Variation in seed protein digestion of different pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes by cecectomized broiler chickens: 1. Endogenous amino acid losses, true digestibility and in vitro hydrolysis of proteins

The aim of this study was to investigate the cause of variation in the digestibility of pea protein in poultry and to find a tool to select genotypes with high digestibility potential by using an in vitro hydrolysis assay. Eight pea genotypes were selected for their difference in seed protein content and composition. To reduce the variation due to tannins and particle size, seeds from these 8 genotypes were dehulled and micro-ground. They were incorporated as the only protein source in 8 different experimental isoproteinaceous diets with similar metabolisable energy content. The amino acid digestibility was studied in cecectomized chickens. A balance method was used to obtain apparent digestibility, and the isotope dilution technique was used to determine endogenous losses and true digestibility, after feeding a double labelled test meal containing chromic oxide and ¹⁵N-labelled peas. The 8 diets showed differences in apparent amino acid digestibility. The average apparent digestibility for all amino acids varied between 79.5 and 86.3%, with the highest values for arginine (85.2 to 90.8%) and glutamic acid (85.2 to 90.5%), and the lowest values for cystine (63.3 to 69.7%) and tryptophan (69.1 to 80.3%). This variability of apparent amino acid digestibility was due to variations in endogenous losses and true digestibility among the 8 pea genotypes. The average endogenous losses as determined for 9 amino acids ranged from 3.6 to 5.4% of ingested amino acids, with the highest value for threonine (8.0 to 11.0%). The average true digestibility varied between 84.4 and 90.2%, with the highest values for lysine (89.0 to 95.0%), and the lowest for isoleucine (81.0 to 88.7%) and valine (82.4 to 88.7%). In vitro hydrolysis of protein from micro-ground seeds was performed for the 8 pea genotypes using three proteases (pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin). The quantity of small peptides (< 3 kDa) that appeared after the combined hydrolysis with pepsin (3 h) followed by trypsin and chymotrypsin (15 min) was significantly correlated with the average true digestibility of the 8 genotypes (R = 0.74; P < 0.05).     

Correlation between carcass conformation and fat cover degree, and muscle fatty acid profile of yearling bulls depending on breed and mh-genotype

The objective was to study the relationships between the actual European beef carcass classification scale, which classifies carcasses with regard to conformation and degree of fat cover scores, and muscle fat quality, depending on breed and mh-genotype. For this purpose samples from 100 yearling bulls from “Asturiana de los Valles” (24 AV(mh/mh), 26 AV(mh/+), 25 AV (+/+)) and “Asturiana de la Montaña” (25 AM) were analysed. The results of the study showed that breed or genotype affect carcass measurement scores and muscle fatty acid profile through its important effect on animal overall fatness. Homozygous double-muscled animals produced carcasses with high conformation and low intramuscular (IM) fat content. While early-maturing and rustic AM animals produced low carcass yield and high IM fat content. The other genotypes (mh/+, +/+) showed, in general, intermediate characteristics. Referring to correlations, carcass conformation was negatively related to saturated (SFA) (r = − 0.69, P < 0.001) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (r = − 0.69, P < 0.001) groups, and positively to polyunsaturated (PUFA) (r = 0.72), n-6 (r = 0.72), n-3 (r = 0.71) and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) (r = 0.69) groups, being all of them significant (P < 0.001). However, carcass degree of fat cover was positively related to SFA (r = 0.53, P < 0.001) and MUFA (r = 0.62, P < 0.001), and negatively to PUFA (r = − 0.61), n-6 (r = − 0.60), n-3 (r = − 0.62) and UFA (r = − 0.53) groups, being all of them significant. Moreover, simple and low-cost prediction equations were calculated for a rapid and sufficiently accurate fatty acid group (SFA, MUFA, PUFA, n-6, n-3, UFA) estimation (R² > 0.46, P < 0.001). In general, meat obtained from double-muscled animals display a more appropriate IM fatty acid profile from the nutritional point of view according to actual recommendations, but it could happen the disability of these lean animals to deposit sufficient IM fat to ensure consumer overall liking or acceptability.     

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on in vivo organic matter digestibility and milk yield in buffalo cows

The influence of a dietary supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) during the first and the second phase of lactation on dry matter (DM) intake, organic matter digestibility, milk yield and quality and haematological profile was evaluated in buffalo cows. Lactating buffaloes (n = 190), 118.7 days in milk (DIM), were randomly divided into Group C (control, n = 95) and Group T (fed diet supplemented with 98 billion CFU of S. cerevisiae, n = 95). Eight buffaloes for each group (Groups T1 and C1), 85.4 DIM, were used to study the in vivo digestibility and the haematological profile. No differences were found for DM intake (16.5 kg·day^− 1) and haematological profile. The SC supplementation increased milk yield (7.9 ± 0.2 vs. 7.4 ± 0.2; P < 0.01) but did not affect milk fat and protein. SC supplementation increased OM digestibility, mainly, in the first phase of lactation (< 135 days), thus allowing a higher energy availability for milk yield and reduced fat mobilization.     

The correlation between passage rate of digesta and dry matter digestibility in various stages of swine

The relationship between passage rate of digesta (PRD) and apparent faecal dry matter digestibility (DMD) was investigated in five trials. In trial 1, 2, and 3, 36 weanling (16.9 ± 3.0 kg), 24 growing (51.3 ± 8.8 kg), and 23 finishing (104.8 ± 5.2 kg) barrows were housed in metabolic crates. The beginning and end of 5-day collection periods were marked by the addition of 0.5% indigo carmine to the feed for total faeces collection and PRD determination by observing the time required for the marker to appear. In trial 4 and 5, 21 gestating gilts (215.0 ± 15.0 kg), and 19 lactating sows were individually penned. Addition of 0.5% chromic oxide to the feed enabled indirect determination of DMD and PRD. The PRD, which ranged from 12 to 80 h, was positively correlated with DMD in weanling (R² = 0.483, P < 0.001), growing (R² = 0.425, P < 0.01), and finishing (R² = 0.553, P < 0.001) pigs. Body weight and DMD were not significantly correlated in weanling (R² = 0.001, P = 0.893), growing (R² = 0.000, P = 0.995), or finishing (R² = 0.092, P = 0.156) pigs. A positive correlation between PRD, which ranged from 27 to 102 h, and DMD occurred in gestating gilts (R² = 0.231, P < 0.05), but not in lactating sows (R² = 0.014, P = 0.633). The results indicate that longer retention times of digesta improve DMD in swine. Also the results indicate the importance of PRD as a potential independent variable in digestibility assessments.     

Effect of an enzyme complex derived from Trichoderma longibrachiatum on ileal digestibility of amino acids and non-starch polysaccharides in piglets

A digestibility trial on piglets was conducted to study the effect of an enzyme complex derived from Trichoderma longibrachiatum (Roxazyme G2) supplemented to a rye-based diet on apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and NSP-constituting sugars. Enzyme supplementation at 200 mg kg^− 1 increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of total amino acids from 67.1 to 70.8. As the dietary concentration of Roxazyme G2 increased from 0 to 100 mg/kg, the ileal digestibility of the NSP constituents gradually increased. No further increase was observed with the supplementation level of 200 mg/kg. The improvement in the digestibility of arabinose + xylose (685%, P < 0.05) was much higher than that of the remaining sugars (110%, P < 0.05). The apparent ileal digestibility of galactose was positively influenced by Roxazyme G2 but it remained negative in all dietary treatments, presumably due to the high concentration of galactose in endogenous secretions. It is concluded that Roxazyme G2 effectively degrades non-starch polysaccharides in upper digestive tract and marginally improves amino acid availability in young pigs.     

Effects of supplementation on voluntary dry matter intake, growth and nutrient digestibility of the Fiji Fantastic sheep on a basal diet of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum)

Eighteen growing Fiji Fantastic (FF) sheep (nine ram lambs and nine ewe lambs), 5–6 months old, pre-experimental average body weight of 25.6 ± 0.82 kg were randomly divided into three groups of six and allotted to the treatments designated as A: Guinea grass (Panicum maximum); B: Guinea grass + concentrate mixture; and C: Guinea grass + crushed wheat grain in a completely randomized design experiment that lasted for 92 days. Total DM intake of sheep on forage + concentrate mixture were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those on forage + crushed wheat grain and forage alone. Average daily gains (ADG) were 30, 75 and 42 g/day for forage, forage + concentrate mixture and forage + crushed wheat grain, respectively. ADG was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in sheep on forage + concentrate mixture. Daily protein intakes and BUN concentration were 3.59, 10.39 and 5.60 g/kg^0.75/day; and 6.0, 9.7 and 6.0 mmol/l for sheep on forage alone, forage + concentrate mixture and forage + crushed wheat grain, respectively. BUN and glucose concentrations at the post-experimental period were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in sheep on forage + concentrate mixture. DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent lignin (ADL), hemicellulose and energy digestibility were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in sheep on the concentrate mixture while neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in sheep fed crushed wheat grain. Sheep on the concentrate mixture were also significantly (P < 0.002) higher in metabolizable energy intake (MEI). Sheep on concentrate mixture had higher organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility, high DMI and ADG. In conclusion this experiment has provided some relevant lacking information on the average DMI and ADG of the FF sheep and a concentrate mixture of 16.5% CP plus 19.0 MJ GE/kg BW seems ideal to meet the protein and energy requirements of the FF sheep for growth in the tropical environment of Fiji. Finally data obtained also demonstrated the influence of supplementary concentrate feeding on DMI and ADG of the FF sheep.     

The use of even-chain alkanes sprayed onto herbage as rate of passage markers in goats

An experiment was conducted with Saanen goats fed fresh grass ad libitum to compare ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes sprayed onto either grass leaves or stems to estimate faecal output, total mean retention time (TMRT) and parameters obtained from faecal marker concentration curves, such as k₁ (slow rate of passage), k₂ (fast rate of passage) and transit time (TT). ⁵¹Cr-mordanted grass showed the lowest fractional rates of passage (k₁ and k₂) and hence the largest value of TMRT. There were not significant (P > 0.05) differences between even-chain alkanes sprayed onto leaves or stems for k₂, TT and TMRT, but k₁ estimates were higher (P < 0.05) for stems than for sprayed leaves. Despite the marker used, TMRT values were negatively correlated with the level of dry matter intake (r = − 0.81, − 0.80 and − 0.80 for ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes adsorbed onto leaves or stems, respectively). Average faecal outputs estimated from faecal concentrations of ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes were not different from the actual outputs but there were differences between markers in the accuracy of estimation. The highest mean square prediction error (MSPE) and the poorest correlation between observed and estimated faecal output values corresponded to even-chain alkanes adsorbed onto stems. Values estimated using ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes adsorbed onto leaves were significantly correlated with faecal outputs (r = 0.94 and r = 0.92, respectively), with MSPE being greater for the latter marker.     

Nutritional value of timothy haylage in Icelandic horses

Four mature Icelandic geldings were used in a balance trial to investigate the effect of stage of maturity of timothy (Pleum pratence L.) haylage fed at maintenance level on coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD), and nitrogen and energy metabolism in a 4 × 4 change-over arrangement of treatments. The content of fibre increased and crude protein content decreased with advancing stage of maturity. Very high CTTAD values were found for DM, OM, CP, CF, NDF and ADF in the first two cuts. Overall, there was a negative relationship between stage of maturity (p < 0.05) and the CTTAD of all measured dietary components. Nitrogen (N) intake, N losses in urine and N balance were affected (p < 0.05) by stage of maturity, while the N losses in the faeces were unaffected. There was a strong correlation (r² = 0.95) between N balance and water intake. Gross energy intake and losses in urine (as % of digestible energy intake) were unaffected by stage of maturity, while the energy balance was affected (p < 0.05). The digestible energy content of the timothy haylage studied ranged from 14.1 to 9.0 MJ/kg DM.

In conclusion, early-cut timothy haylage (stem elongation to flowering) has the energy content required to form the basis of diets for high-performing horses. Late-cut timothy haylage (seeding to late seeding), on the other hand, can be used to fulfil the energy and protein needs of maintenance-fed Icelandic horses.     

Follicular fluid concentration of transforming growth factor-beta1 is negatively correlated with estradiol and follicle size at the early stage of development of the first-wave cohort of bovine ovarian follicles

The objectives of this study were to characterize the relationship between estradiol and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) concentrations in follicular fluid of growing bovine ovarian follicles, and to examine the effect of TGF-β1 on FSH-stimulated estradiol secretion in cultured bovine granulosa cells. Follicular fluid was collected from individual follicles >5 mm in diameter by ultrasound-guided transvaginal puncture (n = 12 heifers). Follicles were sampled at four different stages of development of the first post-ovulatory wave during selection of the single dominant follicle. Estradiol, progesterone and total TGF-β1 were measured in follicular fluid of the three or four largest follicles sampled when the largest follicle (F1) had reached either 6.5, 7.5, 8.5 or 9.5 ± 0.5 mm stage of development. There was a significant negative relationship between follicular fluid TGF-β1 and estradiol concentrations (R² = 0.44; p < 0.002), and between TGF-β1 concentrations and follicle diameter (R² = 0.23; p < 0.01) in cohort follicles at the 6.5 mm stage, but not at any later stage of development of the follicle wave. There was no correlation between progesterone and TGF-β1 concentrations at any stage. To assess the causal relationship between TGF-β1 and estradiol, granulosa cells from follicles measuring 2–5 mm at dissection were placed in serum-free culture. TGF-β1 caused a dose-dependent decrease in FSH-stimulated estradiol secretion (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that TGF-β1 has an inhibitory effect on estradiol secretion in FSH-stimulated follicles and that a reduction in TGF-β1 inhibition may be part of the mechanism of selection of a single dominant follicle.     

Postnatal changes in electromyographic signals during piglet growth, and in relation to muscle fibre types

This study uses non-invasive evoked surface electromyography (SEMG) to investigate postnatal muscle development in pigs, and to assess any correlation between recorded signal parameters and muscle fibre types in two different skeletal muscles. Four litters (n = 43) of Large White × Landrace pigs were used. Evoked SEMG measurements were taken on days 2, 5, 14, 26, 60 and 151 post partum from m. Longissimus dorsi (LD) and on days 14, 26, 60 and 151 post partum from m. Biceps femoris (BF). A third of each litter was slaughtered at days 27, 61 and 153 post partum. Biopsy samples for LD and BF were taken to categorize muscle fibre types. For LD there was a significant increase in compound muscle action potential (CMAP) parameters from day 2 to day 5 post partum, whilst for BF significant increases occurred from days 14 to 26 post partum. Fibre type development in both muscles showed a significant decrease in type IIA fibre number (P < 0.001) and an increase in type IIB fibre number (P < 0.001). Analysis of CMAP parameters in relation to fibre type percentages showed significant positive correlations between percentage of type I fibres in BF and CMAP Area (r = 0.71; P = 0.05), SlopeL (r = 0.79; P = 0.02) and Corr Peak (r = 0.78; P = 0.02) and a negative correlation with SlopeT (r = 0.89; P = 0.003) at day 151. A greater CMAP Area and Corr Peak as well as steeper leading and trailing slopes were on the other hand correlated to fewer type IIB fibres.

It is concluded that 1) changes in the evoked CMAP are muscle-specific during early postnatal development in the pig, and 2) in spite of a small sample size, the correlations between CMAP signal parameters and fibre type percentages warrant further investigation.     

Effect of feeding different levels of foliage of Moringa oleifera to creole dairy cows on intake, digestibility, milk production and composition

An experiment was conducted in Nicaragua to determine the effect of feeding different levels of foliage from Moringa oleifera Lam (synonym: Moringa pterygosperma Gaertner) to dairy cows on intake, digestibility, milk production and milk composition. The treatments were: Brachiaria brizantha hay ad libitum, either unsupplemented or supplemented with 2 kg or 3 kg of Moringa on a dry matter (DM) basis. Six Bos indicus cows of the Creole Reyna breed, with a mean body weight of 394 ± 24 kg were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Supplementation with Moringa increased (P < 0.05) DM intake from 8.5 to 10.2 and 11.0 kg DM day^− 1 and milk production from 3.1 to 4.9 and 5.1 kg day^− 1 for B. brizantha hay only and supplementation with 2 kg and 3 kg DM of Moringa, respectively. Milk fat, total solids and crude protein and organoleptic characteristics, smell, taste and colour, were not significantly different between the diets. Apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF increased (P < 0.05) in the diets supplemented with Moringa compared with B. brizantha hay alone. The results showed that the inclusion of Moringa as a protein supplement to low quality diets improved DM intake and digestibility of the diet and increased milk production but did not affect milk composition.     

Estrogen and androgen receptor expression in relation to steroid concentrations in the adult boar epididymis

The steroid hormone regulation of the epididymis in a high estrogen producing animal like the boar is not currently understood. To test the hypothesis that the boar epididymis is an estrogen and androgen responsive tissue, the presence of estrogen and androgen receptors, in conjunction with steroid hormone concentrations were investigated in the boar epididymis. Epididymal (caput, corpus, cauda) and testicular samples of boars (1–2.5 years; n = 5) were collected for immunolocalization of estrogen receptor alpha (ER), estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) and androgen receptor (AR). Concentrations of testosterone, estradiol and estrogen conjugates (EC) in the tissue were also determined. AR and ERβ were localized in the principal and basal cells of all three epididymal regions. ER was localized in the principal cells of the caput, some cells of the corpus and was not present in the cauda. Testosterone (p < 0.0001), estradiol (p < 0.0001) and EC (p < 0.005) were significantly lower in the epididymis compared with the testis. The epididymal regions were not significantly different from each other for testosterone (p > 0.15) or estradiol (p > 0.09). EC were significantly higher in the corpus than either the caput (p = 0.003) or cauda (p = 0.002). These results suggest that the boar epididymis is responsive to both estrogens and androgens and that both steroid hormones are important for proper epididymal function. Since testosterone and estradiol concentrations are similar throughout the epididymis, regional differences in steroid hormone regulation are likely due to differences in receptor expression.     

Supplementation of dietary enzymes has varying effects on apparent protein and amino acid digestibility in reproducing sows

The effects of two enzyme (Enz) products on ileal and total tract digestibility (ID and TTD) were evaluated in sows (n = 8) fed corn–soybean meal diets. Treatments were: 1) control diet; 2) control + Enz 1 (protease and cellulase activity); and 3) control + Enz 2 (xylanase activity). Ileal and fecal samples were collected at week 6–7 and 12–13 of gestation and week 2–3 of lactation. There were no improvements in digestibility during gestation. The ID% of dry matter (DM: 77.3, 79.3, 81.7) and N (81.2, 82.5, 84.3) as well as TTD% of DM (89.8, 90.7, 90.8) and N (89.0, 90.0, 90.6) during lactation were affected to varying degrees by the enzymes. The TTD of DM (P = 0.05) and N (P = 0.10) were positively affected by Enz 1. The ID of DM (P = 0.01) and N (P = 0.02) as well as TTD of DM (P = 0.05) and N (P = 0.02) were improved by Enz 2. The improvement in ID of N was not associated with any particular amino acids (AA) but represented small increases in ID of 8 of 10 essential AA with Enz 1 (P = 0.04) and 10 of 10 for Enz 2 (P = 0.01). The product containing xylanase activity, in particular, appears to have potential to increase digestibility of nutrients during lactation in sows.     

In vitro gas formation and fermentation parameters using different substrates and pig faecal inocula affected by bile extract

The effect of bile extract on microbial gas formation and composition, production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and methane and on reductive acetogenesis was studied in vitro. As substrates cellulose and potato starch in combination with graded levels of bile extract concentrations (0; 333; 666; 1333 mg/l) were incubated with a faecal suspension from pigs as microbial inoculum according to procedures of a modified “Hohenheim gas formation test” (HFT). Bile extract concentration of 1333 mg/l in the in vitro system reduced total gas production from cellulose significantly (p < 0.05) compared to incubation without bile extract. After 24 h of incubation, bile extract concentration of 1333 mg/l lead to a decrease in methane production from cellulose (p < 0.05) in comparison to incubation without bile extract. Increasing levels of bile extract reduced total production of VFA (p < 0.05) from cellulose. Furthermore, bile extract concentration of 1333 mg/l increased molar percentage of propionate from cellulose and starch after 24 h of incubation (p < 0.05). Bile extract concentration of 333 mg/l increased molar percentage of propionate from cellulose after 48 h of incubation (p < 0.05). The results may contribute to explain the differences in gas and methane production between the rumen and the hindgut of monogastric animals.     

The effects of increasing the level of dietary wormwood (Artemisia montana Pampan) on intake, digestibility, N balance and ruminal fermentation characteristics in sheep

This study investigated the effect of replacing concentrates with dry wormwood (Artemisia montana) on the performance of sheep. Four Corriedale × Polwarth sheep (41.3 ± 1.3 kg) were fed diets with an 8 : 2 straw to supplement ratio, for four, consecutive 16 d periods (10 d adaptation, 6 d collection) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Supplements were made by substituting 0 (Control), 30 (LW), 50 (MW) or 100 (HW) g/kg DM of concentrate (15.6% CP, 72.1% of TDN) with dried, ground wormwood. Ruminal pH, NH₃–N and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were measured on d 6 of collection. Ether extract (EE) intake was linearly decreased (P < 0.001) with increasing wormwood inclusion, otherwise intake was unaffected. The Control diet had lower (P < 0.05) DM and CP digestibility than LW and MW diets and lower EE digestibility than the LW diet. Retained N (P < 0.05) and microbial N yield (P < 0.01) linearly increased with dietary wormwood level, but efficiency of microbial N synthesis linearly decreased (P < 0.001). Mean concentrations of rumen NH₃–N, total VFA and propionic acid were quadratically increased (P < 0.05) by increasing wormwood inclusion. Replacing concentrates with 30–50 g/kg DM of wormwood increased N retention, microbial N yield and EE digestibility.     

Impacts of a modified farrowing pen design on sow and litter performances and air quality during two seasons

The impacts of using a modified farrowing pen (MOD) on the performance of sows and their litters and on ambient air quality over a hot and a cool season were evaluated. Primiparous Yorkshire × Landrace sows farrowed either during the months of February and March (thermoneutralily, TN) or June and July (heat-stress, HS). Temperatures within each season were controlled to 21 and 29 °C, respectively, for TN and HS. Animals from each group were assigned to a standard farrowing crate (STD; TN, n = 17; HS, n = 16) or a MOD pen (TN, n = 19; HS, n = 19). The MOD pen consisted of a STD crate with a 1.5 × 1.6-m comfort zone in the back, equipped with rubber floor mats, a feeder and a nipple waterer. Litter size was standardized to 10 or 11. No creep feed was provided and piglets were weighed weekly. Sows were weighed on days 2 and 22. Feed intake of sows was monitored daily, a milk sample was obtained on day 21 for compositional analyses and jugular blood samples were collected on days 2 and 21 to measure prolactin, IGF-I and urea. Sows consumed less feed (3.4 vs. 4.7 ± 0.1 kg/day, P < 0.001) in a hot than in a cool season and, at 29 °C, sows in MOD pens consumed more feed (3.9 vs. 3.0 ± 0.2 kg/day, P < 0.01) than sows in STD pens. Sow lactation weight loss was greater (− 26.4 vs. − 19.1 ± 1.9 kg, P < 0.05) for sows in STD than MOD pens in a hot season. The reduction in prolactin concentrations from days 2 to 22 of lactation tended to be greater (P = 0.08) in a hot season for sows in STD pens. Concentrations of urea and IGF-I increased as lactation advanced (P < 0.01) and IGF-I was lower for HS compared to TN sows on both days (P < 0.01), whereas urea was greater for HS sows on day 2 only (P < 0.01). Milk DM was less in a hot than in a cool season (P < 0.01). Average piglet weight gain was reduced in a hot compared to a cool season during the second week of lactation (P < 0.05) and this reduction was less in MOD than STD pens during the third week of lactation (P < 0.01). During a hot season, even though not significant, average weight gain of piglets from days 2 to 21 of lactation was reduced by 6.0% in MOD pens compared to 9.7% in STD pens.     

A descriptive survey of lesions from cull sows harvested at two Midwestern U.S. facilities

Physical and reproductive conditions of cull sows (3158) from two U.S. Midwestern harvest plants were assessed. Body condition, feet, shoulders, teeth, lungs, and reproductive tracts were visually evaluated for gross lesions on harvested sows. PROC FREQ (SAS, Cary, NC) was used to calculate the frequency of each binary trait event. Pearson chi-square tests were used to test the alternative hypothesis that a linear association existed between binary traits and body condition score (BCS). The most common foot lesions observed were rear (n = 2064, 67.5%) and front (n = 1024, 32.9%) heel lesions. Cracked hooves were found on the front feet of 703 (22.6%) and rear feet of 552 (18.1%) sows. Rear digital overgrowth was observed in 644 (21.1%) sows. The most common reproductive gross lesion observed among harvested cull sows was acyclic ovaries (n = 277, 9.0%). Presence of acyclic ovaries increased (p < 0.01) as BCS decreased. Cystic ovaries were found in 192 (6.3%) sows, which increased (p < 0.01) as BCS increased. Pneumonia was observed in 298 (9.7%) sows, and increased in frequency as BCS decreased (p < 0.01). The most frequently observed shoulder lesion among harvested cull sows was shoulder abrasions (n = 394, 12.5%). The presence of shoulder abrasions increased (p < 0.01) as BCS decreased. The prevalence of reproductive lesions detected in the present study was less than the reported percentage of sows culled for reproductive failure from previous studies based on record keeping summaries.     

The use of purine derivatives/creatinine ratio in spot urine samples as an index of microbial protein supply in Yerli Kara crossbred cattle

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of purine derivatives (PD)/creatinine ratio in spot urine samples as an index of microbial protein supply in Yerli Kara crossbred cattle (YK-C). In Experiment I, response of daily PD excretion to feed intake in YK-C at state farm was measured. In Experiment II, spot urine sampling techniques was applied at state farm and four YK-C bulls were used. In Experiment III, spot urine sampling technique was applied at small-holder farms. There were significant correlations (R² = 0.99) between PD excretion (mmol/day) and digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) (kg/day) in Experiment I, Y = 12.5 (± 0.5) + 19.7 (± 3.5)X (R² = 0.99, n = 16). The equation obtained from Experiment I could be expressed as: Y = − 2.3 (± 0.3) + 0.953 (± 0.06)X, (R² = 0.99, n = 49) where Y is PD excretion (mmol/day) and X is the PDC index. The PDC index was calculated as the molar concentration ratio of PD to creatinine times the metabolic body weight (kg). The corresponding microbial-N values to PDC index of groups I, II and III in developed banding system are 15–25 g/day. Experimentally estimated DOMI was 2.21 ± 0.15 kg/day. Estimated DOMI of groups I, II, and III were 2.8 ± 0.6, 2.6 ± 0.7 and 2.7 ± 0.7 kg/day, respectively. In conclusion, the PDC index in spot urine samples could be used under similar farm condition as an indicator of microbial protein supply in YK-C cattle. Estimated DOMI from PDC index in spot urine samples under defined field conditions may help the development of feeding strategies for YK-C cattle held by small holders.     

Canine echinococcosis in northwest Libya: assessment of coproantigen ELISA, and a survey of infection with analysis of risk-factors

In order to determine the prevalence and risk factors for canine echinococcosis in different endemic localities in the Tripoli area of northwest Libya, stray dogs were examined post-mortem, and owned dogs screened for Echinococcus granulosus infection using a standardised genus specific coproantigen ELISA. The prevalence of E. granulosus infection at necropsy in stray-dogs was 25.8% (15/58, 95% CI 15.3–39.0%), and 21.6% (72/334, 95% CI 17.3–26.4%) of owned dogs tested were positive by coproantigen ELISA. Sheepdogs appeared to have a significantly higher copro-positive prevalence (19/19 positive, p = 0.003), compared to 23.6% of other dog classes (e.g. 52/220 guard dogs and household pets). Worm burdens in necropsied dogs ranged from 29 to 2900 (mean 1064) and were positively correlated to coproantigen ELISA OD values (r_s = 0.87, p < 0.001), but negatively correlated with dog age (r_s = −0.69, p = 0.001). Dog age was a significant factor in copro-prevalence as there was an increasing coproantigen-positive tendency in younger dogs (≤5 years, p = 0.04). A total of 45/132 (34%, 95% CI 25.9–42.1%) of farms/homestead had at least one dog that was coproantigen positive. Overall copro-prevalence in dogs by locality varied, with Alkhums (Leptis-Magna) district having the highest copro-prevalence at 38.7% (24/62, 95% CI 26.6–50.8%) (p = 0.001). Coproantigen testing of a cohort of owned dogs before and approximately 15 months after praziquantel treatment showed a significant decrease in the coproantigen positive rate from 21.6% (72/334) to 9% (21/233) post-treatment. The overall E. granulosus coproantigen positive rate (‘re-infection rate’) within the same cohort of dogs was 22 % (10/45) by 15 months post-treatment. Significant risk factors for a copro-positive owned dog were associated with non-restraint of dogs, and owners that did not de-worm their dogs. Home slaughtering of livestock and lack of knowledge about E. granulosus transmission were also significant risk factors for a canine coproantigen positive result.     

Increasing diet viscosity using carboxymethylcellulose in weaned piglets stimulates protein digestibility

Ileal indigestible protein may be an important factor for the occurrence of post weaning diarrhoea in piglets. Depending on the quantity of indigested protein, an imbalance in the microbial community can occur, resulting in an overgrowth of pathogens. Diet viscosity may influence nutrient digestibility and substrate availability for microbial growth. Therefore, we examined the effect of dietary viscosity in piglet nutrition. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was added as a model substance in order to increase diet viscosity. The effect of 1% supplemented CMC on nutrient digestibility, morphological and physiological parameters was measured in piglets 3 weeks post weaning at 26 days of age. The main effects of inclusion of CMC were:

– A 10% slower gastric emptying rate (P = 0.18).

– An increased protein hydrolysis in the gastric fraction, measured as increased nitrogen concentration in the liquid phase of gastric contents (26% in control vs. 34% in experimental group; P = 0.13).

– An increased production of the protein hydrolysing enzyme amino-peptidase from 359 U/g protein for the control diet to 516 U/g protein for the experimental diet (P < 0.01).

– A numerical increase in apparent ileal protein digestibility by 6% from 75.2% to 79.5% (P = 0.22) and a significant increase in faecal protein digestibility by 5% (P = 0.044).

These results indicate that an optimized diet viscosity might be one factor exerting a beneficial influence on protein digestibility. We hypothesize that the effect of diet viscosity on gastric emptying rate is the major factor.