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Efficiency of protein utilization by growing chinchilla fed two levels of protein.

University of British Columbia

Six male and six female chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) in the late phase of growth were used to study the effects of sex, crude protein level in the ration and duration of experiment on body weight gains, digestibility of energy, dry matter, organic matter and protein and efficiency of protein utilization, as measured by biological value and net protein utilization. Two isocaloric rations of differing crude protein content (16.25% and 19.56%) were supplied ad libitum for three one-week experimental periods. The results showed that female chinchilla had significantly (P<0.05) greater body weight gains than males after adjustment for initial body weight and feed intake. There was a significant (P<0.05) effect of ration on the digestibility coefficients studied. The mean apparent digestibility coefficients for energy, dry matter, organic matter and protein for ration 1 (16.25% crude protein) were 65.09, 66.44, 67.73 and 62.83%, respectively; while for ration 2 (19.56% crude protein) the values were 67.32, 68.52, 70.21 and 73.23%, respectively. On the other hand, sex had no significant (P<0.05) effect on digestibility. There was a significant (P<0.05) effect of ration on the protein utilization indices studied. Biological value was not significantly (P<0.05) different for the two rations. The mean values for biological value and net protein utilization for ration 1 (16.25% crude protein) were 66.38 and 42.02%, respectively; while for ration 2 (19.56% crude protein) the values were 66.96 and 48.17%, respectively. On the other hand, sex had no significant (P<0.05) effect on protein utilization. The sensitivity of growing chinchilla to protein quality suggests a major role for prececal digestion and absorption although this does not preclude the synthesis and subsequent breakdown of microbial protein in the postcecal part of the gut.

Text

2011-05-02

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/34194

Animal Science

University of British Columbia

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