RESUMO

The objective of this research was to assess and quantify the potential vitamin A losses that occur during the manufacturing of pet feed and premix, as well as during their extended storage periods. This trial was conducted at a commercial feeder mill that utilized a standard commercial dog feed along with a corresponding vitamin-mineral premix. The calculated amount of vitamin A supplemented in the feed, in addition to the endogenous vitamins present in the ingredients, was adjusted to 18,000 IU/kg of feed. Five 500 g feed samples were collected at each of the predefined critical points throughout the manufacturing process (after mixing, milling, preconditioner, and extrusion/drying processes) to verify the stability of vitamin A during feed production. Additionally, various samples were collected at regular intervals of 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 days during the storage of the premix to assess the stability of vitamin A. Vitamin A analyses in the samples were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The variables were assessed for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test, followed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test to compare the differences between the manufacturing process and premix shelf life. The statistical significance was set at 95%. The vitamin losses during the pre-conditioning process were 26%, and during the extrusion-drying processes, the losses were 34% when compared to the initial analyzed value. However, no differences were observed in other processes. There were no significant differences observed in recovered vitamin levels in the premix during its shelf-life (p = 0.484). The study indicated that the primary vitamin A losses in pet feed manufacturing processes occur during the pre-conditioning and drying/extrusion steps. However, it is worth noting that no significant losses of vitamin A were found during the premix storage phase.

RESUMO

This study evaluated the responses of individual daily precision (IPF) and conventional 2-phase (CON) feeding systems (FS) in terms of pig growth performance, nutrient balance, serum parameters, and meal patterns of growing pigs reared under thermoneutral (TN: 23 °C) and heat stress (high temperature [HT]: 30 °C) conditions. The animals in each treatment were assigned on the basis of equal BW to the experimental treatments (12 animals per treatment at 41.0 ± 4.87 kg of BW). The experiment lasted 55 d (phase 1 from days 0 to 27 and phase 2 from days 28 to 55). Pigs fed CON received within each phase a constant blend of diets with high and low nutrient density supplying the estimated nutrient requirements of the group, whereas the IPF pigs received daily a personalized blend providing the estimated amount of nutrients according to individual feed intake and body weight information. Body mineral content, and lean and fat masses were assessed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the beginning and end of each phase. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effect model, with fixed effects of the FS, temperature (AT), and the 2-way interaction between FS and AT and random effects of blocks. In relation to CON pigs, IPF pigs reduced (P < 0.05) Lys (19%), protein (16%), and P (14%) intake without impairing (P > 0.05) body composition. Nitrogen excretion was 24% lower (P < 0.05) in IPF pigs than in CON pigs; however, both groups had similar N retention efficiency thoroughly the trial. Amount of time feeding, feed intake rate, and feed intake per meal were 15% lower (P < 0.05) in pigs raised under HT than under TN conditions. During the phase 2, only amount of time feeding, feed intake rate, and feed intake per meal were decreased (P < 0.05) in pigs under HT conditions during nocturnal (2000 to 0500 h) and diurnal (0501 to 1959 h) periods. Haptoglobin levels were affected by the AT, showing an increase of 70% and 43% in HT at 28 and 55 d of the experiment, respectively. Pigs raised under HT conditions had 10% lower (P < 0.05) serum albumin concentration at day 55 than those under TN conditions. For serum urea concentrations, IPF pigs had 28% lower (P < 0.01) levels than CON pigs. Even though HT conditions considerably reduced growth performance and activated inflammatory responses in growing pigs, IPF was not able to rescue performance during HT; however, it was equally effective at improving nutrient utilization and maintaining body composition in HT and TN conditions.

Assuntos

RESUMO

A nitrogen balance test was performed to evaluate the individual responses of growing pigs to threonine intake. Eight commercial barrows were used (body weight ranging from 15 to 20 kg). A dose-response study was performed, in which the threonine supply increased in seven equidistant steps (the seven dietary threonine levels ranged from 50 to 120% of the requirements) every three days for each pig. The levels of all other amino acids were 20% higher than the tested amino acid. Nitrogen retention as a function of threonine intake was calculated per individual and per group (NLIN and NLMixed, respectively) using a linear plateau model. The highest break point value was 42.42 g of threonine intake (the most demanding individual), whereas the lowest value was 34.16 g (the least demanding individual), corresponding to a difference of 19%. In terms of N retention, the highest plateau value was 66.71 g and the lowest was 49.48 g, with a difference of 25%. There was no significant correlation between slope and plateau values or between slope and break point values. When using the model in which all parameters were random effects, the variations in threonine intake and nitrogen retention were 1.68±1.30 and 0.01±0.10 g, respectively, and no variance in the slope of the curve was detected. The average daily threonine intake values for the maximum response obtained in the group, as calculated by the NLIN and NLMixed procedures, were 13.96 and 14.02 g/day, respectively. The threonine intake for the maximum N retention between individuals ranged from 34.16 to 42.42 g, corresponding to a difference of 19%. The current recommended intake to optimize N retention is 14.02 g/day. The group responses obtained by the NLMixed procedures are very similar to those estimated by the NLIN procedure (all individuals).(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Broilers are traditionally managed with feeding programs that often consist of three or four phases. In this study we investigated whether a multiphase feeding program (14 phases) of broilers based on the optimal mix of two feeds could replace a traditional four phase system while maintaining broiler performance. To evaluate this prposed program we measured variables of performance, carcass yield, and nitrogen excretion. In addition, we determined if the multiphase feeding program (14 phases) would be equally effective regardless of bird gender. A total of 480 day-old Cobb chicks were used, with an average weight of 44.74 ± 0.16 g (females) and 44.71 ± 0.11 g (males). The birds were distributed in a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design. Each treatment consisted of six replicates with 20 animals per experimental unit. Results were analyzed separately in two periods (121 and 2242 days) as determined by slaughter date, as well as for the entire growth period (142 days). The multiphase program led to improvements in final body weight and average daily weight gain, in addition to an increase in breast yield.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Broilers are traditionally managed with feeding programs that often consist of three or four phases. In this study we investigated whether a multiphase feeding program (14 phases) of broilers based on the optimal mix of two feeds could replace a traditional four phase system while maintaining broiler performance. To evaluate this prposed program we measured variables of performance, carcass yield, and nitrogen excretion. In addition, we determined if the multiphase feeding program (14 phases) would be equally effective regardless of bird gender. A total of 480 day-old Cobb chicks were used, with an average weight of 44.74 ± 0.16 g (females) and 44.71 ± 0.11 g (males). The birds were distributed in a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design. Each treatment consisted of six replicates with 20 animals per experimental unit. Results were analyzed separately in two periods (121 and 2242 days) as determined by slaughter date, as well as for the entire growth period (142 days). The multiphase program led to improvements in final body weight and average daily weight gain, in addition to an increase in breast yield.

Assuntos