Rydberg Excitons in the Presence of an Ultralow-Density Electron-Hole Plasma.

We study the Rydberg exciton absorption of Cu_{2}O in the presence of free carriers injected by above-band-gap illumination. Already at plasma densities ρ_{EH} below one hundredth electron-hole pair per µm^{3}, exciton lines are bleached, starting from the highest observed principal quantum number, while their energies remain constant. Simultaneously, the band gap decreases by correlation effects with the plasma. An exciton line loses oscillator strength when the band gap approaches its energy, vanishing completely at the crossing point. Adapting a plasma-physics description, we describe the observations by an effective Bohr radius that increases with rising plasma density, reflecting the Coulomb interaction screening by the plasma.

Effect of processing of rapeseed under defined conditions in a pilot plant on chemical composition and standardized ileal amino acid digestibility in rapeseed meal for pigs.

Five rapeseed meals (RSM) were produced from a single batch of rapeseed in a large-scale pilot plant under standardized conditions. The objective was to evaluate the effect of residence time in the desolventizer/toaster (DT) on chemical composition and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in RSM. Four RSM, with 48, 64, 76, and 93 min residence time and using unsaturated steam in the DT, referred to as RSM48, RSM64, RSM76, and RSM93, respectively, and 1 low-glucosinolate RSM, which was subjected to sequential treatment with unsaturated steam, saturated steam, and dry heat in the DT, referred to as low-GSL RSM, were assayed. Six barrows (average initial BW = 22 ± 1 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula at the distal ileum. Pigs were allotted to a 5 × 6 row × column design with 5 diets and 5 periods. The 5 RSM were included in a cornstarch-casein-based basal diet. In addition, basal ileal endogenous losses and SID of AA originating from casein were determined at the conclusion of the experiment in 2 additional periods by means of the regression method and using 3 graded levels of casein. The SID of AA in the 5 RSM was determined in difference to SID of AA originating from casein. The glucosinolates (GSL) were efficiently reduced, whereas NDF, ADF, ADL, and NDIN contents increased and reactive Lys (rLys) and Lys:CP ratio decreased as the residence time in the DT was increased from 48 to 93 min. The SID of most AA in RSM linearly decreased (P < 0.05) as the residence time in the DT increased from 48 to 93 min. Moreover, there was a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in SID of AA with increasing NDF, ADF, ADL, and NDIN contents in these RSM, whereas SID of AA linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with decreasing levels of GSL and rLys and a decreasing Lys:CP ratio. The decrease (P < 0.05) in SID of AA amounted from 3 up to 6 (percentage units) for most AA, except for SID of Cys and Lys, which decreased by 10 and 11%-units (P < 0.05), respectively, as the residence time in the DT was increased from 48 to 93 min. The SID in low-GSL RSM was for CP and most AA similar to RSM93 but lower ( < 0.05) compared to RSM48. It can be concluded that time and energy-intensive heat treatment results in lower contents of SID AA in RSM together with a reduction in GSL levels. The feed industry would most likely benefit from a rapid and accurate prediction of SID of AA, for example, based on content of NDIN, GSL, rLys or on Lys:CP ratio, in different batches of RSM used for feed manufacturing.

Influence of roasting conditions on health-related compounds in different nuts.

Due to their health-beneficial ingredients the consumption of nuts can contribute to a healthy diet. The composition of hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, pistachios and walnuts regarding health-promoting and potentially harmful compounds was examined before and after roasting under different time and temperature conditions. Fatty acid compositions were not affected by roasting. Malondialdehyde increased with higher roasting temperatures (17-fold in walnuts). Levels of tocopherol isomers were reduced after roasting (α-T: 38%, ß-T: 40%, γ-T: 70%) and hydrophilic antioxidant capacity decreased significantly in hazelnuts (1.4-fold), macadamia nuts (1.7-fold) and walnuts (3.7-fold). Increasing roasting temperatures supported the formation of significant amounts of acrylamide only in almonds (1220 µg kg(-1)). In general, nuts roasted at low/middle temperatures (120-160°C) exhibited best sensory properties. Therefore, desired sensory quality along with a favourable healthy nut composition may be achieved by roasting over a low to medium temperature range.

The effect of chemically and hydrothermally treated rapeseed on the performance and thyroid parameters of layers.

A feeding trial with brown laying hens was carried out in order to examine the effects of chemical and hydrothermal treatment of rapeseeds on the performance and thyroid parameters of birds during a long-term experiment. Untreated and treated rapeseeds were included in layer diets at a level of 7.5, 15.0, 22.5 and 30.0%, and the results obtained were compared with a control group fed a diet containing no rapeseed. Rapeseed treatment involved a combination of chemical and hydrothermal processing with subsequent expansion and drying. This treatment decreased sinapine content, from 6152 mg rapeseed/kg to less than 50 mg/kg, and glucosinolate concentration, from 13.8 mmol per kg to 1.4 mmol per kg (basis - 91% dry matter). The inclusion of 22.5% and 30.0% of both untreated and treated rapeseeds significantly impaired egg-laying rate and feed conversion. Egg weight was significantly affected by rapeseed feeding, with a significant decline at the 30.0% vs. the 7.5% rapeseed level. Rapeseed inclusion in the diet had a negative influence on weight gain. An increase in the dietary levels of untreated rapeseeds caused a greater decrease in egg mass, hen weight and feed conversion ratio, compared with the respective levels of treated rapeseeds. Untreated rapeseeds at the lowest level of 7.5% in the diet caused an increase in thyroid weight, epithelial cell height and changes in other histomorphometric thyroid parameters, as well as a decrease in the serum concentrations of thyroid hormones. Treated rapeseeds at a dietary level of 22.5% evoked a dose response, which shows that the chemical and hydrothermal treatment of rapeseed considerably reduced the anti-thyroid effects.

Effects of essential oils from fennel (Foeniculi aetheroleum) and caraway (Carvi aetheroleum) in pigs.

The ban of antibiotics as a feed additive requires alternatives to stabilize the health and performance particularly of the young animals. Essential oils obtained from fennel seed (Foeniculi aetheroleum) and caraway seed (Carvi aetheroleum) were tested in diets for weaned piglets in comparison with either a diet without feed additive or with a combination of formic acid and copper (positive control). Four groups of sixteen piglets (live weight 7 kg, age 26 days) received diets without (1) or with supplements of 7.5 g formic acid + 160 mg Cu/kg (2), 100 mg fennel oil/kg (3) or 100 mg caraway oil/kg (4) during 3 weeks after weaning. In the subsequent 4 weeks, all piglets were fed a diet without these additions. Fennel oil contained almost 2/3 anethol, approximately 1/5 fenchon and the remaining part consisting of alpha + beta-pinen, limonen (p-mentha-1,8-dien) and estragol. In the caraway oil, half of the contents was represented by limonen and the other half by carvon. There were no piglet losses and only few cases of diarrhoea. The combination of formic acid and copper increased feed consumption by 27% and daily weight gain by 25%. There were no differences in the performance between the group fed fennel oil and the control without additives. Piglets fed caraway oil tended to consume less feed and to gain approximately 10% less. In feed choice experiments, pigs consumed the same two diets from two troughs with 50% of total feed amount, as expected. The diets containing fennel or caraway oils were consumed at less than 50%. If the diet contained 100 mg fennel oil/kg, the decrease of percentual feed intake was significant. The results of the feeding experiment and of the feed choice experiment question the classification of fennel and caraway oils as flavour additives or as 'appetite promoters' in diets for weaned piglets.

A high dietary iodine increases thyroid iodine stores and iodine concentration in blood serum but has little effect on muscle iodine content in pigs.

There is still iodine deficiency in many populations, which justifies efforts to increase this trace element in food such as milk, eggs and meat by fortifying compound animal feeds with extra iodine. The iodine requirement of growing pigs is in the order of 100-200µg/kg feed (as a supplement) and the effects of this dosage range or higher on pork iodine concentration should be determined including the action of relevant iodine antagonists in feed, e.g., rapeseed. In three experiments on a total of 208 pigs [Pietrain×(Landrace×Large White)] the iodine concentration of meat (m. longissimus) - 71 samples -, blood serum - 100 samples - and of the thyroid - 100 samples - was analysed by intracoupled plasma-MS. In Experiment 1, 4×10 pigs received diets without or with rapeseed cake (0 and 3.2mmol glucosinolates/kg diet) either with 125 or with 250µg iodine/kg. In Experiment 2, the three groups with 46 pigs each were fed high iodine diets (1200µg supplementary iodine/kg) without or with 100 or 150g solvent extracted rapeseed meal/kg diet (0; 0.8 and 1.2mmol glucosinolates/kg). In Experiment 3, 3×10 pigs received either 600µg iodine/kg feed (1) or the 5-fold dosage (600+2400µg iodine/kg diet) administered 7 days (2) or 18 days (3) before slaughtering. The group means of pork iodine content were in the relatively small range from 3 to 16µg/kg, which contrasted to the enormously varying dosage range from 125 to 3000µg iodine/kg diet. There was a certain iodine dosage effect in Experiment 3 when - in comparison to the control - a 3-fold higher meat iodine concentration resulted from a 5-fold higher diet iodine concentration. In Experiment 1 with the low iodine offer, rapeseed cake with glucosinolates decreased the serum iodine level whereas in Experiment 2 this did not happen due to higher iodine fed and lower glucosinolates exposure. The thyroid iodine reflected the dietary iodine better than blood serum iodine and the serum better than muscle. However, in Experiment 2, 1200µg iodine/kg diet produced only half the serum iodine concentration than half as much dietary iodine in Experiment 3 (600µg iodine/kg diet), which may result from rapid elimination of blood iodine and a higher urinary excretion by longer duration of feed withdrawal before blood sampling. The muscle of pigs has to be classified as a low iodine food. Thus, there are no possibilities to concentrate this trace element reproducibly in amounts relevant for human nutrition in pork.

[Not Available]. / Konzentration an Deoxynivalenol (DON) in Thüringer Brot und Feinen Backwaren.

Since 2003 bread and fine bakery products must not contain more than 350 µg Deoxynivalenol (DON). As a prerequisite for the label "Geprüfte Qualität"-Thüringen [proved quality Thuringia] and since coming into force of the respective evaluation prescription a total of 25 breads and 41 fine bakery products was investigated by ELISA with regard of this compound. In the 66 samples of the year 2003 no DON concentrations above the limit were detected and in the preparation period 2001/2002 only one sample exceeded the maximum. In several samples, most narrow to the maximum limit, an additional determination by HPLC was performed which resulted in lower DON-concentrations as compared to the values analyzed by ELISA.

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acids on the distribution of fatty acids in serum lipoprotein fractions and different tissues of growing pigs.

The effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on blood lipids [total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triacylglycerols (TAG)] and the fatty acid distribution of the lipoprotein fractions, backfat, muscle fat, and liver lipids were examined in an experiment with two groups of 40 pigs [Pietrain x (Landrace x Large White)] each. The 20 female and 20 male castrated pigs of each group were fed with isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets supplemented with either 20 g/kg rapeseed oil (control) or 20 g/kg CLA-TAG. The CLA preparation contained 54.2% pure CLA consisting of approximately two-thirds cis,trans/trans,cis-isomers and one-third trans,trans-isomers. The fatty acids of lipoproteins, backfat, muscle lipids and liver lipids were analysed by gas chromatograph (GC). CLA supplementation did not significantly influence blood lipids and the LDL to HDL ratio. In the CLA-fed pigs the very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) contained higher saturated fatty acid (SFA) concentrations at the cost of the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). The percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) remained unchanged. The highest CLA content was analysed in VLDL (4.00%) followed by LDL (2.78%) and HDL (1.45%). The ratio of cis,cis to trans,trans isomers increased from VLDL over LDL to HDL. The content of SFA, probably in backfat and muscle lipids, increased whereas the part of MUFA decreased as a result of reduced Delta9-desaturase activity. The percentage of PUFA (without CLA) was higher in backfat of the control group in accordance with the dietary PUFA supply. This shift in the fatty acid distribution was not observed in the liver lipids. In all the three tissues analysed, the CLA-fed pigs had a significantly increased CLA content: the highest increase was in the backfat (5.65%), followed by liver lipids (2.41%), and muscle lipids (1.47%). An isomer-specific accumulation was observed for cis,cis-CLA isomers in muscle, and for trans,trans-CLA isomers in backfat. We conclude that CLA supplementation results in a higher SFA content in backfat and muscle lipids but not in liver lipids. There is a discrimination of the trans-10, cis-12 isomer and the trans,trans isomers in the formation of the cell membranes.

Influence of a conjugated linoleic acid mixture on growth, organ weights, carcass traits and meat quality in growing pigs.

Grain soybean meal diets, either with 2% of a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) preparation or with 2% rapeseed oil (control), were tested in 2 x 40 pigs, Pietrain x (Landrace x Large White), each group with 20 female in the live weight range 23.5-117.0 kg and 20 male-castrated pigs in the live weight range 23.5-110.6 kg. The CLA-content of the preparation amounted to 54.0% cis/trans + trans/cis, 8.7% cis/cis and 32.7% trans/trans isomers. Daily weight gain, feed intake and feed : gain ratio were not influenced by the diets tested. The carcass lean increased significantly from 57.2% of the control group to 58.7% in the CLA group (p < 0.05). The male-castrated showed a stronger CLA effect than the female pigs - not only was the carcass lean significantly increased by 2%, but backfat thickness was significantly decreased by 2.8 mm, i.e. minus 11% (as compared with barrows of the control). The meat of CLA-fed pigs had a higher conductivity. A CLA effect on further meat quality characteristics (pH 45 min post-mortem, impedance, colour criteria, intramuscular fat, drip loss, frying loss, shear force, sensory attributes) could not be detected. There were some significant correlations between the meat quality attributes.

Rapeseed glucosinolates and iodine in sows affect the milk iodine concentration and the iodine status of piglets.

I in the chain sow diet --> blood serum of sow --> sow milk --> piglet serum was investigated in two experiments with a total of eighty-one sows and their piglets. In experiments conducted during the last trimester of gravidity and the 28 d of lactation, diets with glucosinolates (1.9 mmol/kg diet via 100 g ground rapeseed/kg diet (Expt 1) and 2.1 and 4.2 mmol/kg diet via 75 and 150 g rapeseed press cake/kg diet (Expt 2)) were compared with control groups without rapeseed products. From 0 to 600 microg I/kg was added to sow diets during lactation. Diets without supplementary I decreased the I concentration particularly in milk and piglet serum. The presence of rapeseed and rapeseed press cake were indicated by a thiocyanate concentration increase, mainly in sow serum. The diets with glucosinolates decreased the milk and piglet serum I concentration. Spot urine and faeces samples from sows eating the rapeseed-press cake diets had increased I concentration. The sows' serum I and thyroxine did not respond to glucosinolates (Expt 1) or these diets caused an increase in concentration (Expt 2). Both these criteria seem unsuitable for the diagnosis of I status of adult animals. Glucosinolates and their degradation compounds may affect the thyroid and the mammary glands resulting in lower I milk transfer and higher renal and intestinal I excretion.

Effects of rapeseed-press cake glucosinolates and iodine on the performance, the thyroid gland and the liver vitamin A status of pigs.

Rapeseed press cake (per kg DM 181 g EE, 341 g CP and 23.3 mmol glucosinolates) was tested in a long-term experiment with a total of sixty pigs (live weight range 24 to 104 kg). The 3 x 2 factorial design consisted of three rapeseed press cake levels (no rapeseed press cake--control, 75 g or 150 g rapeseed press cake per kg diet) each with two iodine dosages (125 or 250 micrograms supplementary iodine per kg diet). Reduced feed intake and depressed weight gain were found in groups receiving 150 g rapeseed press cake per kg diet, which correspond to 3.2 mmol glucosinolates per kg diet. At an inclusion level of 75 g rapeseed-press cake per kg diet no differences in feed intake and growth intensity were recorded in comparison to the rape feed free control. The rapeseed-press cake diet increased the weight of thyroid gland and liver and decreased the serum thyroxine (T4) concentration. Higher iodine dosage increased the serum T4 concentration of pigs receiving 75 g rapeseed press cake per kg diet (= 1.6 mmol glucosinolates per kg diet) to the level of the control group and retarded the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Intake of rapeseed products lowered the iodine content of the thyroid gland, however, there was no significant difference between groups given 1.6 and 3.2 mmol glucosinolates per kg diet. The vitamin A content of the whole liver and the vitamin A serum concentration were not influenced by the diets tested. However, rapeseed press cake and the glucosinolates, respectively, decreased the vitamin A concentration per gram liver due to the organ enlargement and the resulting dilution effect.

[Iodine deficiency, iodine requirement and iodine excess of farm animals--experiments on growing pigs]. / Jodunterversorgung, Jodbedarf und Jodüberversorgung des Nutztieres--Untersuchungen mit wachsenden Schweinen.

Since insufficient iodine intake is widespread among the German population, farm animals should if possible receive iodine above requirement, thus concentrating the trace element in milk, eggs and possibly meat. Experiments with a total of 29 fattening pigs with grain soy-bean meal diets without iodine supplementation or with increasing supplements up to 1000 micrograms iodine/kg diet did not show any effect on growth intensity (gain) and feed efficiency. At and above 125 micrograms supplementary iodine/kg diet the thyroid was not or only little hypertrophied and iodine incorporation into thyroglobulin sufficed to sustain serum T4 concentration. The glucosinolates of rape feeds increase iodine requirement. In an experiment with a total of 36 fattening pigs the thyroid iodine depot was decreased due to rapeseed meal feeding, this in agreement with antithyroid drugs which had been also tested. A thyroid with emptied iodine depot is hardly able to synthesize and release hormone, the serum thyroxine concentration showed a drastic decrease. More iodine may compensate for effects of glucosinolates, however, only with not too much of these compounds in the feed. Excessive iodine dosages (10 mg/kg diet) were compared with supplements in the range of recommendations (100 and 1000 micrograms/kg diet) with a total of 120 pigs in three groups of 40 animals each. The dosage of 10 mg iodine/kg diet decreased serum T3 concentration. The enlarged thyroid with double weight had a very high iodine concentration. In comparison with physiological application (100 or 1000 micrograms iodine/kg diet) the thyroid deposited only little iodine in the group with the excessive iodine intake related to consumed iodine quantity. In case of sufficient and excessive iodine supply--industry of compounds feed applies up to 2.5 mg supplementary iodine/kg diet--T4 and iodine of serum but also thyroid weight cannot serve as markers. This range of usual iodine supply is better characterized by the iodine depot of the thyroid. As a rule, thyroid weight increase indicates glucosinolate effects, generally those of dietary antithyroid compounds, more seldom it shows extreme and longterm iodine undersupply or iodine excess.

Effect of rapeseed feedstuffs with different glucosinolate content and iodine administration on gestating and lactating sow.

In two experiments with a total of 60 sows during late pregnancy and at 28 days of lactation, diets containing rapeseed were compared with rapeseed free diets (control). In Experiment 1 dietary content of solvent extracted rapeseed meal was 250 g/kg (10 mmol glucosinolates/kg diet), in Experiment 2 diets containing 100 g/kg rapeseed were tested (2 mmol glucosinolates/kg diet). During late pregnancy all sows received 150 micrograms supplementary iodine/kg diet. In lactation, different subgroups received different rates of iodine administration (Exp. 1:0, 100 or 1000 micrograms/kg diet; Exp. 2: 0, 150 or 300 micrograms/kg diet). Rapeseed feeds had no significant effect on feed intake, body weight of sows and rearing parameters in both experiments. There was a tendency (8%) toward lower litter weight at weaning in Exp. 1. Sow diets without supplementary iodine but containing glucosinolates (via rapeseed meal, rapeseed) caused significant reduction in thyroxine serum concentration of piglets, whereas this hormone did not change in sow serum. Thiocyanate was significantly increased in the serum of mothers. The minor increase of thiocyanate concentration of milk and piglets' serum points to negligible transfer of rapeseed glucosinolate degradation products to offspring. However, the milk iodine concentration was significantly decreased due to glucosinolates, and this seems to be the reason for impaired iodine and thyroid hormone status of piglets from sows given rapeseed feeds.

[Iodine and thyroid hormone status of mother pigs and their offspring]. / Zum Jod- und Schilddrüsenhormonstatus von Mutterschweinen und ihren Nachkommen.

The iodine concentration in the chain sow feed-->blood serum of dams-->milk-->blood serum of piglets (2 per litter) was determined in 36 litters in two experiments with different dietary iodine levels and in 16 litters in the framework of field studies in two piglet production farms in each case at weaning after four weeks lactation. In the blood serum also the concentration of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine was determined. The serum concentration of iodine and T4 did not indicate dietary iodine administration (sows) or showed only a weak response (piglets). The iodine concentration of milk was very strongly affected by iodine administration and by the iodine status of sows prior to the experiments. The highest milk iodine concentration was found in the sows of piglet production farms, corresponding to the level of iodine administered. For diagnosis of the iodine supply status the iodine concentration of sow milk should be analyzed. The lower limit of milk iodine concentration is presently defined as 50 micrograms/l, and the mean of 5 random samples per sow herd should not fall below this limit. Serum concentrations of iodine and T4 may remain moderate even in case of a low iodine supply (sow serum: 30 micrograms iodine/l, 25 nmol T4/l; piglet's serum: 50 micrograms iodine/l, 55 nmol T4/l), and are unsuited for diagnosis of iodine status.

Counteracting the negative effects of rapeseed and rapeseed press cake in pig diets.

Rapeseed and rapeseed press cake were tested in four long-term experiments with a total of ninety-eight pigs. Rapeseed contained 20 and rapeseed press cake 19 mmol glucosinolates/kg DM. The proportion of the tested rapeseed products in feed amounted to 0 (control), 50, 100 and 150 g/kg diet. Moist-heat-treated rapeseed and rapeseed press cake with an extremely low glucosinolate content were also given at 150 g/kg diet. Each dietary rapeseed product level was given with 125 or 250 microgram supplementary I/kg diet. Reduced feed intake and growth retardation were found in groups receiving 150 g rapeseed products/kg diet; in the case of rapeseed the impairments were significant. Rapeseed products > or = 100g/kg diet increased the thyroid weight and decreased the serum thyroxine (T4) concentration. Higher I dosage brought the serum T4 concentration to the level of the control group and retarded thyroid enlargement. Intake of rapeseed products lowered the I content of the thyroid; however, there was no significant difference between groups given 0.9 mmol glucosinolates/kg diet and those receiving three times as much. Degrading glucosinolates by moisture and heat prevented feed intake depression and growth retardation. In the case of treated rapeseed the decreased serum T4 concentration and increased thyroid weight persisted, indicating formation of some antithyroid compounds due to myrosinase (EC 3.2.3.1) activation. A maximal glucosinolate content of 2 mmol/kg diet and additional I application are a prerequisite for using rapeseed products in pig feeding.

[Effect of feeding rapeseed oil to dairy cows on the fatty acid composition of butterfat]. / Zur Wirkung von Rapsölfütterung an Milchkühe auf das Fettsäurenspektrum des Butterfettes.

Butter is rich in lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids which are assumed to be hypercholesterolemic. The replacement of usual dietary fat by rapeseed oil induces a serum cholesterol decrease. The objective of the study consisted in measuring the influence of feeding different amounts of full-fat rapeseed or oil-rich rapeseed cake to dairy cows to improve the fatty acid composition of milk fat. The results demonstrate a significant increase of iodine number and spreadability of butter. The percentage of lauric+myristic+palmitic acid (LMP) decreased by about 18% of whole fatty acids. Stearic and oleic acid increased significantly but the percentage of trans octadecenoic acid increased too. It can be concluded that the special butter has a nutritionally improved fat characterized by an increase of cholesterol-lowering fatty acids (C18 and C18:1) and a decline of cholesterol-elevating fatty acids (LMP).

[Evaluation of Aspergillus niger phytase and phosphate in weaned piglets. 2. Content and gain of fat, energy, ash, Ca and P in the animal body]. / Prüfung von Aspergillus-Niger-Phytase und Futterphosphat an Absetzferkeln. 2. Mitteilung--Gehalt und Ansatz an Eiweiss, Fett, Asche, Ca und P im Tierkörper.

A high phytic acid diet (barley, wheat, soya bean meal, 4 g P/kg diet, of that 2/3 phytate P) without added phytase, with phytase supplement (1000 U/kg diet) or with supplementary phosphate (2.2 g P/kg diet) was examined with 3 x 12 weaned piglets. The three diets contained 8 g Ca/kg. At the end of experiment 6 pigs/group were slaughtered. In animal body (as empty body) the content and gain of ash, P, Ca, protein and fat were detected. P supplementation and supplementary phytase had no effect on dry matter, protein and fat content of animal body. The enzyme but more the supplementary phosphate increased mineralization of skeleton and made the animal body higher in ash, P and Ca content. Piglets without supplementary phytase and P gained 1.1 g P daily. Phytase increased daily P gain by 0.5 g (P < 0.05), the phosphate by 1.4 g (P < 0.001). The daily Ca gain was 1.7; 2.8 and 5.1 g in the different groups. A piglet (body weight 20 kg) with sufficient P and Ca in the diet gains 5 g P and 10 g Ca per kg body weight gain (empty body).

[The effect of thioglycoside-containing feed on the growth, thyroid hormone and thiocyanate status of swine and poultry]. / Einfluss thioglycosidhaltigen Futters auf Wachstum, Schilddrüsenhormon- und Thiocyanatstatus von Schwein und Geflügel.

Feed containing rapeseed meal (RSM) with high glucosinolate content (10 mmol/kg feed) induced a strong increase of thyroid weight in pigs and poultry. Supplementary iodine reduced the antithyroid effect, but, it could not cancel it. Only at a low glucosinolate content (0.7 mmol/kg feed) a normal weight of thyroid was established. As the iodine supplementation increased the serum T4 value increased. The thiocyanate serum level increased irrespective of glucosinolate content of the feed. The urine level was significantly decreased due to lower dietary glucosinolate level. Obviously, the goitrogenic effect of the RSM does not correlate with the increased thiocyanate serum level.

[Evaluation of Aspergillus niger phytase and dietary phosphate in weaned piglets. 1. Growth, blood serum and bone status]. / Prüfung von Aspergillus-Niger-Phytase und Futterphosphat an Absetzferkeln. 1. Mitteilung--Wachstum, Blutserum- und Knochenstatus.

A high phytic acid diet (barley, wheat, soya bean meal, 4 g P/kg, of that 2/3 phytate P) without added phytase, with phytase supplement (1000 U/kg diet) or with supplementary phosphate (2,2g P/kg diet) was examined with 3 x 12 weaned piglets. The high dietary P level due to phosphate addition, significantly improved body weight gain and feed:gain ratio. The phytase effect on these criteria was small. The phytase but more the supplementary phosphate increased P concentration of serum. In case of phytase addition pigs had 10% less ash P and Ca in the rib than animals of phosphate group. In the group without phytase or P addition the ash, P and Ca concentration of bone were decreased by 20%.