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.

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 standardized ileal digestible lysine to metabolizable energy ratio on performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs

A total of 2,121 growing-finishing pigs （Duroc × Landrace ×Large White） were utilized in six experiments conducted to determine the effects of different ratios of standardized ileal digestible lysine （SID-Lys） to metabolizable energy （ME） on the performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. Exps. 1 （30 to 50 kg）, 2 （52 to 70 kg） and 3 （81 to 104 kg） were conducted to find an optimum ME level and then this level was used in Exps. 4 （29 to 47 kg）, 5 （54 to 76 kg） and 6 （84 to 109 kg） to test the response of pigs to different ratios of SID-Lys：ME. In Exps.1 to 3, four treatments were used consisting of diets with a formulated ME content of 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4 in Exps. I and 2 while Exp. 3 used 3.05, 3.1 S, 3.25 or 3.35 Mcal/kg. A constant SID-Lys：ME ratio of 2.6, 2.3 or 2.0 g/Mcal was used in Exps. 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Weight gain was significantly increased with increasing energy level in Exp.1 while weight gain was unaltered in Exps. 2 and 3. For all three experiments, feed intake was decreased （P 〈 0.05） and feed efficiency was improved （P 〈 0.05） with increasing energy level. Tenth rib back fat thickness linearly increased （P 〈 0.05） with increasing energy level, in Exps. 4 to 6, five treatments were used consisting of diets with a SID-Lys：ME ratio of 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 3.0 or 3.2 in Exp. 1, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9 or 3.2 in Exp. 2 and 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4, or 2.6 in Exp. 3. A constant ME level 3.2, 3.2 and 3.05 Mcal/kg was used in Exps. 1, 2 and 3, respectively （selected based on the results of weight gain）. For all three experiments, weight gain increased （P 〈 0.05） and feed efficiency improved linearly （P 〈 0.05） as the SID-Lys：ME ratio increased. Tenth rib back fat thickness linearly decreased （P 〈 0.0,5） as the SID-Lys：ME ratio increased. Based on a straight broken-line model, the estimated SID-Lys：ME ratio to maximize weight gain was 3.0, 2.43 and 2.2 for 29 to 47, 54 to76 and 84 to 109 kg of pigs, respectively.

The correlationship between the metabolizable energy content,chemical composition and color score in different sources of corn DDGS

Background： This study was conducted to evaluate the apparent metabolizable energy （AME） and true metabolizable energy （TME） contents in 30 sources of corn distillers dried grains with solubles （DDGS） in adult roosters, and establish the prediction equations to estimate the AME and TME value based on its chemical composition and color score. Methods： Twenty-eight sources of corn DDGS made from several processing plants in 11 provinces of China and others imported from the United States. DDGS were analyzed for their metabolizable energy （ME） contents, measured for color score and chemical composition （crude protein, crude fat, ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber）, to predict the equation of ME in DDGS. A precision-fed rooster assay was used, each DDGS sample was tube fed （50 g） to adult roosters. The experiment was conducted as a randomized incomplete block design with 3 periods. Ninety-five adult roosters were used in each period, with 90 being fed the DDGS samples and 5 being fasted to estimate basal endogenous energy losses. Results： Results showed that the AME ranged from 5.93 to 12.19 MJ/kg, TME ranged from 7.28 to 13.54 MJ/kg. Correlations were found between ME and ash content （-0.64, P 〈 0.0]） and between ME and yellowness score （0.39, P 〈 0.05） of the DDGS samples. Furthermore, the best-fit regression equation for AME content of DDGS based on chemical composition and color score was AME = 6.57111 ＋ 0.5]475 GE - 0.10003 NDF ＋ 0.1 3380 ADF ＋ 0.07057 fat - 0.57029 ash - 0.02437 L （R^2 = 0.70）. The best-fit regression equation for TME content of DDGS was TME = 7.92283 ＋ 0.51475 GE - 0.10003 NDF ＋ 0.13380 ADF ＋ 0.07057 fat - 0.57029 ash - 0.02437 L （R2 = 0.70）. Conclusions： This experiment suggested that measuring the chemical composition and color score of a corn DDGS sample may provide a quality parameter for identifying corn DDGS sources energy digestibility and metabolizable energy content.

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.

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.

Metabolizable Energy and Amino Acid Bioavailability of Field Pea Seeds in Broilers Diets

The aim of this study was to determine the apparent （AME） ＆ true （TMEn） metabolizable energy as well as the crude protein （CP） ＆ amino acid （AA） total tract （by excreta collection） digestibility （bioavailability） of field pea seeds （FPS） of the Greek cultivar ＂Olympos＂. Forty eight broilers were placed in individual cages and randomly allocated into 4 dietary treatments. Birds consumed 80 g/d of either a typical commercial diet or the same diet in which 100, 200 or 300 g/kg had been substituted by ground FPS. The experiment lasted 15 d. Apparent and true CP bioavailability of FPS were significantly decreased （P 〈 0.05） only at the inclusion rate of 300 g/kg. AA bioavailability remained at high levels （-0.80）, with the exception of methionine and valine and was similar to CP mean. The mean AME and TMEn values of FPS were estimated equal to 10.8 and 11.0 MJ ME/kg, respectively.

Effects of graded fiber level and caecectomy on metabolizable energy value and amino acid digestibility in geese

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of graded levels of fiber from rice hull and the caecectomy on metabolizable energy（ME） and amino acid digestibility（AAD） in 42 Wuzong geese（21 intact and 21 caecectomized）. The experiment was a 3×2 factorial randomized design with 3 fiber levels and 2 treatments of geese（caecectomized and intact）. Each of the 3 diets was tube-fed（60 g） to 7 caecectomized and 7 intact adult Wuzong geese that had been fasted for 24 h. Excreta were collected for the next 48 h. The same geese were also fasted for estimation of endogenous losses of amino acids（AA） and energy after short period recovery. AA content and metabolizable energy value were determined in the excreta. In general, significant effects were found for fiber levels on apparent digestibility of Thr, Leu, Pro, Glu,Val, Ala and total AA（P〈0.05）. Apparent metabolizable energy（AME） and true metabolizable energy（TME） were both significantly influenced by increased fiber levels（P〈0.01）. Compared with caecectomized geese, markedly increases of AME and TME were found in intact geese（P〈0.01 for AME and P 〈0.05 for TME）, but no difference in the AAD were found between intact and caecectomized geese（P〉0.05）, except for Lys and Try（P〈0.05）. These observations suggested that dietary fiber level played an important role in digestibility of AAD and ME. Intact geese should be chosen for the nutrient evaluation of feedstuffs in practice, resulting from the significant difference between caecectomized and intact geese.

Comparative study of apparent metabolizable energy and net energy values of dephenolized cottonseed proteins for laying hens

Optimizing the energy utilization of nutrients and ensuring maximum benefits are continuous goals for livestock producers.The net energy(NE)value of feed reflects its nutritional value in the precision feeding system.An experiment was conducted to determine the apparent metabolizable energy(AME)and NE values of 3 types of dephenolized cottonseed protein(DCP)for Hy Line Brown hens aged 42 to 45 weeks using the reference diet substitution method.A reference diet based on corn soybean meal was used to meet the nutritional needs of Hy Line Brown laying hens.To render the crude protein and energy values of the 3 test diets similar,10.5%,12%,and 16%of the gross energy yielding ingredients from the reference diet were replaced with DCP 1,DCP 2,and DCP 3,respectively.The birds were fed 4 diets during a 7-d adaptation period.After the dietary adaptation period,2 birds per replicate from each treatment group were placed in an individual open circuit respiratory calorimetry chamber for a 3-d experimental period.Daily O_(2)consumption and CO_(2)production were recorded,and excreta samples were collected.The AME values of DCP 1,DCP 2,and DCP 3 were 3,049.05,2,820.13,and 2,982.31 kcal/kg of dry matter(DM),respectively.The NE values of DCP 1,DCP 2,DCP 3 were 1,475.77,1,910.31,and 1,905.37 kcal/kg of DM,respectively,and the NE:AME ratios were 48.40%,67.74%,and 63.89%,respectively.Our data show that the AME value of DCP does not reflect the nutritional value of the feed.The NE value of DCP with a high ME value was not necessarily high.

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.

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.

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.

Balanced nutrient density for broiler chickens using a range of digestible lysine-to-metabolizable energy ratios and nutrient density:Growth performance,nutrient utilisation and apparent metabolizable energy

Currently,specific nutrient concentration,metabolizable energy(ME)and digestible amino acids are used as feed formulation criteria.A balanced nutrient density(BND)concept based on 2 criteria of nutrient density and balanced amino acids-to-ME ratio may offer more flexibility in optimisation of profit in formulation of diets compared with current formulation based on set values per unit of feed mass.A total of 672 one-d-old off-sex male Ross 308 broiler chickens were used across two 42-d performance trials in a 3×2 factorial arrangement of treatments with each diet replicated 8 times(14 birds per replicate).The experimental factors were 2 nutrient density levels(low[LD]and high[HD])and 3 digestible lysine-to-ME ratios(DLYS:ME;low,medium,and high).Low density diets had ME of 2,876 and 3,023 kcal/kg for starter and finisher,respectively,while values for HD diets were 3,169 and 3,315 kcal/kg with proportionally higher non-nitrogenated nutrients.Separate digestibility and apparent metaboliz-able energy(AME)assays were conducted at d 21 and 42.Digestibility assays at d 7 were conducted on birds used for performance trials.Regardless of the diet density,birds fed low DLYS:ME had a lower(P<0.01)feed intake(d 0 to 42)than medium and high DLYS:ME.Without interaction,birds fed low and medium DLYS:ME had a similar body weight gain being the heaviest while birds low DLYS:ME were the lightest.By an interaction(P<0.05),the highest overall FCR value was observed for birds fed LD×low DLYS:ME and improved linearly when DLYS:ME increased to the highest level reaching a limit for birds fed HD×medium DLYS:ME.Calorie conversion linearly decreased(P<0.001)with increments in DLYS:ME.Jejunal and ileal starch and protein digestibility were affected on d 21 and 42 but not on d 7 of age.Given the independence of response on BW and feed consumption,the use of BND as a flexible system in diet formulations has the potential to enable more accurate formulation for optimisation of growth performance of broiler chickens.

Energy Requirements for Maintenance and Growth of German Mutton Merino Crossbred Lambs

A comparative slaughter trial and a metabolism trial were conducted to determine the requirement of net energy （NE） and metabolizable energy （ME） by the crossbreed of German Mutton Merino×Inner Mongolia Merino for fattening from 35 to 50 kg of body weight （BW）. 49 crossbred female lambs （（33.9＋2.3） （SD） kg BW） of German Mutton Merino×lnner Mongolia Merino were used. 34 lambs were randomly chosen for comparative slaughter, which were offered an identical mixture diet （concentrate：roughage=55：45） at 100, 75 or 55% of ad libitum intake, whereas the remainders were used in the metabolism trial to evaluate the ME of the diet after methane production was measured by open-circuit respirometry. As feed intake decreased from 100 to 75 and 55% of ad libitum intake, the apparent digestibility of dry matter （DM） linearly increased （P=-0.010） from 60.8 to 63.6 and 66.9%, respectively, and methane production decreased from 52.1 to 44.3 and 39.9 L d-l, respectively, but the ratio of methane energy to gross energy intake increased linearly （P=0.010） from 8.20 to 8.96 and 10.97%, respectively. Consequently, the ME values of the diet increased from 9.35 to 9.64 and 9.85 MJ kg-~ DM, respectively. The NE requirement for maintenance （NEro） was 255 kJ kg-1 BW0.75, and the ME requirement for maintenance （MEre） was 352 kJ kg-I BW~.75, with a partial energy efficiency for maintenance （km） of 0.72. The NE requirement for growth （NEg） ranged from 1.26 to 4.66 MJ d-1as average daily gains increased from 100 to 300 g d-1, with a partial energy efficiency for growth （ks） of 0.45. These results indicated that the NEg required by crossbred female lambs of German Mutton Merinoxlnner Mongolia Merino was lower than the recommendation of the American or British nutritional system.

Chemical composition,energy and amino acid digestibility in double-low rapeseed meal fed to growing pigs

Background： The nutritional value of rapeseed meal may be variable due to the variation of its chemical composition. And a precise understandin9 of the nutritional value of an ingredient is beneficial for the accurate diet formulation and reduction of feed costs. This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, dicjestible energy （DE） and metabolizable enercjy （ME） content, and apparent ileal digestibility （AID） and standardized ileal dicjestibility （SID） of amino acids （AA） for growincj pigs. Thirteen solvent-extracted double-low rapeseed meal （DLIRSM） samples were obtained from the main double-low rapeseed producing areas in China. Methods： The DE and ME contents of the 13 DLRSM samples were measured in cjrowin9 pigs （six pigs per DLRSM sample, average initial body weicjht （BW） =48.3 kg）. The AID and SID of AA of 10 DLRSM samples were determined in 12 crossbred barrows （average initial BW = 35.3 kcj） by using two 6 x 6 Latin square designs. Each Latin square comprised one N-flee diet and 5 DLRSM test diets. Results： The chemical composition of DLRSM varied among samples, and the coefficient of variation was greater than ]0 % for ether extract （EE）, neutral detergent fiber （NDF）, acid detergent fiber （ADF）, calcium （Ca）, and total 91ucosinolates. The AA content of DLRSM varied among samples especially for lysine （Lys） and methionine （Met）. On a dry matter （DM） basis, the apparent total tract digestibility （ATFD） of gross energy （GE）, the DE and ME and the ME：DE ratio of DLRSM averaged 62.39 %, 2862 kcal/k9 and 2723 kcal/kcj, and 94.95 %, respectively. The mean value of S1D of Lys was 70.52 % which varied from 66.54-76.54 %. The SID of crude protein （CP）, Met, and threonine （Thr） averaged 72.81%, 82.41%, and 69.76 %, respectively. Conclusions： There was great variability in chemical composition especially in the concentration of EE, NDF and ADF, but no significant differences in energy content of the DLIRSM samples were observed. In addition, the AID and SID of all AA were relatively similar amoncj DLRSM samples except for that of Lys.

Energy and Protein Requirements for 0-to 4-Week-Age Gushi Chicks

In this experiment, 540 male and female chicks of 1-day-age were selected respectively and reared separately. 3×3 factorial experiment was designed. Gushi chicks were fed with nine diets under different metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP). Effects of different diets on the performances and carcass ingredients of 0-to 4-week-age Gushi chicks were studied by rearing, comparative slaughter and metabolism experiments. Based on the results of three experiments, ME intake per kilogram metabolic weight was regarded as dependent variable (Y) ,and its corresponding net energy (NE) deposition per kilogram metabolic weight was regarded as independent variable (X) , respectively. Lineal regressive analysis was made according to the mathematic model: Y=a+bX. Maintenance ME( MEm) and the converted coefficient from net energy for gain( NEg) to ME for gain( MEg) were found out, then ME requirement was divided into MEm+ MEg, which is ME=359.14 W0.75+ 10.47△W; CP intake and corresponding metabolic weight were regarded as dependent variable and independent variable respectively, and then regressive analysis was made. The result was CP=0. 57 + 8. 21 W0.7S. Consequently, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake and metabolic weight were put into the regressive equations, and then ME and CP requirements for 0- to 4-week-age Gushi chicks were obtained, 12.38 MJ kg-1 and 20.13%, respectively, the ratio of CP to ME was 16. 26 g MJ-1.

Energy requirements of Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred ewes during non-pregnancy and lactation

This experiment was conducted to investigate the energy requirement of Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred ewes during non-pregnancy and lactation. Fifteen ewes after parturition were randomly assigned to three treatments： ad libitum（100%） feed intake and 80 or 60% ad libitum intake, and another nine non-pregnant ewes were assigned to a blank control group. Digestibility trials were performed in the non-pregnant ewes and in the lactating ewes on the 20 th, 50 th, and 80 th d of lactation. In parallel with the digestibility trial, a respirometry experiment was conducted to determine the methane and carbon dioxide production with an open-circuit respirometry system that was equipped with respiratory chambers. The net energy（NE） and metabolizable energy（ME） requirements for maintenance and growth were calculated using the carbon and nitrogen balance method. The results revealed that the carbon（C） and nitrogen（N） excretions and energy losses at faeces and urine, as well as the output of methane and CO2, increased significantly with decreasing feed intake（P〈0.01）. The apparent digestibilities of C in th e stages of non-pregnancy and early, middle and late lactation were 55.8–58.3%, 62.5–73.8%, 64.8–71.3%, and 61.7–65.0%, respectively, and the apparent digestibilities of N were 45.2–51.3%, 73.7–82.7%, 72.8–80.5%, and 73.6–76.5%, respectively. The corresponding energy apparent digestibilities were 52.0–56.3%, 60.7–76.6%, 61.0–68.8%, and 61.4–67.7%, respectively. The ME/DE（digestible energy） values were 79.5–85.9%, 79.4–83.5%, 81.0%–85.3% and 78.6–82.9%, respectively. The maintenance requirements of NE, ME, and the efficiencies of ME utilisation for maintenance during the stages of non-pregnancy and early, middle and late lactation were 215.5, 253.1, 247.7, and 244.7 k J kg^（–1） BW0.75 d, and 372.4, 327.1, 320.9, and 362.0 k J kg^（–1） BW0.75 d, and 0.58, 0.77, 0.77, and 0.68, respectively. The ME requirement for the growth of non-pregnant ewes was 31.3 MJ kg^（–1） BW gain.

Effects of sustained cold and heat stress on energy intake, growth and mitochondrial function of broiler chickens

To study the correlation of broiler chickens with energy intake, growth and mitochondrial function which exposed to sustained cold and heat stress and to find out the comfortable temperature, 288 broiler chickens（21-day with（748±26） g, 144 males and 144 females） were divided randomly into six temperature-controlled chambers. Each chamber contained six cages including eight AA broilers per cage, each cage as a repeat. After acclimation for one week（temperature, 21℃; relative humidity, 60%）, the temperature of each chamber was adjusted（finished within 1 h） respectively to 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, or 30℃（RH, 60%） for a 14-day experimental period. After treatment, gross energy intake（GEI）, metabolizable energy intake（MEI）, the ratio of MEI/BW, metabolizability, average daily gain（ADG）, the concentration of liver mitochondria protein and cytochrome c oxidase（CCO） were measured respectively. Our results confirmed that when the temperature over 26℃ for 14 days, GEI, MEI and CCO activities were decreased significantly（P〈0.05）, but the concentration of liver mitochondria protein was increased and metabolizability of broilers was not influenced（P〉0.05）. Compared with treatment for 14 days, the ratio of MEI/body weight（BW） were also decreased when the temperature over 26℃ after temperature stress for 7 days（P〈0.05）, meanwhile mitochondrial protein concentration was increased at 10℃ and CCO activity was not affected（P〉0.05）. Additionally at 22℃, the ADG reached the maximal value. When kept in uncomfortable temperatures for a long time, the ADG and CCO activities of broiler were reduced, which was accompanied by mitochondrial hyperplasia. In summary, our study focused on the performance of broilers during sustained cold and heat environmental temperatures ranging from 10 to 30℃. From the point of view of energy utilization, moreover, 22 to 26℃ is comfortable for 28–42 day s broilers. And these could provide the theoretical basis on the high efficient production.

Overload type and optimization of meadow carrying capacity in Maqin County in the Three-River Source Region,China

Alpine meadows,comprising the main ecosystem of the Three-River Source Region,play an important role in the economic development of western pastoral areas.To determine whether the grazing level was too intense or the nutrient-carrying capacity of the meadows was overloaded,and to offer solutions in Maqin County,Qinghai Province,China,the meadows carrying capacity was determined by combining grass-yield and nutrients data for different seasons across different meadows.The results showed that the levels of crude protein(CP),ether extract(EE),ash,soluble sugars(SS),gas production,and energy value of forage in the summer–autumn grazing meadows were higher than those of the winter–spring meadows.Neutral detergent fiber(NDF)and acid detergent fiber(ADF)of forage in the summer–autumn grazing meadows were lower than those of the winter–spring meadows.We found that no pastures were overloaded with metabolizable energy(ME)for the whole year but digestible crude protein(DCP)was overloaded in winter–spring.And there were differences in the amount carrying capacity(forage yield)of seasonal grazing meadows for the different herds,the overload types were annual overloading(herd A),overloaded in summer–autumn(herd B),overloaded in winter–spring(herd C),and not overloaded(herd D).Compared with the previous grazing mode,theoretical carrying capacity,DCP carrying capacity,and ME carrying capacity of herd A increased by 20,19,and 27 sheep units,respectively,after optimization;herd B:36,31,and 45 sheep units,respectively;herd C:28,23,and 44 sheep units,respectively;and herd D:43,40,and 61 sheep units,respectively.In the Three-River Source Region and similar alpine pastoral areas,the grassland-livestock structure should be optimized to improve grassland vegetation status and increase the theoretical carrying capacity.

Multi-carbohydrase enzymes improve feed energy in broiler diets containing standard or low crude protein

This study evaluated the effect of multi-carbohydrase(MC)on energy and nitrogen(N)balance and gene expression in broilers fed diets with different crude protein(CP)contents.The study employed a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments.The factors were presence or absence of MC,and standard(SCP)or low(LCP)dietary CP concentration.A 3-phase feeding program was used,including starter(0 to 7 d),grower(8 to 17 d)and finisher(18 to 28 d)phases.The study was undertaken in closed calorimetry chambers.Each of the 4 dietary treatments was replicated 8 times in total across 2 runs,with 2 birds per replicate(n=64).Data for energy partitioning and N balance were collected from d 25 to 28.On d 28,birds were euthanized to collect muscle and intestinal tissue samples for gene expression.The results showed that the MC increased apparent metabolizable energy(AME,P<0.01)and net energy(NE,P<0.05),and reduced the feed conversion ratio(FCR,P<0.01)in all diets.The proportion of energy retained as fat per total energy retention(REf/RE)was positively correlated with feed AME and NE(r=0.541,P<0.01 and r=0.665,P<0.001,respectively),suggesting that feed energy augmented with increased fat gain.Muscle ATP synthase subunit alpha(ATPSA1W)gene expression had a positive cor-relation with REf/RE and feed NE(r=0.587,P<0.001 and r=0.430,P<0.05,respectively).Similarly,muscle peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha(PGC-1A)expression was negatively correlated with weight gain and positively correlated with FCR(r-0.451,P<0.05 and r-0.359,P<0.05,respectively).These correlations show that over-expressions of muscle genes related to energy production reduce bird performance.This study demonstrated that MC increase dietary energy utilization,regardless of dietary CP concentration.However,the energy released by the enzymes in-creases feed energy-to-CP ratio,meaning there is excess energy that is then deposited as body fat.This suggests that supplemental MC in broiler feeds is beneficial if diets are formulated to contain marginal energy levels.