bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of dietary full-fat seeds and oils on total lipid, cholesterol and fatty acid composition of broiler meats
Authors: Ajuyah A. O. , Lee K. H. , Hardin R. T. , Sim J. S.
Published: March 2010

Total lipid and cholesterol contents of whole body carcass and the fatty acid composition of white and dark meat were determined in 64 female broilers (Hubbard) at 6 weeks of age. The broilers were raised on diets containing 10% raw or heated full-fat canola and flax seeds, and reconstituted mixtures of their corresponding meals supplemented with oil or animal tallow (6:4 wt wt−1). There were no significant differences between the raw and heated full-fat seeds for all the traits determined. Also, responses to the reconstituted mixtures of canola meal with canola oil or animal tallow and to the full-fat seeds were similar in terms of total tissue ω-3 fatty acids. However, reconstituted flax meal with flax oil significantly increased white-meat (P < 0.05) and dark-meat (P < 0.001) ω-3 fatty acid concentration compared with the full-fat seeds. Generally, the fatty acid composition of white and dark meat reflected the fatty acid profile of the full-fat seeds, meal or oil that were fed. Our results provide evidence that the incorporation of full-fat flax seeds or flax oil plus flax meal into broiler diets results in elevated deposition levels of ω-3 fatty acids (α-linolenic acid (LNA), 18:3ω3 and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 20:5ω3) into white and dark meat. Increased intake of ω-3 fatty acids in human diets could therefore be achieved by consuming the enriched broiler chicken meats. Key words: Broiler, canola, flax, lipid, cholesterol, fatty acids
The effects of marbling level, electrical stimulation, and postmortem aging on the cooking and palatability properties of beef rib-eye steaks
Authors: Jones S. D. M. , Jeremiah L. E. , Tong A. K. W. , Robertson W. M. , Lutz S.
Published: March 2010

A total of 458 beef rib-eye steaks (longis-simus thoracis) from 229 carcass left sides were used to evaluate the effects of degree of marbling, electrical stimulation, and postmortem aging on the cooking and palatability properties of beef. One steak from each side was randomly allocated to 4 or 11 d of postmortem aging. Steaks were roasted to an internal temperature of 70 °C in a conventional oven preheated to 177 °C, and six cubes of lean from each steak were randomly assigned to a trained panel for palatability evaluation. Degree of marbling had no effect on initial or overall tenderness, flavour intensity, or desirability, but steaks with slight or greater marbling levels were juicier (P < 0.05) than those with traces of marbling. The percentage of unacceptable ratings for steaks, based on overall palatability, declined from 38.5% for traces of marbling to 23.7% for modest marbling levels. Low-voltage electrical stimulation had no effect (P < 0.05) on any of the palatability traits. Postmortem aging significantly (P < 0.05) increased the tenderness and overall palatability of rib-eye steaks while decreasing the frequency of unacceptable ratings of steaks from 38.8% in 4-d-old steaks compared with 24.0% in 11-d-old steaks. The results of this study confirmed the importance of postmortem aging to beef tenderness and palatability and the importance of marbling level to juiciness, but indicated that low-voltage stimulation was ineffective in improving beef palatability. Key words: Beef, carcass, palatability, marbling, electrical stimulation, aging
Endocrinology of nutritional flushing in gilts
Authors: Beltranena E. , Foxcroft G. R. , Aherne F. X. , Kirkwood R. N.
Published: March 2010

As part of a nutritional flushing study, the endocrine status of gilts was compared to gain further knowledge of the mechanism(s) that mediate the restoration of ovulation rate. From 45.3 kg BW to puberty, 42 gilts were fed 2.0 kg d−1 (L) or ad libitum (H). From puberty to second estrus, one-half of the L gilts had their feed allowance increased to 2.8 kg d−1 (LH). Gilts in the H group continued to be fed ad libitum (HH). Gilts in the LH and H groups showed a greater increase in ovulation rate between first and second estrus than LL gilts (P < 0.05). Based on sampling every 4 h through the peri-estrous period of 28 gilts, feeding level did not affect mean plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (pLH), estradiol-17β or progesterone concentrations (P > 0.05). During the follicular phase, however, LH and HH gilts had not only a greater proportion of samples > 1 ng mL−1 but also showed an increased mean pLH daily sample variance compared with LL gilts (P < 0.05). The latter parameters were interpreted as indicators of an increased frequency of episodic pLH release. Furthermore, HH gilts had greater (P < 0.05) plasma insulin concentrations through the peri-estrous period and greater insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations during the pLH-surge period than LL gilts. These results confirm that increased plasma insulin may be an important metabolic cue, which in an independent or synergistic action with gonadotropins and IGF-I mediates the ovulatory response to flush-feeding. Key words: Gilt, flushing, ovulation, gonadotropins, insulin, IGF-I.
Plasma somatostatin turnover rate and hormonal responses to feeding in chronically cold-exposed sheep
Authors: Christensen R. A. , Christopherson R. J. , Kennelly J. J. , Boer G. de , Mears G. J.
Published: March 2010

Ten crossbred wether lambs (44.9 ± 1.0 kg) were housed for 9 wk in either a thermoneutral (TN) (20 °C) or cold (CC) (0 °C) environment and fed a pelleted barley:soybean meal diet (19.6% crude protein) at 28.8 g d−1 kg−1. Environmental temperature significantly altered mean concentrations of free fatty acid (TN 0.32 mM, CC 0.43 mM; P < 0.02, SEM = 0.01), insulin (TN 2.06 ng mL−1, CC 0.68 ng mL−1; P < 0.03, SEM = 0.10), and glucagon (TN 0.27 ng mL−1 CC 0.20 ng mL−1; P < 0.05, SEM = 0.01) but had no effect on glucose, somatostatin, or growth hormone. Glucose (P < 0.001) and insulin (P < 0.001) concentrations increased, whereas free fatty acid (P < 0.001) and growth hormone (P < 0.001) concentrations decreased after feeding. Somatostatin concentrations did not change postprandially. Following an injection of somatostatin-14 (1.13 ± 0.08 μg kg−1 BW), plasma-free fatty acid concentrations increased (P < 0.001) within 2 min and remained elevated for 30–75 min. Somatostatin-14 injection caused a transient (5–7 min) decrease in plasma insulin in both environments and glucagon in the TN environment. Somatostatin had a longer half-life, slower turnover rate, and reduced metabolic clearance and secretion rate (P < 0.05) in the cold environment, but the reduced secretion rate resulted in no change in basal concentrations of somatostatin. Key words: Cold, feeding, somatostatin, sheep, metabolic clearance rate
Evaluation of the nutritive value of grass hays for growing sheep
Authors: Seoane J. R. , Beaulieu Ch. , Florez J. , Dupuis G.
Published: March 2010

Data collected during 2 years on four grasses (three cultivars of timothy and one cultivar of bromegrass) harvested at four stages of growth were analyzed to identify variables that affect the nutritive value of grass hays for sheep. From 11 June, the day of the first harvest, to July 25, the percentage of crude protein (CP) decreased 0.17 unit/d (r2 = 0.86, P < 0.001) and the percentage of acid detergent lignin (ADL) increased 0.06 units/d (r2 = 0.74, P < 0.001). Over this period, dry matter (DM) intake decreased at a rate of 0.41 g kg−0.75 d−1 (r2 = 0.54, P < 0.001) and was negatively correlated with fiber content (P < 0.001). Delay of harvest caused a decrease in percent digestibility of 0.39 unit/d for DM (r2 = 0.86, P < 0.001), 0.38 unit/d for energy (r2 = 0.85, P < 0.001), 0.54 unit/d for CP (r2 = 0.77, P < 0.001) and 0.63 unit/d for NDF (r2 = 0.93, P < 0.001). Total digestible nutrients (TDN) decreased 0.35 unit/d (r2 = 0.86, P < 0.001). Date of harvest and %ADL were used to estimate energy value of hays. Digestible energy intake and TDN intake values decreased by 122.4 kJ kg−0.75 (r2 = 0.87, P < 0.001) and 6.6 g kg−0.75 (r2 = 0.89, P < 0.001), respectively, for each 1% increase in ADL of the hays. Equations were developed to estimate digestible DM intake and TDN intake, using NDF and ADF as independent variables. The predictive value of the equations was good when applied to data obtained from previous experiments (r2 = 0.87–0.91, n = 11, P < 0.001). Key words: Nutritive value, forages, sheep
Effects of dietary level and formaldehyde treatment of corn on nutrient digestion and metabolism in sheep
Authors: Oke B. O. , Loerch S. C. , Redman D. R.
Published: March 2010

The effects of dietary level and formaldehyde treatment of corn on ruminal and intestinal digestion of starch and nitrogen (N), N metabolism, and concentration of plasma metabolites were determined. Four wethers (average wt 32 kg) with duodenal and ileal cannulae were fed diets containing either formaldehyde-treated or untreated corn at 50 or 75% of total dietary dry matter intake. The design was a 4 × 4 Latin square with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Starch digested in the stomach (percentage of intake) was reduced 38% (P < 0.01) by formaldehyde treatment of corn, whereas starch digested in the small intestine (percentage of intake or of flow to small intestine) was increased (P < 0.01) by formaldehyde treatment. An increase (P < 0.01) in starch digested in the small intestine (as a percentage of intake and flow of starch to the small intestine) was observed for treated corn vs. untreated corn at both the 50 and 75% levels. The magnitude of improvement in N retention for formaldehyde-treated vs. untreated corn was dependent on the level of corn in the diet (interaction, P < 0.01). Concentrations of plasma glucose were 21% greater (P < 0.05) when wethers were fed treated corn than when they were fed untreated corn. Wethers fed treated corn also had lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of plasma urea N and essential amino acids than when they were fed untreated corn. These data suggest that formaldehyde treatment of corn shifted the site of digestion of a large proportion of dietary starch from the fore-stomach to the small intestine. Formaldehyde treatment of corn enhanced metabolic utilization of amino acids as reflected by improved N retention, decreased concentrations of essential amino acids and urea N in plasma. Key words: Sheep, formaldehyde, starch, corn, digestion, metabolism
The effect of feeding the beta-adrenergic agonist ractopamine on the behaviour of market-weight pigs
Authors: Schaefer A. L. , Jones S. D. M. , Tong A. K. W. , dePassille A. M. B. , Rushen J. , Merrill J. K.
Published: March 2010

A total of 86 ad libitum fed Lacombe bred barrows and gilts weighing on average 90 kg were used to determine the effect of feeding ractopamine on animal behaviour. Four treatment groups consisted of a control (N = 22) and three levels of ractopamine (10 ppm (N = 15), 15 ppm (N = 24) and 20 ppm (N = 25) in the diet). The pigs received the ractopamine treatments for 5–6 wk prior to behavioural observations. There was little effect of ractopamine on behaviour. The ractopamine-fed pigs were observed to lie down in a group more frequently (P = 0.06) and to walk around their pen less frequently (P = 0.01). No abnormal, stereotyped, agonistic or aggressive behaviour was induced by the ractopamine. The data from the present study suggest that ractopamine, added to the diet of market-weight pigs at levels reported, does not cause marked changes in behaviour. Key words: Pig behaviour, beta-adrenergic agonists, ractopamine
Effect of heating on canola meal protein degradation in the rumen and digestion in the lower gastrointestinal tract of steers
Authors: Nia S. A. Moshtaghi , Ingalls J. R.
Published: March 2010

Commercially available canola meal (CM) was moist heat treated at 127 °C with steam-pressure of 117 kPa for 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 min. The effect of moist heat treatment of CM on rumen degradability and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract digestibility of rumen escape dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) was determined using three rumen and two duodenal cannulated steers. Rumen degradability was estimated by incubating sample-filled small nylon bags in the rumen of steers for 10 and 16 h. Lower GI tract digestibility was estimated using a sequence of ruminal in situ incubation, in vitro incubation in an acid-pepsin solution and a mobile nylon bag technique. DM and N degradation of treated CM were significantly (P < 0.01) reduced in the rumen while the digestibility of DM and N in the lower GI tract was increased at all treatment times. At 16 h incubation, N disappearance declined in the rumen from 74.4 to 18.9% and increased in the lower GI tract from 16.2 to 64.2% for control and for CM heat treated for 45 min, respectively. Analysis of heat treated CM showed a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in the soluble N while the concentration of pepsin insoluble N, acid detergent insoluble N and neutral detergent insoluble N were increased as heating time increased. These increases in general were not associated with a decrease in N disappearance in the lower GI tract. Moist heat treatment was effective in increasing rumen escape of CM protein without adverse effect on protein digestibility in the lower GI tract. Key words: Canola meal, rumen degradability, post ruminal digestion, moist heat treatment, insoluble nitrogen
Genetic resistance to two Marek's disease viruses and its relationship to production traits in chickens
Authors: Ameli H. , Gavora J. S. , Fairfull R. W. , Spencer J. L.
Published: March 2010

Genetic variability of resistance to Marek's Disease (MD), and relationships between MD incidence and egg production traits were studied in 23 genetic groups of experimental and commercial meat and egg chickens. In the challenge tests, chickens were injected with either moderately virulent BC-1 MD virus (BC-1) or highly virulent RB-1B MD virus (RB-1B). In the 497-d egg-production test, sisters of challenged birds were vaccinated for MD on the day of hatch and there were no outbreaks of MD. Heritabilities for MD incidence, MD mortality, and total mortality in the challenge tests, based on data from three unselected control strains of Leghorns were generally low (0.06, 0.13 and 0.20) with BC-1. With RB-1B, the heritability estimates were significantly (P <.05) higher (0.62, 1.00 and 0.96). Intraclass correlations, based on variation between and within the genetic groups were also higher with RB-1B. In the test with BC-1 there were deaths from an early mortality syndrome (EMS) prior to development of MD. Losses from EMS in Leghorns were highest in 2 genetic groups most resistant to MD. Based on genetic group means, correlations between MD incidence and egg production and egg weight were high and negative. In contrast the correlations between MD incidence, age at first egg, total blood spots, and egg specific gravity tended to be positive. No consistent relationships were found with adult body weight. Key words: Marek's disease, genetic resistance, heritability, genetic correlations, production traits, chickens
Influence of extrusion on ruminal and intestinal disappearance of amino acids in whole horsebean
Authors: Cros P. , Vernay M. , Bayourthe C. , Moncoulon R.
Published: March 2010

Horse-beans (HB) were extruded at 120 °C. Two nonlactating Holstein cows with rumen and proximal duodenal fistulae were used to determine the effect of extrusion on in situ rumen degradation after 4, 8 and 16 h of incubation and intestinal digestibility of HB protein. Results of the present study indicate that processing diminished the ruminal degradability of HB proteins; after 4, 8 and 16 h of rumen exposure the nitrogen loss was reduced by 29, 31 and 18% respectively, with a corresponding increase in the amounts disappearing from the intestine of 110, 169 and 135%. Heat-treatment did not alter the amino acids (AA) profile; AA composition of the HB protein fractions that bypass the rumen may markedly differ quantitatively and qualitatively from their original composition. Extruding the beans increased intestinal disappearance of most of the AA, but variation in disappearance among AA was substantial. These results indicate that rumen undegraded proteins differ in their potential as a source for absorbable AA in the intestine. Comparison of essential AA profiles of original sources to that of milk indicated that the sulphur AA were first limiting in HB, with phenylalanine plus tyrosine and valine being second and third limiting. The estimated AA chemical score (test-to-milk ratio) for original HB was 61%. For the rumen undegraded protein fractions disappearing in the intestine, the limiting AAs in descending order were: sulphur AA, lysine, phenylalanine plus tyrosine and valine for raw HB; lysine, valine, phenylalanine plus tyrosine and sulphur AA for extruded HB. The corresponding chemical scores were 51 and 80%. Thus processing ameliorated the protein quality of the rumen undegraded fraction. Key words: Horsebean, amino acids, extrusion, ruminal degradation, intestinal disparition, cows
Effects of feeding 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid on Growing-FinishingPigs
Authors: Akhtar M. Humayoun , Ho S. K. , Hartin K. E. , Patterson J. R. , Salisbury C. D. C. , Jui P. Y.
Published: March 2010

The effect of a dietary supplement of 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid (3-nitro) on the performance, tissue arsenic residues and intestinal lesions was determined using a total of 60 crossbred growing-finishing pigs. None of the dietary levels (0, 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg kg−1) significantly (P > 0.05) increased weight gain or feed efficiency. There was a sex effect (barrows vs. gilts), independent of treatment, for average daily gain and average feed intake, but not for gain-to-feed ratio. Total arsenic residues increased with increasing dosage level and were highest in the liver, lower in kidneys and lowest in muscle. Arsenic residues in liver declined rapidly during the first 5 d of a 10-d withdrawal period. Feeding 3-nitro did not cause thinning of the intestinal wall, and there were no lesions in the intestinal tract sufficient to cause clinical signs. This study concludes that supplementation of 3-nitro in the diet does not have beneficial effects on performance. Key words: Pigs, 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid, arsenic residues
Stray voltage: its influence on swine production during the fattening period
Authors: Robert S. , Matte J. J. , Bertin-Mahieux J. , Martineau G.-P.
Published: March 2010

The effects of continuous stray voltage were evaluated on growing-finishing pigs between the ages of 10 and 12 wk. Seventy-two pigs were assigned to six blocks of 12 animals each. The following treatments were randomly distributed in each block according to a 2 × 3 factorial design: feeding level (A) (restricted or ad libitum) and voltage level (0, 5 or 8 volts) as a continuous difference of potential between feeder or drinker and the metallic floor). The total drinking time (P < 0.10) and the number of drinking bouts (P < 0.05) were lower in the 8-V group than in the 0-V group for restricted-fed pigs during the hour after feed distribution. The percentage of observation time spent drinking during light hours was reduced in the 5-V and 8-V groups at 18 (P < 0.01) and 20 wk (P < 0.05). However, it was only between 14 and 16 wk of age that water intake was lower in the voltage groups (P < 0.05). There was no effect of voltage on mean daily feed intake and average daily gain over the whole fattening period (P > 0.3). Nonetheless, the mean eating frequency during light hours from 10 to 20 wk of age was higher in the 8-V than in the 0-V and 5-V groups of restricted-fed pigs, while it was similar in the three groups fed ad libitum (A × V lin; P < 0.05). Stray voltage at 8 V increased sitting time and decreased resting time in restricted-fed groups during light hours (A × V lin; P < 0.05) but the occurrence of aggressive encounters was very low in the three treatment groups throughout the study. Finally, the metabolic profile, the frequency and the severity of gastric ulcerative lesions and the meat color were similar among the treatments (P > 0.10). Key words: Stray voltage, growing-finishing pigs, behavior, growth performance, health
Influence of the β-adrenergic agonist cimaterol on body composition and whole body synthesis and degradation of protein in growing lambs
Authors: Caine W. R. , Mathison G. W.
Published: March 2010

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of dietary cimaterol at low (1.1 × maintenance (M)) followed by high (2.2 × M) feed intake on body composition and protein metabolism in growing lambs fed alfalfa pellets. Control (n = 5), cimaterol I (n = 5) and cimaterol II (n = 4) lambs received rations containing cimaterol at 0, 10.9 and 0 mg kg−1 of dietary dry matter (DM) at 1.1 × M and 0, 10.9 and 10.9 mg kg−1 DM at 2.2 × M intake, respectively. On day 22 at each feeding level, whole-body protein turnover was determined as estimated from 6-h continuous infusions of 1-[14C]-leucine. Longissimus dorsi areas (P = 0.03) and the weights of psoas major, gastrocnemius (P < 0.01) and semitendinosus (P = 0.06) muscles were increased in lambs fed cimaterol throughout the experiment. There was an increase in leucine irreversible loss (P = 0.006), whole body protein synthesis (P = 0.004) and accretion (P = 0.001) at the high compared to low intake. At the low intake, protein accretion was increased (P < 0.1) from 63 g d−1 in control lambs to 94 g d−1 in cimaterol-treated lambs. No difference could be detected in whole-body protein accretion in the lambs at the high feeding level. It was concluded that cimaterol-fed lambs had higher accretion of protein in muscles than control lambs and that increases in protein accretion due to cimaterol could be detected by the radioleucine method at the low-intake level but not at the high-intake level. Large differences in estimates for protein accretion obtained from leucine metabolism, nitrogen balance and liveweight gain data suggest that refinements in techniques for estimating whole-body protein synthesis and degradation are needed. Key words: Cimaterol, lambs, protein turnover, leucine, intake, amino acids
Effects of growth hormone and triiodothyronine on insulin-induced progesterone production by granulosa cells from prepubertal gilts
Authors: Kirkwood R. N. , Thacker P. A. , Rajkumar K.
Published: March 2010

Two experiments were performed using granulosa cells from medium-sized follicles (2–4 mm) derived from prepubertal gilts. Cells were cultured in a serum-free medium at a density of either 1 or 2 × 106 viable cells per well (experiments 1 and 2, respectively). For exp. 1, porcine growth hormone (pGH) (0 or 100 ng mL−1) was included in the culture medium from the time of plating, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (100 μg mL−1) was added at 72 h. For exp. 2, granulosa cells were plated in a culture medium containing either pGH (0 or 100 ng mL−1) or triiodothyronine (T3) (0 or 5 ng mL−1) or both pGH T3; LDL was not included. For both experiments, after 24 h of culture, bovine insulin at 0, 10, 100 or 1000 ng mL−1 was included in the medium. Hormones were replaced at 48 and 72 h, and the cultures were terminated at 96 h. Results from exp. 1 indicated that insulin increased (P < 0.01) progesterone production in a dose-dependent manner, both in the presence and absence of LDL. This response was augmented (P < 0.01) by co-culture with pGH. Results from exp. 2 confirmed the augmenting effect of pGH (P < 0.01). It was further observed that T3 increased (P < 0.01) progesterone production when cultured with insulin at 1000 ng mL−1, but at lower insulin-inclusion levels, results were equivocal. The progesterone production response was greatest (P < 0.01) when cells were cultured with both pGH and T3 at insulin levels of 100 or 1000 ng mL−1. There appeared to be little relationship between the media concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 and progesterone. The present results suggest that relatively high levels of pGH and T3 will enhance the in vitro steroidogenic capabilities of porcine granulosa cells. Key words: Granulosa cells, GH, T3, insulin
Rapid screening of feed supplements for the prevention of legume bloat
Authors: Hall J. W. , Majak W.
Published: March 2010

A rapid statistical procedure was developed for screening treatments for legume bloat. It distinguished between feeding regimens that produce large differences in bloat frequency. Because only a few data were required, estimates of treatment effects were not precise. Treatments that show promise should be tested further to confirm the results and provide better estimates. Three supplements currently used for the prevention of legume bloat (disodium phosphate, laundry detergent and glucose-tolerance factor) and two experimental formulations (a flocculant, Betz 1190, and mineral salt with a chelating agent, EDTA) were screened. None of these supplements prevented bloat. Key words: Alfalfa bloat, cations, feed supplements, cattle, sequential probability ratio test
Toxicity of T-2 toxin and its interaction with deoxynivalenol when fed to young pigs
Authors: Friend D. W. , Trenholm H. L. , Hartin K. E. , Panich P. L. , Thompson B. K. , Boermans H. J.
Published: March 2010

Sixty 12-wk-old pigs were fed a corn–barley–soybean type diet in a 2 × 5 factorial experiment. Two mycotoxin, corn-based premixes were added: one with and without deoxynivalenol (DON) supplement (2.5 mg kg−1 feed) and the other with T-2 toxin at levels of 0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 mg kg−1 feed. After a 5-wk feeding period the pigs were killed; major organs were examined grossly and microscopically, and blood and tissue samples were taken for biochemical and hematological analyses. Lower final body weight and daily gain appeared (P > 0.05) to be associated with increasing dietary T-2 toxin content. Feed intake followed a similar trend. The performance of pigs fed the DON-supplemented diets was significantly less than for diets without the DON. There was an interaction between DON and T-2 toxin, with differences in weight gain and feed intake, at the two levels of DON, being smaller at the intermediate levels of T-2 toxin. The incidence of lesions on the mucosa of the pars esophageal region increased with increasing levels of T-2. Otherwise, there was little evidence that T-2 affected any of the major organs examined at necropsy or the biochemical and hematological criteria. It seemed that any effects detected were attributable more to DON and its interaction with T-2 than to the presence of T-2 toxin alone. Key words: Pigs, T-2 toxin, DON, toxin interaction
Effect of feed intake during lactation and after weaning on sow reproductive performance
Authors: Baidoo S. K. , Aherne F. X. , Kirkwood R. N. , Foxcroft G. R.
Published: March 2010

To study the effects of feed intake during lactation and after weaning on reproductive performance, 89 second-parity Lacombe sows were allowed 6 kg feed d−1 (H) or were restricted to 3 kg feed d−1 (R) during lactation and during the weaning to estrus interval (WEI); this resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial design (groups HH, HR, RH and RR). To minimize the confounding effects of duration of WEI on sow performance, the experiment was terminated 10 d after weaning. The diet was formulated to provide 12.4 M J ME kg−1 and 16% crude protein. Restricted feeding during lactation resulted in a longer (P < 0.05) WEI (7.3 d vs. 5.9 d). WEI was not affected by feed intake after weaning. Fewer (P < 0.05) sows feed restricted during lactation exhibited estrus by 10 d from weaning (31.8% vs. 88.9%). Ovulation rate was not affected by lactation or postweaning feed intake. However, embryo survival at 25 d of gestation was influenced (P < 0.05) by feed intake during both periods. The highest embryo survival (85%) was in HR sows, and the lowest (64%) was in RR sows. Blood samples were taken from 12 sows from each of the four treatments by means of indwelling vena cava cannulae at 6-h intervals from weaning until 24 h after mating or 10 d after weaning, whichever came first. Plasma gonadotrophin concentrations were reduced (P < 0.05) by low feed intake during lactation but were unaffected by postweaning feed intake. Peak preovulatory LH surge concentrations were highest (9.5 ng mL−1) in HR sows and lowest (7.6 ng mL−1) in RR sows (P < 0.05). These data confirm the adverse effects of restricted feeding during lactation on the reproductive performance of sows and indicate that such effects may be mediated through changes in plasma LH concentrations. No significant effect of post-weaning feed intake on any measured factor was observed. Key words: Sow, feed intake, reproductive performance
The effect of breed of terminal sire on production of beef steers
Authors: King B. D. , Petracek R. A. , Cohen R. D. H. , Guenther C. L.
Published: March 2010

Charolais (C), Maine-Anjou (MA), Simmental (S) and Brown Swiss (SB) bulls were evaluated using production traits of their steer calves from birth to slaughter. Traits measured were calving ease, birth weight, preweaning average daily gain (ADG), adjusted weaning weight, ADG to slaughter; liveweight at slaughter, days on feed, carcass weight, grade fat, loin-eye area, cutability and dressing percent. For most traits the ranking was MA ≥ C ≥ S ≥ SB. Key words: Beef sire, calving ease, growth, carcass
The breed of dam by sex of calf interaction effect on beef cattle weaning weight and cow efficiency
Authors: Dinkel C. A. , Marshall D. M. , Tucker W. L.
Published: March 2010

A portion of a data set reported on in a previous paper was combined with additional data to evaluate the effects of dam breed × calf sex interaction and other sources of variation on beef cattle weaning weight and cow–calf efficiency of feed utilization. Within the Angus × Hereford dam group, the sex difference (male minus female calf) was 8.4% for weaning weight and 8.1% for efficiency ratio (calf weaning weight divided by dam and calf total digestible nutrients). Within the Simmental × Hereford group, the sex difference was 15.5% for weaning weight and 12.3% for efficiency ratio. Key words: Weaning weight, cow efficiency, beef cattle
Eating and ruminating activities of cattle fed alfalfa or orchard-grass harvested at two stages of maturity
Authors: Beauchemin K. A. , Iwaasa A. D.
Published: March 2010

Four Hereford heifers (mean weight, 371 kg; SD, 17) were fitted with esophageal fistulae and used in an experiment designed as a 4 × 4 Latin square to determine the effects of species and stage of maturity of forage on eating and ruminating activities. Heifers consumed an average of 5.45 kg d−1 of DM from (1) alfalfa, 10% bloom (21% CP, 37% NDF); (2) alfalfa, 50% bloom (16% CP, 47% NDF); (3) orchardgrass, anthesis (17% CP, 56% NDF); and (4) orchardgrass, post-anthesis (14% CP, 59% NDF). Time spent eating was similar for all forages (360 min d−1; P > 0.05). This resulted in alfalfa NDF being subjected to more chewing (167.8 vs. 112.2 min kg NDF−1; P = 0.001). More DM was solubilized during eating from alfalfa than from orchardgrass (38.1 vs. 27.0%; P = 0.001), but less saliva was added per gram of DM (1.94 vs. 3.09 g; P = 0.001). Advanced stage of maturity of both forage species decreased solubilization of DM (28.1 vs. 37.0%; P = 0.002) and increased saliva added per gram of DM (2.28 vs. 2.74 g; P = 0.001) during eating. Rumination time was similar (312 min d−1; P > 0.05) for animals fed alfalfa and orchardgrass. Consequently, rumination chewing per kilogram of alfalfa NDF was greater (140.8 vs. 98.3 min; P < 0.01). More time was spent ruminating late- vs. early-cut forage (348 vs. 276 min d−1; P = 0.04). Results indicate that characteristics of grass and legume hays harvested at similar physiological stages of maturity have little effect on chewing behavior of cattle fed restricted amounts of DM. Despite similar times spent eating and ruminating, the effects of chewing vary with species of forage and stage of maturity. Key words: Cattle, mastication, rumination, forage quality
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) gene expression in porcine ovarian tissue
Authors: Charlton S. T. , Cameron B. J. , Glimm D. R. , Foxcroft G. R. , Kennelly J. J.
Published: March 2010

A study was conducted to demonstrate IGF-1 gene expression in porcine ovarian tissue. Using northern blot analysis, IGF-1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) transcripts could not be consistently detected in total RNA. Authentic mRNA transcripts were detected in polyadenylated RNA-enriched RNA with sizes of 8.0, 3.6 and 2.3 bases, and possibly 0.8–1.1 kbases. Key words: Ovary, IGF-1, pig, mRNA
Response of dairy cows to barley grain, tallow or whole sunflower seed as supplemental energy in early lactation
Authors: Boila R. J. , Mabon B. MacInnis , Ingalls J. R.
Published: March 2010

Diets containing barley grain (Bar) or supplemental lipid as tallow (Tal) or whole sunflower seed (Sun) as sources of supplemental energy in early lactation were fed to 12 primiparous (PP) and 18 multiparous (MP) cows for 12 wk starting 14 d postpartum. Diets had similar estimated net energy (lactation) content. MP cows had 9.7 and 7.9% higher milk yield with Tal and Sun, respectively, than with Bar, with no apparent difference in mean intake of dry matter (DM). The cows fed the Tal and Sun diets had lower (P < 0.05) DM intakes at weeks 10, 11 and 12 compared with DM intake at week 1 than the cows fed the Bar diet. The milk yield of PP cows was 13% lower with the Tal diet than the other two diets during weeks 1–7, with no difference between Bar and Sun during the experiment. Fat yield was 36% lower with Tal-fed PP cows than with Sun-fed PP cows and 27% higher with Tal-fed MP cows than with Sun-fed MP cows. Weight gain, as opposed to fat production, was favored with Tal-fed PP cows, while weight gain and fat production were equally favored with Sun-fed PP cows. A high acetate to propionate ratio, the result of a higher acid detergent fiber content obtained by replacing barley grain with lipid plus roughage, was responsible for the lactational response of MP cows to supplemental lipid. Key words: Dairy cow, parity, lipid, barley grain, tallow, sunflower seed
Injectable α-tocopherol for control of oxidized flavour in milk from dairy cows
Authors: Charmley E. , Nicholson J. W. G.
Published: March 2010

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of intramuscular injections of d-α-tocopherol for control of spontaneous oxidized flavour (SOF) in milk. In exp. 1, 12 mid-lactation dairy cows were either not injected or given an intramuscular injection of 1500 or 3000 IU α-tocopherol on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 29-d experiment. Peak blood plasma and milk α-tocopherol levels were observed 1 and 3 d, respectively, after injection. In plasma there was a quadratic response (P = 0.02) in maximum α-tocopherol concentration to the level of α-tocopherol injected, but in milk the response was linear (P < 0.01). Milk fat concentration increased as level of α-tocopherol injected was increased (P < 0.01). Approximately 5% of the injected dose was excreted in milk over the 7 d following injection. In exp. 2, four commercial farms with a SOF problem in milk were used to test the efficacy of injectable α-tocopherol for control of SOF. Prior to the trial, cows with milk susceptible to oxidation were younger (P = 0.04), were at an earlier stage of lactation (P = 0.03) and tended to give more milk (P = 0.08). All cows were given an oral supplmement of 3000 IU dl-α-tocopheryl acetate per day and half were injected with 3000 IU α-tocopherol. Injection reduced the intensity of oxidized flavour (week 1, P < 0.01; week 2, P = 0.09) and elevated the levels of α-tocopherol in milk for up to 2 wk after injection (P < 0.01). α-Tocopherol injected intramuscularly can increase α-tocopherol levels in milk within 3 d and control milk oxidation. Subsequent oral supplementation can prolong these benefits. Key words: Oxidized milk, tocopherol, flavour, dairy cow
Effects of heat processing on digestible energy and other nutrient digestibilities of full-fat soybeans fed to weaner, grower and finisher pigs
Authors: Marty Bruno J. , Chavez Eduardo R.
Published: March 2010

The influence of different heat treatments for full-fat soybeans (FFSB) on digestible energy (DE) values and fecal nutrient digestibilities was studied using 180 castrated male Landrace pigs at three different growth stages: weaner (17.1 ± 0.2 kg), grower (32 ± 0.2 kg) and finisher (61.6 ± 0.3 kg). The soybean products used in weaner (30%), grower (25%) and finisher (20%) diets were soybean meal (SBM) or FFSB processed by either extrusion (Ex), jet sploding (Js), micronization (Mi) or roasting (Ro). Digestibilities were determined by total fecal collections during the last 7 d of each 12-d period. Dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibilities of FFSB were lower (P < 0.05) in weaner than in grower or finisher pigs, but DE values and apparent digestibilities of crude protein (CP) and ether extract were not influenced by growth stage. Extruded FFSB had a superior CP digestibility than the other soybean products (86.4 vs. 79.8, 79.8, 80.0 and 78.2% for Js, Mi, Ro and SBM, respectively), and it also had a higher DE value (21.0 vs. 20.0, 19.6, 18.5 and 16.6 MJ DE kg−1 DM, P < 0.05). Extrusion of FFSB was most beneficial for weaner pigs as this heat treatment resulted in higher (P < 0.05) CP (87.8 vs. 80.9, 80.8, 82.1 and 76.6% for Js, Mi, Ro and SBM, respectively) and NDF (76.2 vs. 62.7, 63.3, 61.9 and 53.8% for Js, Mi, Ro and SBM, respectively) digestibilities. The heat treatments did not influence the CP and NDF digestibilities during grower or finisher stages. The data suggested that extrusion of FFSB yielded superior DE values and CP digestibilities than other heat treatments. Key words: Full-fat soybean products, extrusion, digestibility, pigs
Nutritive value of sausage casings from processed cattle hides
Authors: Horton G. M. J. , Fisher H.
Published: March 2010

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the nutritive value of sausage casings prepared from cattle hides as a protein source for day-old hybrid (Hubbard × Hubbard) broiler chickens. The results demonstrate that sausage casings are an available protein source for broiler chicks that can be substituted for soybean meal at levels up to 8% of the feed without affecting average daily gain and feed efficiency. Key words: Sausage casings, cattle hides, broiler chickens, collagen, gelatin
The relationship between meteorological changes and daily feed intake or shell strength of eggs of Leghorn hens
Authors: Thompson B. K. , Hamilton R. M. G.
Published: March 2010

Feed intake and egg measurements were recorded daily over a 56-d period from Leghorn pullets and force-molted hens, with 36 of each age. Meteorological conditions during the experiment were obtained from a nearby weather station. Regression analyses indicated that the daily variation in flock parameters reported in other studies may be partly due to the flock's response to weather conditions outside the hen house. Key words: Poultry, meteorological conditions, correlations, flock parameters, feed intake, specific gravity, shell strength, temperature
Nutritional evaluation of ensilage made from intercropped corn and sunflowers
Authors: Fisher L. J. , Bittman S. , Mir Z. , Mir P. , Shelford J. A.
Published: March 2010

The feeding value of sunflower–corn silage relative to that of corn silage as the only forage fed lactating cows was established using 12 lactating Holstein cows in an experiment with a 2 × 2 Latin square design. Treatment periods were 5 wk and there was no changeover period between treatments. A constant grain intake to milk yield ratio of 1:4 was maintained. The comparison was based on dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield and composition, body-weight change, rumen pH and molar proportions of volatile fatty acids and plasma metabolites. The sunflower–corn silage was lower in DM content (25.4 vs. 29.2%), but higher in protein (11.5 vs. 8.0%), acid detergent fiber (33.2 vs. 29.2%), fat (8.1 vs. 2.1%) and total ash (10.6 vs. 4.9%). Silage DM intake was the same for both silages, but milk yield was significantly greater (P < 0.05) (32.7 vs. 31.2 kg d−1) for cows fed sunflower–corn silage. However, both milk fat (3.19 vs. 3.87%) and milk protein (3.04 vs. 3.26%) were lower (P < 0.05) for cows fed sunflower–corn silage, resulting in a higher (P < 0.05) fat-corrected milk yield (30.5 vs. 28.4 kg d−1) for the cows fed corn silage. Type of silage fed did not alter rumen pH, but the molar percentage of acetic acid was higher (P < 0.05) and the molar percentages of isovaleric and valeric acids were lower when sunflower–corn silage was fed. The feeding of sunflower–corn silage resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in plasma urea nitrogen (10.60 vs. 7.53 mg 100−1), cholesterol (7.36 vs. 5.63 mmol L−1) and triglyceride (0.20 vs. 0.18 mmol L−1). Plasma levels of methionine (29.9 vs. 18.5 mmol mL−1) and valine (208.0 vs. 191.0 N mol mL−1) were greater for cows fed the sunflower–corn silage. It was concluded from this study that intercropped sunflower–corn harvested and preserved as silage is an acceptable source of forage for lactating cows, but when fed as the only source of forage it may have a negative impact on milk composition. Key words: lactating cows, sunflower–corn silage, milk yield, milk composition
Effect of lipid supply on in vivo digestion in cows: Comparison of hay and corn silage diets
Authors: Salem H. Ben , Krzeminski R. , Ferlay A. , Doreau M.
Published: March 2010

Four Holstein × Friesian cows with rumen and duodenal cannulae were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design consisting of four experimental diets differing in the nature of forage and the presence or absence of rapeseed oil supplement. Dietary treatments were composed of 60% grassland hay and 40% production concentrate (diet H), and of 65% corn silage, 28% production concentrate and 7% soybean meal (diet S). Each diet was also supplied with 7% rapeseed oil. These supplemented diets are designated respectively HO and SO. Digestibility of organic matter was 69.0, 67.5, 73.6 and 70.0% for diets H, HO, S and SO, respectively. The differences were mainly due to variations in NDF digestibility: 55.0, 50.4, 56.9 and 46.9% for diets H, HO, S and SO, respectively. These results are consistent with variations in VFA concentration and composition. However, differences among diets in in situ cellulose degradation were lower than expected. Starch and nitrogen degradation measured in situ, and ruminal outflow rate of liquid and solids were not modified by lipid supply. Hydrogenation of linoleic and linolenic acids was high (mean 88.9 and 89.5%, respectively) and did not depend on the diet. Key words: Cow, digestion, rumen, lipid supply
Effect of supplemental vitamin E during prepubertal development and early gestation on reproductive performance and nutrient metabolism in gilts
Authors: Grandhi R. R. , Smith M. W. , Frigg M. , Thacker P. A.
Published: March 2010

The effect of feeding barley–canola-meal diets with supplemental vitamin E (dl-α-tocopherol acetate) at 0, 50 or 100 mg kg−1 on selected reproductive functions and nutrient absorption and retention was determined using Landrace × Yorkshire gilts. In exp. 1 (n = 150), gilts were fed three gestation diets, containing by analysis 23.5, 55.7 and 113.5 mg kg−1 of vitamin E respectively in diets 1, 2 and 3, from first estrus until approximately 33 or 65 d of gestation. Gilts fed diet 2 had a higher (P = 0.02) number of corpora lutea (13.8 ± 0.5 vs. 12.0 ± 0.5) at 65 d of gestation than the gilts fed diet 1. In exp. 2, gilts (n = 159) were fed three finisher diets, containing by analysis 17.6, 87.8 and 126.5 mg kg−1 of vitamin E, during prepubertal development period (59.2 ± 0.4 to 86.7 ± 0.8 kg body weight) and then switched (n = 150) to three gestation diets, containing 16.4, 54.2 and 103 mg kg−1 of vitamin E, until 58.7 ± 0.7 d of the gestation period. Gilts fed diet 3 had 16% lower (P < 0.05) anestrus than the gilts fed diet 1. The ovulation rate, number of live embryos and fetal survival were not influenced (P > 0.05) by supplemental vitamin E. The serum level of α-tocopherol was linearly increased (P < 0.01) by feeding supplemental vitamin E in both experiments. Feeding supplemental vitamin E had no consistent beneficial effect on serum progesterone or on the apparent absorption and retention of selected nutrients during the prepubertal and gestation periods. The results indicated that feeding supplemental vitamin E at above 1988 NAS–NRC recommended levels during prepubertal development and early gestation only slightly improved certain reproductive traits in gilts. Key words: Gilts, vitamin E, ovulation rate, fetal survival, metabolism
An overview of the forage resource and beef production on Crown land in British Columbia
Authors: Wikeem B. M. , Mclean A. , Quinton D. , Bawtree A.
Published: March 2010

This paper reviews the geographic extent, distribution, plant communities, forage productivity and animal production of Crown range in British Columbia. Over 10 million ha of Crown range is distributed among 11 biogeoclimatic zones. Forestland comprises nearly 80% of the landbase grazed. In the southern interior, the most important zones include the Bunchgrass, Ponderosa Pine, Interior Douglas-Fir and Montane Spruce zones. Forage yields vary from as much as 2700 kg ha−1 on grassland to < 100 kg ha−1 under dense forest canopy. On seeded clearcuts, however, production may exceed 1500 kg ha−1. Average daily gains for steers and calves on forest range vary from 0.8 to 1.1 kg d−1. In the central interior and Peace River areas, the Sub-Boreal Pine–Spruce, Sub-Boreal Spruce and Boreal White and Black Spruce zones provide most of the forage for beef cattle. Seventeen community pastures, comprising nearly 170 000 ha, produce almost 50 000 animal-unit months (AUMs) of forage for cattle in this region. Forage production potential is high, especially on community pastures, but the grazing period is generally only 4–5 mo. Management of livestock and forage on Crown range in British Columbia may be more complex than in other regions of Canada because of the diversity of vegetation and climate and the extensive overlap of range use with other resource interests. Consequently, livestock and forage management needs to be modified to produce optimal returns to the livestock industry within an integrated-use framework. Keywords: Animal production, beef cattle, British Columbia, forage production
Feed intake and digestion by Holstein steer calves consuming low-quality grass supplemented with lasalocid or monensin
Authors: Galloway Sr. D. L. , Goetsch A. L. , Patil A. , Forster Jr. L. A. , Johnson Z. B.
Published: March 2010

Holstein steer calves were fed late vegetative bermudagrass or mature bromegrass free choice in three Latin-square experiments to determine influences of ionophore type and level, supplementation with cereal grain, and source of low-quality grass on feed intake and digestion. In exp. 1, neither lasalocid nor monensin given at 0.5 mg kg−1 of body weight (BW) affected intake or digestion with either forage source. In exp. 2, steers received lasalocid or monensin at 0, 0.5 or 1.0 mg kg−1 of BW. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was not depressed by ionophores and was slightly greater (P < 0.05) for ionophores at 1.0 than at 0.5 mg kg−1 of BW. Digestible organic matter intake with bermudagrass was slightly greater with ionophores at 1.0 than at 0.5 mg kg−1 of BW, but an opposite difference between ionophore levels occurred with bromegrass (ionophore level × forage source interaction; P < 0.07). The concentration of total volatile fatty acids in rumen fluid at 4 h post-feeding was lower (P < 0.05) for monensin than for lasalocid; the acetate/propionate ratio was decreased by ionophores and was lower for monensin than for lasalocid (P < 0.05). In exp. 3, lasalocid at 0.5 mg kg−1 of BW did not affect intake or digestion or interact with supplemental corn (7.2 g kg−1 of BW) or forage source. In conclusion, level of ionophore maximizing digestible organic matter intake may vary with characteristics of source of low-quality forage. However, when present, effects of ionophores on digestibility or energy intake may be relatively small. Key words: Cattle, ionophore, forage, intake, digestion