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Feeding behavior, water intake, and energy and protein requirements of young Nellore bulls with different residual feed intakes.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine feeding behavior, water intake (WI), and energy requirements of high- and low-residual feed intake (RFI) Nellore bulls. Data were collected from 42 weaned Nellore bulls (initial body weight [BW] 260 ± 8.1 kg; age 7 ± 1.0 mo) housed in a feedlot in group pens that contained electronic feeders, waterers, and a scale connected to the waterers. The individual dry matter intake (DMI), WI, and BW were recorded daily. The indexes of average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (gain to feed ratio), and RFI were calculated based on the data collected. The number of feeder and waterer visits and the time spent feeding or drinking water per animal per day were recorded as feeding behavior measures. Energy requirements for maintenance and gain were calculated according to the BR-CORTE system. Low-RFI bulls had lower DMI (P < 0.01) than high-RFI bulls, and no differences (P > 0.05) were observed between the two groups regarding WI, performance, and feeding behavior measurements. The net energy requirements for maintenance, metabolizable energy for maintenance, and efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization were 63.4, 98.6 kcal/metabolic empty body weight (EBW)0.75 daily, and 64.3%, respectively, for low-RFI bulls, and 78.1, 123.9 kcal/EBW0.75 daily, and 63.0%, respectively, for high-RFI bulls. The equations obtained for net energy for gain (NEg) were: NEg (Mcal/EBW0.75) daily = 0.0528 × EBW0.75 × EBG0.5459 for low-RFI and 0.054 × EBW0.75 × EBG0.8618 for high-RFI bulls, where EBG is the empty body gain. We did not observe any difference (P > 0.05) regarding the composition of gain in terms of protein or fat deposition between the two groups. Both groups also presented similar (P > 0.05) carcass and non-carcass traits. Therefore, our study shows that low-RFI Nellore bulls eat less, grow at a similar rate, and have lower maintenance energy requirements than high-RFI bulls. We also suggest that the lower feed intake did not compromise the carcass traits of more efficient animals, which would reduce production costs and increase the competitiveness of the Brazilian beef sector on the world market.

SUBMITTER: Menezes ACB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7521826 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Residual feed intake (RFI) testing has increased selection pressure on biological efficiency in cattle. The objective of this study was to assess the association of the rumen microbiome in inefficient, positive RFI (p-RFI) and efficient, negative RFI (n-RFI) Brahman bulls grazing 'Coastal' bermudagrass [Cynodondactylon (L.) Pers.]under two levels of forage allowance (high and low stocking intensity). Sixteen Brahman bulls were previously fed in confinement for 70 d to determine the RFI phenotype. Bulls were then allotted 60 d stocking on bermudagrass pastures to estimate RFI using the n-alkane technique. At the conclusion of the grazing period, rumen liquid samples were collected from each bull by stomach tube to evaluate the rumen microbiome. Extraction of DNA, amplification of the V4-V6 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and 454 pyrosequencing were performed on each sample. After denoising the sequences, chimera checking, and quality trimming, 4,573 ± 1,287 sequences were generated per sample. Sequences were then assigned taxonomy from the Greengenes database using the RDP classifier. Overall, 67.5 and 22.9% of sequences were classified as Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, respectively. Within the phylum Bacteroidetes, Prevotella was the most predominant genus and was observed in greater relative abundance in p-RFI bulls compared with n-RFI bulls (P = 0.01). In contrast, an unidentified Bacteroidales family was greater in relative abundance for n-RFI bulls than p-RFI (26.7 vs. 19.1%; P = 0.03). Ruminococcaceae was the third most abundant family in our samples, but it was not affected by RFI phenotype. No effect of stocking intensity was observed for bacterial taxa, but there was a tendency for alpha diversity and operational taxonomic unit richness to increase with lower stocking intensity. Results suggested the rumen microbiome of p-RFI Brahman bulls has greater levels of Prevotella, but the bacterial community composition was unaffected by stocking intensity.

Project description:Two experiments were conducted: (1) to evaluate the effect of ensiling time and grain source on dietary nitrogen fractions; and (2) to verify the influence of concentrate level, processing method and grain source on intake, microbial efficiency, and digestibility by young Nellore bulls. In Experiment 1, corn and sorghum grains were milled, reconstituted to 35% moisture, and ensiled in a bag silo for 10 different times. There were three replications per ensiling time and grain source. Samples from each replication were analyzed in triplicate for total nitrogen (N), non-protein nitrogen (NPN), soluble N, insoluble N, and neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN). In Experiment 2, five Nellore bulls were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Four diets were comprised of 28.4% corn silage, 10.7% supplement, and 60.9% dry ground corn, dry ground sorghum, reconstituted and ensiled corn, or reconstituted and ensiled ground sorghum. An additional diet comprised of 45% corn silage, 10.7% supplement, and 44.3% dry ground corn (Roughage+) was used. Each experimental period lasted 22 days, with an adaptation period of 14 days followed by 5 days of total feces and urine collection and 3 days of collecting omasal samples. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. The reconstitution and ensiling process reduced (P < 0.05) the insoluble N fraction, increased (P < 0.05) non-protein nitrogen of corn and sorghum grains, tended (P = 0.052) to increase microbial efficiency, and increased (P < 0.05) intestinal and total digestion of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and starch. The concentrate level affected neither (P > 0.05) DM intake nor rumen pH. On the other hand, bulls fed diets based on 72% concentrate showed greater (P < 0.05) DM, OM, and CP digestibility compared with those fed a diet based on 55% concentrate. In addition, animals fed diets based on corn grains (both reconstituted and ensiled or dry) presented greater (P < 0.05) intestinal and total starch digestion compared to those fed sorghum grain. Therefore, the reconstitution process can reduce the insoluble N fraction and increase nutrient availability.

Project description:The objective of this study was to examine the relationships among ruminal microbial community, rumen morphometrics, feeding behavior, feedlot performance, and carcass characteristics of Nellore cattle, classified by residual feed intake (RFI). Twenty-seven Nellore yearling bulls with an initial body weight (BW) of 423.84 ± 21.81 kg were fed in feedlot for 107 d in individual pens to determine the RFI phenotype. Bulls were categorized as high RFI (>0.5 SD above the mean, n = 8), medium RFI (±0.5 SD from the mean, n = 9), and low RFI (<0.5 SD below the mean, n = 10). At harvest, whole rumen content samples were collected from each bull to evaluate ruminal microbial community, including bacteria and protozoa. The carcass characteristics were determined by ultrasonography at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period, and behavior data were collected on d 88. As a result of ranking Nellore bulls by RFI, cattle from low-RFI group presented lesser daily dry matter intake (DMI), either in kilograms (p < 0.01) or as percentage of BW (p < 0.01) than high-RFI yearling bulls, resulting in improved gain:feed (G:F). However, variables, such as average daily gain (ADG), final BW, hot carcass weight (HCW) and other carcass characteristics did not differ (p > 0.05) across RFI groups. The eating rate of either dry matter (DM )(p = 0.04) or neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (p < 0.01) was slower in medium-RFI yearling bulls. For ruminal morphometrics an RFI effect was observed only on keratinized layer thickness, in which a thinner layer (p = 0.04) was observed in low-RFI Nellore yearling bulls. Likewise, Nellore yearling bulls classified by the RFI did not differ in terms of Shannon's diversity (p = 0.57) and Chao richness (p = 0.98). Our results suggest that the differences in feed efficiency of Nellore bulls differing in phenotypic RFI should be attributed to metabolic variables other than ruminal microorganisms and epithelium, and deserves further investigation.

Project description:BackgroundResidual feed intake (RFI) is one measure of feed efficiency, which is usually obtained by multiple regression of feed intake (FI) on measures of production, body weight gain and tissue composition. If phenotypic regression is used, the resulting RFI is generally not genetically independent of production traits, whereas if RFI is computed using genetic regression coefficients, RFI and production traits are independent at the genetic level. The corresponding regression coefficients can be easily derived from the result of a multiple trait model that includes FI and production traits. However, this approach is difficult to apply in the case of multiple repeated measurements of FI and production traits. To overcome this difficulty, we used a structured antedependence approach to account for the longitudinality of the data with a phenotypic regression model or with different genetic and environmental regression coefficients [multi- structured antedependence model (SAD) regression model].ResultsAfter demonstrating the properties of RFI obtained by the multi-SAD regression model, we applied the two models to FI and production traits that were recorded for 2435 French Large White pigs over a 10-week period. Heritability estimates were moderate with both models. With the multi-SAD regression model, heritability estimates were quite stable over time, ranging from 0.14 ± 0.04 to 0.16 ± 0.05, while heritability estimates showed a U-shaped profile with the phenotypic regression model (ranging from 0.19 ± 0.06 to 0.28 ± 0.06). Estimates of genetic correlations between RFI at different time points followed the same pattern for the two models but higher estimates were obtained with the phenotypic regression model. Estimates of breeding values that can be used for selection were obtained by eigen-decomposition of the genetic covariance matrix. Correlations between these estimated breeding values obtained with the two models ranged from 0.66 to 0.83.ConclusionsThe multi-SAD model is preferred for the genetic analysis of longitudinal RFI because, compared to the phenotypic regression model, it provides RFI that are genetically independent of production traits at all time points. Furthermore, it can be applied even when production records are missing at certain time points.

Project description:Residual feed intake (RFI) is the difference between observed and predicted feed intake of an animal, based on growth and maintenance requirements. In Yorkshire pigs, divergent selection for increased (Low RFI) and decreased (High RFI) RFI was carried out over 10 generations (G) while feeding a corn- and soybean-meal-based, higher-energy, lower-fiber (HELF) diet. In G8 to G10, representing 4 replicates, barrows and gilts (n = 649) of the RFI lines were fed the HELF diet and a diet incorporating coproducts that were lower in energy and higher in dietary fiber (LEHF). The diets differed in ME, 3.32 vs. 2.87 Mcal/kg, and in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 9.4% vs. 25.9%, respectively. The impact of the LEHF diet on 1) performance and growth, 2) diet digestibility, 3) genetic parameter estimates, and 4) responses to selection for RFI, when fed the HELF, was assessed. In general, the LEHF diet reduced the performance of both lines. When fed the HELF diet, the Low RFI pigs had lower (P < 0.05) ADFI (-12%), energy intake (-12%), ADG (-6%), and backfat depth (-12%); similar (P > 0.05) loin muscle area (LMA; +5%); and greater (P < 0.05) feed efficiency (i.e., 8% higher G:F and 7% lower RFI) than the High RFI line. These patterns of line differences were still present under the LEHF diet but differences for ADFI (-11%), energy intake (-10%), G:F (+2%), and RFI (-6%) were reduced compared to the HELF diet. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of the HELF and LEHF diets was assessed using 116 barrows and gilts from G8. When fed the HELF diet, ATTD of DM, GE, N, and NDF were similar between lines (P ≥ 0.27), but when fed the LEHF diet, the Low RFI pigs had greater digestibility (7%, 7%, 10%, and 32%) than the High RFI line (P ≤ 0.04). To measure responses to selection for RFI and estimate genetic parameters, data from all 10 generations were used (HELF; n = 2,310; LEHF, n = 317). Heritability estimates of performance traits ranged from 0.19 to 0.63, and genetic correlations of traits between diets were high and positive, ranging from 0.87 (RFI) to 0.99 (LMA). By G10, RFI in the Low RFI line was 3.86 and 1.50 genetic SD lower than in the High RFI line when fed the HELF and LEHF diets, respectively. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that responses to selection for RFI when fed a HELF diet are not fully realized when pigs are fed an extremely LEHF diet. Thus, feeding diets that differ from those used for selection may not maximize genetic potential for feed efficiency.

Project description:Differences in chickens' feed intake may be the underlying factor influencing feed-efficiency (FE)-associated variation in intestinal microbiota and physiology. In chickens eating the same amount of feed, quantitative feed restriction may create similar intestinal conditions and help clarify this cause-and-effect relationship. This study investigated the effect of ad libitum versus restrictive feeding (85% of ad libitum) on ileal and cecal microbiota, concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, visceral organ size, intestinal morphology, permeability, and expression of genes related to nutrient uptake, barrier function, and innate immune response in broiler chickens with divergent residual feed intake (RFI; metric for FE). On day 30 posthatch, 28 low-RFI (good FE) and 29 high-RFI (poor FE) chickens across both feeding-level groups (n?=?112) were selected. Supervised multigroup data integration and relevance network analyses showed that especially Lactobacillus (negative) in ileal digesta, Turicibacter (positive) in cecal digesta, and Enterobacteriaceae (positive) in both intestinal segments depended on chicken's feed intake, whereas the level of Anaerotruncus in cecal digesta was most discriminative for high RFI. Moreover, shallower crypts and fewer goblet cells in ceca indicated host-related energy-saving mechanisms with low RFI, whereas greater tissue resistance suggested a stronger jejunal barrier function in low-RFI chickens. Values corresponding to feed intake level × RFI interactions indicated larger pancreas and lower levels of ileal and cecal short-chain fatty acids in restrictively fed high-RFI chickens than in the other 3 groups, suggesting host physiological adaptations to support greater energy and nutrient needs of high-RFI chickens compensating for the restricted feeding. IMPORTANCE The impact of the FE-associated differences in feed intake on intestinal bacterial and host physiological parameters has so far not been clarified. Understanding the underlying principles is essential for the development of cost-effective strategies to improve FE in chicken production. Under conditions of quantitative feed restriction, low- and high-RFI chickens ate the same amount of feed. Therefore, this research helps in distinguishing intestinal bacterial taxa and functions that were highly reliant on feed intake from those that were associated with physiological adaptations to RFI-associated differences in host nutritional needs and intestinal nutrient availability. This work provides a background for further research to assess manipulation of the intestinal microbiota, host physiology, and FE in chickens by dietary intervention.

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Feeding behavior, water intake, and energy and protein requirements of young Nellore bulls with different residual feed intakes.

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