Fat accretion measurements strengthen the relationship between feed conversion efficiency and Nitrogen isotopic discrimination while rumen microbial genes contribute little.

ABSTRACT: The use of biomarkers for feed conversion efficiency (FCE), such as Nitrogen isotopic discrimination (Δ¹⁵N), facilitates easier measurement and may be useful in breeding strategies. However, we need to better understand the relationship between FCE and Δ¹⁵N, particularly the effects of differences in the composition of liveweight gain and rumen N metabolism. Alongside measurements of FCE and Δ¹⁵N, we estimated changes in body composition and used dietary treatments with and without nitrates, and rumen metagenomics to explore these effects. Nitrate fed steers had reduced FCE and higher Δ¹⁵N in plasma compared to steers offered non-nitrate containing diets. The negative relationship between FCE and Δ¹⁵N was strengthened with the inclusio

SUBMITTER: Meale SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5832862 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature