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Protein and Energy Relationships in the Diet of the American Alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis )

The Journal of Nutrition, ISSN: 0022-3166, Vol: 120, Issue: 7, Page: 775-785
1990
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First-year alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis ) averaging 377–857 g body weight were fed diets containing various levels of protein, fat and carbohydrate. In experiment 1, nine diets arranged in a centrally rotatable composite design contained 0–36% extruded corn and 4–20% total fat. Response surface analysis predicted maximum responses in performance criteria at 6.3–18.8% corn and 15.8–27.4% fat. Corn inclusion at up to 27–36% of diet resulted in equal or improved performance compared to carbohydrate-free diets of equal fat content. Energy digestibility averaged 84.3%. Protein digestibility averaged 86.7%. Maximum responses in performance criteria were predicted at 42.5–48.7% digestible protein and 4367–4421 kcal/kg digestible energy. In two additional experiments, alligators were either fasted or fed for various numbers of days/week. Carbohydrate-supplementation of high protein diets led to equal or significantly improved performances. Performance was maximized by feeding the alligators 5–6 d/w. Regression of body weight changes against energy and protein intake yielded estimates of daily maintenance requirements of 5.7–8.4 kcal and 0.49–0.89 g protein/kg live body weight. Dietary fat and carbohydrate in the forms and amounts fed to young alligators were well-utilized. Optimal digestible energy:crude protein ratios (8.2–10.9:1 kcal/g protein) were similar to those of other aquatic ectotherms of equal size.

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