The effect of giving feeds containing soya-bean meal treated or extracted with ethanol on digestive processes in the preruminant calf

Utilization of casein, fish meal and soya bean proteins in dry diets for pigs between 7 and 28 days of age

Seventy-two pigs between 7 and 28 days of age were given diets containing milk, fish or soya bean proteins in two separate experiments. In the first experiment, the weight gains of pigs given casein, isolated soya bean protein, fish meal and soya bean meal were 211,180,200 and 191 g/day, respectively, and the food conversion ratios were 0·84, 1·16, 0·93 and 1·10, respectively.

In the second experiment, the protein sources were skim milk, casein, isolated soya bean protein, soya bean concentrate and soya bean meal; weight gains of the pigs on these respective diets were 205, 180, 154, 133 and 169 g/day, and the food conversion ratios were 0·81, 0·92, 0·97, 1·07 and 1·05.

Apparent digestibilities of the soya bean and fish protein diets were less than those of milk protein diets. Apparent digestibilities of all diets increased between the collection periods at 9 to 14 days and 23 to 28 days of age.

Analytical criteria for predicting apparent digestibility of soybean protein in preruminant calves

A series of experiments on the use of soybean as a protein source in milk replacers for veal calves was undertaken to determine the relationships between the physicochemical and antinutritional properties and apparent digestibilities of nine soybean products. Soybean provided between 58 and 71% of dietary CP, and skim milk or whey powder provided the remainder. Soybean products were analyzed for CP, native protein, aggregated protein, carbohydrate-linked protein, peptides, antitryptic activity, and immunoreactivity of lectin, glycinin, alpha-conglycinin, and beta-conglycinin. The apparent digestibility of N calculated for soybean protein varied between 59 and 84%. Simple linear correlations were significant between apparent digestibility of soybean N and concentrations of native protein, antitryptic activity, glycinin, alpha-conglycinin, and beta-conglycinin. However, only variation in antitryptic activity, alpha-conglycinin, and beta-conglycinin contributed significantly to an explanation for the variation in apparent digestibility of soybean N in a multiple linear equation. Under our experimental conditions, beta-conglycinin was the best predictor of digestibility of soybean N. Antitryptic activity became the best predictor when soybean products had no detectable beta-conglycinin.

Influence of soya antigen levels in milk replacers on the disruption of intestinal motility patterns in calves sensitive to soya

An experiment was designed to determine the soya antigen levels in milk replacers above which gastrointestinal disorders appeared in preruminant calves previously sensitized to antigenic soya by feeding a soya-based milk replacer for 3 months. These calves were then equipped with wire electrodes on the duodenum and the mid-jejunum. The sensitization was visualized using direct skin testing, plasma anti-soya antibody determination and intestinal myoelectric activity recording. After sensitization, the calves were occasionally fed liquid test meals containing various proportions of antigenic soya and whey. The soya-fed calves displayed larger 24 h skin reactions to beta-conglycinin and higher plasma anti-soya antibody titres than the controls maintained on a skim-milk based milk replacer. Disturbances of the myoelectric activity patterns were recorded on the duodenum and mid-jejunum after feeding antigenic soya, but not non-antigenic soya or milk protein, in the soya-sensitized calves. When the level of antigens was varied, disorders in the jejunal motility patterns appeared when antigenic soya provided one-third or more of the dietary protein in the test meals, although some abnormalities were evident at lower incorporation rates. The major change was a reduction in the mean duration of the jejunal migrating motor complexes which was essentially accounted for by a decrease in the mean duration of the phase I (quiescence). This level of antigens corresponded approximately to 14 and 12 mg of immunoreactive glycinin and beta-conglycinin respectively, per gram of protein intake, i.e. 80 and 70 mg/kg0.75 per test meal.

B and T lymphocytes are enhanced in the gut of piglets fed heat-treated soyabean proteins

Gut immune responses have been suspected in food hypersensitivity reactions such as those to soyabean proteins in early-weaned piglets. The present study examines the lymphoid cell subset distribution in piglets fed heat-treated (HTSP) or ethanol-treated soyabean proteins (ETSP). Duodenal cryosections of 4-week-old HTSP piglets (n = 10) and ETSP piglets (n = 8) were analysed for IgA, IgM, IgG1 and IgG2 positive cells, CD2, CD4, CD8, WC1 T cell positive antigens using immunohistochemical peroxidase reactions. Densities of IgM+ and IgA+ cells were three times and, IgG1+ and IgG2+ six times higher in the lamina propria of HTSP piglets compared with ETSP (P < 0.05). Increased CD2+ T cells were accounted for by a rise in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets in the lamina propria (P < 0.01) as well as in the epithelium of the duodenal mucosa of piglets fed HTSP. The density of the WC1+ T cell subset in the epithelium was significantly higher in HTSP than in ETSP piglets (P < 0.01). Immune reactions in the duodenal mucosa, involving both B and T lymphocytes may be related to atrophy of the duodenal villi in HTSP piglets.

Hydrolyzed soy protein isolate sustains high nutritional performance in veal calves

Milk replacers containing skim milk powder or a mixture of whey and soy protein provided by a hydrolyzed soy protein isolate or a heated soybean flour were fed to 1-mo-old calves for 101 d. The isolate and the flour provided 56 and 72% of dietary proteins, respectively. Digestibility of feed constituents was measured between 9 to 14 d and 65 to 70 d of treatment. Digestive function was evaluated by measurement of ruminal pH, plasma kinetics of triglyceride and glucose concentrations, and xylose absorption. Antibody production was also recorded. Growth and carcass characteristics were satisfactory for the control diet and the diet based on soy isolate, partly because of high apparent digestibility of protein and lack of antibody synthesis in response to soy isolate. In contrast, protein from soybean flour was poorly digested and highly immunogenic. Ruminal pH at 2.5 h after the meal was unaffected by dietary treatments. Postprandial changes in concentrations of triglycerides and glucose in plasma suggested a lack of abomasal clotting with both diets based on soy. Xylose concentration in plasma was only slightly affected by dietary treatment and calf age. Hydrolyzed soy protein is suitable for veal calves and can account for at least half of protein intake.

In vivo and in vitro gastric emptying of milk replacers containing soybean proteins

Gastric digestion of three milk replacers for which protein was provided either exclusively by milk powder or partially (50%) by heated soybean flour or soybean protein concentrate was studied in vivo and in vitro. In vivo gastric emptying of protein fractions of the diets was measured in six preruminant calves fitted with reentrant duodenal cannulas and used in a double 3 x 3 Latin square design. In vitro gastric emptying was studied after hydrochloric acid and rennet digestion in an artificial stomach. In vivo and in vitro flow rates of 12% TCA-insoluble N and total N were higher for the soybean diets than for the milk protein diet, indicating that the incorporation of soybean protein prevented casein from clotting. Because of this faster gastric emptying, proteolysis in the stomach was reduced. However, gastric emptying of NPN (12% TCA-soluble N) was significantly decreased only in vitro. No difference existed between the two milk replacers containing either soybean flour or soybean protein concentrate. In vivo and in vitro results were correlated, suggesting that the in vitro method could be used to predict gastric digestion of protein fractions in vivo.

Implications of antinutritional components in soybean foods

There are a number of components present in soybeans that exert a negative impact on the nutritional quality of the protein. Among those factors that are destroyed by heat treatment are the protease inhibitors and lectins. Protease inhibitors exert their antinutritional effect by causing pancreatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia, which ultimately results in an inhibition of growth. The lectin, by virtue of its ability to bind to glycoprotein receptors on the epithelial cells lining the intestinal mucosa, inhibits growth by interfering with the absorption of nutrients. Of lesser significance are the antinutritional effects produced by relatively heat stable factors, such as goitrogens, tannins, phytoestrogens, flatus-producing oligosaccharides, phytate, and saponins. Other diverse but ill-defined factors appear to increase the requirements for vitamins A, B12, D, and E. The processing of soybeans under severe alkaline conditions leads to the formation of lysinoalanine, which has been shown to damage the kidneys of rats. This is not generally true, however, for edible soy protein that has been produced under milder alkaline conditions. Also meriting consideration is the allergenic response that may sometimes occur in humans, as well as calves and piglets, on dietary exposure to soybeans.

A comparison of the antigenicity of soya-bean-based infant formulas

1. The antigenicity of four soya-bean-based infant formulas (Prosobee powder, Prosobee liquid concentrate (Mead Johnson, Uxbridge, Middx), Wysoy (Wyeth, Maidenhead, Berks) and Formula S (Cow and Gate, Trowbridge, Wilts] was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) specific for glycinin and beta-conglycinin. Results were compared with in vivo assessments of antigenicity using guinea-pigs, rabbits and calves. 2. The levels of antigenic glycinin and beta-conglycinin in Wysoy and Formula S were below the limits of detection of the ELISA. Both these proteins were detected in Prosobee powder and Prosobee liquid concentrate with the highest levels, especially for glycinin, being present in Prosobee powder. 3. Wysoy was sufficiently antigenic to evoke a soya-bean-specific serum antibody response in rabbits injected with this formula emulsified in complete Freunds adjuvant. A significantly greater response was obtained when rabbits were similarly injected with Prosobee powder. 4. The formulas varied in their ability to sensitize guinea-pigs for both anaphylaxis and antibody production when given orally, although the differences were not statistically significant. Prosobee powder appeared to be the most antigenic and Formula S the least, with Prosobee liquid concentrate and Wysoy being intermediate. 5. Similar variations in antigenicity were observed when Prosobee powder, Wysoy and Formula S were fed to soya-bean-sensitive calves. These formulas were all capable of provoking intestinal disturbances (seen as increased ileal flow-rate, decreased small intestinal transit time and decreased nitrogen absorption) but the most severe reactions were seen when Prosobee powder was fed and the least with Formula S. 6. Thus the four soya-bean-based infant formulas showed considerable differences in antigenicity. In vivo studies using guinea-pigs, rabbits and calves were in good agreement and broadly correlated with the immunochemical assessment of antigenicity. However, the in vitro and in vivo results did not correspond exactly and levels of glycinin and beta-conglycinin below the limit of detection by ELISA could evoke an immune response in the different animal species. We believe that these variations in antigenicity of different commercial products prepared from isolated soya-bean protein may be important when interpreting the results from studies of the development of allergy in infants given soya-bean-based formulas.

Digestion of milk, fish and soya-bean protein in the preruminant calf: flow of digesta, apparent digestibility at the end of the ileum and amino acid composition of ileal digesta

1. Digesta were collected from eleven preruminant calves fitted with re-entrant (four calves in Expt 1 and three in Expt 2) or single cannulas (four calves in Expt 1) in the terminal ileum. Collection periods lasted 24 h (Expt 1) or 96 h (Expt 2). 2. Two milk-substitutes (fish and soya bean) and a control diet were given to the calves. In the control diet, protein was entirely provided by skim-milk powder. In the other two diets, protein was provided mainly by a partially hydrolysed white-fish protein concentrate or a soya-bean protein concentrate prepared by extracting soya-bean meal with hot aqueous ethanol. 3. In Expt 1, flow rates of fresh matter, dry matter, nitrogen and ash exhibited two maxima between 6 and 8 h after the morning meal and between 4 and 6 h (control and soya-bean diets) or 6 and 8 h (fish diet) after the evening meal. Minimum pH values were observed at times of maximum flow rate. Variations observed in the flow rates and pH values were larger with fish and especially soya-bean diets than with the control diet. 4. The apparent digestibility of the three diets in the terminal ileum was significantly higher in Expt 2 than in Expt 1: for N, the values were 0.92, 0.83 and 0.75 (Expt 1), and 0.94, 0.87 and 0.88 (Expt 2) with the control, fish and soya-bean diets respectively. 5. The amount of N apparently absorbed in the terminal ileum represented 90-96% of the amount that disappeared from the whole digestive tract in Expt 1 and 95-99% in Expt 2. 6. In Expt 1 the amino acid (AA) composition of digesta changed little with the flow rate when the calves were given the control diet (from 158 to 179 g glutamic acid/kg AA). With the fish and soya-bean diets the AA composition was similar to that observed with the control diet when the flow rate was minimum, but differences became apparent as the flow rate increased (281 and 161 g glutamic acid/kg AA for the soya-bean and control diets respectively with maximum flow rate). In Expt 2, the mean compositions of the digesta were very similar to the means obtained in Expt 1. 7. Different comparisons with dietary, endogenous and bacterial proteins indicated that for the three diets a common mixture containing approximately 65% endogenous and 35% bacterial proteins reached the terminal ileum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of protein source in calf milk replacers on morphology and absorptive ability of small intestine

Holstein calves were fed milk or one of four milk replacers with one-third of the total protein supplied by casein, soy protein concentrate, soy flour, or fish protein concentrate. The remainder of the protein in each replacer was from milk sources. Milk and milk replacers (13% solids) were fed at 10% of body weight daily. No dry feed or bedding was provided. Absorptive ability of small intestine was evaluated by xylose absorption test at 2-wk intervals. With calves under general anesthesia, a biopsy of small intestine was taken after each xylose test to examine morphological changes in mucosa by scanning electron microscopy. Villi were long, tapering, and uniform in calves fed milk. Calves fed casein had greater variation in size and conformation of villi. Gradual deterioration in villous integrity was seen in calves fed soy proteins. Calves fed fish protein concentrate performed poorly and had abnormal villi. Diets were changed to milk to test for reversal of effects after marked alterations in intestinal structure had been observed. Atrophy was reversed as villi returned toward normal size and shape within 2 wk after milk feeding began. The surgical procedure apparently did not cause harmful effects of villi. Absorption of xylose and daily gain were greater, and feces firmer, in calves fed milk than in those fed milk replacers.

Artificial rearing of pigs. 12. Effect of replacement of dried skim-milk by either a soya-protein isolate or concentrate on the performance of the pigs and digestion of protein

1. Pigs (sixteen/diet) were weaned at 2 d of age and given liquid diets (200 g dry matter/l) during a 26 d experiment. The pigs were fed on a scale based on live weight. Dried skim-milk was the only source of protein in diet U and was partially or totally replaced by a soya-bean isolate (diet B) or a concentrate (diets C and D). Soya-bean protein provided 500, 700 or 350 g/kg total crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25) in diets B, C and D respectively. 2. Performance was similar for diets B and D, but poorer than that of pigs given diet U. The apparent digestibility and retention of N of these diets was similar. Pigs given diet C scoured severely and twelve died. 3. Protein digestion was studied in pigs given diets U, B and D, killed at 28 d of age, at the termination of the feeding experiment. The dry matter content and proportion of N in the digesta in the stomach were reduced in pigs given soya-bean protein. Pepsin concentrations in digesta and stomach tissue were unchanged. 4. The concentrations of trypsin and chymotrypsin in the pancreas were greater in pigs given the soya-bean protein concentrate compared with milk protein, but only the increase in trypsin was significant (P less than 0.01). Digesta from the small intestine of pigs given the soya-bean-protein isolate contained less chymotrypsin (P less than 0.05). There were no differences in the proportion of non-protein-N in the total N in the digesta, suggesting that proteolysis of the milk and soya-bean proteins were equally by 28 d of age.

Prediction of the suitability of soya-bean products for feeding to preruminant calves by an in-vitro immunochemical method

1. An immunochemical test for predicting the suitability of different soya-bean products for feeding to preruminant calves was studied. Calves fitted with abomasal and re-entrant ileal cannulas, were first given a series of feeds containing heated soya-bean flour and two with casein as the protein source, and then given further test feeds in which different experimental soya-bean products, prepared under conditions which might be used commercially, provided the nitrogren source. These products (Q, R, S and T) were prepared respectively by extracting fat-free soya-bean flour with aqueous ethanol at 960, 650, 650 and 550 ml/l and at 60, 60, 78 and 78° and then treating the residue with steam for 30 min.

2. After infusion of a test feed into the abmasum measurements were made of transit time through the small intestine, flow-rate of ileal digesta, recovery of polyethylene glycol (a water-soluble marker added to the feed) and net N absorption up to the distal ileum. Glycinin and β-conglycinin, antigenic constituents of soya-bean protein, were determined in saline (9 g sodium chloride/l) extracts of soya-bean products by haemagglutination inhibition assay.

3. After calves had been given a series of four feeds containing heated soya-bean flour, they showed hypersensitivity to the flour by developing disturbances in digesta movement and N uptake. When experiments were made to compare the effects of giving feeds based on casein with those containing products R, S and T it was shown that some differences in transit times and flow-rates of digesta through, and N absorption from, the small intestine occurred. Disturbances were, however, much less than those observed with product Q feeds.

4. Haemaggultination inhibition assay of products Q, R, S and T gave titres (log2 reciprocal of highest dilution of saline extract inhibiting agglutination) of 12, 5, 3 and 2 for glycinin and 13, 3, 3 and 2 for β-conglycinin respectively. After steam treatment only product Q gave measurable titres; 10 and 11 for glycinin and β-conglycinin respectively.

5. It is concluded that the haemagglutination inhibition assay is a suitable in vitro method of indicating whether soya-bean products given in liquid feeds to preruminant calves will cause gastrointestinal allergic reactions. Furthermore, results show that the removal of deleterious factors from soya-bean meal by treating with ethanol, is critically dependent on the proportion of water present in the ethanol and the temperature of the treatment.