Predicting standardized ileal digestibility of lysine in full-fat soybeans using chemical composition and physical characteristics.

Objective: The present work was conducted to evaluate suitable variables and develop prediction equations using chemical composition and physical characteristics for estimating standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of lysine (Lys) in full-fat soybeans (FFSB).

Methods: The chemical composition and physical characteristics were determined including trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA), urease activity (UA), protein solubility in 0.2% potassium hydroxide (KOH), protein dispersibility index (PDI), lysine to crude protein ratio (Lys:CP), reactive Lys:CP ratio, neutral detergent fiber, neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN), acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN), acid detergent fiber, L* (lightness), and a* (redness).

Vitamin K alleviates bone calcium loss caused by Salmonella Enteritidis through carboxylation of osteocalcin.

Background: The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of vitamin K (VK) supplementation on bone health of laying hens challenged by Salmonella Enteritidis.

Methods: A total of 80 32-week-old double negative salmonella-free brown-egg laying hens were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 20 replicates each (1 bird per replicate) according to a 2 × 2 factorial design with 2 dietary VK supplementation levels [0 mg/kg (VK0) vs 2 mg/kg VK (VK2) and 2 challenge treatments [Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) vs physiological saline solution (PS)]. During the last 3 days of week 43 of age, birds of both VK treatments were either orally challenged with 1.

Improved simple T-cannula technique to facilitate surgery and daily skin care of growing pigs.

In order to further increase the stability of the cannula behind the ribs and to facilitate cannula exteriorization in growing pigs, the present study aimed to evaluate whether elongation of the cannula flange could increase the stability of the cannula behind the ribs and to develop a tool to improve the exteriorization of the cannula through the ribs. Moreover, it was assessed whether a special skin protection paste and soft polyurethane foam material used in daily skin care could prevent erythema around the fistula. The feasibility of both, the modified simple T-cannula and daily skin care procedure, was evaluated in a digestibility experiment.

Evaluation of analytical and statistical approaches for predicting in vitro nitrogen solubility and in vivo pre-caecal crude protein digestibility of cereal grains in growing pigs.

Different analytical (enzyme system and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)) and statistical (single and multiple regressions) approaches were used to predict in vivo standardized pre-caecal digestibility (PCD) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in cereal grains for growing pigs as well as in vitro nitrogen (N) solubility. Furthermore, different chemical and physical characteristics were categorized (e.g.

Phytate degradation, intestinal microbiota, microbial metabolites and immune values are changed in growing pigs fed diets with varying calcium-phosphorus concentration and fermentable substrates.

The present study assessed effects of diets containing varying calcium-phosphorus (CaP) concentration and fermentable substrates on digestibility of diets, intestinal microbiota and immune system using 32 crossbred pigs (initial BW 54.7 kg). In a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, pigs were fed either a corn-soybean meal (CSB) or corn-field pea (CFP) diet with either low [-] (4.

Osmoregulatory function of betaine in alleviating heat stress in poultry.

This review focuses on the osmoregulatory function of betaine and its effect in terms of alleviating heat stress in poultry. Poultry appear to be particularly sensitive to temperature-associated environmental challenges, especially heat stress. High ambient temperatures are deleterious to productive performance in poultry, including broilers, laying hens, quails and turkeys, resulting in considerable economic losses.

Dietary changes in nutritional studies shape the structural and functional composition of the pigs' fecal microbiome-from days to weeks.

Background: The possible impact of changes in diet composition on the intestinal microbiome is mostly studied after some days of adaptation to the diet of interest. The question arises if a few days are enough to reflect the microbial response to the diet by changing the community composition and function. The present study investigated the fecal microbiome of pigs during a time span of 4 weeks after a dietary change to obtain insights regarding the time required for adaptation.

Effect of and supplementation in diets with low- and high-protein content on ileal crude protein and amino acid digestibility and intestinal microbiota composition of growing pigs.

Background: spp. seem to be an alternative to antimicrobial growth promoters for improving animals' health and performance. However, there is little information on the effect of spp.

Methodological impact of starch determination on starch content and ileal digestibility of starch in grain legumes for growing pigs.

Background: Grain legumes represent a valuable energy source in pig diets due to their high starch content. The present study was conducted to determine the content and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of starch in different grain legume cultivars for pigs by means of both a polarimetric and enzymatic method for starch determination.

Methods: Three experiments were conducted with six barrows each which were fitted with ileal T-cannulas.

Determination of basal ileal endogenous losses and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in barley fed to growing pigs.

Background: Basal ileal endogenous amino acid (AA) losses (IAA) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) values of cereal grains, such as barley, are apparently underestimated when determined according to the nitrogen (N)-free method. Regression analysis between the dietary apparent ileal digestible content (cAID) and total crude protein (CP) and AA can be considered as alternative approach to obtain more accurate values for IAA and SID of AA in cereal grains.

Methods: Eight hulled barley genotypes were used, with barley being the only source of CP and AA in the assay diets.

Effect of the desolventizing/toasting process on chemical composition and protein quality of rapeseed meal.

Background: During processing in a desolventizer/toaster (DT), rapeseed meal (RSM) is heated to evaporate the hexane and to reduce the level of heat-labile anti-nutritional factors such as glucosinolates (GSL). However, excessive heat treatment may reduce amino acid (AA) content in addition to lower AA digestibility and availability in RSM. The objective of the present study was to produce from one batch of a 00-rapeseed variety (17 μmol GSL/g dry matter (DM), seed grade quality) five differently processed RSM under standardized and defined conditions in a pilot plant, and to determine the impact of these different treatments on protein solubility and chemical composition, in particular with regard to contents of AA including reactive Lys (rLys) and levels of total and individual GSL.

Impact of a High-Fat or High-Fiber Diet on Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolic Markers in a Pig Model.

To further elaborate interactions between nutrition, gut microbiota and host health, an animal model to simulate changes in microbial composition and activity due to dietary changes similar to those in humans is needed. Therefore, the impact of two different diets on cecal and colonic microbial gene copies and metabolic activity, organ development and biochemical parameters in blood serum was investigated using a pig model. Four pigs were either fed a low-fat/high-fiber (LF), or a high-fat/low-fiber (HF) diet for seven weeks, with both diets being isocaloric.

Intestinal Microbiota and Microbial Metabolites Are Changed in a Pig Model Fed a High-Fat/Low-Fiber or a Low-Fat/High-Fiber Diet.

The intestinal microbiota and its metabolites appear to be an important factor for gastrointestinal function and health. However, research is still needed to further elaborate potential relationships between nutrition, gut microbiota and host's health by means of a suitable animal model. The present study examined the effect of two different diets on microbial composition and activity by using the pig as a model for humans.

Variation in chemical composition and physical characteristics of cereal grains from different genotypes.

Genotypes of cereal grains, including winter barley (n = 21), maize (n = 27), oats (n = 14), winter rye (n = 22), winter triticale (n = 21) and winter wheat (n = 29), were assayed for their chemical composition and physical characteristics as part of the collaborative research project referred to as GrainUp. Genotypes of one grain species were grown on the same site, except maize. In general, concentrations of proximate nutrients were not largely different from feed tables.

Wheat and barley differently affect porcine intestinal microbiota.

Background: Diet influences the porcine intestinal microbial ecosystem. Barrows were fitted with ileal T-cannulas to compare short-term effects of eight different wheat or barley genotypes and period-to-period effects on seven bacterial groups in ileal digesta and faeces by qPCR.

Results: Within genotypes of wheat and barley, there was no difference (P > 0.

The impact of phosphorus on the immune system and the intestinal microbiota with special focus on the pig.

There is increasing interest in dietary ingredients that are appropriate to support digestive and immune functions, but also maintain a stable microbial ecosystem in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), particularly in weaned pigs. P is an essential nutrient for both microbes and their host, as it is involved, for example, in bone formation, energy metabolism, cellular signalling and stabilisation of cell membranes. Non-ruminant animals have limited access to phytate, the main storage form of P in plant seeds.

Effect of dietary protein supply originating from soybean meal or casein on the intestinal microbiota of piglets.

Dietary composition is a major factor influencing the intestinal microbial ecosystem of pigs. To alleviate weaning-associated disorders, variations in dietary protein supply may beneficially affect microbial composition in the gastrointestinal tract of piglets. A total of 48 piglets, fitted with simple ileal T-cannulas, was used to examine the effect of protein supply of either highly digestible casein or less digestible, fiber-rich soybean meal (SBM) on the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

Use of pigs as a potential model for research into dietary modulation of the human gut microbiota.

The human intestinal microbial ecosystem plays an important role in maintaining health. A multitude of diseases including diarrhoea, gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders, such as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) of neonates, and obesity are linked to microbial composition and metabolic activity. Therefore, research on possible dietary strategies influencing microbial composition and activity, both preventive and curative, is being accomplished.

Changes in fatty acid composition of various full fat crushed oilseeds and their free oils when incubated with rumen liquor in vitro.

The fatty acid pattern of dietary lipids can be modified during rumen biohydrogenation (BH). The objective of the present study was to assess changes in the FA pattern of different oilseed products supplied either as crushed full fat oilseed or as free oil after in vitro incubation with buffered rumen liquor. The FA patterns were determined at the beginning and compared with those measured after 24 h of incubation.

The effect of betaine on in vitro fermentation of carbohydrate and protein combinations under osmotic stress in pigs.

Background: There is evidence that dietary betaine might improve nutrient digestibilities in pigs due to its osmoprotective properties. This in vitro study was performed to assess the potential of supplemented betaine sources to affect fermentation characteristics of different carbohydrate and protein combinations, under conditions of osmotic stress. In vitro fermentation was performed by use of the modified Hohenheim gas test with pig faeces as microbial inoculum.

Oat β-glucan and dietary calcium and phosphorus differentially modify intestinal expression of proinflammatory cytokines and monocarboxylate transporter 1 and cecal morphology in weaned pigs.

Physiologic effects of dietary oat β-glucan and low and high dietary calcium-phosphorus (CaP) on intestinal morphology and gene expression related to SCFA absorption, mucus production, inflammation, and peptide digestion have not been established in weaned mammals. We therefore randomized 32 weaned pigs into 4 equal groups that received a cornstarch-casein-based diet with low (65% of the Ca and P requirement) and high (125 and 115% of the Ca and P requirement, respectively) CaP levels and low- and high-CaP diets supplemented with 8.95% oat β-glucan concentrate for 14 d.

Effect of different carbohydrates on in vitro fermentation activity and bacterial numbers of porcine inocula under osmotic stress conditions.

The bacteria of the intestine have to cope with varying osmotic conditions in their ecosystem. In this in vitro study, the modified Hohenheim gas test (HGT) was used to determine fermentation activity and bacterial composition of pig's faecal microbial inoculum, when fermenting different carbohydrates (inulin, corn starch, potato starch, cellulose, pectin), under normal buffered and osmotic stress conditions (elevated medium salinity). After 24 h of fermentation, gas, ammonia and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was measured, and the cell numbers of total eubacteria, Lactobacillus spp.

Effect of feed intake level on ileal digestibilities of crude protein and amino acids in diets for piglets.

Background: The study was conducted to determine the effect of graded levels of feed intake on apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibilities of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in diets for piglets. The piglets were surgically fitted with simple T-cannulas at the distal ileum. The cornstarch-casein-soybean meal-based diets were fed at three graded levels of feed intake corresponding to 30, 45 and 60 g kg(-1) body weight (BW) per day.

Intestinal gene expression in pigs: effects of reduced feed intake during weaning and potential impact of dietary components.

The weaning transition is characterised by morphological, histological and microbial changes, often leading to weaning-associated disorders. These intestinal changes can partly be ascribed to the lack of luminal nutrition arising from the reduced feed intake common in pigs after weaning. It is increasingly becoming clear that changes in the supply with enteral nutrients may have major impacts on intestinal gene expression.

The role of dietary nucleotides in single-stomached animals.

The transition from liquid to solid feed during weaning results in morphological, histological and microbial changes in the young animal's intestinal tract and often is associated with diarrhoea. The ban of in-feed antibiotics in pig production in the European Union has led to increasing interest in alternatives to overcome weaning-associated problems. Among others, nucleotides may have the potential to alleviate health impairments due to weaning.