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.     

全混合日粮对肥育期的瘤胃发酵特性及其饲料消化率的影响

对肥育期的去势中国荷斯坦奶牛饲喂TMR和精、粗分离饲料后,试验组瘤胃内的乳酸浓度显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。试验组采食后6小时时的pH值及采食后3小时时的NH3N浓度显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。乙酸和丙酸在两处理组间无显著差异,而在0小时和6小时时试验组丁酸极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),同时采食后9 h内试验组平均丁酸浓度极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。另外,从采食后9 h内试验组平均乙酸/丙酸极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。CMCase的活力在两处理组间无显著差异,而采食后9 h内试验组平均xylanase活力显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。总细菌数和总真菌数在试验组中表现出比对照组增加的倾向,特别是总细菌数在6小时时,总真菌数在6小时和9小时时,试验组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。试验组粗蛋白质的消化率极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。     

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.     

Effects of sodium selenite addition on ruminal fermentation,microflora and urinary excretion of purine derivatives in Holstein dairy bulls

Researches on sodium selenite (SS) mainly focus on production performance and rumen fermentation in ruminants, and the influence of dietary Se addition on ruminal microbial population and enzyme activity in dairy bulls is scarce. This study mainly evaluated the effects of SS on ruminal fermentation, microflora and urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD) in dairy bulls. Eight ruminally cannulated dairy bulls were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments were control, low SS (LSS), medium SS (MSS) and high SS (HSS) with 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg of selenium (Se) from SS in dietary dry matter (DM), respectively. The supplement of SS (1.0 g/kg of Se) was mixed into the first third of the daily ration. Bulls were fed a total mixed ration with corn silage to concentrate ratio of 50:50 on a DM basis. Dry matter intake was not affected, average daily gain linearly increased, while feed conversion ratio quadratically decreased with increasing Se addition. The linearly increased digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre was observed. Both ruminal pH and ammonia‐N concentration linearly decreased, whereas total volatile fatty acid concentration linearly increased. A lower acetate to propionate ratio was observed due to the unchanged acetate proportion and increased propionate proportion. Activity of cellobiase, xylanase, pectinase, α‐amylase and protease, populations of total bacteria, fungi, protozoa, Ruminococcus (R.) albus, R. flavefaciens, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Ruminobacter amylophilus as well as urinary total PD excretion linearly increased, whereas populations of total methanogens and Prevotella ruminicola linearly decreased. The data indicated that dietary Se addition stimulated ruminal microbial growth and enzyme activity, and resulting in the increased nutrient digestion and growth performance, and the optimum supplementary dose of Se was 0.3 mg/kg dietary DM from SS in dairy bulls.     

Effects of the ruminal comminution rate and microbial contamination of particles on accuracy of in situ estimates of ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of feedstuffs

Effects of considering the comminution rate (k_c) and the correction of microbial contamination (using ¹⁵N techniques) of particles in the rumen on estimates of ruminally undegraded fractions and their intestinal digestibility were examined generating composite samples (from rumen‐incubated residues) representative of the undegraded feed rumen outflow. The study used sunflower meal (SFM) and Italian ryegrass hay (RGH) and three rumen and duodenum cannulated wethers fed with a 40:60 RGH to concentrate diet (75 g DM/kgBW^0.75). Transit studies up to the duodenum with Yb‐SFM and Eu‐RGH marked samples showed higher k_c values (/h) in SFM than in RGH (0.577 vs. 0.0892, p = 0.034), whereas similar values occurred for the rumen passage rate (k_p). Estimates of ruminally undegraded and intestinal digestibility of all tested fractions decreased when k_c was considered and also applying microbial correction. Thus, microbial uncorrected k_p‐based proportions of intestinal digested undegraded crude protein overestimated those corrected and k_c?k_p‐based by 39% in SFM (0.146 vs. 0.105) and 761% in RGH (0.373 vs. 0.0433). Results show that both k_c and microbial contamination correction should be considered to obtain accurate in situ estimates in grasses, whereas in protein concentrates not considering k_c is an important source of error.     

Effects of isovalerate on ruminal fermentation,urinary excretion of purine derivatives and digestibility in steers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of isovalerate supplementation on rumen fermentation, urinary excretion of purine derivatives and feed digestibility in the total tract of steers. Eight ruminally cannulated Simmental steers were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. The treatments were: control (without isovalerate), low isovalerate (LIV), medium isovalerate (MIV) and high isovalerate (HIV) dosage of isovalerate at 100, 200 and 300 mg isovalerate per kg dry matter (DM) intake respectively. Diets consisted of corn stover and concentrate (60/40, DM basis). Dry matter intake was approximately 9 kg per day that was 90% of ad libitum intake including 5.4 kg corn stover and 3.6 kg concentrate. Ruminal pH (6.72–6.54) was linearly (p < 0.03) reduced, whereas total volatile fatty acid concentration (64.6–74.7 mmol/l) was linearly (p < 0.01) and quadratically (p < 0.01) increased with increasing isovalerate supplementation. Ratio of acetate to propionate increased linearly (p < 0.01) from 2.78 to 3.39 as isovalerate supplementation increased because of the increase in acetate production and decrease in propionate production. In situ ruminal degradation of amylase‐treated neutral detergent fibre (aNDF) of corn stover was improved, but crude protein (CP) degradability of soybean meal decreased with increasing isovalerate supplementation. Urinary excretion of purine derivatives was quadratically (p < 0.01) changed by altering isovalerate supplementation (50.5, 54.3, 58.9 and 55.2 mmol/day for control, LIV, MIV and HIV, respectively). Similarly, digestibilities of organic matter, aNDF and CP in the total tract were linearly and quadratically increased with increasing isovalerate supplementation. The results of this study indicate that supplementation of diet with isovalerate improved ruminal fermentation and feed digestion in beef cattle. It was suggested that the isovalerate stimulated the digestive micro‐organisms or enzymes in a dose‐dependent manner.     

硫酸铜对西门塔尔牛瘤胃发酵及尿嘌呤衍生物的影响

选用4头体重420 kg、年龄2.5岁、装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的西门塔尔牛阉牛,采用4×4拉丁方设计,对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组在基础日粮基础上添加硫酸铜,处理1,2和3组分别加硫酸铜31,62和93 mg/kg,研究硫酸铜对瘤胃发酵和尿嘌呤衍生物的影响。结果表明,瘤胃液pH值和挥发性脂肪酸浓度无显著差异(P>0.05);93mg/kg组氨态氮浓度显著升高,而乙酸/丙酸显著降低(P<0.05)。93 mg/kg组玉米秸秆和豆粕瘤胃有效降解率显著降低(P<0.05),尿酸无显著变化。93 mg/kg组尿囊素、尿嘌呤衍生物和微生物蛋白质显著低于对照和31mg/kg组(P<0.05)。表明添加93 mg/kg的硫酸铜影响瘤胃发酵,以硫酸铜为铜源时添加量以31~62 mg/kg为宜。     

日粮补充异丁酸对犊牛生长性能、瘤胃发酵和纤维分解菌菌群的影响

为探索异丁酸对犊牛生长性能、瘤胃发酵、纤维分解菌菌群和酶活性的影响,试验选用15日龄荷斯坦犊牛36头,随机分成4组,对照组、低水平异丁酸组(LIB)、中水平异丁酸组(MIB)和高水平异丁酸组(HIB)分别饲喂异丁酸0、3、6和9g·d^-1,预饲15d,分别于60日龄(断奶)和90日龄测定体重和采集瘤胃液进行分析。结果表明,MIB组和HIB组犊牛干物质采食量、日增重和经济效益显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。90日龄时HIB组犊牛瘤胃pH值显著低于对照组和LIB组(P<0.05)。MIB和HIB组瘤胃总挥发性脂肪酸和乙酸浓度显著高于对照组和LIB组(P<0.05);MIB和HIB组犊牛60日龄时瘤胃乙酸/丙酸显著高于对照组(P<0.05),90日龄时显著高于对照组和LIB组(P<0.05)。60和90日龄时MIB和HIB组瘤胃异丁酸均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。60日龄时MIB和HIB组木聚糖酶和α-淀粉酶显著高于对照组(P<0.05),MIB和HIB组纤维二糖酶、果胶酶、溶纤维丁酸弧菌、黄色瘤胃球菌和产琥珀酸丝状杆菌显著高于对照组和LIB组(P<0.05);90日龄时MIB和HIB组各种瘤胃酶活力和纤维分解菌均显著高于对照组和LIB组(P<0.05)。结果显示,日粮补充异丁酸促进了犊牛瘤胃纤维素分解菌的生长,提高了纤维素分解酶的活性,进而促进了犊牛瘤胃发酵和生长发育。由于MIB与HIB之间各指标差异不显著,兼顾经济效益,在本试验条件下异丁酸的最佳添加量为6.0g·d^-1。     

日粮添加赛乐硒对西门塔尔牛瘤胃发酵和尿嘌呤衍生物含量的影响

选用7头体重420 kg,2.5岁装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的西门塔尔牛,采用7×7拉丁方设计,研究日粮添加赛乐硒(7.5,15.0和22.5 mg/d)和Na2SeO3(7.5,15.0和22.5 mg/d)对瘤胃发酵和尿嘌呤衍生物含量的影响。结果表明,15.0和22.5 mg/d赛乐硒组瘤胃pH值显著低于Na2SeO3组(P<0.05)。各处理组瘤胃氨态氮浓度显著低于对照组,但赛乐硒与Na2SeO3处理之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。22.5 mg/d赛乐硒组瘤胃乙酸浓度显著高于Na2SeO3组,赛乐硒各组丙酸浓度显著高于Na2SeO3各组及对照组,15.0和22.5 mg/d赛乐硒组瘤胃丁酸和总挥发性脂肪酸浓度显著高于Na2SeO3组,赛乐硒各组乙酸/丙酸显著低于Na2SeO3各组及对照组(P<0.05)。15.0mg/d赛乐硒组玉米秸秆干物质、有机物质、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维有效降解率显著高于其他处理(P<0.05)。15.0 mg/d赛乐硒组豆粕干物质有效降解率显著高于对照组,15.0 mg/d赛乐硒组豆粕粗蛋白质有效降解率显著高于7.5 mg/d赛乐硒组(P<0.05)。15.0 mg/d赛乐硒组尿嘌呤衍生物含量显著高于Na2SeO3组(P<0.05)。赛乐硒较Na2SeO3显著促进瘤胃发酵,促进瘤胃纤维等营养物质的分解,促进蛋白质的合成,适宜补充量为7.5~15.0 mg/d。     

Effects of traditional Chinese medicine formula on ruminal fermentation,enzyme activities and nutrient digestibility of beef cattle

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) combined with several herbs on ruminal fermentation, enzyme activities and nutrient digestibility. Twenty finishing bulls were assigned to control or different TCMFs (Yufeisan‐1, ‐2, ‐3; 2.5% dry matter (DM) in concentrate). Results showed that DM intake was higher (P < 0.05) in the Yufeisan‐3 group than others. Compared to control, apparent digestibility of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were increased (P < 0.05) by Yufeisan‐3. No changes were observed in ruminal pH, concentrations of ammonia‐N, microbial crude protein and total volatile fatty acid, whereas ratio of acetate to propionate was lower (P < 0.05) and propionate proportion tended to be higher (P < 0.1) in three TCMFs than control. Ruminal xylanase (P = 0.061) and carboxymethylcellulase (P < 0.05) activities were higher in Yufeisan‐3 than control. No changes were observed in abundance of total bacteria, fungi and protozoa, whereas Fibrobacter succinogenes (P = 0.062) and Ruminococcus flavefaciens (P < 0.05) were increased and total methanogens was reduced (P = 0.069) by Yufeisan‐3 compared to control. Yufeisan‐3 improved nutrient digestibility and ruminal enzyme activity, and modified fermentation and microbial community, maybe due to the presence of Herba agastaches, Cortex phellodendri and Gypsum fibrosum.     

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.     

日粮补充苹果酸对牛瘤胃发酵和养分消化代谢的影响

选用8头体重462 kg、年龄3岁、装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的西门塔尔牛阉牛,采用4×4重复拉丁方设计,对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组分别在基础日粮基础上添加苹果酸70,140和210 g/d,研究苹果酸对西门塔尔牛瘤胃发酵、尿嘌呤衍生物含量、日粮养分表观消化率、能量代谢及氮平衡的影响。结果表明,140和210 g/d组瘤胃pH值显著低于对照组,瘤胃乙酸摩尔比、乙酸/丙酸、氨态氮浓度和乳酸含量显著低于对照组和70 g/d组(P<0.05),瘤胃总挥发性脂肪酸浓度、丙酸和丁酸摩尔比显著高于对照组和100 g/d组(P<0.05)。140 g/d组玉米秸秆干物质、有机物质、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维瘤胃有效降解率显著高于对照组(P<0.05);210 g/d组混合精料干物质、有机物质和粗蛋白质瘤胃有效降解率显著低于对照组、70和140 g/d组(P<0.05)。140 g/d组尿囊素和尿嘌呤衍生物含量显著高于70和210 g/d组及对照组(P<0.05);140和210 g/d组有机物质、粗脂肪、无氮浸出物、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维表观消化率显著高于对照组(P<0.05);140 g/d组消化能、代谢能、沉积能及沉积能/消化能显著高于对照组(P<0.05);140 g/d组沉积氮显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。综合各项指标,苹果酸的适宜添加水平为140 g/d。     

Effect of incremental levels of fish oil supplementation on specific bacterial populations in bovine ruminal fluid

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of incremental replacement of dietary linoleic acid by >20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on changes in population of ruminal micro-organisms associated with fibre digestion and biohydrogenation using real-time PCR of bacterial 16S rRNA sequences. Four beef steers with ruminal cannulas were randomly assigned to control (CK, 65:35 forage to concentrate), CK with 3% sunflower oil plus 1% fish oil (S3F1), 2.5% sunflower oil plus 1.5% fish oil (S2.5F1.5) or 2% sunflower oil plus 2% fish oil (S2F2) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-day periods. Ruminal fluid was collected on day 15 of each period. Compared with CK, oil addition led to lower ruminal acetate and butyrate but greater propionate concentration. DNA copy number of Anaerovibrio lipolytica in ruminal fluid was greater with oil (average 5.38 vs. 3.62 × 10(5) DNA copy number), particularly with S2F2 relative to CK. Fibrobacter succinogenes and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens DNA copy number decreased by 74% (1.06 vs. 4.01 × 10(5)) and 39% (5.16 vs. 8.42 × 10(7)) in response to S2F2 compared with CK. DNA copy numbers of Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Ruminococcus albus were not affected by incremental fish oil. Results suggest that greater availability of PUFA with >20 carbons (i.e. eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) promoted changes in bacterial populations that are relevant for fibre digestion and biohydrogenation.     

Effect of oak (Quercus persica) acorn level on apparent digestibility,ruminal fermentation,nitrogen balance and urinary purine derivatives in pregnant goats

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary oak (Quercus persica) acorn (OA) level on dry matter intake (DMI), apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) utilization, ruminal fermentation, protozoa population and urinary purine derivatives (PD) during the last 60 days of goat pregnancy. Twenty‐four multiparous pregnant goats (41.7 ± 2.3 kg BW) were assigned to one of three experimental diets consisted of control diet (C, without OA) and diets containing 20 (OA₂₀) or 40 g/100 g of OA (OA₄₀) on a DM basis in a completely randomized block design. Goats fed OA₄₀ had lower DMI (p < .01), DM (p < .01), OM (p < .01) and NDF (p < .05) digestibility, ruminal NH₃‐N concentration (p < .01), N intake (p < .01) and N retention (p < .01). Crude protein digestibility and ruminal acetate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration were lower in animals fed OA‐contained diets (p < .01), whereas ruminal propionate concentration was higher in goats fed the C diet (p < .01). Animals fed OA₄₀ had higher faecal N excretion and lower urinary N excretion (p < .01). Urinary PD was lower in goats fed diets containing OA in relation to those fed the C diet (p < .01). Total protozoa population decreased linearly with increasing OA level in the diet (p < .05). These results suggest that feeding OA, especially high level, has negative impacts on DMI, nutrient digestibility, VFA concentration, N retention and urinary PD excretion that may have adverse effects on metabolism and performance of pregnant goats.     

牛至精油对绵羊瘤胃体外养分降解率、发酵特性及CH4产量的影响

试验旨在研究牛至精油对绵羊瘤胃体外养分降解率、发酵特性及CH₄产量的影响。采用单因素完全随机试验设计,在培养液中分别添加0(CON)、100(EO₁)、400(EO₂)、700(EO₃)和1000 mg·L^-1(EO₄)牛至精油,每组4个重复。发酵48 h后测定养分降解率、发酵参数及不同时间总产气量和CH₄产量。结果表明:1)与CON组相比,干物质降解率、粗蛋白降解率、中性洗涤纤维降解率在EO₁组中均显著升高(P<0.05),在EO₄组中均显著降低(P<0.05),EO₂组中均无显著差异(P>0.05),干物质降解率在EO₃组中显著降低(P<0.05),添加牛至精油对酸性洗涤纤维降解率(ADFD)无显著影响(P>0.05);2)EO₁组pH最低,而总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)、丙酸浓度最高,且乙酸浓度显著高于EO₂、EO₃和EO₄(P<0.05),但乙酸/总挥发性脂肪酸显著低于EO₃、EO₄组(P<0.05),乙酸/丙酸显著低于CON组(P<0.05)。与CON组相比,牛至精油组丁酸、丁酸/总挥发性脂肪酸和氨氮浓度显著降低(P<0.05);3)发酵36 h后,总产气量、甲烷产量均随牛至精油的添加而逐渐降低,与CON组相比,EO₁组发酵18~48 h总产气量显著降低(P<0.05),EO₂、EO₃和EO₄组总产气量、CH₄产量在发酵18 h后均显著降低(P<0.05),EO₄组甲烷百分比在发酵12~36 h显著降低(P<0.05)。综上所述,在绵羊瘤胃体外培养液中添加牛至精油能够提高饲粮养分降解率,调控瘤胃发酵,降低总产气量和甲烷产量,体外条件下添加量不应高于100 mg·L^-1。     

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.     

Dietary supplementation of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate in animals – a review

The leucine metabolite β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) has been studied by many researchers over the last two decades. In particular, the utility of HMB supplementation in animals has been shown in numerous studies, which have demonstrated enhanced body weight gain and carcass yield in slaughter animals; positive immunostimulatory effect; decreased mortality; attenuation of sarcopenia in elderly animals; and potential use in pathological conditions such as glucocorticoid‐induced muscle loss. The aim of this study was to summarize the body of research on HMB supplementation in animals and to examine possible mechanisms of HMB action. Furthermore, while the safety of HMB supplementation in animals is well documented, studies demonstrating efficacy are less clear. The possible reasons for differences in these findings will also be examined.     

Effects of supplementary mother liquor,by‐product of monosodium glutamate,on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics

Mother liquor (ML) is monosodium glutamate by‐product and contains much crude protein (CP). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of two types of MLs having different chemical compositions on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics. ML1 had 74% organic matter (OM) and 70% CP and ML2 had 85% OM and 83% CP on a dry matter (DM) basis. The experiments were conducted using 0.5 gDM rolled barley or ryegrass straw as substrates. Urea and freeze‐dried MLs were added at three levels of nitrogen to be isonitrogenous. The ML1 treatment increased gas production compared with the ML2 treatment in barley substrate condition (p < 0.05). The supplementary ML2 increased gas production compared with the supplementary urea, and the digestibilities of DM and neutral detergent fiber expressed exclusive of residual ash (NDFom) were higher for the supplementary ML2 than for the supplementary ML1 in straw substrate condition (p < 0.05). In both the conditions, ammonia nitrogen concentrations of the ML1 and ML2 treatments were lower than that of the urea treatment (p < 0.05). The results indicated that the supplementary ML1 and ML2 activated in vitro ruminal fermentation particularly in concentrate and roughage substrate conditions respectively.     

Effects of substituting kraft pulp with corn silage on dry matter intake,ruminal mat formation,rumen fermentation,and rumination activity in non‐lactating cows

The present study examined the effects of substituting kraft pulp (KP) with corn silage (CS) on dry matter intake (DMI), ruminal mat and rumen fermentation characteristics, and rumination. Four non‐lactating, rumen‐cannulated Holstein cows were fed a CS diet comprising 36% grass silage (GS) and 64% CS or a KP diet comprising 36% GS, 57% KP, and 7% soybean meal. DMI was significantly lower in cows fed the KP diet than in those fed the CS diet (p < 0.05), whereas rumination time did not significantly differ between the treatments. Dry matter content in the rumen immediately before and 3 h after feeding was significantly higher in cows fed the KP diet than in those fed the CS diet (p < 0.05). The consistency and thickness of the ruminal mat did not significantly differ between the treatments. The ruminal mean retention time of feed particles tended to be longer in cows fed the KP diet than in those fed the CS diet (p < 0.10). The ruminal digestion rate of KP was comparable to that of GS and CS. Because ruminal mat was formed and rumination was stimulated, KP was considered to have the equivalent physical effectiveness as CS.     

A comparative study on the rumen microbial populations,hydrolytic enzyme activities and dry matter degradability between different species of ruminant

A comparative study among Korean native cow (Hanwoo), Holstein dairy cow, Korean native goat and crossbred sheep on the population and marker concentration of ruminal microbes, the activities of carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), xylanase and amylase, and in situ dry matter (DM) degradability were conducted. Twelve ruminally cannulated animals, three of each species, were used. Animals were fed the same diet containing 40% formula feed and 60% rice straw at the level of 2.5% of body weight. Total viable microbial populations in the rumen fluid were significantly (P < 0.01) greater for bacteria and fungi in goat than those of Holstein. The protozoan population among ruminant species was the reverse from that of bacteria. The concentrations of 2,6‐diaminopimelic acid and chitin as markers for bacteria and fungi in the rumen fluid, respectively, were highest in goat, which is in accordance with the above population data. The concentration of aminoethylphosphonic acid as marker of protozoa was highest in Hanwoo and lowest in sheep (P < 0.01). Goat had the highest (P < 0.01) activities of all the enzymes investigated among ruminants. In situ effective degradation of the DM of rice straw was approximately 19% higher in the rumen of goat compared with other animals.