Dietary fibre type influences protein and fat digestibility in dogs

Fibre can interfere with digestibility of fat by accelerating intestinal passage or by increasing chyme viscosity. Lecithin is an important emulsifier which can improve fat digestion. The study aims to determine if fibre solubility may interfere with apparent or true total tract digestibility (ATTD; TTTD) of macronutrients and energy and if adding lecithin could improve fat digestibility. Stool quality was evaluated regarding fibre and lecithin inclusion. Eighteen adult dogs fed 130 kcal metabolis- able energy BW kg0.75/day were assigned in a 3 2 factorial Design, two blocks of 10 days to complete six replications per treatment. Two factors were tested, the source of fibre replacing starch and the inclusion of lecithin. Six diets were formulated with 10% corn starch or cellulose powder, or beet pulp and then all of the diets were dressed with 10% poultry fat or 1% soy leci- thin þ 9% poultry fat. The fibre inclusion reduced ATTD of dry matter, organic matter, carbohy- drates, and energy. The ATTD of fat, crude protein, acid detergent fibre (ADF), and energy, and the TTTD of fat were decreased by adding soluble fibre in the diet, while the ATTD of ADF was greater for the cellulose diet. Soluble fibre impairs absorption of fat and other nutrients, then energy, while insoluble fibre is more related to effects on energy dilution. Lecithin is not able to restore fat digestibility, but lecithin improves energy absorption when insoluble fibre is included. Both sources can be used to produce low energy diets and modulate faecal score: soluble fibre holds water in the faecal content while insoluble fibre tends to produce dried faeces

Effect of partial substitution of rice with sorghum and inclusion of hydrolyzable tannins on digestibility and postprandial glycemia in adult dogs

Sorghum is used as a substitute for rice in dog food, owing to its nutritional similarity and low cost. However, its use has been associated with negative effects, like a reduction in palatability, digestibility, and enzyme activity, which can decrease nutrient absorption. The presence of condensed tannins (CT) in sorghum may cause these effects. Another tannin group, the hydrolysable tannins (HT), is known for its antioxidant properties. Research has shown the nutritional effects of sorghum on dogs, but the effect of HT on dogs remains unknown. We evaluated the effects of substituting rice with sorghum containing CT and inclusion of commercial extract of HT on digestibility, fecal and urinary characteristics, and postprandial blood glucose levels in adult dogs. Eight adult Beagle were randomly subjected to 4 treatments: (R) 50% rice; (RS) 25% rice + 25% sorghum; (RHT) 50% rice + 0.10% HT; (RSHT) 25% rice + 25% sorghum + 0,10% HT. Tannins did not affect food intake. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein (CP), acid hydrolyzed fat, gross energy, and metabolizable energy (ME) decreased with sorghum inclusion (P 0.05). No alterations in urinary characteristics were observed. Sorghum and HT did not affect the postprandial blood glucose response measured by the area under the curve (P > 0.05). The substitution of rice by sorghum decreased CP digestibility and ME of the diets. Sorghum can be considered as a source of carbohydrates with lower digestibility of protein and energy than rice. HT may potentiate the effect of CT, but more research is needed to evaluate its potential use in dog nutrition

Aplicação da alimentação de precisão para melhorar a eficiência do nitrogênio na produção de suínos : revisão de possíveis práticas e obstáculos

Optimizing nutrient efficiency is essential in order to increase sustainability of pig production systems, especially where the growing demand for food must be met at an affordable cost, without compromising environmental resources. To make this happen, it is necessary to develop efficient methods to accurately estimate the nutritional requirements of animals, as well as develop equipment and systems that allow for applying such expertise in the production system. Estimating the nutritional requirement of pigs through mathematical models, considering several factors that can impact the requirement, is a key factor to reduce the environmental load from pig production. Likewise, feed formulation and feeding programs, can help to achieve this. In this context, increasing the number of feeding phases in pig production, as well as precision feeding techniques, may be a tool to the esure adequacy of nutritional requirements, since its use can bring economic and environmental benefits.Otimizar a eficiência nutricional é essencial para aumentar a sustentabilidade do sistema de produção de suínos, especialmente em um momento onde a crescente demanda por alimentos deve ser atendida a um custo acessível, mas sem comprometer os recursos ambientais. Para tornar isso possível, é necessário o desenvolvimento de métodos eficientes e acurados para estimar as exigências nutricionais dos animais, bem como o desenvolvimento de equipamentos e sistemas que permitam aplicar esses métodos no sistema produtivo. Estimar as exigências nutricionais de suínos através de modelos matemáticos, considerando os vários fatores que impactam as exigências, pode ser um fator chave para reduzir a carga ambiental da suinocultura. Da mesma forma, formulações de rações e programas de alimentação podem auxiliar a alcançar isso. Neste contexto, o aumento do número de fases de alimentação na produção de suínos, bem como as técnicas de alimentação de precisão, podem ser ferramentas para a adequação das exigências nutricionais, uma vez que proporcionam benefícios econômicos e ambientais

Effects of diets containing organic and inorganic zinc sources on hair characteristics, zinc concentration in blood and hair, and the immune response of dogs

Background: There are two commercial forms of zinc, organic and inorganic, and its form may infl uence absorption and utilization by the animals. The inorganic form dissociates to Zn2+ in the gastrointestinal tract and can interact with other substances that the animal cannot absorb. The interest in using organic minerals has increased because of the reported potential of higher bioavailability compared to inorganic sources. In dogs, little research has been done concerning the bioavailability of organic and inorganic mineral sources. This study compared the effects of diets containing organic and inorganic zinc on hair characteristics, zinc concentration in blood and hair, and the infl uence of organic minerals on the immune response of dogs. Materials, Methods & Results: Eighteen healthy adult dogs of different breeds (Labrador, German Shepherd, Malinois Shepherd, and Rottweiler) were separated into two groups of nine animals per treatment and fed diets for 30 days. Two diets were used: an inorganic mineral source diet (IMSD) and an organic mineral source diet (OMSD). Four parameters were evaluated (days -14, 0, 10, 20, 30) to determine the hair characteristics: brightness, texture, looseness, and greasiness. On days 0 and 30, two blood samples were taken and two hair samples were collected to measure zinc concentrations. On the 10th day of the trial period, the animals received an injection of 4 mL of a 10% solution of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) subcutaneously as a stimulus to assess the humoral response. Blood samples were taken prior to injection as well as on days 10 and 20 post-injection for antibody titer. All dogs consumed adequate amount of the diets and body weight did not change during the experiment. The daily dry matter, energy, and zinc consumption did not differ between groups The zinc concentration in the blood remained stable throughout the experiment in animals fed the OMSD but decreased signifi cantly in the animals fed the IMSD (P = 0.0145). The zinc concentration in hair increased (P = 0.0075) in dogs fed the OMSD, while the dogs fed the IMSD had no difference. The consumption of the OMSD resulted in higher brightness in the hair of the face, muzzle, armpit, back, abdomen, and tail compared with the IMSD. The animals fed the chelated mineral-supplemented diet also showed better texture in hair of the abdomen (P = 0.0327), chest (P = 0.0335), and tail (P = 0.0291). The parameters looseness and greasiness showed no signifi cant differences. No differences were observed in the production of antibodies against SRBC between groups; however, the antibody concentration was maintained throughout the experiment in the animals supplemented with OMSD, in contrast to the animals supplemented with IMSD, which reduced their antibody concentration. Discussion: There is controversy in the literature regarding the benefi ts of organic over inorganic zinc source. This may be due to two factors: the time of zinc supplementation, and the levels of zinc included in the diets, which varies in each experiment. In the present study, both criteria were adequate for the responses evaluated and the results suggest that organic zinc is suitable for supplementation into the commercial dog foods and could enhance the hair characteristics of adult dogs. Moreover, the improvement in immune status, although subtle, must be taken into account. It should be noted that the diets were formulated with high levels of minerals, especially calcium, which increases the possibility of interactions and competition in the absorptive process, increasing the challenge and impairing absorption of divalent minerals

Partial substitution of maize for sorghum with or without supplemental hydrolysable tannins on digestibility and postprandial glycemia in adult dogs

The effect of partial substitution of maize for sorghum, containing condensed tannins (CT), with or without the addition of a purified hydrolysable tannin extract (HT), on dog apparent digestibility and glycemic response were evaluated. The trial was conducted with eight adult dogs distributed in four treatments: (M) 50% maize; (MS) 25% maize + 25% sorghum; (MHT) 50% maize + 0.10% HT; (MSHT) 25% maize + 25% sorghum + 0.10% HT; in a balanced incomplete Latin square design in three periods, with two dogs per diet, per period. Data were analyzed by ANOVA procedure and glycemic response by repeated measures ANOVA over time (P 0.05). Fecal and urinary characteristics were not changed by the addition of sorghum and HT (P > 0.05). The fecal score remained within the ideal classification as hard, dry, firm stools. A moderate increase in fecal pH was observed on dogs fed diets containing sorghum (P = 0.0948). Additionally, the partial replacement of maize for sorghum associated or not with HT do not alter the glycemic aspects evaluated among dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Availability of nutrients from maize and sorghum were similar. Tannins did not interfere in the nutritional capacity of the ingredients

Avaliação do óleo semi refinado de arroz na alimentação de frangos de corte : efeitos sobre o desempenho e metabolismo

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Performance and digestibiliy of early weaned pigs receiving rice, corn grains or dark wheat flour

The effect of the utilization of corn grain, broked rice and dark wheat flour as starch source in raw or cooked form on performance, small intestine morphology and energy and nitrogen metabolism of piglets was evaluated. Seventy two piglets, weaned at 16 days of age, were located in 30 metabolism cages with 2 or 3 piglets. They received water and feed ad libitum and were kept in a thermoneutral environmental. Diets with dark wheat flour resulted in higher body weight and daily weight gain and a better feed: gain ratio than diets whit corn grain. Daily feed intake was not affect by starch sources. Cooked sources were not superior to raw sources in animal performance. Diets based on raw dark wheat flour and raw broken rice showed a higher gross profit at the end of feeding trial. These same diets showed a higher coefficient of apparent digestibility of dry matter and gross energy and a higher metabolizability of energy, than diets based on corn grain. The crude protein coefficient of apparent digestibility and the daily nitrogen retention were greater for diets based on dark wheat flour than for corn diets. These results can be partly explained by the greater crude protein and aminoacids levels of the diet with wheat. Neither villi height, nor cript depth were different of days 8, 16 and 22 of experiment, relative to the offered diets. Otherwise, villi height incresed significantly from day 8 to 16, while cript depth did not show significant change over this period (In portuguese)

Desempenho de frangos de corte suplementados com diferentes fontes e níveis de colina na dieta

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the bioequivalence of a commercial phosphatidylcholine source (Biocholine™) as an alternative to choline chloride and the choline requirements of broilers of a fast-growth strain. In Experiment I, 672 broilers were fed four Biocholine™ levels (0, 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg) and three choline levels (200, 400, or 600 mg/kg) supplied as choline chloride between 4 and 28 days (d) of age. In Experiment II, 462 broilers received diets supplemented with 0, 200, 400, 600 or 800 mg/kg choline as choline chloride. In both experiments, diets were based on white rice, soybean meal, and corn gluten. In Experiment I, birds fed choline chloride presented higher feed intake than those fed Biocholine™. Both choline supplements linearly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) between 15 and 28 d, but the curves presented different slopes, showing that one unit (U) of Biocholine™ was equivalent to 2.52 U of choline supplied as choline chloride. In Experiment II, the supplementation of choline had a quadratic effect on weight gain (WG) but did not affect FCR. Choline requirements for WG were determined as 778, 632, and 645 mg/kg for 1-7, 1-35, and 1-42 d of age, respectively.Dois experimentos foram conduzidos para avaliar a bioequivalência de uma fonte comercial de fosfatidilcolina (Biocholine®) como alternativa ao cloreto de colina e as exigências de colina de frangos de rápido desempenho. No Experimento I, 672 frangos foram alimentados com quatro níveis de Biocholine® (0, 100, 200 ou 300 mg/kg) e três níveis de colina (200, 400 ou 600 mg/kg) supridas pelo cloreto de colina entre 4 e 28 dias de idade. No Experimento II, 462 frangos receberam dietas suplementadas com 0, 200, 400, 600 ou 800 mg/kg de colina através do cloreto de colina. Em ambos os experimentos, as dietas foram à base de arroz branco, farelo de soja e glúten de milho. No Experimento I, as aves alimentadas com cloreto de colina apresentaram maior consumo de ração em relação àquelas alimentadas com Biocholine®. Ambas as fontes de colina melhoraram linearmente a conversão alimentar entre 15 e 28 dias, mas as curvas apresentaram diferentes inclinações, mostrando que uma unidade de Biocholine® foi equivalente a 2,52 unidades de colina suprida na forma de cloreto de colina. No Experimento II, a suplementação de colina apresentou efeito quadrático sobre o ganho de peso sem afetar a conversão alimentar. As exigências de colina para ganho de peso foram 778, 632 e 645 mg/kg para as fases de 1-7, 1-35 e 1-42 dias de idade, respectivamente

Can the fine wheat bran be a betaine source in poultry diets?

The effect of fine wheat bran (FWB) as a methyl donor source on performance, metabolism, body composition and blood traits of growing broilers was studied. Three hundred and twenty broilers from eight to 28 d of age, distributed in a randomized block design, with five treatments and eight replicates of eight animals each were used. The experimental diets were: NC, formulated with 72% of the Met+Cys requirement; Met, formulated with 85% of the Met+Cys equivalents by DL-methionine addition; Bet, formulated with 85% of the Met+Cys equivalents by anhydrous betaine addition; Fwb- , formulated with 72% of the Met+Cys requirement and 20% FWB; and Fwb+, formulated with 85% of the Met+Cys requirement and 20% FWB. Feed intake was reduced (p0.05) between the positive control diets. Supplementation of DL-methionine and anhydrous betaine showed the same (p>0.05) metabolizability of nutrients. Treatments with higher DL-methionine levels (Met and Fwb+) promoted more weight of feathers (p<0.05). Animals fed with FWB showed the lowest (p<0.05) body gains. In conclusion, FWB inclusion did not promote methyl radicals supply

Availability of betaine present in fine wheat bran in diets for growing pigs

The objective of this paper was to investigate the availability of betaine present in fine wheat bran (FWB) in diets for growing pigs. We used thirty crossbred intact males, housed individually in metabolic cages and distributed in a randomized block design, with five treatments and six replicates. Blocks consisted of two periods of 15 days. Average initial body weights were 32.00±1.30 and 44.90±1.32 kg, in the first and second periods, respectively. Treatments were modified only at the level of methionine plus cysteine (Met+Cys) required and the Met+Cys sources, consisting of a negative control (NC), formulated with 80% of Met+Cys requirements, and four positive controls (PC): PCMet - NC supplemented with 1.2 g kg−1 of DL-methionine; PCBet - NC supplemented with 0.9 g kg−1 of anhydrous betaine; PCFWB - diet formulated with FWB; and PCFWB+Met - PCFWB supplemented with 1.0 g kg−1 of DL-methionine. No differences were observed on performance-related variables or on the digestibility coefficient of dry matter. Conversely, the digestibility coefficient of crude energy was lower when pigs were fed FWB and could be associated to the higher fiber content of FWB feeds. Digestible energy of feeds was higher for FWB diets, while the metabolizable energy of FWB diets did not differ from PCMet and PCBet. Nitrogen intake and apparent absorption were lower when pigs were fed FWB, but nitrogen retention, protein utilization, and biological value of the feed protein were the same among PC treatments, indicating that nitrogen from diets was used by pigs with the same efficiency, and is supported by no differences in performance-related variables. The FWB composition showed 12 g of betaine kg−1, which is available to maintain nitrogen retention and performance