Anderson Corassa

This study evaluated the laying performance, egg quality, and economic responses of Japanese quails in the late laying phase fed diets differing in energy density and digestible lysine levels under hot and humid tropical conditions. Six hundred 175-day-old laying Japanese quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement, totaling 12 treatments with five replicates and 10 birds per experimental unit. Dietary treatments were formulated to contain three energy densities (2600, 2875, or [...] ABSTRACT This study evaluated the laying performance, egg quality, and economic responses of Japanese quails in the late laying phase fed diets differing in energy density and digestible lysine levels under hot and humid tropical conditions. Six hundred 175-day-old laying Japanese quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement, totaling 12 treatments with five replicates and 10 birds per experimental unit. Dietary treatments were formulated to contain three energy densities (2600, 2875, or

Japanese quails ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) are widely used for commercial egg production, requiring an adequate dietary energy-to-amino acid ratio to support egg production and economic returns. However, current recommendations for laying Japanese quails remain inconsistent due to variations among strains, production phases, and environmental conditions. In this study, the interactive effects between dietary metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible lysine (DL) on laying performance, egg quality, and profitability in quails reared in a climate-controlled environment were assessed. Birds were fed diets formulated to contain three ME levels (2600, 2875, or 3150 kcal/kg) combined with four DL levels (0.90, 1.05, 1.20, or 1.35%) in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement. Responses were monitored over a 32-week experimental period divided into two consecutive 16-week phases (Phase I: 60 to 172 days; Phase II: 173 to 285 days of age). Compared with lower-ME diets, increasing dietary ME to 3150 kcal/kg improved the laying percentage, egg mass, feed-to-egg ratio, and profitability ( P < 0.05). Conversely, increasing dietary DL above the lowest level tested (0.90%) provided no additional productive or economic benefits, despite ME-dependent interactions affecting eggshell traits and body weight. These findings suggest that, in climate-controlled production systems, Japanese laying quails may benefit from greater dietary energy density than some current recommendations indicate, whereas additional DL supplementation above 0.90% was not associated with consistent improvements in laying performance and profitability. Therefore, high-energy diets formulated with 3150 kcal/kg ME combined with 0.90% DL supported egg production and egg quality while improving feed efficiency and profitability under thermoneutral conditions.

Despite the widespread use of phytase in swine diets, there is a need to update the current evidence on its effects on performance, carcass traits, and economic outcomes. This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of phytase supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, and economic returns in growing–finishing pigs, combining meta-analysis with economic modeling. A systematic review (Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus) revealed 1049 studies, 17 of which met the inclusion criteria (PRISMA). Three treatments were considered: a basal diet (BD), a reduced-P diet without phytase (DRP), and a reduced-P diet with phytase (DRP + P), with effect sizes expressed as weighted mean differences (WMDs). The meta-analysis included performance traits (daily feed intake, DFI; daily weight gain, DWG; feed conversion, FC; and final weight, FW) and carcass traits (carcass weight, CW; carcass yield, CY; backfat thickness, BT; loin eye area, LEA; lean meat percentage, LMP; and lean meat yield, LMY). With respect to BD vs. DRP, P reduction impaired performance and decreased ADG, DFI, and final weight (p < 0.001), especially at reductions ≥0.12%. In DRP + P vs. BD, phytase had no significant effects on performance (WMD = 0.008 kg/day) or carcass traits. In DRP + P vs. DRP, phytase improved performance (ADG: +0.068 kg/day; DFI: +0.106 kg/day; FW: +4.630 kg; FC: −0.115; p < 0.001), with stronger effects in males and at greater P reductions. In DRP + P vs. DB, carcass traits were not significantly affected, whereas DB vs. DRP reduced LEA (WMD = −1.820, p < 0.00), and DRP + P vs. DRP produced subgroup-dependent changes in CW, LEA, and LMY according to sex, phytase source, and diet composition. Economically, phytase increased profit by up to US$ 2.66 (vs. BD) and US$ 5.14 (vs. DRP), remaining advantageous even with enzyme price increases of up to 4×. Overall, phytase supplementation improved performance and economic returns, representing an effective strategy for the development of swine production systems.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of phytase in broiler diets on zootechnical performance and nutritional cost through a technical economic analysis combined with a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: A database was created by collecting scientific articles published between 2018 and 2023 that investigated broilers supplemented with phytase. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flowchart was used to select the articles. A total of 3,483 publications were identified, of which 17 were selected. Performance data from the articles and qualitative factors (broiler strain, diets, and phosphorus reduction) were collected, tabulated, and used in economic equations. Meta-analyses were conducted to assess effect size, heterogeneity, and publication bias for performance variables among the groups positive control (DB) vs. reduced P diet without phytase (DRP), DB vs. reduced P diet with phytase (DRP+PHY), and DRP vs. DRP+PHY.Results: Seventeen studies were selected, totaling 16,151 broilers evaluated, with average initial and final weights of 44.0±2.0 g and 2,731±0.6 g, respectively, receiving 1,664 FTU/kg of phytase and a 0.15% reduction in digestible phosphorus. Overall, the results indicate that phytase supplementation improves broiler performance (p<0.05), whereas DRP without phytase impair it (p<0.05). These findings were reinforced by our meta-analysis, which identified a significant effect size (pSMD<0.001) for all variables studied, high heterogeneity among studies (p<0.001, I2 = 96%), with broiler strain sending as the main source of variation. No publication bias was detected across the evaluated variables. The broilers subjected to DRP+PHY had a lower cost/head and greater final weight than those fed BD and DRP, respectively. In addition, DRP+PHY reduced the feed cost per ton of broilers by –1.56%.Conclusion: Reducing phosphorus in diets without phytase impairs broiler performance, while supplementing phytase in low-phosphorus diets improves performance and reduces nutritional costs, saving approximately US$9.52 per ton of broilers.

Corn ethanol coproducts contain high concentrations of protein, lipids, and fiber; however, their nutritional composition and digestibility vary significantly across manufacturing processes. This study aimed to survey and synthesize literature data on corn ethanol coproducts and their effects on pig digestibility. A systematic search was conducted between August 2023 and October 2025 across databases, including Periódicos Capes, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scielo, and Google Scholar. The search targeted publications from 2010–2005 using keywords related to DDGS, pigs, energy, and amino acids. Among the 177 articles meeting the inclusion criteria, corn DDGS was the most common coproduct (359 observations), followed by wheat and sorghum. The results indicated that wheat DDGS had the highest protein and phosphorus contents, whereas corn DDGS presented higher crude fiber and NDF levels. Furthermore, corn DDGS provided the highest digestible and metabolizable energy values, with amino acid digestibility coefficients generally surpassing those of other sources. This updated database serves as a vital tool for improving the predictability of these ingredients in swine nutrition.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of digestible phosphorus levels in diets for growing gilts (30 to 50 kg), which have high potential for lean meat deposition, on the performance and characteristics of waste. Sixty gilts were used, with an initial weight of 29.99 ± 3.37 kg, distributed in a randomized block design with five levels of digestible phosphorus (0.219, 0.299, 0.319, 0.369, and 0.419 %), six replicates, and two animals per experimental unit. Phosphorus levels did not influence (P>0.05) final weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, total feed intake, crude protein consumption, digestible lysine consumption, metabolizable energy, and feed conversion. The daily intakes of digestible phosphorus and calcium increased linearly (P0.05) by the phosphorus level. On the other hand, a linear increase (P<0.01) was observed for volatile solids and total phosphorus in swine manure as the digestible phosphorus level increased. The level of 0.219 % digestible phosphorus, corresponding to an intake of 3.67 g of daily digestible phosphorus, meets the nutritional requirements of phosphorus for growing gilts (30 to 50 kg) and allows for a reduction in phosphorus excretion in waste.

Resumo Realizou-se este estudo com o objetivo de avaliar níveis de fósforo digestível em dietas para leitoas em crescimento (30 aos 50 kg), com alto potencial para deposição de carne magra, sobre desempenho e características dos dejetos. Foram utilizadas 60 leitoas, com peso inicial de 29,99 ± 3,37 kg, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com cinco níveis de fósforo digestível (0,219; 0,269; 0,319; 0,369 e 0,419 %), seis repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. Os níveis de fósforo não influenciaram (P>0,05) o peso final, ganho de peso total, ganho de peso diário, consumo de ração diário, consumo de ração total, consumo de proteína bruta, consumo de lisina digestível, consumo de energia metabolizável e a conversão alimentar. Os consumos diários de fósforo digestível e de cálcio aumentaram linearmente (P0,05) pelos níveis de fósforo. Por outro lado, foi possível observar aumento linear (P<0,01) para sólidos voláteis e fósforo total nos dejetos dos suínos de acordo com o aumento dos níveis de fósforo digestível. Conclui-se que o nível de 0,219 % de fósforo digestível, correspondente ao consumo de 3,67 g de fósforo digestível diário, atende às exigências nutricionais de fósforo para leitoas em crescimento (30 aos 50 kg) e possibilita a redução da excreção de fósforo nos dejetos.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of energy and nutrient (lysine, calcium, and phosphorus) levels on animal performance and liver expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and electron transport in broilers from 22 to 42 days of age. A total of 432 male Cobb 500 broiler chickens were distributed in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments, 8 replications, and 18 birds per experimental unit. The first treatment (control) consisted of a diet based on corn and soybean meal with a metabolizable energy (ME) content of 12.70 MJ/kg. The second treatment was a high-energy (HE) diet (13.33 MJ/kg) formulated by increasing the ME value of the control diet by 0.63 MJ/kg and maintaining the same levels of digestible lysine, calcium (Ca), and available phosphorus (P). The third treatment was a high-energy and high-nutrient (HEHN) diet, providing 13.33 MJ/kg and a 5% increase in digestible lysine, Ca, and P levels in relation to the control diet. Animal performance and carcass yield were analyzed at 42 days of age. Expression levels of apolipoprotein B (APOB), NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (ND1), and cytochrome c oxidase (COX1) genes were also determined. Treatments exerted significant effects on performance but not on carcass yield. HE diets improved feed efficiency compared with the control. Furthermore, the HEHN diet enhanced weight gain compared with the control. COX1 and ND1 expression was influenced by dietary energy level. In conclusion, the results indicate that HEHN diets improve performance and alter the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and electron transport in broiler chickens from 22 to 42 days of age but do not affect carcass yield.

Glycerin has a similar energy value to corn and can partially replace it. However, there is a need to find the ideal level for using glycerin in pig feed without negatively interfering with performance parameters. The objective of this study was to determine the digestibility of glycerin through a mixture (MIX) or inserted on top of feed (ONTOP) using chromium indicator (Cr) and total collection (TC) methods. Ten barrows weighed 42.63 ± 4.23 kg in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial scheme, with two forms of inclusion of the test ingredient (MIX or ONTOP), two digestibility methods (Cr or TC), and a basal diet (BD). The experimental design was completely randomized, and the evaluation period was used as split-plots, with two repetitions per period, totaling four repetitions per diet. The DE and ME values for glycerin were 3443 and 3356 kcal/kg (by the TC method) and 3411 and 3293 kcal/kg (by the Cr method), respectively (p < 0.05). There was no difference in MIX or ONTOP (p > 0.05), except for the digestibility coefficient (DC) of ethereal extract (p < 0.05). The DC and energy values obtained by Cr were lower than those obtained by TC. The inclusion of the test ingredients in the MIX and ONTOP forms did not present any difference, whereas Cr depreciated the nutritional value of glycerin for pigs.

The objective of this study was to determine the digestibility of glycerin through a mixture (MIX) or inserted on top of feed (ONTOP) using chromium indicator (Cr) and total collection (TC) methods. A total of 12 barrows 42.63±4.23 kg in a 2x2 + 1 factorial scheme, with two forms of inclusion of the test ingredient (MIX or ONTOP), two digestibility methods (Cr or TC) and a basal diet (BD). The digestibility coefficients (DC) of dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), ethereal extract (EE), and digestible (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) values of glycerin were determined. The DE and ME values of glycerol were 3443 and 3411 kcal/kg and 3356 and 3293 kcal/kg for Cr and TC, respectively. There was no difference in MIX or ONTOP, except for DC EE. The DC and energy values obtained by Cr were lower than those obtained by CT. The inclusion of the test ingredients in the MIX and ONTOP forms did not present any difference, whereas Cr underestimated the nutritional value of glycerin for pigs.