ABSTRACT. The current study evaluates the effect of partial or total replacement of fish meal with Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae, cultivated in an NPK culture medium, on the growth performance of Macrobrachion amazonicum shrimp post-larvae. Four diets were formulated: control (without microalgae), 25, 50 and 100% H. pluvialis replacement. Only crude protein weight gain showed no interaction and was not selected for principal components analysis. The 25% fishmeal replacement in the diet was not effective, being similar to the control. However, the complete replacement of fishmeal with H. pluvialis promoted elevated survivability, length, weight and protein retention, making it the most relevant treatment for M. amazonicum post-larvae. Therefore, it is possible to completely replace fishmeal with the microalgae H. pluvialis in the diet of M. amazonicum shrimp, which improves growth performance. ABSTRACT medium postlarvae. postlarvae post larvae. larvae post-larvae formulated without , microalgae) 25 5 100 H analysis effective However survivability length retention M Therefore 2 10 1

ABSTRACT Diets with high protein levels but unbalanced amino acid (AA) profiles can lead to poor AA utilization, increasing nitrogenous compound excretion and feed costs. Our study aimed to develop a formulation strategy to maintain a balanced dietary AA profile with a low protein level for Nile tilapia juveniles without compromising growth. Fish (6.75 ± 0.07 g) were fed on one of four isoenergetic diets with varied protein concentrations and AA profiles twice daily to apparent satiation for 41 days. The trial included four dietary treatments containing either 321 (32HighLys and 32LowLys) or 292 and 222 g protein kg –1 (29BAL and 22BAL, respectively) with five replicates per diet, making a total of 20 experimental units in a completed randomized design. The growth of fish fed the 29BAL diet was not compromised; weight gain (WG) and thermal growth coefficients were similar to those fed the 32HighLys and 32LowLys diets. However, the protein gain of those fish fed the 32HighLys diet was significantly higher than that of those fed the other diets. The 22BAL diet promoted the lowest growth, and its higher protein-energy ratio led to increased body lipid content. Therefore, the formulation strategy to supply balanced dietary AA to Nile tilapia reduced digestible protein from 32 to 29 %, without compromising fish growth and allowing a 12 % decrease in the excretion of nitrogenous waste. (AA utilization costs 6.75 675 6 75 (6.7 007 0 07 0.0 4 days HighLys LowLys 22 1 – BAL respectively 2 design compromised WG (WG However proteinenergy energy content Therefore 3 waste 6.7 67 7 (6. 00 0. 6. (6 (

ABSTRACT The objective with this study was to determine the lysine maintenance requirements (LMR) of male and female broilers as animal models. A total of 252 birds were used for nitrogen balance trials during three periods (I: 6-21, II: 22-37, and III: 38-53 days). Six lysine levels were used (2.76, 5.88, 8.99, 12.1, 15.2, and 18.3 g kg−1) with six replications. A control group also included, totalizing seven treatments for males and females for each assay. The experimental period was 15 days. The response variables included nitrogen intake (NI) and excretion (NEX), and their difference was assumed to be deposited as nitrogen. An exponential regression between NEX and lysine intake (LI) was fitted, and LMR was estimated when LI = 0. The daily values for LMR were 9.29, 33.4, and 40.2 mg BW0.67 kg−1 for males and 9.36, 30.0, and 39.4 mg BW0.67 kg−1 for females. The final value for both sexes were 10.1 (period I), 31.5 (period II), and 39.8 mg BW0.67 kg−1 (period III). Expressed as body protein weight at maturity (BPm), the LMR were 172 and 148 (period I), 216 and 207 (period II), and 189 and 180 mg BPm0.73 kg−1 (period III) for males and females, respectively. The results provided ranges of LMR values recommended in previous studies, validating this procedure. The procedure to estimate the requirements presented here provides new insights into the model of amino acid requirement estimations.

ABSTRACT Supplementing high levels of dietary crude protein in the absence of amino acid balance and enough energy in fish diets may results in reduced growth, improper feed intake and poor protein utilization efficiency coupled with unviable feed costs and adverse environmental effects due to high nitrogen excretion. It is necessary to improve the dietary protein quality to avoid unnecessary nitrogen excretion, and the use of protein as an energy source by fish, quality and determine proper dietary protein to energy (DP:DE) ratios in order to maximize protein utilization efficiency. It will help the aquaculture sector to obtain better growth response at a low-cost and without any adverse environmental effects. In the present article, we have deliberated in detail the previous and ongoing researches about protein research in fish nutrition. Besides, we have made a comparison between two so far commonly used methods in protein research, i.e., the graded supplementation and diet- dilution technique. According to the data presented here, is focusing on the formulation of balanced diets, the diet-dilution technique seems to be more accurate than the graded supplementation method. Thus, future studies should be focused on the use of diet-dilution technique along with proper dietary protein to energy ratios in order to formulate well-balanced diets. These attempts will significantly improve the protein and energy research in aquaculture nutrition. Moreover, feed industries will become able to formulate biologically balanced and environment-friendly diets at a low cost.

ABSTRACT. Current study evaluates the macrophyte biomass of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, in diet food to improve the growth and survival of angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare. The liquid (extract) and ground modes are employed. Specific growth rate, weight gain, feed intake and final body weight in basal diet and macrophyte extract biomass diets were similar (p > 0.05). Fish survival was high in all dietary treatments (> 90%), while survival percentage of 100% was reported in ground macrophyte biomass treatment. Ground macrophyte biomass may be included in the diet of P. scalare up to 5%. The inclusion of E. crassipes in the diet of P. scalare proved similar or better results than basal diet. The macrophyte proved to be a food strategy in angelfish diets that may be implemented in the species’s diet at 32% levels of crude protein. The latter, easily found in tropical regions, affects directly the species’s growth and survival rates.

Phytochemical investigation of the leaf extracts from Miconia ferruginata (Melastomataceae) led to the isolation and characterization of the flavonoids 5,6,7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxy-8-methylflavone and 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,8-dimetilflavone, triterpenes ursolic acid and oleanolic acid, in addition to the steroids β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The structures of these compounds were proposed by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. This paper also describes the insecticidal effects of leaf extracts from M. ferruginata to one of the main pests of maize, the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). The ingestion bioassays, the leaf extracts showed an elongation of the larval stage of 16.56 days as compared to the control.

RESUMO. A estabilidade no armazenamento é um fator limitante ao desenvolvimento e uso de bioinseticidas. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a compatibilidade dos fungos entomopatogênicos M. anisopliae e B. bassiana com componentes utilizados em formulações encapsuladas e avaliar a estabilidade de formulações contendo B. bassiana bassiana. Alginato de sódio, maltodextrina, hemicelulose e o solvente dimetilsulfóxido foram avaliados. A compatibilidade foi avaliada misturando os componentes ao BDA e os parâmetros para avaliação foram crescimento vegetativo, esporulação e viabilidade. As formulações fúngicas foram preparadas em concentrações de alginato de sódio gotejadas em cloreto de cálcio. Para avaliar a estabilidade, as formulações foram armazenadas em 26,5; 4,0 e -20,0°C. Mensalmente, amostras foram sendo retiradas e as cápsulas colocadas em placas de Petri com BDA para verificar o crescimento após 7 dias de incubação. Essas avaliações ocorreram durante 12 meses. Os biopolímeros avaliados foram compatíveis a ambos os fungos, com exceção de maltodextrina a 1,5%, classificado como moderadamente tóxico para B. bassiana. O dimetilsulfóxido foi classificado como moderadamente tóxico para B. bassiana a 3,0%; e para M. anisopliae a 2,0 e 3,0%. As formulações permaneceram estáveis durante os 12 meses nas condições avaliadas, enquanto para o conídio puro, ao sexto mês já apresentava 46% de viabilidade a 26,5°C.

ABSTRACT. Stability during storage is a limiting factor in the development and use of bioinsecticides. This study aims to evaluate the compatibility of the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana with components used in encapsulated formulations and to evaluate shelf-life in formulations with B. bassiana. Sodium alginate and maltodextrin, hemicellulose, and dimethyl sulfoxide solvents were evaluated. Compatibility was evaluated by mixing the components with PDA, and the parameters evaluated were vegetative growth, sporulation and viability. The formulations of fungi were prepared in various concentrations of sodium alginate and then added drop-wise to calcium chloride. To evaluate the stability, formulations were stored at 26.5, 4.0, and -20.0°C. Monthly, samples were taken, and the capsules were placed on Petri dishes with PDA to verify the growth after seven days of incubation. These evaluations were performed by the 12th month. Biopolymers evaluated were compatible with both fungi, exception maltodextrin at 1.5%, which was classified as moderately toxic to B. bassiana. Dimethyl sulfoxide was classified as moderately toxic to B. bassiana at 3.0% and to M. anisopliae at 2.0% and 3.0%. The formulations were stable throughout the 12 months in the conditions evaluated, while for the pure conidia of the fungus, 46% viability in the 6th month at 26.5°C was observed.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to describe the growth of freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) using the Gompertz model, determining the relative growth and allometric coefficients of body components in relation to body weight and protein weight. Six hundred animals were grown until 233 days of age. Data on chemical composition (water, lipid, protein, and ash) and weight measurements were obtained each 30 days. The Gompertz growth equation was used to analyze chemical allometry and to estimate growth parameters. The relationship between chemical components and body protein was estimated. Protein and body weight increased proportionally, with ash being the earliest nutrient (209.2 days), while lipid deposition occurred later. Linear regression analysis showed an inverse relationship between lipids and body water. This study provided a useful equation to predict the growth, chemical body composition, and rate of nutrient deposition across the life stages of freshwater angelfish. The rates of nutrient deposition as a function of body weight are important to understand the growth process of freshwater angelfish. Thus, mature weight was estimated in 26.14 g. The allometric relationships of body components and deposition rates indicated that protein and body weight are highly correlated across the life stages of freshwater angelfish. The Gompertz equation is a useful tool to describe the growth and body composition of freshwater angelfish.

Resumo Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a expressão do torque em braquetes autoligáveis ativos e passivos e nos convencionais. Métodos: no total, 300 segmentos de fio de aço inoxidável 0,019" x 0,025" foram usados. Seis diferentes marcas de braquetes foram analisadas (Damon 3MX, Portia, In-Ovation R, Bioquick, Roth SLI, Roth Max). Os momentos de torque foram medidos em 120, 240, 360 e 480, utilizando-se um dispositivo de torção de fio associado a uma máquina de ensaios universal. Os dados obtidos foram comparados pela análise de variância, seguida de teste de Tukey para comparações múltiplas. A análise de regressão foi realizada pelo método dos mínimos quadrados, para gerar uma equação matemática da curva ótima de cada marca de braquete. Resultados: foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas na expressão do torque entre todas as marcas de braquetes avaliadas e em todas as torções testadas (p < 0,05). Encontrou-se que o Bioquick apresentou a menor expressão do torque em todas as torções testadas; em contraste, o braquete Damon 3MX apresentou a maior expressão do torque até a torção de 360. Conclusões: o sistema de ligação entre fio e braquete (autoligável ativo ou passivo, ou convencional com ligadura elástica) parece não interferir na expressão final do torque, a qual é dependente da interação entre o fio e o braquete escolhido para ser utilizado na mecânica ortodôntica.

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to compare torque expression in active and passive self-ligating and conventional brackets. Methods: A total of 300 segments of stainless steel wire 0.019 x 0.025-in and six different brands of brackets (Damon 3MX, Portia, In-Ovation R, Bioquick, Roth SLI and Roth Max) were used. Torque moments were measured at 12°, 24°, 36° and 48°, using a wire torsion device associated with a universal testing machine. The data obtained were compared by analysis of variance followed by Tukey test for multiple comparisons. Regression analysis was performed by the least-squares method to generate the mathematical equation of the optimal curve for each brand of bracket. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the expression of torque among all evaluated bracket brands in all evaluated torsions (p < 0.05). It was found that Bioquick presented the lowest torque expression in all tested torsions; in contrast, Damon 3MX bracket presented the highest torque expression up to 36° torsion. Conclusions: The connection system between wire/bracket (active, passive self-ligating or conventional with elastic ligature) seems not to interfere in the final torque expression, the latter being probably dependent on the interaction between the wire and the bracket chosen for orthodontic mechanics.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência e distribuição sazonal das principais espécies de parasitas em ciclídeos ornamentais amazônicos que afetam seu comércio. O estudo foi realizado entre agosto de 2007 e setembro de 2009. Foram amostrados 3042 espécimes de 9 espécies diferentes, das quais 9,47% tinham pelo menos um tipo de parasita externo. Na estação seca, ocorreram 81,25% dos casos. Crenicichla anthurus (28,57%) foi o mais parasitado, seguido por Aequidens diadema (26,32%), Pterophyllum scalare (22,69%), Cichlasoma sp. (9,52%), Apistogramma sp. (3,88%), e Symphysodon aequifasciatus (3,66%). Monogenea foi o grupo mais abundante de parasitas, ocorrendo em 66,67% dos casos. Na estação seca, ocorreram 96,88% deles. Este parasita infestou 95,68% dos casos em Pterophyllum scalare, 76,67% em Apistogramma sp., 33,33% em Cichlasoma sp. e 23,81% em Symphysodon aequifasciatus. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infestou 100% dos casos em Aequidens diadema, 76,19% em Symphysodon aequifasciatus, 66,67% em Cichlasoma sp., 41,67% em Crenicichla anthurus e 23,33% em Apistogramma sp.; Myxosporidia infestou 58,33% dos casos em Crenicichla anthurus; Trichodina infestou 4,32% dos casos em Pterophyllum scalare. A prevalência desses parasitas está relacionada com a época do ano, hábitat preferido, comportamento dos peixes, suscetibilidade individual e manejo dos animais durante o transporte pelos pescadores.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and seasonal distribution of the main parasite species in Amazonian ornamental cichlids that affect their trade. The study was conducted from August 2007 to September 2009. We sampled 3042 specimens from 9 different species, of which 9.47% had at least one type of external parasite. 81.25% of the cases occurred in the dry season. Crenicichla anthurus (28.57%) was the most parasitized, followed by Aequidens diadema (26.32%), Pterophyllum scalare (22.69%), Cichlasoma sp. (9.52%), Apistogramma sp. (3.88%) and Symphysodon aequifasciatus (3.66%). Monogenea was the most abundant group of parasites, occurring in 66.67% of the cases, of which 96.88% occurred in the dry season. This parasite infested 95.68% of Pterophyllum scalare, 76.67% of Apistogramma sp, 33.33% of Cichlasoma sp. and 23.81% of Symphysodon aequifasciatus cases. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infested 100% of Aequidens diadema, 76.19% of Symphysodon aequifasciatus, 66.67% of Cichlasoma sp, 41.67% of Crenicichla anthurus and 23.33% of Apistogramma sp cases. Myxosporidia infested 58.33% of Crenicichla anthurus. Trichodina infested 4.32% of Pterophyllum scalare. The prevalence of these parasites is related to the season, preferred habitat, fish behavior, individual susceptibility and handling of animals during transportation by fishermen.

The objective of this study was to measure the response of Dekalb White laying hens to different intakes of digestible methionine + cystine (met+cys) to optimise their performance. Two hundred eighty-eight Dekalb White laying hens, ranging in age from 33 to 48 weeks, were used in the study. The birds were randomly allocated into eight treatment (levels of met+cys and the control treatment) groups with six replicates of six hens per unit. The experimental diets consisted of seven increasing levels of met+cys (1.37, 2.75, 4.14, 5.51, 6.89, 7.92 and 8.95 g kg−1) and were prepared using a dilution technique. A control treatment was used to confirm that the limiting response was due to met+cys intake. Egg production, feed intake, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion per mass were measured. The data were analysed with repeated measures and regression analyses using Broken Line and Quadratic models, as well as using the combination of both models. The different met+cys intakes influenced the studied variables; all the variables except feed conversion per mass were significantly different between the periods and levels. The digestible met+cys intakes based on the association of the Broken Line and Quadratic models to optimise the birds' response to egg mass are 671 mg/bird d for 33 to 36 weeks, 728 mg/bird d for 37 to 40 weeks, 743 mg/bird d for 41 to 44 weeks, and 770 mg/bird d for 45 to 48 weeks.

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar a acurácia de cinco modelos matemáticos (Gompertz, Logístico, Linear Hiperbólico, Quadrático e Quadrático Logarítmico) para descrever a curva de crescimento de tilápia nilótica Oreochromis niloticus da linhagem GIFT e, realizar a caracterização da trajetória do crescimento das partes corporais. Para tal, 1.000 alevinos com peso inicial de 2,4 g foram estocados em 20 tanques de alvenaria de 2 m³ numa densidade de 25 peixes m-3, por um período de 180 dias. Os animais foram alimentados diariamente, utilizando níveis de proteína e número de refeições diárias de acordo com cada fase. Quinzenalmente, foram amostrados aleatoriamente 20 peixes, submetidos a um jejum de 48 h e abatidos por choque térmico, para determinação dos pesos do peixe inteiro, peles sem escamas, filés sem pele, coração, fígado, brânquias e trato gastrointestinal. Os modelos Gompertz e Logístico foram os que mais se adequaram ao ajuste da curva de crescimento do peso vivo, do filé e da pele, todavia, o Logístico subestimou os pesos assintóticos. Desta forma, sugere-se o Gompertz para descrever a curva de crescimento de tilápia nilótica da linhagem GIFT. De acordo com os parâmetros estimados pelo modelo Gompertz, a tilápia nilótica atinge a idade de máximo crescimento do filé e pele antes da idade do peso vivo. Dentre os órgãos estudados, o crescimento do trato gastrointestinal e brânquias é mais precoce do que o do coração e fígado.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of five mathematical models (Gompertz, Logistic, Linear Hyperbolic, Quadratic and Quadratic Logarithmic) to describe the growth curve of GIFT strain Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, and to characterize the growth trajectory of body parts. To do this, 1,000 fingerlings, with an initial weight of 2.4 g were placed into 20 brick tanks of 2 m³ each, at a density of 25 fish m-3, for 180 days. The animals were fed daily, using the protein levels and number of meals appropriate to each stage. Every two weeks 20 fish were randomly sampled, submitted to a fasting period of 48 h and then slaughtered by thermal shock, in order to determine the weight of the whole fish, the skin without scales, skinless fillets, heart, liver, gills and gastrointestinal tract. The Gompertz and Logistic models presented the best fit to the growth curve for live weight, fillet and skin, however the Logistic model underestimated the asymptotic weights. Therefore, to describe the growth curve in GIFT strain Nile tilapia, the Gompertz model is suggested. According to the parameters estimated by the Gompertz model, Nile tilapia reach the age for maximum growth of the fillet and skin before that of body weight. Among the organs studied, growth of the gastrointestinal tract and gills takes place earlier than that of the heart and liver.

Broiler strains available in the poultry industry present different requirements for dietary lysine due to their different growth potentials as a result of their genetic makeup. This study aimed to determine the model parameters for maximum nitrogen retention (NRmaxT), the nitrogen maintenance requirement (NMR) and the efficiency of lysine utilization (bc-1) to reevaluate the lysine (Lys) requirements of male and female broilers. Nitrogen balance trials were performed during three periods (I: 6-21 days, II: 22-37 days, and III: 38-53 days). Seven treatments were used for males and females; the treatments consisted of seven diets with protein levels ranging from 61 to 364 g kg-1 dry matter, with Lys being limiting in the dietary nitrogen (4.91 g of Lys in 16 g of N). Nitrogen intake (NI), excretion (NEX), deposition (ND, ND=NI-NEX) and retention (NR, NR=ND+NMR) values were obtained. The NMR was represented by the exponential relationship between NEX and NI. The NRmax T and bc-1 were estimated by the exponential fit between ND and NI. The NRmax T, bc-1, and NMR values were combined in a model to estimate Lys intake by simulating different percentages of the NRmaxT. The Lys intake estimates were 581, 1,538, and 2,171 mg day-1 for males and 512, 1,340, and 1674 mg day-1 for females during periods I, II, and III, respectively. Due to the flexibility of the model, it is possible to calculate the Lys intake for percentages of NR in the range of practical performance data.

O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um procedimento baseado na função Gompertz para determinar a eficiência de utilização do aminoácido. O procedimento foi aplicado para determinar a eficiência de utilização da lisina, metionina+cistina e treonina da dieta de frangas de postura em crescimento, e com base nas eficiências foram estimadas as exigências para fase de crescimento das aves. A função Gompertz foi ajustada aos dados de consumo de ração, peso corporal, peso proteico do corpo depenado e peso de penas de quatro linhagens de aves de postura na fase de crescimento. As taxas de consumo e deposição diária de proteína (DP) foram calculadas. A deposição do aminoácido foi obtida multiplicando a DP pela concentração do aminoácido nas penas e corpo depenado. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que as eficiências de utilização dos aminoácidos diminuíram com a maturidade e, inversamente, houve um aumento proporcional da exigência por kg de ganho de peso. O procedimento baseado na função Gompertz para determinar a eficiência de utilização do aminoácido mostrou ser adequado para avaliar a eficiência de utilização do aminoácido e pode ser uma ferramenta útil para diagnosticar a eficácia do manejo nutricional auxiliando na tomada de decisões sobre o manejo nutricional.

The aim of this study was to develop a procedure based on Gompertz function to determine the efficiency of utilization of amino acid. The procedure was applied to determine the efficiency of utilization of dietary lysine, methionine+cystine and threonine by growing pullets and based on the efficiencies were estimated the requirements for the growth phase of birds. The Gompertz function was fitted to the data of feed intake, body weight, feather-free body protein weight and feather protein weight of four strains of laying hens in the growth phase. The rates of consumption and daily protein deposition (PD) were calculated. The amino acid deposition was obtained by multiplying the PD by the amino acid concentration in feather protein and feather-free body protein. The results showed that the efficiency of utilization of amino acid decreased with maturity and, conversely, there was a proportional increase of the requirement per kg of weight gain. The procedure based on the Gompertz function to determine the efficiency of utilization of amino acid proved to be suitable to evaluate the efficiency of utilization of amino acid and can be a useful tool to diagnose the effectiveness of the nutritional management, aiding in decision-making on the nutritional management.

Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa descrever o potencial de retenção de nitrogênio por duas técnicas: abate comparativo e balanço de nitrogênio. Também se objetivou comparar os modelos ajustados para cada técnica e estimar as exigências de mantença para frangas de postura. Os ensaios foram realizados no período de 14 a 28, 56 a 70 e 98 a 112 dias de idade, utilizando 168 frangas. Os ensaios tiveram sete tratamentos e oito repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de níveis de proteína variando de 75 a 435gkg-1 de matéria seca. As variáveis coletadas pelo abate comparativo foram nitrogênio ingerido e depositado e, pela técnica do balanço de nitrogênio, ingestão e excreção de nitrogênio. O intercepto da relação exponencial entre nitrogênio excretado e ingerido foi considerado a exigência de mantença. Os modelos ajustados foram comparados pelo teste da razão de máxima verossimilhança. As técnicas comparadas descreveram de forma diferente a exigência de mantença de nitrogênio. Para o abate comparativo, a exigência de mantença foi estimada em 342, 372 e 543mg/kgPC0,67 e para o balanço de nitrogênio foi de 342, 225 e 284mg/kgPC0,67, para os período de 14 a 28, 56 a 70 e 98 a 112 dias de idade, respectivamente.

The objectives of this study were to describe the potential for nitrogen retention by two techniques: comparative slaughter and nitrogen balance; compare the adjusted models for each technique and estimate the maintenance requirement for pullets. Assays were performed during 14 to 28, 56-70 and 98 to 112 days of age, using 168 pullets. The design was completely randomized with seven treatments and eight replications. Treatments consisted of protein levels ranging from 75 to 435gkg-1 of dry matter. The variables were collected by comparative slaughter and nitrogen ingested and deposited in nitrogen balance technique intake and nitrogen excretion. The intercept of the exponential relationship between ingested and excreted nitrogen was considered a requirement for maintenance. The adjusted models were compared by using the maximum likelihood ratio. The techniques described differently compared the requirement for maintenance of nitrogen. For comparative slaughter requiring maintenance was estimated at 342, 372 and 543mg/kgPC0,67 and for nitrogen balance was 342, 225 and 284mg/kgPC0,67 for the period of 14 to 28, 56-70 and 98 to 112 days of age, respectively.