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Experiments were designed to investigate the effect of feeding diets deficient in one or more of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on the performance of 3-wk-old male broilers. In the first experiment, levels of .96 and 1.46% Leu, .52 and .82% Ile, and .65 and .95% Val were used. Feeding the lowest combination of the three BCAA resulted in weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FC) of 344 g and 1.59 g:g, respectively. These parameters were not improved by adding dietary increments of the three BCAA individually. The greatest response, however, for both WG (435 g) and FC (1.41 g:g) was obtained by the addition of the three BCAA simultaneously. Chicks fed the low-Val diets in combinations with added levels of Ile and Leu exhibited feather and leg abnormalities. A second experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Val deficiency on feather protein, feather amino acids, and calcium content of the bone. Three treatments were used: a BCAA-deficient diet with .96% Leu, .52% Ile, and .63% Val; a Val-deficient diet, which contained 1.37, .82, and .63% of Leu, Ile, and Val, respectively; and a Val-supplemented diet, which was the same as the previous diets except that the Val content was .83%. Valine deficiency significantly decreased WG (243 g), FC (1.69 g:g), bone calcium (134 mg/g dry bone), and feather protein (82.7% of wet weight). Valine deficiency also decreased the level of Cys in feathers, but increased those of Asp, Glu, Met, Tyr, His, and Lys.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Two experiments were conducted to determine the bioefficacy of methionine hydroxy analog free acid (MHA-FA) using the nonlinear (exponential) bioassay method. Male broiler chicks were fed a low methionine diet composed primarily of ground yellow corn and soybean meal for the 1st wk. The experimental diets, which varied in eight levels of DL-methionine and in eight equimolar levels of MHA-FA, were fed from 7 to 21 days of age. The source of protein was soybean meal and isolated soybean meal (15% of each) in the first experiment and soybean meal and peanut meal (23 and 21%, respectively) in the second experiment with glucose as the primary source of energy. Compared with DL-methionine on an equimolar basis, the bioefficacy of the MHA-FA was 72 ± 5 and 73 ± 7% using weight gains and feed conversions, respectively, from the first experiment and 85 ± 11 and 79 ± 8% using weight gain and feed conversion from the second experiment. These results clearly show that DL-methionine is much superior to MHA-FA on an equimolar basis.

Growth studies were conducted with 3-wk-old, male broiler chicks to determine their requirements for the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine, and valine during the starter period. The central-composite, rotatable design was applied. The data were analyzed using regression methodology. The results showed that the linear term of Leu and the cross-product terms of Leu with Ile or Val were nonsignificant (P greater than .05). Second-order equations described the relationship between the BCAA, weight gain (WG), and feed conversion (FC). The coefficient of determination values indicated that 80% or more of the variation in WG and FC was explained by the polynomial equations. The results suggested that the Leu requirement does not exceed 1.16% of a diet calculated to contain 3,200 kcal of metabolizable energy per kilogram. The optimum response, maximum in the case of WG (444 g) and minimum for FC (1.40), would be obtained by feeding a diet containing 1.16, .80, and .90% of Leu, Ile, and Val, respectively. The values of Ile and Val are the actual values obtained when the diets were hydrolyzed for 72 hours. For Leu, however, the hydrolysis time was 24 hours.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of feeding raw or treated common vetch seeds (V) on BW, feed intake (FI), egg production (EP), feed conversion (FC), egg weight (EW), shell thickness (ST), yolk color score (YC), and Haugh unit score (HU) of Single Comb White Leghorn hens for 56 d. In Experiment 1, diets contained 0, 7.5, 15, and 22.5% raw V. Compared with the control, the 22.5% V diet decreased (P < .05) BW, FI, and EP. In Experiment 2, intact or ground (G) V were either soaked (S) in water (1:5) for 24 h or autoclaved (A) at 103.5 x 10(3) Pa for 8 h, and then dried (D) at 55 C for 24 h. Eight diets were used, a corn soybean (control) and seven others, each containing 25% V, previously subjected to the forementioned treatments as follows: untreated V (UV), SDV, GSDV, ADV, GADV, SADV, and GSADV. Compared with the control, the UV diet decreased (P < .05) FI (75 vs 98 g) and EP (47.3 vs 88.7%), increased FC (1.99 vs 1.4 kg feed per dozen eggs), and induced BW loss (-63 vs 49 g). Soaking intact V improved (P < .05) FI (85 g) and EP (69%). Remaining treatments resulted in further improvement. Hens fed all V diets produced eggs with HU score 13 points better than that of the control (P < .05). In both experiments, EW, YC, and ST were not different among treatments. Results indicated that autoclaved V at 25% level was not detrimental to layers' performance.

BAY Vi7533 (2-chloro-N-[[[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] amino] carbonyl] benzamide) was fed to White Leghorn and Vedette Mini-broiler breeder hens at concentrations ranging from 0 to 25 ppm in the ration. Concentrations of 15 and 25 ppm resulted in greater than 95% mortality of house flies, Musca domestica L., seeded as larvae into the droppings. Concentration of 25 ppm reduced egg production in the White Leghorn but not in the Vedette Mini-broiler hens. At each concentration (except 5 ppm for Vedette Mini-broilers) residues of the compound were detected in the eggs. These residues, however, had no adverse effects on fertility or hatchability of the eggs.

Data for individual feed intake, liveweight, and egg production were recorded for five genetically different groups of 40 pullets each during 10 test periods of 28-days each. Average ambient temperature at cage level varied from 6.7 C during January to 21.1 C during June. A 2890 kcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME) diet with 16% crude protein (CP) was fed ad lib. Average egg production for the Small Leghorns (SL) was about 60%, for white-egg hybrids (WL) about 75%, for brown-egg hybrids (BL) about 72%, for female line broiler breeders (BB) about 48%, and for broiler-cross pullets (B) about 51%. Average grams liveweight and grams feed intake per hen day were: SL, 1426 and 83.7; WL, 1809 and 104.9; BL, 2610 and 122.9: BB, 4197 and 156.2; and B, 4158 and 167.7. Partition equations which describe the data for SL, WL, BL, and BB, assuming 70% efficiency of use of feed ME for maintenance, tissue formation, and egg formation were: F = (.534 − .004T)W .653 + 2.76ΔW + .80EM and F = (.259 −.00259T)W.75 + 2.76ΔW + .80EM. Similar equations for B, assuming 65% efficiency use of ME, are: F = (.589 − .0044T)W.653 + 2.9ΔW + .85EM and F = (.275 − .00275T)W.75 + 2.9ΔW + .85EM. The terms are: F = grams feed/hen day; T = ambient temperature in °C; W = grams liveweight; ΔW = grams daily change in liveweight; EM = grams egg mass per hen day. Equations which assume 70% efficiency of use of ME are shown to predict feed intake of a diet containing 2890 kcal of apparent ME per kilogram for white and brown-egg layers and broiler-breeder pullets varying in individual body weights from about 1 to 5 kg. Equations, assuming 65% energetic efficiency, describe feed intake for a group of broiler-cross pullets.

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of high or low protein diets on the body composition of broiler chicks at 28, 49, and 59 days of age. In the second study two broiler strains were also compared. In the low protein diets the protein and amino acid levels were reduced to approximately 80% of the levels in the control rations while maintaining the same calculated energy levels in both diets. Although not always statistically significant (P

Extended exposure of the breast skin and feather tract to scald water at various temperatures was studied. The xanthophyll content was determined using acetone extraction followed by spectrophotometry. The color was determined with a color difference meter. Carcasses exposed to the scald water for 60, 120 or 180 seconds at 54, 57 or 60° C. had no change in either xanthophyll content or color of the breast skin and feather tract attributable to length of exposure at each temperature. “The effect of temperature was determined and when increased above 54° C., a reduction of yellow color and xanthophyll content of the skin occurred. Reduction in yellow color and increased redness of feather tract was detected when the temperature was increased. Exposure to scald water for 180 to 240 seconds produced no difference in yellow color of the skin at either 50, 52 or 54° C. Xanthophyll content of skin decreased as the exposure time increased from 180 to 240 seconds at 50° C. The length of exposure produced no changes in the feather tract. An increase in temperature from 50 to 52° C. produced a decrease in xanthophyll but no detectable change of the yellow color in the skin and feather tract. A decrease in xanthophyll and yellow skin color attributable to length of exposure occurred at 55° C. when exposure time was increased from 60 to 120 seconds. No effect of exposure time was found when scalded for 60, 120 or 240 seconds at 52° C. A decrease in xanthophyll content and yellow color of the skin attributable to an increase in temperature from 52 to 55° C. was found.

Three 2-week chick growth assays were conducted to determine me available carbohydrate content of peeled (PCASS) and non-peeled (NPCASS) cassava and soybean oil (SBOM) meals. Chicks were fed a carbohydrate-free, pre-experimental diet containing soybean oil as the sole source of nonprotein energy for 7 days. From 8 to 21 days, chicks of uniform weight were fed small quantities of the test ingredients at two levels. Weight gain of chicks at the end of each experiment was used in estimating the amount of available carbohydrate (CHO) from the standard glucose curve. In all studies, significant (P From die studies, the mean estimated available carbohydrate values for NPCASS, PCASS, and SBOM were 83.8, 92.4, and 32.31%, respectively, suggesting that almost all the carbohydrate in the PCASS and 94 and 96% of that in the NPCASS and SBOM, respectively, was available.

Two 14 day experiments were conducted to determine the effect of feeding pectin to chicks. In the first experiment simulated rye was mixed from purified ingredients and incorporated into feed in the place of normal rye. The growth of chicks receiving the simulated rye diet was depressed at day seven. When simulated rye without pectin was fed, growth was improved significantly. The addition of penicillin to the simulated rye diet eliminated the growth depression. In the second experiment pectin was added to a balanced corn-soybean ration at levels of 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0% of the diet. Each increase in the level of pectin up to 4.5% gave a significant decrease in weight gain. Penicillin supplementation of all diets containing added pectin gave a significant increase in growth. Sticky feces were evident in all chicks fed pectin at concentrations above 1.5% regardless of the presence of penicillin. It is concluded that feeding diets containing pectin to growing chicks will depress growth in a manner resembling the depression observed when feeding diets containing high concentrations of rye.

Chicks which were hatch-mates were placed in rearing facilities 4 hr and 24 hr after removal from the hatchers. One-half of the birds placed at each of these times received only water for 12 hr before being given access to feed. The other half received both water and feed simultaneously. Birds that were placed in the pens 4 hr after removal from the hatchers were significantly (P≤.01) heavier at 28, 49, and 56 days of age than birds which were held in the hatchery for 24 hr prior to placement. There were no significant effects on the birds’ weight or feed conversion which could be attributed to the birds receiving only water for 12 hr or initially receiving both water and feed. There were no significant interactions between the time the birds were placed and whether they initially received only water or water and feed. Three studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of adding various supplements to the drinking water for the first 24 to 72 hr on the weight and feed conversion of broiler chickens. There were no benefits from adding 10% sucrose for 24 hr or 5% sucrose for 72 hr. In one trial, there was a significant (P

Four experiments were conducted studying the effects of inorganic sulfate supplementation fed to floor as well as battery reared broiler chicks. A significant growth response was obtained by the addition of 0.15% dl -methionine to a corn-soy basal ration containing 0.66% total sulfur amino acids. Increasing the methionine level to 0.30% did not produce a further significant growth response. The addition of 0.16% sodium sulfate was most effective in stimulating growth in chicks in this study. Furthermore, supplementing the diet with dl -methionine produced a significant improvement in feed conversion while the addition of up to 0.64% sodium sulfate did not have a similar effect. Somewhat similar results were obtained when potassium sulfate replaced sodium sulfate in the diet. No significant differences were observed in growth rate when ammonium sulfate, sodium sulfate or potassium sulfate were compared in an experiment where floor reared broiler chicks were fed practical rations. However, MHA was a significantly better converter of feed to gain than any of the inorganic sulfate sources. Results from Experiment 4 where several ratios of MHA and potassium sulfate were supplemented to a corn-soy diet and fed to floor reared broiler chicks, indicated that the optimal inorganic sulfate supplementation is between 25 and 50% of the supplemental sulfur amino acid needed to meet accepted requirements. At the 25% supplementation level, inorganic sulfate would provide about 6% of the total sulfur in practical diets.

Two hundred eighty 8 week-old broilers were used to determine the influence of scald water temperature and scald time on the xanthophyll content and color of broiler breast skin and feather tract. In the first experiment the birds were scalded for 60 seconds at 50, 53 or 56°C. The second experiment was conducted the same as the first except that the birds were scalded at 53°C for either 30, 45, 60 or 75 seconds prior to being picked for 60 seconds. The skin color was determined using a Hunterlab Model D 25 Color Difference Meter. The xanthophyll was extracted from the skin and feather tract using acetone extraction and the amount of xanthophyll determined using a Coleman Model 14 spectrophotometer at 475 mμ. Significant decreases in both skin color and xanthophyll content were found as the temperature of the scald water increased. As much as 30% of the xanthophyll was removed and the yellow color of the skin was markedly decreased as the temperature was increased. The greatest loss occurred as the temperature was increased above 53°C. Significant decreases in xanthophyll content of the skin were found as the scald time was increased. The greatest loss occurred as the scald time was increased from 30 to 75 seconds. The color of the skin was not affected by increased scald time.

Three experiments were conducted to study the influence of mechanical feather removal on the xanthophyll content of broiler breast skin and feather tract. A reduction in the amount of xanthophyll in the breast skin and feather tract occurred when the birds were scalded and picked. The largest decrease occurred after scalding when the skin was considered and after picking when the feather tract was examined. The skin had a larger amount of xanthophyll per 100 cm.2 following picking than was present after scalding. Exposing the carcasses to the scald water for 60, 120 or 180 seconds resulted in no changes in xanthophyll content of either the breast skin or feather tract. When the carcasses were exposed for 60 or 90 seconds in another experiment, an increase in xanthophyll per 100 cm.2 of breast skin was found to occur as the scald time was increased. A decrease in the amount of xanthophyll per 100 cm.2 was noticed to occur after picking for either 20, 40, 60 or 80 seconds when scalded for 60 or 90 seconds. The xanthophyll per 100 cm.2 of feather tract decreased when picked after being scalded for 90 seconds.

Microbial determinations were made on excreta obtained from intact, cecectomized, and ileal-cannulated roosters. Mean diaminopimelic acid (DAP) quantities in the excreta from intact and cecectomized birds did not differ significantly. The DAP value was greater in excreta from intact and cecectomized birds when they were fed 30 g of either soybean meal or autoclaved soybean meal than when fed cornstarch (P

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of diet on liver glycogen and body composition in the three-week-old chick. When percent protein and percent lysine were varied, liver glycogen concentration declined significantly as protein and lysine increased, 32.6 vs. 19.4 mg/g for the 14 and 35% protein diets, respectively. Carcass fat decreased and carcass moisture increased in a pattern similar to glycogen as protein and lysine increased in the diets. When seven levels of lysine were fed in isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets, glycogen content was not significantly different in any of the treatments. Liver glycogen was highest at the lowest energy level when dietary energy was increased and protein held constant. Carcass fat varied with the energy level but was also influenced by the amino acid balance. The data suggest that percent carbohydrate to percent fat ratio in the diet (both calculated) is an important factor affecting glycogen, but more research is needed to determine the mechanisms controlling the glycogen content of the liver.

Ileum anaerobe counts of chicks fed diets containing rye or pectin were two or three logarithmic cycles greater than chicks fed a corn-soybean diet. Average counts per centimeter of small intestine of chicks fed rye, pectin, or a corn-soybean diet were 7.5 × 109, 1.1 × 1010, 4.3 × 107 respectively, for 4 day old chicks and 7.8 × 109, 8.4 × 109 4.1 × 107, respectively, for 14 day old chicks. The counts were not altered by penicillin supplementation of the diets. When diets containing rye or pectin were fed, the intestinal population always contained a major butyric acid and gas producing component. Mean butyric acid concentrations produced by the flora from chicks fed rye, pectin, or a corn-soybean diet were 4.65 mM, 4.46 mM, 0.22 mM, respectively. The flora from chicks fed rye or pectin contained spore-formers which were 6 to 7 logarithmic cycles greater in number than from chicks fed the corn-soybean diet. Addition of penicillin to the diets always resulted in a large reduction in butyric acid and gas production and decreased the sporeformer counts about 5 logarithmic cycles. It is suggested that a penicillin sensitive, sporeforming organism that produces large amounts of gas and butyric acid fermentatively, depresses the growth of chicks fed rye or pectin. It is probable that the organism belongs to the genus Clostridium.

ALTHOUGH lithium is found in the body in trace amounts, it has no known function. It inhibits aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis, reduces sperm motility, and causes muscular weakness in rats (Sourkes, 1962). In recent years lithium carbonate has been found to be very effective in controlling the manic phase of manic depressive psychosis in man (Cade, 1949; Schou, 1958; Kerry and Owen, 1968; Coppen and Shaw, 1967; Hartigan, 1963; Rice, 1956; and Schlagenhauf et al., 1966) In general it has been postulated that the beneficial effects are the results of altered sodium metabolism, and this is quite logical in view of the fact that these elements are adjacent in the column of alkali metals in the periodic table—thus, having very similar chemical properties. Baer et al. (1970) measured the effect of lithium carbonate treatment on patients afflicted with manic depressive disease. Exchangeable sodium and extracellular fluid increased over a…

Intact and cecectomized adult male, Single Comb White Leghorns were fasted for 24 hr prior to the initiation of the collection period. Excreta were quantitatively collected from each of the unfed control roosters for a 24 to 48 hr fasting period. The amino acids excretion values (mg/bird/24 hr) were not significantly different (P greater than .05) between the intact and cecectomized roosters for histidine or methionine. However, lysine and glutamic acid were significantly different (P less than .05) and all other reported amino acids were significantly different (P less than .01). The results of this preliminary experiment indicate the possible role of the ceca in altering the amino acid excretion values. Additional research is required in the elucidation of cecal involvement, as well as the selection of a proper control for this method of analysis for amino acid availability.