Effects of incremental changes in forage: concentrate ratio on plasma hormone and metabolite concentrations and products of rumen fermentation in fattening beef steers

2000 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Thorp ◽  
A.R.G. Wylie ◽  
R.W. J. Steen ◽  
C. Shaw ◽  
J. D. McEvoy
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Lower Efficiency ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sampling Times

AbstractAs part of an investigation of factors responsible for a previously reported lower efficiency of carcass lean gain in steers offered grass silage diets, 16 Simmental × Friesian steers (515 (s.e. 6·4) kg) were offered perennial ryegrass silage ad libitum (C0) or silage plus rolled barley at 200 (C20), 400 (C40) or 600 (C60) g/kg total diet dry matter (DM). Barley-supplemented diets were intake-restricted to provide equal DM and metabolizable energy (ME) intakes to those offered C0. Eight steers were selected at random to determine the ME contents of the diets by open-circuit respiration calorimetry. The other eight steers were offered the same diets and were blood-sampled at 20- to 60-min intervals, for 10 h, to monitor changes in the concentrations of a number of nutritionally related plasma metabolites and hormones. Estimated ME intakes in these steers were 85·7, 83·1, 84·4 and 86·2 (s.e. 0·91) MJ/day from diets C0, C20, C40 and C60 respectively. Rumen-fistulated Hereford × Friesian steers provided 24-h rumen data for the same diets offered at equal amounts of ME per kg metabolic live weight.Mean 24-h plasma concentrations of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were linearly and positively related (P < 0·01 and P < 0·001 respectively) and glucagon quadratically related (P < 0·05) to the proportion of barley in the diet. Plasma insulin increased after feeding on all diets but concentrations on diets C40 and C60 were significantly higher than those on C0 and C20 at all post-feeding sampling times up to 9 h after feeding. Plasma IGF-1 concentrations increased above pre-feeding levels following feeding of the higher barley diets (C40 and C60; P = 0·053) but remained unchanged in steers offered C0 and C20. Mean plasma concentrations of glucose were unaffected by diet but those of β-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) and urea were positively and negatively related respectively (both P < 0·001) to the proportion of barley in the diet. Plasma BOHB and urea concentrations also changed with time after feeding (P < 0·001). Amongst the rumen parameters measured (pH; ammonia and volatile fatty acid concentrations and proportions) only the mean 24-h concentrations and proportions of butyrate were positively related to the proportion of barley in the diet (P = 0·051 and P < 0·05 respectively). All rumen parameters were affected by time after feeding (acetate, P < 0·01; others, P < 0·001) but there was no interaction between treatment and time for any parameter.

Increased winter growth in male red deer calves under an extended photoperiod

1997 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Webster ◽  
I. D. Corsor ◽  
R. P. Littlejohn ◽  
J. M. Suttie
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Natural Increase ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Abrupt Increase ◽  
Winter Solstice ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Autumn And Winter

AbstractThe growth of male red deer slows during the first winter of life before increasing again during spring. This study aimed to determine if this period of slow growth could be minimized using artificial photoperiods during autumn and winter (10 April (week 1) to 11 September (week 23), southern hemisphere). Four groups of deer (no. = 10) were housed indoors as follows. Two groups were placed on a winter solstice photoperiod (8·5 light (L): 15·5 dark (D)) and given either a natural increase in photoperiod to 11·25L: 12·75D (WSN) or held on 8·5L: 15·5D for 7 weeks followed by an abrupt increase to 11·25L: 12·75D (WSH). One group was exposed to a summer solstice photoperiod of 16L: 8D (SS) and one group exposed to a natural photoperiodic pattern (IC). A fifth group of deer (no. = 10) was maintained outside on a gravelled enclosure under natural changes in photoperiod (OC). All groups were given a diet containing 160 g protein per kg and 11·0 MJ metabolizable energy per kg dry matter (DM) ad libitum. All animals were weighed weekly and group food intake recorded daily. Metatarsal length was measured at weeks 3,17 and 22 from the start of treatments.The major differences occurred between SS and the other groups. After a period of slower growth (weeks 1 to 5, SS = 88 g/day v. 168 g/day other groups, s.e.d. 31·2, P < 0·05), SS grew more rapidly from week 10 (P < 0·01). As a result, SS was heaviest from week 17 (P < 0·05) until the end of the experiment (P < 0·01). The mean growth rate of SS animals from weeks 10 to 23 was 346 g/day compared with 173 g/day (s.e.d. 15·3; P < 0·001) for the other groups. Over the whole experiment, SS animals gained 42·3 kg live weight, compared with 31·1 kg for WSN, 26·6 kg for WSH, 25·1 kg for OC and 23·7 kg for IC (s.e.d. 2·08 kg P < 0·01). The DM intake of SS from week 9 until the end of the experiment averaged 2·04 kg DM per head per day compared with 1·48 (s.e. 0·041) kg DM per head per day for the mean of the other groups. Metatarsal length increased more in SS than the other groups (P < 0·001) between weeks 3 and 17 and was longest in SS at weeks 17 and 22 (P < 0·01). Exposure to a 16L: 8D photoperiod during winter advanced the rapid growth of red deer calves normally associated with spring and summer. This response may be used to advance slaughter dates for venison production.

The voluntary intake by cattle of four silages differing in dry matter content

1970 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Jackson ◽  
T. J. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Voluntary Intake ◽  
Daily Intakes

SUMMARYHerbage from the same timothy/meadow fescue/white clover sward was ensiled at four different dry matter contents. The resulting silages had dry matter contents of 19·0, 27·3, 32·3 and 43·2%, the dry matter content increasing with the length of the wilting period. An experiment was carried out to determine the voluntary intake of the silages. Each silage was given to 7 animals individually, the mean live weight of these being 334 kg.Although the silages made from wilted herbage were lower in digestibility than that made from unwilted herbage, wilting increased dry matter intake and metabolizable energy (ME) intake. The mean daily intakes of digestible organic matter were 53·0, 58·1, 59·6 and 59·6 g/kgW0·73, for silages of increasing dry matter content. The corresponding ME intakes, expressed as a multiple of the ME requirement for maintenance, were 1·17, 1·29, 1·30 and 1·28. The percentage of acetic acid in the silage dry matter was significantly (r= −0·56) and linearly related to voluntary intake. The relationship between lactic acid concentration and voluntary intake was significantly curvilinear (r= 0·48).

The utilization of the dietary energy of pangola and setaria by young growing beef cattle

1982 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Tudor ◽  
D. J. Minson
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Initial Energy ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Lower Efficiency ◽  
Tropical Grasses

SUMMARYThe net energy values for growth and fattening of two artificially dried tropical grasses-, pangola (Digitaria decumbens) and setaria (S. sphacelata var. sericea cv. Nandi), of similar estimated metabolizable energy content (8·07 and 7·96 MJ/kg D.M.) were determined with cattle using a slaughter technique. Growing cattle with a mean initial weight of 175 kg were given equal quantities of dry matter of the two grasses at each of three planes of nutrition above maintenance for a period of 152 days.The initial energy, fat and protein content of the total body of the 24 test animals was estimated from regressions relating fasted live weight to theśe components, derived from 12 similar cattle slaughtered at the beginning of the feeding period. The final energy, fat and protein content of the test animals was determined directly by chemical analysis. The metabolizable energy (ME) content of the grasses was estimated from the level of digestible energy (DE) determined with eight cattle, assuming that ME = 0·815 DE.The cattle fed pangola gained more live weight, empty-body weight, fat, protein and energy than animals fed similar quantities of setaria. The net energy value for growth and fattening (NEf) was determined using regressions relating energy retention to the quantity of dry matter eaten. NEf in MJ/kg dry matter was 2·27 for pangola and 1·31 for setaria.Efficiency of utilization of ME for growth and fattening (kf) was.27·7% for pangola and 16·9% for setaria. These values for tropical grasses are lower than any values reported for temperate pasture species. Thus the lower efficiency of utilization of ME may cause the lower production of cattle which graze tropical grasses.It was concluded that as the kf values of different tropical grasses are not constant, kf values should be measured on a wider range of tropical grasses so that this factor can be taken into account when evaluating grasses in animal production systems.

Energy cost of eating long hay, straw and pelleted food in sport horses

1995 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 581-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Vernet ◽  
M. Vermorel ◽  
W. Martin-Rosset
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Energy Cost ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Ingestion Rate ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Long Form ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

AbstractSix sport horses were given 1·26 times the measured maintenance energy requirement (MEm) from each of the four following diets: H1, meadow hay in the long form (organic matter digestibility OMD = 0·541); HMI, 700g/kg the same hay and 300 g/kg pelleted maize; HSBPI, 600g/kg hay and 400g/kg pelleted dehydrated sugar-beet pulp; SCFI, 500g/kg wheat straw and 500g/kg pelleted compound food (experiment 1). In experiment 2, eight sport horses were equipped with a portable device for recording feeding behaviour and fed at 1·31 MEm diet HI (meadow hay in the long form: OMD = 0·574).Circadian energy expenditure (EE) of horses was determined by indirect calorimetry using two large open-circuit respiration chambers. Horses were continuously standing. Increase in metabolic rate (IMR) during eating was calculated from the difference between the mean EE obtained during each eatingperiod and the corresponding resting EE. The mean daily ingestion rate of hay H2 amounted to 148 (s.d. 27)mg dry matter per kg metabolic body weight per min. IMR during the two main meals averaged 0·388 (s.d. 0·059) and was not significantly different between diets H1, H2, HM1 and SCF1. Expressed per kg dry matter intake, energy cost of eating (ECE) was similar for diets H2, H1 and SCF1 but significantly lower for HSBP1 and HM1 (P<0·05). ECE of simple foods was calculated from those of the diets and of hay: proportionately 0·010, 0·042, 0·102 and 0·285 metabolizable energy intake for pelleted maize, pelleted SBP, long hay and wheat straw, respectively.

A study of the effect of supplementing a concentrate diet with roughages of different quality on the performance of Friesian steers. I. Voluntary food intake and food utilization

1970 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. McCullough
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Food Utilization ◽  
Stages Of Growth ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Metabolizable Energy Intake

SUMMARYConcentrate diets supplemented with 5, 20 and 40% of a high- and a low-quality hay were given ad libitum to British Friesian steers from 9 weeks of age to slaughter. The intake of dry matter and metabolizable energy was studied over weight ranges from 91 to 363 kg live weight. The quality of hay did not significantly affect the drymatter intake at any of the weight ranges studied. From 91 to 182 kg live weight the daily dry-matter intake decreased as the proportion of hay in the diet increased. Over the weight range from 182 to 272 kg live weight, intake was maximum at the 20% level of hay supplementation, while from 272 to 363 kg live weight, intake increased with increasing levels of hay in the diet. The supplementation of high-quality hay significantly increased the intake of metabolizable energy by animals weighing 91–182 kg. Increasing proportions of hay in the diet significantly affected the metabolizable energy intake at all stages of growth studied.At 18 and 36 weeks of age digestibility and N balance studies were carried out. The metabolizable energy expressed as a percentage of the gross energy and the mean retention time of the diets were significantly affected by the age of animal, quality of the hay and the level of hay supplementation. Nitrogen retention was also affected by the age of the animal but not by the quality of the hay.The relationships between the voluntary intake of dry matter and the metabolizable energy of the diet expressed as a percentage of the gross energy, for different stages of growth, are also presented.The change in the digestibility and the mean time of retention of the diets in the digestive tract with age and the effect of this on the point where physical regulation to intake gives way to physiological regulation are discussed.

Effects of diet calcium: phosporus ratio and metabolizable energy content on development of osteochondrosis, foot bending and performance in blue foxes

2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Korhonen ◽  
M. Happo ◽  
T. Rekilä ◽  
J. Valaja ◽  
I. Pölönen
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Alopex Lagopus ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Calcium And Phosphorus ◽  
And Performance

AbstractAbstract The study evaluates the effects of two dietary Ca: P ratios (1·5: 1v. 2·5: 1) and metabolizable energy (ME) contents (17·3 MJ/kg dry matter (DM)v. 19·2 MJ/kg DM) on the development of osteochondrosis, foot bending and performance in juvenile male blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Four experimental groups (no. = 10 per group) were formed : (1) low energy, lagopus). low Ca: P (LELC); (2) normal energy, low Ca: P (NELC); (3) low energy, normal Ca: P (LENC); and (4) normal energy, normal Ca: P (NENC). The experiment started at weaning in mid July and finished in early October. From mid August onwards, animals on the normal energy diets (NELC, NENC) grew significantly faster (P< 0·001) than animals on the low energy diets (LELC, LENC). The final body weights of the normal energy groups were 1·5 kg higher than those of the low energy groups (P< 0·001). The dietary Ca: P ratio did not affect live-weight gain. Foot bending increased significantly from summer to autumn (P< 0·001). Changes in foot bending between initial and final evaluations showed that bending was significantly greater (P< 0·05) in animals on normal energy (NELC, NENC) than on low energy diets (LELC, LENC). Significant differences were not found in the mean degree of damage in foot and cartilage between the groups. Ulna breaking strength was significantly higher (P< 0·05) in normal energy (NELC, NENC) than in low energy (LELC, LENC) animals. Ulna calcium and phosphorus concentrations of the normal Ca: P (LENC, NENC) groups were significantly higher (P< 0·001,P< 0·05) than those of the lower Ca: P (LELC, NELC) groups. The bone (ulna) calcium and phosphorus concentrations tended to be higher in the normal energy (NELC, NENC) than in the low energy (LELC, LENC) groups (calciumP= 0·07; phosphorusP= 0·06). The bone Ca: P ratio was higher (P< 0·001) in the normal (LENC, NENC) than in the low Ca: P diet (LELC, NELC) animals. The carcass weights of normal energy animals (NELC, NENC) were significantly higher (P< 0·001) than those of low energy (LELC, LENC) animals. The fat : dry matter ratio was higher (P< 0·05) in normal (NELC, NENC) than in low energy (LELC, LENC) carcasses. We conclude that the Ca: P ratio of the diet has no effect on the development of osteochondrosis or bending of the foot. The higher body weight caused by normal as opposed to low metabolizable energy content seems, however, to increase the incidence of foot bending.

scholarly journals PSII-2 Beef steers with divergent average daily gain have altered plasma amine/phenol-metabolome

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 399-399
Author(s):  
Ibukun M Ogunade
Keyword(s):  
Isotope Labeling ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Branched Chain ◽  
Chemical Groups ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract This study applied a chemical isotope labeling/liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based metabolomics technique to determine differences in plasma metabolites containing amine/phenol and carbonyl chemical groups in beef steers with divergent average daily gain (ADG). Thirty-eight Angus crossbred beef steers (21 d post-weaning; 210 ± 12 kg of BW) from a single source were housed in individual slatted floor pens and were fed the same total mixed ration (CP = 14.5% and NEg = 1.10 Mcal/kg) ad libitum for 42 d with free access to water. After 42 days of feeding, the steers were divided into two groups of lowest ADG (LF: n = 8) and highest (HF: n = 8) ADG. Blood samples were taken from both LF and HF steers and were immediately centrifuged to harvest the plasma. The average daily DM intake of the steers in LF and HF were 6.08 kg ± 0.57 and 6.04 kg ± 0.42, respectively, and was similar between the two groups (P = 0.72). The ADG of LF (0.99 kg ± 0.23) was lower (P = 0.01) than that of HF (1.63 kg ± 0.20). A total number of 42 carbonyl-containing metabolites and 229 amine/phenol-containing metabolites were identified in the plasma samples of both groups. No alteration in carbonyl-metabolome was detected. Ten metabolites including 4,6-dihydroxyquinoline, prolyl-valine, prolyl-leucine, prolyl-isoleucine, L-formylkynurenine, pyrocatechol, and histidine were greater in HF steers whereas 8 metabolites including arginine, phenylalanine, guanidoacetic acid, and aspartyl-threonine were greater in LF steers. This study demonstrated that beef steers with divergent ADG had altered plasma amine/phenol metabolome. Notably, plasma concentrations of dipeptides containing branched chain amino acid residues (prolyl-valine, prolyl-leucine, prolyl-isoleucine) and metabolites with anti-inflammatory and reactive oxygen-scavenging properties (4,6-dihydroxyquinoline and L-formylkynurenine) were greater in steers with high ADG.

Effect of restricted food intake, before and/or after mating, on the reproductive performance of Greyface ewes

1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Rhind ◽  
W. A. C. McKelvey ◽  
S. McMillen ◽  
R. G. Gunn ◽  
D. A. Eiston
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Daily Ration ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Lambing Rate

ABSTRACTThe effect on the reproductive performance of Greyface (Border Leicester × Scottish Blackface) ewes of a low level food intake and associated loss of live weight from either 14 days before mating, or from the time of mating, until 11 to 26 days after mating, was investigated. Ewes (252) were allocated to one of three treatments with ewes within each treatment divided into two flocks (flock A: 16 ewes per treatment; flock B: 68 ewes per treatment). Ewes of treatment LL were given a ration providing proportionately 0·5 estimated metabolizable energy (ME) requirements for maintenance from 2 weeks before mating. Those of treatment HL were given a daily ration providing 1·5 estimated ME requirements for maintenance until mating and the restricted ration thereafter. Ewes of treatment HH were given the higher ration throughout the experimental period. Flock A ewes were slaughtered at 11 days post mating and flock B ewes at between 18 and 26 days post mating. Treatment differences in the ovulation rates of flock A ewes were not statistically significant but in flock B, ewes of treatment LL had a lower mean ovulation rate (1·81) than those of treatments HL (2·23) and HH (2·09) (P < 0·001). The lower ovulation rate of LL ewes relative to HL ewes in flock B was reflected in a lower mean potential lambing rate per ewe pregnant than in the HL treatment (1·58 v. 1·79; P < 0·01) and per ewe put to the ram (1·37 v. 1·65; P < 0·01). HL ewes had a slightly lower mean potential lambing rate per ewe pregnant (1·79 v. 1·97; P < 01) and per ewe put to the ram (1·65 v. 1·82; P < 0·05) than HH ewes. Ova wastage rates of LL + HL and HH ewes were 0·26 and 014 (P < 001) respectively at 24 days post mating. Values for LL and HL ewes (0·27 and 0·25 respectively) were not significantly different.Estimated mean conceptus lengths were 370, 500 and 1400 μin for LL, HL and HH ewes respectively (P < 0·05).It is concluded that low food intake before mating reduced the mean ovulation rate and low intakes after mating compromised embryo growth rate and induced a higher rate of ova wastage; this increase in the incidence of ova wastage was not significantly exacerbated by the low levels of intake prior to mating.

scholarly journals Copper, iron, manganese and zinc concentrations in the carcases of lambs and calves and the relationship to trace element requirements for growth

1979 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. F. Suttle
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Tissue Storage ◽  
Growth Requirements ◽  
Fe And Mn ◽  
Zinc Concentrations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Daily Intakes ◽  
Iron Manganese ◽  
The Relationship

1. The minced carcases of twenty-seven lambs, ranging from 18 to 69 kg in live weight, and twenty-five calves (30–90 kg) were analysed for copper, iron, manganese and zinc. The lambs were weaned whereas the calves were reared exclusively on milk.2. Mean concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn for groups of lamb carcases fell within the ranges 52.6–75.1, 0.7–1.2 and 20.8–25.6 mg/kg fresh carcase weight respectively. The concentrations of Fe and Mn decreased while that of Zn increased slightly with age at slaughter. The concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn in calves were close to thosein lambs.3. For both species, the concentration of Cu in the carcase varied erratically: variation in hepatic Cu storage was implicated. In an additional study of ten full-term foetuses from Cu-depleted or Cu-supplemented ewes, a dietary Cu supplement (10 mg/kg dry matter (DM)) increased foetal Cu status 10-fold, due largely to an increase in foetal liver Cu.4. The mean retentions of trace elements in the lamb carcases (%intake) were approximately: Cu 2.0, Fe 1.3, Mn 0.08, Zn 4.0. The corresponding values for the milk-fed calves were all probably much higher (Cu 23, Fe 43.7, Mn 4.9, Zn 34.0) but Cu intake was not accurately measured.5. After allowing for tissue storage of Fe and Mn, values of 55, 0.85 and 24 mg/kg carcase gain were taken to represent the approximate net growth requirements of lambs for Fe, Mn and Zn respectively: the corresponding value for Cu was probably < 1.0 mg/kg. Values for calves were similar to those for lambs.6. It was concluded that the total net requirements of ruminants for Fe and Zn shouldbe considered in terms of daily intakes of the metans rather than dietary concentrationsbecause of the relatively large and constant contribution of the growth component to thetotal requirement.

scholarly journals Effect of guar gum on gastric emptying in growing pigs

1986 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna L. Rainbird ◽  
A. G. Low
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Emptying ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Guar Gum ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Postprandial Blood Glucose ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fat Diets ◽  
Blood Glucose Concentrations

1. Simple gastric cannulas were surgically fitted to four pigs, initially of 30 kg live weight, to examine the effects of guar gum on gastric emptying.2. Four semi-purified high-fat diets based on starch, casein, soya-bean oil and tallow were given to each pig. They contained 0 (control), 20, 40 or 60 g powdered guar gum/kg diet. The meals as fed contained 257 g dry matter (DM)/kg.3. The contents of the stomach were evacuated, with rinsing, before feeding or 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 h after feeding.4. The mean pH of the digesta was unaffected by guar gum until 4 h after feeding when the value increased as the amount of guar gum in the diet rose.5. The only significant effects of guar gum on the emptying of digesta and its components (compared with the control diet) were to reduce the rate of emptying of (a) digesta 1 h after feeding (60 g/kg diet) and 4 h after feeding (40 and 60 g/kg diets), (b) dry matter and glucose 1 h after feeding (60 g/kg diet), (c) nitrogen 1 h after feeding (60 g/kg diet) and 4 h after feeding (40 and 60 g/kg diets).6. When expressed on a half-time (T50) basis, the emptying of digesta and N (but not of DM and glucose) were significantly slower for diets containing 40 and 60 g guar gum/kg than for the control diet.7. The apparent viscosity of the gastric digesta ranged between 0.5 and 23.7% of the values for the diets as consumed.8. It was concluded that the effects of guar gum on gastric emptying of high-solid meals were small, and that this was unlikely to be an important aspect of the mechanism by which guar gum reduces postprandial blood glucose concentrations.

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