title: Effect of bacterial protein meal on protein and energy metabolism in growing chickens.
abstract: This experiment investigates the effect of increasing the dietary content of bacterial protein meal (BPM) on the protein and energy metabolism, and carcass chemical composition of growing chickens. Seventy-two Ross male chickens were allocated to four diets, each in three replicates with 0% (D0), 2% (D2), 4% (D4), and 6% BPM (D6), BPM providing up to 20% of total dietary N. Five balance experiments were conducted when the chickens were 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 23-27, and 30-34 days old. During the same periods, 22-h respiration experiments (indirect calorimetry) were performed with groups of 6 chickens (period 1), 5 chickens (period 2), and one chicken (periods 3-5). After each balance period, one chicken in each cage was killed and the carcass weight was recorded. Chemical analyses were performed on the carcasses from periods 1, 3, and 5. Weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion rate were found to be similar for all diets. Chickens on D0 retained 1.59 g N x kg(-0.75) x d(-1), significantly more than chickens on D2, D4, and D6, which retained 1.44 g, 1.52 g, and 1.50 g N x kg(-0.75) x d(-1), respectively. This was probably caused by the higher nitrogen content of DO. Neither the HE (p = 0.92) nor the retention of energy (p = 0.88) were affected by diet. Carcass composition was similar between diets, in line with the values for protein and energy retention found in the balance and respiration experiments. It was concluded that the overall protein and energy metabolism as well as carcass composition were not influenced by a dietary content of up to 6% BPM corresponding to 20% of dietary N.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne Louise F
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hellwing
authors.forename: Anne-Helene
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Tauson
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skrede
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D009584:Nitrogen