Effect of protein level and flushing method on the reproductive performance of rabbits

Fifty‐five New Zealand white × California cross‐bred female rabbits were used to study the effect of protein level and flushing method on the reproductive performance of rabbits. The treatments consisted of three protein diets (18, 20 and 24% crude protein (CP)) and three flushing methods in a 3 × 3 factorial design. The flushing methods consisted of (i) flushing multiparous does and feeding a 16% CP diet during pregnancy; (ii) flushing multiparous does and feeding an 18% CP diet during pregnancy; and (iii) flushing nulliparous does and feeding an 18% CP diet during pregnancy. Flushing rabbits with different levels of protein did not significantly affect gestation length, litter size and mortality of kits. The trend showed an increase in litter weight with the increase in protein level from 18 to 24%. However, kits from does flushed with 24% CP had a higher individual kit weight gain than those on 20 and 18% CP. Gestation length, total litter size at birth, number of kits dead at birth and number of kits dead at 21 days post‐partum were not affected by flushing methods. There was, however, a significant effect of the flushing method on the number of kits alive at birth, and 7, 14 and 21 days post‐partum. Nulliparous does flushed and maintained on 18% CP during pregnancy had a significantly higher number of kits alive at birth, and 7, 14 and 21 days post‐partum. Litter weight was significantly higher for nulliparous does at 7, 14 and 21 days compared with that of multiparous does flushed and placed on a 16 or 18% CP diet during pregnancy. Protein intake during pregnancy had a significant effect on litter birthweight. Nulliparous and multiparous does flushed and placed on an 18% CP diet during pregnancy had a significantly higher litter birthweight than multiparous does flushed and placed on a 16% CP diet during pregnancy. The effect of protein level during pregnancy on the number of kits alive at birth was not significant. There was no interaction between protein level and flushing method on the reproductive performance of rabbits.     

Effect of room temperature and dietary amino acid concentration on performance of lactating sows. NCR-89 Committee on Swine Management.

Mixed-parity sows (n = 267) from five research stations were used to investigate whether a reduction of excess dietary amino acids would improve feed intake and performance of lactating sows experiencing heat stress. Experimental treatments included effects of room temperature (warm or hot) and diet (adequate protein [AP] or low protein [LP]). The corn-soybean meal AP diet was formulated to contain 16.5% CP, .8% lysine, and .67% digestible lysine. The LP diet was formulated to contain 13.7% CP, .76% lysine, and .66% digestible lysine using corn, soybean meal, and synthetic lysine. Feed intake during gestation was standardized at 1.8 kg x sow(-1) x d(-1). At parturition, litter size was adjusted to no fewer than nine pigs. Mean high temperature in the warm and hot rooms was 20.4 and 29.2 degrees C and mean low temperature was 17.7 and 27.1 degrees C, respectively. The hot environment reduced (P < .01) feed intake of sows (4.19 vs 6.38 kg/d) during lactation, weaning weight of sows (176.2 vs 193.6 kg), percentage of sows displaying estrus (79.2 vs 93.4%) by d 15 postweaning, and litter growth rate (1.74 vs 2.11 kg/d) and increased (P < .01) respiration rate of sows on d 10 postpartum (71.9 vs 36.5 breaths/min) compared with the warm environment. Litter size and backfat loss of sows were not affected by treatments. No significant diet x room temperature interactions were observed for voluntary feed intake, body weight loss, backfat loss, or respiration rate of sows. Litter growth rate was depressed by feeding the LP diet in the warm room but was improved by feeding the LP diet in the hot room (warm-AP, 2.17; warm-LP, 2.05; hot-AP, 1.71; hot-LP, 1.77 kg/d; P < .05). Reduction of dietary crude protein combined with supplementation of crystalline lysine to reduce concentrations of excess dietary amino acids did not significantly reduce heat stress of sows, but it did support slight improvements in weight gain of litters nursing heat-stressed sows.     

Effects of exposure to high ambient temperature and dietary protein level on performance of multiparous lactating sows

Fifty-nine multiparous Large White x Landrace sows were used to determine the effects of high ambient temperature and level of dietary heat increment on lactation and reproductive performance. During a 28-d lactation and the 14-d postweaning period, ambient temperature was maintained constant at 20 or 29 degrees C. Experimental diets fed during lactation were a control diet (NP; 17.6% crude protein) and two low-protein diets obtained by reduction of CP level (LP; 14.2% CP) and both reduction of CP and addition of 4% fat (LPF; 15.2% CP); the NE:ME ratio was 74.3, 75.6, and 75.8% for NP, LP, and LPF diets, respectively. All diets provided 0.82 g of digestible lysine/MJ of NE, and ratios between essential amino acids and lysine were above recommendations. During the ad libitum period (i.e., between d 7 and 27 of lactation), ADFI and NE intake decreased, respectively, from 7.63 to 4.22 kg and 82.0 to 43.3 MJ of NE when the temperature increased from 20 to 29 degrees C. Exposure to 29 degrees C reduced litter BW gain (2,152 vs 2,914 g/d) and increased lactation BW loss (34 vs 16 kg) but increased postweaning BW gain (2 vs - 4 kg). Expressed per kilogram of feed intake, water intake increased from 4.0 to 7.5 L between 20 and 29 degrees C. Compared with the NP diet, low-CP diets (LP or LPF) maintained performance and reduced total N excretion (-22.5%) in lactating sows at thermoneutrality and attenuated the negative effects of high temperature on NE intake and BW loss (40.9 vs 47.9 MJ of NE/d and 41 vs 30 kg for NP and LP + LPF diets, respectively). Temperature and diet composition did not affect the reproductive performances, and the mean weaning-to-estrus interval was 4.9 d. The respiratory rate and skin, udder, and rectal temperatures increased markedly at 29 degrees C (105 vs 33 breaths per min and 37.8 vs 36.1 degrees C, 38.9 vs 38.2 degrees C, and 39.5 vs 38.8 degrees C, respectively) without any effect of diet. In conclusion, low heat increment diets (i.e., with reduced CP/NE ratio) did not affect lactation performance of sows at thermoneutrality and attenuated the effects of high ambient temperature on energy intake and BW loss. At any ambient temperature, N excretion can be markedly reduced.     

Effect of Low Crude Protein Diet Supplemented with Amino Acids on Reproductive Performance and Protein Metabolism in Pregnant Sows

In order to study the effect of low crude protein (CP) diet supplemented with amino acids on the reproductive performance and protein metabolism in pregnant sows, a single-factor experimental design was used and twenty-four pregnant sows were randomly divided into three treatments with 8 replicas each according to parity,due date and body weight of sows. The pregnant sows in control group were fed conventional feed with CP level of 14.5%, and the pigs in experimental groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were fed 12.5% and 10.5% of CP diets supplemented with amino acids,respectively. All diets contain similar amino acid concentration. The experiment began at 20 days after breeding and finished after farrowing. The results showed that:① Low CP diets supplemented with amino acids had no significant effect on the reproductive performance of sows,including the total litter size,number of live litter size,weight at birth and backfat thickness of sows (P>0.05).② The serum urea nitrogen of sows in the control group had no significant difference with experimental group Ⅰ (P>0.05),while significantly higher than experimental group Ⅱ (P<0.05).And there was no significant difference between experimental group Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P>0.05). Serum glucose content also had a downward trend with the decrease of CP level,and that of the control group had no significant difference with experimental group Ⅰ (P>0.05),while significantly higher than experimental group Ⅱ (P<0.05).There was no significant difference between experimental group Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P>0.05). ③ Apparent digestibility of CP showed a trend of increase with the decrease of dietary CP levels. CP apparent digestibility of experimental group Ⅰ had no significant difference with control group (P>0.05),while that of experimental groupⅡ was significant higher than other two group (P<0.05).In conclusion,the low CP diet supplemented with amino acids had no significant effects on the reproductive performance and backfat thickness in pregnant sows.     

低粗蛋白质补充氨基酸日粮对妊娠母猪繁殖性能和蛋白质代谢的影响

选择胎次、预产期、体重相近的妊娠母猪24头,采用单因子试验设计,随机分为3个处理,每个处理设8个重复。对照组饲喂常规饲料,粗蛋白质（CP）水平为14.5%,试验组Ⅰ和Ⅱ为低CP补充氨基酸日粮,其CP水平分别为12.5%和10.5%。各处理氨基酸水平相同。试验期为从配种后20 d左右确定受孕后开始,直到产仔结束。试验结果表明：①与对照组相比,妊娠母猪采食低CP日粮,对其繁殖性能如总产仔数、活仔数、初生重及背膘厚无显著影响（P>0.05）。②对照组血清尿素氮的含量与试验组Ⅰ差异不显著（P>0.05）,而显著高于试验组Ⅱ（P<0.05）。试验组Ⅰ的血清尿素氮的含量与试验组Ⅱ差异显著（P<0.05）。血糖含量随CP水平的降低有下降的趋势,对照组血糖含量与试验组Ⅰ差异不显著（P>0.05）,而与试验组Ⅱ差异显著（P<0.05）;试验组Ⅰ和Ⅱ血糖含量差异不显著（P>0.05）。③饲料CP的表观消化率随着CP的降低有上升的趋势,试验组Ⅰ与对照组相比差异不显著（P>0.05）,而试验组Ⅱ显著高于试验组Ⅰ和对照组（P<0.05）。综上所述,妊娠母猪采食低CP补充氨基酸日粮,对其繁殖性能及背膘厚无显著影响。     

饲粮营养水平对妊娠及泌乳獭兔繁殖性能、血清生化指标及生殖激素的影响

本文旨在探讨饲粮营养［消化能（ＤＥ）＋粗蛋白质（ＣＰ）］水平对妊娠及泌乳獭兔繁殖性能、血清生化指标及生殖激素的影响。选用平均体重为（４．７３±０．４２）ｋｇ的经产母獭兔 １００只,随机分成 ５组（每组 ２０个重复,每个重复 １只）,分别饲喂 １０．５ＭＪ／ｋｇＤＥ＋１８％ ＣＰ、１０．５ＭＪ／ｋｇＤＥ＋１６％ ＣＰ、１０．０ＭＪ／ｋｇＤＥ＋１７％ ＣＰ、９．５ＭＪ／ｋｇＤＥ＋１８％ ＣＰ、９．５ＭＪ／ｋｇＤＥ＋１６％ ＣＰ的试验饲粮。试验从母兔配种开始至仔兔 ４５日龄结束。结果表明：饲粮营养水平除显著影响断奶窝重（Ｐ＝０．０３６５）外,对妊娠及泌乳獭兔其他繁殖性能指标无显著影响（Ｐ＞０．０５）;饲粮营养水平显著影响妊娠獭兔血清谷草转氨酶活性（Ｐ＝０．０４３９）以及胆固醇（Ｐ＝０．０４７８）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（Ｐ＝０．０２５６）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量（Ｐ＝０．０２４８）;妊娠獭兔血清生殖激素未受饲粮营养水平的影响（Ｐ＞０．０５）;饲粮营养水平显著影响泌乳獭兔血清总蛋白（Ｐ＝０．０３６９）、尿素氮（Ｐ＝０．０４７３）、胆固醇含量（Ｐ＝０．０２３２）;除血清促黄体生成素外,泌乳獭兔血清其他生殖激素均未受饲粮营养水平的影响（Ｐ＞０．０５）。由此得出,饲粮ＣＰ水平在 １６％ ～１８％、ＤＥ水平在 ９．５～１０．５ＭＪ／ｋｇ范围内变动时,饲粮营养水平对妊娠及泌乳獭兔繁殖性能、血清生殖激素基本无影响,但会影响部分血清生化指标。     

Effect of dietary crude protein level on the reproductive performance and growth of New Zealand white rabbits

An experiment utilizing 391 preweaning and 187 postweaning litter records from 145 does was conducted for 12 mo to determine the effect of dietary crude protein level on performance of commercial New Zealand White rabbits. Does and their litters were fed alfalfa-based pelleted diets containing either 17.5, 19 or 20.5% crude protein (CP). In a separate experiment, the 17.5 and 20.5% CP diets were fed during lactation to 10 does to determine nitrogen (N) digestibility and retention. Body weights of does fed 17.5% CP were lower (P less than .01) than for the other treatments after 21 and 28 d of lactation. No differences (P greater than .10) were observed for doe weight at kindling, percentage fertility, litter size, preweaning litter mortality, 1- to 21-d consumption, preweaning feed efficiency and 28- to 56-d average daily consumption, average daily gain and average weight. Total born tended to be higher (P = .07) on higher protein levels but percentage born alive was greatest (P less than .01) on the 17.5% CP diet. Does fed 19% CP tended to have a greater number of parities (P = .06). Other significant differences observed for preweaning litter traits were between 17.5 and 19% CP groups. Does fed 19% CP had heavier litters at birth (P less than .01), at 21 d (P = .05) and 28 d (P = .06) and had greater 1- to 21-d litter gains and 21- to 28-d consumption (P = .05) than those fed 17.5% CP. For postweaning performance, feed efficiency values were lowest and mortality was highest for litters fed 20.5% CP. When litters were switched to different diets after weaning, mortality tended to be higher (P = .07) for animals that were fed 20.5% CP before weaning. The month of experiment effect did not influence any of the characters studied (P greater than .05). Parity number was important for percentage fertility, percentage born alive, litter birth weight and doe weight at 21 and 28 d (P less than .05). Does at first parity showed the poorest performance for all traits (except percentage fertility). Fertility fluctuated throughout the first four parities and then steadily declined. Does fed 20.5% CP had greater apparent dry matter and acid detergent fiber digestibilities and N intakes (P less than .05) and retained 90% more N during lactation (P = .22) than does fed 17.5% CP. Milk production and CP digestibility did not differ between the two diets tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Dietary fiber in a low-protein diet during gestation affects nitrogen excretion in primiparous gilts,with possible influences from the gut microbiota

We investigated the effects of dietary fiber (DF) supplementation in normal or low crude protein (CP) diets on reproductive performance and nitrogen (N) utilization in primiparous gilts. In total, 77 Landrace × Yorkshire pregnant gilts were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The groups comprised 1) equal intake of normal CP (12.82% and 0.61% total lysine), 2) low CP (LP) (10.53% and 0.61% total lysine), and 3) with or 4) without DF supplementation (cellulose, inulin, and pectin in a 34:10:1 ratio). A low-protein diet during gestation significantly reduced daily weight gain from days 91 to 110 of pregnancy (−162.5 g/d, P = 0.004). From N balance trials conducted at days 35 to 38, 65 to 68, and 95 to 98 of pregnancy, DF addition increased fecal N excretion at days 65 to 68 (+24.1%) and 95 to 98 (+13.8%) of pregnancy (P < 0.05) but reduced urinary N excretion (P < 0.05), resulting in greater N retention at each gestational stage. DF increased fecal microbial protein levels and excretion during gestation. An LP diet also reduced urinary N excretion at different gestational stages. An in vitro fermentation trial on culture media with nonprotein N urea and ammonium bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃) as the only N sources revealed that microbiota derived from feces of gestating gilts fed the high DF diet exhibited a greater capacity to convert nonprotein N to microbial protein. Microbial fecal diversity, as measured by 16S rRNA sequencing, revealed significant changes from DF but not CP diets. Gilts fed an LP diet had a higher number of stillbirths (+0.83 per litter, P = 0.046) and a lower piglet birth weight (1.52 vs. 1.37 kg, P = 0.006), regardless of DF levels. Collectively, DF supplementation to gestation diets shifted N excretion from urine to feces in the form of microbial protein, suggesting that the microbiota had a putative role in controlling N utilization from DF. Additionally, a low-protein diet during gestation negatively affected the litter performance of gilts.     

The value of protein-rich supplements on the performance of Red Chittagong heifers (Bos indicus) fed urea molasses straw-based diet

The objective of the study was to observe the effect of protein density of concentrate mixture on the growth performance of Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) heifers (Bos indicus), an endangered variety in Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted for a period of 90 days with 12 RCC heifers, and the animals were divided into four groups on the basis of their initial live weight. The animals were assigned at random to four dietary treatments having three replications in each in a randomized complete block design. Three iso-energetic [10.5 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg dry matter (DM)] concentrate mixtures were formulated to provide protein concentrations (%) of 15, 20, and 25 for T₁, T₂, and T₃, respectively. Crude protein (CP) content of control diet was 7.08%. Animals of all groups were fed urea molasses straw (UMS) ad libitum and green grass at a rate of 20% of total DM intake. Digestibility of DM was highest in the treatment group fed 25% CP supplement (T₃) and lowest in the unsupplemented group (T₀). Average daily gain increased with increasing CP concentration in supplements, but mean difference was not significant between the 20% and 25% CP groups. Feed cost per kilogram live weight gain was lowest (P > 0.05) in 20% CP supplement and highest in the unsupplemented group. The results revealed that the CP concentration of 20% in concentrate mixture containing 10.5 MJ ME is cost effective with the UMS-based diet of RCC heifers for better nutrient digestibility and growth.     

木瓜粉对新西兰白兔繁殖性能及泌乳性能的影响

选取前2胎产仔数相近、体况一致的新西兰白兔妊娠母兔48只,随机分成3组,探讨木瓜粉对母兔繁殖性能、泌乳量及血清激素等指标的影响。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组分别在基础日粮中添加5％、10％木瓜粉。妊娠18天时试验开始至仔兔30日龄断奶时结束,为期42天。结果显示：与对照组相比．试验组仔兔初生窝重、21天窝重、断奶窝重显著提高（P〈0．05）,产仔数、活仔数、断奶数等差异不显著（P〉0．05）．两试验组间差异不显著（P〉0．05）;木瓜粉显著提高母兔7、14、21天的泌乳量（P〈0．05）,提高21天血清E2、PRL水平（P〈0．05）。结果表明添加木瓜粉可提高母兔的繁殖性能和泌乳性能。     

Protein (lysine) restriction in primiparous lactating sows: effects on metabolic state,somatotropic axis,and reproductive performance after weaning

Low protein intake during lactation has been demonstrated to increase the loss of body protein and to reduce the reproductive performance of female pigs. The objectives of the current experiment were 1) to determine whether protein (lysine) restriction alters levels of somatotropic hormones, insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and leptin around weaning, and 2) to evaluate the relationships between these eventual alterations and postweaning reproductive performance. One day after farrowing, crossbred primiparous sows were randomly allocated to one of two diets containing 20% crude protein and 1.08% lysine (C, n = 12) or 10% crude protein and 0.50% lysine (L, n = 14) during a 28-d lactation. Diets provided similar amounts of metabolizable energy (3.1 Mcal/kg). Feed allowance was restricted to 4.2 kg/d throughout lactation, and litter size was standardized to 10 per sow within 5 d after farrowing. Catheters were fitted in the jugular vein of 21 sows around d 22 of lactation. Serial blood samples were collected 1 d before (day W - 1) and 1 d after (day W + 1) weaning, and single blood samples were collected daily from weaning until d 6 postweaning (day W + 6). Sows were monitored for estrus and inseminated. They were slaughtered at d 30 of gestation. During lactation, litter weight gain was similar among treatment groups. Reduced protein intake increased (P < 0.001) sow weight loss (-30 vs -19 kg) and estimated protein mobilization throughout lactation (-4.1 vs -2.0 kg). On day W - 1, L sows had higher (P < 0.02) plasma glutamine and alanine concentrations, but lower (P < 0.05) plasma tryptophan and urea than C sows. Mean and basal plasma GH were higher (P < 0.001), whereas plasma IGF-I and mean insulin were lower in L than in C sows on day W - 1. Preprandial leptin did not differ between treatments on day W - 1, but was higher (P < 0.01) in L sows than in C sows on day W + 1. Mean FSH concentrations were similar in both treatments on day W - 1 (1.3 ng/mL), but L sows had greater (P < 0.001) mean FSH on day W + 1 than C sows (1.6 vs 1.2 ng/mL). The weaning-to-estrus interval (5 +/- 1 d) was similar in both groups. Ovulation rate was lower in L than in C sows (20.0 +/- 1 vs 23.4 +/- 1, P < 0.05). No obvious relationships between reproductive traits and metabolic hormone data were observed. In conclusion, these results provide evidence that protein (lysine) restriction throughout lactation alters circulating concentrations of somatotropic hormones and insulin at the end of lactation and has a negative impact on postweaning ovulation rate.     

Nitrogen metabolism and growth performance of gilts fed standard corn-soybean meal diets or low-crude protein,amino acid-supplemented diets

Two experiments were conducted to determine the CP concentration below which N retention and growth performance are reduced when low-protein, amino acid-supplemented, corn-soybean meal diets are fed. In a N balance trial (Exp. 1), 12 gilts (initial weight 41 kg) were fitted with urinary catheters and fed six different diets during three 7-d periods in an incomplete block design. The diets were: 1) 18% CP; 2) 14% CP + AA, 3) 16% CP; 4) 12% CP + AA; 5) 14% CP; and 6) 10% CP + AA. Amino acids (lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and methionine) were supplemented such that the concentrations in the low-protein diets were equal to those in their standard (4% CP higher) counterparts. Nitrogen retention (g/d) decreased (P < 0.01) as CP decreased, in both standard (27.10, 24.53, and 20.99) and low-protein (21.51, 19.18, and 15.83) diets, but was lower (P < 0.01) in low-protein diets. There were no differences among treatments (P > 0.05) in biological value (68.2% standard vs 71.0% low-protein). In a growth performance trial (Exp. 2), 36 gilts (initial weight 19.5 kg) were penned individually and fed one of six diets for 35 d in a randomized complete block design. Dietary treatments were a 16% CP standard diet and low-protein diets formulated to contain 15, 14, 13, 12, and 11% CP supplemented with crystalline lysine, tryptophan, threonine, and methionine to equal the total concentrations in the standard diet. Protein concentration affected (P < or = 0.05) ADG, ADFI, feed efficiency, fat-free lean gain, longissimus muscle area, plasma urea, and plasma concentrations of most essential AA. For most of these traits, the major difference was poor performance of pigs fed the 11% CP diet. Thus, in Exp. 1, at AA concentrations from deficient to excess, low-protein, amino acid-supplemented diets failed to produce the same N retention as the equivalent corn-soybean meal diets. However in Exp. 2, the same performance was obtained with 16, 15, 14, 13, and 12% CP. Based on these data, we suggest that N balance is more sensitive than growth to amino acid adequacy andthat other AA (e.g., isoleucine and valine) may limit growth performance when the protein concentration is reduced by more than four percentage units.     

Supplementation of dormant tallgrass-prairie forage: I. Influence of varying supplemental protein and(or) energy levels on forage utilization characteristics of beef steers in confinement

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of supplemental protein vs energy level on dormant forage intake and utilization. In Exp. 1, 16 ruminally cannulated steers were blocked by weight (avg wt = 242 kg) and assigned randomly to a negative control or to one of three isocaloric supplement treatments fed at .4% BW: 1) control, no supplement (NS); 2) 12% CP, low protein (LP); 3) 28% CP, moderate protein (MP); 4) 41% CP, high protein (HP). In Exp. 2 and 3, 16 ruminally cannulated steers were blocked by weight (avg wt = 332 kg, Exp. 2; 401 kg, Exp. 3) and assigned randomly to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The treatments contrasted low (LP) and high (HP) levels of supplemental protein (.66 g CP/kg BW vs 1.32 g CP/kg BW) with low (LE) and high (HE) levels of supplemental ME (9.2 kcal/kg BW vs 18.4 kcal/kg BW). In Exp. 1, forage DMI as well as ruminal DM and indigestible ADF fill at 4 h postfeeding were greater (P less than .10) with the MP and HP steers than with control and LP steers. Total DM digestibility increased (P less than .10) for supplemented steers (35.5% for control vs 47.3 for supplemented steers); however, LP depressed (P less than .10) NDF digestibility. In Exp. 2, forage DMI, indigestible ADF flow and liquid flow were depressed (P less than .10) in LP-HE supplemented steers. In Exp. 3, HP steers had greater (P less than .10) forage DMI, indigestible ADF fill values (4 h postfeeding), liquid volume and tended (P = .11) to have greater ruminal DM fill (4 h postfeeding). In summary, increased levels of supplemental protein increased intake and utilization of dormant tallgrass-prairie forage (less than 3% CP). Increasing supplemental energy without adequate protein availability was associated with depressed intake and digestibility.     

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

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

The addition of ground wheat straw as a fiber source in the gestation diet of sows and the effect on sow and litter performance for three successive parities

A regional experiment was conducted at 8 experiment stations, with a total of 320 sows initially, to evaluate the efficacy of adding 13.35% ground wheat straw to a corn-soybean meal gestation diet for 3 successive gestation-lactation (reproductive) cycles compared with sows fed a control diet without straw. A total of 708 litters were farrowed over 3 reproductive cycles. The basal gestation diet intake averaged 1.95 kg daily for both treatments, plus 0.30 kg of straw daily for sows fed the diet containing ground wheat straw (total intake of 2.25 kg/d). During lactation, all sows on both gestation treatments were fed ad libitum the standard lactation diet used at each station. Response criteria were sow farrowing and rebreeding percentages, culling factors and culling rate, weaning-to-estrus interval, sow BW and backfat measurements at several time points, and litter size and total litter weight at birth and weaning. Averaged over 3 reproductive cycles, sows fed the diet containing wheat straw farrowed and weaned 0.51 more pigs per litter (P 相似文献   

Feed additive studies with newly weaned pigs: efficacy of supplemental copper, antibiotics and organic acids

Six experiments involving 706 newly weaned 28- to 32-d-old pigs were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of copper (Cu) sulfate (to provide 250 mg/kg Cu), antibiotic-sulfa combinations [chlortetracycline, 110 mg/kg + penicillin, 55 mg/kg + sulfamethazine, 110 mg/kg; i.e., Aureo-Sulfa-Penicillin (ASP) or tylosin, 110 mg/kg + sulfamethazine, 110 mg/kg; i.e., Tylosin-Sulfa (TS)] and anhydrous citric or fumaric acid (.75 to 1.5% of the diet). The basal experimental diet was a 19% crude protein (CP)-fortified corn-soybean meal diet (1.08% lysine) containing 7% dried whey and 3% fish meal. Marked and consistent gain and gain/feed responses occurred from the Cu supplement, particularly during the first week postweaning. The antibiotic-sulfa combinations were less efficacious than Cu during the 1-wk postweaning stress period. During either the 1- or 3-wk growth periods, ASP and TS showed additivity with Cu in promoting rate and efficiency of weight gain. Liver Cu was increased by Cu addition to the diet, but neither ASP nor TS affected Cu deposition in the liver. In a factorial experiment involving 17% (1.01% lysine) or 20% CP (1.23% lysine) corn-soybean meal diets containing either no dried whey or an addition of 25% whey, Cu supplementation elicited marked improvements in rate and efficiency of weight gain, particularly in diets without added whey. Likewise, whey addition improved pig performance, especially when added to the diets containing no supplemental Cu.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of protein and energy intake by primiparous sows during lactation on sow and litter performance and sow serum thyroxine and urea concentrations

The effects of protein and energy intakes by primiparous sows during a 28-d lactation on thyroxine (T4) and urea concentrations in blood serum of sows, and sow and litter performance were examined in two experiments. Dietary treatments were protein intakes of 380 (LP) and 760 (HP) g of crude protein X sow-1 X d-1 and energy intakes of 8 (LE) and 16 (HE) Mcal of metabolizable energy (ME) X sow-1 X d-1 in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement. In Exp. 1 (34 sows), neither protein nor energy intake affected serum T4 concentrations. In both experiments, serum urea concentrations during lactation were influenced by both protein (P less than .001) and energy (P less than .001) intakes. In Exp. 2 (221 sows), sows fed LP or LE lost more weight (P less than .001) during lactation than sows fed either HP or HE. Backfat loss was greater (P less than .001) in sows fed diets of LE than HE, whereas sows fed HP lost more backfat (P = .016) than sows fed LP. Pig weights on d 28 were influenced by both protein (P less than .001) and energy (P = .038), with sows that were provided high intakes of either protein or energy having heavier pigs. Litter weight at weaning was heavier (P less than .005) for sows consuming HP. Sows fed LP had larger litters at d 14 (P = .051) and 28 (P = .046) than sows fed HP. Sow energy intake had no effect on litter size or weight. Percentages of sows in estrus by 7, 14 and 35 d postweaning were higher (P less than .004, P less than .030 and P less than .060, respectively) for sows fed HP than LP, whereas sow energy intakes had no effect on the interval from weaning to first estrus.     

Hormonal and nutritional modulation of hepatic arginase activity in growing cattle

The hormonal and nutritional modulation of hepatic arginase activity (HARG) was characterized in growing cattle in two studies. In the first study, 20 steers (initial weight, 182 ± 2 kg) were assigned in equal numbers to either Synovex-S (SYN) (ear implant), recombinant bovine somatotropin (Somavubove; SbV; 0.1 mg/kg intramuscularly daily), SYN + SbV, or nothing (control). Steers were individually fed, for 56 d, a concentrate (80% diet dry matter [DM]) and silage (20% diet DM) diet providing 20 g of crude protein (CP) and 252 kcal metabolizable energy (ME) per kg body weight^0.75. On Day 57, samples of liver were obtained at slaughter and subsequently assayed for HARG by the incubation of a tissue homogenate for 2 hr with 250 mM arginine, with and without Mn²⁺ and heat activation, and the measurement of the resulting urea. HARG was uniformly increased by divalent cation (Mn²⁺⁾ and heating. SYN had no effect on HARG, whereas SbV treatment resulted in an overall 34% decrease in HARG. Plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) was decreased by SbV but not consistently affected by SYN. In the second study, 16 steers (avg. initial weight, 284 ± 5 kg) were initially fed a concentrate basal diet consisting of 11% CP and 1.96 Mcal ME for 21 d. Steers were then assigned to one of four dietary treatments (6.4 kg DM/hr per day) in a factorial arrangement of high and low CP (8 and 14%) and two levels of energy (1.96 and 2.67 Meal ME/kg of diet DM) for 210 d and slaughtered. HARG and PUN were higher in steers fed 14% CP but were lower at each level of CP fed at the higher level of ME. The data suggest that hormonal repartitioning compounds and diet composition may modulate nitrogen metabolism by affecting the activity of arginase in the liver as well as by affecting the total content of arginase in association with changes in organ size.     

Effects of Addition of Rare Earth-chitosan Chelate to Diets at Different Protein Levels on Sows and Suckling Piglets

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of corn-soybean meal diets with different levels of crude protein (CP) adding 200 g/t rare earth-chitosan chelate (RECC) on the reproductive performance of sows and growth performance of their offspring.A total of 60 sows at 90 days of gestation with good physical condition,parity and the expected date of birth were selected.Single-factor randomized block design was used,and sows were divided into 3 groups,20 sows in each group,1 sow each replicate.The level of diet CP and RECC were 17.55% CP,17.00% CP+200 g/t RECC and 16.00% CP+200 g/t RECC in control group,test group Ⅰ and test group Ⅱ,respectively.The test was started from the 90th day of gestation of the sow and ended at the time of weaning at 21 days.The sow litter performance and growth performance of offspring suckling piglets were studied.The final results showed that:Compared with the control group,sow's duration of the test groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were significantly shortened (P<0.05),but the total litter size and number of born alive did not show significant difference (P>0.05).Postpartum weight loss of sows of the test group Ⅱ was significantly improved (P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in the interval from weaning to estrus (P=0.30).In addition,compared with the control group,sow's ADFI of test group Ⅰ and Ⅱ had an increasing tendency during lactation (P=0.08),and there was no significant difference in ADG,the weight of newborn and weaned piglets (P>0.05),but the diarrhea rate of suckling piglets was significantly reduced (P<0.05).In summary,under the conditions of this trial,when the CP level in the diet was 16.00% and with the addition of 200 g/t RECC,it could improve the reproductive performance of sows,shorten the sow's duration,and reduce the diarrhea rate of suckling piglets.It was of great significance to the improvement of the reproductive performance of sows.     

不同蛋白质水平日粮中添加稀土螯合物对母猪及其哺乳仔猪的影响

本试验旨在研究不同粗蛋白质（CP）水平的玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加200 g/t稀土壳糖胺螯合盐（rare earth-chitosan chelate，RECC）对围产期母猪繁殖性能及其子代生长性能的影响。选择体况良好、胎次及预产期相近、怀孕90 d的妊娠母猪共60头，采用单因子随机区组设计分为3组，每组20头母猪，每个重复1头母猪，分别是对照组（日粮CP水平17.55%，不添加RECC）、试验Ⅰ组（日粮CP水平17.00%，RECC 200 g/t）和试验Ⅱ组（日粮CP水平16.00%，RECC 200 g/t）。试验从母猪妊娠第90天开始，至仔猪21 d断奶时结束，测定母猪的产仔性能和后代哺乳仔猪的生长性能。结果表明：与对照组相比，试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组母猪产程显著缩短（P<0.05），但总产仔数和产活仔数没有显著差异（P>0.05）；试验Ⅱ组母猪产后失重得到了显著改善（P<0.05），但断奶发情间隔无显著差异（P=0.30）；试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组母猪哺乳期平均日采食量（ADFI）有增加趋势（P=0.08），哺乳仔猪的初生重、断奶均重及平均日增重均无显著差异（P>0.05），但腹泻率显著降低（P<0.05）。综上所述，本试验条件下，日粮中CP水平为16.00%且添加200 g/t RECC时可提高母猪繁殖性能，缩短母猪产程，减少母猪失重，同时降低哺乳仔猪腹泻率，加快仔猪增重，对母猪生产繁殖水平的提升具有重大意义。