Nutritional values of forage-legume-based silages and protein concentrates for growing pigs.

In organic pig production systems, one of the main challenges is to meet the demand for resources rich in protein. Among the resources available, temperate green plants, such as forage legumes, are potential sources of energy and protein. The aim of the study was to determine the nutritional value of silages (S) from the whole plant of lucerne (L) and red clover (R) and protein pastes (PPs) obtained from L and R leaves.

The differences in energy metabolism and redox status between sows with short and long farrowing duration.

Farrowing duration is a crucial factor affecting survival of piglets and health of sows, and is highly correlated with the incidence of stillbirth. The present study assessed the metabolic characteristics of sows with short farrowing duration (SFD) or long farrowing duration (LFD). A total of 20 Yorkshire sows were screened from 60 sows and were retrospectively allocated into SFD (211 min on average, n = 10) or LFD (388 min on average, n = 10) group.

Effects of feeding level, milking frequency, and single injection of cabergoline on feed intake, milk yield, milk leakage, and clinical udder characteristics during dry-off in dairy cows.

Abrupt and gradual dry-off strategies by reducing feeding level (normal vs. reduced energy density), reducing milking frequency (twice vs. once daily), and administration of a dopamine agonist after last milking (i.

Review: Feed residues of glyphosate - potential consequences for livestock health and productivity.

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in a wide range of herbicides used for weed control, including weed control in genetically modified, glyphosate-insensitive crops. In addition, glyphosate herbicides are used for pre-harvest desiccation of glyphosate-sensitive crops. Together, the use of glyphosate leads to residues in livestock feed.

Zinc deficiency leads to reduced interleukin-2 production by active gene silencing due to enhanced CREMα expression in T cells.

Background & Aims: The micronutrient zinc is essential for proper immune function. Consequently, zinc deficiency leads to impaired immune function, as seen in decreased secretion of interleukin (IL)-2 by T cells. Although this association has been known since the late 1980s, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unknown.

Effects of dietary soluble or insoluble fiber intake in late gestation on litter performance, milk composition, immune function, and redox status of sows around parturition.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary soluble fiber (SF) or insoluble fiber (ISF) intake in late gestation on litter performance, milk composition, immune function, and redox status of sows around parturition. A total of 60 Yorkshire sows were randomly assigned into three dietary treatments: normal level of dietary fiber (CON, 16.16% dietary fiber with 1.

Biorefined grass-clover protein composition and effect on organic broiler performance and meat fatty acid profile.

Protein extracted from green biomass can be a sustainable and valuable feed component for organic poultry production. Earlier studies in rats have shown high digestibility of laboratory-scale extracted protein. The aim of this study was to test the effect of upscaling the biorefining process on composition of protein extracted from organic grass-clover and on performance of organic broilers when including grass-clover in the feed.

Phenotypic modeling of residual feed intake using physical activity and methane production as energy sinks.

Residual feed intake (RFI) is a measure of feed efficiency in dairy cattle. This study modeled phenotypic RFI of first- and second-parity Holstein and Jersey dairy cows within 9 lactation segments (consecutive segments of 4 wk each) covering the first 36 lactation weeks. We aimed to evaluate physical activity and daily methane production as additional energy sinks in the estimation of RFI, to examine the correlations of RFI among the first 36 wk of lactation (WOL), and to evaluate whether parities and breeds show similar results.

Phenylalanine stable isotope tracer labeling of cow milk and meat and human experimental applications to study dietary protein-derived amino acid availability.

Background & Aims: Availability of dietary protein-derived amino acids (AA) is an important determinant for their utilization in metabolism and for protein synthesis. Intrinsic labeling of protein is the only method to directly trace availability and utilization. The purpose of the present study was to produce labeled milk and meat proteins and investigate how dietary protein-derived AA availability is affected by the protein-meal matrix.

Use of glycerol and propylene glycol as additives in heat-treated goat colostrum.

This experiment aimed to evaluate the suitability of glycerol and propylene glycol to reduce microbial count and preserve immune properties in heat-treated goat colostrum. Colostrum samples from 11 goats were each divided into 9 aliquots. Different concentrations (2, 6, 10, and 14%; vol/vol) of either glycerol or propylene glycol were added to the aliquots.

Combined in vitro fertilization and culture (IVF/IVC) in mouse for reprotoxicity assessment of xenobiotic exposure.

Litter size and other conventional measures in rodents are common end-points in the assessment of xenobiotics for reprotoxic effects. However, since litter size may be normal despite reduced semen quality, we established and tested a mouse in vitro fertilization/in vitro culture (IVF/IVC) system to assess other aspects of reprotoxicity of xenobiotic exposure. Two pesticides, vinclozolin (V) and chlormequat (C), were added to feed in low (40 and 900 ppm, respectively) and high (300 and 2700 ppm, respectively) doses and compared to control (nil pesticide).

Effects of increased energy and amino acid intake in late gestation on reproductive performance, milk composition, metabolic, and redox status of sows1.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of increased AA and energy intake during late gestation on reproductive performance, milk composition, and metabolic and redox status of sows. A total of 118 Yorkshire sows (third through sixth parity) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments from day 90 of gestation until farrowing. Dietary treatments consisted of combinations of 2 standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA levels [14.

Calibration of sperm concentration for in vitro fertilization in a mouse reprotoxicity model.

Xenobiotics, such as chemicals and pesticides, may result in adverse effects on reproduction in human and animals. Using in-vitro embryo production as a testing system reveals details of fertilization (IVF) and early embryonic development (IVC). The aim of our study was to perform a systematical calibration of sperm concentration in an IVF/IVC system, using an outbred mouse strain, and further determine the sperm concentration that furnishes a sensitive assessment of sperm fertilizing capacity in relation to reprotoxic evaluations.

Production, partial cash flows and greenhouse gas emissions of simulated dairy herds with extended lactations.

The transition period is the most critical period in the lactation cycle of dairy cows. Extended lactations reduce the frequency of transition periods, the number of calves and the related labour for farmers. This study aimed to assess the impact of 2 and 4 months extended lactations on milk yield and net partial cash flow (NPCF) at herd level, and on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM), using a stochastic simulation model.

Influence of zinc supplementation on immune parameters in weaned pigs.

Zinc is an essential trace element, highly important for a well functioning immune system. In case of zinc deficiency, proper immune functions are not ensured thus leading to various diseases. Weaning of pigs from the sow causes stress, increasing susceptibility to infections.

Developmental Competence and Epigenetic Profile of Porcine Embryos Produced by Two Different Cloning Methods.

The "Dolly" based cloning (classical nuclear transfer, [CNT]) and the handmade cloning (HMC) are methods that are nowadays routinely used for somatic cloning of large domestic species. Both cloning protocols share several similarities, but differ with regard to the required in vitro culture, which in turn results in different time intervals until embryo transfer. It is not yet known whether the differences between cloned embryos from the two protocols are due to the cloning methods themselves or the in vitro culture, as some studies have shown detrimental effects of in vitro culture on conventionally produced embryos.

Early lactation production, health, and welfare characteristics of cows selected for extended lactation.

Some cows are able to achieve relatively high milk yields during extended lactations beyond 305 d in milk, and farmers may be able to use this potential by selecting the most suitable cows for an extended lactation. However, the decision to postpone insemination has to rely on information available in early lactation. The main objectives of this study were, therefore, to assess the association between the information available in early lactation and the relative milk production of cows on extended lactation, and to investigate if this information can be used to differentiate time of first insemination between cows.

Effect of calving interval and parity on milk yield per feeding day in Danish commercial dairy herds.

The idea of managing cows for extended lactations rather than lactations of the traditional length of 1 yr primarily arose from observations of increasing problems with infertility and cows being dried off with high milk yields. However, it is vital for the success of extended lactation practices that cows are able to maintain milk yield per feeding day when the length of the calving interval (CInt) is increased. Milk yield per feeding day is defined as the cumulated lactation milk yield divided by the sum of days between 2 consecutive calvings.

Prediction of biogas yield and its kinetics in reed canary grass using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy and chemometrics.

A rapid method is needed to assess biogas and methane yield potential of various kinds of substrate prior to anaerobic digestion. This study reports near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) as a rapid alternative method to the conventional batch methods for prediction of specific biogas yield (SBY), specific methane yield (SMY) and kinetics of biogas yield (k-SBY) of reed canary grass (RCG) biomass. Dried and powdered RCG biomass with different level of maturity was used for biochemical composition analysis, batch assays and NIRS analysis.

Isoleucine requirement of pigs weighing 8 to 18 kg fed blood cell-free diets.

The aim of the present study was to determine the minimum requirement of Ile in young pigs, enabling feeding of balanced low-CP diets. Most previous studies have used experimental diets that included blood cells, which are particularly high in Leu and known to antagonize the use of Ile. One week after weaning at d 28, 100 crossbred female pigs weighing 7.

Ileal digestibility of sunflower meal, pea, rapeseed cake, and lupine in pigs.

The standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA was evaluated in soybean (Glycine max) meal, sunflower (Helianthus annuus) meal, rapeseed cake, and field pea (Pisum sativum) using 10 pigs and in lupine (Lupinus angustifolius) using 7 pigs. Pigs were fitted with either a T-cannula or a steered ileocecal valve-cannula. Diets contained 170 to 186 g CP/kg DM.