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1.
To test the hypothesis that routine dental correction (removal only of sharp hooks and points from molars and premolars) would improve digestion of a hay/grain ration whereas performance 'floats' (rounding and smoothing of the dental arcades) would adversely affect digestion, 8 mature horses free from dental correction for over a year were used. Five-day digestion trials were conducted before and 2 and 4 weeks after correction in all horses. Although all horses had sharp points and minor premolar hooks, none had severe dental abnormalities. There were no significant differences found in apparent digestion of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre or acid detergent fibre relative to precorrection data or controls (uncorrected horses on same digestion trial). Apparent digestibility of crude protein and fibre, however, was reduced if the occlusal angle of premolar 307 was greater than 80 degrees relative to the vertical axis (flattened). It should be recommended that regular dental correction be continued. However, if only small points and hooks are present, correction will not significantly improve digestion. Performance floating does not adversely affect digestion 2-4 weeks after the procedure is performed. Alterations in molar occlusal surface angle may affect digestibility of protein and fibre.  相似文献   

2.
AIM: To measure the nutritive value of pasture in terms of digestible energy intake (DEI) and dry matter (DM) digestibility, and to determine the effect of Ca, P, Cu, Zn, and Se supplementation on growth rate and degree of physeal swelling in Thoroughbred yearlings grazed on pasture. METHODS: Fourteen yearling horses were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups and rotationally grazed on a ryegrass/white clover pasture for 7 months. One group was supplemented daily with a mineral mix. Liveweight changes were recorded at fortnightly intervals and pasture mineral composition determined at monthly intervals. The DM intake (DMI) was determined from daily faecal DM outputs divided by the indigestible DM fraction (1 - digestible DM) determined from a digestibility study. The DEI was determined from the difference between the gross energy intake and the gross energy faecal output. The DM, gross energy content, crude protein (CP), soluble carbohydrate, acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), lipid and mineral composition of pasture offered and faeces were analysed and their digestibility or apparent absorption calculated. RESULTS: The DM digestibility of pasture averaged 0.64 while the daily DMI and DEI of a 350 kg yearling, gaining 0.6 kg liveweight/day, averaged 6.9 kg DM/day and 78 MJ DE/day, respectively. The mineral supplement had no significant effect on the growth of yearlings grazing pasture that had a mineral composition of (g/kg DM) Na 0.17, K 32.8, Ca 3.6, P 3.4, Mg 2.1, S 3.0, and (mg/kg DM) Cu 7.9, Fe 177, Mn 83, Zn 28 and Se 0.016. Plasma Se was elevated (e.g. 40-218 microg/l) by Se supplementation while Cu supplementation had no effect on plasma and liver Cu concentrations. Physeal swelling was observed in all horses, regardless of treatment. CONCLUSION: Good quality ryegrass/white clover pasture that had a DE content of 11.3 MJ/kg DM and adequate mineral composition (as observed in this study, with the possible exception of Se) will provide an adequate intake of nutrients to ensure good growth in yearling horses.  相似文献   

3.
This study aimed at evaluating, in previously inactive Standardbreds horses, the effect of 5 weeks of an exercise training programme on nutrient digestibility and faecal fermentative parameters (FFPs). As an increase in digestibility had previously been reported in trained endurance horses, we hypothesized that similar results would be found in horses being trained for other types of exercise on a different type of diet. After 3 weeks of dietary adaptation, a digestibility trial (DT1) was undertaken, over 3 days, in eight untrained Standardbreds with a fresh faecal sample being collected on the second day for FFP determinations. Six of the eight horses undertook a training programme, and after 5 weeks of exercise, the DT and the FFP measurements were then repeated (DT2). DT2 began after 3 days of inactivity. The same natural meadow hay (H) and pelleted complementary feed (CF) were fed throughout. For 5 days before the DTs, horses were fed 2.1% BW on a dry matter basis (55:45 ratio H:CF). Body weight and body condition score remained constant. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre, hemicellulose, crude protein and gross energy, as well as faecal total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetate and propionate concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher at DT2 than at DT1. A 5‐week exercise programme had a positive impact on nutrient digestibility and FFP. Training may improve dietary energy supply, in particular via increased hindgut VFA production. The potential improvement of digestive efficiency with training should be taken into account when formulating nutritional recommendations for the exercising horse, particularly when performing light work, which is low‐intensity exercise for 1–3 h per week.  相似文献   

4.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of rostrocaudal mobility (RCM) of the mandible during extension and flexion of the atlanto-occipital joint on weight gain, feed digestibility, and fecal particle size in horses. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS: 34 pregnant mares housed in 1 barn. PROCEDURES: Horses were randomized into a treatment (n = 17) or control (17) group. All horses were sedated, and the distance between the rostral portions of the upper and lower incisor arcades was determined during extension and flexion of the atlanto-occipital joint; mandibular RCM was calculated as the difference between these values. In the treatment group, measurements were made after dental floating. Body weight was recorded 1 day before dental floating and at intervals after mandibular RCM determination for a period of 24 weeks. Feces were collected from each horse during two 5-day periods. Samples of feed and feces were analyzed to determine feed digestibility; particle size analysis was performed on dried fecal samples. RESULTS: Data obtained from each group of horses revealed that RCM of the mandible did not affect weight gain, feed digestibility, or particle size in feces; there were no differences among breeds. Controlling for age and number of dental lesions did not significantly affect results. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In horses, RCM of the mandible did not appear to affect weight gain, feed digestibility, or fecal particle size. On the basis of these and other published data, the assumption that dental abnormalities affect digestion detrimentally in horses needs to be reevaluated.  相似文献   

5.
The apparent digestibility of a molassed, chaffed grass hay/straw mixture was determined using four mature horses (mean weight 606 kg). Animals were stalled individually and kept on rubber mats. A preliminary feeding period of 18 days was followed by a 10 day collection period. Chromium-mordanted hay was given before the first feed at 08.00 h and subsequent meals were at 12.00, 16.00 and 20.00 h. On Days 3 and 10 of the collection, all faeces were sampled over a 24 h period. In addition, throughout the 10 day collection, faecal material was sampled at 10.00 and 16.00 h. The mean (+/- se) chromium recovery was 96.5 per cent +/- 0.76 and the hay/straw mixture contained 7 MJDE/kg dry matter and 15.1 g DCP/kg dry matter. There was no significant difference between the methods used to estimate apparent digestibility although chromium measurements consistently underestimated whilst acid-insoluble ash consistently overestimated digestibility values. There was a large variation in faecal chromium concentration for each horse over a 24 h period compared to acid-insoluble ash concentrations and, consequently, indirect estimates of apparent digestibility of nutrients in the equine are prone to large errors if chromium is used as a marker. If total faecal collection is impractical, acid-insoluble ash is the preferred indirect marker for the estimation of apparent digestibility coefficients for nutrients in horses.  相似文献   

6.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of routine dental floating on weight gain, body condition score, feed digestibility, and fecal particle size in pregnant mares fed various diets. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 56 pregnant mares. PROCEDURE: Mares were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 feed groups (n = 14 mares/group). All horses were sedated and an oral examination was performed, after which dental floating was performed on 7 horses in each group. Body weight was measured, and a body condition score was assigned before and at various times for 24 weeks after dental floating. Feed digestibility and fecal particle size were analyzed 7 and 19 weeks after dental floating. RESULTS: Weight gain, change in body condition score, feed digestibility, and fecal particle size were not significantly different between horses that underwent dental floating and untreated control horses. In contrast, weight gain was significantly associated with feed group. In the control horses, neither the number of dental lesions nor the presence of any particular type of lesion at the time of the initial oral examination was significantly associated with subsequent feed digestibility. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that dental floating does not result in significant short-term changes in body weight, body condition score, feed digestibility, or fecal particle size in healthy pregnant mares. Further studies are necessary to determine the clinical utility of regular dental floating in apparently healthy horses.  相似文献   

7.
The question addressed was whether apparent crude fibre digestibility in ponies would change after lowering protein intake from adequate to borderline deficient. Four adult ponies were fed a low- and high-protein diet according to a cross-over design. The diets consisted of grass hay and concentrates and provided either 1.5 or 3.6 g digestible crude protein/kg0.75 per day. The two whole rations provided 2.4 g crude fibre/kg body weight per day. Apparent crude fibre digestibility was not affected by protein intake (low-protein diet: 42.9 ± 4.03%; high-protein diet: 38.1 ± 1.14%, means ± SE, n =4). The low-protein diet caused a significant increase in the ratio of faecal: urinary nitrogen. It is suggested that, when the low-protein diet was fed, sufficient urea flew from the blood into the intestine and ammonia released in the hindgut was conserved so that microbial growth, and thus fibre fermentation, was maintained.  相似文献   

8.
An attempt was made to quantify the effect of extra fat intake on fibre utilization in horses. In a 4 x 4 cross-over trial with feeding periods of 24 days each, eight mature trotting horses (age 4 to 12 years, 407 to 531 kg BW) were given four diets. The concentrates were formulated to contain either soybean oil or an iso-energetic amount of glucose or combinations of the two ingredients. The concentrates were fed in combination with the same amount of hay so that the whole diets contained 30, 50, 77 or 108 g EE/kg DM. Apart from the amounts of fat and glucose the four diets were identical. With an increase of 10 g/kg DM of soybean oil the apparent total tract digestibility of crude fibre was reduced with 0.9 percentage units. Extra fat intake also reduced apparent protein and NFE digestibility, but raised apparent fat digestibility. Although the present results may hold specifically for the conditions of this study, it is suggested that the observed interaction between fat content of the diet and macronutrient utilization might have consequences for practical horse feeding in that calculating the energy content of high-fat diets on the basis of feedstuff tables will lead to over- or underestimating the amount of energy provided by the various ingredients of the diets.  相似文献   

9.
Four mature geldings were used in a 4 X 4 Latin Square digestion experiment to determine the digestibility of pelleted diets containing 0. 15, 30 and 45% Nonpareil almond hulls. The four isonitrogenous treatments consisting of almond hulls, oat hay, and alfalfa hay provided approximately 94% dry matter (DM), 11% crude protein (CP), 23-32% acid detergent fiber (ADF) and 4100 kcal/kg gross energy (GE). Each horse consumed a different diet during each of four 14-day trial periods. Horses were fed 10 kg of their assigned diet per day. The horses gained an average of 15 kg over the course of the 8-week study. No feed was refused in any of the trials and there were no signs of adverse reactions to any of the diets. The digestibilities of the four dietary components (DM, CP, ADF and GE) were not affected by horse or trial period. Dry matter and GE digestibilities increased (P<.05) as the almond hull content increased in the four diets (59, 63, 64 and 68% DM digestibility and 57, 61, 61 and 64% GE digestibility, respectively). Acid detergent fiber digestibility was not affected by almond hull content (39, 39, 39 and 42% digestibility, respectively) while CP digestibility decreased as the almond hull content increased in the four diets (69, 62, 66 and 56% digestibility, respectively). Almond hulls appear to be a safe and palatable feed for horses and can be fed up to levels of 45%.  相似文献   

10.
Equid digestion is often conceptualized as a high‐throughput/low‐efficiency system, in particular compared with ruminants. It is commonly assumed that ruminants have an advantage when resources are limited; the effect of low food intake on digestive physiology of horses has, however, not been explored to our knowledge. We used four adult ponies [initial body mass (BM) 288 ± 65 kg] in two subsequent trials with grass hay‐only diets [in dry matter (DM): hay1, mid‐early cut, crude protein (CP) 10.5%, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) 67.6%; hay2, late cut, CP 5.8%, NDF 69.5%], each fed subsequently at four different dry matter intake (DMI) levels: ad libitum and at 75, 55 and 30 g/kg0.75/day. We particularly expected digesta mean retention times (MRT) to increase, and hence fibre digestibility to increase, with decreasing DMI. Ponies maintained BM on the first, but lost BM and body condition on DMI55 and DMI30. MRTs were negatively correlated to DMI and ranged (for particles <2 mm) from 23/31 h (hay1/2) on the ad libitum to 38/48 h on DMI30. Digestibilities of DM, nutrients and fibre components decreased from DMI75 to DMI30; apparent digestibilities of organic matter and NDF (hay1/2) dropped from 47/43% and 42/37%, respectively, on the ad libitum DMI to 35/35% and 30/28% on DMI30. Additional differences evident between the two hays included a higher estimated ‘true’ protein digestibility for hay1 and finer faecal particles on hay2; there were no differences in faecal particle size between intake levels. The results suggest that below a certain food intake threshold, the major digestive constraint is not fermentation time but nutrient supply to gut bacteria. The threshold for such an effect probably varies between feeds and might differ between ruminants and equids.  相似文献   

11.
Eight mature Icelandic geldings were used in an experiment arranged as a change‐over design to evaluate the effect of feeding level on the digestibility of a high‐energy haylage‐only diet. The horses were fed a low feeding level 10.7 g dry matter (DM)/kg body weight (BW) (maintenance) and a high feeding level 18.1 g DM/kg BW (1.5 × maintenance) during two 23 days experimental periods. Total collection of faeces was performed for 6 days at the end of each period to determine the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD). The CTTAD for DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre and energy was higher in horses fed at the low level of feed intake, while feeding level did not affect the CTTAD of crude protein. The largest difference in CTTAD between feeding levels was found for NDF. The content (/kg DM) of digestible energy in the haylage was 11.3 MJ at the low level of feed intake and 10.6 MJ at the high level of feed intake. It can be concluded that feeding level has a large impact on the digestibility and energy value of early cut haylage in Icelandic horses.  相似文献   

12.
In central Brazil, there are two well-defined climatic periods, the rain and the dry season, the latter being marked by massive forage shortages in pastures. In this context, forage conservation such as making hay and silage for herbivores is imperative during the dry season. Grass hay is most commonly used for horses, but sorghum silage is often used for ruminants. The objective was to compare the nutrient digestibility, fecal production, and dry matter intake (DMI) of sorghum silage (Sorghum bicolor l. Moench CV. BRS 655) to that of vaquero hay (Cynodon CV. 90160 CD × CV. Mirage). Twelve Mangalarga Marchador fillies (8 months of age) were divided into two groups: S (sorghum silage, n = 6) and F (vaquero hay, n = 6). The ration was formulated to supply 3.0% body weight in dry matter (DM) per day, with a forage:concentrate ratio of 50:50 on a DM basis. The concentrate used was a corn-based ration formulated to meet or exceed requirements for growth when fed at 1.5% body weight DM to young horses. The animals were housed in individual stalls (3 × 3m) for a period of 25 days, with 21 days for adaptation, followed by 4 days of total collection of feces. During the collection period, an external marker of digestibility, Purified and Enriched Lignin (LIPE), was added to the concentrate as an external marker to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, crude protein, gross energy, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicelluloses, and cellulose. The forage DMI was calculated by subtracting the quantity supplied at each meal minus the amount of forage that was not eaten by the next meal (orts). The measures of digestibility of the sorghum silage were not different (P > .05) from that of vaquero hay. However, DMI of the sorghum silage was lower (P < .05) than the vaquero hay and may be of concern if fed for prolonged periods of time and not supplemented with carefully balanced concentrates. Purified and Enriched Lignin can be used as a marker for evaluation of digestibility of nutrients in weanling horses.  相似文献   

13.
Reduced lignin alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has the potential to provide a higher-quality forage source for livestock by improving forage digestibility. This study was conducted to evaluate apparent digestibility when feeding reduced lignin and nonreduced lignin alfalfa hay to adult horses, and to examine mean fecal particle size (MFPS) and mean retention time (MRT) between alfalfa forage types. In 2017, reduced lignin (“54HVX41”) and nonreduced lignin (“WL355.RR”) alfalfa hay was harvested in Minnesota at the late-bud stage. Alfalfa hays were similar in crude protein (CP; 199 g/kg), neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 433 g/kg), and digestible energy (2.4 Mcal/kg). Acid detergent lignin concentrations were lower for reduced lignin alfalfa hay (74 g/kg) compared to nonreduced lignin alfalfa hay (81 g/kg). Dietary treatments were fed to six adult, stock-type horses in a crossover study. Experimental periods consisted of a 9-d dietary adaptation phase followed by a 5-d total fecal collection phase, during which horses were housed in individual boxstalls and manure was removed on a continuous 24-h basis. At 12-h intervals, feces were thoroughly mixed, subsampled in duplicate, and used for apparent digestibility and MFPS analysis. On day 2 of the fecal collection phase, horses were fed two indigestible markers, cobalt (Co) and ytterbium (Yb), which were fed as Co-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and Yb-labeled NDF residue, respectively. Additional fecal samples were taken at 2-h intervals following marker dosing until 96-h post-dosing to evaluate digesta MRT. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, with statistical significance set at P ≤0.05. Dietary treatment (i.e., alfalfa hay type) was included as a fixed effect, while experimental period and horse were considered random effects. Dietary treatments were similar in dry matter intake (1.6% bodyweight) and time to consumption (7.6 h). Apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD) was greater for reduced lignin alfalfa (64.4%) compared to nonreduced lignin alfalfa (61.7%). Apparent CP and NDF digestibility did not differ between dietary treatments, averaging 78% and 45%, respectively. Dietary treatments were similar in MFPS (0.89 mm) and MRT for both liquid (23.7 h) and solid (27.4 h) phase material. These results indicate an improvement in DMD for reduced lignin alfalfa hay when fed to adult horses, with no change in forage consumption, fecal particle size, or digesta retention time.  相似文献   

14.
AIM: To measure the nutritive value of pasture in terms of digestible energy (DE) intake (DEI) and dry matter (DM) digestibility, and to determine the apparent absorption of macroelements in lactating Thoroughbred mares grazed on pasture. METHODS: DM intake (DMI) and DEI were determined from daily faecal DM output measured in grazing mares, divided by the DM indigestible fraction (1-digestible DM), measured in a digestibility trial using pasture-fed mares. Eight lactating mares and their foals, that had a mean age of 40 days, were grazed separately on 50x100 m areas of pasture and daily faecal DM outputs were recorded for 8 days. Five mares and their foals were then placed in individual bare 20x20 m corrals containing custom-made feeding stations for 14 days to determine the indigestible DM fraction. DM, gross energy content, crude protein (CP), soluble carbohydrate, acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), lipid, and macroelement composition of the pasture offered and faeces were determined and their digestibility and/or apparent absorption calculated. RESULTS: DM digestibility of the pasture was 0.6 and the DMI and DEI of a grazing 560 kg mare in early lactation nursing a foal growing at 1.34 kg/day was 13.6 (SE 0.8) kg/day and 146.9 (SE 8.4) MJ DE/day, respectively. Apparent absorptions of the macroelements measured were: Ca 0.75, P 0.43, Mg 0.63, Na 0.78, and K 0.72. CONCLUSIONS: Good quality ryegrass-white clover pasture that had a DE content of 10.8 MJ/kg DM, and a macroelement composition (g/kg) of Ca 3.33, P 3.0, Mg 1.67, Na 1.67, and K 24.2, will provide adequate DMI, DEI, and macroelement intake to lactating Thoroughbred mares.  相似文献   

15.
The ingestive and post-digestion effect of a blend of special essential oil compounds (EO) on eating, chewing and faecal parameters were measured in horses. Ingestive effects appear after no adaptation. Post-digestion effects appear after adaptation. Six Icelandic horses were assigned to two groups in a Latin Square subplot design with EO treatments to four different roughage types and four different concentrates. The horses were fed four different roughage meals and two different concentrate meals on each of the four sampling days. Eating time and saliva were observed during meals. Jaw movements (JM) were recorded using a special chewing halter. Eating time was derived from JM and related to DM intake. The size characteristics of faecal particles were measured by using image analysis. All chewing characteristics measured were significantly affected by roughage (p < 0.001) and concentrate type (p < 0.01). EO had a significant ingestive effect on the frequency of observed saliva during concentrate meals. No significant (p < 0.05) post-digestive or ingestive effect of EO was found for any measured chewing characteristic, which was reflected in the absence of effect on faecal particle dimensions. In conclusion, effect of type of roughage and concentrate was more significant than potential effects of EO.  相似文献   

16.
Thirty-two wethers were used to compare the nutritive value of Climax timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and quackgrass (Agropyron repens L. Beauv.) harvested at two stages of maturity, joint and early heading, and fed as hay. Crude protein was higher for quackgrass than for timothy (P less than .01). As maturity advanced, CP decreased (P less than .01), but NDF and ADL increased (P less than .01). Dry matter intake was similar between species but decreased by 8% with increasing maturity (P less than .01). Intake of NDF (g/kg.75) was similar for all hays. With increasing plant maturity, apparent digestibility decreased, the effect being more pronounced for quackgrass. Apparent digestibilities of DM and energy were slightly higher (P less than .06) for timothy, and those of CP and hemicellulose were higher for quackgrass (P less than .01). Apparent digestibilities of NDF, ADF, ADL, crude fiber and cellulose were similar between species. Dry matter intake and digestibility were correlated negatively with the ADL/ADF ratio of the hay (r = -.99, P less than .01), whereas CP intake and CP digestibility were correlated with CP of the hay (r = .99, P less than .01). The Lucas test estimated true protein digestibility at 88.1% and metabolic fecal protein at 29.4 g per kg of DM intake. During the growth trial, DM intake was similar between hays, but ADG of sheep was lower (P less than .01) for those fed hays at early heading vs those receiving hays at the joint stage of maturity. The feed to gain ratio was slightly lower for hays at joint (P less than .08). Under the climatic conditions of the 1988 growing season, the nutritive value of quackgrass was similar to that of Climax timothy.  相似文献   

17.
Brahman x British crossbred steers were used in growth and digestion trials to evaluate the response of source (corn, sugar cane molasses, or soybean hulls) and feeding rate (0, 1.4, or 2.8 kg DM per steer daily in the growth trials; 0, 15, or 30% of the ration DM in the digestion trial) of energy supplementation in cattle fed ammoniated (4% of forage DM) stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis) hay. Cattle on all treatments were fed 0.5 kg cottonseed meal daily. In the growth trials, steers grazed dormant bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pasture. Increasing the levels of supplementation decreased hay intake but increased total dietary intake for all diets (P < 0.07). Daily gain and feed efficiency of steers were improved (P < 0.03) with supplementation. Steers supplemented with corn or soybean hulls at 2.8 kg DM/d had a higher ADG (0.92 kg) and gain/feed (0.103) than steers supplemented with molasses (0.78 kg, 0.08, respectively) at the same level. Seven crossbred steers (200 kg) were used in a five-period digestion trial to evaluate apparent OM, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose digestibility. Apparent OM digestibility of all diets increased linearly (P = 0.02) as the level of supplementation increased. Apparent NDF and ADF digestibility decreased (P < 0.03) as the level of supplementation with corn or molasses increased, whereas increasing the level of soybean hulls in the diet increased (P < 0.06) apparent NDF and ADF digestibility. Four ruminally fistulated crossbred steers (472 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 latin square design to investigate ruminal characteristics with energy supplementation at 30% of ration DM. Ruminal pH in steers supplemented with soybean hulls or corn declined after feeding. Ruminal pH decreased more rapidly with corn supplementation and remained below 6.2 for a longer period of time than with the other diets. Ruminal pH did not change within 24 h after feeding for steers fed the control or molasses diets. No change in total VFA concentration was observed in steers fed molasses or corn. Total ruminal VFA concentration in steers supplemented with soybean hulls increased initially after feeding and then declined within 24 h after feeding. Soybean hulls produced fewer negative associative effects than corn when fed with ammoniated stargrass hay at 2.8 kg DM/d. The reduced gain/feed of steers supplemented with molasses compared to soybean hulls or corn indicates that molasses was not utilized as efficiently as the other energy sources.  相似文献   

18.
AIMS: To measure the nutritive value of pasture in terms of digestible energy intake (DEI) and dry matter (DM) digestibility, and the effects of increased calcium (Ca) intakes on apparent mineral absorption and bone characteristics in grazing weanling Thoroughbreds. METHODS: DM intake (DMI) and DEI were determined in 16 weanling Thoroughbreds grazing pasture from their daily faecal DM output, measured over 8 days, divided by the DM indigestible fraction (1-digestible DM) determined in a 6-day digestibility trial. The DM, gross energy content, crude protein, soluble carbohydrate, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, lipid, Ca, phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium(K), sulphur (S) and magnesium (Mg) composition of perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture and faeces were determined and their digestibility and/or apparent absorption calculated. Calcium intake and bone growth studies used 17 weanlings, randomly divided into three groups and fed perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture and 0.5 kg grain, with or without a CaCO3 supplement, for 84 days. The animals in Group 1 (n=6) were on a low Ca diet (3.5 g/kg DM) and were fed pasture only; those in Group 2 (n=5) were on a medium Ca diet (6.3 g/kg DM);and those in Group 3 (n=6) were on a high Ca diet (12.0 g/kg DM). After 44 days the apparent absorption of Ca was determined from the differences between the Ca intakes and faecal Ca outputs. At periods just before and after Ca supplementation the horses were anaesthetised and the left radius, third metacarpus(Mc3) and first phalanx of the left foreleg were scanned using a peripheral quantitative computed tomography scanner to determine cortical mineral content, density, area, periosteal circumference and bone strength. To investigate gastrointestinal tract transit time and DM digestibility, five randomly selected horses were administered Swiss screen bags on several occasions via a nasogastric tube. Each 60 x 10mm bag contained 3.21 (SE 0.37) g of frozen minced grass. Bags were recovered from the freshly passed faeces and frozen until analysis. RESULTS: The DM digestibility of the pasture was 0.62, while the DMI and DEI of weanlings (300 kg, gaining 0.7 kg/day) were 5.5 kg/day and 63 MJ/day, respectively. Increasing Ca intake had no significant effect on DEI, DM digestibility or on the apparent absorption of Ca, P, Na and K, but decreased the apparent absorption of Mg from 0.50 to 0.38. Regardless of Ca intake, the apparent absorption of Ca was 0.56. During the Ca administration trial there were significant increases overtime in the bone strength (strain stress index) of the proximal phalanx, Mc3 and radial diaphysis. However, the increase in bone strength was not associated with increase in dietary Ca, as neither the medium- nor high-Ca intake groups differed significantly from the low-Ca controls. The mean transit time for the Swiss screen bags was 25.46 (SE 0.09) h, and transit times were similar whether the horses were grazing or confined in loose boxes, being 26.64 (SE 0.23) h and 24.33 (SE 0.13) h, respectively. The DM digestibility determined using the bags was 0.54, which was significantly lower than the 0.62 determined by direct faeces collection. CONCLUSIONS: Good growth rates were achieved in Thoroughbred weanlings grazing perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture containing 3.5 g Ca/kg DM and a DE of 11.4 MJ/kg DM. Increasing dietary Ca intake 3.5-fold for 3 months had negligible impact on bone growth and development.  相似文献   

19.
We performed intake and digestibility studies in four common (Hippopotamus amphibius) and four pygmy (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) hippos from two zoological institutions, using acid detergent lignin as an internal marker for the quantification of faecal output. In the case of one pygmy hippo, where total faecal collection was also possible, there was no distinct difference between the two methods of faecal output quantification. Two animals from each species were tested on a conventional zoo diet of hay and concentrates (diet HC) and on hay only (diet H). The other two animals received fresh grass at two different levels of intake (diets G1 and G2). Dry matter (DM) intake was higher on HC than on H or G diets, and averaged 37 +/- 11 for common and 35 +/- 14 g/kg(0.75) for pygmy hippos. There were no species differences in the average digestibility (aD) coefficients. Non-dietary faecal nitrogen averaged 65 +/- 4% of total faecal nitrogen, aD of crude protein (CP) averaged 67 +/- 9% and true protein digestibility 89 +/- 3%. Average digestibility of DM and crude fibre averaged 54 +/- 11% and 45 +/- 17%, respectively. In comparison with ruminants, hippos generally achieve lower aD for DM, organic matter and fibre parameters, but equal or higher aD CP coefficients. This is most likely due to the absence of significant fermentative activity in the hindgut and the corresponding low metabolic faecal nitrogen losses. Digestible energy intake was higher on HC than on H or G diets and averaged 0.30 +/- 0.11 MJ/kg(0.75) metabolic body mass. This value is extremely low for ungulates, supporting earlier suspicions that hippos have particularly low metabolic rates, and explains the proneness of this species to obesity in captivity when fed energy-dense pelleted feeds.  相似文献   

20.
Thousands of hectares of timothy (Phleum pretense L.) grown in the Mid-Atlantic region are infected by cereal rust mite (Abacarus hysterix) that causes discoloration and curling of leaves, decreased nutritional quality, and substantial decreases in yield. A decline in production of timothy hay can lower income for hay producers and cause horse owners to search for alternative hays. Low alkaloid reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) hay has potential as an alternative to timothy hay because it grows well in the Mid-Atlantic region, is believed to have a similar nutrient quality to timothy, and is not as susceptible to cereal rust mite. Eleven mature, stalled Thoroughbred geldings (549 +/- 12.1 kg) that were exercised daily were used to compare voluntary DMI and apparent nutrient DM digestibility of timothy and low-alkaloid Chiefton variety reed canarygrass hay. Horses were paired by age and BW and randomly assigned to timothy or reed canarygrass hay during a 14-d period to measure voluntary DMI followed by a 4-d period to measure apparent DM digestibility. Both hays met the minimum requirements for DE, CP, Ca, P, K, Fe, and Mn, but they did not meet the minimum requirements for Cu, Zn, and Na for horses at maintenance and averaging 550 kg of BW. Timothy hay seemed to have a lower CP concentration (14.4%) compared with reed canarygrass hay (17.1%) and a more desirable Ca:P ratio at 1.6:1 compared with 0.8:1 for reed canarygrass hay. Horses fed timothy consumed more hay (P <0.001) during the voluntary DMI period compared with horses fed reed canarygrass. Greater voluntary DMI of timothy occurred on d 1, 3, and 5 (P <0.05), but DMI was similar for other days. Apparent DM digestibility was greater in horses fed timothy hay by 9.6% compared with horses fed reed canarygrass hay (P <0.05). Horses fed timothy had greater DM digestibility of ADF (P = 0.001), NDF (P = 0.001), sugar (P = 0.05), and Ca (P = 0.001) but lower apparent DM digestibility of CP (P = 0.012) and crude fat (P = 0.004). Timothy hay was superior in voluntary DMI and apparent DM digestibility compared with low-alkaloid reed canarygrass hay fed to horses.  相似文献   

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