Response to monensin in cattle during subacute acidosis

A steer metabolism study was conducted to measure changes in ruminal and blood components in response to monensin level following an abrupt switch from forage to a concentrate diet. Six ruminal-cannulated crossbred steers (373 kg) were fed either 0, 150 or 300 mg monensin per head daily in a replicated 3 X 3 Latin-square design. In all treatments, ruminal pH declined to a low of 5.4 to 5.6 12 h post-feeding, suggesting steers experienced subacute acidosis. Also in the first 12 h post-feeding, all treatments exhibited nearly a twofold increase in total ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, while peak ruminal lactate concentrations ranged from .86 to 1.50 mM. During the entire 48-h period, there were no significant treatment differences in blood pH, HCO3- or ruminal lactate, although there was a trend of higher ruminal and blood lactate associated with increased level of monensin supplementation. Feeding higher levels of monensin resulted in higher pH and propionate with lower acetate and butyrate concentrations. Increasing the level of monensin fed resulted in reduced (P less than .01) total ruminal VFA concentrations. Ruminal pH was more highly correlated to total ruminal VFA concentrations (r = -.69, P less than .01) than lactate concentrations (r = -.14, P less than .10). Results from this study indicate the significance of total ruminal organic acid concentration rather than ruminal lactate concentration during subacute acidosis. Monensin maintained a higher ruminal pH by reducing concentrations of VFA.     

Effects of virginiamycin and monensin plus tylosin on ruminal protein metabolism in steers fed corn-based finishing diets with or without wet corn gluten feed

Six ruminally cannulated steers (345 +/- 20 kg initial BW) were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square to evaluate effects of diet and antibiotics on ruminal protein metabolism. Two diets and three antibiotic treatments were arranged factorially. One diet contained (DM basis) 72% dry-rolled corn, 12% soybean meal, 10% alfalfa hay, and 4% molasses (SBM), and the other contained 63% dry-rolled corn, 30% wet corn gluten feed, and 5% alfalfa hay (WCGF). Antibiotic treatments included control, virginiamycin (175 mg/d; VM), and monensin/tylosin (250 and 100 mg/d, respectively; MT). Steers were fed at 12-h intervals at a rate of 2.4% of empty BW daily. Each period included 18 d of adaptation and 3 d of ruminal fluid collections. Samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h after the morning feeding on d 19 and 20. On d 21, rumens were dosed 2 h after the morning feeding with 350 g of solubilized casein to evaluate in vivo ruminal protease and deaminase activities. Ruminal fluid samples were collected 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 h after the casein dose. On d 19 and 20, antibiotics had no effect on ruminal pH or concentrations of VFA, lactate, ammonia, ciliated protozoa, alpha-amino nitrogen (AAN), or peptide N, but VM reduced (P < 0.01) the concentration of isovalerate compared to MT and control. After casein dosing (d 21), peptide N concentration was unaffected by antibiotics, but AAN were higher (P < 0.01) for VM than MT and control. Relative to MT and control, VM reduced ruminal isovalerate (P = 0.05) and increased ruminal propionate (P < 0.01) on d 21. Ruminal pH was lower (P < 0.01) in steers fed SBM than in steers fed WCGF, but lactate concentrations were unaffected by diet. Steers fed SBM had higher (P < 0.05) ruminal concentrations of total VFA and propionate. Ammonia concentrations were lower before feeding and higher after feeding for steers fed WCGF (P < 0.01). Steers fed WCGF had higher counts of total ciliated protozoa than steers fed SBM (P < 0.05) due to greater Entodinium sp. (P < 0.05). Steers fed WCGF had higher (P < 0.01) ruminal AAN and peptide N concentrations than those fed SBM on d 19 and 20. After casein dosing, ruminal peptide N concentrations were similar, but AAN were lower (P < 0.01) for WCGF than SBM. Overall, VM appeared to depress ruminal deaminase activity, and MT had minimal effects on ruminal fermentation products. The protein in WCGF appeared to be more readily degradable than that in SBM.     

Effects of alfalfa extract, anise, capsicum, and a mixture of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol on ruminal fermentation and protein degradation in beef heifers fed a high-concentrate diet

Four Holstein heifers (360 +/- 22 and 450 +/- 28 kg of BW in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively) fitted with ruminal trocars were used in 4 x 4 Latin square designs to evaluate the effects on ruminal microbial fermentation of the following: Exp. 1, no additive, alfalfa extract (30 g/d, AEX), a mixture of cinnamaldehyde (0.18 g/d) and eugenol (0.09 g/d; CIE1), and AEX and CIE1 in combination; and Exp. 2, no additive, anise oil (2 g/d), capsicum oil (1 g/d), and a mixture of cinnamaldehyde (0.6 g/d) and eugenol (0.3 g/d). Heifers were fed a 90:10 concentrate:barley straw diet (16% CP; 25% NDF) for ad libitum intake. Each period consisted of 15 d for adaptation and 6 d for sampling. On d 16 to 18, DM and water intakes were measured. On d 19 to 21 ruminal contents were sampled at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h after feeding to determine ruminal pH and the concentrations of VFA, L-lactate, large peptides, small peptides plus AA (SPep+AA), and ammonia N. On d 20 and 21, samples of ruminal fluid were collected at 0 and 3 h after feeding to determine protozoal counts. In Exp. 1, CIE1 and AEX decreased (P < 0.05) total DMI, concentrate DMI, and water intake. The increase (P < 0.05) in SPep+AA and the decrease (P < 0.05) in ammonia N when supplementing CIE1 suggest that deamination was inhibited. Treatment AEX increased (P < 0.05) the acetate to propionate ratio, which is less efficient for beef production. Treatment CIE1 increased (P < 0.05) counts of holotrichs. Effects of AEX and CIE1 were not additive for many of the measured metabolites. In Exp. 2, treatments had no effect on ruminal pH, total VFA concentration, and butyrate proportion. The capsicum oil treatment increased (P < 0.05) DMI, water intake, and SPep+AA N concentration and decreased (P < 0.05) acetate proportion, branched-chain VFA concentration, and large peptide N concentration. The cinnamaldehyde (0.6 g/d) and eugenol (0.3 g/d) treatment decreased (P < 0.05) water intake, acetate proportion, branched-chain VFA, L-lactate, and ammonia N concentrations and increased (P < 0.05) propionate proportion and SPep+AA N concentration. The anise oil treatment decreased (P < 0.05) acetate to propionate ratio, branched-chain VFA and ammonia N concentrations, and protozoal counts. The results indicate that at the doses used a mixture of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, anise oil, and capsicum oil may be useful as modifiers of rumen fermentation in beef production systems.     

Dynamics of methanogenesis,ruminal fermentation and fiber digestibility in ruminants following elimination of protozoa: a meta-analysis

Background: Ruminal microbes are vital to the conversion of lignocellulose-rich plant materials into nutrients for ruminants.Although protozoa play a key role in linking ruminal microbial networks,the contribution of protozoa to rumen fermentation remains controversial; therefore,this meta-analysis was conducted to quantitatively summarize the temporal dynamics of methanogenesis,ruminal volatile fatty acid(VFA) profiles and dietary fiber digestibility in ruminants following the elimination of protozoa(also termed defaunation).A total of 49 studies from 22 publications were evaluated.Results: The results revealed that defaunation reduced methane production and shifted ruminal VFA profiles to consist of more propionate and less acetate and butyrate,but with a reduced total VFA concentration and decreased dietary fiber digestibility.However,these effects were diminished linearly,at different rates,with time during the first few weeks after defaunation,and eventually reached relative stability.The acetate to propionate ratio and methane production were increased at 7 and 11 wk after defaunation,respectively.Conclusions: Elimination of protozoa initially shifted the rumen fermentation toward the production of more propionate and less methane,but eventually toward the production of less propionate and more methane over time.     

葡萄籽精油对体外瘤胃发酵和甲烷生成的影响

通过体外培养法研究发酵底物精粗比7∶3条件下,添加100,150和250μL/L葡萄籽精油对瘤胃发酵和甲烷产量的影响。采用气相色谱仪测定甲烷产量,培养24 h后,测定挥发性脂肪酸、pH、氨态氮浓度和原虫数。结果发现,添加葡萄籽精油100μL/L和150μL/L与对照组相比提高累计产气量、发酵液pH值(P<0.05)、乙酸摩尔比例,降低甲烷浓度(P<0.01)、丙酸、丁酸、戊酸和支链挥发性脂肪酸摩尔比例。葡萄籽精油添加量为150μL/L降低氨态氮浓度及瘤胃原虫数,添加100μL/L葡萄籽精油提高总挥发性脂肪酸。试验表明,适宜添加量的葡萄籽精油可以改变瘤胃发酵模式,增加丙酸乙酸比例,抑制甲烷生成。     

高谷物日粮促进山羊瘤胃上皮单羧酸转运蛋白1及钠钾ATP酶mRNA的表达

本试验旨在研究高谷物日粮对山羊瘤胃上皮形态结构及单羧酸转运蛋白(monocarboxylate transporter, MCT)和钠钾ATP酶mRNA表达的影响。将10头装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的健康阉割公山羊随机分为饲喂全粗料日粮的对照组(Hay,0%谷物,n=5)和饲喂高谷物日粮的处理组(HG,65%谷物,n=5),试验期为7周。试验开始后,于每周晨饲后的0、2、3、4、6、8和12 h连续采集瘤胃液监测瘤胃pH值的变化,收集其中第0、3、6和12 h的瘤胃液待测挥发性脂肪酸(volatile fatty acid, VFA)浓度。试验的第50天,屠宰采集瘤胃上皮用于形态学及基因定量分析。研究结果显示:与全粗料组山羊相比,高谷物组山羊瘤胃pH值、乙酸浓度及乙丙比都显著下降(P<0.001),而瘤胃丙酸浓度、丁酸浓度及其他VFA浓度都显著升高(P<0.001);高谷物日粮组的瘤胃乳头长度显著高于对照组(P=0.001),瘤胃乳头宽度显著低于对照组(P<0.001),但是两组间的瘤胃乳头表面积并无显著差异;透射电镜结果显示,长期饲喂高谷物日粮导致瘤胃上皮细胞线粒体发生降解;实时定量PCR结果表明,与对照组相比,高谷物日粮显著升高了MCT1(P<0.001)和钠钾ATP酶(P=0.001)的mRNA表达量,显著降低了MCT4的mRNA表达量(P=0.041),但对MCT2的表达没有显著影响(P=0.305);进一步分析这些基因的mRNA表达量与pH值和VFA浓度之间的相关性,结果显示,MCT1和钠钾ATP酶的mRNA表达量与瘤胃pH值和乙酸浓度呈显著负相关,与总VFA、丙酸、丁酸的含量呈显著正相关,而MCT4的mRNA表达量与pH值呈显著正相关,与总VFA、丙酸、丁酸的含量呈显著负相关。以上结果提示:高精料引起的瘤胃pH值下降和VFA的变化可能与瘤胃上皮MCT和钠钾ATP酶表达量的变化相关。研究结果对深入认识高谷物饲喂引发的瘤胃功能紊乱具有重要意义。     

不同精料补饲水平对藏绵羊瘤胃内环境参数的影响

选择1.2岁左右藏绵羊30只,随机分3组,采用单因子分组设计,以青干草为基础日粮,按每只150,300,450 g/d 3种精料水平补饲,研究不同精料补饲水平对藏绵羊瘤胃代谢参数变化规律的影响。结果表明;随精料补饲水平提高,藏绵羊瘤胃液pH值下降,NH3-N浓度、NH3-N浓度平均值、总挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)浓度显著增加(P<0.05)。在本试验条件下,从藏绵羊瘤胃内环境的稳定方面考虑,藏绵羊每日补饲精料300 g效果最佳。     

Splanchnic metabolism of volatile fatty acids absorbed from the washed reticulorumen of steers

Six steers fitted with a ruminal cannula and chronic indwelling catheters in the mesenteric artery, mesenteric vein, hepatic portal vein, hepatic vein, as well as in the right ruminal vein were used to study metabolism of VFA absorbed from buffers in the emptied and washed reticulorumen. [2-(13)C]Acetate was infused into a jugular vein to study portal-drained visceral (PDV) uptake of arterial acetate, hepatic unidirectional uptake of acetate, and whole-body irreversible loss rate (ILR). Isobutyrate was infused into the right ruminal vein to calibrate VFA fluxes measured in the portal vein. On sampling days, the rumen was emptied and incubated in sequence with a 0-buffer (bicarbonate buffer without VFA), a VFA-buffer plus continuous intraruminal infusion of VFA, and finally another 0-buffer. Ruminal VFA absorption was determined as VFA uptake from the VFA-buffer and metabolic effects determined as the difference between metabolite fluxes with VFA-buffer and 0-buffers. Steady absorption rates of VFA were maintained during VFA-buffer incubations (4 h; 592+/-16, 257+/-5, 127+/-2, 17+/-<1, 20+/-<1 mmol/h, respectively, of acetate, propionate, butyrate, isovalerate, and valerate). The portal flux of acetate corrected for PDV uptake of arterial acetate accounted for 105+/-3% of the acetate absorption from the rumen, and the net portal flux of propionate accounted for 91+/-2% of propionate absorption. Considerably less butyrate (27+/-3%) and valerate (30+/-3%) could be accounted for in the portal vein. The sum of portal VFA and 3-hydroxybutyrate as well as lactate represented 99+/-3% of total VFA acetyl units and 103+/-2% of VFA propionyl units. Estimates are maximum because no accounting was made for lactate derived from glycolysis in the PDV. The net splanchnic flux of VFA, lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and glucose accounted for 64+/-2% of VFA acetyl units and 34+/-5% of VFA propionyl units. Results indicate that there is a low "first-pass" uptake of acetate and propionate in the ruminal epithelium of cattle, whereas butyrate and valerate are extensively metabolized, though seemingly not oxidized to carbon dioxide in the epithelium but repackaged into acetate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and perhaps other metabolites. When PDV "second-pass" uptake of arterial nutrients is accounted for, PDV fluxes of VFA, lactate, and 3-hydroxybutyrate represent VFA production in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby VFA availability to the ruminant animal.     

Effect of increasing ruminal butyrate absorption on splanchnic metabolism of volatile fatty acids absorbed from the washed reticulorumen of steers

Four steers fitted with a ruminal cannula and chronic indwelling catheters in the mesenteric artery, mesenteric vein, hepatic portal vein, hepatic vein, and the right ruminal vein were used to study the absorption and metabolism of VFA from bicarbonate buffers incubated in the temporarily emptied and washed reticulorumen. Portal and hepatic vein blood flows were determined by infusion of p-aminohippurate into the mesenteric vein, and portal VFA fluxes were calibrated by infusion of isovalerate into the ruminal vein. The steers were subjected to four experimental treatments in a Latin square design with four periods within 1 d. The treatments were Control (bicarbonate buffer) and VFA buffers containing 4, 12, or 36 mmol butyrate/kg of buffer, respectively. The acetate content of the buffers was decreased with increasing butyrate to balance the acidity. The butyrate absorption from the rumen was 39, 111, and 300 +/- 4 mmol/h for the three VFA buffers, respectively. The ruminal absorption rates of propionate (260 +/- 12 mmol/h), isobutyrate (11.4 +/- 0.7 mmol/h), and valerate (17.3 +/- 0.7 mmol/h) were not affected by VFA buffers. The portal recovery of butyrate and valerate absorbed from the rumen increased (P < 0.01) with increasing butyrate absorption and reached 52 to 54 +/- 4% with the greatest butyrate absorption. The liver responded to the increased butyrate absorption with a decreasing fractional extraction of propionate and butyrate, and with the greatest butyrate absorption, the splanchnic flux was 22 +/- 1% and 18 +/- 1% of the absorbed propionate and butyrate, respectively. The increased propionate and butyrate release to peripheral tissues was followed by increased (P < 0.05) arterial concentrations of propionate (0.08 +/- 0.01 mmol/kg) and butyrate (0.07 +/- 0.01 mmol/kg). Arterial insulin concentration increased (P = 0.01) with incubation of VFA buffers compared with Control and was numerically greatest with the greatest level of butyrate absorption. We conclude that the capacity to metabolize butyrate by the ruminal epithelium and liver is limited. If butyrate absorption exceeds the metabolic capacity, it affects rumen epithelial and hepatic nutrient metabolism and affects the nutrient supply of peripheral tissues.     

Effects of a twin strain of saccharomyces cerevisiae live cells on mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation in vitro

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of different concentrations (0, 0.33, 0.66, 0.99, and 1.32 g/L) of a twin-strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae live cells on in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation of corn starch, soluble potato starch, and sudangrass hay (60.5%, DM basis) plus concentrate mixture (39.5%, DM basis). Ruminal fluid was collected from two dairy cows, mixed with phosphate buffer (1:2), and incubated (30 mL) anaerobically at 38 degrees C for 6 and 24 h with or without yeast supplement, using 200 mg (DM basis) of each substrate. Medium pH, ammonia-N, and numbers of protozoa were unaffected (P = 0.38) by yeast cells in all substrates. Molar proportion of acetate was unchanged (P = 0.56) with cornstarch and soluble potato starch, but increased quadratically (P = 0.02) with hay plus concentrate by treatment. Addition of yeast cells caused a linear increase of total VFA (P = 0.008) in all substrates. Excluding the soluble potato starch, supplementation of S. cerevisiae resulted in a quadratic increase of propionate (P = 0.01), with a quadratic decrease (P = 0.04) of acetate:propionate. When soluble potato starch was used as a substrate, a linear increase (P = 0.006) of the molar proportion of propionate and a quadratic decrease (P = 0.007) in acetate:propionate was observed by treatment. Molar proportion of butyrate was unchanged (P = 0.35) with cornstarch and soluble potato starch, whereas it decreased linearly (P = 0.007) with hay plus concentrate by yeast cell supplementation. When cornstarch and soluble potato starch were used as a substrate, minor VFA were decreased (P = 0.05) by treatment. Accumulation of lactate was linearly decreased by treatment (P = 0.007) in all substrates. During incubation with hay plus concentrate, IVDMD was linearly increased (P = 0.006), whereas production of methane (linear; P = 0.02) and accumulation of hydrogen was decreased (quadratic; P = 0.005) by treatment after 24 h. These results showed that a twin strain of S. cerevisiae live cells stimulated in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation with decreased lactate, and a small decrease of methane and hydrogen with hay plus concentrate.     

Screening for the effects of natural plant extracts at different pH on in vitro rumen microbial fermentation of a high-concentrate diet for beef cattle

Six natural plant extracts and three secondary plant metabolites were tested at five doses (0, 0.3, 3, 30, and 300 mg/L) and two different pH (7.0 and 5.5) in a duplicate 9 x 5 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine their effects on in vitro microbial fermentation using ruminal fluid from heifers fed a high-concentrate finishing diet. Treatments were extracts of garlic (GAR), cinnamon (CIN), yucca (YUC), anise (ANI), oregano (ORE), and capsicum (CAP) and pure cinnamaldehyde (CDH), anethole (ATL), and eugenol (EUG). Each treatment was tested in triplicate and in two periods. Fifty milliliters of a 1:1 ruminal fluid-to-buffer solution were introduced into polypropylene tubes supplied with 0.5 g of DM of a 10:90 forage:concentrate diet (15.4% CP, 16.0% NDF; DM basis) and incubated for 24 h at 39 degrees C. Samples were collected for ammonia N and VFA concentrations. The decrease in pH from 7.0 to 5.5 resulted in lower (P < 0.05) total VFA, ammonia N, branched-chain VFA concentration, acetate proportion, and acetate:propionate, and in a higher (P < 0.05) propionate proportion. The interaction between pH and doses was significant for all measurements, except for ATL and CDH for butyrate, ATL and EUG for acetate:propionate ratio, and ORE for ammonia N concentration. The high dose of all plant extracts decreased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentrations. When pH was 7.0, ATL, GAR, CAP, and CDH decreased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentration, and ANI, ORE, CIN, CAP, and CDH increased (P < 0.05) the acetate:propionate. The CIN, GAR, CAP, CDH, ORE, and YUC decreased (P < 0.05), and EUG, ANI, and ATL increased (P < 0.05) ammonia N concentration. The effects of plant extracts on the fermentation profile when pH was 7.0 were not favorable for beef production. In contrast, when pH was 5.5, total VFA concentration did not change (ATL, ANI, ORE, and CIN) or increased (P < 0.05) (EUG, GAR, CAP, CDH, and YUC), and the acetate:propionate (ORE, GAR, CAP, CDH, and YUC) decreased (P < 0.05), which would be favorable for beef production. Ammonia N (ATL, ANI, CIN, GAR, CAP, and CDH) and branched-chain VFA (ATL, EUG, ANI, ORE, CAP, and CDH) concentrations also were decreased (P < 0.05), suggesting that deamination was inhibited. Results indicate that the effects of plant extracts on ruminal fermentation in beef cattle diets may differ depending on ruminal pH. When pH was 5.5, GAR, CAP, YUC, and CDH altered ruminal microbial fermentation in favor of propionate, which is more energetically efficient.     

Effects of volatile fatty acid supply on their absorption and on water kinetics in the rumen of sheep sustained by intragastric infusions

Three sheep fitted with a ruminal cannula and an abomasal catheter were used to study water kinetics and absorption of VFA infused continuously into the rumen. The effects of changing VFA concentrations in the rumen by shifting VFA infusion rates were investigated in an experiment with a 3 x 3 Latin square design. On experimental days, the animals received the basal infusion rate of VFA (271 mmol/h) during the first 2 h. Each animal then received VFA at a different rate (135, 394, or 511 mmol/h) for the next 7.5 h. Using soluble markers (polyethylene glycol and Cr-EDTA), ruminal volume, liquid outflow, apparent water absorption, and VFA absorption rates were estimated. There were no significant effects of VFA infusion rate on ruminal volume and water kinetics. As the VFA infusion rate was increased, VFA concentration and osmolality in the rumen were increased and pH was decreased. There was a biphasic response of liquid outflow to changes in the total VFA concentration in the rumen, as both variables increased together up to a total VFA concentration of 80.1 mM, whereas, beyond that concentration, liquid outflow remained stable at an average rate of 407 mL/h. There were significant linear (P = 0.003) and quadratic (P = 0.001) effects of VFA infusion rate on the VFA absorption rate, confirming that VFA absorption in the rumen is mainly a concentration-dependent process. The proportion of total VFA supplied that was absorbed in the rumen was 0.845 (0.822, 0.877, and 0.910 for acetate, propionate, and butyrate, respectively). The molar proportions of acetate, propionate, and butyrate absorbed were affected by the level of VFA infusion in the rumen, indicating that this level affected to a different extent the absorption of the different acids.     

Using a novel macro in vitro technique to estimate differences in absorption rates of volatile fatty acids in the rumen

A novel macro in vitro system was used to test the theory that rumen proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate are not representative of their respective net production rates. Whole rumen content (10–16 kg) from two cows was mixed with a bicarbonate buffer and incubated separately in two 40‐l in vitro vessels for 3 h. A total of six experimental periods were used. In this study, a total of six cows were used and fed 1/8 of the daily ration by hand every 3 h. To obtain differences in rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) composition, 1 l of acetate (416 mm ), propionate (108 mm ), butyrate (79 mm ), lactic acid (300 mm ) or nothing was infused during 24 h into the rumen before collection of representative samples of rumen contents. Infusions of acids were then continued during the in vitro incubations in exact proportion to the digesta removed from the rumen. In Periods 1 and 2, the cows were alternatively infused with acetate or nothing. In Periods 3 and 4, the infusions consisted of propionate or butyrate and in Periods 5 and 6 of lactate or nothing. Nine liquid samples were obtained between 3 and 180 min after the start of incubation and analysed for concentrations of VFA. Changes in proportions of individual VFA were estimated by linear regression. No differences in VFA proportions were observed in the absence of infusion (p > 0.5) over time, but when individual VFA were infused, their respective proportions increased. This was interpreted as the result of a decreased in vitro fermentation rate of digesta substrates compared with that in the rumen. Lactate infusion increased butyrate proportion in vitro. It is concluded that this study could not provide any evidence that ruminal VFA proportions are unrepresentative of the proportions of net production.     

Effects of dietary fiber and feeding frequency on ruminal fermentation, digesta water-holding capacity, and fractional turnover of contents.

To determine the effects of different sources of fiber and feeding frequency on digesta water-holding capacity (WHC; g H2O/g DM) and ruminal liquid contents, four ruminally fistulated Jersey steers were fed a 60:40 roughage-concentrate diet at 1.5 times NEm. Diets contained either sorghum silage (SS) or a 67:33 mixture of SS and soyhulls (SH) as roughage and were fed either once or 12 times daily, in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment with 15-d periods. Ruminal fluid was sampled at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h after a dose of Co-EDTA on d 10 and analyzed for Co, VFA, ammonia, buffering capacity, and osmolality. Ruminal WHC, NDF, ADF, lignin, and starch were measured in samples obtained by ruminal evacuation at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after feeding on d 11, 12, 14, and 15, respectively. Substitution of SH for SS decreased ruminal pH .32 units and dilution rate by 26.8% but increased total VFA by 10.9%, osmolality by 13.6%, and the fractional turnover rate (FTR) of ADF by 22.5% (P less than .05). Frequent feeding resulted in 4.7, 21.9, and 74.4% increases in total VFA and FTR of ruminal DM and starch (P less than .05), respectively. Interactions (P less than .05) were observed between dietary fiber source and feeding frequency for ruminal fluid molar percentage acetate to propionate ratio (A/P), liquid volume (evacuated), and WHC (kilograms). Substituting SH for SS decreased ruminal WHC (kilograms), liquid volume, and A/P only in steers fed once daily. Ruminal WHC (kilograms) was correlated positively with ruminal liquid volume but negatively with DM FTR. The dynamics of digesta WHC (kilograms) associated with dietary fiber source and feeding frequency suggest that it may influence the contribution of water and salivary secretions to ruminal liquid contents.     

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。     

In vitro fermentation of different starches by mixed micro-organisms from the sheep rumen

Fermentation characteristics of wheat, rye, maize and triticale starches by mixed micro-organisms from the sheep rumen were determined in an in vitro experiment. Starch was incubated with ruminal fluid for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h and various fermentation variables were determined. The rates of fermentation of the starches were not different (p > 0.05) from each other except for 2 and 4 h of incubation. Likewise, net ammonia production, sugar utilization, microbial biomass and the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis did not differ between the starches (p > 0.05). The proportions of sugar utilized were similar between the starches and approximately 75% of the starches were fermented during the 12-h incubation. The 12-h net concentrations of individual and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were affected (p < 0.05) by the type of starch. The concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate and that of total VFA from wheat, maize and triticale incubations were higher (p < 0.05) than those from rye incubation. The results suggest that the type of starch subject to investigation had no measurable effects on fermentation variables determined in this study except for individual and total VFA concentrations.     

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine compounds on rumen fermentation,methanogenesis and microbial flora in vitro

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine compounds (TCMC) on rumen fermentation, methane emission and populations of ruminal microbes using an in vitro gas production technique. Cablin patchouli herb (CPH), Atractylodes rhizome (AR), Amur Cork-tree (AC) and Cypsum were mixed with the weight ratios of 1:1:1:0.5 and 1:1:1:1 to make up TCMC1 and TCMC2, respectively. Both TCMC were added at level of 25 g/kg of substrate dry matter. In vitro gas production was recorded and methane concentration was determined at 12 and 24 h of incubation. After 24 h, the incubation was terminated and the inoculants were measured for pH, ammonia nitrogen, volatile fatty acids (VFA). Total deoxyribonucleic acid of ruminal microbes was extracted from the inocula, and populations were determined by a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Populations of total rumen methanogens, protozoa, total fungi, Ruminococcus albus, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens were expressed as a proportion of total rumen bacterial 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid. Compared with the control, the 2 TCMC decreased (P ≤ 0.05) total VFA concentration, acetate molar proportion, acetate to propionate ratio, gas and methane productions at 12 and 24 h, hydrogen (H) produced and consumed, and methanogens and total fungi populations, while the 2 TCMC increased (P ≤ 0.05) propionate molar proportion. Traditional Chinese medicine compound 1 also decreased (P ≤ 0.05) R. flavefaciens population. From the present study, it is inferred that there is an effect of the TCMC in suppressing methanogenesis, probably mediated via indirect mode by channeling H₂ utilized for methanogenesis to synthesis of propionate and direct action against the rumen microbes involved in methane formation. In addition, the relative methane reduction potential (RMRP) of TCMC2 was superior to that of TCMC1.     

绵羊日粮中不同碳水化合物比例对瘤胃内环境参数的影响

本研究以18只安装有瘤胃瘘管的内蒙古半细毛羯羊作为试验动物 ,研究了绵羊日粮中6个不同结构性碳水化合物(SC)与非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)比例(3.52、3.32、2.86、2.64、2.40和1.88)对绵羊瘤胃内环境参数随时间的动态变化的影响。结果表明 ,绵羊日粮中一定范围内的SC :NSC比例对瘤胃内 pH和NH3-N浓度的影响不显著 ,但会改变瘤胃内VFA的摩尔比例。若适度提高丙酸浓度 ,调控瘤胃发酵模式 ,可达到提高纤维物质利用率的目的。     

Ruminal and host adaptations to changes in frequency of protein supplementation

The effect of altering supplementation frequency on host N balance and key N transactions in the ruminal ecosystem were monitored. Four ruminally fistulated beef steers (BW = 513 kg; SEM = 6.5) were used in a 2 x 2 crossover design with two periods and two supplementation frequency treatments. Supplementation frequencies were 2 and 7 d/wk. Steers were fed tallgrass prairie hay (73.1% NDF, 5.3% CP) ad libitum. Supplement (42% CP; DM basis) was fed at 0.36% BW/d to steers supplemented 7 d/wk. Steers supplemented 2 d/wk received the same amount of supplement per week, but it was equally split among the two supplementation events. Steers supplemented 7 d/wk had higher forage (P < 0.02) and total digestible OM intake (P < 0.06), total N intake, fecal N excretion, and N retention. Although both supplementation frequencies were characterized by positive N balance, the decrease in N retention in the steers supplemented 2 d/wk was due to higher (P < 0.01) urinary N loss. Ruminal fluid was sampled at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after supplementation beginning on a day when both treatments were supplemented. Frequency x hour interactions (P < 0.02) were observed for ruminal N metabolism criteria. Counts of peptide- and AA-fermenting bacteria peaked at 2 h and returned to nadir by 12 h for steers supplemented 7 d/wk. Steers supplemented 2 d/wk peaked at 6 h with a greater population and returned to nadir at 48 h. Ruminal ammonia concentrations followed a similar trend. Specific activity of ammonia production was lower (P < or = 0.05) immediately after supplementation for steers supplemented 2 d/wk, but by 12 h was the same as for 7 d/wk steers. Ruminal peptides and free AA peaked at 2 h for steers supplemented 2 d/wk and were generally higher (P < or = 0.05) during the first 6 h compared with steers supplemented 7 d/wk. Total VFA concentration was not different (P = 0.35) due to supplementation frequency. Frequency x hour interactions (P < 0.01) were observed for all molar proportions of VFA. The molar proportion of acetate and acetate:propionate ratio were lower (P < 0.01) and the molar proportions of propionate and butyrate were higher for steers supplemented 2 d/wk from 4 h to 24 h. In conclusion, forage use and N balance improved with supplementation 7 d/wk, but supplementation 2 d/wk was associated with some desirable shifts in select ruminal events that may contribute to moderating potential negative impacts of supplementing infrequently.     

Effects of supplemental zinc and manganese on ruminal fermentation, forage intake, and digestion by cattle fed prairie hay and urea

One in vitro and one in vivo metabolism experiment were conducted to examine the effects of supplemental Zn on ruminal parameters, digestion, and DMI by heifers fed low-quality prairie hay supplemented with urea. In Exp. 1, prairie hay was incubated in vitro for 24 h with five different concentrations of supplemental Zn (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 ppm) and two concentrations of supplemental Mn (0 and 100 ppm), both provided as chloride salts. Added Mn increased (P < 0.02) IVDMD, but added Zn linearly decreased (P < 0.03) IVDMD. Added Zn tended to increase the amount of residual urea linearly (P < 0.06) at 120 min and quadratically (P < 0.02) at 180 min of incubation, although added Mn counteracted these effects of added Zn. Six 363-kg heifers in two simultaneous 3 x 3 Latin squares were fed prairie hay and dosed once daily via ruminal cannulas with urea (45 or 90 g/d) and with Zn chloride to provide the equivalent of an additional 30 (the dietary requirement), 250, or 470 ppm of dietary Zn. After a 7-d adaptation period, ruminal contents were sampled 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, 21, and 24 h after the supplement was dosed. Supplemental Zn did not alter prairie hay DMI (mean = 4.9 kg/d) or digestibility, although 470 ppm added Zn tended to decrease (P < 0.06) intake of digestible DM, primarily due to a trend for reduced digestibility with 470 ppm supplemental Zn. Zinc x time interactions were detected for both pH (P = 0.06) and NH3 (P = 0.06). At 2 h after dosing, ruminal pH and ruminal ammonia were linearly decreased (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) by added Zn. At 5 h after feeding, ruminal pH was linearly increased (P < 0.05) by added Zn, suggesting that added Zn delayed ammonia release from urea. The molar proportion of propionate in ruminal fluid was linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.02; P < 0.01) whereas the acetate:propionate ratio was linearly and quadratically decreased (P = 0.02; P < 0.05) by added Zn. Through retarding ammonia release from urea and increasing the proportion of propionate in ruminal VFA, Zn supplementation at a concentration of 250 ppm may decrease the likelihood of urea toxicity and increase energetic efficiency of ruminal fermentation.