Animal Nutrition by Dr. Ankesh Bisla

Partitioning of food energy within the animal and Systems for expressing energy value of foods in ruminants, pigs and poultry, Direct and indirect calorimetry and Carbon Nitrogen balance and comparative slaughter methods.

Energy requirements for maintenance, growth, pregnancy, lactation, egg, wool, and meat production, Latest advances in protein nutrition, Energy protein interrelationships and Evaluation of protein quality. Use of NPN compounds in ruminant diets and Protein requirements for maintenance, growth, pregnancy, lactation, egg, wool and meat production.

Sources, physiological functions and deficiency symptoms of Major and trace minerals and Toxic minerals and Mineral interactions and Role of fat-soluble and water soluble vitamins in the body, their sources and deficiency symptoms.

Feed additives – methane inhibitors, probiotics, enzymes, antibiotics, hormones, oligosaccharides, antioxidants, emulsifiers, mould inhibitors, buffers etc. Use and abuse of growth promoters like hormones and antibiotics – latest concepts.

Conservation of fodders. Storage of feeds and feed ingredients. Recent advances in feed technology and feed processing and Anti nutritional and toxic factors present in livestock feeds, Feed analysis and quality control, Digestibility trials – direct, indirect and indicator methods, Predicting feed intake in grazing animals.

Advances in ruminant nutrition. Nutrient requirements. Balanced rations, Feeding of calves, pregnant, work animals and breeding bulls, Strategies for feeding milch animals during different stages of lactation cycle, Effect of feeding on milk composition.

Feeding of goats for meat and milk production, Feeding of sheep for meat and wool production, Nutrient requirements of swine. Creep, starter, grower and finisher rations, Feeding of pigs for lean meat production. Low cost rations for swine.

Special features of poultry nutrition, Nutrient requirements for meat and egg production and Formulation of rations for different classes of layers and broilers.

Overview of Topics in Animal Nutrition

Key Concepts:

Gross Energy (GE): The total energy content in feed.
Digestible Energy (DE): GE minus energy lost in feces.
Metabolizable Energy (ME): DE minus energy lost in urine and methane.
Net Energy (NE): ME minus energy lost as heat increment.
Energy Losses: Through feces, urine, methane, and heat production.
Factors Affecting Energy Values: Feed composition, processing methods, animal species, and feeding levels[1][2].

Key Systems:

Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN): Measures the sum of digestible fiber, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate.
Starch Equivalents: Historical system comparing feed energy to starch.
Net Energy (NE): Most accurate system, accounting for all energy losses.
Species-Specific Systems: Different systems tailored for ruminants, pigs, and poultry to reflect their unique digestive processes[5][6].

Methods:

Direct Calorimetry: Measures heat production by housing animals in insulated chambers.
Indirect Calorimetry: Estimates energy expenditure by measuring oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.
Carbon and Nitrogen Balance Studies: Estimate energy retention by measuring intake and output of carbon and nitrogen[3][4][7].

For Various Physiological States:

Maintenance: Basic energy needed to sustain life without growth or production.
Growth: Additional energy required for tissue synthesis.
Pregnancy: Increased energy needs for fetal development.
Lactation: High energy demand for milk production.
Egg Production: Energy needed for egg formation.
Wool Production: Energy for fiber synthesis.
Meat Production: Energy for muscle growth and maintenance[8].

Latest Advances:

Energy-Protein Interrelationships: Balancing energy and protein intake for optimal growth and production.
Evaluation of Protein Quality: Methods to assess the biological value of proteins.
Non-Protein Nitrogen (NPN) Compounds: Use in ruminant diets to provide nitrogen for microbial protein synthesis.
Protein Requirements: Specific needs for maintenance, growth, pregnancy, lactation, and production[8].

Sources, Functions, and Deficiency Symptoms:

Major and Trace Minerals: Essential for various physiological functions, with specific deficiency symptoms.
Toxic Minerals: Potential harmful effects and interactions.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Roles in vision, bone health, and antioxidant functions.
Water-Soluble Vitamins: Importance in energy metabolism and red blood cell formation[8].

Types and Uses:

Methane Inhibitors, Probiotics, Enzymes, Antibiotics, Hormones, Oligosaccharides, Antioxidants, Emulsifiers, Mould Inhibitors, Buffers: Enhance feed efficiency, animal health, and production.
Growth Promoters: Use and abuse of hormones and antibiotics, latest concepts in safe and effective use[8].

Techniques:

Fodder Conservation: Methods like silage and haymaking.
Feed Storage: Best practices to prevent spoilage and nutrient loss.
Feed Technology and Processing: Advances in improving feed quality and digestibility.
Anti-Nutritional and Toxic Factors: Identifying and mitigating harmful substances in feeds.
Feed Analysis and Quality Control: Ensuring feed meets nutritional standards.
Digestibility Trials: Methods to determine nutrient availability.
Predicting Feed Intake: Models for estimating intake in grazing animals[8].

Feeding Strategies:

Balanced Rations: Formulating diets to meet nutrient requirements.
Feeding Calves, Pregnant, Work Animals, and Breeding Bulls: Specific nutritional needs.
Feeding Milch Animals: Strategies for different lactation stages.
Effect on Milk Composition: Influence of diet on milk quality[8].

Nutrient Requirements:

Goats: Diets for meat and milk production.
Sheep: Diets for meat and wool production.
Swine Nutrition: Creep, starter, grower, and finisher rations for lean meat production.
Low-Cost Rations: Economical feeding strategies for swine[8].