Skeletal muscle protein turnover in broiler and layer chicks

Dietary infusion of L-[U-14C]tyrosine was used to estimate the fractional protein synthesis rates (FSR) in broiler and layer chickens. Six 2-wk-old birds of each strain were placed in individual metabolism cages and given a purified diet in agar-gel containing 2 microCi L-[U-14C]tyrosine for 6 h. The birds were sacrificed and the pectoralis major (PM) and two combined leg (LM) muscles (gastrocnemius and peroneous longus) were removed for analysis. Subgroups of chickens were sacrificed 3 d before and 3 d after infusion to observe changes in muscle composition to calculate fractional protein accretion rates (FAR). Fractional protein breakdown rates (FBR) were calculated by difference (FBR = FSR-FAR). Protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concentrations were determined to observe relationships between these cellular constituents and FSR. Fractional whole body growth rate and FSR in PM was greater (P less than .05) in broiler than layer birds. The FSR in LM of the layer was not different (P greater than .05) from that of broilers, and from the FSR of the PM in each bird-type. The calculated FBR in the layer PM was at least 17% higher than that of the other muscles. Ratios of FSR to FBR indicated that 16% of the protein synthesized in the layer PM was retained, compared with 45% in the broiler PM. The RNA activity of the layer PM was less (P less than .05) than that of the other muscles investigated. Deoxyribonucleic acid activity was lower (P less than .05) in the PM than LM of either bird-type.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relative responses of protein turnover in three different skeletal muscles to dietary lysine deficiency in chicks 1

1. The effect of lysine deficiency was analysed on muscle protein turnover in 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐week‐old growing broilers. Protein fractional synthesis rates (FSR, in %/d) were measured by a reliable in vivo technique (flooding dose of L‐[4‐³H] phenylalanine) in the Pectoralis major (PM), the Anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) and the Sartorius (SART) muscles. Protein fractional breakdown rates (FBR, in %/d) were estimated as the difference between the synthesis rates and the growth rates of tissue protein.

2. Lysine deficiency resulted in significant increases in muscle FSR and FBR. When expressed in absolute rates (g/d), tissue protein deposition was reduced whatever the tissue. This phenomenon was accompanied by decreased protein synthesis (ASR).

3. The protein turnover responsiveness to the lysine deficiency appeared to depend on the studied muscle, since the PM muscle was the most sensitive whereas the SART and ALD muscles presented a lower sensitivity.     

Protein utilisation and turnover in lines of chickens selected for different aspects of body composition

1. Protein utilisation and turnover were measured in male chickens sampled from a line selected for high breast yield and a randombred control line (lines QL and CL, experiment 1) and in male chickens sampled from lines selected for either high or low abdominal fatness (lines FL and LL, experiment 2). In each experiment, 18 birds per line were given iso-energetic (12.9 MJME/kg) diets containing either 120 or 220 g CP/kg from 21 to 29 d (experiment 1) and 33 to 43 d (experiment 2). 2. Measurements were made of growth rate, food intake, body composition, excreta production and Ntau-methylhistidine excretion as a measure of myofibrillar protein breakdown, and fractional rates (%/d) of protein deposition, breakdown and synthesis were calculated. 3. In experiment 1, there were no significant differences between the line means for the fractional measures of protein turnover, but there was marked differential response in the two lines in the fractional rates of protein deposition, breakdown and synthesis, to increase in protein intake. The positive slope of the regressions of fractional (%/d) protein deposition and synthesis rates on protein intake (g/d/kg BW) were approximately 1.4- and 2.0-fold higher respectively in the QL than the CL line birds, and the negative slope of the regression of fractional breakdown rate on protein intake was approximately threefold greater in the CL than the QL line birds. 4. In experiment 2, fractional deposition rate was 6.2% lower, but fractional breakdown rate 9.4% higher in the LL than the FL birds, whilst there was essentially no difference in response of the FL and LL birds in the components of protein turnover to increase in protein intake. Line differences in deposition and breakdown rates were thus a reflection of the considerably higher (20%) food and hence protein intake in the FL than the LL birds. 5. The differential line responses in protein turnover in the two experiments suggest that selection for increased breast muscle yield and for reduced body fatness manipulate different physiological pathways in relation to protein turnover, but neither selection strategy results in an improvement in net protein utilisation at typical levels of protein intake by birds on commercial broiler diets, through a reduction in protein breakdown rate.     

Different responses of protein synthesis to refeeding in various muscles of fasted chicks

1. The change in the rate of protein synthesis of different muscles, concentrations of plasma insulin, plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and other plasma components were investigated after refeeding in fasted chicks. 5.2 g of the complete diet was refed. This was the maximum that could be force-fed with water. 2. The fractional synthesis rates (FSR) of breast (M. pectoralis major) and leg (M. gastrocnemius) muscles were measured after injection of L-[2, 6-(3)H]phenylalanine. Plasma insulin and IGF-I concentration were determined by radioimmunoassay. 3. In the breast muscle, FSR was significantly reduced by 2-d fasting. The FSR had recovered completely after 1 h of refeeding and was maintained until 6 h. The change in FSR after refeeding was associated with the change in ribosomal efficiency (K(RNA); absolute synthesis rate per unit RNA), while no change in ribosomal capacity (C(S); RNA: protein ratio) was observed. 4. In the leg muscle, FSR was decreased by 2-d fasting and increased gradually toward 6 h after refeeding but did not reach the level of the fed control. In contrast to the breast muscle, no significant changes in Cs and K(RNA) in the leg muscle were observed. 5. Plasma glucose concentration increased significantly at 1 h after refeeding but returned to the fasted level after 24 h. Plasma insulin concentration in chicks refed for 1 h was higher than in the fasted group. There was no significant change in plasma IGF-I concentration. 6. These results suggest that the FSR of breast muscle was more sensitive to refeeding than that of leg muscle which may be explained, in part, by differences in sensitivity to the change in circulating plasma insulin concentration after refeeding.     

Effect of a major gene for growth on protein synthesis in mice

Rates of protein synthesis of mice with a major gene (hg) for rapid postweaning gain (line Ch) and their normal counterparts (line CH) were determined at 21, 31 and 42 d of age with an intraperitoneal injection of a flooding dose of 14C-leucine. A preliminary experiment demonstrated that the relationship between the specific activities of leucine in acid-soluble supernatants and carcass protein corresponded to the theoretical precursor-product relationship, indicating that the method is valid for estimating protein synthesis rates. Using this method at 21, 31 and 42 d of age, whole-body protein fractional synthesis rates (FSR) were 43.7, 32.7 and 29.1%/d and 41.9, 32.6 and 33.1%/d for lines CH and Ch, respectively. Although differences between lines were not significant, FSR decreased with age. Absolute synthesis rate (ASR), where ASR = (FSR) X (whole body protein), was greater (P less than .001) at 21, 31 and 42 d of age in line Ch as compared with CH, and increased (P less than .001) with age. The relative contributions of liver, gastrointestinal tract, heart-kidney-lung and remaining carcass to whole body protein ASR were not affected by line, but did change (P less than .05) with age. Whole body protein fractional breakdown rate (FBR), calculated as FSR minus whole body protein fractional growth, indicates that differences between lines CH and Ch whole-body FSR and(or) FBR exist only between 24 and 33 d of age, and that the maximum value of this difference probably does not exceed 10%.     

Effects of dietary fat type and non-starch-polysaccharide-hydrolysing enzyme addition to rye-based diets on muscle protein turnover in broilers

1. Muscle protein turnover was measured in broilers fed on rye-based diets containing either beef tallow (T) or soybean oil (S) at an inclusion rate of 100 g/kg. Each of these diet types was tested either in the absence (S[-], T[-]) or presence (S[+], T[+]) of a xylanase-containing enzyme preparation. Protein turnover was measured in gastrocnemius muscle (GM) and pectoralis major muscle (PM). 2. Fractional rate of protein synthesis (FSR) was measured by the large dose technique using [15N]-labelled phenylalanine whereas fractional protein growth rate (FGR) was estimated by regressing tissue protein content over time. Fractional breakdown rates (FBR) were calculated by the difference between FSR and FGR. 3. In PM, FSR (%/d) was 22.1, 23.4, 21.5 and 24.4 in groups S[-], S[+], T[-] and T[+], respectively, and FBR (%/d) was 8.3, 9.8, 4.5 and 10.8 with the xylanase effect being significant. The FGR of 17.0%/d calculated for the broilers fed on the T[-] diet tended to be higher than for the other groups (13.6 to 13.8%/d). No significant effects were detected for these parameters in the GM. 4. The absolute amounts of protein which were synthesised daily and accreted in both muscles were significantly higher with xylanase supplementation in both fat type diets but at a significantly higher level when soybean oil was the dietary fat type. 5. The observed effects on protein turnover have to be seen in the context of an overall adverse effect of dietary soluble pentosans from rye in combination with tallow on physico-chemical chyme conditions, digestion and absorption of energy and nutrients and tissue-specific metabolic changes.     

Muscle protein metabolism in finishing pigs fed ractopamine

Forty crossbred barrows (average initial weight, 66.4 kg) were utilized to determine the effects of ractopamine (a phenethanolamine/beta adrenergic agonist) on protein accretion and synthesis, activities of cathepsins B, H, L and calcium-dependent proteinase and nucleic acid content of semitendinosus muscle (ST). All pigs were offered a 16% protein, mineral and vitamin fortified corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with either 0 or 20 ppm ractopamine for 14, 21, 28, 35 or 42 d. Protein synthesis (fractional rates) was studied in pigs at d 21 and 35; ST protease activities, protein and nucleic acid content were measured on d 14, 28 and 42. Ractopamine increased (P less than .01) ST total protein content and maintained RNA muscle concentration and total ST muscle RNA content. DNA content (mg/g ST) declined (P less than .05) upon ractopamine feeding, but total DNA per muscle remained unchanged except for d 42, when the ST muscles were largest. Fractional accretion rates (FAR) were 1.0 and 1.2% for control and ractopamine-fed pigs, respectively. Fractional protein synthesis rate (FSR) was higher (P less than .06) in ractopamine-fed pigs (6.1%/d) than in control pigs (4.4%/d). Fractional protein synthesis rate could account for the observed muscle hypertrophy and increased FAR. Estimated fractional breakdown rates (FBR = FSR - FAR) were 3.4%/d and 4.9%/d for control and ractopamine-fed pigs, respectively. The activities of the catheptic proteases and calcium-dependent proteinase were not affected by the treatments.     

Muscle protein turnover and tenderness in broiler chickens fed cimaterol

To investigate the impact of cimaterol (CIM) on muscle protein turnover, carcass and muscle composition, muscle cathepsin B + L activity and meat tenderness, 21-d-old broiler chickens (n = 88) were assigned to dietary treatments of either 0 or 1 ppm CIM. Fractional synthesis rates (FSR), fractional accretion rates (FAR), proximate composition and collagen content were determined in the breast muscle (BM); pectoralis major) and a group of leg muscles (LM; gastrocnemius and peroneous longus) from groups of six birds per treatment within each of two time periods (age = 38 or 56 d). Whole body composition, serum hydroxyproline content and BM cathepsin B + L activity also were measured. Fractional degradation rates (FDR) were calculated as the difference between FSR and FAR. Feeding CIM increased (P less than .01) whole body protein content. Weights of LM and percentage of body weight as BM and LM were increased (P less than .05) when CIM was included in the diet. Although FSR was not significantly reduced by CIM feeding it decreased (P less than .05) with increasing age. Due to decreases in FAR, FDR thereby was reduced by CIM 31.5% and 11.9% in BM and 38.2% and 37.4% in LM at 38 d and 56 d of age, respectively. Cathepsin B + L activities also were reduced 33.6% (P less than .01) and shear forces were increased by 41% (P less than .05) by CIM feeding. For chickens fed CIM, the correlation between cathepsin B + L activity and shear force was -.63 (P less than .01). Feeding CIM improved carcass leanness and muscling due to reductions in FDR and proteolytic enzyme activity. Feeding CIM also reduced meat tenderness.     

Growth and metabolism in somatotropin-treated steers: III. Protein synthesis and tissue energy expenditures

Rates of in vivo protein synthesis in intercostal, sartorius and semitendinosus muscle and in the heart, liver, kidneys, rumen and jejunum were determined in 20 growing Hereford steers treated for 112 d with daily subcutaneous injections of either saline (S) or recombinantly derived bovine somatotropin (rBST; 20.6 mg/d). In vitro rates of protein synthesis and energy expenditures associated with Na+, K+ transport also were determined in external intercostal muscle, liver, kidneys and jejunum. Neither in vivo nor in vitro tissue protein fractional synthetic rates (mg/[g protein.d]), using either the plasma (P) or intracellular fluid (ICF) phenylalanine specific radioactivity for the precursor pool, were affected by rBST treatments. Energy expended on Na+, K+ transport was greater (P less than .1) in the livers of rBST-treated steers, which would increase the maintenance energy expenditures of these steers. Protein accretion rates in the liver, kidneys, stomach, hide, and head, feet and tail of rBST-treated steers were greater (P less than .05) than in S steers. Tissue amino acid profiles were not affected by rBST treatments except in the rumen, where profiles suggested that less collagen was present in rumen wall tissue protein of rBST steers. Plasma phenylalanine entry rates also were not affected by rBST treatment; muscle protein synthesis accounted for a minimum of 20% of this entry rate.     

Effects of dietary energy levels on Pectoralis major mixed muscle protein turnover and body composition in two broiler lines housed in different grow-out environments

This study determined the Pectoralis (P) major mixed muscle protein turnover (PT) in two meat broiler lines, Line A and Line B, during the finishing grow-out feeding period (21–42 days) as affected by the dietary metabolizable energy (ME) levels and ambient temperatures. Experimental finishing diets consisted of 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120% ME of recommended nutrient guidelines for energy level. Fractional synthesis rates (FSR) or fractional degradation rates (FDR) were measured in P. major at day 36 and 42. Protein and fat mass gain were measured, and respective energy retention efficiencies as protein and fat (EREp and EREf) were determined. Metabolic heat production (HP) was also reported. Experimental feeding studies were conducted in cool season (24 hr mean: 69.91˚F and 63.98% RH) and in hot season (24 hr mean: 77.55˚F and 86.04% RH). Results showed that FSR or FDR values were not affected by dietary ME levels at day 36, whereas reduced FSR (p < .05) were observed at day 42 fed diets with reduced ME levels (≤100% ME) which could have resulted from greater maintenance energy requirement of maturing broilers at that age. Broilers fed reduced ME diets (≤100% ME) maintained protein mass (equivalent to broilers fed ≥100%–120% ME) by reduced FDR and increased feed intake. Grow-out ambient temperature did not affect FSR or FDR values across ME levels. Line B retained higher protein mass, lower fat mass and greater HP compared to Line A. This was followed by higher feed intake in Line B. Further, Line B exhibited higher EREp and lower EREf across dietary ME levels. In summary, PT homeostasis and body composition changes in broiler lines studied seemed to be regulated by the birds’ intent to normalize energy intake as per physiological need by controlling feed intake.     

The substitution of protein feed by lysine supplemented protein-rich wheat during the raising and laying periods of hens. 7. Report. Determination of the true digestibility of amino acids with and without lysine supplement in the feed]

In the present paper regression techniques were used for determing the true digestibility of amino acids from lysine-supplemented rations fed to laying hens as compared with unsupplemented rations of the same composition. 5 groups of 4 hens each were investigated receiving graded amounts of food and nutrients. The daily amounts of pellets fed per bird in group 1 to 5 were 120 gms, 100 gms, 80 gms, 60 gms and 40 gms. The quantity of lysine contained in 100 gms of the pellets was 664 mg in ration 1 and 554 mg in ration 2, the corresponding N values being 2.57 gm and 2.62 mg. The total amount of endogenic amino acids excreted per day was 128 mg per kg of body weight in birds receiving the lysine-supplemented ration and 132 mg per kg of body weight for the lysine-deficient ration. Data for the true digestibility of lysine and isoleucine were significantly higher in the case of the lysine-supplemented ration than with the lysine-deficient mixture. Lysine values were 86% and 75%, the corresponding lysine data in crude faecal proteins 4.8% and 7.1%. Generally speaking, the crude faecal protein of hens fed the lysine-deficient diet contained higher proportions of most of the essential and non-essential amino acids.     

Effect of dietary citric acid on the performance and mineral metabolism of broiler

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary citric acid (CA) on the performance and mineral metabolism of broiler chicks. A total of 1720 Ross PM3 broiler chicks (days old) were randomly assigned to four groups (430 in each) and reared for a period of 35 days. The diets of groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were supplemented with 0%, 0.25%, 0.75% or 1.25% CA by weight respectively. Feed and faeces samples were collected weekly and analysed for acid insoluble ash, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg). The pH was measured in feed and faeces. At the age of 28 days, 10 birds from each group were slaughtered; tibiae were collected from each bird for the determination of bone mineral density, total ash, Ca, P, Mg and bone‐breaking strength, and blood was collected for the measurement of osteocalcin, serum CrossLaps^®, Ca, P, Mg and 1,25(OH)₂Vit‐D in serum. After finishing the trial on day 37, all chicks were slaughtered by using the approved procedure. Birds that were fed CA diets were heavier (average body weights of 2030, 2079 and 2086 g in the 0.25%, 0.75% and 1.25% CA groups, respectively, relative to the control birds (1986 g). Feed conversion efficiency (weight gain in g per kg of feed intake) was also higher in birds of the CA‐fed groups (582, 595 and 587 g/kg feed intake for 0.25%, 0.75% and 1.25% CA respectively), relative to the control birds (565 g/kg feed intake). The digestibility of Ca, P and Mg increased in the CA‐fed groups, especially for the diets supplemented with 0.25% and 0.75% CA. Support for finding was also indicated in the results of the analysis of the tibia. At slaughter, the birds had higher carcass weights and higher graded carcasses in the groups that were fed the CA diets. The estimated profit margin was highest for birds fed the diet containing 0.25% CA. Birds of the 0.75% CA group were found to have the second highest estimated profit margin. Addition of CA up to a level of 1.25% of the diet increased performance, feed conversion efficiency, carcass weight and carcass quality, but only in numerical terms. The addition of CA up to 0.75% significantly increased the digestibility of macro minerals, bone ash content, bone mineral density and bone strength of the broiler chicks. It may, therefore, be concluded that the addition of 0.75% CA in a standard diet is suitable for growth, carcass traits, macromineral digestibility and bone mineral density of broiler chicks.     

Effect of dietary lysine level and environmental temperature during the finishing phase on the intramuscular fat content of pork

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary lysine level on the intramuscular fat content of the longissimus in finishing pigs reared at two environmental temperatures. Seventy-two hybrid gilts were individually penned and given ad libitum access to either a diet formulated to meet their lysine requirement (6.4 g/kg lysine) or a lysine-deficient diet (4.8 g/kg). Pigs were held at one of two environmental temperatures (thermoneutral [18 degrees C] or hot [32 degrees C]). The study was carried out between approximately 90 and 126 kg live weight; pigs in the thermoneutral and hot environments were on test for 5 and 7 wk, respectively. There were no interactions between dietary lysine level and environmental temperature. Dietary lysine content did not influence feed intake or average daily gain; however, pigs on the lysine-deficient diet had a poorer gain:feed ratio than those fed to requirement (P < .01). High environmental temperature decreased feed intake (P < .001) and average daily gain (P < .01) but improved gain:feed ratio (P < .01). Backfat at the 10th rib was increased and loin eye area and estimated percentage lean in the carcass were decreased for pigs on the lysine-deficient diet. The higher environmental temperature resulted in an increase in carcass length but had no effect on other carcass measurements or intramuscular fat. Feeding the lysine-deficient diet resulted in an increase of .55 percentage unit in longissimus intramuscular fat content (P < .01); however, there was no difference in subjective marbling scores between the diets. Warner-Bratzler shear force values were not affected by dietary lysine level or environmental temperature. Results from this study suggest that feeding of lysine-deficient diets at the end of the finishing period can increase intramuscular fat deposition under thermoneutral and hot conditions.     

Myofibrillar protein turnover in feed-restricted and realimented beef cattle

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feed restriction and repletion on myofibrillar protein turnover in cattle. Crossbred steer calves (n = 12) about 310 d of age were assigned randomly to a diet of corn and silage that was 1) provided ad libitum for 146 d (ALC) or 2) restricted so steers gained .2 kg/d for 80 d but received ad libitum access to feed thereafter for 66 d (RFC). At 27, 55, 97, 118 and 146 d a 24-h urine sample and a blood sample were obtained. Urine was analyzed for N tau-methylhistidine (N tau-MH), creatinine (C), urea nitrogen (UN) and total nitrogen (TN). Serum samples were analyzed for hydroxyproline (HYP), C and albumin (A). Body weights were lower (P less than .05) in RFC at 55, 97, 118 and 146 d. Excretion of N tau-MH was lower (P less than .05) in the RFC at 27 and 55 d but higher at 118 d. Urinary C excretion was higher in ALC at the last four sample times. Urinary UN and TN excretion were lower (P less than .05) in RFC at 55, 97 and 118 d; urinary UN also was lower (P less than .05) at d 146. Serum A was higher (P less than .05) in ALC at 55 and 118 d, respectively. Serum HYP was higher (P less than .05) in RFC at 27 and 55 d. Calculated myofibrillar protein breakdown rates (FBR) and fractional synthesis rates (FSR) were higher (P less than .05) in RFC at the last two sampling periods; FSR was lower for the RFC at the first sampling period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The leucine metabolite 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate (HMB) modifies protein turnover in muscles of laboratory rats and domestic chickens in vitro

This study was conducted to assess the in vitro effects of leucine and 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate (HMB) on protein synthesis and degradation in isolated rat and chick muscles. Isolated muscles — extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (S) in rats and EDL and tibialis anterior (TA) in chicks — were taken out intact and incubated in Krebs—Henseleit buffer with [¹⁴C]phenylalanine. Protein synthesis was then determined by measuring [¹⁴C]phenylalanine incorporation into protein and protein breakdown was estimated by net release of tyrosine from muscle proteins. In all muscles investigated leucine stimulated protein synthesis (average 20%; p < 0.05 versus control) but only slightly reduced proteolysis (average 8%, NS). In contrast, HMB had no significant effect on protein synthesis but consistently decreased protein degradation in the range from −29% (p < 0.01 versus control) in rat extensor digitorus longus to −5% (NS) in rat soleus muscles. HMB appeared to suppress protein degradation more in white muscle fibres than in red muscle fibres (at least in the rat). These data support observations in humans indicating that HMB decreases muscle proteolysis. It is suggested that metabolism of leucine to HMB could be responsible for the reported suppressive effects of leucine on protein breakdown.     

The effect of feeding a sub-optimum level of lysine to female chicks on the amino acid content of selected tissues and organs

The amino acid content of the liver, brain, serum and leg muscle of broiler breeder female chicks was not influenced appreciably at 4 and 8 weeks of age by feeding a diet containing sub‐optimum levels of lysine. The feeding of the low‐lysine diet produced a slight effect on the amino acid content of the breast muscle and a decided effect on the amino acid content of the skin and bone marrow at 4 and 8 weeks of age. The amino acid content of the heart tissue from chicks which received the 0.53% lysine diet was higher at 4 weeks of age. No explanation for this observation can be offered. The more decided changes were produced in the bone marrow of the chicks fed the low‐lysine diet at 4 and 8 weeks of age.

There is a possibility that feeding the low‐lysine diet had an effect on protein synthesis in the bone marrow. Chicks fed the low‐lysine diet had apparently overcome the lysine deficiency in the synthesis of protein of the bone marrow at the end of the 12th week.     

Meat quality traits and muscle characteristicsin high or low fear lines of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) subjected to acute stress

1. The influence of acute stress before slaughter on muscle and meat quality was studied in adult male quail from lines divergently selected for long (LTI) or short (STI) duration of tonic immobility (TI) and from the unselected (C) control line. 2. When subjected to acute stress, birds from the long TI line responded differently to those of the control or the low fear lines. LTI birds exhibited: a higher plasma creatine kinase and a smaller increase in plasma corticosterone levels, a higher pHu and drip loss values for breast meat associated with no differences in L*a*b* colour values; a higher percentage of fast glycolytic myofibres (IIb) and correspondingly (correlate) higher glycolytic (activity) in the pectoralis major (PM) muscle, and consequently lower oxidative enzyme activity in the PM muscle. 3. It is concluded that acute stress affected muscle metabolism differently in the STI, C and LTI lines. Hence, selection for TI, which is correlated with underlying fearfulness, can indirectly lead to differences in meat quality.     

Studies on the use of wheat rich in crude protein in the feeding of broilers. 1. Experimental procedure, weight gains, food consumption and food efficiency]

A fattening trial was carried out with 8 groups of broilers each comprising 1225 birds. Within this trial tests were made to replace the protein feeds of newly hatched chicks over a period of up to 56 days of age, by wheat rich in crude protein. If wheat with a high crude protein content is fed supplementation with lysine and methionine will be necessary depending on the kind of protein feed used. No supplementation with amino acids is required if rations of fish meal + extracted soya bean meal are used despite their reduced content of these amino acids. The broilers consumed larger quantities of the wheat + extracted soya bean meal+fish meal ration than of the mixtures containing no fish meal. Food requirements per unit of weight gain were the same for the mixtures containing high-protein wheat and for the standard maize ration. The lowest food consumption per unit of weight gain was computed for the wheat + extracted soya bean meal diet supplemented with amino acids. The same quantities of lysine, thioamino acids and threonine were necessary for broilers receiving the wheat rations as for birds of the standard group. Protein feed may be saved by using high-protein wheat in the fattening of broilers. The rates of weight gain obtained with these rations are the same or even better than those achieved with rations of maize + fish meal+soya bean meal.     

共轭亚油酸对肉仔鸡体组成和肉品品质的影响

本试验旨在探讨日粮添加共轭亚油酸(CLA)对肉仔鸡体组成和肉品品质的影响。240只1日龄肉仔鸡随机分配到4个日粮处理组(0%、0.25%、0.5%和1%CLA),每个处理6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。试验结果表明:42d时,0.5%和1%CLA组肉仔鸡胸肌率显著高于对照组(P<0.05),1%CLA组肉仔鸡42d腿肌率显著高于对照组,肉仔鸡的腹脂率在各处理之间没有显著差异(P>0.05),1%CLA组肉仔鸡胸肌粗蛋白质粗脂肪比显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。0.5%、1%CLA组肉仔鸡胸肌滴水损失和丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低(P<0.05)。试验结果表明,CLA可改善肉仔鸡屠体性状,增加鸡肉系水力和延长货架存放时间。     

采用不同衡量指标及数学模型估测3～6周龄雌性肉仔鸡赖氨酸需求参数的研究

本试验采用 2种数学模型估测了 3～ 6周龄雌性肉仔鸡不同衡量指标下的赖氨酸需要量。基础日粮由玉米、豆粕、花生粕、玉米蛋白粉等组成 ,含代谢能 (MEn) 12 73MJ/kg ,粗蛋白 18 8% ,蛋氨酸 0 4 4 % ,赖氨酸 0 7%。试验日粮赖氨酸设 5个处理水平 (0 7% ,0 85 % ,1 0 % ,1 15 % ,1 30 % )。每处理设 6个重复 ,每重复 10只鸡。试验末分别检测生产性能、屠宰性能及生化指标并采用折线模型和指数模型估测满足不同生产目标的赖氨酸需要量。结果表明 :赖氨酸水平对 3～ 6周雌性肉仔鸡日增重 (ADWG) ,饲料转化效率 (FCR) ,全净膛率 (CYR) ,胸肌率(BMR) ,腹脂率 (AFR)有显著影响 (P <0 .0 5 )。按不同衡量指标得出赖氨酸需要量估测值不同 ,其大小顺序为 :满足最大ADWG需要 <满足最大BMR需要 <满足最大CYR需要 <满足最佳FCR需要 <满足最低AFR需要。按折线模型估测 ,满足ADWG、BMR、CYR、FCR和AFR的总赖氨酸需要量分别为 :0 88% ,1 0 1% ,0 99% ,0 91% ,1 0 5 % ;按指数模型估测则分别为 0 96 % ,1 15 % ,1 17% ,1 0 5 % ,1 33%。