Benefits to foals of feeding soybean meal to lactating broodmares

In order to test the hypothesis that an improvement in the quality of the dietary protein fed lactating mares would improve the growth of their nursling foals, Thoroughbred mares were fed approximately isonitrogenous diets differing slightly in their amino acid compositions during the last 2 weeks of gestation and the first 7 weeks of lactation. The differences in the diets resulted from the substitution of a portion of the complete pelleted feed with soybean meal (SBM). The crude protein content of mares' milk was significantly increased by SBM substitution during the first 5 weeks of lactation. However, SBM did not prevent the gradual decline in protein content typical of mares' milk during the course of lactation. The relative amino acid composition of mares' milk was not changed by SBM substitution, suggesting that more growth-limiting amino acids were provided to the foals suckling from SBM-supplemented mares. The plasma concentrations of lysine, methionine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine and valine were significantly greater in the foals of SBM-supplemented mares. Those foals grew in withers height about 10% more rapidly during their first 7 weeks of life. These findings indicate that the growth of nursing foals is responsive to the amino acid composition of their dams' diets.     

Does a single bout of exercise cause adaptation of amino acid metabolism in pigs?

Amino acid responses to exercise stress in well-trained racehorses and human athletes are well characterised, but the knowledge of amino acid metabolism during and after exercise in inactive animal species is limited. To study this, plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in previously unexercised pigs which performed two exercise tests on a treadmill with an interval of one week. In general, the changes in amino acids were more pronounced after the second than after the first exercise bout. Alanine, glutamine, phenylalanine and tyrosine were elevated for one hour only after the latter exercise. Twenty-four hours after the second exercise isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and valine were increased, but only isoleucine was increased after the first test. These differences between the two tests might be explained by adaptation of the amino acid metabolism after a single exercise bout and suggest that domestic pigs are well suited to study the early effects of exercise.     

Repeated post-exercise administration with a mixture of leucine and glucose alters the plasma amino acid profile in Standardbred trotters

Background

The branched chain amino acid leucine is a potent stimulator of insulin secretion. Used in combination with glucose it can increase the insulin response and the post exercise re-synthesis of glycogen in man. Decreased plasma amino acid concentrations have been reported after intravenous or per oral administration of leucine in man as well as after a single per oral dose in horses. In man, a negative correlation between the insulin response and the concentrations of isoleucine, valine and methionine have been shown but results from horses are lacking. This study aims to determine the effect of repeated per oral administration with a mixture of glucose and leucine on the free amino acid profile and the insulin response in horses after glycogen-depleting exercise.

Methods

In a crossover design, after a glycogen depleting exercise, twelve Standardbred trotters received either repeated oral boluses of glucose, 1 g/kg body weight (BW) at 0, 2 and 4 h with addition of leucine 0.1 g/kg BW at 0 and 4 h (GLU+LEU), or repeated boluses of water at 0, 2 and 4 h (CON). Blood samples for analysis of glucose, insulin and amino acid concentrations were collected prior to exercise and over a 6 h post-exercise period. A mixed model approach was used for the statistical analyses.

Results

Plasma leucine, isoleucine, valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine concentrations increased after exercise. Post-exercise serum glucose and plasma insulin response were significantly higher in the GLU+LEU treatment compared to the CON treatment. Plasma leucine concentrations increased after supplementation. During the post-exercise period isoleucine, valine and methionine concentrations decreased in both treatments but were significantly lower in the GLU+LEU treatment. There was no correlation between the insulin response and the response in plasma leucine, isoleucine, valine and methionine.

Conclusions

Repeated post-exercise administration with a mixture of leucine and glucose caused a marked insulin response and altered the plasma amino acid profile in horses in a similar manner as described in man. However, the decreases seen in plasma amino acids in horses seem to be related more to an effect of leucine and not to the insulin response as seen in man.     

Effect of age on the concentrations of amino acids in the plasma of healthy foals

The concentrations of 23 amino acids in the plasma of 13 healthy foals were determined before suckling, when foals were 1 to 2 days old, 5 to 7 days old, 12 to 14 days old, and 26 to 28 days old. The ratio of the branched chain amino acids to the aromatic amino acids was also calculated at the 5 time points. Analysis of the concentrations at the 5 ages revealed a significant temporal relationship for each amino acid ranging from a polynomial order of 1 to 4 inclusively. There were significant differences between several concentrations of amino acids in plasma at specific sample times; however, no consistent patterns were revealed. The concentrations of amino acids in healthy foals were markedly different from previously determined values in adult horses. The significant differences in the concentrations of amino acids in plasma of healthy foals at the 5 ages may represent developmental aspects of amino acid metabolism or nutrition.     

Growth,carcass traits,and plasma amino acid concentrations of gilts fed low-protein diets supplemented with amino acids including histidine,isoleucine, and valine

Three experiments were conducted to determine the fifth-limiting amino acid for growing pigs in an 11% CP, corn-soybean meal diet. In each experiment, 36 gilts (initial weight 19.5, 21.9, and 21.0 kg, respectively) were penned individually and fed one of six diets in a randomized block design for 35 d. Diets containing 16, 12, and 11% CP were fed in each experiment. All 12 and 11% CP diets were supplemented with lysine, tryptophan, threonine, and methionine to provide the same total concentrations as those in the 16% CP diet. In Exp. 1, the 11% CP diet was supplemented with isoleucine, valine, or isoleucine + valine to concentrations equal to those in the 16% CP diet. In Exp. 2, the 11% CP diet was supplemented with histidine, histidine + valine, or histidine + isoleucine + valine. In Exp. 3, the 11% CP diet was supplemented with valine, histidine + valine, or isoleucine + valine. Gilts were allowed free access to feed and water. In all experiments, ADG and feed efficiency (G/F) were reduced (P < or = 0.07) as dietary protein was reduced. Supplementation of isoleucine alone further reduced (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, G/F, and fat-free lean gain. In contrast, supplementation of valine alone resulted in numerical increases in ADG and ADFI in two experiments, although the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). Supplementation with histidine and valine together resulted in growth performance equal to or greater than that of pigs fed the 12% CP diet, but less than that of pigs fed the 16% CP diet. Supplementation of isoleucine and valine together resulted in better growth performance (P < 0.05) than supplementation of either amino acid alone. In two experiments (Exp. 1 and 3), supplementation of the 11% CP diet with isoleucine and valine together resulted in ADG that were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those of pigs fed the 16% CP diet. Supplementation of all three amino acids (Exp. 2) did not improve performance over supplementations with histidine and valine. Plasma urea concentrations were reduced (P < 0.05) as dietary protein was lowered from 16 to 12%. Additions of crystalline amino acids did not affect plasma urea levels. Plasma amino acid concentrations reflected the dietary additions of crystalline amino acids, but did not assist in the identification of the sequence of limiting amino acids. These data suggest that valine is the fifth-limiting amino acid and that either histidine or isoleucine is the sixth-limiting amino acid in an 11% CP diet.     

Transport and hindlimb exchange of plasma and blood-cell amino acids in calves fed soy- or urea-based purified diets

Plasma and blood-cell free amino acid concentrations and venoarterial differences across the hindlimbs via abdominal aorta and caudal vena cava cannulae were determined on Holstein steer calves (130 kg) fed purified diets containing soy protein or urea as the sole source of dietary N. Calves were fed 24 hourly feedings per day to promote "steady-state" metabolism. Trials lasted 30 d and consisted of four calves per treatment. Urea feeding resulted in reduced venous concentrations of plasma amino acids, namely, a 30% decrease in essential amino acids (P less than .05) and a 16% decrease in nonessential amino acids (P less than .10). Nonessential amino acid concentrations of blood cells were affected little in urea-fed calves; however, blood-cell essential amino acid concentrations were depressed due to significant decreases in threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine and phenylalanine. A net negative concentration difference across the hindlimbs for plasma free amino acids was noted for soy-fed calves. Urea feeding resulted in a small positive amino acid concentration difference. The branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) changed (P less than .01) from a large negative concentration difference in soy-fed calves to essentially a zero difference in calves fed urea. Blood-cell total amino acid change across hindlimbs showed no treatment differences, although BCAA changed from large outputs from the blood cells in soy-fed calves to essentially zero change in urea-fed calves.     

In vitro oxidation of essential amino acids by jejunal mucosal cells of growing pigs

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that porcine jejunal mucosal cells can degrade all essential amino acids (EAA). Jejunal mucosal cells (primarily enterocytes) were isolated from 50-day-old healthy pigs and incubated at 37 °C for 45 min in Krebs buffer containing plasma concentrations of amino acids and one of the following l-[1-¹⁴C]- or l-[U-¹⁴C]-amino acids plus unlabeled tracers at 0.5, 2, or 5 mM: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. There was active transamination of leucine, isoleucine and valine in the cells (1.35–2.5 nmol/mg protein per 45 min at 2 mM), with most (67–71%) of their -ketoacids released into the medium. In contrast, catabolism of methionine and phenylalanine was negligible (0.04–0.05 nmol/mg protein per 45 min at 2 mM) and that of other EAA was completely absent in these cells. These results indicate that intestinal mucosal cells are a site for the substantial degradation of branched-chain amino acids but not other EAA in pigs.     

Concentrations of free amino acids in maternal and fetal plasma from conscious catheterised ewes during the last five weeks of pregnancy

Concentrations of amino acids, urea, glucose, fructose and corticosteroids were measured in maternal and fetal plasma from nine Scottish Blackface ewes during the last 35 days of pregnancy. During this period maternal plasma levels of most amino acids did not change significantly. In fetal plasma the concentrations of most amino acids decreased or remained relatively constant until about 20 days before birth (day -20) and then increased as term approached. Glucose levels in plasma from both sources did not change, but urea concentrations rose to maximum values about day -20. Except for valine and isoleucine, the concentrations of amino acids in fetal plasma varied independently of levels in maternal plasma up to day -20, but thereafter 10 amino acids, including seven essential amino acids, showed a significant positive correlation with maternal values. Possible causes of the observed variations in fetal plasma composition are discussed.     

Efficiency of amino acid utilization in the growing pig at suboptimal levels of intake: branched-chain amino acids, histidine and phenylalanine + tyrosine

Five balance experiments on growing pigs were carried out to study the marginal efficiency of utilization of isoleucine, leucine, valine, histidine and phenylalanine + tyrosine and to estimate their requirements for maintenance. Purified diets based on casein and crystalline amino acids as the sole source of N contained graded levels of each amino acid, corresponding to protein accretion rates of 0, 33, 66, 99 and 132 g/day, respectively. All other essential amino acids were given in a 30% excess. N retention increased linearly (p < 0.01) as the dietary concentration of the limiting amino acid increased. Based on linear regression equations relating amino acid deposition in body protein to amino acid intake, marginal efficiencies of ileal digestible amino acid utilization were calculated to be isoleucine - 0.81, leucine - 0.81, valine - 0.82, histidine - 1.17 and phenylalanine + tyrosine - 0.67. Extrapolating the regression equations to zero N retention, the daily requirements of amino acids for N equilibrium were estimated to be (mg/kg0.75) isoleucine - 18, leucine - 33, valine - 23, histidine - 14 and phenylalanine + tyrosine - 43.     

Effect of deficiencies of single essential amino acids on nitrogen and energy utilisation in chicks.

1. Diets 50% deficient in single essential amino acids were fed to chicks from day 8 to day 18 after hatching to evaluate body-weight gain, food consumption, body composition, nitrogen (N) and energy utilisation. 2. Body-weight gain was reduced most severely by deficiency of isoleucine followed in decreasing order by threonine, arginine, valine, histidine, tryptophan, methionine plus cystine, phenylalanine plus tyrosine, leucine and lysine, and possible reasons for the differences are discussed. 3. Body-weight gain and food efficiency were highly correlated with food consumption but metabolisable energy value of diets was not affected by single essential amino acid deficiencies. 4. Generally N retention (N retained/N consumed) and energy retention (energy retained/energy consumed) reflected food consumption, except for a lower N retention by chicks fed on the methionine plus cystine-deficient diet and for a lower energy retention by chicks fed on the valine deficient diet. 5. The amino acid deficient in the diet was present at very low concentration in the blood plasma.     

Some effects of protein deficiency in young growing pigs. II. Blood plasma free amino acids

The influence of protein deficiency, rehabilitation and total starvation on the free amino acid levels in the blood plasma of pigs has been investigated. It was found that the concentration of most amino acids was reduced during protein deficiency. The levels of leucine, isoleucine and valine were diminished by the greatest proportion, followed by threonine, tyrosine and citrulline. During the first few weeks of protein deficiency the levels of lysine, histidine and arginine were slightly increased, but later decreased below control values. Concentrations of glycine and alanine were altered in a similar way except that the initial increase was much more pronounced. The concentrations of most of these amino acids returned to control levels after rehabilitation. Total starvation led to an increase in concentration of leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine and to a smaller extent phenylalanine, lysine, citrulline and arginine. The concentration of glycine, alanine and glutamic acid were very much reduced. The level of urea in the circulation dropped reversibly during protein deficiency and increased very much during total starvation.     

Resting concentrations of the plasma free amino acids in horses following chronic submaximal exercise training

Six horses were conditioned on a treadmill at a constant speed of 5.6 km/hr on a 12.5% grade for gradually increasing periods of time over 14 days in order to determine the effect of repeated submaximal exercise on the concentrations of plasma free amino acids, protein metabolism, and plasma volume. Following 14-days of training, plasma volume increased (29%, P<0.05), as did total circulating content of plasma protein, albumin and urea. Urinary urea nitrogen excretion decreased (P<0.05) with exercise training. After the first week of training, the concentration of glycine had decreased (P<0.05) and the concentrations glutamic acid, arginine and alanine were increased (P<0.05) when compared to their corresponding pre-training (control week) levels. Compared to pretraining levels, there were decreases (P<0.05) in aspartic acid, histidine, arginine, valine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, and lysine, following the second week of training. Following a week of recovery, all resting concentrations of plasma free amino acids; when compared to their pretraining control; had decreased, with the exception of three nonessential amino acids (glutamic acid,serine, and glycine). Based upon the results of the present study, it would appear that exercise training produced a significant change in the amino acid and protein metabolism of the horse.     

Amino acid concentrations in blood serum of horses performing long lasting low-intensity exercise

The aim of this work was to evaluate the changes in the concentrations, after two rides different for distance covered, of different amino acids in endurance horses. Blood samples have been collected from horses just before the start, at the top of a steep slope (819 m difference in height) and just at the end of a 32-km endurance ride. A second group, competing in a 72 km endurance ride, has also been sampled immediately before and after the race. In serum samples, the concentrations of alanine, arginine, asparagine, glycine, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine have been measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). anova and t-test have been used to study the differences in the concentrations of the amino acids. The pre-ride concentrations of the free amino acids were different between the two races, except for methionine and leucine. Differences between start and end race have been found for both groups for all the considered parameters except asparagine, isoleucine, leucine and lysine for the 72 km ride. Increases have been recorded for the shorter and decreases for the longer ride in the blood serum concentrations. Significant increases have also been found between the starting sampling and the second, at the top of the slope, only for alanine, arginine, asparagines, phenylalanine and lysine. The ride length has a significant impact on blood serum amino acids mobilization and uptake; in the shorter race the increases stand only for mobilization, whereas in the longer the decrease can be considered the effect of the onset of the amino acids catabolism.     

The effects of short intensive exercise on plasma free amino acids in standardbred trotters

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short intense exercise on plasma amino acid concentrations in trotters and to test the repeatability of plasma amino acids concentration in samples obtained on two independent days under field conditions. Plasma amino acid concentrations were analysed in blood samples of 36 standardbred trotters before and after intense exercise over a distance of 2000 m. Sampling was repeated in 20 horses after 35 days. Exercise intensity was estimated from post‐exercise lactate levels. Horses were divided in two groups according to a cut‐off lactate concentration at 15 mmol/l. The plasma concentrations of alanine, aspartate, glutamate, isoleucine, leucine, lysine and taurine increased and arginine, asparagine, citrulline, glutamine, glycine, histidine, methionine, serine, tryptophan and 3‐methylhistidine decreased after exercise. Ornithine, threonine, tyrosine, phenylalanine and valine concentrations remained constant. Higher intensity of exercise significantly decreased tryptophan and increased taurine concentrations. Sampling day had a significant effect on the absolute pre‐ and post‐exercise amino acid concentrations. Exercise had a significant influence on the concentrations of most plasma amino acids in trotters. These changes could reflect shifts between the free amino acid compartments, but there were also some indications for muscle catabolism. The amino acid supply of sporting horses could be of specific significance for maintaining muscle integrity and for the improvement of post‐exercise recovery of competition horses.     

Hemostatic and Fibrinolytic Indices in Neonatal Foals with Presumed Septicemia

Thirteen coagulation tests evaluating hemostatic and fibrinolytic indices and serum cytokine and plasma endotoxin concentrations were obtained in 34 foals with a positive sepsis score (septic group) and 46 age-matched healthy foals. Compared to healthy foals, the prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin, and whole blood recalcification times were significantly longer in septic foals. The fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products concentrations, percent plasminogen, alpha-2 antiplasmin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor activities, and tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 activities were greater in septic foals. Protein C antigen and antithrombin III activity were significantly lower in septic foals. Blood cultures were positive for growth and endotoxin was detected in 19 of 29 and 15 of 30 septic foals, respectively. In septicemic foals with detectable endotoxin in the plasma, the prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times were significantly longer and the plasminogen and antithrombin III activities were significantly less than in septic foals in which endotoxin was not detected. Twenty-three of the 34 septic foals did not survive. Septic foals that did not survive were most likely to have a positive blood culture in which a gram-negative organism was isolated. Histopathologic evidence of hemorrhage was evident in 11 foals at postmortem examination and thrombosis was identified in 2 foals. The prothrombin time was significantly longer in foals that had multisite hemorrhage at postmortem examination. The results of this study indicate that clinically relevant alternations in hemostatic and fibrinolytic indices occur in neonatal foals with septicemia and that derangements can be correlated with the presence of endotoxin in plasma. Derangements in hemostatic or fibrinolytic indices were helpful in identification of septic foals with increased risk of coagulopathy, but were not helpful in predicting hemorrhage as compared to thrombus formation. Survival of septicemic foals was correlated with gram-negative bacteremia, but not with the presence of endotoxin or coagulopathy.     

A comparison of ileal digesta and excreta analysis for the determination of amino acid digestibility in food ingredients for poultry.

1. The apparent ileal and excreta digestibilities of amino acids in 15 samples representing 12 food ingredients were determined using 5-week-old male broiler chickens. The ingredients included 3 samples of cereals (wheat, maize and sorghum), 6 samples of plant protein meals (soyabean meal, cottonseed meal, canola meal and sunflower meal) and 6 samples of animal protein meals (meat meal, meat-and-bone meal, feather meal and fish meal). 2. The test ingredients were incorporated as the sole source of dietary protein in assay diets. Each diet was offered ad libitum to 3 pens (4 birds/pen) from d 35 to d 42 post-hatching. Total collection of excreta was carried out during the last 4 d. All birds were killed on d 42 and the contents of the lower half of the ileum were collected. Apparent ileal and excreta amino acid digestibilities were calculated using acid-insoluble ash as the indigestible marker. 3. The influence of site of measurement was found to vary among food ingredients, among samples within an ingredient and among different amino acids within an ingredient. Ileal amino acid digestibility values were similar in some ingredients, but significantly lower or higher in others than the corresponding excreta values. 4. Average ileal and excreta amino acid digestibilities in sorghum and maize were similar, but significant differences were observed for individual amino acids. In contrast, ileal amino acid digestibility values were higher than the corresponding excreta digestibility values in wheat. 5. The average ileal and excreta digestibilites of amino acids in the 3 soyabean meal samples were similar although small, but significant differences were noted for individual amino acids. Site of measurement had no effect on the digestibility of amino acids in canola meal. Digestibilities of valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, histidine, glutamic acid, alanine and tyrosine in sunflower meal and those of valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, glutamic acid and alanine in cottonseed meal were lower by excreta analysis. 6. Digestibilities in animal protein meals, with the exception of blood meal and fish meal, were consistently higher by excreta analysis. Ileal-excreta differences in individual amino acid digestibilities were more evident in feather meal, meat meal and meat-and-bone meal. 7. Threonine and valine were the indispensable amino acids that were more frequently influenced by the site of measurement. Of the dispensable amino acids, aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid and alanine were the most affected. 8. Differences determined between ileal and excreta digestibilities in the present study clearly demonstrate that amino acid metabolism by hindgut microflora in chickens may be substantial and that digestibilities measured in the terminal ileum are more accurate measures of amino acid availability than those measured in the excreta.     

Serum bile acids concentrations in healthy and clinically ill neonatal foals

BACKGROUND: Reference ranges for serum bile acids (SBA) concentration are well established in healthy adult horses. Increased values are indicative of hepatic disease. HYPOTHESES: SBA concentrations are significantly greater in the neonatal period compared with mature horses, and illness in the neonatal period will further increase SBA. ANIMALS: Ten healthy mature horses, 12 healthy foals, and 31 clinically ill foals. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study. Blood samples were obtained once from the mature horses, from healthy foals immediately after birth, at 2 days, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks of age; and from ill foals less than 1 month of age at the time of admission to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. SBA concentrations were determined enzymatically and by radioimmunoassay. Total and direct bilirubin and triglyceride concentrations were measured, as well as sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation between age and SBA concentration. Compared with mature horses, SBA concentrations were significantly greater in healthy foals at each collection time over the first 6 weeks of life. Radioimmunoassay values were lower than enzymatic SBA values, with increasing bias as the mean difference between values increased. When comparing age-matched values between healthy and ill foals, there were no significant differences in SBA. None of the ill foals had a primary diagnosis of hepatic disease. There was no significant correlation between the SBA concentration and the bilirubin or triglyceride concentrations or the GGT activity. There was a significant direct correlation between increased SBA and serum SDH activity in healthy foals only. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: SBA concentrations in foals are significantly higher in the early neonatal period, underscoring the importance of using age-matched references when evaluating clinical pathology values during the neonatal period.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Molecular size distribution affects portal absorption rate of casein amino acids in rats

The aim of the study was to determine if differences in the molecular size of two protein sources affect in vivo intestinal absorption rates of amino acids under normal feeding conditions. Accordingly, the portal absorption rate of amino acids was studied in rats fed semi‐synthetic diets containing native casein (NC) or enzymatically hydrolysed casein as the only protein sources. Enzymatic casein hydrolysate (ECH) consisted of a mixture of free amino acids (51.2% with respect to total amino acids) and low molecular weight peptides. Rats were pre‐adapted to the experimental diets for 5 days prior to the absorption studies. Total free amino acid concentrations in portal vein plasma of rats fed ECH diet at 60, 105, 150 and 195 min after feeding were lower (p < 0.05) than those of rats fed NC. Lower (p < 0.05) concentrations of free threonine, proline, tyrosine, valine and tryptophan at all time points, and higher (p < 0.05) leucine at 60 and 105 min were found in rats fed ECH when compared with those fed NC in portal vein plasma. Portal flow rates of threonine, proline, tyrosine and valine were higher in NC at most time points tested, while leucine and lysine were higher for ECH fed rats 60 and 105 min after feeding. In arterial plasma, significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentrations of some individual free amino acids (proline, tyrosine, valine and tryptophan) were determined at 60, 105, 150 and 195 min after feeding, and lower leucine values after 60 and 105 min, in rats fed NC compared with those fed ECH. Results indicate that in normal feeding conditions amino acids from NC and ECH are absorbed at different rates in rats.     

Dietary yeast culture supplementation of mares during late gestation and early lactation: Effects on milk production, milk composition, weight gain and linear growth of nursing foals

This study examined the effects of dietary supplementation of pregnant and lactating mares with concentrated dried live yeast culture on the nutrient content and rate of production of milk during early lactation and on the growth of their nursing foals. Pregnant mares were fed the same diets, with or without 20 g/day of yeast culture, from 4 weeks before foaling through the eighth week of lactation. Milk production at the onset of lactation, as measured by the weigh-suckle-weigh technique, was significantly stimulated by yeast culture supplementation, although the effect was only temporary. However, the nutrient composition of mares milk was altered by continued yeast culture supplementation through at least the eighth week of lactation. Gross energy (kcal/100 g milk), sugar, fat, protein and total amino acid contents (g/100 g milk) were significantly increased. The concentrations of a number of individual amino acids tended to be greater in the milk of supplemented mares, but most of these individual differences were not statistically significant. The intakes of energy (Mcal/day), sugars, fat, protein, total amino acids, leucine, lysine, serine and valine (g/day) were significantly greater by the foals nursing supplemented mares through 8 weeks. The foals nursing supplemented mares exhibited significantly greater rates of gain by the fourth week of life, and faster growth at the withers after 6 weeks. The efficiency of converting mare feed to neonatal body mass was 24% greater in the foals of supplemented mares, These data indicate that supplementing mares with dietary yeast culture during early lactation resulted in more efficient and rapid growth of their nurslings.     

Supplemental yeast culture alters the plasma amino acid profiles of nursling and weanling horses

The ability of a dietary supplement of dried live yeast culture to influence the growth rates, feed conversion efficiency and plasma amino acid profiles of young horses was tested. 10-week old nursling foals fed a creep feed of corn, oats and pelleted alfalfa, made available at 1% bodyweight daily, were also given 10 g yeast culture per day, mixed with granulated sugar and fed by hand. The nurslings remained with their dams and were allowed to continue to nurse freely throughout the 7 weeks of the experiment. In a second, preliminary trial, 6–9 month old weanlings were fed a ration consisting of crimped oats, alfalfa hay, a pelleted concentrate/roughage mix and cracked corn, at 2% of bodyweight daily, with or without supplemental yeast culture (20 g/day). Jugular venous blood samples were drawn from supplemented and unsupplemented animals during each trial after 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 22 and 36 days, and from the nurslings again at 50 days. Significant increases in the plasma concentrations of arginine, glutamine, lysine, methionine and valine and significant decreases in ammonia, hydroxyproline and 3-methylhistidine were observed in the supplemented nurslings after 6–22 days. Compared to an unsupplemented weanling fed the same diet, 4 supplemented weanlings exhibited significant increases in plasma arginine, glutamine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine and valine concentrations, while ammonia, hydroxyproline and 3-methlylhistidine concentrations decreased. Rates of gain were significantly increased in both groups of supplemented foals, and feed conversion efficiency by weanlings improved 8% with supplementation. These findings suggest that supplemental yeast culture may influence amino acid balances and nitrogen metabolism in young horses, resulting in enhanced growth.