Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the dietary protein level and the feeding strategy on growth, health and physiological blood and liver parameters in growing-furring male mink. Effects of dietary protein levels ranging from 22 % of metabolizable energy (MEp) to 32 % of MEp were included in the study. The dietary protein levels were unchanged during the experimental period or reduced from a higher to a lower level in August or September. The results indicated negative effects on health and signs on immunosuppression in mink fed low dietary protein levels throughout the growing-furring period. The liver content of fat and fatty acids was higher in mink fed low dietary protein levels than in mink fed high dietary protein levels. The mortality rate was influenced of the dietary protein level in October.
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Acknowlegements
This work has been supported by Kopenhagen Fur and Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University. Gratitude is extended to I.M Jepsen and L.L.G. Jeppesen for data collection and analysis of blood and liver and to Kopenhagen Farm for carrying out the practical work associated with the presented research.
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Damgaard, B.M., Larsen, P.F., Clausen, T.N. (2012). Effects of dietary protein level on growth, health and physiological parameters in growing-furring mink. In: Larsen, P.F., et al. Proceedings of the Xth International Scientific Congress in fur animal production. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen. https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-760-8_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-760-8_3
Publisher Name: Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen
Online ISBN: 978-90-8686-760-8
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