Adaptation to the digestion of nutrients of a starch diet or a non-starch polysaccharide diet in group-housed pregnant sows

A trial was conducted with twenty group-housed pregnant sows to study the adaptation in nutrient digestibility to a starch-rich diet or a diet with a high level of fermentable non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) during a time period of 6 weeks. The starch-rich diet was primarily composed of wheat, peas and tapioca, whereas soya bean hulls and sugar beet pulp, which both are highly fermentable NSP sources, were used to formulate the NSP-rich diet. The starch-rich diet and the NSP-rich diet were formulated to contain different levels of starch (298 vs. 78 g/kg) and fermentable NSP (100 vs. 300 g/kg), but a similar level of net energy (NE) (8.36 MJ/kg). The trial consisted of a 1-week adaptation period followed by a 5-week collection period. Weekly apparent faecal digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat, ash and NSP were measured by using the acid-insoluble ash marker method. Apparent faecal digestibilities of DM and organic matter (OM) of both diets were similar. Faecal digestibility of CP and crude fat was lower (p < 0.001) whereas that of NSP was higher (p < 0.001) for sows that received the NSP-rich diet. Calculated NE values of both diets were similar. Sows fed the NSP-rich diet produced faeces that contained a lower (p < 0.001) DM content compared with sows that were fed with the starch-rich diet. The quantity of dry faeces was the same on both diets, therefore total faeces production (as-is basis) was higher (p < 0.01) for the sows fed the NSP-rich diet. During the 5-week collection period, no changes were observed in the digestibility of DM, OM and NSP in the NE value of the diets. Digestibilities of CP and fat, however, were lower in week 1 (p < 0.05) compared with weeks 2-5 for both diets. The DM content of the faeces and the quantity of dry faeces did not change from weeks 1-5. Diet by time interaction was not observed for any of the response variables indicating that sows adapt as quickly to a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP as to a starch-rich diet. The present trial shows that, with regard to digestibility of nutrients, pregnant sows completely adapt to a NSP-rich diet (i.e., NSP from sugar beet pulp) in 2 weeks and that the time period necessary to adapt to a starch-rich diet or a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP is similar.     

Effect of a supplement of partly hydrolized straw meal to a diet of fish meal and horse beans on N balance and amino acid excretion in the feces of swine

2 test pigs each (male castrated pigs) of an average live weight of 51-71 kg received either a wheat/fish meal diet (Ia) or a wheat/horse bean diet (IIa). Due to a supplement of partly hydrolysed straw meal the crude fibre content was increased from 3.0% (= Ia) to 10.1% (= Ib) and from 5.2% (= IIa) to 12.1% (= IIb) in the dry matter. This straw meal supplement decreased the apparent digestibility of the crude protein in I from 92.5 to 85.7% and in II from 89.0 to 79.0%. N-excretion in faeces/100 g DM-intake followed the regression line: y = 228 + 31.2x(r = 0.98) y = mg N/100 g DM-intake x = % crude fibre in the DM of the diet The excretion in faeces/100 g DM-intake of 15 investigated amino acids, too, in each case showed a significant increase with the rising crude fibre content of the diet. The widest growth angle (tan alpha) of all the essential amino acids investigated was shown by lysine and those amino acids with branched chains. The conclusion is that in the presence of a fermentable crude fibre source and a good N-supply those 4 amino acids show a suitable bacterial synthesis rate and a low decomposition rate.     

Chemical analysis and consistency of faeces produced by captive monkeys (François langurs, Trachypithecus francoisi) fed supplemental fibre

The effect of additional dietary fibre on the consistency of faeces was studied in a group of four Fran?ois langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) kept in Rotterdam Zoo. To increase fibre intake, a diet pellet rich in fibre was offered instead of the usual, commercial primate pellet. This dietary change raised the amounts of hemicellulose and cellulose that were consumed at the expense of non-structural carbohydrates. The experiment had an A1-B-A2 design. Stool quality improved when the high-fibre pellet was fed. The monkeys produced somewhat more faecal dry matter and the faeces contained markedly more non-structural carbohydrates and less crude fibre when the high-fibre pellet was fed. The percentage of water in the faeces was slightly lower when the high-fibre diet was offered. We speculate that the extra fibre was partly fermented and that the breakdown products were recovered in the carbohydrate fraction of faeces. These breakdown products might have a superior water-binding capacity, leading to well-shaped faeces. This study showed that Fran?ois langurs have the capacity to digest dietary fibre, as has been demonstrated earlier for other species of leaf-eating monkeys.     

Dietary effects on bifidobacteria and Clostridium perfringens in the canine intestinal tract

Dietary effects on the intestinal microflora have gained increasing interest because of the evidence that a balanced micro ecology in the gut is important for health and well being. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different diets on faecal counts of bifidobacteria and Clostridium perfringens in dogs. Two extruded, dry diets, one supplemented with 3% chicory (1.5% inulin), a non-digestible oligosaccharide (NDO) and the other with 3% glucose (GLU) were compared with a protein rich diet (PR+) based on low quality animal derived protein sources (NDO 265, GLU 259, PR+ 726 g crude protein/kg dry matter; greaves meal and bovine lung as protein sources in PR+). Nine adult beagles were subjected to a consecutive cross-over trial. All dogs started with diet PR+, after which groups of four dogs (group A) received GLU and the other five dogs (group B) received NDO. After an intermediate wash-out period with diet PR+ for 3 weeks the A dogs were switched to diet NDO and B dogs to GLU. In the final period all dogs were fed with diet PR+. Faecal samples were collected during each period for dry matter and pH measurements. Faecal bifidobacteria and Cl. perfringens were quantified in fresh samples at the end of each feeding period and additionally on the first days after feed change from the dry diets to diet PR+. Diets NDO and GLU increased faecal dry matter and reduced faecal pH from 6.9 to 7.4 with the high protein diet to 5.9-6.5. The dry diets induced a firmer faecal consistency and a lower faecal pH, with no significant difference between NDO or GLU. Clostridium perfringens was found in all faecal specimens after feeding PR+ with counts of log 8.2-8.8 colony forming units (cfu)/g faeces. Both dry diets reduced the counts of Cl. perfringens significantly (log 3.3-4.0 cfu/g faeces). Switching from the dry diets to the high protein diet induced an increase of Cl. perfringens within 1 day, independent of the previous diet. In dogs fed PR+, bifidobacteria were detected in only four faecal samples and exclusively in the initial feeding period. During the remainder of the experiment the counts fell below the detection limit (log 6 cfu/g faeces). The faecal concentrations of bifidobacteria increased with both dry diets. Slightly higher concentrations (log 9.6-9.7 cfu/g faeces) were obtained from dogs fed the dry diet containing NDO compared with the diet containing glucose (log 9.3-9.4 cfu/g faeces). The increase was small which may be related to the level of total fermentable carbohydrates in both diets which alone increase remarkably the total counts of bifidobacteria. In conclusion, distinct dietary effects on the faecal counts of Cl. perfringens and bifidobacteria with a clear antagonistic pattern were observed. The main factor was the protein source and level in the diet. In this case, NDO favoured the concentrations of bifidobacteria to a limited degree. Further studies are needed to evaluate time effects, metabolic consequences and the potential implication for health promotion in pets.     

Possible interesting dietetic effects of lactulose as a feed additive in pig feed

In reared piglets (n = 10), fattening pigs (n = 20) and sows (n = 8) the effects of lactulose as feed additive on the quality and composition of chyme and faeces were tested to find out potential dietetic advantages of its use. The lactulose concentration in the diets varied between 27-29 g/kg dry matter in piglets and fattening pigs and 55-140 g/kg dry matter in the diet of sows. In piglets and fattening pigs the lactulose intake did not alter the dry matter content and pH in faeces; in spite of the higher concentration lactulose did not result in diarrhea in sows or adult minipigs, there was only a slight decrease in the dry matter content of faeces. In contrast to findings in human beings only traces of lactulose reached the hind gut, although higher lactulose concentrations were measured at the end of the small intestine (in piglets: 10-40 g, in fattening pigs 40-70 g lactulose per kg dry matter of chyme). The oral intake of lactulose did not increase the concentration of lactic acid or volatile fatty acids in the content of the small intestine and did not reduce the pH in the chyme, but in the contents of cecum and colon ascendens higher concentrations of volatile fatty acids were measured (in piglets: significantly higher values, in fattening pigs slightly increased concentrations). In piglets as well as in fattening pigs lactulose resulted in reduced concentrations of ammonia in the content of small and large intestine, further more the concentrations of lipopolysaccharides were increased in the colonal chyme, when pigs ingested the lactulose containing diet. Due to the fact that only small amounts of lactulose reached the hind gut there are doubts, whether lactulose has comparable dietetic effects in pigs as known from human beings (for example laxative effects, forced elimination of bacteria like salmonella). The results obtained here in pigs underline the necessity of experimental studies in the target species (including parameters of digestive physiology, chemical/microbial composition of the chyme) before substances are used and recommended for dietetic purposes in feeding practice. In spite of generally adopted similarity of the alimentary tract in pigs and human beings there are eventually some important differences within the intestine, its digestive capacity or in reactions on ingested substances leading to unexpected results.     

Protein and amino acid metabolism in the digestive tract growing young bulls. 1. Flow of bacterial raw protein in the duodenum determined by 2,6-diaminopimelic acid as a marker

The influence of the composition of the rations on the content of diamino pimelic acid (DAP) and N in the bacteria dry matter and on the flow of bacteria crude protein into the duodenum, determined with DAP as marker, was determined on the basis of experimental investigations with young bulls provided with duodenal cannulae and with 28 different rations whose details are described. At a production level corresponding to dry matter intake and a variation range of the crude fibre content of between 11.3 and 29.1% in the DM, a content of N-free extractives between 50.9 and 77.4% in the DM, a content of soluble carbohydrates ibetween 5.3 and 6.4% in the DM, a crude protein content of between 6.4 and 17.1% in the DM and a pure protein content of between 4.9 and 15.5% in the DM, the DAP content of the bacteria DM amounts the 0.350 g 100 g DM +/- 0.090 the N-content of the bacteria DM amounts to 7.37 +/- 1.08 g/100 g DM, there are no relations between DAP- and N-content in the bacteria DM and the content of the individual carbohydrate fractions of the ration, there are positive relations between DAP- and N-content of the bacteria DM, the flow of bacterial crude protein into the duodenum amounts to 133 +/- 14 g/kg truly fermentable organic matter or 130 +/- 14 g/kg apparently digestible organic matter, there is a negative relation between bacteria crude protein at the duodenum (BCPD)/kg truly fermentable organic matter and the crude fibre content of the ration, there is a positive relation between BCPD/kg truly fermentable organic matter and N-free extractives and soluble carbohydrate content as well as the digestibility of the organic matter of the ration, there is no specific influence of the flow rate (kg digesta/kg intake of org. matter) or the dilution rate (g bacteriafree org. matter D/kg LW075/b) on BCPD/kg truly fermentable org. matter, there is a dependence of BCPD/kg truly fermentable org. matter on crude protein concentration in the ration in the concentration range of 6.4-9.0% crude protein in the ration (provided endogenous CP equivalents are used).     

Beet-vinasse (condensed molasses solubles) as an ingredient in diets for cattle and pigs - nutritive value and limitations

Sugar beet vinasse, originating as the condensed molasses residue from yeast production, was fed to bulls and pigs to determine the feed value. It contained, per kg dry matter (DM content 66.8%), 293 g crude protein, 305 g N-free extract (therefrom 34.4 g total sugar), and 395 g crude ash. The experiment was carried out with three fattening bulls (German Holstein) and four adult pigs (Gottingen Minipig). In bulls, two balance trials lasting 20 days each (10 days adaptation; 10 days collection) were conducted in which subsequently a basal ration without and with vinasse (14% in DM) was fed. In pigs, the experiment consisted of three 12-day balance trials with the final 5 days as collection period. In the first trial, pigs received a basal diet without vinasse and in the following, a mixed diet with 16 and 43% vinasse (in DM) respectively. Digestibilities of components in vinasse in bulls were: organic matter 73.5%, crude protein 72.6%, and N-free extract 52.3%. In bulls, no influence on faeces quality could be detected while feeding 14% vinasse in DM. While feeding 16% vinasse in DM to pigs, the digestibility of organic matter amounted to 72.3% (crude protein 71.8%; NfE 74.6%). Feeding higher amounts of vinasse (43% in DM) in the diet of pigs, digestibilities were reduced (organic matter: 61.6%), which might be a result of a reduced retention time of the chyme as a result of an osmotically driven diarrhoea because of unexpectedly high sulphate (136 g/kg DM) content in the vinasse. It is concluded that because of organic matter digestibility >70% for cattle and pigs, the use of vinasse in these species in small proportions is reasonable.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Impact of feeding level on digestibility of a haylage‐only diet in Icelandic horses

Eight mature Icelandic geldings were used in an experiment arranged as a change‐over design to evaluate the effect of feeding level on the digestibility of a high‐energy haylage‐only diet. The horses were fed a low feeding level 10.7 g dry matter (DM)/kg body weight (BW) (maintenance) and a high feeding level 18.1 g DM/kg BW (1.5 × maintenance) during two 23 days experimental periods. Total collection of faeces was performed for 6 days at the end of each period to determine the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD). The CTTAD for DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre and energy was higher in horses fed at the low level of feed intake, while feeding level did not affect the CTTAD of crude protein. The largest difference in CTTAD between feeding levels was found for NDF. The content (/kg DM) of digestible energy in the haylage was 11.3 MJ at the low level of feed intake and 10.6 MJ at the high level of feed intake. It can be concluded that feeding level has a large impact on the digestibility and energy value of early cut haylage in Icelandic horses.     

The effect of exogenous factors on prececal nutrient and amino acid absorption, ascertained from swine with ileo-rectal anastomoses. 3. The effect of crude fiber-rich coarse meal supplements to a basic ration

In digestion trials using pigs fitted with ileo-rectal anastomoses and parallel intact pigs the influence of wheat straw meal (WSM) or grass meal (GM) supplemented on two different levels to a basal diet was examined with regard to nutrient and amino acid digestibility resp. absorption. Both roughages reduced, obviously because of their high cell wall contents, nearly at equal amounts and partly significantly the precaecal as well as the total digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, carbohydrates (= crude fibre + NFE), crude fibre and hemicelluloses (arabinose, xylose). By the roughage supplementations the crude protein digestibility at the terminal ileum was less reduced than at the end of the total digestive tract, the starch digestibility was hardly influenced and that of ether extract mostly increased. In comparison with precaecal glucose and fructose digestibilities it could be shown that the anthrone method is not suitable for determinations of the precaecal digestibility of water soluble carbohydrates. Beside these compounds other substances in the ileum digesta must evidently be dyed by anthrone too. The crude protein digestibility and the amino acid absorption were precaecally hardly or not reduced by WSM supplementations, therefore it can be concluded that it is possible to dilute the energy concentration in diets (e.g. for sows) by addition of WSM without impairing protein digestion and amino acid absorption. The GM supplementations, however, impaired protein digestibility and amino acid absorption of the whole diet, probably caused by the encrusted, possibly heat damaged protein present in the GM itself. When the roughage supplemented diets were fed, the excretion of nitrogen compounds in the faeces was enlarged due to the more intensive bacterial activity in the hind gut and the additional sorption effects to cell wall substances, so that a too low apparent and also true digestibility is made believe. The applicability of the difference method to the calculation of protein and amino acid digestibilities in roughages is very questionable because of their low contents and the missing additivity. The crude fibre and hemicellulose digestibility values calculated by the difference method demonstrate for the both roughages--in spite of high standard deviations--that the precaecal digestibility of crude fibre is about zero and that of the hard lignified hemicellulose fraction in contrast to the predominantly endospermic hemicelluloses of the basal diet is very low. The faecal crude fibre and hemicellulose digestibilities of WSM--especially on the lower supplementation levels--are markedly worse than those of GM.     

Feeding sows with high fibre diet around farrowing and early lactation: impact on intestinal activity, energy balance related parameters and litter performance

The effects of fibre in diets for periparturient sows are poorly documented. Three weeks before farrowing, 41 sows (LACT) were fed a diet containing 3.8% crude fibre. Other 40 sows (FIBRE) received a diet containing 7% crude fibre. We estimated the intestinal activity of the sows with a daily qualitative evaluation of their faeces. The FIBRE group had a qualitative faeces score value of 2.1 ± 1.3 and the LACT group had a value of 1.2 ± 1.1 (P < 0.001). Individual daily water consumption was higher in the FIBRE group than in the LACT group (P < 0.001). Piglet weight gain at day 5 was higher in the FIBRE group (P < 0.05). The energy balance related parameters did not differ between the treatments.Concluding, diets containing more fibre can be successfully used around farrowing reducing prolonged constipation of sows with no negative effect on their energy balance related parameters.     

Digestive physiology of captive giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla): determinants of faecal dry matter content

Giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) are specialized insectivores and consume mainly ants and termites in the wild. In captivity, giant anteaters are either fed a complete diet, or a combination of a domestic carnivore diet with leaf eater pellets, or a traditional gruel‐type diet. Soft faeces are a frequently encountered problem with this type of feeding. In the present study, we analysed diet and faeces composition, calculated digestibility and measured mean retention time on various diets in eight giant anteaters (total of n = 64 experiments). The results suggest that the digestive physiology of giant anteaters is similar to that of domestic dogs and cats in terms of nutrient digestibility and digesta retention. When testing correlations between faecal dry matter content and other variables, no relationship with dietary crude fibre content or mean digesta retention time could be detected. However, acid insoluble ash intake was significantly and positively correlated with faecal dry matter content. The amount of acid insoluble ash excreted with the faeces was higher than that ingested with the diet offered, indicating that the giant anteaters ingested soil from their enclosure of up to 93 g per day. This finding is consistent with observation of faeces of wild giant anteaters that contain soil or sand most likely due to indiscriminate feeding. It also corresponds to reports that indigestible materials such as peat, soil, chitin or cellulose contribute to a firmer faecal consistency in various carnivore species. Therefore, offering giant anteaters the opportunity to voluntarily ingest soil from their enclosure might be beneficial.     

Performance and individual feed intake characteristics of group-housed sows fed a nonstarch polysaccharides diet ad libitum during gestation over three parities

The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of feeding group-housed gestating sows a diet with a high level of fermentable nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP; approximately 45% sugar beet pulp as fed) ad libitum on the development in individual feed intake characteristics and reproductive performance during three successive reproduction cycles. Performance of the ad libitum-fed sows was compared to the performance of sows that were fed a conventional diet restrictedly. Feed intake characteristics during gestation were only measured in the ad libitum-fed sows. One hundred and nineteen sows were assigned to one of two gestation feeding regimens. Gestating sows were fed a conventional Dutch diet restrictedly or a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP ad libitum. During lactation, sows were given free access to a commercial lactation diet from d 6 after parturition onward. The ad libitum-fed sows ate 1.3 kg/d more during gestation than the restrictedly fed sows (P < 0.001), resulting in higher body weight and backfat gains during gestation (P < 0.05). Sows that were fed ad libitum during gestation lost more body weight and backfat during lactation (P < 0.001) than sows that were fed restrictedly during gestation. Feed intake during lactation, however, did not differ between sows that were fed restrictedly or ad libitum during gestation. The numbers of total piglets born, live-born and stillborn piglets, piglet birth weight, weaning-to-estrus interval, and percentage of sows that returned to estrus after first insemination were not affected by gestation feeding regimen. Mean daily voluntary feed intake (as-fed basis) over the three reproduction cycles in the ad libitum-fed gestating sows was 4.2 kg/d. Depending on the number of preceding reproduction cycles during which a sow was fed ad libitum, the maximum voluntary feed intake was reached in Parity 3, 4, or 5 and then remained stable in subsequent parities. Mean daily feed intake of the ad libitum-fed sows increased from wk 2 to 6 of gestation and then decreased to wk 15 of gestation. The mean number of daily visits with feed intake over the three reproduction cycles was 13.8. On average, ad libitum-fed sows spent 90 min/d on eating. This study shows that it is possible to feed gestating sows a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP ad libitum during three successive reproduction cycles without negative effects on reproductive performance.     

Effect of Dietary Fibre on Digestibility and Energy Metabolism in Pregnant Sows

This study was undertaken to provide information on the effect of two levels of dietary fibre (DF) [184 vs. 407 g DF kg^-1 dry matter (DM)] on the digestibility of nutrients and energy metabolism in pregnant sows during different stages of pregnancy. The amount of DF in the high-fibre diet was supplied by dried sugar beet pulp (20%) and oats, wheat bran and grass pellets. The intake of metabolizable energy (ME) was similar for both the low-fibre and the highfibre diet, with an average daily intake of 30.74 MJ. Digestibility of DM, organic matter, protein, fat and energy was significantly decreased by a high DF level, but no effect of the diets was observed on the stage of pregnancy. A high fibre level significantly increased the digestibility of DF, indicating that fibre from sugar beet pulp is more fermentable than fibre from cereals. Protein utilization increased during the pregnancy, but at a very low level, indicating that the protein level in diets for pregnant sows could be lower. Inclusion of extra DF in the diet significantly increased the amount of energy excreted as CH₄. Heat production was affected by diet, although not significantly (28.77 vs. 29.72 MJ day^-1 in the low-fibre and highfibre diets, respectively). The utilization of ME for energy retention was lower for the high-fibre diet as a result of increased hind-gut fermentation. There was similar relation between the net energy of the standard and the high-fibre diet either calculated using the official Danish feed evaluation (0.77) or experimental estimated value (0.81).     

Impact of diets varying in dietary fibre characteristics on gastric emptying in pregnant sows.

The effects of feeding two fibre-rich diets with contrasting solubility and a concentrated low dietary fibre on the rate of gastric emptying were examined in six gastric cannulated pregnant sows. Additionally, it was examined whether any effect could be related to the physico-chemical properties of digesta, i.e. viscosity and/or water binding capacity. The sows were fed each diet for one week in a 3 x 3 Latin Square design and the samples were taken in a randomised order 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 15.5 h after the morning meal. The stomach contents were evacuated through the gastric cannula once daily. The evacuated gastric digesta was quantified and a representative sample was taken to determine its viscosity, water binding capacity and its content of dry matter, dietary components and solid (Cr2O3) and liquid (polyethylene glycol) phase markers. The flow of liquid digesta was calculated as the difference between digesta and dry matter. Increasing the content of dietary fibre in the diet led to higher recovery of liquid digesta but did not have any significant effect on the gastric emptying of dry matter and dietary components. The effect of dietary fibre could not be attributed to the viscosity of the liquid phase of digesta but might be related to the ability of the increased gastric dietary fibre content to hold water. The stomach selectively retained the insoluble dietary fibre components most noticeably seen with the bran-supplemented diet where the concentration of insoluble NSP in digesta increased significantly from 2 hours and onward.     

Determination of physical characteristics,chemical composition and digestion coefficients of treated lemon pulp with Saccharomyces cerevisiae in goat diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of processing of lemon pulp with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on physical properties, chemical composition, digestion coefficients and blood parameters. Eight adult male Raeini goats were used in a 28‐day period. The experimental design was a completely randomised design with two treatments and four replicates. The first 21 days were for adaptation, and the last 7 days were for collecting samples. The animals were housed in individual metabolic cages equipped with a urine–faeces separator and were fed with diet containing alfalfa hay (60%) and lemon pulp (40%) at the maintenance level. Collected data were subjected to analysis of completely randomised design. With diet containing processed lemon pulp, functional specific gravity, bulk density, soluble dry matter, percentage of crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre and crude ash were significantly increased and water‐holding capacity, insoluble dry matter, insoluble ash percentage of dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, non‐fibrous carbohydrates and nitrogen‐free extract were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Digestion coefficient of organic matter in dry matter and metabolisable energy were also decreased in treated lemon pulp (p < 0.05). Compared with untreated lemon pulp, digestibility of crude protein and NDF was higher (p < 0.05), but digestibility of crude fat was lower (p < 0.05). In general, processing of lemon pulp with S. cerevisiae improved the physical characteristics and increased the percentage of crude protein and the digestion coefficients of protein and NDF.     

Use of partially hydrolyzed and untreated straw meal in the feeding of breeding sows. 3. Nutrient digestibility, feed passage time and mineral balance with the addition of variously treated straw materials compared to concentrate feeding alone

In studies with 16 breeding sows of the country species the feed value of straw materials and their fitness for use were ascertained in a long-term experiment. On the feeding basis of a concentrate ration (IV) untreated (I), HCl treated (II = HCl treatment without steaming) and partly hydrolysed straw meal (III = HCl treatment with subsequent steaming) were tested. In the course of the experiment and at a nutrient level of 1 (maintenance requirement), the digestibility of the organic matter of the ration and that of some major and trace elements, N and mineral balances as well as feed passage rate and water excretion in faeces were ascertained at selected measuring times. The following mean results were achieved: The integration of all straw materials tested lead to a significant reduction of the digestibility of the organic matter of the total ration, the least negative effect was caused by partly hydrolysed straw meal (III). The fractions crude protein, crude fibre and N-free extracts were mainly affected. Straw meal integration had a gravidity-conditioned influence on the daily N balance. Increased N excretion in faeces could only be compensated by non-pregnant animals by a decreased N excretion in urine. The mineral balance (Ca, P, Na, Cu and Mn) remained largely uninfluenced by the straw supplement. The feed passage rate was reduced by the use of all straw meal variants to ca. 50% of the value measured after the sole feeding of concentrate (IV). Feed passage rate and water excretion in faeces were approximately reciprocal. The digestibility of the organic matter of the straw materials ascertained according to the difference method amounted to 7.4 (I), 18.1 (II) and 27.9% (III); that of the N-free extracts in the same sequence to 10.0, 22.0 and 34.9%. The calculated energetic feed value was for I = 70.7, for II = 154.9 and for III = 240.7 EFUpig/kg DM.     

The effect of replacing nonstructural carbohydrates with soybean oil on the digestibility of fibre in trotting horses

The hypothesis tested was that the intake of extra fat at the expense of an isoenergetic amount of nonstructural carbohydrates reduces fibre utilisation in horses. In a crossover trial with feeding periods of 42 days each, 6 mature trotting horses (age 4-12 years, bodyweight 340-476 kg) were given either a control or test diet. The test concentrate was formulated to contain 37% of net energy in the form of soybean oil. The control concentrate contained an isoenergetic amount of corn starch plus glucose. The concentrates were fed in combination with the same amount of hay so that the control and test diet contained 25.13 and 86.66 g crude fat/kg dry matter, respectively. Apart from the amounts of fat and nonstructural carbohydrates, the 2 diets were identical. The test diet reduced the apparent total tract digestibilities of crude fibre, neutral and acid detergent fibre by 8.0 (P = 0.007), 6.2 (P = 0.022) and 8.3 (P = 0.0005) percentage units, respectively. It is suggested that a high fat intake by horses may increase the amount of fat entering the large intestine to levels that depress fermentation by cellulolytic bacteria. The observed interaction between fat content of the diet and fibre utilisation may have consequences for practical horse feeding in that calculating the energy content of test diets on the basis of feedstuff tables leads to overestimating the amount of energy provided by the high-fibre ingredients of the diets.     

Effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance of sows during the first two parities

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance during the first two parities. Gilts were randomly allocated to receive three fibrous diets from days 1-90 of gestation, including low fibre [low fiber (LF), 10.8% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), n=132], middle fibre [middle fiber (MF), 15.8% NDF, n=132] and high fibre diet (HF, 20.8% NDF, n=135), until completion of the second parity. Response criteria included backfat measurements, litter size and pig weight at parturition and day 22 of lactation, weaning-oestrus-interval, oestrus rate, sow farrowing and culling rate, uniformity of newborns and relative organ weights. The results showed sows fed LF diet in parity 1 gained more backfat (p<0.05) during gestation but lost more (p<0.05) during lactation than sows fed HF diet. Furthermore, sows fed LF diet farrowed more pigs (+0.7-1.1 pigs, p<0.05) and pigs born alive (+1.0 pigs, p<0.05) relative to sows fed HF diet. Likewise, sows fed LF and MF diets had greater litter weights at parturition (both p=0.06) and day 22 after lactation (both p<0.05). In parity 2, yet, it was MF diet to increase both total pigs born and pigs born alive (+0.9-1.1 pigs, p<0.05) and litter weight (p=0.05) relative to other diets. After 22 d of lactation, intriguingly, sows fed HF diet had most pigs alive (p<0.01-0.07) and heavier litter weight (p=0.07 or 0.2). Feeding HF diet also increased internal organs weight of newborns (p<0.05). Collectively, feeding LF and MF diets had beneficial effects on litter weight at parturition and day 22 of lactation in parity 1, and feeding MF diet until parity 2 was able to improve litter size and weight at parturition, but this positive effect disappeared after 22 days of lactation, instead feeding HF diet showed the optimal litter performance.     

Composition, digestibility and feed intake of Opuntia ficus indica by Ogaden sheep

First of all spineless Opuntia is an important source of water for livestock in tropical regions. The water content of one-year sprouts amounted to 92.5%. 70 to 75% of dry matter of Opuntia ficus indica were crude carbohydrates, approximately 20% were crude ash. The apparent digestibility of organic matter was considerably high (70.9%), the energy content amounts to 35 and 467 EFUc per kg of fresh and dry matter respectively. Opuntias are roughage, their energy content is similar to that of grass or legumes during flowering. The protein content is too low (4.5 to 5.5% crude protein of dry matter) in order to meet the protein requirements of animals. When they had the choice rams preferred chopped fresh Opuntia (61.6% of the whole DM intake) to chopped dried Opuntia (34.7%) and whole fresh Opuntia (3.7%) apart from a certain basal diet (200 g of meadow hay and 200 g of concentrate per animal and day). If only one of the three differently treated forms of Opuntia was fed (apart from the basal diet) the sheep consumed daily 359 g of dry matter of chopped fresh Opuntia (approximately the same amount as if they had the choice, 101%), 313 g of dry matter of chopped dried Opuntia (88%) and 121 g of dry matter of whole fresh sprouts of Opuntia (34% of the total intake when they had the choice.) According to the obtained results spineless Opuntia ficus indica can be used in chopped form as an additional feed to other roughages (like grass, hay, straw) especially during the dry season.     

Effect of linseed cake supplementation on digestibility and faecal and haematological parameters in dogs

The experiment was conducted with a 6 x 4 cyclic changeover design. Six adult Alaskan huskies were assigned to diets containing 0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% linseed cake. A linear decrease in the apparent digestibilities of organic matter (OM) (p < 0.020), ether extract (EE) (p < 0.003), neutral detergent fibre (p < 0.015), nitrogen-free extract (NFE) (p < 0.001) and crude carbohydrates (p < 0.001) was noted. Digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were unaffected by the treatment. Wet weight of faeces increased (p < 0.001) and DM of faeces decreased (p < 0.001) linearly as the percentage of dietary linseed cake increased. Serum cholesterol concentration tended to decrease (p = 0.094) as the proportion of linseed cake increased. Apparent OM, EE, CP and NFE digestibility coefficients for linseed cake were 52%, 77%, 54% and 37%, respectively, and the digestible energy (DE) value was 13.22 MJ/kg DM. Our results showed that working and racing dogs fed the extruded and kibbled diet can utilize up to 4.2% linseed cake of diet DM as a fibre source without severe reductions in nutrient digestibility or feed consumption. Even higher levels of linseed cake, up to 8.5% of diet DM, can be used for normal or obese dogs, but more faeces will be excreted.