Effects of Leucaena leucocephala supplementation to basal hay on Energy and Protein metabolism in West African. Dwarf sheep

Energy and protein utilization and quantitative retention of protein, fat and energy was investigated with twelve castrated West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep averaging (23.0 h 2.4 kg BW) in nitrogen and energy balance trials. Dried leaves of Leucaena leucocephala were offered as supplement at two levels 25% (diet 2) and 50% (diet 3) of dry matter intake (DM1), replacing hay in the basal hay diet. The basal hay diet without supplementation was the control. Measurements were performed by means of nitrogen and carbon balances and with the use of indirect calorimetry The digestibility and utilization of protein were influenced (P<0.05) by supplementation. Metabolisability of energy (ME/ GE) was on the average 42.9 (SEM 4.3)% being significantly (P<0.05) different among treatments. Diet 2 had a higher (P<0.05) retained protein (9.6 g/d) compared with the control diet and hence a superior (P<0.05) protein utilization than the control and diet 3, respectively. It was concluded that Leucaena leuccocephala improved protein utilization and retention in WAD sheep.

INFLUENCE OF CORN CONDENSED DISTILLERS SOLUBLES (CCDS) ON RATION DIGESTIBILITY. NITROGEN/ENERGY UTILIZATION AND RUMEN FLUID CHARACTERISTICS OF LACTATING DAIRY COWS

Digestion and Balance trials were conducted with 18 lactating dairy cows in their 7-8 weeks of lactation using 7 day total collection to determine nitrogen and energy balance and digestibility of ration nutrients by lactating dairy cows fed three levels (0.8 and 16%) of corn condensed distillers solubles (CCDS). Cows were fed treatment rations for 4 weeks before collection. Following digestion and balance trials, rumen fluid samples were collected esophagially before feeding and 3 hours after feeding to determine the influence of CCDS on rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids. Corn condensed distilers solubles significantly (P<0.05) improved the digestibility of the neutral detergent fiber and ether extract but depressed the digestibility of the ash. Apparent nitrogen retention was significantly (P <0.05) lower for animals on 8% CCDS ration. There were no significant differences in energy utilization among groups. Corn condensed distilers soluble did not significantly affect rumen pH, but depressed rumen ammonia nitrogen. On molar percentage basis, animals on the 8% CCDS ration had significantly (P< 0.05) higher acetate in the rumen 3 hours after feeding. Other VFA remained relatively unaffected by treatments.

NITROGEN UTILIZATION BY PREGNANT YANKASA SHEEP

Series of Nitrogen – balance trials were conducted during the last 6 weeks of gestation using nine adult Yankasa ewes aged about 242 years. The animals were fed a basal Digitaria smutsii hay diet supplemented with compounded concentrate ration ted at three levels of crude protein, viz 8.4, 15.6 and 19.1%. The estimated metabolizable energy concentration in the rations averaged 3.2 MJ/kg DM. Mean daily liveweight gains during the last third of pregnancy which were 125.7, 165.7 and 214.3g for the three treatment groups respectively were significantly (P< 0.05) affected by the level of crude protein fed. Nitrogen retention increased with dietary crude protein levels. There was a curvilinear relationship between N-intake and N-balance per unit of metabolic weight. The results showed that Yankasa ewes required 1.5g DCP/day/W0.75kg for maintenance and 7.48g DCP/day/Wkg0.75 for pregnancy.

Modelling of the nitrogen deposition and dietary lysine requirements of Redbro broilers

The aim of this study was to determine the coefficients of the Goettingen model for Redbro birds and estimate the digestible lysine requirements. To determine the model parameters, three nitrogen balance trials were performed in Periods I (14–28 days), II (42–56 days) and III (70–84 days), using 42 birds per trial. The birds were individually housed and subjected to six diets with increasing levels of nitrogen, with lysine as the limiting amino acid (deficient by 20% in relation to other amino acids). Dietary nitrogen concentrations were 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48 g/kg. A control diet was added to confirm lysine as the first limiting amino acid. Nitrogen balance trials were divided into 5 days of adaptation and two periods of excreta collection, each one of 5 days. The response of the birds to a control diet confirmed that lysine was the first limiting amino acid. The adjustment of the exponential functions between nitrogen retention or excretion and nitrogen intake allowed estimation of parameters of the Goettingen model. The maximum potential for nitrogen retention was 3276, 2585 and 2603 mg/BWkg0.67.day, nitrogen maintenance requirement was 225, 135 and 122 mg/BWkg0.67.day and efficiency of nitrogen utilisation was 313 × 10−6, 406 × 10−6 and 415 × 10−6 in the phases of 14–28, 42–56 and 70–84 days. The digestible lysine intake for Periods I, II and III, based on 60% of the maximum potential for nitrogen retention, was 711, 989 and 1272 mg/day (1.225%, 1.137% and 1.09% of lysine in the diet for a daily feed intake of 58, 87and 117 g/day), respectively.

Modelling the maximum potential of nitrogen deposition and requirements of lysine for broilers

This study aimed to develop a dynamic model to estimate lysine (Lys) requirements based on the maximum theoretical potential of nitrogen deposition (NDmaxT) and metabolic bodyweight (MBW) of growing broilers. Three N balance trials were conducted (6–21, 22–37 and 38–53 days of age) at average ages of 14, 30 and 46 days, respectively, with 36 male broilers (Cobb 500) used in each trial. In each trial, the NDmaxT was estimated by exponential model fitting of daily N intake as a function of daily N deposition for the average age. The N deposition was obtained by application of the N balance technique. To model the NDmaxT in relation to MBW, the mean and standard deviation of NDmaxT was used to generate a new population. The critical exponential model was fitted to estimate the daily NDmaxT, resulting in the following model: NDmaxT = 1677 + (–1677 + 13810 × MBW) × (0.151MBW). The daily NDmaxT data so generated were used in the Goettingen model to calculate the daily Lys requirements for N retention response. Modelling of Lys requirements resulted in greater than recommended values, with an average difference of 1.05 times the recommendation of the management guide for the studied strain. According to the results obtained from this simulation, the model provided consistent estimates of Lys requirements and may enable nutritionists to provide nutritional strategies to optimise production of broilers based on the MBW.

Alterations in Gait Initiation Are Present in Those With Posttraumatic Ankle Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if stereotypical patterns of gait initiation are altered in those with posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis. Ten subjects, five with unilateral ankle osteoarthritis and five uninjured controls, participated. Subjects completed the SF-36 and Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale to quantify self-reported disability as well as 10 dual-limb static stance trials and 10 gait initiation trials with each leg. Center of pressure outcomes were calculated for static balance trials while the peak center of pressure excursions were calculated for each phase of gait initiation. The results indicate greater self-reported disability (P< .05) and worse static postural control (P< .05) in the ankle osteoarthritis group. Nonstereotypical patterns were also observed during the first and third phases of gait initiation in those with ankle osteoarthritis. The results of this pilot study suggest that supraspinal motor control mechanisms may have changed in those with posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis.