High-fiber diets for fattening pigs

Objective:  To establish the feasibility and benefits offered by implementing pig diets with high fiber content. Design/methodology: A bibliographic review of the concept of the practical application of diets for pigs with the inclusion of fibrous ingredients. Results: Formulating high-fiber pig diets maintains or improves productive performance and offers additional gut health benefits. Study limitations/implications: The lack of knowledge of the net energy and digestible amino acid values of the fibrous ingredients limits the adequate formulation of diets for pigs. Findings/conclusions: The inclusion of high fiber ingredients in the diet for pigs can partially substitute traditional ingredients reducing costs and obtaining health benefits.Objective: To establish the feasibility and benefits of implementing high-fiber diets for pigs. Design/Methodology: A literature review of the practical application of pig diets with the inclusion of fibrous ingredients was carried out. Results: The formulation of high-fiber diets for pigs maintains or improves productive performance and provides additional gut health benefits. Study Limitations/Implications: Lack of information about the net energy and amino acid digestibility values of fibrous ingredients limits the proper formulation of pig diets. Findings/Conclusions: The inclusion of high-fiber ingredients in pig diets can partially replace traditional ingredients, consequently reducing costs and providing health benefits

Evaluation of herbal choline in productive performance and blood metabolites of ewes

Objective: Evaluate the effect of different levels of protected herbal choline (CHP) on productive performance, carcass characteristics and blood metabolites in female lambs. Design/methodology/approach: Fifty-two Hampshire x Suffolk (29.95 ± 3.90 kg initial live weight) were assigned to one of four treatments: 0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 % choline kg-1 dry matter. The experimental design was completely randomized, and linear or quadratic tendencies were detected. Results: There were not treatment effects on productive variables, back fat and Longissimus dorsi muscle area with the addition of protected herbal choline in the diet (p>0.05). CHP linearly increased the concentration of cholesterol, glucose, albumins, globulins, total proteins (p<0.05) and phosphatidylcholine (p<0.10). The concentration of triglycerides had a quadratic response (p<0.05) to the addition of CHP. Study limitations/implications: The level of choline supplementation in sheep depends on whether the source is herbal or synthetic. Findings/conclusions: The addition CHP in female lamb diets increased the serum phosphatidylcholine concentration, changed the concentration of protein and lipid metabolites; however, productive performance was not improved. Key words: sheep, energetic metabolites, lambs, herbal choline.Objective: To evaluate the effect of different levels of protected herbal choline (CHP) on productive performance, carcass characteristics, and serum metabolites in ewes. Design/Methodology/Approach: Fifty-two Hampshire × Suffolk ewes (29.95 ± 3.90 kg of initial live weight, PV) were randomly assigned to one within four treatments: 0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9% choline kg-1 dry matter (MS). The experimental design was complete randomized, in order to detect linear or quadratic trends. Results: No treatment effects were detected in the production variables, GD and AML with the addition of protected herbal choline in the diet (p>0.05). CHP linearly increased the concentration of cholesterol, glucose, albumins, globulins, total proteins (p≤0.05) and phosphatidylcholine (p≤0.10). The triglyceride concentration had a quadratic response (p≤0.05) to the addition of CHP. Study limitations/Implications: The level of choline supplementation in sheep depends on whether the source is herbal or synthetic. Findings/Conclusions: The addition of CHP in ewe diets raised the concentration of phosphatidylcholine, modified the concentration of protein and lipid metabolites. However, no improvements in production were found

Synchronization of the estrous during a short period, using a low dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in primiparous and multiparous ewes

Objective: To evaluate the effect of reducing the synchronized luteum phase and of applying eCG on reproductive response variables and hormone profile in primiparous and multiparous ewes. Design/methodology/approach: The experimental design was completely randomized with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial array. Eight-one ewes were divided by their reproductive activity: primiparous (n=38) and multiparous (n=43). The percentage of presentation of estrus and pregnancy were analyzed with a c2 test. The estrus onset and duration for an analysis of variance and the Tukey test of comparison of means. The P4 concentration was performed using the PROC MIXED procedure, which included fixed effects of the treatment and day and the interaction of the two. Results: The response in estrus presentation was not different between treatments, however; the onset and duration of estrus were affected by physiological state and the synchronized luteum phase. P4 concentrations in serum were higher in primiparous ewes than in multiparous ewes. There were no differences in pregnancy rate or prolificity by principal effects. Limitations on study/implications: The estrus onset and duration varied by effects of the reproductive physiological status and the duration of the synchronized luteum phase (6 and 12 d), Therefore, it must be taken into account when artificial insemination is performed at a fixed time. Findings/conclusions: The combination of cronolone sponges with 100 IU eCG during short (6 d) are effective for the synchronization of estrous. The P4 concentrations in serum were higher in primiparous ewes, but this was not determinant for increasing gestation and prolificity in treated ewes.Objective: To evaluate the reduction effect of the synchronized luteal phase and the eCG application in the reproductive variables and hormone profile response of primiparous and multiparous ewes. Design/Methodology/Approach: The experimental design was completely random, with a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Based on their reproductive activity, the 81 specimens were divided into primiparous (n=38) and multiparous (n=43) ewes. The estrous and pregnancy stages were analyzed using the c2 test. An analysis of variance and the Tukey’s mean comparison test were used to determine the start and the duration of the estrous. P4 concentration was measured using the PROC MIXED which influenced the fixed effects of the treatment and the day, as well as their interaction. Results: There was no difference between treatments, regarding the occurrence of the estrous; however, its start and duration were not impacted by the physiological state and the synchronized luteal phase. P4 concentrations in plasm were higher in primiparous ewes than in multiparous ewes. The main effects did not impact the pregnancy and the prolificity rates. Study Limitations/Implications: The variation in the start and the duration of the estrous was caused by the physiological reproductive state and the duration of the synchronized luteal phase (6 and 12 days). Therefore, these effects should be taken into account when the artificial insemination takes place at a fixed period. Finding/Conclusions: The combination of the cronolone sponges with 100 UI of eCG during short periods (6 days) effectively synchronizes the estrous. P4 concentrations in serum were higher in primiparous ewes, although these concentrations were not a determining factor in the increase of pregnancy and prolificity

Use of protected methionine in diets for finishing pigs

Objective:  To evaluate the replacement of DL-Met (regular) with protected DL-Met (MP) in the growth performance of finishing pigs. Design/methodology/approach: 50 pigs were used (56.85 ± 2.02 kg initial body weight), distributed in a completely randomized experimental design. Treatments consisted of replacing regular Met with MP (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) in diets for pigs in finishing I and II stages. Results: In finishing I, the average daily gain, final body weight and back fat thickness increased linearly (p ? 0.05) as the MP in the diet increased; and the feed: gain ratio (FGR) decreased linearly (p = 0.07). In finishing II, MP improved linearly (p ? 0.10) feed intake, FGR, and longuissimus muscle area.  Study limitations/implications: The feeding of pigs with the addition of protected amino acids improves growth performance. Findings/conclusions: The addition of protected methionine in finishing pigs diets improves some growth performance variables.Objective: To evaluate the substitution of regular DL-methionine (RM) by protected DL-methionine (PM) in the productive performance of finishing pigs. Design/Methodology/Approach: 50 pigs (56.85 ± 2.02 kg of live weight) distributed in a completely randomized experimental design were used. The treatments consisted of the substitution of MR by MP (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in diets for finishing I and II pigs. Results: As the MP in the diet increased, the gain of final live weight (LWF) and backfat thickness (BFT) in finishing I increased linearly (p ≤ 0.05), while feed:gain ratio (FGR) decreased linearly (p = 0.07). PM at finishing II phase linearly (p ≤ 0.10) improved feed intake, FGR, and longissimus muscle area. Study Limitations/Implications: Feeding pigs by including protected amino acids improves their productive response. Findings/Conclusions: The use of protected methionine in diets for finishing I pigs improves some productive response variables

Coffee pulp supplementation prior to breeding improves oxidative status without affecting fertility of primiparous ewes

Background: Coffee pulp has a high content of antioxidants capable of modifying the oxidative status in small ruminants. However, high amounts for a prolonged time can reduce fertility. Objective: To determine the effect of two inclusion levels of coffee pulp during estrous synchronization on reproductive variables and oxidative status of primiparous ewes. Methods: Sixty Suffolk x Dorset primiparous ewes were distributed into three treatments in a completely randomized design; T0: (n=20) 1.5 kg balanced diet, Tl: (n=20) 1.5 kg balanced diet and 5% coffee pulp, T2: (n=20) 1.5 kg balanced diet and 10% coffee pulp. Supplementation was given for 16 days before estrus synchronization and until the beginning of the breeding season. A progestogen (CIDR®) was inserted for ll days and a dose of PGF2a was applied two days prior to its withdrawal. Estrus detection started 12 hours after CIDR withdrawal. Blood samples were obtained during the supplementation period to measure oxidative status, antioxidant capacity, glucose and insulin, and up to 9 days after breeding to determine progesterone concentration. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 30 and 60 days post-breeding. An analysis of repeated measures of mixed effects and frequency analysis were carried out. Results: Inclusion of coffee pulp for a short period prior to breeding did not affect reproductive parameters, nor progesterone, glucose or insulin concentrations (p>0.05); however, antioxidant capacity increased, while lipid oxidation showed an opposite trend (p0,05); porém, a capacidade antioxidante nas ovelhas foi aumentada, enquanto a oxidação lipídica seguiu uma tendência inversa (p0,05); sin embargo, la capacidad antioxidante se incrementó, mientras que la oxidación lipídica siguió una tendencia inversa (p<0,05). Conclusión: La inclusión hasta de 10% de pulpa de café en la dieta de ovejas por 16 días previo al empadre mejora el estado oxidativo sin ocasionar efectos adversos en el porcentaje de preñez, estro o prolificidad