China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2023, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (3): 966-976.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2023.03.012

• Nutrition and Feed • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of Dietary Energy Level on Growth-fattening Performance and Serum Biochemical Indices of Angus Bulls

REN Jiangang1, GUAN Peng1, HUANG Jianzhi1, SHENG Yueyun1, BAO Tiezhu2, MA Zhiping2, QIAN Wenxi1,3   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China;
    2. Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station of Qiemo County, Bazhou, Xinjiang, Bazhou 841000, China;
    3. Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar 843300, China
  • Received:2022-08-26 Online:2023-03-05 Published:2023-03-02

Abstract: 【Objective】 This experiment was designed to investigate the appropriate dietary comprehensive net energy requirement (NEmf) for Angus bulls at the late stage of continuous fattening.【Method】 A factor complete randomized trial design was adopted.30 Angus bulls with similar monthly age (18.3±1.0) and body weight ((503.3±21.1) kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups,namely low energy group (LE group),medium energy group (ME group) and high energy group (HE group),with 10 cows in each group and one cow per replicate.The experimental period was divided into two stages:The early stage (500-600 kg) and the late stage (600-700 kg),and the comprehensive net energy of the diets was 6.64,6.84,and 7.04 MJ/kg in the early stage and 6.84,7.04,and 7.24 MJ/kg in the late stage,respectively,and the protein level of the diets was 11.42% in two stages.The test period was 10 d for the pre-feeding and 130 d for the trial,and the growth performance and body size indexes of Angus bulls were weighed before the morning feeding and blood samples were collected from the tail root vein to determine the serum biochemical indexes at the beginning and end of each trial.The economic benefits were calculated based on feed cost and weight gain. 【Result】 ①In the early and late stages of the experiment,the total weight gain and average daily weight gain of Angus bulls in medium and high energy groups were significantly higher than those in low energy group (P<0.05),and the feed-to-gain ratio was significantly lower than that in low energy group (P<0.05).②In the early stage of the experiment,the serum triglyceride content of high-energy group was significantly higher than that of low-energy group (P<0.05),and the dietary energy level did not significantly affect the final weight and average dry matter intake (P>0.05).The economic efficiency was best in high-energy group.③In the late stage of the experiment,the final body weight of medium and high energy groups was significantly higher than that of low energy group (P<0.05).The average dry matter intake,chest circumference and abdominal circumference of high energy group were significantly higher than that of low energy group (P<0.05).The economic efficiency was best in medium energy group.④Live weight before slaughter and perirenal fat weight were significantly higher in medium and high-energy groups than that in low-energy group (P<0.05).Carcass weight and backfat thickness were significantly higher in high-energy group than that in low-energy group (P<0.05).⑤Dietary energy level had no significant effect on serum glucose and urea nitrogen levels,slaughter rate and eye muscle area (P>0.05).【Conclusion】 Appropriate increase of dietary energy level could maintain the normal energy metabolism of the body and improve the fattening efficiency of Angus bulls.Comprehensive analysis showed that the appropriate dietary energy (comprehensive net energy) level for Angus bulls in the late stage of continuous fattening was 7.04 MJ/kg.

Key words: energy levels; Angus bull; growth performance; serum biochemical indices; slaughter performance; economic benefits

CLC Number: