Prostaglandin synthesis and fatty acid composition of phospholipids and triglycerides in skeletal muscle of chicks fed combinations of flaxseed oil and animal tallow.

Chicks were fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets containing 6% (w/w) added fat consisting of various proportions of animal tallow and flaxseed oil (FSO). No differences among treatments were seen in growth rate, muscular deposition of protein and lipids nor in the muscle phospholipid (PL) and triglyceride (TG) contents. Prostaglandin (PG)E2 synthesis in isolated skeletal muscle was depressed significantly by feeding FSO or by treatment with naproxen (6-methoxy-alpha-methyl-2-napthaleneacetic acid), an inhibitor of PG synthesis. The changes associated with diet may be related to differences in the fatty acid composition of muscle lipids. Levels of saturated fatty acids in muscle PL and TG were relatively insensitive to dietary treatments. Monounsaturated fatty acid levels were significantly lower in the FSO-fed groups. FSO diets caused significant depression in muscle PL 20:4 omega 6 and almost completely inhibited 22:5 omega 6 incorporation. FSO diets decreased ratios of omega 6/omega 3 fatty acids and increased the unsaturation index of muscle PL. Muscles of chicks fed FSO showed increased levels of 18:3 omega 3, and of its derivatives 20:4 omega 3 and 22:5 omega 3. These results suggest that FSO inhibits PG synthesis and modifies the fatty acids of PL and TG of chick muscle. These changes may have implications for PG-dependent and/or membrane-dependent processes in muscle metabolism.

Influence of dietary flaxseed oil on the performance, muscle protein deposition, and fatty acid composition of broiler chicks.

Experiments were conducted to assess the effect of feeding flaxseed oil on the performance, muscle protein deposition, and fatty acid composition of broiler chicks. Four levels of dietary flaxseed oil were fed in combination with animal tallow to give a total of 6% added fat in the diets. The diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Mortality, weight gain, feed consumption, and feed efficiency were not significantly different among treatments. Dietary treatments had no significant effects on the relative weights of the Extensor digitorum communis and Sartorius muscles nor on their protein or lipid contents. Feeding flaxseed oil resulted in increased accumulation of omega 3 fatty acids in skeletal muscle lipids. Increased amounts of desaturation and elongation products (C20:3, C20:5, C22:5, and C22:6) of alpha-linolenate (C18:3 omega 3) were observed in the Sartorius muscle lipids of chicks fed flaxseed oil. Amounts of these omega 3 fatty acids increased with duration of feeding. The amounts of omega 6 fatty acids (C20:2, C20:3, C20:4) were significantly depressed in muscle lipids after 21 days of feeding flaxseed oil. The effects of flaxseed oil on tissue amounts of individual saturated fatty acids were minimal, but amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids, especially C18:1, were depressed.

Effects of two feeding systems, two protein levels, and different dietary energy sources and levels on performance of squabbing pigeons.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects on the performance of squabbing pigeons of two feeding systems based on two protein levels, two fat sources, and varying fat and energy levels. The first experiment was carried out with birds housed in pens and fed pelleted feeds of different CP levels (16 and 22%), with or without whole yellow corn. In the second experiment, birds were housed in pair cages. Two fat types (sunflower oil and animal tallow) were tested at three levels (0, 3, and 6%) to give three energy levels (2,650, 2,900, and 3,150 kcal ME/kg of diet) in isonitrogenous diets (15% CP). In the first experiment, the 16% CP diet with corn adversely affected squab livability and growth without affecting egg production traits or adult body weight. The 22% CP diet with or without corn and the 16% CP diet without corn gave similar responses for both the adult birds and their squabs. Daily intakes per pair of birds fed these three diets varied between 106 and 126 g for feed, 17.4 and 23.4 g for CP, and 340 and 398 kcal ME. In the second experiment, birds fed the diet with no supplemental fat did not produce squabs, whereas fat-supplemented diets resulted in production of at least six squabs. The source of fat did not significantly affect squab production. Feed intake decreased with increase in dietary energy level, resulting in similar consumption levels of energy for birds on all the diets. Average energy intake was about 235 kcal ME per pair per day for pigeons not producing squabs. Energy intake did not appear to correlate with squab production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Purification and some of the properties of alkaline phosphatase in guinea fowls (Numida meleagris galeata).

1. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the plasma of different strains of guinea fowls showed considerable variation both within and between sexes as well as within and between strains. 2. The enzymes from different strains of wild guinea fowls had different mobilities on disc polyacrylamide electrophoresis but each was characterised by a single band. 3. When the enzyme was purified 163-fold from the plasma of a domesticated grey breasted strain, both ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration purification steps yielded a single band of enzyme. 4. The purified enzyme had a molecular weight of 79,400 +/- 3,000 and was stable up to 60 degrees C at the optimum pH of 9.6. 5. Evidence is provided that guinea fowl alkaline phosphatase is a metalloenzyme.

The performance of brown egg-type layers fed different protein and energy levels in the tropics.

The effects of feeding three protein levels (16, 18, and 20%), each at three metabolizable energy levels (2400, 2600, and 2800 kcal/kg diet), were studied with 990 caged Warren Studler Sex-Sal Link pullets over a 336-day laying period. Dietary protein had no significant effects on hen-day egg production, egg weight, Haugh units, feed intake, feed conversion, feed cost per dozen eggs, caloric intake, egg weights, and final body weight. Protein consumption on all levels of dietary protein was over 20 g per bird per day and increased significantly with increases in dietary protein. Mortality was lowest on the highest protein level. The highest energy level (2800 kcal/kg diet) significantly depressed egg production and feed and protein intake. The feed costs per dozen eggs increased significantly with increases in dietary energy level. Caloric intake and final body weights were similar for the medium (2600 kcal/kg diet) and highest energy levels (2800 kcal/kg diet) but significantly higher than that obtained on the lowest energy level (2400 kcal/kg diet). Egg weights, Haugh units, feed per dozen eggs, and mortality were not significantly affected by energy levels. In spite of the average maximum monthly temperatures, ranging from 26.8 to 35.2 C, annual egg production was about 71 to 73% for the best groups, figures comparable with those obtainable in temperate climates. Egg weight and Haugh units were similar to reported temperate zone values. This experiment supports the use of 16% protein and a metabolizable energy level of 2400 kcal/kg diet for brown egg-type layers.

The effects of different protein and energy levels and time of change from starter to finisher ration on the performance of broiler chickens in the tropics.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the optimum protein and energy levels for starting and finishing broiler chickens and the optimum time of change from broiler starter rations to broiler chicken finisher rations. We tested four protein levels (17, 20, 23, and 26%), each fed at three energy levels (2800, 3000, and 3200 kcal/kg diet). For starting chickens, maximum weight gains, feed efficiency, and lowest feed cost per kilogram live weight gain were obtained on the rations containing 23 or 26% protein. Differences in dietary energy levels did not significantly affect weight gain and feed consumption. Feed efficiency improved with increase in dietary energy levels although the differences in feed efficiency between any two consecutive groups were not significant. Feed cost tended to increase nonsignificantly with increase in energy level. For finishing broiler chickens, dietary protein level did not have any significant effects on weight gains. The poorest weight gain, feed efficiency, and feed cost per kilogram gain were obtained on the rations containing 17% protein. The differences in feed efficiency between protein levels of 20, 23, and 26% were not significant while no two consecutive protein levels among the 20, 23, and 26% protein diets gave feed cost per kilogram gain that was significantly different from each other. Weight gain, feed consumption, and feed cost per kilogram gain were not significantly affected by dietary energy levels. Efficiency of feed conversion tended to improve with increase in dietary energy levels, although differences in feed efficiency between 3000 and 3200 kcal/kg diet were not significant. Performances of birds fed the starter ration for 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks before changing to the finisher ration were not as good as those fed the starter ration for 5 or 6 weeks before being change) to the finisher ration or those fed the starter ration for the 9 weeks experimental period. The results of the present work indicate that a protein level of 23% and energy level of 2800 to 3000 kcal/kg diet may be recommended for starting broiler chicks raised in Nigeria. For finishing broiler chickens, a protein level of 20% and energy level of 3000 kcal/kg diet may be recommended. The optimum time of change from broiler starter to broiler finisher may be recommended at 5 or 6 weeks of age.