Increase of ruminal fiber digestion by cellobiose and a twin strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae live cells in vitro

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of cellobiose (CB) or a twin strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae live cells (YST) (20, 40 and 60 mg/60 mL), and CB + YST (60 + 20, 60 + 40, 60 + 60 mg/60 mL) on mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation in vitro. Ruminal fluid was collected from a cow, mixed with phosphate buffer (1:2) and incubated (60 mL) anaerobically at 38°C for 24 h with or without supplement plus 400 mg (dry matter [DM] basis) substrate (hay plus concentrate, 1.5:1). The medium pH numerically decreased with CB and CB + YST, but was unchanged with YST. The total volatile fatty acid and proportion of propionate increased (P < 0.05) in all cases. The proportion of acetate decreased (P < 0.05) with CB and CB + YST, but increased (P < 0.05) with YST and that of butyrate increased (P < 0.05) with CB and CB + YST, but decreased (P < 0.05) with YST. Ammonia‐N decreased (P < 0.05) with CB and CB + YST, but was unchanged with YST. The number of protozoa was unchanged, and that of cellulolytic bacteria increased (P < 0.05) in all cases. Total gas production increased (P < 0.05) in all cases. Methane decreased, hydrogen was unchanged by YST and both gases were unchanged by CB and CB + YST. The in vitro disappearance of DM and neutral detergent fiber increased (P < 0.05) by 11.2% and 8.9%, 9% and 8.5%, and 12.1% and 10.2% in the case of CB, YST and CB + YST, respectively. Therefore, the dietary supplementation of CB and/or YST may improve ruminal fermentation and digestibility.     

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.     

Effect of α-cyclodextrin-allyl isothiocyanate on ruminal microbial methane production in vitro

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of α‐cyclodextrin‐allyl isothiocyanate (CD‐AI) on ruminal microbial methane production and rumen fermentation of corn starch, soluble potato starch or hay plus concentrate (1.5:1) by mixed rumen microorganisms. Diluted rumen fluid (30 mL) was incubated anaerobically at 38°C for 6 and 24 h with or without CD‐AI (0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 g/L). The pH of the medium was unchanged by CD‐AI in all substrates. The molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased with a corresponding decrease in acetate : propionate ratio (P < 0.05). Total volatile fatty acids and butyrate were increased (P < 0.05). Ammonia‐N was decreased (P < 0.05). Except with soluble potato starch, numbers of protozoa were unchanged after 6 h. As concentration of CD‐AI increased from 0 to 3.2 g/L, fermentation of corn starch, soluble potato starch and hay plus concentrate resulted in decreased (P < 0.05) methane production of 49–100% (6 h) and 14–100% (24 h); 39–100% (6 h) and 16–100% (24 h); and 45–100% (6 h) and 17–100% (24 h), respectively. When hay plus concentrate was used as substrate, methanogenic bacteria were decreased (P < 0.05) with 0.8 g/L of CD‐AI after 6 h. Excluding the lower dose level (0.4 g/L) of CD‐AI, digestibility of neutral detergent fiber of hay plus concentrate was decreased (P < 0.05) after 24 h. A suitable level of CD‐AI could therefore be used as a supplement to inhibit methane production and improve rumen fermentation without detrimental effects on fiber digestion.     

Effect of supplemental yeast culture and sodium bicarbonate on ruminal fermentation and blood variables in rams

A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of sodium bicarbonate (BC) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, live yeast culture (yea sacc(1026), YS) on ruminal fermentation and blood variables. Four Kivircik rams with ruminal cannula were used in a Latin square design, during 27-day periods (20 days for adaptation and 7 days for collection). They received 0 (control group), 5 g/day (i.e. 25 x 10(9) CFU) of YS or 10 g/day of sodium BC or 10 g/day of BC and 5 g/day of YS (BC + YS) (treatment groups). The cultures and sodium BC were added to the ration in a grain mix. The ration consisted of 70% grain mix and 30% lucerne hay. Rumen contents were collected before and 3 h and 6 h after morning feeding on days 1 and 7 in each collection period and were analyzed. Blood samples were also collected on the same days. Ruminal pH at 3 h (p < or = 0.1) and 6 h (p < or = 0.05) after feeding were higher when rams were fed BC and BC + YS than when they were fed CG and YS. Addition of YS to the diet did not modify the proportions of the different protozoa types; only Diplodinium at 0 h tended to be lower (p < 0.1) when rams were fed YS, BC and BC + YS than when they were fed CG. Plasma sodium value decreased by YS and BC + YS. Other biochemical and haematological variables were not affected by treatments. Also total volatile fatty acid, NH3-N concentrations and protozoa counts in the ruminal fluid were not affected by treatments.     

蒺藜皂苷对体外瘤胃发酵的影响

试验旨在利用人工瘤胃双外流连续培养系统,初步研究日粮中添加不同浓度(0、0.15、0.30、0.60 g/L)蒺藜皂苷(GSTT)对反刍动物瘤胃发酵参数的影响。结果表明,日粮添加不同水平GSTT对瘤胃pH、总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)浓度无显著影响(P>0.05);随着GSTT添加水平的提高,人工瘤胃液内NH₃-N浓度、乙酸摩尔比例和乙酸/丙酸比例显著降低(P<0.05),丙酸摩尔比例显著升高(P<0.05)。提示,GSTT可望作为一种潜在的反刍动物瘤胃发酵调控剂来改变瘤胃发酵模式,改善对饲料能量和蛋白质的利用效率。综合考虑,0.30 g/L GSTT为较适宜添加量。     

Papaya (Carica papaya) leaf methanolic extract modulates in vitro rumen methanogenesis and rumen biohydrogenation

Papaya leaf methanolic extract (PLE) at concentrations of 0 (CON), 5 (LLE), 10 (MLE) and 15 (HLE) mg/250 mg dry matter (DM) with 30 mL buffered rumen fluid were incubated for 24 h to identify its effect on in vitro ruminal methanogenesis and ruminal biohydrogenation (BH). Total gas production was not affected (P > 0.05) by addition of PLE compared to the CON at 24 h of incubation. Methane (CH₄) production (mL/250 mg DM) decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of PLE. Acetate to propionate ratio was lower (P <0.05) in MLE (2.02) and HLE (1.93) compared to the CON (2.28). Supplementation of the diet with PLE significantly (P <0.05) decreased the rate of BH of C18:1n‐9 (oleic acid; OA), C18:2n‐6 (linoleic acid; LA), C18:3n‐3 (linolenic acid; LNA) and C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compared to CON after 24 h incubation, which resulted in higher concentrations of BH intermediates such as C18:1 t11 (vaccenic acid; VA), c9t11 conjugated LA (CLA) (rumenic acid; RA) and t10c12 CLA. Real‐time PCR analysis indicated that the total bacteria, total protozoa, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and methanogen population in HLE decreased (P <0.05) compared to CON, but the total bacteria and B. fibrisolvens population were higher (P < 0.05) in CON compared to the PLE treatment groups.     

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

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

Silage fermentation and ruminal degradation of stylo prepared with lactic acid bacteria and cellulase

In order to improve the silage fermentation of stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis ) in tropical areas, stylo silages were prepared with commercial additives Lactobacillus plantarum Chikuso‐1 (CH 1), L. rhamnasus Snow Lact L (SN ), Acremonium cellulase (CE ) and their combination as SN +CE or CH 1 + CE , and the fermentation quality, chemical composition and ruminal degradation of these silages were studied. Stylo silages treated with lactic acid bacteria (LAB ) or cellulase, the pH value and NH ₃‐N ? total‐N were significantly (P  <  0.05) decreased while the ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM ), crude protein (CP ), neutral detergent fiber (aNDF om) and acid detergent fiber (ADF om) were significantly (P  <  0.05) increased compared to control. Compared to LAB or cellulase‐treated silages, the DM , CP contents and relative feed value (RFV ), and the ruminal degradability in LAB plus cellulase‐treated silages were significantly (P  <  0.05) higher, but the aNDF om content was significantly (P  <  0.05) lower. CH 1 + CE treatment was more effective in silage fermentation and ruminal degradation than SN +CE treatment. The results confirmed that LAB or LAB plus cellulase treatment could improve the fermentation quality, chemical composition and ruminal degradation of stylo silage. Moreover, the combined treatment with LAB and cellulase may have beneficial synergistic effects on ruminal degradation.     

不同厚度蒸汽压片处理对玉米活体外瘤胃发酵的影响

试验以未处理的玉米及两种不同厚度蒸汽压片玉米(压片厚度为1.5mm,SFC 1.5;压片厚度为2.0mm,SFC 2.0)为材料,采用营养成分分析、活体外人工瘤胃产气量试验,研究不同厚度蒸汽压片处理对玉米营养成分、淀粉糊化度和活体外发酵特性的影响。结果表明,不同厚度蒸汽压片处理显著降低玉米粗蛋白质和粗脂肪含量(P0.05),显著提高了玉米的淀粉糊化度(P0.05);并且显著提高了玉米在瘤胃液内的淀粉降解率和体外产气速度(P0.05),显著降低了瘤胃液中氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度(P0.05);降低压片厚度(1.5和2.0mm),蒸汽压片玉米淀粉糊化度增加约17%(88.76%和71.60%),SFC 1.5的体外产气速度、4h干物质和淀粉产气率显著高于SFC 2.0(P0.05)。不同厚度蒸汽压片处理对玉米瘤胃48h产气量、12和24h瘤胃液pH、总挥发性脂肪酸产量及乙酸、丙酸、乙酸/丙酸、异丁酸、异戊酸、戊酸摩尔比影响均不显著(P0.05)。综上所述,不同厚度蒸汽压片处理可显著提高玉米在瘤胃内淀粉降解率和降解速度,降低瘤胃液中氨态氮浓度,而对48h产气量及其他发酵参数没有明显影响。     

Effect of increasing levels of seven tree species extracts added to a high concentrate diet on in vitro rumen gas output

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of increasing levels of extracts of Byrsonima crassifolia, Celtis pallida, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Fraxinus excelsior, Ficus trigonata, Phoradendrom brevifolium and Prunus domestica on in vitro gas production (GP) and ruminal fermentation of a high concentrate diet. Plant extracts were prepared at 1 g dry matter (DM)/8 mL of solvent mixture (methanol : ethanol : water, 1:1:8) and added at levels of 0, 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 mL/g DM of a high concentrate diet. In vitro GP was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation. Increasing addition of extracts linearly increased (P < 0.001), the GP₂₄, GP₄₈ and GP₇₂ (mL/g DM), and linearly decreased (P < 0.001), the discrete GP lag time. Moreover, increasing extract doses linearly increased (P < 0.001) the asymptotic GP and decreased (P < 0.001) the rate of GP. GP₆ was not impacted by treatments and GP₁₂ increased linearly (P = 0.01) with increasing addition of extracts. Rumen pH declined linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing doses of extracts added. As no interactions (P > 0.05) occurred between the extracts and doses, it could be conclude that all extracts positively modified rumen fermentation at doses of 1.2 to 1.8 mL extract/g diet DM.     

饲粮碘含量对牦牛体外瘤胃发酵的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮碘含量对牦牛体外瘤胃发酵的影响。以碘化钾作为添加形式,以牦牛饲粮为底物进行体外发酵,底物碘含量分别为0.1、0.3、0.5、0.7、0.9 mg/kg,共发酵48 h。发酵结束测定总产气量、瘤胃发酵特性指标及消化酶活力。结果表明:当底物碘含量为0.3 mg/kg时,发酵液微生物蛋白质(M CP)、乙酸(C2)、丙酸(C3)、丁酸(C4)、异戊酸(i-C5)、戊酸(C5)、总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)浓度以及淀粉酶(AMS)、脂肪酶(LPS)、胰蛋白酶(TYS)活力均达到最大值,分别为3.694 g/L、56.286 mmol/L、28.906 mmol/L、9.507 mmol/L、1.552 mmol/L、0.919 mmol/L、97.769 mmol/L、1.567 U/mL、0.453 U/mL、60.787 U/mL;当碘含量为0.5 mg/kg时,干物质消化率(DMD)达到最大值,为69.39%,显著高于其他处理(P0.05);在碘含量为0.7 mg/kg时,发酵液纤维素酶(CLS)活力达到最大值,为79.956 U/mL,发酵液乙酸/丙酸最低,为1.636。综合各项指标得出,在体外条件下,在底物碘含量为0.3~0.7 mg/kg时,牦牛体外瘤胃发酵处较高水平。     

Effects of a selection of additives on in vitro ruminal methanogenesis and in situ and in vivo NDF digestibility

The effects of 18 essential oils, yeast, Quebracho tannin and Quillaja saponin on ruminal methane and gas production (GP) were studied in vitro. A lactating cow diet was incubated with rumen inoculum. Doses of the additives (mg/L) were: essential oils = 500; tannin = 67; yeast = 8.35 and 16.7; and saponin = 300. Lemongrass, estragole, eugenol, geraniol, limonen, thyme oil and thymol produced less gas (overall mean 33.8 mL/200 mg dry matter (DM)) than control (43.6 mL/200 mg DM; P < 0.001). Methane produced (mL/200 mg DM) by guaiacol (10.7), lemongrass (9.6), limonene (11.4), thyme oil (10.9) and thymol (2.1) was lower than control (12.5) (P < 0.001). Methane percentage on total GP was lower (P < 0.001) for cinnamic alcohol (25.4), guaiacol (24.5), thymol (19.7) and vanillin (26.3) than control (28.8). In a second experiment, thymol, guaiacol and yeast were added to the diet of dry fistulated cows to determine in situ neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) of six forages and in vivo dietary NDFD. Thymol and yeast decreased in situ NDFD after 24 h (33.9% and 33.5% vs. 38.1%; P = 0.008). Thymol decreased in vivo total tract NDFD (40.8% vs. 51.4%; P = 0.02). Differences in GP and methane levels were registered within classes of additives. A careful selection of additives may allow for the manipulation of ruminal fermentation.     

Effects of corn straw or mixed forage diet on rumen fermentation parameters of lactating cows using a wireless data logger

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different forage types on rumen fermentation parameters and profiles using a wireless data logger. Eight lactating cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments with a low forage diet with corn straw (CS) or a high forage diet with mixed forage (MF) as the forage source, respectively. Dietary physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content was 11.3% greater in CS. Dry matter intake and milk fatty acid content decreased upon CS (P < 0.05). Ruminal pH, temperature and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) were monitored for 14 weeks. The CS group had significantly higher pH but lower temperature and ORP compared to MF (P < 0.01). With the CS diet regime, pH at the time before morning feeding, rumination and post‐ingestion were significantly higher than those in the MF group (P < 0.05). However, times with the ruminal pH below 6.0 and 5.8 were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), whereas ruminal pH below 5.6 tended to be lower (P = 0.07). The results indicated that rumen fermentation parameters were affected by forage types and dietary peNDF content might be predominant in ruminal pH regulation.     

In vitro ruminal fermentation and in situ ruminal degradation of tamarind kernel powder extract residue in wethers

We examined the in vitro fermentation characteristics and in situ dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability of tamarind kernel powder extract residue (TKPER), a by‐product of polysaccharides thickener processing. Two types of TKPER (I and II), of which the CP and neutral detergent fiber organic matter basis contents (%) were 41.4 and 42.0 and 1.4 and 0.5, respectively, were compared with dry heat soybean (SB), soybean meal (SBM) and dry soybean curd residue (SBCR). The TKPERs had significantly lower in vitro gas production compared to the other products at each observation time (P < 0.05). The in vitro DM and CP digestibility (%) of TKPER I and II were 67.7 and 64.9, and 64.5 and 58.0, respectively, significantly lower than those of SB and SBM (P < 0.05). We used four wethers (55.6 ± 4.6 kg) with ruminal cannulas to investigate the in situ degradability of TKPER I, SB, SBM and SBCR. At the ruminal outflow rate of 0.05/h, the effective degradability (%) values of the DM and CP of TKPER I were 64.1 and 49.7, respectively, which were similar to those of SBM. In conclusion, TKPER had high CP and exhibited in situ degradability similar to that of SBM, suggesting that TKPER could be used as a protein source feed.     

Effects of apple pomace proportion levels on the fermentation quality of total mixed ration silage and its digestibility,preference and ruminal fermentation in beef cows

Four Japanese black beef cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square to evaluate the fermentation quality, digestibility, ruminal fermentation and preference of total mixed ration (TMR) silages prepared with differing proportions of apple pomace (AP). Experimental treatments were the control (no AP added, CAP), 5% (low, LAP), 10% (medium, MAP) and 20% (high, HAP) of TMR dry matter (DM) as AP. All TMR silages were well preserved. Ethanol was produced in silages containing AP and the amount increased with the proportion of AP (P < 0.05). Nutrient digestibility with LAP, MAP and HAP treatment was lower than that with CAP treatment (P < 0.05). The ruminal molar proportion of acetic acid increased (P < 0.05), but the ruminal ammonia‐N concentration decreased (P < 0.05) as the proportion of AP increased. The preference of the animals was highest for HAP, followed by MAP, CAP and LAP. This study demonstrates that decrease in nutrient digestibility might be related to the ethanol produced naturally from AP. Therefore, the proportion of AP in TMR silages should be less than 5% of dietary DM.     

Effect of supplemental Bacillus cultures on rumen fermentation and milk yield in Chinese Holstein cows

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of supplemental 100 g/day of live Bacillus cultures (2 × 10¹¹ cell of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) on rumen fermentation as well as milk yield and composition in Chinese Holstein cows. In experiment 1, investigating 3 × 10 cows, milk yield and milk protein were increased by using B. licheniformis (p < 0.05) in comparison with an unsupplemented group and the B. subtilis group. Body weight was not significantly affected by Bacillus culture supplementation (p > 0.05). Percentage of milk fat and lactose was not significantly different between treatments (p > 0.05). But milk protein increased with B. licheniformis supplementation (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, carried out with three non‐lactating ruminally and duodenally fistulated cows, results showed that B. licheniformis supplementation increased microbial crude protein flow into duodenum (p < 0.05) and decreased the ammonia nitrogen concentration in ruminal fluid at 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Bacillus licheniformis supplementation increased total VFA and acetate concentration in ruminal fluid at 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Bacillus subtilis had no significant effect on rumen fermentation characteristics, duodenal microbial N flow and ruminal apparent nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). Bacillus licheniformis increased ruminal apparent nutrient digestibility of neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and organic matter (p < 0.05).     

Effect of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) level on intake,digestion, ruminal fermentation and in vitro gas production in sheep fed maintenance diets

The objective of this study was the characterization of the nutritive value, ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) hay (FPH) by‐product through in situ, in vitro and in vivo tests. A FPH diet was administered ad libitum to four sheep (live weight (LW) 38.0 ± 2.0 kg) at four inclusion levels (0, 25, 50 and 75%) over a conventional sorghum grain/oat straw ration in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The in situ degradability of FPH was 67% dry matter (DM), 71% crude protein and 66% neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The inclusion of FPH did not affect (P ≥ 0.05) the DM (61 ± 0.4 g/LW^0.75/day) and organic matter (OM) intake (56 ± 0.7 g/LW^0.75/day). Total DM digestibility (68 ± 2.5%), OM (70 ± 3%), and NDF (60 ± 3%), were not different (P ≥ 0.05) between control and FPH inclusion diets. The diet had no effect on ruminal pH, ruminal ammonia concentration, total and individual volatile fatty acids. The chemical composition and sheep intake behavior indicate that FPH by‐product is medium quality forage when incorporated in maintenance rations.     

Effects of Lonicera japonica extract supplementation on in vitro ruminal fermentation,methane emission,and microbial population

Lonicera japonica (LJ; honeysuckle) is used in traditional folk medicine in Korea and is a rich source of ascorbic acid and phenolic components that are reported to have antioxidant and antibiotic properties. We performed an in vitro experiment to assess the effects of LJ extracts (LJE) on ruminal fermentation. Timothy hay (0.3 g dry matter [DM]) was incubated with buffer, ruminal fluid, and 0%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9% LJE. Batch culture fermentation was conducted separately for 12, 24, and 48 hr to determine gas production (GP), ruminal fermentation characteristics, and microbial population characteristics. The effects on GP were generally similar to those on DM degradability, with a linear decrease observed at 9% extract at 24 hr. NH₃‐N showed a linear increase with increasing extract concentrations at 12 hr, whereas a decrease was observed at 24 hr. Extract supplementation decreased methane (CH₄) production at 12, 24, and 48 hr. In addition, the abundance of fibrolytic bacteria and ciliate‐associated methanogen was reduced at all concentrations of extracts. These results indicate that LJE have the potential to serve as a ruminal fermentation modifier to suppress CH₄ production with minimal effects on nutrient digestion in the rumen.     

Effects of a Quillaja saponaria extract on growth performance and immune function of weanling pigs challenged with Salmonella typhimurium

Ninety-six pigs (initially 8.9 kg and 24 d of age) were used in a 28-d experiment to determine the effects of Quillaja saponaria extract (QS) on weanling pig growth performance and immune function in response to enteric disease challenge with Salmonella typhimurium (ST). Experimental treatments were arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial with main effects of disease challenge (control vs ST-challenge) and dietary addition of QS (0, 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg). Pigs were fed QS diets for 14 d and then challenged orally with ST or sterile media. There were no differences in ADG or ADFI among dietary treatments, but gain/feed ratio (G/ F) was depressed (P < 0.06) in pigs fed 250 mg/kg QS. ST-challenge reduced ADG (P < 0.05), ADFI (P < 0.05), and G/F (P < 0.05) 1 wk after challenge. Daily estimates revealed reductions in feed intake in ST-infected pigs on d 2 to 5 following infection (P < 0.05), and rectal temperature was increased maximally 2 d following infection (P < 0.05). There was a marked decline in serum IGF-I during the 6 d after ST-infection (P < 0.05). ST-challenge produced a rise (P < 0.05) in serum haptoglobin on d 7 after challenge, and serum alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) in ST-challenged pigs also was elevated (P < 0.05) above controls on d 7 and 14 after challenge. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) M increased (P < 0.05) over time in both groups, and serum IgM of ST-challenged pigs was greater than controls on d 7 after challenge (P < 0.05). Serum IgG was not affected by enteric disease challenge; however, on d 7 and 14 after disease challenge, serum IgG for both groups was greater (P < 0.05) than on d 0. Dietary QS had no significant influence on any of the end points used to characterize the acute phase response to ST-challenge. Phagocytic cell function was depressed in pigs fed 250 (P < 0.05) and 500 (P < 0.05) mg/kg as compared to pigs fed 125 mg/kg QS. Yet, there was no difference in phagocytic function among pigs fed 0, 250, or 500 mg/kg QS. We conclude that this model of enteric disease invokes an acute phase response accompanied by decreases in feed intake and serum IGF-I. Furthermore, dietary QS, at the levels fed in this study, appears to offer little benefit to growth performance or immune function in the presence or absence of ST-challenge.     

Effects of urea treatment of potato pulp and inclusion levels of potato pulp silage in supplements on digestibility and ruminal fermentation in beef steers

Six Wagyu (Japanese Black) steers fitted with a ruminal cannula were used in a split‐plot design experiment comprising a 3 × 3 Latin square design (whole plot) and a randomized blocks design (subplot) to determine the effect of the treatment of potato pulp (PP) with urea and the effect of inclusion levels of PP silage in feed supplement on digestibility, ruminal in situ degradation and ruminal fermentation. The whole plot consisted of 20%, 50% and 80% PP silage (dry matter (DM) basis), with PP silage replacing formula feed. The subplot included untreated or 0.5% (on an as‐fed basis) urea‐treated PP. The treatment of PP with urea showed no effect on DM intake and digestibility. The percentage of the rapidly degradable DM fraction of the urea‐treated PP silage was higher (P < 0.01) and the percentage of its slowly degradable DM fraction was lower (P < 0.01) than for the untreated PP silage. Ruminal ammonia concentration was greater (P < 0.01) for steers fed urea‐treated PP silage than that for steers fed the untreated PP silage. The treatment of PP with urea caused a decrease in the molar proportion of acetate and an increase in the proportion of propionate in ruminal fluid after feeding. The rate of DM degradations in hay (linear, P < 0.01) and in PP silage decreased (linear, P < 0.01) as the inclusion level of PP silage increased. Increasing the inclusion level of PP silage in supplement decreased the effective degradability of DM in hay (linear, P < 0.05) and in PP silage (linear, P < 0.05). An increase in the amount of PP silage increased the molar proportion of acetate (linear, P < 0.01) and decreased the butyrate proportion (linear, P < 0.05) in ruminal fluid. The results suggest that urea treatment of PP facilitates microbial access to starch of PP silage in the rumen and that surplus level of PP silage in supplement have adverse effect on ruminal digestion.