The influence of timing and the addition of urea to supplements containing DL-methionine on ruminal fermentation and cow weight change in beef cows.

A study was conducted to determine an optimal time for supplementation of DL-methionine in relation to time of forage intake by mature British breed-type crossbred cows, and two other experiments were conducted to determine whether ruminal ammonia concentration limited changes in disappearance rates in situ and ruminal functions caused by supplements containing DL-methionine. Experiments 1 and 2 used 4 x 4 Latin square designs with four cows in each experiment. Treatments in Exp. 1 were no supplement (CON), DL-methionine at feeding (0800), DL-methionine 4 h after feeding (1200), and DL-methionine 7 h after feeding (1500). Treatments in Exp. 2 were .5 kg of beet pulp (CON), .5 kg of beet pulp plus 16.5 g of DL-methionine (MET), .5 kg of beet pulp plus 16.5 g of DL-methionine and 55 g of urea (METU), and .4 kg of soybean (SOY). Experiment 3 was conducted in a 326-ha pasture with treatments of no supplement (CON), .5 kg of beet pulp plus 12.5 g of DL-methionine and 30 g of urea (METU), and .4 of kg soybean meal (SOY). In Exp. 1, in situ NDF disappearance rates of cows supplemented at 1200 and 1500 were greater (P less than .01) than those of cows supplemented at 0800. In Exp. 2, ruminal ammonia concentration was greatest (P less than .001) for METU (5.2 mg/dl) and least for CON (1.5 mg/dl). Disappearance rates in situ for DM differed (P less than .01) among treatments; METU was similar (P greater than .2) to SOY but faster (P less than .01) than MET. Disappearance rates of NDF were greatest (P less than .001) for METU-supplemented cows. In Exp. 3, DM and NDF disappearance rates were faster (P less than .10) for SOY than for METU. Cow BW change was positive for METU and SOY, and decrease in condition score was least (P less than .10) for METU- and SOY-treated cows. These studies indicate favorable ruminal responses to DL-methionine supplementation; however, the response depended on time of supplementation and ruminal ammonia concentration.     

Effect of rumen protected methionine supplementation on early lactational responses of dairy cows fed a grass silage and cereals diet.

To investigate the milk production limiting potential of a diet based on grass silage (40%), hay (15%), dried sugar beet pulp (13%) and grain compound mixture (32%), 28 multiparous cows in early lactation were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: a control group and a group receiving supplementary rumen protected methionine (RPMet) treatment (12 g intestinally available methionine/cow/day, given 1-120 days postpartum; Smartamine; RPAN's technology). The diet was formulated to meet the requirements for protein and net energy. RPMet supplementation had no significant effect on DMI (kg/cow/day), milk dry mass, milk lactose and milk urea contents. Responses for mean daily milk yield, mean milk fat and milk protein yields were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in cows supplied with RPMet than in controls. Mean daily milk yield, milk protein and milk fat yields increased by 2.4 kg, 108 g and 124 g, respectively. The mean daily milk protein and casein contents were increased by 1.8 g and 0.9 g and milk fat content by 1.2 g in 1 kg of milk, respectively. The results suggest that in cows fed grass silage and a grain compound mixture milk production is limited by methionine insufficiency, but milk production performance can be increased significantly by the addition of RPMet to the diet.     

Substitution of DL-methionine for soybean meal as a winter supplement for gestating cows grazing native range

A winter grazing study was conducted to determine whether DL-methionine could replace soybean meal as a N supplement for gestating beef cows. During two winters (Trial 1, n = 51; Trial 2, n = 60), crossbred beef cows grazed native foothill range. Three treatment groups were supplemented with either none (CON), DL-methionine (7.5 g Trial 1 and 9 g Trial 2) in .5 kg beet pulp carrier (BPM) or .4 kg soybean meal (SBM). Cows were supplemented individually every other day. Small differences were noted in cow BW, condition score and blood metabolites. Unsupplemented cows lost the greatest amount of BW (P less than .01) in both trials and lost more (P less than .05) condition during Trial 1 than cows fed BPM or SBM supplements. Blood samples were obtained on two consecutive days during each trial (45 d and 25 d prepartum) and analyzed for blood urea N, total bilirubin, creatinine, albumin, total protein and cholesterol. A treatment x day preparatum interaction (P less than .05) was noted for blood urea. Blood urea nitrogen declined as gestation length increased for CON and SBM cows, but blood urea of BPM-supplemented cows remained low and unchanged. In situ forage digestion was measured in 12 ruminally cannulated cows (four/treatment). In both trials, in situ rate of NDF disappearance was greater (P less than .05) for SBM than for BPM. In Trial 2, a treatment x sampling hour interaction was detected for purine concentration of whole ruminal contents; SBM maintained greater purine concentrations throughout the 48-h supplementation cycle than BPM did. Principal component analysis suggested that ruminal ammonia limited the microbial growth response to DL-methionine. Therefore, alternate-day supplementation of DL-methionine plus beet pulp did not effectively substitute for soybean meal in these trials.     

过瘤胃保护氨基酸提高奶牛乳蛋白转化效率的研究

为提高奶牛乳蛋白含量和饲料蛋白质用于产奶的转化效率,选择体况、胎次、泌乳期相近的中国荷斯坦奶牛27头,采用L9（34）正交试验设计,研究奶牛不同小肠可消化蛋白（IDCP）供应水平日粮添加过瘤胃保护氨基酸（RPAA）对乳蛋白率含量和IDCP转化为乳蛋白效率的影响。结果表明,IDCP按《中国奶牛饲养标准》（2004）推荐需要量92%水平供应,组合添加过瘤胃保护赖氨酸（RPlys）32 g/d＋过瘤胃保护蛋氨酸（RPmet）8 g/d,日粮干物质中NDF水平控制在37%～41%,可有效提高泌乳前期奶牛乳蛋白含量与IDCP用于泌乳的转化效率。     

Effects of Antidesma thwaitesianum Muell. Arg. pomace as a source of plant secondary compounds on digestibility,rumen environment,hematology, and milk production in dairy cows

Mao pomace meal (MPM) contains condensed tannins and saponins at 92 and 98 g/kg, respectively, and these substances can be used to manipulate ruminal fermentation in ruminant. Four multiparous lactating Holstein cows with 45 ± 5 days in milk were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to receive four different levels of MPM supplementation at 0, 100, 200, and 300 g/head/day, respectively. Cows were fed with concentrate diets at 1:1.5 of concentrate to milk yield ratio and urea‐treated (3%) rice straw was fed ad libitum. The results revealed that feed intake, nutrient digestibility, blood urea nitrogen, and hematological parameters were not affected by MPM supplementation (p > 0.05). However, ruminal pH and propionate were increased quadratically (p < 0.05) in cows receiving MPM whereas acetate, acetate to propionate ratio and estimate methane production were decreased (p < 0.05). Supplementation of MPM linearly decreased ruminal ammonia nitrogen and protozoal population at 4 hr postfeeding (p < 0.05). Milk production and milk composition were similar among treatments (p > 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of MPM at 200 g/head/day could modify ruminal fermentation and reduce methane production without adverse effect on feed intake, digestibility, hematological parameters, and milk production in dairy cows.     

Studies of the effect of supplementing protected methionine (HMM-Ca) to dairy cows on milk yield and fertility

A trial with 90 cows was conducted to examine the effect of supplementing 30 g N-hydroxymethyl-DL-methionine-calcium (HMM-Ca) from 14 days pre calving till 100 days in lactation on the performance and some physiological traits. Cows were kept on four energy levels by feeding different amounts of concentrate. At each energy level, half of the cows were given a methionine supplement. Forage consisted of 1/3 corn- and/or beet pulp silage and 2/3 grass silage ad libitum. The amount of daily milk yield differed not significantly from 31.5 kg for the supplement group to 30.6 kg for the control group. No interaction between the methionine supplementation and energy level could be detected. Mean methionine content in blood plasma differed from 22.7 mmol/l for the supplement group to 16.8 mmol/l for the control group. GOT, tau-GT, bilirubin and urea in blood serum and milk urea content did not indicate a positive effect of the methionine supplementation on the metabolism. Conception rate differed slightly from 87% in the supplement group to 73% in the control group.     

过瘤胃蛋氨酸对奶牛瘤胃微生物蛋白产量、产奶性能和氮排泄的影响

本试验旨在研究过瘤胃蛋氨酸(RPMet)对奶牛瘤胃微生物蛋白(MCP)产量、产奶性能及氮排泄的影响。选取年龄、体重、胎次、产奶量、乳成分及泌乳期[(90±15)d]相近的荷斯坦奶牛40头,随机分为4组,每组10头,对照组和试验1组、2组、3组分别添加0、15、25和35 g/(d·头)RPMet。预试期15 d,正试期60 d。结果表明:1)各试验组瘤胃MCP的产量均极显著高于对照组(P0.01),试验1组、2组、3组分别比对照组提高了13.10%、20.45%、16.23%。2)试验组产奶量显著或极显著高于对照组(P0.05或P0.01),试验1组、2组、3组分别比对照组提高了8.12%、13.32%、10.32%;RPMet能显著或极显著提高乳脂率和乳蛋白率(P0.05或P0.01),显著或极显著降低了乳体细胞数(P0.05或P0.01),以试验2组最低。3)在氮总排出量方面,各试验组均极显著低于对照组(P0.01),试验1组、2组、3组分别比对照组降低了8.55%、17.49%、13.25%。由此可知,在本试验条件下,饲粮中添加RPMet可以显著提高奶牛瘤胃MCP产量,减少氮排泄,提高奶牛生产性能。综合各项试验指标,RPMet的最适添加量为25 g/(d·头)。     

Dietary methionine requirement of the Chinese egg-laying duck

1. The dietary methionine requirement of egg-laying ducks was assessed by feeding diets supplemented with graded levels of DL-methionine (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 g/kg dietary protein) for 8 weeks. The basal diet contained 175 g protein and 2.6 g methionine per kg feed (or 14.9 g/kg protein) and an estimated ME of 11.5 MJ/kg. 2. A total of 800 Shaoxin laying ducks (420 d old) were randomly divided into 5 groups of 160 each and fed in 4 separate pens. 3. Dietary supplementation of methionine significantly increased egg production and feed conversion efficiency. 4. Dietary methionine requirement for optimum egg production was estimated to be 25.7 g/kg of dietary protein or 4.5 g/kg of the diet or 380 mg/bird-d. 5. Methionine supplementation increased the methionine level in plasma, and the free glutamic acid and aspartic acid concentrations in plasma were quadratically related to dietary methionine levels. Increasing dietary methionine had little effect on egg quality characteristics.     

过瘤胃氨基酸对泌乳早期奶牛生产性能、乳成分和血液生化指标的影响

为研究日粮添加过瘤胃氨基酸对泌乳早期奶牛生产性能、乳成分、血液生化指标和经济效益的影响,选择96 头体况良好、健康的泌乳早期荷斯坦牛,泌乳天数为（65±15）天。采用单因素随机区组试验设计,按照年龄、胎次和产奶量相近的原则,将96 头奶牛随机分为对照组和试验组,每组48 头。对照组为基础日粮,试验组在对照组日粮的基础上添加过瘤胃蛋氨酸（RPMet）和过瘤胃赖氨酸（RPLys）,添加量分别为18 g/头·天和35 g/头·天。结果表明,与对照组相比,添加RPMet和RPLys显著提高产奶量（P=0.034）,对干物质采食量和饲料转化率无显著影响（P>0.050）;添加RPMet和RPLys显著降低乳尿素氮含量（P=0.015）,对乳脂率有增加的趋势（P=0.096）,对乳蛋白率、乳体细胞数、乳糖率和总固形物含量无显著影响（P>0.050）;添加RPMet和RPLys显著提高血清总蛋白（TP）、白蛋白（ALB）和血糖（GLU）含量,显著降低尿素氮（BUN）含量（P=0.049）,对谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）、球蛋白（GLOB）、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、甘油三酯（TG）和总胆固醇（TC）含量无显著影响（P>0.050）;添加RPMet和RPLys可提高经济效益3.60 元/头·天。综上所述,日粮添加RPMet和RPLys可提高泌乳早期奶牛的产奶量,增加经济效益。     

Milk production in Holstein cows supplemented with different levels of ruminally protected methionine

Forty multiparous cows (599 kg ± 18 kg BW) were fed with a basal diet (19.6% CP, 35% RUP, and 1.7 Mcal kg^− 1 NEl) with alfalfa, corn silage and concentrate (49% forage: 52% concentrate). After calving, cows were randomly assigned to the treatments, which consisted in four levels of ruminally protected methionine (RPM): 0, 8, 16 and 24 g d^− 1 of Mepron®M85 (Degussa Co.). Experiment was conducted for 120 days with measurements of milk production, composition, body weight, body condition score and DM intake every 15 days (3 consecutive days) starting on day 5 postpartum. Data were analyzed with the repeated measures model (four treatments in 8 periods through lactation). No treatment effects were detected on DM intake (20.38 ± 2.51 kg d^− 1), body weight (599.78 ± 19.78 kg), body condition score (2.51 ± 0.19 units) and milk fat. However, milk production and protein yield were increased with addition of RPM (P < 0.01). Milk production responded quadratically to methionine level. Holstein cows with a mean production of 35 kg d^− 1 milk require addition of ruminally protected methionine (16 g d⁻¹) to improve milk production.     

Effects of nutritional supplementation and exposure to bulls on resumption of post-partum ovarian activity in Bunaji (Bos indicus) cattle

A total of 51 pluriparous post-partum Bunaji (Zebu) cows belonging to agropastoralists were involved in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment for a period of 180 days. The cows were assigned randomly at calving to four treatments: (1) grazing only (no supplementation) and exposure to bull (NSBE); (2) grazing only (no supplementation) and no exposure to bull (NSNE); (3) grazing plus feed supplementation (each cow received 600g of 20.8% crude protein of whole cottonseed supplement per day) and exposure to bull (FSBE); (4) grazing plus feed supplementation and no exposure to bull (FSNE). Cows with an increase in milk progesterone (P(4)) concentration of > or =1 ng/mL from the weekly milk samples were used to analyse the number of days from calving to the time of resumption of ovarian activity. The mean interval from parturition to cyclic ovarian activity for FSBE cows was 95 days, compared to 119 days for the FSNE cows. Intervals to onset of post-partum ovarian activity were 24, 33 and 39 days which were significantly earlier in the FSBE cows, than the FSNE, NSBE and NSNE cows, respectively. Intervals to cyclic activity were 9 and 15 days earlier in FSNE cows than in NSBE and NSNE cows. By 150 days post-partum, 100% and 92% of the cows in the supplemented groups (FSBE and FSNE), had resumed cyclic ovarian activity compared with 75% and 69% for the unsupplemented cows (NSBE and NSNE). It is concluded that nutritional supplementation and exposure to bulls synergistically shortened the length of post-partum anoestrus in zebu cattle. The economic benefits of using exposure to bulls and cottonseed supplementation in this study to enhance early resumption of post-partum ovarian activity of cattle may serve as a management tool in tropical areas where livestock production has some constraints.     

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

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

In vivo mechanical and in vitro electromagnetic side-effects of a ruminal transponder in cattle

This work was undertaken to assess the long-term impacts of a ruminal transponder, used for electronic identification, on ruminal motility and on health and performance of cattle, as well as to study the electromagnetic effects on ruminal bacteria in vitro. A passive transponder (51.4 g, 67 x 17 mm) was delivered into the forestomachs of 8 calves, 32 bulls, 10 heifers, and 40 dairy cows. Final readability was 87.5% in calves, 96.9% in bulls, 90% in heifers, and 100% in cows at 481, 360, 650, and 601 d, respectively, after transponder administration. The transponder did not affect production or reproduction of cows over a 2-yr period, or performance of bulls, or mortality compared with control animals. Chewing movements per bolus were lower (P <0.01) in treated animals than in controls (49.6 vs. 52.2, 51.2 vs. 63.6, and 57.0 vs. 59.7 for bulls, heifers, and cows, respectively). Regurgitation frequency (number of boluses/10 min) tended to be greater in treated cattle: 12.4 vs. 11.3 (P = 0.07), 11.3 vs. 10.6, and 11.3 vs. 10.7 (P = 0.08) for bulls, heifers, and cows, respectively. Rumination patterns of calves fitted with transponders within the first weeks of life were similar to controls. During the experiment, 43 treated animals (8 calves, 29 bulls, and 6 cows) were slaughtered. Thirty transponders were localized in the reticulum (3 calves, 24 bulls, and 3 cows), 11 in the rumen (4 calves, 4 bulls, and 3 cows), and 2 were not recovered (1 calf and 1 bull). Within the calves, 57% of the boluses were found in the rumen. In 8 reticula (2 calves and 6 bulls) and 1 rumen (1 cow), an impression left by physical contact of the transponder was observed, although histological examination did not reveal specific lesions in the mucosa of the dystrophic areas. In strained, whole ruminal contents incubated in vitro, pH values were lower after 24 and 48 h (P <0.001) of continuous exposure to an electromagnetic field induced by the transponder-reading system. After 48 h of incubation, total bacterial numbers and NH3-N concentration were greater (P <0.001) in exposed flasks than in controls. These data indicate that the transponder may alter, via mechanical action, the reticuloruminal mucosa and rumination patterns. Furthermore, the transponder may increase, via its electromagnetic action, the growth rate and metabolic activity of ruminal bacteria.     

Influence of postruminal supplementation of methionine and lysine, isoleucine, or all three amino acids on intake and chewing behavior, ruminal fermentation, and milk and milk component production.

Four multiparous Holstein cows were fed a basal diet balanced with the Cornell Net Protein and Carbohydrate System (CNCPS). Diets were formulated to be co-limiting in intestinally absorbable supplies of methionine, lysine, and isoleucine. Cows were supplemented with no amino acids (control); lysine and methionine in a ruminally protected form; isoleucine by abomasal infusion; or lysine, methionine, and isoleucine in a 4x4 Latin square arrangement of treatments with 28-d periods. Performance of cows on all treatments was lower than expected due to low intake of DM that could have been caused by the high fiber level of the basal diet. This high fiber level was likely responsible for the high daily chewing times for cows fed all diets, which was consistent with the high ruminal pH values. Intake of DM and its components were not influenced by any treatment. Milk protein percentage tended to be higher when cows were fed diets supplemented with ruminally protected lysine and methionine; however, production of milk, milk fat, and milk lactose were not affected by any treatment. Cows tended to have a higher milk lactose proportion and tended to produce more milk and milk lactose when they were abomasally infused with isoleucine alone. However, when cows were supplemented with all three amino acids, milk production and composition did not differ from that of cows fed the unsupplemented diet. Use of the CNCPS to evaluate the performance of the cows fed the unsupplemented diet suggested that these cows may have been colimited by intestinally absorbable supplies of lysine, isoleucine, and methionine in addition to metabolizable protein. Evaluation of the unsupplemented diet with an alternate model, Shield, suggested that cows fed the unsupplemented diet may have been colimited by intestinally absorbable supplies of lysine, isoleucine, and arginine. Results suggest that enhanced delivery of intestinally absorbable isoleucine may stimulate milk lactose synthesis.     

RPLM对泌乳后期奶牛血液代谢物、产乳量和乳成分的影响

选用 8头经产荷斯坦种乳牛 ,分为对照和瘤胃保护赖氨酸 蛋氨酸 (RPLM )组 ,以二乘反转法 ,研究了RPLM对泌乳后期奶牛瘤胃发酵、血液指标、产乳量和乳成分的影响。对照日粮中添加 10 0 g/d保护材料 ,RPLM组日粮中添加 10 0g/d含Lys 11 6g、Met 4 7g的保护制品。RPLM组与对照组比较 ,血浆游离Lys、Met浓度略有增加 (P >0 1) ,血浆葡萄糖浓度有增加趋势 (P <0 1) ,干物质采食量无明显变化 ,乳量和 4%的标准乳量分别增加 0 5kg/d(2 2 %)和 0 8kg/d(3 5 %) ,乳蛋白率、乳脂率和乳糖率均略高于对照组 (0 0 1%0 0 6%) ,乳蛋白质和乳脂肪生产量分别增加 2 0g/d和 40 g/d ,饲料蛋白质转化为乳蛋白质的效率提高5 9%,但均无明显差异 (P >0 1)。以上结果表明 :泌乳后期奶牛日粮中添加瘤胃保护赖氨酸和蛋氨酸 ,没有明显地提高产乳量和改善乳成分的效果。     

Effect of tannins and saponins in Samanea saman on rumen environment,milk yield and milk composition in lactating dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of tannins and saponins in Samanea saman on rumen fermentation, milk yield and milk composition in lactating dairy cows. Four multiparous early‐lactating dairy cows (Holstein‐Friesian cross‐bred, 75%) with an initial body weight (BW) of 405 ± 40 kg and 36 ± 8 day in milk were randomly assigned to receive dietary treatments according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The four dietary treatments were unsupplemented (control), supplemented with rain tree pod (S. saman) meal (RPM) at 60 g/kg, supplemented with palm oil (PO) at 20 g/kg, and supplemented with RPM at 60 g/kg and PO at 20 g/kg (RPO), of total dry matter (DM) intake. Cows were fed with concentrate diets at a ratio of concentrate to milk yield of 1:2, and chopped 30 g/kg of urea‐treated rice straw was fed ad libitum. The RPM contained condensed tannins and crude saponins at 88 and 141 g/kg of DM respectively. It was found that s upplementation with RPM and/or PO to dairy cows diets did not show negative effect on ruminal pH, blood urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen concentration (p > 0.05). However, supplementation with RPM resulted in lower ammonia nitrogen (NH₃‐N) concentration (p < 0.05). In addition, propionic acid and milk production increased while acetic acid, acetic to propionic ratio, methane production, methanogens and protozoal population decreased with RPM and/or PO supplementation. Furthermore, addition of PO and RPO in the diets increased milk fat while supplementation of RPM resulted in greater milk protein and Fibrobacter succinogenes numbers (p < 0.05). The population of Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Ruminococcus albus were not affected by any treatments. The findings on the present study showed that supplementation with RPM and RPO to diets of cows improved the rumen environment and increased milk yield, content of milk protein and milk fat.     

Supplementary effect of peppermint (Mentha × piperita) on dry matter intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation and milk production in early lactating dairy cows

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of peppermint feeding on dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and milk production in early lactating cows. Four Holstein cows were offered a diet with 5% dried peppermint and four Holstein cows remained on a diet without 5% of dried peppermint on a dry matter basis. The addition of peppermint to feed did not affect dry matter intake, although the eating time of feed was increased by mixing the feed with peppermint. There were no significant differences in the nutrient digestibilities between the two treatments. The ruminal ammonia and volatile fatty acids concentrations were similar in the two treatments, however, peppermint ingestion by cows led to a decrease in ruminal pH. The lowered pH value was within the stable pH condition range. No significant differences in the treatments were observed in milk production or milk composition except for the milk fat content. These results suggest that feeding peppermint to early lactating cows had little effect on their dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and milk production.     

Strategic supplementation of cassava top silage to enhance rumen fermentation and milk production in lactating dairy cows in the tropics

High-quality protein roughage is an important feed for productive ruminants. This study examined the effects of strategic feeding of lactating cows with cassava (Manihot esculenta) top silage (CTS) on rumen fermentation, feed intake, milk yield, and quality. Four early lactating crossbred dairy cows (75% Holstein-Friesian and 25% Thai) with body weight (BW) 410?±?30 kg and milk yield 12?±?2 kg/day were randomly allotted in a 4?×?4 Latin square design to four different supplementation levels of CTS namely, 0, 0.75, 1.50, and 2.25 kg/day of dry matter (DM). Strategic supplementation of CTS significantly affected ruminal fermentation end-products, especially increased propionate production, decreased protozoal population and suppressed methane production (P?<?0.05). Increasing the CTS supplementation level substantially enhanced milk yield and the 3.5% FCM from 12.7 to 14.0 kg/day and from 14.6 to 17.2 kg/day (P?<?0.05) for non-supplemented group and for the 2.25 kg/day supplemented group, respectively. We conclude that high-quality protein roughage significantly enhances rumen fermentation end-products, milk yield, and quality in dairy cows.     

TOXIC EFFECTS OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF DL-METHIONINE INFUSED INTO THE RUMEN OF SHEEP

Four Merino wethers were fed ad libitum on a roughage diet comprised of equal parts of chopped lucerne hay and oaten chaff. The sheep received continuous infusions of DL-methionine into the rumen; the daily dose increasing from 0 g (control treatment) up to 30 g in 3 g amounts at weekly intervals.
Dry matter intake (DMI) fell below the control level when 24 g/day of more of the amino acid was infused, while plasma free methionine levels increased substantially when 30 g/day was given.
There was no effect of DL-methionine supplementation on the bodyweight of the animals. However, when 30 g/day of DL-methionine was infused one animal died and the acute condition of 2 others necessitated their slaughter. Significant lesions included acute nephrosis and haemolytic anaemia, with milder changes in the liver and pancreas.
This report indicates that sheep are unlikely to show the kind of chronic methionine toxicity seen in other species.     

Effects of a pantothenic acid supplementation to different rations on ruminal fermentation, nutrient flow at the duodenum, and on blood and milk variables of dairy cows

To investigate the effects of a dietary pantothenic acid (PA) supplementation on duodenal nutrient flows, blood and milk variables and especially on duodenal PA flows and PA concentrations in blood and milk German Holstein cows, equipped with cannulas in the dorsal sac of the rumen and in the proximal duodenum were used. In the first experiment of the study two dry and six lactating cows received a diet with a forage to concentrate (F:C) ratio of 34:66 (high concentrate, HC), whereas in the second experiment a diet with a F:C ratio of 66:34 (high forage, HF) was fed to four dry and five lactating cows. The cows received both rations with or without 1 g PA/day. By supplementing PA to the HC ration, the molar percentage of acetic acid increased, whereas the concentration of total short chain fatty acids, the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in the rumen and the serum glucose levels, decreased. With the HF ration the PA decreased the molar percentage of propionic acid and increased the amount of ruminally fermented organic matter. Furthermore, PA supplementation only increased the duodenal PA flow with the HF ration, while the serum and milk PA concentrations and milk PA yields were not affected. Based on the results of the present study, a rumen-unprotected supplementation of PA makes no sense.