显著低于对照组(P0.05),料量限饲组、能量限饲组肉鸡的腹脂率显著低于蛋白质限饲组和对照组(P0.05)。补偿生长后,各组肉鸡的胸肌率和腿肌率均无显著差异(P0.05),但料量限饲组肉鸡的腹脂率显著高于对照组(P0.05)。3)限饲后,蛋白质限饲组肉鸡的肝脏指数显著高于其他3组(P0.05),料量限饲组肉鸡的胰脏指数显著高于其他3组(P0.05);对照组脾脏指数显著高于其他3组(P0.05)。补偿生长后,各组肉鸡的心脏指数、肝脏指数、胰脏指数、脾脏指数、胸腺指数和法氏囊指数均无显著差异(P0.05)。4)限饲后,料量限饲组肉鸡的胫骨重、胫骨长、胫骨直径、股骨重和股骨长显著低于其他3组(P0.05),料量限饲组、能量限饲组肉鸡的股骨直径显著低于对照组和蛋白质限饲组(P0.05)。补偿生长后,各组肉鸡的胫骨重、胫骨长、胫骨直径、股骨重、股骨长和股骨直径均无显著差异(P0.05)。由此可见,3种限饲方法均降低了AA肉鸡的平均日增重和部分骨骼性状指标,其中料量限饲法对肉鸡平均日增重和骨骼性状影响最大。经过21d的补偿生长后,3种个限饲组均表现出补偿生长效应,骨骼性状无显著变化,但料量限饲法会降低肉鸡全期的平均日增重和末重,建议生产中慎用料量限饲法。     

Energy and protein utilization in growing cattle

Limited data are available to describe the different phases of dietary protein and energy utilization in growing cattle as compared with those in adult cattle or in growing nonruminants. The European data on this topic are summarized to indicate application in appropriate feeding standards. Net protein requirements are widely variable with breed and sex. They are lower in steers than in bulls and lower in early maturing than in late maturing breeds. They are clearly defined for growing and fattening bulls where they are influenced by breed, live weight and live weight gain. New systems have been proposed to express the protein allowances. They provide a great step towards a concept explaining N supply to ruminants. However, protein degradability in the rumen, efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, intestinal digestibility and metabolic efficiency of amino acid absorption in the intestine need to be described more accurately. Even if body energy retention measured by the slaughter technique is systematically lower than when measured by calorimetric balance, both techniques can correctly describe the effect of breed sex, weight, or daily gain on energy retained, in relative value, and its distribution between protein and fat deposition. But further research is needed to confirm the distribution of metabolizable energy between maintenance and growth and the efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization for growth. Thus, different authors have preferred to calculate the energy allowances, not by a factorial method, but by regression between energy intake and the corresponding weight and daily gain of animals measured during feeding trials.     

限饲对商品代AA肉仔鸡生产性能及其经济效益的影响

本研究通过对蛋白质、能量和饲料采食量的限饲,探讨商品代AA肉仔鸡(arber acres)在35日龄出栏时,限饲对生产性能及其经济效益的影响。试验选用了1日龄AA健康肉仔鸡960只,研究在7~14日龄限饲对35日龄出栏时的生产性能和经济效益的影响。研究结果表明,饲料采食量以限采食量组最低,而体增重、料重比和死淘率最佳值都出现在限采食量组,限蛋白质组的效果最差。经济效益分析结果也表明,限饲料采食量组的效益最好。上述研究结果表明,肉仔鸡在7~14日龄时限制采食量25%可提高其生长、生产性能和经济效益。因此,在实践生产中可以考虑予以推广采用。     

Voluntary intake, growth rate, and tissue retention by Holstein steers fed formaldehyde- and formic acid-treated alfalfa and orchardgrass silages.

Alfalfa and orchardgrass herbages of similar digestibility were harvested at early and late maturity from primary growth and conserved as direct-cut silage using formic acid and formaldehyde simultaneously. Major compositional differences between the silages were lower NDF (principally hemicellulose) and a greater N content in alfalfa than in orchardgrass. An initial group of eight steers was slaughtered with a mean BW of 222 kg, and each of the four silages was fed to comparable groups of eight Holstein steers. Ad libitum DMI per unit of metabolic BW for alfalfa silages was 128% of that for orchardgrass silages. The ADG of steers fed alfalfa silages was 132% of that of steers fed orchardgrass silages. Despite greater ad libitum intake, total gut fill, as a percentage of BW, on alfalfa silages was 77% of that on orchardgrass silages. Daily empty BW gain of steers fed alfalfa silages was 158% of that of steers fed orchardgrass silages. Daily energy retention of steers fed alfalfa silages was 180% of that of steers fed orchardgrass silages. Steers fed alfalfa silages retained 140% more protein than steers fed orchardgrass silages did, but steers fed alfalfa silages retained only 71% as much protein energy relative to their total energy retention compared with steers fed orchardgrass silages. Differences in composition of daily energy retained were almost totally a result of differences in the total daily energy retention. Late alfalfa silage produced a greater daily gain than orchardgrass silage cut 2 wk earlier because greater intake compensated for lower digestibility.     

Prediction of traits at constant finish for performance-tested beef cattle

The relationships of performance in time-constant intervals to that in the full feedlot phase of production and of bulls to steers were studied. Monthly records on 43 bulls and 48 steers for gain, ultrasonic backfat, weight and hip height were collected in the period postweaning to an estimated 6 to 7 mm subcutaneous backfat. Information gathered in the first 140 d (performance test) was used to predict feedlot performance to Canada grade A1 finish (7 mm backfat). Traits predicted were days to market finish (DM), weight at market finish (WM), relative growth rate (RGR) and economic rate of maturing (Ke). Economic maturing rate was derived as an estimator of growth relative to weight at fixed body composition (7 mm backfat). Prediction equations were developed by stepwise regression which explained 91, 92, 83 and 79% of the variation in DM, WM, RGR and Ke, respectively. Ratios for steer to bull values for DM and WM were .901 and .928, respectively. It was concluded that accurate prediction of DM, WM, RGR and Ke is possible from information on weight and backfat measurements as currently gathered in many test stations. Prediction of RGR and Ke could be improved by inclusion of heart girth measurements. Differences among animals in Ke are easier to estimate than are differences in rate of maturing, and may be of greater relevance for the genetic improvement of livestock.     

Efficiency of feed energy utilization for protein and fat gain in Hereford and Charolais steers

Two multiple regression models were used to estimate energetic efficiency of protein and fat gain for 84 grade British steers, predominantly Hereford, and 84 Charolais steers using data obtained from a comparative slaughter feeding trial. In Model One, metabolizable energy intake was regressed on energy gain as fat and protein; the intercept was an estimate of maintenance. For Model Two, maintenance requirements were estimated by regression of log heat production (kcal/kg.75) on metabolizable energy intake (kcal/kg.75) and iterating to the point at which heat production was equal to metabolizable energy intake. Energy intake above maintenance was then regressed on energy gained as fat and protein. Results from Model One showed the efficiencies of protein and fat gain to be 10 and 49%, while Model Two indicated these efficiencies were 11 and 58%. Breeds did not appear to differ significantly in the efficiency with which they used metabolizable energy for protein or fat deposition.     

Mechanisms of reduced and compensatory growth

Growth is an integrated process, resulting from the response of cells dependent on the endocrine status and nutrient availability. During feed restriction, the production and secretion of growth hormone (GH) by the pituitary gland are enhanced, but the number of GH receptors decreases. Changes of GH binding proteins induce GH resistance and are followed by reduced insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) secretion. On the other hand, high circulating levels of GH enhance the mobilization of fatty acids, which are used to support energy requirements. Thus, when feed restriction in growing animals is moderate, there is mainly protein but barely fat accretion. By contrast, a severe feed restriction enhances the release of catabolic hormones and stimulates, from muscle cells, the liberation of amino acids, which are used by hepatocytes for gluconeogenesis. During refeeding and compensatory growth, the secretion of insulin is sharply enhanced and plasma GH concentrations remain high. This situation probably allows more nutrients to be used for growth processes. The role of plasma IGF-I during compensatory growth is not clear and must be explained in connection with changes of its binding proteins. Thyroxin and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine seem to have a permissive effect on growth. The simultaneous occurrence of puberty with refeeding can exert a synergistic effect on growth. Initially, compensatory growth is characterized by the deposition of very lean tissue, similar as during feed restriction. This lasts for some weeks. Then, protein synthesis decreases and high feed intake leads to increased fat deposition.     

Energy and protein requirements for growth and maintenance of F1 Nellore x Red Angus bulls, steers, and heifers

A comparative slaughter trial was conducted with 36 F1 Nellore x Red Angus calves (12 steers, 12 bulls, and 12 heifers), averaging 274 kg of BW, to assess the net requirements of protein and energy for growth and maintenance. Three cattle from each group (i.e., steers, bulls, and heifers) were slaughtered at the beginning of the trial to determine the initial body composition. The remaining calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: maintenance (diet containing 70% of DM as corn silage fed at 1.2% of BW daily) or concentrate at 0.75 or 1.5% of BW daily with corn silage available for ad libitum consumption. The diets were isonitrogenous (2% N, DM basis). The experimental design provided ranges in ME intake, BW, and ADG for the development of regression equations to predict the maintenance requirements for NE and net protein (MRNE and MRNP, respectively) and the growth requirement for NE and net protein (GRNE and GRNP, respectively). After 84 d of growth, the cattle were slaughtered. The cleaned gastrointestinal tracts, organs, carcasses, heads, hides, tails, feet, blood, and tissues were weighed to measure empty BW (EBW). These parts were ground separately and subsampled for chemical analyses. For each animal within a period, DMI was measured daily and samples of feces were collected to determine diet digestibility. There were no differences in MRNE (P = 0.06) among groups. The combined data indicated a MRNE of 71.2 kcal x kg(-0.75) of EBW x d(-1), with a partial efficiency of use of ME to NE(m) of 0.71. The partial efficiency of use of ME to NE for growth was 0.54 for bulls, 0.47 for steers, and 0.54 for heifers. The GRNE for steers and heifers were similar (P = 0.15) but were 18.7% greater (P = 0.03) for steers and heifers than for bulls. The MRNP did not differ among groups and averaged 2.53 g of CP x kg(-0.75) of EBW x d(-1). Likewise, GRNP was not different among groups. The percentage of retained energy deposited as protein (RE(p)) increased as the content of retained energy in the gain (RE(c), Mcal/kg of empty body gain) decreased. The RE(p) equation of the pooled data was 46.5 x e(-0.2463 x RE(c)). We conclude that the energy requirement of crossbred Bos indicus x Bos taurus for maintenance might be less than that of purebred Bos taurus and that RE(p) is nonlinearly, negatively correlated with RE(c). The GRNE was less for bulls than for steers and heifers. However, we found no differences in MRNE, MRNP, and GRNP for bulls, steers, and heifers of Nellore x Red Angus crossbreds.     

Energy components of growth in Holstein steers fed formaldehyde- and formic acid-treated alfalfa or orchardgrass silages at equalized intakes of dry matter

Energy retention was compared in Holstein steers fed either alfalfa or orchardgrass silages for 164 d at either 65 or 90 g DM/kg.75 BW daily in a 2 x 2 factorial. Energy retention was estimated by slaughter-balance using an initial kill of eight steers at 216 kg and a final kill of eight steers per treatment at 326 kg. The ADG was not affected (P greater than .05) by silage, but steers fed alfalfa gained less (P less than .001) gut fill (they lost gut fill) and gained more (P less than .001) of the following than steers fed orchardgrass: empty body, 23%; fat, 50%; fat-free matter, 18%; protein, 16%; water, 17%; ash, 43%; gross energy, 31%; and carbon, 38%. With retained energy at 1.15 Mcal/d, retained energy was equally distributed between fat and protein. Increments of daily retained energy greater than 1.15 Mcal were deposited as 76% to fat and 24% to protein; this distribution was not affected by silage. The energy requirement for maintenance, with BW adjusted to equal gut fill, was not different (P greater than .05) at 130 kcal ME/kg.75 BW for steers fed alfalfa vs 125 for steers fed orchardgrass. Although not significant (P greater than .05), retained energy/ME intake above maintenance was 13% greater for steers fed alfalfa (.261) than for steers fed orchardgrass (.230), which supports the difference observed by calorimetry. The difference in dietary protein (25.6 vs 20.5%) did not contribute to the difference in energy retention because the differences in fat and protein retention could be explained totally by differences in daily energy deposition. The higher NDF of orchardgrass, or other fiber components, seems to be the most probable cause of its somewhat lower partial energetic efficiency relative to alfalfa.     

Growth and metabolism in somatotropin-treated steers: I. Growth, serum chemistry and carcass weights

Growth, feed conversion, serum chemistry and gross slaughter characteristics were determined in 20 steers (initially 9 mo of age, 231 +/- 18 kg) receiving daily injections of either saline (S) or recombinantly derived bovine somatotropin (rBST, 20.6 mg/d) for 112 d. Live weight gains were 15% greater for steers treated with rBST than for those treated with S. Feed intake was not different between S- and rBST-treated steers; thus, feed conversion was 12% more efficient in rBST steers. Scanogram backfat measurements were not affected by treatments. Serum electrolytes, protein, glucose and most enzyme activities were similar in S and rBST steers. Serum urea, creatinine and cholesterol (toward the end of treatment) concentrations, however, were lower (P less than .05) in rBST steers, suggesting that nitrogen retention was increased and lipid turnover was decreased by rBST. Total (P less than .1) and conjugated (P less than .05) bilirubin concentrations and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase activity (P less than .05) were lower in rBST steers. Carcass weights were not altered, but dressing percentages were lower (P less than .05) in rBST steers. This indicated that weight gain response to rBST was primarily in noncarcass components; further examination showed that this gain was predominantly in gut fill (approximately 2/3 of the greater live weight gain in rBST steers). Alternative protocols, such as administering the hormone to younger animals and (or) for a longer duration, may be necessary in order to achieve desirable responses in carcass growth.     

Urea and(or) feather meal supplementation for yearling steers grazing limpograss (Hemarthria altissima var. 'Floralta') pasture.

The unique relationship between TDN and CP concentration (low CP relative to TDN) in the whole-plant of 'Floralta' limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) may provide an opportunity for improving cattle performance through protein supplementation. In each of three consecutive years, yearling Brahman x British crossbred steers (initial weight approximately 270 kg) grazed limpograss during the summer and fall (five steers per ha, three pasture replications per treatment) and were fed liquid cane molasses-based supplements (1.4 kg DM daily) alone, or containing urea and(or) hydrolyzed poultry feather meal. In yr 1 and 2, protein supplementation did not influence ADG. In these years, pasture availability was in excess at all times, and visual observations indicated that the upper canopy contained abundant leaf. Pasture samples collected in a manner to simulate grazing had in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD):CP ratios ranging from 6.5 to 8.1, and plasma urea nitrogen concentration in the blood of steers fed no supplemental protein was high (10.6 to 15.9 mg/dL), both not suggestive of a situation where providing a protein supplement might improve animal performance. In yr 3, ADG was improved (P < 0.05) by protein supplementation. Forage availability was in excess at the beginning of the trial but declined significantly as the trial progressed. At the end of the trial, forage IVOMD:CP ratio (11.1) and plasma urea nitrogen values of steers fed no protein supplement (6.6 mg/dL) were both suggestive of a situation where providing supplemental protein might improve animal performance. Grazing management of limpograss pasture can affect canopy composition, thereby influencing cattle response to protein supplementation. In cases where limpograss is moderately grazed resulting in abundant leaf in the grazed horizon, dietary energy:protein ratio can be balanced, and positive responses to protein supplementation may not be observed. Where limpograss is grazed more intensively resulting in greater quantities of stem in the upper pasture canopy, an imbalance of dietary protein (low) relative to energy can develop, increasing the opportunity for enhancing cattle performance through protein supplementation.     

Effects of ractopamine hydrochloride on performance, rate and variation in feed intake, and acid-base balance in feedlot cattle

Two experiments evaluated effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) on performance, intake patterns, and acid-base balance of feedlot cattle. In Exp. 1, 360 crossbred steers (Brangus, British, and British x Continental breeding; initial BW = 545 kg) were used in a study with a 3 x 3 factorial design to study the effects of dose [0, 100, or 200 mg/(steer x d) of RAC] and duration (28, 35, or 42 d) of feeding of RAC in a randomized complete block design (9 treatments, 8 pens/treatment). No dose x duration interactions were detected (P > 0.10). As RAC dose increased, final BW (FBW; P = 0.01), ADG (P < 0.01), and G:F (P < 0.01) increased linearly. As duration of feeding increased, ADG increased quadratically (P = 0.04), with tendencies for quadratic effects for FBW (P = 0.06), DMI (P = 0.07), and G:F (P = 0.09). Hot carcass weight increased linearly (P = 0.02) as dose of RAC increased. Thus, increasing the dose of RAC from 0 to 200 mg/(steer x d) and the duration of feeding from 28 to 42 d improved feedlot performance, although quadratic responses for duration of feeding indicated little improvement as the duration was extended from 35 to 42 d. In Exp. 2, 12 crossbred beef steers (BW = 593 kg) were used in a completely random design to evaluate the effects of RAC [0 or 200 mg/(steer x d) for 30 d; 6 steers/treatment] on rate of intake, daily variation in intake patterns, and acid-base balance. To assess intake patterns, absolute values of daily deviations in feed delivered to each steer relative to the total quantity of feed delivered were analyzed as repeated measures. There were no differences (P > 0.10) in feedlot performance, urine pH, blood gas measurements, or variation in intake patterns between RAC and control cattle, but steers fed RAC had increased (P = 0.04) LM area, decreased (P = 0.03) yield grade, and increased (P < 0.10) time to consume 50 and 75% of daily intake relative to control steers. Our results suggest that feeding RAC for 35 d at 200 mg/(steer x d) provided optimal performance, and no effects on acid-base balance or variation in intake patterns of finishing steers were noted with RAC fed at 200 mg/(steer x d) over a 30-d period.     

能量限制对三黄鸡补偿生长及肠道结构的影响

本试验旨在研究能量限制对三黄鸡补偿生长及肠道结构的影响,选用72只15日龄三黄母鸡,随机分为3个组:自由采食组(对照组)、15%能量限制组(试验1组)和30%能量限制组(试验2组),限饲15 d(30日龄)、补偿生长14 d(44日龄)和35 d(65日龄)后分别屠宰,取其十二指肠、空肠、回肠,测量其肠壁厚度、绒毛高度和隐窝深度。结果表明:1)限饲降低三黄鸡平均日增重(P0.05),但料重比与对照组相比差异不显著(P0.05)。补偿生长后,试验组与对照组组间的末重、平均日增重、料重比均差异不显著(P0.05)。2)限饲增加了十二指肠、空肠、回肠绒毛高度及回肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度(P0.05)。补偿生长后,十二指肠肠壁厚度变薄(P0.05),空肠和回肠绒毛高度增加(P0.05)。本试验表明,能量限制显著降低三黄鸡限饲期生长性能,补偿生长35 d后表现出完全补偿生长效应;能量限制在一定程度上改善了三黄鸡的小肠肠道形态结构,增加了十二指肠、空肠、回肠绒毛高度。