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High interindividual variation in growth performance is commonly observed in veal calf production and appears to depend on milk replacer (MR) composition. Our first objective was to examine whether variation in growth performance in healthy veal calves can be predicted from early life characterization of these calves. Our second objective was to determine whether these predictions differ between calves that are fed a high- or low-lactose MR in later life. A total of 180 male Holstein-Friesian calves arrived at the facilities at 17 ± 3.4 d of age, and blood samples were collected before the first feeding. Subsequently, calves were characterized in the following 9 wk (period 1) using targeted challenges related to traits within each of 5 categories: feeding motivation, digestion, postabsorptive metabolism, behavior and stress, and immunology. In period 2 (wk 10–26), 130 calves were equally divided over 2 MR treatments: a control MR that contained lactose as the only carbohydrate source and a low-lactose MR in which 51% of the lactose was isocalorically replaced by glucose, fructose, and glycerol (2:1:2 ratio). Relations between early life characteristics and growth performance in later life were assessed in 117 clinically healthy calves. Average daily gain (ADG) in period 2 tended to be greater for control calves (1,292 ± 111 g/d) than for calves receiving the low-lactose MR (1,267 ± 103 g/d). Observations in period 1 were clustered per category using principal component analysis, and the resulting principal components were used to predict performance in period 2 using multiple regression procedures. Variation in observations in period 1 predicted 17% of variation in ADG in period 2. However, this was mainly related to variation in solid feed refusals. When ADG was adjusted to equal solid feed intake, only 7% of the variation in standardized ADG in period 2, in fact reflecting feed efficiency, could be explained by early life measurements. This indicates that >90% of the variation in feed efficiency in later life could not be explained by early life characterization of the calves. It is speculated that variation in health status explains a substantial portion of variation in feed efficiency in later life. Significant relations between fasting plasma glucose concentrations, fecal pH, drinking speed, and plasma natural antibodies in early life (i.e., not exposed to the lactose replacer) and feed efficiency in later life depended on MR composition. These measurements are therefore potential tools for screening calves in early life on their ability to cope with MR varying in lactose content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of solid feed (SF) level and roughage-to-concentrate (R:C) ratio on ruminal drinking and passage kinetics of milk replacer, concentrate, and roughage were studied in veal calves. In total, 80 male Holstein-Friesian calves (45 ± 0.2 kg of body weight) were divided over 16 pens (5 calves per pen). Pens were randomly assigned to either a low (LSF) or a high (HSF) SF level and to 1 of 2 R:C ratios: 20:80 or 50:50 on a dry matter (DM) basis. Roughage was composed of 50% corn silage and 50% chopped wheat straw on a DM basis. At 27 wk of age, measurements were conducted in 32 calves. During the measurement period, SF intake was 1.2 kg of DM/d for LSF and 3.0 kg of DM/d for HSF, and milk replacer intake averaged 2.3 kg of DM/d for LSF and 1.3 kg of DM/d for HSF. To estimate passage kinetics of milk replacer, concentrate, and straw, indigestible markers (CoEDTA, hexatriacontane C36, Cr-neutral detergent fiber) were supplied with the feed as a single dose 4, 24, and 48 h before assessment of their quantitative recovery in the rumen, abomasum, small intestine, and large intestine. Rumen Co recovery averaged 20% of the last milk replacer meal. Recoveries of Co remained largely unaffected by SF level and R:C ratio. The R:C ratio did not affect rumen recovery of C36 or Cr. Rumen fractional passage rate of concentrate was estimated from recovery of C36 in the rumen and increased from 3.3%/h for LSF to 4.9%/h for HSF. Rumen fractional passage rate of straw was estimated from Cr recovery in the rumen and increased from 1.3%/h for LSF to 1.7%/h for HSF. An increase in SF level was accompanied by an increase in fresh and dry rumen contents. In HSF calves, pH decreased and VFA concentrations increased with increasing concentrate proportion, indicating increased fermentation. The ratio between Cr and C36 was similar in the small and large intestine, indicating that passage of concentrate and straw is mainly determined by rumen and abomasum emptying. In conclusion, increasing SF level introduces large variation in passage kinetics of dietary components, predominantly in the rumen compartment. The SF level, rather than the R:C ratio, influences rumen recovery of concentrate and roughage. Our data provide insight in passage kinetics of milk (Co representing the milk replacer) and SF (Cr and C36 representing roughage and concentrate, respectively) and may contribute to the development of feed evaluation models for calves fed milk and SF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study evaluated the effects of protein provision to calves fed a combination of solid feed (SF) and milk replacer (MR) at equal total N intake on urea recycling and N retention. Nitrogen balance traits and [15N2]urea kinetics were measured in 30 calves (23 wk of age, 180 ± 3.7 kg of body weight), after being exposed to the following experimental treatments for 11 wk: a low level of SF with a low N content (SF providing 12% of total N intake), a high level of SF with a low N content (SF providing 22% of total N intake), or a high level of SF with a high N content (SF providing 36% of total N intake). The SF mixture consisted of 50% concentrates, 25% corn silage, and 25% straw on a dry matter basis. Total N intake was equalized to 1.8 g of N⋅kg of BW-0.75⋅d-1 by adjusting N intake via MR. All calves were housed individually on metabolic cages to allow for quantification of a N balance of calves for 5 d, and for the assessment of urea recycling from [15N2]urea kinetics. Increasing low-N SF intake at equal total N intake resulted in a shift from urinary to fecal N excretion but did not affect protein retention (0.71 g of N⋅kg of BW-0.75⋅d-1). Increasing low-N SF intake increased urea recycling but urea reused for anabolism remained unaffected. Total-tract neutral detergent fiber digestibility decreased (-9%) with increasing low-N SF intake, indicating reduced rumen fermentation. Increasing the N content of SF at equal total N intake resulted in decreased urea production, excretion, and return to ornithine cycle, and increased protein retention by 17%. This increase was likely related to an effect of energy availability on protein retention due to an increase in total-tract neutral detergent fiber digestion (>10%) and due to an increased energy supply via the MR. In conclusion, increasing low-N SF intake at the expense of N intake from MR, did not affect protein retention efficiency in calves. Increasing the N content of SF at equal total N intake decreased urea production, increased protein retention, and coincided with improved fiber degradation. Therefore, results suggest that low N availability in the rumen limits microbial growth and rumen fermentation in calves fed low-N SF (93 g of CP/kg of DM), and this effect cannot be compensated for by recycling of urea originating from MR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the feeding values of milk replacer (MR), roughage, and concentrates for veal calves in a paired-gain setting, thus avoiding any prior assumptions in feeding values and major differences in nutrient intakes. One hundred sixty male Holstein-Friesian calves at 2 wk of age and 45 ± 0.2 kg of body weight (BW) were included in the experiment. Calves were allocated to pens (5 calves per pen) and pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 solid feed (SF) levels: SF1, SF2, SF3, or SF4, respectively, and to 1 of 2 roughage-to-concentrate (R:C) ratios: 20:80 or 50:50. An adaptation period from wk 1 to 10 preceded the experimental period (wk 11 to 27). Total dry matter (DM) intake from SF was targeted to reach 20, 100, 180, and 260 kg of DM for SF1 to SF4, respectively, during the 16-wk experimental period, and increased with preplanned, equal weekly increments. Roughage was composed of 50% corn silage and 50% chopped wheat straw based on DM. The quantity of MR provided was adjusted every 2 wk based on BW to achieve similar targeted rates of carcass gain across treatments. The reduction in MR provided (in kg of DM) to realize equal rates of carcass gain with inclusion of SF (in kg of DM) differed between the R:C ratio of 50:50 (0.41 kg of MR/kg of SF) and the R:C ratio of 20:80 (0.52 kg of MR/kg of SF). As carcass gain unintentionally increased with SF intake, the paired-gain objective was not fully achieved. When adjusted for realized rates of carcass gain, calves fed an R:C ratio of 20:80 still required 10% less MR than calves fed an R:C ratio of 50:50 for equal rates of carcass gain, indicating that the utilization of SF for gain increased with concentrate inclusion. Averaged for the 16-wk experimental period, the feeding value of MR relative to that of concentrates and roughages was close to that predicted based on their respective digestible energy contents. Nevertheless, the feeding value of SF relative to that of MR increased substantially with age. Therefore, additivity in feeding values of these ration components cannot be assumed. The results of the current study may contribute to the development of new concepts for formulation of veal calf diets with substantial amounts of SF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to quantify the contribution of low-protein solid feed (SF) intake, in addition to milk replacer, to protein and energy retention in vea calves. Because of potential interactions between milk replacer and SF, occurring at either the level of digestion or postabsorption, this contribution might differ from that in calves fed either SF or milk replacer alone Forty-eight Holstein Friesian male calves, 55 ± 0.3 kg of body weight (BW), were divided across 16 groups of 3 calves each. Groups were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 incremental levels of SF intake: 0, 9, 18, or 27 0.75 g of DM of SF/kg of BW per day. The SF mixture consisted of 25% chopped wheat straw, 25% chopped corn silage, and 50% nonpelleted concentrate (on a DM basis). Each group was housed in a respiration chamber for quantification of energy and N balance at each of 2 BW: at 108 ± 1.1 kg and at 164 ± 1.6 kg. The milk 0.75 replacer supply was 37.3 g of DM/kg of BW per day 0.75 at 108 kg of BW and 40.7 g of DM/kg of BW per day at 164 kg of BW, irrespective of SF intake. Within a chamber, each calf was housed in a metabolic cage to allow separate collection of feces and urine. Indirect calorimetry and N balance data were analyzed by using regression procedures with SF intake-related variables Nitrogen excretion shifted from urine to feces with increasing SF intake. This indicates a higher gut entry rate of urea and may explain the improved N utilization through urea recycling, particularly at 164 kg of BW At 108 kg of BW, the gross efficiency of N retention was 61% for calves without SF, and it increased with SF intake by 5.4%/g of DM of SF per day. At 164 kg of BW, this efficiency was 49% for calves without SF and it increased by 9.9%/g of DM of SF per day. The incremental efficiency of energy retention, representing the increase in energy retained per kilojoule of extra digestible energy intake from SF, was 41% at 108 kg of BW and 54% at 164 kg of BW. Accordingly, the apparent total-tract digestibility of NDF increased with BW, from 46% at 108 kg of BW to 56% at 164 kg of BW. On average, 5.5% of gross energy from SF was released as CH4 in veal calves, which is similar to reported values in cattle fed only SF. In conclusion, the provision of low-protein SF resulted in improved N utilization for protein gain, particularly toward the end of the fattening period. In heavy calves, recycling of urea originating from amino acids in milk replacer potentially contributes substantially to the N retention of veal calves fed SF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Dietary fibres are believed to reduce subjective appetite, energy intake and body weight. However, different types of dietary fibre may affect these outcomes differently. The aim of this review was to systematically investigate the available literature on the relationship between dietary fibre types, appetite, acute and long-term energy intake, and body weight. Fibres were grouped according to chemical structure and physicochemical properties (viscosity, solubility and fermentability). Effect rates were calculated as the proportion of all fibre-control comparisons that reduced appetite ( n = 58 comparisons), acute energy intake ( n = 26), long-term energy intake ( n = 38) or body weight ( n = 66). For appetite, acute energy intake, long-term energy intake and body weight, there were clear differences in effect rates depending on chemical structure. Interestingly, fibres characterized as being more viscous (e.g. pectins, β-glucans and guar gum) reduced appetite more often than those less viscous fibres (59% vs. 14%), which also applied to acute energy intake (69% vs. 30%). Overall, effects on energy intake and body weight were relatively small, and distinct dose-response relationships were not observed. Short- and long-term effects of dietary fibres appear to differ and multiple mechanisms relating to their different physicochemical properties seem to interplay. This warrants further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to quantify and compare the effects of sow's milk and 2 milk replacer diets (containing clotting or nonclotting protein sources) on exocrine pancreatic secretion, plasma cholecystokinin, and immunoreactive cationic trypsin in pigs. In addition, the relationship between exocrine pancreatic secretion and growth in milk-fed pigs was studied. In a changeover experiment, 9 chronically catheterized pigs of 6.6 ± 0.19 kg of BW were studied for 3 wk. Pigs were assigned to each of 3 diets. Exocrine pancreatic secretion was measured from the third to the seventh day on each diet. The protein content and trypsin activity of the pancreatic juice were measured. Blood samples were taken at 10 mm before and after milk ingestion and were analyzed for cholecystokinin and immunoreactive cationic trypsin. Pancreatic protein and trypsin secretion did not differ between pigs fed sow's milk and those fed milk replacer, but the volume secreted was less for the pigs fed sow's milk (0.75 vs. 1.03 mL·kg-1·h-1 P < 0.01). A postprandial response to milk intake was not observed. The 2 milk replacer diets did not affect exocrine pancreatic secretion differently. The average exocrine pancreatic secretion (volume, 0.94 mL·kg-1·h-1; protein, 4.28 mg·kg-1· h-1; trypsin, 1.65 U·kg-1·h-1) was intermediate between literature values for suckling and weaned pigs. Plasma cholecystokinin was elevated (∼18 pmol·L-1) and showed low correlations with the pancreatic secretion traits. Plasma immunoreactive cationic trypsin was not significantly related to any of the pancreatic secretion traits and should therefore not be used as an indicator for exocrine pancreatic function in milk-fed pigs. Exocrine pancreatic secretion varied substantially among individual pigs (protein, 0.22 to 13.98 mg·kg-1·h-1). Pancreatic protein and trypsin secretion showed a positive, nonlinear relationship with performance traits. It was concluded that neither specific sow's milk ingredients nor the protein source are responsible for a low pancreatic protein secretion in suckling pigs. Exocrine pancreatic secretion was positively correlated with ADG in pigs at an identical milk intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding frequency (FF) and feeding level (FL) on protein and energy metabolism in adapted, heavy preruminant calves. It was hypothesized that an increased FF would increase protein utilization by an improved synchrony between the supply of and requirements for protein during the day when a quickly hydrolyzable protein source was used. Eighteen Holstein Friesian calves of 136 ± 3 kg of body weight were assigned to FF (1, 2, or 4 meals daily) at 2 FL (1.5 or 2.5 times the metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance), except for calves fed once daily (only at a low FL). Calves were individually housed in respiration chambers during 2 experimental periods of 10 d. Whey protein was the only protein source in the diet. Neither FL nor FF affected apparent fecal nutrient digestibility. Increasing FF increased the efficiency with which digestible protein was utilized in calves. The increase was greater at a high FL (+11% from 2 to 4 meals/d) than at a low FL (+5% from 2 to 4 meals/d), but no significant interaction occurred between FL and FF. An increased FF and a higher FL enhanced fat deposition. Heat production was not affected by FF, but its circadian rhythm differed considerably between FF. Activity-related heat production was not affected by FF or FL. Thus, increasing FF improved the efficiency with which protein and energy were utilized in heavy preruminant calves when a quickly hydrolyzable protein source was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Veal calves at the age of 4 to 6 mo often experience problems with glucose homeostasis, as indicated by postprandial hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance. It is not clear to what extent the ontogenetic development of calves or the feeding strategy [e.g., prolonged milk replacer (MR) feeding] contribute to this pathology. The objective of this study was therefore to analyze effects of MR feeding, weaning, and supplementation of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on the development of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in calves during the first 3 mo of life. Thirty male Holstein-Friesian calves (18 ± 0.7 d of age) were assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: the control (CON) group received MR only, the FOS group received MR with the addition of short-chain FOS, and the solid feed (SF) group was progressively weaned to SF. The CON and FOS calves received an amount of MR, which gradually increased (from 400 to 1,400 g/d) during the 71-d trial period. For the SF calves, the amount of MR increased from 400 to 850 g/d at d 30, and then gradually decreased, until completely weaned to only SF at d 63. The change in whole body insulin sensitivity was assessed by intravenous glucose tolerance tests. Milk tolerance tests were performed twice to assess changes in postprandial blood glucose, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acid responses. Whole-body insulin sensitivity was high at the start (16.7 ± 1.6 × 10-4 [μU/mL]-1), but decreased with age to 4.2 ± 0.6 × 10-4 [μU/mL]-1 at the end of the trial. The decrease in insulin sensitivity was most pronounced (~70%) between d 8 and 29 of the trial. Dietary treatments did not affect the decrease in insulin sensitivity. For CON and FOS calves, the postprandial insulin response was 3-fold higher at the end of the trial than at the start, whereas the glucose response remained similar. The SF calves, however, showed pronounced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia at the end of the trial, although weaning did not affect insulin sensitivity. We conclude that whole body insulin sensitivity decreases by 75% in calves during the first 3 mo of life. Weaning or supplementation of short-chain FOS does not affect this age-related decline in insulin sensitivity. Glucose homeostasis is not affected by supplementation of short-chain FOS in young calves, whereas postprandial responses of glucose and insulin to a MR meal strongly increase after weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calf milk replacer (MR) contains 40 to 50% lactose. Lactose strongly fluctuates in price and alternatives are desired. Also, problems with glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity (i.e., high incidence of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia) have been described for heavy veal calves (body weight >100 kg). Replacement of lactose by other dietary substrates can be economically attractive, and may also positively (or negatively) affect the risk of developing problems with glucose metabolism. An experiment was designed to study the effects of replacing one third of the dietary lactose by glucose, fructose, or glycerol on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in veal calves. Forty male Holstein-Friesian (body weight = 114 ± 2.4 kg; age = 97 ± 1.4 d) calves were fed an MR containing 462 g of lactose/kg (CON), or an MR in which 150 g of lactose/kg of MR was replaced by glucose (GLU), fructose (FRU), or glycerol (GLY). During the first 10 d of the trial, all calves received CON. The CON group remained on this diet and the other groups received their experimental diets for a period of 8 wk. Measurements were conducted during the first (baseline) and last week of the trial. A frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed to assess insulin sensitivity and 24 h of urine was collected to measure glucose excretion. During the last week of the trial, a bolus of 1.5 g of [U-13C] substrates was added to their respective meals and plasma glucose, insulin, and 13C-glucose responses were measured. Insulin sensitivity was low at the start of the trial and remained low [1.2 ± 0.1 and 1.0 ± 0.1 (mU/L)-1 × min-1], and no treatment effect was noted. Glucose excretion was low at the start of the trial (3.4 ± 1.0 g/d), but increased in CON and GLU calves (26.9 ± 3.9 and 43.0 ± 10.6 g/d) but not in FRU and GLY calves. Postprandial glucose was higher in GLU, lower in FRU, and similar in GLY compared with CON calves. Postprandial insulin was lower in FRU and GLY and similar in GLU compared with CON calves. Postprandial 13C-glucose increased substantially in FRU and GLY calves, indicating that calves are able to partially convert these substrates to glucose. We concluded that replacing one third of lactose in MR by glucose, fructose, or glycerol in MR differentially influences postprandial glucose homeostasis but does not affect insulin sensitivity in veal calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calf milk replacers contain 40 to 50% lactose. Fluctuating dairy prices are a major economic incentive to replace lactose from milk replacers by alternative energy sources. Our objective was, therefore, to determine the effects of replacement of lactose with glucose, fructose, or glycerol on energy and protein metabolism in veal calves. Forty male Holstein-Friesian calves (114 ± 2.4 kg) were fed milk replacer containing 46% lactose (CON) or 31% lactose and 15% of glucose (GLUC), fructose (FRUC), or glycerol (GLYC). Solid feed was provided at 10 g of dry matter (DM)/kg of metabolic body weight (BW0.75) per day. After an adaptation of 48 d, individual calves were harnessed, placed in metabolic cages, and housed in pairs in respiration chambers. Apparent total-tract disappearance of DM, energy, and N and complete energy and N balances were measured. The GLUC, FRUC, and GLYC calves received a single dose of 1.5 g of [U-13C]glucose, [U-13C]fructose, or [U-13C]glycerol, respectively, with their milk replacer at 0630 h and exhaled 13CO2 and 13C excretion with feces was measured. Apparent total-tract disappearance was decreased by 2.2% for DM, 3.2% for energy, and 4.2% for N in FRUC compared with CON calves. Energy and N retention did not differ between treatments, and averaged 299 ± 16 kJ/kg of BW0.75 per day and 0.79 ± 0.04 g/kg of BW0.75 per day, respectively, although FRUC calves retained numerically less N (13%) than other calves. Recovery of 13C isotopes as 13CO2 did not differ between treatments and averaged 72 ± 1.6%. The time at which the maximum rate of 13CO2 production was reached was more than 3 h delayed for FRUC calves, which may be explained by a conversion of fructose into other substrates before being oxidized. Recovery of 13C in feces was greater for FRUC calves (7.7 ± 0.59%) than for GLUC (1.0 ± 0.27%) and GLYC calves (0.5 ± 0.04%), indicating incomplete absorption of fructose from the small intestine resulting in fructose excretion or fermentation. In conclusion, energy and N retention was not affected when replacing >30% of the lactose with glucose, fructose, or glycerol. Increased fecal losses of DM, energy, and N were found in FRUC calves compared with CON, GLUC, and GLYC calves. Postabsorptive losses occurred with the urine for glucose and glycerol, which caused a lower respiratory quotient for GLUC calves during the night. Fructose was oxidized more slowly than glucose and glycerol, probably as a result of conversion into other substrates before oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of urea in milk (MUC) has emerged as a potentially useful tool to predict urinary N excretion. Various factors may affect the relationship between MUC and urinary N excretion, including transport characteristics of urea from blood to milk and vice versa. The main objective of this study was to test whether substantial transport of urea from milk to blood exists in lactating dairy cattle. The subobjectives were (1) to assess the effects of various urea gradient levels between blood and milk on urea transport from milk to blood and (2) to test the occurrence of urea transport between different compartments of the mammary gland such as the cistern and the alveoli. Urea transport was studied in 2 multiparous lactating Holstein-Friesian cows (36.0 ± 6.18 kg of milk/d; mean ± SD). In 3 separate trials, boluses of [15N15N]urea were injected in the cisterns via the teat canals at 20, 60, and 120 min before the 1700-h milking at various levels of MUC and of blood plasma urea concentration (PUC). In trial 1, a primed continuous infusion of urea (105 g at the start, continuing with 20 g/h) into the jugular vein started at 0500 h and stopped at 0, 1, 2, and 3 h before the 1700-h milking on d 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. In trial 2, 5.5 g of urea was injected into the cisterns at 20, 60, and 120 min before the 1700-h milking on d 5, 6, and 7, respectively. In trial 3, urea fluxes were measured without an experimentally induced gradient between MUC and PUC on d 8, 9, and 10, respectively. During milking, successive milk samples were taken from first to last milk. Blood and milk were analyzed for 15N-urea enrichment. Levels of 15N-urea in blood increased after injection of a [15N15N]urea bolus in milk, indicating urea transport from milk to blood. Between 21.0 and 35.3% of injected [15N15N]urea in milk was recovered after 2 h. The fractional [15N15N]urea decline rate in milk varied between 0.0076 and 0.0096/min. The level of MUC, rather than the concentration gradient between MUC and PUC, appeared to affect this fractional rate of decline. Enrichment levels of 15N-urea in milk samples within a single milking showed that urea was transported from cistern milk to alveoli milk. In conclusion, the results indicate that transport of urea from milk to blood in lactating dairy cattle occurs and that urea is transported from cistern milk to alveoli milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In veal calves, the major portion of digestible energy intake originates from milk replacer (MR), with lactose and fat contributing approximately 45 and 35%, respectively. In veal calves older than 4 mo, prolonged high intakes of MR may lead to problems with glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, ultimately resulting in sustained insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and impaired animal performance. The contribution of each of the dietary energy sources (lactose and fat) to deteriorated glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance is currently unknown. Therefore, an experiment was designed to compare the effects of a high-lactose and a high-fat MR on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in veal calves. Sixteen male Holstein-Friesian calves (120 ± 2.8 kg of BW) were assigned to either a high-lactose (HL) or a high-fat (HF) MR for 13 consecutive weeks. After at least 7 wk of adaptation, whole-body insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion were assessed by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic and hyperglycemic clamps, respectively. Postprandial blood samples were collected to assess glucose, insulin, and triglyceride responses to feeding, and 24-h urine was collected to quantify urinary glucose excretion. At the end of the trial, liver and muscle biopsies were taken to assess triglyceride contents in these tissues. Long-term exposure of calves to HF or HL MR did not affect whole-body insulin sensitivity (averaging 4.2 ± 0.5 × 10-2 [(mg/kg»min)/(μU/mL)]) and insulin secretion. Responses to feeding were greater for plasma glucose and tended to be greater for plasma insulin in HL calves than in HF calves. Urinary glucose excretion was substantially higher in HL calves (75 ± 13 g/d) than in HF calves (21 ± 6 g/d). Muscle triglyceride content was not affected by treatment and averaged 4.5 ± 0.6 g/kg, but liver triglyceride content was higher in HF calves (16.4 ± 0.9 g/kg) than in HL calves (11.2 ± 0.7 g/kg), indicating increased hepatic fat accumulation. We conclude that increasing the contribution of fat to the digestible energy intake from the MR from 20 to 50%, at the expense of lactose does not affect whole-body insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in calves. However, a high-lactose MR increases postprandial glucose and insulin responses, whereas a high-fat MR increases fat accumulation in liver but not muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to develop a simplified dose-response technique to estimate the Lys requirement of individual, meal-fed growing pigs. In Exp. 1, we studied adaptation processes that occur during such a dose-response study in meal-fed pigs, and in Exp. 2, we studied the accuracy of this simplified technique to estimate changes in Lys requirement estimates of pigs following changes in energy intake. In Exp. 1, the effect of the Lys supply strategy on the Lys require-ment was assessed in 14 barrows fed an increasing [low to high (LH)] or decreasing [high to low (HL)] total Lys supply, with total Lys levels vatying from 0.36 to 1.06 g/ MJ DE in 7 equidistant steps of 4 d each. Urinary urea and ammonia excretion and whole body N turnover were measured. In Exp. 2, the accuracy of the dose-response technique to determine a shift in Lys requirement was assessed in 20 barrows fed at either 2.2 [low energy (LE)] or 2.7 [high energy (HE)] times the energy requirements for maintenance, with total Lys supply decreasing from 1.10 to 0.37 g Lys/MJ DE in 9 equidistant steps of 3 d each. In Exp. 1, a lower increment in protein synthesis, breakdown, and whole body N turnover with increasing dietary Lys supply was observed in LH pigs than HL pigs (P < 0.01 ) and the estimated Lys requirement was 0.06 g/ MJ DE greater (P = 0.01) in LH pigs than HL pigs. These results indicated that pigs at a decreasing Lys supply strat-egy require less time for metabolic adaptation to a change in Lys supply than those at an increasing Lys supply. In Exp. 2, the estimated Lys requirement was 2.6 g/d greater (P < 0.001) in HE pigs than LE pigs. The variation in AA requirement estimates between individual pigs was low (4.9% in LH pigs and 3.0% in HL pigs in Exp. 1 and 8.1% in LE pigs and 6.0% in HE pigs in Exp. 2). The present studies indicated that a dose-response technique with a decreasing Lys supply in time and a step length of 3 d with urinary N excretion as response criteria provides a simple, accurate technique to quantitatively estimate a change in AA requirements of individual meal-fed pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental conditions during incubation such as temperature and O2 concentration affect embryo development that may be associated with modifications in nutrient partitioning. Additionally, prenatal conditions can affect postnatal nutrient utilization. Using broiler chicken embryos, we studied the effects of eggshell temperature (EST; 37.8 or 38.9°C) and O2 (17, 21, or 25%) applied from d 7 until 19 of incubation in a 2 x 3 factorial design. Effects of these factors on embryonic survival, development, and nutrient utilization were assessed in the pre- and posthatch period. High EST reduced yolk-free body mass compared with normal EST (36.1 vs. 37.7 g), possibly through reduced incubation duration (479 vs. 487 h) and lower efficiency of protein utilization for growth (83.6 vs. 86.8%). Increasing O2 increased yolk-free body mass (from 35.7 to 38.3 g) at 12 h after emergence from the eggshell, but differences were larger between the low and normal O2 than between the normal and high O2. This might be due to the lower efficiency of nutrient utilization for growth at low O2. However, the effects of O2 that were found at 12 h were less pronounced at 48 h posthatch. When O2 was shifted to 21% for all treatments at d 19 of incubation, embryos incubated at low O2 used nutrients more efficiently than those incubated at normal or high O2. An additional negative effect on survival and chick development occurred when embryos were exposed to a combination of high EST and low O2. Possible explanations include reduced nutrient availability for hatching, decreased body development to fulfill the energy-demanding hatching process, and higher incidence of malpositions. In conclusion, EST and O2 during incubation affect nutrient utilization for growth, which may explain differences in survival and development. Embryos raised under suboptimal environmental conditions in the prenatal period may develop adaptive mechanisms that still continue in the posthatch period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E supplementation on oxidative status in blood, liver, milk, and ovarian follicular fluid in periparturient heifers. Vitamin E supplementation started 8 wk before calving and continued until 8 wk postpartum. Grass silage was the main forage fed during the experiment. In addition, supplemented heifers (n=9) received 3,000IU of vitamin E daily on a carrier food; control heifers (n=9) consumed only the carrier food. Blood samples and liver biopsies were taken frequently throughout the study and ovarian follicular fluid was sampled at 8 wk postpartum. Body condition score was scored weekly and milk yield was measured daily. A marker of oxidative damage, determinable reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROM), and a set of antioxidants were measured in blood, liver, milk, and ovarian follicular fluid. Control heifers had a low vitamin E status, and selenium status was marginal in control and supplemented heifers. Vitamin E supplementation increased vitamin E concentrations in blood, liver, and ovarian follicular fluid and increased triacylglycerol in liver. Serum d-ROM were not reduced by vitamin E supplementation. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in red blood cells and liver and glutathione peroxidase activity in ovarian follicular fluid were not affected by vitamin E supplementation and they were not increased around calving. Protein thiol groups and ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione were also not increased around calving. These results suggest that heifers around calving experience a low level of oxidative processes. This might be caused by lower than expected milk production attributed to a low forage intake. Serum d-ROM were negatively correlated with protein thiol groups and positively correlated with the activity of glutathione peroxidase in red blood cells, oxidized glutathione, and the ratio of reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione in serum. The lack of treatment effects allowed estimation of the effects of body condition 4 wk before calving and the loss of body condition on markers of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants. A trend that a body condition of ⩾3 might result in more oxidative damage measured by serum d-ROM was observed, but fatter heifers had a significantly higher ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]