Os elevados custos atribuídos à nutrição na piscicultura ligam a eficiência alimentar ao sucesso da atividade e à redução do impacto ao meio ambiente. Estudos sobre a nutrição e determinação de exigências nutricionais em aminoácidos são, portanto, ferramentas importantes para a consolidação da piscicultura comercial racional e com viabilidade econômica. A determinação da exigência em lisina para o “black bass” Micropterus salmoides foi feita em ensaio de dose-resposta e os dados coletados foram analisados por meio de três modelos estatísticos: regressão polinomial, regressão segmentada e modelagem matemática específica, para estimar a utilização e exigência dos aminoácidos. Foi utilizada a relação A/E = [(aminoácido essencial ÷ total de aminoácidos essenciais + cistina + tirosina) x 1.000], para estimar as exigências nutricionais dos demais aminoácidos essenciais em relação à lisina determinada no experimento dose-resposta. As unidades experimentais foram constituídas por lotes de 25 alevinos de black bass (1,29 ± 0,03 g; 4,35 ± 0,17 cm) condicionados a aceitar ração seca, alojados em gaiolas de PVC atóxico (abertura de malha 5 mm) com capacidade de 60 L e instaladas em caixas de polipropileno com capacidade de 1.000 L, com troca parcial de água num sistema fechado de recirculação e aeração. Os tratamentos correspondiam aos níveis crescentes de lisina: 1,0; 1,5; 2,0; 2,5; 3,0 e 3,5% na dieta n=4), num delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado (DIA). O modelo estatístico da regressão segmentada foi o modelo mais apropriado para determinação da exigência dietética de lisina para os alevinos de black bass em experimento dose-resposta. A exigência dietética em lisina para peso final, ganho de peso e taxa de crescimento específico foi de 2,1% da dieta ou 4,9% da proteína dietética. A exigência dietética de 1,69% de lisina na dieta ou 3,9% de lisina na proteína condicionou o melhor índice de conversão alimentar. O uso do perfil de aminoácidos corporais do black bass foi adequado como referência para estimar as exigências nutricionais de aminoácidos. / Adequate nutrition of fish stocks interconnects fish feeding efficiency, profitability and mitigation of environmental impact of fish farming. Knowledge on amino acids requirement of farmed fish boosts rationalization and profitability of fish farming systems. This study compares estimation of amino acids requirements of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides from data of lysine dose-response trials, analyzed through different statistical models: polynomial regression, broken-line analysis and specific mathematical modeling. Amino acids requirements were estimated through the A/E relationship [A/E = (essential amino acid ÷ total essential amino acids + cystine + tyrosine) x 1.000]. Groups of 25, feed-conditioned largemouth bass fingerlings (1.29 ± 0.03 g; 4.35 ± 0.17 cm), were stocked in 60-L cages (5 mm mesh) placed in 1,000-L plastic, indoor tanks, closed circulation system, and fed diets containing 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, or 3.5% lysine, in a totally randomized experimental design trial (n = 4). The broken-line analysis method yielded more reliable and precise estimations of lysine requirements – 2.1% of diet or 4.9% dietetic protein – for final weight, weight gain and specific growth rate. Best feed conversion ratio was attained with 1.69% lysine in the diet or 4.9% lysine in dietetic protein. Body amino acids profile was an adequate reference for estimation of largemouth bass amino acids requirements.

Orientador: Luciano Hauschild / Resumo: Dois estudos foram conduzidos com objetivo de comparar a biodisponibilidade relativa de L-Met e DL-Met com base em ensaio de balanço de N e os efeitos promovidos por ambas as fontes na morfologia intestinal e no sistema antioxidante de suínos em fase inicial e final de creche. Em cada experimento foram utilizados 42 suínos machos castrados (Agroceres PIC, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil: CamboroughTM x AGPIC 337TM) com peso inicial de 10,7 ± 1,09 kg e 20,5 ± 1,55 kg, respectivamente para o experimento 1 e o experimento 2. Cada experimento foi dividido em dois períodos experimentais com 21 suínos. Cada período experimental correspondeu a um bloco. Três suínos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 7 dietas experimentais dentro de cada bloco, resultando em um total de 6 repetições por tratamento. As dietas basais (DB) foram formuladas com deficiência de 68% em metionina, porém adequadas para os demais aminoácidos. Três níveis graduados de DL-Met e L-Met (0,03, 0,06 e 0,09%) foram suplementados à dieta basal para criar as dietas 2-7 em ambos os estudos. No experimento 1, ambas as fontes de metionina reduziram linearmente o N excretado pela urina e aumentaram linearmente a retenção de N (% de absorvido) (P ≤ 0,03). A biodisponibilidade relativa estimada para L-Met em comparação a DL-Met foi de 106% (intervalo de confiança – IC de 95%: 39 a 173%) para retenção de N (% de absorvido) em uma base equi-molar. No experimento 2, a suplementação com ambas as fontes de Met diminuiu linearmente a excr... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Two studies were conducted to compare the relative bioavailability of L-Met and DL-Met based on N balance assay and the effects promoted by both sources on intestinal morphology and antioxidant system of weaned and growing pigs. In each experiment were used 42 barrows (Agroceres PIC, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil: CamboroughTM x AGPIC 337TM) with initial body weight of 10.7 ± 1.09 kg and 20.5 ± 1.55 kg, respectively for Experiment 1 and Experiment 2. Each experiment was divided into two batches with 21 pigs. Each batch corresponded to a block. Three pigs were randomly assigned to 7 experimental diets within each block, resulting in a total of 6 replicates per treatment. Basal diets (BD) were formulated with 68% methionine deficiency, but adequate for the other amino acids. Three graded levels of DL-Met and L-Met (0.03, 0.06 and 0.09%) were supplemented to the basal diet to create diets 2-7 in both studies. In experiment 1, both sources of methionine linearly reduced N excreted in the urine and linearly increased N retention (% absorbed) (P ≤ 0.03). The estimated relative bioavailability for L-Met compared to DL-Met was 106% (95% CI - confidence interval: 39 to 173%) for N retention (% absorbed) on an equi-molar basis. In experiment 2, supplementation with both Met sources linearly decreased urinary N excretion and linearly increased total N retention, N retention (% ingested and% absorbed) (P ≤ 0.04). The estimated bioavailability of L-Met compared to DL-Met was 95% (95% CI: 13 to 17... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

<p>In recent years conservation of minor livestock breeds has been faced with numerous challenges attributed to decreasing national herd sizes, as well as differences in reproduction and growth. One such minor swine breed, the Large Black pig (LB), is increasingly attractive to small farmers due to their foraging abilities and carcass characteristics. Therefore, the LB pigs have been used in niche pork production systems which market pasture-raised pork products. The LB breed is critically endangered, maintaining a registered breeding population of less than 400 animals, with increasing prevalence of inbreeding and genetic drift. Therefore, the LB breed could benefit from a genetic importation to increase genetic diversity in a national herd with rapidly decreasing animal numbers. A genetic importation would require frozen semen to be brought in from another country for use in breeding U.S. pigs. Frozen-thawed semen (FTS) presents challenges for swine due to the reduced motile sperm cells which negatively impacts fertility. Therefore, the present study evaluated the utilization of FTS in a genetic importation for the LB pig. </p><p>A genetic importation occurred in 2016 where semen from the United Kingdom was used on various farms in the U.S. but resulted in zero piglets born. Therefore, 16 LB sows were donated to Purdue University for research into improving estrous and ovulation synchronization to facilitate FTS utilization. Four breeding replicates were performed where following 14 days of Matrix feeding, OvuGel® was administered at 144 h following last Matrix feeding (LMF) or 96 h in post-weaned sows and two FTS inseminations occurring at: 30 and 36 h, 17 and 23 h, 24 and 30 h, and 24 and 32 h after OvuGel® for replicates 1-4, respectively. Approximately 2.64±0.3 billion motile sperm cells per insemination were utilized in replicates 1-3 with American LB FTS, with replicate 4 utilizing 0.34±0.03 billion motile sperm cells of imported FTS. Follicle diameter (<i>P</i>=0.260), ovulation within 48 h of OvuGel® (<i>P</i>=0.411), and weight prior to breeding (<i>P</i>=0.681) did not influence conception rate, however expression of estrus was determined to significantly influence conception rate (<i>P</i>=0.043). Seventy-five LB piglets were weaned across the first three breeding replicates, with parity 2 sows observed to have larger litter sizes than parity 1 sows (<i>P</i>=0.066).</p> <p>Large Black and Duroc-sired (DS) crossbred pigs from replicates 1 and 2 farrowing were fed corn and soybean meal based finishing diets supplemented with (FIB) or without alfalfa and wheat middlings (CON). Following 6 dietary phases through finishing, 25 LB and 25 DS pigs were slaughtered at similar ages for digestive organ dissection and carcass measurements. Loin muscles were evaluated for fresh pork quality and instrumental color and tenderness. LB pigs had a reduced ADG (<i>P</i><0.0001) and G:F (<i>P</i><0.0001) compared to DS pigs. Pigs fed FIB resulted in reduced ADG (<i>P</i>=0.020) and reduced G:F (<i>P</i>=0.007). At slaughter LB pigs were 26.4 kg lighter than DS pigs (<i>P</i><0.0001), and pigs that were fed FIB had lighter live weights (<i>P</i>=0.002) than pigs fed CON. LB pigs had 28.5±1.3 cm² smaller longissimus muscle area (<i>P</i><0.0001), yielding 2.0 cm more 10^th rib back fat than DS pigs (<i>P</i><0.0001). CON pigs had heavier HCW (<i>P</i><0.0001) than FIB pigs, however FIB pigs had greater percent lean (<i>P</i>=0.015). LB pigs had significantly reduced percent lean than DS pigs (<i>P</i><0.0001). LB pigs had loins with reduced drip loss (<i>P</i>=0.009) and cooked shear force values (<i>P</i><0.0001). Overall, the growth and carcass composition of the pigs was most affected by genotype, and to a lesser extent than the type of diet fed. </p> <p>In conclusion, the genetic importation of LB semen was successful as ½ blood piglets were created for dispersal into the U.S. LB herd. Improvements in FTS utilization in this heritage breed contributed to the successful creation of live-born pigs. Additionally, growth and carcass information was obtained for LB breeders to use in understanding and marketing of this heritage breed of pigs.</p>

No description available.

<p>The objective of this thesis was to investigate the effect of dietary enzymatically treated yeast (ETY) in weanling pigs and evaluate the effect of ETY in broiler chickens during a coccidia challenge. Two studies were carried out to investigate this objective.</p> <p>The first experiment examined the effect of ETY on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immune response, and gut health of weanling pigs. A total of 192 weanling pigs (6.0 ± 1.04 kg) were allocated to 4 corn, soybean-based diets with increasing concentrations of ETY (0, 1, 2, or 4 g/kg) for a 43-d trial. There were 8 replicate pens (4 replicate pens per sex) and 6 pigs per replicate for each dietary treatment. The experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design. Dietary ETY supplementation did not affect the growth performance of weanling pigs. The ATTD of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) linearly increased (P < 0.05) at d 28. The concentrations of serum antioxidant and antibody markers increased (P < 0.05) from d 14 to d 43; a linear increase (P < 0.05) in catalase was observed on d 14 with increasing ETY supplementation in the diets. The inclusion of ETY in the diet did not affect the mRNA abundance of anti-inflammatory markers in the ileal mucosa of pigs but increased (P < 0.01) glutathione peroxidase 4. Ileal villus height (VH) and villus height to crypt depth (VH:CD) ratio were greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed ETY supplemented diets relative to control pigs. However, jejunal VH and the VH:CD ratio was not affected by ETY inclusion in the diet. Pigs fed diets with increasing ETY levels had higher (P < 0.05) ileal digesta butyrate concentration relative to control pigs, but not propionate or acetate. </p> <p>The second experiment examined the effect of ETY on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of broiler chickens during a coccidia challenge. From d 1 to 14 post hatching, 480 broiler chickens (49.9 ± 3.95 g) were allocated to 3 corn-soybean meal-based diets with increasing concentrations of ETY (0, 1, or 2 g/kg). There were 16 replicate cages and 10 birds per cage. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design with body weight (BW) used as a blocking factor. On d 14 post hatching, the birds were combined and re-randomized within each of the 0, 1, or 2 ETY g/kg experimental diets. Following this, the number of birds was reduced to 8 birds per cage with 8 replicate cages. Each of the 3 diet groups was split into a challenge or no-challenge group. This resulted in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 3 experimental diets and 2 challenge states. The BW ratio before re-randomization was maintained across all treatments during the reallotment. On d 15 post hatching, the birds in the challenge group were orally gavaged with 1 mL solution containing 25,000, 25,000, and 125,000 oocysts of E. maxima, E. tenella, and E. acervulina, respectively. The birds belonging to the no-challenge group were orally gavaged with 1 mL phosphate buffered saline. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, and polynomial contrasts were used to estimate the linear and quadratic effects of ETY. The coccidia challenge (CC) decreased (P < 0.01) the BW gain, feed intake, and G:F of broiler chickens from d 14 to 21. Increasing supplementation of dietary ETY improved (P < 0.05) the G:F of birds. Also, the CC reduced (P < 0.01) the apparent total tract utilization of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE). The CC reduced (P < 0.01) the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and the nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of diets fed to broiler chickens. On d 21, dietary ETY linearly increased (P < 0.01) the apparent ileal digestibility of DM, N, and GE in broiler chickens. The CC increased (P < 0.01) the mRNA gene expression of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-6. There was a tendency (P < 0.1) for ETY to reduce IL-1β expression in broiler chickens on d 21. Additionally, ETY supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the gene expression of occludin in the ceca of broiler chickens but not claudin 1. Serum catalase increased (P < 0.05) with increasing supplementation of dietary ETY in broiler chickens on d 21. Dietary ETY linearly increased (P < 0.05) the ileal villus height to crypt depth ratio and ileal goblet cell count and density in broiler chickens. The ileal and excreta oocyst counts decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing supplementation of dietary ETY in coccidia-challenged broiler chickens on d 21. </p> <p>In summary, ETY inclusion in diets of weanling pigs partially reduced reactive oxygen species damage and enhanced intestinal health without negatively affecting growth performance. Hence, ETY could be favorable in attenuating some of the deleterious effects of post-weaning stress in weanling pigs. Dietary ETY also reduced oxidative damage, improved growth performance, enhanced nutrient utilization, and augmented intestinal development in broiler chickens. However, the inclusion of ETY did not mitigate the adverse effects of a coccidia challenge in broiler chickens. Therefore, further studies may be necessary to investigate the prospect of ETY as a dietary strategy for combating coccidiosis.</p> <p><br></p>

No description available.

<p dir="ltr">For this dissertation, two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a multienzyme mix and partially defatted black soldier fly larvae meal on chicken coccidiosis, focusing on growth performance, intestinal health, and microbiota dynamics. Experiment 1 examined the growth performance, nutrient utilization, microbiota modulations, and other gut health-related indicators of broiler chickens under coccidia challenge, with dietary supplementation of multienzyme, including phytase, xylanase, β-glucanase, amylase, hemicellulase, and pectinase. Ross 308 broilers were assigned to 4 treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement comprising of 0 or 50 g·kg-1 multienzyme and oral challenge with PBS or mixed Eimeria spp. oocysts (250,000 E. acervulina, 50,000 E. maxima, and 50,000 E. tenella). Multienzyme reduced (P < 0.05) Eimeria-induced loss in feed efficiency and nutrient utilization, partially explained by reduced decrease of b0,+ amino acid transporter in jejunum. Multienzyme suppressed (P < 0.05) the overexpression of interleukin-8 in the duodenum and jejunum and ameliorated (P = 0.05) the decreased expression of antioxidant heme oxygenase 1 in ileum induced by Eimeria infections. Multienzyme facilitated (P < 0.01) the bloom of short-chain fatty acid-producing and fiber-degrading microbes. The study concluded that multienzyme supplementation partially alleviated the adverse effects of Eimeria infections through various mechanisms, including enhanced nutrient utilization, reduced local inflammations, and restoration of microbial homeostasis. Experiment 2 investigated the growth dynamics, nutrient assimilation, and gut health responses of broiler chickens under coccidia challenge, with dietary supplementation of partially defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (pBSFLM) with increasing concentrations of 0, 60, 120 g/kg. During the infection phase (from d 13 to 19), interactions between Eimeria and pBSFLM revealed significant associations with gain to feed ratio (G:F) (P < 0.05) and cecal interferon-γ (IFN-γ, P < 0.05), while showing tendencies for crypt depth (P = 0.088) and cecal acetate concentration (P = 0.06). The incremental inclusion of pBSFLM demonstrated a negative effect on the G:F and the generation of IFN-γ and acetate in the ceca during coccidia challenge. Conversely in the non-challenged birds, the impact of dietary pBSFLM varied from neutral (e.g. G:F) to potentially advantageous (e.g. acetate). Challenged broilers exhibited decreased (P < 0.01) BW, feed intake (FI), G:F, as well as the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and total tract nutrient utilization (ATTU) of DM, gross energy (GE), and nitrogen (N). Eimeria challenge led to reduced (P < 0.01) serum carotenoid concentrations, increased (P < 0.01) ileal crypt depth (CD), and an increase in the generation of branched-chain fatty acids, specifically isobutyrate (P = 0.059) and isovalerate (P < 0.05) in the ceca. Dietary pBSFLM addition caused a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in BW, FI, G:F, and N utilization. Furthermore, a tendency (P < 0.06) was observed where pBSFLM linearly decreased the villi height: CD ratio and reduced goblet cell density in the villi. Results from this experiment reveal that higher levels of pBSFLM supplementation, especially at 12%, had detrimental effects on growth, ileal morphology, cecal acetate production, and downregulated the expression of key cytokines in response to coccidia infection. In summary, these studies shed light on the multifaceted effects of dietary interventions on Eimeria infections in broiler chickens, with a specific emphasis on growth, nutrient utilization, and indicators of gut health.</p>

Fifty twelve-month female Sprague-Dawley rats were used to study a lysine requirement for tissue maintenance. Animals were randomly assigned into five groups with dietary lysine levels ranging from 0.097 to 0.317 percent and fed for 60 days. Liver composition and carcass composition were determined, and a lysine requirement was also predicted. Results showed that the group fed 0.317 percent lysine had significantly increased liver fat content and decreased protein content. Neither liver moisture content nor total liver nitrogen content was related to dietary lysine levels. There was no significant finding on the analysis of carcass composition. The data indicated that the mature rat had a requirement for lysine lower than 0.097 percent in the diet. It was suggested that either adequate lysine was provided by wheat gluten in the diet, or the mature rat did not require lysine in order to maintain tissue level of protein. In future studies, it was necessary to use a diet with lysine levels lower than 0.097 percent to determine the minimum lysine requirement, and a concurrent baseline group for comparison with the treatment animals. / M.S.

Attempts to improve upon the crude protein feeding system have strived to characterize feedstuffs with respect to ruminal protein degradability. In vitro an in situ procedures fall short of this goal by not accounting for ruminal turnover. Six lactating cows, fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulae, were utilized for in vivo determination of protein degradability by employing a double-marker system. Treatments were corn silage-based diets supplemented with 2:1 soybean meal:fish meal nitrogen (SF) or 1:2 soybean meal:fish meal nitrogen (FS) at levels of 15. 9 and 16.0 percent protein. Ruminal cobalt ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (CoEDTA) infusions marked liquid phase (LP) digesta and Yb-soaked hay was used as a solid phase (SP) marker. Duodenal digesta was separated into SP and LP at 3000xg. Least squares means of LP flows did not differ for total, precipitable protein, or microbial nitrogen, for SF and FS. Total solid phase flow of dry matter was higher for FS (9.06 kg/d) than for SF (7.97 kg/d), although intakes did not differ. Milk composition and yield did not differ for FS and SF. Average daily gain was 0.12 kg/d for SF and 1:26 kg/d for FS. Whole-tract digestibilties were not different although rumen digestibility of dry matter was 24.9% for FS and 35.7% for SF, and duodenal recovery of N was 93.8% for SF and 107.5% for FS. Inclusion of a higher level of fish meal in the diet increased the proportion of feed proteins delivered to the small intestine, increasing weight gain while having no effect on milk production. / Master of Science

Degradation kinetics of carbohydrate fraction of commercial concentrate feeds for weaned calves, heifers, lactating and dry dairy cattle / Variations in composition and disappearance of nutrients in dairy cattle feeds are dictated by ingredients, methods of processing, storage while milk production levels depend on the animal, environmental factors and largely on pools of available carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals in the concentrate feeds. There is a wide variety of concentrates for dairy cattle on the formal and informal markets and dairy farmers need to be astute in selecting feeds appropriate for specific production periods and animals to sustain their businesses. Composition of nutrients displayed on concentrate containers is however inadequate for in-depth assessment of products. This study determined nutrient composition, rumen dry matter disappearance and microbial colonization on residual substrate on commercial concentrate feeds and simulated total mixed rations for dairy calves, heifers, lactating and dry cows based on common feeding guidelines. Equivalent feeds for each herd group were obtained from three suppliers in the formal markets in Gauteng province of South Africa, making a total of twelve. An analysis of the data on container labels for the herd groups displayed similar feed values, as also reflected on the recommendation Tables of Act 36: Feeds and Fertilizer bill 1947 of South Africa. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M.Sc. (Agriculture)