ANN 111: Principles of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology (2+1)

HEAT INCREMENT (HI) 

• Heat increment is the amount of energy lost as a result of chemical and physical processes associated with digestion and metabolism.
• HI increases with the amount of feed consumed and may be used in animals reared in cold environment to warm the body otherwise.
• HI is a wasteful process.
• HI is also called as specific dynamic effect it consists of the following
  • Heat of nutrient metabolism.
  • Heat of fermentation.
  • Heat production from work by the kidney.
  • Heat production from increased muscular activity due to nutrient metabolism.
• HI is greater in ruminants compared to monogastrics