Archives of Animal Nutrition最新文献

{"title":"Carbohydrates and protein digestive traits in beef cattle grazing fertilised or mixed tropical pasture.","authors":"Fernanda de Kássia Gomes, Bruno Grossi Costa Homem, Bianca Costa Guimaraes, Marina de Arruda Camargo Danes, Glen A Broderick, Bruno José Rodrigues Alves, Robert Michael Boddey, Daniel Rume Casagrande","doi":"10.1080/1745039X.2024.2319936","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1745039X.2024.2319936","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study was performed to investigate the nitrogen (N) and carbohydrate digestive traits of grazing heifers. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Lavras. The treatments were a Marandu palisadegrass (<i>Urochloa brizantha</i> [Syn, <i>Brachiaria brizantha</i>] Stapf. A. Rich. cv. Marandu) monoculture fertilised with 150 kg N/[ha ∙ year] (FP) or Marandu palisadegrass mixed pasture with forage peanut (MP). The pastures were grazed by six rumen-cannulated zebu heifers. A double cross-over design was used in four periods. Nutritive value, intake and apparent digestibility of forage, ruminal traits and kinetics and N balance were evaluated. Apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were greater for FP than for MP. There was no effect in apparent total-tract digestibility of N. The estimated intestinal digestibility of nutrients was greater on MP than FP. Even though N intake and faecal N output were greater on MP than FP, there was no effect in urine N output. The N balance tended to be greater on MP than FP. The forage peanut, which contains condensed tannins, decreased ruminal fibre degradation, apparent digestibility and ruminal protein degradation, increased N flow from the rumen. Inclusion of forage peanut in the mixed pasture decreased the ruminal fibre degradability but increased N retention by the animals.</p>","PeriodicalId":8157,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"60-77"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140130580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of dietary-reduced nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on N and P balance, retention and nutrient digestibility of contemporary fattening pigs fed ad libitum","authors":"Elisabeth Beckmüller, Jeannette Kluess, Liane Hüther, Susanne Kersten, Mareike Kölln, Volker Wilke, Christian Visscher, Sven Dänicke, Angelika Grümpel-Schlüter","doi":"10.1080/1745039x.2023.2288721","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1745039x.2023.2288721","url":null,"abstract":"The reduction of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in fattening pigs’ diets is one possible approach to lower N and P excretion in livestock farming relative to N and P intake. Due to the implementat...","PeriodicalId":8157,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Animal Nutrition","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138683332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of lysophospholipids on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, lipid metabolism and meat quality of fattening rabbits","authors":"Ning Liu, Xuejuan Deng, Jianping Wang, Shuli Dong","doi":"10.1080/1745039x.2023.2289741","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1745039x.2023.2289741","url":null,"abstract":"The present study aimed to investigate the effect of emulsifier lysophospholipids (LP), enzymatically modified from soy phospholipids, on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, lipid metab...","PeriodicalId":8157,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Animal Nutrition","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138577191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rice gluten meal as a substitute for soybean meal in the diets for growing rabbits.","authors":"Fawzia A Hassan, Rashed A Alhotan, Youssef A Attia, Khalid M Mahrose, Hamdy F Amin, Ibrahim H Salim, Lamiaa F Abdel-Mawla, Fulvia Bovera, Amira M Mansour, Izabela Michalak","doi":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2284529","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2284529","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The impacts of different dietary levels of rice gluten meal (RGM) on growth performance, digestibility, carcass characteristics, and blood traits of growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were studied. One hundred and twenty, 6 weeks old weaned male rabbits (body weight; 682 [g] ± 23) were randomly allotted into four groups. The control diet contained 160 [g/kg] soybean meal (SBM), while the other three diets were obtained by replacing 40, 80, and 120 [g/kg] SBM with RGM (RGM40, RGM80, and RGM120, respectively). The results showed that RGM contained higher levels of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash, and gross energy than SBM. RGM contained a high level of arginine followed by leucine and valine as essential amino acids and high levels of glutamic, aspartic acid, and alanine as non-essential amino acids. The obtained results showed that the final body weight of rabbits fed diets containing 40, 80, and 120 [g/kg] RGM was higher than those fed the control diet. The daily weight gain of rabbits fed RGM diets increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) by 10.50%, 6.50%, and 10.00%, respectively, compared to the control group. Rabbits fed RGM80 showed the highest (<i>p</i> < 0.05) digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), EE, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and acid detergent fibre (ADF) compared to the other tested levels. Rabbits fed RGM120 had the highest (<i>p</i> < 0.05) digestible energy (DE) and digestible crude protein (DCP) values. RGM inclusion levels of 40 and 80 [g/kg] increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) plasma total protein and albumin compared to the control group. Rabbits fed a diet containing RGM40 had the highest (<i>p</i> < 0.05) globulin level. The highest (<i>p</i> < 0.05) plasma urea concentration level was measured in the rabbit group fed the RGM120 diet. Conclusively, RGM could be a valuable ingredient for growing rabbits, as at all the tested levels improved growth performance, digestibility, and nutritional values.</p>","PeriodicalId":8157,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"497-511"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139377055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The feasibility of partial replacement of berseem hay by spent mushroom (<i>Pleurotus osteratus</i>) substrate in rabbit diets on growth performance, digestibility, caecum fermentation, and economic efficiency.","authors":"Sabrin Abdelrahman Morshedy, Khaled Magdy Gad, Mohamed M Basyony, Soliman Mohamed Zahran, Mohamed Hassan Ahmed","doi":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2263196","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2263196","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nowadays, agricultural by-product disposal is a major concern. The mushroom by-products could be used as an alternative feed source in rabbit diets. Therefore, partial replacement of berseem hay (BH) with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was conducted in four experimental groups as follows: 0, 20, 40, and 60% of SMS. Forty weaned New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits at 6^th weeks of age with an initial body weight of 520.25 ± 70.01 g were fed the experimental diet for 8 weeks. The results showed that ash content and cell wall constituents in SMS were higher than in BH, while the other nutrient compounds in SMS were lower than in BH. Dietary SMS at a level of 60% increased the final body weight (<i>p</i> = 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). However, average daily gain and total feed intake were not affected by treatments. The replacement of SMS at levels of 40 and 60% significantly improved nutrient digestibility and total digestible nutrient value. SMS 60% decreased (<i>p</i> = 0.040) faecal N and improved (<i>p</i> = 0.006) retained nitrogen. The SMS replacement increased caecum length (<i>p</i> = 0.001), and full and empty caecum weight (<i>p</i> = 0.001 and 0.021, respectively) compared to the control. The SMS inclusion caused a decrease (<i>p</i> = 0.021 and 0.007) in the pH and NH₃-N concentrations, respectively. Total VFA, acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid proportions increased with the dietary inclusion of SMS in a level-dependent manner. Using SMS as a replacement for BH in growing rabbit diets reduced the total feed cost, and consequently improved net revenue, economic efficiency, and relative economic efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":8157,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"421-436"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138497622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of particle size reduction of meadow hay on feed intake, performance, and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility in dairy cows.","authors":"Katrin Bauer, Mansour Eghbali, Thomas Hartinger, Andreas Haselmann, Birgit Fuerst-Waltl, Werner Zollitsch, Qendrim Zebeli, Wilhelm Knaus","doi":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2284527","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2284527","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Forage-based diets are encouraged in organic dairy cattle production as this can increase the net human food supply, but their voluminous nature can limit dry matter intake (DMI) and performance. This study investigates the effects of a substantial particle size reduction of hay on dairy cows' feed intake, performance, and body characteristics, as well as on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD). Eighteen lactating Holstein cows were allocated to two balanced feeding groups. The control group received long stem hay with a conventional particle size (CON), the experimental group received chopped hay (RED). Both groups were supplemented with concentrates (3.6 kg/d, DM basis). After 14 adaptation days, data were collected for 20 consecutive days. A covariate period of 21 days preceded the experimental feeding period. Particles retained on the 19-, 8- and 4-mm screens and on the pan of the Penn State Particle Separator accounted for 21%, 20%, 20% and 39% of the RED hay. CON hay consisted of 72% large particles, followed by 8%, 7% and 13% retained on the other screens. Average DMI levels of cows in the CON group reached 20.8 kg/d, with a nonsignificant increase (+1.05 kg/d) in the RED group (<i>p</i> = 0.28). Intakes of both NFC (+0.65 kg/d, <i>p =</i> 0.01) and CP (+0.28 kg/d, <i>p =</i> 0.05) were significantly greater in the RED group, resulting in a slightly increased milk yield (+0.8 kg energy corrected milk/d) (<i>p</i> = 0.45), likely because the ATTD decreased significantly when feeding RED hay. No impact was observed on energy balance (103.7 vs 103.9%, <i>p</i> = 0.95), feed conversion efficiency (kg ECM/kg DMI), or N use efficiency. Overall, the results indicate increases in intake of NFC and CP in the RED group when feeding a hay-based (>83%, DM basis) diet, but also a decrease in nutrient digestibility, likely due to increased passage rate, potentially because of the high fraction of hay particles < 4 mm. In conclusion, hay-based rations with a lower proportion of fine particles should be tested to exploit the potential of particle size reduction in terms of improving hay use efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":8157,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"452-467"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138443593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamics of <i>in vitro</i> rumen methane production after nitrate addition.","authors":"Matteo Braidot, Chiara Sarnataro, Mauro Spanghero","doi":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2282348","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2282348","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present study aimed to assess the dynamics of rumen methane (CH₄) production following the addition of NaNO_3. This was done using an <i>in vitro</i> rumen fermentation system that ensures continuous gas and methane assessments. Four different levels of NaNO₃ were used to get the final nitrate concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/ml of rumen fluid. For each dose, corresponding controls contained sodium chloride and urea were realised to ensure comparable levels of sodium and nitrogen. The addition of nitrates had slight effect on the intensity of fermentation because the total gas produced minus CH₄ (total methane-free gas) only went down at the highest dose (2.0 mg/ml), and the final concentrations of SCFA were the same at all doses. The most evident effect was a modification of the SCFA profile (low concentrations of propionate and valerate, progressive increments of acetate, and decreases of butyrate) and a reduction in overall CH₄ production. The CH₄ yield for the 0.5 mg/ml dose was not different from control in the entire fermentation. Yield of the 1.0 mg/ml dose was significantly lower than the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05) only within the initial 24-h period, and higher dosages (1.5 and 2.0 mg/ml) were lower during the entire fermentation (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Methane yields were well fitted with the Gompertz model, but only the highest level of nitrate inclusion had a significant impact on the majority of model parameters (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The linear regressions between CH₄ yields (y) and the amounts of nitrates (x) at progressive fermentation durations (e.g. 6, 12, 24, and 48 h) produced equations with increasing absolute slopes (from -0.069 to -0.517 ml/mg of nitrate). Therefore, nitrate reduced rumen CH₄ yield in a dose-dependent manner: the impact of low doses was primarily observed at the initial stages of fermentation, whereas high doses exhibited effectiveness throughout the entire fermentation process. In conclusion, in batch fermentation systems, the dose effect of nitrates on methane yield was time dependent.</p>","PeriodicalId":8157,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"512-523"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139478128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of different growing stages of whole-plant soybeans on their nutrient content and silage quality for cattle.","authors":"Lucas Ghedin Ghizzi, Tiago Antônio Del Valle, Elissandra Maiara de Castro Zilio, Mauro Sérgio da Silva Dias, Alanne Tenório Nunes, Larissa Schneider Gheller, Tássia Barrera de Paula E Silva, Júlia Avansi Marques, Nathalia Trevisan Scognamiglio Grigoletto, Caio Seiti Takiya, Francisco Palma Rennó","doi":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2282277","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2282277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study was to determine the effects of growing stage (GS) on morphological and chemical composition of whole-plant soybean (WPS), and fermentative profile and chemical composition of whole-plant soybean silage (SS). This study was divided into two trials conducted in a complete randomised block design. The first trial evaluated the effect of GS from R1 to R8 (59-135 d after sowing) on morphological and chemical composition of WPS and its botanical components. The second trial determined the effects of GS from R3 (71 d after sowing) to R7 (124 d after sowing) on dry matter (DM) losses, fermentative profile, chemical composition and aerobic stability of SS. The proportion of leaves in WPS was reduced, while stem and pod proportions were increased as the GS progressed. Ensiling WPS at R6 and R7 decreased the contents of acetic acid, lactic acid and branched-chain fatty acids, and ethanol, and increased the contents of propionic acid and NH₃-N. However, silage butyric acid concentrations in R6 and R7 were relatively high (18.1 and 19.9 g/kg DM, respectively). Butyric acid and buffering capacity varied according to GS with the lowest values observed in silages derived from GS R3, R5 and R7, and the highest values observed in silages made from GS R5. Later GS resulted in greater contents of DM, crude protein and ether extract, and lower contents of acid detergent fibre and non-fibre carbohydrate in SS. The high fat of SS produced from later GS limits high inclusion levels in ruminant diets. Morphological components impacted chemical composition of SS, whereas the R7 stage improved fermentative profile and resulted in an SS with greater in situ degradability of DM and neutral detergent fibre.</p>","PeriodicalId":8157,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"437-451"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138443594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Powder and agglomerated free-choice minerals for grazing cattle: animal responses and chemical and physical alterations of the mineral mixture.","authors":"Manoel Gustavo Paranhos da Silva, Andrei Pereira Neves, Denise Baptaglin Montagner, Luís Carlos Vinhas Ítavo, Márcio de Nadai Bonin, Bruno Marson, Rodrigo da Costa Gomes","doi":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2281809","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2281809","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim was to evaluate the animal response and the chemical and physical changes of free-choice mineral mixtures fed to grazing cattle. Growing beef cattle were fed either powder (POW) or agglomerated (AGL) mineral mixtures in three different experiments (Exp.), carried out in pastures of <i>Brachiaria</i> grass. In Exp. 1 and 2, the mineral mixtures were disposed in unsheltered troughs (POWun vs. AGLun), being delivered once (D0, Exp.1) or twice (D0 and D8, Exp. 2), throughout 14-day periods. In Exp. 3, POWun and AGLun were additionally compared to POW in sheltered troughs (POWshe), and the mineral mixtures were disposed in D0, throughout 21-day periods. Non-consumed supplement was removed and sampled on D14 (Exp. 1 and 2) or D21 (Exp. 3). Evaluations included average daily body weight gain (ADG), daily disappearance of the supplement (DSD), penetration force of the supplement mass, faecal chemical composition and serum levels of Ca, P and Mg. In Exp. 1, no effects were observed on ADG and faecal mineral concentrations, however, changes in mineral concentrations and a 40% reduction in Na concentration in the supplement were observed, compared to the initial concentration. AGLun had a lower penetration force. In Exp. 2, there were no effects on DSD and faecal mineral concentrations. POWun showed a smaller reduction in Na content compared to AGLun, and AGLun showed lower penetration force. In Exp. 3, the treatments did not affect ADG, but there was a trend towards higher DSD and serum phosphorus (P) concentration for AGLun (<i>p</i> = 0.08). Higher faecal Na concentration was observed for AGLun and higher Na concentration occurred in non-consumed mixture of POWshe. Mineral supplements offered in uncovered troughs showed altered chemical and physical characteristics, with possible effects on supplement intake. However, the general changes are unlikely to alter animal performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":8157,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"403-419"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138440140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exogenous protease influences protein digestibility, growth performance, and gut microflora in weanling pigs on a limited protein diet.","authors":"Joseph Moturi, Abdolreza Hosseindoust, Elick Kinara, JunYoung Mun, SangHun Ha, SeRin Park, SangIn Park, Habeeb Tajudeen, Anushka Lokhande, Santosh Ingale, JinSoo Kim","doi":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2257921","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1745039X.2023.2257921","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of dietary level of crude protein (CP) and protease supplementation on growth performance, digestibility of nutrients, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota in weaning pigs. Three hundred cross-bred piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were allotted to five dietary treatments on the basis of initial body weight (BW) and sex. Pigs were group-housed in pens with each treatment with 10 replicate pens with six pigs per pen. The treatments included a standard diet (STD), STD with 0.6% lower protein (STD0.6), STD with 0.6% lower protein and protease supplementation (Pro0.6), STD with 1.0% lower protein (STD1.0), STD with 1.0% lower protein and protease supplementation (Pro1.0). Results indicated a higher BW (<i>p</i> < 0.05) of piglets in the Pro0.6 group at days 0-42 compared to the STD0.6 and STD1.0 groups. The average daily gain was higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 treatments at days 0-42 compared to the STD0.6 and STD1.0. The gain to feed ratio was higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the STD, and Pro0.6 groups compared to the STD0.6, Pro1.0 and the STD1.0 groups at days 0-42. Dry matter digestibility was lower (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the STD1.0 group than the Pro0.6 and Pro1.0 groups. The crude protein digestibility was higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 group compared to the STD, STD0.6 and STD1.0 treatment groups while crude fat digestibility was higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the STD and Pro0.6 compared with the STD0.6 and STD1.0 groups. Digestibility was higher for histidine (<i>p</i> < 0.05), leucine (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the protease Pro0.6 and Pro1.0 groups than in the STD0.6 and STD1.0 groups. The digestibility of non-essential AA was higher for alanine (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 than the STD1.0 group. For faecal microbial population, <i>Faecalibacterium</i> abundance was higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the Pro0.6 compared to all the other groups while the population of Actinobacteria was greater (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the STD group and lowest in the Pro1.0 treatment. In the ileum, villus height was greater (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the protease Pro0.6, and Pro1.0 groups compared to the STD0.6, and STD1.0 groups while the villus height to crypts depth ratio was lower (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the STD 1.0 group compared to the STD, Pro0.6, and Pro1.0 groups. Based on these results, dietary protease supplementation improved nutrient digestibility and gut histo-morphology translating to improved utilisation of nutrients thus positively impacting growth performance in weaned pigs. Further, reducing the CP content in the diets increased the abundance of <i>Muribaculaceae</i> while protease supplementation increased the population of <i>Faecalibacterium</i> in the gut of the weanling piglets on the STD0.6 diet.</p>","PeriodicalId":8157,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"342-362"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"54227456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}