Dietary impact on circulating glucose profiles in the white rhinoceros

Excess dietary glucose may be a factor in several captive wildlife diseases and reproductive abnormalities. The first step in understanding the health consequences of diets high in glucose is to characterize how dietary glucose concentrations change circulating glucose profiles. We adapted the glycemic index approach to detect differences in blood glucose concentrations in white rhinos in response to different meals. Six white rhinos were fasted overnight then randomly assigned to be fed 5 kg of grass hay and one of five meals varying in digestible energy (DE) availability and source (10% DE glucose, 5% DE glucose, 10% DE pelleted horse feed, 10% DE lucerne hay, 10% DE grass hay). After eating, the blood glucose response peaked 45–90 min later and remained elevated up to 180 min. Area under the curve results demonstrated that the blood glucose response was not different between diets. However, at 90 min, serum glucose levels in rhinos eating the 10% lucerne hay diet were significantly lower than the 5% glucose and 10% glucose diets but not the 10% pellet nor 10% grass hay diets. The changes in blood glucose responses to different diets were similar in magnitude to reported domestic horse profiles but are higher than predicted by allometric scaling. We conclude that the grass hay, lucerne hay and low glycemic index horse pellets fed in this study resulted in similar blood glucose responses in white rhinos. The validation of the methodology used in this study is a first step towards elucidating the relationship between glucose, obesity, health and reproduction in rhinos.     

Water intake in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from open dishes and nipple drinkers under different water and feeding regimes

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are often presented suffering from urolithiasis. A high water intake is important in the prophylaxis of uroliths. We investigated the influence factors for water intake using 12 rabbits subjected to different feed and water regimes with practical relevance: Hay, fresh parsley, a seed mix and two different pelleted feed were offered in diverse combinations. Water was provided either by open dish or nipple drinker. Water was accessible ad libitum except for four treatments with 6 h or 12 h water access. Under the different feeding regimes, the drinker had no influence on water intake, but faecal dry matter content was significantly higher with nipple drinkers [60.0 ± 2.1 vs. 57.2 ± 2.1% of wet weight (mean ± 95% confidence interval), p = 0.003]. Dry food led to a higher drinking water intake but total water intake was still lower than with addition of 'fresh' food. With restricted water access, rabbits exhibited a significantly higher water intake with open dishes compared with nipple drinkers (54.9 ± 9.8 vs. 48.1 ± 8.2 g/kg(0.75) /day (mean ± 95% confidence interval), p = 0.04). High proportions of fresh parsley or hay in the diet enhanced total water intake and urine output, and led to lower urinary dry matter content and lower urinary calcium concentrations. Restricted access to drinkers led to a decreased total daily water intake and increased dry matter content of urine and faeces. For optimal water provision and urolith prophylaxis, we recommend a diet with a high 'fresh food' proportion as well as additionally hay ad libitum with free water access, offered in an open bowl.     

Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) drinking preferences: do nipple drinkers compensate for behaviourally deficient diets?

When offered diets with hay ad libitum, rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) clearly prefer open dishes over nipple drinkers, but whether this preference also applies in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) is unsure. We tested the drinker preference of 10 guinea pigs when offered open dishes (OD) and nipple drinkers (ND) simultaneously and measured the amount of water consumed by each animal on four different diets (grass hay 100%, or as 10% of intake on diets of fresh parsley, seed mix or pelleted complete feed, respectively) on either of the drinking systems. All animals ingested the hay portion of the combined diets first. The amount of water consumed differed significantly between individual animals. Animals drank less water on parsley than on the other diets. Nine of 10 animals clearly preferred ND when having a choice, and eight of these drank more when on ND only. The difference between the drinking systems was not consistent across all diets: on hay, similar amounts of water were drunk when on OD or ND only. Differences in water intake were reflected in urine production. Because drinking from ND in guinea pigs involves jaw movements similar to those in chewing, the results could suggest that when motivation for oral processing behaviour is not satisfied by a diet, animals may respond in using ND beyond physiological water necessity. Whereas physiological water requirements are probably better investigated with other drinking systems due to a possible overestimation when using ND, offering ND to pet guinea pigs most likely offers a form of behavioural enrichment that at the same time may increase water intake and hence act as prophylaxis against urolithiasis.     

The microflora and concentrations of volatile fatty acids in the rumen of cattle fed on single component rations

The composition of the rumen microflora and the volatile fatty acids were examined in cattle free-grazing on grass or stall-fed on hay, grass pellets, oats or dried beet pulp with molasses. Total and viable counts of anaerobic bacteria were highest on the grass feeding, but viable counts as a percentage of total counts were highest when oats or beet pulp with molasses were fed. Counts of cellulolytic bacteria were lowest on these latter 2 diets, and highest on grass or grass pellet diets. Studies of the anaerobic flora showed that the composition in animals fed on grass pellets resembled more that found in animals free-grazing on grass than in those fed on hay. Counts of aerotolerant bacteria were only a small percentage of the total count, but were highest on the hay diet. On this latter diet and on grass-feeding the streptococci (identified as Streptococcus bovis) were predominant, but contrary to expectation, streptococci were found only in small numbers on the oats diet, where coryneform rods were the major type present. Although a period of 4–6 weeks was allowed for the animals to adapt to the feeds, the 2 periods of feeding on oats and dried beet pulp with molasses markedly affected the composition of the rumen flora in the subsequent periods of feeding grass pellets and hay. Ruinen volatile fatty acid analysis showed a propionogenic effect of oats and the highest percentage of butyric acid when beet pulp with molasses was fed. The expected propionogenic effect of grass pellets was not observed.     

Effect of a commercial anion dietary supplement on acid-base balance, urine volume, and urinary ion excretion in male goats fed oat or grass hay diets

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether feeding a commercial anionic dietary supplement as a urinary acidifier to male goats may be useful for management of urolithiasis. ANIMALS: 8 adult sexually intact male Toggenburg, Saanen, and Nubian goats. PROCEDURE: Goats were randomly assigned by age-, breed-, and weight-matched pairs to an oat or grass hay diet that was fed for 12 days. On days 13 to 14 (early sample collection time before supplementation), measurements were made of blood and urine sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphorus, and sulfur concentrations; blood and urine pH; urine production; and water consumption. During the next 28 days, the anionic dietary supplement was added to the oat and grass hay diets to achieve a dietary cation-anion difference of 0 mEq/100g of dry matter. Blood and urine samples were analyzed during dietary supplementation on days 12 to 13 (middle sample collection time) and 27 to 28 (late sample collection time). RESULTS: Blood bicarbonate, pH, and urine pH of goats fed grass hay and goats fed oat hay were significantly decreased during the middle and late sample collection times, compared with the early sample collection time. Water consumption and urine production in all goats increased significantly during the late sample collection time, compared with the early sample collection time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The anionic dietary supplement used in our study increases urine volume, alters urine ion concentrations, and is an efficacious urinary acidifier in goats. Goats treated with prolonged anionic dietary supplementation should be monitored for secondary osteoporosis from chronic urinary calcium loss.     

Milk production performance of Friesian-Holstein cows fed diets containing Medicago sativa, Centrosema pubescens, or groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea)

To investigate the effect of feeding dairy cows diets containing lucerne hay, centrosema hay, and groundnut haulms (crop residue) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and milk composition, nine multiparous Friesian-Holstein cows in their mid-lactation stage were used in a 3?×?3 crossover design replicated three times. Dairy cows fed lucerne hay had significantly (p?<?0.001) higher DMI than dairy cows fed centrosema hay. DMI for cows fed groundnut haulms and lucerne hay was not significantly different. Daily milk yield for dairy cows fed diet containing lucerne hay was significantly (p?<?0.01) higher than that for dairy cows fed diets containing groundnut haulms or centrosema hay. Milk composition and body condition scores of the cows were not significantly affected by either lucerne hay, groundnut haulms, or centrosema hay. Overall, the results in this study indicated that feeding dairy cows diets containing lucerne hay increased milk yield.     

Food and water intake and selective feeding in rabbits on four feeding regimes

Diet plays an important role in maintaining rabbit health. Feeding an incorrect diet, particularly a low fibre diet, has been linked with digestive, dental and urinary tract disease. However, food intake and dietary requirements have been poorly studied in pet rabbits. This study assessed the effects of two commonly fed pet rabbit diets [extruded nuggets with hay (EH) and muesli with hay (MH)] alongside hay only (HO) and muesli only (MO) on food and water intake in 32 Dutch rabbits. Dry matter (DM) intake was greater in the HO group and lower in the MO group than in the EH and MH groups (p < 0.001). The portion of the diet made of hay was greater in the EH group than in the MH group (p < 0.001). Water intake was positively correlated with DM intake and was greatest in the HO group (p < 0.001). Selective feeding occurred in all rabbit groups fed muesli, whether or not hay was also available. Pellets were rejected, and grains and extrudates selected. The presence of selective feeding in all rabbits fed muesli leads to the consumption of an unbalanced diet. In addition, hay intake and water intake were lower when muesli was fed. Conclusions drawn from this study are based on general recommendations for pet rabbits, and clinical disease may have developed by feeding the study diets over a longer time period, as many diet‐related conditions typically present in older rabbits. However, the study demonstrates that the feeding of muesli diets cannot be recommended.     

Effects of dietary ammonium chloride and variations in calcium to phosphorus ratio on silica urolithiasis in sheep.

Ammonium chloride was added to diets varying in Ca content to evaluate its potential in preventing silica urolith formation in sheep. A 2 x 2 factorial experiment involved wether lambs with ad libitum access to a diet of 50% grass hay and 50% ground oats plus supplement. The basal diet contained on a DM basis 3.3% SiO2, .31% Ca, .22% P, 11.6% CP, and 26% ADF. Treatments (38 to 39 lambs/treatment) consisted of a control (C), limestone to increase dietary calcium to .6% (L), 1% ammonium chloride (A), and L + A (LA). After a 118-d experimental period, siliceous kidney deposits were found only in C and L, with silica making up 93% to 95% of the urolithic ash. Urolith incidences were 13% (C) and 18% (L), respectively. The lack of urolith development in lambs fed A and LA (ammonium chloride effect, P less than .01) and a trend toward a lower urolith incidence in C vs L (P less than .02) support the hypothesis that acid-forming effects of the diet and a reduction in the dietary Ca to P ratio reduce silica urolith formation.     

Use of Browses (Terminalia serecia,Combretum apiculatum or Euclea schimperi) as a Supplement for Growing Tswana Goats

Twenty yearling male castrated Tswana goats were weighed and randomly divided into four groups of 5 animals. All the animals were fed buffel grass hay (Cenchrus ciliaris) as a basal diet, while lucerne (Medicago sativa) was fed to the control group as supplement. The other three groups were fed either Combretum apiculatum, Terminalia serecia or Euclea schimperi as a supplement. The basal diet comprised 60% of the ration, while the lucerne or the browses made up the remaining 40%. Water was provided daily. Leftover water and feed were measured daily. The goats were weighed every 2 weeks, prior to the morning feed. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance.The average daily dry matter intake of the lucerne, C. apiculatum, T. serecia and E. schimperi supplements was 702.17, 769.91, 776.68 and 752.50 g, respectively, and was not significantly different between treatments (p>0.05). The average daily water intake was significantly different (p<0.05), with the goats fed lucerne drinking significantly more water (1270±31.62 ml) than the goats on T. serecia (1150±103.2 ml) but not significantly more than those on C. apiculatum (1166±52.25 ml) or E. schimperi (1184±100.15 ml). The average daily body weight gain was higher for the goats on lucerne at 78 g, compared to 77 g, 67 g and 64 g, for the C. apiculatum, E. schimperi and T. serecia supplements, respectively, but these were not significantly different (p>0.05). Differences in feed conversion ratio were not significant (p>0.05), but the ratio was lower for the goats on lucerne at 9.00 compared to 10.41, 11.98, and 11.23 for C. apiculatum, T. serecia and E. schimperi, respectively. The study demonstrated that these browses can be used to replace lucerne as a supplement for Tswana goats fed on buffel grass hay as the basal diet.     

优质高产奶牛高效全混合饲料配方筛选试验

中国荷斯坦奶牛60头饲喂4种不同紫花苜蓿干草配比、不同精粗比的日粮，以研究日粮配方对奶牛产奶量、乳脂率、经济收益的影响。试验结果说明，大比例紫花苜蓿干草日粮（紫花苜蓿占24％DM）乳脂率显著（P〈0．05）或极显著提高（P〈0．01）；日粮营养水平提高，产奶量提高（P〈0．05；P〈0．01）；最佳经济效益日粮为含大比例紫花苜蓿，营养水平较低的日粮（P〈0．01）；在大的精粗比例下，紫花苜蓿干草不是日粮成本的限制因素，而青贮饲料配比为日粮成本的限制因素。只有合理安排精粗比例，适当使用紫花苜蓿干草，可提高奶牛饲养经济效益。     

Replacement of berseem hay by Salix tetrasperma on physiological performance of New Zealand White rabbits under subtropical conditions of Egypt

Forty-eight growing New Zealand White male rabbits aged 6 weeks (874?±?1.3 g initial body weight (BW)) were used to study effects of partial replacement of berseem hay (BH) with Salix tetrasperma hay (ST) on growth and physiological responses. Rabbits were allotted to one of four diets of 12 rabbits each for 75 days in a completely randomized design. The treatments were as follows: control (30 % BH), ST25 (7.5 % ST?+?22.5 % BH), ST50 (15 % ST?+?15 % BH), ST75 (22.5 % ST?+?7.5 % BH). Nutrient digestibility coefficients, nutritive value and N utilization of rabbits fed with the ST50 rations were higher (P?P?P??ST25 and ST50?>?control. Glucose level was higher (P?P?P?相似文献   

Role of magnesium in the aetiology of ovine urolithiasis in fattening store lambs and intensively fattened lambs

High dietary levels of magnesium (greater than 2 g/kg drymatter [DM]) have been implicated as the main causal factor of urinary calculi in concentrate-fed lambs. Experiments were performed to try to reproduce this effect of high magnesium (from added calcined magnesite) on the incidence of urolithiasis in lambs. In the first, store lambs were given diets containing magnesium in the following concentrations: A,2.9; B,8.6 g/km DM. Twenty-four blackface lambs were each allocated to A and B and the control group of 160 lambs was fed a combined dried grass/sugar beet pulp pellet and hay ad libitum (diet C). The animals were housed and fed ad libitum until they were killed at an average liveweight of 35 kg. No animals showed clinical signs of urolithiasis and post mortem only a trace of calculous material was recovered from one lamb fed diet A. In the second experiment housed Suffolk and Suffolk cross lambs were fed a starter beginning at three to four weeks old and changed to a finisher at a liveweight of 23 kg. The feeds were either high magnesium starter (5.7) and finisher (6.0) or low magnesium starter (2.3) and finisher (2.8 g/kg DM). Twenty-two single lambs and 32 twins were assigned to both high and low magnesium diets. Lambs fed additional magnesium drank more water/kg DM intake and one of the single lambs showed clinical signs of urolithiasis and was killed. No others showed clinical signs and from the 62 killed there was no post mortem recovery of calculous material.     

The value of Leucaena leucocephala bark in leucaena—grass hay diets for Thai goats

The study assessed the value of Leucaena leucocephala bark in leucaena—grass hay diets fed to Thai goats. Thai goats in metabolism pens were fed diets containing leucaena leaf (55%) + pangola grass hay (hay, 45%); leucaena leaf (48%) + leucaena bark (9%) + hay (43%); leucaena bark (57%) + hay (43%); and hay only. Feed percentages are expressed on a dry weight basis. The digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were measured for the four diets. Leucaena bark had lower CP concentration than the leaf (11.7 vs. 25.9), and the leucaena bark + hay diet had lower DM and CP digestibility than the other diets. The calculated bark digestibilities of DM and CP of 44.1% and 38.2%, respectively, were much lower than the values for the leucaena leaf of 62.9% and 89.1%, respectively. The lower than expected CP digestibility was attributed to higher tannin levels in the bark compared to the leaves. Despite this, the bark was well accepted by the goats and was often preferred to the hay. Stripping of the bark by goats also results in stems that dry quicker and have higher calorific value as fuel. However, if leucaena branches are fed as a sole diet, the goats may consume up to 30% of bark on a DM basis and this would reduce nutritive value and animal productivity.     

Effect of partial replacement of oats with sugar beet pulp and maize oil on nutrient utilisation in horses.

The objective of the present work was to assess the influence of partial replacement of oats with dried unmolassed sugar beet pulp (SBP) and/or maize oil on nutrient utilisation in horses fed a traditional hay and concentrate diet. The total tract digestibility of nutrients, urinary excretion and plasma parameters were studied in a 4 x 4 Latin-square design experiment with purebred Arabian geldings. Horses fed the SBP diets responded with a reduced (P<0.05) apparent digestibility of crude protein and feeding of maize oil resulted in an increased (P<0.05) apparent digestibility of crude fat. The apparent energy digestibility was unaffected by the replacement of oats with SBP, but increased (P<0.05) when maize oil replaced part of the oats. The urinary excretion of nitrogen increased (P<0.05) when maize oil replaced oats and the excretion of energy was higher (P<0.05) on the diets where oats were replaced by maize oil and SBP. There was a significant (P<0.05) effect across treatments of postprandial blood sampling time on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Also, plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin tended to be higher on the oats than on the SBP diets. In conclusion, the limited effects on the digestibility of nutrients and energy suggest that it should be possible to partially replace oats with maize oil and/or SBP in diets for horses without any impairing effects on the overall nutrient utilisation. However, the dietary-induced changes in the urinary excretion of energy and on plasma glucose and insulin levels, indicate a possible influence of dietary carbohydrate composition on nutrient utilisation at the organ level, which requires further study.     

High dietary calcium to phosphorus ratio and alkali-forming potential as factors promoting silica urolithiasis in sheep

Sheep were used to study factors previously found to promote silica urolithiasis in a rat model. In addition to high silica, these dietary factors included elevated calcium, a high calcium to phosphorus ratio and alkali-forming effects. Wether lambs had ad libitum access to a diet of 50% of grass hay and 50% ground oats plus supplement. Diet analysis was 3.4% total SiO2, .29% calcium, .25% phosphorus, 11.3% CP and 28% ADF. Treatments (40 lambs/treatment) consisted of a control (C), limestone to increase dietary calcium to .6% (L), L + 1% sodium bicarbonate (LS) and L + 1% ammonium chloride (LA). After a 91-d experimental period followed by a 56-d postexperimental finishing period, silica kidney deposits were found in all treatments, and SiO2 made up 74% to 97% of the urolithic ash. Kidney urolith incidences in the four treatments were C, 7/40; L, 12/40; LS, 20/40; and LA, 9/40. A higher urolith incidence in LS (LS vs C, P less than .05) and a trend toward a higher incidence in L (L vs C, P less than .2), accompanied by elevated urine pH (L = LS greater than C greater than LA, P less than .01), lend support to the concept that high-silica diets having high calcium to phosphorus ratios and alkali-forming potentials contribute to silica urolithiasis.     

Changes in the viscoelastic behaviour of the rumenal digesta mat of sheep fed on pasture or chaffed lucerne hay

We examined the changes in the physical properties of the digesta mat over a period of 24 h after cessation of feeding, in sheep that had been maintained on pasture or fed chaffed lucerne hay. The dry matter content of the digesta mat declined at similar rates in both dietary groups, although it was generally higher in sheep fed lucerne. Median particle size declined in the digesta mats of both dietary groups at similar rates in samples taken after 8 h, but median particle size was significantly greater in sheep fed chopped lucerne hay than in those fed grass. Thus, particles were not reduced to a common size suggesting that factors in addition to particle size governed the rate of breakdown of the rumen mat. The relationship between the elastic and loss moduli was of a consistent pattern in all samples taken from the rumen mat indicating that it behaved as a weak gel. The elastic and loss moduli of the digesta mats of sheep that had been fed pasture or chopped lucerne hay converged to similar values after 12 h and declined broadly at similar rates after this. The relationship between these two moduli and the dry matter content of the rumen mat were of similar curvilinear form for sheep on both diets. These findings suggest that the rate of breakdown of the rumen mat is more likely to be governed by its composite behaviour than by the size of the constituent particles.     

Studies on digestive physiology and feed digestibilities in captive Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)

We performed intake, digestibility and ingesta passage studies in 11 Indian rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis) from four zoological institutions, using total faecal collection for the quantification of faecal output. The regularly fed zoo ration of roughage and concentrates (ration RC) and a roughage-only ration (ration R) were used; the roughage source differed between the facilities and comprised grass hay, grass silage, straw and lucerne hay. Dry matter intake ranged between 0.8 and 1.3% of body weight on ration RC and 0.5-1.2% on ration R. Digestibility coefficients achieved were similar to those reported for horses on diets of comparable composition. Endogenous losses as determined by linear regression analysis were within the range reported for horses. Measurements of faecal volatile fatty acids, faecal lactate and faecal pH also showed similarity to similar measurements in horses. The mean retention times of fluids (Co-EDTA) and particles (Cr-mordanted fibre <2 mm) in the whole gastrointestinal tract averaged 42 and 61 h, respectively, and were the longest ever recorded in a monogastric ungulate with this marker system. The results suggest that the horse is a useful model animal for designing diets for Indian rhinoceroses. Why digestive parameters are similar between these species in spite of enormous differences in body weight and retention times remains to be answered.     

Presence of salicylic acid in standardbred horse urine and plasma after various feed and drug administrations

Plasma and urinary levels of salicylic acid were examined in Standardbred mares after administration of various feeds, containing different compositions of hay. In addition, horses were administered acetylsalicylic acid orally and methyl salicylate topically. Elevated salicylic acid levels were observed in horse urine and plasma in animals fed lucerne hay. The plasma and urinary elimination of salicylic acid exhibited a diurnal pattern which was related to the type of feed and the feeding schedule. Within 24 h after oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid, plasma and urine salicylic acid levels were consistent with residual levels observed after feeding lucerne hay. Elimination of salicylic acid was rapid and complete, with a half-life between 5 and 7 h. Topical administration of methyl salicylate (8.4 g) produced elevated urinary salicylic acid levels for 6 h. A smaller dose of methyl salicylate (3.4 g) did not elevate plasma or urine salicylic acid levels above those observed following administration of lucerne hay.     

Effects of varying levels of phytase supplementation on dry matter and phosphorus digestibility in horses fed a common textured ration

This study examines the effect of phytase supplementation on dry matter and phosphorus digestibility in mature horses. Four mature sedentary quarter horse geldings were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment. Horses were fed at 2% of the group's average body weight. The experimental diets consisted of textured concentrate of rolled corn, oats, and soybean meal fed in a 50:50 ratio with native prairie grass hay. The treatments were as follows: (1) control (0) with no phytase added to the basal ration, (2) 300 FTU/kg added to the basal ration, (3) 600 FTU/kg added to the basal ration, and (4) 900 FTU/kg added to the basal ration. During the 72-hour collections, total urine and feces were collected. Feed samples were also collect randomly throughout the trial. Feed and fecal sample were analyzed for dry matter, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. Urine samples were analyzed for phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. There was no significance difference in dry matter intake, fecal output, dry matter digestibility, and urinary output across all diets (P > .05). Phosphorus digestibility was not improved with the addition of supplemental phytase (P > .05). The failure to observe an improvement in phosphorus digestibility may be because of the high levels of phosphorus in the diets. Further research needs to be conducted using diets with lower levels of phosphorus.     

Fermentation Pattern in the Bovine Rumen after Feeding Straight Feeds

The influence of straight feeds on the fermentation pattern in the bovine rumen was investigated by feeding with hay, grass pellets, dried beet pulp with molasses and rolled oats. The study comprised 3 rumenfistulated dairy heifers, and the parameters measured were ammonia, pH and volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the rumen fluid, and non-glucogenic/glucogenic ratio (NGGR) in the VFA mixture.Typical differences related to the structure and chemical composition of the diets were demonstrated by the parameters measured. Fermentation of the easily digestible feeds resulted in so extensive variations that representative means could be obtained only by analyzing samples collected frequently throughout the feeding cycle.Rumen pH was found highly correlated to total VFA concentration for all the feeds examined, and the regression coefficients showed that diets, based upon beets and oats, were fermented under low buffering capacity.