Energy utilization of diets with different starch content in nulliparous rabbit does fed different levels of intake

Sixty four nulliparous rabbit does were divided into 4 groups, allocated to individual metabolic cages and fed (restricted or ad libitum) one of the following diets: C) 23% starch on DM; CP) 19% starch, based on Citrus Pulp; MM) 30% starch, based on Maize Meal; MF) 33% starch, based on Maize Flaked, to determine DE and ME. HP and RE were computed by indirect calorimetry on 32 animals. Diet C had a significantly lower digestibility and metabolizability, while no difference was registered between diets for HP and RE. The high intake level decreased digestibility and metabolizability significantly. From all the energy balances a regression equation was developed to predict RE from ME intake; MEm resulted to be 417 kJ/kg0.75, kg 0.77, kf and kp 0.86 and 0.67, respectively.