• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1559-1567
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in hempseed cake (HC) that were moist heat treated at different temperatures. Samples of cold-pressed HC were autoclaved for 30 min at 110, 120 or $130^{\circ}C$, and a sample of untreated HC was used as the control. Ruminal degradability of CP was estimated, using the in situ Dacron bag technique; intestinal CP digestibility was estimated for the 16 h in situ residue using a three-step in vitro procedure. AA content was determined for the HC samples (heat treated and untreated) of the intact feed, the 16 h in situ residue and the residue after the three-step procedure. There was a linear increase in RUP (p = 0.001) and intestinal digestibility of RUP (p = 0.003) with increasing temperature during heat treatment. The $130^{\circ}C$ treatment increased RUP from 259 to 629 g/kg CP, while intestinal digestibility increased from 176 to 730 g/kg RUP, compared to the control. Hence, the intestinal available dietary CP increased more than eight times. Increasing temperatures during heat treatment resulted in linear decreases in ruminal degradability of total AA (p = 0.006) and individual AA (p<0.05) and an increase in intestinal digestibility that could be explained both by a linear and a quadratic model for total AA and most individual AA (p<0.05). The $130^{\circ}C$ treatment decreased ruminal degradability of total AA from 837 to 471 g/kg, while intestinal digestibility increased from 267 to 813 g/kg of rumen undegradable AA, compared with the control. There were differences between ruminal AA degradability and between intestinal AA digestibility within all individual HC treatments (p<0.001). It is concluded that moist heat treatment at $130^{\circ}C$ did not overprotect the CP of HC and could be used to shift the site of CP and AA digestion from the rumen to the small intestine. This may increase the value of HC as a protein supplement for ruminants.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1620-1624
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• 2009

This study aimed to clarify the effect of mobile bag size and ratio of sample size to bag surface area on intestinal digestibility of forage in sheep. Four Suffolk ewes fitted with ruminal and proximal duodenal cannulae were fed second-cut Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) hay twice daily, and the same forage was used to measure intestinal digestibility. The forage samples were incubated in the rumen for 16 h and then in pepsin-HCl solution for 3 h before intestinal incubation. The incubated forage samples were placed in a nylon mobile bag. The bag sizes used were either 20 mm${\times}$20 mm (small bag size; SBS) or 30 mm${\times}$30 mm (large bag size; LBS) and the ratio of the sample size to the surface area of the bag was either 5.5 $mg/cm^{2}$ (low ratio; LR) or 11.0 $mg/cm^{2}$ (high ratio; HR) resulting in four different treatment conditions: SBS-LR, SBS-HR, LBS-LR and LBS-HR. Eight bags per animal were inserted through the duodenal cannulae at 15-min intervals and were subsequently collected from the feces of the animal. The mean intestinal bag transition time did not differ significantly between animals, but ranged from 23.2 to 27.0 h. The intestinal digestibility of dry matter (IDDM) ranged from 0.162${\pm}$0.019 g/g in the SBS-HR treatment group to 0.195${\pm}$0.018 g/g in the SBS-LR treatment. The intestinal digestibility of crude protein (IDCP) ranged from 0.610${\pm}$0.031 g/g in the LBS-LR treatment to 0.693${\pm}$0.018 g/g in the SBS-LR treatment. There was no difference in the IDDM and IDCP between different treatments. It was therefore concluded that the size of the mobile bag and the ratio of the sample size to the bag surface area did not influence the intestinal digestibility of forage. Future studies should use bags with high ratios of sample size to surface area in order to obtain sufficient residue for further analysis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.241-249
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• 2016

The supplementation of livestock feed with animal protein is a present cause for public concern, and plant protein shortages have become increasingly prominent in China. This conflict may be resolved by fully utilizing currently available sources of plant protein. We estimated the rumen degradability and the small intestinal digestibility of the amino acids (AA) in rapeseed meal (RSM), soybean meal (SBM), sunflower seed meal (SFM) and sesame meal (SSM) using the mobile nylon bag method to determine the absorbable AA content of these protein supplements as a guide towards dietary formulations for the dairy industry. Overall, this study aimed to utilize protein supplements effectively to guide dietary formulations to increase milk yield and save plant protein resources. To this end, we studied four cows with a permanent rumen fistula and duodenal T-shape fistula in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square experimental design. The results showed that the total small intestine absorbable amino acids and small intestine absorbable essential amino acids were higher in the SBM (26.34% and 13.11% dry matter [DM], respectively) than in the SFM (13.97% and 6.89% DM, respectively). The small intestine absorbable Lys contents of the SFM, SSM, RSM and SBM were 0.86%, 0.88%, 1.43%, and 2.12% (DM basis), respectively, and the absorbable Met contents of these meals were 0.28%, 1.03%, 0.52%, and 0.47% (DM basis), respectively. Among the examined food sources, the milk protein score of the SBM (0.181) was highest followed by those of the RSM (0.136), SSM (0.108) and SFM (0.106). The absorbable amino acid contents of the protein supplements accurately reflected protein availability, which is an important indicator of the balance of feed formulation. Therefore, a database detailing the absorbable AA should be established.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1773-1778
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• 2008

Two experiments were carried out to study the effects of corticosterone (CORT) administration on intestinal morphology and function of broilers. In both experiments, birds were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group was the control group (CTRL), and the birds were fed with a basal diet. The other was the experimental group (CORT), and the birds were fed with the basal diet plus 30 mg of CORT/kg diet. At 21 days of age, performance, morphological characteristics of intestine, D-xylose level in plasma, activities of digestive enzymes in digesta, digestibility of nutrients and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd)-labeling index of intestinal epithelial cells were determined. CORT administration decreased feed intake, daily gain and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). CORT also decreased duodenal and jejunal villus height (p<0.05) as well as crypt depth (p<0.05). The D-xylose level in plasma of CORT-treated broilers was lower than that of the control (p<0.05). CORT treatment caused a decrease in apparent digestibility of protein (p<0.05), whereas fat and starch apparent digestibilities were unaffected (p>0.05). CORT administration increased activities of trypsin and amylase (p<0.05), and decreased BrdUrd-labeling index of duodenal and jejunal epithelial cells (p<0.05). In conclusion, CORT administration impaired the normal morphology and absorptive capacity of the small intestine of broiler chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2010

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of low concentrations of organic and inorganic dietary trace minerals on broiler performance and trace mineral digestibility along the small intestine of 35-day-old broiler chickens reared under floor-pen conditions. Eight hundred male, day-old Cobb broiler chickens were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments (25 birds per pen with 8 replicates per treatment). Broilers fed diets supplemented with 4, 20, 40 and 30 mg/kg, respectively, of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn from organic chelates and inorganic salts achieved the same body weight gain as those supplemented at the NRC levels (8 mg Cu, 40 mg Fe, 60 mg Mn and 40 mg Zn/kg, respectively) from inorganic salts. However, birds fed a control diet without any supplementation at dietary levels of 7.4-8.8, 60.1-69.2, 14.6-15.4 and 19.1-20.6 mg/kg of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, respectively, had decreased feed intake and growth rate. There was no significant difference in the digestibility of Cu in all regions of the small intestine. Throughout the small intestine the apparent absorption of Mn from both organic and inorganic sources was small, whereas the digestibility of Zn seemed to be more complex, exhibiting differences in the apparent absorption due to both mineral source and intestinal site. Therefore, the digestibility of organic Zn was improved (p<0.01) in the ileum compared to inorganic Zn. The digestibility of Zn in the duodenum was smaller (p<0.05) than that in the ileum.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.915-922
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• 2009

Ruminants possess the capacity to digest very large amounts of starch. However, in many cases diets approach 60% starch and even small inefficiencies present opportunities for energetic losses. Ruminal starch digestion is typically 75-80% of starch intake. On average, 35-60% of starch entering the small intestine is degraded. Of the fraction that escapes small-intestinal digestion, 35-50% is degraded in the large intestine. The low digestibility in the large intestine and the inability to reclaim microbial cells imposes a large toll on post-ruminal digestive efficiency. Therefore, digestibility in the small intestine must be optimized. The process of starch assimilation in the ruminant is complex and remains an avenue by which increases in production efficiency can be gained. A more thorough description of these processes is needed before we can accurately predict digestion occurring in the small intestine and formulate diets to optimize site of starch digestion.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.126-136
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• 1995

The studies had been conducted to evaluate the grain processing effects for ruminants on starch digestion, body weight gain and feed efficiency since 1970. This research deals with experimental results on chemical structure, gelatinization, microbial starch digestion in rumen, intestinal starch digestion in rumen, roles of protozoa, intestinal starch digestion of bypass starch, limits to starch digestion in small intestine. The grain processing has different effects on digestion, weight gain and feed efficiency when different grain sources and contents is used, and the quality and quantity of roughage is different. The economical and efficient method of grain processing should be selected considering weight gain and feed efficiency enhancement than digestibility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.659-666
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• 2009

Metabolizable protein (MP) supply and amino acid balance in the intestine were manipulated through selection of highly digestible rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) sources and protected methionine (Met) supplementation. Four ruminallycannulated, multiparous Holstein cows averaging 193${\pm}$13 days in milk were used in a 4${\times}$4 Latin square design to assess N utilization and milk production responses to changes in RUP level, post-ruminal RUP digestibility and protected Met supplementation. Treatments were A) 14.0% crude protein (CP), 8.0% rumen degradable protein (RDP) and 6.0% RUP of low intestinal digestibility (HiRUP-LoDRUP); B) 14.1% CP, 8.1% RDP and 6.0% RUP of high intestinal digestibility (HiRUP-HiDRUP); C) 13.1% CP, 7.9% RDP and 5.2% RUP of high intestinal digestibility (LoRUP-HiDRUP), and D) 13.1% CP, 7.9% RDP and 5.2% RUP of high intestinal digestibility plus rumen escape sources of Met (LoRUP-HiDRUP+Met). Experimental diets were formulated to have similar concentrations of RDP, net energy of lactation ($NE_L$), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), calcium, phosphorus and ether extract using the NRC model (2001). Results showed that dry matter intake (DMI), production of milk fat and protein were similar among treatments. Milk production was similar for diet HiRUP-LoDRUP, HiRUP-HiDRUP and LoRUP-HiDRUP+Met, and significantly higher than diet LoRUP-HiDRUP. Milk fat and protein percentage were higher for cows receiving HiDRUP treatments, with the greatest increases in the diet LoRUP-HiDRUP+Met. There was no significant change in ruminal pH, $NH_3g-N$ and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration among all treatments. Apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), CP, NDF and ADF and estimated bacterial CP synthesis were similar for all treatments. Nitrogen intakes, blood and milk urea-N concentrations were significantly higher for cows receiving HiRUP diets. Urine volume and total urinary N excretion were significantly lowered by LoRUP diets. Lowering dietary RUP level while supplementing the highly digestible RUP source with rumen escape sources of Met resulted in similar milk production, maximal milk fat and protein concentration and maximum N efficiency, indicating that post-ruminal digestibility of RUP and amino acid balance in the small intestine can be more important than total RUP supplementation.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1365-1374
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the synergistic effect of exogenous multienzyme and phytase on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, blood metabolites, intestinal microflora, and morphology in broilers fed corn-wheat-soybean meal diets. Methods: A 2×2 factorial design was used in this study. Four dietary treatments consisted of i) basal diets (corn-wheat-soybean meal based diets without multi-enzyme and phytase), ii) basal diets with phytase (0.05%), iii) basal diets with exogenous multi-enzyme (0.05%), and iv) basal diets with exogenous multi-enzyme including phytase (0.05%). A total of 480 broiler chickens (Ross 308 - one day old) were weighed and allotted to thirty-two cages (15 birds per cage), and chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments. Results: The body weight gain and feed conversion rate were improved by supplementation of exogenous multi-enzyme containing phytase during the finisher period (p<0.05). The birds fed diets with exogenous multi-enzyme containing phytase had a significantly greater digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, calcium, and phosphorus compared with birds fed non-supplemented diets (p<0.05). The chickens fed diets with exogenous multi-enzyme containing phytase showed a higher concentration of Ca and P in the serum (p<0.05). The population of Lactobacillus spp., Escherichia coli, and Clostridium were not affected in the ileum and cecum of chickens fed enzyme-supplemented diets. The dietary supplemental exogenous multi-enzyme containing phytase showed a significant improvement in villus height, crypt depth, and villus height and crypt depth ratio, compared to basal diets or dietary supplemental phytase (p<0.05). Conclusion: The supplementation of the exogenous multi-enzyme containing phytase synergistically improved the growth performance, nutrients digestibility, and villus height of the small intestine of broiler chickens fed a corn-wheat-soybean meal based diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1738-1745
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• 2007

A growth trial and a digestibility trial were conducted to examine the effect of feed particle size on the performance, nutrient digestibility, gastric ulceration and intestinal morphology in pigs fed barley-based diets. Barley was processed through a hammer mill to achieve four diets varying in particle size (average particle $size{\pm}standard $deviation): coarse ($1,100{\pm}2.19\;{\mu}m$), medium ($785{\pm}2.23\;{\mu}m$), fine ($434{\pm}1.70\;{\mu}m$) and mixed (1/3 of coarse, medium and fine) ($789{\pm}2.45\;{\mu}m$). Sixty-four entire male pigs were used in the growth trial and the diets were fed ad libitum between 31 kg and 87 kg live weight. Following slaughter, stomach and ileal tissues were scored for integrity (ulceration or damage) and histological measurements taken. Twenty-four entire male pigs were used in the digestibility trial, which involved total faecal collection. Over the entire growth phase, there were no differences (p>0.05) in average daily gain and feed conversion ratio between pigs fed diets of different particle size. Pigs fed the coarse and medium diets had lower (p<0.05) stomach ulceration scores (0.20 and 0.25, respectively, on a scale from 0 to 3) than those fed the mixed (0.69) or the fine diets (1.87). The stomachs of all animals fed the fine diet had lesions and stomach ulcerations were present only in this group. Pigs fed the fine diet had thicker (p<0.001) ileal epithelial cell layer with no differences (p>0.05) being observed for villous height or crypt depth. Faecal digestibility coefficients of neutral and acid detergent fibre were the highest (p<0.05) for the mixed diet, intermediate for the fine and coarse diets and the lowest for the medium diet. A similar numerical trend (p = 0.103) was observed for the apparent faecal energy digestibility coefficient. It is concluded that, with barley based diets, a variation in average particle size between $400{\mu}m$ and $1,100{\mu}m$ had no effect on pig performance but the fine dietary particle size affected the integrity of the stomach, as well as the structure of the small intestine, thus compromising overall gut health. Our data also demonstrate that changes in particle size distribution during the digestion process, rather than average particle size or particle size variation, are related to apparent faecal digestibility.