Ileal endogenous losses in pigs feeding a protein-free diet or diets with different contents of casein or crystalline amino acids.

The common usage of protein-free diets to estimate unspecific AA losses has been criticised as unphysiological and incorrect. Therefore, in this study different diets were tested for the determination of endogenous losses (EL) of amino acids (AA) and nitrogen (N) assuming a complete absorption in the small intestine. Seven cannulated gilts received a protein-free diet (Diet PF) or diets with 3%, 6% or 10% crude protein (CP) from crystalline AA (Diets CA) or casein (Diets CAS) according to a 7 × 7 Latin square design.

Effect of xylanase on apparent ileal and total tract digestibility of nutrients and energy of rye in young pigs.

A digestibility experiment was carried out on weanling piglets to study the effect of an enzyme complex with predominant xylanase activity on apparent ileal (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients and energy. The enzyme was supplemented at four levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) to a diet containing 96% rye. There were significant effects of the added enzyme on AID of dry matter, organic matter and crude fibre, and on apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and energy.

Lysine maintenance requirement and efficiency of its utilisation in young pigs as estimated by comparative slaughter technique.

An experiment was carried out on weaner pigs (initial BW 10.8 kg) to estimate the maintenance requirement for lysine (Lys) and its marginal efficiency of utilisation using a comparative slaughter technique. Three groups of six pigs each were fed purified diets for 21 days supplying Lys at 19.

Effects of chronic food restriction and treatments with leptin or ghrelin on different reproductive parameters of male rats.

The existence of a close relationship between energy status and reproductive function is well-documented, especially in females, but its underlying mechanisms remain to be fully unfolded. This study aimed to examine the effects of restriction of daily calorie intake, as well as chronic treatments with the metabolic hormones leptin and ghrelin, on the secretion of different reproductive hormones, namely pituitary gonadotropins and prolactin, as well as testosterone, in male rats. Restriction (50%) in daily food intake for 20 days significantly reduced body weight as well as plasma PRL and T levels, without affecting basal LH and FSH concentrations and testicular weight.

Histidine maintenance requirement and efficiency of its utilization in young pigs.

An experiment was conducted in young pigs (initial BW 10.1 kg) to estimate the maintenance requirement for histidine and its efficiency of utilization for protein accretion using a comparative slaughter technique. Three groups of six pigs each were fed a purified diet supplying 0, 14 or 56 mg histidine per kg BW0.

Effect of microbial phytase on apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of phosphorus-adequate diets in growing pigs.

Six ileally cannulated pigs (mean initial body weight 34.8 kg) were used to study the effect of microbial phytase on apparent ileal digestibility of P, total N and amino acids. Three P-adequate diets (digestible P concentration 2.