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Daily Weight Gain (daily + weight_gain)
Selected AbstractsAudit of feeding practices in babies <1200 g or 30 weeks gestation during the first month of lifeJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 7-8 2006Barbara E Cormack Aim: In 2002, the composition of the breast milk fortifier used in our hospital changed, giving increased protein and energy. We therefore decided to prospectively audit nutritional management in our unit and to compare nutritional intake and growth in our babies with published data. Methods: Data were prospectively collected over a 3-month period on infants <1200 g or 30 weeks gestation. Prescribed and delivered volumes of all parenteral and enteral fluids were recorded. Babies were weighed as per unit protocol. Results: Thirty-four infants met the audit criteria. Data are median (range). After the first week of life, energy and protein intakes were 147 (78,174) kcal/kg/day and 3.9 (2.1,4.8) g/kg/day respectively. Daily weight gain was 17 (,3.2,35.4) g/kg and was significantly associated with both energy and protein intakes (P < 0.001). However, standard deviation scores for weight fell from 0.15 (,1.9,2.0) at birth to ,1.0 (,2.9,0.8) by 36 weeks corrected age. Time to commencing enteral feeds was 1 (1,3) day and to full enteral feeds was 8 (5,28) days. One infant was diagnosed with necrotising enterocolitis and eight with chronic lung disease. Mean protein intake was significantly lower in babies with chronic lung disease (P = 0.005). Conclusion: Overall, nutritional intakes and weight gain in this cohort of babies lie within the recommended ranges, although protein intakes in the smallest babies are at the lower end of the range. Enteral feeds are introduced early and advanced rapidly, but we have a low incidence of necrotising enterocolitis. However, babies still fell across weight centiles, suggesting that actual intakes for these tiny babies may be inadequate. [source] Effect of D-mannitol on feed digestion and cecotrophic system in rabbitsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009Hamza HANIEH ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sugar alcohol as an energy source for cecal microbes on digestibility, cecotrophy (i.e. reingestion of microbial products of cecum, cecotrophs) and performance in rabbits. Thus, we fed rabbits an experimental diet that included 5% of D-mannitol, and collected hard feces and cecotrophs to be analyzed for crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract (EE), crude ash (CA) and dry matter (DM). Cecotrophic behavior of the rabbits was also observed. Feeding D-mannitol increased (P < 0.01) digestibility of ADF, resulting in a decrease (P < 0.05) in the concentration in hard feces. The increase (P < 0.05) in CP concentration was attributed to lower (P < 0.05) digestibility. D-mannitol had a similar modulatory effect on CP and ADF concentrations in hard feces and cecotrophs. Accordingly, estimations of the proportion of nutrients recycled by cecotrophy to dietary intake (PR), obtained by the two calculation methods, showed an increase (P < 0.01) in PR of CP and a decrease (P < 0.05) in that of ADF. Daily weight gain and feed efficiency increased (P < 0.05) for D-mannitol-fed rabbits, while daily feed intake decreased (P < 0.05). These results suggest the possibility of using D-mannitol as a stimulator of cecal microbial growth and cellulolytic activity, and therefore, improved rabbits performance. [source] Effect of weaning on behavior and serum parameters in dairy goat kidsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2008Cengiz ATASOGLU ABSTRACT This study aimed at investigating the effects of weaning kids abruptly at an average of 55 ± 13 days of age on intake, behavioral and serum parameters and, lasted for a total of six weeks; two weeks pre-weaning and four weeks post-weaning. Sixteen single kids with equal gender were used. Kids were only allowed to stay with their mothers for suckling (45 min/period) both in the morning and in the evening period during pre-weaning. Grower concentrate and hay were offered ad libitum. The duration of the study was divided into three periods for the sampling of behavioral and serum parameters; (i) pre-weaning period lasting for two weeks (P-BW) (ii) early post-weaning period lasting for one week (P-AW1) and (iii) late post-weaning period lasting for three weeks (P-AW2). Daily weight gain of kids gradually decreased as the observation period progressed (P = 0.001). However concentrate feed intake increased from 0.154 kg/day in P-BW to 0.479 kg/day in P-AW1 and 0.499 kg/day in P-AW2. Water intake, rumination and standing behaviors decreased in P-AW2 (P < 0.001), whereas activity towards concentrate feed (CF) (P < 0.001) and roughage (P = 0.012) increased as compared to P-BW and P-AW1. Abnormal oral activity was not affected by the periods (P = 0.906). CF was significantly higher in females (P = 0.003), whereas males displayed higher lying behavior (P = 0.007). Glucose, total protein, urea, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol concentrations (P = 0.001) and ALP activity (P = 0.003) were significantly affected by the periods. The results of the present study suggest that behavioral and serum parameters across the periods describe changes in the nutritional conditions as a result of the transition from milk to solid feed in association with weaning. [source] Effect of protein : energy ratio in milk replacers on growth performance of goat kidsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 5-6 2002K-H. YEOM Two separate experiments were carried out to establish the effects of the protein : energy ratio in milk replacers on growth performance, plasma lipid concentrations and fatty acid composition in adipose tissue of male goat kids. In the first experiment there were 211 3-day- old goat kids and in the second experiment there were 121 kids aged 3,7 days. The animals were fed ad libitum for a period of 4 weeks on milk replacers containing either 11.5 or 9.5 g crude protein/MJ metabolizable energy. In essence, protein was exchanged with fat on a weight basis. Milk concentrations were increased from 160 to 190 g/l in experiment 1, from 150 to 180 g/l in experiment 2. There were significant increases in body weight and feed intake when the milk replacer with high protein : energy ratio was fed. Group mean average daily weight gain was 168 and 203 g for the groups with low and high dietary protein : energy ratio in experiment 1; for experiment 2 the values were 139 and 160 g. Average dry matter intake was 18 and 14% higher for the diet with high protein : energy ratio in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. There was no change in either feed conversion (feed : gain ratio) or energy conversion (weight gain : energy intake ratio). There were no consistent diet effects on plasma lipid concentrations. Dietary fatty acid composition was reflected by that of adipose tissue. The milk replacer with high protein : energy ratio produced a small increase in the contents of myristic and palmitic acid in adipose tissue. [source] The effect of experimental inhibition of gastric acid secretion on curd formation in abomasum and weight gain of calvesANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010Keiji OKADA ABSTRACT Eight Holstein bull calves were divided into two groups; a non-treated control group and a famotidine treated group. Fresh milk was fed twice a day. The experiment was conducted between 7 and 14 days of age. During the experimental period the control group was injected with physiological saline, and the famotidine group was injected with famotidine, a histamine-H2-receptor blocker, into the jugular vein 30 minutes prior to each feeding. The control group showed maximum curd formation 2 h after feeding at both 7 and 14 days of age. Curd scores of 7-day-old and 14-day-old calves were significantly lower in the famotidine than in the control group at 2 and 4 h after feeding. Most fecal samples from the famotidine group exhibited an acidic smell. The famotidine group showed significantly lower values for both average weight gain and the rate of weight gain from 7 to 14 days of age. The inhibition of gastric acid secretion decreased curd formation in the abomasum as well as daily weight gain compared to non-treated control calves. This suggested that curd formation in the abomasum is important for the weight gain of newborn calves. [source] Prevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and porcine circovirus type 2 in piglets after weaning on a commercial pig farm in JapanANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010Kenichi SASAKI ABSTRACT To investigate the transition in concentration of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and antibody for these viruses in serum, serum samples were collected from 29 pigs on weaning day and at 7, 14, 21, 28, 53, 84, and 120 days after weaning. The concentration of circulated PRRSV and PCV2 in serum was measured by real-time RT-PCR and real-time PCR, respectively. The specific antibody for PRRSV and PCV2 was measured using ELISA. PRRSV was not detected on 0 days post-weaning (dpw). The specific antibody for PRRSV began to increase as the concentration of PRRSV in serum increased, and the level of PRRSV then tended to decrease. PCV2 was detected in 12 of 28 pigs on 0 dpw. The concentration of PCV2 and the specific antibody for PCV2 showed a similar tendency to those of PRRSV. The correlation analysis suggests that a decline in the daily weight gain coincided with an increase in the PRRSV concentration. Pigs with a higher antibody titer against PRRSV or PCV2 on 0 dpw showed the lower level of PRRSV or PCV2, respectively. [source] An insertion/deletion variant of a thymine base in exon 2 of the porcine beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene associated with loin eye muscle areaANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009Kensuke HIROSE ABSTRACT An insertion/deletion variant of a thymine base (T5 and T6) in exon 2 of porcine beta 3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) gene has been described. In the current study, we made an association study between the ADRB3 polymorphisms and production traits in 735 Duroc pigs. The allele frequencies for the T5 and T6 alleles in our study population were 0.433 and 0.567, respectively. Any associations between ADRB3 genotype and average daily weight gain during test period, or backfat thickness and intramuscular fat content were not detected in either sex. However the size of the loin eye muscle area (EMA) was significantly associated with ADRB3 genotypes in gilts. T6-homozygous gilts had a higher mean of EMA (40.6 ± 0.6 cm2) than T5-homozygous (38.1 ± 0.4 cm2, P = 0.002) and heterozygous (38.8 ± 0.3 cm2, P = 0.034) gilts. This association was not detected in males. In addition, a multiple traits animal model best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) analysis revealed that the T6-homozygous genotype had positive effects on breeding value of EMA. Accordingly, we suggest that ADRB3 polymorphism has the potential to be an important genetic marker for prediction of EMA in Duroc pigs. [source] Effects of ,Five freedoms' environmental enrichment on the welfare of calves reared indoorsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009Shigeru NINOMIYA ABSTRACT We provided comfortable resting areas in pens and tools for self-grooming and suppressing aggressive behavior for environmental enrichment in Japanese black and Japanese Shorthorn calves. At the start of the experiment, the black calves (n = 10) were 164 days old and 138 kg in weight, and the Japanese Shorthorn calves (n = 10) were 176 days old and 164 kg in weight. Calves of each breed were divided into two groups (the enrichment group and the non-treatment group), and each group was housed in a 4 m × 7.2 m pen. The effect of enrichment on calf welfare was estimated on the basis of daily weight gain and behavior. The brush stimulated the grooming behavior in calves although the mean time of using the brush decreased during the experiment. The partition of the feed trough and the wooden wall in the pen decreased the agonistic behavior in Japanese Shorthorn calves (P < 0.01) and increased the affiliative behavior in Japanese black calves (P = 0.08). The cleanliness of the bedding increased sternum lying and lying with the head touching the flank or ground in Japanese black calves and decreased the standing resting behavior in both breeds (P < 0.05 in all the cases). However, the treatments did not have an effect on daily weight gain. We concluded that the treatments would improve the welfare of calves and function as environmental enrichments. [source] A simple model for the determination of the relative utilization efficiency of protein by blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra Leach)AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 1 2010G.A. DUNSTAN Abstract A 6-week growth rate trial of 6.7 mm ± 1.35 SD long blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) fed one of four graded protein feeds (26%, 32%, 37%, 45% crude protein, CP) resulted in a maximum average growth rate of 81 ,m day,1 (percentage daily weight gain of 5.2% day,1) with the 45% CP diet. Based on the results, a new, simple, non-destructive method to calculate the relative utilization efficiencies (RUE) of nutrients is presented to estimate the relative contributions of a nutrient to growth, body maintenance and the excess used for energy. Calculations of RUE of protein estimated that at the maximum growth rate, 59% of the CP was responsible for growth, while 31% was used for body maintenance and an excess of 10% was lost and presumably catabolized for energy and carbohydrate anabolism. At the %CP where the highest proportion of CP was used for growth, i.e. the maximum RUE of protein for growth (slightly higher at 62%), 35% was used for body maintenance and only 3% of the excess was lost to energy. [source] Dietary energy requirement of piracanjuba fingerlings, Brycon orbignyanus, and relative utilization of dietary carbohydrate and lipidAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 3 2006M.R. BORBA Abstract Ten isonitrogenous casein,gelatin-based diets were formulated to contain five estimated metabolizable energy concentrations (10.92, 12.29, 13.63, 14.82 and 16.16 kJ g,1) at two carbohydrate-to-lipid ratios (CHO : L, 5.3 and 12.8, g : g) in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement. Each diet was assigned to triplicate groups of 11 piracanjuba fingerlings (5.25 ± 0.14 g) and fed to apparent satiation twice a day for 90 days. Higher daily weight gain was obtained by fish fed the 13.63 kJ g,1 diets for both CHO : L ratios. There was a significant reduction of feed consumption when dietary energy concentration increased above 13.63 kJ g,1. Feed conversion ratio and apparent net energy retention improved as dietary energy increased. Apparent net protein retention tended to be lower in the highest and lowest dietary energy concentrations. The results suggest that dietary lipid energy was more efficiently utilized by piracanjuba fingerlings than carbohydrate energy. Body composition and hepatosomatic index (HSI) were not influenced by dietary CHO : L ratio. However, an increase in dietary energy concentration beyond 13.63 kJ g,1 resulted in a significant increment in lipid deposition, while body moisture and HSI decreased. Our findings indicate that at 300 g kg,1 dietary crude protein, a CHO : L ratio of 5.3 is recommended for piracanjuba, and the required energy is either 13.63 kJ g,1 if raised for aquaculture or 14.82 kJ g,1 if destined to stock enhancement. [source] Comparisons of growth and economic performance among monosex and mixed-sex culture of red mud crab (Scylla olivacea Herbst, 1796) in bamboo pens in the tidal flats of mangrove forests, BangladeshAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 4 2009Mst. Muslima Khatun Abstract An experiment was conducted in a randomized block design to compare growth and economic performance between monosex and mixed-sex culture of red mud crab (Scylla olivacea Herbst, 1796) fed with trash fish at 5,10% body weight per day in the mangrove tidal flat at Burigoaliny Union of Satkhira District, Bangladesh. The experiment had three treatments in triplicate each: (a) all-male culture, (b) all-female culture and (c) mixed-sex culture. Crabs of 80,120 g in size were stocked at a density of 0.5 crab m,2 and cultured for 100 days. Specific growth rates (SGRs) by weight and internal carapace width (ICW) in the all-male culture were significantly higher than those in the all-female culture (P<0.05), while SGRs in the mixed-sex culture showed no significant differences from those in the all-male and all-female culture (P>0.05). No significant differences in final mean body weight, ICW, daily weight gain, survival rate, gross and net yields were found among all the treatments (P>0.05). The area of high water level with mangroves gave significantly better results in terms of feed conversion ratio, survival rate, gross and net yields than the area of low water level (P>0.05). The experiment suggests that the all-female culture in the area of high water level with mangroves could be suitable in developing commercial pen culture of red mud crabs in Bangladesh. [source] Effect of stocking density on the growth performance and yield of Nile tilapia [Oreochromis niloticus (L., 1758)] in a cage culture system in Lake Kuriftu, EthiopiaAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 13 2008Ashagrie Gibtan Abstract This research was conducted to investigate the effect of stocking density on the growth performance and yield of Oreochromis niloticus in cage culture in Lake Kuriftu. The treatments had stocking densities of 50 (50F), 100 (100F), 150 (150F), and 200 (200F) fish per m,3. All treatments were in duplicate. Juveniles with an average weight of 45. 76±0.25 g were stocked in the treatments. The fish were fed a composite mixture of mill sweeping, cotton seed, and Bora food complex at 2% of their body weight twice per day using feeding trays for 150 days in powdered form. The growth performance of O. niloticus was density dependent. The final mean weight of O. niloticus ranged 147.76±0.28,219.71±1.42 g and the mean daily weight gain was 0.69±0.01,1.15±0.02 g day,1. Fish held in cages with lower density were heavier than the ones held at higher densities, and showed higher weight gain and daily weight gain. The most effective stocking density, in terms of growth parameters, was 50 fish m,3. The gross yield (4.5,20.55 kg cage,1) showed a significant difference with increasing stocking density (P<0.05). Moreover, the apparent food conversion ratio (2.48,7.22) was significantly affected by stocking density (P<0.05). However, survival rate was not affected by stocking density (P>0.05). It can be concluded that the most effective stocking densities were at 50 fish m,3 cage for larger size fish demand in a short period and 200 fish m,3 for higher gross production with supplementary feed. [source] Mixed feeding schedules in semi-intensive pond culture of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, L.: is it necessary to have two diets of differing protein contents?AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 14 2003Arun B Patel Abstract Two semi-intensive grow-out trials of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), each consisting of seven mixed feeding schedules (rhythmic presentation of high and low protein) and two constant, a high-protein and the other low-protein feeding schedules, were carried out simultaneously for 60 days. Mixed feeding schedules were achieved, in Trial 1, by alternating the presentation of a high feed ration (H; 2.3% body weight (BW)) with a low feed ration (L; 1.5% BW) of a single diet A (crude protein content 33%), and in Trial 2, by alternating the presentation of diet A with diet B of a relatively low protein content (crude protein content 22%). In both trials, significant improvements in protein utilization parameters, such as apparent protein conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratio against continuously high protein feeding were obtained because of the adoption of mixed feeding schedules without any significant decline in the growth parameters such as net fish yield or daily weight gain. In both trials, the mixed feeding schedule ensuring 2 days of high followed by 3 days of low protein presentation, viz. 2H/3L of Trial 1 and 2A/3B of Trial 2 performed the best. Improvement in nutrient utilization in both trials was comparable; however, at existing market prices cost saving because of adoption of mixed feeding schedules was greater in Trial 1. [source] Biological and biochemical characteristics for quality control of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) reared on a liver-based dietARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2008Luca Sighinolfi Abstract Biological and biochemical parameters of a flightless strain of Harmonia axyridis, fed on a pork liver,based artificial diet and on Ephestia kuehniella eggs as controls, were compared. The diet-grown larvae showed a significantly longer developmental time and a lower adult emergence rate compared to control larvae. The weights of the newly emerged adults were significantly higher for adults fed E. kuehniella eggs during their larval stages than fed the artificial diet. In contrast, larval food source had no effect on the duration of the pre-oviposition period or adult longevity. For adults fed on E. kuehniella eggs as larvae, a significantly longer pre-oviposition period, lower daily weight gain and fecundity were found for the diet-fed females compared to those fed on E. kuehniella eggs throughout the life span. The adult food source had no significant effect on longevity and fertility. Lower amino acid and fatty acid contents (in particular C16:1 and C18:3n-3) were found for the prepupae and newly emerged females obtained from diet-reared larvae compared to controls. Deficiencies in fatty acids C16:1 and C18:3n-3 were also observed in females obtained from E. kuehniella egg-reared larvae and fed on diet from adult emergence. The analyses of the foods showed deficiencies in artificial diet, especially for some amino and fatty acids. The results suggest a non-optimal composition of the artificial diet and some possibilities for its improvement. However, this polyphagous predator could be reared from first instar larvae to fully reproductive adults on a pork liver,based artificial diet. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Calcium and phosphorus retention in extremely preterm infants supplemented individuallyACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 6 2002A Trotter The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the retention of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) and weight gain and intake of Ca and P when using the concept of individualized Ca and P supplementation in extremely low birthweight infants. Three-day Ca and P balances were performed in 20 infants with a mean gestational age of 26.6 wk (between 24.1 and 28.7 wk) and a birthweight of 744 g (450,990), when the infant was able to tolerate at least 100 ml/kg/d of milk. The daily supplementation with Ca and P was individually adjusted to achieve a simultaneous excretion of ± 1.2 mmol/L Ca and ± 0.4 mmol/L P in the urine. In 16 of the 20 infants, the urinary concentrations of both Ca and P exceeded the lower limits. The retention of Ca (mean 3.8 mmol/kg/d, minimum 0.9; maximum 8.1; 57% of intake, 34,80) and P (2.4,1.1,4.2; 76%, 52,96) was significantly correlated with both the daily weight gain (16 g, 3,28; Ca r2= 0.22, p= 0.02; P r2= 0.21, p= 0.03) and the intake of Ca (6.5 mmol/kg/d, 2.4,10.2; r2=0.67, p > 0.001) and P (3.1,1.9,5.3; r2= 0.85, p > 0.0001). The molar ratio of the Ca and P intake was 2.2 (1.3,4.0). Conclusion: It was found that Ca and P retention was a function of growth and intake. [source] A randomized trial of enteral feeding volumes in infants born before 30 weeks' gestationJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 6 2000C A Kuschel Objective: To compare the effect of two volumes of enteral feeds on postnatal growth in infants born before 30 weeks gestation. Methodology: Fifty-four infants, less than 30 weeks gestational age, who reached full enteral feeds were randomized to remain on 150 mL/kg per day (150 group) or increase to 200 mL/kg per day (200 group). The primary outcome measure was growth at 35 weeks corrected gestational age (CGA). Results: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic or clinical parameters between the study groups at commencement of the study, although there was a trend for infants in the 150 group to be lighter (895 g vs 1020 g, P = 0.27). Milk intakes were increased in 43% of the infants in the 150 group, whereas 54% of the infants in the 200 group required reduced intakes. Infants in the 200 group had greater daily weight gains (16.7 g/kg per day vs 15.2 g/kg per day, P = 0.047) and at 35 weeks CGA were heavier (2020 g vs 1885 g, P = 0.014) and had a greater arm fat area (282 mm2vs 218 mm2, P = 0.009). There was no difference in length or head circumference at 35 weeks CGA, and no difference in any growth parameter at 1 year of age. Morbidity was not different between the groups. Conclusions: The individual milk volume requirements for adequate weight gain without significant adverse effects vary between 150 and 200 mL/kg per day in extremely premature infants. For many infants in both groups, the assigned target volume was not appropriate. Increased milk intakes (and therefore higher caloric and mineral intakes) are associated with increased daily weight gains and a greater weight at 35 weeks CGA. The weight gain may be due to an increase in fat deposition. [source] |