Ileal digestibility of amino acids, phosphorus, phytate and energy in pigs fed sorghum-based diets supplemented with phytase and Pancreatin®.

The effects of phytase supplementation on the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) have been inconsistent. Two experiments evaluated the effect of providing a mixture of pancreatic enzymes (Pancreatin(®) ) to growing pigs fed sorghum-soybean meal diets supplemented with phytase on the AID of AA, energy, and phosphorus (P), as well as the ileal digestibility (ID) of phytate; there were four periods per experiment. In Experiment 1, eight pigs (BW 22.1±1.3 kg) were fitted with a T-cannula at the distal ileum. Each period consisted of 9 days; 7 days for diet adaptation, and 2 days for digesta collection. Treatments (T) were: (i) basal sorghum-soybean meal diet, (ii) basal diet plus Pancreatin®, (iii) basal diet plus phytase and (iv) basal diet plus phytase and Pancreatin®. Phytase increased the digestibilities of phytate and P (p<0.001), but did not affect the AID of AA and energy (p>0.10). Except for methionine (p=0.07), Pancreatin® did not affect the AID of AA. Phytase and Pancreatin® did not interact (p>0.10). Experiment 2 was similar to Experiment 1, but Pancreatin® was infused into duodenum. Pancreatin® infusion did not affect the AID of AA (p>0.10); and tended to reduce (p=0.09) the AID of lysine. Phytase × Pancreatin® interactions were not observed (p>0.10). In conclusion, phytase and Pancreatin® did not improve the AID of AA in growing pigs fed sorghum-soybean meal diets indicating that phytates did not affect AA digestibility.

Ileal recovery of nutrients and mucin in humans fed total enteral formulas supplemented with soy fiber.

The objective of this study was to determine whether soy fiber supplementation of total enteral nutrition formulas affected small intestinal recovery of nitrogen, amino acids, and carbohydrates or mucin output in eight human subjects (four males, four females) with ileostomies. The subjects ingested five test diets to provide 1.0-16.5 g soy fiber/L for 2 consecutive days each. The five test diets, each with a different soy fiber content were formulated by varying the relative proportion (1:0, 0.75:0.25, 0.5:0.5, 0.25:0.75, and 0:1) of two commercially available formulas. Effluent dry matter increased with soy fiber intake as a result of the quantitative recovery of soy fiber nonstarch polysaccharide. Nitrogen and amino acid digestibilities were unchanged by the ingestion of soy fiber. Nutrients from the total enteral nutrition formulas were well digested in the small intestine with true nitrogen and amino acid digestibilities in excess of 90% and starch digestibilities approaching 100%. Ileal mucin output was higher in male subjects and was unaffected by soy fiber intake. In summary, soy fiber supplementation does not compromise protein and carbohydrate absorption from the small intestine of humans.

Determination of apparent ileal amino acid digestibility in barley and canola meal for pigs with the direct, difference, and regression methods.

Three methods were evaluated for the determination of apparent ileal digestibility values of amino acids in feedstuffs with a low protein (barley, 10.2% CP) and a high protein content (canola meal, 38.2% CP). Five barrows, average initial BW 40 kg, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum and fed five diets according to a 5 x 5 Latin square design. Diet 1 contained 42.7% canola meal providing the sole source of dietary amino acids. Diets 2, 3, and 4 contained three graded levels of barley (22.5, 45.0, and 67.5%, respectively) and three graded levels of canola meal (36.6, 30.5, and 24.4%, respectively). Diet 5 contained 90.0% barley, which provided the sole source of dietary amino acids. With the exception of diet 5, the diets were formulated to contain 16% CP. Chromic oxide (.4%) was included as the digestibility marker. The pigs were fed twice daily, equal amounts, at 0800 and 2000. The dietary allowance was 1,800 g/d. Each experimental period comprised 8 d. Ileal digesta were collected for a total of 24 h during d 7 and 8 at 2-h intervals. Apparent ileal digestibility values of amino acids in barley were determined with the direct method from diet 5, with the difference method from diets 2, 3, and 4, and with the regression method from diets 1, 2, 3, and 4. Digestibility values of amino acids in canola meal were determined with the direct method from diet 1, with the difference method from diets 2, 3, and 4, and with the regression method from diets 1, 2, 3, and 4. There were no differences (P < .05) in the digestibility values in barley between the difference method when barley was included at 67.5% in the diet and the regression method. However, the digestibility values were lower (P < .05 or < .10) when these were determined with the direct method. There were no differences (P > .05) in the digestibility values of canola meal when these were determined with the direct method, the difference method, when canola meal was included at 36.6% in the diet, and the regression method. In conclusion, amino acid digestibility values in feedstuffs with a low protein content should be determined with the difference or regression methods rather than with the direct method. Amino acid digestibility values in feedstuffs with a high protein content can be determined with either method.

The effect of dietary fat content on amino acid digestibility in young pigs.

Studies were carried out with 12 pigs (Yorkshire x Landrace) to determine the effect of dietary fat content on amino acid digestibility. The pigs were weaned at 21 d of age and fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum at 27 or 28 d of age. After a 7-d recuperation period, the pigs were fed one of four isonitrogenous cornstarch-based soybean meal diets (22.5% CP) containing 3.2, 6.2, 9.2, or 12.2% canola oil according to a balanced two-period change-over design. The pigs were fed four times daily, equal amounts, at 6-h intervals. The diets were supplied at a rate of 5% of the average body weight that was determined at the initiation of the first (11.0 kg) and second (12.5 kg) experimental period. Each experimental period consisted of 10 d. Feces were collected for 48 h on d 6 and 7 and ileal digesta for 24 h during d 8, 9, and 10. Chromic oxide was used as digestibility marker. The apparent ileal digestibilities of most of the amino acids increased linearly (P < .05) with increasing dietary fat levels. There were differences (P < .05) in the ileal digestibilities of most of the amino acids between the diets containing 3.2 and 12.2% canola oil. Conversely, the dietary level of inclusion of canola oil did not affect (P > .05) the fecal amino acid digestibilities. The protein-sparing effect of additional canola oil inclusion results, in part, from an increase in ileal amino acid digestibility.

Determination of true ileal amino acid digestibility and the endogenous amino acid outputs associated with barley samples for growing-finishing pigs by the regression analysis technique.

This study was conducted to determine true ileal AA digestibility coefficients and the endogenous AA outputs associated with barley samples for growing-finishing pigs using the regression analysis technique with dual digestibility markers. Six barrows, with 30.5 and 58.6 kg average initial and final BW, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum and fed six barley-based diets at close to ad libitum feed intake according to a 6 x 6 Latin square design. The six diets contained 97% of six barley samples varying from low to high in CP and AA contents (8.5, 9.2, 9.8, 11.5, 12.6, and 15.6% CP, respectively, on DM basis). The dietary NDF content ranged from 16.8 to 23.8% on DM basis. Chromic oxide (Cr2O3) and acid-insoluble ash (AIA) were used as digestibility markers. Each experimental period lasted 7 d. Ileal digesta were collected, at 2-h intervals, for a total of 24 h during d 6 and 7. There were linear relationships (P < 0.01) between dietary contents of apparent ileally digestible and total CP and AA as determined by using either Cr2O3 or AIA as a digestibility marker. The use of Cr2O3 vs AIA affected (P < 0.01) the determination of true ileal AA digestibility coefficients and the endogenous CP and AA outputs. However, there were no differences (P > 0.01) in the true ileal AA digestibility coefficients in barley samples between this study and the average values reported in the literature. The endogenous CP and AA outputs determined in this study were higher (P < 0.01) than reported values (35.1+/-3.0 vs 14.7+/-1.1 g CP/kg DMI). It is concluded that dual digestibility markers should be used to measure true ileal AA digestibility coefficients and endogenous AA outputs when dietary fiber content is high and the ileal digesta is collected through a simple T-cannula in the pig. True rather than apparent ileal AA digestibility coefficients determined in barley samples should be used in diet formulation for swine. The gastrointestinal endogenous AA secretion, recycling, and output losses are important in whole-body AA utilization and homeostasis, especially when fiber-enriched diets are fed to growing-finishing pigs.

Effect of starch infusion at the terminal ileum on nitrogen balance and apparent digestibilities of nitrogen and amino acids in pigs fed meat-and-bone and soybean meal diets.

Growing pigs were each surgically fitted with a single T-shaped cannula at the terminal ileum, and fed a cornstarch-based diet made isonitrogenous with meat-and-bone meal (MBM) or soybean meal (SBM). Starch or water was infused through the cannulas and the effects on N balance and apparent digestibilities (AD) of N and amino acids (AA) were studied. The infusion of starch, as contrasted to water, increased (P less than .01) excretion of fecal N and decreased (P less than .05) excretion of total urinary N, including urinary urea N, without affecting the amount of N retained. The increased excretion of fecal AA following starch infusion resulted in lowered (P less than .05) AD (percentage units) of indispensable AA, threonine (8.4), methionine (6.7), valine (6.6) and lysine (5.0); and dispensable AA, tyrosine (6.9) and aspartic acid (5.7). The same pattern of AD decreases was obtained for both protein sources, but in general, the magnitude of these decreases was greater for MBM than for SBM. Large differences (percentage units) were observed between AD of individual AA and that of N (arginine, +11.2 and isoleucine, -5.2, in MBM; arginine, +7.6 and methionine, -7.6, in SBM). Results showed that the route of N excretion and the AD of N and AA, as determined by the fecal analysis method, were influenced by the amount of starch entering the hindgut. It was concluded that AD of individual AA, and not N, should be considered when formulating pig diets; however, because of the dependence of AD values on starch entering the hindgut, AD values (fecal analysis method) may not be reliable measures of AA availabilities.

Ileal digestibilities of neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, and amino acids associated with neutral detergent fiber in wheat shorts for growing pigs.

An experiment was carried out to determine the ileal digestibility values of NDF, CP, and AA associated with NDF in different samples of wheat shorts consisting of different proportions of wheat bran, shorts, and flour, hereafter referred to as wheat fractions. Six barrows (average initial BW 37.2 kg, and fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum) were fed one of six experimental diets, formulated to contain 17% CP (as-fed basis), according to a 6 x 6 Latin square design. Diets A, B, C, D, and E contained 17.53% soybean meal (SBM), which contributed 50% CP to these diets. The diets contained shorts, bran, or flour alone or in combination, contributing the remaining 50% CP to these diets. The proportions of shorts, bran, and flour in the wheat fractions were 70% shorts and 30% bran in diet A, 85% shorts and 15% bran in diet B, 100% shorts in diet C, 85% shorts and 15% flour in diet D, and 70% shorts and 30% flour in diet E. Diet F contained 35.05% soybean meal, which provided the sole source of dietary CP. Chromic oxide was used as a digestibility marker. During the first experimental period, the daily dietary allowance was provided at a rate of 5% (wt/wt) of the average BW. Thereafter, the allowance was increased by 100 g at each successive period. Each experimental period comprised 12 d. Following a 7-d adaptation period, feces were collected for 48 h and ileal digesta for a total of 24 h. The contribution of CP and AA associated with NDF gradually decreased from wheat fraction A to E, reflecting a decrease in NDF content from 42.3 to 29.5%. Of the indispensable AA in wheat fraction A, the contributions ranged from 12.9 to 15.9%. In wheat fraction E, these values ranged from 9.0 to 11.3%. The ileal digestibility values of NDF ranged from 11.8% in diet E to 17.1% in diet C (P > 0.05). There were usually no differences (P > 0.05) in the ileal digestibilities of AA associated with NDF between the wheat fractions. However, with the exception of lysine and tyrosine, there were negative correlations (P < 0.05) between the apparent ileal AA digestibilities and the content (%) of CP associated with NDF in the wheat fractions. Furthermore, there was no effect (P > 0.05) of the diets containing wheat fractions on the recovery of bacterial protein and mucin in ileal digesta.

Effect of predigestion factors on the apparent digestibility of protein for swine determined by the Mobile Nylon Bag Technique.

Five Yorkshire x Lacombe barrows (45 kg initial wt) fitted with duodenal cannulas approximately 10 cm from the pyloric sphincter were used to determine the influence of the pH of the predigestion solution (pH 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5), pepsin activity (189 vs 377 IU/liter) and duration of predigestion (0, 1.5, 2.5 or 4.0 h) on the apparent digestibility of the protein in soybean meal (SBM), meal and bone meal (MBM) or canola meal (CM) determined with the Mobile Nylon Bag Technique (MNBT). An additional six barrows were used to determine protein digestibility by conventional methods. Protein digestibilities determined using conventional digestibility techniques were 93.1 +/- .7, 79.1 +/- 1.8 and 79.3 +/- 1.4% for the SBM, MBM and CM diets, respectively. Protein digestibilities determined with the MNBT were highest at pH 2.0 for all three protein sources. Increasing pepsin activity from 189 to 377 IU/liter resulted in a slight increase in the digestibility of SBM and CM, but not of MBM. The absence of predigestion (0 h) resulted in a dramatic reduction in protein digestibility; predigestion times of 1.5 or 2.5 h usually resulted in lower protein digestibilities than did a predigestion time of 4.0 h. The closest agreement between results obtained by the MNBT and conventional digestibility studies occurred with a pH of 2.0, a predigestion time of 4.0 h and a pepsin activity of 377 IU/liter.

The digestibility of biotin in protein supplements and cereal grains for growing pigs.

Studies were carried out with six growing barrows fitted with a simple T-cannula 5 to 10 cm anterior to the ileo-cecal sphincter. In Exp. 1, the digestibility of biotin was determined in three cornstarch-based diets formulated to contain 16% CP by supplementation with soybean meal (SBM), meat and bone meal (MBM) and canola meal (CM). In Exp. 2 the digestibility of biotin was determined in three diets that contained 96.8% barley, corn or wheat. Experiments 1 and 2 were conducted according to a replicated 3 X 3 latin square design. In Exp. 3 pigs were fed a cornstarch-based diet supplemented with 12% vitamin-free casein to determine the amount of endogenous biotin. In Exp. 4 the digestibility of supplemental biotin was determined. There was a small amount of endogenous biotin in ileal digesta, 11 micrograms/kg DMI. Digestibilities of biotin determined at the distal ileum (apparent digestibilities corrected for endogenous biotin) were 55.4, 2.7 and 3.9% in SBM, MBM and CM, respectively, and 4.8, 4.0 and 21.6% in barley, corn and wheat, respectively. The digestibility of supplemental biotin was 93.5%. There was a large increase in the level of biotin between digesta collected from the distal ileum and in feces, ranging from 138 to 324 micrograms/kg DMI. With the exception of the CM diet, this increase exceeded dietary biotin intake. Biotin in many feedstuffs was not available in the small intestine.

Estimation by regression analysis of endogenous amino acid levels in digesta collected from the distal ileum of pigs.

An experiment was conducted to estimate by simple linear regression the levels of endogenous amino acids in digesta collected from the distal ileum in pigs. Six barrows, average initial BW 35 kg, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum and fed six diets according to a 6 x 6 Latin square design. Six cornstarch-based diets containing six levels of CP from soybean meal (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24% CP, respectively) were formulated. Chromic oxide (.4%) was included as the digestibility marker. Each experimental period consisted of 8 d. Ileal digesta were collected, at 2-h intervals, for a total of 24 h during d 7 and 8. There were linear relationships (P < .001) between dietary contents of apparent ileal digestible and total amino acids, irrespective of the ranges in graded dietary levels of amino acids. Determined with the regression technique, the endogenous levels of the indispensable amino acids (grams/kilogram of DMI) were as follows: arginine, .64; histidine, .23; isoleucine, .46; leucine, .69; lysine, .47; methionine, .13; phenylalanine, .31; threonine, .69; and valine, .54. Differences in the ranges of graded dietary levels of amino acids resulted in large differences in the estimated amounts of endogenous amino acids in ileal digesta. Furthermore, it seems that the levels of endogenous amino acids, as grams/kilogram of DMI, were constant at different dietary levels of amino acids, whereas the contributions of endogenous amino acids, as percentages of their dietary contents, decreased curvilinearly with increasing dietary contents. Therefore, apparent ileal digestibilities of amino acids were quadratically related to their dietary contents until plateau digestibilities were reached, whereas the true ileal digestibilities of amino acids were independent of their respective dietary contents. Furthermore, true ileal amino acid digestibilities should be determined from their corresponding plateau apparent ileal digestibilities. In conclusion, the levels of endogenous amino acids in ileal digesta can be determined reliably from the linear relationships between dietary contents of apparent ileal digestible and total amino acids. An important methodological consideration in the determination of endogenous amino acids by regression analysis is to design an appropriate range of graded dietary levels of amino acids.

Amino acid digestibilities in different samples of wheat shorts for growing pigs.

An experiment was carried out to investigate the variability in apparent ileal amino acid (AA) digestibilities in simulated samples of wheat shorts consisting of different proportions of wheat bran (WB), wheat shorts (WS), and wheat flour (WF), hereafter referred to as wheat fractions. The proportions of WS, WB, and WF and the NDF content (DM basis) of the wheat fractions were as follows: A, 70% WS, 30% WB, and 42.3% NDF; B, 85% WS, 15% WB, and 41.8% NDF; C, 100% WS and 41.3% NDF; D, 85% WS, 15% WF, and 35.2% NDF; and E, 70% WS, 30% WF, and 29.5% NDF. Six barrows, average initial BW of 37.2 kg, fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, were fed one of six experimental diets according to a 6 x 6 Latin square design. Six diets were formulated to contain 17% CP (as-fed basis). Diets A, B, C, D, and E contained 17.53% soybean meal (SBM), which contributed 50% of the CP in these diets. The wheat fractions contributed the remaining 50% of the CP in these diets. Diet F contained 35.05% SBM, which was the sole source of dietary CP. Chromic oxide was used as the digestibility marker. During the first experimental period, the daily dietary allowance was provided at a rate of 5% (wt/wt) of the average BW. Thereafter, the daily dietary allowance was increased by 100 g at each successive period. Each experimental period comprised 12 d. Following a 7-d adaptation period, feces were collected for 48 h and ileal digesta for a total of 24 h. The apparent ileal digestibilities of AA in the wheat fractions were calculated using the difference method. The digestibilities were usually lowest in the wheat fractions containing WB and highest in those containing no WB. The average of the digestibilities of the indispensable AA was 63.5% for wheat fraction A, which contained 30% WB, and 71.9% for wheat fraction C, which did not contain WB. There were no differences (P > .05) in lysine digestibilities among the wheat fractions, which ranged from 54.7 to 64.1%. Of the indispensable AA, with the exception of arginine, lysine, and methionine, the apparent ileal digestibility values of AA were negatively correlated (P < .05) with the NDF content in the wheat fractions.

Effect of beta-glucanase supplementation to hulless barley- or wheat-soybean meal diets on the digestibilities of energy, protein, beta-glucans, and amino acids in young pigs.

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of beta-glucanase supplementation to hulless barley-soybean meal (HB+SBM) or wheat-soybean meal (W+SBM) diets on the digestibilities of GE, CP, beta-glucans, and amino acids. Twelve barrows, average BW 7.3 kg, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, approximately 5 cm from the ileo-cecal sphincter. After a 7-d recuperation period, six pigs were allotted to each dietary treatment according to a two-period crossover design. Both diets were formulated to contain 20% CP without and with supplementation of .2% beta-glucanase. beta-glucanase refers to a mixture of enzymes with endo- and exo-beta-glucanase and beta-glucosidase activities. Chromic oxide was included as a digestibility marker. The pigs were fed three times daily at 0800, 1600, and 2400 and the daily allowance was offered at a rate of 5% of BW. Each experimental period lasted 9 d. Feces were collected for 48 h on d 6 and 7 and ileal digesta for a total of 24 h on d 8 and 9. beta-glucanase supplementation to the HB+SBM diet increased (P < .05 or P < .01) the ileal digestibilities of GE, CP, beta-glucans, and the majority of the amino acids and the fecal digestibilities of GE, CP, and all amino acids measured; the fecal digestibility of beta-glucans in the HB+SBM diet was not affected by beta-glucanase supplementation. There was no effect (P > .05) of beta-glucanase supplementation to the W+SBM diet on the ileal digestibilities of any criteria measured except for beta-glucans (P < .05). The supplementation of beta-glucanase to the W+SBM diet increased (P < .05) the fecal digestibility of energy but not (P > .05) the other criteria measured.

The effect of source of fiber on ileal and fecal amino acid digestibility and bacterial nitrogen excretion in growing pigs.

Studies were carried out with six barrows (initial BW 50 kg) to determine the effect of two fiber sources on the apparent ileal and fecal N and amino acid digestibilities and bacterial N excretion in feces. The pigs, fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, were fed three cornstarch-based diets formulated to contain 16% CP from soybean meal according to a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Diet 1 did not contain additional fiber. Diets 2 and 3 contained 10% powdered cellulose and 10% barley straw (ground through a 2-mm mesh screen), included at the expense of cornstarch, respectively. The pigs were fed 900 g at each meal twice daily, 0800 and 2000. Feces were collected for 48 h after a 10-d adaptation period. Thereafter, ileal digesta were collected for 24 h. Chromic oxide was used as a digestibility marker. With the exception of leucine, the inclusion of fiber did not affect (P greater than .05) the ileal digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids. The values for the average of the ileal digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids were 85.3, 82.9, and 83.2% for diets 1, 2, and 3, respectively. On the other hand, the inclusion of fiber decreased (P less than .05) the fecal digestibilities of all the indispensable amino acids. The values for the average of the fecal digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids were 91.7, 87.4, and 89.1% for diets 1, 2, and 3, respectively. These decreases resulted from an increase (P less than .05) in the excretion of bacterial N, which was measured using 2,6-diaminopimelic acid as a marker. In conclusion, as measured with the ileal analysis method, the inclusion of fiber had little effect on the digestible amino acid supply.

Tracer studies of urea kinetics in growing pigs: I. The effect of intravenous infusion of urea on urea recycling and the site of urea secretion into the gastrointestinal tract.

Four gilts (average BW 80 kg) were used in the first experiment to study the effect of i.v. infusion of urea on urea kinetics by means of a radioisotope dilution technique. The pigs were fed twice daily 600 g of a cornstarch-based diet formulated to contain 16% CP by supplementation with isolated soy protein. Infusion of urea, compared with saline, increased (P < .05) plasma urea concentration, urea pool size, urea entry, urea excretion, and urea degradation rates; urea turnover rate and urea space were not affected (P > .05). Expressed as a percentage of the total entry rate, a lower (P < .05) percentage of urea was recycled in pigs infused with urea. The urea infused was almost completely excreted in urine, so there were no differences (P > .05) in N balance. In the second experiment, four gilts (average BW 40 kg), fitted with ileocecal reentrant cannulas, were used to determine whether the upper or the lower digestive tract represents the preferential site of urea secretion in pigs. Two pigs were fed twice daily 600 g of a cornstarch-based diet, formulated to contain 16% CP from soybean meal. The other two pigs were fed the same diet in which 15% cornstarch was replaced by beet pulp. After labeling the body urea pool of one pig on each treatment with [15N]urea, the reentrant cannulas were disconnected to prevent the flow of digesta from the small into the large intestine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of supplementation of xylanase and phospholipase to a wheat-based diet for weanling pigs on nutrient digestibility and concentrations of microbial metabolites in ileal digesta and feces.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing a wheat-based diet with xylanase and phospholipase either alone or in combination on the ileal and fecal digestibilities of nutrients and energy in early-weaned pigs. In addition, the concentrations of ammonia, lactate, and VFA were measured in ileal digesta and feces. The experiment was carried out with 16 barrows weaned at the age of 11 d with an average initial BW of 4.1 kg. On d 4 and 5 postweaning, the piglets were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum. The experiment was designed as a balanced incomplete block design with three periods. The piglets received the basal diet with or without supplementation of either xylanase or phospholipase or a combination of these. There was a positive (P = 0.005 to 0.018) effect on the digestibility values of GE, OM, CP, crude fiber (CF), and NDF with xylanase supplementation. Apart from lysine, threonine, cysteine, glycine, and proline, the digestibility values of all AA were improved (P = 0.001 to 0.024). Phospholipase supplementation had a positive effect on CP (P = 0.047) and CF (P = 0.002) digestibilities, but no effect on ether extract (EE) digestibility. Supplementation of both enzymes showed the largest response in nutrient digestibilities, except that EE digestibility was not affected. No differences were found in D-/L- lactate, and ammonia concentrations among treatments. Acetate and propionate concentrations tended to increase when xylanase was supplemented and were highest for the combination of both enzymes. Despite the positive effects on ileal nutrient and energy digestibilities, there was no effect of xylanase or the combined enzyme supplementation on the fecal digestibilities of OM, CP, EE, CF, NDF, ADF, or GE, and on fecal concentrations of VFA. Phospholipase alone slightly decreased the total-tract nutrient and energy digestibilities (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the combination of both enzymes generally led to the highest increases in ileal digestibilities, which were of small numerical magnitude (approximately 2%). However, on a relative basis, this increase of 2% represents approximately 13% of the remaining diet that was available for digestion based on the fact that approximately 15% of the diet was not digested in the control pigs. Thus, the potential benefits in the nutrition of weanling pigs from combinations of enzymes should be validated under practical conditions.

Evaluation of the 15N-isotope dilution technique for determining the recovery of endogenous protein in ileal digesta of pigs: effect of the pattern of blood sampling, precursor pools, and isotope dilution technique.

The 15N-enrichments (atom percentage excess) were determined in the plasma free amino acids of blood samples taken at the time of feeding and in samples taken hourly and pooled over 12 h, as well as in ileal digesta, crude mucin, and bacteria collected at the distal ileum of pigs fed barley while continuously administered [15N]leucine intravenously. The branched-chain amino acids were the only indispensable amino acids to exhibit incorporation of 15N (P < .05). All dispensable amino acids exhibited some incorporation. Enrichments in free leucine and alanine were higher (P < .02) in blood samples taken at the time of feeding, compared to those in pooled blood samples, resulting in an underestimation of the endogenous ileal recoveries of these amino acids. Enrichments in amino acids in crude mucin were usually similar to those in pooled plasma samples, providing some support for the use of plasma free amino acids to estimate enrichments in endogenous amino acids in ileal digesta. Enrichments in bacteria were not different (P > .05) from those in ileal digesta. The recoveries of endogenous amino acids in ileal digesta determined with the [15N]leucine and 15N-amino acid dilution techniques demonstrate the overestimation of these criteria with the 15N-isotope dilution technique, applied in its current form, and suggest that modifications in the composition of endogenous protein can occur when pigs are fed protein-containing diets. These study supports the use of 15N-isotope dilution techniques, with modifications, for determining the recovery of endogenous protein in ileal digesta of pigs fed protein-containing diets.

Effect of fumaric acid and dietary buffering capacity on ileal and fecal amino acid digestibilities in early-weaned pigs.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of fumaric acid supplementation and buffering capacity of the diet on ileal and fecal digestibilities of CP, GE, and amino acids in early-weaned pigs. In two experiments, 12 pigs each were weaned at 14 d of age and fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum between 15 and 17 d of age. In both experiments, the pigs were fed four diets, based on wheat and soybean meal without (control) or with 1, 2, or 3% fumaric acid according to a balanced two-period change-over design. In Exp. 2, the buffering capacity of the diets was increased by supplementation of 3% sodium bicarbonate. The pigs were fed three times daily: equal amounts at 8-h intervals. The diets were supplied at a rate of 5% (wt/wt) of body weight. The inclusion of fumaric acid to the diet with a low buffering capacity increased (P < .05) the ileal digestibilities of CP, GE, and the majority of amino acids. The highest responses were found at an inclusion level of 2% fumaric acid. The improvements in apparent ileal amino acid digestibilities ranged from 4.9 to 12.8 percentage units. Supplementation of fumaric acid to a diet with a high buffering capacity led only to numerical increases in ileal digestibilities of CP, GE, and amino acids. In both studies, fumaric acid supplementation had no effect (P > .05) on the fecal digestibilities of CP, GE, and amino acids, except histidine. A high buffering capacity of the diet decreased the ileal amino acid digestibilities by 1 to 10 percentage units compared with diets with the low buffering capacities. In both experiments, ileal and fecal digestibilities were higher (P < .05) in Period 2 (on d 24 after weaning) than in Period 1 (on d 11 after weaning). A positive correlation (P < .05) between ileal digestibilities and fumaric acid supplementation to the diets with the low buffering capacities was observed in Period 1 (on d 11 after weaning), but not in Period 2 (on d 24 after weaning). No relationship (P > .05) between ileal digestibilities and fumaric acid supplementation to the diets with a high buffering capacity could be established. In conclusion, supplementation of fumaric acid to starter diets during the first 3 to 4 wk after weaning increases the ileal digestibilities of GE, CP, and amino acids.

The effect of protein status of the pig on the recovery and amino acid composition of endogenous protein in digesta collected from the distal ileum.

Barrows with an average initial weight of 55 kg were fitted with simple T-cannulas at the distal ileum. The animals were fed a protein-free diet that consisted of 79.7% cornstarch, 10% sucrose, 3% Alphafloc (a source of cellulose), 3% canola oil and a vitamin-mineral premix. The pigs were fed 700 g of diet twice each day, at 0800 and 2000. A balanced amino acid mixture or a saline solution was administered intravenously while the protein-free diet was fed. Ileal digesta were collected for 24 h following a 7-d adaptation period. The administration of amino acids reduced (P less than .05) the recovery of endogenous protein from 18.5 to 12.7 g per kg dry matter intake. For the amino acids, the reduction was only significant (P less than .05) for proline, from 3.6 to .6 g per kg dry matter intake. If the total endogenous protein losses are assumed to be constant and the differences in the amino acid composition of non-reabsorbed endogenous protein, as observed in this study, are used to calculate true ileal digestibilities, differences in the digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids are large (up to 7.4 percentage units for threonine). The amino acid composition of endogenous protein determined in pigs fed a protein-free diet and parenterally administered with amino acids should provide a better estimate for the calculation of true amino acid digestibilities when based on the determination of true protein digestibility by the 15N-isotope dilution technique.

Digestion of soybean meal and canola meal protein and amino acids in the digestive tract of young ruminants.

Eight male Holstein calves (body weight 68 +/- 5 kg; age 75 +/- 6 d), each with a permanent re-entrant pancreatic cannula and T-type ileal and duodenal cannulas, were used in a crossover design with four animals per group to determine amino acid kinetics and digestibilities in the digestive tract of calves fed soybean meal (SBM) and canola meal (CM) protein. The SBM and CM diets were fed twice daily at a level of 900 g at each feeding time (air-dry basis). With the exception of methionine, crude protein and amino acid flows at the proximal duodenum, expressed as a percentage of intake, were not influenced by dietary protein source. Apparent ileal and total tract digestibilities of CP and amino acids were reduced (P less than .05) by feeding CM compared to SBM, but apparent ileal digestibility of methionine was not affected by dietary protein source. Except for methionine, net disappearance of all amino acids in the small intestine, relative to the amount fed, was higher for the SBM diet than for the CM diet. Net disappearance or synthesis of amino acids in the large intestine were not affected by dietary protein source. Similarly, dietary protein source did not affect (P greater than .05) the secretion of pancreatic juice or concentrations of protein, chymotrypsin and trypsin in pancreatic juice. Soybean meal protein has higher ileal and total gastrointestinal tract digestibility than CM protein for young, growing calves.

Real ileal protein and amino acid digestibilities in feedstuffs for growing pigs as determined with the 15N-isotope dilution technique.

Twelve gilts, with an average initial BW of 38 kg, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum and two catheters in the external jugular veins. The animals were fed 700 g of one of the experimental diets, twice daily at 0800 and 2000. Diets 1 and 2 were cornstarch-based diets formulated to contain 16% CP from soybean meal and canola meal, respectively. Diets 3 and 4 contained 93.9% wheat and barley, respectively. Chromic oxide was included to determine nutrient digestibilities. Following recovery from surgery, 15N-leucine was infused continuously via a jugular catheter for 9 d at a rate of 40 mg.kg BW-1.d-1. Blood samples were taken at every feeding. Ileal digesta were collected for 24 h on d 7 and 9 of the infusion period. Assuming that the 15N-enrichment excess in the trichloroacetic acid-soluble fraction of the blood was similar to that in endogenous N, the contribution of endogenous to total N in ileal digesta was calculated. The amount of endogenous protein (N x 6.25) recovered in digesta collected from the distal ileum were 25.5, 30.5, 27.4 and 27.7 g/kg DM intake for the pigs fed diets 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. In the same order for the diets, the real ileal protein digestibilities were 97.5, 84.1, 99.0 and 94.2%, respectively. In addition, the real ileal amino acid digestibilities were calculated. The recoveries of endogenous protein in ileal digesta and the real ileal protein and amino acid digestibilities were higher than those determined by feeding protein-free diets for determining the recovery of endogenous protein and amino acids in ileal digesta.