Ruminal fermentation and degradation patterns, protozoa population, and urinary purine derivatives excretion in goats and wethers fed diets based on two-stage olive cake: effect of PEG supply

Three experiments were conducted in Granadina goats and Segure?a wethers fed at maintenance level to evaluate the effect of including a mixture of barley and a new by-product derived from olive oil extraction (two-stage dried olive cake) on ruminal degradation and passage kinetics (Exp. 1), fermentation pattern and protozoa population (Exp. 2), and urinary purine derivatives excretion (Exp. 3). Polyethylene glycol was supplied to the animals to evaluate the effects of tannins contained in the by-product. The experimental diets were as follows: alfalfa hay and alfalfa hay plus a concentrate, formulated with two-stage dried olive cake, barley, and a mineral-vitamin mixture either with or without the addition of polyethylene glycol to the drinking water. The inclusion of two-stage dried olive cake in the diet resulted in an increase of condensed tannins. Ruminal VFA concentration in goats and wethers increased (P < 0.05) and ammonia N (NH3-N) concentration decreased (P < 0.05). The inclusion of two-stage dried olive cake decreased (P < 0.001) urinary allantoin excretion only in wethers. Ruminal degradation profiles and fractional passage rates were similar in goats and wethers. The polyethylene glycol supply increased (P < 0.001) DM and N degradation rates in both animal species but did not modify the fractional passage rate. Ruminal fermentation patterns were also similar in goats and wethers and were affected by polyethylene glycol supply. In general, Entodiniomorphida and Holotricha protozoa counts were higher (P < 0.05) in the rumen of goats than of wethers. Protozoa count in wethers responded more to polyethylene glycol supply than in goats. The present work presents the first data obtained from a comparative study with sheep and goats concerning urinary excretion of purine derivatives. The excretion was similar in both animal species when fed alfalfa hay; however, polyethylene glycol affected only urinary allantoin excretion in wethers. Results suggest a greater sensitivity of wethers than of goats to two-stage olive cake condensed tannins.     

A comparative study of nutrients utilization, alkaline phosphatase activity and creatinine concentration in the serum of sheep and goats fed diets based on olive leaves

The aim of this study was to compare, in goats and wethers, the nutritive utilization of diets including olive leaves (OL) and the possible detrimental effect of that by-product. Three different diets were studied: OL, OL plus polyethylene glycol (PEG) (OLP) and OL supplemented with barley [164 g/kg dry matter (DM)] and faba beans (59 g/kg DM) (OLSUP). Apparent digestibility of nutrients and energy and nitrogen balances were determined along with creatinine concentrations and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the serum. The apparent digestibility of OL was low and similar in goats and wethers (54.4% and 53.5%, 22.2% and 21.6% and, 47.7% and 46.6% for DM, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre in goats and wethers, respectively). The addition of PEG did not improve (p > 0.05) digestibility of OL, although a slightly beneficial effect on the digestion of structural carbohydrates was observed (up to 8.4% and 7.10% in goats and wethers, respectively). The supplementation of OL with barley and faba beans increased (p < 0.001) the apparent digestibility of nutrients and the energy value. The consumption of the OL led to high ALP activity in the serum. Despite the higher sensitivity of wethers to Cu levels, our results show a similar digestive use of OL by wethers and goats and suggest the need of further comparative investigations focusing on the effect of the presence of high Cu levels in the by-product on the animal health.     

Ruminal fermentation,microbial growth and amino acid flow in single‐flow continuous culture fermenters fed a diet containing olive leaves

Six single‐flow continuous culture fermenters were used to determine fermentation profile, microbial growth and amino acid (AA) flow promoted by olive leaves supplemented with barley grains and faba beans (OLSUP), and alfalfa hay (AH). Two incubation runs were carried out with three fermenters inoculated with ruminal fluid from wethers and three from goats. The inoculum source did not affect (p = 0.059 to 0.980) any of the parameters. Daily volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and carbohydrate digestibility were greater (p = 0.009 and 0.024, respectively) for AH, therefore the pH values were lower (p = 0.015) than for OLSUP. Acetate was greater (p < 0.001) and isobutyrate, isovalerate and caproate lower (p < 0.001 to 0.006) for AH with greater acetate/propionate (p = 0.014) and ‘VFA/digested carbohydrate’ (p = 0.026) ratios. Daily microbial N flow and efficiency were greater (p = 0.016 and p = 0.041) for diet AH. Individual AA flows were greater (p < 0.001 to 0.016) for AH, but microbial essential AA proportion was greater for OLSUP (p = 0.015). The results indicate that OLSUP promoted lower bacterial growth and AA flow than AH, which could have been partially due to a limitation of N availability to ruminal microbes.     

Methodological impact of starch determination on starch content and ileal digestibility of starch in grain legumes for growing pigs

Background: Grain legumes represent a valuable energy source in pig diets due to their high starch content. The present study was conducted to determine the content and apparent ileal digestibility(AID) of starch in different grain legume cultivars for pigs by means of both a polarimetric and enzymatic method for starch determination.Methods: Three experiments were conducted with six barrows each which were fitted with ileal T-cannulas. In total, 18 diets including six different cultivars of faba beans(Vicia faba L.) and peas(Pisum sativum L.), five different cultivars of lupins(Lupinus luteus L., Lupinus angustifolius L.), and one diet with a soybean meal(SBM) were fed.Results: The starch content of faba beans and peas was greater(P 0.05) when determined polarimetrically than enzymatically(438 vs. 345 g/kg dry matter(DM) in faba beans and 509 vs. 390 g/kg DM in peas, respectively).Considerable lower starch contents were obtained in lupins and SBM, with 82 and 48 g/kg DM(analyzed polarimetrically) and 1.1 and 3 g/kg DM(analyzed enzymatically), respectively. Mean values for contents of neutral detergent fiber(NDF) and acid detergent fiber(ADF) in grain legumes ranged from 111 and 79 g/kg DM in peas to248 and 207 g/kg DM in lupins, respectively. Contents of condensed tannins in the colored flowered faba bean cultivars ranged from 2.1 to 7.4 g/kg DM. The AID of starch was greater(P 0.05) in pea than in faba bean cultivars,and using the polarimetric starch determination method resulted in greater(P 0.05) digestibility values than using enzymatic starch analysis(84 vs. 80% in faba beans and 86 vs. 83% in peas). Moreover, AID of starch differed(P 0.05)within pea cultivars and starch digestibility in faba beans decreased linearly(P 0.05) as the content of condensed tannins increased. However, there was no relationship between contents of NDF and ADF and AID of starch in pea and faba bean cultivars.Conclusion: Both contents and AID of starch in grain legumes can vary as influenced by the analytical method used for starch determination. Generally, starch digestibility is greater when measured by polarimetric rather than enzymatic methods.     

Condensed tannins and nutrient utilization by lambs and goats fed low-quality diets.

In the first of two experiments, four wether lambs (BW = 26.8 kg) and four wether Angora goats (BW = 31.7 kg) were used in two simultaneous 4 x 4 Latin squares to study the influence of condensed tannins (CT) on nutrient usage and concentrations of serum urea N, somatotropin (GH), and insulin (INS) when the animals were fed low-quality diets containing mountain mahogany (MM; Cercocarpus montanus) leaves. Diets were 8% CP and contained 25% or 50% MM (with hay or straw, respectively), either untreated or treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG; molecular weight 3,350) to reduce total reactive CT. Diets treated with PEG and 25% MM diets had less (P less than .05) CT than diets without PEG or those with 50% MM. Diets containing 50% MM resulted in greater N balance and lower serum urea N (P less than .01) than 25% MM diets. Concentrations of GH and INS were similar in animals fed the 25% and 50% MM diets. Reducing CT by adding PEG did not affect N balance or improve nutrient digestion by lambs or goats fed low-quality diets. In Exp. 2, four wether lambs (BW = 28.4 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square and fed the same diets as animals in Exp. 1 to study the influence of CT on ruminal fermentation and digesta kinetics. Dietary PEG treatment did not affect digesta kinetics except for a 30% increase in ruminal volume; 50% MM diets had faster particulate passage rates (P less than .05) than 25% MM diets. Ruminal ammonia N was greater (P less than .01) in lambs fed PEG-containing or 25% MM diets; however, rate of in situ NDF disappearance was not reduced by the lower ammonia N in the latter diets.     

Effects of alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment of wheat straw on site and extent of digestion in sheep

Two experiments (4 X 4 Latin squares) were conducted, using four multiple-cannulated wethers (mean body weight, 65 kg), to determine effects of treating wheat straw (WS) with alkaline solutions (pH 11.5) of hydrogen peroxide (AHP; .26 g hydrogen peroxide/g WS) on site and extent of nutrient digestion in sheep. Diets contained either 33 to 37% (low WS) or 70 to 72% (high WS) AHP-treated (T) or non-treated (C) WS. Treatment of WS with AHP resulted in increased acid detergent fiber and cellulose concentrations and decreased acid detergent lignin (ADL) concentrations compared with non-treated WS. In Exp. 1, intakes were held constant at approximately 1,044 g dry matter (DM)/d. When fed AHP-treated WS diets, wethers digested more (P less than .05) DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and cellulose in the stomach (54.8, 47.4, 51.6 and 20.0%; 65.6, 68.8, 51.5 and 37.2%; 66.6, 74.2, 45.2 and 40.7% of intake, respectively, for low WS-T, high WS-T, low WS-C and high WS-C diets) and in the total tract (83.0, 74.8, 68.4 and 50.0%; 81.8, 81.0, 53.9 and 42.1%; 85.2, 86.9, 50.2 and 47.6%, respectively, for the low WS-T, high WS-T, low WS-C and high WS-C diets), and had lower (P less than .05) ruminal pH than when fed the non-treated WS diets. In Exp. 2, the same wethers were fed diets similar to those fed in Exp. 1, but at ad libitum intake. Wethers consumed less (P less than .05) feed when fed the high WS-C diet than when fed the other three diets (2,234, 2,526, 2,271 and 1,297 g/d for the low WS-T, high WS-T, low WS-C and high WS-C diets, respectively). Digestibilities of DM, NDF and cellulose were higher (P less than .05) when sheep were fed the treated WS diets than when fed the non-treated WS diets (82.7, 70.7, 68.4 and 58.0%; 78.6, 72.9, 49.4 and 51.6%; 78.0, 84.0, 53.8 and 37.5%, respectively, for the low WS-T, high WS-T, low WS-C and high WS-C diets). Fluid and particulate dilution rates in the rumen were higher (P less than .08) when wethers consumed AHP-treated WS diets compared with non-treated WS diets (8.21, 8.56, 6.96 and 6.81%/h; 6.06, 6.73, 4.05 and 3.15%/h, respectively, for the low WS-T, high WS-T, low WS-C and high WS-C diets). The AHP treatment was successful in overcoming the major barriers to microbial degradation of WS in the gastrointestinal tract of wethers.     

Effect of level of intake and supplemental barley on marker estimates of fecal output using an intraruminal continuous-release chromic oxide bolus

Sixty wethers (average BW = 45 kg) fitted with fecal collection bags were used in four experiments to evaluate the ability of a intraruminal continuous-release chromic oxide bolus to predict fecal DM output. In Exp. 1, 18 wethers housed in metabolism crates were fed barley at either 0, 100, or 200g/d and allowed ad libitum consumption of alfalfa pellets. In Exp. 2, 18 wethers were housed in metabolism crates and fed alfalfa pellets at either 70, 85, or 125% of pre-study ad libitum consumption. In Exp. 3, 12 wethers grazed a sagebrush-bunchgrass range and were individually fed barley at 0 or 200 g/d. In Exp. 4, 12 wethers grazed either an ungrazed (383 kg/ha herbaceous biomass) or a heavily grazed (175 kg/ha herbaceous biomass) sagebrush-bunchgrass range. Experiments 1 and 2 were balanced 3 x 3 Latin squares, and Exp. 3 and 4 were crossover designs. Chromium content was determined in rectal grab samples. Treatment effects were compared using marker-estimated fecal output divided by total fecal collection, multiplied by 100, as the dependent variable. Accuracy of the estimate was verified by comparing marker-estimated fecal output with total fecal collection using a paired t-test. In Exp. 1 and 2, treatments were different (P less than .05). No differences (P greater than .50) were detected in Exp. 3 and 4. In Exp. 1, 2, and 3 accuracy was different (P less than .02) among wethers within study and treatment. Only in Study 4 were minor or no differences (P greater than .09) in accuracy found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Chemical composition,nitrogen degradability and in vitro ruminal biological activity of tannins in vines harvested from four tropical sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) varieties

This study investigated the potential of vines from four sweet potato varieties (Tia Nong 57, Tia Nong 66, Ligwalagwala and Kenya) as alternative feed resources for ruminant livestock. The chemical composition [neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), crude protein (CP) and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN)], in vitro ruminal nitrogen (N) degradability and in vitro ruminal biological activity of tannins in the vines, harvested at 70 and 110 days after planting (DAP), were determined. Variety and harvesting stage did not (p > 0.05) influence CP and NDF content of the vines. Concentration of CP ranged from 104.9 to 212.2 g/kg DM, while NDF ranged from 439.4 to 529.2 g/kg DM across harvesting stages and varieties. Nitrogen degradability (ND) at 70 and 110 DAP was highest (p < 0.05) in Ligwalagwala (743.1 and 985.0 g/kg DM, respectively). Treatment of vines with tannin‐binding polyethylene glycol (PEG) increased (p < 0.05) in vitro ruminal cumulative gas production parameters (a, b and c). The in vitro ruminal biological activity of tannins, as measured by increment in gas production parameters upon PEG inclusion, had a maximum value of 18.2%, suggesting low to moderate antinutritional tannin activity. Ligwalagwala vines, with highly degradable N, would be the best protein supplement to use during the dry season when ruminant animals consume low N basal diets and maintenance is an acceptable production objective. Tia Nong 66 and Kenya varieties, with less degradable N, may be more suitable for use as supplements for high‐producing animals such as dairy goats.     

Effects of the inclusion of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae plus growth medium) in the diet of dairy cows on milk yield and forage degradation and fermentation patterns in the rumen of steers

The effects of including yeast culture (YC; Saccharomyces cerevisae plus growth medium; 5 x 10(9) organisms/g) in diets for ruminants was examined in two experiments. In Exp. 1, 32 multiparous Friesian dairy cows were fed between wk 7 to 12 of lactation one of four completely mixed diets based on either hay or straw plus rolled barley (mixed to give concentrate:forage ratios of either 50:50 or 60:40, respectively) with or without 10 g YC/d in a 2(3) factorial design. Supplementation with YC increased DM intake of the cows by a mean of 1.2 kg/d (P less than or equal to .062) and increased milk yield by 1.4 liters/d (corrected to 4% butterfat; P less than or equal to .05). There was an interaction (P less than .05) between diet composition and YC addition; effects of YC were greatest in diets containing 60:40 (concentrate:forage) ratio. In Exp. 2, three steers were fed a diet of 50% hay and 50% rolled barley (DM basis). Hay was available for the major part of the day but barley was fed in two meals/d. Addition of YC to the diet increased (P less than .05) ruminal pH for 4 h after the barley meal. This elevation in pH probably was due to a reduction (P less than or equal to .01) in the concentration of L-lactate in the ruminal liquor of steers given YC (1.43 vs 3.55 mM; P less than or equal to .01). Peak ruminal L-lactate concentration (7.75 mM) in the controls coincided with time of minimum pH values (2 h after the meal of barley); this peak was absent in steers given YC. YC had no effect on the concentration of VFA in ruminal liquor, but the ratio of acetate to propionate was reduced (P less than or equal to .01) from 3.3:1 to 2.8:1 in steers given YC. The extent of DM degradation of hay incubated in the rumen of steers fed the hay and rolled barley diet was increased (P less than .05) in the presence of YC at 12 h of incubation, but degradation was similar in all treatment groups after 24 h of incubation. Presence of yeast culture in the rumen had effects on ruminal stoichiometry. An increased rate of forage degradation may have increased forage intake and productivity of these dairy cows.     

Fermentation characteristics and microbial growth promoted by diets including two-phase olive cake in continuous fermenters

Two‐phase olive cake (2POC) is the by‐product obtained from the so called ‘two‐phase’ procedure to extract olive oil by mechanical methods. After the mechanical extraction the 2POC is dried and most of the remaining oil extracted by chemical means. The production of the crude by‐product may reach more than 4 millions t/year in Spain ( MAPA, 2003 ), most of it in areas (Southeast) with shortage of pastures and conventional feeds for ruminants. Six continuous fermenters, inoculated with ruminal liquor from wethers or goats, were fed lucerne hay (LH); LH plus a concentrate including dried two‐phase olive cake (LHCO) and; diet LHCO added with polyethylene glycol (LHCOP). The highest pH values and ammonia N (NH₃‐N) output were found in fermenters fed diet LH (6.19 and 6.35 for pH, and 53.7 and 68.9 mg NH₃N/day, respectively, in fermentes inoculated with rumen liquor from sheep and goats) without differences due to the inoculum origin. The digestibility of carbohydrates (CHO) was affected (p < 0.001) by inoculum (67.0 and 58.8%, respectively, for goats and wethers) the lowest values being for diet LHCO (53.2 and 57.0% with inoculum from wethers and goats, respectively). The main volatile fatty acid (VFA) was acetic acid with higher (p < 0.01) values in fermenters with inoculum from goats than from wethers (80.2 and 63.0 mmol/day respectively). The efficiency of bacterial protein synthesis (EBS) was not different (p > 0.05) with inoculum from wethers and goats [26.4 and 28.1 and 35.2 and 33.5 g bacterial N/kg digested CHO, respectively, obtained by using diamino pimelic acid (DAPA) and purine bases (PB) as microbial markers]. The lowest (p < 0.05) values were found in fermenters fed diets LHCOP and LH, estimated, respectively, from DAPA and PB (21.9 and 29.0 g bacterial N/kg digested CHO). The substitution of a part of lucerne hay by a concentrate including dried 2POC does not seem to cause important differences in efficiency of VFA production. Results concerning bacterial protein synthesis are not so clear since values estimated from DAPA and PB did not show similar trends. Neither inoculum origin nor PEG had important effects on fermentation characteristics. The DAPA could be an adequate marker in continuous fermenters, with comparative purposes, as protozoa are not present and, estimated protein synthesis values are similar to those obtained in vivo with similar diets using urinary excretion of PD ( Yáñez Ruiz et al., 2004b ). Further research is needed to state the optimal proportion of 2POC in practical diets for ruminants at both maintenance and production stages.     

The chemical composition of Phyllanthus discoideus and its effect on the ruminal ammonia and volatile fatty acid concentration when fed to west African dwarf sheep.

The feeding value of Phyllanthus discoideus (also called Margaritaria discoidea) leaves was evaluated using eight two-year-old West African Dwarf sheep fed natural grass hay. Four of the animals were fistulated ruminally and used for ammonia and volatile fatty acid determination in the fluid. Dried leaves of Phyllanthus discoideus were offered at two levels (25% and 50% of DMI, diets D25% and D50%, respectively) as supplements to the basal hay diet. The CP content of the control, D25% and D50% diets were 11.5, 12.6 and 13.6%, respectively, and their digestible energy amounted to 58.2, 61.1 and 56.9%, respectively. Rumen liquor was sampled one hour before and one, three and five hours after the morning feeding. Sheep fed the control diet had a higher ruminal ammonia concentration than those fed diet D25%. Similarly, ruminal ammonia concentration was higher in sheep fed the control diet than those fed the diet D50%. Five hours after feeding the ruminal ammonia concentration was significantly lower than one hour after feeding. The VFA concentrations in rumen fluid of sheep fed the control diet was inferior to those fed diets D25% and D50%. Sheep fed diet D50% showed significantly higher VFA concentrations than those fed diet D25%. Digestibility of organic matter and digestible energy did not show any significant difference. However, a marginal increase in organic matter digestibility of 3.5% was observed in diet D25% compared with the control diet. There was no significant difference in the N-digestibility in sheep fed the control, D25% and D50% diets. Nevertheless, a marginal improvement in N-digestibility (1.5%) and N-retention (2.7%) was observed with the highest level of Phyllanthus discoideus (D50%). In conclusion, Phyllanthus discoideus appears as a particularly valuable feedstuff because it contains low levels of condensed tannins (12.8 g/kg), high CP content (156 g/kg) and a relatively high GE content (19.3 kJ/g DM). Although the improvement in N-digestibility and N-retention were only marginal the feeding of Phyllanthus discoideus could be justified under extreme shortage of feed resources during dry season. It should also be mentioned that a much more pronounced effect by supplementation with Phyllanthus discoideus could be expected when poor quality grass hay prevalent in West Africa during the dry season is fed. Phyllanthus discoideus could serve as a supplement to poor quality grass at 25% to 50% of supplementation.     

Palatability of wethers fed an 80% barley diet processed at different ages and of yearling wethers grazed on native range

Seasonal availability of lamb in the Western United States contributes to a large fluctuation in lamb supply and value. However, alternatives to fall marketing may not be practical unless palatability traits are acceptable. A 3-yr study was conducted to investigate 1) the effects of slaughter age (7 to 8; 10 to 11; or 14 to 15 mo) on carcass and palatability characteristics of wethers fed an 80% barley diet (Exp. 1); and 2) the effects of finishing on range or on an 80% barley diet on carcass and palatability traits of 14- to 15-mo-old wethers (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, no differences (P = .27) were detected in flavor intensity or longissimus muscle area among slaughter age groups, but fat depth was greater (P < .05) for 7- to 8-mo-old wethers than for 10- to 11- or 14- to 15-mo-old wethers. Year x slaughter age interactions were detected (P < .10) for hot carcass weight, Warner-Bratzler shear value, body wall thickness, and percentage kidney fat. Hot carcass weight was greater (P < .05) for 14- to 15-mo-old wethers than for both groups of younger wethers in yr 1, did not differ (P = .53) among slaughter ages in yr 2, and was greater (P < .05) for 10- to 11- than for 14- to 15-mo-old wethers in yr 3. Warner-Bratzler shear values did not differ (P > .10) among slaughter ages in yr 1 and 3, but shear values for 14- to 15-mo-old wethers were greater (P < .05) than for both younger slaughter age groups in yr 2. Percentage kidney fat was lower (P < .05) for 14- to 15- than for 7- to 8-mo-old wethers in all years. In Exp. 2, flavor intensity of the meat did not differ (P = .35) between finishing systems, but longissimus muscle area was greater (P = .02) for range-finished wethers than for wethers fed an 80% barley diet. Year x finishing treatment interactions were detected (P < .10) for shear values, body wall thickness, percentage kidney fat, and fat depth. Shear values were greater (P = .10) for range-finished wethers than for wethers fed an 80% barley diet in yr 1, but did not differ (P > .55) in yr 2 and 3. Body wall and fat measurements were greater (P < .10) for wethers fed an 80% barley diet than for range-finished wethers in all years except yr 3, when fat depth did not differ (P = .47). Overall, slaughtering wethers fed an 80% barley diet or range-finished wethers at older ages produced acceptable carcasses with desirable meat palatability traits.     

Effects of alfalfa extract, anise, capsicum, and a mixture of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol on ruminal fermentation and protein degradation in beef heifers fed a high-concentrate diet

Four Holstein heifers (360 +/- 22 and 450 +/- 28 kg of BW in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively) fitted with ruminal trocars were used in 4 x 4 Latin square designs to evaluate the effects on ruminal microbial fermentation of the following: Exp. 1, no additive, alfalfa extract (30 g/d, AEX), a mixture of cinnamaldehyde (0.18 g/d) and eugenol (0.09 g/d; CIE1), and AEX and CIE1 in combination; and Exp. 2, no additive, anise oil (2 g/d), capsicum oil (1 g/d), and a mixture of cinnamaldehyde (0.6 g/d) and eugenol (0.3 g/d). Heifers were fed a 90:10 concentrate:barley straw diet (16% CP; 25% NDF) for ad libitum intake. Each period consisted of 15 d for adaptation and 6 d for sampling. On d 16 to 18, DM and water intakes were measured. On d 19 to 21 ruminal contents were sampled at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h after feeding to determine ruminal pH and the concentrations of VFA, L-lactate, large peptides, small peptides plus AA (SPep+AA), and ammonia N. On d 20 and 21, samples of ruminal fluid were collected at 0 and 3 h after feeding to determine protozoal counts. In Exp. 1, CIE1 and AEX decreased (P < 0.05) total DMI, concentrate DMI, and water intake. The increase (P < 0.05) in SPep+AA and the decrease (P < 0.05) in ammonia N when supplementing CIE1 suggest that deamination was inhibited. Treatment AEX increased (P < 0.05) the acetate to propionate ratio, which is less efficient for beef production. Treatment CIE1 increased (P < 0.05) counts of holotrichs. Effects of AEX and CIE1 were not additive for many of the measured metabolites. In Exp. 2, treatments had no effect on ruminal pH, total VFA concentration, and butyrate proportion. The capsicum oil treatment increased (P < 0.05) DMI, water intake, and SPep+AA N concentration and decreased (P < 0.05) acetate proportion, branched-chain VFA concentration, and large peptide N concentration. The cinnamaldehyde (0.6 g/d) and eugenol (0.3 g/d) treatment decreased (P < 0.05) water intake, acetate proportion, branched-chain VFA, L-lactate, and ammonia N concentrations and increased (P < 0.05) propionate proportion and SPep+AA N concentration. The anise oil treatment decreased (P < 0.05) acetate to propionate ratio, branched-chain VFA and ammonia N concentrations, and protozoal counts. The results indicate that at the doses used a mixture of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, anise oil, and capsicum oil may be useful as modifiers of rumen fermentation in beef production systems.     

Influence of growing season,tannin content and autoclave treatment on the nutritive value of near-isogenic lines of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) when fed to leghorn chicks

1. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of heat-treatment (autoclaving) on the utilisation by chicks of near-isogenic lines of faba beans that were either tannin-free (Winter-white or Spring-white) or had tannins in the seed coat (Winter-coloured or Spring-coloured). The effect of heat treatment on a common tannin-containing cultivar, Diana, was also studied. 2. The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) values of diets containing 600 g faba beans/kg diet were affected by tannin content and autoclave treatment of faba beans, with 59% of total variance in AMEn being attributable to the effect of autoclaving. The AMEn values were 9% higher for chicks fed on the autoclaved compared with those fed on diets containing the raw faba beans, 5% higher for the near-isogenic faba beans with no tannins compared with those with tannins, and 4% higher for the Winter compared with the Spring cultivars. 3. The above study was carried out on droppings obtained by total collection. Similar but not identical trends were obtained when AME was calculated using the chromic oxide index method ( r = 0.91). 4. Both autoclaving and the use of tannin-free faba beans improved the apparent protein digestibility (APD) of the diets by similar amounts (4% as determined by the total collection method and 6% as determined by the chromic oxide index method). 5. The digestibility of most amino acids either alone or together was affected by a culti- var X tannin X processing interaction. The cultivar by tannin interaction demonstrated that autoclaving increased the digestibility of amino acids to a greater degree when the tannin-containing (for example, 9% for lysine) than when the tannin-free faba beans (4% for lysine) were used in the diets. 6. The improvements in AMEn , APD and total amino acid digestibilities of faba beans following heat treatments ranged from 18% to 33%, 5% to 16% and 5% to 11%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the method of analysis can affect the values obtained but that they do not change the overall pattern of results. The results also suggest that, in most cases, more than half of the response to heat treatment is associated with the inactivation of tannins while the balance of the response is attributable to an effect of heat treatment on the non-tannin-containing factors. In summary, heat treatment can improve the utilisation of faba bean by chickens especially when they contain tannins. 7. Chicks, unlike rats, do not seem to adapt to tannins as the excretion of 3 amino acids that are the main constituents of a proline-rich protein were not affected by dietary tannins.     

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)     

Influence of harvesting site on chemical composition and potential protein value of Acacia erioloba,A. nilotica and Ziziphus mucronata leaves for ruminants

This study was designed to evaluate the chemical composition, buffer N solubility, in vitro ruminal N degradation and in vitro ruminal biological activity of condensed tannins in Acacia erioloba, Acacia nilotica and Ziziphus mucronata leaves harvested from two sites (Masuthle communal grazing land and Molelwane private farm). Leaves were harvested, dried at 60 °C and milled. The highest crude protein (CP) content was found in leaves of Z. mucronata (177.7 g/kg DM). Leaves harvested from Masuthle had higher (p < 0.05) soluble phenolics (SPh) (44.6 g TAE/kg DM) compared to those harvested from Molelwane (29.8 g TAE/kg DM). In both Molelwane and Masuthle, leaves of A. nilotica had higher levels of condensed tannins (CT) (0.76 AU_550/200 mg and 0.52 AU_550/200 mg respectively) followed by A. erioloba and Z. mucronata, which did not differ (p > 0.05). Nitrogen degradability at 24 h was the same (p > 0.05) for all tree species but not at 12 and 36 h. No linear association (p > 0.05) was found between buffer‐soluble N and in vitro ruminal N degradability in leaves with high SPh content. The largest polyethylene glycol (PEG) effect was in leaves of A. nilotica (448%) harvested from Masuthle after 36 h of incubation. Ziziphus mucronata leaves harvested from Molelwane had the least PEG effect at 48 h. There was no linear association (p > 0.05) between PEG effect and SPh for all incubation periods, but a positive relationship was observed between PEG effect and condensed tannins content. There was no linear association between solubility index (SI) and in vitro ruminal N degradability for tannin‐rich leaves. It was concluded that higher browsing pressure in Masuthle communal rangeland resulted in leaves with higher levels of condensed tannins, which had higher in vitro ruminal biological activity, compared to those harvested from Molelwane.     

Effects of increasing level of supplemental barley on forage intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation in steers fed medium-quality grass hay

Objectives of this research were to evaluate effects of increasing level of barley supplementation on forage intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation in beef steers fed medium-quality forage. Four crossbred ruminally cannulated steers (average initial BW = 200 +/- 10 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Chopped (5 cm) grass hay (10% CP) was offered ad libitum with one of four supplements. Supplements included 0, 0.8, 1.6, or 2.4 kg of barley (DM basis) and were fed in two equal portions at 0700 and 1600. Supplements were fed at levels to provide for equal intake of supplemental protein with the addition of soybean meal. Forage intake (kg and g/kg BW) decreased linearly (P < 0.01), and total intake increased linearly (P < 0.03) with increasing level of barley supplementation. Digestible OM intake (g/kg BW) increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing level of barley supplementation; however, the majority of this response was observed with 0.8 kg of barley supplementation. Treatments had only minor effects on ruminal pH, with decreases occurring at 15 h after feeding in steers receiving 2.4 kg of barley supplementation. Total-tract digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, and CP were increased (P < 0.04) with barley supplementation; however, ADF digestibility was decreased by 1.6 and 2.4 kg of barley supplementation compared with controls. Ruminal ammonia concentrations decreased linearly (P < 0.01) at 1 through 15 h after feeding. Total ruminal VFA concentrations were not altered by dietary treatments. Ruminal proportions of acetate and butyrate decreased (P < 0.10) in response to supplementation. Rate, lag, and extent (72 h) of in situ forage degradability were unaffected by treatment. Generally, these data are interpreted to indicate that increasing levels of barley supplementation decrease forage intake, increase DM, OM, and NDF digestibility, and indicate alteration of the ruminal environment and fermentation patterns.     

Substitution of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles for barley grain or barley silage in feedlot cattle diets: intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of substituting wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) for barley grain and barley silage on intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation in feedlot beef cattle. Eight ruminally cannulated Angus heifers (initial BW 455 ± 10.8 kg) were assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 treatments: control, low (25%), medium (30%), and high (35%) wheat DDGS (DM basis). The diets consisted of barley silage, barley concentrate, and wheat DDGS in ratios of 15:85:0 (CON), 10:65:25 (25DDGS), 5:65:30 (30DDGS), and 0:65:35 (35DDGS; DM basis), respectively. The diets were formulated such that wheat DDGS was substituted for both barley grain and barley silage to evaluate whether wheat DDGS can be fed as a source of both energy (grain) and fiber in feedlot finishing diets. Intakes (kg/d) of DM and OM were not different, whereas those of CP, NDF, ADF, and ether extract (EE) were greater (P < 0.01) and intake of starch was less (P < 0.01) for the 25DDGS compared with the CON diet. The digestibilities of CP, NDF, ADF, and EE in the total digestive tract were greater (P < 0.05) for 25DDGS vs. CON. Ruminal pH and total VFA concentrations were not different (P > 0.15) between 25DDGS and CON diets. Replacing barley silage with increasing amounts of wheat DDGS (i.e., from 25DDGS to 35DDGS) linearly reduced (P < 0.05) intakes of DM and other nutrients without altering (P=0.40) CP intake. In contrast, digestibilities of DM and other nutrients in the total digestive tract linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing wheat DDGS except for that of EE. Additionally, with increasing amounts of wheat DDGS, mean ruminal pH tended (P=0.10) to linearly decrease, and ruminal pH status decreased with longer (P=0.04) duration of pH <5.5 and <5.2, and greater (P=0.01) curve area under pH <5.8 and <5.5 without altering (P > 0.19) ruminal VFA and NH(3)-N concentrations. Results indicated that wheat DDGS can be effectively used to replace both barley grain and silage at a moderate amount to meet energy and fiber requirements of finishing cattle. However, when silage content of the diet is low (<10%), wheat DDGS is not an effective fiber source, so replacing forage fiber with wheat DDGS in finishing diets decreases overall ruminal pH status even though the rapidly fermentable starch content of the diet is considerably reduced.     

Effects of concentrated separator by-product (desugared molasses) on intake, site of digestion, microbial efficiency, and nitrogen balance in ruminants fed forage-based diets

In Exp. 1, 4 ruminally and duodenally cannulated beef steers (444.0 +/- 9.8 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square with a 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement to evaluate the effects of forage type (alfalfa or corn stover) and concentrated separator byproduct (CSB) supplementation (0 or 10% of dietary DM) on intake, site of digestion, and microbial efficiency. In Exp. 2, 5 wethers (44 +/- 1.5 kg) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square to evaluate the effects of CSB on intake, digestion, and N balance. Treatments were 0, 10, and 20% CSB (DM basis) mixed with forage; 10% CSB offered separately from the forage; and a urea control, in which urea was added to the forage at equal N compared with the 10% CSB treatment. In Exp. 1, intakes of OM and N (g/kg of BW) were greater (P < 0.01) for steers fed alfalfa compared with corn stover. Steers fed 10% CSB had greater (P < 0.08) OM and N intakes (g/kg of BW) compared with 0% CSB-fed steers. Total duodenal, microbial, and nonmicrobial flows of OM and N were greater (P < 0.01) for steers fed alfalfa compared with corn stover. Steers fed 10% CSB had increased (P = 0.02) duodenal microbial flow (N and OM) compared with 0% CSB-fed steers. Forage x CSB interactions (P < 0.01) existed for total tract N digestibility; alfalfa with or without CSB was similar (67.4 vs. 69.5), whereas corn stover with CSB was greater than corn stover without CSB (31.9 vs. -23.9%). True ruminal OM digestion was greater (P < 0.09) in steers fed alfalfa vs. corn stover (73.0 vs. 63.1%) and in steers fed 10 vs. 0% CSB (70.3 vs. 65.8%). Microbial efficiency was unaffected (P > 0.25) by forage type or CSB supplementation. In Exp. 2, forage and total intake increased (linear; P < 0.01) as CSB increased and were greater (P < 0.04) in 10% CSB mixed with forage compared with 10% CSB fed separately. Feeding 10% CSB separately resulted in similar DM and OM apparent total tract digestibility compared with 10% CSB fed mixed. Increasing CSB led to an increase (linear; P < 0.02) in DM, OM, apparent N digestion, and water intake. Nitrogen balance (g and percentage of N intake) increased (linear; P < 0.08) with CSB addition. Feeding 10% CSB separately resulted in greater (P < 0.01) N balance compared with 10% CSB fed mixed. Using urea resulted in similar (P = 0.30) N balance compared with 10% CSB fed mixed. Inclusion of CSB improves intake, digestion, and increases microbial N production in ruminants fed forage-based diets.     

The effect of a condensed tannin-containing forage on methane emission by goats

The objective of this study was to compare methane emission by goats consuming the condensed tannin-containing forage sericea lespedeza (Les-pedeza cuneata) or a mixture of crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum) and Kentucky 31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Two groups of 12 Angora does (initial average BW = 41.5 +/- 2.7 kg) that previously grazed a pasture of sericea lespedeza or crabgrass/tall fescue for approximately 4 mo were used. After 1 wk of adaptation to metabolism cages, gas exchange was measured for 24 h in an open-circuit respiration calorimetry system with four head boxes. Forage harvested daily from the previously grazed pastures was consumed ad libitum. Crude protein concentration was 10.3 and 13.0%, IVDMD was 64.5 and 75.3%, and the level of condensed tannins was 17.7 and 0.5% for sericea lespedeza and crabgrass/tall fescue, respectively. Dry matter intake (1.11 vs. 0.67 kg/d) and digestible DMI (estimated from IVDMD; 0.71 vs. 0.51 kg/d) were greater (P < 0.01) for sericea lespedeza than for crabgrass/tall fescue. Ruminal ammonia N (3.7 and 9.9 mg/dL; P < 0.001) and plasma urea-N concentrations (16.7 and 20.9 mg/dL; P = 0.07) were lower for sericea lespedeza than for crabgrass/tall fescue. Concentrations of individual and total VFA and the acetate-to-propionate ratio in ruminal fluid did not differ between treatments (P > 0.19). Despite higher DMI by goats fed sericea lespedeza, daily energy expenditure (409 vs. 431 kJ/kg BW(0.75)), heart rate (70 vs. 73 beats/min), and the ratio of energy expenditure to heart rate (5.82 vs. 5.94) did not differ between sericea lespedeza and crabgrass/tall fescue, respectively (P > 0.13). Methane emission expressed as both quantity per day or relative to DMI was lower (P <0.001) for sericea lespedeza than for crabgrass/tall fescue (7.4 vs. 10.6 g/d and 6.9 vs. 16.2 g/kg DMI). Substantial differences between the forages in condensed tannins concentration and methane emission by Angora goats suggest that condensed tannins decreased methane emission.