Application of formulated diets and their effects on nutrient digestibility and reproductive performance of female mink (Neovison vison) during gestation

ABSTRACT This study was designed to investigate the possibility of total replacement of conventional diet by formulated experimental feed in farmed mink during gestation. Ninety female mink (Neovison vison) were randomly assigned to three groups: control group was fed conventional diet with normal (36%, C) protein level composed of fresh or frozen animal by-products and extruded corn. Formulated experimental diets contained animal meals, vegetable ingredients and fat, with normal (36%, E1) or high (44%, E2) protein level, and were mixed with water prior to administration. Nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N)-balance and reproductive performance were determined to compare the effect of diets fed to female mink during gestation. Mink fed both experimental diets had lower nutrient digestibility than the control. Higher barren females, decreased birth survival rate and birth weight were noted for the two experimental groups, especially diet E1 with normal dietary protein, indicating impaired reproduction performance, but signs of improvement were seen in the experimental group with high protein level (44%, E2).

[1]  H. Cui,et al.  Influence of dietary copper concentrations on growth performance, serum lipid profiles, antioxidant defenses, and fur quality in growing-furring male blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus). , 2016, Journal of animal science.

[2]  F. Yang,et al.  Copper bioavailability, blood parameters, and nutrient balance in mink. , 2015, Journal of animal science.

[3]  Tietao Zhang,et al.  Effects of Different Sources and Levels of Copper on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Elemental Balance in Young Female Mink (Mustela vison) , 2014, Biological Trace Element Research.

[4]  J. Strychalski,et al.  Food transit time, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in farmed and feral American mink (Neovison vison)--a comparative analysis. , 2013, Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition.

[5]  A. Tauson,et al.  Effects of protein restriction in utero on the metabolism of mink dams (Neovison vison) and on mink kit survival as well as on postnatal growth. , 2012 .

[6]  T. M. Demina,et al.  Feeding rates and prospective feeding agents for carnivorous furbearers , 2011, Russian Agricultural Sciences.

[7]  E. Kienzle,et al.  Carnivorous mammals: nutrient digestibility and energy evaluation. , 2010, Zoo biology.

[8]  E. Dierenfeld,et al.  Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism , 2010 .

[9]  A. Tauson,et al.  Effect of late gestation low protein supply to mink (Mustela vison) dams on reproductive performance and metabolism of dam and offspring , 2010, Archives of animal nutrition.

[10]  D.,et al.  Nutrient digestibility in Arctic fox ( Vulpes lagopus ) fed diets containing animal meals , 2010 .

[11]  D. Asami,et al.  Cats are able to adapt protein oxidation to protein intake provided their requirement for dietary protein is met. , 2008, The Journal of nutrition.

[12]  C. Mandarim-de-Lacerda,et al.  Protein restriction during gestation and/or lactation causes adverse transgenerational effects on biometry and glucose metabolism in F1 and F2 progenies of rats. , 2008, Clinical science.

[13]  Ting Cao,et al.  Dietary arginine supplementation enhances antioxidative capacity and improves meat quality of finishing pigs , 2008, Amino Acids.

[14]  C. Osmond,et al.  Maternal low protein diet restricted to the preimplantation period induces a gender‐specific change on hepatic gene expression in rat fetuses , 2007, Molecular reproduction and development.

[15]  S. Langley-Evans,et al.  Exposure to undernutrition in fetal life determines fat distribution, locomotor activity and food intake in ageing rats , 2006, International Journal of Obesity.

[16]  A. Chwalibog,et al.  A first estimate of the amino acid requirement for milk production of the high-producing female mink (Mustela vison). , 2006, Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition.

[17]  N. Kristensen,et al.  Effects of substitution of dietary protein with carbohydrate on lactation performance in the mink (Mustela vison). , 2004 .

[18]  L. Jauhiainen,et al.  Effect of temperament and behavioural reactions to the presence of a human during the pre-mating period on reproductive performance in farmed mink (Mustela vison) , 2002 .

[19]  P. Murgatroyd,et al.  Net protein oxidation is adapted to dietary protein intake in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus). , 2002, The Journal of nutrition.

[20]  Odd Magne Harstad,et al.  Effect of heat treatment of soybean meal and fish meal on amino acid digestibility in mink and dairy cows , 2000 .

[21]  T. Storebakken,et al.  Digestibility of bacterial protein grown on natural gas in mink, pigs, chicken and Atlantic salmon , 1998 .

[22]  M. Shaw,et al.  Consumption of a high fat diet impairs reproductive performance in Sprague-Dawley rats. , 1997, The Journal of nutrition.

[23]  J. Galler,et al.  Prenatal protein malnutrition and maternal behavior in Sprague-Dawley rats. , 1991, The Journal of nutrition.

[24]  H. Hara,et al.  Absorptive behavior of oligo-L-methionine and dietary proteins in a casein or soybean protein diet: porto-venous differences in amino acid concentrations in unrestrained rats. , 1991, The Journal of nutrition.

[25]  Kenneth Helrich,et al.  Official methods of analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists , 1990 .

[26]  Sidney A. Williams,et al.  Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists , 1971, Soil Science Society of America Journal.

[27]  A. Tauson,et al.  Pre-Mating Body Weight Changes and Reproductive Performance in Female Mink , 1984 .

[28]  A. Skrede.  Utilization of Fish and Animal Byproducts in Mink Nutrition: IV. Fecal Excretion and Digestibility of Nitrogen and Amino Acids by Mink Fed Cod (Gadus morrhua) Fillet or Meat-and-Bone Meal , 1979 .

[29]  J. Robinson,et al.  Studies on reproduction in prolific ewes. 4. Sequential changes in the maternal body during pregnancy , 1978, The Journal of Agricultural Science.

[30]  A. Skrede.  Utilization of Fish and Animal Byproducts in Mink Nutrition , 1978 .

[31]  G. Wenham.  Studies on reproduction in prolific ewes , 1977, The Journal of Agricultural Science.

[32]  B. Fell,et al.  Changes associated with pregnancy and lactation in some extra–reproductive organs of the ewe , 1972, The Journal of Agricultural Science.

[33]  R. Aulerich,et al.  A semi-dry diet for mink during reproduction, lactation and early kit growth. , 1965 .

[34]  J. D. Corbit,et al.  PALATABILITY, FOOD INTAKE, AND OBESITY IN NORMAL AND HYPERHAGIC RATS. , 1964, Journal of comparative and physiological psychology.

[35]  P. Schaible,et al.  Studies of dry rations for the growth and furring of mink. , 1961 .

[36]  O. R. Rogers,et al.  Observations on protein digestion in vivo. III. Recovery of nitrogen from the stomach and small intestine at intervals after feeding diets containing different proteins. , 1960, The Journal of nutrition.

[37]  A. Harper,et al.  Observations on protein digestion in vivo. I. Rate of disappearance of ingested protein from the gastrointestinal tract. , 1958, The Journal of nutrition.

[38]  K. Ebner.  Studies in mink nutrition with special reference to supplementary protein sources , 1957 .

[39]  P. Schaible,et al.  Dry diets for ranch-raised mink. 1. Suitability for late growth and maintenance. , 1955 .

[40]  A. Hansson.  THE PHYSIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION IN MINK (MUSTELA VISON, SCHREB.) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DELAYED IMPLANTATION , 1947 .