多花黑麦草在生长肉兔上的营养价值评定

本试验旨在评定初花期多花黑麦草在生长肉兔上的营养价值。试验选取60日龄平均体重(2.20±0.32)kg的健康新西兰兔24只,随机分为2组,每组12个重复,每个重复1只。试验饲粮采用套算法进行配制,多花黑麦草的替代比例为20%;试验采用全收粪法进行消化试验,预试期和正试期各7 d。结果表明:1)多花黑麦草中总能、干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、粗灰分、钙、总磷和无氮浸出物含量分别为16.78 MJ/kg、92.24%、10.20%、1.64%、26.09%、51.80%、31.35%、7.72%、0.66%、0.28%和46.59%;2)多花黑麦草在生长肉兔中的表观消化能为7.21 MJ/kg,生长肉兔对多花黑麦草中总能、干物质、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、粗灰分、钙、总磷和无氮浸出物的表观消化率分别为33.45%、48.36%、44.18%、84.45%、25.91%、22.73%、22.25%、26.10%、62.87%、13.94%和61.42%。由结果可知:初花期多花黑麦草中粗纤维、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维含量相对较高,总磷含量相对较低;生长肉兔对初花期多花黑麦草中不同营养成分的消化率存在一定差异,其中以粗脂肪、粗纤维、钙、无氮浸出物的表观消化率较高,总磷的表观消化率较低。     

Evaluation of the homoarginine technique for measuring true ileal amino acid digestibilities in pigs fed a barley-canola meal-based diet

The homoarginine technique has been suggested as a means to determine true ileal amino acid digestibilities in nonruminant animals fed protein-containing diets. Conditions for guanidinating lysine to homoarginine in barley and canola meal and the effect of this process on nutrient composition and ileal digestibilities in the resulting material were investigated. Conditions tested were methylisourea concentration (0.4, 0.5, or 0.6 M) and reaction time (4 or 6 d) at pH 10.5. Using 0.4 methylisourea M solution for 4 or 6 d gave guanidination rates of 72.5 and 78.5% for barley and 72.3 and 75.2% for canola meal, respectively. Using 0.5 M gave 88.0 and 84.6% guanidination rates in barley and canola meal, respectively, after a 6-d reaction time. Under these conditions, guanidination did not change the nutrient composition of barley (P > 0.10), whereas it increased CP (38.4 vs 49.0%), crude fiber (10.2 vs 16.0%), acid detergent fiber (30.0 vs 43.4%) and neutral detergent fiber (29.8 vs 49.4%) levels in canola meal (P < 0.05). Four 33.6-kg barrows fitted with a simple T-cannula at the terminal ileum were fed a 16% CP unguanidinated barley and canola meal-based diet for four consecutive 14-d periods. Ileal digesta were collected continuously for 24 h on d 12 and 14 to determine apparent nutrient digestibilities. On the morning of d 14, pigs were fed a diet in which half of the barley and canola meal was replaced with guanidinated material for determining true ileal amino acid digestibilities. Digesta samples were pooled by pig and by 24-h period to give 16 observations per diet. Apparent ileal digestibilities of DM, CP, and AA in the unguanidinated and guanidinated barley-canola meal diet were similar (P > 0.10) despite the changes observed in canola meal. Apparent ileal lysine digestibility was 73.9 and 74.5% in the unguanidinated and guanidinated diet, respectively. The true ileal lysine digestibility was 88.1%. The present results show that guanidination does not interfere with digestion and further support the use of the homoarginine method for determining true ileal amino acid digestibilities in pigs fed practical diets. A methylisourea solution of 0.5 M and a 6-d reaction time are recommended for converting lysine to homoarginine in barley and canola meal.     

Associative effects of sorghum silage and sorghum grain diets

A metabolism trial was conducted to quantitate associative effects between sorghum silage and sorghum grain, and to identify responsible factors. Diets were formulated by mixing ground sorghum grain (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% of diet dry matter) with sorghum silage and were adjusted to 15.0% crude protein with soybean meal. Cannulated Beefmaster-cross steers (300 kg) were adapted to diets for 14 d followed by 5 d of fecal collection during which digestibility of components was determined. Intake of digestible dry matter and digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber increased with increases in diet grain content (linear effect: P less than .01, P less than .01, P less than .05, respectively; quadratic effect: P less than .05, P less than .005, P less than .06, respectively). Digestibilities of starch, crude protein and hemicellulose were not significantly affected by grain level. Ruminal pH averaged 6.0 and was not significantly affected by grain level or time of sampling. Ruminal in situ digestion of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber at 48 h decreased (linear contrast, P less than .001) with increasing grain content. Rate of passage of liquid digesta was not affected by grain level in the diet. The rate of passage of particulate digesta decreased linearly (P less than .005, orthogonal contrast) with increasing levels of grain. Low levels of sorghum grain (15 and 30%) improved digestibility and intake of digestible dry matter of sorghum silage-based diets, whereas higher rates of grain supplementation (45 and 60%) did not result in further improvement.     

Intake and Apparent Digestibility of Permanent Meadow Hay and Haylage in Ponies

The aim of this article was to study the conservation quality, chemical composition, gross energy, voluntary intake, and apparent digestibility of permanent meadow haylage and hay, fed to ponies at maintenance. The forages were from the same swath and harvested at early flowering stage. The apparent digestibility of the hay and haylage, which contained about 61% neutral detergent fiber and 38% acid detergent fiber, as fed, was determined by means of two in vivo digestibility trials, each performed on six ponies, weighing, on average, about 335 ± 80 kg and 334 ± 41 kg, respectively, over a 6-day feces collection period after a previous 14-day adaptation period. The voluntary intake was measured and the digestibility coefficients were calculated for dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, using acid-insoluble ash as the internal marker. The haylages were evaluated for dry matter, pH, alcohols, lactic acid, and monocarboxylic acid. The conservation quality of the haylage was good and its chemical composition was similar to that of hay, except for the crude protein and gross energy contents, which were higher (P < .05) as compared with those of the hay. No differences were found between the hay and haylage with regard to the voluntary intake and digestibility coefficients.     

Feeding value of diets containing almond hulls

Four mature geldings were used in a 4 X 4 Latin Square digestion experiment to determine the digestibility of pelleted diets containing 0. 15, 30 and 45% Nonpareil almond hulls. The four isonitrogenous treatments consisting of almond hulls, oat hay, and alfalfa hay provided approximately 94% dry matter (DM), 11% crude protein (CP), 23-32% acid detergent fiber (ADF) and 4100 kcal/kg gross energy (GE). Each horse consumed a different diet during each of four 14-day trial periods. Horses were fed 10 kg of their assigned diet per day. The horses gained an average of 15 kg over the course of the 8-week study. No feed was refused in any of the trials and there were no signs of adverse reactions to any of the diets. The digestibilities of the four dietary components (DM, CP, ADF and GE) were not affected by horse or trial period. Dry matter and GE digestibilities increased (P<.05) as the almond hull content increased in the four diets (59, 63, 64 and 68% DM digestibility and 57, 61, 61 and 64% GE digestibility, respectively). Acid detergent fiber digestibility was not affected by almond hull content (39, 39, 39 and 42% digestibility, respectively) while CP digestibility decreased as the almond hull content increased in the four diets (69, 62, 66 and 56% digestibility, respectively). Almond hulls appear to be a safe and palatable feed for horses and can be fed up to levels of 45%.     

Nitrogen utilization and digestibility by growing steers and goats of diets that contain monensin and low crude protein

Two digestion and metabolism experiments were conducted to determine effects of monensin in low-protein diets. Monensin supplementation (27 mg/kg of diet dry matter) of steers (303 kg) fed 8.7% crude protein increased (P less than .01) apparent N digestibility and N retention and decreased (P less than .01) percentage of N apparently absorbed lost in urine. Apparent digestibilities of dry matter, gross energy and acid detergent lignin were increased (P less than .05). Digestibilities of neutral detergent and acid detergent fibers were not affected by monensin. In growing wether goats (15 kg) fed 8.5% crude protein, monensin (23 mg/kg of diet dry matter) improved (P less than .01) apparent N digestibility and apparent N absorption. However, urinary N excretion also increased (P less than .05), resulting in no difference in N retention. Monensin did not affect digestibilities of dry matter or gross energy. Efficiency of feed conversion and average daily gain were improved with monensin supplementation of growing goats fed a low-protein, high-roughage diet. Monensin resulted in typical shift of acetate-to-propionate ratio in both experiments. Results suggest that improved N utilization may account for some benefits of feeding monensin.     

Effect of roughage particle size on ruminal, digestive and metabolic characteristics of early-weaned lambs fed pelleted corncob-concentrate diets

Two experiments were conducted to determine effects of feeding corncobs of various mean particle size (MPS) on ruminal, digestive and metabolic characteristics of early-weaned lambs fed pelleted 74.9% concentrate:25.1% corncob diets. The MPS of corncobs in diets was 6.5, 5.4, 1.4 and .8 mm, respectively. As particle size decreased, percentage starch decreased and percentage neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and cellulose increased. In Exp. 1, 28 crossbred rams (seven/treatment, avg initial wt, 15.3 kg) were used in a randomized complete-block design. In Exp. 2, lambs from Exp. 1 were re-weighed (avg initial wt, 16.8 kg) and fed the same diets as in Exp. 1. In Exp. 1 and 2, lambs ingested dry matter (DM) equal to 2.68 and 3.74% of body weight, respectively. In Exp. 1, apparent DM digestibility was unaffected by corncob MPS; however, in Exp. 2, DM digestibility was highest (68.8%) for lambs fed the 6.5-mm diet and lowest (63.8%) for those fed the .8-mm diet. Apparent starch digestibility was high (greater than 98.8%) in both experiments. Neutral detergent fiber and ADF digestibilities were highest for lambs fed the 1.4-mm diet (50.5 and 43.6%, Exp. 1; 39.6 and 28.9%, Exp. 2). A dramatic increase (6.8 to 39.1%) in acid detergent lignin (ADL) digestibility was observed in Exp. 1 as corncob MPS decreased. In Exp. 2, ADL digestibilities were similar for lambs fed the 6.5-, 5.4- or 1.4-mm diets (avg value, 5.9%) and highest for those fed the .8-mm diet (29.7%). Nitrogen metabolism was unaffected by corncob MPS. In Exp. 1, digestible energy intake, corrected for urinary losses, did not differ among treatments but in Exp. 2, lambs consuming the 6.5-mm diet had higher corrected digestibility energy intakes (1,926.6 kcal/d) than did those fed other diets (avg, 1,832.4 kcal/d). Ruminal pH sampled 4 h post-feeding was highest for lambs consuming the 6.5-mm diet (6.25) in Exp. 1 and the 1.4-mm diet (5.89) in Exp. 2. Lowest ruminal pH (5.30 and 5.36, respectively) was for lambs consuming the .8-mm diet in Exp. 1 and the 5.4-mm diet in Exp. 2. Ruminal lactate concentrations were variable within and among treatments. Total ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were similar across treatments but in Exp. 2, there was a shift in molar proportions from acetate to propionate as corncob MPS decreased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

复合微生态制剂对乌骨羊生产性能及养分表观消化率的影响

为研究复合微生态制剂对乌骨羊生产性能及养分表观消化率的影响,试验选择体重相近的乌骨羊90只,随机分成3个组,每个组3个重复,每个重复10只,1组饲喂基础日粮为空白对照组,2、3组分别在基础日粮中添加5.0%、10.0%的复合微生态制剂,试验期为60 d。试验期间测定生产性能和养分表观消化率。结果表明:(1)3组的试验末重和平均日增重分别较1组提高5.57%、31.16%(P<0.05),3组料重比较1组降低18.05%(P<0.05)。(2)3组的粗蛋白质、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维表观消化率较1组分别提高14.23%、19.19%、16.69%(P<0.05),2、3组的粗脂肪、粗灰分、钙、磷的表观消化率均高于1组(P>0.05)。综上,基础日粮中添加10.0%复合微生态制剂可以提高乌骨羊的生长性能和养分表观消化率。     

Digestibility of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris)-based diets supplemented with four levels of Gliricidia sepium hay in hair sheep lambs

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of supplementing increasing levels of Gliricidia sepium hay (GS) with different levels of inclusion of Buffel grass (BG) hay on digestibility by hair sheep lambs (2.5 to 3.5 months of age). Eight male lambs were used in a replicated 4?×?4 Latin square design with 21-day experimental periods (n?=?4). Animals were fed with BG with different levels of GS: 100 % BG (T1, control), 90 % BG?+?10 % GS (T2), 80 % BG?+?20 % GS (T3), and 70 % BG?+?30 % GS (T4). Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intakes were not affected by treatments. The intake of crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), and gross energy was higher (P?<?0.05) in those lambs fed with T4 diet than control. NDF and ADF digestibilities were higher (P?<?0.05) in T1 than in the other treatments. CP digestibility was higher (P?<?0.05) in T4 compared to T1, T2, and T3. The study showed that inclusion of GS up to 30 % with BG in forage-based diets of sheep does not affect DM and fiber intake nor influence DM and OM digestibilities but it increases CP intake and reduces NDF and ADF digestibilities.     

Effect of feeding different levels of foliage from Erythrina variegata on the performance of growing goats

The effect of feeding different levels of foliage from Erythrina variegata on the performance of growing goats was studied using a local breed (Ma T'ou) with an average initial body weight of 11.2?kg (SD?=?0.9). Twenty-four animals were allocated to a randomized design, with six animals (three males and three females) per treatment. The treatments were four different levels of replacement of the diet crude protein (CP) with CP from Erythrina foliage (EF) at 0?% (E-0), 20?% (E-20), 40?% (E-40), and 60?% (E-60). There were no significant differences in the dry matter (DM) intake between treatments, but total CP intake was significantly higher in the goats fed the diet E-60 compared to E-20 (61.1 and 51.4?g/day, respectively). The average daily liveweight gain of the goats did not differ between treatments and ranged from 51 to 63?g/day. Sixteen animals were kept in metabolism cages for a digestibility study and given with the same four diets as in the main experiment. The digestibility of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber was significantly higher for diet E-60 than for E-0. Neither the apparent digestibility of CP and N retention nor carcass characteristics (16 animals) differed with an increase in the level of CP from EF in the diets. In conclusion, CP from EF can replace up to 60?% of CP from a mixed diet with soybean meal without any negative effect on the growth in goats.     

高丹草+箭筈豌豆混合饲粮对绵羊养分表观消化率和气体代谢的影响

本研究采用单因素完全随机设计,将12只体重相近、体况良好、6月龄的杂交公羊,随机分为两个处理,每个处理6只羊,分别饲喂两种饲粮[单一高丹草(Sorghum bicolor×S.sudanense)饲粮和高丹草与箭筈豌豆(Vicia sativa)混合饲粮],分析了以高丹草饲粮为基础添加一定比例箭筈豌豆(高丹草∶箭筈豌豆=2∶1)对牧草表观消化率以及家畜产气的影响。结果表明:以高丹草+箭筈豌豆饲喂羔羊时干物质采食量、中性洗涤纤维和粗蛋白消化率显著高于高丹草组(P<0.05);干物质消化率和酸性洗涤纤维消化率无明显差异(P>0.05)。说明高丹草与箭筈豌豆组合改善饲粮的适口性,提高了饲草的表观消化率。     

Effect of pelleting and beta-glucanase supplementation on the ileal and fecal digestibility of a barley-based diet in the pig

The influences of pelleting and beta-glucanase supplementation on the digestibility of dietary components in a barley-based diet were investigated in pigs fitted with cannulas in the terminal ileum. The diet contained 49.0% starch, 18.9% crude protein and 14.8% dietary fiber, with arabinoxylans (4.9%), mixed-linked beta-glucans (3.4%) and cellulose (3.3%) as the main fiber components. Pelleting increased mixed-linked beta-glucan solubility from 45 to 62%. Neither treatment influenced the ileal or fecal apparent digestibilities of dry matter (64 and 80%, respectively), energy (62 and 79%), crude protein (53 and 75%), crude fat (26 and 27%) or dietary fiber (58 and 72%). However, pelleting increased (P less than .01) the pre-ileal apparent digestibility of starch from 91.5 to 95.3% and decreased (P less than .03) that of ash from -10 to -23%, while increasing (P less than .005) the fecal apparent digestibility of starch from 98.6 to 99.7%. The solubility of mixed-linked beta-glucans in ileal digesta was lower (P less than .001) in pelleted (26%) than in unpelleted (58%) diets. beta-glucanase supplementation also increased (P less than .05) the ileal apparent digestibility of starch, from 92.6 to 94.3%, and of mixed-linked beta-glucans, from 95.7 to 97.1%. Significant between-pig differences in the apparent digestibility of dietary components were observed. In conclusion, treatments that disrupt the endosperm cell walls in barley can increase the proportion of the diet digested prior to the large intestine.     

Chemical compositions, feed intakes and digestibilities of crop residue based rations in non-lactating Red Sokoto goats in the subhumid zone of Nigeria

The present study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition, intake and digestibility of crop residue based rations by Red Sokoto goats maintained on natural pastures and Digitaria smutsii hay during the dry season of the year. Twenty‐eight non‐lactating does were blocked for weight and assigned to 7 treatment groups comprising 4 does each in a completely randomized design. Ration A, the conventional concentrate ration, was used as the positive control, Rations B and C were the two crop residue based test rations, while Ration D, the unsupplemented treatment, was used as the negative control. Each of the supplementation rations was fed at 1% and 2% of the doe's body weight. Ration A had the highest crude protein percentage of 17.19% while Rations B and C had 9.54 and 10.38%, respectively. The naturally grazed pastures and Digitaria smutsii hay (Ration D) contained the least protein: 2.76 and 4.75%, respectively. Ration D also had the highest percentages of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and lignin (49.14, 74.73 and 9.49% in hay and 50.29, 8.27 and 11.5% in grazed pastures, respectively). Ration A on the other hand, had the lowest percentages of acid detergent fiber (20.00%), neutral detergent fiber (40.01%) and lignin (4.64%). The results indicated that the supplemented group of does had significantly higher (P < 0.05) dry matter and crude protein intakes as well as nutrient digestibilities than the unsupplemented groups. A comparison of the unsupplemented animals with all the other treatment groups revealed that dry matter digestibility improved by a range of 4.1–27.9%, while crude protein digestibility improved by 17.1–42.2%, the highest value being in does on Ration A. It was concluded that goats were able to subsist and make appreciable gains in the long dry season on crop‐based diets that compared favorably with the conventional concentrate rations. Of the two tested crop residue based rations, Ration C is a better supplementation package than Ration B.     

Influence of sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide on digestion and metabolism in yearling beef steers abruptly changed from high forage to high energy diets

Eight rumen-cannulated steers (initial wt 330kg) were adapted to a mixed alfalfa-grass hay diet for 30 d and abruptly changed to complete mixed diets of corn silage, snapped ear corn and a corn-based supplement to determine the effects of buffers on diet adaptation, digestion and ruminal metabolism. The diets contained: 1) no buffer, 2) .5% magnesium oxide (MgO), 3) 1.0% sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and 4) .5% MgO and 1.0% NaHCO3, as a percentage of diet dry matter (DM). Digestion, metabolism and ruminal characteristics were measured in each of 2 wk immediately after the diet change. The animals were then adapted to the mixed alfalfa-grass hay diet, re-randomized and assigned to the four diets, thus four steers consumed each diet. Intakes and digestibilities of DM were generally greater for the diets containing buffers. The most notable differences were a greater DM intake with added NaHCO3 and an improved DM digestibility with added MgO. The higher DM digestibility with MgO was apparently related to improved neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and starch digestion. Fecal pH was significantly increased with MgO addition. Because of the greater intake and digestibilities, the amount of DM, NDF, and starch digested tended to be greater for the buffered diets. There were no diet X week interactions for intake and digestibilities, thus the responses observed existed during both wk 1 and 2 after the change in diets. In general, intake and digestibilities were greater in wk 2 than in wk 1 for all diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Digestibility of fiber components and reproductive performance of sows fed high levels of alfalfa meal

Two experiments were conducted with second-parity sows fed either 5 or 50% alfalfa meal diets (Exp. 1) or 5, 50 or 95% alfalfa meal diets (Exp. 2) beginning 30 d after breeding and continuing through lactation, 21 d postpartum. Diets in both experiments were calculated to be equal in crude protein, but different in metabolizable energy content. Feed intake was restricted to 2 kg/d during gestation and ad libitum during lactation. Sows were tethered in metabolism crates 45 d after breeding. Total feces were collected during two 5-d collection periods, 60 and 100 d after breeding. Digestibilities of dry matter, fiber components (neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose and cellulose), protein and energy were determined in both experiments for all diets and periods of gestation. In both experiments, there was a reduction (P less than .05) in digestibility of dry matter, fiber components, protein and energy with increasing fiber levels for both periods of gestation. In Exp. 1, the decrease in digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and energy was greater at 100 d gestation than at 60 d in sows fed 50% alfalfa. In Exp. 2, 50 and 95% dietary alfalfa reduced 60-d digestibilities of dry matter, all fiber constituents, energy and protein; these digestibilities were further reduced (P less than .05) at 100 d of gestation. In Exp. 1, weight gains of sows fed 5 and 50% alfalfa diets from breeding to 109 d gestation, were 42 and 18 kg/sow (5 greater than 50% level, P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

不同物理有效纤维水平饲粮制粒对山羊养分表观消化率的影响

本试验旨在研究不同物理有效纤维(peNDF)水平饲粮制粒对山羊养分表观消化率的影响。选取4只体重约为25 kg的波杂公山羊(波尔山羊×徐淮山羊),采用4×4拉丁方试验设计,4只试验山羊分别饲喂4种不同的饲粮。饲粮A、B分别为peNDF水平为22.69%的粉料、颗粒料,饲粮C、D分别为peNDF水平为31.69%的粉料、颗粒料。4种饲粮的中性洗涤纤维、粗蛋白质含量及总能等相等或接近。试验分为4期,每期15 d,其中预试期10 d,正试期5 d。结果表明:1)低peNDF水平下,与饲粮A相比,饲粮B显著提高了酸性洗涤纤维、粗蛋白质、干物质、有机物、钙、磷表观消化率及氮保留量、氮保留率与氮生物学价值(P0.05);2)高peNDF水平下,与饲粮C相比,饲粮D显著提高了中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、粗蛋白质、干物质、有机物、钙、总能表观消化率及氮保留率(P0.05);3)相同饲粮形态下,与高peNDF饲粮(饲粮C、D)相比,低peNDF水平饲粮(饲粮A、B)除钙表观消化率无显著提高(P0.05)外,其余养分表观消化率均显著提高(P0.05)。由本试验结果得出,在高和低2种peNDF水平下,饲粮经制粒均提高了山羊的养分表观消化率。     

不同蛋白质补充料日粮对玉米芯粗料型日粮营养物质消化率的影响

试验选择8头肉用牛,设计2个不同蛋白质补充料来源精料的日粮,即以DDGS为主的试验组和以棉籽粕为主的对照组,粗饲料为玉米芯,采用全收粪的消化试验测定日粮营养物质表观消化率。结果表明,不同蛋白质来源的试验组和对照组日粮有机物、粗蛋白质、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维的表观消化率没有差异(P>0.05),肉牛日粮有机物、粗蛋白质、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维的表观消化率的变化范围分别为65%～71%、60%～70%、68%～70%和63%～65%。     

Fiber digestibility by the orangutan (Pongo abelii): in vitro and in vivo.

Limited nutritional information exists on diets of free-ranging orangutans, Pongo abelii and P. pygmaeus. Although they are classified as frugivores, the chemical composition of their diet and their gastrointestinal anatomy suggest that they rely on fiber fermentation for a substantial portion of energy. However, the extent to which they can ferment fiber is not known. Continuous culture systems, inoculated with orangutan fecal bacteria, were established to determine the fiber-digesting capacity of orangutan hindgut microflora. The cultures received one of four treatments: soybean hulls, ground corncobs, corn starch, or no food. Neither dry matter nor neutral detergent fiber digestibilities differed significantly among treatments. However, neutral detergent fiber digestibilities were high for both the soybean hull (88.4%) and ground corncob (86.1%) treatments, indicating that the microflora had a strong fibrolytic capability. To determine whether the same fiber-degrading capacity occurred in vivo, two adult orangutans and one juvenile were fed four gel-matrix diets containing soybean hulls, ground corncobs, or ground primate biscuits. Neutral detergent fiber concentrations (dry matter basis) of the gel matrices were 52.9% with soybean hulls, 46.8% and 63.7% with ground corncobs, and 31.3% with ground primate biscuits. A fifth diet consisted of primate biscuits with 27.3% neutral detergent fiber (dry matter basis) and was considered the baseline diet. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility (74.5%) was greatest (P < 0.05) for the soybean hull gel diet and least (57.5% and 45.0%, respectively; P < 0.05) for the 63.7% neutral detergent fiber (dry matter basis) corncob gel diet and the baseline primate biscuit diet. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations in orangutan feces were not significantly different among diets; however, molar proportions of acetic, propionic, and butyric acid differed (P < 0.05) among diets. The results from both studies indicated that orangutans are capable of extensive fiber fermentation.     

葛藤草粉替代苜蓿草粉对波杂山羊血清生化指标、养分表观消化率和生产性能的影响

为了解葛藤草粉在山羊全混合日粮中等量替代紫花苜蓿草粉的效果,探索葛藤草粉在当地山羊生产中的应用价值,首先对葛藤草粉的常规营养成分进行测定, 然后选择体重［（18.20±1.65） kg］相近的5月龄波尔山羊×马头山羊阉公羔75只,随机分为5组,每组15只。对照组饲喂基础日粮,其余4个处理组分别以葛藤草粉等量替代紫花苜蓿草粉,即25%、50%、75%和100%。于正试期第50天开始,进行为期7 d的消化代谢试验,分析波杂山羊血清生化参数、日粮养分表观消化率、生长性能的变化。结果表明,葛藤草粉的粗蛋白质、钙、磷含量与苜蓿草粉相近,粗脂肪、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维含量高于苜蓿草粉。用葛藤草粉替代苜蓿草粉,75%替代组波杂山羊平均日增重、平均日采食量以及料重比最佳,其中平均日增重比对照组增加23.2%,而料重比下降15.49%（P<0.05）。随着替代比例的增加,波杂山羊粗蛋白表观消化率、中性洗涤纤维及干物质表观消化率显著提高（P<0.05）,但处理组间酸性洗涤纤维、粗脂肪、钙及总磷表观消化率差异不显著（P>0.05）。25%、50%、75%和100%组波杂山羊血清丙二醛水平较对照组分别降低11.3%、19.8%、25.4%和26.3%（P<0.05）,而血清超氧化物歧化酶、总抗氧化能力、过氧化氢酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶较对照组显著升高（P<0.05）,其中100%替代组血清超氧化物歧化酶、总抗氧化能力、过氧化氢酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶较对照组分别升高8.8%、20.7%、49.4%及34.4%（P<0.05）。25%、50%、75%和100%组血清免疫球蛋白IgA比对照组分别提高15.8%、21.0%、26.3%（P<0.05）和21.0%（P<0.05）,血清免疫球蛋白IgG分别提高6.8%、9.5%、12.2%、10.8%（P<0.05）,血清免疫球蛋白IgM分别提高9.1%,12.1%、15.2%和12.1%（P<0.05）。因此,葛藤草粉不仅能改善波杂山羊的生产性能,而且能提高波杂山羊的免疫功能;可替代紫花苜蓿,作为当地山羊的优质饲草饲料。     

不同粗蛋白质水平日粮对育肥羊小肠养分吸收率的影响

本研究旨在比较不同粗蛋白质（CP）水平日粮对育肥羔羊小肠养分吸收率的影响。选用体重30 kg左右,安装有瘤胃、十二指肠近端和回肠末端瘘管的3只哈萨克育肥羊为试验动物,采用3×3拉丁方试验设计,采用醋酸镱（Yb-Ac）、锂铬乙二胺四乙酸（LiCr-EDTA）分别作为消化道固相和液相食糜标记物测定小肠食糜流量。结果显示,增加全混合日粮中CP水平可显著提高育肥羊N的进食量、全消化道表观消化率和N沉积（P<0.05）,显著提高干物质（DM）和有机物（OM）的表观消化率（P<0.05）,但对小肠食糜流量无显著影响（P>0.05）;提高日粮CP水平对十二指肠食糜除EE和嘌呤外的营养成分流量均产生显著的影响（P<0.05）,仅对回肠食糜中CP、粗灰分（Ash）、DM、中性洗涤纤维（NDF）和酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）流量的影响显著（P<0.05）,且对CP、Ash、DM、NDF和ADF的小肠吸收率影响显著（P<0.05）。本试验为进一步深入分析增加日粮CP水平对其在育肥羊体内的消化利用奠定基础。