不同类型有机微量元素对母猪乳中微量元素含量及其生产性能的影响

本试验选用"长大"二元杂交经产母猪,在母猪妊娠和哺乳期分别饲喂添加3种不同类型微量元素试验日粮:A组为对照组,饲粮中添加的微量元素分别为CuSO4、FeSO4、MnSO4、ZnSO4、Na2SeO3;B组(氨基酸螯合物组),饲粮添加的铁、铜、锰、锌和硒微量元素均为蛋氨酸螯合物;C组(蛋白质螯合物组),饲粮添加的微量元素为蛋白质螯合铁、蛋白质螯合锌、蛋白质螯合锰和酵母硒。结果表明:Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组分别较对照组初乳中锰含量高出了21.05%和5.87%,差异均不显著(P>0.05);Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组分别较对照组初乳中铁含量高于对照组,分别高出17.0%和8.4%,差异不显著(P>0.05);对初乳中锌没有明显影响;对于常乳中各种微量元素含量也无明显影响;提高了窝产活仔数、合格仔数,减少了死仔和干尸的数量,初生窝重Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组分别比Ⅰ组高0.78和0.48kg;Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组断奶窝重分别比Ⅰ组高4.12kg和0.28kg。     

Influence of different phosphorus levels and phytase supplementation in gestation diets on sow performance

A total of 104 sows of different parities were studied. They were fed four diets with different phosphorus (P) levels during gestation for two reproductive cycles, while the same diet was fed during lactation. The aim was to decrease the total P level in the diet during gestation and to evaluate the effect on sow performance. The gestation treatments were low P (LP-; 3.7 g P/kg feed), low P with phytase (LP+, Ronozyme P; 765 FTU/kg feed), medium P (MP; 4.5 g P/kg feed) and high P (HP; 6.0 g P/kg feed). Daily feed allowances were 2.6 kg during gestation and 9.2 kg during lactation. Number of born piglets and piglet mortality were higher (p < 0.05) in the LP treatments than in the MP and HP treatments. No difference (p > 0.05) in the numbers of live-born piglets, piglet birthweights, sow weights or piglet weight gains was found between the treatments. Phosphorus level in sow milk was the highest (p < 0.05) in the MP treatment, while no effects (p > 0.05) of treatment were found on milk Ca levels, P and Ca levels in serum of sows and piglets, nor on the analysed mineral, fat and protein contents of piglets. The estimated average requirement of P for the entire gestation period was 4.4-4.5 g/day. In conclusion, a reduction of dietary total P content during gestation did not result in negative effects on sow or piglet performance. This suggests that it should be possible to lower the dietary P content for gestating sows, compared with earlier recommendations, and thereby reduce the environmental P pollution.     

微囊丁酸钠对母猪生产性能与仔猪生长性能的影响

40头妊娠85 d健康二元杂交经产母猪(胎次、体况、前胎产仔数一致),随机分为2组,每组20个重复,每个重复1头,分别为对照组(基础日粮)、处理组(妊娠期:基础日粮+800 g/t微囊丁酸钠;哺乳期:基础日粮+500 g/t微囊丁酸钠)。结果表明,饲粮中添加微囊丁酸钠能够显著提高母猪生产后期采食量(4.56%),显著降低母猪哺乳期的体失重(P<0.05),提高仔猪断奶日增重(P<0.05)和断奶体重。此外,处理组弱仔率较对照组下降35.72%,窝断奶仔猪数和断奶仔猪均重有上升趋势(P=0.07,P=0.14)。由此可见,微囊丁酸钠可改善母猪生产性能,提高仔猪平均日增重。     

有机微量元素对生长猪生长性能及微量元素排出量的影响

选用96头平均体重为（19.13±1.18）kg生长猪,分为处理1组（高剂量无机微量元素组）、处理2组（高剂量有机元素组）、处理3组（低剂量无机元素组）、处理4组（高剂量有机元素组）,每个处理3个重复,每个重复8头仔猪,试验期50 d,研究有机微量元素对生长猪生长性能及微量元素排出量的影响力。结果表明：处理1、2、4组的日增重分别比处理3组提高5.83%、7.03%、7.70%,均显著高于处理3组（P＜0.05）,其他处理组之间的日增重差异不显著。处理1、2、4组的料重比分别比处理3组降低5.28%、6.79%、7.92%,均达差异显著（P＜0.05）,处理1、2、4组之间的料重比差异不显著,处理4组的料重比最低。处理1组和处理2组粪中铜、铁、锌、锰的排泄量差异均不显著,处理3组和处理4组粪中铜、铁、锌、锰的排泄量差异均不显著,处理3组和处理4组粪中铜、铁、锌、锰的排泄量比处理1组和处理2组显著降低（P＜0.05）。     

Effect of maternal organic selenium supplementation during pregnancy on sow reproductive performance and long-term effect on their progeny

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for animals and exists in nature in both inorganic and organic forms. Although organic Se is more bioavailable than inorganic Se, there are inconsistent reports on the effect of organic Se on the reproductive performance of sows. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of maternal organic Se (2-hydroxy-4-methylselenobutanoic [HMSeBA]) supplementation on reproductive performance and antioxidant capacity of sows, and the long-term effect on the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of their offspring with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. The experimental design used in this study was a completely randomized design; 45 Landrace × Yorkshire sows were randomly allocated to receive one of the following three diets during gestation: control diet (Control, basal diet, n = 15), sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃)-supplemented diet (Na₂SeO₃, basal diet + 0.3 mg Se/kg Na₂SeO₃, n = 15), and HMSeBA-supplemented diet (HMSeBA, basal diet + 0.3 mg Se/kg HMSeBA, n = 15). On day 21 of age, male offspring from each group were injected with LPS or saline (n = 6). As compared with the control group, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the number of total born piglets, while decreased birth weight (P < 0.05). In the first week of lactation, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased litter weight gain compared with the Na₂SeO₃ group (P < 0.05) and increased the average daily gain of piglets compared with the control group and Na₂SeO₃ group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, maternal HMSeBA supplementation decreased piglet birth interval as compared with the control group and Na₂SeO₃ group (P < 0.05). Besides, plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was higher in the HMSeBA group on farrowing 0 min and 90 min, while malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was lower on farrowing 0, 90, and 135 min than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the concentration of selenoprotein P (SELENOP) in colostrum compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Further study revealed that the LPS-challenged HMSeBA group had higher GSH-Px and total antioxidant capacity and lower MDA in weaning piglets compared with the LPS-challenged control group (P < 0.05). Taken together, maternal HMSeBA supplementation increased the number of total born piglets, shortened the duration of farrowing, improved the antioxidant capacities of sows and their offspring, and improved the growth performance of suckling pigs at the first week of lactation. Thus, HMSeBA supplementation during gestation has the potentiality to produce more kilogram of meat.     

饲喂母猪不同类型和水平的有机铁对仔猪生长和贫血状态的影响

本研究旨在评估母猪饲料中添加两种不同水平螯合态的有机铁对仔猪生长性能和改善仔猪贫血效果的研究。选取体重相近、胎次相近、遗传结构一致、健康的二元杂母猪30头,随机分为5组。对照组1组,在基础饲料中添加硫酸亚铁100 g/kg;处理组2、3、4、5分别在基础饲料中添加甘氨酸亚铁80 g/kg和100 g/kg、复合氨基酸螯合铁80 g/kg和100 g/kg。结果表明,母猪饲料中添加有机铁甘氨酸亚铁100 g/kg和复合氨基酸螯合铁80 g/kg可提高21日龄断奶仔猪体重,分别提高12.26%和10.3%;母猪饲料中添加有机微量甘氨酸亚铁和复合氨基酸螯合铁可改善母猪生产时和产后21日龄以及仔猪初生和断奶后体内血液红细胞数量(RBC)、血液平均红细胞的体积(MCV)和血液中红细胞压积(HCT),其中母猪日粮中添加甘氨酸亚铁80 g/kg和复合氨基酸螯合铁100 g/kg组仔猪血液红细胞数量(RBC)在初生和21日龄断奶分别提高6.06%和9.29%;母猪饲料中添加有机微量甘氨酸亚铁和复合氨基酸铁都可提高母猪初乳和常乳中乳铁的含量,其中添加甘氨酸亚铁100 g/kg和复合氨基酸螯合铁100 g/kg组初乳中铁浓度分别提高276%和346%。综上,通过提高母猪乳中有机铁含量可提高初生仔猪体内的铁储存与代谢以达到仔猪抵抗贫血风险的作用。     

有机铬对肉鸡日粮、粪中微量元素和小肠组织结构的影响

试验选用1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉鸡792只,设6个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复33只鸡。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础日粮,试验组分别饲喂在基础日粮中添加酵母铬0.2 mg/kg、吡啶甲酸铬0.2 mg/kg和蛋氨酸铬0.1 mg/kg(Ⅰ)、0.2 mg/kg(Ⅱ)、0.6 mg/kg(Ⅲ)的日粮(以Cr3+计),自由采食、饮水,试验期为49 d。旨在研究日粮中添加不同有机铬源对肉鸡日粮、粪中微量元素和小肠组织结构的影响。结果表明,(1)酵母铬组和吡啶甲酸铬组日粮铜水平均显著降低(P<0.05),蛋氨酸铬(Ⅱ)组日粮锌水平显著降低(P<0.05);吡啶甲酸铬组和蛋氨酸铬(Ⅱ)组粪铜、粪锌排泄量均显著提高(P<0.05),且蛋氨酸铬(Ⅱ)组粪锰水平显著增加(P<0.05);不同铬源对日粮铁水平和粪铁排泄量均未产生显著影响(P>0.05)。(2)不同铬源均增加空肠黏膜厚度的趋势,且蛋氨酸铬(Ⅲ)组较对照组显著提高28.57%(P<0.05);不同铬源均能降低回肠绒毛长度和黏膜厚度,除酵母铬组黏膜厚度外,其他各试验组均达到显著水平(P<0.05);各试验组十二指肠绒毛长度和黏膜厚度差异均不显著(P>0.05)。由此可见,铬对日粮和粪中铜、锌、锰水平影响显著,对铁影响不显著;能增加空肠黏膜厚度,显著降低回肠绒毛长度和黏膜厚度。     

Effects of dietary manganese supplementation on nutrient digestibility and production performance in male sika deer (Cervus Nippon)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of manganese (Mn) supplementation on nutrient digestibility and antler growth in male sika deer. Twenty 3‐year‐old male sika deer were divided into four groups (Control, T40, T80 and T120). The control diet contained 22.2 mg Mn/kg. The treatment diets were supplemented with 40, 80 and 120 mg of Mn/kg (provided as Mn methionine). The results showed that the digestibility of dry matter and crude protein in the T80 group was greater than other groups. Higher digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was observed in the T80 group than in the control group. Plasma Mn concentrations in the T80 and T120 groups were higher (P < 0.01) than control and T40 group (P < 0.01). The concentration of Mn in feces was increased with increasing Mn amount. Average daily gain of fresh antler and dry antler of T80 was greater than other groups, especially the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the suitable level of Mn supplementation was found to be 80 mg/kg (total Mn content 103.4 mg/kg dry matter), which significantly increased antler daily gain and feed digestibility in 3‐year‐old sika deer.     

Hybrid rye may replace up to 75% of the corn in diets for gestating and lactating sows without negatively impacting sow and piglet performance

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that hybrid rye can replace a part of the corn in gestation and lactation diets without negatively affecting sow and litter performance. For each phase, a corn–soybean meal diet and three diets in which hybrid rye replaced 25%, 50%, or 75% of corn were formulated. Two hundred sows were randomly allotted by parity to the four treatments. Results indicated that diet did not affect body weight or average daily gain (ADG) of sows or number of pigs born. The number of pigs weaned, litter weaning weight, and litter ADG increased and then decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye in diets increased. Pig mortality and number of crushed pigs tended (quadratic, P < 0.10) to be reduced as hybrid rye was added to the diet. Serum cytokines did not differ among treatments on day 105 of gestation or in pigs on the day of weaning, but interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and IL-18 on day 13 of lactation increased and then decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye inclusion increased in diets. Milk urea N increased (linear, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye was included in the diet, but no other differences in milk composition were observed. Overall, replacing 25% or 50% of corn with hybrid rye resulted in improved lactation performance, and replacing 75% of corn with hybrid rye resulted in sow and litter performance that was not different from that of sows fed control diets.     

Effects of lycopene supplementation in both maternal and offspring diets on growth performance,antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters in chicks

This study investigated the effects of different supplementation ways of lycopene during pre‐hatch (from the diet of hens) and post‐hatch (from the diet of progeny) on production performance, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters in chicks. In total, 360 hens were fed diets supplemented with 0 (control group) or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet. From 28 to 34 days after the start of supplementation (30 weeks old), 650 qualified eggs were collected to artificial incubation. In this trial, 2 × 2 factorial designs were used. Male chicks hatched from hens fed with 0 or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet were fed a diet containing either 0 or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet. The results showed that, relative to control, in ovo‐deposited lycopene significantly increased chick birth body weight, improved liver total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH: GSSG), and significantly declined liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increased liver lycopene content during 0–14 days after hatching. On days 14 after hatching, dietary lycopene in diet began to take over gradually. Both supplementation ways of lycopene increased immune organ index, serum high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, villus length and villus/crypt in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Data in this study suggested lycopene supplementation could improve antioxidant capacity and immune function, and regulate lipid metabolism in chicks.     

Intact brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) in diets of weaned piglets: effects on performance, gut bacteria and morphology and plasma oxidative status

The aim was to assess the effects of intact dried Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed on piglet performances, gut bacteria and function and plasma oxidative status. A total of 160 weaned piglets (21 days, 6.59 ± 0.91 kg) were allocated to four dietary treatments with eight pen replicates of five animals each for 28 days: a control diet; based on cereals, soybean meal and milk products, and three basal diets supplemented with either 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 g dried seaweed per kg. At day 12/13 one piglet from each pen was sacrificed. Plasma samples were taken to determine parameters of oxidative status. Digesta were sampled for microbiological plate countings onto selective media and molecular analysis using PCR‐DGGE. Small intestinal tissue was taken for morphological and electro‐physiological determinations. Data were analysed by a linear model with treatment as fixed effect. A. nodosum supplementation had no effect on daily weight gain, nor did it alter feed conversion ratio. Plate countings failed to reveal differences among treatments. Dendograms prepared using PCR‐DGGE banding patterns did not indicate clustering of microbial profiles based on diet supplement. Plasma oxidative status and outcome of morphology and of electro‐physiological measurements from gut tissues were similar for all treatments. Thus, the addition of A. nodosum seaweed to well digestible diets did not enhance performances of piglets nor some gut health parameters and plasma oxidative status.     

The effects of feeding diets containing potato protein concentrate on reproductive performance of rats and quality of the offspring

Two diets containing either soybean meal (SBM) or SBM and potato protein concentrate (PPC) in proportion of protein 1:1 (diet BS and BPP, respectively), were fed each to 22 females and 22 males from the age of 4-5 weeks throughout two reproductive cycles. A commercial closed-formula SNF diet containing unknown amount of potato protein was fed till the end of the first reproductive cycle. All three diets were also fed during 21 days following weaning, each to 10 offspring males born in the first cycle. The solanidine glycoalkaloids (GA) content in PPC was 2316 mg/kg DM. Feeding diets containing potato protein did not affect pregnancy rate, number and conformation of neonates and number of pups weaned (in all litters number of neonates left with dams being reduced to eight) but it depressed their body weight (weight of weaners on BPP diet only in the first cycle). Growth rate of the offspring males did not differ but feed intake was lower and feed conversion was higher on BPP than on BS and SNF diets. Feeding of BPP diet to offspring did not affect mass of body organs but increased blood urea and albumin concentrations while feeding SNF diet increased relative weight of small intestine and liver and raised blood concentrations of alanine amino transferase, albumin, protein, urea and cholesterol. In dams sacrificed after two cycles only relative weight of uterus and ovaries were lower in females fed on BPP than on BS diet. It is concluded that feeding moderate amounts (6.4%) of high-GA PPC does not impair reproductive performance, does not induce malformation of pups but depresses foetal and postnatal growth rate till weaning but not after weaning.     

饲粮不同微量元素添加量对于黄羽肉鸡生长性能及组织微量元素沉积的影响

旨在研究饲粮中不同微量元素添加量对黄羽肉鸡生长性能及组织微量元素沉积的影响。选用1 800只黄羽肉鸡随机分成4组,每组6个重复,每个重复75只。其中:第1组为大生产使用微量元素添加量,第2组为目前研究推荐的微量元素添加量,第3组为科宝公司推荐微量元素添加量,第4组为哈伯德公司推荐的微量元素添加量。结果:在第1组(大生产)的基础上下调铜、铁、锰、锌的添加量(第2、3、4组)对肉鸡生长性能和组织微量元素沉积无显著影响(P>0.05)。结果提示黄羽肉鸡饲料中铁、锌的适宜添加量低于《鸡饲养标准》的推荐量。     

Supplementation of graded levels of organic zinc in the diets of female broilers: effects on performance and carcase quality

Zinc is an essential trace element. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of various levels of organic zinc (OZ) supplementation on growth performance and carcase quality of female broiler chickens. A total of 3200 1-d-old female broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 16 floor pens with 200 birds per pen. A maize-wheat-soyabean meal basal diet (Control) was formulated and 20 mg/kg OZ (20 OZ), 40 mg/kg OZ (40 OZ), and 80 mg/kg OZ (80 OZ) were added to the basal diet to form 4 dietary treatments with 4 replicates per treatment. The OZ source was zinc proteinate which contained 15% zinc. Results showed no significant difference between the treatments in growth performance. A significant increase in thigh skin epidermis and dermis thickness was shown in the OZ supplementation groups; however, no effect was found on the thickness of back skin epidermis and dermis. Collagen contents in breast and thigh meats were not influenced by OZ supplementation but a significant increase in collagen content was found in the back and thigh skin. This increase in collagen content was significantly greater in the back and thigh skin of OZ 80 than with OZ 20. Shear force value and zinc concentration in skins and meat were not significantly influenced by supplementation with OZ. It is concluded that dietary OZ does not improve growth performance of broilers; however, it could increase skin thickness by increasing collagen content in skin, thereby improving carcase quality.     

小肽营养素对断奶仔猪生产性能及小肠发育的影响

50头 2 1日龄断奶的胜利白猪随机分为 5组 ,Ⅰ组 (对照组 )为基础日粮组 ;Ⅱ ,Ⅲ ,Ⅳ组分别为基础日粮 +1 % ,2 % ,3 %小肽营养素 ;Ⅴ组为基础日粮 +2 %SDPP。试验期 2 8d。结果表明 ,添加 3 %小肽营养素后 ,仔猪平均日增重比对照组提高 33 67% (P <0 0 5) ,料重比下降8 4% (P <0 0 5)与添加 2 %SDPP的效果类似。添加小肽营养素后 ,仔猪十二指肠、空肠、回肠的绒毛长度增加、隐窝深度减小 ,这种趋势随着小肽营养素添加量的增加而提高。小肽营养素能刺激仔猪断奶后十二指肠食糜乳糖酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶和胰蛋白酶的活性 ,以添加 3 %小肽营养素和 2 %SDPP效果较好。小肽营养素可促进断奶仔猪免疫系统发育 ,增加血液中IgG浓度 (P <0 0 5)。     

不同钙水平日粮添加酸化剂对断奶仔猪生长性能和血液矿物质水平的影响

文章旨在研究不同钙水平日粮添加复合酸化剂对断奶仔猪生长性能、血液和骨中矿物质含量的影响.试验选择初始体重为(7.50±0.08)kg的25 d断奶仔猪600头,随机分为4组,每组5个重复,每个重复30头.试验日粮采用2×2因子设计,即钙水平分别为0.75％和0.55％,复合酸化剂添加水平为3 g/kg和0 g/kg,试...     

Comparison effects of dietary iron dextran and bacterial‐iron supplementation on growth performance,fecal microbial flora,and blood profiles in sows and their litters

This study was conducted to compare effects of dietary administration of iron dextran and bacterial‐iron on growth performance, fecal microbial flora, and blood profiles in sows and their litters. A total of 20 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted into two treatments: (i) ID (basal diet, piglets were injected with iron dextran); (ii) BR (basal diet + bacterial‐iron; bacterial‐iron was given to sows, piglets were not injected with iron dextran). There were five replicates per treatment with two sows per replicate. No differences were observed on sow and piglet growth performance, fecal microbial flora as well as sow blood profiles between ID and BR treatments. In piglets, blood iron, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in ID treatment were higher (P < 0.05) on days 12 and 24. Furthermore, concentration of white blood cells in BR treatment was lower (P < 0.05) on day 12. However, the percentage of lymphocytes on day 12 was increased (P < 0.05) in BR treatment. In conclusion, effect of iron dextran and bacterial‐iron has no difference on growth performance in lactating sows and piglets, but iron dextran injection has higher blood iron, white blood cell, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in piglets.     

The effects of dietary supplementation with porous zinc oxide on growth performance,intestinal microbiota,morphology, and permeability in weaned piglets

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with porous zinc oxide (HiZox) on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, morphology, and permeability in weaned piglets. A total of 128 weaned piglets [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of (6.55 ± 0.25 kg; 21 d of age) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: (1) a corn‐soybean basal diet; (2) basal diet + 3,000 mg/kg conventional ZnO; (3) basal diet + 200 mg/kg HiZox; (4) basal diet + 500 mg/kg HiZox. The experiments lasted for 28 days. Incremental HiZox in the diet increased ADG (linear p = 0.015; quadratic p = 0.043) and ADFI (linear p = 0.027; quadratic p = 0.038), and the diarrhea index decreased linearly and quadratically (p < 0.01) as HiZox supplemented increased. Furthermore, supplementation with HiZox increased the amounts of Lactobacillus spp. (p < 0.05) in the ileum and cecum in comparison with that of control treatment or 3,000 mg/kg ZnO treatment, while decreased the populations of Escherichia coli, Clostridium coccoides, and Clostridium. leptum subgroup (p < 0.05) in the ileum and cecum relative to those in control treatment. The addition of HiZox increased the villus height and villus‐to‐crypt ratio (VC) of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (p < 0.05), while decreased the crypt depth of jejunum (p < 0.05) and tended to reduce the crypt depth of duodenum (p < 0.10) compared with the control treatment. Piglets fed with 500 mg/kg HiZox had lower serum D‐lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) than those fed with basal control diet or 3,000 mg/kg ZnO diet (p < 0.01). The results suggested that supplementation with HiZox modulated intestinal microbial composition and improved intestinal morphology, which may exert protective effects on the integrity of the mucosal barrier function of weaned piglets, was as efficacious as pharmaceutical doses of ZnO in enhancing growth performance, indicating that the HiZox may be a promising alternative to pharmaceutical doses of ZnO.     

The effects of boron supplementation of layer diets varying in calcium and phosphorus concentrations on performance,egg quality,bone strength and mineral constituents of serum,bone and faeces

1. A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to investigate the effects of dietary calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and supplemental boron (B) (0, 75, and 150 mg/kg) on the performance, egg quality, bone strength, and mineral constituents in bone, serum and faeces.

2. A reduction by 18% in the dietary Ca-P concentration from the recommended levels for the hen strain reduced (P < 0.01) faecal excretion of ash, Ca and P concentrations, and shear force with stress of the tibia in association with decreased feed intake, whereas improved albumen height and Haugh unit values in the egg.

3. Supplemental B significantly decreased the feed consumption, egg weight and final body weight in hens, as well as the albumen height, but had no effect on either the biomechanical characteristics of bones or the mineral profile of the bones and serum. However, there was a significant increase in the egg production rate and a reduction in the damaged and shell-less egg ratio, and in the feed conversion rate in hens fed adequate Ca-P with 150 mg/kg B compared to those of the unsupplemented controls.

4. The amount of B that accumulated in the bones and serum was correlated with the amount of B consumed. B increased the faecal excretion of ash, Ca and B. In general, dietary variables had no effect on mineral composition of serum and tibia.

5. The magnitude of the response to dietary B was much more pronounced in hens fed a diet deficient in Ca-P with 75 mg/kg B; these hens exhibited a production performance and an egg quality comparable to those given adequate Ca-P with no added B.

6. The data presented in this study describing the measured bone properties did not corroborate the hypothesis that B is a trace element playing an important role in mineral metabolism and bone strength through an interaction with Ca, P and Mg.     

Effects of maternal protein supplementation and inclusion of rumen‐protected fat in the finishing diet on nutrient digestibility and expression of intestinal genes in Nellore steers

The study aimed to evaluate nutrient digestibility and intestine gene expression in the progeny from cows supplemented during gestation and fed diets with or without rumen‐protected fat (RPF) in the feedlot. Forty‐eight Nellore steers, averaging 340 kg, were housed in individual pens and allotted in a completely randomized design using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (dams nutrition × RPF). Cows' supplementation started after 124 ± 21 days of gestation. The feedlot lasted 135 days and diets had the inclusion of zero or 6% of RPF. Digestibility was evaluated by total feces collection. Steers were slaughtered using the concussion technique and samples of pancreas and small intestine were collected immediately after the slaughter to analyze α‐amylase activity, and the expression of SLC5A1, CD36, and CCK and villi morphometry. Feeding RPF increased nutrients digestibility (p < 0.01). There was no effect of maternal nutrition on digestibility and α‐amylase activity in steers (p > 0.05). Duodenal expression of SLC5A1, CD36, and CCK increased in the progeny from restricted cows. In conclusion, protein restriction during mid to late gestation of dams has long‐term effects on small‐intestine length and on expression of membrane transporters genes in the duodenum of the progeny. However, maternal nutrition does not affect digestibility in the feedlot.