Effect of supplementation of rice bran and fumarate alone or in combination on in vitro rumen fermentation,methanogenesis and methanogens

This study investigated the effect of fumarate (FUM) and rice bran (RB), alone and together, on in vitro rumen fermentation, methanogenesis and methanogens. In vitro incubation was performed with six media that were either unsupplemented (control) or supplemented with 10% RB, 5 mmol/L FUM, 10% RB + 5 mmol/L FUM, 10 mmol/L FUM, or 10% RB + 10 mmol/L FUM. Methane (CH₄) production, dry matter digestibility, CH₄ per digested dry matter, total short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, proportion of SCFA, acetate : proprionate ratio, production of NH₃‐N, and population density of rumen microbes were determined. Supplementation with 10% RB + 10 mmol/L FUM yielded a 36% decrease in CH₄ production compared to the control. Supplementation of FUM, in the presence or absence of RB, provided increases in total SCFA production and propionate proportion up to 61% and 31%, respectively. Total bacteria, methanogens and protozoa populations were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with the 10% RB + 10 mmol/L FUM supplementation. The effect of anti‐methanogenesis of FUM was enhanced by the addition of RB. Notably, the CH₄ production attenuation was achieved by 10% RB + 10 mmol/L FUM without reduction of digestibility or of ruminal fermentation.     

Rumen fermentation and liveweight gain in beef cattle treated with monensin and grazing lush forage

Objective To determine the prevalence of subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) in beef cattle grazing lush pasture and the effect of monensin on reducing SARA and improving animal performance. Design Commercial Angus and Murray Grey steers received a monensin slow‐release capsule (n = 19) or remained untreated (n = 19). Cattle grazed an oats crop or tetraploid ryegrass pasture for a total of 91 days. Rumen fluid pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and lactic acid concentrations and body weight data were collected prior to treatment and again 28, 56 and 91 days after treatment. Changes in measures over time were analysed using mixed model repeated measures analysis. Differences in average daily gain between treatment groups were determined. Results The prevalence of SARA was low during the study, with only one animal satisfying criteria for SARA at one time point. Cattle treated with monensin capsules were 11.9 kg heavier at the completion of the study compared with untreated controls (414.5 ± 3.88 kg vs 402.6 ± 4.03 kg, P = 0.04). Rumen VFA and L‐ and D‐lactate levels did not differ between cattle treated with monensin and untreated cattle. However, the ratio of propionate to acetate plus two times butyrate was higher (P < 0.001) when cattle were treated with monensin. Conclusions Subacute rumen acidosis was not consistently detected under the conditions of the study. The higher body weight of cattle treated with monensin may have been due to improved energy utilisation of the pasture, indicated by increased propionate proportions in the rumen, rather than prevention of SARA.     

Effect of sunflower, linseed and fish oils on the production of trans fatty acids in vitro

In vitro anaerobic incubations were used to determine the effect of different oils (LO-linseed, SO-sunflower, FO-fish oil) on trans fatty acid production in rumen fluid and to test if combining of monensin (MON) with the oils affects the interactions on trans fatty acid concentrations in mixed cultures of ruminal microorganisms. Two different sources of rumen fluid were used; the inoculum from the sheep fed hay and barley (80:20%)--the inoculum A and the inoculum from the sheep fed alfalfa and barley (80:20 %)--the inoculum B. The analyses showed that inoculum B contained more short chain fatty acids (SCFA), medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) than inoculum A. In contrast, inoculum A contained more unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) than inoculum B. The results show, that the oils affected the biohydrogenation of fatty acids (FA) by increasing the concentration of C18:0 (3-7 times) and trans C18:1 isomers (2-9 times). The concentration of two main intermediates of FA biohydrogenation-- cis 9, trans 11 C18:2 (CLA) and trans 11C18:1 (TVA) were increased with the oils, but FO was more efficient than other plant oils on CLA and TVA production.The monensin treatment had similar effect on FA metabolism as the oil treatment in comparison to unincubated control. The interactions of monensin treatment with the oils were characterized with decrease (LO+MON, SO+MON) or increase (FO+MON) of the proportions of C18:0 and trans C18:1 isomers in comparison to oil treatment.The highest concentrations of two main isomers--CLA,TVA were found in the samples containing fish oil and monensin. In conclusion, fish oil treatment and monensin with fish oil treatment was more efficient than other plant oils in the effect on trans fatty acid production (mainly CLA and TVA) in fermentation fluid in vitro.     

采食后奶牛瘤胃短链脂肪酸及其吸收相关蛋白表达的研究

本试验旨在研究奶牛采食前后瘤胃中短链脂肪酸(SCFA)浓度的变化及其吸收相关蛋白表达量的差异。试验选用3头体重(720±30)kg且装有瘘管的健康荷斯坦牛(动物伦理审查编号为SXAU-EAW-2019-C002013),采食精粗比为40:60的日粮(10kg),试验预试期10d,于第11天饲喂前开始取样,采用气相色谱法检测奶牛采食前(0 h)和采食后(1、2、3、4、5、6、7、8 h)瘤胃液中SCFA浓度;并采用荧光定量PCR方法检测瘤胃上皮组织中与SCFA吸收相关的蛋白表达量。结果表明:在采食后1 h奶牛瘤胃中SCFA浓度最高(P<0.05);在采食后一段时间内(2~5h)与SCFA吸收相关蛋白表达量上调(P<0.05),AE2、MCT1基因表达量均在5 h最高,PAT1、NHE3基因表达量均在4 h最高,MCT4基因表达量在4、5、6h均较高,NHE1基因表达量在2h达到最高;AE2、MCT1、MCT4、NHE1基因表达量与SCFA浓度负相关或正相关(P<0.05),AE2、MCT1、MCT4基因表达量与瘤胃内pH正相关(P<0.05)。以上结果初步揭示,在采食后一定时间内,瘤胃中与SCFA吸收相关蛋白表达受SCFA浓度和pH的调节。     

Differences in monocarboxylic acid transporter type 1 expression in rumen epithelium of newborn calves due to age and milk or milk replacer feeding

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether besides age and solid feed intake, monocarboxylic acid transporter type 1 (MCT1) expression in the rumen epithelium of calves is affected by liquid feed type [whole milk (WM) or milk replacer (MR)]. Thirty bull calves at the mean age of 5 days were randomly allocated to five experimental groups (six calves/group). Six calves were slaughtered immediately after allocation to the trial (5 days of life), eighteen calves were fed MR and slaughtered at week intervals (on 12, 19, 26 days of life respectively), and six calves were fed WM and slaughtered at the 26 days of life. MCT1 protein abundance and the MCT1 mRNA level were investigated in the dorsal and ventral sack of the rumen. Solid feed intake and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration in the rumen fluid increased linearly with calves' age. The amount of the MCT1 protein and mRNA in the dorsal sac of rumen as well as the amount of MCT1 protein in the cranial ventral sac of rumen also increased linearly with calves' age. Calves fed WM had greater solid feed intake in the last week of the study as compared to calves fed MR, but SCFA concentration in the rumen fluid was not different. MCT1 mRNA expression in the cranial dorsal sac of rumen and protein MCT1 expression in both dorsal and ventral cranial sack of the rumen were higher in calves fed WM as compared to calves fed MR. This study confirmed age‐dependent changes of MCT1 expression in the rumen epithelium of newborn calves and showed that its expression might be affected by liquid feed type.     

2008-2009年反刍动物营养研究进展 Ⅱ.外源添加剂对瘤胃发酵的调控

作者综述了2009年在ADSA-ASAS大会和CNKI、PubMed等数据库中外源添加剂(离子载体、酶制剂、植物提取物、饲用微生物)对瘤胃发酵调控的相关文献39篇。离子载体如莫能菌素主要通过促进瘤胃丙酸的产生,抑制生物氢化菌,促进长链脂肪酸在瘤胃内发生不完全氢化等瘤胃调控作用,从而缓解反刍动物的能量负平衡,减少甲烷排放,降低乳中脂肪含量。酶制剂(包括纤溶酶和淀粉酶等)在饲喂前加入日粮中能够免受瘤胃蛋白酶的降解,并保持酶活性,促进饲料的消化。植物提取物中皂角甙通过抑制原虫生长降低甲烷的排放,动物长期采食富含单宁的植物可产生单宁耐受菌,并且单宁的植物提取物可影响瘤胃的生物氢化作用,植物精油对瘤胃的调控作用包括减少淀粉和蛋白的降解,以及通过对某种瘤胃微生物的选择性作用抑制氨氮的降解。饲用微生物(主要有酵母菌、乳酸菌、芽孢杆菌等)能增加营养物质消化率,改变瘤胃发酵模式,增加瘤胃微生物菌群,但其益生效果与泌乳阶段、日粮类型、环境条件有关。     

Uptake of milk with and without solid feed during the monogastric phase: Effect on fibrolytic and methanogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of calves

Microbial communities are affected by diet and play a role in the successful transition from milk to a solid diet. The response of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of Holstein bull calves to the uptake of milk with solid feed (control treatment; CT), or milk without solid feed (milk‐only treatment; MT) during the first 3 weeks of life was investigated. Samples were collected from the rumen (fluid and tissue), abomasum (fluid), cecum (fluid and tissue) and feces at 7, 14 and 20 days of age. Calf weight was higher on days 14 and 20 in the MT than the CT. In the rumen at 14 days, the fibrolytic bacteria Fibrobacter succinogenes and Prevotella ruminicola increased in the CT and Ruminococcus flavefaciens increased in the MT. This suggests that R. flavefaciens is not strictly fibrolytic and that it might use milk as a substrate or other microbial species might supply a substrate. Diet affected methanogens, but this may have been due to an indirect effect via an association with Geobacter spp. or other syntrophic partners. The treatments also affected microorganisms in the abomasum, cecum and feces. Our results contribute to an understanding of diet, microbes in the gastrointestinal tract and weaning.     

Contribution of different rumen microbial groups to gas,short‐chain fatty acid and ammonium production from different diets—an approach in an in vitro fermentation system

In this study, the relative contribution of different microbial groups to ruminal metabolism was investigated for different diets. The rumen microbial cultures included whole rumen fluid, fungi + protozoa, bacteria + protozoa, protozoa and bacteria + fungi and were established by physical and chemical methods. Gas production, short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) and ammonium production were measured at 24 hr in in vitro incubations using the Hohenheim gas test (HGT) procedure. Seven donor animal diets with different concentrate‐to‐roughage ratios (C:R: 10:90, 30:70, 50:50, 70:30, 70:30BC (BC = NaHCO₃), 90:10 and 90:10BC) and five HGT diets (C:R: 10:90, 30:70, 50:50, 70:30 and 90:10) were formulated. Incubations in the HGT were always based on inoculum from sheep diets with the respective C:R ratio. Gas and ammonium production increased (p < 0.001) as a result of a gradual increase in concentrate proportion of the diets. In general, SCFA production followed the same trend. Whole rumen fluid and bacteria + fungi produced approximately 50% higher gas volume than protozoa and fungi + protozoa fractions, whereas gas production with bacteria + protozoa was at an intermediate level. Coculture of protozoa either with bacteria or with fungi produced more ammonium. Populations without bacteria were characterized by a particularly high acetate/propionate ratio. Although an interaction between microbial group and diet was observed for several variables, no clear direction could be established. Manipulating rumen fluid by selectively suppressing specific rumen microbial groups may be a helpful tool in elucidating their role in nutrient degradation and turnover in vitro.     

Effect of nisin and monensin on rumen fermentation in the artificial rumen

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of nisin and monensin on rumen fermentation of diets containing hay and barley (80:20%) in artificial rumen (Rusitec system). The Rusitec system consisted of four fermentation vessels (V1, V2, V3, V4): V1 was without additives (control), V2 received daily 2 mg of nisin, V3 involved 5 mg of monensin and V4 combination of 2 mg of nisin with 5 mg of monensin. After an adaptation period (7 days), the fermentation parameters were determined for six consecutive days. Compared to control diet, the addition of nisin resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) of hemicellulose degradation, acetate, propionate (mmol.day-1) production and energetic efficiency of VFA (E), decrease of butyrate production. Nisin had no effect on dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), cellulose and detergent fiber degradation, production of total gas, methane and efficiency of microbial synthesis. The addition of monensin resulted in an decrease of DM, OM (P < 0.05), cellulose, hemicellulose, detergent fiber degradation (P < 0.001), total gas, methane and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) production. Monensin also significantly decreased acetate, butyrate, L-lactate (mmol.day-1) production and it increased propionate production (P > 0.001) and efficiency of microbial synthesis. The combined effect of nisin and monensin in V4 was similar to the effect of monensin in V3 compared to control. Then, the effect of additive monensin was dominant over nisin. In conclusion, our results indicate that nisin was less effective than monensin on some fermentation parameters (important for the improvement of the efficiency of utilization of the diet by ruminants) in artificial rumen.     

Effect of Tween 80 and monensin on ruminal fermentation of the diet containing 70% wheat straw treated by white-rot fungus in artificial rumen

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Tween 80 and monensin on rumen fermentation of the diet containing 70% wheat straw treated by white-rot fungus Pleurotus tuber-regium (TWS-PT) and 30% barley in artificial rumen (RUSITEC). The RUSITEC consisted of four fermentation vessels (V1, V2, V3, V4): V1 was without additives (control), V2 received daily 10 mg of monensin, V3 received daily 0.5% Tween 80 (vol.wt-1) and V4 involved the combination of 10 mg of monensin with 0.5% Tween 80 (vol.wt-1). After an adaptation period (6 days) the fermentation parameters were determined for six consecutive days. Tween 80 did not affect the rumen fermentation of the diet consisting 70% TWS-PT and 30% barley in RUSITEC. Monensin affected the rumen fermentation of the diet by the decreased degradability of DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose, cellulose (p < 0.001), the decrease of methane production (p < 0.001) and the higher proportion of propionate within the volatile fatty acids (p < 0.001) in comparison to control. Tween 80 did not improve the potency of monensin. Only some indices of the increase mol% of propionate (about 3.4%) and the decrease of methane production (about 0.47 mmol.day-1) were found by using Tween 80 plus monensin in comparison to use of monensin alone.     

Analysis of methanogenic archaeal communities of rumen fluid and rumen particles from Korean black goats

Molecular diversity of methanogens in the rumen of Korean black goats was investigated with 16S rRNA gene clone libraries using methanogen‐specific primers. The libraries were composed of rumen fluid‐associated methanogens (FAM) and rumen particle‐associated methanogens (PAM) from rumen‐fistulated Korean black goats. Among the 141 clones of the FAM library, the sequences were mostly related to two phyla, the Methanobacteriaceae family (77.3%) and the Thermoplasmatales family (22.7%); and among the 68 clones of the PAM library, sequences were also mainly clustered in the two phyla, the Thermoplasmatales family (63.24%) and the Methanobacteriaceae family (35.29%). Most of the sequenced clones in the two libraries were closely related to uncultured methanogenic archaeon. Quantitative real‐time PCR revealed that PAM (8.97 log 10) had significantly higher (P < 0.01) density of methanogens by the methanogenic 16S rRNA gene copies than FAM (7.57 log 10). The two clone libraries also showed difference in Shannon index (FAM library 1.70 and PAM library 1.59) and Chao 1 estimator (FAM library 18 and PAM library 17 operational taxonomic units). Apparent differences found in the microbial community from the two 16S rRNA gene libraries could be a result of such factors as the chemical and physical nature of the target material surface, types or component of diets, the interaction between the methanogens and other microbes, and age of the experimental goats.     

发酵玉米蛋白粉对奶牛瘤胃体外发酵特性及微生物菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究全混合日粮（TMR）中添加发酵玉米蛋白粉（fermented corn gluten meal,FCGM）对奶牛瘤胃体外发酵特性及微生物菌群的影响。选用3头体重（600±25）kg,安装永久性瘤胃瘘管的荷斯坦奶牛作为瘤胃液供体,发酵底物为TMR,分为对照组和3个试验组,各组分别在发酵液中添加0、0.3、0.6、0.9 g/L FCGM（干物质基础）,每个处理3个重复。记录体外发酵12、24、36和48 h产气量,测定体外发酵12、24和48 h发酵液pH、体外干物质消失率（IVDMD）、纤维素酶活性、氨态氮（NH₃-N）、挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）和菌体蛋白浓度,并测定体外发酵24 h发酵液中瘤胃微生物菌群相对丰度。结果显示：①添加不同水平FCGM组的体外产气量（除12 h外）、慢速产气部分、潜在产气部分和有效产气速率均显著或极显著高于对照组（P < 0.05;P < 0.01）;②与对照组相比,添加不同水平FCGM处理组的发酵液pH显著或极显著低于对照组,纤维素酶活性、菌体蛋白、挥发性脂肪酸、氨态氮含量和体外干物质消失率均显著或极显著升高（P < 0.05;P < 0.01）,且0.9 g/L FCGM组达到最高。③添加0.6和0.9 g/L FCGM组发酵液中白色瘤胃球菌、黄色瘤胃球菌、产琥珀酸丝状杆菌、牛链球菌、普雷沃氏菌、溶纤维丁酸弧菌、嗜淀粉瘤胃杆菌、真菌和原虫相对丰度均显著高于对照组（P < 0.05）,且0.9 g/L FCGM组达到最高,而产甲烷菌相对丰度显著低于对照组（P < 0.05）,且0.9 g/L FCGM组达到最低。综上所述,TMR中添加FCGM可提高体外发酵产气量,增加发酵液内纤维素酶活性、VFA、NH3-N及菌体蛋白含量,提高瘤胃内某些纤维降解菌、蛋白降解菌、淀粉降解菌、真菌和原虫相对丰度,降低产甲烷菌相对丰度,调节瘤胃微生物菌群结构,改善瘤胃发酵,其中以添加0.9 g/L FCGM为宜。     

柴胡中草药对奶牛瘤胃菌群多样性及纤维分解菌的影响

通过DGGE和RT-PCR技术研究日粮中添加不同剂量的柴胡中草药对奶牛瘤胃细菌多样性和主要纤维分解菌(琥珀酸丝状杆菌、黄色瘤胃球菌和白色瘤胃球菌)的影响。根据产奶量(37.5±1.8) kg/d、泌乳天数(75±15) d以及胎次(1.7±0.4)等相近的原则,将40头健康的中国荷斯坦泌乳奶牛随机分为4组(n=10),分别饲喂4种不同的处理日粮,即在基础日粮中分别添加0,0.25,0.50和1.00 g/kg的柴胡中草药(DM基础)。试验持续10周,并在第6周口腔采集瘤胃液,通过变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)和实时定量PCR(RT-PCR)对瘤胃细菌进行分析。DGGE图谱显示,中草药添加组和空白对照组并没有显著的差异条带,但其指纹图谱相似性并不高,均低于0.54,且1.00 g/kg的添加量显著降低了瘤胃液细菌香农多样性指数,而0.50和1.00 g/kg的添加量则提高了菌群优势度指数(P<0.05);RT-PCR结果显示,柴胡中草药对奶牛瘤胃主要纤维分解菌并没有显著的影响。因此,柴胡中草药在一定程度上影响了瘤胃细菌的多样性,但差异并不显著,可能由于瘤胃微生物适应了柴胡中草药的添加。     

Identification of the core rumen bacterial taxa and their population dynamics during the fattening period in Japanese Black cattle

The rumen microbiota comprises a vast range of bacterial taxa, which may affect the production of high-quality meat in Japanese Black cattle. The aim of this study was to identify core rumen microbiota in rumen fluid samples collected from 74 Japanese Black cattle raised under different dietary conditions using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. In the rumen of fattening Japanese Black cattle, 10 bacterial taxa, showing >1% average relative abundance and >95% prevalence, irrespective of the dietary conditions and the fattening periods, were identified as the core rumen bacterial taxa, which accounted for approximately 80% of the rumen microbiota in Japanese Black cattle. Additionally, population dynamics of the core rumen bacterial taxa revealed two distinct patterns: Prevotella spp. and unclassified Bacteroidales decreased in the mid-fattening period, whereas unclassified Clostridiales, unclassified Ruminococcaceae, Ruminococcus spp., and unclassified Christensenellaceae increased during the same period. Therefore, the present study reports the wide distribution of the core rumen bacterial taxa in Japanese Black cattle, and the complementary nature of the population dynamics of these core taxa, which may ensure stable rumen fermentation during the fattening period.     

Subacute rumen acidosis in lactating cows: an investigation in intensive Italian dairy herds

Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) represents one of the most important metabolic disorders in intensive dairy farms that affects rumen fermentations, animal welfare, productivity and farm profitability. The aim of the present study was to study the occurrence of SARA in intensive Italian dairy herds and to determine the relationship between diet composition, ruminal pH and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration. Ten commercial dairy herds were investigated; twelve cows in each herd were selected randomly among animal without clinical signs of disease, with good body condition and between 5 and 60 day-in-milk (DIM), to perform rumenocentesis and obtain rumen fluid. Ruminal pH was determined immediately after sampling and concentration of SCFA in ruminal fluid was determined on samples after storage. An other objective of this research was to study in detail the effects of rumenocentesis on animal health: this study could confirm the extreme validity of this technique as ruminal sampling. Results were subject to anova and correlation analysis using SIGMA STAT 2.03. The results indicated the presence of SARA in three herds (more than 33% cows with rumen pH < 5.5), a critical situation (more than 33% cows with rumen pH < 5.8) in five farms and a normal rumen pH condition in two herds. In particular, dairy herds show on average SCFA concentration of 150, 145, 123 mmol/l for low pH, critical pH and normal pH herds respectively. There were not significant differences among diet composition even if herds with SARA showed a light discordance between initially chemistry composition and residual feed. In the affected herds it was not possible to understand the exact causes of SARA. Animal management seems to be one of the most important factors in developing SARA including total mixed ration preparation.     

Effect of cashew nut shell liquid on metabolic hydrogen flow on bovine rumen fermentation

Effect of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), a methane inhibitor, on bovine rumen fermentation was investigated through analysis of the metabolic hydrogen flow estimated from concentrations of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) and methane. Three cows were fed a concentrate and hay diet without or with a CNSL‐containing pellet. Two trials were conducted using CNSL pellets blended with only silica (trial 1) or with several other ingredients (trial 2). Methane production was measured in a respiration chamber system, and energy balance and nutrient digestibility were monitored. The estimated flow of metabolic hydrogen demonstrated that a part of metabolic hydrogen was used for hydrogen gas production, and a large amount of it flowed into production of methane and SCFA in both trial 1 and 2, when CNSL was administered to the bovine rumen. The results obtained by regression analyses showed that the effect of CNSL supply on methane reduction was coupled with a significant (P < 0.01) decrease of acetate and a significant (P < 0.01) increase of propionate and hydrogen gas. These findings reveal that CNSL is able to reduce methane and acetate production, and to increase hydrogen gas and propionate production in vivo.     

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

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

In Vitro Metabolism of Fumonisin B1 by Ruminal Microflora

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium moniliforme and F. proliferatum. Little is known of its metabolic fate after oral ingestion in ruminants, but these animals are reported to be tolerant towards FB1. The metabolism of this mycotoxin was evaluated following incubation (1 g/ml) in ruminal fluid for up to 72 h, in the presence or absence of alfalfa as a substrate for microbial growth, using a model rumen (sealed flask, anaerobic conditions, exclusion of light, gentle agitation, 39°C). The decrease in FB1 concentration and the production of short-chain fatty acids were determined. FB1 had no effect on SCFA production. After 72 h incubation, FB1 depletion was 12% and 18% in samples with and without alfalfa, respectively. No hydrolysed metabolites (aminopolyols or aminopentol) were detected. These results indicate that FB1 is poorly metabolized in the rumen and suggest that such metabolism is not the cause of the tolerance to this toxin displayed by ruminants.     

Effect of antibiotics, 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid and pyromellitic diimide on methanogenesis in rumen ciliate cultures in vitro.

The effects of penicillin G, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid and pyromellitic diimide on total gas, methane, volatile fatty acid production and food degradability after 24 h of incubation in vitro were investigated in the cultures of two rumen ciliates. The inocula of both rumen ciliates Entodinium caudatum and Epidinium ecaudatum were used at a volume of 34 ml into the 50 ml glass syringes together with the feed and compounds tested. Despite penicillin G--streptomycin treatment methane production in both cultures was significantly decreased by the inhibitors for Epidinium ecaudatum. Methane production of the bacterial fraction of both protozoan species was significantly lower than in the whole cultures. No epifluorescence of methanogens on (or in) the cells of Entodinium caudatum was observed in contrast to Epidinium with which strong epifluorescence of methanogens on the cell surface was detected. Microscopic observation could indicate that the methane production by Entodinium caudatum was probably caused by their intracellular methanogenic activity, while methane production by Epidinium ecaudatum could be related to both the methanogenic bacterial fraction from their external surface and probably also to intracellular activity. Decreased feed degradability and differences in the fermentation end products accompanied the inhibition of methanogenesis in both in vitro cultures. Entodinium caudatum appeared to be more sensitive than Epidinium ecaudatum to the compounds tested.