Feeding different dietary protein to energy ratios to Holstein heifers: effects on growth performance,blood metabolites and rumen fermentation parameters

Eighteen Chinese Holstein heifers average age 230 ± 14 days were allocated to 1 of 3 dietary crude protein (CP) to metabolizable energy (ME) ratios to examine the effects on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation parameters with 90‐days experiment. Three different dietary CP:ME ratios were targeted based on the formulation of dietary CP contents of 10.85%, 12.78% and 14.63% on dry matter (DM) basis with similar ME contents (10.42 MJ/kg DM), which were categorized as low, medium and high dietary CP:ME ratios. The actual CP:ME ratios obtained in this study significantly increased from low to high CP:ME ratio groups with a value of 10.59, 11.83 and 13.38 g/MJ respectively. Elevated CP:ME ratios significantly increased CP intake (kg/day) and feed efficiency (FE) which was defined as dry matter intake as a proportion of average daily gain (ADG), whereas little difference was observed in body weight (kg), ADG (kg/day), DM intake (kg/day) and ME intake (MJ/day) among the three different CP:ME ratio groups. Increasing dietary CP to ME ratios significantly increased CP digestibility, whereas digestibility of DM and gross energy remained constant in the current experiment. Blood urea nitrogen and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 linearly increased with increasing dietary CP:ME ratios. There was significantly dietary treatment effect on rumen fermentation parameters including acetate, propionate, butyrate and total volatile fatty acids. Therefore, this study indicated that increasing dietary CP levels with similar energy content contributed to increased protein intake and its digestibility, as well as FE. Holstein heifers between 200 and 341 kg subjected to 13.38 dietary CP:ME ratio showed improved feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility, some blood metabolites and rumen fermentation characteristics for 0.90 kg/day rate of gain.     

Rumen fermentation pattern of dairy heifers fed restricted amounts of low, medium, and high concentrate diets without and with yeast culture

Restricted feeding and high concentrate diets are potential strategies for growing dairy heifers. Ruminal manipulation with additives such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture (YC) has been shown to alter digestibility when added to this type of diet. An experiment was conducted to investigate the ruminal fermentation and in situ digestibility of diets with 3 different levels of forage to concentrate (F:C) fed at restricted intake without and with YC addition. Three cannulated post-pubertal Holstein heifers (age 18.0 ± 1.2 months; body weight 449.6 ± 19.7 kg) were fed diets consisting of corn silage as the sole forage source in a 3 period (35-day) Latin square design. Heifers were fed diets for 21 days with no YC addition, followed by 14 days where YC was added to the diet (1 g/kg as fed basis). Low (LC), medium (MC), and high (HC) concentrate diets (20, 40, and 60% concentrate) were fed once daily on a restricted basis to provide 0.22 Mcal ME/kg empty BW^0.75. Rumen fluid was sampled on days 18 and 32 of each period, and rumen contents were evacuated on days 21 and 35 of each period. An in situ study was done on days 14 to 17 and on days 28 to 31. Mean ruminal pH was not different between dietary treatments and no YC effect was detected. Mean total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (NH₃-N) concentration was also not different among diets with different F:C. Molar proportions of acetate were decreased, and propionate were increased; while the acetate-to-propionate ratio was decreased as the concentrate level increased from LC to HC. Total VFA, propionate, and acetate as well as isoacids concentration increased, yet NH₃-N concentration decreased with YC addition in all diets. From these results we conclude that feeding HC diets in restricted amounts had minimal effects on rumen fermentation rate between different F:C diets. The addition of YC modified NH₃-N and volatile fatty acid concentrations in the rumen in all 3 diets in this study, presumably through alterations in end-product production and utilization.     

Effects of concentrate‐to‐forage ratios and 2‐methylbutyrate supplementation on ruminal fermentation,bacteria abundance and urinary excretion of purine derivatives in Chinese Simmental steers

This study evaluated the effects of dietary concentrate levels and 2‐methylbutyrate (2MB ) supplementation on performance, ruminal fermentation, bacteria abundance, microbial enzyme activity and urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD ) in steers. Eight ruminally cannulated Simmental steers (12 months of age; 389 ± 3.7 kg of body weight) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Moderate‐concentrate (400 g/kg diet [MC ]) or high‐concentrate (600 g/kg diet [HC ]) diets were fed with or without 2MB (0 g/day [2MB ?] or 15.0 g/day [2MB +]). Dry matter intake and average daily gain increased, but feed conversion ratio decreased with the HC diet or 2MB supplementation. Ruminal pH decreased, but total volatile fatty acid increased with the HC diet or 2MB supplementation. Molar proportion of acetate and acetate‐to‐propionate ratio decreased with the HC diet, but increased with 2MB supplementation. Propionate molar proportion and ruminal NH ₃‐N content increased with the HC diet, but decreased with 2MB supplementation. Neutral detergent fibre degradability decreased with the HC diet, but increased with 2MB supplementation. Crude protein degradability increased with the HC diet or 2MB supplementation. Abundance of Ruminococcus albus , Ruminococcus flavefaciens , Fibrobacter succinogenes and Bufyrivibrio fibrisolvens as well as activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, cellobiase, xylanase and pectinase decreased with the HC diet, but increased with 2MB supplementation. However, abundance of Prevotella ruminicola and Ruminobacter amylophilus as well as activities of α‐amylase and protease increased with the HC diet or 2MB supplementation. Total PD excretion also increased with the HC diet or 2MB supplementation. The results suggested that growth performance, ruminal fermentation, CP degradability and total PD excretion increased with increasing dietary concentrate level from 40% to 60% or 2MB supplementation. The observed diet × 2MB interaction indicated that supplementation of 2MB was more efficacious for improving growth performance, ruminal fermentation and total PD excretion with promoted ruminal bacteria abundance and enzyme activity in the MC diet than in the HC diet.     

The relationships between odd‐ and branched‐chain fatty acids to ruminal fermentation parameters and bacterial populations with different dietary ratios of forage and concentrate

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of different dietary ratios of forage and concentrate (F:C) on ruminal odd‐ and branched‐chain fatty acids (OBCFAs) contents and to evaluate the relationships between OBCFA and ruminal fermentation parameters as well as bacterial populations tested by real‐time PCR technique. The experimental design was a 3 × 3 Latin square. Three rumen‐fistulated dry Holstein cows were fed three rations with different dietary F:C ratios (F:C; 30:70, 50:50 and 70:30). The rumen samples were collected every two hours (0600, 0800, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 2000, 2200, 2400, 0200 and 0400 h) over three consecutive days in each sampling period. The results showed that rumen OBCFA profiles are significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the dietary F:C ratios. The concentrations of C11:0, C13:0, iso‐C15:0, iso‐C16:0, iso‐C17:0 and C17:0 were higher in the cows fed dietary F:C ratio of 70:30 than those fed with other two rations. However, the concentrations of anteiso‐C15:0, C15:0 and total OBCFA were on the lowest level in the high forage diet. Correlation and regression analysis showed that ruminal OBCFAs had strong relationships with ruminal fermentation parameters and bacterial populations. In particular, the iso‐fatty acids had potential power to predict butyrate and isoacids metabolized in the rumen, whereas the fatty acids with 17 carbon atoms correlated with ruminal NH₃‐N content. The OBCFA contents have different relationships with fibrolytic and starch bacteria in the rumen. C17:0 and its isomers might be used to predict populations of fibrolytic bacteria.     

日粮添加酒糟对后备奶牛生长性能和营养物质消化率的影响

文章旨在研究不同比例的酒糟对后备奶牛生长性能和营养物质消化率的影响。试验选择日龄、体重和体况近似的健康荷斯坦育成牛30头,按照日龄和体重进行分组设计,将其随机分为3组,每组10头。对照组饲粮精料成分为玉米和大豆榨油副产物,试验组Ⅰ饲粮精料成分中添加15%的酒糟,试验组Ⅱ饲粮精料成分中添加30%的酒糟。预试期为2周,正试期为24周。试验期间限饲。试验期间每天记录育成牛的采食量。分别于试验开始和结束时测定育成牛的生长性能指标。于正试期第24周进行消化试验,测定营养物质消化率。试验结果表明,日粮中添加不同比例的酒糟替代玉米和大豆榨油副产物对育成牛干物质采食量和生长性能无显著影响(P>0.05)。日粮中添加不同比例的酒糟替代玉米和大豆榨油副产物对育成牛日粮干物质和有机物的表观消化率无显著影响(P>0.05),但显著提高了粗蛋白质和纤维的表观消化率(P<0.05)。30%酒糟添加组育成牛日粮粗蛋白质表观消化率分别比15%酒糟添加组和对照组育成牛高4.55%和6.82%(P<0.05),而15%酒糟添加组和对照组育成牛日粮粗蛋白质表观消化率差异不显著(P>0.05)。30%酒糟添加组育成牛日粮中性洗涤纤维表观消化率分别比15%酒糟添加组和对照组育成牛高6.70%和7.44%(P<0.05),而15%酒糟添加组和对照组育成牛日粮中性洗涤纤维表观消化率差异不显著(P>0.05)。30%酒糟添加组育成牛日粮酸性洗涤纤维表观消化率分别比15%酒糟添加组和对照组育成牛高6.64%和8.04%(P<0.05),而15%酒糟添加组和对照组育成牛日粮酸性洗涤纤维表观消化率差异不显著(P>0.05)。因此,育成牛日粮中可以添加酒糟替代部分玉米和大豆榨油副产物,本试验中最高添加比例为30%。     

不同水平苜蓿添加量对犊牛生长发育、营养物质消化率和瘤胃发酵参数的影响

文章旨在研究犊牛开食料中添加不同含量的苜蓿干草对犊牛生长发育、营养物质消化率和瘤胃发酵参数的影响。试验选择45头刚出生的中国荷斯坦母犊牛,按照体重划分区组,采用完全随机区组试验设计,将新生犊牛分配到3个处理组中,每组15头犊牛。对照组犊牛开食料中不添加苜蓿干草;在试验组Ⅰ犊牛开食料中添加10%的苜蓿干草(干物质基础);试验组Ⅱ犊牛开食料中添加20%的苜蓿干草(干物质基础)。犊牛在60日龄断奶,断奶结束后试验继续进行20 d。试验期间,1～50 d为哺乳期,犊牛饲喂常乳(正常饲喂量)+开食料;51～60 d为断奶过渡期,犊牛饲喂常乳(减量)+开食料;61～80 d为断奶后期,犊牛饲喂开食料。犊牛7日龄时开始饲喂开食料,犊牛14日龄时,在开食料中开始添加苜蓿干草。每天记录开食料采食量,分别于试验第1天、第50天、第80天在早晨饲喂前称重犊牛体重,分别于第50天和第80天在犊牛采食开食料3 h后采集瘤胃液,测定挥发性脂肪酸浓度和NH3-N浓度。于试验最后3 d,采集粪便进行消化试验,测定营养物质消化率。试验结果表明,犊牛开食料中添加苜蓿干草显著提高了犊牛体重、平均日增重和干物质采食量,而且与添加剂量呈线性相关,以20%的添加量组犊牛具有最佳的生长性能,而对犊牛的饲喂效率没有显著影响。犊牛开食料中添加苜蓿干草显著改善了瘤胃发酵功能,增加了瘤胃液pH,提高了瘤胃液乙酸与丙酸的比值。苜蓿干草对犊牛的营养物质表观消化率没有显著影响。因此,本试验结果表明,犊牛开食料中添加20%的苜蓿干草显著提高了犊牛生长性能,改善了犊牛瘤胃发育和发酵功能。     

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.     

Effects of dietary n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid ratio on nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites of Hanwoo heifers

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of dietary n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid (FA) ratio on digestibility, blood metabolites and FA profile of Hanwoo heifers. Fifteen Hanwoo heifers (22 ± 3 months old; 357 ± 69.7 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments with n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios of 2.07, 5.18 and 7.37. The animals were housed individually in digestion crates and fed total mixed rations at 2.2% of body weight for 2 weeks of adaptation and 1 week of collection. Treatment effects on in vivo digestibility, plasma metabolite and fatty acid profiles, and in vitro ruminal fermentation and fatty acid profiles were examined. In vivo digestibility was not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary n‐6/n‐3 FA ratio. However, in vitro dry matter digestibility and concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and propionate decreased (P < 0.05) linearly with increasing n‐6/n‐3 FA ratio. Plasma insulin and progesterone increased linearly (P < 0.05), but linolenic acid and total n‐3 FA decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing n‐6/n‐3 ratio. Increasing the dietary n‐6/n‐3 FA ratio can increase the n‐6/n‐3 FA ratio in plasma and ruminal fluid as well as plasma progesterone secretion.     

高精料对泌乳奶山羊瘤胃上皮氧化应激和胆固醇代谢的影响

为了研究长期或短期饲喂高精料日粮对泌乳期奶山羊瘤胃上皮组织氧化应激和胆固醇代谢的影响,实验选用17只健康的经产泌乳中期关中奶山羊,随机分为3组:饲喂低精料组(对照组,LC,n=5);长期饲喂高精料组(HL, n=7),19周饲喂期;短期饲喂高精料组(HS,n=5),4周饲喂期。实验结束后采集瘤胃组织,用PBS反复清洗,于液氮中速冻后置于-80 ℃冰箱保存。结果显示,与对照组相比,HL和HS组山羊瘤胃上皮组织中细胞周期相关基因CDK2和CDK4 mRNA表达水平显著升高(P<0.05),且HS组p-ERK1/2蛋白表达显著升高(P<0.05),但GPR41和GPR43蛋白表达无显著变化(P>0.05);HL和HS组山羊瘤胃上皮组织促细胞凋亡基因Casepase9 mRNA表达显著升高(P<0.05),HS组抗凋亡Bcl-2/Bax mRNA表达比例呈下降趋势(0.050.05);HS组瘤胃上皮组织中胆固醇含量下降达显著水平(P<0.05),且HL组呈下降趋势(0.05+ ATPase mRNA表达显著升高(P<0.05),NHE2蛋白表达升高但未达显著差异水平(P>0.05)。与HL组相比,HS组山羊瘤胃上皮组织中总抗氧化能力T-AOC显著升高(P<0.05);且胆固醇含量显著下降(P<0.05)。以上结果说明,短期饲喂高精料日粮可加快泌乳期奶山羊瘤胃上皮组织的更新,提高组织总抗氧化能力;而长期饲喂高精料日粮未引起细胞增殖相关蛋白和总抗氧化能力的显著变化;饲喂高精料日粮可以加快瘤胃上皮组织对VFA的转运。此外,饲喂高精料日粮引起瘤胃上皮组织内胆固醇含量降低,胆固醇酰基转移酶基因表达的显著上调,提示其对瘤胃上皮组织更新的潜在影响。     

Effects of the presence of grazing‐experienced heifers on the development of foraging behavior at the feeding station scale for first‐grazing season calves

In this study, effects of grazing‐experienced heifer presence on foraging behavior development at the feeding station (FS) scale for first‐grazing season calves were determined. A group of four calves grazing alone (C), and another comprising four calves (Wc) and three grazing‐experienced heifers (Wh), were alternately stocked every day for 2 h on the same pasture for 26 days. The foraging time budget for Wc was significantly longer than that for C (P < 0.05) on day 7, and was similar to that for Wh on all days. Bite rate per FS was significantly higher for Wc (15.5 bite/min) than for C (13.2 bite/min) from day 1 to 14 (33.4 vs. 29.0 bite/min, respectively; P < 0.01) and significantly lower than that for Wh on all days. The number of steps taken between adjacent FSs by Wc (4.7) was significantly lower than that for C (7.2) on days 1 and 14 (2.1 vs. 2.9 steps, respectively; P < 0.01) and was similar to Wh on all days. This suggests that grazing‐experienced heifers have positive effects on the foraging behavior development of new‐season grazing calves through 14 days after the start of stocking.     

不同精粗比日粮对奶山羊瘤胃液pH值、VFA及血液VFA含量的影响

本试验旨在探讨不同精粗比日粮对奶山羊瘤胃液pH值、VFA以及血液中VFA含量的影响。选择8只安装永久性瘤胃瘘管的奶山羊作为试验动物,采用完全随机分组试验设计随机分为2组,分别饲喂精粗比为6∶4和4∶6的日粮,预饲期15 d,采样期3 d。结果表明,高精料组(HC组)瘤胃液pH值显著低于低精料组(HR组)(P<0.05);在采食后3 h,HC组与HR组瘤胃液pH值均下降至最低值,分别为5.71和6.08。除了乙酸含量外,HC组瘤胃液丙酸、异丁酸、丁酸、异戊酸、戊酸以及总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)含量分别比HR组提高4.99%、5.58%、21.81%、17.95%、18.27%、1.66%。HC组血浆中各种VFA的含量均高于HR组,其中丙酸、丁酸含量两组间差异达到显著水平(P<0.05)。HC组瘤胃液以及血浆中乙酸与丙酸比值均低于HR组,但两组间差异均不显著(P>0.05)。HC组瘤胃液乙酸、丙酸、TVFA浓度在采食后2 h达到最大值,HR组在采食后3 h达到最大值,两组日粮血浆中VFA浓度均在采食后2 h达到最大值,然后逐渐恢复到采食前水平。结论:高精料日粮导致瘤胃液pH值显著降低,瘤胃液和血浆中VFA含量增加;瘤胃液VFA生成速率HC组高于HR组。     

Effects of essential oils,yeast culture and malate on rumen fermentation,blood metabolites,growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Baluchi lambs fed high‐concentrate diets

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with a mixture of essential oils (MEO), yeast culture (YC) and malate on performance, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites of lambs fed high‐concentrate growing diets. For this purpose, twenty Baluchi lambs (17.3 ± 0.5 kg body weight and 3 months old) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with five lambs per treatment. The treatment groups were as follows: (i) control: basal diet without any additive, (ii) basal diet plus 400 mg/day MEO (thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, limonene and cinnamaldehyde), (iii) basal diet with 4 g/day YC and (iv) basal diet plus 4 g/day malate. No differences between the dietary treatments were observed in dry matter intake, average daily gain or feed conversion ratio (p > 0.05). Compared with control and malate treatment, lambs fed MEO and YC had an improved crude protein digestibility (p < 0.05). Yeast culture significantly increased (p > 0.05) cell wall digestibility compared to the other treatments. No differences were observed between treatments with respect to nitrogen balance or ruminal pH and ammonia concentrations (p > 0.05). No differences were observed between treatments with respect to ruminal total volatile fatty acid concentration and molar proportions of acetate, butyrate and valerate. Molar proportion of propionate was higher (p < 0.05) for YC and malate compared to control and MEO. Plasma glucose concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in lambs fed YC and malate than in lambs fed the control or the MEO diet. Blood concentration of triglycerides significantly decreased when feeding the MEO and YC diets (p < 0.05). It was concluded that YC may be more useful as a feed additive for manipulation of rumen fermentation in lambs fed with high‐concentrate diets than MEO and malate, because YC enhanced crude protein and cell wall digestibility, ruminal molar proportion of propionate and plasma glucose concentration.     

日粮不同NDF/NFC水平对周岁后荷斯坦奶牛生产性能、营养物质消化率、瘤胃发酵特征和甲烷排放的影响

本试验研究了日粮中不同中性洗涤纤维/非纤维性碳水化合物（NDF/NFC）水平对周岁后荷斯坦奶牛生产性能、营养物质消化率、瘤胃发酵特征及甲烷产量的影响,并在此基础上建立了甲烷排放预测模型,旨在获得我国生产模型下的甲烷排放规律和甲烷转化因子,为提高奶牛能量利用效率、建立国家或区域性温室气体排放清单和探索减排策略提供科学依据和支撑。将45头体况良好,平均为15月龄的荷斯坦后备奶牛随机分为3组,每组15头牛：低日粮NDF/NFC组（NDF/NFC=0.60）、中日粮NDF/NFC组（NDF/NFC=0.75）和高日粮NDF/NFC组（NDF/NFC=0.90）,试验期为70 d,包括14 d的预饲期和56 d的正试期。结果表明：1）提高日粮NDF/NFC水平显著降低了奶牛的干物质采食量、有机物采食量、平均日增重、干物质和粗蛋白的表观消化率（P<0.05）;2）提高日粮NDF/NFC水平显著增加了瘤胃内总挥发性脂肪酸产量、乙酸的相对含量和乙酸/丙酸比例（P<0.05）,显著降低了丙酸的相对含量（P<0.05）;3）随着日粮NDF/NFC水平的提高,瘤胃甲烷和甲烷能产量、甲烷/代谢体重、甲烷/干物质采食量、甲烷/有机物采食量、甲烷/中性洗涤纤维采食量显著提高（P<0.05）。甲烷转化因子也随着日粮NDF/NFC水平的增加而显著提高（P<0.05）;4）基于体重、采食量、营养物质含量和NDF/NFC分别建立了甲烷预测模型,其中基于干物质采食量和中性洗涤纤维采食量建立的预测模型的决定系数最高（R²=0.77）。因此,提高日粮中NDF/NFC水平可显著降低周岁后荷斯坦奶牛的生产性能、营养物质消化率和瘤胃内丙酸的相对含量,可显著提高瘤胃甲烷产量和甲烷转化因子。     

日粮添加不同油脂原料对肉牛生长性能、养分消化及瘤胃发酵性能的影响

文章旨在探讨日粮添加不同油脂原料对肉牛生长性能、养分消化及瘤胃发酵性能的影响.试验选择平均初始体重(296±32.33)kg、带有瘤胃瘘管的肉牛48头,随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复3头.对照组肉牛饲喂不含油脂的日粮,处理组肉牛分别饲喂含有5％棕榈油、亚麻油和包被脂肪的日粮.在为期10周的饲养试验后测定相关指标....     

Effects of limited concentrate feeding on growth and blood and serum variables, and on nutrient digestibility and gene expression of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes in dairy calves

This study elucidated the effects of limited concentrate feeding on growth, nutrient digestibility, blood profile and gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver of dairy calves. The study utilized 36 German Holstein dairy calves (5-7 days of age) divided into two groups of 18 calves each for 150 days. Control group calves received 2 kg/(calf × day) of concentrate, whereas calves in the restricted group received only 1 kg/(calf × day). Good quality forage (mixture of maize and grass silages) was available for ad libitum consumption to both groups. The intake of milk replacer before weaning, and of concentrate were recorded daily per calf; however, the consumption of forages was quantified as daily average of the group. Body weights (BW) were recorded at start and on days 35, 70, 112 and 150. Blood and serum samples and spot urinary and faecal samples were also collected at similar time points. On days 70 and 150, liver biopsies were collected from seven animals in each group. The BW was not different between the groups at all times. Total BW gain in the control group was 124 kg as opposed to 111 kg in restricted group that led to average BW gain of 827 g/day and 739 g/day in respective groups, and the differences were significant (p = 0.018). As planned, the control group had higher concentrate and lower forage intake than the restricted group. The blood haemoglobin, haematocrit and serum variables (glucose, total protein, albumin and urea) were within the normal range in both groups, but serum glucose was higher (p < 0.05) in control than in restricted group at 70 days. There was no difference between groups in organic matter (OM) digestibility which declined (p < 0.001) with increasing age in both groups. Microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis estimated from urinary allantoin excretion increased (p < 0.001) in both groups with increasing age but was not different between groups. The mRNA expressions for the gluconeogenic enzymes, cytosolic and mitochondrial phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) and pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1) measured by quantitative real-time PCR in liver biopsies showed no differences between groups. Overall, restricting concentrate moderately reduced the growth intensity without affecting the normal serum and blood indices, and MCP synthesis and OM digestibility showed no differences between groups, indicating that both concentrate feeding schemes can be successfully applied.     

苹果酸盐的剂型对肉牛生长性能、瘤胃发酵性能和血液指标的影响

文章旨在研究苹果酸盐的剂型对肉牛生长性能、瘤胃发酵性能和血液指标的影响。试验选择体重为(216±25)kg的肉牛144头,随机分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复8头。试验共设计3种以大麦、玉米和小麦为主的精料补充料,对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理1组饲喂基础日粮+1.08g苹果酸(98%纯度),处理2组饲喂基础日粮+2g苹果酸二氢钠钙(53%纯度),处理1组和处理2组苹果酸盐含量均为1.1g。试验共进行141d,分为5个阶段(1~28d、29~56d、57~84d、85~114d、115~141d)。各组日粮对肉牛日增重、日采食量和料比均无显著影响(P>0.05)。但日龄显著影响肉牛的生长性能指标(P<0.05)。各处理与日龄对日增重和料比的影响无显著交互效应(P>0.05)。肉牛饲喂苹果酸盐组瘤胃乳头颜色较对照组显著加深(P<0.05)。肉牛日龄对血液葡萄糖和尿素氮含量具有显著影响(P<0.05),但对乳酸含量影响不显著(P>0.05)。苹果酸盐组较苹果酸和对照组显著提高了1d瘤胃己酸的含量(P<0.05),苹果酸盐组瘤胃氨氮含量在各阶段均显著高于苹果酸和对照组(P<0.05),日粮处理和时间对乙酸、戊酸、异戊酸和己酸含量的影响具有显著交互作用(P<0.05)。根据试验得到的结果,作者推断,无论是以苹果酸单体还是苹果酸二氢钠钙盐的形式在精料补充料添加1.1g/kg苹果酸盐对肉牛生长性能、瘤胃相关指标及血液代谢物均无显著影响。     

Effects of restricted vs. step up dietary adaptation for 6 or 9 days on feedlot performance,feeding behaviour,ruminal and blood variables of Nellore cattle

This study was designed to determine effects of quantitatively restricted intake of the final finishing diet as a means of dietary adaptation compared with diets increasing in concentrate (step up) over periods of 6 and 9 days on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behaviour, blood gas profile and rumen morphometrics of Nellore cattle. One hundred twenty 22‐month‐old Nellore bulls (352 ± 20 kg) were randomly allocated in 24 pens and fed for 84 days. The experimental design was a completely randomized block with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: adaptation using either step up protocol for 6 days or 9 days or restriction protocol for 6 days or 9 days, where the pen (five bullocks/pen; six pens/treatment) was considered the experimental unit. Cattle adapted by step up protocol had significantly greater average daily gain throughout the study when compared to those adapted by restriction protocol, regardless of adaptation length. During the adaptation period, a greater dry matter intake fluctuation was observed for animals maintained on restriction programme when compared to those adapted to the finishing diets using step up protocol. In addition, a protocol × length interaction for rumenitis scores was observed, where the level of injuries to the ruminal wall was significantly higher for the cattle adapted by restriction protocol for 9 days and lower for animals submitted for 9 days to the step up programme. Likewise, a protocol × length interaction for mitotic index was observed, in which cattle adapted by step up protocol for 9 days had lower numbers of cells in mitosis. Thus, the step up protocol led to better feedlot performance, and based on this fact, the length of 9 days promoted better rumen epithelium adaptation of Nellore cattle to high‐concentrate diets.     

Effects of blend of canola oil and palm oil on nutrient intake and digestibility,growth performance,rumen fermentation and fatty acids in goats

The study examined the effects of blend of 80% canola oil and 20% palm oil (BCPO) on nutrient intake and digestibility, growth performance, rumen fermentation and fatty acids (FA) in goats. Twenty‐four Boer bucks were randomly assigned to diets containing 0, 4 and 8% BCPO on a dry matter basis, fed for 100 days and slaughtered. Diet did not affect feed efficiency, growth performance, intake and digestibility of all nutrients except ether extract. Intakes and digestibilities of ether extract, unsaturated fatty acids (FA) and total FA were higher (P < 0.05) while digestibility of C18:0 was lower (P < 0.05) in oil‐fed goats than the control goats. Total volatile FA, acetate, butyrate, acetate/propionate ratio and methane decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing BCPO but propionate, NH₃‐N and rumen pH did not differ between diets. Ruminal concentration of C18:0, n‐3 FA and total FA increased (P < 0.05) while C12:0, C14:0, C15:0 and n‐6 FA decreased with increasing BCPO. Analysis of the FA composition of Triceps brachii muscle showed that concentrations of C16:0, C14:0 and C18:2n‐6 were lower (P < 0.05) while C18:1n‐9, C18:3n‐3 and C20:5n‐3 were higher in oil‐fed goats compared with control goats. Dietary BCPO altered muscle lipids without having detrimental effects on nutrient intake and digestibility and growth performance in goats.     

不同精粗比日粮对太行黑山羊生长性能、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响

试验研究不同精粗比日粮对太行黑山羊生长性能、屠宰性能和肉品质的影响.试验选取体况健康、体重(20.23±1.36) kg的育肥太行黑山羊80只,随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复5只羊.对照组黑山羊饲喂羊场自配饲料,试验Ⅰ组、试验Ⅱ组、试验Ⅲ组黑山羊分别饲喂精粗比40∶60、50∶50和60∶40的全混合日粮.预试期...     

Effects of diets containing alfalfa hay or barley flour mixed alfalfa silage on feeding behavior, productivity, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites in lactating cows

The effects of barley flour on the fermentation parameters of alfalfa silage and on the productivity of dairy cows were investigated. Alfalfa forage was ensiled either with or without barley flour. Barley flour was soaked in water for 24 h before being mixed with alfalfa (12 kg: 100 kg dry matter bases) at ensiling. Eighteen multi-parous cows were assigned to three equal treatment groups using a completely randomized design. Three isocaloric and isonitrogenous total mixed rations containing alfalfa hay, ordinary alfalfa silage or barley flour mixed alfalfa silage were then prepared. The concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid and butyric acid were lower in barley flour mixed alfalfa silage compared to that in ordinary alfalfa silage but the concentration of lactic acid was lower in the ordinary alfalfa silage. Feeding behavior, milk yield and composition, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites were measured. Although dry matter intake and milk production were not affected, the effect of preparation of alfalfa influenced feeding behavior and rumen fermentation parameters. Cows on alfalfa silage diets spent longer ruminating compared to those fed alfalfa hay. The ruminal ammonia nitrogen and blood urea were affected by ensiling (alfalfa hay versus alfalfa silages) while both parameters were lower in cows fed on barley flour mixed alfalfa silage than those fed on ordinary silage. Although similar blood glucose was recorded for cows fed on alfalfa silages, it was higher in cows fed on alfalfa hay. It is concluded that the addition of barely flour when making alfalfa silage may improve both the fermentation process during ensilage and the ruminal ammonia nitrogen utilization with no significant effects on productivity.