The impact of rare earth elements on growth, energy-, carbon- and nitrogen-balance of piglets
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Date
2006Type
- Doctoral Thesis
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Abstract
Forty weaned barrows at the weight period of 9-56 kg were used to investigate the impact of dietary Rare Earth Elements citrate (REE) on their energy (GE), nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) balance. Furthermore, possible influence of REE on selected blood serum parameters and bone mineral content was determined and its properties as a growth promoter were evaluated. Three different additives were supplemented in a usual diet and fed ad libitum (150 ppm REE (EG1), 300 ppm REE (EG2) or 100 ppm sodium citrate (CO)). In two weight periods (20 kg (P1) and 50kg (P2)) piglets were set in indirect respiration calorimetry chambers for balance analyses, each time for 96 h. Blood samples were taken four times during the fattening period and after slaughtering the bones of the left metatarsus were collected for the assay of ash, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg). Supplementation of REE had no effect on daily weight gain. GE and N digestibility enhanced as well as feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased by 7% in piglets fed EG1 compared to CO. Furthermore EG1 barrows indicated a tendency to a 14% better nitrogen utilization and a 17% enhanced protein accretion during P2. Nutrient digestibility and FCR were not modified by EG2 diet. Blood parameters were not affected by REE intake. Metatarsi of piglets fed REE diet contained less Ca and exhibited a decreased Ca/P ratio compared to CO. Mg concentration in ash was reduced by feeding REE citrate compared to CO (13% in EG1 and 24% in EG2; P<0.001). Show more
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University of ZurichOrganisational unit
03198 - Wenk, Caspar
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