Evaluation of nutritive value and in vitro rumen fermentation gas accumulation of de-oiled algal residues

Background

Algae are widely recognized for their high oil content and for exponentially accumulating biomass with particular potential to provide single cell protein for human consumption or animal feed. It is believed that along with biodiesel from algae, the high protein de-oiled algal residue may become an alternative feed supplement option in the future. This study was conducted to investigate de-oiled algal residue obtained from the common Chlorella species, Thalassiosira weissflogii, Selenarstrum capricornutum, Scenedesmus sp., and Scenedesmus dimorphus for assessment as potential feed supplements for ruminants by comparing with soybean (Glycine max) meal and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay.

Results

With the exception of T. weissflogii, algal residue had higher concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mn and lower concentration of Ca, Mg, and K than soybean meal and alfalfa hay. The algal residue CP (crude protein) concentrations ranged from 140 to 445 g/kg DM and varied among the de-oiled residues. In vitro rumen fermentation gas accumulation curves indicated that algal biomass degradation potential was less than that of soybean meal or alfalfa hay by up to 41.7%.The gas production curve, interpreted with a dual pool logistic model, confirmed that the fraction sizes for fast fermenting and slow fermenting of de-oiled algal residues were smaller than those in soybean meal and alfalfa hay, and the fermenting rate of the fractions was also low.

Conclusions

Inferior in vitro rumen gas accumulation from the five de-oiled algal residues suggests that these algal byproducts are less degradable in the rumen.     

Fumonisin B1 Metabolism by Bovine Liver Microsomes

Only limited and contrasting information is available about the metabolic fate in cattle of fumonisin B₁, a mycotoxin produced by moulds of Fusarium. This study was carried out to evaluate the hepatic metabolism of fumonisin B₁ by bovine liver microsomes. No biodegradation or metabolization of the mycotoxin by liver microsomes was detectable after incubating fumonisin B₁ with bovine microsomes in the presence of a regenerating system for 1 h. No aminopolyol 1, aminopolyol 2 or aminopentol, metabolites of fumonisin B₁, were detected in any of the incubated samples. The tolerance of ruminants to fumonisin B₁ is apparently not dependent on its detoxification in the rumen.     

Degradation characteristics and tannin bioassay of some browse forage from Kenya harvested during the dry season

The potential nutritional value of six species of browse forage from Kenya harvested during the dry season were evaluated by chemical composition, in sacco dry matter (DM) degradation and in vitro gas production technique. The effect of tannins on the rumen fermentation of the forage was evaluated using polyethylene glycol (PEG) in an in vitro study. The chemical composition of the species of browse forage differed significantly (P < 0.05). The content of organic matter ranged from 846.7 to 946.5 g/kg DM. The forage had a high crude protein content (155.5–280.9 g/kg DM) and variable content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 236.2–682.8 g/kg DM). The content of total extractable tannins was generally low (0.6–38.5 g/kg DM). At 24 h of incubation, the in sacco DM disappearance ranged from 31.2% to 84.2%. The effective DM degradability also ranged from 29.7 to 73.5%. The gas production after 96 h incubation ranged from 17.5 to 44.2 mL/200 mg DM. Use of PEG indicated that tannins had an inhibitory effect on rumen microbial fermentation and this is dependant upon the amount and activity of the tannins present. The estimated in vitro organic matter digestibility and metabolizable energy also increased numerically with the PEG addition. The result of this study indicates that such species of browse forage have the potential to be used as feed supplements for ruminants, especially during the dry season.     

In vitro metabolism of tyrosine by rumen bacteria, protozoa and their mixture

An anaerobic in vitro study of tyrosine (Tyr) metabolism by rumen bacteria (B), protozoa (P) and their mixture (BP) was conducted using an HPLC analytical method to obtain some basic and systematic information on aromatic amino acid metabolism in the rumen. Most of the Tyr (> 96%) disappeared after 12 h incubation in B and BP, but only 58% in P. Tyr was converted mainly to p‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HPA) in all microbial suspensions. About 45% of disappeared Tyr in B and P, and about 35% in BP were converted to HPA. An appreciable amount of phenylalanine (Phe), 13 and 3% of disappeared Tyr, and a small amount of tryptophan (Trp), 8 and 1% of disappeared Tyr, were also produced from Tyr by rumen bacteria and protozoa, respectively. Small amounts of p‐hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (about 4 and 6% of disappeared Tyr) were produced from Tyr in B and P, respectively. A moderately large amount of phenylacetic acid (14% of disappeared Tyr) was produced from Tyr in P which was 1.9 times higher than that in B. Phenylpropionic acid and p‐hydroxybenzoic acid were produced only in B and BP. It was concluded that the Tyr degradation ability of rumen bacteria was about 1.5 times higher than that of rumen protozoa. Degraded Tyr mainly produces HPA and then two other aromatic amino acids, Phe and Trp, which are considered essential amino acids for ruminants. Therefore, it is speculated that the requirement for Phe and Trp in ruminants may be partially fulfilled if Tyr is sufficiently supplied in rations.     

Rumen development and growth of Balouchi lambs offered alfalfa hay pre- and post-weaning

The consumption of solid feed is essential for successful transition from a pre-ruminant to a functional digestive tract. Lambs fed starter rations containing highly fermentable carbohydrates often experience dramatic changes in concentrations of rumen and blood metabolites. The optimal amount of roughage required in the diet of pre-ruminant animals is still unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding alfalfa hay on performance and rumen development in young Balouchi lambs. In a completely randomized design, 30 lambs were fed one of three experimental diets consisting of a control, without alfalfa hay (C), a diet containing 7.5% alfalfa hay (A1), and a diet containing 15% alfalfa hay (A2). Lambs fed A1 and A2 diets had lower dry matter intake during the pre-weaning period (P?P?=?0.02), but feed conversion ratio and average daily gain were not affected by feeding alfalfa hay. Concentration of beta-hydroxybutyric acid was higher in C compared with the A1 and A2 groups (P?P?=?0.04) and increased thickness of muscular layer (P?=?0.05). We concluded that including 15% alfalfa hay in the starter diet could reduce thickness of the keratinization layer and increase muscularity of rumen wall without adverse effects on growth and performance of newborn lambs.     

A quantitative study on arginine catabolism by mixed ruminal bacteria,protozoa and their mixture in vitro

The catabolism of arginine (Arg) by mixed rumen bacteria (B), mixed rumen protozoa (P), and their mixture (BP) was quantitatively investigated in an in vitro system in order to confirm the metabolic pathway of Arg and provide basic information for enzymatic and molecular studies as well as an understanding of the quantitative distribution of metabolites. Rumen microbial suspensions (B, P, and BP) collected from fistulated goats were anaerobically incubated with or without 1 mmol/L Arg at 39°C for 12 h. Arg and other related compounds such as citrulline (Cit), ornithine (Orn), proline (Pro) and 5‐aminovaleric acid (5AV) in both supernatant and hydrolyzates of B, P, and BP suspensions were analyzed by HPLC. The metabolic pathways of Arg in mixed rumen bacteria and mixed rumen protozoa were considered to be as follows: rumen bacteria, Arg → Cit → Orn → Pro → 5AV → VFAs + NH₃; rumen protozoa, Arg → Cit → Orn → Pro → 5AV. The disappearance of Arg (1 mmol/L) was approximately 52.9 and 88.2% in B, 33.9 and 55.6% in P, and 52.8 and 85.2% in BP during 6 and 12 h incubations, respectively. When expressed in units of ‘per gram (g) of microbial nitrogen (MN)’, the net degradation rate of Arg in BP (50.3 µmol/g MN/h) was approximately 46% lower than that of B during a 12 h incubation period. The presence of protozoa tended to inhibit the production of Orn from Cit and the production of 5AV from Pro which were thought to be rate‐limiting steps of Arg metabolism in rumen microorganisms. As a result, protozoa appeared to have a saving effect on Arg metabolism, that is, protozoa protected Arg from wasteful exhaustion in the rumen.     

Lethal effect of intraruminal barium chloride administration in gloats

Abstract

Magnesium absorption in ruminants is reduced by high potassium intakes (Fontenot et al., 1989 Fontenot, JP,, Allen, VG,, Bunce, GE , and Goff, JP. 1989. Factors influencing magnesium absorption and metabolism in ruminants. Journal of Animal Science, 67: 3445–55.  [Google Scholar]), which might relate to a change in the transmural potential difference at the level of the rumen (Martens etal., 1987 Martens, H,, Gäbel, G, and Strozyk, H. 1987. The effect of potassium and the transmural potential difference on magnesium transport across an isolated preparation of sheep rumen epithelium. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Physiology, 72: 181–8. [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). In-vitro experiments with ruminal epithelium have shown that barium ions, which block potassium channels in cell membranes, alter the transepithelial potential difference when added to the mucosal side in the form of BaCl₂, (Martens et al., 1987 Martens, H,, Gäbel, G, and Strozyk, H. 1987. The effect of potassium and the transmural potential difference on magnesium transport across an isolated preparation of sheep rumen epithelium. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Physiology, 72: 181–8. [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Concentrations up to 4 mM Ba are used to block potassium channels in cell membranes. In the course of our studies on magnesium absorption in ruminants, we wished to alter the in-vivo transmural potential difference. To check whether BaCl₂ would be a suitable tool, a test with two goats was carried out.     

Occurrence of on-farm risk factors and health effects of mycotoxins in dairy farms in Jordan

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of on-farm risk factors and health effects associated with contamination of dairy feeds with aflatoxins (AFs), zearalenone (ZEN), trichothecenes (T-2), deoxynivalenol (DON), and fumonisins (FB) in Jordan. A pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used to determine on-farm practices and health effects associated with high levels of mycotoxins. A total of 88 feed samples were collected from the 37 farms participating in the study and analyzed using commercially available ELISA kits. The mean total AF concentration exceeded the European Union (EU) limit in alfalfa (4%) and total mixed ration (TMR) (3%) samples. Similarly, levels exceeding EU limits were observed for T-2 in alfalfa (29%), TMR (30%), and corn silage (4%). The average concentrations of ZEN and FB were 300 ppb and 11,638 ppb, respectively, which were below the EU maximum limits in all feed samples examined. Intensive management system (OR?=?7.70), imported feed (OR?=?3.40), feed storage on the farm for more than 1-month duration (OR?=?7.90), and not using antitoxins (OR?=?2.30) were significantly (P?<?0.05) associated with high levels of mycotoxins in feed samples. A significant correlation (P?<?0.05) was evident between the presence of mycotoxins in dairy feed and feed refusal (R?=?0.70), low milk production (R?=?0.50), diarrhea problems (R?=?0.60), infertility (R?=?0.50), and repeated breeder problems (R?=?0.80). Results show that mycotoxin contamination in dairy feeds is a problem in Jordan, and appropriate measures need to be undertaken to reduce risks to human and animal health and improve production.

     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Ruminal and total tract phosphorus release from feedstuffs in cattle measured using the mobile nylon bag technique

Phosphorus (P) excretion in manure is a concern for dairy and beef producers. Excess P released into surface water runoff can lead to eutrophication and algal blooms in streams and lakes. One approach to reducing P excretion is to reduce dietary P. Data regarding P release from feedstuffs is limited and more precise formulations based on specific feed P release in the digestive tract may be one way to lower excreted P. In this experiment, the mobile nylon bag technique was used to determine the disappearance of P in corn silage, alfalfa hay, Coastal bermudagrass hay, and Tifton‐85 bermudagrass hay in steers after ruminal (24 h), ruminal + pepsin/HCl (rumen + PHCl), and ruminal + pepsin/HCl + intestinal (rumen + PHCl + I) incubation. Ruminal disappearance of P differed (p < 0.05) between feedstuffs and by site of incubation. Total tract (rumen + PHCl + I) P disappearance for corn silage, alfalfa hay, Coastal bermudagrass hay, and Tifton‐85 bermudagrass hay were 90.6%, 93.7%, 83.8% and 84.0% respectively. The range in P release (approximately 7%) indicates that considering P availability when balancing rations could have a measurable impact on subsequent P excretion from ruminants. More data concerning P availability as affected by other feed ingredients or plant species, maturity, and/or quality are needed to more accurately define P release from ruminant feeds.     

The estimation of utilizable amino acids (uAA) of feeds for ruminants using an in vitro incubation technique

The in vitro incubation technique of Zhao and Lebzien (2000; Arch. Anim. Nutr. 53, 293-302) was used for the estimation of utilizable amino acids (uAA) (sum of amino acids from undegraded feed protein and microbial protein, when N is not limiting) of feeds for ruminants. The rumen fluid from a cow fed only with hay (Expt. 1) and that from a sheep fed with a mixed ration (Expt. 2) was compared with respect to estimation of uAA. In Expt. 1, 30 feeds and feed mixtures were tested and in Expt. 2, 33 feeds and feed mixtures were tested. A close linear relationship was found between the utilizable crude protein (uCP=undegraded feed protein + microbial protein) (X, g/kg) calculated from in vivo experiments and the uAA (Y, g/kg) estimated from in vitro incubations both in Expt. 1: y= 0.95 x-1.39, r2=0.85, p<0.001,n=30; and in Expt. 2: Y=0.85X-6.67,r2= 0.85,p<0.001,n=33. Statistical analysis indicates that there was a significant regressive relationship between uAA determined with the rumen fluid of a sheep (X, g/kg) and uAA determined with the rumen fluid of a cow (Y, g/kg): Y=1.06X+12.4,r2= 0.80,p<0.001,n=27. The results indicate that the in vitro incubation technique of Zhao and Lebzien (2000) can be used for the estimation of uAA of feeds for ruminants. As a rumen-fistulated cow is more expensive than a rumen-fistulated sheep, it is suggested to use a sheep fed a mixed ration as the donor of rumen fluid for the estimation of uAA of feeds with in vitro incubation. Further experiments should be performed to standardize the method and to test the most valid length of the incubation period.     

瘤胃原虫对瘤胃营养物质代谢的影响研究进展

本文在广泛查阅有关瘤胃原虫对糖代谢包括淀粉和可溶性糖代谢及纤维素代谢、对蛋白质代谢和对瘤胃内甲烷代谢等的影响研究资料的基础上，分析、总结了瘤胃原虫对反刍动物营养物质代谢的影响机理，指出瘤胃原虫对反刍动物的营养代谢既有有利的方面，也有不利的方面。实际应用时可根据不同的日粮类型、家畜的生理状况、当地的饲养管理条件等实际情况因时控制瘤胃纤毛虫区系及种群密度，创造适宜的瘤胃内环境，充分发挥原虫在特定条件下的有利生理功能，从而提高反刍动物饲料利用率和生产性能。     

尼龙袋法评价香蕉叶单宁对瘤胃降解特性的影响

旨在探究香蕉叶单宁对奶牛瘤胃降解特性的影响和评价香蕉叶的饲喂价值。样品分别为苜蓿干草组(100%的苜蓿干草)、苜蓿干草和香蕉叶混合组(50%苜蓿干草+50%香蕉叶)、香蕉叶组(100%香蕉叶)、苜蓿干草组(100%的苜蓿干草)+6%聚乙二醇(6% PEG)、苜蓿干草和香蕉叶混合组(50%苜蓿干草+50%香蕉叶)+6%聚乙二醇(6% PEG)、香蕉叶组(100%香蕉叶)+6%聚乙二醇(6% PEG)。测定样品中的营养成分含量,使用3头安装了瘤胃瘘管的荷斯坦奶牛进行半体内试验,用尼龙袋法测定上述样品在瘤胃内0、2、4、8、12、24、48、72 h的干物质(DM)、粗蛋白质(CP)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)的降解率,得到各营养物质的动态降解参数。结果表明,相较于苜蓿干草,香蕉叶干物质和粗蛋白的快速降解部分、慢速降解部分、慢速降解部分的降解速率、有效降解率是显著低于苜蓿干草的(P<0.001),香蕉叶和苜蓿的NDF的有效降解率没有显著差异。添加了PEG后,香蕉叶和香蕉叶苜蓿混合组的快速降解部分和有效降解率显著高于未添加PEG的两组(P<0.001)。结果表明香蕉叶中的单宁会抑制香蕉叶的瘤胃降解率,因此在使用香蕉叶调制反刍动物的饲料时需要控制单宁的含量。     

Biosynthesis of arginine from citrulline and related compounds by mixed ruminal bacteria, protozoa and their mixture in vitro

Biosynthesis of arginine (Arg) from citrulline (Cit), ornithine (Orn), proline (Pro), and 5-aminovaleric acid (5AV) by mixed rumen bacteria (B), protozoa (P), and their mixture (BP) was quantitatively investigated in an in vitro system from the standpoint of protein nutrition in ruminants. Rumen microorganisms, collected from ruminally fistulated goats, were anaerobically incubated with or without 1 mmol/L each of substrates at 39°C for 12 h. Arginine and other related compounds, produced in both supernatants and acid-hydrolyzates of microorganisms in B, P, and BP suspensions, were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Arginine production from Cit in BP, when expressed with a unit of 'μmol/g microbial nitrogen', was approximately 70% and 94% higher than that in B and P, respectively, in a 12-h incubation period. In the case of Orn, the values were approximately 30% and 75%. Both rumen bacteria and protozoa could produce Cit and Orn from Pro, so it is assumed that they can produce Arg from Pro. Rumen protozoa were unable to degrade 5AV and it was the final product in the metabolism of Cit, Orn and Pro in P suspension. A trace amount of Orn and Pro produced from 5AV in B and BP suspensions indicated that the reversible reaction of 5AV formation was performed only by rumen bacteria. This is the first quantitative report on Arg biosynthesis from its precursors by rumen microorganisms.     

Effect of exogenous xylanase on rumen in vitro gas production and degradability of wheat straw

The objective of this study was to determine effects of xylanase on in vitro gas production (GP) and in sacco degradability of wheat straw. Rumen fluid was obtained from three Mongolian native goats fitted with permanent rumen cannulas. The trial consisted of five doses (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 μL/g of substrate) of a commercial xylanase (Dyadic^® xylanase PLUS, Dyadic International, Inc., Jupiter, FL, USA). For the in sacco degradability, different levels of xylanase enzyme were added directly onto 2 g of wheat straw in nylon bags and incubated in the rumen for 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h to estimate degradability of wheat straw. Total GP increased (P < 0.001) at all times of incubation at intermediate levels of xylanase. Methane production had a similar pattern at 3 and 12 h of incubation; increased linearly at 24 h of incubation, and was unaffected at 6 and 48 h of incubation. Rumen NH₃‐N concentration increased linearly at 3 h and the highest values were observed with intermediate enzyme levels. All ruminal volatile fatty acids increased linearly with intermediate levels of the fibrolytic enzyme. The in sacco rate of dry matter degradation decreased linearly (P = 0.020) with increasing enzymes. Intermediate levels of xylanase improved rumen kinetic fermentation and degradability. The outcome of this research indicated that the application of xylanase enzyme could improve in vitro GP fermentation of wheat straw.     

幼龄反刍动物瘤胃微生物的定植过程与调控措施

反刍动物是畜牧业中的重要支柱，研究瘤胃微生物在幼龄反刍动物上的定植过程，并利用其中的定植规律采取科学的早期调控措施，以此提高反刍动物的生产效率，对于维持畜牧业高效、健康、可持续发展具有重要意义。瘤胃微生物的定植过程伴随着幼龄反刍动物瘤胃的发育和饮食结构的巨大变化。在幼龄反刍动物哺乳时，瘤胃由于食管沟反射的存在而不发挥功能，发育缓慢，此时只有部分功能菌群逐渐定植；随着日龄的增长，幼龄反刍动物大量摄入固体饲料，瘤胃在固体饲料的刺激下迅速发育直至成熟，此时大量菌群定植，瘤胃发酵逐渐活跃，且优势菌及其丰度与前期相比发生较大变化。同时，大量瘤胃发酵产物的积累又进一步刺激了瘤胃的发育。反刍动物在幼龄阶段经历了从非反刍到反刍的生理过渡，是其最敏感和可塑性最强的时期，可以在此阶段对反刍动物瘤胃微生物采取人工调控措施，以保证机体的健康和后续生长发育。作者综述了反刍动物瘤胃早期发育过程、瘤胃内微生物的种类、来源及其在幼龄反刍动物瘤胃中的定植过程，阐明瘤胃微生物在反刍动物消化代谢、生产性能以及畜体健康方面的重要功能，并归纳了常用的瘤胃微生物调控技术，从而为生产中对幼龄反刍动物的饲养管理、营养调控提供参考。     

Influences of dietary regimens on microbial content in gastrointestinal tracts of meat goats

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary treatments on microbial loads and pH of gastrointestinal tract contents in meat goats, as well as the concentration of volatile fatty acid (VFA) in the rumen. Crossbred (Boer x Spanish) goats (n = 36; BW = 17.7 kg) were assigned randomly to one of three experimental diets (n = 12/diet or 3 pens/treatment) for 90 days:alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay alone (AH-diet); 18% CP concentrate alone (C-diet); or, a combined diet (AHC-diet), consisting of the AH-diet for the first 45 days, followed by 45 days of the C-diet. After evisceration, pH values of rumen liquor and colon digesta were immediately measured from each animal, as well as aseptically collected rumen liquor and rectal samples to determine the microbial loads. Collected rumen liquor was also prepared for volatile fatty acid (VFA) contents. Feeding meat goats with alfalfa hay alone had higher (P < 0.05) rumen (7.17) and colon (7.10) pH compared with those fed either the concentrate alone or combined-diet. Although the acetate content was high in the AH-fed group (66.3 mM) compared to the AHC-diet group (34.6 mM), no significant differences were found in the total VFA contents in rumen liquor among the goats fed three different dietary regimens. Total plate counts were not significantly different among goats fed the experimental diets in the rumen or rectal samples. Escherichia coli counts in the rectal samples were lower (P < 0.05) in the AH-diet group (6.43 log₁₀ CFU/g) compared with the C-diet (8.21 log₁₀ CFU/g) or AHC-diet (8.40 log₁₀ CFU/g) groups. However, no significant differences were found in the E. coli counts of rumen samples from goats fed the experimental diets. The mean (± SEM) rumen E. coli counts were 1.38, 1.65, and 2.51 ± 0.560 log₁₀ CFU/g in the AH-, C-, and AHC-diet groups, respectively. The results indicate that feeding hay alone may decrease the fecal shedding of E. coli in meat goats with increasing the rumen and colon pH.     

Ruminal metabolism and methemoglobin-forming effect of dinobuton in sheep

Many aromatic nitro compounds are reduced to the corresponding amines in the rumen by the activity of the rumen flora, and this may influence the effect of such compounds when given orally to ruminants. The dinitrophenol herbicide DNBP (2-(1-methyl-n-propyl)-4,6-dinitrophenol, dinoseb) is a good example of a compound with this property, as DNBP has a methemoglobin-forming effect in ruminants (Frøslie & Karlog 1970). These authors connected this phenomenon with the ruminai metabolism of DNBP, because it is reduced to 6-ANBP (2-(1-methyl-n-propyl)-4-nitro-6-aminophenol), and 6-ANBP successively is reduced to DABP (2-(1-methyl-n-propyl)-4,6-diaminophenol) in the rumen.     

Feed intake and rumen motility in dwarf goats. Effects of some α-adrenergic agonists,prostaglandins and posterior pituitary hormones

The purpose of the present investigation was to test the hypothesis that drug-induced changes in rumen contractions influence feed intake in dwarf goats. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of clonidine (1 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 10 min), xylazine (1 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 10 min), and PGF-2 (10 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min) caused bradycardia and inhibition of rumen contractions. However, no appetite-stimulating effect of these drugs was observed. Other clinical changes induced by the ₂-adrenergic agonists included slight sedation and a decrease in body temperature; all clinical effects of clonidine and xylazine were partly antagonized by tolazoline pretreatment (10 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 30 min). These results suggest that the CNS control of feeding differs in ruminants and monogastric species.In dwarf goats fasted for 2 h, i.v. administration of oxytocin (0.01 IU kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min), vasopressin (0.01 IU kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min), octapressin (0.003 IU kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min) or PGE (0.8 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min) did not change feeding behaviour during the two observation periods (0–30 min and 180–210 min after drug infusion, respectively). In previous studies, similar doses of these drugs induced changes in heart rate and inhibition of rumen contraction in goats. These findings demonstrate that drug-induced changes in forestomach contractions do not simply cause changes in feeding behaviour. The i.v. infusion of the PGF₂ analogues etiproston (10 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min), luprostiol (30 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min), cloprostenol (1 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min) and tiaprost (1 g kg^-1 min^-1 for 15 min) induced hypophagic effects and stimulated intestinal propulsion.     

Alfalfa as a supplement of dried cornstalk diets: Associative effects on intake, digestibility, nitrogen metabolisation, rumen environment and hematological parameters in sheep

The aim of the current study was to investigate the associative effects of a cornstalk-based diet supplemented with alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay on intake, digestibility, nitrogen (N) metabolisation, rumen environment and hematological parameters in Xiaoweihan sheep. We also investigated the optimal range of alfalfa hay to achieve positive associative effects and avoid negative effects. Xiaoweihan sheep (n = 5; fitted with rumen T-cannula) were fed five cornstalk-based diets in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Diets contained 0, 50, 150, 300, 450 g alfalfa, and were supplemented with 100 g concentrate, respectively. Our results suggested that supplementation of 300 g alfalfa hay reduced (P < 0.05) cornstalk intake, but significantly increased dry matter (DM) intake (P < 0.05). Additionally, DM digestibility of 150 g alfalfa hay supplementation was slightly higher than that noted in other diets. Metabolism studies showed 50–150 g alfalfa hay supplementation had a positive associative effect (P < 0.05) on N utilization, with the greatest benefit noted with 150 g per day (P < 0.05) compared to unsupplemented diets. Alfalfa supplementation (50–450 g per day) resulted in an elevated trend of ammonia nitrogen (NH₃–N) with 50 or 150 g of alfalfa hay more likely to promote sheep rumen environment, with a noticeable increase (P < 0.05) in serum urea nitrogen (UREAN) concentrations observed with 300 g alfalfa hay per day. Our data suggested that the optimal range to achieve beneficial effects and avoid negative effects was 150–300 g per day for cornstalk-based diets for sheep.     

Gas and short‐chain fatty acid production from feeds commonly fed to red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and incubated with rumen inoculum from red deer and sheep

Efficient red deer supplementary feeding depends on estimations of the nutritive value of offered feeds, frequently estimated with the use of equations derived from domestic ruminants. The aim of this study was to compare the 24‐hour in vitro true dry matter degradability (ivTD₂₄), in vitro gas production (GP) kinetic parameters, GP in 24 hr of incubation (GAS₂₄) and short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) and microbial biomass (MBS) produced after 24‐hour incubation of feeds in inoculum prepared from sheep and red deer rumen fluid. Eleven feeds, frequently consumed by red deer in Slovenia, which occur either naturally (two fresh grasses, chestnut fruits and common and sessile oak acorns) or are fed as winter supplemental feeds (two grass hays, two grass silages, apple pomace, fresh sugar beetroot), were investigated. The in vitro GP kinetic parameters, GAS₂₄ and ivTD₂₄, did not differ between animal species. Amounts of SCFAs were greater (p < 0.05) when feeds were incubated in sheep inoculum, while molar proportions of acetic and propionic acids did not differ. Molar proportions of butyric acid produced during incubation of high fibre feeds did not differ between animal species, but were higher (p < 0.05) when feeds high in starch or sugar were incubated in red deer inoculum. Greater production of SCFA by sheep rumen microbes suggests better coverage of host animal with energy precursors, while greater production of MBS by red deer rumen microbes suggests better coverage of host animal with protein. Results also suggest that rumens of sheep and red deer are inhabited by different microbial communities, which did not affect the extent of in vitro GP and degradation of feeds used in the present experiment. However, the possibility exists that the divergent nutrient use could be a consequence of different priming by different feeds of the donor animal diets.