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PubMed2004

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and bioavailability of isoflavones in pigs fed soy bean based diets.

A growth trial with 38 weaners (castrated male pigs) was designed to compare the growth performance and carcass quality of pigs fed diets containing either soy bean meal or soy protein concentrate in a pair-feeding design. Soy bean meal (SBM) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) differed in isoflavone (daidzein plus genistein) content (782 microg/g in SBM and 125 microg/g in SPC, respectively). During the experiment, all pigs were fed four-phases-diets characterized by decreasing protein concentrations with increasing age (weaner I, weaner II, grower, finisher diets). Rations of control and experimental groups were isoenergetic, isonitrogenous, and isoaminogen. The weanling pigs with an initial live weight of 8.4 +/- 1.1 kg were allotted to flat deck boxes. During the growing/finishing period (days 70-170 of age), the pigs were housed in single boxes. Both, the weaning and the grower/finishing performances (daily body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio) were similar in both groups. No differences were found between the groups in carcass composition (percentages of cuts, tissues, and protein/fat), and meat quality of pigs. Moreover, the IGF-1R mRNA expression in longissimus muscle was not influenced by the kind of soy product. However, circulating levels of isoflavones were clearly different between pigs fed SBM (genistein 239 +/- 44; daidzein 162 +/- 42; equol 12 +/- 4 ng/ml plasma) and animals fed SPC (genistein 22 +/- 9 and daidzein 8 +/- 3, and equol 10 +/- 3 ng/ml plasma). The results confirm the expected differences in the bioavailability of soy isoflavones, yet, there were no significant differences in performance of pigs fed either soy bean meal or soy protein concentrate.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Microbial phytase in finisher diets of White Pekin ducks: effects on growth performance, plasma phosphorus concentration, and leg bone characteristics.

Two experiments (Exp.) were conducted to determine the growth response of White Pekin ducks to inclusion of microbial phytase in finisher diet. In Exp. 1, 1-d-old male ducks (240 total) were reared in litter-floor pens and fed regular starter diet until 3 wk of age. At 3 wk of age, ducks were randomly divided into six groups of 10 ducks each and each group was fed one of four diets. Three finisher diets containing 16% CP and 0.18% available phosphorus (AP) without supplemental P were formulated with microbial phytase (Natuphos) added at 0, 750, or 1,500 phytase units/kg of diet. The fourth diet was a control finisher diet that was supplemented with dicalcium phosphate (DCP) to supply dietary AP of 0.41%. Group BW and feed intake were measured weekly to assess growth response. At 6 wk of age, leg bones (tibia, femur, metatarsus) from five randomly selected ducks were removed and analyzed for bone characteristics. In Exp. 2, a total of 120 ducks reared as in Exp. 1 were randomly divided into six groups of five ducks each and fed one of four diets. A basal finisher diet was formulated to contain 16% CP and 0.18% AP. Monosodium phosphate was added to the basal diet to give dietary AP levels of 0.18, 0.27, and 0.36%. The fourth diet was the basal diet supplemented with microbial phytase (750 phytase units/kg of diet). Ducks were fed these diets from 3 to 6 wk of age. At the end of the study, ducks were bled by cardiac puncture and blood plasma was analyzed for P concentration. Leg bones from all ducks were removed and analyzed for bone characteristics as in Exp. 1. Feed intake increased linearly with increased level of dietary phytase, whereas the weight gain response was quadratic only during the last week of Exp. 1. In Exp. 2, there was a quadratic response for weight gain due to dietary AP. Weight gain due to phytase (750 units) was not different from ducks fed diets at 0 or 0.18% AP. Plasma P concentration increased linearly as dietary AP increased. Plasma P levels of ducks fed phytase were similar to those of ducks fed 0.18% AP but lower than in ducks fed 0.27% AP. Estimates of AP resulting from the addition of 750 units of phytase to basal diet were 0.05 and 0.07% based on plasma P concentration and weight gain, respectively. Using regression analysis, the AP due to phytase effect in the diet was estimated to range from 0.06 to 0.08%. Results suggest that phytase can be used in finisher diets similar to the one used in this study for ducks from 3 to 6 wk of age to improve growth performance and leg bone development similar to ducks fed diets supplemented with P from inorganic sources.

6-Phytase↗

PubMed2002

Effects of feeding aspirin and supplemental vitamin E on plasma concentrations of 3-methylindole, 3-methyleneindolenine-adduct concentrations in blood and pulmonary tissues, lung lesions, and growth performance in feedlot cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of feeding aspirin and supplemental vitamin E on growth performance, lung lesions, plasma concentrations of 3-methylindole (3MI), and 3-methyleneindolenine (3MEIN)-adduct concentrations in blood and pulmonary tissues of feedlot cattle. ANIMALS: 256 crossbred steers; 64 cattle were used in experiment 1 and 192 cattle were used in experiment 2. PROCEDURES: A 2 X 2 factorial design was used for each experiment. Treatment factors were aspirin (0 or 3 g daily) and vitamin E (200 or 1,500 IU daily). Steers were housed in pens (8 steers/pen). Steers were slaughtered on days 59 and 138 for experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Lungs were grossly evaluated. 3MEIN-adduct concentrations were determined, and blood and pulmonary tissues. RESULTS: Treatment was not associated with improvement or adverse effects on weight gain, dry-matter intake, or feed efficiency in experiment 2. In experiment 1, 36 of 63 (57.1%) steers had lung lesions. Lesions were not associated with treatment or concentrations of 3MI and 3MEIN-adduct. Plasma 3MI concentration and concentrations of 3MEIN-adduct in blood and pulmonary tissues were 3.11 microg/mL, 0.51 U/microg of protein, and 0.49 U/microg of protein, respectively. Aspirin was associated with increased blood concentrations of 3MEIN-adduct for diets that did not contain supplemental vitamin E. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Differences n performance of feedlot steers were not associated with treatment diet. It is possible that concurrent exposure of feedlot cattle to other factors typically associated with development of respiratory tract disease would affect these findings.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Effects of chitosan on growth performance and energy and protein utilisation in broiler chickens.

1. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary chitosan on growth performance, energy availability and protein retention in broilers. 2. Experiment 1 was a 42-d growth assay, in which 294 1-d-old male broilers were given one of 7 dietary treatments. A control feed was supplemented with 5 levels of chitosan (0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 g/kg) or 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CTC). 3. Increasing chitosan inclusion gave a nonlinear increase (P< 0.001) in feed conversion efficiency (FCE). Optimal growth and feed conversion were obtained with 0.5-1.0 g/kg chitosan. 4. In experiment 2, 42 1-d-old male broilers (6/treatment) were individually housed but fed on the same diets as in experiment 1. Excreta were collected from d 19-21 and d 40-42. 5. The addition of 0.5-1.0 g/kg chitosan increased nitrogen retention compared with the control group (P< 0.01), while apparent metabolisable energy in the diets was not altered.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2005

Effects of proportion of pigs removed from a group and subsequent floor space on growth performance of finishing pigs.

The effects of the proportion of pigs removed from an established group and subsequent floor space on growth performance during the final 19 d of the finishing period were evaluated using 28 pens of mixed-sex crossbred pigs (mean initial BW = 113.4 +/- 0.57 kg; n = 1,456; approximately 52 pigs per pen). A randomized block design was used with four pig-removal treatments: 1) 0% of pigs removed [Control], 2) approximately 25% of pigs removed, 3) approximately 50% of pigs removed, and 4) approximately 50% of pigs removed and floor and feeder spaces/pig decreased to equal those of Control. A block consisted of four pens with the same number of pigs and sex ratio per pen and with similar initial BW. Pens within blocks were randomly allocated to treatment, and the heaviest animals were removed from Treatments 2, 3, and 4 at the start of the study. Group size and floor space/pig for Treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 52 and 0.65 m(2), 39 and 0.87 m(2), 26 and 1.30 m(2), and 26 and 0.65 m(2), respectively. Each pen contained a six-place feeder that provided 212 cm of total trough space; however, only three-places were accessible to pigs on Treatment 4. Compared with Controls, removing 25 or 50% of pigs resulted in increased (P < 0.001) ADG by 20.6 and 21.0%, ADFI by 10.8 and 7.9%, and G:F by 7.7 and 14.3%, respectively. Average daily gain by pigs on Treatment 4 (50% removal rate and decreased floor and feeder spaces) was greater (P < 0.05) than that of the Controls, but lower (P < 0.05) than that of Treatment 3 pigs (50% removal rate, no adjustment in floor or feeder spaces). No differences were observed among treatments for either morbidity or mortality. These results indicate that removing 25 or 50% of the heaviest pigs from groups of finishing pigs increased growth rate of the remaining pigs, and that the improved performance was only partly due to increased floor and feeder spaces.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2001

Growth performance of purebred Awassi, Morkaraman and Tushin lambs and their crosses under semi-intensive management in Turkey.

Growth performance of 168 Awassi (A), Morkaraman (M), Tushin (T) purebred lambs and their crosses AxM, MxT, AxM and TxM reared under semi-intensive management in Turkey were evaluated. The lambs grazed on pasture for 84 days and were provided with a concentrate diet (1.5-2.0% of their live weight). Birth weight and average daily weight gain during the pre-grazing period for M, A, T, MxT, AxM and TxM crossbred lambs were 2.91, 3.61, 3.70, 4.30, 2.63, and 3.79kg and 186, 129, 160, 160, 163, and 168g, respectively. Corresponding estimates were 20, 15, 15, 17, 20 and 19kg for initial fattening weight; 168, 169, 160, 176, 174 and 184g for average daily weight gain on fattening, and 34, 30, 28, 32, 35, and 34kg for final fattening weight, respectively. The amounts of concentrate consumed per kg weight gain in addition to grazing on pasture for purebred and crossbred lambs were 1.89, 1.86, and 1.97 and, 1.78, 1.82, and 1.71kg, respectively. The genotype of lamb and type of birth significantly affected the birth weight. Besides the genotype and the type of birth, age of dam and sex had a significant influence on the average daily weight gain during the pre-grazing period. Average daily weight gain during the fattening period was significantly affected by sex.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1990

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of pigs administered recombinant porcine somatotropin during 30 to 110 kilogram live weight.

To determine growth performance during and after injection of recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpSt), crossbred Yorkshire gilts and barrows (n = 54/gender, 27 to 42 kg BW) were blocked by BW and gender (n = 3 blocks/gender). Within each block, three pigs/gender were assigned randomly to each of six pens/block. A diet containing 24.8% CP was fed ad libitum. During the live weight period of 30 to 110 kg, pigs either remained as controls (one pen/block) or were injected (i.m.) daily with rpSt (120 micrograms/kg BW) during either 30 to 60, 30 to 100, 30 to 110, 60 to 100 or 60 to 110 kg BW. Thus, three gilts and three barrows in each of three pens received each treatment. Pigs were slaughtered at either 60 kg BW (1 d after rpSt injection) or 110 kg BW (1 d, 10 d or 70 d after rpSt injection). Relative to controls, pigs injected with rpSt exhibited faster and more efficient growth during the injection period (P less than .05) but slower and less efficient growth during 10 d after cessation of injection (P less than .05). Carcasses of pigs slaughtered 1 d or 10 d after rpSt injection were leaner than controls (P less than .05), but among the pigs treated with rpSt, carcasses of pigs withdrawn from rpSt for 10 d contained more fat (P less than .05) and had a lower percentage of muscle (P less than .05) than carcasses of pigs withdrawn from rpSt for 1 d. Growth and carcass measurements were similar (P greater than .05) between controls and pigs killed 70 d after rpSt injection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2006

Comparison of the growth performances of offspring produced by a pair of cloned cattle and their nuclear donor animals.

In the present study, the growth performance of a calf produced by mating a somatic cell cloned dam and sire was compared with that of its full siblings produced by mating the cattle used as nuclear donors for the cloned animals. The somatic cell cloned dam and sire were derived from cultured cumulus cells and ear cells, respectively. The cloned dam was artificially inseminated with semen from the cloned sire. A female calf was produced that was reared under general group feeding conditions. The calf was subjected to a clinical examination and to hematology, serum biochemistry, and telomere length analyses; all of these tests indicated that the calf was normal. The growth characteristics (body weight and shoulder height) of the calf fell within the range of the full siblings of the same sex produced by mating the animals used as the nuclear donors of clones. These findings suggest that the same breeding performance is expected from mating a cloned dam and sire as from mating the animals used as nuclear donors for the clones.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Effects of L-carnitine on growth performance, carcass composition, and metabolism of lipids in male broilers.

We studied the effects of L-carnitine on growth performance, carcass composition, and lipid metabolism in male broilers. Six hundred male commercial broilers were allotted to five groups, each of which included three replicates (40 birds per replicate). The groups received the same basal diet supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 mg/kg L-carnitine, respectively. The feeding trial showed that L-carnitine had no significant effect on daily gain or feed conversion. Supplementation with L-carnitine (above 25 mg/kg) in the diet increased breast muscle yield (P < 0.05) and crude fat content of the muscles and decreased abdominal fat content (P < 0.05). Addition of 50, 75, or 100 mg/kg L-carnitine to the diet decreased total activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and lipoprotein lipase (P < 0.05) in the subcutaneous fat and total activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (P < 0.05) in breast muscles. The results of this study indicate that L-carnitine could reduce the deposit of subcutaneous fat by decreasing total activities of enzymes in the fat and enhance intramuscular fat by decreasing the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I in breast muscles.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2003

Thyroid function, metabolic indices and growth performance in pigs fed 00-rapeseed meal.

Thyroid function and morphology, liver morphology, some metabolic indices, haematological parameters and growth performance of fattening pigs fed 00-rapeseed meal (00-RPM) were examined. The control group was fed on a standard diet containing 6% sunflower seed meal (SM) during the growing period and 8% during the finishing period. The first experimental group was fed a diet in which SM was replaced by equal (6% and 8%) amounts of 00-RPM. The second experimental group was fed with a higher (8% and 10%) amount of 00-RPM. There were no significant differences between the control and experimental groups in the serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Thyroid gland and liver weights were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in both groups fed 00-RPM than in the group fed SM. The epithelium of the thyroid gland was cuboidal or columnar and the follicular area was moderately enlarged in pigs fed 00-RPM. Marked changes in liver histology were not observed. The 00-RPM diet increased (P < 0.01) the serum values of total proteins in the first fattening period. At the end of fattening both groups fed 00-RPM had higher (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) concentrations of plasma glucose than the control group. The inclusion of 10% of 00-RPM during the finishing period increased (P < 0.05) the serum values of insulin. Daily weight gain during the growing and the finishing period was higher (P < 0.05) in the experimental groups than in the control group. The results suggest that 6-10% 00-RPM can be used as a protein source in the diet of fattening pigs without poisonous side effects.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1993

The effect of dietary L-carnitine on the growth performance in fingerlings of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in relation to dietary lipid.

The effect of dietary L-carnitine on the growth and growth efficiency of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) fingerlings was investigated. Six dietary levels of L-carnitine, varying from the control level (about 125 mg/kg) to 3920 mg/kg, were each tested at two dietary lipid levels (96 and 155 g/kg). The diets were isonitrogenous and were fed to thirty-six experimental groups of 100 fish weighing 5 g at a feeding level of 25.2 g/kg live weight (w)0.8 per d, during 18 d. The average final weight varied from 19.1 to 28.0 g. At a dietary lipid level of 96 g/kg the metabolic growth increased from 30.8 to 36.5 g/kg w0.8 per d. At the higher dietary lipid level the metabolic growth increased from 30.9 to 35.4 g/kg w0.8 per d. To assess the dose-response relationship between dietary L-carnitine and growth performance in the African catfish a linear-plateau model was fitted to the experimental data. According to this model, metabolic growth was at a maximum at L-carnitine levels of 500 mg/kg and above at a lipid level of 96 g/kg and at L-carnitine levels of 684 mg/kg and above at a lipid level of 155 g/kg. The fitted maximum metabolic growth was higher at a dietary lipid level of 96 g/kg (35.9 g/kg w0.8 per d) than at 155 g/kg (34.7 g/kg w0.8 per d). Feed conversion improved significantly with increasing dietary levels of L-carnitine, reaching a fitted plateau at L-carnitine levels of 448.8 and 236.7 mg/kg respectively for the high and low dietary fat levels. Other growth efficiency variables, e.g. protein efficiency ratio, protein retention and energy retention improved accordingly. Taking into consideration that all fish received the same amount of feed, the results of the present study demonstrate that the positive effect of increased levels of dietary L-carnitine is the result of an improved feed utilization, probably because of a stimulated protein-sparing action.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Growth performance, meat quality and activities of glycolytic enzymes in the blood and muscle tissue of calves infected with Sarcocystis cruzi.

Growth performance and the pattern of glycolytic enzymes in the blood plasma were assessed during experimental Sarcocystis cruzi infection (1 x 10(5) sporocysts per calf) in six calves; five calves served as noninfected controls. At slaughter (68 or 88 days post infection), carcass weight, dressing percentages and several parameters of meat quality (pH, color brightness, rigor, water absorbing capacity, water binding capacity) were recorded. Moreover, enzyme activities were measured in muscle homogenates. Weight gain was significantly impaired by the infection. Activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aldolase (ALD) significantly increased in the blood plasma of the infected calves during the chronic stage of the disease, while glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) were not significantly altered. This was accompanied by a significant decrease of enzyme activities in the Musculus longissimus dorsi (LDH, ALD), in the diaphragmatic musculature (ALD, G6PDH) and in the heart (LDH, ALD). Activities of LDH, ALD, ICDH and G6PDH were visualized by enzyme histochemistry within the developing sarcosporidial cysts. However, isoenzymes of parasite origin could not be demonstrated by agar-gel electrophoresis of muscle homogenates or blood plasma. It is concluded that sarcocystiosis of even moderate severity alters the performance of calves but not meat quality. Leakage of glycolytic enzymes from the affected muscles is the probable cause of increased plasma enzyme activities. Although these enzymes are also synthesized by the parasite, the contribution of parasite-derived enzymes to the observed changes of enzyme patterns remains in question.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, and subsequent carcass quality in broiler chickens.

The effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA) on growth performance, carcass composition, fatty acid composition of adipose and muscle tissues, and serum lipoproteins was investigated in broiler chickens. A total of 160 (eighty male and eighty female) chickens were allocated to four dietary treatments (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 % CLA) and fed a standard starter diet from 8 to 21 d, and a grower-finisher diet from 22-42 d. When determined for the total period 8-42 d, feed intake and body weight gains of broiler chickens were significantly reduced (from 3.31 to 3.12 kg and from 1615 to 1435 g respectively; P < 0.05), particularly at the 1.5 % dietary CLA level. Feed conversion efficiency and carcass yield values showed no significant effects of dietary CLA. Abdominal fat deposition was significantly reduced (from 2.68 to 1.78 %; P < 0.05), the relative proportion of breast muscles was unaffected, and that of leg muscles significantly increased (from 19.0 to 20.6 %; P < 0.05). The concentration of CLA isomers (% of total methyl esters of fatty acids) increased linearly in tissue samples from broilers fed 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 % dietary CLA. The relative proportions of saturated fatty acids (16:0, 18:0) were significantly (P < 0.01) increased, and those of monounsaturated (16:1, 18:1) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (18:2, 20:4 in muscle tissues) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. Total serum cholesterol concentrations reached a maximum in broilers fed 1.0 % CLA and then decreased slightly (from 141.73 to 136.47 mg/dl; P < 0.01). The same was true also for HDL-cholesterol (from 113.58 to 109.97 mg/dl; The HDL cholesterol:total cholesterol ratio and serum triacylglycerol concentration was unaffected. In conclusion, feeding CLA to broiler chickens resulted in substantial incorporation of CLA isomers into their tissue lipids, thus providing a potential CLA-rich source for human consumption.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2005

Effects of dietary metabolizable energy and crude protein concentrations on growth performance and carcass characteristics of French guinea broilers.

This study was undertaken to assess dietary CP and ME concentrations for optimum growth performance and carcass characteristics of French guinea broilers. In a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, 396 1-d-old French guinea keets were randomly assigned to experimental diets with 3,050, 3,100, and 3,150 kcal of ME/kg of diet; each contained 21, 23, and 25% CP, respectively, from 0 to 4 wk of age (WOA). From 5 to 8 WOA, experimental diets had 3,100, 3,150, and 3,200 kcal of ME/kg of diet, and each contained 19, 21, and 23% CP, respectively. Each dietary treatment was replicated 3 times, and feed and water were provided ad libitum. Body weight and feed consumption were measured weekly, whereas carcass characteristics were evaluated at 8 WOA. For the most part, birds on 3,100 and 3,150 kcal of ME/kg of diet at 0 to 4 WOA exhibited greater (P < 0.05) BW gain, greater carcass and breast weights (P < 0.05), and lower (P < 0.05) feed consumption and feed conversion ratios (FCR) than those on a diet with 3,050 kcal of ME/kg. Mean feed consumption of birds fed 25% CP diets was higher (P < 0.05) than those on other dietary CP concentrations. Mean BW gain, FCR, and carcass and breast weights of birds fed 25 and 23% CP diets from 0 to 4 WOA were not different (P > 0.05), but they were better (P < 0.05) than those of birds on 21% CP diets. Positive correlations (P < 0.01) were noted between live weight and weight of carcass, breast, thigh, drumstick, and wing of guinea broilers. Thus, diets with 3,100 kcal of ME/kg and 23% CP or with 3,150 kcal of ME/kg and 21% CP at 0 to 4 WOA and 5 to 8 WOA, respectively, were used more efficiently by French guinea broilers.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1997

Growth performance and intestinal microbial populations of growing pigs fed diets containing sucrose thermal oligosaccharide caramel.

Four experiments were conducted to determine growth performance and changes in intestinal microbial populations of growing pigs fed diets containing sucrose thermal oligosaccharide caramel (STOC). Ninety-six barrows and 96 gilts were group-fed experimental nursery diets for 32 d after weaning in both Exp. 1 and 2. For each experiment, pigs were divided into four groups of 48 pigs and were fed either control, antibiotic (Apramycin sulfate, 34 mg/kg), 1% STOC, or 2% STOC diets for 32 d after weaning. Each diet was replicated six times with eight pigs per replication. Pigs were either orally gavaged (Exp 1) with water of STOC (2 g per pig) or pigs were creep-fed (Exp 2) either a control diet or a 2% STOC diet for 5 d before weaning (33 d). At the end of Exp 1 and 2, cecal material was collected for enumeration of total aerobes, total anaerobes, coliforms, lactobacilli, and bifidobacteria. Gilts (96 per experiment) used in Exp. 3 and 4 were weaned at 26 d and fed experimental nursery diets for 32 d. They were fed either a control or 1% STOC diet and were otherwise treated as previously described. There were no significant effects of STOC or antibiotic on ADG, ADFI, feed efficiency, or cecal microbial populations in pigs in this study. Feeding diets containing either antibiotic of STOC did not improve animal performance or change intestinal bacterial populations in the present study.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The effect of excess protein on growth performance and protein metabolism of finishing barrows and gilts.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of excess protein on growth performance, carcass characteristics, organ weights, plasma urea concentration, and liver arginase activity of finishing barrows and gilts. In Exp. 1, 35 barrows and 35 gilts with an initial BW of 51 kg were used. Five pigs of each sex were slaughtered at the start of the study to determine initial body composition. The remaining 60 pigs were allotted to a randomized complete block (RCB) experiment with a 2x5 factorial arrangement of treatments (two sexes x five protein levels: 13, 16, 19, 22, and 25% CP). The experiment continued until the average BW was 115 kg, at which time three blocks of pigs (30 total) were selected randomly and slaughtered. Feed intake decreased with increasing protein concentration (linear, P<.05), and the reduction was greater in gilts than in barrows (P<.05). There was a trend toward a linear negative effect of dietary protein on ADG (P<.10) and also a quadratic effect of protein on protein accretion (P<.10). Fat accretion decreased linearly as protein level increased (P<.05). Increased protein concentrations increased liver, kidney, and pancreas weights (linear, P<.05). Plasma urea concentration increased with each protein concentration, with the exception of the 25 vs. 22% CP treatment in gilts. In Exp. 2, 18 barrows and 18 gilts (BW 63 kg) were allotted to an RCB design consisting of a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments with two sexes and two dietary protein concentrations (16 and 25% CP). The experiment was terminated when the average BW of pigs reached 105 kg. Average daily feed intake was greater (P<.10) in barrows than in gilts. Average daily gain was reduced by 18% in gilts when dietary protein was increased from 16 to 25% but was only reduced 3% in barrows (sex x protein, P<.10). Barrows had lighter livers (P<.005), greater arginase activities (P<.05), and greater plasma urea concentrations (P<.005) than did gilts. Increasing dietary protein concentration from 16 to 25% increased liver weight, arginase activity, and plasma urea concentration (P<.005). These data suggest that gilts are more sensitive than barrows to excessive intakes of protein. The more negative effects in gilts may be related to liver metabolic capacity and activity of urea cycle enzymes.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Effect of dietary L-carnitine supplementation on growth performance of piglets from control sows or sows treated with L-carnitine during pregnancy and lactation.

Previous studies showed that supplementation of sows' diets with L-carnitine increases body weights of their piglets at birth. This study was performed to investigate whether piglets of sows treated with L-carnitine differ in their growth potential from that of piglets of untreated control sows after weaning. It was also investigated whether supplementation of piglets' diets with L-carnitine improves their growth after weaning. In two trials, piglets of the first litters of primiparous sows (trial 1) and the second litters of the same sows (trial 2) were divided into four groups: group 1, piglets of control sows, fed a control diet; group 2, piglets of control sows fed a diet supplemented with 30 mg L-carnitine/kg; group 3, piglets of L-carnitine-treated sows, fed a control diet; group 4, piglets of L-carnitine-treated sows fed a diet supplemented with 30 mg L-carnitine/kg. Mean initial body weights of the piglets of the four groups were identical. They were 8.5 kg in trial 1 and 12.5 kg in trial 2. Diets were fed ad libitum over a period of 35 days. Piglets from sows treated with L-carnitine did not differ in body weight gains, feed intake and gain : feed ratio from those of control sows. In trial 1, piglets supplemented with L-carnitine had higher body weight gains (p < 0.005) and showed a tendency towards a higher gain : feed ratio (p = 0.09) than piglets fed the control diets. In trial 2, no significant difference in these parameters emerged between piglets fed the diet supplemented with L-carnitine and those fed the control diet. In conclusion, this study shows that dietary L-carnitine treatment of sows does not improve the growth potential of their piglets after weaning under the conditions of equal initial body weights. The study also shows that L-carnitine supplementation of their diets improves the growth performance in light piglets of primiparous sows.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Influence of dietary linseed, fish and coconut oil on growth performance of growing pigs kept on small holdings in central Vietnam.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect on growth performance of the addition of 5% of either linseed, fish or coconut oil to the diet of growing pigs kept on small holdings in central Vietnam. The diets were fed on six different farms; there were three animals per treatment per farm. The farmers fed a base diet according to personal choice, but were instructed to use linseed, fish and coconut oil. The diets were fed to the pigs from 70 to 130 days of age. The diets with 5% linseed oil on average contained 2.4 g alpha-linolenic acid/MJ of metabolizable energy (ME) and the diets with 5% fish oil on average contained 0.06 and 0.75 g eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid/MJ ME, respectively. The relative percentages of docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid in adipose tissue were determined by the intake of the corresponding fatty acids. Dietary linseed oil vs. coconut oil significantly enhanced daily weight gain and vs. fish oil it also stimulated growth, but this effect just failed to reach statistical significance. It is concluded that extra intake of alpha-linolenic acid may stimulate growth in growing-finishing pigs, this effect being independent of the conversion of alpha-linolenic acid into eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid.

Adipose Tissue↗