SUMMARYThe efficiency of utilization of the energy of the food by growing pigs of the Large White breed was measured. Ten diets had a digestible energy varying from 75·3 ± 0·91 to 85·7 + 0·81% and a metabolizable energy from 72·3± ·92 to 83·4±0·64% of the gross energy. Net energy was 85·2±3·20% of the metabolizable energy (ME).Regression calculations resulted in the following estimates: a maintenance requirement of 151 kcal ME for growing pigs weighing 9–58 kg and efficiencies of 66·7 and 100% for the utilization of ME for protein and fat accretion, respectively.Feeding regime (ad libitum or restricted at about 80% ad libitum) did not influence food utilization.
Eight Holstein heifers were subjected to experiments running over the entire pregnancy period to investigate the conversion of rations mainly made up of maize silage (85% of the ration's dry matter) by the experimental animals. Both digestible and metabolizable energy (ME) and the energy requirement were studied. The live weight (LW) of the heifers was found to rise linearly during the entire pregnancy period being 422 kg at service and reaching 565 kg at calving. Feed intake, referred to 1 kg live weight0.75, was almost constant until the 7th month of gestation and declined gradually until parturition. The degree of digestibility and metabolizability of the energy contained in the silage-bases rations prove equal over the whole gestation period. The energy required for maintenance and gravidity (y) was found to rise exponentially as pregnancy advance (t). This relationship is reflected by the equation: ME, kcal/kg LW0.75y=135+0.2590.0206t range of significance=+/-0.07 During the last two months of gestation, a negative energy balance was found. This negative energy balance corresponds with a negative fat balance and a reduction, of the respiratory quotient, a fact suggesting to the mobilisation of body fat reserves by the mother to cover the increased energy requirement during pregnancy. The protein balance was found continuously positive during the entire gestation period. The conversion of metabolizable energy for fetus development was found to be 8.13%.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.