Rumen fermentation and degradability in buffalo and cattle using the in vitro gas production technique

An in vitro trial was conducted to investigate the effect of different inoculum sources (buffalo vs. cattle) on rumen fermentation and degradability. Incubations were carried out using rumen fluid obtained from buffalo or cattle fed the same diet [60% grass hay and 40% concentrate; 18 kg dry matter (DM)/day]. The fermentation kinetics of eight feeds commonly used in ruminant nutrition (alfalfa hay, barley meal, beet pulp, corn meal and silage, ryegrass hay and silage and soya bean meal s.e.) were studied with the in vitro gas production technique and rumen fermentation parameters (substrate disappearance, pH and volatile fatty acids production) were determined after 120 h of incubation. The linear relationship indicates that the microbial metabolic pathways of the two inocula for all the substrates were qualitatively similar, albeit often quantitatively different. In this in vitro study, a significant influence of rumen inoculum (buffalo vs. cow) on fermentation and degradability of the examined substrates was found. The differences in buffalo and cattle rumen fermentation can be explained with a different microbial activity of the two ruminant species, because of different amount of microbial population or microbial population constituted by different species of bacteria and protozoa.     

用体外发酵法评价亚热带几种常用反刍动物饲料的营养价值

试验旨在用体外发酵法评价亚热带多种常用反刍动物饲料的营养价值。选用甘蔗尾、紫色象草、桂闽引象草、构树、玉米秸秆、菠萝皮、鲜豆腐渣、鲜啤酒渣和罗汉果渣9种饲料作为发酵底物,通过瘘管采集成年湘东黑山羊的瘤胃液,利用全自动体外模拟瘤胃发酵设备进行48 h体外发酵。根据总产气量（TGP）、甲烷产量、干物质降解率（DMD）以及挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）浓度等发酵参数进行评价。结果表明：几种料渣中,48 h总产气量、甲烷产量、干物质降解率和VFA浓度由高到低的顺序均为鲜豆腐渣、菠萝皮、鲜啤酒渣、罗汉果渣;几种草料中,玉米秸秆的甲烷产量最高,构树的48 h总产气量、干物质降解率和VFA浓度最高,罗汉果渣的这几项指标均最低。由上述结果可知,从常规营养成分、体外发酵产气和挥发性脂肪酸浓度等方面综合考虑,除罗汉果渣外,其他8种常用饲料均可作为反刍动物的优质饲料加以开发利用。     

The effects of frequency of feeding on some quantitative aspects of digestion in the rumens of growing steers

Three steers with simple rumen and abomasal cannulas were given ground and pelleted diets containing predominantly dried grass meal (DG) or rolled barley (RB). Diets were given at frequencies of two or eight feeds/d in a simple changeover design. Chromic oxide and polyethylene glycol were given as flow markers and flows (g/24 h) of organic matter (OM), nitrogenous and carbohydrate compounds were calculated. Ribonucleic acid and 35S were used as microbial markers and diaminopimelic acid (DAP) as a bacterial marker. Frequency of feeding had no significant effect on mean rumen pH, ammonia levels or liquid outflow rates with either diet. Rumen volume was decreased and abomasal digesta flow increased on Diet DG with more feeds but these parameters were unaffected with Diet RB. Increased feeding frequency with both feeds resulted in increased numbers of protozoa. There were no significant effects of feeding frequency of Diet DG on the abomasal flows of any of the nitrogenous constituents measured. However, there was a significant increase in microbial-N flow from 33 to 43 g/d with more frequent feeding of diet RB which was not reflected in bacterial-N flow as measured by DAP. The apparent digestion of OM in the rumen, expressed as g/g intake with diet DG was 0.41 and 0.31 for two feeds and eight feeds/d respectively. Corresponding values for diet RB were 0.56 and 0.63 respectively. The reduction in OM digestion with frequent feeding of diet DG was reflected in similarly reduced rumen digestibilities of all dietary carbohydrate components whereas the increase in OM digestion with diet RB was reflected only by the component sugars of the dietary fibre. The efficiencies of microbial protein synthesis (expressed as gMN/kg ADOM) increased from 36 to 46 when the feeding frequency of diet DG was increased from two to eight times/d. No significant effect of frequency of feeding was found for diet RB. Mouth to abomasum degradation of feed-N (expressed as g/g intake) of 0.64 was unaffected by the number of feeds of diet DG but was significantly increased from 0.55 to 0.82 when eight rather than two feeds/d of diet RB were given.     

Study of changes of properties in thermically and hydrothermically treated feeds. 2. N fractions in fermentation medium at the incubation of treated feeds under in vitro conditions

In the extensive experiments in vitro degradation ability of hydrothermically and thermically treated feeds have been studied. The feeds used were soybean meal, horse bean, alfalfa meal, field pea. The feeds have been treated at 90, 110 and 130 degrees C for 30, 60 and 90 min. The treated feeds have been tested both for microbial degradation ability due to rumen microflora and enzymatic degradation ability via pepsin and trypsin. The fact has been regarded as an important finding that the degradation ability of nitrogenous compounds had been restricted effectively by hydrothermic treatment that was manifested by low ammonia-N levels in fermentation medium (11.3; 8.8; 15.9 and 1.1% out of nitrogen contents in the different feeds). On the other hand improved protein enzymatic digestibility have been recorded in treated feeds as compared with native ones.     

A new system for the protein feeding of ruminants: The PDI system

To replace the digestible crude protein system (DCP) a new system is proposed which is named the PDI system (Protéines Digestibles dans l'Intestin grêle). It estimates the quantity of amino nitrogen N × 6.25 absorbed in the small intestine from the dietary protein which has escaped fermentation in the rumen, and the microbial protein arising from that fermentation.The extent of N degradation in the rumen and the microbial protein yield (135 g/kg of digestible organic matter intake) were obtained using an equation describing the flow of non-ammonia N entering the duodenum. The true digestibility of microbial true protein (80% of microbial crude protein) was considered equal to 0.70 and that of dietary protein was calculated from nitrogen and organic matter digestibilities of each feed.Two PDI values are ascribed to each feed: one (PDIN) calculated from both its non-degradable N and degradable N contents and the other (PDIE) from both its non-degradable N contents and its content of rumen available energy (in fact its digestible organic matter content). When calculating the PDI value of a diet, the PDIN and PDIE values of the different ingredients are summed separately: the PDI value of the diet is the lower of the two values.The PDI requirements of animals have not been measured previously. They were calculated from nitrogen balance trials on non-producing animals and from feeding trials on producing animals. The mean efficiency of PDI utilization was found to be 0.67 for milk production in cows, 0.60 for body gain in cattle and 0.60 for pregnancy in sheep. These values have also been used with animals of other species.The advantages of the PDI system over the DCP system, as well as its shortcomings, are discussed. It is compared with alternative systems which have been proposed recently in other countries.     

Effects of replacing dietary starch with neutral detergent–soluble fibre on ruminal fermentation,microbial synthesis and populations of ruminal cellulolytic bacteria using the rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC)

A rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) apparatus with eight 800 ml fermenters was used to investigate the effects of replacing dietary starch with neutral detergent–soluble fibre (NDSF) by inclusion of sugar beet pulp in diets on ruminal fermentation, microbial synthesis and populations of ruminal cellulolytic bacteria. Experimental diets contained 12.7, 16.4, 20.1 or 23.8% NDSF substituted for starch on a dry matter basis. The experiment was conducted over two independent 15‐day incubation periods with the last 8 days used for data collection. There was a tendency that 16.4% NDSF in the diet increased the apparent disappearance of organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). Increasing dietary NDSF level increased carboxymethylcellulase and xylanase activity in the solid fraction and apparent disappearance of acid detergent fibre (ADF) but reduced the 16S rDNA copy numbers of Ruminococcus albus in both liquid and solid fractions and R. flavefaciens in the solid fraction. The apparent disappearance of dietary nitrogen (N) was reduced by 29.6% with increased dietary NDSF. Substituting NDSF for starch appeared to increase the ratios of acetate/propionate and methane/volatile fatty acids (VFA) (mol/mol). Replacing dietary starch with NDSF reduced the daily production of ammonia‐N and increased the growth of the solid‐associated microbial pellets (SAM). Total microbial N flow and efficiency of microbial synthesis (EMS), expressed as g microbial N/kg OM fermented, tended to increase with increased dietary NDSF, but the numerical increase did not continue as dietary NDSF exceeded 20.1% of diet DM. Results suggested that substituting NDSF for starch up to 16.4% of diet DM increased digestion of nutrients (except for N) and microbial synthesis, and further increases (from 16.4% to 23.8%) in dietary NDSF did not repress microbial synthesis but did significantly reduce digestion of dietary N.     

稻草微生物饲料干物质消失率的研究

试验对不同水分添加量、不同发酵时间的稻草微生物饲料干物质在山羊瘤胃内的消失率进行系统研究,旨在为评定稻草微生物饲料的营养价值提供基础数据.试验选择3只安装永久性瘤胃瘘管贵州黑山羊,采用尼龙袋法,以不加水不发酵为对照组,分别测定了水分添加量为40％、50％、60％和70％的稻草微生物饲料,经10、20、32 d发酵后干物质在山羊瘤胃内的消失率.结果显示：发酵时间和水分添加量对稻草微生物饲料中干物质消失率均具有显著影响.从发酵时间看,发酵32 d的饲料在山羊瘤胃内各时间点的干物质消失率均高于对照组（P＜0.01）和其他试验组（P＜0.05）;从饲料水分添加量看,96 h的干物质消失率均以水分添加量60％组最高.发酵10 d水分添加量60％组为36.52％,比对照组高10.94％（P＜0.05）,比40％组高0.74％ （P ＞0.05）,比50％组高0.41％ （P ＞0.05）,比70％组高0.19％ （P＞0.05）;发酵20 d水分添加量60％组为44.32％,比对照组高34.63％ （P ＜0.01）,比40％组高7.16％ （P ＜0.05）,比50％组高6.00％ （P ＜0.05）,比70％组高3.65％（P＞0.05）;发酵32 d水分添加量60％组为,比对照组高42.68％ （P ＜0.01）,比40％组高7.36％（P＜0.05）,比50％组高6.94％ （P ＜0.05）,比70％组高6.27％ （P ＜0.05）.结果表明：以水分添加量为60％,发酵32 d制成的稻草微生物饲料干物质消失率效果最好.     

Effect of Fusarium toxin-contaminated triticale and forage-to-concentrate ratio on fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen

In this study, the effect of Fusarium toxin-contaminated triticale (FUS) at high (60%) and low (30%) concentrate proportion in ruminant rations on ruminal fermentation, microbial protein synthesis and digestibility was investigated, using in vivo and in vitro methods. Significant effects of the forage-to-concentrate ratio on ruminal degradation and digestibility of crude nutrients and detergent fibre fractions as well as on the pH value and the concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in rumen fluid were found. The production of SCFA was affected, and the degradation of crude fibre and neutral detergent fibre in the rumen was reduced by the inclusion of FUS at high concentrate proportion. The efficiency of microbial crude protein synthesis was higher in diets with 60% than in diets with 30% concentrates, but was impaired in the presence of FUS in vitro at the high concentrate level. Marginal effects of FUS on the amino acid pattern of microbial protein were detected. It was concluded that the use of FUS in high concentrate diets can influence ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis at a dietary deoxynivalenol concentration below 5 mg/kg dry matter.     

参与瘤胃内纤维素降解过程的主要微生物研究进展

纤维素是反刍动物的必需营养素之一,反刍动物主要通过瘤胃微生物降解纤维素。研究者们希望通过全面深入地了解纤维素在瘤胃内的降解过程及相关微生物的信息去调控瘤胃发酵,最终提高动物生产性能。因此,纤维素在瘤胃内的降解过程及相关微生物是反刍动物营养研究的重要内容之一。目前,人们对瘤胃内个别种属纤维分解菌的个别菌株研究较为深入,并建立了纤维小体模型,但是缺乏对瘤胃微生物这个复杂系统整体的了解,同时人们对纤维降解菌和纤维素酶的研究还停留在理论阶段。作者综述了纤维素降解过程及主要相关微生物,其中重点介绍纤维分解菌及相应的纤维素酶的分类、结构和功能,以及固相黏附微生物的洗脱方法等。     

The role of ciliate protozoa in nutrition of the ruminant

The effects of ciliate protozoa on the ruminal ecosystem, digestion in different parts of the gut, the nature of nutrients available for absorption and their effects upon the nutrition and productivity of their host are reviewed. Compared with fauna-free ruminants, the presence of ciliate protozoa results in a more stable ruminal fermentation, higher levels of ammonia, reduced numbers of bacteria, as well as changes in dry matter (%), liquid volume and turnover rate of ruminal contents. Associated with these differences in the rumen are higher ruminal and total tract digestion of organic matter and fiber in faunated animals. A reduction in net microbial synthesis and an increase in dietary protein degradation in the rumen results in the flow of protein to the small intestine being lower in faunated ruminants. The major nutritional effect of the ciliate protozoa is to change the ratio of protein to energy in the nutrients absorbed, with faunated animals having lower protein and higher energy availabilities compared with ciliate-free ruminants. Of the nutrients available for absorption, the ciliates have no consistent effect on the proportions of volatile fatty acids or amino acids. However, there is evidence that hydrogenation of lipids is increased, as is the supply of choline, and that the bioavailability of copper is reduced by the presence of ciliates. Defaunation of young growing ruminants that are fed high energy diets, containing low levels of ruminal nondegradable protein, results in increased growth rate and feed efficiency. It is unlikely, with the possible exception of wool growth, that there are other situations in which defaunation will be beneficial; and it is more likely to be detrimental to animal productivity. It remains to be determined whether manipulation of the types of ciliate protozoa in the rumen could improve animal performance. Information for this review was largely derived from comparisons of faunated and fauna-free animals. However, it is indicated that there are large differences in protozoa numbers and types between naturally faunated individuals in the same flock or herd, and that the effects of such variations on their host's nutrition are unknown.     

不同纤维素与淀粉比率等氮纯化底物瘤胃发酵微生物蛋白质合成量

采用持续动态瘤胃模拟装置 (RSI)研究了 6种不同纤维素和淀粉比率 (C S) :0 .14、0 .44、0 .94、1.92、4.75、15 .76,等氮 ( 14.2 2 % ,风干物质基础 )纯化底物养分瘤胃发酵微生物组分及微生物蛋白质合成量。结果显示 :微生物有机物中氮的含量MN MOM在 5 5 0 %～ 6 64 %之间 ;微生物有机物中RNA含量 (RNA MOM ,% )不受日粮C S影响(P >0 0 5 ) ,仅发现微生物氮含量受到日粮碳水化合物比率影响 (P <0 0 5 )。 72小时发酵后 ,瘤胃微生物蛋白质合成效率与底物纤维素和淀粉比率成乘幂负相关关系 :MN RDN =0 .764 9(C S) - 0 .1 0 6 3,n =6,R =- 0 .93 1;MN FOM(g kg) =2 3 .88(C S) - 0 .0 988,n =6,R =- 0 .881。结果表明 ,在瘤胃可利用氮相同条件下 ,微生物蛋白合成效率取决于适宜的底物结构性碳水化合物和非结构性碳水化合物比率     

Theoretical turnover rate of the rumen liquid fraction in dairy cows and its relationship to feed intake,rumen fermentation,and milk production

Ruminant animals are able to convert plant materials (grain and the human‐indigestible portion of carbohydrates) to milk and meat. In this conversion, most of the plant materials are digested by rumen fermentation and are changed to short‐chain fatty acids, microbial cells, and methane, which is released into the atmosphere. The relationships among feed, rumen fermentation, and milk production are poorly understood. Here we report a novel indicator of characteristics of rumen fermentation, theoretical turnover rate (TTOR) of the rumen liquid fraction. The TTOR was calculated from the presumed rumen volume (PRV) which is estimated by dividing the methane yield by the methane concentration of rumen fluid. The formula for the TTOR is: TTOR = PRV/body weight^0.75. Our present analyses confirm that the TTOR as an indicator is capable of connecting feed, rumen fermentation, and milk production, because dry matter intake/TTOR showed a strong correlation with milk yield/TTOR. In addition, the TTOR may be related to ruminal pH, as we observed that the ruminal pH decreased as the TTOR increased. We propose that the TTOR is a factor characterizing rumen fermentation and a good indicator of the productivity of ruminants and dysbiosis of the rumen microbiome.     

蒸汽压片玉米在奶牛生产中的应用研究进展

玉米是奶牛舍饲的主要能量饲料来源之一,而蒸汽压片技术是一项目前较为成熟的日粮加工技术,主要通过机械的湿热加工方法改变原料物理形态和营养物质的化学结构,广泛应用于反刍动物日粮中。蒸汽压片处理工艺中的蒸汽压力、温度和处理时间会影响压片产品的容重和淀粉糊化度,进而影响其饲喂效果。研究发现,经蒸汽压片处理的玉米可有效提高其淀粉消化率,加快瘤胃内的发酵速度,改变瘤胃发酵模式,促进瘤胃微生物蛋白合成,有利于维持瘤胃pH及瘤胃内环境的稳定。也有研究表明,蒸汽压片玉米饲喂奶牛后,对其采食量没有明显影响,但可以提高产奶量,改善乳成分,从而提高奶牛的产奶性能。作者对蒸汽压片玉米技术及其在奶牛生产中的应用研究进展进行综述,以期为蒸汽压片玉米在中国奶牛生产中的合理使用提供参考。     

Effect of carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level in the concentrate: IV. Feed intake, rumen fermentation and milk production in milking cows

Four early-lactation crossbred cows (82.5 % Holstein) were selected to investigate the effect of carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level in the concentrate on rumen fermentation and milk production. Cows were randomly assigned to receive four dietary treatments according to a 2?×?2 factorial arrangement in a 4?×?4 Latin Square design. Factor A was carbohydrate source: cassava chip (CC) and CC + rice bran at a ratio 3:1 (CR3:1), and factor B was variation in the level of cottonseed meal (CM): low (LCM) and high (HCM) in isonitrogenous diets (180 g CP/kg DM). It was found that carbohydrate source did not affect feed intake, dry matter digestibility, rumen fermentation, microbial population, milk yield and composition, or economic return (P?>?0.05). However, cows fed with CC had a higher population of amylolytic bacteria than cows fed with CR3:1 (P?<?0.05). Cows fed with HCM had a higher total feed intake, milk yield and composition, and milk income when compared with cows fed on LCM although the concentrate and roughage intakes, dry matter digestibility, rumen fermentation, and microbial populations were similar between treatments (P?>?0.05). In addition, the carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level interactions were not significant for any parameter. It could be concluded that cassava chip and high level of cottonseed meal could usefully be incorporated into concentrates for dairy cows without impacting on rumen fermentation or milk production.     

不同精粗比下添加维生素B12对体外瘤胃发酵和微生物酶活力的影响

本试验通过体外培养法,研究在不同精粗比饲粮中添加维生素B12对体外瘤胃发酵和微生物酶活力的影响。试验采用3×3双因子试验设计,即3个底物精粗比(玉米∶羊草=35∶65、50∶50和65∶35)和3个维生素B12添加量(0、40和90 ng/mL)。体外试验用瘤胃液取自3只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的湖羊。体外培养24 h后测定体外瘤胃发酵参数和微生物酶活力。结果显示:1)随着底物精粗比和维生素B12添加量的提高,体外培养24 h的产气量、潜在产气量和有机物消化率极显著地增加(P<0.01),且维生素B12添加量与上述指标存在线性剂量效应(P<0.01)。2)当底物精粗比为50∶50和65∶35时,添加维生素B12显著提高了发酵液中氨态氮、微生物蛋白、总挥发性脂肪酸、乙酸和丙酸浓度(P<0.05),但对丁酸浓度和乙酸/丙酸无显著影响(P>0.05)。3)当底物精粗比为35∶65和50∶50时,添加40 ng/mL维生素B12使发酵液中羧甲基纤维素酶、木聚糖酶活力显著提高(P<0.05);当精粗比为65∶35时,添加90 ng/mL维生素B12使发酵液中羧甲基纤维素酶、木聚糖酶活力显著提高(P<0.05)。结果提示,底物精粗比和维生素B12添加量影响体外瘤胃发酵。添加维生素B12可增加瘤胃微生物酶的活力,从而提高有机物消化率以及微生物蛋白和总挥发性脂肪酸的产量。当底物精粗比(玉米∶羊草)较高(50∶50和65∶35)时,维生素B12的添加效果更明显,并且具有剂量依赖效应。     

瘤胃发酵调控研究进展

本文综述了通过调控饲料的加工细度和饲料精粗比 ,去瘤胃原虫或向日粮中添加唾液盐、应用酵母培养物及瘤胃素调控瘤胃发酵来提高饲料利用率的方法。并讨论了调控效果及调控瘤胃发酵应该注意的一些问题     

Effect of donor animals and their diet on in vitro nutrient degradation and microbial protein synthesis using grass and corn silages

Two nonlactating cows and two wether sheep, all fitted with a permanent cannula into the rumen, were fed either hay plus concentrate, grass silage or corn silage to study the effect of the donor animal and its diet on in vitro fermentation and microbial protein synthesis. Rumen inoculum was obtained before the morning feeding. Grass silage or corn silage was incubated in a semi‐continuous rumen simulation system for 14 days. Four replicated vessels were used per treatment. Degradation of crude nutrients and detergent fibre fractions as well as microbial protein synthesis and the production of volatile fatty acids were studied. Additionally, total gas and methane production was measured with a standard in vitro gas test. Gas production and methane concentration was higher when the inoculum used was from sheep than that from cows. The donor animal also affected the degradation of organic matter and ether extract as well as the amount of propionate and butyrate, and the acetate‐to‐propionate ratio. The effect of the diet fed to the donor animal on fermentation was much greater than the effect of the donor animal itself. Feeding hay plus concentrate resulted in higher gas production and degradation of acid detergent fibre, but in lower degradation of ether extract and reduced microbial protein synthesis. Additionally, the pattern of volatile fatty acids changed significantly when the diet of the donor animals was hay plus concentrate or one of the silages. These results show that in vitro fermentation and microbial protein synthesis is different when based on inoculum from either cattle or sheep. The diet fed to the donor animal is more important than the animal species and is probably mediated by an adjusted microbial activity. With regard to standardized feed evaluations, these results further support the need to harmonize in vitro approaches used in different laboratories.     

瘤胃混合微生物对稻糠、玉米麸、麦麸饲料中植酸磷降解特性的比较研究

采用短期人工瘤胃发酵技术,研究瘤胃混合微生物对糠麸类饲料中植酸磷的降解作用。试验采集3头健康泌乳期荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃液,以不同来源稻糠、玉米麸、麦麸饲料为底物,测定厌氧发酵3、12、24、48和72 h饲料植酸磷的消失率。结果表明:1)糠麸类饲料植酸磷消失率均随发酵时间的延长而增加,并且在发酵至24 h时,植酸磷消失率趋于90%以上。2)不同来源的同种糠麸类饲料间植酸磷的潜在降解率和降解速率明显不同。3)3种糠麸类饲料比较发现,麦麸饲料的植酸磷潜在降解率可达到100%(P<0.000 1),而玉米麸(95.58%)与稻糠(96.82%)饲料间差异不显著(P>0.05),植酸磷降解速率呈现为稻糠>玉米麸>麦麸(P<0.000 1)。由此可见,瘤胃混合微生物能很好地降解富含植酸磷的糠麸类饲料,且降解作用在不同饲料间存在一定的差异。     

Digestive,fermentative, and physical properties of pineapple residue as a feed for cattle

The intake, digestion, and ruminal fermentation properties; the antioxidative activity; and the physical effectiveness of pineapple residue (PR) from the cut-fruit industry as a feed for cattle were investigated. Four nonlactating Holstein cows were fed a basal diet and diets with 1.4- and 3.6-kg dry matter (DM)/day of PR (low-PR and high-PR diets, respectively). The DM digestibility and total digestible nutrients were 71% and 70%, respectively. Ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids, and ammonia-N did not differ among the diets. The numbers of total viable, amylolytic, cellulolytic, and methanogenic bacteria and protozoa, and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen also did not differ significantly. Blood triglyceride, nonesterified fatty acids, urea nitrogen, and aspartate transaminase were lower in the high-PR diet. Feeding PR did not affect blood malondialdehyde, although PR has a higher antioxidative value than other commonly used feeds. The particle distribution of PR satisfied the recommended range for haylage. The chewing time for ingestion and rumination did not change with PR content, and the roughage value index of PR was 57-min/kg DM. These results suggest that PR has good intake and digestion properties and satisfactory physical effectiveness. Even a high-PR-content feed unlikely induces the risk of ruminal acidosis.     

Rusitec--fermentation equipment for the study of digestive processes in ruminants

The fermentation equipment RUSITEC (Rumen Simulation Technique) is a simplified model of the rumen which stimulates the conditions inside the rumen, enables to keep the normal microbial population of the rumen for a long time under strictly controllable conditions, and enables a permanent monitoring of fermentation processes. Trials were conducted to see whether this model of "artificial rumen" can be used to determine the nutritive value of untreated beech sawdust and beech sawdust treated hydrobarothermically at the pressure of 1.4 MPa and impregnated with 1% H2SO4. The digestibility of the dry matter and fibre components was higher in the treated beech sawdust than in the untreated sawdust. In both reaction vessels, the amounts of acetic, propionic and butyric acids as well as the total VFA, were higher during the fermentation of treated beech sawdust, as compared with the diet with raw beech sawdust. The increased output of VFA, especially the acetic and butyric acids, resulted in a proportional increase in the output of gases, especially carbon dioxide and methane, as compared with the production of gases in rumens digesting untreated beech sawdust. In comparison with other in-vitro methods, this model of fermentation equipment characterizes the nutritive values of various kinds of feed in a more thorough way: using this equipment, the simulation technique has proceeded much closer to reality.