Validation of Prediction Equations of Energy Values of a Single Ingredient or Their Combinations in Male Broilers.

A set of prediction equations to estimate the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of individual ingredients and diets used in the poultry feed industry was evaluated. The AMEn values of three energy ingredients (maize, sorghum and defatted maize germ meal), four protein ingredients (soybean meal, maize gluten meal 60% crude protein, integral micronized soy and roasted whole soybean) and four diets (three containing four feedstuffs, complex diets, and one containing only corn-soybean meal, basal diet) were determined using a metabolism assay with male broilers from 1 to 7, 8 to 21, 22 to 35, and 36 to 42 days old. These values were compared to the AMEn values presented in the tables of energy composition or estimated by equation predictions based on chemical composition data of feedstuffs. In general, the equation predictions more precisely estimated the AMEn of feedstuffs when compared to the tables of energy composition. The equation AMEn (dry matter [DM] basis) = 4,164.187+51.006 ether extract (% in DM basis)-197.663 ash-35.689 crude fiber (% in DM basis)-20.593 neutral detergent fiber (% in DM basis) (R(2) = 0.75) was the most applicable for the prediction of the energy values of feedstuffs and diets used in the poultry feed industry.

INTRODUCTION

Poultry are characterized by high nutritional requirements compared to other species of livestock. The rapid development of the poultry industry is due to the advances in genetics, health, nutrition and management (Chadd, 2007). These changes increase the nutritional requirements of poultry that require more elaborated diets. However, accurate characterization of the chemical composition and energy content of feedstuffs is required to formulate diets.

The diversity of feedstuffs and by-products used for feeding broilers requires precise knowledge of the chemical composition and metabolizable energy (ME) of feed ingredients to allow for the formulation of nutritionally and economically balanced diets (Mariano et al., 2012). Errors in diet formulation can limit broiler performance, causing costly losses for farmers and the meat industry.

It is well established that dietary energy influences poultry development. Both low (Nunes et al., 2012) and high (Corduk et al., 2007) energy levels have been reported to impair performance and increase fat content (Min et al., 2012), which is undesirable from a consumer standpoint. Because most feedstuffs used in broiler diets do not provide sufficient energy for proper animal development, it is common to add lipid sources to formulations, including oils of vegetable origin. Oil may improve the poultry performance due to extra-caloric effects, which increase the availability of dietary nutrients (Murugesan et al., 2013). On the other hand, excessive levels of lipids may increase the fat deposition (Wongsuthavas et al., 2008).

To satisfactorily meet energy requirements and formulate adequate diets for broilers, it is necessary to know the energy values of feedstuffs. A common way to express the energy value of feedstuffs is the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) value. Currently, several different methods are available to determine the energy content of feedstuffs for poultry, such as biological assays (in vivo) involving the collection of total excreta (Sibbald and Slinger, 1963), precision feeding (Sibbald, 1976) or the rapid method (Farrell, 1978), as well as non-biological assays (in vitro tests, Longland, 1991), tables of chemistry and energy composition of feedstuffs (NRC, 1994) and prediction equations based on the chemical composition of the feedstuffs (Alvarenga et al., 2011). Tables and equation predictions offer the advantage of quickly acquiring AMEn values of feedstuffs without the use of animals for bioassays. However, the use of tables may result in errors in formulations because illustrated values represent an average of several measurements from previous animal studies. Conversely, the use of prediction equations may be a more accurate method given that the chemical composition of the feedstuffs is used.

Such equations were recently successfully tested by Alvarenga et al. (2011) using corn-soybean diets for broilers. However, the use of the equations has not yet been validated for diets combining more than two feedstuffs. Thus, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the ability of the described prediction equations previously generated by meta-analysis to estimate the AMEn values of protein and energy concentrate feedstuffs of alternative diets containing more than two types of feed for male broilers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted at the Avian Centre, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Lavras, MG, Brazil. The experimental protocol number 023/12 was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Federal University of Lavras.

Ingredients and tested diets

A total of three energy ingredients (maize, sorghum and defatted maize germ meal) and four protein concentrate ingredients (soybean meal, maize gluten meal 60% crude protein [CP], integral micronized soy and roasted whole soybean) were simultaneously obtained from different commercial establishments based on the availability in Brazil and chemical variation between the feedstuffs. Using these ingredients, three complex diets (CDs) with four feedstuffs were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of the broilers. For each CD, the quantities of each ingredient (as-feed) were as follows:

Diet 1: maize (35.9%)+soybean meal (22.9%)+sorghum (30.0%)+maize gluten meal (5.0%)

Diet 2: maize (52.8%)+soybean meal (23.9%)+defatted maize germ meal (10.0%)+integral micronized soy (8.0%)

Diet 3: maize (30.9%)+soybean meal (24.4%)+sorghum (30.0%)+roasted whole soybean (8.0%).

During the formulation of diets, energy values and chemical composition of feedstuffs were obtained from the tables of chemistry and energy composition (Rostagno et al., 2011). Subsequently, food samples had the chemical and energy composition analyzed immediately upon collection (Table 1).

Table 1

Chemical composition of the feedstuffs (%, DM)1

Feedstuff	Composition
	DM (%)	GE (MJ/kg)	CP (%)	EE (%)	CF (%)	NDF (%)	ADF (%)	Ash (%)
Maize	89.2	16.55	7.9	3.6	2.3	11.8	3.4	1.6
Sorghum	89.9	15.12	7.9	2.4	2.0	12.7	3.9	1.6
Defatted corn germ meal	92.3	19.04	15.7	4.5	10.7	44.0	16.2	1.6
Soybean meal	90.3	17.86	42.2	1.7	6.4	13.6	8.9	6.0
Maize gluten meal 60% CP	92.6	22.25	61.5	3.8	1.0	2.2	14.0	1.4
Integral micronized soy	95.9	23.08	36.1	22.4	6.2	8.5	5.1	4.9
Roasted whole soybean	95.2	22.77	33.6	19.8	8.4	17.6	13.4	5.5
Average	92.2	19.53	29.3	8.3	5.3	15.8	9.3	3.2
Standard deviation	2.4	3.0	18.4	8.2	3.4	12.3	4.9	2.0
Minimum	89.2	15.12	7.9	1.7	1.0	2.2	3.4	1.4
Maximum	95.9	23.08	61.5	22.4	10.7	44.0	16.2	6.0

DM, dry matter; GE, gross energy; CP, crude protein; EE, ether extract; CF, crude fiber; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; ADF, acid detergent fiber.

Analysis was performed in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory of the Animal Science Department of Federal University of Lavras.

Experimental procedures

The experimental diets included four complete diets (three CDs and one corn-soybean meal diet, basal diet) and seven manufactured diets by substituting the basal diet with protein concentrate feedstuffs in 30.0% or the energy concentrate feedstuffs in 40.0%. Each of the 11 different diets was fed to four male chicks (Cobb 500) in a metabolic cage (6 cages per diet for a total of 24 chicks per diet) from 1 to 7, 8 to 21, 22 to 35, and 36 to 42 days old. The cages (50×50×50 cm) were located in a room with settings partly controlled through digital devices (Humitech II; Full Gauge, Canoas, Brazil) and artificial light for 24 hours and equipped with shaped feeders and drinkers and aluminum trays to collect the excrements. The ambient temperature was adjusted to 32°C during the first week of age of the broilers and was then decreased weekly according to lineage recommendations (Broiler Management Guide, Cobb 500, 2008a) until a final temperature of 19°C was reached in the sixth week of age.

Broilers were kept in an environmentally controlled room at a temperature of 26°C under 24-h incandescent lighting, with free access to feed and water.

The basal diet consisted of maize and soybean meal with 19.5% crude protein. The estimated energy value and digestibility of nutrients in the basal diet was 12.98 MJ/kg of ME, 1.08% digestible lysine, 0.787% digestible methionine plus cystine, 0.732% calcium, and 0.342% available phosphorus, according to Rostagno et al. (2011).

Total excreta output (Dourado et al., 2010) and feed intake were determined on the last three days of each phase. Total daily excreta collections were pooled within a cage, weighed and frozen for future analysis. Before analysis, representative excreta samples (±300 g) were dried in a forced air oven (65°C) until a constant weight. After drying, excreta samples were ground in a hammer mill with a 1.0 mm screen and then stored at 4°C prior to chemical analysis.

Chemical analyses

All analyses were performed in duplicate. Ingredients were analyzed for dry matter (DM) by oven-drying the sample (method 934.01), ash by muffle furnace incineration (method 942.05), CP by the Kjeldahl method (method 954.01), ether extract (EE) without acid hydrolysis (method 920.39), acid detergent fiber (ADF) (index no. 973.18) and crude fiber (CF) (method 962.09) according to the AOAC (1995). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content was analyzed as previously described by Van Soest et al. (1991), with samples first treated with α-amylase before NDF extraction. Gross energy (GE) was determined using a bomb calorimeter (model 1261, Parr Instrument Company, Moline, IL, USA).

Experimental diets (without feed substitution) and excreta were analyzed for DM, CP, and GE.

Nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy determination

The AMEn values of various diets were calculated by correction to zero nitrogen retention according to Hill and Anderson (1958) using the following formula with appropriate corrections made for differences in DM content:

where GEdiet is the GE of diet, GEexcreta is the GE of the excreta and DMdiet is the DM of the diet.

The AMEn of each feedstuff, which was determined by an in vivo bioassay, was calculated using the equation proposed by Matterson et al. (1965):

where AMEntd is the AMEn of the tested diet and AMEnbd is the AMEn of the basal diet.

Similarly, the AMEn value of feedstuffs (kcal/kg DM) was determined using prediction equations based on chemical compositions (% DM) and then converted to MJ/kg by multiplying by a factor of 0.004187. The following systems of equations predictions were utilized:

Equations used specifically to predict the AMEn values of maize and soybean meal included in maize-soybean diets for broilers:

EQ1: AMEn = 4,021.8–227.55 ash (for maize, defatted maize germ meal, maize gluten meal 60) (R2 = 0.92; n = 11) and AMEn = −822.33+69.54CP–45.26ADF+90.81EE (for soybean meal, integral micronized soy and roasted whole soybean) (R2 = 0.92; n = 8), presented by Alvarenga et al. (2013).

EQ2: AMEn = 4,164.187+51.006EE–197.663ash–35.689CF–20.593NDF (for energy and protein concentrate feedstuffs) (R2 = 0.75; n = 293), presented by Mariano et al. (2012) and Alvarenga et al. (2013).

EQ3: AMEn = 4,144.914+53.137EE–204.644ash–26.214CF–20.26NDF (for energy and protein concentrate feedstuffs) (R2 = 0.71; n = 293) presented by Mariano et al. (2012).

Equations proposed by Nascimento et al. (2009; 2011a, b) and confirmed by Alvarenga et al. (2011) to be applicable for the prediction of the AMEn values of feedstuffs for broilers:

EQ4: AMEn = 4,371.18–26.48CP+30.65EE–126.93ash–52.26CF–25.14NDF+24.40ADF (for energy concentrate feedstuffs) (R2 = 0.81; relative standard deviation (RSD) = 0.4689; p<0.0001; n = 375) and AMEn = 2707.71+ 58.63EE–16.06NDF (for protein concentrate feedstuffs) (R2 = 0.81; RSD = 0.4847; p<0.0001; n = 199).

EQ5: AMEn = 4,101.33+56.28EE–232.97ash–24.86NDF+10.42ADF (for energy and protein concentrate feedstuffs) (R2 = 0.84; RSD = 0.4137; p<0.0001; n = 574).

EQ6: AMEn = 4,095.41+56.84EE–225.26ash–22.24NDF (for energy and protein concentrate feedstuffs) (R2 = 0.83; RSD = 0.4171; p<0.0001; n = 574).

Software “calculator” proposed by Rostagno et al. (2005)

Statistical analysis

The predicted AMEn values calculated using each equation were compared to those determined by in vivo bioassays. The validation procedure involved fitting a simple linear regression model (Y = a+bX) of observed (dependent variable) to predicted values (independent variable) using simultaneous hypotheses tested by an F test as previously described by Mayer et al. (1994):

The predicted and observed values were considered similar when both null hypotheses were not rejected. Estimated standard error, which measures the variability around the regression line, was calculated based on the set of predicted values (Neter et al., 1985):

where Sest = standard error of estimation; Y = predicted value; Y′ = observed value; N–2 = degrees of freedom of the residue obtained in the regression variation analysis.

All statistical analyses were performed using SAS (2004). For all statistical procedures, α = 0.05 was adopted.

The estimated values for each feedstuff were used to predict the AMEn values of tested diets commonly used in the poultry industry (i.e., basal diet and the three diets with more than two feedstuffs). Thus, the accuracy of each prediction equation to calculate the AMEn values of complete poultry diets based on the AMEn values of the feedstuffs was evaluated. In parallel, an analogy was made with the use of AMEn values of the feedstuffs estimated by the energy composition tables (Rostagno et al., 2011) or obtained by in vivo assay.

RESULTS

The AMEn values of individual feedstuff and diets determined by in vivo bioassay, their respective standard errors, and those calculated using prediction equations are shown in Table 2. The estimation of standard error between the observed and calculated values by prediction equations is shown in Table 3, and the parameter estimates with the respective probability values (F test) for the null hypothesis and regression coefficient (R2) between the observed and predicted values for AMEn of feedstuffs and diets are shown in Table 4.

Table 2

Nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (MJ/kg DM) and standard deviation of individual feedstuffs and diets obtained using metabolism assays (n = 6) in broilers of different age groups or by different estimation methods

Feedstuff or diets	Broiler age group (days)				Estimation methods1
	1 to 7 d	8 to 21 d	22 to 35 d	36 to 42 d	E1	E2	E3	E4	E5	E6	E7	E8
Feedstuffs
Maize (M)	15.03 (0.42)	14.94 (0.50)	14.99 (0.41)	14.85 (0.47)	16.18	15.14	15.30	15.32	15.33	16.28	15.19	14.27
Sorghum (S)	14.04 (0.59)	13.81 (0.30)	14.39 (0.61)	14.08 (0.35)	15.19	15.19	15.02	15.03	15.21	16.07	14.84	13.57
Defatted corn germ meal (DC)	9.41 (0.50)	9.00 (0.29)	9.10 (0.33)	9.05 (0.36)	14.68	15.19	11.20	11.64	10.36	16.19	12.23	12.15
Soybean meal (SM)	9.99 (0.70)	9.69 (0.88)	9.79 (0.57)	9.67 (0.56)	10.63	9.00	10.00	10.04	10.94	10.85	9.95	9.13
Maize gluten meal (MG)	15.49 (0.74)	16.50 (0.58)	16.56 (0.39)	16.84 (0.80)	16.99	14.60	16.69	16.65	12.17	17.20	16.47	16.07
Integral micronized soy (IM)	16.63 (0.53)	15.98 (0.58)	15.88 (0.64)	16.29 (0.49)	16.55	15.40	16.44	16.68	16.48	17.22	17.03	15.18
Roasted whole soybean (RW)	13.77 (0.64)	13.29 (0.35)	13.94 (0.45)	13.68 (0.71)	15.19	12.08	14.16	14.48	15.49	16.11	14.91	14.00
Experimental diets
M+SM+S+MG	13.74 (0.32)	14.44 (0.18)	14.41 (0.39)	14.53 (0.18)	14.71	13.84	14.18	14.20	14.20	15.07	14.06	13.15
M+SM+DM+IM	13.36 (0.10)	13.49 (0.24)	13.65 (0.30)	14.00 (0.17)	14.66	13.68	13.68	13.77	13.81	14.97	13.77	12.93
M+SM+S+RW	13.63 (0.22)	13.56 (0.06)	14.52 (0.16)	14.17 (0.10)	14.74	13.76	14.18	14.22	14.53	15.17	14.14	13.20
M+SM	13.38 (0.10)	13.50 (0.12)	14.20 (0.16)	14.96 (0.11)	14.89	13.72	14.14	14.16	14.41	15.02	14.05	13.21

DM, dry matter; AMEn, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy; CP, crude protein; ADF, acid detergent fiber; EE, ether extract; CF, crude fiber; NDF, neutral detergent fiber.

E1: Tables of chemistry and energy composition of feedstuffs (Rostagno et al., 2011)

E2: Equations presented by Alvarenga et al. (2013): AMEn = 4,021.8–227.55ash and AMEn = −822.33+69.54CP–45.26ADF+90.81EE

E3: General equation 1 proposed by Mariano et al. (2012): AMEn = 4,164.187+51.006EE–197.663ash–35.689CF–20.593NDF.

E4: General equation 2 proposed by Mariano et al. (2012): AMEn = 4,144.914+53.137EE–204.644ash–26.214CF–20.26NDF.

E5: Equations proposed by Nascimento et al. (2011a,b): AMEn = 4,371.18–26.48CP+30.65EE–16.93ash–52.26CF–25.14NDF+24.40ADF and AMEn = 2707.71+58.63EE–16.06NDF.

E6: General equation 1 proposed by Nascimento et al. (2009): AMEn = 4,101.33+56.28EE–232.97ash–24.86NDF+10.42ADF.

E7: General equation 2 proposed by Nascimento et al. (2009): AMEn = 4,095.41+56.84EE–225.26ash–22.24NDF.

E8: Software “calculator” elaborated by Rostagno et al. (2005).

Table 3

Estimated standard error and parameter estimates with their respective probability values (F test) for the null hypothesis and regression coefficient (R2) between observed and predicted AMEn values of feedstuffs evaluated in broilers of different age groups (n = 5)

Estimative methods1	Estimative-standard error	Intercept		Slope		R2
		Estimate	p valuea	Estimate	p valueb
		-------------------------------------- 1 to 7 days old -----------------------------------
E1	2.65	−1.83	0.75	1.017	0.96	0.61
E2	2.86	5.52	0.41	0.577	0.38	0.26
E3	1.08	−1.13	0.55	1.035	0.79	0.93
E4	1.25	−1.52	0.47	1.052	0.72	0.92
E5	1.79	1.15	0.79	0.903	0.75	0.66
E6	3.50	0.50	0.94	0.827	0.70	0.44
E7	1.49	−1.52	0.57	1.044	0.81	0.88
E8	1.52	−0.59	0.88	1.044	0.88	0.75
		-------------------------------------- 8 to 21 days old ----------------------------------
E1	2.85	−3.28	0.59	1.102	0.80	0.63
E2	3.04	4.93	0.49	0.607	0.44	0.25
E3	1.23	−2.43	0.19	1.116	0.35	0.95
E4	1.46	−2.74	0.23	1.126	0.41	0.93
E5	2.42	2.09	0.71	0.818	0.66	0.48
E6	3.74	−0.47	0.95	0.878	0.80	0.43
E7	1.75	−2.54	0.41	1.103	0.62	0.86
E8	1.55	−2.08	0.59	1.142	0.62	0.78
		-------------------------------------- 22 to 35 days old -------------------------------
E1	2.69	−2.89	0.64	1.09	0.82	0.62
E2	3.03	5.44	0.45	0.586	0.42	0.23
E3	1.03	−2.16	0.23	1.111	0.36	0.95
E4	1.26	−2.48	0.27	1.122	0.42	0.93
E5	2.27	1.87	0.73	0.85	0.70	0.52
E6	3.55	−0.25	0.97	0.877	0.80	0.43
E7	1.57	−2.28	0.46	1.099	0.63	0.87
E8	1.53	−1.79	0.64	1.136	0.63	0.78
		-------------------------------------- 35 to 42 days old -------------------------------
E1	2.76	−3.76	0.55	1.146	0.72	0.64
E2	3.09	4.91	0.51	0.622	0.48	0.24
E3	1.11	−2.86	0.13	1.158	0.21	0.96
E4	1.32	−3.21	0.16	1.171	0.27	0.94
E5	2.45	1.83	0.75	0.851	0.72	0.48
E6	3.61	−1.00	0.90	0.923	0.87	0.44
E7	1.62	−3.06	0.33	1.152	0.47	0.88
E8	1.57	2.58−	0.51	1.193	0.51	0.80

AMEn, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy; CP, crude protein; ADF, acid detergent fiber; EE, ether extract; CF, crude fiber; NDF, neutral detergent fiber.

E1: Tables of chemistry and energy composition of feedstuffs (Rostagno et al., 2011).

E2: Equations presented by Alvarenga et al. (2013): AMEn = 4,021.8–227.55ash and AMEn = −822.33+69.54CP–45.26ADF+90.81EE.

E3: General equation 1 proposed by Mariano et al. (2012): AMEn = 4,164.187+51.006EE–197.663ash–35.689CF–20.593NDF.

E4: General equation 2 proposed by Mariano et al. (2012): AMEn = 4,144.914+53.137EE–204.644ash–26.214CF–20.26NDF.

E5: Equations proposed by Nascimento et al. (2011a,b): AMEn = 4,371.18–26.48CP+30.65EE–16.93ash–52.26CF–25.14NDF+24.40ADF and AMEn = 2707.71+58.63EE–16.06NDF.

E6: General equation 1 proposed by Nascimento et al. (2009): AMEn = 4,101.33+56.28EE–232.97ash–24.86NDF+10.42ADF.

E7: General equation 2 proposed by Nascimento et al. (2009): AMEn = 4,095.41+56.84EE–225.26ash–22.24NDF.

E8: Software “calculator” elaborated by Rostagno et al. (2005).

H0: βo = 0; Ha: βo ≠ 0.

H0: β1 = 1; Ha: β1 ≠ 1.

Table 4

Estimated standard error and parameter estimates with their respective probability values (F test) for the null hypothesis and regression coefficient (R2) between the observed and predicted AMEn values of experimental diets evaluated in broilers of different age groups (n = 4)

Estimative methods1	Standard error of estimative	Intercept		Slope		R2
		Estimate	p valuea	Estimate	p valueb
		----------------------------------------- 1 to 7 days old --------------------------------
E1	0.58	0.91	0.98	0.901	0.98	0.05
E2	0.66	−7.61	0.34	1.631	0.32	0.85
E3	0.28	4.87	0.37	0.65	0.38	0.68
E4	0.23	3.56	0.52	0.746	0.54	0.70
E5	0.26	9.07	0.22	0.329	0.22	0.28
E6	0.92	−5.34	0.63	1.318	0.67	0.67
E7	0.31	0.54	0.93	0.978	0.96	0.72
E8	1.31	−0.96	0.93	1.169	0.84	0.54
		----------------------------------------- 8 to 21 days old ------------------------------
E1	0.68	−31.12	0.15	3.148	0.16	0.84
E2	0.65	−15.51	0.04	2.211	0.04	0.98
E3	0.36	−2.48	0.80	1.197	0.79	0.64
E4	0.33	−4.41	0.68	1.336	0.67	0.71
E5	0.43	4.84	0.74	0.647	0.74	0.19
E6	0.99	−18.69	0.22	2.227	0.24	0.82
E7	0.41	−8.80	0.49	1.668	0.48	0.69
E8	1.34	−13.02	0.39	2.12	0.36	0.71
		----------------------------------------- 22 to 35 days old -----------------------------
E1	0.74	−5.52	0.90	1.336	0.91	0.12
E2	0.61	−46.72	0.33	4.43	0.32	0.59
E3	0.24	−7.52	0.21	1.546	0.21	0.93
E4	0.22	−10.83	0.12	1.776	0.12	0.95
E5	0.24	−1.09	0.87	1.074	0.88	0.76
E6	1.05	−45.68	0.20	3.976	0.21	0.75
E7	0.32	−18.93	0.05	2.365	0.05	0.97
E8	1.26	−20.07	0.25	2.611	0.23	0.79
		----------------------------------------- 36 to 42 days old ----------------------------
E1	0.75	−1.79	0.79	1.077	0.86	0.78
E2	0.47	−10.82	0.14	1.796	0.13	0.94
E3	0.19	−0.86	0.84	1.067	0.82	0.89
E4	0.17	−1.93	0.68	1.139	0.67	0.89
E5	0.27	3.25	0.62	0.772	0.61	0.67
E6	1.09	−10.12	0.35	1.600	0.39	0.81
E7	0.25	−3.91	0.52	1.285	0.50	0.87
E8	1.22	−2.69	0.61	1.279	0.50	0.88

AMEn, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy; CP, crude protein; ADF, acid detergent fiber; EE, ether extract; CF, crude fiber; NDF, neutral detergent fiber.

E1: Tables of chemistry and energy composition of feedstuffs (Rostagno et al., 2011)

E2: Equations presented by Alvarenga et al. (2013): AMEn = 4,021.8–227.55ash and AMEn = −822.33+69.54CP–45.26ADF+90.81EE.

E3: General equation 1 proposed by Mariano et al. (2012): AMEn = 4,164.187+51.006EE–197.663ash–35.689CF–20.593NDF.

E4: General equation 2 proposed by Mariano et al. (2012): AMEn = 4,144.914+53.137EE–204.644ash–26.214CF–20.26NDF.

E5: Equations proposed by Nascimento et al. (2011a,b): AMEn = 4,371.18–26.48CP+30.65EE–16.93ash–52.26CF–25.14NDF+24.40ADF and AMEn = 2707.71+58.63EE–16.06NDF.

E6: General equation 1 proposed by Nascimento et al. (2009): AMEn = 4,101.33+56.28EE–232.97ash–24.86NDF+10.42ADF.

E7: General equation 2 proposed by Nascimento et al. (2009): AMEn = 4,095.41+56.84EE–225.26ash–22.24NDF.

E8: Software “calculator” elaborated by Rostagno et al. (2005).

H0: βo = 0; Ha: βo ≠ 0.

H0: β1 = 1; Ha: β1 ≠ 1.

The AMEn values of feedstuffs were similar between broilers of different ages. Greater variation (8%) was observed with maize gluten meal, and higher energy values were found in older broilers. Considering the different systems to obtain the AMEn values of the feedstuffs, the statistical analysis of the intercept and the slope of the straight line in all the studied ages was consistent (p>0.05) with the null hypothesis (H0: β0 = 0 and H0: β1 = 1), indicating that the observed values for AMEn are equivalent to those predicted by the equations in all phases of the development of the poultry (Table 3). At all ages, the lowest estimated standard errors were obtained using the general equation (AMEn = 4,164.187+51.006EE–197.663ash–35.689CF–20.593NDF) that was originally proposed by Mariano et al. (2012). For the R2 values, this prediction equation presented high values.

To estimate the AMEn values of diets using the AMEn values of feedstuffs, most of the estimation methods were effective because the null hypothesis (H0: β0 = 0 and H0: β1 = 1) was confirmed (Table 4). The lowest estimated standard errors were obtained using an additional general equation (AMEn = 4,144.914+53.137EE–204.644ash–26.214CF–20.26NDF) proposed by Mariano et al. (2012). The R2 values obtained with this prediction equation were considerably high (>0.70), mainly from 22 to 35 and 36 to 42 days of age. For the other growth phases, higher precision was obtained using the equations presented by Alvarenga et al. (2013).

DISCUSSION

In general, the feedstuffs used in the current study had different chemical values compared to those presented in the summary tables of chemistry and energy composition of feedstuffs (NRC, 1994; Lesson and Summers, 1997; Rostagno et al., 2011; Batal and Dale, 2012) and also in poultry studies (Frikha et al., 2012; Silva et al., 2012; Anuradha et al., 2013). Various factors, such as soil fertility, planting and fertilization conditions, climate, genetics of cultivars, storage and processing of grain, are known to influence such values. This variability in chemical composition of feedstuffs explains the observed variation in the AMEn values of the main ingredients used in poultry diets, highlighting the importance and need for new methodologies to estimate the energy values of feedstuffs.

Based on the results of the current study, the general equations proposed by Mariano et al. (2012) led to the lowest estimated standard error in the predicted AMEn values of feedstuffs and experimental diets at all growth stages of broilers, particularly compared to the tables of chemistry and energy composition of feedstuffs (Rostagno et al., 2011). These results indicate that the use of prediction equations may generate more accurate energy values and can even be used to predict the energy values of CDs for broilers.

Meta-analysis can yield accurate prediction equations to calculate the AMEn values of feedstuffs. Specifically, a meta-analysis combines the results of several studies that address a set of related research hypotheses, thus increasing the statistical power of the conclusion (Fagard et al., 1996; Nascimento et al., 2011a). According to Mariano et al. (2012), the use of differentiated meta-analysis, combined with the main components technique (MCT), is very efficient, resulting in equations with greater precision and accuracy as confirmed in the present work. According to Mariano et al. (2012), the MCT represents an adaptation to the conventional meta-analysis that facilitates the formation of various groups that compose it.

Based on the results of the present study, it was possible to verify by linear regression the proximity of the points generated by the observed and predicted values of AMEn along the equality axis (Y = X, Figures 1 and 2). However, it is important to emphasize that the regressions only show that there is a similarity between the observed and estimated values and do not indicate which prediction equation better fits the data between estimated and observed values (Tedeshi, 2006). The acceptance of the null hypothesis in the present study implies that all prediction equations tested adequately estimated values of AMEn of feedstuffs. However, the estimate precision was different. In other words, the efficiency of an equation to estimate the energy values is not only related to the accuracy (X = Y) but also related to the precision. The differences in the accuracy and precision between the equations are related to the number of variables that compose the equations and the different calculation techniques used to obtain the equations.

Figure 1

Relationship between the observed and predicted AMEn values of different feedstuffs evaluated in broilers of different age groups: 1 to 7 (A), 8 to 21 (B), 22 to 35 (C), and 36 to 42 days (D). The prediction equation used was previously proposed by Mariano et al. (2012): AMEn = 4,144.914+53.137EE–204.644ash–26.214CF–20.26NDF. AMEn, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy; EE, ether extract; CF, crude protein; NDF, neutral detergent fiber.

Figure 2

Relationship between the observed and predicted AMEn values of different diets in broilers of different age groups: 1 to 7 (A), 8 to 21 (B), 22 to 35 (C) and 36 to 42 days (D). The prediction equation used was previously proposed by Mariano et al. (2012): AMEn = 4,144.914+53.137EE–204.644ash–26.214CF–20.26NDF. AMEn, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy; EE, ether extract; CF, crude protein; NDF, neutral detergent fiber.

The prediction equation proposed by Mariano et al. (2012) using the differentiated meta-analysis, which accounted for EE, ash, CF, and NDF, was more efficient. EE can also be considered an important variable responsible for the energy variability of the feedstuffs (Zhang et al., 1994; Alvarenga et al., 2011). Garnsworthy et al. (2000) reported that ash is also important for the energy content of feedstuffs because it indirectly represents the organic fraction. Regarding NDF, Wan et al. (2009) evaluated the use of prediction equations to determine the energy values of wheat and its sub-products for ducks. The authors demonstrated that an equation accounting only for NDF explained 94% of the variation in the energy values for these feedstuffs. Nevertheless, Carre et al. (1984) mentioned that the NDF did not include all indigestible carbohydrates in broilers, citing the pectic substances in the cellular wall as an example. According to these authors, others variables must be included in the prediction equations. Mariano et al. (2012) reported that the inclusion of CF as a variable in certain prediction equations could subsequently increase the R2 value.

The results obtained in the current study show that prediction equations may be more effective in estimating the AMEn values of individual feedstuffs and diets for broilers at different ages. We have shown that these prediction equations are important for increasing the accuracy of diet formulation, allowing producers to correct energy values based on the variations in the chemical composition of feedstuffs. However, more studies are required to reduce the number of variables present in the equation with a minimal loss of accuracy in the estimation of AMEn to facilitate the process of calculating the energy values of foods.

In this study, we found significant variation in the chemical composition of food and energy used for male broilers. The prediction equation AMEn (DM basis) = 4,164.187+51.006EE (% in DM basis)–197.663ash–35.689CF (% in DM basis)–20.593 NDF (% in DM basis) (R2 = 0.75) was the most applicable for the potential prediction of the energy values of ingredients commonly used for male broilers in the poultry feed industry.