Investigations of the in situ bag technique and a comparison of the fermentation in heifers, sheep, ponies and rabbits

Fiber fermentation using the in situ bag technique was studied in a hay-fed cow. Entry of fine particles into bags of varying pore size, the effect of sample size, rumen contractions, bag porosity and rumen contraction (bags suspended in vitro or in situ) and obstruction of liquid flow through the bag cloth were investigated (Exp. 1). In Exp. 2 fiber degradation in vitro and in situ with 5- and 37-micron pore size bags was measured utilizing six fistulated heifers (four large: 610 kg and two small: 243 kg), two sheep and two goats (30 kg), three ponies (130 kg) and four rabbits (3.2 kg). Degradation rate (k) and indigestible fiber (B) were determined after curve fitting. Lag of fermentation was also calculated. Results of Exp. 1 showed that plant fiber containing approximately 50% lignin and 2.9% N entered even 20-micron pores, that rumen contractions increased fiber disappearance and that obstructing liquid exchange limited fermentation. Results of Exp. 2 showed lower fiber residues for 37-micron than for 5-micron pore size bags and that in situ method, time and species were highly significant (P less than .0001). All model factors differed significantly among species (P less than .05), but not among the three methods. Lag approached significance for methods (P = .07), but not for species. In situ measurements (37-micron) resulted in the following values for k (h-1), B (%) and lag (h): large heifers .040, 39 and -1; small heifers .025, 39 and 0; sheep-goats .051, 42 and 2; ponies .030, 59 and -5 and rabbits .107, 85 and 3.     

Effects of mastication and microbial contamination on ruminal in situ forage disappearance

In an experiment to determine the effects of mastication and microbial contamination on in situ forage disappearance, samples of masticated (M) or nonmasticated alfalfa hay (AH), orchardgrass hay (OGH) and bermudagrass hay (BGH) were incubated in the rumen of two steers for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h. Using diaminopimelic acid as a marker, microbial DM and CP contamination ranged from 10.3 to 22.3% and 46.3 to 95.3% of residual DM and CP, respectively. Percentage contamination was influenced by both time of incubation and forage treatment (P less than .001). Corrected DM and CP disappearances (DMD and CPD) were higher than apparent disappearances (P less than .001). Maximal NDF and ADF disappearances (NDFD and ADFD) obtained at 96 h were 58.2, 52.4; 62.7, 62.3 and 56.7, 52.6% for AH, OGH and BGH, respectively. Lag times (h) for corrected DMD and CPD were shorter (at least P less than .05) than for apparent disappearances, except for corrected CPD of AH. There were no differences (P greater than .10) in lag time of NDFD or ADFD among forages. Rates of disappearance (%/h) of corrected DMD and CPD were faster (at least P less than .01) than for apparent disappearances. The total quantity of microbial CP (mg CP/g DM) associated with residues varied with time depending on forage type (P less than .001). There was a significant relationship between the quantity of microbial CP contamination and the extent of disappearance. Masticated forages followed trends similar to those of nonmasticated forages, but the effect of mastication was not consistent. Results support the need for microbial correction of in situ forage residues.     

Effects of buffers on ruminal rate of passage and degradation of soybean meal in steers

Eight rumen-fistulated steers were randomly assigned to medium- and high-concentrate diets supplemented with 0, .75, 2.5 and 5% of either sodium bicarbonate or an artificial saliva salts mixture. Each animal was fed for 21 d at 75 g dry matter/kg body weight . 75. Rates of soybean meal (SBM) degradation were predicted by adjusting digestion rates in nylon bags with respective passage rates of chromium-mordanted SBM particles. Measures of rumen fermentation were made during the incubation period. Liquid dilution rate was determined with 51Cr-EDTA. The high-concentrate diet produced higher (P less than .05) liquid dilution rates than the medium-concentrate diet, but there were no differences in response to the two buffers (P greater than .05). The liquid dilution rates averaged across diets for 0, .75, 2.5 and 5% levels of buffer were 6.2, 6.3, 8.5 and 8.7%/h (SE = .03) and passage rates for SBM were 5.2, 5.2, 6.5 and 6.7%/h (SE = .025). The 2.5 and 5% levels of buffer increased the rate of disappearance of SBM from the nylon bags and buffers fed at these levels also increased rumen pH and NH3-N concentration. Rumen pH was correlated with N disappearance from the nylon bag (r = .903, P less than .05). Buffer levels did not affect degradation rates of SBM.     

Quantity and characteristics of microorganisms associated with ruminal fluid or particles

An experiment was conducted to 1) determine quantity of microbial CP and DM associated with undigested feed particles, 2) quantify the amount of microorganisms removed from ruminally incubated forages and 3) compare forage disappearances (D) corrected for microbial contamination, using diaminopimelic acid (DAPA) ratios obtained from particle-associated or fluid-associated microorganisms. Samples of alfalfa hay, bermudagrass hay and orchardgrass hay placed in dacron bags were incubated via ruminal cannula for 6 and 12 h. Whole ruminal contents (WRC) were sampled at the time of bag removal and partitioned into fluid- and particle-associated microorganisms. Particle-associated microorganisms were further divided into loosely-associated (LA) and firmly associated (FA) microorganisms. Percentage microbial CP and DAPA, quantities of OM, CP (mg) and DAPA (micrograms), microbial contamination and microbial contribution to ruminal contents were not affected by time (P greater than .05). The highest concentrations of CP and DAPA were found in fluid and LA, respectively (P less than .01). The total amount (content) of OM, CP and DAPA were highest in FA and lowest in microbes in the fluid fraction. Firmly-associated microorganisms constituted 54.1% of the particle-associated population. Corrected DMD were higher (P less than .01) based on FA than on fluid and LA microbe compositions. Corrected CPD were similar (P greater than .10) between populations except at 6 h, when LA corrected CPD were lower. Theoretically, using FA microorganisms should give the most accurate correction for microbial contamination. However, results indicate that, although the three populations differed in composition, fluid and FA corrected CPD were similar. Corrections based on composition of any of these three populations will yield higher estimates of disappearance compared with uncorrected values.     

Influence of dietary niacin on volatile fatty acids in rumen liquid of sheep and rumen dry matter degradability of untreated and ammonia-treated wheat straw

Three rumen fistulated sheep were fed with roughage (1200 g artificially dried grass) or a concentrate/roughage diet (600 g concentrate, 400 g artificially dried grass per animal and day). The diets were unsupplemented or 0.5, 1 and 2 g niacin per animal and day were added. After a 14-day adaptation period samples of rumen liquid were taken 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 h after morning feeding. In a second experiment untreated and NH3-treated wheat straw were incubated in nylon bags for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h in the rumen of 5 sheep fed with 1.2 kg artificially dried grass and unsupplemented or supplemented with 1 g niacin per day. Niacin did not significantly influence the total concentration of volatile fatty acids, acetate and branched chain fatty acids in both types of diet (P less than 0.05). 0.5 and 1 g niacin in the roughage and 0.5 g niacin in concentrate/roughage diet increased the propionic acid concentration and reduced the butyric acid concentration in rumen liquid of sheep (P less than 0.05). Niacin resulted in a small decrease (P greater than 0.05) of dry matter degradability in rumen. After 48 h incubation time, the dry matter disappearance of untreated and NH3-treated wheat straw amounted to 35.4 and 46.2% resp. The effects of niacin on rumen fermentation may be useful in avoiding ketogenic situations in dairy cows.     

Factors affecting disappearance of feedstuffs from bags suspended in the rumen

Four experiments were conducted to examine the effect of various factors on in situ digestion of feedstuffs in the rumen of Holstein cows. In Exp. 1, the effect of various days, animals and animal diets on in situ digestion was evaluated. Measured disappearance of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) from soybean meal (SBM) suspended in dacron bags was lowest when the host animal was fed a high grain diet. No effect due to animals, day of incubation or period of experimentation was observed. The effect of bag porosity and substrate particle size on DM and N disappearance from bags was studied in Exp. 2. Rip-stop nylon, a material with small pores, appeared to decrease the influx of digesting agents into bags and limited efflux of digested residues from bags when compared with bags made from dacron polyester material. Disappearance of DM and N from SBM and distillers grains (DG) in rip-stop nylon bags was greater when these feedstuffs were in the pulverized form rather than in the commercially processed form. In Exp. 3, dacron and Acropore bags, with pore sizes of 52 and 5 microns, respectively, were used to examine DM and N disappearance, in the rumen of cows, from total mixed diets containing various dietary N sources. Lower DM and N disappearance from Acropore bags was observed for each of the diets regardless of time spent in the rumen; much of the difference was established within the first hour. The effect of formaldehyde treatment on degradation of amino acids from SBM suspended in dacron bags in the rumen for 16 h was studied in Exp. 4. Increased resistance of SBM amino acids to degradation in the rumen was observed as a result of formaldehyde treatment levels as low as .3% by weight. A possible increase in protection of lysine from degradation relative to other amino acids was also observed.     

Combinations of high-moisture harvested sorghum grain and dry-rolled corn: effects on site and extent of digestion in beef heifers

To determine the effects of blends of high-moisture harvested sorghum grain (HMS) and dry-rolled corn (DRC) on site and extent of digestion, high-grain diets were fed to Angus-Hereford heifers (315 kg) in a 5 x 5 latin square. The grain portion consisted of ratios (HMS:DRC) of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0. Heifers were equipped with ruminal, duodenal and ileal T-type cannulas. Digestibilities of OM (P less than .05) and non-ammonia nitrogen (NAN; P less than .01) in the total tract declined linearly as HMS replaced DRC. Chyme flow (liters/d) through the duodenum increased linearly (P less than .01), and true ruminal OM disappearance tended to decline linearly (P less than .10) as HMS replaced DRC. A quadratic response (P less than .05) in extent of starch disappearance (g/d) in the rumen was noted; blends were lower than either individual grain. Ruminal escape of feed N tended to be quadratic (P less than .10); values for individual grain types were greater than blends. Microbial efficiency increased linearly (P less than .05) as HMS replaced DRC. Extent of starch digestion in the rumen averaged 82.7% compared to only 2.9% in the small intestine and 5.7% in the large intestine. Altering the ratio of HMS to DRC appeared to have more effect on ruminal fermentation than on digestion in the small intestine; most starch and nitrogen responses were quadratic. Increases in ruminal pH and chyme flow, potentially caused by increased salivary flow, may cause non-linear changes in the solubility of proteins in HMS and DRC, when fed as blends, altering the digestibility of protein and starch from values predicted from the individual grains.     

Laidlomycin butyrate--an ionophore with enhanced intraruminal activity

The polyether ionophore, laidlomycin, and several acyl derivatives were tested for their ability to favorably alter fermentation in two types of in vitro rumen fluid incubations. Dose response data were used to estimate the concentration (microgram/ml) of each ionophore required for either 50% maximal enhancement of propionic acid production (EC50) or 50% maximal inhibition of lactic acid production (IC50). Acylation of laidlomycin with straight-chain acyl groups from two to 12 carbon atoms tended to improve the potency of laidlomycin, especially for inhibiting lactic acid production. Comparative incubations using laidlomycin butyrate, laidlomycin and monensin indicated that both laidlomycin butyrate (EC50 = .3) and monensin (EC50 = .7) were more potent enhancers of propionic acid production than laidlomycin (EC50 = 2.0; P less than .05). Laidlomycin butyrate (IC50 = .3) was a more potent inhibitor of lactic acid production than either laidlomycin (IC50 = 1.8) or monensin (IC50 = 1.3; P less than .05). In a continuous culture experiment, three chemostats each received laidlomycin butyrate or monensin at the rate of .5 micrograms/ml of effluent/d while two flasks remained as control. Propionic acid production was increased (P less than .01) from 22.9 mmol/d in control flasks to 30.5 and 33.7 mmol/d in flasks treated with monensin and laidlomycin butyrate, respectively. Concomitant decreases in production rates of acetic, butyric and isovaleric acids also were observed (P less than .01). Thirty-six steers were used in a 56-d trial to evaluate effects of laidlomycin butyrate and monensin, at 33 mg/kg of diet, on feedlot performance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of a hay and a grain diet on the rate of hydrolysis of ochratoxin A in the rumen of sheep

The hydrolysis of ochratoxin A (OA) and the corresponding formation of its hydrolysis product, alpha ochratoxin (O alpha), by ruminal digesta and in the rumen of hay-fed and grain-fed sheep were compared. Ruminal contents from sheep fed diets with hay or with grain hydrolyzed OA in vitro; the majority of the activity was associated with the particulate fraction of the ruminal contents. The rate of hydrolysis of OA by ruminal fluid that was adjusted to different pH values was not influenced (P greater than .6) by the pH of the samples (pH was from 5.5 to 7.0). Ruminal fluid obtained from hay-fed animals (pH 7.0) was able to hydrolyze OA in vitro and to produce the hydrolyzed product, O alpha, at a much greater rate (fivefold) than ruminal fluid obtained from grain-fed animals (pH 5.5) (P less than .01). Ochratoxin A was administered intraruminally at a concentration of .5 mg/kg of BW to hay-fed and grain-fed sheep. The half-lives for disappearance of OA from the rumen of sheep fed grain (normal feed intake, rumen pH 5.7), fed grain at a low level (30% of normal feed intake, pH 6.5), and fed hay (pH 7.1) were 3.6, 1.3, and .6 h, respectively. The results suggest that OA is hydrolyzed much faster in the rumen of sheep fed hay than in sheep fed grain, presumably because of the different ruminal microbial population, which in turn influenced the rate of hydrolysis of OA.     

没食子酸和三甲胺N-氧化物对体外瘤胃发酵和三甲胺代谢的影响

试验旨在研究没食子酸(GA)和三甲胺N-氧化物(TMAO)对体外瘤胃发酵和三甲胺(TMA)代谢的影响.通过瘤胃体外模拟试验分析瘤胃底物消失率、总产气量、发酵参数和TMA代谢情况,设置对照组、15 mg GA/g DM组、5 mg TMAO/g DM组、5 mg TMAO+15 mg GA/g DM组,每组4个重复,培养...     

Effects of calcium source and level on site of digestion and calcium levels in the digestive tract of cattle fed high-concentrate diets

The effect of calcium (Ca) source and level on site of digestion of an 88% concentrate diet was tested with four 431-kg, intestine-cannulated steers in a 4 X 4 Latin square experiment. Diets, limit-fed at 1.3% of body weight, contained .25% Ca with no supplemental Ca (B), .40 or .48% Ca from addition of either .95% CaCl2-2H2O (Cl) or .65% CaCO3 (LL), or 1.11% Ca from addition of 2.5% CaCO3 (HL). No effects of source of Ca (CaCl2-2H2O vs CaCO3) were observed, although ruminal pH and ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (N) concentrations tended to be lower with Cl. Ruminal fluid dilution rate increased linearly (P less than .05) with the addition of Ca to the diet. Ruminal fluid dilution rate and volume were negatively related (r = -.72; P less than .01). Organic matter (OM) and starch digestibilities in the rumen tended to decline with the addition of Ca to the diet, while postruminal OM and starch disappearance increased (P less than .05) to compensate. Flow of N to the duodenum decreased (P greater than .05) with addition of Ca to the diet. Concentrations of soluble Ca found in ruminal and duodenal fluid increased linearly (P less than .05) with dietary Ca intake. Intestinal Ca disappearance increased linearly and quadratically (P less than .05) with increasing dietary Ca and exceeded 80% of Ca entering the small intestine. In a second experiment, the rate of in situ dry matter (DM) disappearance of rolled corn was not greatly altered by addition of Ca to the diet.     

The delivery of cottonseed meal at three different time intervals to steers fed low-quality grass hay: effects on digestion and performance

A ruminal fermentation trial and a steer growth trial were conducted to evaluate the effects of time interval of cottonseed meal (CSM) supplementation of predominantly meadow fescue grass hay (GH; CP = 6.6%) on nutrient digestion and growth performance of beef steers. The fermentation trial used four ruminally cannulated steers assigned to a 4 x 4 latin square design with dietary treatments of GH fed alone (C) or GH supplemented with 3 g CP/kg BW.75 daily as supplied by CSM every 12, 24 or 48 h. Nylon bags containing GH were inserted into the rumen on d 1 and 2 of each collection period and incubated for 12, 24, 48 and 96 h to measure NDF and ADF degradation. Subsequently, steers were fed Yb-labeled GH and fecal samples were collected to determine particulate passage rate (PR). Dry matter and NDF intake, mean NDF and ADF in situ disappearance and ruminal VFA concentrations were greater (P less than .05) when CSM was fed; however, the delivery of CSM at various times did not affect (P greater than .10) these variables. Supplemented diets tended (P = .08) to have faster PR compared with the C diet. In the growth trial, CSM supplemented steers consumed more digestible DM (P less than .05) and had greater (P less than .05) daily gain compared with C steers. Effects due to time of CSM supplementation were not observed for the variables measured in the present study.     

添加不同发酵菌剂的完全混合发酵日粮对延边黄牛瘤胃微生物体外发酵特性的影响

试验主要研究添加不同发酵菌剂的完全混合发酵日粮（total mixed fermentation,TMF）对延边黄牛瘤胃微生物体外发酵特性的影响。试验分为CON组（对照组）、T1组（添加NFK）、T2组（添加RJ）和T3组（添加CT-10）,每组3个重复。各试验组以TMR为发酵底物,分别接种对应发酵菌种,装入发酵袋内,在室温条件下密封发酵一周后开袋,尼龙袋法测定瘤胃干物质消失率,产气量法检测瘤胃发酵特性。结果显示,随着发酵时间的延长,不同的发酵菌剂可在不同程度上影响瘤胃干物质消失率、pH、产气量、气体成分、挥发性脂肪酸和微生物蛋白含量。在8 h时,T1和T3组瘤胃干物质消失率显著高于对照组（P < 0.05）,而其他时间段差异不显著（P > 0.05）;随着培养时间的延长,各组培养液pH逐渐下降,体外培养1 h,T2组pH显著低于对照组（P < 0.05）;各组挥发性脂肪酸（VFAs）含量随着培养时间的增加呈现上升趋势;体外培养12 h时,T3组氨态氮（NH₃-N）含量最高,为5.79 mg/dL,而T2组最低,与对照组差异不显著（P > 0.05）;微生物菌体蛋白（MCP）呈先升高再降低再升高趋势,培养1、3、12 h时,试验组MCP含量均显著低于对照组（P < 0.05）,而培养6和9 h,各组间无显著性差异（P > 0.05）;在培养1 h时,不同的发酵菌剂对产气量没有显著影响（P > 0.05）;在培养9和12 h时,对照组产气量最高,且显著高于试验组（P < 0.05）;各组H₂产量变化趋势一致,都是呈现上下波动状态;CH₄和CO₂含量随着培养时间的延长而呈现上升的趋势,且不同发酵菌剂对其影响显著（P < 0.05）。综上所述,T3组（添加CT-10）延边黄牛瘤胃干物质降解效果较好,CT-10菌发酵效果与T2组（添加RJ）发酵效果相当,且可有效改善延边黄牛的瘤胃发酵特性,因此CT-10菌可应用于延边黄牛TMF的调制中。     

Comparative digestion, rumen fermentation and kinetics of forage diets by steers and wethers

Four rumen fistulated wether and beef steers were used to evaluate differences in dry matter digestibility (DMD) between cattle and sheep. They were fed either perennial ryegrass or switchgrass hay at an ad libitum or restricted level for four experimental periods. Significant ruminant species X forage and ruminant species X level of intake (P less than .05) interactions were observed for digestible dry matter. The steers digested the switchgrass 7 percentage units greater than the wethers while ryegrass was digested equally. Digestibility differences between the steers and wethers were 6 percentage units at the ad libitum level of intake and 1 unit at the restricted level of intake. Crude protein digestibility tended to be greater (P less than .10) for sheep with a 7 unit difference for switchgrass and a 3 unit difference for ryegrass. The mean ruminal solids retention time of the digesta was approximately (P less than .01) 50% greater (26.0 vs 17.4 h) in cattle, with no difference in ruminal liquid dilution rate (LD) between animal species. Total ruminal volatile fatty acid concentration differed (P less than .01) with level of intake; however, no influence due to intake on the molar proportion of acetate (P greater than .10) or propionate (P greater than .10) was evident in spite of a difference (P less than .01) in LD. Rumen pH (P less than .05) and osmolality (P less than .01) were affected by both level of intake and forage, with the ryegrass and high level of intake decreasing pH and increasing osmolality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

In vitro effect of pH variations on rumen fermentation, and in vivo effects of buffers in lambs before and after adaptation to high concentrate diets

An in vitro wheat fermentation study (Exp. 1) was conducted to investigate the effect of pH (pH 7, 6, 5 and 4) on rumen lactate and VFA production. In another study (Exp. 2), lambs were fed high concentrate diets containing either no additions (control), 2% sodium bentonite, 2% limestone, 2% NaHCO3 or 10% alfalfa hay. The effect of these diets was determined on ruminal and systemic measurements before and after dietary adaptation. Effect of the control, bentonite, limestone and NaHCO3 treatments on nutrient digestibilities and mineral retentions after adaptation were also determined. Lactate production in the rumen fluid incubated at pH 7 or 6 was negligible. Reducing incubation pH from 6 to 5 resulted in accumulation of both total and L(+)-lactate, but further reduction to pH 4 did not result in an additional increase in lactate production. Variations in incubation pH or time did not affect the ratio of D to L isomers. Lowering the incubation pH to below 6 reduced total VFA production and increased the acetate to propionate ratio. In Exp. 2, the feeding of buffers or alfalfa hay was effective in maintaining a more normal feed intake and ruminal pH, and reduced ruminal lactate. Blood measurements were not affected by dietary treatment. When animals were adapted to the experimental diets, the dietary buffers did not influence rumen and blood measurements. Lambs fed 2% NaHCO3 digested more (P less than .05) organic matter, crude protein, N-free extract and starch, and 2% limestone increased (P less than .05) fiber digestibility. Dietary buffers tended to increase fecal pH and reduce fecal starch Magnesium retention with 2% bentonite, Ca retention with 2% limestone and Na and Mg retention with NaHCO3 were all increased (P less than .05).     

Extent and site of mineral release from six forage species incubated in mobile dacron bags

A study was conducted to measure the extent of DM disappearance and mineral release from six forage species within the rumen, abomasum and intestines of the adult bovine using the mobile bag technique. Three nonlactating Holstein cows, fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas, were given ad libitum access to alfalfa hay. One gram (DM) of alfalfa, rhizoma peanut, dwarf elephantgrass, bahiagrass, bermudagrass, and limpograss was individually weighed into 8-cm x 3-cm dacron bags. After ruminal incubation for 24 h, bags were incubated in an acid-pepsin solution (a simulated abomasal environment) for 1 h, inserted into the duodenum via cannula, and collected in the feces upon excretion. Ruminal incubation accounted for 86% to 100% of total DM disappearance. Release of Ca from all forages was at least 65%, with the majority having extents of release of over 70%. Most Ca was released in the rumen, but acid-pepsin incubation and washing increased Ca release an additional 17 to 272%. Forages with the highest NDF concentration (bermuda, bahia, and limpograss) sequestered Ca in the intestines. Total tract P release ranged from 84 to 98%, with an average of 7.5 percentage units occurring postabomasally. Grasses released more P in the intestines than legumes. Eighty-eight to 98% of total Mg was released in the rumen. Acid-pepsin incubation increased Mg release only slightly, with some Mg being sequestered in the intestines. Potassium release was complete in the rumen. Ranking of minerals based on maximal extent of release was K greater than Mg greater than P greater than Ca. With the exception of K, legumes released more of their minerals than grasses.     

Pretanned leather shavings in a supplement mixture for steers: I. In situ and in vitro disappearance, ruminal fermentation, and organic matter, nitrogen, and fiber digestion

Two digestion studies were conducted to evaluate the use of pretanned leather shavings as a component of a protein supplement. In Exp. 1, the in situ and in vitro disappearance of pretanned leather shavings and soybean meal was evaluated. Results revealed that less than 18.4% of the pretanned leather shavings was solubilized and disappeared when exposed to McDougall's buffer for 48 h, but there was 90.0% disappearance with 48-h exposure to a .1 N HCl/pepsin treatment and 97.0% disappearance with exposure to a two-stage digestion. In situ disappearance following 72 h in the rumen allowed 6.8% disappearance. Thus, leather shavings seem to be relatively indigestible in the rumen, but postruminal digestion may be possible. In Exp. 2, six Angus x Holstein steers, fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas, were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square to evaluate ruminal and digestion effects of the following supplements combined with fescue hay at 1.7% of BW (DM basis): no supplementation (control); supplementation intraruminally with soybean meal at .07% of BW (as-fed basis); and supplementation intraruminally with a combination of soybean meal and pretanned leather shavings (17:8 ratio) at .05% of BW (isonitrogenous to soybean meal; as-fed basis). Ruminal fluid passage rate was greater and fluid turnover time was shorter in steers fed leather shavings than in those fed soybean meal (P = .10). Ruminal pH was lower (P = .04) for supplemented steers than for control steers and ruminal NH3 N concentration was greater (P = .01) in steers fed soybean meal than in those fed leather shavings. Total VFA concentration was increased (P = .02) by supplementation. Supplementation with soybean meal increased (P < .05) ruminal molar proportions of butyrate, valerate, and isovalerate compared with leather shavings. Duodenal OM flow and OM disappearing in the intestines were increased by supplementation (P < .10), but not by the type of supplement fed (P > .10). Ruminal digestion of OM and total tract OM digestion were unaffected (P > .10) by supplementation and the type of supplement fed. Flow and digestion of NDF were unaffected (P > .10) by the treatments. Flow of N and the quantity of N disappearing in the intestines were increased (P < .05) by supplementation but did not differ (P > .10) between supplementation groups. Microbial N flow, N utilization for net microbial protein synthesis, and ruminal N disappearance were unaffected (P > .10) by supplementation and the type of supplement provided. Combining pretanned leather shavings with soybean meal seemed to have no deleterious effects on digestion or fermentation and to allow for escape of some N to the lower tract.     

全自动体外模拟瘤胃发酵系统:19 kPa以下排气压力不影响发酵特征

本试验旨在研究不同排气压力对体外模拟瘤胃发酵特征的影响。选用3只体重相近、装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的成年湘东黑山羊作为瘤胃液供体动物,利用全自动体外模拟瘤胃发酵系统,选用6种发酵底物进行48 h体外发酵,研究9、14和19 k Pa 3种排气压力对总产气量、甲烷产量、产气参数、干物质消失率、发酵液p H以及挥发性脂肪酸产量等发酵参数的影响。结果表明:发酵底物对体外模拟瘤胃发酵参数影响显著(P0.05);排气压力对体外模拟瘤胃发酵参数没有显著影响(P0.05)。由此可见,排气压力由9 k Pa增至19 k Pa对体外模拟瘤胃发酵特征无影响。     

Effects of a return chewing gum/packaging material mixture on in situ disappearance and on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal characteristics of growing steers

In situ and in vivo digestibility experiments were conducted to determine the acceptability, digestibility, and safety of a return chewing gum/packaging (G/P) material mixture when fed to steers. In the in situ experiment, both ruminal and intestinal disappearances were measured. Two ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers, which were given free access to alfalfa hay (AH), were used in this study. Duplicate Dacron bags containing the G/P were incubated in the rumen for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. After ruminal incubation, the 12-, 24-, and 48-h bags were placed in the duodenum and collected in the feces to determine intestinal disappearance. In situ ruminal DM disappearance was greater than 70% for all substrates tested at 0 h, indicating high solubility of the substrates in water, and began to reach a plateau after 12 h of incubation. Intestinal in situ disappearance was not different (P>.25) from zero. In the digestion trial, four ruminally cannulated steers (337+/-21.3 kg BW; mean +/- SD) were used in a 4x4 Latin square design with the following treatments: 0) 50% corn (C), 50% AH; 10) 45% C, 45% AH, 10% G/P; 20) 40% C, 40% AH, 20% G/P; 30) 35% C, 35% AH, 30% G/P. Steers fed G/P-containing diets had greater (P<.01) DMI than the control steers. Increasing the G/P resulted in a linear (P<.05) increase in DMI. Apparent DM digestibility tended to be higher (P<.10) for the G/P-containing diets than for the control. A quadratic effect (P<.05) on digestible DMI was observed, with greater (P<.01) digestible DMI values for G/P-containing diets (4.8 vs. 5.8 kg/d). Digestible organic matter and total nonstructural carbohydrate intakes followed trends similar to those of DM. Apparent aluminum digestibility of G/P-containing diets was not different (P>.13) from zero. The level of G/P in the diet had no effect (P>.2) on total VFA concentration or ruminal pH. There was a linear decrease (P<.01) in the molar percentage of isobutyrate and isovalerate in addition to a linear increase (P<.01) in butyrate and valerate with increasing levels of G/P. There was a quadratic effect (P<.01) on molar proportions of acetate and propionate and on the acetate:propionate ratio. Results of both experiments suggest that G/P may be fed to safely replace up to 30% of corn-alfalfa hay diets for growing steers with advantages in improving DMI and digestibility.     

Influence of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae as Yea-Sacc or Levaferm) on in Sacco dry matter degradability and ruminal parameters of variously fed small ruminants.

Two series of experiments with rumen fistulated castrated male sheep and goats were carried out. In experiment I three sheep each consumed rations rich in concentrate (700 g concentrate, 200 g chopped wheat straw) or roughage (700 g artificially dried ryegrass, 200 g chopped wheat straw per animal per day) and supplemented with 0, 1, 2 or 4 g Yea-Sacc (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; USA) per sheep per day. In experiment II three sheep were fed with 1000 g artificially dried ryegrass and 200 g concentrate, three goats consumed 750 g ryegrass and 150 g concentrate. 0, 0.5, 1 or 2 g Levaferm (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Germany) per animal per day were added. Rations of all animals were supplemented with minerals and vitamins. After 14 days of feeding wheat straw, ammonia treated wheat straw and artificially dried grass (exp. I) or wheat straw and artificially dried grass (exp. II) were incubated in nylon bags in the rumen for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. At the end of the experiments rumen fluid was taken via cannulae and parameters of rumen fermentation were measured. Higher levels of added Yea-Sacc decreased in sacco dry matter degradability of all incubated feeds. Depression was much higher if Yea-Sacc was added to the concentrate ration (overall mean for 24, 48 and 72 h incubation time: 55.1, 47.1, 46.1 and 44.5 for 0, 1, 2 and 4 g Yea-Sacc) than to the roughage diet (58.7, 56.3, 55.0 and 54.1%). Levaferm did not significantly influence the rumen dry matter degradability of incubated feeds (overall mean for 24, 48, and 72 h incubation time: 64.0; 64.9; 64.9 and 64.2% for sheep; 63.0; 63.2; 63.2 and 61.6% for goats, if added with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g Levaferm per animal per day). Rumen pH, concentration of volatile fatty acids and molar concentration of fatty acids in rumen fluid were not significantly influenced by added yeasts. More research seems necessary to find out the mode of action of yeast and to quantify and to reproduce the effects of added yeast.