复合异位酸对山羊瘤胃消化代谢的影响

试验研究日粮添加复合异位酸对山羊瘤胃消化代谢的影响。采用3×3拉丁方试验设计,选用3头安装有永久性瘤胃和十二指肠近端瘘管,平均体重为(25.4±0.75)kg的健康麻城黑山羊为试验动物。I组为空白对照,饲喂基础日粮I;II、II组分别饲喂含0.3%和0.6%复合异位酸(钠盐形式)的试验日粮。采用Co-EDTA标记法测定小肠食糜流通量。结果表明:各组瘤胃液pH差异不显著(P>0.05)I;I组NH3-N浓度显著低于对照组(P<0.05),显著提高了瘤胃乙酸和总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)浓度(P<0.05)并极显著提高了丁酸浓度(P<0.01),极显著提高了中性洗涤纤维(NDF)前胃消失量和消失率33.55%和12.25%(P<0.01);与对照组相比I,II组显著提高了瘤胃乙酸、TVFA浓度和乙酸/丙酸(P<0.05),并极显著提高了丁酸浓度(P<0.01),显著提高了NDF前胃消失率8.19%(P<0.05)。     

酵母培养物对绒山羊机体抗氧化能力的影响

本研究旨在探讨酵母培养物(yeast culture,YC)的生物活性及其对绒山羊机体抗氧化能力的影响.选用12只健康的内蒙古自绒山羊半同胞羯羊,按体重配对原则分为4组,分别为.A1、A3、B1和B2组.其中A1、A3组饲喂精粗比为3:7的基础日粮,B1、B2组饲喂精粗比为2:8的基础日粮.采用自身对照试验方法,对照期饲喂基础日粮,试验期饲喂在基础日粮基础上分别添加不同水平YC的试验日粮.各组YC添加量分别为A1组,2.0%;A_3组,3.0%;B1组,2.0%;B2组,2.5%.分别在对照期最后1 d,添加YC的第15天、第45天通过颈静脉采血测定绒山羊机体抗氧化指标.结果表明:对照期、添加YC后的第15天和第45天,各组间机体抗氧化能力均没有显著差异(P>0.05).与对照期相比,添加YC后第15天,A1(P<0.05)、A3(P<0.05)和B1(P<0.01)组血清活性氧的活力显著或极显著降低;添加YC后第15天、第45天,高精料组A1(P<0.01)、A3(P<0.05)的丙二醛(MDA)含量也显著或极显著低于对照期.与对照期相比,试验期各组血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活力提高33.24%～142.52%(P>0.05),显著或极显著提高A3(P<0.01)、B1(P<0.05)组血浆超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活力及添加YC后第45天时A1(P<0.01)、A3(P<0.05)、B1(P<0.01)和B2(P<0.01)组的总抗氧化能力(T-AOC).由此可知,日粮中添加酵母培养物可以提高绒山羊机体的抗氧化能力.     

全棉籽对瘤胃内环境及纤维素酶活性的影响

试验选用装有永久瘤胃瘘管的4只小尾寒羊,采用4×4拉丁方设计,分为4组,每组1头羊.CT为对照组饲喂基础日粮,A、B和C组为试验组,分别添加日粮干物质5%、10%和15%的全棉籽(WCS).结果表明:各试验组对瘤胃内pH影响不显著,对瘤胃内氨态氮(NH3-N)质量浓度影响显著或极显著,但都在正常范围内;总挥发性脂肪酸质量浓度和乙酸丙酸比例2个指标以B组为最优;B组羧甲基纤维素酶活性最强.试验条件下,B组,即添加日粮干物质10%WCS对绵羊瘤胃内环境和羧甲基纤维素酶活性最有利.     

脂肪酸钙对瘤胃发酵及羧甲基纤维素酶活性的影响

试验选用4只装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的小尾寒羊,采用4×4拉丁方设计,分为对照组(CT)和3个试验组(A、B和C)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组分别在基础日粮中添加日粮干物质1%、2%、3%的脂肪酸钙(Ca-LCFA),研究不同添加水平脂肪酸钙对绵羊瘤胃发酵及羧甲基纤维素酶活性的影响。结果表明:各试验组间瘤胃液pH差异不显著(P0.05),瘤胃液NH3-N浓度差异显著(P0.05)或极显著(P0.01),但都在正常范围内;总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)浓度C组和A组显著高于CT组和B组(P0.05),C和A两组间差异不显著(P0.05),在乙酸丙酸比上各组间差异不显著(P0.05);C组羧甲基纤维素酶活性最强(P0.01)。这表明在本试验条件下,C组即添加日粮干物质3%的脂肪酸钙最有利于绵羊瘤胃发酵。     

酵母培养物对绒山羊机体免疫指标的影响

本研究旨在观察酵母培养物(yeast culture,YC)对绒山羊机体免疫指标的影响。选用12只健康的内蒙古白绒山羊半同胞羯羊,按体重配对原则分为4组。其中A1、A3处理组饲喂精粗比为3∶7的基础日粮,B1、B2处理组饲喂精粗比为2∶8的基础日粮。采用自身对照试验方法,对照期饲喂基础日粮,试验期在基础日粮上分别添加不同水平的酵母培养物。各处理组日粮中YC添加量分别为A1:2.0%、A3:3.0%、B1:2.0%和B2:2.5%。分别在对照期最后1天、添加YC的第15天、第45天测定绒山羊机体免疫指标。结果表明:对照期、添加YC后的第15天和第45天,各处理组间血液IgA、IgG、T淋巴细胞亚群CD4 、CD8 比例以及CD4 /CD8 的比值间均无显著差异(P>0.05)。添加YC后的第15天和第45天,A3和B1处理组血清IgA含量极显著高于对照期(P<0.01),B2处理组血清IgG含量显著高于对照期(P<0.05)。各处理组T淋巴细胞亚群中CD4 的比例在添加YC后第15天略有升高(P>0.05);CD8 的比例在试验期第15天略有下降(P>0.05);CD4 /CD8 的比值在添加YC第15天均有较大幅度提高(P>0.05)。添加YC后第45天3个指标均恢复到对照期水平。结果表明,添加YC可以显著增加绒山羊血清IgA含量,并提高血清IgG含量;在添加YC初期机体外周血CD4 /CD8 比例有升高的趋势.     

葡萄渣对人工瘤胃发酵的影响

采用单因子设计,应用瘤胃持续动态模拟装置(Rusitec-S),研究葡萄渣含量分别为0%、6%、8%、10%、12%、14%和16%的日粮对人工瘤胃发酵的影响。结果表明,随葡萄渣添加比例的增加,人工瘤胃发酵液中NH3-N浓度极显著降低(P<0.01),pH值无显著变化(P>0.05),总挥发性脂肪酸浓度、乙酸摩尔比、丙酸摩尔比、丁酸摩尔比和乙酸/丙酸随着葡萄渣比例的增加变化趋势不同。随萄萄渣含量的增加,发酵罐日粮残渣干物质降解率呈下降趋势,粗蛋白降解率0%组极显著高于14%组和16%组(P<0.01),显著高于D组和E组(P<0.05)。     

热应激对奶山羊瘤胃发酵指标的影响及有机铬对其的调控作用

本试验旨在研究热应激对奶山羊瘤胃内pH、氨态氮(NH3-N)和挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)浓度的影响,以及添加吡啶羧酸铬对其的调控作用。选用体重相近[(20.75±1.88)kg]的波尔山羊4只,采用自身对照,分3期试验,分别为对照组、热应激组和加铬组:对照组山羊在空调房中饲喂,温湿指数(THI)在70以下,处于非热应激状态;热应激组和加铬组山羊在室温动物房中饲喂,2组THI无显著差异(P>0.05),达79以上,处在相似的热应激状态。加铬组饲粮为基础饲粮中添加吡啶羧酸铬(铬含量为0.2 mg/kg饲粮)。每期试验14 d,在试验的第13天采集瘤胃液,测定pH、NH3-N和VFA浓度。结果表明:热应激可以显著降低奶山羊瘤胃内pH(P<0.05),显著提高瘤胃内NH3-N、总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)、乙酸、丙酸浓度(P<0.05),显著降低乙酸/丙酸(P<0.05)。饲粮中添加吡啶羧酸铬后可以显著提高热应激奶山羊瘤胃乙酸、丁酸浓度和乙酸/丙酸(P<0.05),显著降低瘤胃丙酸浓度(P<0.05),对瘤胃pH、NH3-N浓度影响不显著(P>0.05)。由此可见,热应激使瘤胃pH显著降低,显著增加了VFA浓度,改变了瘤胃发酵模式;饲粮添加吡啶羧酸铬可调节瘤胃VFA浓度,对热应激造成的影响有一定的调节作用。     

不同NFC/NDF饲粮和硫胺素对奶牛瘤胃代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究不同非纤维性碳水化合物和中性洗涤纤维比(NFC/NDF)饲粮和硫胺素对荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃代谢的影响。选用3头健康状况良好且安装永久性瘤胃瘘管的荷斯坦奶牛,采用3×3完全拉丁方试验设计。试验分3期进行,每期23 d,每期中预试期20 d,正试期3 d;3个试验组分别饲喂NFC/NDF为1.41(精粗比5∶5)、NFC/NDF为2.01(精粗比7∶3)、NFC/NDF为2.01(精粗比7∶3)+180 mg/kg硫胺素的试验饲粮。结果表明:提高饲粮NFC/NDF,瘤胃液pH显著降低(P<0.05),氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度显著或极显著上升(P<0.05或P<0.01),乳酸浓度显著或极显著升高(P<0.05或P<0.01),乙酸比例(P<0.05)、乙酸/丙酸(P<0.05或P<0.01)显著或极显著降低,丙酸、丁酸比例显著或极显著上升(P<0.05或P<0.01)。高NFC/NDF饲粮添加硫胺素后,瘤胃液pH有升高趋势,差异不显著(P>0.05),NH3-N浓度显著降低(P<0.05),乳酸浓度显著或极显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),乙酸比例和乙酸/丙酸显著或极显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),丙酸比例显著或极显著升高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。由此可见,饲粮NFC/NDF的增加能够诱导瘘管奶牛产生亚急性瘤胃酸中毒,添加180 mg/kg硫胺素能够缓解这一现象。     

啤酒糟对瘤胃发酵参数及纤维素酶活性的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平啤酒糟对瘤胃发酵参数及纤维素酶活性的影响。选取4只(40.0±2.5)kg装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的崂山奶山羊,采用4×4拉丁方设计,对照组饲喂基础饲粮,不添加啤酒糟;试验1、2和3组啤酒糟的添加水平分别为基础饲粮干物质的10%、15%和20%。测定24 h内瘤胃液pH、氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度、微生物蛋白产量、挥发性脂肪酸浓度及羧甲基纤维素酶、纤维二糖酶、微晶纤维素酶和木聚糖酶活性。结果表明:1)各组瘤胃液pH及NH3-N浓度均在正常范围内,试验2组微生物蛋白产量均值极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。2)试验2组乙酸浓度均值极显著高于其他各组(P<0.01),总挥发性脂肪酸浓度均值极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),显著高于试验1组(P<0.05)。3)在纤维素酶活性方面,试验2组4种酶活性的均值均极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。由此可见,本试验条件下,啤酒糟添加水平为15%最有利于瘤胃发酵且能有效提高纤维素酶活性。     

不同SC/NSC日粮对徐淮白山羊瘤胃发酵的影响

选取4只体况良好、体重(30±2.5)kg的徐淮白山羊,并安装永久性瘤胃瘘管,按4×4拉丁方设计,饲喂4种结构性碳水化合物(SC)与非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)比例不同的日粮(SC/NSC3.52、2.06、1.28、0.84),分别为A、B、C、D组,研究徐淮白山羊瘤胃发酵规律.结果表明D组瘤胃液pH值极显著低于其他3组(P＜0.01);D组瘤胃液氨氮浓度(NH3-N)极显著高于A、B组(P＜0.01);A组微生物蛋白(MCP)浓度极显著低于其他3组(P＜0.01);瘤胃液总挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)、乙酸及丙酸浓度,C组最高,但差异不显著(P＞0.05);D组丁酸浓度极显著高于A、B、C三组(P＜0.01);乙酸与丙酸之比差异不显著(P＞0.05).结果表明,SC/Nsc为1.28时徐淮白山羊瘤胃发酵最佳.     

不同精粗比下添加维生素B12对体外瘤胃发酵和微生物酶活力的影响

本试验通过体外培养法,研究在不同精粗比饲粮中添加维生素B12对体外瘤胃发酵和微生物酶活力的影响。试验采用3×3双因子试验设计,即3个底物精粗比(玉米∶羊草=35∶65、50∶50和65∶35)和3个维生素B12添加量(0、40和90 ng/mL)。体外试验用瘤胃液取自3只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的湖羊。体外培养24 h后测定体外瘤胃发酵参数和微生物酶活力。结果显示:1)随着底物精粗比和维生素B12添加量的提高,体外培养24 h的产气量、潜在产气量和有机物消化率极显著地增加(P<0.01),且维生素B12添加量与上述指标存在线性剂量效应(P<0.01)。2)当底物精粗比为50∶50和65∶35时,添加维生素B12显著提高了发酵液中氨态氮、微生物蛋白、总挥发性脂肪酸、乙酸和丙酸浓度(P<0.05),但对丁酸浓度和乙酸/丙酸无显著影响(P>0.05)。3)当底物精粗比为35∶65和50∶50时,添加40 ng/mL维生素B12使发酵液中羧甲基纤维素酶、木聚糖酶活力显著提高(P<0.05);当精粗比为65∶35时,添加90 ng/mL维生素B12使发酵液中羧甲基纤维素酶、木聚糖酶活力显著提高(P<0.05)。结果提示,底物精粗比和维生素B12添加量影响体外瘤胃发酵。添加维生素B12可增加瘤胃微生物酶的活力,从而提高有机物消化率以及微生物蛋白和总挥发性脂肪酸的产量。当底物精粗比(玉米∶羊草)较高(50∶50和65∶35)时,维生素B12的添加效果更明显,并且具有剂量依赖效应。     

青贮玉米和混合干草对山羊胃肠内环境参数的影响

以8只装有永久性瘤胃瘘管和十二指肠近端T型瘘管的徐淮白山羊为试验动物,分为2组,分别饲喂青贮玉米和混合干草,研究山羊瘤胃和十二指肠内环境的昼夜动态变化。结果表明:①混合干草组瘤胃和十二指肠的pH值均极显著(P<0.01)高于青贮玉米组,其日内动态变化都表现出采食后先下降后上升的趋势;②混合干草组瘤胃液氨态氮浓度极显著(P<0.01)高于青贮玉米组,而十二指肠食糜的氨态氮浓度极显著(P<0.01)低于青贮玉米组;③混合干草组瘤胃乙酸浓度显著(P<0.05)高于青贮玉米组,丙酸浓度差异不显著(P>0.05),青贮玉米组丁酸浓度极显著(P<0.01)高于混合干草组;十二指肠液乙酸、丙酸、丁酸浓度青贮玉米组均极显著(P<0.01)高于混合干草组。     

Rumen fermentation pattern of dairy heifers fed restricted amounts of low, medium, and high concentrate diets without and with yeast culture

Restricted feeding and high concentrate diets are potential strategies for growing dairy heifers. Ruminal manipulation with additives such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture (YC) has been shown to alter digestibility when added to this type of diet. An experiment was conducted to investigate the ruminal fermentation and in situ digestibility of diets with 3 different levels of forage to concentrate (F:C) fed at restricted intake without and with YC addition. Three cannulated post-pubertal Holstein heifers (age 18.0 ± 1.2 months; body weight 449.6 ± 19.7 kg) were fed diets consisting of corn silage as the sole forage source in a 3 period (35-day) Latin square design. Heifers were fed diets for 21 days with no YC addition, followed by 14 days where YC was added to the diet (1 g/kg as fed basis). Low (LC), medium (MC), and high (HC) concentrate diets (20, 40, and 60% concentrate) were fed once daily on a restricted basis to provide 0.22 Mcal ME/kg empty BW^0.75. Rumen fluid was sampled on days 18 and 32 of each period, and rumen contents were evacuated on days 21 and 35 of each period. An in situ study was done on days 14 to 17 and on days 28 to 31. Mean ruminal pH was not different between dietary treatments and no YC effect was detected. Mean total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (NH₃-N) concentration was also not different among diets with different F:C. Molar proportions of acetate were decreased, and propionate were increased; while the acetate-to-propionate ratio was decreased as the concentrate level increased from LC to HC. Total VFA, propionate, and acetate as well as isoacids concentration increased, yet NH₃-N concentration decreased with YC addition in all diets. From these results we conclude that feeding HC diets in restricted amounts had minimal effects on rumen fermentation rate between different F:C diets. The addition of YC modified NH₃-N and volatile fatty acid concentrations in the rumen in all 3 diets in this study, presumably through alterations in end-product production and utilization.     

不同精粗比饲粮中添加异位酸对体外瘤胃发酵的影响

本文旨在探讨不同精粗比饲粮中添加异位酸对体外瘤胃发酵的影响.选用4只体况良好、平均体重(25.48±1.51)kg、装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的阉割南江黄羊作为瘤胃液供体动物.用体外发酵法考察在3个精粗比(30∶70、50∶50和70∶30)饲粮中添加异位酸(1％)后的体外发酵参数变化.结果表明:经过24 h体外培养,不添加异位酸时,随精粗比由30∶70升高到70∶30,培养液pH、氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度、乙酸/丙酸和乙酸占总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)的比例均显著下降(P＜0.05);产气量及乙酸、丙酸和TVFA浓度和丙酸占TVFA的比例均显著提高(P＜0.05).当精粗比为30∶70时,添加异位酸pH无明显变化,NH3-N浓度下降,产气量及微生物蛋白质(MCP)和丁酸浓度上升,但各项指标差异均不显著(P＞0.05),而乙酸、丙酸和TVFA浓度均显著提高(P＜0.05).当精粗比为50∶50时,添加异位酸可显著降低NH3-N浓度(P＜0.05),提高产气量及MCP、乙酸、丙酸和TVFA浓度(P＜0.05),而对pH、丁酸浓度和乙酸/丙酸无显著影响(P＞0.05).当精粗比为70∶30时,添加异位酸NH3-N浓度显著下降(P＜0.05),产气量及MCP、乙酸、丙酸和TVFA浓度显著上升(P＜0.05),而对pH和乙酸/丙酸均无显著影响(P＞0.05).饲粮中添加异位酸有利于提高有机物的消化率和NH3-N的利用,增加MCP、乙酸、丙酸和TVFA的合成.在本试验中,对于MCP和TVFA的合成而言,精料比例越高,添加异位酸的效果越好.     

体外产气法评价油菜秆与玉米、豆粕的组合效应

本研究旨在探讨不同比例的油菜秆与玉米、豆粕组合对体外瘤胃发酵及其组合效应的影响。采用体外发酵法研究油菜秆与玉米(0%, 15%, 30%)、豆粕(0%, 15%, 30%)组合的体外发酵参数及其组合效应值的变化,探索优化组合效果。结果表明,随着玉米比例的增加,乙酸、丙酸、丁酸和挥发性脂肪酸生成量相应增加,乙丙比下降。当油菜秆∶玉米∶豆粕为40∶30∶30时,培养液pH,氨态氮(NH₃-N)浓度和乙丙比均极显著下降(P<0.01);48 h产气量、潜在产气量、产气速率、乙酸、丙酸、总挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)浓度和有机物消化率(OMD)均极显著提高(P<0.01)。以48 h产气量、NH₃-N、挥发性脂肪酸浓度和OMD的组合效应值以及综合组合效应值(AEs)为衡量指标,油菜秆∶玉米∶豆粕为55∶30∶15组合的正组合效应最大(P<0.01)。综上所述,在本试验条件下,油菜秆∶玉米∶豆粕为55∶30∶15组合的能氮比例较为合理,瘤胃发酵效率最高,为最优组合,可提高油菜杆的利用效率。     

酵母培养物对山羊瘤胃纤维素酶活及挥发性脂肪酸的影响

在高精料日粮条件下,以4头装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的本地山羊为试验动物,采用4×4拉丁方设计,研究酵母培养物(0、20、30、和40g/d)对山羊瘤胃纤维素酶活及挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)的影响。结果表明:日粮中添加酵母培养物有提高瘤胃中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)消失率及羧甲基纤维素酶活、木聚糖酶活的趋势,但差异均不显著(P>0.05)。日粮中添加酵母培养物能够提高瘤胃乙酸、丙酸、丁酸、TVFA浓度及乙酸丙酸比。与对照组相比,早饲后4h时,20g/d处理组乙酸浓度提高22%(P<0.05),TVFA浓度提高21%(P<0.05),30g/d处理组的丙酸浓度提高11%(P>0.05);18h时,30g/d处理组乙酸浓度和TVFA浓度较对照组分别提高32%(P<0.05)和28%(P<0.05)。     

不同精粗比日粮对奶山羊瘤胃液pH值、VFA及血液VFA含量的影响

本试验旨在探讨不同精粗比日粮对奶山羊瘤胃液pH值、VFA以及血液中VFA含量的影响。选择8只安装永久性瘤胃瘘管的奶山羊作为试验动物,采用完全随机分组试验设计随机分为2组,分别饲喂精粗比为6∶4和4∶6的日粮,预饲期15 d,采样期3 d。结果表明,高精料组(HC组)瘤胃液pH值显著低于低精料组(HR组)(P<0.05);在采食后3 h,HC组与HR组瘤胃液pH值均下降至最低值,分别为5.71和6.08。除了乙酸含量外,HC组瘤胃液丙酸、异丁酸、丁酸、异戊酸、戊酸以及总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)含量分别比HR组提高4.99%、5.58%、21.81%、17.95%、18.27%、1.66%。HC组血浆中各种VFA的含量均高于HR组,其中丙酸、丁酸含量两组间差异达到显著水平(P<0.05)。HC组瘤胃液以及血浆中乙酸与丙酸比值均低于HR组,但两组间差异均不显著(P>0.05)。HC组瘤胃液乙酸、丙酸、TVFA浓度在采食后2 h达到最大值,HR组在采食后3 h达到最大值,两组日粮血浆中VFA浓度均在采食后2 h达到最大值,然后逐渐恢复到采食前水平。结论:高精料日粮导致瘤胃液pH值显著降低,瘤胃液和血浆中VFA含量增加;瘤胃液VFA生成速率HC组高于HR组。     

不同酵母培养物对绵羊瘤胃体外发酵参数的影响

为验证不同类型及比例的酵母培养物(YC)对绵羊瘤胃体外发酵参数的影响。采用全因子试验设计,在发酵底物条件下分别添加不同类型及比例的YC,一个对照组、4个试验组,测定体外发酵参数浓度;发现YC-3能极显著降低培养液pH和丙酸浓度,显著增加异丁酸浓度和乙丙比。在体外条件下添加1%、2%YC均能显著增加培养液中乙酸浓度,添加4%YC能极显著降低异戊酸的浓度。YC不同来源和不同水平影响绵羊瘤胃体外发酵pH、丙酸及乙丙比等发酵参数,用于指导畜牧生产实际。     

Effects of the inclusion of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae plus growth medium) in the diet of dairy cows on milk yield and forage degradation and fermentation patterns in the rumen of steers

The effects of including yeast culture (YC; Saccharomyces cerevisae plus growth medium; 5 x 10(9) organisms/g) in diets for ruminants was examined in two experiments. In Exp. 1, 32 multiparous Friesian dairy cows were fed between wk 7 to 12 of lactation one of four completely mixed diets based on either hay or straw plus rolled barley (mixed to give concentrate:forage ratios of either 50:50 or 60:40, respectively) with or without 10 g YC/d in a 2(3) factorial design. Supplementation with YC increased DM intake of the cows by a mean of 1.2 kg/d (P less than or equal to .062) and increased milk yield by 1.4 liters/d (corrected to 4% butterfat; P less than or equal to .05). There was an interaction (P less than .05) between diet composition and YC addition; effects of YC were greatest in diets containing 60:40 (concentrate:forage) ratio. In Exp. 2, three steers were fed a diet of 50% hay and 50% rolled barley (DM basis). Hay was available for the major part of the day but barley was fed in two meals/d. Addition of YC to the diet increased (P less than .05) ruminal pH for 4 h after the barley meal. This elevation in pH probably was due to a reduction (P less than or equal to .01) in the concentration of L-lactate in the ruminal liquor of steers given YC (1.43 vs 3.55 mM; P less than or equal to .01). Peak ruminal L-lactate concentration (7.75 mM) in the controls coincided with time of minimum pH values (2 h after the meal of barley); this peak was absent in steers given YC. YC had no effect on the concentration of VFA in ruminal liquor, but the ratio of acetate to propionate was reduced (P less than or equal to .01) from 3.3:1 to 2.8:1 in steers given YC. The extent of DM degradation of hay incubated in the rumen of steers fed the hay and rolled barley diet was increased (P less than .05) in the presence of YC at 12 h of incubation, but degradation was similar in all treatment groups after 24 h of incubation. Presence of yeast culture in the rumen had effects on ruminal stoichiometry. An increased rate of forage degradation may have increased forage intake and productivity of these dairy cows.     

Interrelationships in the digestion of sheep given barley grain diets containing either fish meal, soya-bean meal or urea

Three sheep, each fitted with a ruminal cannula and duodenal re-entrant cannulae were given three isonitrogenous, isoenergetic diets in a Latin Square design. Each diet contained approximately 60% DM as barley grain and 40% of total N as either white fish meal, soya-bean meal or urea. These diets were fed continuously and supplied about 28 g N/day. Diets containing such large amounts of barley grain usually produce wide variations in the rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) proportions and these have been correlated with various other digestive characteristics. Several ruminal and duodenal components were measured in this study and interrelationships between them sought. The molar proportions of VFA varied widely from 45-67% for acetate, 13-48% for propionate and 7-23% for butyrate. Rumen pH was positively correlated with acetate (P less than 0.01), but negatively so with propionate (P less than 0.01) and butyrate (P less than 0.1). The numbers of rumen ciliate protozoa also varied widely and were related to rumen pH (P less than 0.05) and VFA proportions; positively to acetate (P less than 0.001) and butyrate (P less than 0.01) but negatively to propionate (P less than 0.001). Duodenal N was always less than fed N. The mean composition of this duodenal N was 10.1% ammonia-N, 6.7% RNA-N, 79.0% amino acid-N and 7.3% was unaccounted for. Efficiencies of synthesis of microbial and bacterial crude protein (derived from 35S and 2,6-diaminopimelic acid data) ranged from 10.5 to 42.2 g microbial N per kg apparently digested organic matter (ADOM) and 5.0 to 27.9 g bacterial N per kg ADOM. Division of VFA patterns into either propionate or butyrate type fermentations suggested several further interrelationships. No relationship was established between these fermentation patterns and the extent or efficiency of microbial crude protein synthesis. Possible interrelationships between different digestive characteristics are discussed and a plea made for both more extensive and intensive experimentation before such designation of cause and effect can be assigned.