Yeast extract plus blood plasma in diets for piglets from 36 to 60 days old / Extrato de levedura associado ao plasma sanguíneo sobre o desempenho de leitões dos 36 aos 60 dias

ABSTRACT: To evaluate inclusion levels and residual effects of diets containing yeast extract (YE) plus blood plasma (BP) on the performance of 36 to 60-days old piglets, 105 piglets were used (8.75±0.72kg), and they were distributed under a randomized block experimental design with five treatments (control - 2.0% BP; 1.0% BP plus 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0% YE), seven repetitions, and three animals per experimental unit. Piglets were given experimental diets from 36 to 49 days of age. From 50 to 60 day of age, all piglets received the same diet. No effects from treatments (P>0.10) were observed on the performance variables from 36 to 49 day of age. From 50 to 60 day of age, an effect was observed from YE levels on the daily feed consumption (P<0.03), daily weight gain (p<0.01), and final weight (P<0.06), which increased quadratically up to 1.67, 1.67, and 1.55% YE levels, respectively. Piglets which were fed with the diet containing 1.0% BP + 2.0% YE were observed to have better feed conversion ratios (P<0.01) as compared to the control diet (2.0% BP). As it provides a better residual effect, the inclusion of 1.67% yeast extract may replace 50% of blood plasma in 36 to 49-days old piglet diets.

RESUMO: Para avaliar níveis de inclusão e o efeito residual de dietas contendo extrato de levedura (ExL) associado ao plasma sanguíneo (PS) sobre o desempenho de leitões dos 36 aos 60 dias, foram utilizados 105 leitões (8,75±0,72kg), distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com cinco tratamentos (controle - 2,0% de PS; 1,0% PS, associado ao 0; 1,0; 2,0 ou 3,0% de ExL), sete repetições e três animais por unidade experimental. As dietas experimentais foram fornecidas dos 36 aos 49 dias e, dos 50 aos 60 dias de idade, os animais passaram a receber dieta única para avaliar o efeito residual dos tratamentos experimentais. Não foram observados efeitos dos tratamentos (P>0,10) sobre as variáveis de desempenho dos 36 aos 49 dias de idade. Dos 50 aos 60 dias de idade, houve efeito dos níveis de ExL sobre o consumo de ração diário (P<0,03), ganho de peso diário (P<0,01) e peso final (P<0,06) que aumentaram de forma quadrática até os níveis de 1,67, 1,67 e 1,55% de ExL, respectivamente. Leitões alimentados com a dieta contendo 1,0% de PS + 2,0% de ExL apresentaram melhor (P<0,01) conversão alimentar em relação à dieta controle (2% de PS). Por proporcionar melhor efeito residual, a inclusão de 1,67% de extrato de levedura pode substituir 50% do plasma sanguíneo na dieta de leitões dos 36 aos 49 dias de idade.

Lysine requirement for growing-finishing immunocastrated male pigs.

Eighty boars (19.3 ± 2.49 kg) were vaccinated twice (100 and 128 days of age) against gonadotropin releasing hormone (Vivax™ vaccine), for a randomised block design study aiming to evaluate five digestible lysine (DLys) level treatments, with three phase-feeding per treatments (9-8-7; 10-9-8; 11-10-9; 12-11-10 and 13-12-11 g/kg) during the growing-finishing phases (54-100, 100-128 and 128-155 days of age, respectively). Pigs were fed their respective diets ad libitum from 54 to 155 days and weighed at 100, 128 and 155 days. Pig loin (Longissimus dorsi) area, loin depth and backfat thickness were measured by ultrasound at 100 and 155 days. Hot carcass weight, meat quantity and meat yield were measured at slaughter. From 54 to 100 days (pre-immunocastration), DLys levels linearly improved pig feed conversion and loin area, the level of DLys for minimum feed conversion and maximum loin area was 13 g/kg. However, DLys levels had no effect on the performance of boars from 54 to 128 days (pre-immunocastration), nor on the performance and carcass parameters of immunocastrated male pigs between 54 and 155 days. A sequence of diets containing 9, 8 and 7 g/kg of DLys fed from 54 to 100, 100 to 128 and 128 to 155 days, respectively, meet the requirement of growing-finishing immunocastrated male pigs.

Thermoregulatory responses during thermal acclimation in pigs divergently selected for residual feed intake.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and thermoregulatory responses during acclimation to high ambient temperature (Ta) of pigs from two lines selected for high (RFI(+)) or low (RFI(-)) residual feed intake with the hypothesis that RFI(-) pigs producing less heat would better tolerate high Ta. Pigs (50 kg initial body weight; 17 per line among which 10 of them were catheterized) were individually housed in a climatic-controlled room where Ta was maintained at 24.2 ± 0.4 °C during 7 days and thereafter at 30.4 ± 0.7 °C during 14 days. Irrespective of Ta, RFI(-) pigs had lower feed intake (ADFI) and similar average daily gain (ADG) than RFI(+) pigs. Whatever the line, ADFI, ADG, and feed efficiency decreased with increased Ta. Overall, the Ta increase resulted in an increase in rectal temperature (RT), skin temperature (ST), and respiratory rate (RR) within the first 24-48 h and, subsequently, in a decrease followed by stabilization. The RT decrease during acclimation occurred 24 h earlier in RFI(-) pigs than in RFI(+). Thyroid hormones and cortisol decreased at high Ta and it was similar in both lines. Based on performance and RT, ST, and RR responses, it seems that selection for low RFI tends to ameliorate pigs' tolerance to high Ta. Nevertheless, this selection does not induce significant differences between lines in endocrine and metabolite responses during thermal stress.

Lisina digestível para leitoas em fase de crescimento / Digestible lysine for growing gilts

Oitenta leitoas (24,2±1,52kg) com alto potencial genético para deposição de carne na carcaça foram distribuídas em experimento de blocos ao acaso para avaliar cinco níveis de lisina digestível (Ld) (9, 10, 11, 12 e 13g kg-1) durante a fase de crescimento (63 a 103 dias de idade). Os animais foram alojados em pares e alimentados à vontade. No início e ao final do período experimental, as leitoas foram pesadas e submetidas à análise de ultrassom para avaliação da área de olho de lombo (AOL) e espessura de toucinho (ET). Os níveis de Ld proporcionaram aumento linear (P<0,05) do ganho de peso diário (GPD) e, apesar dessa variação, não houve aumento no valor absoluto do GPD a partir do nível de 12g kg-1 de Ld. A conversão alimentar (CA) reduziu (P<0,01) de forma quadrática até o nível estimado de 11,9g kg-1 de Ld. A AOL das leitoas aumentou (P<0,05) de forma linear. No entanto, o modelo "Linear Response Plateau" foi o que melhor se ajustou aos dados, estimando em 12,5g kg-1 o nível a partir do qual ocorreu platô. Não foi verificada influência (P>0,05) dos níveis de Ld sobre o consumo de ração diário (CRD) e ET. Os níveis de 12,0 e 12,5g kg-1 de Ld na dieta, correspondentes, respectivamente, ao consumo de lisina digestível diário (CLdD), de 23,6 e 24,6g, proporcionam os melhores resultados de desempenho e área de olho de lombo de leitoas em fase de crescimento (63 aos 103 dias de idade).

Eighty gilts (24.2±1.52kg) with high genetic potential for lean gain were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate five digestible lysine levels (9, 10, 11, 12 and 13g kg-1) during the growing phase (63 to 103 days of age). Gilts were housed in pair and fed their respective diets ad libitum. At the begging and the ending of the experimental period, gilts were weighed and scanned by ultrasound to measure loin area, as well as fat depth. The digestible lysine levels linearly increase (P<0.05) average daily gain and loin area of gilts in growing phase. However, there was no difference for average daily gain at levels above 12g kg-1 while the "Linear Response Plateau" model was that better fitted to the loin area data that stabilized in a plateau starting from the level of 12.5g kg-1. The feed:gain ratio was improved (P<0.01) quadratically until the estimated level of 11.9g kg-1 of digestible lysine. There was no effects (P>0.05) of the treatments on the fat depth and feed intake. The digestible lysine levels of 12 and 12.5g kg-1, corresponding to the intake of 23.6 e 24.6g dia-1, provide the best results of performance and loin area of growing gilts (63 to 103 days old).