Determination of Chicken Body Composition Measured by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

Linear and nonlinear models for assessing carcass composition using dual X-ray absorptiometry in egg- and meat-type chickens

The objective of this study was to develop appropriate correction equations for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for total carcass composition of live meat- and egg-type chickens. Linear (bivariate linear and multivariate linear) and nonlinear (polynomial, multivariate polynomial, broken-line and Gompertz) equations were used to estimate carcass composition of DXA-scanned birds based on chemical proximate analysis. A total of 288 laying females (10-30 wk of age) and 305 broiler breeder females (4-32 wk of age) were used. The same birds scanned by DXA were dissected and utilized for whole-body proximate chemical analysis for body lean, fat, and mineral content (ash). As indicators of carcass fat and lean, abdominal fat pad and breast muscle weights were also recorded. Models were evaluated using root mean square error (RMSE), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), coefficient of determination (R2), Durbin Watson test for autocorrelation (DW), and residuals observation (RES). Model estimations were done separately by strain or combined. Estimations of composition responses fit at least 1 of each linear and nonlinear models for the egg- and meat-type chickens on all parameters estimated (P < 0.05). In the egg-type chickens, multivariate linear regression was the best fit for body lean with the lowest RMSE and BIC, and highest R2 whereas body fat, body ash, and breast muscle were best predicted by the multivariate polynomial model. In the meat-type chickens, body lean was best predicted by the multivariate linear model with the lowest RMSE and BIC, and the highest R2 whereas the multivariate polynomial was the most parsimonious model for body fat, body ash, and abdominal fat. Positive autocorrelations were observed in several models tested for body fat, body ash, breast muscle, and abdominal fat pad when both strains were analyzed combined (P < 0.05). In summary, a strain-based correction is recommended to all the parameters, with exception of the BW estimation. Correction equations developed in this study demonstrated that the DXA technique is a reliable alternative to proximate chemical analysis in egg- and meat-type chickens.

Effects of phytase supplementation on broilers fed with calcium and phosphorus-reduced diets, challenged with Eimeria maxima and Eimeria acervulina: influence on growth performance, body composition, bone health, and intestinal integrity

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of phytase in calcium (Ca) and available phosphorous (avP)-reduced diet on growth performance, body composition, bone health, and intestinal integrity of broilers challenged with Eimeria maxima and Eimeria acervulina. A total of 672 14-day-old male broilers were allocated to a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with 6 replicates per treatment and 14 birds per replicate. Two factors were Eimeria challenge and 4 dietary treatments: 1) a positive control (PC; 0.84% Ca and 0.42% avP); 2) a negative control (NC; 0.74% Ca and 0.27% avP); 3) NC + 500 FTU/Kg of phytase (NC + 500PHY); and 4) NC + 1,500 FTU/Kg of phytase (NC + 1500PHY). On d 14, birds in the Eimeria-challenged groups received a solution containing 15,000 sporulated oocysts of E. maxima and 75,000 sporulated oocysts of E. acervulina via oral gavage. At 5 d postinoculation (DPI), the challenged birds showed a higher (P < 0.01) FITC-d level than the unchallenged birds. While the permeability of the NC group did not differ from the PC group, the phytase supplementation groups (NC + 500PHY and NC + 1500PHY) showed lower (P < 0.05) serum FITC-d levels compared to the NC group. Interaction effects (P < 0.05) of Eimeria challenge and dietary treatments on feed intake (FI), mucin-2 (MUC2) gene expression, bone ash concentration, and mineral apposition rate (MAR) were observed. On 0 to 6 and 0 to 9 DPI, Eimeria challenge decreased (P < 0.01) body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), FI, bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone area, fat free bone weight (FFBW), bone ash weight, bone ash percentage and bone ash concentration; and it showed a higher FCR (P < 0.01) compared to the unchallenged group. The reduction Ca and avP in the diet (NC) did not exert adverse effects on all parameters in birds, and supplementing phytase at levels of 500 or 1,500 FTU/Kg improved body composition, bone mineralization, and intestinal permeability, with the higher dose of 1,500 FTU/Kg showing more pronounced enhancements. There was an observed increase in FI (P < 0.01) when phytase was supplemented at 1,500 FTU/Kg during 0 to 6 DPI. In conclusion, results from the current study suggest that dietary nutrients, such as Ca and avP, can be moderately reduced with the supplementation of phytase, particularly in birds infected with Eimeria spp., which has the potential to save feed cost without compromising growth performance, bone health, and intestinal integrity of broilers.

Application of bioelectrical impedance analysis to assess body composition of male and female broiler chickens from 2 different strains throughout the growth period

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed in males and females of 2 different broiler strains from 0 to 42 d of age to develop and validate equations to predict body composition (BC). A total of 528 birds, 132 birds per sex and strain (Ross 308 and Cobb 500) were used in the experiment. Birds were fed ad libitum following CVB recommendations with a common starter (0-14 d), grower (15-29 d), and finisher diet (30-42 d). Bioelectrical impedance analysis was measured weekly from 0 to 42 d. Birds were euthanized, frozen and ground for sample collection. Each sample was analyzed through proximate analysis for dry matter (DM), protein, fat, ash, and energy content. Water (%), protein and ash (% DM) decreased with age (77.5-67.5, 69.1-52.2, and 8.12-7.29, respectively; P < 0.0001); whereas fat (% DM) and energy (cal/g DM) increased with the age (20.7-36.4 and 5,421-6151, respectively; P < 0.0001). Males had significantly higher water (%) and protein (% DM) contents, and lower lipid (% DM) deposits than females (70.5, 55.5, and 32.6 vs. 69.6, 54.6, and 33.7, respectively; P < 0.0001). Cobb 500 had a higher fat and lower protein (% DM) and water (%) content than Ross (34.6, 54.0, and 69.7 vs. 31.7, 56.1, and 70.4, respectively; P < 0.0001). A multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to select the equation model to predict BC using the relative mean prediction error (RMPE, %) to evaluate the accuracy. The coefficients of determination (R2) to estimate water (%), protein, fat, ash (% DM) and energy content (cal/g DM) were 0.909, 0.825, 0.795, 0.493, and 0.838, respectively, and the RMPE were 1.26, 3.46, 7.73, 8.85, and 1.86%, respectively. A t test analysis was run, observing no differences in any of the parameters under study between the analyzed and estimated values. Based on these results, we can conclude that BIA can be used as a valid non-invasive technique to estimate in vivo BC in broilers.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: an effective approach for predicting broiler chicken body composition

Two trials were carried out to develop and validate linear regression equations for body composition prediction using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). In Trial 1, 300 Cobb500 male chickens raised from 1 to 42 d of age were scanned in DEXA to estimate total weight, fat mass, soft lean tissue (SLT) mass, bone mineral content (BMC), and fat percentage. DEXA estimates were compared to body ash, crude fat, SLT (sum of protein and water) and scale body weight. The dataset was split, with 70% used for prediction equations development and 30% for testing, and the 5k-fold cross-validation analysis was used to optimize the equations. The R2, mean absolute error (MAE), and root-mean-squared error (RMSE) were used as precision and accuracy indicators. A negative correlation (ρ = -0.27) was observed for ash content, while no correlation was observed for protein content (P > 0.05). Predictive linear equations were developed to assess broiler weight (R2 = 0.999, MAE = 25.12, RMSE = 38.99), fat mass (R2 = 0.981, MAE = 13.87, RMSE = 21.28), ash mass (R2 = 0.956, MAE = 3.98, RMSE = 5.61), SLT mass (R2 = 0.997, MAE = 35.73, RMSE = 52.45), water mass (R2 = 0.997, MAE = 29.56, RMSE = 43.94), protein mass (R2 = 0.989, MAE = 12.94, RMSE = 19.05), fat content (R2 = 0.855, MAE = 0.81, RMSE = 1.05), SLT content (R2 = 0.658, MAE = 1.01, RMSE = 1.28), and water content (R2 = 0.678, MAE = 0.99, RMSE = 1.27). All equations passed the test. In Trial 2, 395 Cobb500 male chickens were raised from 1 to 42 d of age and used for validation of prediction equations. The equations developed for weight, fat mass, ash mass, SLT mass, water mass, and protein mass were validated. In conclusion, DEXA was found to be an effective approach for measuring the body composition of broilers when using predictive equations validated in this study for estimate calibration.

Energy utilization and requirement of broiler breeders during the production phase

This study aimed to evaluate energy utilization and propose models for metabolizable and net energy requirements in broiler breeders during the egg production phase. Sixty Cobb500 broiler breeders aged between 29 and 65 wk were randomly assigned to 3 feeding levels. At each age, 6 birds were adapted for 8 d to 3 levels of metabolizable energy intake (MEi), established based on the amount of feed allocated: 1) the amount of feed recommended in the guideline, 2) 25% above, and 3) 25% below. The birds were housed in respirometry chambers for 6 d (1 adaptation, 4 feeding state, 1 fasting) to measure oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production to calculate heat production (HP) and fasting HP (FHP). Daily measurements of feed intake, egg weight, egg production, and total excreta were recorded. Variables of MEi, HP, and retained energy (RE) in the egg were calculated, while RE in the body and its partitioning into fat and protein in the egg and body were calculated from MEi, total HP (THP), and RE in the egg. Statistical analysis involved linear regression of multiple factors with MEi and age (categorical) as the independent variables. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between visceral mass and the evaluated variables. The study proposed mixed models for developing models of energy requirements for both metabolizable (ME) and net systems (NE). The study found that FHP (average 259 ± 20.08 kJ/kg0.75*d) remained constant throughout the production cycle regardless of the MEi level (P > 0.05). The efficiency of energy utilization for depositing protein and fat in the body changed with the bird's age. The lower error model was considered to select ME requirements for maintenance, egg, and gain efficiencies, disregarding the effect of age. The efficiencies were 0.89, 0.78, and 0.80 for maintenance, gain, and egg production, respectively. The NE was unaffected by age and showed a lower error than the ME model. The NE system was found to be more accurate in expressing the energy requirements of broiler breeders.

Official Position of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism (ABRASSO) on the evaluation of body composition by densitometry-part II (clinical aspects): interpretation, reporting, and special situations

OBJECTIVE

To present an updated and evidence-based guideline for the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess body composition in clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This Official Position was developed by the Scientific Committee of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism (Associação Brasileira de Avaliação Óssea e Osteometabolismo, ABRASSO) and experts in the field who were invited to contribute to the preparation of this document. The authors searched current databases for relevant publications in the area of body composition assessment. In this second part of the Official Position, the authors discuss the interpretation and reporting of body composition parameters assessed by DXA and the use of DXA for body composition evaluation in special situations, including evaluation of children, persons with HIV, and animals.

CONCLUSION

This document offers recommendations for the use of DXA in body composition evaluation, including indications, interpretation, and applications, to serve as a guiding tool in clinical practice and research for health care professionals in Brazil.

Effect of feed restriction on the maintenance energy requirement of broiler breeders

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the ad libitum and restricted feeding regimen on fasting heat production (FHP) and body composition.

Methods

Twelve Hubbard broilers breeders were selected with the same body weight and submitted in two feeding regimes: Restricted (T1) with feed intake of 150 g/bird/d and ad libitum (T2). The birds were randomly distributed on the treatments in two runs with three replications per treatment (per run). The birds were adapted to the feed regimens for ten days. After that, they were allocated in the open-circuit chambers and kept for three days for adaptation. On the last day, oxygen consumption (VO₂) and carbon dioxide production (VCO₂) were measured by 30 h under fasting. The respiratory quotient (RQ) was calculated as the VCO₂/VO₂ ratio, and the heat production (HP) was obtained using the Brower equation (1985). The FHP was estimated throughout the plateau of HP 12 hours after the feed deprivation. The body composition was analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning at the end of each period. Data were analyzed for one-way analysis of variance using the Minitab software.

Results

The daily feed intake was 30 g higher to T2 (p<0.01) than the T1. Also, the birds of the T2 had significatively (p<0.05) more oxygen consumption (+3.1 L/kg^0.75/d) and CO₂ production (+2.2 L/kg^0.75/d). That resulted in a higher FHP 359±14 kJ/kg^0.75/d for T2 than T1 296±17.23 kJ/kg^0.75/d. In contrast, the RQ was not different between treatments, with an average of 0.77 for the fasting condition. In addition, protein and fat composition were not affected by the treatment, while a tendency (p<0.1) was shown to higher bone mineral content on the T1.

Conclusion

The birds under ad libitum feeding had a higher maintenance energy requirement but their body composition was not affected compared to restricted feeding.

Factors affecting energy metabolism and evaluating net energy of poultry feed

Different energy evaluating systems have been used to formulate poultry diets including digestible energy, total digestible nutrients, true metabolizable energy, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), and effective energy. The AME values of raw materials are most commonly used to formulate poultry diets. The net energy (NE) system is currently used for pig and cattle diet formulation and there is interest for its application in poultry formulation. Each energy evaluating system has some limitations. The AME system, for example, is dependent on age, species, and feed intake level. The NE system takes AME a step further and incorporates the energy lost as heat when calculating the available energy for the production of meat and eggs. The NE system is, therefore, the most accurate representation of energy available for productive purposes. The NE prediction requires the accurate measurement of the AME value of feed and also an accurate measurement of total and fasting heat production using nutritionally balanced diets. At present, there is limited information on NE values of various ingredients for poultry feed formulation. The aim of this review is to examine poultry feed energy systems with the focus on the NE system and its development for chickens.

Predicting nutrient digestibility and energy value for broilers

Digestibility coefficients of nutrients, metabolizable energy (ME), net energy (NE) and the ratio of NE to ME (NE/ME) of 20 diets were measured in broiler chickens (1 to 21 d). Dietary nutrients were formulated to keep similar ME/nutrient ratios, except for dietary protein, fat, and fiber using corn, soybean meal, animal protein blend, barley, poultry oil and an enzyme mixture of xylanase, glucanase, and phytase. Digestibility coefficients of nutrients and ME were measured in battery cages under free-access of feed, while NE was measured in floor pens feeding 75% of recommended ME intake each day. NE for maintenance was calculated on basis of mean metabolic weight using a coefficient from a previous study and NE for gain was calculated by body protein and fat gains using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Digestibility coefficients of protein and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were curvilinearly related to dietary protein and NDF, respectively, while digestibility coefficients of fat and starch were linearly correlated to dietary fat and starch, respectively. The inclusion of enzymes increased the digestion coefficient of NDF to predict the digestibility of protein, NDF, fat, and starch. MEn/gross energy ratio averaged 72.5% and was correlated to protein, fat, NDF, and starch. ME values were accurately predicted from chemical characteristics, where best equations were obtained from digestible nutrients. Energetic efficiencies of ME were 72% (NE/MEn) and 68% (NE/ME) and varied by about 20 and 18%, respectively. Ratios of energetic efficiency were 68% for digestible carbohydrates; 86% for digestible fat; and 76% (NE/MEn) and 59% (NE/ME) for digestible protein. According to the lowest residual standard deviation the best nutrient components to predict energy were digestible nutrients for predicting ME values (41 kcal/kg); digestible protein intake, fecal organic matter, and body fat and protein for predicting heat increment values (111 kcal/kg); and combination of ME and crude nutrient for predicting NE values (140 kcal/kg).

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is a reliable non-invasive technique for determining whole body composition of chickens

In this study, a Lunar Prodigy dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanner was validated as a technique to estimate chicken body composition in a non-invasive way. Former research has emphasized the importance of validation of every scanner and software version. In a first trial, DEXA estimated body composition for broilers was correlated with chemical carcass analysis to develop prediction equations. As such, those equations can be used in later experiments with chickens to correct DEXA estimations to estimate body composition accurately by DEXA. DEXA estimated fat mass, lean tissue mass, bone mineral content (BMC) and total body mass, which is the sum of fat, lean mass and BMC, were compared to chemically analyzed crude fat, lean mass as the sum of protein and water and body ash content and scale body weight, respectively. Those regression equations were then used in a second trial to determine body composition based upon DEXA for breeders at different ages. In this experiment, fat and lean tissue determined by DEXA, were compared to dissection parameters commonly used for assessing carcass quality, namely breast muscle and abdominal fat. The first trial showed that DEXA provides high correlations for body mass (ρ = 1) and the individual tissue masses separately (ρ ranging between 0.98 and 1). These high correlations allow for accurate prediction of those components with the developed regression equations. Proportional fat and lean tissue were correlated with their chemical counterparts, however, to a lower extent than absolute values due to lower variation between the proportional weights. BMC percentage was not significantly correlated with ash percentage. Furthermore, in trial 2 high correlations were observed between dissection parameters and DEXA-corrected estimations. These correlations show that DEXA can assess carcass quality in breeders without sacrificing the birds. In conclusion, DEXA is a reliable technique to estimate breeder and broiler body composition in a non-invasive way, hence allowing for longitudinal studies over longer periods of time while avoiding sacrificing of birds.

The dynamics of body composition and body energy content in broilers

Body composition (BC) analysis is important because the modern broiler is one of the most efficient animals in producing protein for human consumption, and a proper nutrition could potentiate this meat production. BC by chemical analysis was analyzed in 151 broilers from 1to 60 d of age. Birds were fed mash feeds ad libitum in four phases (starter 1 to 14d, grower 15 to 28 d, finisher 29 to 42 d, and withdrawal 43 to 60 d). Gompertz 3P model, multiple linear regression, and CRD with ANOVA analysis were used in the experimental design using JMP pro 2015. The growth in terms of body weight, protein, fat, minerals (Ca and P) followed a Gompertz 3P model with similar growth rates of about 4.9% per day and the maximum growth was obtained at about 34 d of age. Body weight ranged from 56 to 4184 g, water from 683 to 751 g/kg, protein from 154 to 182 g/kg, fat from 53 to 101 g/kg, minerals (ash) from 17.9 to 22.5 g/kg (AS IS basis). Broiler protein ranged from 563 to 613 g/kg, fat 197 to 317 g/kg, minerals 65.2 to 86.6 g/kg, calcium 11.7 to 18.9 g/kg, and phosphorus 10.3 to 15.3 g/kg dry matter (DM) basis. The calorific coefficients for protein and fat were determined by multiple regressions and resulted in 5.45 ± 0.09 kcal/g for protein and 8.95 ± 0.16 kcal/g for fat. These two coefficients can be used to predict the body energy content or energy of gain. The protein: fat ratio was the highest at day 1 and decreased gradually until day 60. The BC in terms of water, protein, and fat changes with age, water being reduced and protein and fat increased towards d60. Mineral composition remained constant at the end of growth but some fluctuations occurred during the grower period. The understanding of the dynamics of BC will bring new opportunities to study and change feed strategies and increase the feed efficiency for meat in the modern broiler.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry is a valid tool for assessing in vivo body composition of broilers

The use of non-invasive techniques to estimate body composition in animals in vivo conforms to the desire to improve the welfare of animals during research and also has the potential to advance scientific research. The purpose of the present study was to determine a predictive equation of the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method for broilers by comparing the measurement of body composition using DXA with that by chemical analysis. In total, 720 day-old Cobb500 broilers were distributed into a split-plot arrangement 3 (crude protein concentrations of diets) × 2 (genders) × 2 (methods of chemical body evaluation), with six replications of 20 birds each. To promote the modification of the body composition of broilers, diets varied in the crude protein concentration, which was 70%, 100% and 130% of the required. Two hundred and sixteen birds in different ages were evaluated by its bodyweight, lean, fat and ash contents. The data were submitted to ANOVA and it was demonstrated that the dietary crude protein levels applied allowed a greater variation of the body composition of the birds. Also, the results indicated that the DXA method did not predict fat mass, lean mass or bone mineral content as well as did chemical composition analysis, resulting in the need to develop regression equations for improving the in vivo prediction of these chemical components. The regression equations developed here enable the feather-free body composition of individual broilers to be directly estimated throughout growth using the DXA non-invasive technique.

The effect of sexual maturity and egg production on skeletal muscle (pectoralis major and gastrocnemius) protein turnover in broiler breeder pure lines

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sexual maturity on pectoralis major and gastrocnemius muscle protein turnover in broiler breeder pure lines. Protein turnover in skeletal muscle tissue was determined in 4 broiler breeder pure lines (Line A, Line B, Line C and Line D) at 22, 27, 33, 37, 44, and 50 wk of age. A completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement 4 × 6 (4 lines and 6 time periods (ages)) was used. There were 5 replicates per line/time and each hen represented a replicate. Five hens/line at each age were given an intravenous flooding-dose of 15N-phenylalanine (150 mM, 40 atom percent excess (APE) at a dose of 10 mL/kg. After 10 min, birds were euthanized using CO2 asphyxiation and the breast and leg muscle excised and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen for protein turnover analysis. Excreta was collected from each breeder for 3-methyl histidine (3-MH) analysis. There was a significant age effect for the breast muscle fractional synthesis rate (FSR), but no main effects (age and line) for leg muscle FSR. The FSR in breast muscle tissue decreased in hens from wk 22 (first egg) to wk 33 (peak egg production). There was a significant age effect on fractional breakdown rate (FBR) in breast and leg muscle. The FBR in breast muscle increased in hens from wk 22 to wk 33 and remained high through wk 37. Breast muscle FBR significantly decreased in hens from wk 37 to wk 50. The FBR in leg muscle tissue increased in hens from wk 33 to wk 37 and then decreased at wk 50. No line effect was seen for FSR or FBR. There is a large increase in skeletal muscle FBR during the transition for the pullet to sexual maturity with increases in skeletal muscle FBR in the breast and leg muscle through peak egg production. Protein turnover in skeletal muscle tissue is believed to be a source of nutrients for egg production.

Non-invasive methods for the determination of body and carcass composition in livestock: dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound: invited review

The ability to accurately measure body or carcass composition is important for performance testing, grading and finally selection or payment of meat-producing animals. Advances especially in non-invasive techniques are mainly based on the development of electronic and computer-driven methods in order to provide objective phenotypic data. The preference for a specific technique depends on the target animal species or carcass, combined with technical and practical aspects such as accuracy, reliability, cost, portability, speed, ease of use, safety and for in vivo measurements the need for fixation or sedation. The techniques rely on specific device-driven signals, which interact with tissues in the body or carcass at the atomic or molecular level, resulting in secondary or attenuated signals detected by the instruments and analyzed quantitatively. The electromagnetic signal produced by the instrument may originate from mechanical energy such as sound waves (ultrasound - US), 'photon' radiation (X-ray-computed tomography - CT, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry - DXA) or radio frequency waves (magnetic resonance imaging - MRI). The signals detected by the corresponding instruments are processed to measure, for example, tissue depths, areas, volumes or distributions of fat, muscle (water, protein) and partly bone or bone mineral. Among the above techniques, CT is the most accurate one followed by MRI and DXA, whereas US can be used for all sizes of farm animal species even under field conditions. CT, MRI and US can provide volume data, whereas only DXA delivers immediate whole-body composition results without (2D) image manipulation. A combination of simple US and more expensive CT, MRI or DXA might be applied for farm animal selection programs in a stepwise approach.

Characterization of dietary energy in Swine feed and feed ingredients: a review of recent research results

Feed is single most expensive input in commercial pork production representing more than 50% of the total cost of production. The greatest proportion of this cost is associated with the energy component, thus making energy the most important dietary in terms of cost. For efficient pork production, it is imperative that diets are formulated to accurately match dietary energy supply to requirements for maintenance and productive functions. To achieve this goal, it is critical that the energy value of feeds is precisely determined and that the energy system that best meets the energy needs of a pig is used. Therefore, the present review focuses on dietary supply and needs for pigs and the available energy systems for formulating swine diets with particular emphasis on the net energy system. In addition to providing a more accurate estimate of the energy available to the animal in an ingredient and the subsequent diet, diets formulated using the this system are typically lower in crude protein, which leads to additional benefits in terms of reduced nitrogen excretion and consequent environmental pollution. Furthermore, using the net energy system may reduce diet cost as it allows for increased use of feedstuffs containing fibre in place of feedstuffs containing starch. A brief review of the use of distiller dried grains with solubles in swine diets as an energy source is included.