Effect of dietary polymer-coated urea and sodium bentonite on digestibility,rumen fermentation,and microbial protein yield in sheep fed high levels of corn stalk

Four ruminally cannulated thin-tailed Han×Dorper crossbreed wethers were used in a 4×4 Latin square design experiment to evaluate the effect of polymer-coated urea (PCU) (Optigen II, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) and sodium bentonite (SB) on intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, rumen fermentation and microbial nitrogen in sheep fed high levels of corn stalk. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric dietary treatments composed of 60% corn stalk and 40% concentrate (DM basis) were offered twice daily in two equal portions at 7:00 and 19:00 h ad libitum to ensure about 5% ort. The treatments were control (CON), PCU (soybean meal replaced by 1.8% Optigen), SB (CON diet with an additional 2% SB), and PCUSB (PCU diet with an additional 2% SB). Sheep on PCU treatment showed a greater OM digestibility (P<0.05), and nitrogen digestibility (P<0.01) compared to other treatments, but digestibility of other nutrients and dry matter intake (DMI) did not change. SB did not alter nutrient digestibility except for nitrogen. Different treatments did not affect nitrogen intake, or its urinary excretion. Nitrogen retention tended to be higher (P=0.09) in sheep fed Optigen. Moreover, purine derivatives (PD) and microbial nitrogen were not influenced by different treatments. The pH and total VFA were also not influenced by the treatments. Propionate proportions increased (P<0.01) in diets that included Optigen, but an addition of SB to Optigen did not alter the ratios. NH₃–N levels in PCU continuously increased, with the highest level achieved 3 h after feeding, which were sustained for up to 7 h. No differences were discerned in ruminal kinetics of corn stalk DM for different treatments. The PCU improved the effective degradability (ED) of corn stalk DM in 0.02 or 0.04 flow rates out of the rumen compared to both CON and PCUSB (P<0.05), but SB improved ED in 0.06 flow rates out of the rumen compared to CON. Thus, using Optigen as a new source of non-protein nitrogen to replace soybean meal in sheep fed high levels of corn stalk improved the digestibility of OM, nitrogen, and ED. Addition of SB to Optigen had no beneficial effects on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, microbial nitrogen, or rumen fermentation and ED.     

Effect of the magnitude of the decrease of rumen pH on rumen fermentation in a dual-flow continuous culture system

The negative effect of pH on rumen microbial fermentation has been associated with the total amount of time that pH is below a certain threshold. However, not only the time, but also the magnitude of the pH reduction, is important. Eight 1,325-mL dual-flow continuous culture fermenters were used in 2 replicated periods to determine the effect of the magnitude of pH reduction (5.6 vs. 5.1) during 4 h/d on rumen microbial fermentation. Fermenters were maintained at a constant temperature (38.5 degrees C) and fed 97 g/d of a 60:40 forage:concentrate diet (19.2% CP, 29.0% NDF, and 18.2% ADF, DM basis), and the solid and liquid dilution rates were controlled at 5.0 and 10.0%/h, respectively. Treatments were a constant pH 6.4 (H), 4 h/d at pH 5.6 (L), 4 h/d at pH 5.1 (VL), and 2 h/d at pH 5.1 and 2 h/d at pH 7.1 (HL). Relative to H, L did not affect OM and NDF digestion, the VFA profile, NH(3)-N concentration, CP degradation, or the flow of dietary N. In contrast, VL tended (P < 0.10) to reduce true OM digestion, reduce the NDF digestibility and the acetate and branch-chained VFA proportions, and increase the propionate proportion. Compared with H, VL reduced the CP degradation and the flow of dietary N. Relative to H, treatment HL did not affect OM and NDF digestibility, the acetate proportion, CP degradation, or the flow of dietary N but increased the propionate proportion and decreased the branch-chained VFA proportion and NH(3)-N concentration. There were no differences among treatments in the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, the flow of bacterial N, or the flow of essential and nonessential AA. In summary, fermentation was not affected by either 4 h/d at pH 5.6 or fluctuating pH between 5.1 (2 h/d) and 7.1 (2 h/d), but when pH was at 5.1 for 4 h/d, rumen microbial fermentation was modified, suggesting that effects of low pH on rumen microbial fermentation are dependent on the magnitude of the pH decrease.     

Effects of tylosin on concentrations of Fusobacterium necrophorum and fermentation products in the rumen of cattle fed a high-concentrate diet.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of tylosin on ruminal concentrations of Fusobacterium necrophorum and fermentation products in cattle during rapid adaptation to a high-concentrate diet. ANIMALS: 6 steers fitted with ruminal cannulas. PROCEDURE: Steers were assigned randomly to 2 treatment groups and switched from a 0 to an 85% concentrate diet during a 4-day period. Cattle received this diet, with or without tylosin (90 mg/steer/d), for 4 weeks. Samples of ruminal contents were collected daily beginning 2 days before the treatment protocol and in the first week of concentrate feeding. Four subsequent samples were collected at weekly intervals. Concentration of F. necrophorum in samples was determined, using the most-probable-number technique. Ruminal pH and concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA), lactate, and ammonia also were determined. All steers received both treatments separated by 4 weeks (cross-over design), during which time they were fed alfalfa hay only. RESULTS: In control steers, concentration of F. necrophorum increased in response to the high-concentrate diet. Tylosin-fed steers had lower concentrations of F. necrophorum than control steers at all times during concentrate feeding. However, ruminal pH and concentrations of lactate, VFA, and ammonia did not differ between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tylosin caused a significant reduction in ruminal concentrations of F. necrophorum during rapid adaptation to a high-concentrate diet but had no effect on fermentation products. The reduction in ruminal concentration of F. necrophorum helps explain the reduction in prevalence of hepatic abscesses reported in tylosin-fed feedlot cattle.     

Effects of nonstructural carbohydrates and protein sources on intake, apparent total tract digestibility, and ruminal metabolism in vivo and in vitro with high-concentrate beef cattle diets

To investigate the effects of synchronizing nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) and protein degradation on intake and rumen microbial fermentation, four ruminally fistulated Holstein heifers (BW = 132.3 +/- 1.61 kg) fed high-concentrate diets were assigned to a 4 x 4 Latin square design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments studied in vivo and in vitro with a dual-flow continuous culture system. Two NSC sources (barley and corn) and 2 protein sources [soybean meal (SBM) and sunflower meal (SFM)] differing in their rate and extent of ruminal degradation were combined resulting in a synchronized rapid fermentation diet (barley-SFM), a synchronized slow fermentation diet (corn-SBM), and 2 unsynchronized diets with a rapidly and a slowly fermenting component (barley-SBM, and corn-SFM). In vitro, the fermentation profile was studied at a constant pH of 6.2, and at a variable pH with 12 h at pH 6.4 and 12 h at pH 5.8. Synchronization tended to result in greater true OM digestion (P = 0.072), VFA concentration (P = 0.067), and microbial N flow (P = 0.092) in vitro, but had no effects on in vivo fermentation pattern or on apparent total tract digestibility. The NSC source affected the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in vitro, tending to be greater (P = 0.07) for barley-based diets, and in vivo, the NSC source tended to affect intake. Dry matter and OM intake tended to be greater (P > or = 0.06) for corn- than barley-based diets. Ammonia N concentration was lower in vitro (P = 0.006) and tended to be lower in vivo (P = 0.07) for corn- than barley-based diets. In vitro, pH could be reduced from 6.4 to 5.8 for 12 h/d without any effect on ruminal fermentation or microbial protein synthesis. In summary, ruminal synchronization seemed to have positive effects on in vitro fermentation, but in vivo recycling of endogenous N or intake differences could compensate for these effects.     

Rumen fermentation and degradability in buffalo and cattle using the in vitro gas production technique

An in vitro trial was conducted to investigate the effect of different inoculum sources (buffalo vs. cattle) on rumen fermentation and degradability. Incubations were carried out using rumen fluid obtained from buffalo or cattle fed the same diet [60% grass hay and 40% concentrate; 18 kg dry matter (DM)/day]. The fermentation kinetics of eight feeds commonly used in ruminant nutrition (alfalfa hay, barley meal, beet pulp, corn meal and silage, ryegrass hay and silage and soya bean meal s.e.) were studied with the in vitro gas production technique and rumen fermentation parameters (substrate disappearance, pH and volatile fatty acids production) were determined after 120 h of incubation. The linear relationship indicates that the microbial metabolic pathways of the two inocula for all the substrates were qualitatively similar, albeit often quantitatively different. In this in vitro study, a significant influence of rumen inoculum (buffalo vs. cow) on fermentation and degradability of the examined substrates was found. The differences in buffalo and cattle rumen fermentation can be explained with a different microbial activity of the two ruminant species, because of different amount of microbial population or microbial population constituted by different species of bacteria and protozoa.     

The effects of frequency of feeding on some quantitative aspects of digestion in the rumens of growing steers

Three steers with simple rumen and abomasal cannulas were given ground and pelleted diets containing predominantly dried grass meal (DG) or rolled barley (RB). Diets were given at frequencies of two or eight feeds/d in a simple changeover design. Chromic oxide and polyethylene glycol were given as flow markers and flows (g/24 h) of organic matter (OM), nitrogenous and carbohydrate compounds were calculated. Ribonucleic acid and 35S were used as microbial markers and diaminopimelic acid (DAP) as a bacterial marker. Frequency of feeding had no significant effect on mean rumen pH, ammonia levels or liquid outflow rates with either diet. Rumen volume was decreased and abomasal digesta flow increased on Diet DG with more feeds but these parameters were unaffected with Diet RB. Increased feeding frequency with both feeds resulted in increased numbers of protozoa. There were no significant effects of feeding frequency of Diet DG on the abomasal flows of any of the nitrogenous constituents measured. However, there was a significant increase in microbial-N flow from 33 to 43 g/d with more frequent feeding of diet RB which was not reflected in bacterial-N flow as measured by DAP. The apparent digestion of OM in the rumen, expressed as g/g intake with diet DG was 0.41 and 0.31 for two feeds and eight feeds/d respectively. Corresponding values for diet RB were 0.56 and 0.63 respectively. The reduction in OM digestion with frequent feeding of diet DG was reflected in similarly reduced rumen digestibilities of all dietary carbohydrate components whereas the increase in OM digestion with diet RB was reflected only by the component sugars of the dietary fibre. The efficiencies of microbial protein synthesis (expressed as gMN/kg ADOM) increased from 36 to 46 when the feeding frequency of diet DG was increased from two to eight times/d. No significant effect of frequency of feeding was found for diet RB. Mouth to abomasum degradation of feed-N (expressed as g/g intake) of 0.64 was unaffected by the number of feeds of diet DG but was significantly increased from 0.55 to 0.82 when eight rather than two feeds/d of diet RB were given.     

Efficiency of utilisation of different diets with contrasting forages and concentrate when fed to sheep in a discontinuous feeding pattern

The effects of feeding different levels of forages and concentrate, in a discontinuous feeding pattern, on the efficiency of feed utilisation and rumen function were studied using rumen fistulated sheep. Experiment 1 was a 4 × 4 latin square design to determine the whole tract digestibility and rumen characteristics of diets comprising 15% (C15), 25% (C25), 35% (C35) and 45% (C45) concentrate (energy-dense dairy pellets) with the rest of the diet being a combination of fresh short rotation ryegrass (Lolium mutiforum) and conserved (lucerne hay and maize silage) forages. In Experiment 2, the rumen degradation characteristics of feed ingredients were determined using the nylon bag technique. Daily dry matter intake (either expressed as g/kg LW or g/kg W ^0.75) was 10% lower (p = 0.03) for the C15 diet compared with C25, C35 and C45 diets. The apparent in vivo digestibility of dry matter (DM) for C15 diet was 4% higher (p = 0.04) than the C35 and C45 diets which may be attributed to the high quality of the forage (ryegrass) used.Fibre digestibility decreased as proportion of concentrate in the diet increased. However, this was unlikely due to changes in the rumen fermentation pattern, as neither pH (6.1 ± 0.23) nor ammonia concentration (24.4 ± 6 mg/dl), were different (p > 0.05) among diets. Instead, the lower fibre digestion was most likely the result of different type and proportion of fibre among diets, as total rumen degradability and rate of fibre degradation in the rumen were higher (p = 0.001) for ryegrass than for other feedstuffs. There was no significant difference in total nitrogen balance and urinary allantoin excretion among diets, which indicated similar total microbial protein synthesis (MPS). The asynchrony observed, for N and energy availability in the rumen for different diets using Sinclair et al. [Sinclair, L.A., Garnsworthy, P.C., Newbold, J.R., Buttery, P.J., 1993. Effect of synchronizing the rate of dietary energy and nitrogen release on rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in sheep. J. Agric. Sci. 120, 251–263] equation, was due to the feeding pattern used in this study leading to excess of N in relation to total organic matter digested in the rumen. In conclusion, feeding concentrates in the diets as PMR with conserved forages in a discontinuous feeding pattern may be valuable to develop feeding strategies in a pasture based system for high producing dairy cows without affecting the rumen system.     

热带假丝酵母菌与桑叶黄酮对犊牛营养物质代谢和瘤胃发酵的影响

本文旨在研究饲粮中添加热带假丝酵母菌(CT)与桑叶黄酮(MLF)对断奶前后犊牛能量与氮代谢、瘤胃微生物蛋白合成以及瘤胃发酵的影响。选取(20±2)日龄中国荷斯坦公犊牛48头,随机分为4组,对照组(CON)饲喂基础饲粮,断奶前为代乳品和开食料,断奶后为开食料;CT组在基础饲粮中添加CT;MLF组添加MLF;CM组添加CT和MLF。犊牛于56日龄断奶(代乳品),试验期60 d。分别于犊牛28、42、56和80日龄采集瘤胃液,35和63日龄进行消化代谢试验。结果表明:与CT组相比,CM组犊牛断奶前代谢能显著提高(P0.05),较CON组,断奶后CM组氮利用率显著提高(P0.05);断奶前MLF组较CON和CT组氮的生物学价值显著提高(P0.05)。与CON组相比,CT组显著提高了28~80日龄瘤胃液p H和56、80日龄瘤胃液微生物蛋白含量(P0.05),CT、MLF和CM组瘤胃液氨态氮浓度无显著变化(P0.05);与CON组相比,56日龄M LF组总挥发性脂肪酸浓度和丁酸含量显著提高(P0.05);42日龄乙酸/丙酸CT和MLF组较CON组有提高的趋势(P=0.090),各组间乙酸和戊酸含量无显著差异(P0.05)。结果提示,饲粮添加CT有助于改善断奶前犊牛瘤胃液p H和促进瘤胃微生物蛋白的合成;添加CT和MLF有助于提高断奶前犊牛饲粮代谢能和氮的生物学价值,提高断奶后犊牛总能代谢率和氮的利用率,降低粪能和总排出氮量,同时具有改善瘤胃发酵的作用,并且CT与MLF联合使用效果优于单一添加。     

Effects of crude glycerin supplementation on performance and meat quality of Holstein bulls fed high-concentrate diets

Forty-eight bulls (335 +/- 8.6 kg of initial BW) were randomly assigned to 4 glycerin levels (0, 4, 8, and 12% of concentrate DM) with the objective of evaluating the effects of glycerin supplementation on performance, ruminal fermentation, metabolism, and carcass and meat quality in Holstein bulls fed high-concentrate diets. Concentrates were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric (assuming a glycerin ME content of 3.47 Mcal/kg of DM). Concentrate and straw were fed for ad libitum intake. Bull BW and feed consumption were recorded monthly. Additionally, rumen and blood samples were collected every month. Bulls were slaughtered after 91 d of study (460 +/- 11 kg of final BW). Hot carcass weight, carcass backfat, and conformation were recorded. The area, Warner-Bratzler shear force, and intramuscular fat content of LM were determined. Glycerin level did not affect daily concentrate intake (6.89 +/- 0.34 kg/d of DM), straw intake (1.38 +/- 0.069 kg/d of DM), total DMI (8.27 +/- 0.32 kg/d of DM), ADG (1.36 +/- 0.087 kg/d), or G:F (0.17 +/- 0.009). Similarly, rumen molar proportions of propionic, acetic, and butyric acids, and rumen liquid osmolality were unaffected by treatment. However, a decreased rumen pH (P < 0.05), and greater rumen total VFA concentration (P = 0.09), serum insulin concentration (P < 0.05), and insulin to glucose ratio (P < 0.05) were observed in bulls fed 8% glycerin in concentrate compared with those receiving 0, 4, or 12%. No changes were observed in carcass and meat quality. The ME content of glycerin (86% glycerol) can be assumed to be 3.47 Mcal/kg of DM in Holstein bulls fed high-concentrate diets. In addition, feeding concentrate containing up to 12.1% of glycerin does not lead to detrimental effects on performance, ruminal fermentation, metabolism, and carcass and meat quality variables.     

Provision of beta‐glucan prebiotics (cellooligosaccharides and kraft pulp) to calves from pre‐ to post‐weaning period on pasture

We conducted two feeding experiments to evaluate the effects of supplementation with either cellooligosaccharide or kraft pulp on growth performance in grazing beef calves (Japanese Black) from 4 weeks pre‐weaning to 12 to 16 weeks post‐weaning. In Experiment 1 (20‐week duration), nine calves (2.9‐month‐old females) were assigned to either a control group (CON) or an experimental group (CEL) fed cellooligosaccharide at a rate of 10 g/day mixed with concentrate. Average daily weight gain tended to be greater in CEL than in CON, especially after 1 month of weaning. In Experiment 2 (16‐week duration), 10 calves (2.0‐month‐old females) were assigned to either a control group or an experimental group (KRA) fed kraft pulp at a rate of 10% replacement of total digestible nutrients with concentrate. The proportion of fibrolytic bacteria increased and that of methanogenic Archaea decreased in the rumen microbial community composition of KRA calves in Experiment 2, whereas the decrease in Fibrobacter and Archaea was observed in CEL calves at first 4 weeks in Experiment 1. We conclude that beta‐glucan prebiotic supplementation to grazing calves at pre‐weaning would affect rumen microbial composition and modified rumen fermentation characteristics, leading to a better rumen environment via different means.     

过瘤胃葡萄糖和缓释尿素对热应激绵羊生产性能及瘤胃发酵功能的影响

【目的】 本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加缓释尿素（SRU）和过瘤胃葡萄糖（RPG）对热应激绵羊生产性能和瘤胃发酵功能的影响。【方法】 选取40只健康、体重相近的3月龄湖羊公羔,按初始体重随机分成4个处理组（n=10）,分别为对照组（CON组,饲喂基础饲粮）、缓释尿素组（SRU组,基础饲粮中添加缓释尿素15 g/d）、过瘤胃葡萄糖组（RPG组,基础饲粮中添加过瘤胃葡萄糖10 g/d）和联合添加组（UG组,基础饲粮中添加缓释尿素15 g/d+过瘤胃葡萄糖10 g/d）,预饲期15 d,正饲期50 d。在正饲期的最后一天晨饲前,分别采集血液和瘤胃液,测定血样中免疫球蛋白A （IgA）、免疫球蛋白M （IgM）、免疫球蛋白G （IgG）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-2（IL-2）的含量,并测定瘤胃液pH、氨态氮、微生物蛋白及挥发性脂肪酸等指标。【结果】 与CON组相比,①饲粮中添加缓释尿素、过瘤胃葡萄糖均显著降低热应激绵羊的呼吸频率（P<0.05）,UG组热应激绵羊的直肠温度显著降低（P<0.05）。②SRU组、RPG组、UG组热应激绵羊的终末体重和平均日增重均显著提高（P<0.05）,料重比显著降低（P<0.05）。③RPG组和UG组热应激绵羊血清中IgG和IgM的含量均显著提高（P<0.05）,血清中TNF-α和IL-2的含量显著降低（P<0.05）。④各处理组热应激绵羊瘤胃内乙酸与丙酸的比值均显著提高（P<0.05）,SRU组瘤胃内乙酸、异丁酸、异戊酸比例和总挥发性脂肪酸的浓度均显著提高（P<0.05）,RPG组瘤胃液pH和异戊酸比例均显著提高（P<0.05）,瘤胃内氨态氮、丙酸、丁酸的比例均显著降低（P<0.05）,UG组瘤胃内乙酸、总挥发性脂肪酸及微生物蛋白的含量均显著提高（P<0.05）。【结论】 饲粮中添加缓释尿素、过瘤胃葡萄糖显著提高了热应激绵羊的生产性能,改善瘤胃发酵,维持瘤胃内环境的稳定,可有效缓解绵羊热应激。     

Effect of N fertilisation rate, energy supplementation and supplementation strategy on efficiency of N utilisation in the sheep rumen.

The effect of nitrogen (N) fertilisation (200 vs. 400 kg N ha-1 year-1) of pasture cut in the beginning (end of May) and the end (end of August) of the grazing season and of simultaneous or separated feeding of maize and grass (400 kg N ha-1 year-1) on efficiency of N utilisation in the rumen has been studied using four rumen cannulated wethers. Doubling N fertiliser rate increased grass CP production by about 60%, but induced extensive excess of rumen degradable N, reflected in high urinary urea excretion (rpearson = 0.747). The latter was lower (74% at the maximum) when feeding less fertilised or older grass or when supplementing with maize silage. Although simultaneous feeding of maize silage with grass changed patterns of rumen ammonia concentrations, no change in urinary excretion of purine derivatives was observed. Hence, faecal or urinary N excretion was unaffected by the supplementation strategy. Microbial growth efficiency was estimated from urinary excretion of purine derivatives and fermented OM. The latter was calculated from total rumen CH4 production, based on rumen fermentation stoichiometry and taking into account proportional concentrations of individual volatile fatty acids. Higher levels of intake tended to improve rumen microbial growth efficiency slightly (rpearson = 0.406), which, however, could not compensate for the reduced effective rumen DM degradability (rpearson = -0.442). The latter was apparently associated with a partial shift of the fermentation from the rumen to the hindgut, as suggested from the negative correlation (rpearson = -0.745) between faecal RNA concentrations and rumen effective degradability.     

Effect of donor animals and their diet on in vitro nutrient degradation and microbial protein synthesis using grass and corn silages

Two nonlactating cows and two wether sheep, all fitted with a permanent cannula into the rumen, were fed either hay plus concentrate, grass silage or corn silage to study the effect of the donor animal and its diet on in vitro fermentation and microbial protein synthesis. Rumen inoculum was obtained before the morning feeding. Grass silage or corn silage was incubated in a semi‐continuous rumen simulation system for 14 days. Four replicated vessels were used per treatment. Degradation of crude nutrients and detergent fibre fractions as well as microbial protein synthesis and the production of volatile fatty acids were studied. Additionally, total gas and methane production was measured with a standard in vitro gas test. Gas production and methane concentration was higher when the inoculum used was from sheep than that from cows. The donor animal also affected the degradation of organic matter and ether extract as well as the amount of propionate and butyrate, and the acetate‐to‐propionate ratio. The effect of the diet fed to the donor animal on fermentation was much greater than the effect of the donor animal itself. Feeding hay plus concentrate resulted in higher gas production and degradation of acid detergent fibre, but in lower degradation of ether extract and reduced microbial protein synthesis. Additionally, the pattern of volatile fatty acids changed significantly when the diet of the donor animals was hay plus concentrate or one of the silages. These results show that in vitro fermentation and microbial protein synthesis is different when based on inoculum from either cattle or sheep. The diet fed to the donor animal is more important than the animal species and is probably mediated by an adjusted microbial activity. With regard to standardized feed evaluations, these results further support the need to harmonize in vitro approaches used in different laboratories.     

Effect of Fusarium toxin-contaminated triticale and forage-to-concentrate ratio on fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen

In this study, the effect of Fusarium toxin-contaminated triticale (FUS) at high (60%) and low (30%) concentrate proportion in ruminant rations on ruminal fermentation, microbial protein synthesis and digestibility was investigated, using in vivo and in vitro methods. Significant effects of the forage-to-concentrate ratio on ruminal degradation and digestibility of crude nutrients and detergent fibre fractions as well as on the pH value and the concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in rumen fluid were found. The production of SCFA was affected, and the degradation of crude fibre and neutral detergent fibre in the rumen was reduced by the inclusion of FUS at high concentrate proportion. The efficiency of microbial crude protein synthesis was higher in diets with 60% than in diets with 30% concentrates, but was impaired in the presence of FUS in vitro at the high concentrate level. Marginal effects of FUS on the amino acid pattern of microbial protein were detected. It was concluded that the use of FUS in high concentrate diets can influence ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis at a dietary deoxynivalenol concentration below 5 mg/kg dry matter.     

Effects of rumen fluid collection site on microbial population structure during in vitro fermentation of the different substrates quantified by 16S rRNA hybridisation.

Rumen fluid samples from a cow were withdrawn manually from the feed mat (solid phase) or the liquid phase below this mat and incubated in vitro with wheat straw, sorghum hay and a concentrate mixture. From the inoculum and several samples collected during in vitro incubation RNA was extracted to assess microbial population size and structure. RNA content recovered from the solid phase rumen fluid was significantly higher than from the liquid phase. The composition of the microbial population in the solid phase material was characterised by a high proportion of Ruminococci. Neither the proportion of other cell wall degrading organisms (Fibrobacter and Chytridiomycetes) nor the Eukarya and Archaea populations differed between the two sampling sites. Gas production was higher when substrates were incubated with solid phase than with liquid phase rumen fluid regardless of sampling time. However, the higher level of gas production was not accompanied by a corresponding increase in true digestibility. The RNA probes showed that during in vitro incubation with liquid phase rumen fluid, the eukaryotic population was inactive no matter which substrate was used and the activity of methanogens (Archaea) was lower than with solid phase rumen fluid. The population pattern of the cell wall degrading organisms was influenced mainly by the substrate fermented, and to a smaller extent by the inoculum used for in vitro fermentation.     

The effects of diet on water flux and volatile fatty acid concentrations in the rumen of growing beef steers fed once daily

In vivo temporal changes in ruminal liquid flow, liquid volume and VFA concentrations were determined in growing steers following once-daily feeding. Crossbred beef steers (n = 8; 278 +/- 8 kg), used in a crossover design, were trained to consume 180% of their maintenance energy intake within 2 h of either a high-forage (54% hay: 46% concentrate; HF) or high-concentrate (28% hay: 72% concentrate; HC) diet. For each animal on each diet, ruminal VFA concentrations, liquid volumes and liquid dilution rates were determined during a 2-h period before feeding and during three consecutive 2-h periods following feeding. Water was withheld during these periods to observe physiologically rather than behaviorally induced changes. At equal energy intakes, diet alone had no effect on VFA concentrations (P greater than .10), although changes in total VFA, acetic and isobutyric acids differed during the time periods following feeding due to diet (diet x time period interaction; P less than or equal to .10). Ruminal volume and dilution rate were altered in a reciprocal manner due to diet, with greater volumes and lower dilution rates observed in HC than in HF steers. Differences among time periods were observed for dilution rate and propionic acid concentrations. In general, these differences can be explained by comparison of the prefeeding time period with the postfeeding time periods. A numerical, but not statistically significant, increase in ruminal volume was observed following feeding. The effects of diet on volume and liquid dilution rate of the rumen must be considered when assessing total nutrients available for animal absorption.     

Using rumen probes to examine effects of conjugated linoleic acids and dietary concentrate proportion on rumen pH and rumen temperature of periparturient dairy cows

The study aimed to examine the influence of supplemented conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) to periparturient cows receiving different concentrate proportions antepartum on rumen pH (RpH) and rumen temperature (RT). Twenty pregnant German Holstein cows were equipped with rumen probes for continuous RpH and RT measurement in a frequency of 15 min to investigate effects of dietary concentrate and CLA around parturition and the impact of parturition itself on RpH and RT. Cows had ad libitum access to partial mixed rations, 3 weeks prior to calving until day 7 post‐partum. Antepartum, cows received 100 g/day control fat (CON) or CLA supplement, either in low (20%; CON‐20, CLA‐20) or high concentrate diet (60%; CON‐60, CLA‐60). Post‐partum, concentrate proportion was adjusted to 50% while fat supplementation continued. Compared with adapted feeding, high concentrate proportions antepartum tended to increase DMI and reduced RpH. Groups CON‐60 and CLA‐60 spent more than 4 h per day below RpH 5.6 during late pregnancy, indicating the presence of subacute rumen acidosis (SARA). The RT remained unaffected antepartum. Before calving, cows spent less time below RpH 5.6 and SARA could be detected in each group post‐partum. Mean RpH increased slightly antepartum, whereas few hours before parturition a sharp decrease in RpH could be observed, accompanied with increased RT. Overall, it seems that CLA supplementation influences RpH and RT. Bearing in mind that rumen parameters fluctuate during day and herd level must be known, rumen probes for continuous RpH and RT measurement could be a useful management tool for animal health surveillance and may also help to predict parturition.     

Feeding value of wood sugar concentrate for feedlot cattle

Six crossbred steers (344 kg) with "T" cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum (6 cm from the pyloric sphincter) were used in a crossover experiment to evaluate the feeding value of wood sugar concentrate (WSC) in a finishing diet for feedlot steers. Composition of WSC was as follows: DM, 49.5%; ash, 19.2%; N, .1%; hydrolyzable sugars, 38.9% and lignosulfonate, 28.8%. Dietary treatments consisted of a finishing diet based on steam-flaked corn supplemented or not supplemented with 10.5% WSC (DM basis). Adding WSC to the diet increased (P less than .10) passage of OM to the small intestine. However, passage of N constituents (non-ammonia N, microbial N and feed N) was not affected (P greater than .10). Postruminal digestion of OM and N was depressed (P less than .05) 11.5% and 6.7%, respectively, with WSC supplementation. Total tract digestibilities of OM and GE were depressed (P less than .01) 4.1 and 4.2%, respectively. Adjusting for constituent passage of the basal diet, estimated digestible OM and DE values for WSC used in this trial were 42.7% and 2.02 Mcal/kg. WSC (DM basis) had 76% and 64%, respectively, of the energy value of hemicellulose extract (masonex) and cane sugar molasses. Because a high level (10% of diet DM) of WSC depressed postruminal N digestion, WSC levels of feedlot diets that are marginal in protein should not exceed 5% of diet DM.     

膨化秸秆微生物发酵饲料对杜寒杂交肉羊生长性能和胃肠道发育的影响

[目的] 研究膨化秸秆微生物发酵饲料对杜寒杂交肉羊生长性能和胃肠道发育的影响。[方法] 选择81只3月龄、体重为（23.0±1.0）kg的杜寒杂交羔羊,随机分为对照组（70%精料+30%干秸秆）、试验Ⅰ组（70%精料+30%膨化秸秆微生物发酵饲料）和试验Ⅱ组（70%精料+30%膨化秸秆微生物发酵饲料,添加占日粮总蛋白浓度10%的膨化缓释尿素,NPN≥100%）。试验期为75 d,预饲期为15 d,正饲期为60 d。分析育肥羊的增重,胃肠道组织重量和表观形态。[结果] 膨化秸秆微生物发酵饲料极显著（P<0.01）提高试验组羊的采食量和日增重。试验组羊的大肠重,消化道总重和瘤胃容积均显著（P<0.05）高于对照组,试验Ⅱ组羔羊瘤胃内壁颜色优于其他组。[结论] 膨化秸秆微生物发酵饲料促进了育肥羊生长性能和胃肠道发育,试验Ⅱ组的作用更明显。     

阴离子饲粮对活体外瘤胃发酵特性和营养物质消化的影响

应用双外流连续培养系统模拟瘤胃发酵,研究不同阴阳离子差(DCAD)水平的阴离子饲粮对活体外瘤胃发酵和营养物质消化率的影响。试验分2期进行,每期12个发酵罐,3个1组,分别投入4种不同DCAD水平的饲粮:+120-、9-、77-、145 mEq/kgDM,后3种饲粮通过添加阴离子添加剂降低DCAD。结果表明:①阴离子饲粮对瘤胃发酵pH值、氨态氮浓度、总挥发性脂肪酸浓度、主要挥发酸的摩尔比例均没有显著影响(P>0.2)。②对饲粮干物质、有机质、中性洗涤纤维、粗蛋白消化率没有显著影响(P>0.2)。③对瘤胃微生物合成效率没有显著影响(P>0.2)。试验结论为阴离子饲粮对活体外瘤胃发酵和饲粮营养物质消化率没有显著影响。