ORIGINAL PAPER
Effects of substitution of dietary protein with
carbohydrate on lactation performance in the mink
(Mustela vison)
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1
Department of Basic Animal and Veterinary Sciences,
The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University,
Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
2
Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Physiology,
P.O. Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
3
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Biology,
University of Southern Denmark,
Winsløwparken 21, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark
Publication date: 2004-10-25
Corresponding author
A.-H. Tauson
Department of Basic Animal and Veterinary Sciences,
The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University,
Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2004;13(4):647-664
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Thirty mink dams nursing litters of 6 kits were assigned to one of 3 dietary treatments to
investigate the effects of changing the protein:carbohydrates ratio on nutrient utilization, heat
production, milk production and kit growth. Three diets were formulated to contain 65:3 (LC),
48:15 (MC) or 34:33 (HC) % of the metabolizable energy (ME) from protein and carbohydrate,
respectively. The diets were fed ad libitum for 4 weeks from parturition. Twelve dams were held in
an intensive care unit and subjected to balance and respiration experiments and the kits were injected
with deuterium oxide to measure water kinetics and milk production. Eighteen dams were kept under
normal farm conditions and feed intake of dams and weight gain of the kits were determined. Milk
samples were collected from the dams. Metabolizable energy intake was not affected by dietary
treatment. Carbohydrates were efficiently utilized with a digestibility coefficient of 84% in dams
fed the HC diet. Dams fed the HC diet had a lower (P<0.05) percentage weight loss, lower (P<0.05)
total heat production (HE), lower (P<0.05) protein oxidation (OXP), lower (P<0.05) water intake
and a lower (P<0.05) nitrogen (N) excretion than dams fed the LC diet. Milk production, and thereby liveweights of the kits 4 weeks post partum, was higher (P<0.05) in dams fed the HC diet than in
dams fed the LC diet. In conclusion, lactating mink dams are able to utilize digestible carbohydrates
with positive effects on lactation performance and reduced nitrogen excretion.
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