Exogenous α-amylase improves the digestibility of corn and corn-soybean meal diets for broilers.

Starch is the main energy source in broiler diets. However, endogenous amylase secretion in young broilers is suboptimal to completely digest dietary starch, so exogenous α-amylase supplementation may help increase starch digestibility. The objective of this study was to assess the supplementation of increasing doses of an exogenous α-amylase (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kilo-novo α-amylase units (KNU)/kg) on corn and on a complete corn-soybean meal diet for 25-day-old broilers. Jejunal and ileal apparent digestibility coefficients of available starch, resistant starch, total starch, and DM, DM total tract retention, as well as dietary AME levels were evaluated. Interactions (P < 0.05) between diets and α-amylase showed that the enzyme had a more evident effect on increasing DM jejunal digestibility and AME on corn compared with the complete diet. Corn DM digestibility increased to a maximum of 67.84% with up to 47 KNU/kg, whereas 89 KNU/kg led to a maximum of 53.92% in the complete diet A maximum increase of 64 kcal AME/kg was obtained with 80 KNU/kg on the complete diet, whereas 109 KNU/kg generated 327 kcal AME/kg on corn (P < 0.05). Increasing the α-amylase dose linearly increased ileal digestibility of resistant starch (P < 0.05), and the effect on DM total tract retention was quadratic (P < 0.05). Corn showed a higher digestibility for DM, resistant and total starch, as well as DM total tract retention and AME, compared with the complete diet (P < 0.05). Treatments had no influence on available starch. The inclusion of exogenous α-amylase improves starch, DM, and energy utilization of corn-based and corn-soybean meal-based diets for broilers.

Uso do gérmen de milho desengordurado, com e sem adição de um complexo enzimático, em dietas para cães / [Use of defatted corngerm with and without the addition of an enzyme complex in dog diets]

Objetivou-se avaliar o coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) dos nutrientes, a palatabilidade das dietas e as características fecais de cães alimentados com uma dieta controle e uma dieta contendo 20% de gérmen desengordurado (GD), com e sem adição de complexo enzimático (amilase, xilanase, betaglucanase e mananase). Para o experimento de digestibidade e das características fecais, foram utilizados 12 cães adultos, distribuídos em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (dieta x enzima). O segundo experimento avaliou a palatabilidade, por meio da primeira escolha e da razão de ingestão (RI) da dieta DC vs. 20% de GD, utilizando-se 16 cães. O teste de palatabilidade contou com três dias consecutivos, totalizando 48 repetições. A dieta com inclusão de 20% de GD teve os menores valores de CDA da MS, da EB e da EM (P<0,05). A inclusão do complexo enzimático melhorou o CDA da MS, da EB e da EM (P<0,05). Não foram observadas diferenças nas características fecais (P>0,05). Em relação à palatabilidade, os cães preferiram a dieta 20% de GD, tanto na primeira escolha como na RI (P<0,05). A inclusão de enzimas às dietas melhora a digestibilidade dos nutrientes e da EM, sendo um aditivo com potencial uso na alimentação de cães.(AU)

The objective was to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of nutrients, diet palatability and fecal characteristics of dogs fed diets containing degreased germ (DG), and a control diet (DC) - both with and without the addition of enzyme complex (amylase, xylanase, betaglucanase and mananase). For the digestibility and fecal characteristics experiment 12 adult dogs were used, distributed in a randomized block design, in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme (diet x enzyme). The second experiment evaluated palatability using the first choice and ingestion ratio (IR) of DC diet vs. 20%gD, using 16 dogs. The palatability test had three consecutive days, totaling 48 repetitions. The diet with inclusion of 20% DG had the lowest ADC values of DM, GE and ME (P <0.05). Inclusion of the enzyme complex improved ADC of DM, GE and ME (P <0.05). No differences in fecal characteristics were observed (P >0.05). Regarding palatability, dogs preferred the 20% DG diet in both first choice and IR (P <0.05). Inclusion of enzymes in diets improves nutrient digestibility and ME, being an additive with potential use in dog food.(AU)

Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) in dog nutrition: influence on diet digestibility and palatability and in the course of urinary tract infections / [Cranberrys (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) na nutrição de cães: influência na digestibilidade e palatabilidade da dieta e no curso de infecções do trato urinário

The objective was to evaluate the effects of cranberry on blood and urinary parameters of dogs (experiment I), digestibility of nutrients (experiment II), palatability of diet (experiment III) and the influence of cranberry on E. coli UPEC-MRHA fimbriae in vitro (experiment IV). For experiment I and II, ten dogs were fed with diets containing 0% or 0.4% cranberry for 30 days. Experiment III compared the diets containing 0% and 0.4% cranberry using 16 adult dogs. There were no statistical differences (P>0.05) in the blood parameters evaluated. Dogs consuming cranberry presented lighter color and appearance of urine, compared to the control group (P<0.05). The diet containing cranberry showed higher digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, higher metabolizable energy (P<0.05) and reduced fecal sialic acid concentration (P<0.05) compared to the control diet. There was no influence of cranberry on the formation of fimbriae of E. coli UPEC-MRHA. There was a lower intake ratio of the diet containing cranberry (P<0.05). The inclusion of 0.4% cranberry increases the digestibility of nutrients and influences the color and appearance of urine of dogs. However, it reduces diet palatability and does not alter the adhesion of E. coli UPEC-MRHA in vitro.(AU)

O objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos do cranberry nos parâmetros sanguíneos e urinários de cães (experimento I), na digestibilidade dos nutrientes (experimento II), na palatabilidade da dieta (experimento III) e a influência do cranberry sobre E. coli UPEC-MRHA fimbriae in vitro (experimento IV). Para os experimentos I e II, 10 cães foram alimentados com dietas contendo 0% ou 0,4% de cranberry por 30 dias. O experimento III comparou as dietas contendo 0% e 0,4% de cranberry usando 16 cães adultos. Não houve diferenças estatísticas (P>0,05) nos parâmetros sanguíneos avaliados. Cães que consumiram cranberry apresentaram cor e aparência mais claras da urina, em comparação com o grupo controle (P<0,05). A dieta contendo cranberry apresentou maior digestibilidade da matéria seca, extrato etéreo, matéria orgânica, maior energia metabolizável (P<0,05) e menor concentração de ácido siálico fecal (P<0,05) comparada à dieta controle. Não houve influência do cranberry na formação de fímbrias de E. coli UPEC-MRHA. Houve uma menor taxa de ingestão da dieta contendo cranberry (P<0,05). A inclusão de 0,4% de cranberry aumenta a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, influencia a cor e a aparência da urina dos cães. No entanto, reduz a palatabilidade da dieta e não altera a adesão de E. coli UPEC-MRHA in vitro.(AU)

Período de adaptação a dietas com baixa ou alta fibra sobre a digestibilidade e as características fecais em cães / Adaptation period to diets with low or high fiber on digetibility and faecal characteristics in dogs

Objetivou-se avaliar três períodos de adaptação, cinco, 10 e 15 dias, a dietas com baixa ou alta fibra sobre a digestibilidade e características fecais. Foram utilizadas duas dietas, uma contendo 0% de casca de soja (0%CS) e outra com 15% de casca de soja (15%CS), fornecidas a 12 cães adultos. Ao final de cada período, houve coleta total de fezes para avaliação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA), energia metabolizável (EM) e características fecais. Além disso, foi avaliada a palatabilidade das dietas. Como resultado, não houve efeito do período de adaptação sobre a digestibilidade das dietas (P>0,05). A dieta 15%CS apresentou menor CDA da matéria seca (MS) e EM, em relação à dieta 0%CS (P<0,05). A consistência fecal dos cães não diferiu entre as dietas e os períodos (P>0,05). Houve redução no pH e na amônia fecal dos cães alimentados com a dieta 15%CS (P<0,05), após 10 dias de alimentação. Não houve diferença na palatabilidade das dietas (P>0,05). Períodos de adaptação à dieta superiores a cinco dias não alteram a digestibilidade e a maioria das características fecais de cães, exceto a amônia fecal. A inclusão de 15%CS na dieta reduz a digestibilidade da MS e a EM, bem como o pH e a amônia fecal.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate three periods of adaptation, 5, 10 and 15 days, to diets with low or high fiber on digestibility and fecal characteristics. Two diets were used, one containing 0% (0% SH) and one containing 15% soybean hulls (15% SH). Diets were provided to 12 adult dogs. At the end of each period there was total collection of feces to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC), metabolizable energy (ME) and fecal characteristics. We also evaluated diet palatability. There was no effect of the adaptation period on digestibility of diets (P> 0.05). The 15% SH diet reduced ADC of dry matter (DM) and ME, compared to the 0% SH diet (P< 0.05). Fecal consistency of the dogs did not differ among diets and periods (P> 0.05). There was a decrease in fecal pH and ammonia in dogs fed the diet with 15% SH (P< 0.05) after 10 days of feeding (P< 0.05). There was no difference in diet palatability (P> 0.05). Diet adaptation longer than 5 days did not alter the digestibility and most fecal characteristics of dogs, except for fecal ammonia. The inclusion of 15% SH in diet reduces DM digestibility and fecal pH and ammonia in dogs.(AU)

Inclusion of IgY in a dog's diet has moderate impact on the intestinal microbial fermentation.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of immunoglobulin Y (IgY) in a diet on the systemic health and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of dogs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixteen healthy 11-month-old Beagle dogs were distributed at random (eight animals per treatment) in two treatments groups: control (0 g kg-1 IgY) and test (2 g IgY per day). The animals were evaluated on days 0 and 40 for a complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical profiles (ALT, ALP, creatinine and urea). Faecal samples were collected from days 35 to 40 to measure nutrient digestibility, faecal characteristics, sialic acid, intestinal microbiota composition and microbial metabolites. The CBC, biochemical profiles, apparent nutrient digestibility and faecal characteristics did not differ between the two treatment groups (P > 0·05). Dog faeces that received IgY were characterized by lower sialic acid and n-valeric concentration, as well as an increase in n-butyric concentration, in contrast to dogs fed a diet without IgY (P < 0·05). The other microbial faecal metabolites did not differ between the two treatment groups (P > 0·05). There tended to be an increase in the copy number of Clostridium cluster XIVa (Clostridium coccoides group) in the IgY group in contrast to the control group (P = 0·07). The other bacteria analysed did not differ between the treatment groups (P > 0·05). The colonic pH in the IgY group was lower than in control group (P < 0·05). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of IgY in the diet of healthy dogs maintains the microbial balance and has an interesting effect on microbial metabolites. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The use of IgY, antibodies produced by laying hens, in animal feed is an alternative for the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases in companion animals.

Avaliação da forma de inclusão de zeólita e do nível de consumo sobre a digestibilidade da dieta e as características fecais de cães / Evaluation of zeolite inclusion and level of food intake on diet digestibility and faecal characteristics of dogs

Objetivou-se avaliar a forma de inclusão da zeólita e de níveis de consumo sobre a digestibilidade da dieta e as características fecais de cães. O experimento 1 avaliou o efeito do nível de consumo (normal e 50% a mais do que as necessidades) e da inclusão de zeólita (0 e 15g/kg) sobre a digestibilidade e as características fecais de 12 cães. No experimento 2, foi avaliada a inclusão de 5, 15 e 25g/kg de zeólita adicionada na massa ou por cobertura, em seis cães, sobre a digestibilidade da dieta e as características fecais. O experimento 3 avaliou o odor fecal de nove cães consumindo dietas contendo 0 e 15g/kg de zeólita incluída na massa ou por cobertura. A quantidade consumida e a inclusão de zeólita não afetaram a digestibilidade das dietas. O escore e a matéria seca fecal aumentaram com a inclusão de zeólita. A inclusão de zeólita na massa propiciou aumento na digestibilidade das dietas, independentemente do nível de inclusão. A inclusão de 15g/kg de zeólita, adicionada na massa e por cobertura reduziu o odor fecal dos cães. A inclusão de zeólita na massa aumenta a digestibilidade da dieta, a consistência fecal e reduz o odor fecal de cães.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the form of inclusion of zeolite and consumption levels on diet digestibility and fecal characteristics of dogs. The first experiment examined the effect of consumption level (normal and 50% higher than the requirements) and zeolite level (0 and 15g/kg) on diet digestibility and fecal characteristics of 12 dogs. In experiment 2 the inclusion of 5, 15 and 25g/kg of added zeolite in dough or coating in six dogs on diet digestibility and fecal characteristics was evaluated. The third experiment assessed the fecal odor of nine dogs fed diets containing 0 and 15g/kg of zeolite included in the dough or coating. The amount consumed, as well as the inclusion of zeolite, did not affect diet digestibility. Fecal score and dry matter increased with the inclusion of zeolite. The inclusion of zeolite in the dough provided an increase in diet digestibility, regardless of the level of inclusion. The inclusion of 15g/kg zeolite added to the dough and by coating reduced fecal odor of dogs. The inclusion of zeolite in dough increases diet digestibility, fecal consistency, and reduces the fecal odor of dogs.(AU)

Interaction between xylanase and phytase on the digestibility of corn and a corn/soy diet for broiler chickens.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the digestibility and metabolizability of corn and a corn/soy-based diet with the inclusion or not of xylanase and/or phytase in broilers. In the trial, 1,120 broiler chicks were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design, consisting of 16 treatments, with 10 replicates of 7 birds each. Treatments were evaluated following a factorial arrangement (4 × 2 × 2), with 4 xylanase levels (zero, 50, 100, or 150 fungal ß-xylanase units/kg; FXU), 2 phytase levels (zero or 1,000 phytase units/kg; FTU), and 2 diets (corn/soy or pure corn). The same basal diets were fed from one to 14 d post hatch for all birds, after which the experimental diets were provided until d 25. All birds were euthanized on d 25 for collection of ileal contents. Samples of feed, excreta, and ileal digesta were analyzed for determination of apparent ileal digestibility. The effect of xylanase on the coefficient of apparent dry matter metabolizability and apparent metabolizable energy was increased by the presence of phytase in the complete diet but not in the diet based on pure corn resulting in a diet*phytase*xylanase interaction (P < 0.01; P < 0.001, respectivaly). Equivalent effects were observed for the apparent coefficient of ileal protein digestibility in which xylanase effects were potentiated by the presence of phytase only in the complete diet, resulting in a significant 3-way interaction. In corn there was a limitation in improving digestibility when we added increasing levels of xylanase with phytase. Otherwise in the corn/soy-based diets, the enzymes were potencialized when they were added together. The fact that the effect of xylanase was enhanced by the presence of phytase in complete diets but not in pure corn may be associated with differences in substrate (arabinoxylan and/or phytate) concentration and presentation, diet nutrient balance, or other factors. It can be concluded that the interactive effects of xylanase and phytase can be substantial but may depend on the characteristics of the diet fed.

Digestibility and metabolizable energy of raw soybeans manufactured with different processing treatments and fed to adult dogs and puppies.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), ME, and fecal characteristics of adult dogs and puppies fed raw soybeans (RSB) and their by-products. Six treatments were evaluated: 1 reference diet (REF), based on a maize-poultry by-product meal, and 5 extruded diets containing 70% of the ingredients of the REF diet and 30% of a soybean processed product [defatted soybean meal (DSM), micronized soybeans (MSB), soybean meal (SBM), RSB, or toasted soybeans (TSB)]. Six adult dogs (5.8 yr old) and 6 puppies (5.1 mo old) were used in a study with a double Latin square design (6 × 6). Urease was reduced in all diets after extrusion, but trypsin inhibitor was reduced only in the diets containing SBM, DSM, and RSB. The ATTD of CP in DSM, SBM, MSB, TSB, and RSB were 85.1%, 85.2%, 88.4%, 84.7%, and 78.9%, respectively, for adult dogs. Soybean meal and DSM had the lowest ATTD of acid-hydrolyzed fat (AHF; 84.3% for both ingredients in adult dogs). The ATTD of DM and AHF in DSM and AHF in all soybean products were greater in puppies than adult dogs (P < 0.05). The ME content was greatest in MSB (21.39 MJ/kg) and least in DSM (15.23 MJ/kg). The feces of dogs fed soybean products were softer and had a lower pH (average of 5.91 vs. 6.05 for adult dogs fed soybean products and REF diets, respectively) and ammonia content (average of 3.82 vs. 4.32 g/kg for adult dogs fed soybean products and REF diets, respectively), except those fed RSB, which had similar fecal pH and ammonia values, compared with those fed the REF diet. Soybean products are good protein sources for both adult and growing dogs, provided they are heat treated before diet extrusion.

Effect of ß-mannanase on the digestibility of diets with different protein sources in dogs determined by different methodologies.

This experiment aimed at evaluating the effects of including the enzyme, ß-mannanase, in dog (Canis lupus familiaris) diets based on either poultry (Gallus gallus domesticus) by-product meal (PBM) or soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Meal (SBM). The second objective was to evaluate 3 methods for determining energy and nutrient digestibility values in diets fed to dogs: total fecal collection (TFC) and use of aia or crude fiber (CF) as a marker. Eight dogs were allotted to a replicated latin square (4 by 4) design. There were 2 diets based on PBM as the major protein source and 2 diets based on SBM as the major protein source. Within each protein source, 1 diet contained no ß-mannanase and 1 diet contained 0.01% ß-mannanase. Diets were fed for an adaptation period of 5 d followed by 5 d of TFC. Fecal score (1 = watery feces to 5 = dry, hard pellets), pH, DM, and fecal volume were determined. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, OM, CP, ether extract (EE), N-free extract (NFE), and GE, and ME content were calculated using the methods of TFC, AIA, and CF. Data were analyzed as a 2 by 2 by 3 split-split-plot design (ß-mannanase, protein source, and digestibility calculation procedure). There were interactions between protein source and ß-mannanase (P < 0.05). Supplementation of ß-mannanase increased ATTD of nutrients and energy and ME (+ 195.3 kcal/kg) and also reduced fecal production in the diet with SBM, but not in the diet that contained PBM. There was an interaction between digestibility calculation procedure and protein source (P < 0.05). The use of AIA overestimated ATTD of the diets containing PBM, but digestibility values estimated based on TFC and CF were not different. Dogs fed diets containing SBM produced more feces with greater moisture content and lower pH compared with dogs fed the PBM diet (P < 0.05). Addition of 0.01% ß-mannanase increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility and ME content of the diets containing SBM, but did not improve (P > 0.05) fecal texture. Results indicated that values for ATTD of energy and nutrients in diets containing sbm are not different if they are calculated based on TFC, AIA, or CF, but use of AIA may result in an overestimation of values for ATTD of energy and nutrients in diets containing PBM.

Comparação da digestibilidade de um alimento seco extrusado entre cães adultos e filhotes / Digestibility of dry extruded food in adult dogs and puppies

Os diversos alimentos completos para cães existentes no mercado objetivam atender as necessidades nutricionais do animal quanto ao estádio fisiológico, conforme as alterações que possam ocorrer no aproveitamento dos nutrientes. Com a finalidade de comparar os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) e as características das fezes de um alimento seco extrusado de cães adultos e filhotes, foram utilizados 12 cães da raça Beagle, sendo seis adultos, cinco anos, e seis filhotes, cinco-seis meses, mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas e distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. Os animais foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia com um alimento completo seco extrusado para filhotes, por um período de adaptação de cinco dias seguidos por cinco dias de coleta total de fezes. Houve diferença apenas para o CDA do extrato etéreo em hidrólise ácida, sendo maior para os filhotes - 95,3 vs 89,5 por cento. Em relação às características das fezes, os filhotes apresentaram pior escore fecal, devido às fezes terem se mostrado mais úmidas, além de maior pH em fezes secas e maior teor de amônia, culminando em pior qualidade. Conclui-se que filhotes de 5-6 meses de idade apresentam maior digestibilidade da gordura quando comparado a cães adultos, porém defecam fezes com pior escore fecal.