Concentration of dietary calcium supplied by calcium carbonate does not affect the apparent total tract digestibility of calcium, but decreases digestibility of phosphorus by growing pigs. Particle size of calcium carbonate does not affect apparent and standardized total tract digestibility of calcium, retention of calcium, or growth performance of growing pigs. Estimation of true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss in growing pigs fed conventional and low-phytate soybean meals. Effects of microbial phytase on apparent and standardized total tract digestibility of calcium in calcium supplements fed to growing pigs. Requirement for digestible calcium by 25 to 50 kg pigs at different dietary concentrations of phosphorus as indicated by growth performance, bone ash concentration, and calcium and phosphorus balances. Effect of plant extracts and formic acid on the intestinal equilibrium of early-weaned pigs. Effects of dietary supplementation of fermented garlic powder on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, blood characteristics and faecal microbial concentration in weanling pigs. Standardized total tract digestibility of phosphorus in copra meal, palm kernel expellers, palm kernel meal, and soybean meal fed to growing pigs. Digestibility and bulking effect of ispaghula husks in healthy humans. Dietary oligosaccharides increase colonic weight and the amount but not concentration of bacterially synthesized folate in the colon of piglets. The combination of arginine and leucine supplementation of reduced crude protein diets for boars increases eating quality of pork. Comparative effects of high dietary levels of organic and inorganic selenium on selenium toxicity of growing-finishing pigs. Odd-chain fatty acids as a biomarker for dietary fiber intake: a novel pathway for endogenous production from propionate. Performance of crossbred calves with dietary supplementation of garlic extract. The effect of dietary garlic supplementation on body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, faecal score, faecal coliform count and feeding cost in crossbred dairy calves Effects of beta-glucan extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, and immunological and somatotropic responses of pigs challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. Role of early enteral feeding and acute starvation on postburn bacterial translocation and host defense: Prospective, randomized trials
A regional experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that the concentration of dietary Ca does not affect the digestibility of Ca or P in diets fed to growing pigs .  Six diets based on corn , potato protein isolate , cornstarch , and soybean oil were formulated . All diets also contained monosodium phosphate , crystalline AA , salt , and a vitamin-micromineral premix . The only difference among the diets was that varying concentrations of calcium carbonate were used to create diets containing 0.33 , 0.46 , 0.51 , 0.67 , 0.92 , and 1.04 % Ca . All diets contained between 0.40 and 0.43 % P. Six universities participated in the experiment and each university contributed 2 replicates to the experiment for a total of 12 replicates ( initial BW : 23.1 ± 4.4 kg ) . Pigs were placed in metabolism cages that allowed total , but separate , collection of feces and urine from the pigs . Pigs within each replicate were r and omly allotted to the 6 diets and fed experimental diets for 14 d with urine and feces being collected over a 5-d period . Diets , feces , and urine sample s were analyzed for Ca and P , and the daily balance , the apparent total tract digestibility ( ATTD ) , and the retention of Ca and P were calculated . Results indicated that intake , fecal excretion , and urinary excretion of Ca increased ( linear , P<0.05 ) as dietary Ca concentration increased . The daily intake of P was not affected by the dietary concentration of Ca , but fecal excretion of P increased ( linear , P<0.05 ) as dietary Ca concentrations increased . In contrast , urinary P output was decreased ( linear , P<0.05 ) as dietary Ca increased . The retention of Ca increased ( linear , P<0.05 ) from 1.73 to 4.60 g/d , whereas the retention of P decreased ( linear , P<0.05 ) from 1.98 to 1.77 g/d as dietary Ca concentrations increased . However , if calculated as a percentage of intake , both Ca and P retention were decreased ( linear , P<0.05 ) as dietary Ca concentration increased ( from 55.4 to 46.1 % and from 48.4 to 43.5 % , respectively ) . The ATTD of Ca was not affected by the dietary concentration of Ca , but the ATTD of P was decreased ( linear , P<0.05 ) from 56.9 to 46.2 % as dietary Ca concentration increased . It is concluded that the dietary concentration of Ca does not affect the ATTD of Ca in calcium carbonate , but increased concentrations of dietary Ca may decrease the ATTD of P in diets based on corn , potato protein isolate , and monosodium phosphate Two experiments were conducted to evaluate particle size of calcium carbonate used in diets fed to growing pigs . Experiment 1 was conducted to determine apparent total tract digestibility ( ATTD ) , st and ardized total tract digestibility ( STTD ) , and retention of Ca among diets containing calcium carbonate produced to different particle sizes , and Exp . 2 was conducted to determine if growth performance of weanling pigs is affected by particle size of calcium carbonate . In Exp . 1 , 4 diets based on corn and potato protein isolate were formulated to contain 0.70 % Ca and 0.33 % st and ardized total tract digestible P , but the calcium carbonate used in the diets was ground to 4 different particle sizes ( 200 , 500 , 700 , or 1,125 μm ) . A Ca-free diet was formulated to determine basal endogenous losses of Ca . In Exp . 2 , 4 diets were based on corn and soybean meal and the only difference among diets was that each diet contained calcium carbonate ground to the 4 particle sizes used in Exp . 1 . In Exp . 1 , 40 barrows ( 15.42 ± 0.70 kg initial BW ) were allotted to the 5 diets with 8 replicate pigs per diet using a r and omized complete block design , and in Exp . 2 , 128 pigs with an initial BW of 9.61 ± 0.09 kg were r and omly allotted to 4 experimental diets . Results of Exp . 1 indicated that basal endogenous losses of Ca were 0.329 g/kg DMI . The ATTD of Ca was 70.0 ± 3.2 , 74.3 ± 2.7 , 70.0 ± 2.9 , and 72.1 ± 2.7 and the STTD of Ca was 74.2 ± 3.2 , 78.5 ± 2.7 , 74.1 ± 2.9 , and 76.2 ± 2.7 for calcium carbonate ground to 200 , 500 , 700 , or 1,125 μm , respectively . Retention of Ca was 67.4 ± 3.1 , 70.4 ± 2.6 , 63.9 ± 2.8 , and 67.2 ± 2.2 for diets containing calcium carbonate ground to 200 , 500 , 700 , or 1,125 μm , respectively . There were no differences among diets for ATTD of Ca , STTD of Ca , or retention of Ca . The ATTD of P was 64.5 ± 1.7 , 66.8 ± 2.6 , 64.2 ± 3.0 , and 63.2 ± 1.7 % and retention of P was 61.4 ± 1.4 , 63.8 ± 2.8 , 61.9 ± 2.8 , and 60.9 ± 1.5 for diets containing calcium carbonate ground to 200 , 500 , 700 , or 1,125 μm , respectively . Neither ATTD of P nor retention of P was influenced by the particle size of calcium carbonate . Results of Exp . 2 indicated that ADG , ADFI , and G : F were not impacted by the particle size of calcium carbonate . In conclusion , particle size of calcium carbonate did not affect ATTD of Ca , STTD of Ca , or retention of Ca ; ATTD of P or retention of P ; or growth performance of pigs . Any particle size of calcium carbonate in the range from 200 to 1,125 μm can therefore be used in diets fed to pigs This study reevaluated the method of regressing of total P output against dietary P intake to simultaneously estimate true P digestibility and endogenous P loss in growing pigs fed either conventional or low-phytate soybean meal ( SBM ) . Four isocaloric diets were formulated to contain increasing concentrations of each type of SBM ( 8 diets total ) , and therefore contained increasing concentrations of dietary P. Dietary P and Ca concentrations were deficient because they were supplied solely by SBM , and Ca : total P ratios were less than 1:1 . Sixteen barrows ( initial BW 17.7 + /- 1.8 kg ) were surgically fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum , r and omly assigned to metabolism crates , and fed the experimental diets in a replicated 8 x 8 Latin square design . Feed was provided at 90 g/kg of BW(0.75 ) and fed in 2 equally sized meals at 0800 and 2000 , with diets containing Cr sesquioxide ( 3 g/kg ) as an indigestible marker . As the P concentration increased from 0.9 to 3.9 g/kg of DM , the apparent prececal P digestibility increased for conventional SBM ( P < 0.05 ) , but no relationship was observed for low-phytate SBM . The output of total P [ mg/(kg of BW(0.75).d ) ] , either prececal or total tract , exhibited a linear relationship ( P < 0.01 ) with increasing P intake . However , a quadratic response ( P = 0.02 ) was also detected for total tract P output from pigs fed low-phytate SBM . True P digestibility was not different between prececal and total tract collection sites ( P > 0.10 ) , but was greater ( P < 0.01 ) for low-phytate SBM ( 62.6 % ) compared with conventional SBM ( 44.5 % ) . Endogenous P estimates were not different between the SBM varieties and averaged 4.83 mg/(kg of BW(0.75).d ) . However , endogenous P estimates were highly variable between individual animals and , therefore , were not significantly different from zero . In this study , estimates of endogenous P loss from pigs were relatively low compared with previously reported values , and evidence of nonlinearity in P output was observed . These results suggest that the difference in true P digestibility between conventional SBM and low-phytate SBM is influenced by dietary phytate content when growing pigs are fed P-deficient diets An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that differences in the apparent total tract digestibility ( ATTD ) and st and ardized total tract digestibility ( STTD ) of Ca exist among Ca supplements and that inclusion of microbial phytase increases the ATTD and STTD of Ca . One hundred and four growing barrows ( average initial BW of 17.73 ± 2.53 kg ) were allotted to a r and omized complete block design with 13 dietary treatments and 8 pigs per treatment . A basal diet containing corn , cornstarch , potato protein isolate , soybean oil , calcium carbonate , monosodium phosphate , vitamins , and minerals was formulated . Five additional diets were formulated by adding monocalcium phosphate ( MCP ) , dicalcium phosphate ( DCP ) , calcium carbonate , Lithothamnium calcareum Ca , or a high-Ca sugar beet co-product to the basal diet at the expense of cornstarch . Six additional diets that were similar to the previous 6 diets with the exception that they also contained 500 units per kilogram of microbial phytase were also formulated . A Ca-free diet was used to determine basal endogenous losses of Ca . Feces were collected using the marker-to-marker approach . Results indicated that regardless of inclusion of microbial phytase , MCP had the greatest ( P < 0.05 ) ATTD and STTD of Ca . The ATTD and STTD of Ca in DCP were greater ( P < 0.05 ) than in calcium carbonate , L. calcareumC a , or in the sugar beet co-product , but no differences were observed among the ATTD and STTD of Ca in calcium carbonate , L. calcareum Ca , or sugar beet co-product . Inclusion of microbial phytase increased ( P < 0.05 ) the ATTD and STTD of Ca in the diets , but this was not the case in the Ca supplements . Regardless of inclusion of microbial phytase , the ATTD of P was greater ( P < 0.05 ) in pigs fed basal , MCP , or DCP diets than in pigs fed calcium carbonate , L. calcareum Ca , or the sugar beet co-product , but pigs fed calcium carbonate diets had greater ( P < 0.05 ) ATTD of P than pigs fed L. calcareumCa or the sugar beet co-product . Regardless of Ca source , inclusion of microbial phytase increased ( P < 0.001 ) the ATTD of P. In conclusion , MCP has the greatest ATTD and STTD of Ca  among the calcium supplements used in this experiment , followed by DCP . Basal , MCP , and DCP diets had greater ATTD of P than the other diets , and inclusion of microbial phytase increased the ATTD and STTD of Ca and the ATTD of P in the diets Two experiments were conducted to determine the requirement for st and ardized total tract digestible ( STTD ) Ca by 25 to 50 kg pigs at different concentrations of STTD P. Twenty corn-soybean meal based diets were formulated with diets containing 4 concentrations of STTD P ( 0.15 , 0.31 , 0.39 , or 0.47 % ) and 5 concentrations of STTD Ca ( 0.13 , 0.27 , 0.42 , 0.57 , or 0.72 % ) . Diets were mixed in 1 batch and were used in both experiments . In Exp . 1 , 240 pigs ( initial average BW : 24.70 ± 1.27 kg ) were r and omly allotted to the 20 diets in 6 blocks with 1 pen per diet in each block using a 4 × 5 factorial design . There was 1 gilt and 1 barrow in each pen . At the conclusion of the 28 d experiment , all barrows were euthanized and the right femur was collected . Results indicated that there were interactions ( < 0.001 ) between concentration of STTD Ca and concentration of STTD P in diets for ADG , G : F , and bone ash . The predicted maximum ADG at STTD P concentrations of 0.15 , 0.31 , 0.39 , and 0.47 % were 0.76 , 0.87 , 0.90 , and 0.92 kg at STTD Ca concentrations of 0.12 , 0.36 , 0.47 , and 0.59 % , respectively , which correspond to STTD Ca : STTD P ratios of 0.80:1 , 1.16:1 , 1.21:1 , and 1.26:1 . The predicted maximum G : F ratio at the 4 STTD P concentrations were 0.43 , 0.46 , 0.48 , and 0.50 kg/kg at STTD Ca concentrations of 0.09 , 0.38 , 0.52 , and 0.67 % , respectively , and these values correspond to STTD Ca : STTD P ratios of 0.60:1 , 1.23:1 , 1.33:1 , and 1.43:1 . The predicted maximum bone ash at the 4 STTD P concentrations were 14.5 , 21.0 , 23.1 , and 24.5 g at STTD Ca concentrations of 0.41 , 0.56 , 0.64 , and 0.72 % , respectively , which correspond to STTD Ca : STTD P ratios of 2.73:1 , 1.81:1 , 1.64:1 , and 1.53:1 . In Exp . 2 , 120 pigs ( initial average BW : 29.45 ± 2.15 kg ) were placed in metabolism crates and r and omly allotted to the 20 diets in 6 blocks with 1 pig per diet in each block . Fecal and urine sample s were collected . Results indicated that the predicted maximum retention of Ca in the body at STTD P concentrations of 0.15 , 0.31 , 0.39 , and 0.47 % were 4.7 , 7.1 , 8.6 , and 10.2 g/d at STTD Ca concentrations of 0.77 , 0.96 , 1.06 , and 1.15 % , respectively , which correspond to STTD Ca : STTD P ratios of 5.13:1 , 3.10:1 , 2.72:1 , and 2.45:1 . These observations indicate that if STTD P meets or exceeds the requirement , the STTD Ca : STTD P ratio needed to maximize ADG and G : F by 25 to 50 kg pigs is between 1.16:1 and 1.43:1 . However , a greater ratio may be needed to maximize bone ash or Ca retention We evaluated the effects of a plant extracts mixture ( XT ) st and ardized in 5 % ( wt/wt ) carvacrol , 3 % cinnamaldehyde , and 2 % capsicum oleoresin ( oregano , cinnamon and Mexican pepper ) , alone or in combination with formic acid ( FA ) , on the productive performance and the intestinal ecosystem of the early-weaned pig . Pigs weaned at 20 + /- 1 d of age ( n = 216 ) were allocated in 24 pens and fed a st and ard medicated prestarter diet for 12 d. Twelve days after weaning , a stress management system based on social and dietary stress factors was applied to the animals , after which , each group was allocated to one of six dietary treatments , which followed a factorial arrangement , with three levels ( as-fed basis ) of the XT ( 0 , 150 , and 300 mg/kg ) and two levels of FA ( 0 and 0.5 % ) . On d 24 and 25 after the stress episode , eight pigs per treatment were killed to examine variables describing some aspects of the gastrointestinal ecology . Two days after the stress episode , an Escherichia coli K88 diarrhea episode occurred , and five casualties were registered . Four of the five deaths occurred in pens of pigs not fed the XT . The FA result ed in better G : F ( P = 0.040 ) in coincidence with shorter villous height ( P = 0.073 ) and lower rectal total microbial mass ( P = 0.078 ) . Both XT and FA addition increased stomach content ( P = 0.006 and 0.003 , respectively ) and percentage of DM ( P = 0.089 and 0.010 , respectively ) , suggesting an increased gastric retention time ; consequently , pH was also increased ( P = 0.005 and 0.060 , respectively ) . The XT decreased ileum total microbial mass ( P = 0.025 ) and increased the lactobacilli : enterobacteria ratio ( P = 0.002 ) . The VFA profile in the cecum and colon was modified by XT inclusion , increasing the proportion of acetate ( P = 0.018 and 0.025 , respectively ) and diminishing the proportion of butyrate ( P = 0.096 and 0.040 , respectively ) and valerate ( P = 0.001 and 0.039 , respectively ) . Both XT and FA were shown to be effective in modifying the gastrointestinal ecosystem , stomach contents , and stomach emptying rate , which are proposed as important aspects in the mechanisms of action for these additives A total of 144 weanling pigs ( 5.5 ± 0.42 kg ) were used in a 5-week trial to evaluate the effect of fermented garlic powder ( FGP ) supplementation  in weaning pigs . Pigs were r and omly allocated to the following four dietary treatments : ( i ) control ( CON ; basal diet ) , ( ii ) FGP0.5 ( CON + 0.5 g/kg FGP ) , ( iii ) FGP1 ( CON + 1 g/kg FGP ) , ( iv ) FGP2 ( CON + 2 g/kg FGP ) . There were six replications with six pigs ( three barrows and three gilts ) per pen . Pigs fed FGP0.5 treatments increased ( p < 0.05 ) average daily gain ( ADG ) and average daily feed intake ( ADFI ) during 3 - 5 and 0 - 5 week . No difference was observed on gain/ feed ( G/F ) ratio in this study . The inclusion of FGP1 and FGP2 treatments increased DM ( p < 0.05 ) digestibility compared with the CON treatment throughout the experiment . The apparent total tract digestibility of N was ( p < 0.05 ) increased by the dietary FGP throughout the experiment . Pigs fed FGP1 and FGP2 treatments increased the lymphocyte concentration ( p < 0.05 ) and RBC concentration compared with the CON group . Dietary FGP decreased the blood total cholesterol ( p < 0.05 ) in comparison with the CON group . The triglyceride ( p < 0.05 ) concentration was decreased in FGP1 and FGP2 treatments compared with those in the CON treatment at the end of the experiment . Pigs fed FGP1 and FGP2 treatments had a lower number of Escherichia coli in faeces on 21 ( p < 0.05 ) and 35 days ( p = 0.05 ) than those in the CON treatment . In conclusion , dietary fermented garlic powder ( 0.5 g/kg ) can improve ADG and ADFI in weanling pigs , but not at higher levels ( 1 and 2 g/kg ) . Dietary fermented garlic powder can also increase the nutrient digestibility , lymphocytes and RBC concentrations , but decrease the faecal E. coli concentration in weaning pigs Sixty-six barrows ( initial BW : 27.4 ± 2.8 kg ) were used to determine the st and ardized total tract digestibility ( STTD ) of P in copra meal ( CM ) , palm kernel expellers from Indonesia ( PKE-IN ) , palm kernel expellers from Costa Rica ( PKE-CR ) , palm kernel meal from Costa Rica ( PKM ) , and soybean meal ( SBM ) without or with exogenous phytase . Pigs were housed individually in metabolism cages and allotted to 11 diets with 6 replicate pigs per diet in a generalized r and omized block design . Five diets were formulated by mixing cornstarch and sugar with CM , PKE-IN , PKE-CR , PKM , or SBM . Five additional diets , which were identical to the initial 5 diets but supplemented with 800 units of phytase , were also formulated . A P-free diet was used to measure basal endogenous losses of P by the pigs . Feces were collected for 5 d using the marker to marker approach after a 5-d adaptation period . Analyzed total P in CM , PKE-IN , PKE-CR , PKM , and SBM was 0.52 , 0.51 , 0.53 , 0.54 , and 0.67 % , respectively . Phytate P was 0.22 , 0.35 , 0.38 , 0.32 , and 0.44 % in CM , PKE-IN , PKE-CR , PKM , and SBM , respectively . Addition of phytase increased ( P < 0.05 ) the apparent total tract digestibility ( ATTD ) of P from 60.6 to 80.8 , 27.3 to 56.5 , 32.6 to 59.9 , 48.9 to 64.1 , and 41.1 to 72.2 % in CM , PKE-IN , PKE-CR , PKM , and SBM , respectively . The ATTD of P in CM was greater ( P < 0.05 ) than in any of the other ingredients . The ATTD of P in SBM and PKM was greater ( P < 0.05 ) than in PKE-IN , with PKE-CR being intermediate . The STTD of P increased ( P < 0.05 ) from 70.6 to 90.3 , 37.6 to 66.4 , 43.2 to 69.9 , 57.9 to 73.5 , and 49.6 to 81.1 % in CM , PKE-IN , PKE-CR , PKM , and SBM , respectively , when microbial phytase was added to the diets . When expressed as a percentage of total P , phytate P concentration in the ingredient negatively affected ( P < 0.05 ) the ATTD of P ( 107.09 - 1.0564 × % phytate P ; R(2 ) = 87.1 ) and the STTD of P ( 116.3 - 1.0487 × % phytate P ; R(2 ) = 89.4 ) . In conclusion , microbial phytase increased P digestibility of CM , PKM , PKE-CR , PKE-IN , and SBM when fed to growing pigs , and the concentration of phytate P affects the response to microbial phytase The digestibility of ispaghula , a mucilage from Plantago ovata composed mainly of arabinoxylans , and its faecal bulking effect were studied in seven healthy volunteers who ingested a low fibre controlled diet plus either placebo or 18 g/day of ispaghula for two 15 day periods .  Whole gut transit time and gas excretion in breath and flatus were not different during the periods of ispaghula and placebo ingestion . Faecal wet and dry weights rose significantly , however , during ispaghula ingestion . Faecal short chain fatty acid concentrations and the molar proportions of propionic and acetic acids also increased . Most of the ispaghula had reached the caecum four hours after ingestion in an intact highly polymerised form . During ispaghula ingestion , the increase in the faecal output of neutral sugars was accounted for by the faecal excretion of arabinose and xylose in an intact highly polymerised form ; the apparent digestibilities of these sugars were 24 ( 11 ) and 53 % ( 6 ) respectively ( mean ( SEM ) ) . In conclusion , ispaghula is more resistant to fermentation than previously reported in humans , and its bulking effect largely results from intact material Recently , we demonstrated that the large pool of folate present in the colon of humans can be absorbed . Here , we investigated whether the net amount of folate synthesized by bacteria in the colon of piglets can be modified by feeding prebiotics to alter their microbial milieu . Male piglets ( age 5 d , n = 12 ) were r and omized to a milk-based formula containing either 5 g/L inulin + 5 g/L galactooligosaccharides ( IN-GOS ) or 5 g/L maltodextrin ( control ) .  Body weight did not differ between groups during the 28-d feeding intervention . However , the mean weight of colonic tissue ( 38 % ) and their contents ( 238 % ) was higher in the IN-GOS than in the control group ( P = 0.004 , P = 0.0001 , respectively ) . Total bacterial load in the colon of piglets fed IN-GOS was 531 % greater and the total amount of folate found in the colon contents was 53 % greater than that of controls ( P = 0.002 , P = 0.02 , respectively ) . Indices of blood folate status ( plasma and RBC folate and plasma homocysteine ) and folate concentrations in liver and kidneys were unaffected . Both groups exhibited low RBC folate ( 56 ± 23 nmol/L ) and elevated homocysteine ( 24 ± 7 μmol/L ) concentrations , evidence of deficiency if present in humans . In conclusion , dietary supplementation with 5 g of inulin + 5 g of galactooligosaccharides increased the weight , bacterial load , and total folate content in the piglet colon ; however , these changes were insufficient to modify indices of whole body folate status . Future studies investigating the impact of feeding prebiotics on localized folate status at the level of the colonocyte are warranted Fifty-four entire male pigs ( Duroc × Pietrain × Large White × L and race ) from a commercial crossbred operation were used to investigate the effect of dietary Arg supplementation , protein reduction ( PR ) , and Leu supplementation on performance , carcass traits , and meat quality . Pigs weighing 58.9 ± 1.6 kg BW were r and omly assigned to 1 of 6 treatments ( n = 9 ) . The 6 dietary treatments were normal CP diet ( 16 % CP , NPD ) , reduced CP diet ( 13 % CP , RPD ) , reduced CP diet with Leu addition to 2.0 % ( RPDL ) , normal CP diet supplemented with 1 % Arg ( 16 % CP , Arg-NPD ) , reduced CP diet supplemented with 1 % Arg ( 13 % CP , Arg-RPD ) , and reduced CP diet with Leu addition to 2.0 % and supplemented with 1 % Arg ( 13 % CP , Arg-RPDL ) . Pigs were slaughtered at 91.7 ± 1.6 kg BW . Dietary Arg supplementation had no effect on intramuscular fat ( IMF ) content but produced meat off-flavor and increased meat tenderness and overall acceptability . The PR increased ( P < 0.001 ) IMF content ( 45 % to 48 % ) but negatively affected the growth performance of pigs . In addition , PR increased ( P < 0.05 ) back fat thickness and decreased loin weight . Leucine addition did not affect IMF content , back fat thickness , or loin weight . There was an increase of juiciness with PR and Leu addition , which accompanied the increase of IMF content with the low-CP diet . The PR increased meat deposition of 18:1c9 , SFA , MUFA , and PUFA , which were not correlated with any pork sensory trait . The main combined effect of Arg was an increased tenderness and overall acceptability of pork . In conclusion , it was confirmed that dietary CP reduction enhances pork eating quality but negatively affects growth performance and carcass characteristics of pigs This experiment evaluated the effect of high dietary Se levels using organic or inorganic Se on the selenosis responses in growing-finishing swine . A 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments in a r and omized complete block design was conducted in two replicates . Sodium selenite or Se-enriched yeast was added at 5 , 10 , 15 , or 20 ppm Se to corn-soybean meal diets . A basal diet without added Se was a ninth treatment group . Ninety crossbred barrows initially averaging 24.7 kg BW were allotted at five pigs per pen . Pigs were bled at 3-wk intervals and plasma Se , glutathione peroxidase ( GSH-Px ) activity , glutamic oxalacetic transaminase ( PGOT ) , hemoglobin , packed cell volume , and blood cell Se concentration were measured . After 12 wk , pigs were killed and various tissues and bile were collected for Se analyses . Pig body weights , daily gains , and feed intakes were similar for both Se sources when provided at < or = 5 ppm Se , but each measurement declined in a different manner for each Se source as the dietary Se level increased . The decline was more rapid when the inorganic rather than organic Se source was fed , result ing in interaction responses ( P < 0.01 ) . Hair loss ( alopecia ) and separation of the hoof at the coronary b and site occurred at > or = 10 ppm inorganic Se but at > or = 15 ppm organic Se level . Plasma GSH-Px activity increased ( P < 0.01 ) when high dietary Se levels of either Se source was fed . Plasma and blood cell Se increased at each period as dietary Se level increased ( P < 0.01 ) and was greater when organic Se was provided ( P < 0.05 ) . Blood cell Se concentration reached a plateau when inorganic Se , but not when organic Se , was fed and increased as the experiment progressed . This result ed in a three-way interaction ( P < 0.01 ) . Plasma GOT activity at the 12-wk period was elevated when inorganic Se was provided at > or = 15 ppm Se but not when organic Se was fed , result ing in an interaction ( P < 0.05 ) . Tissue Se concentrations increased as dietary Se level increased and when organic Se was provided , result ing in interaction responses ( P < 0.05 ) . Bile was a yellow color when the basal diet was fed but was dark brown at > 10 ppm inorganic Se and at 20 ppm when organic Se was provided . Bile Se increased as dietary Se level increased ( P < 0.01 ) . These results suggest that dietary Se from inorganic or organic sources was toxic at > or = 5 ppm Se , but subsequent selenosis effects were more severe and occurred sooner when sodium selenite was the Se source Background : The risk of type 2 diabetes is inversely correlated with plasma concentrations of odd-chain fatty acids [ OCFAs ; pentadecanoic acid ( 15:0 ) and heptadecanoic acid ( 17:0 ) ] , which are considered as biomarkers for dairy fat intake in humans . However , rodent studies suggest that OCFAs are synthesized endogenously from gut-derived propionate . Propionate increases with dietary fiber consumption and has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity . Objective : We hypothesized that OCFAs are produced in humans from dietary fibers by a novel endogenous pathway . Design : In a r and omized , double-blind crossover study , 16 healthy individuals were supplemented with cellulose ( 30 g/d ) , inulin ( 30 g/d ) , or propionate ( 6 g/d ) for 7 d. In addition , human hepatoma cells were incubated with different propionate concentrations . OCFAs were determined in plasma phospholipids and hepatoma cells by gas chromatography . Results : Cellulose did not affect plasma OCFA levels , whereas inulin and propionate increased pentadecanoic acid by ∼17 % ( P < 0.05 ) and 13 % ( P = 0.05 ) , respectively . The effect on heptadecanoic acid was even more pronounced , because it was elevated in almost all participants by inulin ( 11 % ; P < 0.01 ) and propionate ( 13 % ; P < 0.001 ) . Furthermore , cell culture experiments showed a positive association between propionate and OCFA levels ( R2 = 0.99 , P < 0.0001 ) , whereas palmitate ( 16:0 ) was negatively correlated ( R2 = 0.83 , P = 0.004 ) . Conclusions : Our data show that gut-derived propionate is used for the hepatic synthesis of OCFAs in humans . The association of OCFAs with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes  may therefore also relate to dietary fiber intake and not only dairy fat . This trial was registered at www.germanctr.de as DRKS00010121 Twelve crossbred calves ( Holstein cross ) in their pre-ruminant stage were used to study the effect of garlic extract feeding on their performance and they were r and omly allotted into treatment and control groups in equal number . Performance was evaluated by measuring average body weight ( BW ) gain , feed intake [ dry matter ( DM ) ; total digestible nutrient ( TDN ) and crude protein ( CP ) ] , feed conversion efficiency ( DM , TDN and CP ) , fecal score and fecal coliform count . Diets were same for both groups . In addition , treatment group received garlic extract supplementation at 250 mg/kg BW/day/calf . BW measured weekly , feed intake measured twice daily , proximate analysis of feeds and fodders analysed weekly , fecal scores monitored daily and fecal coliform count done weekly . There was a significant ( p < 0.01 ) increase in mean BW gain and feed intake and a significant ( p < 0.01 ) decrease in severity of scours as measured by fecal score in the treatment group compared to the control group . The results suggest that garlic extract can be supplemented to the calves for better performance Thirty-six crossbred calves ( Holstein cross ) of 5 days of age were used to study the effect of garlic extract feeding on their performance up to the age of 2 months ( pre-ruminant stage ) . They were r and omly allotted into treatment and control groups ( 18 numbers in each group ) . Performance was evaluated by measuring average body weight ( BW ) gain , feed intake ( dry matter ( DM ) , total digestible nutrient ( TDN ) and crude protein ( CP ) ) , feed conversion efficiency ( FCE ; DM , TDN and CP ) , faecal score , faecal coliform count and feeding cost . Diets were the same for the both groups . In addition , treatment group received garlic extract supplementation at 250 mg/kg BW per day per calf . Body weight measured weekly , feed intake measured twice daily , proximate analysis of feeds and fodders analysed weekly , faecal scores monitored daily and faecal coliform count done weekly . There was significant increase in average body weight gain , feed intake and FCE and significant decrease in severity of scours as measured by faecal score and faecal coliform count in the treatment group compared to the control group ( P < 0.01 ) . Feed cost per kilogramme BW gain was significantly lower in the treatment group compared to control group ( P < 0.01 ) . The results suggest that garlic extract can be supplemented to the calves for better performance Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of beta-glucan supplementation on  pig performance and immune function . In Exp . 1 , 100 weaned pigs ( 8.65 + /- 0.42 kg of BW and 28 + /- 2 d of age ) were used in a 35-d experiment to determine the effects of grade d levels of beta-glucan . Pigs were r and omly allotted to 1 of 5 treatments containing beta-glucan supplemented at 0 , 25 , 50 , 100 , or 200 ppm . Each treatment was replicated using 5 pens containing 4 pigs per pen . The ADG of pigs between d 14 to 28 and d 0 to 28 responded to dietary beta-glucan in a quadratic fashion ( P < 0.05 ) , whereas beta-glucan had no effect on ADFI and G : F in any period . In Exp . 2 , 80 crossbred pigs ( 8.23 + /- 0.56 kg of BW and 28 + /- 2 d of age ) were used in a 35-d experiment . Pigs were allotted to 1 of 2 dietary treatments ( 0 or 50 ppm of beta-glucan in the diet ) using 10 pens with 4 pigs per pen . Pigs treated with beta-glucan had greater ADG in the 14- to 28-d ( P = 0.05 ) and 0-to 28-d ( P = 0.035 ) periods . The ADFI of pigs receiving beta-glucan was increased ( P < 0.05 ) in the periods from 0 to 14 , 0 to 28 , and 28 to 35 d. The lymphocyte proliferation index in response to phytohemagglutinin ( P = 0.051 ) and concanavalin A ( P = 0.052 ) tended to decrease on d 14 in pigs supplemented with beta-glucan compared with pigs without supplementation . In Exp . 3 , 24 barrows ( 8.89 + /- 0.20 kg of BW and 28 d of age ) were used to investigate the immunological and somatotropic responses of pigs challenged with lipopolysaccharide ( LPS ) . Experimental treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial , with the main effects of LPS challenge ( saline vs. LPS ) and dietary addition of beta-glucan ( 0 vs. 50 ppm ) . Pigs were raised individually in metabolic cages . Pigs were fed 0 or 50 ppm of beta-glucan for 28 d and then challenged with LPS ( 25 microg/kg of BW ) or saline . After LPS injection , blood was obtained at 0 , 1.5 , 3 , 4.5 , 6 , and 7.5 h to determine cytokine production and the somatotropic response . Dietary beta-glucan increased plasma interleukin-6 at 1.5 , 3 , and 4.5 h and tumor necrosis factor-alpha at 3 and 4.5 h and increased plasma interleukin-10 from 3 to 7.5 h after LPS challenge . The beta-glucan treatments had no effect on growth hormone . In conclusion , beta-glucan can selectively influence performance and partially offer benefits on somatotropic axis and immune function in weaned piglets challenged with LPS Objectives To investigate the effect of : a ) starvation during the preburn period and b ) immediate postburn enteral nutrition  on the permeability of the gut to microorganisms and the ability of the host to kill translocated bacteria . Design Prospect i ve , r and omized , experimental trials . Setting Laboratory . SubjectsBalb/c mice and Hartley guinea pigs . Interventions In the first experiment , mice were starved for 0 , 6 , 12 , 18 , or 24 hrs before receiving gavage with 1010 14C-labeled Escherichia coli and a 20 % burn injury . In the second experiment , guinea pigs received a 40 % burn injury and were r and omized to receive a complete enteral diet ( 175 kcal/kg/day ) or infusion of an equal volume of lactated Ringer 's solution via a previously placed gastrostomy for 6 , 24 , or 48 hrs . After each feeding period , 1010 10C Escherichia coli were infused intragastrically . In both experiments , the animals were killed 4 hrs after gavage , and mesenteric lymph nodes , spleen , liver , lungs , peritoneal fluid , and blood were harvested aseptically . Measurements For each tissue or fluid , the number of viable E. coli and radionuclide counts of the 14C E. coli were measured and the percentage of translocated bacteria that remained alive was calculated . Main Results In mice , 18 and 24 hrs of preburn starvation increased translocation only to the mesenteric lymph nodes , but it also enhanced bacterial killing in all tested tissues . Guinea pigs that were fed enterally for 6 , 24 , and 48 hrs postburn had significantly lower bacterial translocation in all tissues compared with animals infused with lactated Ringer 's solution . Additionally , enhanced killing of translocating organisms was observed after 24 and 48 hrs of feeding . Conclusions Starvation preburn has different consequences than starvation postburn on translocation and bacterial killing . Postburn enteral nutrition decreases the load of viable bacteria in the tissues via a double mechanism : an initial decreased translocation and a subsequent improved ability to kill bacteria that do translocate . ( Crit Care Med 1994 ; 22:265–272
These outcomes advance the current underst and ing of Ca digestibility and utilisation , and should contribute towards establishing requirements for digestible Ca .
Consequently , pig diets will be more correctly formulated if digestible Ca values are used in estimating requirements for Ca
Ca digestibility and utilisation in growing pigs are not well understood , and are usually neglected in diet formulation .
This has implication s not only for the accurate determination of its requirements but also for its interactions with other nutrients .
A systematic review and meta- analysis ( meta-regression ) of published trials was carried out to quantify factors affecting Ca absorption and utilisation , and to derive an estimate of Ca endogenous excretion .