Ruminal fermentation pattern, bacterial population and ruminal degradation of feed ingredients as influenced by ruminal ammonia concentration

The effects of ruminal ammonia concentration on bacterial numbers, fermentation pattern and degradation of feed ingredients in the rumen were examined with three nonlactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas. Cows were fed twice daily a complete mixed diet (90% whole plant oat silage and 10% concentrate mixture) containing 11.1% CP on a DM basis. Ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) was infused continuously into the rumen at levels of 0, 95, 190 or 280 g/d. Infusion of NH4HCO3 linearly increased (P less than .05) the concentrations of ruminal ammonia and blood urea N. Total VFA concentrations and mixed bacterial numbers also were increased (P less than .05) by NH4HCO3 infusion. Infusions of NH4HCO3 increased (P less than .05) butyrate and decreased (P less than .05) isobutyrate and isovalerate proportions. Infusion of NH4HCO3 increased (P less than .05) rate of degradation of soybean meal DM but did not (P greater than .05) influence degradation characteristics of fish meal and barley grain. In conclusion, supplementation of N by continuous infusion of NH4HCO3 appeared to stimulate bacterial growth and fermentation but it did not influence extent of ruminal degradation of selected feed ingredients.     

Effects of microwave irradiation on ruminal protein degradation and intestinal digestibility of cottonseed meal

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of microwave irradiation on ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and to monitor the fate of true proteins of cottonseed meal (CSM) in the rumen. Duplicate nylon bags of untreated or irradiated CSM (microwave power of 800 W for 2, 4 and 6 min) were suspended in the rumen of four non-lactating Holstein cows for up to 48 h, and resulting data were fitted to non-linear degradation model to calculate degradation parameters of CP. Proteins of untreated and treated CSM bag residues were fractionated by gel electrophoresis. Intestinal digestibility of CP was measured using the mobile nylon bag technique. From in situ results, microwave irradiation decreased (P < 0.05) the water soluble fraction and degradation rate, but increased the potentially degradable fraction of CP. The effective degradability of CP decreased (P < 0.05) as processing period increased. Irradiation for 2 and 4 min increased (P < 0.05) intestinal digestibility of ruminally undegraded CP, but extending to 6 min lowered (P < 0.05) the beneficial effect that 4 min had on intestinal CP digestibility. Electrophoretic results indicated that globulin 9S in untreated CSM (whereas globulin 9S, globulin 5S and albumin 2S in microwave irradiated CSM) make the bulk of escaped protein. Based upon these results, microwave irradiation at a power of 800 W for 4 min had the greatest potential to increase digestible undegraded protein.     

The effects of protein sources supplemented with urea-treated potato pulp (PP) silage and feeding levels of the PP silage-based concentrate on feed intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation in beef steers

Six Japanese Black (Wagyu) steers (average initial weight 467 ± 45 kg) 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 block design (subplot). The whole‐plot treatments were three different feeding levels of urea‐treated potato pulp (PP) silage‐based concentrate: 1.00%, 1.75% and 2.50% of body weight (BW) (on a dry matter (DM) basis). The subplot treatments consisted of the concentrate formulated to contain either soybean meal (SBM) as a rapidly rumen‐degraded protein source or corn gluten meal (CGM) as a slowly degraded protein source. Dry matter intake tended to be lower (P = 0.071) for CGM (8.9 kg/day) than for SBM (9.4 kg/day). Protein sources had no significant effect on digestibility and in situ degradation. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH₃‐N) was lower (P = 0.033) for CGM (7.5 mg/dL) than for SBM (9.5 mg/dL). Protein sources did not affect ruminal pH and the total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations. The molar proportions of ruminal acetate and valerate were higher (P = 0.032) for CGM than for SBM. The maximum daily intake of the PP silage‐based concentrate expressed as a percentage of BW was approximately 1.4% of BW. Dry matter intake was higher (P = 0.046) for steers fed at 1.0% of BW of the PP silage‐based concentrate than for steers fed at 1.75% or 2.5% of BW of the concentrate. The feeding levels of the PP silage‐based concentrate had no effect on DM and nutrients digestibility, except for crude protein (CP) digestibility. CP digestibility tended to be lower (P = 0.071) for steers fed at 1.75% of BW of the PP silage‐based concentrate than for steers fed at 1.0% or 2.5% of BW of the concentrate. The feeding levels of the PP silage‐based concentrate also did not affect the in situ degradation parameter of hay and PP silage. The feeding levels of the PP silage‐based concentrate did not affect ruminal pH, NH₃‐N and total VFA concentrations. The molar proportion of acetate was highest for steers fed at 1.0% of BW of the concentrate. In conclusion, in the urea‐treated PP silage‐based concentrate, CGM seems to be more effective than SBM for stabilizing the ruminal NH₃‐N concentration and to be advantageous for fiber digestion in the rumen. The feeding levels of the PP silage‐based concentrate did not change the amount of VFA production in the rumen and the DM digestibility.     

The effects of potato pulp and feeding level of supplements on digestibility, in situ forage degradation and ruminal fermentation in beef steers

Six ruminally cannulated Wagyu (Japanese Black) steers (average initial bodyweight (BW) 387 ± 29 kg) were used in a split‐plot design experiment, comprising a 3 × 3 Latin square design (whole plot) and a randomized block design (subplot). The whole plot treatments were three different feeding levels of supplemental diet, fed at 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6% of BW, on a dry matter (DM) basis. Subplot treatments were two different supplemental diets: a potato pulp silage‐based diet (PPS) and a grain‐based diet (GRAIN). Chopped, medium‐quality cool‐season grass hay (predominately Timothy, Phleum pratense L) was fed daily at 0.7% BW (on a DM basis) as the basal diet. Each period consisted of 21 d, which included 11 d of adaptation to the diets and 10 d of the collection period. Chromium oxide was used as an indigestible marker. In situ forage degradation was measured using the nylon bag technique. The dry matter intake increased (linear; P < 0.01) as the feeding level increased and was not affected by the diet. Digestibility was not affected by any treatments. The GRAIN diet tended to decrease the rate of in situ forage degradation as the feeding level increased, but this trend was not found in the steers fed the PPS diet. Steers fed the GRAIN diet had a lower (P < 0.1) ruminal pH compared with steers fed the PPS diet. Ruminal pH was not significantly affected by feeding level; however, it was numerically higher for steers supplemented at 0.2% per BW than that for the steers supplemented above 0.4% per BW due probably to the higher starch intake. The total volatile fatty acids concentration numerically increased as the feeding level increased and was not affected by the diet. Increasing the feeding level decreased (linear, P < 0.01) the proportion of acetate. Neither diet nor the feeding level had any effects on the proportion of ruminal propionate. The results suggested that, for steers fed the PPS diet, there are not adverse effects on forage digestion in the rumen that occur as the feeding level is increased.     

In situ ruminal amino acid degradability of green and ensiled Italian rye-grass according to particle transit model and microbial contamination correction

The ruminal degradation of amino acids (AA) of a green Italian rye-grass (GRG) and its silage (ERG) was determined on three wethers cannulated in rumen and duodenum using in situ and particle passage techniques. Wethers were fed a diet of ERG, corn silage and concentrate (1:1:1, DM basis) at 40 g DM/kg BW^0.75. Two rumen incubations (at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h) with freeze-dried samples (3 g) in nylon bags were performed for each feed. The microbial contamination of incubated residues was corrected using ¹⁵N enriched solid associated bacteria isolates as reference. Two different estimates of undegraded AA were established: UP_p, considering the particle rumen outflow rate (k_p) of the ERG, and UP_cp, considering additionally the rate of comminution and mixing (k_c) of these particles. Microbial contamination resulted in large errors in the degradation kinetic parameters of all AA. As a result, non corrected UP_p and UP_cp included a large fraction of microbial origin. For essential AA plus cysteine these microbial proportions ranged 0.365–0.555 (UP_p) and 0.461–0.710 (UP_cp) in GRG. In ERG these values ranged: 0.403–0.666 (UP_p) and 0.481–0.804 (UP_cp). Cysteine always supplied minimum values whereas lysine showed maximum values in GRG or very close to these in ERG. Ensiling was associated with large changes in the AA profile. These variations conditioned, in turn, large differences in the changes made by the rumen microorganisms on the AA profile of both forages. However, ensiling only led to little changes in the profile of the rumen undegraded protein, especially when k_c was considered. Results show the need to correct for this contamination to obtain accurate AA valuations and also that the AA profile of the undegraded protein of a green forage may serve as a guide for this profile in its silages.     

Ruminal protein degradation and protein value of feeds

The relationship between dry matter (DM) degradation and crude protein (CP) degradation in the dairy cow's rumen was determined with a view to defining the protein value of feeds for ruminants. The nylon bag technique was applied for these studies. For all the feeds investigate (green fodder and preserves from cocks-foot, ryegrass, alfalfa/grass and meadow grass, as well as alfalfa, extracted soybean meal) a significantly positive relationship was found to exist between the levels of DM and CP degradation (r = 0.73 to 1.0). The regression coefficient b1 (CP degradation as regressor) was found to average 0.87. The positive relationship between DM degradation and CP degradation implies that microbial protein amount and unfermented feed protein at the duodenum are negatively correlated. Model calculations show that, on account of the compensation between microbial protein and feed protein at the duodenum, in feeds with a CP concentration below 200 g/kg DM, the extent of ruminal protein degradation does not exert a marked influence on duodenal protein passage. The partial calculation of the duodenal protein supply on the basis of undegraded feed protein and microbial protein, as practiced in the new models of protein evaluation, leads to systematic errors unless the relationship between DM degradation and CP degradation is considered.     

Effects of level of feeding and ruminally undegraded protein on ruminal bacterial protein synthesis, escape of dietary protein, intestinal amino acid profile, and performance of dairy cows.

Six cannulated lactating cows were used in two replicated, concurrently run 3 x 3 Latin square experiment to study the interaction between level of feeding and diets differing in ruminally undegraded protein (RUP) on bacterial protein synthesis, ruminal escape of dietary protein, and flow of total and individual amino acids (AA) to the small intestine. Treatments consisted of three diets formulated to contain 69 g (HL), 53 g (HH), and 48 g (LL) of RUP per kilogram of DM, respectively. Measurements were made in early lactation, at high feeding level (19.3 kg DM/d), and repeated at late lactation (9.8 kg DM/d, low feeding level) with the same animals and diets. Decreasing feed intake increased (P < .05) the apparent digestibility of OM, NDF, and ADF in the rumen and the total tract, decreased (P < .05) ruminal liquid and particulate passage rate and total ruminal VFA concentration, and increased ruminal pH and ammonia concentration. Decreased level of intake reduced the (P < .05) efficiency of bacterial N synthesis (28.1 vs 23.7 g bacterial N/kg OM truly digested in the rumen) and decreased (P < .05) ruminal protein degradation rate measured with an in situ method. Duodenal flow of nonammonia nitrogen (NAN), and total AA were highest (P < .05) for the HL diet and lowest (P < .05) for the LL diet at the high feeding level. However, at the low feeding level, diet composition did not affect the amount of NAN or total AA passing to the small intestine. Diet HL increased the proportion of Met, His (P < .05), and Arg (P < .07) in the duodenal digesta at both feeding levels. When purines were used to calculate bacterial N synthesis, no differences between diets were detected. However, when diaminopimelic acid was used, highest bacterial N synthesis was detected for diet HH at the high feeding level. Diet HL supported the highest (P < .05) milk protein production at the high feeding level, and the highest (P < .05) milk protein content at the low feeding level. In conclusion, level of feeding and amount of RUP altered the amount and composition of AA presented to the cows.     

不同生育期白羊草的瘤胃降解特性及其对瘤胃内环境的影响

以安装永久性瘘管的本地绵羊15只为试验动物,采用尼龙袋法对不同生育期白羊草的绵羊瘤胃降解特性及其对瘤胃内环境的影响进行研究。结果表明:干物质(DM)和粗蛋白质(CP)的有效降解率均在拔节期为最高,且拔节期DM的有效降解率显著高于其他3个生育期(P0.05)。DM的有效降解率随着生育期的推进不断降低,而CP的有效降解率无一定变化规律;加入不同生育期白羊草后,瘤胃液铵态氮浓度和总挥发性脂肪酸、乙酸、丙酸、丁酸、戊酸和异丁酸浓度均呈现先上升后下降的趋势,并在4h时达到峰值,且4h时,拔节期的铵态氮浓度和总挥发性脂肪酸、乙酸、丙酸浓度显著高于开花期(P0.05),其中以拔节期白羊草的增加幅度最大,开花期的最低,表明拔节期白羊草具有较高的瘤胃降解特性,最利于瘤胃发酵,由此可见,添加装有不同生育期白羊草的尼龙袋后均会对绵羊的瘤胃内环境产生影响,其原因主要与不同生育期白羊草的蛋白质含量和结构有关。     

肉牛常见饲料干物质和蛋白质瘤胃降解特性和小肠消化率研究

[方法]选用装有瘤胃瘘管和小肠瘘管的肉牛作为试验动物,尼龙袋法测定肉牛常见饲料干物质(DM)和粗蛋白(CP)的瘤胃降解特性和小肠消化率。[结果]结果表明,DM瘤胃有效降解率由高到低为玉米粉、麦麸、苜蓿干草、豆粕、菜籽粕、玉米青贮、醋糟、白酒糟;CP瘤胃有效降解率由高到低为苜蓿干草、麦麸、豆粕、醋糟、玉米粉、玉米青贮、菜籽粕、白酒糟;DM小肠消化率由高到低为豆粕、菜籽粕、玉米粉、白酒糟、醋糟、麦麸、苜蓿干草、玉米青贮;CP小肠消化率由高到低为豆粕、菜籽粕、玉米粉、苜蓿干草、麦麸、白酒糟、玉米青贮、醋糟。[结论]试验表明,不同饲料瘤胃降解特性不同,为小肠提供过瘤胃可消化蛋白的能力不同,且饲料的DM小肠消化率小于CP小肠消化率。     

不同蛋白质和碳水化合物饲料来源对牛瘤胃洗涤纤维降解和瘤胃液产物的定量研究

试验采用3×3拉丁方设计,3头安装永久性大口径瘤胃瘘管的青年母牛饲喂3种不同精饲料的日粮,3种精饲料分别为豆粕+玉米(日粮1),猪血粉+玉米(日粮2)和豆粕+小麦(日粮3)。精料日喂量按活牛体重的1%喂给,干玉米秸等量组成的日粮配给。试验为3个试验周期,每一周期为37d,其中适应期26d,在早晨采食后2、4、8、16和24h,分别5次实施瘤胃掏空,全量测定瘤胃物存留量。结果表明:日粮1在采食后2～8h瘤胃干物质、液体和NDF的存留量最低,与其他两种日粮相比差异显著(P<0.05);日粮1和日粮3瘤胃液氨氮存留量在采食后2～8h始终高于日粮2(P<0.05),但日粮3在采食4h后瘤胃液氨氮开始下降,而日粮1至采食后16h开始下降,日粮1瘤胃液氨氮数量采食后2～8h处于高峰状态,说明瘤胃微生物在瘤胃环境长时间一直保持稳定的降解能力;日粮1和日粮3在采食2～4h后处于较高的总挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)瘤胃存留量,日粮1在采食后8～16h瘤胃存留量降低,与日粮2和日粮3相比差异显著(P<0.05),日粮1对瘤胃VFA的快速移除,意味着瘤胃液的快速流出以及可能解释瘤胃固体物的快速移除。因此,日粮1和日粮3在牛瘤胃洗涤纤维降解和瘤胃液产物代谢模式发挥不同作用。     

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.     

不同比例羊草与青贮饲料在奶牛瘤胃内干物质降解率的研究

为测定不同比例羊草与青贮饲料(分别为100:0,0:100,20:80,70:30,60:40,50:50)在奶牛瘤胃内干物质降解率,本试验以3头装有永久瘤胃瘘管的中国荷斯坦奶牛为试验动物,采用瘤胃尼龙袋法对各配比组干物质降解率进行了比较研究。结果表明:不同配比组其干物质瘤胃降解率分别为32.66%,37.65%,38.05%,34.06%,39.38%,39.44%。说明当羊草与青贮配比50:50～60:40时,干物质降解率高于其他各组。     

尼龙袋法评定精油提取前后薰衣草瘤胃降解特性差异

选择3只安装有瘤胃和十二指肠瘘管的新疆哈萨克公羊为试验动物,采用尼龙袋法比较精油提取前后薰衣草在瘤胃内培养6、12、24、36、48、72 h干物质(DM)与粗蛋白质(CP)的降解特性。结果表明,精油提取前后薰衣草中CP、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维含量变化差异较小。精油提取后,薰衣草DM和CP瘤胃消失率出现显著下降(P<0.05);尽管精油提取前后瘤胃动态降解参数a和b值差异不显著(P>0.05),但精油提取后降解速率c值和有效降解率显著下降(P<0.05),这或许与精油提取后薰衣草细胞壁中香草酸、原儿茶酸和阿魏酸在总酚酸中的比例分别升高26.5%、33.3%和24.8%有关。总之,就瘤胃降解率而言,精油提取前的薰衣草具有更高的饲用价值。     

利用尼龙袋法比较3个全株玉米品种青贮前后肉牛瘤胃降解特性

本试验旨在利用尼龙袋法比较不同品种全株玉米青贮前后瘤胃降解特性的差异.试验采用2×3双因素试验设计,选择玉米7367号、玉米7377号、玉米7387号3个全株玉米品种为研究对象,采用尼龙袋法比较3种全株玉米青贮前和青贮后的营养成分和瘤胃降解特性,旨在探讨适合河北省种植的全株玉米青贮品种.结果表明:1)青贮前玉米7377...     

Effects of roughage type on particle separation,rumination, fiber mat characteristics,in situ degradation,and ruminal fermentation parameters in beef steers

Six ruminally cannulated steers (average BW = 791 ± 71 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment to determine the effects of roughage type on rumination, fiber mat characteristics, and rumen fermentation variables. Three roughages were included at 7% (DM basis) in a steam flaked corn-based diet: cotton burrs (CB), wheat silage (WS), or corn stalks (CS). Steers were fitted with a sensory collar to record rumination behaviors in 2-h intervals at the beginning of the experiment. Each 30-d period consisted of 7 d of recovery, 14 d of diet adaptation, 7 d of rumination data collection (daily and bi-hourly average rumination), 1 d of rumen fluid collection, and 1 d of rumen evacuations. In situ degradation of individual roughages was determined for 4 d after period 3 evacuations. During rumen evacuations, ruminal contents were removed; the rumen fiber mat (RF) was separated from the liquid portion with a 2-mm sieve, weighed, and a subsample was dried. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with steer as the experimental unit and roughage (CB, WS, and CS) as the main effect. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not different for CB and WS (P = 0.25) and greatest for steers consuming CS diet (P ≤ 0.01). Roughage type did not influence the weight of the RF dry matter (%; DM; P = 0.92), RF weight (P = 0.69), or RF:DMI ratio (P = 0.29). Daily rumination (min/d) did not differ among roughages (P = 0.40), but min of rumination/kg of DMI was greatest for CS (18.0 min), min/kg of NDF was greatest for WS (89.8 min; P = 0.02), and min/kg of peNDF was greatest for CS (132.4 min; P ≤ 0.01). Wheat silage had the greatest percentage of soluble and degradable DM. Rumen fiber mat did not differ for roughages, although rumination min/kg of DMI and peNDF was greatest for steers consuming CS and WS. In situ degradation determined that CB-R and CS-R had the greatest percentage of ruminal undegraded DM. Based on the objective of the experiment, roughage type did not influence daily rumination or fiber mat characteristics.     

新尼龙袋使用前瘤胃浸泡处理对饲料瘤胃降解特性的影响

本试验旨在研究瘤胃尼龙袋法中新尼龙袋使用前瘤胃浸泡处理对饲料瘤胃降解特性的影响.以8只装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的云南半细毛羊公羊为试验动物,随机分为2组(每组4只),分别采用预浸泡的尼龙袋(试验组)和未浸泡的尼龙袋(对照组)对玉米、豆粕、麦秸、黑麦干草4种常用饲料干物质(DM)和粗蛋白质(CP)的瘤胃降解特性进行研究.结果显...     

Apparent ruminal degradation and rumen escape of soluble nitrogen fractions in grass and grass silage administered intraruminally to lactating dairy cows

The main objective of this study was to investigate in vivo ruminal degradation and rumen escape of soluble N fractions in grass and grass silage. Soluble protein and long-chain peptides (PLP), small peptides (SP) and free AA (FAA) were obtained from fresh grass and grass silages fertilized with different levels of N. Soluble extracts from the forages were pulse dosed into the rumen of three cannulated lactating dairy cows, and a simple or complex model was used to examine the kinetics of the soluble N fractions in the rumen. When soluble extracts from silage were investigated, pulse dosages of total nonammonia N (NAN) were 21, 27, and 32 g, while for fresh grass only dosages of 20 g were ruminally administered. In the silage extracts, mean proportions of PLP-N, SP-N, and FAA-N in the NAN were 30, 52, and 18%, respectively, whereas in the fresh grass the corresponding values were 67, 20, and 13%. From silage extracts, all three soluble N fractions showed a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in degradation rate and an increase (P < 0.05) in ruminal escape with increasing dosage. In silage, mean degradation rates, parameterized from the complex model, were 230, 214, and 334%/h for PLP-N, SP-N, and FAA-N, respectively, and the ruminal escape was highest (P < 0.05) for SP-N (11.2% of dose) and lowest (P < 0.05) for FAA-N (5.0% of dose). No differences in degradation rate and ruminal escape between fresh grass and silage were observed. However, the proportion of N dose converted to ammonia was only 24% in the fresh grass, whereas for the silages a mean value of 76% was found. From this study, it is concluded that a significant amount of dietary soluble N escapes ruminal degradation, and thus contributes to the intestinal AA supply. Moreover, if the main aim is to study degradation kinetics of individual N fractions, a complex model should be used in the evaluation. This model can also be used to study ruminal synchronization of N and energy for microbial growth.     

Metabolic and productive response to ruminal protein degradability in early lactation cows fed untreated or xylose‐treated soybean meal‐based diets

Effects of different dietary rumen undegradable (RUP) to degradable (RDP) protein ratios on ruminal nutrient degradation, feed intake, blood metabolites and milk production were determined in early lactation cows. Four multiparous (43 ± 5 days in milk) and four primiparous (40 ± 6 days in milk) tie‐stall‐housed Holstein cows were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 21‐day periods. Each period had 14‐day of adaptation and 7‐day of sampling. Diets contained on a dry matter (DM) basis, 23.3% alfalfa hay, 20% corn silage and 56.7% concentrate. Cows were first offered alfalfa hay at 7:00, 15:00 and 23:00 hours, and 30 min after each alfalfa hay delivery were offered a mixture of corn silage and concentrate. Treatments were diets with RUP:RDP ratios of (i) 5.2:11.6 (control), (ii) 6.1:10.6, (iii) 7.1:9.5 and (iv) 8.1:8.5, on a dietary DM% basis. Different RUP:RDP ratios were obtained by partial and total replacement of untreated soybean meal (SBM) with xylose‐treated SBM (XSBM). In situ study using three rumen‐cannulated non‐lactating cows showed that DM and crude protein (CP) of SBM had greater rapidly degradable fractions. The potentially degradable fractions were degraded more slowly in XSBM. Treatment cows produced greater milk, protein, lactose, solids‐non‐fat and total solids than control cows. Increasing RUP:RDP reduced blood urea linearly. Feed costs dropped at RUP:RDP ratios of 6.1:10.6 and 7.1:9.5, but not at 8.1:8.5, compared with the 5.2:11.6 ratio. Intake of DM and CP, rumen pH, blood glucose, albumin and total protein, faecal and urine pH, changes in body weight and body condition score, and milk lactose and solids‐non‐fat percentages did not differ among treatments. Results provide evidence that increasing dietary RUP:RDP ratio from 5.2:11.6 to 7.1:9.5 optimizes nitrogen metabolism and milk production and reduces feed costs in early lactation cows. Reduced blood urea suggests reprodutive benefits.     

不同紫花苜蓿品种瘤胃降解特性比较

为研究不同紫花苜蓿（Medicago sativa L.）品种在牛瘤胃中的降解规律,本试验以10个紫花苜蓿品种为材料,以3头装有永久性瘘管的晋南牛作为试验动物,采用尼龙袋法测定不同紫花苜蓿品种干物质（DM）、粗蛋白质（CP）、中性洗涤纤维（NDF）和酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）的瘤胃降解率和降解参数。结果表明：不同紫花苜蓿品种DM,CP,NDF和ADF的降解率随着其在瘤胃内培养时间的延长,均呈升高趋势,但不同品种在同一培养时间段内的降解率存在显著差异;不同紫花苜蓿品种的有效降解率（ED）的差异较大,‘WL-319HQ DM’的ED最高,显著高于‘中苜一号’和‘首领’（P<0.01）;‘金皇后’CP的ED显著高于除‘赛迪’之外的其他品种;‘WL-168HQ’、‘中苜一号’NDF的ED显著高于除‘首领’之外的其他品种;‘三得利’、‘皇后’ADF的ED显著高于其他品种（P<0.05）。由此可见,不同紫花苜蓿品种在瘤胃内的降解特性不同。     

Effect of various levels of imbalance between energy and nitrogen release in the rumen on microbial protein synthesis and nitrogen metabolism in growing double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls fed a corn silage-based diet

Seven double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls (initial BW: 341 +/- 21 kg) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in an incomplete replicated Latin square. The study examined the effect of imbalance between energy and N in the rumen on microbial protein synthesis and N metabolism by giving the same diet according to 3 different feeding patterns. The feed ingredients of the diet were separated into 2 groups supplying the same amount of fermentable OM (FOM) but characterized by different levels of ruminally degradable N (RDN). The first group primarily provided energy for the ruminal microbes (12.5 g of RDN/kg of FOM), whereas the second provided greater N (33.3 g of RDN/kg of FOM). These 2 groups were fed to the bulls in different combinations with the aim of creating 3 levels of imbalance (0, 20, and 40 g/ kg of DM) between energy and N supplies in the rumen. Imbalance was measured by the variation of the degradable protein balance (OEB value in the Dutch system) of the diet between the 2 meals each a day. Diurnal variations in ruminal NH3-N concentrations and plasma urea concentrations were greatly influenced by the feeding patterns of the diet. Introduction of imbalance affected neither microbial N flow at the duodenum (P = 0.97) nor efficiency of growth (P = 0.54). The feeding patterns of the diet had no negative impact on NDF degradation in the rumen (P = 0.33). Nitrogen retention was not affected by imbalance (P = 0.74) and reached 49.7, 52.0, and 51.3 g/d, respectively for 0, 20, and 40 g of OEB/kg of DM imbalance. It seems that introduction of an imbalance between energy and N supplies for the ruminal microbes by altering the feeding pattern of the same diet does not negatively influence the microbial activity in the rumen nor N retention of the animal. Nitrogen recycling in the rumen plays a major role in regulating the amount of ruminally available N and allows a continuous synchronization of N and energy-yielding substrates for the microorganisms in the rumen. Therefore, imbalance between dietary energy and N created over a 24-h interval was not detrimental to rumen microbial growth for the animal as long as the level of imbalance did not exceed 40 g of OEB/kg of DM. Thus, these feeding patterns of the diet can be used under practical feeding conditions with minimal impact on the performance of ruminant animals for meat production.