Impact of betaine on pig finishing performance and carcass composition

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of betaine supplementation of finishing diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics of swine. Experiment 1 included 288 pigs in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of barrows and gilts of two genetic populations fed diets with 1.25 g/kg supplemental betaine from either 83 or 104 kg to 116 kg and control pigs fed betaine-devoid diets. Pigs were housed three pigs per pen with eight replicate pens per treatment. Diets were corn-soybean meal-based with 300 ppm added choline. Genetic populations differed (P < 0.05) in fat depth (2.24 vs 2.93 cm) and longissimus muscle depth (53.8 vs 49.1 mm) at 116 kg. Betaine reduced feed intake (P < 0.05); however, real-time ultrasound measurements were not affected. In Exp. 2, 400 pigs were used in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to evaluate the effect of sex (barrow or gilts), betaine (0 or 1 g/kg of diet), and crude protein (CP) (0.70% lysine = 12.7% CP or 0.85% lysine = 15.0% CP) when fed from 60 to 110 kg live weight. Pigs had been assigned to either a high- or low-protein feeding regimen at an average initial weight of 11.3 kg and were maintained on their respective protein levels throughout the experiment. For a 56-d period from 61.7 kg to 113.6 kg, pigs were fed diets with 300 ppm added choline. Within each protein level, pigs were randomly assigned to diets containing 0 or 1 g/kg betaine. Pigs were group-housed (four to five pigs per pen). Pig weight and feed intake were recorded every 28 d. Real-time ultrasound measurements were recorded initially and at d 28 on 64 pigs, and on all pigs prior to slaughter. Growth rate was fastest and feed intake greatest for barrows (P < 0.05) and for pigs receiving 12.7% crude protein. A crude protein x betaine interaction (P < 0.05) was observed from d 28 to 56 with pigs fed the 15% CP diet growing fastest when supplemented with 1 g/kg betaine, and pigs receiving the 12.7% CP diet growing fastest when the diets contained 0 g/kg betaine. Gilts more efficiently (P < 0.05) converted feed into body weight gain, as did pigs receiving the 12.7% CP diet (P < 0.05). Longissimus muscle area and fat measurements were unaffected by betaine or dietary protein on d 28. However, by d 56 betaine reduced average fat depth in barrows (P < 0.05; 3.21 vs 3.40 cm), but not in gilts. Betaine may be more effective at altering body composition in barrows than in gilts.

Changes in pars esophageal tissue appearance of the porcine stomach in response to transportation, feed deprivation, and diet composition

Experiment 1 used 48 pigs to evaluate the effect of diet particle size, fat content, and a 24-h fast (FST) on pars esophageal (PE) tissue damage. Following a FST, a 750-microm, 550-microm, or 550-microm diet with 7.9% added fat was fed for 28 d. Additional pigs were fed the 550-microm fat-added diet with a FST every 7 d. The initial FST induced erosion (EROS) of the PE (P < .05). A 550-microm diet maintained the FST-induced EROS (P < .05). The 750-microm diet allowed the PE to heal. Sixteen pigs were used in Exp. 2 to evaluate transportation and FST-induced changes in PE. A FST following transportation induced keratinization (KERT) and EROS of the PE (P < .05). In Exp. 3, restraint and a FST followed by a 750-microm diet on PE was investigated using 48 pigs. A FST induced PE KERT and EROS, which was reduced to pre-FST levels ( P < .05) within 3 to 14 d by a 750-microm diet. In Exp. 4, 70 pigs were fed 750-microm or 550-microm diets following transportation and subsequent FST. Within 7 d, healing (P < .05) of FST-induced PE damage was observed with a 750-microm diet. A 550-microm diet maintained (P < .05) the transportation/FST-induced PE damage. Thirty pigs were used in Exp. 5 to investigate the effect of restraint for 24 h and FST on PE. A FST and the combination of restraint and FST induced similar levels of PE damage that were greater than pre-restraint/FST levels (P < .05).

Phytase-induced changes in mineral utilization in zinc-supplemented diets for pigs

Forty-eight pigs (barrows:gilts, 1:1) with an average initial weight of 9.4 kg were used in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment to determine the influence of dietary phytase (0 or 1,500 phytase units/kg) and zinc (0 or 100 mg/kg) supplementation of a corn-soybean meal diet on the utilization of P, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, and Zn. After a 21-d growth experiment, feed was withheld for 24 h and blood was collected from the anterior vena cava of all pigs for plasma mineral analyses. Twenty-four barrows from the growth experiment were then placed in metabolism cages and used in an 8-d mineral balance study. All pigs were maintained on their previous diet. Growth rate was fastest (P < .05) and feed efficiency was highest (P < .05) for pigs fed phytase-supplemented diets. Feed intake was unaffected (P > .05) by dietary treatment. Plasma P (P < .01) and Mg (P < .05) concentrations increased with phytase addition. Plasma Zn concentration increased (P < .05) when phytase was added to the diet containing no supplemental Zn, but plasma Zn concentration was not affected (P > .05) by phytase when the diet was supplemented with 100 mg of Zn/kg. Apparent Ca, P, and Cu balance were improved (P < .05) with phytase addition; however, Cu balance was reduced (P < .05) by Zn supplementation. Zinc balance was increased (P < .05) with supplemental zinc and phytase in the diet. These results indicate that the growth-promoting effect of phytase may be due to an overall increase in the availability of minerals.

Nutrient digestibility and growth performance of pigs fed pearl millet as a replacement for corn

Three experiments were conducted to determine the value of pearl millet grain, grown at either Purdue University or the University of Nebraska, as a substitute for corn in the diets of young pigs. In Exp. 1, 24 crossbred barrows, average initial weight of 20.7 kg, were used to evaluate nutrient digestibility of both sources of pearl millet compared with corn. Nitrogen digestibility was similar (P > .05) for corn and both sources of pearl millet. Energy and DM digestibilities were highest (P < .01) for corn, resulting in corn having a higher (P < .01) DE and ME value. Two 28-d feeding studies were conducted to evaluate the growth response of pigs when 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% of corn was replaced with pearl millet (Exp. 2, Nebraska millet; Exp. 3, Purdue millet) and an equal-weight basis in nursery (Exp. 2) and growing (Exp. 3) diets. Experiments were designed as 2 x 5 factorials of sex and dietary treatment. In Exp. 2, 60, 10-kg crossbred pigs (barrows:gilts, 1:1) were used. During the 14-d period after weaning, and over the entire 28-d experimental period, no effect (P > .05) of dietary treatment on growth rate or feed intake was observed. However, from d 14 to 28, a quadratic response (P < .05) in growth rate and feed intake were observed from incremental substitution of pearl millet for corn. In Exp. 3, 50 crossbred pigs (barrows:gilts, 1:1) with an average initial weight of 24.3 kg were used. Rate of BW gain, feed intake, and gain:feed ratio were not affected (P > .05) by dietary treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nitrogen utilization and lean growth performance of 20- to 50-kilogram pigs fed diets balanced for lysine:energy ratio

Two experiments were conducted to determine the lysine:DE ratio that would maximize nitrogen retention and lean growth in growing pigs. Diets were formulated to contain 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0 g of lysine/Mcal of DE at 3.5 and 3.75 Mcal of DE/kg of diet arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial. Experiment 1 used 48, 20-kg crossbred barrows in a nitrogen balance study. Feeding diets containing 3.75 Mcal of DE/kg of diet resulted in higher (P < .01) nitrogen digestibility and retention as well as higher energy and DM digestibility. In diets containing 3.5 Mcal of DE/kg, increasing the lysine:DE ratio had no effect on nitrogen retention, but an increase up to 3.0 g of lysine/Mcal of DE was observed at the 3.75 Mcal of DE level. In Exp. 2, 96 individually housed growing crossbred barrows and gilts were used to determine lean and growth performance to the diets fed in Exp. 1 in a 4 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Weight gain was unaffected by dietary treatment. A reduction (P < .01) in feed intake and an improvement (P < .05) in feed efficiency was observed as the DE level increased. Increasing the lysine:DE ratio to 3.0 to 3.5 g of lysine/Mcal of DE increased (P < .05) the rate of fat-free lean and empty body protein gain and the weight of fat-free lean at 50.9 kg increased (P < .01) with increasing lysine:DE ratio regardless of sex or energy level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Availability of amino acids for 10- to 20-kilogram pigs: lysine and threonine in soybean meal

The availabilities of lysine and threonine in soybean meal for 10- to 20-kg pigs were determined in two experiments using slope-ratio methodology. In the first experiment, a basal diet formulated to contain 6 g of lysine/kg, but adequate in all other amino acids, was supplemented with 1, 2, or 3 g of lysine/kg from either soybean meal or L-lysine-HCl. Each of the seven diets was available on an ad libitum basis to six individually penned pigs (barrows:gilts, 1:1) from an initial weight of 9.9 kg until they reached a live weight of 20.8 kg. Daily feed intake was similar among diets. Common-intercept multiple linear regression of daily live weight gain and gain:feed ratio on dietary lysine level indicate slope ratios (soybean meal:lysine.HCl) of .85 and .88, respectively. In Exp. 2, a basal diet formulated to contain 4 g of threonine/kg was supplemented with .65, 1.30, 1.95, or 2.60 g of threonine/kg from either soybean meal or L-threonine. Each of the nine diets was available on an ad libitum basis to six individually penned pigs (barrows:gilts, 1:1) from 9.9 to 21.0 kg live weight. As in Exp. 1, daily feed intake was similar among the nine diets. The slope ratios (soybean meal:L-threonine) from common-intercept multiple regression analyses were .73 and .78 for daily weight gain and gain:feed ratio, respectively. Thus, the availabilities of lysine and threonine in soybean meal for young pigs were estimated to be 85 to 88% and 73 to 78%, respectively.

Estrogen receptor status in inflammatory breast carcinoma

Sixteen women with a clinical diagnosis of inflammatory breast carcinoma had estrogen receptor analysis performed. Eleven of 16 were premenopausal. Median age of all patients was 46 years. All patients had estrogen receptor (ER) assay by either dextran charcoal method or by sucrose gradient method. Five patients were ER + ( greater than or equal to 10 fmol/mg cytosol protein) and 11 were ER -, with almost no binding at all. Response to therapy for metastatic disease using either hormones or chemotherapy was disappointing.

Influence of estrogen receptor status on response of metastatic breast cancer to aminoglutethimide therapy

Aminoglutethimide (AG) is an effective chemical ablative form of therapy for metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Estrogen receptor (ER) status in breast cancer is useful in predicting the response to the hormonal treatments. Of 134 postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer patients treated with AG, ER analysis was done in 63 patients, 52 of whom are now evaluable. ER biopsy was performed prior to Ag therapy in 61 patients, but the results were not known to the investigators. ER value greater than or equal to 10 fmol/mg cytosol protein was considered ER positive (ER+), 4-9.9 fmol/mg borderline, and less than 4 fmol/mg ER negative (ER-). In 38 ER+ patients, objective response rate was 50% (three complete response, 16 partial response) and eight stabilization. Median duration of objective response was 15 months. Forty-three percent of the patients with borderline estrogen receptor level responded objectively (three partial response) with the median duration of response eleven months. Fourteen percent of ER- patients responded objectively (one complete response). Hence the estrogen receptor level predicts response in ER+ and ER borderline patients treated with AG.