Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: One study with adult roosters and many studies with chicks were completed. In the rooster study, corn-isolated soy protein diets containing either 0, .4% or .8% of short-chain fructooligosaccharide, oligofructose, inulin, mannan oligosaccharide, or transgalactooligosaccharide were tube-fed to both intact and cecectomized roosters and excreta were collected to measure digestibility of energy and amino acids. The dietary treatments represented a wide array of ingredients that have been shown to have prebiotic activity. Prebiotics are indigestible materials that have beneficial effects on the intestinal microflora of animals. Feeding the above prebiotic ingredients to cecectomized roosters had no deleterious effects on energy and amino acid digestibility and actually increased amino acid digestibility for some treatments. In all chick studies, chicks were fed corn-soybean meal diets from 0 to 21 days of age. Feeding either .4 or .8% of the above prebiotics generally had no large effect on energy and amino acid digestibility and microbes in the ceca. Other experiments evaluated Grobiotic, a new prebiotic containing dairy and yeast fractions and dried fermentation extracts, at dietary levels of 2 to 6% and Grobiotic was found to yield a significant linear increase in cecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (desirable bacteria). Dietary levels of 1 to 6% of several organic acids (citric acid, gluconic acid, fumaric acid, and malic acid) generally had no effect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and cecal microbial numbers. Two other experiments were conducted with chicks fed varying combinations of Grobiotic, gluconic acid, and mannanoligosaccharide. There was no consistent effect of dietary treatment on growth performance, metabolizable energy, amino acid digestibility, and cecal bifodobacteria, lactobacilli, E. coli, or C. perfringens populations. Several experiments were conducted to evaluate feeding levels of 0 to 20% whole wheat, whole sorghum, or whole barley on growth performance and intestinal health. Feeding whole grains to chicks had no consistent effect on growth performance but resulted in an increase in gizzard weight, even as early as 7 days, in all experiments. Chicks fed diets containing 10 to 20% whole wheat generally had increased MEn values at 3-4, 7, 14, and 21 days and also had slight increases in amino acid digestibility at 21 days in one experiment. A final study involving three experiments was conducted to evaluate the effects of corn particle size in a corn-soybean meal diet when fed to young chicks. In all experiments, day old chicks were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments consisting of the following: hammer mill screen size 1.59 mm ground corn, 4.76 mm ground corn, 7.94 mm ground corn, or 9.52 mm ground corn. Chicks were fed the experimental diets from 0 to 21 days post-hatch. Feeding larger ground corn sizes caused an increase in relative gizzard weight (% of body weight) in all experiments, with the greatest increase occurring with the 9.52 mm ground corn. Corn particle size generally had no significant effect on growth performance, MEn and AA digestibility values. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The results of these studies indicate that non-digestible prebiotic and organic acid ingredients can be fed to poultry with little or no deleterious effects on utilization of dietary energy and amino acids. Thus, although many of these ingredients or additives are non-digestible, they do not have negative effects on growth performance or nutrient digestibility. This is important information to know because there is increasing use of these types of ingredients or additives in poultry diets to replace antibiotic growth promoter additives. Our results also indicate that some of these feed additives definitely have beneficial effects on the intestinal microflora in poultry. Our findings should result in continued and increased feeding of prebiotics and organic acids to poultry, and in turn, result in less usage of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry diets. In addition, feeding various whole grains is another alternative to feeding antibiotic growth promoters. Feeding whole grains may improve digestibility of the feed which is good both economically and for the environment. They also increase gizzard size which is beneficial to intestinal health, which is particularly important in the absence of antibiotic growth promoters.
Publications
- Biggs, P. and Parsons, C.M. 2008. The effects of Grobiotic-P on growth performance, nutrient digestibilities, and cecal microbial populations in young chicks. Poult. Sci. 87:1796-1803.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
Two experiments were conducted with New Hampshire X Columbian chicks fed a corn-soybean meal diet to examine the efficacy of varying levels of Grobiotic-P (GB) and mannanoligosacharide (MOS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and cecal microbial populations. Chicks were allowed ad libitum access to one of eight diets: 1) corn-soybean meal (SBM) basal diet; 2) 4% GB; 3) 3% gluconic acid; 4) 2% GB + 0.2% MOS; 5) 4% GB + 0.2% MOS; 6) 2% GB + 1.5% gluconic acid; 7) 1.5% gluconic acid + 0.2% MOS; or 8) 3% gluconic acid + 0.21% MOS. In both experiments, supplementing GB, MOS, or 1.5% gluconic acid to the diet had no significant effect on weight gain. Weight gain was depressed (P< 0.05) in the diet containing 3% gluconic acid. In Experiment 1, feed intake and feed efficiency were unaffected by dietary treatment. In Experiment 2, feed intake was increased and feed efficiency ratio was decreased for chicks fed diets containing 4% GB alone or in combination with 0.2%
MOS. All diets containing 2 or 4% GB combinations showed a significant increase (P< 0.05) in MEn at 21 days when compared to the basal diet. For AA digestibility, 2% GB combined with 0.2% MOS or 1.5% gluconic acid resulted in a reduction (P<0.05) in AA digestibility at 7 days; however, at 21 days, these combinations increased (P<0.05) AA digestibility for all AA. There was no consistent effect of dietary treatment on cecal bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, E. coli, or C. perfringens populations or cecal pH. These two experiments indicated that diets containing GB generally increased MEn and AA digestibility at 21 days and that the prebiotic combinations had no consistent effects on cecal microbial populations. A second study was conducted to evaluate the effects of corn particle size in a corn-soybean meal diet when fed to young chicks. The first experiment was performed using New Hampshire X Columbian female chicks and the second and third experiment used Ross X Ross commercial male
broiler chicks. Chicks were fed the experimental diets from 0 to 21 days post-hatch and MEn and apparent AA digestibility were determined at 7 and 21 days of age. When compared to the 1.59 mm ground corn, feeding the larger ground corn sizes had no significant (P>0.05) effect on growth performance from 0 to 21 days in all experiments. Feeding larger ground corn sizes caused an increase in relative gizzard weight (% of body weight) in all experiments, with the greatest increase occurring with the 9.52 mm ground corn. Gizzard pH was unaffected by corn particle size in all experiments. Digestibility coefficients for most AA were higher (P<0.05) at 21 days than at 7 days for all dietary treatments. The MEn values were decreased at 7 days when the 9.52 mm ground corn size was included in broiler chick diets; however, there was no significant difference observed at 21 days. The MEn values also increased from 7 to 21 days in all corn treatments. Corn particle size generally had no
significant effect on MEn and AA digestibility values. The results indicate that feeding larger particle size corn increases gizzard weight and has no significant effect on growth performance, MEn, and AA digestibility.
Impacts
There is increased interest and demand for the poultry industry to stop the routine practice of feeding low levels of antibiotics as growth promoters. Previous studies in this project indicated that feeding low levels of several special carbohydrates have beneficial effects in the microbial populations in the intestine and are good replacements for antibiotic growth promoters. The experiments discussed above further indicate that feeding various large particle corn is a potential alternative to feeding antibiotic growth promoters. Feeding large particle corn also increased gizzard size which may result in improved intestinal health. Feeding various combinations of prebiotics such as GB, MOS and gluconic acid provided no beneficial effects compared to feeding GB alone. Thus, feeding GB alone is the most effective and economical dietary treatment.
Publications
- Biggs, P. and Parsons, C.M. 2007. The effects of several oligosaccharides on true amino acid digestibility and true metabolizable energy in cecectomized and conventional roosters. Poultry Science 86:1161.
- Biggs, P., Parsons, C.M. and Fahey, G.C. 2007. The effects of several oligosaccharides on growth performance, nutrient digestibilities, and cecal microbial populations in young chicks. Poultry Science 86.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Five experiments were conducted to evaluate feeding whole wheat, whole sorghum, or whole barley on growth performance, intestinal health and as replacements for antibiotic growth promoters in chicks. The first four studies utilized New Hampshire x Columbian male chicks and the fifth study used Ross x Ross commercial male chicks. In the first experiment, feeding 5, 10, 15, or 20% whole wheat had no effect on growth at 21 days when compared with chicks fed the control diet. In the second experiment, feeding 10 or 20% whole wheat from 0 to 21 days or from 8 to 21 days had no significant effect on growth performance. The third experiment tested 20, 35, and 50% whole wheat fed from 0 to 21 days of age and showed that a 50% whole wheat diet decreased 21-day growth and feed efficiency when compared to chicks fed the control diet. In Experiment 4, 10 and 20% whole sorghum resulted in a reduction in growth at 21 days while chicks fed 10 and 20% whole barley had similar weight
gains to chicks fed a corn-soybean meal diet. The fifth study with commercial broiler chicks evaluated 10 and 20% whole sorghum or whole barley and 20 and 35% whole wheat. Growth at 21 days was unaffected by any dietary treatment. Feed efficiency was decreased at 21 days with 20% whole wheat and improved (P<0.05) with 10% whole barley. Feeding whole grains to chicks resulted in an increase in gizzard weight, even as early as 7 days, in all experiments. The greatest increase in gizzard weights occurred with 20% whole barley and 20 and 35% whole wheat. Chicks fed diets containing 10 to 20% whole wheat generally had increased MEn values at 3-4, 7, 14, and 21 days and also had slight increases in amino acid digestibility at 21 days in one experiment. At 21 days, cecal pH and short-chain fatty acid concentrations in all experiments were unaffected by feeding whole grains to chicks. The results of this study showed that feeding whole wheat, sorghum, or barley increased gizzard weight,
indicating improved intestinal health, and feeding 10 to 20% whole wheat may increase metabolizable energy and amino acid digestibility of feeds.
Impacts
There is increased interest and demand for the poultry industry to stop the routine practice of feeding low levels of antibiotics as growth promoters. Previous studies in this project indicated that feeding low levels of several special carbohydrates have beneficial effects in the microbial populations in the intestine and are good replacements for antibiotic growth promoters. The experiments discussed above further indicate that feeding various whole grains is an alternative to feeding antibiotic growth promoters. Feeding whole grains may improve digestibility of the feed which is good both economically and for the environment.
Publications
- Biggs, P., Utterback, P., Kim, E., King, C., Dilger, R., Scherer, C. and Parsons, C. 2005. The effects of whole grains on growth performance, nutrient digestibilities, and cecal short-chain fatty acid production in young chicks. Poultry Science 85(Supplement 1):52.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Several experiments were conducted with chicks to evaluate prebiotics and several organic acids as replacements for antibiotic growth promoters. Prebiotics are indigestible materials, usually carbohydrates, that have beneficial effects on the intestinal microflora of animals. Grobiotic-B, a new prebiotic containing dairy and yeast fractions and dried fermentation extracts was evaluated at dietary levels of 2 to 6% and was found to generally have no significant effect on growth performance and amino acid digestibility. There was a significant linear increase in cecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (desirable bacteria) due to the Grobiotic-P in chicks fed practical corn-soybean meal diets. Dietary levels of 1 to 6% of several organic acids (citric acid, gluconic acid, fumaric acid, and malic acid) were then evaluated in chicks fed corn-soybean meal diets. The organic acids generally had no effect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and cecal microbial
numbers. The Grobiotic-P and gluconic acid were then evaluated in chicks fed dextrose-casein diets and dextrose-isolated soy protein diets in attempt to better detect effects on the cecal microflora. Feeding 5% Grobiotic-P yielded an increase in cecal bifidobacteria in chicks fed a dextrose-casein diet and feeding both 4% gluconic acid and 5% Grobiotic-P reduced cecal clostridia numbers (undesirable bacteria). These results indicate that the casein and insolated soy protein diets may be more sensitive than practical corn soybean meal diets for detecting effects of dietary additives on intestinal microflora populations.
Impacts
The results of these initial studies indicate that non-digestible prebiotic and organic acid ingredients can be fed to poultry with little or no deleterious effects on utilization of dietary energy and amino acids. Thus, although many of these ingredients or additives are non-digestible, they do not have negative effects on growth performance or nutrient digestibility. This is important information to know because there is increasing use of these types of ingredients or additives in poultry diets to replace antibiotic growth promoter additives. Our results also indicate that some of these feed additives definitely have beneficial effects on the intestinal microflora in poultry. Our findings should result in continued and increased feeding of prebiotics and organic acids to poultry, and in turn, result in less usage of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry diets.
Publications
- Biggs, P.E. and Parsons, C.M. 2005. The effect of oligosaccharides on growth performance, nutrient utilization and cecal microbes in young chicks. Poultry Science 84:(Supplement 1):69.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
One study with adult roosters and two studies with chicks have been completed. In the rooster study, corn-isolated soy protein diets containing either 0, .4% or .8% of short-chain fructooligosaccharide, oligofructose, inulin, mannan oligosaccharide or transgalactooligosaccharide were tube-fed to both intact and cecectomized roosters and excreta were collected to measure digestibility of energy and amino acids. The dietary treatments represented a wide array of ingredients that have been shown to have prebiotic activity. Prebiotics are indigestible materials that have beneficial effects on the intestinal microflora of animals. Feeding the above prebiotic ingredients to cecectomized roosters had no deleterious effects on energy and amino acid digestibility and actually increased amino acid digestibility for some treatments. The positive effects were not observed in intact rooters, although there generally were no negative effects observed either. In the two chick
studies, chicks were fed corn-soybean meal diets containing 0, .4 or .8% of the same five prebiotic ingredients from 0 to 21 days of age and energy and amino acid digestibility were measured at 3-4, 7, 14 and 21 days of age. The numbers of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli (good bacteria) and E. coli and Clostridia (bad bacteria) were measured in cecal contents of the chicks at 21 days of age. Feeding either .4 or .8% of the prebiotics generally had no large effect on energy and amino acid digestibility. Feeding .8%, however, did cause significant reductions in some cases, particularly at the younger ages. Both energy and amino acid digestibility increased with age in both experiments up to 14 days. The diets generally had no effect on numbers of microbes in the ceca.
Impacts
The results of these initial studies indicate that non-digestible prebiotic ingredients can be fed to poultry with little or no deleterious effects on utilization of dietary energy and amino acids. This is important information to know because there is an increasing use of these types of ingredients or additives in poultry diets to replace antibiotic growth promoter additives. Our results, however, also indicate that only the lower efficacious levels should be fed because a higher level of .8% did cause some reductions in energy and amino acid digestibility, particularly at younger ages. In addition, our results further documented that digestibility in very young chicks is considerably less than maximum at early ages and that digestibility increases with age up until approximately 14 days. Thus, researchers and poultry producers need to continue to determine effective and economical methods of feeding more highly digestible diets to very young chicks and/or develop
feed additives, such as enzymes, that will improve digestibility in very young chicks. Our findings should result in continued and increased feeding of prebiotics to poultry, and in turn, result in less usage of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry diets. In addition, our findings should stimulate further research to discover feed additives that will increase digestibility of feeds in very young chicks.
Publications
- Biggs, P.E., and Parsons, C.M. 2004. The effect of several oligosaccharides on true amio acid digestibility in cecectomized and intact roosters. Poultry Science 83 (Supplement 1):267.
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Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/03
Outputs
In the first phase of project, two experiments were conducted to better define the minimum dietary available phosphorus (AP) requirement of laying hens fed a corn-soybean meal diet. The results of the first experiment indicated that the dietary AP requirement of laying hens was only moderately greater than .15% and much less than .45% (positive control). Consequently, a second long-term experiment was conducted in which hens were fed corn-soybean meal diets containing .10, .12, .14, .16, .18, .20 or .45% AP from 20 to 63 weeks of age. The hens were then induced molted and fed either 0.16, 0.18, 0.20 or .45% AP from 68 to 108 weeks of age. The results indicated that the minimal AP requirement of younger laying hens is approximately .18% or 190 mg per day, but may be higher for older second-cycle hens. A second study was conducted to quantitate the efficacy of phytase enzyme for increasing the bioavailability of P in soybean meal for chicks. Results indicated that each
unit/kg of phytase increased AP in soybean meal by approximately 4 mg/kg. In Phase two, two studies were conducted. The first one evaluated the effect of phytase enzyme on amino acid digestibility in three different diets for molted laying hens. Hens (78 weeks of age) were fed a corn-soybean meal diet, a corn-soybean meal-meat and bone meal diet or a corn-soybean meal-wheat middlings diet containing 0 or 300 U/kg of phytase for three weeks (3 x 2 factorial design). There was no significant main effect of phytase. A second study evaluated the effect of two laying hen strains on the dietary available phosphorus (AP) requirement and the susceptibility of the two strains to dietary P deficiency. In two experiments, Hyline W-36 and W-98 laying strains were fed corn-soybean meal diets containing .10, .125, .14 or .45% AP starting at 20 weeks of age. Both laying hen strains started showing reduced egg production after being fed the .10% and 125% AP diets for six to eight weeks. The results
indicated that the AP requirement and susceptibility to AP deficiency is similar for both laying hen strains. In Phase three, the effects of various feed additives for increasing phytate P utilization in laying hens and chicks was evaluated. The objective in Experiment 1 was to determine if 1alpha-(OH) D3 would improve phytate phosphorus (P) utilization for laying hens. The treatments were a P-deficient diet and that diet supplemented with 2.5, 5 or 10 ug/kg 1 alpha-(OH) D3. Diets were fed from 44-52 weeks of age. Hen-day egg production was significantly depressed for the basal diet treatment and for the 2.5, 5, and 10 ug/kg of 1alpha-(OH) D3 treatments compared to a positive control diet. In a second series of three experiments, the effects of individual and combinations of dietary 1 alpha-(OH) D3, phytase enzyme and citric acid on phytate P utilization in chicks was determined. Levels of 5 to 10 ug 1 alpha-(OH) D3 per kg diet, 300 units of phytase per kg of diet and 4% citric acid
individually and in combination were shown to markedly increase tibia ash of chicks fed a P-deficient diet corn-soybean meal diet.
Impacts
The results of two laying hen experiments indicated that the minimum dietary available P requirement of laying hens is much lower than what is fed on most commercial farms. Thus, our results indicate that lower levels of P can be fed to laying hens; thus, decreasing the cost of producing eggs and reducing P excretion and P pollution. Our results indicate that phytase enzyme greatly increases P utilization from soybean meal by poultry. There is very little, if any, effect of phytase enzyme on digestibility of amino acids for laying hens. Thus, producers need to use phytase enzyme for only improving dietary phosphorus utilization, not amino acids, and to evaluate the economic value of phytase based only on its effects on phosphorus utilization. The phosphorus requirement and susceptibility to phosphorus deficiency seems to be the same for the two most commonly used laying hen strains, Hyline W-36 and W-98, in the U.S. Thus, producers do not need to feed the W-98 strain
higher levels of phosphorus as is often recommended. The feed additives 1 alpha-(OH) D3, phytase enzyme and citric acid markedly increase phytate P utilization in chicks and their effects are generally additive. Thus, these additives can be used to reduce the levels of P fed and also the amount of P excreted. In contrast, 1alpha-(OH) D3 did not substantially improve P utilization in laying hens fed corn-soybean meal diets. Consequently, there is no benefit to feeding this additive to laying hens.
Publications
- Snow, J.L., Douglas, M.W., Boling-Frankenbach, S.D., Corless, A.B., Persia, M.E. and Parsons, C.M. 2000. Further evaluation of the minimal phosphorus requirement for laying hens. Poult. Sci. 79 (Supplement 1):28-29.
- Snow, J.L., Douglas, M.W., Batal, A.B., Persia, M.E., Biggs, P.E. and Parsons, C.M. 2001. Minimal available phosphorus requirement of molted laying hens. Poultry Sci. 80 (Supplement 1):90.
- Snow, J.L., Douglas, M.W., Batal, A.B., Persia, M.E., Biggs, P.E. and Parsons, C.M. 2002. HyLine W-36 and HyLine W-98 laying hens respond similarly to dietary available phosphorus levels. Poultry Sci. 81 (Suppl. 1):39.
- Snow, J.L., Baker, D.H. and Parsons, C.M. 2002. Phytase, citric acid, and 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol improve phytate phosphorus utilization in chicks fed a corn-soybean meal diet. Poultry Sci. 81 (Suppl. 1):11.
- Snow, J.L., Douglas, M.W. and Parsons, C.M. 2003. Phytase effects on amino acid digestibility in molted laying hens. Poult. Sci. 82:474-477.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Previous research in our laboratory demonstrated marked increases in phytate phosphorus (P) utilization when P-deficient corn-soybean meal diets were supplemented with 1alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol (1alpha-(OH) D3) and fed to chicks. Our objective was to determine if 1alpha-(OH) D3 would improve phytate phosphorus (P) utilization when supplemented to vitamin D adequate laying hen diets. The five experimental treatments were: 1) P-deficient corn-soybean basal diet (17% CP, 3.8% Ca and 0.10% nonphytate P), 2) basal with 2.5 ug/kg 1alpha-(OH) D3, 3) basal with 5 ug/kg 1alpha-(OH) d3, 4) basal with 10 ug/kg 1alpha-(OH) D3, and 5) basal with 0.35% supplemental inorganic P (0.45% nonphytate P, positive control). Diets were fed to six replicate groups of 12 HyLine W-98 White Leghorn laying hens from 44-52 weeks of age. Hen-day egg production was significantly depressed by 47 weeks of age for the basal diet treatment and by 47, 49, and 48 weeks of age, respectively, for the
2.5, 5, and 10 ug/kg of 1alpha-(OH) D3 treatments compared to the positive control diet. Supplementation with 5 or 10 ug/kg 1alpha-(OH) D3 did significantly improve (P < 0.05) egg production, but the egg production for those treatments was much lower than that for the 0.45% nonphytate P treatment. In addition, hen body weight, egg weight, egg mass, and feed intake were lower (P < 0.05) for the basal diet and the 1alpha-(OH) D3 treatments compared to the 0.45% nonphytate P treatment. There were no differences in egg specific gravity among any of the dietary treatments.
Impacts
Although levels of 2.5-10 ug/kg 1alpha-(OH) D3 have been shown to be highly efficacious for increasing phytate P utilization in chicks, our results indicate that they do not substantially improve P utilization in laying hens fed corn-soybean meal diets.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Two studies were conducted. The first one evaluated the effect of phytase enzyme on amino acid digestibility in three different diets for molted laying hens. Hens (78 weeks of age) were fed a corn-soybean meal diet, a corn-soybean meal-meat and bone meal diet or a corn-soybean meal-wheat middlings diet containing 0 or 300 U/kg of phytase for three weeks (3 x 2 factorial design). At the end of the three weeks, all hens were euthanized with CO2 gas and the ileal contents were collected and analyzed for amino acids. There was a significant effect of diet type on amino acid digestibility but there was no significant main effect of phytase. However, there was a significant interaction between diet and phytase for some amino acids. The interaction resulted because phytase had a positive effect on digestibilities for the meat and bone meal and wheat middlings diets but had a negative effect for the corn-soybean meal diet. A second study evaluated the effect of two laying hen
strains on the dietary available phosphorus (AP) requirement and the susceptibility of the two strains to dietary P deficiency. This experiment is currently underway. Hyline W-36 and W-98 laying strains were fed corn-soybean meal diets containing .10, .14 or .45% AP starting at 20 weeks of age. The .10% AP diet is definitely deficient, the .14% AP is slightly deficient and the .45% AP diet is adequate. Both laying hen strains started showing reduced egg production after being fed the .10% AP diet for eight weeks. There has been no effect of the .14 and .45% AP diet on egg production as of 11 weeks. Thus, the results to this point indicate that the AP requirement and susceptibility to AP deficiency is similar for both laying hen strains.
Impacts
There is very little, if any, effect of phytase enzyme on digestibility of amino acids for laying hens. Thus, producers need to use phytase enzyme for only improving dietary phosphorus utilization, not amino acids, and to evaluate the economic value of phytase based only on its effects on phosphorus utilization. The phosphorus requirement and susceptibility to phosphorus deficiency seems to be the same for the two most commonly used laying hen strains, Hyline W-36 and W-98, in the U.S. Thus, producers do not need to feed the W-98 strain higher levels of phosphorus as is often recommended. That latter will reduce cost and decrease P excretion and pollution.
Publications
- SNOW, J.L., DOUGLAS, M.W., BATAL, A.B., PERSIA, M.E., BIGGS, P.E. and PARSONS, C.M. 2001. Minimal available phosphorus requirement of molted laying hens. Poultry Sci. 80(Supplement 1):369.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Two experiments have been conducted to better define the minimum dietary available phosphorus (AP) requirement of laying hens fed a corn-soybean meal diet. The results of the first experiment (reported on last year) indicated that the dietary AP requirement of laying hens was only moderately greater than .15% and much less than .45% (positive control). Consequently, a second long-term experiment was conducted in which hens were fed corn-soybean meal diets containing .10, .12, .14, .16, .18, .20 or .45% AP from 20 to 60 weeks of age. Egg production was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by 27, 31, 35, and 47 weeks of age for the .10, .12, .14, and .16% AP treatments, respectively, compared to the .45% AP treatment. No significant reductions in performance were observed for the .18 and .20% AP treatments compared to the .45% AP treatment. Thus, these results indicate that the minimal AP requirement of laying hens is approximately .18% or 190 mg per day. A second study was
conducted to quantitate the efficacy of phytase enzyme for increasing the bioavailability of P in soybean meal, wheat middlings and canola meal. A chick growth assay model was used wherein chicks were fed a P-deficient, phytate-free dextrose casein diet supplemented with graded levels of P from KH2PO4 (.05-.15%) or supplemented with the test fed ingredient and increasing levels of phytase (100-300 units/kg). Phytase efficacy was based on tibia bone ash and statistical analysis of the data using standard curve and slope-ratio methodology. A linear increase in tibia ash was observed for increasing levels of AP from KH2PO4 and from supplementing soybean meal with increasing levels of phytase. Both standard curve and slope-ratio regression analysis of tibia ash data indicated that each U/kg of phytase increased AP in soybean meal by approximately 4 mg/kg. Data from the wheat middlings and canola experiment are currently being summarized.
Impacts
The results of two laying hen experiments indicate that the minimum dietary available P requirement of laying hens is approximately .18% or 190 mg per day. This P level is much lower than what is fed on most commercial farms. Our results indicate that lower levels of P can be fed to laying hens. Thus, decreasing the cost of producing eggs and reducing P excretion and P pollution. Our results also indicate that phytase enzyme greatly increases P utilization from soybean meal by poultry and that use of phytase will also decrease P excretion and P pollution.
Publications
- Snow, J.L., Douglas, M.W., Boling-Frankenbach, S.D., Corless, A.B., Persia, M.E. and Parsons, C.M. 2000. Further evaluation of the minimal phosphorus requirement for laying hens. Poult. Sci. 79 (Supplement 1):28-29.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Two experiments (one completed, one underway) have been conducted to better define the minimum dietary available phosphorus (AP) requirement of laying hens. In the first experiment, hens were fed corn-soybean meal diets containing AP levels of .1, .115, .125, .135, .15 or .45% from 40 to 56 weeks of age. The latter diet was included as a positive control. Egg production performance was depressed by all AP levels except the .15% compared to the .45% AP diet. In a second longer term experiment, hens are being fed corn-soybean meal diets containing .1, .12, .14, .16, .18, .2 or .45% AP from 20 to 60 weeks of age. Results from 20 to 40 weeks showed that egg production performance was decreased by diets containing .1, .12 or .14% AP compared to diets containing higher AP levels. Our results of these two experiments indicate that the minimum dietary AP requirement of laying hens is approximately .15 to .16%, a level that is much lower than typically fed on commercial
farms.
Impacts
The results of two experiments are showing that the minimum dietary available phosphorus requirement of laying hens is approximately .15-.16%. This phosphorus level is much lower than what is fed on commercial farms. Thus, our results indicate that lower levels of phosphorus can be fed to laying hens; thus, decreasing the cost of producing eggs and reducing phosphorus excretion and phosphorus pollution.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/97 to 09/30/98
Outputs
Three studies were conducted to determine the effects of pressure processing and ash content on protein quality of meat and bone meal (MBM). Pressure processing of MBM is being mandated in Europe, and possibly in the future in the U.S., to reduce the risks associated with human consumption of beef from BSE infected cattle. Commercial cooking (rendering) of MBM at increasing pressures of 15, 30, 45 and 60 psi decreased digestibility of amino acids, particulary at the highest pressures. The reductions in digestibility were greatest for lysine and cystine. In the ash study, amino acid digestibility was assessed in MBM varying from 18 to 59% ash. Ash level generally had no consistent effect on amino acid digestibility. However, the analytical amino acid balance of the MBM protein was reduced as ash increased due to the poor amino acid balance in bone protein.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Wang, X. and Parsons, C.M. 1998. Bioavailability of the digestible lysine and total sulfur amino acids in meat and bone meals varying in protein quality. Poultry Sci. 77: 1003-1009.
- Johnson, M.L. and Parsons, C.M. 1997. Effects of raw material source, ash content, and assay length on protein efficiency ratio and net protein values for animal protein meals. Poultry Sci. 76: 1722-1727.
- Wang, X. and Parsons, C.M. 1998. Order of amino acid limitation in poultry by-product meal. Brit. Poultry Sci. 39: 113-116.
- Wang, X. and Parsons, C.M. 1998. Effect of raw material source, processing systems and processing temperatures on amino acid digestibility of meat and bone meals. Poultry Sci. 77: 834-841.
- Wang, X. and Parsons, C.M. 1998. Dietary formulation with meat and bone meal on a total versus a digestible or bioavailable amino acid basis. Poultry Sci. 77: 1010-1015.
- Johnson, M.L.; Parsons, C.M.; Fahey, JR., G.C.; Merchen, N.R. and Aldrich, C.G. 1998. Effects of species raw material source, ash content, and processing temperature on amino acid digestibility by cecectomized roosters and ileal cannulated dogs. J. Anim. Sci. 76: 1112-1122.
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Progress 10/01/92 to 09/30/95
Outputs
This study was conducted to determine if the digestible lysine (Lys) in overheated soybean meal (SBM) was totally bioavailable for protein synthesis. Soybean meal alone or mixed with dextrose (SBM:dextrose ratio = 3:1) was autoclaved at 114 C and 97 kPa for 0 to 60 min. True digestibility of Lys in SBM was determined using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. Bioavailability was then assessed by chick growth assay using purified crystalline amino acid diets deficient in Lys that were supplemented with varying levels of crystalline L-Lys * HCl or a SBM. Multiple regression slope-ratio methodology indicated that the digestible Lys in unautoclaved SBM was 100% bioavailable. For SBM autoclaved for 40 or 60 min and SBM-dextrose autoclaved for 20 min, bioavailability of digestible Lys based on weight gain or carcass Lys retention was 81% to 87% and significantly less (P < .05) than 100%, whereas bioavailability values based on feed efficiency and carcass N
retention did not differ (P > .05) from 100%. Bioavailability values for digestible Lys in SBM:dextrose autoclaved for 30 min ranged from 55 to 73% for all performance criteria. The results of this study indicated that digestible Lys in severely heat-damaged SBM measured by the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay was not totally available for protein synthesis.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- FERNANDEZ, S. R., ZHANG, Y. and PARSONS, C.M. 1994. Dietary formulation with cottonseed meal on a total versus a digestible amino acid basis. Poultry Sci. 74:1168-1179.
- FERNANDEZ, S.R. and PARSONS, C.M. 1996. Bioavailability of the digestible lysineand valine in cottonseed and soybean meals for chicks. Poultry Sci. 75:In press.
- FERNANDEZ, S.R. and PARSONS, C.M. 1996. Bioavailability of digestible lysine in heat-damaged soybean meal for chick growth. Poultry Sci. 75:In press.
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Progress 10/01/93 to 09/30/94
Outputs
Previous research in our laboratory showed that formulation of chick diets containing cottonseed meal (CSM) using true digestible animo acid (AA) values was superior to formulation based on total AA; however, optimum growth performance could not be obtained from high CSM diets even when formulated on a digestible AA basis. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to determine if the digestible Lys and Val in CSM were totally bioavailable or utilizable for protein synthesis. Soybean meal (SBM) was also evaluated for comparison. True digestibility of the AA in CSM and SBM were determined using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. Bioavailability was then assessed by chick growth assay using purified crystalline AA diets deficient in Lys or Val that were supplemented with varying levels of the test AA, CSM, SBM, or AA mixtures simulating the digestible AA composition of CSM and SBM. Multiple regression slope-ratio methodology indicated that the bioavailability
of the digestible LYS in CSM and the digestible Lys and Val in SBM did not differ (P>.05) from 100%. Bioavailability of the digestible Val in CSM ranged from 78 to 96% depending on response parameter. Bioavailabilities of crystalline Lys and Val in the AA mixtures simulating CSM and SBM were generally lower than the bioavailabilities of the digestible Lys and Val in CSM and SBM. The results of this study indicated that the digestible Lys and Val in SBM and CSM are almost totally bioavailable for protein synthesis.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/92 to 09/30/93
Outputs
Protein solubility in KOH has been shown to be a good indicator for overprocessing of oilseed meals. However, the conventional method requires determination of N, usually by the Kjeldahl method, which is time consuming and expensive. The current study evaluated the use of Coomassie blue dye (CB) to reduce the time and expense of conducting the protein solubility assay for different oilseed meals. Samples of solvent-extracted soybean meal, canola meal, and sunflower meal were autoclaved for 0 to 120 min at 121 C and 124 kPa. Protein solubility, in .2% KOH for soybean meal and sunflower meal and in .5% KOH for canola meal, was determined using Kjeldahl N or CB. In the CB assay an aliquot of the soluble protein solution was mixed with CB and absorbance measured at 595 nm. Protein solubility decreased as autoclaving time increased for all oilseed meals, with the response being greatest for SBM. The results indicated that time after addition of CB to the soluble protein
solution affected dye binding values and that spectrophotometer readings should be made within 1 min after mixing the CB with the soluble protein. It was also necessary to prepare a standard curve of dye binding versus soluble protein for each individual oilseed meal, because the amount of dye bound per unit of protein and the linear range in dye binding values varied among the oilseeds. Overall, protein solubility values determined by the Kjeldahl N method and the CB method were in very good agreement (r = .99).
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/92 to 12/30/92
Outputs
Previous experiments indicated that performance of chicks fed corn-cottonseed meal (CSM) diets was inferior to that of chicks fed a corn-soybean meal (CSM) diet. Thus, the current study evaluated formulation of diets containing expander-solvent CSM on an equivalent total amino acid (AA) basis versus an equivalent digestible AA basis compared to a corn-SBM diet. One-week-old male chicks were fed a diet consisting of corn and SBM only (positive control), six diets containing 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 or 40% CSM equal in total AA to the corn-SBM diet, or the same six diets equal in digestible AA to the corn-SBM diet. Growth performance of chicks fed 15% or more of CSM on a total AA basis was lower than that of chicks fed the corn-SBM diet, whereas performance of only chicks fed 30 or 40% CSM on a digestible amino acid basis was depressed. Increasing most essential amino acids by 15% in the 40% CSM diet had no effect on performance, indicating that the depression in growth from
high levels of CSM was not associated with dietary amino acid levels. True digestible amino acid and metabolizable energy values determined in young chicks were similar to those determined in adult cockerels.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/90 to 09/30/91
Outputs
Several in vitro and in vivo methods were evaluated for assessing the effects ofprocessing on protein quality and availability of amino acids in cottonseed meal and canola mealfor poultry. Commercial solvent-extracted cottonseed meal was overprocessed by autoclaving at 121 degree C for 0 to 90 min. Performance of chicks fed the autoclaved cottonseed meals decreased as autoclaving time increased. True digestiblilty of the amino acids particularly lysine, in cottonseed meal, also decreased as autoclaving time increased. Protein solubility of cottonseed meal in .2% KOH decreased only slightly as the cottonseed meal was overcooked and was not a sensitive indicator of reduced in vivo protein quality due to overprocessing. Commercial solvent-extracted canola meal was overprocessed by the same method used for cottonseed meal. Overprocessing of canola meal decreased chick growth performance and true digestibility of amino acids, especially lysine. Protein solubility of
canola meal in .2 and .5% KOH decreased as autoclaving time increased, with magnitude of the change being greater for .5% KOH. These results indicated that protein solubility in .5% KOH was a reasonably sensitive index of reduced in vivo protein quality caused by overprocessing of canola meal.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90
Outputs
Several experiments evaluated in vivo and in vitro methods for assessing availability of amino acids in feedstuffs for poultry. Thirty samples including several feed ingredients were assessed for true digestibility of amino acids in cecectomized chickens, and these values were then compared to corresponding apparent digestibility values determined with ileal-cannulated swine. The values for chickens and swine were highly correlated across ingredients and amino acids. The results indicated that swine digestibility values can be accurately predicted from poultry values and vice versa. An additional study evaluated the effect of crystalline lysine and methionine intake on amino acid excretion by poultry. Cockerels were crop-intubated with purified or intact protein diets containing 0, 10, 25 or 100 g of supplemental lysine per kg of diet or 0, 2, 4.5, 16 or 76 g of supplemental DL-methionine per kg of diet. The results showed that lysine and methionine excretion were
increased only at the highest level of dietary intake. Further work assessed the use of in vitro protein solubility in .2% KOH as an indicator of in vivo protein quality for undercooked soybean meal. Autoclaving of raw full-fat soybeans for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 min. yielded incremental increases in performance of chicks fed the soybeans. Protein solubility of the uncooked soybeans did not change consistently as autoclaving time increased.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/88 to 09/30/89
Outputs
Several studies evaluated various in vivo and in vitro methodology for assessingavailability of amino acids in feedstuffs for poultry. True digestibilities of 16 amino acids in seven commercial feather meals were consistently lower for cecectomized than for conventional adult birds. Chick lysine bioavailability values were much lower than corresponding digestible lysine values for most feather meals, varied greatly among feather meal samples and varied markedly depending on method of calculation. Lanthionine concentration in the feather meals was negatively correlated with most in vitro and in vivo assays, and .002% pepsin digestibility values were more highly correlated with in vivo assay value than were .2% pepsin values. An additional study was conducted to assess protein solubility in .2% KOH as an indicator of soybean protein quality for chicks and pigs. Particle size of soybean meal had a marked effect on protein solubility. Increasing autoclaving time of
dehulled soybean meal from 0 to 40 min. at 120C resulted in a linear decrease in protein solubility. No effect on feed utilization by chicks fed the soybean meal was observed with solubilities greater than 59%. When solubility was below 59%, however, gain:feed ratio decreased 1.5% for each 1% decrease in protein solubility. The results indicated that protein solubility in KOH is a good index of in vivo soybean protein quality.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/87 to 09/30/88
Outputs
Several studies evaluated various assay methodology for determining protein quality and bioavailability of amino acid energy in animal protein meals, corn gluten feed, soybean meal and crystalline methionine and methionine hydroxy analog calcium (MHAC). Fourteen samples of meat meal and ten samples of poultry by-product meal were evaluated in the animal protein study. True digestibility of amino acids in many samples were significantly lower when determined with cecectomized (CEC) cockerels than when determined with conventional (CONV) ones. True digestibility (%) of some amino acids in meat meal for CEC cockerels (mean with range) were: lysine, 82(69-90); cystine, 58(37-72); and methionine; 83(77-91). Mean true digestibility of lysine in the poultry by-product meals with CEC birds was 81% with a range of 72-89. True metabolizable energy (TME(subscript n)) values for the animal meals also varied considerably among individual samples and were approximately 7% lower for
CEC birds than CONV ones. Pepsin digestible nitrogen values determined with .002% pepsin for the animal meals were more highly correlated with biological assays than were those determined with .2% pepsin. True digestibility values for four commercial samples of corn gluten feed for CEC birds were 69, 60, 72 and 79% for lysine and 80, 48, 80, and 86% for tryptophan. TME(subscript n) values among the samples for CEC birds varied from 2.345 to 3.029 kcal/g of dry matter.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/86 to 09/30/87
Outputs
Several studies evaluated various assays for determining: 1) amino acid and/orenergy availability in animal protein meals, corn gluten feed and crystalline amino acids and 2) the effects of anticoccidial drugs on amino acid availability. Nine feather meals, sixteen meat meals, ten poultry by-product meals and nine blood meals were obtained for the animal protein meal study. Five trials to determine protein efficiency ratios (g weight gain per g protein intake) yielded the following menas (and ranges): 0.93 (.8-1.24) for feather meal, 1.80 (.61-2.89) for meat meal, 2.85 (2.1-3.8) for poultry by-products, nd -.88 (-1.43 to -.48) for blood meal. True digestibility of amino acids in feather meal averaged 81% for conventional cockerels and 76% for cecectomized cockerels, with the greatest differences between bird types observed for cystine. Pepsin digestible nitrogen values for feather meals determined with .002% pepsin were more highly correlated with biological assays
than those determined with .2% pepsin. Chick growth assays evaluating corn gluten feed indicated that lysine and tryptophan were equally first-limiting in its protein, with arginine being third-limiting. Availability of tryptophan was in excess of 90%, and availability of lysine varied from 75 to 100% among ingredient sources. Avaiability of crystalline lysine and methionine was assessed by chick growth assay, excreta collection digestibility assay and crop intubation vs intrapeitoneal injection administration.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/86 to 09/30/86
Outputs
Further studies have been conducted to evaluate the use of cecectomized (CEC) versus conventional (CONV) cockerels for assessment of amino acid (AA) digestibility among feedstuffs for poultry. Since CONV birds had yielded higher AA digestibility values than CEC birds for several feedstuffs in previous experiments, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the ceca on AA excretion during the 48-hr precision-fed cockerel assay. CONV cockerels were fasted for 24 hr and then given 30 to 35 g of meat meal, alfalfa meal, feather meal or poultry by-product meal via crop intubation. Excreta and cecal contents were collected quantitatively at 12 and 48 hr after feeding. The levels of AA present in the ceca at 48 hr were small when compared to those levels consumed in the feed. These results showed that differences in AA digestibility between CONV and CEC cockerels were not due to retention of nondigested dietary AA in the ceca by CONV cockerels. Moreover, multiple
regression analyses of cecal and excreta AA profiles at 12 and 48 hr indicated that the cecal microflora had a substantial influence on AA excretion by CONV birds. An additional study investigated the nutritive value of soybeans varying in trypsin inhibitor. The soybean types were raw low-trypsin-inhibitor (LTS), raw conventional (RCS) and heated dehulled soybeans (HS). True digestibility of AA in RCS, LTS and HS was 70, 83 and 92%, respectively.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/85 to 12/30/85
Outputs
This laboratory cooperated in a collaborative study involving six laboratories to evaluate a precision-fed rooster assay as a means of measuring biological availability of amino acids (AA) in a variety of feedstuffs for poultry. Despite differences in analytical and bioassay methodology, there was good agreement in true AA availability values among laboratories for six different feed ingredients and two mixtures tested. However, considerable variation was reported in total AA concentrations for identical ingredients. Data from three different laboratories indicated that cystine in meat meal was less available than other AA. An additional study evaluated methodology of determining availability of AA in alfalfa meal, feather meal, poultry by-product meal and meat meal. Amino acid digestibility was determined with a 48-hr excreta collection assay using conventional (CONV) and cecectomized (CEC) roosters. Amino acid bioavailability was assessed with 8-d chick growth
assays. Digestible AA values determined with CEC roosters were lower than those determined with CONV roosters for alfalfa meal, poultry by-product meal and meat meal, but values were similar for feather meal. The magnitude of difference between AA digestibility and AA bioavailability values varied among feedstuffs, with the largest difference being observed for lysine in feather meal.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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