The effect of the ratio of standardized ileal digestible lysine to metabolizable energy on growth performance,blood metabolites and hormones of lactating sows

A total of 335 lactating sows （Landrace x Large White） were used in two experiments to determine the optimum ratio of standardized ileal digestible lysine （SID-Lys） to metabolizable energy （ME） for mixed parity sows during lactation. In Exp. 1, 185 sows （weighing an average of 256.2 ± 6.5 kg and having an average parity of 3.4 ± 0.3） were allocated to one of six experimental diets in a completely randomized block design within parity groups （1, 2, and 3＋）. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 3.06, 3.16, 3.20, 3.25, 3.30 or 3.40 Mcal/kg of ME and each diet was fed to the sows throughout a 28 day lactation. All diets provided a similar SID-lysine level （0.86%）. As a result, the diets provided a SID-Lys：ME ratio of 2.81, 2.72, 2.69, 2.65, 2.61 or 2.53 g/Mcal ME. Sow feed intake was significantly （P 〈 0.01） affected by the energy content of the diet as well as by sow parity. Using regression analysis, feed intake was shown to be maximized at 3.25, 3.21, 3.21 and 3.21 Mcal/kg of ME for parity 1, 2, 3＋ sows and the entire cohort of sows respectively （quadratic; P 〈 0.01）. In addition, the result of feed intake can be expressed as 2.65, 2.69, 2.69 and 2.68 g/Mcal based on analysis of SID-Lys：ME ratio. Litter weight gain was affected by dietary treatment for parity 3＋ sows and the entire cohort （P 〈 0.01）. Based on regression analysis, litter weight gain was maximized at 3.25 and 3.24 Mcal/kg of ME for parity 3＋ （quadratic; P 〈 0.01） and the entire cohort （quadratic; P 〈 0.01）. Similarly, the result of litter weight gain could be expressed as 2.65 and 2.66 g/Mcal of SID- Lys：ME ratio. Therefore, 3.25 Mcal/kg of ME was selected for Exp. 2 in which 150 sows （weighing 254.6 ± 7.3 kg and having an average parity of 3.4 ± 0.4） were allocated to one of five treatments in a completely randomized block design within parity （1, 2, and 3＋）. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 2.1, 2.4, 2.7, 3.0 or 3.3 g/Mcal of SID-Lys：ME ratio with all diets providing 3.25 Mcal/kg of ME. The diets were fed to the sows throughout a 28 day lactation. Sow body weight loss was affected by dietary treatment （parity 3＋ sows, P = 0.02; entire cohort, P 〈 0.01） and by sow parity （P 〈 0.01）. Litter weight at weaning and litter weight gain were affected by dietary treatment for parity 1, 2, 3＋ sows and the entire cohort （P 〈 0.01） as well as by sow parity （P 〈 0.01）. Plasma urea nitrogen （P 〈 0.01）, creatinine （P 〈 0.01） and non-esterifide fatty acids （P = 0.04） were decreased as the SID-Lys：ME ratio of the diet increased. Insulin-like growth factor-1 （P = 0.02）, estradiol （P 〈 0.01） and luteinizing hormone （P = 0.02） were increased as the SID-Lys：ME ratio in diet increased. Based on a broken-line model, the estimated SID-Lys： ME ratio to maximize litter weight gain was estimated to be 3.05 g/Mcal.

Influence of the concentration of dietary digestible calcium on growth performance,bone mineralization, plasma calcium, and abundance of genes involved in intestinal absorption of calcium in pigs from 11 to 22 kg fed diets with different concentrations of

Background: A 21-day experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that Ca requirements to maximize growth performance expressed as the standardized total tract digestible(STTD) Ca to STTD P ratio is less than 1.40:1. The second hypothesis was that increasing dietary Ca increases plasma Ca concentration and downregulates abundance of genes related to Ca absorption(TRPV6, S100 G, and ATP2 B1) in the duodenum, and tight junction proteins(OCLN, CLDN1, and ZO1) in the duodenum and ileum.Methods: Twenty corn-soybean meal diets were formulated using a 4 × 5 factorial design with diets containing 0.16%, 0.33%, 0.42%, or 0.50% STTD P, and 0.14%, 0.29%, 0.44%, 0.59%, or 0.74% STTD Ca. Six hundred and forty pigs(initial weight: 11.1 ± 1.4 kg) were allotted to 20 diets and 5 blocks in a randomized complete block design. On day21, weights of pigs and feed left in feeders were recorded and blood, duodenal tissue, ileal mucosa, and the right femur were collected from 1 pig per pen. Abundance of m RNA was determined in duodenal and ileal tissue via quantitative RT-PCR. Data were analyzed using a response surface model.Results: The predicted maximum ADG(614 g), G:F(0.65), and bone ash(11.68 g) was obtained at STTD Ca:STTD P ratios of 1.39:1, 1.25:1, and 1.66:1, respectively, when STTD P was provided at the requirement(0.33%). If dietary STTD P was below the requirement, increasing dietary Ca resulted in reduced(P < 0.05) ADG and G:F. However, if dietary STTD P was above the requirement, negative effects(P < 0.05) on ADG and G:F of increasing STTD Ca were observed only if dietary STTD Ca exceeded 0.6%. Plasma Ca concentration was positively affected by STTD Ca over the range studied(quadratic, P < 0.01) and negatively affected by increasing STTD P(linear, P < 0.01). There was a linear negative effect(P < 0.05) of STTD Ca on the abundance of S100 G, TRPV6, OCLN, and ZO1 in duodenum, and CLDN and ZO1 in ileum.Conclusions: The STTD Ca:STTD P ratio needed to maximize growth performance of 11-to 25-kg pigs is less than1.40:1, if P is at the estimated requirement. Increasing dietary Ca reduces transcellular absorption of Ca and increases paracellular absorption of Ca.

Predicting corn digestible and metabolizable energy content from its chemical composition in growing pigs

Background： The nutrient composition of corn is variable. To prevent unforeseen reductions in growth performance, grading and analytical methods are used to minimize nutrient variability between calculated and analyzed values. This experiment was carried out to define the sources of variation in the energy content of corn and to develop a practical method to accurately estimate the digestible energy （DE） and metabolisable energy （ME） content of individual corn samples for growing pigs. Twenty samples were taken from each of five provinces in China （Jilin, Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning, and Henan） to obtain a range of quality. Results： The DE and ME contents of the 100 corn samples were measured in 3.5.3 ±1.92 kg growing pigs （six pigs per corn sample）. Sixty corn samples were used to build the prediction model; the remaining forty samples were used to test the suitability of these models. The chemical composition of each corn sample was determined, and the results were used to establish prediction equations for DE or ME content from chemical characteristics. The mean DE and ME content of the 100 samples were 4,053 and 3,923 kcal/kg （dry matter basis）, respectively. The physical characteristics were determined, as well, and the results indicated that the bulk weight and 1,000-kernel weight were not associated with energy content. The DE and ME values could be accurately predicted from chemical characteristics. The best fit equations were as follows： DE, kcal/kg of DM = 1062.68 ＋ （49.72 ×EE） ＋ （0.54 × GE） ＋ （9.1 ] x starch）, with R^2 = 0.62, residual standard deviation （RSD） = 48 kcal/kg, and P 〈 0.01; ME, kcal/kg of dry matter basis （DM） = 671.54 ＋ （0.89 ×DE） - （5.57 × NDF） - （191.39 ×ash）, with R^2 = 0.87, RSD = 18 kcal/kg, and P〈 0.01. Conclusion： This experiment confirms the large variation in the energy content of corn, describes the factors that influence this variation, and presents equations based on chemical measurements that may be used to predict the DE and ME content of individual corn samples.

Effects of the Ratio of Lysine to Digestible Energy Level in the Diet on the Expression and Activity of Transcription Factors Involved in Lipogenesis in Rongchang Pigs

This study was conducted to determine the effects of varying the ratio of lysine to digestible energy level On the activity and gene expression of the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ （PPAR-γ） and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-or and -β （C/EBP-α and C/EBP-β） to better understand the regulatory mechanisms controlling adipogenesis in fat and muscle tissue of the Rongchang pig. A total of 144 castrated Rongchang pigs weighing approximately 20 kg were used in a 2 ×2 factorial design experiment. Diets were formulated to contain a high （14.22 MJ/kg） or low （13.11 MJ/kg） digesti- ble energy （DE） level. Within each energy level, pigs were fed diets containing a high lysine： DE ratio （0.67,0. 53, or 0. 42） or a low lysine ： DE ratio （0.49,0.38 ,or 0.30） during the periods from 20 to 50 kg, 50 to 80 kg, and 80 kg to slaughter, respectively. Each diet was fed to six replicate pens, each containing nine pigs. When the pigs reached average live weights of 20,35,60, and 90 kg ,one pig from each of the replicates was chosen at random and slaughtered.Samples of back fat and longissimus dorsi muscle were collected for the assessment of transcriptional factor. The results showed that feeding a high DE level significantly increased （ P 〈 0.05 ） the expression of PPAR-T at 60 and 90 kg in muscle and at 35,60, and 90 kg in back fat. Energy level also significantly increased the expression of C/EBP-fl at 35 and 60 kg in both muscle and back fat （ P 〈 0.05 ）. Higher dieta- ry lysine increased the expression of C/EBP-fl in muscle at 35 and 90 kg （ P 〈 0.05）, but decreased the expression in back fat at 35 （P = 0.03 ） and 90 kg （P = 0.09）. The lysine level increased the expression of PPAR-3~ in muscle at 60 kg only. Energy level and lysine content had no significant effects on promote the activity of PPAR-γ, C/EBP-α, or C/EBP-β either in muscle or in back fat at any level of the body weights tested. Collectively, these data indicated that dietary energy density and lysine level were equally important for lipid deposition in muscle tissue, whereas dietary energy density was more important than lysine level for fat deposition in fat tissue.

Use of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy for the rapid determination of the digestible energy and metabolizable energy content of corn fed to growing pigs

Background： The ability of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy（NIRS） to determine the digestible energy（DE）and metabolizable energy（ME） content of corn fed to growing pigs was tested. One hundred and seventeen corn samples, comprising different planting regions and varieties were collected from all over China in a three-year period. The samples were randomly split into a calibration set（n = 88） and a validation set（n = 29）. The actual and calculated DE and ME content of the corn samples was determined by digestion-metabolism experiments and the prediction equations of Noblet and Perez（J Anim Sci. 71：3389–98,1993）. The samples were then subjected to NIRS scanning and calibrations were performed by the modified partial least square（MPLS） regression method based on77 different spectral pre-treatments. The NIRS equations based on the actually determined and calculated DE and ME were built separately and then validated using validation samples.Results： The NIRS equations obtained from actually determined DE, the coefficient of determination for calibration（RSQcal）, cross-validation（R^2CV）, and validation（RSQv） were 0.89, 0.87 and 0.86, and these values for determined ME were 0.87, 0.86 and 0.86. For the NIRS equations built from calculated DE, the RSQcal, R^2CV, and RSQvvalues were 0.88, 0.85 and 0.84, and these values for calculated ME were 0.86, 0.84 and 0.82. Except for the equation based on calculated ME（RPD_v= 2.38, 〈 2.50）, the other three equations built from actually determined energy and calculated DE produced good prediction performance（RPD_vranging from 2.53 to 2.69, 〉 2.50） when applied to validation samples.Conclusion： These results indicate that NIRS can be used as a quantitative method for the rapid determination of the available energy in corn fed to growing pigs, and the NIRS equations based on the actually determined energy produced better predictive performance than those built from calculated energy values.

Disappearance and appearance of an indigestible marker in feces from growing pigs as affected by previous-and currentdiet composition

Background： Indigestible markers are commonly utilized in digestion studies, but the complete disappearance or maximum appearance of a marker in feces can be affected by diet composition, feed intake, or an animal＇s BW.The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of previous（Phase 1, P1） and current-（Phase 2, P2）diet composition on marker disappearance（Cr） and appearance（Ti） in pigs fed 3 diets differing in NDF content.Results： When pigs were maintained on the 25.1, 72.5, and 125.0 g/kg NDF diets, it took 5.1, 4.1, and 2.5 d, respectively,for Cr levels to decrease below the limit of quantitation; or 4.6, 3.7, or 2.8 d, respectively, for Ti to be maximized. These effects were not, however, independent of the previous diet as indicated by the interaction between P1 and P2 diets on fecal marker concentrations（P 〈 0.01）. When dietary NDF increased from P1 to P2, it took less time for fecal Cr to decrease or fecal Ti to be maximized（an average of 2.5 d）, than if NDF decreased from P1 to P2 where it took longer for fecal Cr to decrease or fecal Ti to be maximized（an average of 3.4 d）.Conclusions： Because of the wide range in excretion times reported in the literature and improved laboratory methods for elemental detection, the data suggests that caution must be taken in considering dietary fiber concentrations of the past and currently fed diets so that no previous dietary marker addition remains in the digestive tract or feces such that a smal amount of maker is present to confound subsequent experimental results, and that marker concentration have stabilized when these samples are col ected.

Effects of the Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine to Metabolizable Energy Ratio on Performance,Nutrient Digestibility,and Plasma Parameters of 10 to 28 kg Pigs

A total of 480 nursery pigs （Duroc x Landrace x Large White） were utilized in two experiments conducted to determine the effects of different ratios of standardized ileal digestible lysine （SID- Lys） to metabolizable energy （ME） ratio on the performance, nutrient digestibility, plasma urea nitrogen （PUN） ,and plasma free amino acids of 10 to 28 kg pigs. In Exp. 1, 192 pigs （ 10.58 kg） were assigned to one of four treatments. The treatments consisted of diets with a ME content of 3.2, 3.25, 3.3, or 3.35 Mcal/kg with a constant SID-Lys：ME ratio of 3.7 g/Mcal. The experiment lasted 28 days. Pigs which were fed the diets containing 3.3 and 3.35 Mcal/kg ME had lower feed intakes （ P 〈 0.05）than those fed 3.2 Mcal/kg. Feed efficiency was linearly improved with increasing dietary ME （ P 〈0.05）. Increasing the dietary ME level also increased （P 〈0.05 ） dry matter and energy digestibility. Therefore,3.3 Mcal/kg ME was selected for Exp. 2 in which 288 pigs （ 10.60 kg） were assigned to one of six treatments. Treatments consisted of SID-Lys： ME ratios of 3.1,3.3,3.5,3.7,3.9, or 4.1 g/Mcal with all diets providing 3.3 Mcal of ME/kg. Weight gain and feed efficiency were increased （P 〈0.05 ） as the SID-Lys：ME ratio in diet increased. Based on a straight broken-line model ,the estimated SID-Lys：ME ratio to maximize weight gain was 3.74.

The Effects of Prey Items Diversity and Digestible Materials in Stomach on Digestive Tract Length in Hylarana guentheri

Difference in environmental condition shapes variation in digestive tract length in evolutionary process.In particular,environmental difference results in variation in food resource among different habitats,and thereby affecting energy intake and energy allocation.The digestive theory predicts that animals foraging high indigestible materials of stomach contents can promote the increased gut dimensions.Here,we studied variation in digestive tract and gut length across six Hylarana guentheri populations at different altitudes and latitudes to test the prediction of the digestive theory.We found that altitude and latitude did not affect variation in relative size of digestive tract and gut among populations.We also found that relative size of digestive tract and gut did not be correlated with diversity of prey items,but negatively correlated with proportion of digestible materials.Our findings suggest that individuals foraging less digestible materials display relatively longer digestive tract than individuals foraging more digestible materials.

Influences of Feeding Lactobacillus on Colonization of the Lactobacillus in Chicks′ Digestible Tracts

It was carried out with culture solution of Lactobacillus fed to the newborn chicks to observe the influences on colonization of the Lactobacillus in chicks digestible tracts. The results showed that after the chicks were fed Lactobacillus, the amount of the Lactobacillus in chicks digestible tracts significantly increased (P<001) and the Lactobacillus colonized 36h ahead of schedule

Development of Highly Digestible Grain Sorghum Lines Suitable for Efficient Dry-Grind Ethanol Production

Low-world oil prices but supportive government policies provide growing environmental and energy security support favorable for the bioethanol market. The need to generate large and sustainable supply of biomass to make bioethanol will require the development of crops grown specifically for bioenergy production. Given the existing history of genetic improvement and infrastructure available for sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) hybrids will be one of the several species dedicated as energy crop and the subject of this study. Texas A & M University Sorghum Breeding Program has developed hybrid sorghum varieties with high protein digestibility and improved starch digestibility. Most of the previous research on grain sorghum focused on the digestibility of sorghum protein from the nutritional point of view. The aim of the current study was to select best sorghum lines from? relatively large and diverse sorghum samples that breeders are currently working with for the development of new low energy input liquefaction, saccharification and fermentation methodologies to produce bioethanol. Limited researches studies report on the performance of sorghum varieties in ethanol fermentation in relation to the protein and starch digestibility of sorghum.

An automatically progressed computer-controlled simulated digestion system to predict digestible and metabolizable energy of unconventional plant protein meals for growing pigs

The objective of this experimentwas to develop a new computer-controlled simulated digestion system to predict the digestible energy(DE)and metabolizable energy(ME)of unconventional plant protein meals for growing pigs.Nine meals tested included 1 source of rapeseed meal,4 sources of cottonseed meal,2 sources of sunflower meal,and 2 sources of peanut meal.Twenty growing pigs(Duroc[LandraceLarge White])with an initial body weight(BW)of 41.7±2.6 kg were allotted to a replicated 103 incomplete Latin square design to determine the DE and ME of 1 basal diet and 9 experimental diets formulated with 9 unconventional plant protein meals.The DE andMEvalues of unconventional plant protein meals were calculated by the difference method.The in vitro digestible energy(IVDE)of 1 basal diet,9 experimental diets,and 9 unconventional plant protein meals were determined with 5 replicates of each sample in a complete randomized arrangement.The IVDE/DE or IVDE/ME ranged from 0.96 to 0.98 or 1.00 to 1.01,and the correlation coefficient between IVDE and DE or MEwas 0.97 or 0.98 in 10 experimental diets.Accordingly,the IVDE/DE or IVDE/ME ranged from 0.86 to 1.05 or 0.96 to 1.20,and the correlation coefficient between IVDE and DE orME was 0.92 or 0.91 in 9 unconventional plant protein meals.The coefficient of variation(CV)of IVDE was less than that of DE and ME in the experimental diets(0.43%,0.80%,and 0.97%for CV of IVDE,DE and ME,respectively)and unconventional plant protein meals(0.92%,4.84%,and 6.33%for CV of IVDE,DE and ME,respectively).The regression equations to predict DE from IVDE in 10 experimental diets and 9 unconventional plant protein meals were DE=0.8851IVDE t539(R^(2)=0.9411,residual standard deviation[RSD]=23 kcal/kg DM,P<0.01)and DE=0.9880IVDE t 166(R^(2)=0.8428,RSD=182 kcal/kg DM,P<0.01),respectively.Therewas no statistical difference in the slopes(P=0.82)or intercepts(P=1.00)of these 2 equations.Thus,10 diets and 9 unconventional plant protein meals were pooled to establish the regression equation of DE on IVDE as:DE=0.9813IVDE t187(R^(2)=0.9120,RSD=118 kcal/kg DM,P<0.01).The regression equations to predictME from IVDE in 10 experimental diets and 9 unconventional plant protein meals were ME=0.9559IVDE t146(R^(2)=0.9697,RSD=18 kcal/kg DM,P<0.01)and ME=0.9388IVDEt3(R^(2)=0.8282,RSD=182 kcal/kg DM,P<0.01),respectively.Therewas no statistical difference in slopes(P=0.97)but significant difference between the intercepts(P=0.02)of these 2 equations.Our results indicate IVDE has similar response to the DE but different response to the ME in 10 experimental diets and 9 unconventional plant protein meals.Therefore,IVDE is moresuitable to predict DE than ME of diets and unconventional plant protein meals for growing pigs.

Effect of wall-disruption on nutrient composition and in vitro digestion of camellia and lotus bee pollens

The nutrient digestion,absorption and biological activity of bee pollen may be limited due to the complex pollen wall.Here,the effect of superfine grinding technology on the release of nutrients from bee pollen were investigated,and their antioxidant activities and in vitro digestion were explored in this study.Results showed that the content of nutrients in bee pollen increased after wall disruption.Among them,fat content increased by 22.55%-8.31%,protein content increased by 0.54%-4.91%,starch content increased by 36.31%-48.64%,soluble sugar content increased by 20.57%-29.67%,total phenolic acid content increased by 11.73%-86.98%and total flavonoids content increased by 14.29%-24.79%.At the same time,the antioxidant activity increased by 14.84%-46.00%.Furthermore,the active components such as phenolic compounds in the wall-disruption bee pollen were more readily to be released during the in vitro digestion,and easier to be absorbed because of their higher bioaccessibility.Antioxidant activities during in vitro digestion were also improved in walldisruption bee pollen.These findings provide evidence that bee pollen wall disruption was suggested,thus,it is more conducive to exerting the value of bee pollen in functional foods.

Digestible energy and metabolizable energy contents of konjac flour residues and ramie in growing pigs

The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) the effects of konjac flour residues and ramie on digestible energy(DE), metabolizable energy(ME) and apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD) of nutrients in diets fed to growing pigs, 2) the DE and ME contents of konjac flour residues and ramie.Thirty barrows were allotted to 1 of 5 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment.The 5 diets include a corn-soybean meal basal diet(CTL), konjac flour residues diets containing 15% konjac flour residues(LK)or 30% konjac flour residues(HK), and ramie diets containing 15% ramie(LR) or 30% ramie(HR).The experiment lasted 19 days, including 7 days for cage adaptation, 7 days for diet adaptation, and 5 days for total feces and urine collection.The energy values and ATTD of nutrients in each diet were determined,and DE and ME contents of konjac flour residues and ramie were calculated.The results showed that consumption of konjac flour residues significantly increased(P < 0.01) the fecal moisture content compared with the ramie treatment.The LK, HK and HR diets had lower(P < 0.01) DE values compared with the CTL diet.The HR diet had greater(P < 0.01) DE value compared with the HK diet.The LK and LR diets showed greater(P < 0.01) ATTD of DM, OM, GE and CP compared with the HK and HR diets.The HK diet had the lowest(P < 0.01) ATTD of ether extract(EE) among the 5 diets.No differences were observed for the ATTD of NDF and ADF among the 5 diets.Moreover, the DE and ME values of konjac flour residues under 2 inclusion levels(15% and 30%) were 11.66, 11.87 MJ/kg and 10.41, 10.03 MJ/kg, respectively.The corresponding values for ramie were 13.27, 13.16 MJ/kg and 13.07, 12.82 MJ/kg, respectively.In conclusion, the differences in fecal moisture content and the ATTD of EE among the 5 diets were mainly due to the different chemical compositions of konjac flour residues and ramie.Compared with konjac flour residues, ramie has greater DE and ME values under the same inclusion level.

Accuracy of predicting metabolizable energy from in vitro digestible energy determined with a computer-controlled simulated digestion system in feed ingredients for ducks

Two experiments were conducted to study the accuracy of predicting true metabolizable energy(TME)of ingredients for ducks from in vitro digestible energy(IVDE)determined with a computer-controlled simulated digestion system.Experiment 1 was to establish TME prediction models from the IVDE of 9 energy feed ingredients and 12 protein feed ingredients using regression analysis.Experiment 2 was to validate the accuracy of the predicted ME of 10 ingredients randomly selected from Exp.1.Ten diets were formulated with 2 to 6 of 10 ingredients.Dietary in vivo TME values were compared with calculated values based on the TME predicted in Exp.1.In Exp.1,the correlation coefficients between TME and IVDE were 0.9339(P<0.05)in 9 energy feed ingredients and 0.8332(P<0.05)in 12 protein feed ingredients.No significant difference was observed on the slope and intercept of TME regression models between 9 energy feed ingredients and 12 protein feed ingredients.Therefore,the regression model of TME on IVDE for 21 feed ingredients was TME=0.7169×IVDE+1,224(R^(2)=0.7542,P<0.01).Determined and predicted TME differed by less than 100 kcal/kg of DM in 11 ingredients,and the difference ranged from 100 to 200 kcal/kg of DM in 5 ingredients.However,the difference between determined and predicted TME varied from 410 to 625 kcal/kg of DM in rice bran,rapeseed meal,corn gluten meal,and citric acid meal.In Exp.2,the determined and calculated TME were comparable(3,631 vs.3,639 kcal/kg of DM)and highly correlated(r=0.9014;P<0.05)in 10 diets.Determined and calculated TME differed by less than 100 kcal/kg of DM in 7 diets and by 106 to 133 kcal/kg of DM in 3 diets.These results have demonstrated that TME can be accurately predicted from IVDE in most feed ingredients,but it is less accurate for rice bran,rapeseed meal,corn gluten and citric acid meal.

The digestible phosphorus requirement in practical diet for largemouth bass(Micropterus salmoides)based on growth and feed utilization

The present study was conducted to estimate the optimum requirement of phosphorus in practical diets for largemouth bass(Micropterus salmoides).Six iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated with the supplementation of monocalcium phosphate(MCP)of 0,5,10,15,20 and 25 g/kg in basal diet containing 350 g/kg fish meal,respectively.The digestible phosphorus of the six diets was measured as 5.7,6.7,7.8,8.7,9.3 and 10.0 g/kg,respectively.Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of 25 juvenile fish(initial body weight,16.0±0.2 g)for 60 days.The results showed that weight gain increased,and feed conversion ratio decreased with the increase of dietary phosphorus.When dietary MCP exceeded 15 g/kg(digestible phosphorus of 8.7 g/kg),the WG and FCR were maintained at the similar values.The crude ash,phosphorus and calcium contents in whole body,apparent digestibility of phosphorus and protein retention also increased with the increasing phosphorus level in diets.Vertebrae phosphorus and calcium levels and plasma phosphorus showed no further increase when dietary MCP reached 20,20 and 10 g/kg with digestible phosphorus of 9.3,9.3 and 7.8 g/kg,respectively.Broken-line analysis indicated that the digestible phosphorus requirement for largemouth bass were 8.9,8.7 and 9.6 g/kg based on weight gain,feed conversion ratio and vertebral phosphorus content.In conclusion,the supplementation of MCP in a diet containing 350 g/kg fish meal improved the growth and feed utilization of largemouth bass,and the digestible phosphorus requirement was suggested to be 8.7–8.9 g/kg with MCP supplementation of 15.0–15.8 g/kg.

Pelleting and particle size reduction of corn increase net energy and digestibility of fiber,protein,and fat in corn-soybean meal diets fed to group-housed pigs

Background Reduction of the particle size of corn increases energy digestibility and concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy.Pelleting may also reduce particle size of grain,but it is not known if there are interactions between particle size reduction and pelleting.The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that particle size reduction and pelleting,separately or in combination,increase N balance,apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of fiber and fat,and net energy(NE)in corn-soybean meal diets fed to group-housed pigs.Methods Six corn-soybean meal-based diets were used in a 3×2 factorial design with 3 particle sizes of corn(i.e.,700,500,or 300μm)and 2 diet forms(i.e.,meal or pelleted).Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water.Twenty-four castrated male pigs(initial weight:29.52 kg;standard diviation:1.40)were allotted to the 6 diets using a 6×6 Latin square design with 6 calorimeter chambers(i.e.,4 pigs/chamber)and 6 periods.Oxygen consumption and CO_(2)and CH_(4)productions were measured during fed and fasting states and fecal and urine samples were collected.Results Regardless of particle size of corn,the ATTD of gross energy(GE),N,and acid-hydrolyzed ether extract(AEE),and the concentration of NE were greater(P<0.05)in pelleted diets than in meal diets.Regardless of diet form,the ATTD of GE,N,and AEE,and the concentration of NE were increased(linear;P<0.05)by reducing the particle size of corn,but the increase was greater in meal diets than in pelleted diets(interaction;P<0.05).Conclusions Both pelleting and reduction of corn particle size increased nutrient digestibility and NE,but increases were greater in meal diets than in pelleted diets.

Amino acid and mineral digestibility,bone ash,and plasma inositol is increased by including microbial phytase in diets for growing pigs

Background The effect of microbial phytase on amino acid and energy digestibility is not consistent in pigs,which may be related to the phytase dosage or the adaptation length to the diet.Therefore,an experiment was conducted to test the hypotheses that increasing dietary phytase after an 18-day adaptation period:1)increases nutrient and energy digestibility;2)increases plasma P,plasma inositol,and bone ash of young pigs;and 3)demonstrates that maximum phytate degradation requires more phytase than maximum P digestibility.Results Data indicated that increasing inclusion of phytase[0,250,500,1,000,2,000,and 4,000 phytase units(FTU)/kg feed]in corn-soybean meal-based diets increased apparent ileal digestibility(AID)of Trp(quadratic;P<0.05),and of Lys and Thr(linear;P<0.05),and tended to increase AID of Met(linear;P<0.10).Increasing dietary phytase also increased AID and apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of Ca and P(quadratic;P<0.05)and increased ATTD of K and Na(linear;P<0.05),but phytase did not influence the ATTD of Mg or gross energy.Concentrations of plasma P and bone ash increased(quadratic;P<0.05),and plasma inositol also increased(linear;P<0.05)with increasing inclusion of phytase.Reduced concentrations of inositol phosphate(IP)6 and IP5(quadratic;P<0.05),reduced IP4 and IP3(linear;P<0.05),but increased inositol concentrations(linear;P<0.05)were observed in ileal digesta as dietary phytase increased.The ATTD of P was maximized if at least 1,200 FTU/kg were used,whereas more than 4,000 FTU/kg were needed to maximize inositol release.Conclusions Increasing dietary levels of phytase after an 18-day adaptation period increased phytate and IP ester degradation and inositol release in the small intestine.Consequently,increasing dietary phytase resulted in improved digestibility of Ca,P,K,Na,and the first 4 limiting amino acids,and in increased concentrations of bone ash and plasma P and inositol.In a corn-soybean meal diet,maximum inositol release requires approximately 3,200 FTU/kg more phytase than that required for maximum P digestibility.

Effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion on antioxidant,and anti-inflammatory activities of bioactive peptides generated in sausages fermented with Staphylococcus simulans QB7

Dry-fermented sausages are a good source of bioactive peptides,whose stability against gastrointestinal(GI)digestion determines their bioaccessibility.This study focused on evaluating the effect of peptide extracts from sausages fermented with Staphylococcus simulans QB7 during in vitro simulated GI digestion,including peptide profiles and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.Peptides present in sausages were degraded during digestion,with molecular weight reduced from>12 kDa to<1.5 kDa.Besides,the content of amino acids increased from 381.15 to 527.07 mg/g,especially tyrosine being found only after GI digestion.The anti-inflammatory activities were increased after GI digestion,however,the changes in antioxidant activities were the opposite.A total number of 255,252 and 386 peptide sequences were identified in undigested,peptic-digested and GI-digested samples,respectively.PeptideRanker,BIOPEP-UWM and admetSAR were used to further predict the functional properties and intestinal absorption of the identified peptide sequences from GI digestion.Finally,18 peptides were discovered to possess either antioxidant or anti-inflammatory capacities.

A Comprehensive Study of the Association between LEPR Gene rs1137101 Variant and Risk of Digestive System Cancers

Objective The leptin receptor,encoded by the LEPR gene,is involved in tumorigenesis.A potential functional variant of LEPR,rs1137101(Gln223Arg),has been extensively investigated for its contribution to the risk of digestive system(DS)cancers,but results remain conflicting rather than conclusive.Here,we performed a case–control study and subsequent meta-analysis to examine the association between rs1137101 and DS cancer risk.Methods A total of 1,727 patients with cancer(gastric/liver/colorectal:460/480/787)and 800 healthy controls were recruited.Genotyping of rs1137101 was conducted using a polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP)assay and confirmed using Sanger sequencing.Twenty-four eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis.Results After Bonferroni correction,the case–control study revealed that rs1137101 was significantly associated with the risk of liver cancer in the Hubei Chinese population.The meta-analysis suggested that rs1137101 is significantly associated with the risk of overall DS,gastric,and liver cancer in the Chinese population.Conclusion The LEPR rs1137101 variant may be a genetic biomarker for susceptibility to DS cancers(especially liver and gastric cancer)in the Chinese population.

Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in soybean meal fed to non-pregnant and pregnant sows

Background Two studies were designed to determine standard ileal crude protein(CP)and amino acid(AA)digestibility of soybean meal(SBM)from different origins fed to non-pregnant and pregnant sows.Seven solvent-extracted SBMs from soybeans produced in the USA,Brazil,and China were selected.In Exp.1,eight different diets were created:a nitrogen(N)-free diet and 7 experimental diets containing SBM from different origins as the only N source.Eight non-pregnant,multiparous sows were arranged in an 8×8 Latin square design(8 periods and 8 diets).In Exp.2,the diet formula was the same as in Exp.1.Eight gestating sows(parity 3)were assigned to 4 different diets in a replicated 4×3 Youden square design(three periods and four diets)in mid-gestation and again in late-gestation stages.Results When fed to non-pregnant and late-gestating sows,the standardized ileal digestibility(SID)of CP and most AAs from different SBM were not significantly different(P>0.05).When fed to mid-gestating sows,the SID values for Arg,His,Lys,Phe,Cys,Gly,Ser,and Tyr in SBM 1 were lower than in SBM 4 and 5(P<0.05),whereas SID for Leu from SBM 5 was higher than in SBM 1 and 4(P<0.05).SID values for Ile,Ala,and Asp from SBM 4 were lower than in SBM 1 and 5(P<0.05).Sows had significantly greater SID values for Lys,Ala,and Asp during mid-gestation when compared with late-gestation stages(P<0.05).Mid-gestating sows had greater SID value for Val and lower SID value for Tyr when compared with non-pregnant and late-gestating sows(P<0.01),whereas non-pregnant sows had significantly greater SID value for Met when compared with gestating sows(P<0.01).Conclusions When fed to mid-gestating sows,the SID values for most AAs varied among SBM samples.The SID values for Lys,Met,Val,Ala,Asp,and Tyr in SBM were affected by sow gestation stages.Our findings provide a cornerstone for accurate SBM use in sow diets.