Effects of canola meal source on the standardized ileal digestible amino acids and apparent metabolizable energy contents for broiler chickens.

Two studies were conducted to determine the effect of canola meal source on the standardized ileal digestible amino acids (AA) and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) contents of canola meal (CM) from 6 processing plants in Canada. Two plants provided CM in both mash and pellet forms, while the other 4 provided CM in mash form only, giving a total of 8 samples. In the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) assay, 280 birds were housed 7 per cage and fed a commercial starter diet from 1 to 14 d of age followed by the test diets from 15 to 21 d. Diets were formulated to contain CM as the only source of protein. Chromic oxide was included in all diets as an indigestible marker. Diets were randomly assigned to 5 cages of 7 birds. On d 21, birds were euthanized by CO2 asphyxiation and digesta samples were collected from the terminal ileum for SID of AA. The SID values were calculated using ileal endogenous AA losses determination. In the AMEn assay, 330 birds were housed 6 per cage and fed a commercial starter diet from 1 to 14 d of age followed by the experimental diets from 15 to 19 d. The 8 experimental diets contained 30% of CM and 70% of a corn-soybean meal-based diet. There were differences (P < 0.05) among CM samples in the standardized ileal digestible content of all AA. Standardized ileal digestible contents of Arg, Lys, Met, and Thr averaged 2.17, 1.74, 0.53, and 1.03%, respectively. Pelleting reduced (P < 0.05) the standardized ileal digestible content of all AA in CM from one of the plants. There were differences (P<0.05) among CM samples in the AMEn contents with values ranging from 1,590 to 2,041 kcal/kg DM. In conclusion, there was effect of CM source on the standardized ileal digestible AA and AMEn contents. Regression equations for predicting standardized ileal digestible contents of selected AA from a simple measure of acid detergent fiber (ADF) were developed.

Standardized ileal digestible amino acid contents of canola meal from Canadian crushing plants for growing pigs.

Studies have shown that there are variations in the chemical and nutritive composition of canola meal (CM) produced in Canada, some of which may result from differences among the canola seed crushing plants. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the variability in the nutritive value of CM as its end users desire increased meal consistency and more information on any potential variability in AA digestibility. Thus, 18 ileal cannulated barrows (average initial BW = 23.3 kg) were used to determine the apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibility of N and AA and standardized ileal digestible N and AA contents in CM from 6 processing plants in Canada. Two processing plants provided CM in both mash and pellet forms, whereas the other 4 provided it only in mash form, giving a total of 8 CM samples. The barrows were fed 9 cornstarch-based diets. The first 8 diets were formulated to contain the CM samples as the only source of AA. The ninth diet was a casein-cornstarch diet to determine ileal endogenous AA losses. All diets contained 0.3% titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. Pigs were housed individually in pens and were fed the 9 diets in a completely randomized design for 3 periods to give 6 pigs per diet. Each experimental period lasted for 7 d, consisting of 5 d of adaptation and 2 d of ileal digesta collection at 2-h intervals from 0800 to 2000 h on d 6 and 7. There was an effect ( < 0.05) of CM source on 1) the AID of N, Met, Cys, Thr, Val, Gly, and Ser; 2) the SID of N, Met, and Cys; and 3) the standardized ileal digestible content of all AA. Pelleting reduced ( < 0.05) the standardized ileal digestible content of Arg, Ile, Glu, and Gly in 1 of the CM samples tested and of all AA except His in the other CM sample. The SID values for Arg, Lys, Met, and Thr averaged 87.2%, 78.2%, 84.5%, and 74.1%, respectively. The standardized ileal digestible contents of Arg, Lys, Met, and Thr averaged 2.10%, 1.71%, 0.50%, and 1.01%, respectively. In conclusion, there were variations in the AID, SID, and standardized ileal digestible AA contents of CM among crushing plants in Canada.

Gut Health of Pigs: Challenge Models and Response Criteria with a Critical Analysis of the Effectiveness of Selected Feed Additives - A Review.

The gut is the largest organ that helps with the immune function. Gut health, especially in young pigs has a significant benefit to health and performance. In an attempt to maintain and enhance intestinal health in pigs and improve productivity in the absence of in-feed antibiotics, researchers have evaluated a wide range of feed additives. Some of these additives such as zinc oxide, copper sulphate, egg yolk antibodies, mannan-oligosaccharides and spray dried porcine plasma and their effectiveness are discussed in this review. One approach to evaluate the effectiveness of these additives in vivo is to use an appropriate disease challenge model. Over the years, researchers have used a number of challenge models which include the use of specific strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, bacteria lipopolysaccharide challenge, oral challenge with Salmonella enteric serotype Typhimurium, sanitation challenge, and Lawsonia intercellularis challenge. These challenge models together with the criteria used to evaluate the responses of the animals to them are also discussed in this review.