Digestive physiology,metabolism and methane production of captive Linné's two‐toed sloths (Choloepus didactylus)

Sloths are renowned for their low metabolic rate, low food intake and low defecation frequency. We investigated factors of digestive physiology and energy metabolism in four captive individuals (mean body mass 10.0 ± SD 3.7 kg) of a hitherto mostly unstudied sloth species, Linné's two‐toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus), in a 2‐week digestion recording and 23‐h respiration experiment on animals fed a standard zoo diet of vegetables and starchy components. Dry matter intake, defecation frequency and particle mean retention time (MRT) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were 12 ± 3 g/(kg^0.75 day), once every 5 days and >140 h in three individuals, but 53 g/(kg^0.75 day), daily and 82 h in one individual that was apparently compensating for a period of weight loss prior to the experiment. In all animals, solute marker was eliminated at a faster rate than the particle marker, indicating ‘digesta washing’ in the sloths’ GIT. The overall metabolic rate calculated from oxygen consumption matched the metabolisable energy intake in three individuals [173 ± 22 vs. 168 ± 44 kJ/(kg^0.75 day)] but not in the fourth one [225 vs. 698 kJ/(kg^0.75 day)], supporting the interpretation that this animal was replenishing body stores. In spite of the low food intake and the low‐fibre diet (209 ± 26 g neutral detergent fibre/kg dry matter), methane production was rather high accounting for 9.4 ± 0.8% of gross energy intake (2.7% in the fourth individual), which exceeded literature data for ruminants on forage‐only diets. These results corroborate literature reports on low intake, low defecation frequency, low metabolic rate and long MRT in other sloth species. The long MRT is probably responsible for the comparatively high methane production, providing more opportunity for methanogenic archaea than in other non‐ruminant mammals to produce significant amounts of methane.     

Effects of Bacillus amylolyticus on Rumen Dry Matter Digestibility,Fermentation Parameters and Metabolites of Dairy Cows北大核心CSCD

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of Bacillus amylolyticus on rumen dry matter digestibility, fermentation parameters and metabolites of dairy cows. Experiment 1: six dairy cows with permanent fistula and had the similar parity (2 to 3 fetuses), body weight [(662 ±57) kg], lactation days [(160 ± 22) d] and milk yield [(36.1 ±3.8) kg / d], were randomly divided into 3 groups with 2 cows per group. Using 3 ×3 Latin square design, each group was extra fed 0 (control group), 5 ×109 and 5 ×1010 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus, the trial period was 3 periods, 13 days for each period, including 10 days for the pre-trial period and 3 days for the trial period. At the beginning of the trial period, the rumen dry matter digestibility of cows was measured by nylon bag method. Experiment 2: thirty dairy cows with similar parity [(2.5 ±0.3) fetuses], initial body weight [(559.2 ± 7. 4) kg], milk yield [(35. 2 ± 1. 5) kg / d] and lactation days [(99 ± 22) d] were randomly divided into three groups with 10 cows in each group. Cows in the 3 groups were extra fed with 0 (control group), 5 ×109 and 5 ×1010 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus, respectively. The pre-trial period was 10 days and the trial period was 42 days. The rumen fluid was collected on the last day of the trial period, and the rumen fermentation parameters and metabolites were determined. The results showed as follows: compared with the control group, 1) supplementary feeding of 5 × 1010 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus could significantly improve the rumen dry matter digestibility of dairy cows at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h (P <0.05), supplementary feeding of 5 ×109 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus could significantly improve the rumen dry matter digestibility of dairy cows at 36 and 48 h (P <0.05); 2) supplementary feeding of 5 ×109 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus could significantly increase the contents of isobutyric acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, total volatile fatty acid and microbial protein in the rumen of dairy cows (P < 0. 05), supplementary feeding of 5 × 1010 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus could significantly increase the contents of isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid in the rumen of dairy cows and significantly reduce the rumen acetic acid / propionic acid (P < 0. 05), supplementary feeding of 5 ×109 and 5 ×1010 Bacillus amylolyticus had no effects on rumen pH and ammonia nitrogen content (P >0.05); 3) eleven metabolic pathways related to differential metabolites were detected, and ascorbic acid and alginate metabolism were significantly enriched (P < 0. 05) . In conclusion, Bacillus amylolyticus can increase the rumen dry matter digestibility, and improve the rumen fermentation function of dairy cows by affecting the content of rumen metabolites. By comprehensive analysis, supplementary feeding of 5 × 109 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus can achieve better effect. © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.     

饲粮添加过瘤胃半胱氨酸对育成期梅花鹿生长性能、营养物质表观消化率和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加过瘤胃半胱氨酸对育成期梅花鹿生长性能、营养物质表观消化率和血清生化指标的影响。采用单因素随机区组试验设计,将12头7月龄雄性梅花鹿仔鹿分为4组(每组3个重复,每个重复1只),组间体重差异不显著。对照组(Ⅰ组)饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别饲喂额外添加1.25(Ⅱ组)、2.50(Ⅲ组)和5.00 g·kg^-1(Ⅳ组)过瘤胃半胱氨酸(有效成分51.70%)的试验饲粮。试验预饲期15 d,正试期112 d。结果表明,1)与Ⅰ组相比,添加过瘤胃半胱氨酸Ⅲ组总增重和平均日增重显著提高(P<0.05),Ⅲ组料重比显著降低(P<0.05);2)与Ⅰ组相比,添加过瘤胃半胱氨酸各组粗蛋白质、钙和磷表观消化率显著提高(P<0.05),Ⅲ组干物质和有机物表观消化率显著提高(P<0.05);3)与Ⅰ组相比,添加过瘤胃半胱氨酸Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组甘氨酸表观消化率显著提高(P<0.05),各组半胱氨酸、蛋氨酸、丝氨酸、赖氨酸、苏氨酸、缬氨酸、异亮氨酸、亮氨酸、精氨酸、苯丙氨酸、组氨酸、天冬氨酸、酪氨酸、谷氨酸、丙氨酸和脯氨酸表观消化率显著提高(P<0...     

氨基酸络合铁对生长猪生长性能及有关指标的影响

为了比较评估氨基酸络合铁对生长猪生长性能、铁表观消化率、肤色和血液指标的影响,试验选择70日龄初始体重(27.34±2.55)kg的杜×长×大生长猪108头,分为6个处理,每个处理6个重复,每个重复3头猪。试验用玉米-豆粕型基础日粮。在基础日粮中添加100 mg/kg无机铁(一水硫酸亚铁)构成对照组。在对照组基础上分别添加40、80、120、160 mg/kg氨基酸络合铁构成4个试验组,在对照组基础上添加160 mg/kg无机铁(一水硫酸亚铁)构成正对照组,试验期5周。结果表明:试验0~2周、3~5周及全期,随着日粮中氨基酸铁添加量由40 mg/kg增加到160 mg/kg,生长猪日增重和饲料转化效率均得到改善,并呈极显著的线性关系(P<0.01)。与无机铁日粮组相比,添加160 mg/kg氨基酸络合铁试验组极显著地改善了平均日增重(P<0.01)和饲料转化效率(P<0.05);试验第14天和第35天,随着日粮中氨基酸络合铁添加水平的增加,生长猪对日粮中铁元素的表观消化率均呈显著的线性增加关系(P<0.05),添加160 mg/kg氨基酸络合铁试验组铁元素的表观消化率极显著高于对照组和正对照组(P<0.01);试验第14天和第35天,随着日粮中氨基酸络合铁添加水平的提高,红细胞压积、血红蛋白浓度、血清铁和血清铁与总铁结合力之比都呈显著的线性增加关系(P<0.05),并高于无机铁日粮组(P<0.01),而血清总铁结合力呈显著的线性降低关系(P<0.05);在试验期末,160 mg/kg氨基酸络合铁日粮组显著改善生长猪的肤色状况(P<0.05)。与添加硫酸亚铁相比,在生长猪日粮中添加氨基酸铁络合物可提高生长猪的生长性能和铁表观消化率,改善皮肤红度及血液生化指标。     

A two-year comparison on nutritive value and yield of eight lucerne cultivars and one red clover cultivar

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) are among the most common legume species used for ruminant feeding systems. Besides the greater nutritive quality and first-year ley yield compared to lucerne, red clover decreases its yield over the years. However, under unfavourable soil conditions the persistency of lucerne can be compromised, not performing as expected. This study compared yield and chemical composition of eight lucerne cultivars and one tetraploid red clover cultivar, with similar growth capacity as lucerne, replicated over two years. In the second year, four lucerne cultivars and the red clover cultivar were analysed for crude protein (CP) fractions, dry matter and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility. A randomized block design was used with three field blocks per cultivar for the multiple comparisons within each year. There were differences in DM yield, concentrations of CP and NDF and CP fractions among the lucerne cultivars, but the differences were inconsistent between years and between growth cycles within year. The red clover cultivar had lower CP and NDF concentrations than a majority of the lucerne cultivars, and greater in vitro organic matter digestibility compared to all of the lucerne cultivars. Also, the red clover cultivar had greater rumen undegradable-to-degradable CP ratio but confirmed its lower yield persistency compared to the lucerne cultivars.     

不同生长阶段肉仔鸡饲粮氨基酸平均真可消化率和粗蛋白质净利用率的测定

分别选用体重一致的2周龄和5周龄AA肉仔鸡,分2次试验通过全收粪法测定不同生长阶段肉仔鸡典型饲粮氨基酸的真可消化率和蛋白质的净利用率.结果表明,2~3周龄时,幼雏饲粮氨基酸平均真消化率和蛋白质净利用率分别为84.77%和57.49%;5~6周龄时,生长饲粮氨基酸平均真消化率和蛋白质净利用率分别为87.90%和73.78%.     

去势和热应激对筠连黄牛生产性能、瘤胃发酵和血液生化指标的影响

为研究去势和热应激对筠连黄牛生产性能、瘤胃发酵和血液生化指标的影响,本研究选用18头16月龄、体重相近((292.35±28.71) kg)的不同去势程度筠连黄牛(全去势FCG、半去势HCG、假手术SOG),分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头牛,根据试验期间牛舍温湿度指数(THI),分为热应激期(7、8月)和非热应激期(9月),分析去势和热应激对黄牛各指标的影响。结果表明：1)与非热应激期相比,热应激期牛舍THI、肉牛呼吸频率和直肠温度均显著提高(P<0.05)。2)去势和热应激均显著提高血清热休克蛋白70、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)和雌二醇浓度(P<0.05),而睾酮、甲状腺素(T4)、胰岛素和游离脂肪酸浓度显著降低(P<0.05),且除血清葡萄糖、T4和LDL-C外,去势和热应激对其他血清指标存在显著互作效应(P<0.05)。3)全去势和热应激均显著降低肉牛平均日增重(ADG),且存在显著互作效应(P<0.05)。4)热应激期,去势显著降低粗蛋白、酸性洗涤纤维和钙表观消化率以及血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)(P<0....     

Digestibility of the defatted microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. and Desmodesmus sp. when fed to Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar

The aim of the study was to investigate the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of defatted biomass derived from microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. and Desmodesmus sp. when fed to Atlantic salmon postsmolts in seawater. Two experiments, one employing cold‐pelleted and the other employing extruded pellets, were carried out to determine the ADC of dry matter (DM), protein, ash and energy. The test feeds consisted of a fishmeal‐based reference feed and the algal biomass, at a ratio of 70:30, and yttrium oxide as the inert marker. The ADC of DM and protein in fish fed microalgae‐incorporated cold‐pelleted feeds were significantly higher for Nannochloropsis sp. compared with Desmodesmus sp. The Nannochloropsis sp. inclusion in extruded feeds also led to higher ADCs of DM and energy compared with Desmodesmus sp. The extrusion processing significantly increased the ADC of ash in both defatted microalgae biomass, as well as ADCs of DM in Nannochloropsis and protein in Desmodesmus sp. In conclusion, the microalga Nannochloropsis sp. was more digestible than Desmodesmus sp., and extrusion processing can be used as a means to improve digestibility of certain nutrients.     

Apparent digestibility coefficients of animal and plant feed ingredients for juvenile Pseudobagrus ussuriensis

A study was conducted to determine apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), lipid, gross energy, phosphorus and amino acids (AAs) from Peruvian fish meal (PFM), native fish meal (NFM), meat bone meal (MBM), dried daphnia meal (DDM), soybean meal (SBM), full‐fat soybean (FSBM), cottonseed meals (CSM), rapeseed meal (RSM) and corn gluten meal (CGM) for Pseudobagrus ussuriensis (7.8 ± 0.06 g). Test diets were formulated to contain a 70:30 mixture of reference diet to test ingredient with chromic oxide (5 g kg^–1) serving as the inert marker. ADCs of DM ranged from 49.94% (CGM) to 87.11% (PFM), the highest ADCs of DM were observed in PFM and the lowest was found in CGM. ADCs of CP in the test ingredients ranged from 74.92% (CGM) to 93.41% (SBM). ADCs of crude lipid ranged from 51.80% (CGM) to 94.07% (PFM) for fish. ADCs of energy ranged from 56.42% (CGM) to 90.09% (PFM). ADCs of phosphorus ranged from 21.81% (CSM) to 65.70% (PFM). AA availability for the test ingredients followed a similar pattern to ADCs of CP, in which values for PFM, NFM and MBM were generally higher (p < .05) than those of other protein ingredients. Among all plant meals, the AA availability values in SBM were higher (p < .05) than those in CGM, CSM and RSM. The availability of most AAs in CGM was the lowest (p < .05) among all tested ingredients. In conclusion, PFM and NFM are good sources of available protein and AAs. When fishmeal supply is limited, MBM and DDM are substitutes for fishmeal reduction in P. ussuriensis diets; at the same time, SBM and FSBM are also very acceptable protein feedstuffs. However, CSM, RSM and CGM could not be used at high levels in P. ussuriensis diets because of their inferior digestibilities.     

Digestibility,growth and pigmentation of astaxanthin,canthaxanthin or lutein diets in Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish,Melanotaenia parva (Allen) cultured species

New cultured ornamental fish namely Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish Melanotaenia parva (Allen) run into reduced of colour performances when reared in the aquaria, consequently, fish feed must be added with carotenoids as a pigment source. The aim of this study was to evaluate the digestibility, growth and pigmentation of astaxanthin, canthaxanthin and lutein in diet. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, lipid, protein, carotenoids, growth and pigmentation were studied in twenty fish after 14 and 56 days of observation. The single‐dose supplementation of 100 mg/kg of astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, or lutein diets on fish was fed by apparent satiation. The basal diet without carotenoids was used as control. The result showed that the ADC of carotenoids of test diets was higher compared to control. Fish fed astaxanthin diet had higher survival rate (96.67 ± 2.89%), colour measurements of lightness (57.60 ± 7.46%), a*‐values (4.66 ± 1.20), total carotenoids content in skin (33.75 ± 5.02 mg/kg) and muscle (2.16 ± 0.74 mg/kg). Astaxanthin also increased the growth after 14 days (2.00% ± 0.19%/days) but there was no significantly different at the end of experiment. The yellowish‐orange colour performance was more rapidly achieved by fish fed astaxanthin diet after 28 days experimentation. These values suggested that dietary carotenoids were required and astaxanthin diet was superior to other diets for skin pigmentation of Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish.