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.

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.

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.

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.

[Testing of rapeseed with different glucosinolate contents in growing swine--a contribution for the evaluation of native harmful substances in food]. / Prüfung von Raps mit unterschiedlichem Glucosinolatgehalt an wachsenden Schweinen--ein Beitrag zur Bewertung nativer Schadstoffe der Nahrung.

Glucosinolates are present in kale but also in rapeseed meal. Rapeseed meal diets with 0.2 to 8 g (0.5-19 mmol) glucosinolates/kg were tested with a total of 197 growing pigs. The iodine supply was different. In case of lacking iodine pigs consumed less of feed with rapeseed meal. The growth was strongly lowered. Clinical hypothyroidism had occurred. In the serum T4 was not detectable. The strongly enlarged thyroid contained only little iodine. The Zn status was impaired. The serum vitamin A concentration was increased and Cu has been accumulated in the liver. Giving iodine the glucosinolates were without any effect or the effects were weakened. In case of < 2 g glucosinolates/kg diet the feed intake was not impaired. 1 g glucosinolates/kg diet had not affected thyroid weight (reference range: 80-120 mg/kg body weight). However iodine dosage was above requirement. In people an estimated daily intake of 0.1 g glucosinolates may be a health risk only under iodine deficiency conditions.

[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.

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.

[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.

[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.

[Vitamin A requirement of growing swine. 1. Effect of vitamin A supply on growth of piglets and fattening swine]. / Untersuchungen zum Vitamin-A-Bedarf des wachsenden Schweines. 1. Mitteilung. Der Einfluss der Vitamin-A-Versorgung auf das Wachstum von Ferkeln und Mastschweinen.

For the purpose of ascertaining the vitamin A requirement seven experiments with 303 pigs in the live weight range between 6.5 and 114 kg were made. In three experiments under in practice conditions we checked the standard vitamin A supplement to the mixed feed with 1,732 pigs (live weight range between 8.5 and 110 kg). The supplement to vitamin-A-free rations and to those poor in or free of carotene amounted to between 0 and 8,000 IU/kg feed. Above that, between 0 and 16 mg beta-carotene and 1,000 mg nitrite/kg feed were supplemented. As long as the vitamin A store in the liver during weaning amounted to greater than 50 IU and greater than 100 IU/g at the beginning of fattening, feed intake, live weight growth and feed expenditure were not influenced by the supplement of vitamin and provitamin resp. The supplement of 250 IU resulted in the same weight growth from weaning to the end of fattening as that of 4,000 IU. Nitrite supplement had a negative effect at 250 IU, at 500 IU vitamin A consumption and weight growth tended to be only insignificantly lower. The methaemoglobin content decreasing in the course of the experiment reflects the adaptation of the pigs to the nitrite load. The consumption and growth depression caused by vitamin A deficiency could be observed from the 7th week of the experiment when casein-swelling starch rations were fed, but from the 13th week of the experiment only when cereal-soybean oilmeal rations were fed. The weight of liver, spleen, kidneys, heart and brain was not influenced by vitamin A supply. The same applies to the body composition and retention with the exception of two deficiency piglets, which contained less fat in the empty body than the control animals.

[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 phosphorus supply of pigs in the body weight category of 11-38 kg. 1. The effect of the phosphorus supply on the performance, nutrient digestibility, protein and fat content in soft tissue and skeleton and protein and fat deposits]. / Untersuchungen zur Phosphorversorgung von Schweinen im Lebendmasseabschnitt von 11-38 kg. 1. Mitteilung. Der Einfluss der Phosphorversorgung auf die Leistung, die Nährstoffverdaulichkeit, den Protein- und Fettgehalt im Weichgewebe und Skelett sowie den Protein- und Fettansatz.

The influence of phosphorus supply on performance and nutrient composition of the empty body was studied in two individual feeding experiments with two and three groups resp. (7 or 8 animals per group). The phosphorus content of the unsupplemented diet was in the experiments I and II 2.97 and 2.41 g/kg, the supplemented phosphorus (as monocalcium phosphate) amounted of 2.5 and 2.33 g/kg diet respectively. The phosphorus supplementation increased live weight gain in both experiments by 84 and 45% and improved feed conversion by 35 and 23% respectively. Phosphorus deficiency did not influence the digestibility of nutrients. The fat content of soft tissue and skeleton of the phosphorus deficient animals was increased. They deposited 0.7 kg more fat (in both experiments) and 1.5 or 0.7 kg less protein in experiment I and II respectively. The utilisation of energy for deposition was not influenced by the different phosphorus supply.

[Effect of iodine, copper and zinc additions to the diet with a high proportion of coarse rape meal extract on the growth and thyroid function of fattening pigs. 1. The effect on fattening performance]. / Der Einfluss von Jod-, Kupfer- und Zink-Zulagen zu Rationen mit hohem Rapsextraktionsschrotanteil auf Wachstum und Schilddrüsenfunktion des Mastschweines. 1. Mitteilung. Einfluss auf die Mastleistung.

In three experiments with fattening pigs the supplementation of a ration with 8% rapeseed oilmeal (RSO) with 1 mg J/kg resulted in an increased weight gain per day of 31, 94 and 87%. On the other hand, only 83, 76 and 84% of the weight gain of the soybean oilmeal control groups were achieved. The additional supply with 250 mg Cu (experiments II and III) increased the weight gain to 84 and 96% in comparison to the unsupplemented control groups. The combination of J + Cu + Zn lead to the same performance as that of J + Cu (experiment III). In the RSO groups without J-supplement changes in body proportions and parakeratosis could be observed after approximately equal to 7 weeks. After the sole supplementation of Cu these symptoms occurred approximately equal to 4 weeks later. In vitro, the supplementation of RSO with a CuSO4 solution resulted in a decrease of vinylthiooxazolidon and isothiocyanate in line with the CuSO4-concentration. 0.2 mg J/kg feed (experiment III) resulted in the same fattening performance as the supplementation of the ration with 1 mg J and outwardly visible deficiency symptoms. The results show that Cu, depending on its quota, results in a decrease of goitrogenics in the feed and that J and Cu supplementation to rations with rapeseed oilmeal have an additive effect and that parakeratosis can be prevented by J-supplementation.

[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%.

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.

[The performance of weaned piglets after a five week weaning period in relation to the weaning weight, the feed composition and the use of an effective ergotropic]. / Die Leistung nach fünf Wochen Säugezeit abgesetzter Ferkel in Abhängigkeit von der Absetzmasse, der Futter-zusammensetzung und dem Einsaz eines wirksamen Ergotropikums.

In a three-factorial experiment with 216 piglets of the same age (33 +/- 4 days) but a different weight (weaning weight from 5.5 to 9 kg) a conventional piglet rearing feed containing 20% crude protein (standard), a high-energy diet and a low-protein diet (16% crude protein) were tested. In three weaning weight classes the three diets were fed without or with Bisergon [2-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-carbamoyl-3-methylquinoxaline-1.4-dioxide] over a period of 21 days. From the 22nd to the 71st day after weaning all the piglets received the standard diet without ergotropic. Among the factors studied the Bisergon supplement had the biggest effect. The additional weight gain varied from 9% in case of heavy piglets fed the high energy diet to 150% in case of light piglets fed the low protein diet. The ergotropic improved feed conversion by 22% and lowered the frequency of gastrointestinal diseases requiring treatment by 28%. At the end of the rearing period the weight of the piglets initially fed with Bisergon (means = 34.6 kg) was significantly higher than that of the control animals (means = 31.6 kg). The weaning weight and the diets influenced the final weight especially in the groups without ergotropic. In this case the piglets fed with the high-energy diet gained 30% more and those fed with the low-protein diet 40% less compared with the standard group. The average live weight gain of the light piglets (weaning weight 6.1 kg) was 30% lower than that of the heavier piglets (weaning weight 8.5 kg). The frequency of treatment against diarrhoea of the heavy piglets was by one third lower than that of the light animals. The piglets fed with the low-protein diet appeared to show a limitation of gastrointestinal diseases, but these animals also had the lowest feed intake. Independent of the Bisergon supplementation the weaning weight clearly influenced the live weight after the 10-week experiment. The initially better development of the animals started with the high-energy diet was compensated. In contrast to this, the piglets weighing 6.1 and 7.2 kg fed with the low-protein diet could not compensate the retarded development in comparison with the piglets fed with the standard or the high-energy diet. This experiment confirms the enormous improvement of the performance and of the health status of weaned piglets caused by the ergotropic Bisergon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Effect of iodine, copper and zinc supplements to rations with a high quota of rapeseed extract meal on the growth and thyroid function of fattening swine. 2. The effect of the iodine supplement on nutrient digestibility and on protein and energy retention]. / Der Einfluss von Jod-, Kupfer- und Zinkzulagen zu Rationen mit hohem Rapsextraktionsschrotanteil auf Wachstum und Schildrüsenfunktion des Mastschweines. 2. Mitteilung. Der Einfluss der Jodzulage auf die Nhrstoffverdaulichkeit sowie den Protein- und Energieansatz.

Three groups of six pigs each (live weight at the beginning of the experiment 20 kg) were given a cereal ration with 8% rape seed meal. Group I did not receive a J supplement and was fed ad libitum. The rations of groups II and III were supplemented with 1 mg J/kg feed. The feed intake of group II was limited to the amount consumed by group I (pair fed); group III received the feed ad libitum. The daily weight gains of the 3 groups were 327, 377 and 613 g, feed expenditure 3.79, 3.68 and 3.47 kg/kg gain. In an N balance experiment carried out with 3 animals each from groups I and II, 41.4% of the N taken in group I and 43.8% in group II were retained (p greater than 0.05). Liver, intestinal fat and leaf were heavier in group I (p less than 0.01), the protein content of the empty body, the bones and bristles significantly lower than in group II. Protein retention in group II was 14% higher than in group I. In case of iodine deficiency protein retention is lower, energy retention, however, is largely unchanged.

Growth impairment caused by dietary nitrate intake regulated via hypothyroidism and decreased somatomedin.

The effect of 2 days or 6 weeks administration of the diet containing 3 per cent potassium nitrate on serum level of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), nitrate, methemoglobin and somatomedin activity was investigated in piglets aged 56 days. Sufficient iodine intake by mothers prevented a decrease of T4 level in piglets after 2 days administration of nitrate. However, after 6 weeks of nitrate administration a striking decrease of T4 level was found (average level less than 10 nmol l-1) which could not be prevented even by the addition of 0.5 mg iodide per kg diet. No adaptation to nitrate administration was observed. After long-term administration of nitrate a significant decrease of serum somatomedin activity was found which also showed a positive correlation with a decrease of body weight gain.