饲粮NDF/NFC对泌乳高峰期奶牛瘤胃甲烷排放量、营养物质表观消化率及生产性能的影响

本试验采用六氟化硫(SF6)示踪技术测定生产条件下泌乳奶牛瘤胃甲烷(CH4)排放量,旨在研究饲粮中性洗涤纤维/非纤维性碳水化合物(NDF/NFC)对泌乳高峰期奶牛甲烷排放量、营养物质表观消化率及生产性能的影响。试验选用体重(564.04±24.97)kg、胎次(1.58±0.23)胎、泌乳天数(88.00±15.32)d、产奶量(20.83±0.77)kg/d的荷斯坦奶牛12头,随机分成3组,每组4头。各组饲粮NDF/NFC分别为1.14、1.30、1.55。试验期为24 d,包括14 d预饲期和10 d正试期。结果表明:(1)低NDF组甲烷排放量、甲烷能极显著低于高NDF组(P≤0.01),甲烷/干物质采食量、甲烷能/总能摄入量在3个处理组间有极显著差异(P≤0.01);(2)各营养物质的表观消化率在3组间无显著差异(P> 0.05);(3)低NDF组日增重显著高于高NDF组(P <0.05)。综上,在不影响奶牛健康和生产性能的前提下,NDF/NFC为1.14的低NDF组饲粮能显著降低泌乳高峰期奶牛瘤胃甲烷排放量。     

不同NFC/NDF饲粮和硫胺素对奶牛瘤胃代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究不同非纤维性碳水化合物和中性洗涤纤维比(NFC/NDF)饲粮和硫胺素对荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃代谢的影响。选用3头健康状况良好且安装永久性瘤胃瘘管的荷斯坦奶牛,采用3×3完全拉丁方试验设计。试验分3期进行,每期23 d,每期中预试期20 d,正试期3 d;3个试验组分别饲喂NFC/NDF为1.41(精粗比5∶5)、NFC/NDF为2.01(精粗比7∶3)、NFC/NDF为2.01(精粗比7∶3)+180 mg/kg硫胺素的试验饲粮。结果表明:提高饲粮NFC/NDF,瘤胃液pH显著降低(P<0.05),氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度显著或极显著上升(P<0.05或P<0.01),乳酸浓度显著或极显著升高(P<0.05或P<0.01),乙酸比例(P<0.05)、乙酸/丙酸(P<0.05或P<0.01)显著或极显著降低,丙酸、丁酸比例显著或极显著上升(P<0.05或P<0.01)。高NFC/NDF饲粮添加硫胺素后,瘤胃液pH有升高趋势,差异不显著(P>0.05),NH3-N浓度显著降低(P<0.05),乳酸浓度显著或极显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),乙酸比例和乙酸/丙酸显著或极显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),丙酸比例显著或极显著升高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。由此可见,饲粮NFC/NDF的增加能够诱导瘘管奶牛产生亚急性瘤胃酸中毒,添加180 mg/kg硫胺素能够缓解这一现象。     

饲粮NDF/NFC对泌乳后期奶牛瘤胃甲烷排放量、营养物质表观消化率及生产性能的影响

为研究不同中性洗涤纤维/非纤维性碳水化合物(NDF/NFC)饲粮对泌乳后期奶牛甲烷排放量、营养物质消化率和生产性能的影响,试验选用体重(777.46±27.31)kg、胎次(1.5±0.15)胎、泌乳天数(242.92±15.28)d、产奶量(18.75±0.62)kg/d的奶牛12头,随机分配到3组,每组4头。各组饲粮NDF/NFC分别为2.10(精粗比为42:58)、1.96(精粗比为37:63)、1.52(精粗比为30:70),采用六氟化硫(SF_6)示踪技术测定自然状态下泌乳奶牛甲烷排放量。预试期14 d,正试期9 d。结果表明:饲喂不同NDF/NFC饲粮的泌乳后期奶牛甲烷排放量、甲烷能、单位干物质采食量的甲烷排放量以及单位总能摄入量的甲烷能均有显著差异;随着NDF/NFC降低,奶牛生产性能、饲料转化率和营养物质消化率无显著差异。综上,在不影响奶牛健康和生产性能的前提下,NDF/NFC为1.52的低NDF组饲料能显著降低泌乳后期奶牛瘤胃甲烷排放量。     

饲粮NDF/NFC对泌乳中期奶牛瘤胃甲烷排放量、营养物质表观消化率及生产性能的影响

试验采用六氟化硫(SF_6)示踪技术测定生产条件下泌乳奶牛瘤胃甲烷排放量,旨在研究饲粮NDF/NFC(中性洗涤纤维/非纤维性碳水化合物)对泌乳中期奶牛甲烷排放量、营养物质表观消化率和生产性能的影响。试验选用体重(649.54±18.44)kg、胎次(1.42±0.15)胎、泌乳天数(170.08±19.04)d、产奶量(18.46±0.89)kg/d的荷斯坦奶牛12头,随机分配到3组,每组4头。各组饲粮NDF/NFC分别为1.44、1.65、1.82。试验期为28 d,包括14 d预饲期和14 d正试期。结果表明:①泌乳中期奶牛瘤胃甲烷排放量、甲烷能、甲烷/干物质采食量及甲烷能/总能摄入量在3个处理组间均有极显著差异(P0.01);②低NDF组NFC的表观消化率显著高于高NDF组(P0.05);③生产性能和日增重在3组间无显著差异(P0.05)。综上,在不影响奶牛健康和生产性能的前提下,NDF/NFC为1.44的低NDF组饲粮能显著降低泌乳中期奶牛瘤胃甲烷排放量。     

不同NFC/NDF比日粮对奶山羊瘤胃pH动态变化的影响

试验采用动态pH连续监测记录系统对瘤胃pH进行24h连续监测,旨在研究不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维比(NFC/NDF比)日粮对奶山羊瘤胃pH昼夜动态变化的影响。选用6只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的关中奶山羊作为试验动物,采用自身对照试验设计,分为4期,每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比分别为1.02(Ⅰ期)、1.24(Ⅱ期)、1.63(Ⅲ期)、2.58(Ⅳ期)的4种日粮。结果表明:瘤胃pH随着日粮NFC/NDF比增加而显著降低(P<0.05),瘤胃pH<5.2、5.5、5.8、6.0的平均持续时间亦随日粮NFC/NDF比增加而延长,分别由Ⅰ期的0、0、2.42h/d和9.40h/d增加到Ⅳ期的0.33、7.50、17.06h/d和20.53h/d;瘤胃pH<5.5、5.8、6.0曲线面积亦逐步加大,分别由Ⅰ期的0、0.21和1.43(pH·h)增加到Ⅳ期的1.09、4.84和8.59(pH·h);而且瘤胃pH下降速率和下降幅度及最低值所持续的时间亦随日粮NFC/NDF比增加而增加。     

不同NFC/NDF比日粮对奶山羊瘤胃pH值动态变化的影响

试验采用动态pH值连续监测记录系统对瘤胃pH值进行24h连续监测,旨在研究不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维比（NFC/NDF比）日粮对奶山羊瘤胃pH值昼夜动态变化的影响。选用6只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的关中奶山羊作为试验动物,采用自身对照试验设计,分为4期,每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比分别为1.02（Ⅰ期）、...     

不同NFC/NDF比日粮对奶山羊瘤胃pH值动态变化的影响

试验采用动态pH值连续监测记录系统对瘤胃pH值进行24h连续监测,旨在研究不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维比(NFC/NDF比)日粮对奶山羊瘤胃pH值昼夜动态变化的影响。选用6只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的关中奶山羊作为试验动物,采用自身对照试验设计,分为4期,每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比分别为1.02(Ⅰ期)、1.24(Ⅱ期)、1.63(Ⅲ期)、2.58(Ⅳ期)的4种日粮。结果表明,瘤胃pH值随着日粮NFC/NDF比增加而显著降低(P<0.05),瘤胃pH值<5.2、5.5、5.8、6.0的平均持续时间亦随日粮NFC/NDF比增加而延长,分别由Ⅰ期的0、0、2.42和9.40h/d增加到Ⅳ期的0.33、7.50、17.06和20.53h/d;瘤胃pH值<5.5、5.8、6.0的曲线面积亦逐步加大,分别由Ⅰ期的0、0.21和1.43(pH·h)增加到Ⅳ期的1.09、4.84和8.59(pH·h);而且瘤胃pH值下降速率和下降幅度及最低值所持续的时间亦随日粮NFC/NDF比增加而增加。     

不同NFC/NDF比日粮对奶山羊瘤胃pH值动态变化的影响

试验采用动态pH值连续监测记录系统对瘤胃pH值进行24 h连续监测,旨在研究不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维比(NFC/NDF比)日粮对奶山羊瘤胃pH值昼夜动态变化的影响.选用6只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的关中奶山羊作为试验动物,采用自身对照试验设计,分为4期,每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比分别为1.02(Ⅰ期)、1.24(Ⅱ期)、1.63(Ⅲ期)、2.58(Ⅳ期)的4种日粮.结果表明,瘤胃pH值随着日粮NFC/NDF比增加而显著降低(P＜0.05),瘤胃pH值＜5.2、5.5、5.8、6.0的平均持续时间亦随日粮NFC/NDF比增加而延长,分别由Ⅰ期的0、0、2.42和9.40 h/d增加到Ⅳ期的0.33、7.50、17.06和20.53 h/d;瘤胃pH值＜5.5、5.8、6.0的曲线面积亦逐步加大,分别由Ⅰ期的0、0.21和1.43(pH·h)增加到Ⅳ期的1.09、4.84和8.59(pH·h);而且瘤胃pH值下降速率和下降幅度及最低值所持续的时间亦随日粮NFC/NDF比增加而增加.     

不同peNDF与NFC/NDF组合日粮对绵羊采食行为、瘤胃发酵和营养物质表观消化率的影响

本试验旨在研究混合日粮中不同物理有效中性洗涤纤维(peNDF)水平、非纤维性碳水化合物与中性洗涤纤维比值(NFC/NDF)对绵羊采食行为、瘤胃发酵和营养物质消化的影响,并初步探讨二者的互作效应.试验采用2×2交叉试验设计(日粮NFC/NDF水平为0.63、0.80,peNDF水平为49.85％、53.64％),选取20...     

日粮不同NFC/NDF比对奶山羊瘤胃pH、挥发性脂肪酸及乳酸含量的影响

本试验旨在探讨日粮不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维比(NFC/NDF)对奶山羊瘤胃发酵参数的影响.选择6只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的关中奶山羊作为试验动物,采用自身对照试验法,共分为4组(分4期进行).每期10 d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比分别为1.02(I期)、1.24(Ⅱ期)、1.63(Ⅲ期)、2.58(Ⅳ期)的4种日粮.结果表明,随着日粮NFC/NDF比提高瘤胃pH降低,瘤胃pH下降速率和下降幅度及pH低于5.2、5.5、5.8、6.0的持续时间随之加快、延长;瘤胃丙酸、丁酸及总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)含量随日粮NFC/NDF比提高呈增加趋势,而乙酸含量及乙酸/丙酸则呈降低趋势;血浆乙酸、丙酸、丁酸及TVFA均呈增加趋势.当日粮NFC/NDF比达2.58时,瘤胃pH在5.2～5.5之间持续时间每日达7 h以上,此时瘤胃乳酸含量较低,血浆及瘤胃TVFA含量显著提高(P<0.05).这表明,随着日粮NFC/NDF比的提高,使瘤胃逐渐处于酸性环境,改变了瘤胃发酵模式;瘤胃pH的下降主要源于瘤胃TVFA增多,而非乳酸;当日粮NFC/NDF比为2.58时,奶山羊发生亚急性瘤胃酸中毒.     

不同NFC/NDF比对奶山羊瘤胃微生物及瘤胃pH值变化的影响

试验研究了在不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维（NFC/NDF）比饲粮条件下诱发奶山羊亚急性瘤胃酸中毒（subacute rumen acidosis,SARA）过程中瘤胃微生物区系和瘤胃pH值的变化。该试验选用6只安装了永久性瘤胃瘘管的泌乳期关中奶山羊为试验动物,采用自身对照试验法,共分4期进行,每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比为1.02（Ⅰ期）、1.24（Ⅱ期）、1.63（Ⅲ期）、2.58（Ⅳ期）的4种饲粮,以逐渐增加饲粮精料的方法诱导奶山羊发生SARA。结果表明,随着饲粮NFC/NDF比的增大,瘤胃pH值显著降低（P〈0.05）,并且瘤胃pH值下降幅度也随之加快;随着饲粮NFC/NDF比的增加,淀粉分解菌的数量增幅最显著（P〈0.01）;饲粮NFC/NDF比为1.63时,瘤胃细菌总数、乳酸杆菌及坏死梭形杆菌的数量显著增加（P〈0.05）,当该比值为2.58时,埃氏巨型球菌和反刍兽新月单胞菌的数量出现显著增多（P〈0.05）;原虫数量在Ⅳ期降至最低,而牛链球菌的数量在整个试验期并未出现明显的波动。饲粮NFC/NDF比为1.63时,瘤胃内与碳水化合物分解有关的多数细菌的数量明显增加,SARA期时增幅更为明显,而此时原虫数量为最低。     

不同NFC/NDF比对奶山羊瘤胃微生物及瘤胃pH值变化的影响

试验研究了在不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维(NFC/NDF)比饲粮条件下诱发奶山羊亚急性瘤胃酸中毒(subacute rumen acidosis,SARA)过程中瘤胃微生物区系和瘤胃pH值的变化。该试验选用6只安装了永久性瘤胃瘘管的泌乳期关中奶山羊为试验动物,采用自身对照试验法,共分4期进行,每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比为1.02(Ⅰ期)、1.24(Ⅱ期)、1.63(Ⅲ期)、2.58(Ⅳ期)的4种饲粮,以逐渐增加饲粮精料的方法诱导奶山羊发生SARA。结果表明,随着饲粮NFC/NDF比的增大,瘤胃pH值显著降低(P<0.05),并且瘤胃pH值下降幅度也随之加快;随着饲粮NFC/NDF比的增加,淀粉分解菌的数量增幅最显著(P<0.01);饲粮NFC/NDF比为1.63时,瘤胃细菌总数、乳酸杆菌及坏死梭形杆菌的数量显著增加(P<0.05),当该比值为2.58时,埃氏巨型球菌和反刍兽新月单胞菌的数量出现显著增多(P<0.05);原虫数量在Ⅳ期降至最低,而牛链球菌的数量在整个试验期并未出现明显的波动。饲粮NFC/NDF比为1.63时,瘤胃内与碳水化合物分解有关的多数细菌的数量明显增加,SARA期时增幅更为明显,而此时原虫数量为最低。     

绞股蓝皂甙对体外瘤胃微生物甲烷产量及发酵特性的影响

利用体外产气量法研究绞股蓝皂甙对山羊瘤胃微生物体外甲烷产量及发酵特性的影响。试验包括2个部分,试验一研究了绞股蓝皂甙对瘤胃微生物甲烷产量及发酵特性的影响,试验二分析绞股蓝皂甙对瘤胃微生物发酵动力学参数的影响。试验以0.42 g羊草＋0.126 g玉米＋0.054 g豆粕为发酵底物,60 mL培养基中的绞股蓝皂甙添加量分别为0(对照),5,10,20和40 mg,发酵24 h。与对照组比较,发酵8 h,各处理组甲烷浓度显著下降(P<0.05),分别下降30.20％,43.49％,44.67％和75.8％;12 h,20 mg组显著下降(P<0.05),40 mg组极显著下降(P<0.01),处理组甲烷浓度分别下降6.97％,9.63％,18.90％和61.82％;24 h,10 mg组显著下降(P<0.05),40 mg组极显著下降(P<0.01),处理组甲烷浓度分别下降2.34％,9.39％,6.90％和20.73％,甲烷浓度与皂甙剂量之间有极显著的线性效应(P<0.01)。10 mg组的氢利用率极显著低于对照组,其他试验组无显著变化。10 mg组显著提高了TVFA及乙酸、丙酸、异丁酸、戊酸、异戊酸和支链脂肪酸浓度(P<0.05),40 mg组丁酸的浓度极显著下降(P<0.01)。10 mg组和20 mg组乙丙比显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。随着皂甙剂量增加,乙酸、丁酸、异丁酸、戊酸、异戊酸、支链脂肪酸、总挥发性脂肪酸浓度及乙丙比呈显著或极显著的二次方效应,丁酸同时具有极显著的线性效应。处理组原虫数量显著(P<0.05)或极显著下降(P<0.01)(40 mg组),且与皂甙剂量间存在极显著的线性和二次方效应(P<0.01)。微生物蛋白含量没有显著变化,但呈上升趋势。10 mg组和40 mg组的氨态氮浓度显著升高(P<0.05),氨态氮浓度与皂甙剂量之间有显著的线性效应(P<0.05)。高剂量绞股蓝皂甙降低了微生物发酵的理论与实际产气量,并呈显著的线性和二次方效应,产气速率与皂甙剂量之间有着显著的线性效应。以上结果表明绞股蓝皂甙能改变瘤胃微生物发酵模式,降低瘤胃微生物的甲烷产量,提高VFA的产量,有利于饲料能量的利用,同时缓解甲烷对大气环境的污染。     

Effects of rumen‐protected folic acid and dietary protein level on growth performance,ruminal fermentation,nutrient digestibility and hepatic gene expression of dairy calves

This study evaluated the effects of rumen‐protected folic acid (RPFA) supplementation and dietary protein level on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and hepatic gene expression in calves. Forty Holstein male calves (161 ± 5.7 days of age and 192 ± 5.4 kg of body weight) were assigned to one of four groups in a randomized experimental design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Moderate crude protein (130.1 g CP/kg [MCP] or high crude protein (150.2 g CP/kg [HCP]) diets were fed without (RPFA?) or with 3.6 mg FA (RPFA+) as RPFA per kg dietary dry matter (DM). Calves were fed a total mixed ration with a corn silage to concentrate ratio of 50:50 on a DM basis. The CP×RPFA interaction was not significant for any of the studied variables. The unchanged DM intake, higher average daily gain and lower feed conversion ratio were observed for HCP or RPFA+. Ruminal pH was lower, and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration was higher for HCP or RPFA+. Acetate proportion was higher, and propionate proportion was lower for HCP or RPFA+. As a result, the higher acetate to propionate ratio was observed. Ruminal ammonia N was higher for HCP, but was lower with RPFA supplementation. The higher digestibility of DM, OM, CP and NDF was observed. Blood glucose and insulin were unchanged, but albumin, total protein, GH and IGF‐1 were higher. Similarly, the higher hepatic expression of GH, IGF‐1, GHR, IGF‐1R, PI3K, mTOR and P70S6K was observed for HCP or RPFA+. The results indicated that increasing dietary CP content or supplementation with RPFA promoted growth performance of calves by improving nutrient utilization and up‐regulating hepatic expression of gene related to protein synthesis.     

日粮不同NFC/NDF比对奶山羊瘤胃pH值、挥发性脂肪酸及乳酸含量的影响

试验旨在探讨日粮不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维比（NFC/NDF）对奶山羊瘤胃发酵参数的影响。选择6只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的关中奶山羊作为试验动物,采用自身对照试验法,共分为4组（分4期进行）,每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比分别为1.02（Ⅰ期）、1.24（Ⅱ期）、1.63（Ⅲ期）、2.58（Ⅳ期）的4种日粮。结果表明,随着日粮NFC/NDF比的提高瘤胃pH值降低,瘤胃pH值下降速率和下降幅度及pH值低于5.2、5.5、5.8、6.0的持续时间随之加快、延长;瘤胃丙酸、丁酸及总挥发性脂肪酸（TVFA）含量随日粮NFC/NDF比提高呈增加趋势,而乙酸含量及乙酸/丙酸则呈降低趋势;血浆乙酸、丙酸、丁酸及TVFA均呈增加趋势。当日粮NFC/NDF比达2.58时,瘤胃pH值在5.2～5.5之间持续时间每日达7h以上,此时瘤胃乳酸含量较低,血浆及瘤胃TVFA含量显著提高（P〈0.05）。结果表明,随着日粮NFC/NDF比的提高,使瘤胃逐渐处于酸性环境,改变了瘤胃发酵模式;瘤胃pH值的下降主要源于瘤胃TVFA增多,而非乳酸;当日粮NFC/NDF比为2.58时,奶山羊发生亚急性瘤胃酸中毒。     

日粮不同NFC/NDF比对奶山羊瘤胃pH值、挥发性脂肪酸及乳酸含量的影响

试验旨在探讨日粮不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维比(NFC/NDF)对奶山羊瘤胃发酵参数的影响。选择6只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的关中奶山羊作为试验动物,采用自身对照试验法,共分为4组(分4期进行),每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比分别为1.02(Ⅰ期)、1.24(Ⅱ期)、1.63(Ⅲ期)、2.58(Ⅳ期)的4种日粮。结果表明,随着日粮NFC/NDF比的提高瘤胃pH值降低,瘤胃pH值下降速率和下降幅度及pH值低于5.2、5.5、5.8、6.0的持续时间随之加快、延长;瘤胃丙酸、丁酸及总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)含量随日粮NFC/NDF比提高呈增加趋势,而乙酸含量及乙酸/丙酸则呈降低趋势;血浆乙酸、丙酸、丁酸及TVFA均呈增加趋势。当日粮NFC/NDF比达2.58时,瘤胃pH值在5.2～5.5之间持续时间每日达7h以上,此时瘤胃乳酸含量较低,血浆及瘤胃TVFA含量显著提高(P<0.05)。结果表明,随着日粮NFC/NDF比的提高,使瘤胃逐渐处于酸性环境,改变了瘤胃发酵模式;瘤胃pH值的下降主要源于瘤胃TVFA增多,而非乳酸;当日粮NFC/NDF比为2.58时,奶山羊发生亚急性瘤胃酸中毒。     

Effects of cyclodextrin-iodopropane complex on methane production, ruminal fermentation and microbes, digestibility and blood metabolites in steers

The effects when adding cyclodextrin‐iodopropane complex (CD‐IP) to a diet, on ruminal fermentation and microbes, digestibility, blood metabolites and methane production, were evaluated using four Holstein steers in a cross‐over design. The steers were fed Sudangrass hay plus concentrate mixture at a ratio 1.5:1, and CD‐IP (1% of dry matter) was given twice daily by mixing with concentrate mixture. Rumen and blood samples were collected at 0, 2, and 5 h after morning dosing. Ruminal pH and numbers of protozoa were unaffected by CD‐IP treatment. Ruminal molar proportion of acetate was decreased (P < 0.05), and propionate was increased (P < 0.01) at 2 h after CD‐IP dosing. Proportion of butyrate was increased (P < 0.05) and ammonia‐N was decreased (P < 0.05) at 2 and 5 h after CD‐IP dosing. Adding CD‐IP had no effect on the feed intake and digestion of nutrients. Plasma glucose was increased and urea‐N was decreased (P < 0.05) at 2 and 5 h after CD‐IP dosing. Methane production was decreased (P < 0.05) by approximately 18% in the treatment steers. Numbers of methanogenic bacteria were decreased (P < 0.05), while total viable counts, cellulolytic, sulfate reducing and acetogenic bacteria were unaffected. The present results are the first to show that CD‐IP can partially inhibit in vivo ruminal methanogenesis without adverse effects on digestion of nutrients.     

Effect of cyclodextrin diallyl maleate on methane production, ruminal fermentation and microbes in vitro and in vivo

Effects of β‐cyclodextrin diallyl maleate (CD‐M) on methane production, ruminal fermentation and digestibility were studied both in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro study, diluted ruminal fluid (30 mL) was incubated anaerobically at 38°C for 6 and 24 h with or without CD‐M using hay plus concentrate (1.5:1) as a substrate. The CD‐M was added at different concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g/L). The pH of the medium and numbers of protozoa were not affected by the addition of CD‐M. Total volatile fatty acids were increased and ammonia‐N was decreased, molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased (P < 0.05) by CD‐M. Methane was inhibited (P < 0.05) by 14–76%. The effect of CD‐M on methane production and ruminal fermentation was further investigated in vivo using four Holstein steers in a cross‐over design. The steers were fed Sudangrass hay and concentrate mixture (1.5:1) with or without CD‐M (2% of feed dry matter) as a supplement. Ruminal proportion of acetate tended to decrease and that of propionate was increased (P < 0.05) 2 h after CD‐M dosing. Total viable counts, cellulolytic, sulfate reducing, acetogenic bacteria and protozoa were unaffected while methanogenic bacteria were decreased (P < 0.05) by CD‐M. The plasma concentration of glucose was increased, whereas that of urea‐N was decreased (P < 0.05). Methane was inhibited (P < 0.05) from 36.4 to 30.1 L/kg dry matter intake by the addition of CD‐M. Apparent digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber were not affected while that of crude protein was increased (P < 0.05) in the medicated steers. These data suggested that dietary supplementation of CD‐M decreased methane production and improved nutrient use.