An experiment was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE) of insect fat (IF) from black soldier fly larvae (BSLF) for growing pigs. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) were the dominant group of fatty acids in the IF, with lauric acid (C12:0) and palmitic acid (C16:0) comprising the greatest concentrations in this group. Linoleic acids (C18:2) and oleic acids (C18:1) were the main unsaturated fatty acids. The IF contained 37.63 MJ/kg gross energy and 2.55 g/kg nitrogen. During the experiment, a DE bioassay was performed wherein growing pigs were fed one of the two experimental diets (either a maize-wheat-barley-soy basal diet or a diet containing 50 g/kg IF plus 950 g/kg of the basal diet). The DE of the IF was calculated based on the differences between the DE values of basal and test diet (substitution method). The DE of the IF was determined to be 36.86 MJ/kg. The IF contains a DE level comparable to vegetable oils, including soybean, rapeseed, corn and palm oils. The results showed that the examined fat from BSLF is a good source of available energy and can be incorporated in pig diets as an alternative energy source.

The objective was to investigate the effect of rainfall on sodium (Na) dissolution and total losses by runoff of loose mineral mixtures (MM) available in uncovered feeders to grazing cattle, as well as the possible impacts on their growth performance and fulfilment of Na nutritional needs. Experiments ( = 7) were conducted to quantify the amount of Na lost due to rainfall and to evaluate the effects of different Na levels in the MM (35, 70, 105, and 140 g Na/kg) on MM assumed intake and growth performance. Cattle grazed Brachiaria sp. pastures and received free-choice MM in uncovered feeders throughout four to nine evaluation periods lasting 14 to 21 d each. MM assumed intake from the feeder was measured in each period as the difference between the supplied MM mass and the unconsumed MM mass. A new methodology was proposed to measure MM losses by runoff (exclusion feeder). The mass of runoff MM and the volume of runoff rainwater were both determined and analysed for their mineral content. The dietary Na requirement was estimated using different feeding systems. The minimum MM Na content to meet dietary Na requirements was estimated in different scenarios. Sodium chloride composed 28% of the runoff MM mass, in average. The action of rain may reduce MM Na content by 28% in a single rainfall event. Na content strongly affected MM assumed intake and, possibly, growth rate. MM losses by runoff were estimated at 25.5%, according to the exclusion feeder methodology. The minimum required MM Na content for meeting dietary Na needs may reach up to 87.3 g Na/kg. About 27% of evaluated periods may have failed to fully meet cattle Na requirements. The action of rain in unsheltered loos MM may result in unbalanced mineral consumption and unmet Na needs, leading to impaired mineral nutrition of grazing cattle, especially in tropical conditions.

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase with traces of endo-1,4-beta-glucanase on the performance of 240 piglets (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) with an initial body (BW) of 5.90 ± 0.6 kg. The mixed sex piglets were randomly assigned to 3 treatments with 10 replicates per treatment, and 8 heads per replicate pen. The dietary treatments include (1) corn-wheat-soybean meal (SBM) basal diet without xylanase (XYL) enzyme as positive control (PC), (2) corn-wheat-SBM diet deprived -90 kcal/kg metabolizable energy without XYL enzyme (NC), and (3) corn-wheat-SBM diet deprived -90 kcal/kg metabolizable energy + 0.02 XYL (DG2). The diets were administered in mash form for 42 d (split into 2 phases) as phase 1, d 0-21, and phase 2, d 22-42. All the experimental diets were designed to fulfil the nutrient requirement by NRC 2012. The results show XYL supplementation significantly increased ( < 0.05) final body weight and overall average daily gain (ADG) while enhancing feed efficiency (G/F) compared to the negative control group (NC). Nutrient digestibility was notably improved, with significant increases ( < 0.05) in gross energy (GE), xylan, and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) digestibility in both phases. The incorporation of XYL also increased monosaccharide and xylooligosaccharide levels in the ileum and caecum, indicating enhanced carbohydrate breakdown. Additionally, XYL supplementation improved the gut microbiota profile by showing higher tendency ( = 0.066) for beneficial bacteria like with a tendency ( = 0.052) for lower counts. Overall, XYL supplementation effectively enhanced growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weanling pigs on a low-energy diet.

This study investigated the effects of dietary -valine () supplementation and sanitary conditions with lipopolysaccharide injection on growth performance, immune response, and intestinal bacterial profiles and metabolites in weaned pigs. Thirty-two weaned pigs (6.98 ± 0.47 kg) were randomly assigned to treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement based on dietary Val levels and sanitary conditions (low or high). The pigs were fed either a basal diet containing the standard levels of Val suggested by (NRC), (2012) or a basal diet supplemented with 0.1% -Val. A room designated as a high sanitary room was washed weekly, whereas the designated low sanitary room was not washed throughout the experiment and 5 kg of manure from the nursery pig barn was spread on the pen floors on day 1. All data were analysed using a mixed procedure of SAS, with the individual pen as the experimental unit. The pigs raised in low sanitary conditions exhibited a lower ( < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain-to-feed ratio and a higher ( < 0.05) incidence of diarrhoea than those raised in high sanitary conditions during the 14-d experimental period. The pigs in the low sanitary group also had a lower ( < 0.05) concentration of butyrate in the jejunum and a higher ( < 0.05) concentration of NH-N in the colon than those in the high sanitary group. Dietary Val supplementation was reduced ( < 0.05) plasma interleukin ()-1β and IL-1 receptor antagonist concentrations as well as isovalerate and NH-N concentrations in the colon, regardless of sanitary conditions. Interactions between dietary Val supplementation and sanitary conditions were observed in the abundances of mRNA-encoding β-defensins 113, 125 and 129 ( < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary Val supplementation beneficially modulates inflammatory responses and microbial metabolites regardless of sanitary conditions while transcriptional levels of β-defensins are regulated by dietary Val supplementation in a manner dependent on housing hygiene conditions.

Two experiments were conducted to determine net energy (NE) values of wheat bran ingredients and develop a prediction equation for NE of wheat bran. In each experiment, 12 multiparous pregnant sows were allocated to two 3 × 6 Youden squares with three consecutive periods and six diets in each square. The study consisted of six diets, including a corn-soybean meal basal diet and five diets formulated with 29.2% wheat bran. Each period lasted for 10 d, with 5 d allocated for adaptation and followed by 5 d for heat production measurement. Sows were provided feed at 604 kJ/kg BW·d. On day 10, sows underwent fasting to measure fasting heat production. Results indicated that the inclusion of wheat bran in the diets significantly reduced digestibility of energy and nutrients in ( < 0.05). The average net energy (NE) content of wheat bran was determined to be 8.8 MJ/kg DM. A regress equation NE = 7.968 + 0.28 × CP + 0.607 × EE - 0.782 × ash - 0.05 × hemicellulose (R = 0.98,  < 0.01) was found to accurately predit the NE value when feeding pregnant sows with wheat bran-based diets. In conclusion, the net energy content of wheat bran fed to pregnant sows ranged from 7.24 to 10.67 MJ/kg DM and can be effectively estimated using proximate analysis methods.

Hemp ( L.) is an important source of fibre and seed oil and protein. By-products of industrial hemp fibre production, like hemp seeds and cakes, can be used as feed for all animal species as fat and protein source and the whole hemp plant (including stalk and leaves) might be a suitable fibre source for ruminants. However, a previous feeding experiment with leaf-flower-seed hemp silage, made from an industrial hemp variety, demonstrated detrimental effects on cow health parameters and a significant transfer of several cannabinoids, including the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC), into cow's milk, posing a potential risk to the safety of consumers. Based on those observations, the present study tested the hypothesis that anaerobic fermentation, as during ensiling, increases the content of ∆9-THC in hemp. Therefore, silages of whole plants from the industrial hemp L. var. were prepared in a multifactorial design, with the four treatments 1) untreated control (CON), 2) addition of 10 mL per kg fresh weight homofermentative lactobacilli at 10 cfu/mL (LBAC), 3) addition of 10 mL per kg fresh weight homofermentative lactobacilli at 10 cfu/mL plus 30 g molasses (LBACmol) and 4) addition of propionic acid (10 mL/kg fresh weight) (PRO). Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionisation (UHPLC-MS/MS) was performed for analysis of cannabinoids in fresh hemp material and after 10 and 90 days of ensiling. The study revealed that ensiling decreased all acid forms of analysed cannabinoids in hemp at about 40-65% of the initial values after 90 days of storage, with the exception of cannabinolic acid (CBNA), and CBGA, the acidic form of cannabigerol (CBG). This decrease in most acidic forms was accompanied by an increase of the corresponding non-acidic forms of all cannabinoids, including the psychoactive ∆9-THC. Thus, although ensiling decreases the total cannabinoid content, psychoactive compounds like ∆9-THC can increase, enhancing the risk for animal health and a transfer of these substances into animal derived products.

Obesity is a major health problem in dogs and is strongly associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory and metabolic diseases. The microaerophilic human gut bacterium has been proposed as a potential preventive and therapeutic agent against obesity in both humans and mice; however, the protective effects of human-derived against canine obesity remain unstudied. We previously demonstrated that the heat-killed strain EB-AMDK19 (AMDK19-HK) isolated from the faeces of a healthy Korean exerts similar protective effects as the live bacterium in mice with high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Here, we evaluated the effects of AMDK19-HK on body weight, body fat mass, haematological and biochemical parameters, and faecal microbiota composition in beagles fed an HFD for 12 weeks. AMDK19-HK supplementation effectively suppressed body weight increase, body fat deposition and serum triglyceride increase in the canine model; however, no significant changes in the overall haematological and biochemical parameters were observed, reflecting the direct anti-obesity effect of AMDK19-HK. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that AMDK19-HK supplementation induced significant changes in the faecal bacterial community, with an increased abundance of and a decreased abundance of . These results suggest that AMDK19-HK can be used as a dietary supplement to counteract diet-induced overweight in dogs.

A study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition and feeding value of rapeseed meal (RSM) batches produced at the same plant when fed to turkey poults. In total, seven RSM samples were obtained from a single manufacturer within a period of 90 days. Although the manufacturer followed the same procedures during oil extraction and RSM production, different batches of rapeseed were used. A balancer feed (BF) was formulated to contain 11.85 MJ/kg ME and 265 g/kg crude protein. Seven nutritionally complete test mash diets were prepared by mixing 200 g/kg of each RSM batch sample with 800 g/kg of the BF, totalling 8 diets. Diets were fed to female B.U.T. Premium turkeys from 12 to 21 d of age. Each diet was fed to six raised floor pens, housing two birds, following randomisation. During the experiment, a nitrogen corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) assay was performed using a total collection technique. The AMEn in RSM samples was calculated based on the differences between the AMEn values of basal and test diets. Associations were examined between AMEn and the chemical composition of the RSM samples. The overall determined AMEn value of the RSM ranged from 5.50 MJ/kg DM to 8.53 MJ/kg DM, giving an average AMEn of 7.29 MJ/kg DM. There was no difference ( > 0.05) in AMEn content between batches. There was a negative correlation ( = - 0.864;  < 0.05) between AMEn values and the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content of the RSM samples. The results suggest that the NDF could be a good predictor of the AMEn of industry produced RSM. It may be inferred that processing rather than cultivar could be the main factor determining the feeding value of RSM for turkeys.

Environmental issues and concerns about animal welfare display current challenges in animal husbandry and feeding. Rye, a cereal that has scarcely been used in animal feed in recent decades, could help address some of the challenges in pig feeding as a climate friendly and health promoting feed ingredient. Distinct constituents of rye - especially its non-starch-polysaccharides (NSP) - are fermented in the large intestine while short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are produced in that process. This can promote gut health and the feeling of satiety in pigs. To examine the site of the digestion of rye within the digestive tract in comparison to wheat as a widely used ingredient in pig diets, two diets with high shares of either wheat or rye (each 69.0%) were fed to ileo-caecally fistulated, adult minipigs. Ileal digesta and faeces were collected and ileal, total tract and postileal digestibility rates were calculated. In the apparent ileal digestibility (AID), significant differences were only found for organic matter (OM) and Nitrogen-free extract (NfE) with lower values for the rye-rich diets (77.2 ± 2.00 vs. 73.8 ± 2.01% and 79.8 ± 2.56 vs. 75.3 ± 2.61%, respectively). These differences could not be recovered for the total tract digestibility (ATTD - 90.2 ± 2.16 vs. 89.8 ± 1.94% and 93.0 ± 1.69 vs. 92.8 ± 1.37%, respectively), resulting in an elevated postileal digestibility which was significant for NfE (13.2 ± 2.42 vs. 17.5 ± 2.77%). Therefore, rye can be used to promote hindgut fill and fermentation in pig feeding, especially in restrictively fed animals such as pregnant sows.

studies of gas production (GP) using rumen fluid obtained from rumen-cannulated animals are common in feed evaluation for ruminants. The objective was to compare sheep faeces with rumen fluid from dairy cows as inocula in the Hohenheim gas test (HGT) using a large number of different-quality feeds. It then was evaluated whether GP obtained by using rumen inoculum (RI-GP) can be estimated from GP using faecal inoculum (FI-GP). Ninety feeds for ruminants including roughages ( = 27), total mixed rations ( = 6), commercial compound feeds for dairy cows ( = 18), cereal grains ( = 10), energy-rich by-products ( = 5), legume grains ( = 6), oilseed meals ( = 6), and other protein-rich feeds ( = 12) were incubated with either rumen inoculum (RI) or faecal inoculum (FI), and GP was recorded at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Nonlinear equations were fitted to the GP data to determine GP kinetic parameters. Correlations between RI-GP and FI-GP were calculated for different time points. Linear regressions were calculated to estimate RI-GP from FI-GP using the entire data set or subsets of roughages and concentrates. GP kinetic parameters were lower for all feed categories when incubated with FI instead of RI. On average of all feed samples, the potential GP was 9 mL/200 mg dry matter (DM) lower and the rate of GP was 3.1%/h lower with FI than RI. The estimation of kinetic data for FI included a lag phase of 1.51 h on average, whereas no lag phase was estimated for RI. Estimated parameters indicated an overall lower fermentation activity of FI than RI. However, there was a very similar progression of GP curves of RI-GP and FI-GP. RI-GP after 24 h was significantly correlated with FI-GP in the time period of 24 to 60 h ( = 0.973 - 0.982, including all feed samples). Linear regression analysis showed that RI-GP after 24 h can be estimated from FI-GP after 24 h (Slope = 1.02, R = 0.97) and 48 h (Slope = 1.1, R = 0.97) including the complete data set. Splitting the data set into roughages and concentrate feeds did not lead to distinctly higher estimation accuracy. In conclusion, sheep faeces can be used as an alternative inoculum for studying a wide range of different-quality feedstuffs. The standard gas test may be modified without the need for rumen-cannulated animals.

In Africa, a wide variety of diets (forage + crop co-products or other agricultural by-products) is being used by livestock farmers in different production systems to adapt to climate change. This study aimed to assess the performance of various local feeding strategies on Sudanese Fulani zebu cattle. Two experiments were carried out on 10 steers aged initially 33 months (142 kg body weight - BW). The animals were fed eight different diets at an intake level of 3.2% LW in dry matter (DM), including two control diets of 100% rangeland forage (100% RF) and six experimental diets made up of forage and crop co-products (75:25 DM ratio). In the first experiment, the control diet was made up of rangeland forage (RF) and supplements consisted of four cereal co-products (CC), i.e. maize, sorghum, millet, and rice straws. In the second experiment, the control diet consisted of (Pmax) hay, and the supplements tested were two legume co-products (LC), i.e. cowpea and peanut haulms. Each experiment lasted 3 weeks, including 2 weeks of adaptation to the diet and 1 week of data collection on individual animals (intake, apparent digestibility, and enteric methane). The NDF content of the diets was different within each experiment ( < 0.05). Among diets containing CC, DM intake [g/kg BW] was significantly higher (+31%;  = 0.025) for the diet containing rice straw than for the other diets, which showed similar levels to the RF diet. Among diets containing LC, intake was significantly higher ( = 0.004) than for the Pmax diet. Intake was higher for the peanut haulm diet than for the cowpea haulm diet. The DM digestibility was similar between the different diets in each experiment. Enteric methane (eCH) yield [g/kg DMI] from the CC and LC-containing diets were reduced by an average of 23% and 20% compared to the RF and Pmax control diets respectively. Raising awareness among agro-pastoralists about the use of crop co-products offers real prospects for eCH emissions mitigation in the Sahel region.

Dietary fibre is mainly classified according to its chemical characteristics but structure and particle size of fibre-rich feedstuff can also be decisive for digestion and performance. So far, only few studies investigated this in pigs. This experiment aimed to compare coarse and finely ground dried hemp plants and apple pomace regarding performance and ileal and total tract nutrient digestibility of growing pigs. Coarse or finely ground apple pomace or dried hemp plants were added to the diet of 56 nine weeks old growing pigs (DanBred x Duroc), housed in flat decks with each 2 animals. The growing pigs received the experimental diets for three weeks while performance was recorded. Eight pigs per group were sacrificed and digesta and organ tissue sampled. The stomach health was evaluated by visually scoring of the mucosa integrity. Apparent ileal (AID) and total tract digestibility (ATTD) were calculated using titanium dioxide as marker. Statistical analyses were performed using two-way ANOVA ( < 0.05). The highest feed intake (fibre particle size,  = 0.018) and bodyweight gain (fibre particle size,  = 0.018; fibre source x particle size interaction,  = 0.040), was observed in animals fed finely ground apple pomace, while the feed conversion ratio was 8-12% lower in pigs fed finely ground fibre sources ( = 0.012). No differences in stomach mucosa integrity were detected between the groups. The relative pancreas ( = 0.045), stomach ( < 0.001), and jejunum ( = 0.010) weights were higher in animals fed diets containing apple pomace. In contrast, the relative liver, caecum and colon weights were not affected by fibre source or particle size. The AID of protein and amino acids was not affected, while ATTD was increased by fibre source (hemp vs. apple pomace) reducing faecal nitrogen excretion. The AID of calcium was increased when diets contained apple pomace ( < 0.001), while zinc AID and ATTD were enhanced when diets contained dried hemp ( = 0.016;  = 0.016, respectively). Our results suggest that the structure as well as the chemical characteristics should be considered in a future fibre evaluation system in pigs.

Black soldier fly meal in pet diets is gaining acceptance. This study aimed to assess the use of black soldier fly larvae defatted meal (BSFL) and its impact on blood parameters, biochemical markers, organic antioxidant capacity, skin barrier function and skin and coat quality. A cross-over study involved eight beagle dogs with two periods of 50 days each and a washout period of seven days in between. Two approximately iso-nutritive extruded diets were evaluated, the first containing 29.5% BSFL meal and a control diet containing 26% poultry by-product meal (PBP) as protein source. Skin and coat evaluations and blood collections were conducted before and after each period. Skin barrier function was assessed by measurement of trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH) in belly and pinna of the dogs on days 0, 15, 30, and 45 of each period. A trend for higher antioxidant effect significant reduction in serum scavenging capacity was found with PBP for BSFL diet trough malondialdehyde and Vitamin E measurement in dog's serum 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay. When fed PBP diet dogs exhibited reduction in serum cholesterol triglycerides and decreased LDL levels after 50 days, while dogs fed BSFL presented significant reduction in ALT. TEWL was significantly reduced in belly and pinna over time when dogs were fed BSFL, and TEWL in belly was significantly lower in dogs fed BSFL in comparison to PBP. while Increased SCH was also higher for the BSFL group observed in the same along the feeding period in comparison to PBP, indicating improved ability of the dogs to retain water and keep skin moisture. Improvement skin barrier function could be related to fatty acids from BSFL and increased sebaceous lipids in skin. These are responsible for to avoid water loss and improve skin protection against microbial insults. Inclusion of BSFL as protein source did not promote negative changes in blood biochemistry and had minor antioxidant effect in healthy dogs. However, it proved effective in improving skin barrier function, making BSFL a valuable alternative protein source for dogs, particularly those with sensitive skin or allergies manifesting on the skin.

A 4-week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary crude protein () content and resistant starch () supplementation on growth performance, intestinal histomorphology and microbial metabolites of weaned pigs. A total of 96 pigs (7.06 ± 0.45 kg body weight) were assigned to 1 of 4 diets in a randomised complete block design involving a 2 (CP levels) × 2 (without or with RS) factorial arrangement to give 8 replicate pens and 3 pigs per pen. Body weight and feed disappearance were recorded weekly, and the faecal consistency score was determined every morning. Blood was sampled on days 1, 14 and 28 from one pig per pen, and the same pig was euthanised on day 28 to collect ileal tissue and ileal and colon digesta. Data were analysed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. The average daily gain and gain:feed ratio were lower ( < 0.05) in pigs fed low crude protein () diets compared to those fed high CP () diets during week 3 and overall period. The analysed Lys, Met+Cys and Thr in feed were lower than calculated values, particularly in LCP diets, which may have affected performance. Pigs fed the LCP diets had longer ( < 0.05) ileal villi and higher villus height to crypt depth ratios than those fed the HCP diets, and RS supplementation increased ( < 0.05) ileal villus height. Interactions ( < 0.05) between dietary CP content and RS inclusion were observed for short-chain fatty acid concentration in the ileum and colon in phase 2. There was no difference in propionic acid (ileum) or butyric acid (colon) concentrations among pigs fed HCP diets, however, the butyric acid concentration increased in pigs fed the LCP diet when supplemented with RS. Reducing dietary CP lowered ( < 0.05) faecal score, plasma urea nitrogen and digesta ammonia content. Overall, feeding LCP diets reduced growth performance but improved gut morphology in weaned pigs. Feeding the LCP diet with RS supplementation modulated concentrations of ileal propionic acid and colonic butyric acid in weaned pigs.

Preserved feed from meadows contaminated with ragwort (, Gaertn.) may expose livestock to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA). Dairy cows are considered to be very susceptible animals and a PA ingestion can lead to liver and further organ damages and even death. Due to the lack of data, the present study aimed to evaluate critical PA doses based on organ effects, with a special focus on liver lesions and on indicators of energy metabolism. Therefore, 16 dairy cows ( = 4 per group) were exposed to increasing PA doses (group: CON: <0.001 mg PA/kg body weight (BW)/day (d); PA1: 0.47 mg PA/kg BW/d; PA2: 0.95 mg PA/kg BW/d; PA3: 1.91 mg PA/kg BW/d) for 28 days. Constant dosing was ensured by a defined PA extract administered orally once daily. Histological examinations of the livers showed infiltration by immune cells, higher proportions of apoptotic cells and enlargement of hepatocyte nuclei in the highest exposed group. In addition, bile volume increased with PA dose, which may indicate a cholestasis. Despite the signs of incipient liver damage, liver lipid content and clinical chemical parameters related to energy metabolism, such as glucose, non-esterified fatty acids and βhydroxybutyrate, remained unaffected. Fat depot masses were also not significantly altered over time, suggesting that PA exposure did not induce a wasting syndrome. The liver showed slight microscopic changes already at a dosage of 0.95 mg PA/kg BW/d. However, the short-term metabolic indicators of energy status, lipolysis and ketogenesis, glucose, NEFA and BHB, as well as changes in fat depot, which serves as a longer-term indicator of lipolysis, remained unaffected in all treatment groups in the chosen scenario. These findings suggest that despite histopathological and clinical-chemical evidence of PA-associated hepatocellular lesions, liver function was not compromised.

Supply problems and rising soybean meal prices have an impact on increasing feed costs. Hemp seed meal (HSM) with high protein content has the potential to be used as an alternative to soybean meal. This study evaluated the impact of dietary HSM of Narlı Sarayı variety as a substitute for soybean meal on productive performances, egg quality and yolk fatty acid composition. A total of 120 Lohmann Brown laying hens aged 50 weeks were allocated into 4 groups and 10 repetitions. Birds received treatment without HSM (control group), or soybean meal substituted with 4%, 8% and 12% HSM. Dietary 4% significantly increased ( < 0.05) egg production and decreased FCR compared with 8% and 12% HSM group but did not differ from the control group in an overall period of 6 weeks. The inclusion of the 12% HSM group significantly decreased ( < 0.05) egg production. Meanwhile, there was no influence of hemp seed meal ( > 0.05) on feed intake, egg weight, body weight change, egg shape index, albumen index, albumen weight, Haugh unit, yolk weight, yolk index and eggshell thickness. Dietary 8% and 12% HSM significantly increased ( < 0.05) eggshell weight and yolk colour compared with control and 4% HSM groups. There was a significant increase ( < 0.05) in omega-3 fatty acid concentration and a decrease in yolk omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio with an increase in dietary HSM. It was concluded that dietary up to 12% HSM of the Narlı Sarayı variety decreased egg production and increased FCR. Increasing dietary levels of HSM increased eggshell weight, yolk colour and omega-3 fatty acids content and decreased the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio.

Hydrolysed proteins have been shown to be potential ingredients in cat diets due to their high digestibility, presence of bioactive peptides, and relatively low antigenicity. The effects of the substitution of conventional low ash poultry byproduct meal (PBM) with hydrolysed poultry byproduct meal (HPM) as a protein source were evaluated in extruded cat diets. Five diets with similar nutrient contents were formulated: a control (CO) diet based on PBM and 4 diets with different inclusions of HPM (5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, on an as-fed basis) replacing PBM as the protein source. The total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, faecal characteristics and microbial fermentation products, urine production and pH, nitrogen balance and urea renal excretion were evaluated using 30 healthy cats (15 males and 15 females; 4.18 ± 0.86 kg; 4.17 ± 1.38 years old), with 6 cats per diet in a complete randomised block design. When significant differences were found with the F test, the effects were evaluated by polynomial contrasts according to HPM inclusion ( < 0.05). The CTTADs of DM (89 ± 0.41%), CP (90 ± 0.36%), fat (93 ± 0.41%) and gross energy (90 ± 0.33%) were similar among treatments ( > 0.05). The faecal production, score, short-chain fatty acids and ammonia concentration were similar among treatments ( > 0.05). Isobutyric, isovaleric, valeric, and total branched-chain fatty acid contents increased quadratically ( < 0.05), with the highest level in the faeces of cats fed the diet with 20% HPM. Lactate concentration in faeces increased linearly with the inclusion of HPM ( < 0.05). Urine characteristics and urea renal excretion did not differ among treatments ( > 0.05). At 10% inclusion, HPM tended to increase the nitrogen retention of cats ( = 0.083), which may reflect the higher tryptophan, methionine, lysine, and available lysine contents of HPM in comparison to PBM. The inclusion of up to 30% HPM can be considered in cat formulations without affecting nutrient digestibility or faecal and urine characteristics. HPM tended to increase nitrogen retention and increased branched-chain fatty acids in faeces, aspects which deserves further studies.

Cassava protein (CP), barley protein (BP) and yellow pea protein (YPP) are important nutrient and integral constituent of staple in pet foods. It is known that the digestion of proteins directly influences their absorption and utilisation. In the present work, we performed simulated gastrointestinal digestion of three plant proteins as a staple for dog and cat food. The digestion rate of CP, BP and YPP in dog food was 56.33 ± 0.90%, 48.53 ± 0.91%, and 66.96 ± 0.37%, respectively, whereas the digestion rate of CP, BP, and YPP in cat food was 66.25 ± 0.72%, 43.42 ± 0.83%, and 58.05 ± 0.85%, respectively. Using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to determine the molecular weight (MW) of each protein and the products of their digestion, it was revealed that MW of digestion samples decreased, and MW during the small intestine phase was lower than that during the gastric phase. Peptide sequences of digested products were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and it was found that the total number of peptides in the small intestine digestion samples was higher than that in the gastric phase samples. The MW of peptides obtained from CP was within the range of 1000-1500 Da, while MW of peptides derived from BP and YPP was within the range of 400-2000 Da. In addition, free amino acids were mainly produced in the small intestine phase. Furthermore, the percentage of essential amino acids in the small intestine phase (63 ~ 82%) was higher than that in the gastric phase (37 ~ 63%). Taken together, these findings contribute to the current understanding of the utilisation of plant proteins in dog and cat foods and provide important insights into the selection and application of plant proteins as a staple in dog and cat foods.

Farmgate balances are used as a tool for monitoring nutrient surpluses at farm level. In Germany, preparation of farmgate balances is legally mandatory and also requires data on chemical body composition, especially concentration of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), of farm animals. It is well known that increased N and P efficiency results in lowered N and P excretions with the manure and therefore mitigates negative consequences of high N and P release into the environment (e.g. eutrophication of surface waters), especially in areas with high livestock density. In this context, feeding - and -reduced diets can be a strategy for increasing N and P efficiency in fattening pigs. To investigate the influence of - and -reduced diets on chemical body composition of barrows and to update current used data basis, 8 barrows were slaughtered after a balance trial and their bodies were subjected to full body analysis. During the balance trial, pigs received the control diet (CON) meeting common nutrient requirements or the - and -reduced diet (NPred) in a three-phased feeding regimen ( = 4/diet, 3 weeks/phase). Pigs were slaughtered with an average live weight (LW) of 123.3 ± 7.5 kg and carcasses were manually dissected in four fractions. Fractions were analysed for nutrient concentration. Furthermore, organs were weighed individually and blood serum was sampled during exsanguination. Serum samples were analysed for clinical-chemical traits. Chemical body composition did not significantly differ between NPred- and CON-fed pigs. N concentration was 23.3 ± 0.3 and 24.5 ± 1.0 g/kg, P concentration was 5.2 ± 0.1 and 5.5 ± 0.4 g/kg in the empty body of NPred- and CON-fed pigs ( = 0.073, 0.164). N and P retention between the experiment's start and slaughter did not differ between the feeding groups ( = 0.641, 0.240). Variables related to liver integrity, energy metabolism and electrolytes were similar between CON- and NPred-fed pigs. Traits related to protein metabolism showed significantly reduced concentrations of urea and albumin in NPred-fed pigs ( = 0.013, 0.025), but no hypoalbuminaemia. Results suggest that - and -reduced feeding does not significantly affect chemical body composition of contemporary barrows.

This study was performed to investigate the nitrogen (N) and carbohydrate digestive traits of grazing heifers. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Lavras. The treatments were a Marandu palisadegrass ( [Syn, ] Stapf. A. Rich. cv. Marandu) monoculture fertilised with 150 kg N/[ha ∙ year] (FP) or Marandu palisadegrass mixed pasture with forage peanut (MP). The pastures were grazed by six rumen-cannulated zebu heifers. A double cross-over design was used in four periods. Nutritive value, intake and apparent digestibility of forage, ruminal traits and kinetics and N balance were evaluated. Apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were greater for FP than for MP. There was no effect in apparent total-tract digestibility of N. The estimated intestinal digestibility of nutrients was greater on MP than FP. Even though N intake and faecal N output were greater on MP than FP, there was no effect in urine N output. The N balance tended to be greater on MP than FP. The forage peanut, which contains condensed tannins, decreased ruminal fibre degradation, apparent digestibility and ruminal protein degradation, increased N flow from the rumen. Inclusion of forage peanut in the mixed pasture decreased the ruminal fibre degradability but increased N retention by the animals.

The aim was to determine ileal endogenous nitrogen losses (ENL) and true ileal N-digestibility (TD-N) under non-steady-state conditions of the N-isotope dilution technique (N-IDT), using diets generating low and high ENL and compare results to those obtained under steady-state conditions. Twelve growing pigs (mean LW 22.4 kg) fitted with a post-valve T-caecum cannula were fed an enzyme-hydrolysed casein (EHC)-based diet or an EHC diet + 4% quebracho tannins (QT) and were labelled via continuous N-leucine . infusion or twice daily oral N-leucine administration. Digesta were collected daily over three consecutive hours with blood plasma sampled on the four consecutive days after cessation of N-labelling. There was a significant effect of sampling day on the dilution factor. Endogenous N losses were significantly lower for the EHC than the EHC+QT diet (2.41 vs. 8.69 g/kg DMI), while no significant effect of sampling day was observed. The TD-N of the EHC+QT diet did not differ from the TD-N of the EHC diet (95.1 vs. 92.0%). A significant effect of sampling day was observed for TD-N with day 1 and 2, being higher than day 4. Non-steady-state conditions overestimated ENL by 25-28% as compared to 3 h collections in steady-state conditions, but the relative overestimation was similar for the EHC diet as for the EHC+QT diet. TD-N did not differ significantly compared to 12 h steady-state measurements, but comparison to 3 h steady-state measurements showed that non-steady-state conditions overestimated TD-N for the EHC+QT diet by 9%. However, on day 4 this overestimation disappeared. Using the N-IDT during non-steady-state conditions can provide valuable additional data on endogenous N losses and TD-N.