Effects of lecithin and corn oil on site of digestion, ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in sheep

Six Hampshire wethers with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were fed three diets in a replicated 3 X 3 latin square to compare phospholipids with triglycerides for their effects on ruminal digestion. The diets (56% concentrate, 44% bermuda-grass hay, air-dried basis) contained either no added fat (control), 5.2% soybean lecithin or 2.4% corn oil on a DM basis. All diets were isonitrogenous and both fat-supplemented diets had similar fatty acid and energy contents. Fat added to the diet, regardless of source, reduced digestibilities of DM, energy, ADF and fatty acids in the rumen but had no effect on total tract digestibility coefficients. Lecithin slightly increased (P = .06) fatty acid digestion in the hindgut compared to corn oil (91.0 and 87.0%, respectively). Both fat sources decreased (P less than .01) ruminal ammonia concentration and increased (P less than .10) N flow to the duodenum. Added fat also reduced ruminal (P less than .01) and total tract (P less than .05) N digestibilities. Microbial N flow to the hindgut was not affected by diet, but adding fat increased (P less than .06) true efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. Overall, phospholipids from soybean lecithin inhibited ruminal fermentation similarly to triglycerides from corn oil. Despite ruminal degradation of lecithin by microbial phospholipases as shown in other studies, feeding lecithin tended to increase fatty acid digestion in the hindgut.     

Effects of degree of fat saturation on fiber digestion and microbial protein synthesis when diets are fed twelve times daily

Three Holstein heifers and one nonlactating cow, fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas, were arranged in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to determine the effects of degree of fat saturation on ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestion and microbial protein synthesis and to determine whether changes in the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis were related to protozoal populations in the rumen. Corn silage-based diets contained no added fat or 4.85% of diet dry matter as partially hydrogenated tallow, tallow, or animal-vegetable fat. Iodine values of fat sources were 12.8, 50.6, and 109.7 for partially hydrogenated tallow, tallow, and animal-vegetable fat, respectively. Cattle were fed every 2 h and consumed 1.5% of body weight as dry matter daily. Ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility was decreased by added fat but was not affected by increasing iodine value. Flows of microbial N and non-NH3-nonmicrobial N to the duodenum were not affected by treatment. Ruminal protozoa concentration decreased linearly as the iodine value of fats increased. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis was increased and protozoa concentrations tended to decrease when fat was fed. Decreased ruminal protozoa concentration may have decreased intraruminal N recycling. Biohydrogenation of added fat may result in a low ruminal concentration of unsaturated fatty acids when cows are fed frequently, reducing the negative effects of unsaturated fat sources on ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Protozoa were inhibited by unsaturated fat, but it is not clear if biohydrogenation and frequent feeding lessened inhibition.     

Fat source and calcium level effects on finishing steer performance, digestion, and metabolism

A 111-d finishing study evaluated animal growth and carcass characteristics using 138 steers (366 kg) in a randomized complete block design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. The dietary treatments consisted of no supplemental fat or 3.5% tallow or soybean oil soapstock (SS) fed with .6% and .9% dietary Ca. Fat increased DMI (P less than .05) but interacted with Ca level (P less than .05) for gain/feed and ADG. All diets containing fat or .9% Ca were converted more efficiently to gain than the .6% Ca, no supplemental fat diet (P less than .05). The .9% Ca interacted with fat source to decrease gain (P less than .05) and tended to decrease efficiency in the tallow diet but improved efficiency (P less than .05) and tended to improve gain in the no-fat diet. In the SS diet, .9% Ca had no effect on ADG, DMI, or efficiency of gain. Fat addition increased backfat (P less than .10) and interacted with Ca on hot carcass weight, final weight, and dressing percentage (P less than .05). Feeding fat increased the proportion of 18:0 (P less than .02) and decreased the proportion of 16:1 fatty acids (P less than .06) in intermuscular fat. A replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design, using six Holstein steers (349 kg) fed three diets, with no supplemental fat or 3.5% SS or tallow with 1.0% Ca, was used to explore the effects of fat sources when fed with high Ca on digestion and metabolism. Ruminal fluid pH was higher (P less than .10) when steers were fed fat. Adding fat did not affect (P greater than .10) duodenal or ileal pH, VFA proportions or total concentration, or ruminal liquid volume or flow rate. Liquid retention time was shorter and liquid rate of passage was higher (P less than .05) with dietary fat addition. Adding fat did not affect site or extent of starch or DM digestion. There was net synthesis of 16:0, 18:0, and 18:1 fatty acids in the rumen. When steers were fed tallow, synthesis of 16:0 and 18:0 fatty acids in the rumen was lower (P less than .10) than when steers were fed SS. Feeding fat tended to decrease (P = .11) bacterial N flowing at the duodenum but did not affect nonbacterial N or total N. Fat addition seems to affect ruminal kinetics, and the effects may vary with fat source, particularly relative to fatty acid synthesis and digestion.     

Effects of supplemental fat source on nutrient digestion and ruminal fermentation in steers

Five Holstein steers (235 kg of BW) fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design experiment to determine the effects of supplemental fat source on site and extent of nutrient digestion and ruminal fermentation. Treatments were diets based on steam-flaked corn containing no supplemental fat (control) or 4% (DM basis) supplemental fat as tallow, dried full-fat corn germ (corn germ), corn oil, or flax oil. Fat supplementation decreased (P < 0.08) ruminal starch digestion but increased (P < 0.03) small intestinal starch digestion as a percentage of intake. Feeding corn germ decreased (P < 0.09) ruminal starch digestion and increased (P < 0.03) large intestinal starch digestion compared with steers fed corn oil. Large intestinal starch digestion was less (P < 0.04), and ruminal NDF digestion was greater (P < 0.09) for steers fed tallow compared with steers fed other fat sources. Small intestinal (P < 0.08) and total tract NDF digestibilities were greater (P < 0.02) for steers fed corn germ than for those fed corn oil. Feeding tallow increased total ruminal VFA (P < 0.03) and NH(3) (P < 0.07) concentrations compared with steers fed the other fat sources. Feeding corn germ led to a greater (P < 0.02) rate of ruminal liquid outflow compared with corn oil. A diet x hour interaction (P < 0.04) occurred for ruminal pH, with steers fed corn oil having the greatest ruminal pH 18 h after feeding, without differences at other time points. Fat supplementation increased (P < 0.09) ruminal concentrations of Fusobacterium necrophorum. Duodenal flow of C18:3n-3 was greater (P < 0.01) for steers fed flax oil compared with those fed corn oil. Feeding corn germ led to less (P < 0.01) ruminal biohydrogenation of fatty acids compared with corn oil. Steers fed tallow had greater small intestinal digestibility of C14:0 (P < 0.02) and C16:1 (P < 0.04) than steers fed the other fat sources. Fat supplementation decreased (P < 0.06) small intestinal digestibility of C18:0. Feeding corn germ decreased (P < 0.10) small intestinal digestibility of C18:1 compared with corn oil. It appears that source of supplemental fat can affect the site and extent of fatty acid and nutrient digestion in steers fed diets based on steam-flaked corn.     

Effects of choline on blood metabolites associated with lipid metabolism and digestion by steers fed corn-based diets

Ruminally cannulated steers (281 +/- 18 kg) were used to evaluate effects of choline on digestion and metabolism. Four steers were implanted with 24 mg of estradiol and 120 mg of trenbolone acetate, and four steers were not implanted. Cattle were assigned to concurrent 4 x 4 Latin squares. Dietary treatments were a 2 x 2 factorial: 0 or 4% tallow (DM basis) in corn-based diets, and 0 or 5 g/d supplemental choline administered abomasally. Blood collected before and 6 h after the initial choline infusion was used to assess acute responses to choline. Digestibility and blood metabolites were measured after adaptation to choline, as well as after an abomasal dose of 100 g of lipid. Digestibilities of dietary DM (P = 0.29) and of dietary total fatty acids (P = 0.42) were not affected by choline. Apparent digestibilities of C18:0 and C18:1 fatty acids were greater (P < 0.05) when diets contained 4% tallow. Digestibilities of fatty acids in the lipid dose were less than those in the diet, and no biologically important differences in fatty acid disappearance resulted from the treatments. No significant acute responses to choline were detected. After adaptation to choline, no important differences in plasma metabolites occurred in response to choline infusion. Plasma urea was less (P < 0.05) for implanted cattle, reflecting increased deposition of protein. Plasma cholesterol was greater (P < 0.05) for steers fed 4% tallow. Changes in plasma triglycerides in response to an abomasal lipid dose were less (P < 0.05) for steers fed 4% tallow, probably due to greater triglyceride concentrations at the time of lipid dosing. In summary, few responses to abomasally infused choline were observed in either digestion or plasma metabolites.     

Effects of tallow supplementation and protein withdrawal on ruminal fermentation, microbial synthesis and site of digestion

The effects of tallow supplementation [0% (NT) vs 7.5% (T)] and crude protein level [8.5% (LP) vs 12.0% (HP)] on ruminal fermentation, microbial protein (MCP) synthesis, digesta passage and site of digestion were estimated using yearling Angus X Simmental steers (390 kg) fitted with ruminal and T-type duodenal cannulae. Chromium-EDTA and ytterbium (Yb) chloride were used as markers of the liquid and solid phases. Passage and site of digestion data were estimated from the concentrations of Yb in the duodenal digesta and feces. Dry matter (DM) intakes were 6.8, 6.5, 6.3 and 6.6 kg/d for the NT-LP, NT-HP and T-HP diets, respectively. Ruminal ammonia concentrations (mg/100 ml) for the NT-LP, NT-HP, T-LP and T-HP diets were 1.22, 4.75, 1.05 and 3.41, respectively. Tallow decreased (P less than .05) acetate (mol/100 mol), increased (P less than .01) propionate (mol/100 mol) and decreased the total volatile fatty acid concentration. Tallow depressed apparent ruminal DM and organic matter (OM) digestibilities only on the HP diet. High protein increased ruminal DM, OM and fiber digestibilities. Tallow and LP tended to shift the site of OM digestion to the lower tract. The liquid and solid dilution rates for the NT-LP, NT-HP, T-LP and T-HP diets were 9.53, 3.37; 5.63, 3.28; 6.66, 5.10 and 6.79, 5.34%/h, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Site and extent of digestion, duodenal flow, and intestinal disappearance of total and esterified fatty acids in sheep fed a high-concentrate diet supplemented with high-linoleate safflower oil

Our objective was to determine duodenal and ileal flows of total and esterified fatty acids and to determine ruminal fermentation characteristics and site and extent of nutrient digestion in sheep fed an 80% concentrate diet supplemented with high-linoleate (77%) safflower oil at 0, 3, 6, and 9% of DM. Oil was infused intraruminally along with an isonitrogenous basal diet (fed at 2% of BW) that contained bromegrass hay, cracked corn, corn gluten meal, urea, and limestone. Four crossbred wethers (BW = 44.3 +/- 15.7 kg) fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment, in which 14 d of dietary adaptation were followed by 4 d of duodenal, ileal, and ruminal sampling. Fatty acid intake increased (linear, P = 0.004 to 0.001) with increased dietary safflower oil. Digestibilities of OM, NDF, and N were not affected (P = 0.09 to 0.65) by increased dietary safflower oil. For total fatty acids (free plus esterified) and esterified fatty acids, duodenal flow of most fatty acids, including 18:2c-9,c-12, increased (P = 0.006 to 0.05) with increased dietary oil. Within each treatment, duodenal flow of total and esterified 18:2c-9,c-12 was similar (P = 0.32), indicating that duodenal flow of this fatty acid occurred because most of it remained esterified. Duodenal flow of esterified 18:1t-11 increased (P = 0.08) with increased dietary safflower oil, indicating that reesterification of ruminal fatty acids occurred. Apparent small intestinal disappearance of most fatty acids was not affected (P = 0.19 to 0.98) by increased dietary safflower oil, but increased (P = 0.05) for 18:2c-9,c-12, which ranged from 87.0 to 97.4%, and for 18:2c-9,t-11 (P = 0.03), which ranged from 37.9% with no added oil to 99.2% with supplemental oil. For esterified fatty acids, apparent small intestinal disappearance was from 80% for 18:3c-9,c-12,c-15 at the greatest level of dietary oil up to 100% for 18:1t-11 and 18:1c-12 with 0% oil. We concluded that duodenal flow of 18:2c-9,c-12 was predominately associated with the esterified fraction, suggesting that the extent of ruminal lipolysis was decreased with increased dietary high-linoleate safflower oil. Furthermore, biohydrogenation intermediates observed in the esterified fatty acids indicated that some reesterification occurred, and the high level of apparent absorption of esterified fatty acids indicated that intestinal lipolysis did not limit overall digestion of the fatty acids fed to the sheep.     

Influence of level of supplemental whole flaxseed on forage intake and site and extent of digestion in beef heifers consuming native grass hay

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of supplemental whole flaxseed level on intake and site and extent of digestion in beef cattle consuming native grass hay. Nine Angus heifers (303 +/- 6.7 kg of BW) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a triplicated 3 x 3 Latin square. Cattle were given ad libitum access to chopped native grass hay (9.6% CP and 77.5% NDF, OM basis). All animals were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 experimental treatments of hay plus no supplement (control); 0.91 kg/d whole flaxseed (23.0% CP, 36.3% NDF, and 25.5% total fatty acid, OM basis); or 1.82 kg/d whole flaxseed on a DM basis. Supplemental flaxseed tended to decrease (linear, P = 0.06) forage OM intake. However, total OM intake did not differ (P = 0.29) with increasing levels of flaxseed. Total duodenal OM flow increased (linear, P = 0.05) with additional flaxseed in the diet, and no differences (P = 0.29) were observed for microbial OM flow. True ruminal OM disappearance was not affected (P = 0.14) by supplemental flaxseed. Apparent lower tract OM digestibility increased (linear, P = 0.01) with level of whole flaxseed. Apparent total tract OM digestibility was not different (P = 0.41) among treatments. Nitrogen intake increased (linear, P < 0.001) with supplemental flaxseed. In addition, total duodenal N flow tended (P = 0.08) to increase with additional dietary flaxseed. However, true ruminal N digestibility did not differ (P = 0.11) across treatment. Supplemental whole flaxseed did not influence ruminal (P = 0.13) or total tract (P = 0.23) NDF digestibility. Ruminal molar proportion of propionate responded quadratically (P < 0.001) with increasing levels of whole flaxseed. An increase in the duodenal supply of 18:3n-3 (P < 0.001), total unsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.001), and total fatty acids (P < 0.001) was observed with additional dietary whole flaxseed. Apparent postruminal 18:3n-3 disappearance tended to decrease (P = 0.07) as intake of flaxseed increased. Overall, the inclusion of 1.82 kg/d of flaxseed does not appear to negatively influence nutrient digestibility of a forage-based diet and therefore can be used as an effective supplement to increase intestinal supply of key fatty acids important to human health.     

Influence of supplemental cracked high-linoleate or high-oleate safflower seeds on site and extent of digestion in beef cattle

Our objectives were to evaluate ruminal fermentation patterns, apparent ruminal biohydrogenation, and site and extent of nutrient disappearance in cattle fed supplemental cracked safflower seeds differing in 18 C fatty acid profile. Nine Angus x Gelbvieh heifers (641 +/- 9.6 kg) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a triplicated 3 x 3 Latin square. Cattle were fed (OM basis) 9.1 kg of bromegrass hay and either 1) 1.8 kg of corn and 0.20 kg of soybean meal (Control); 2) 0.13 kg of soybean meal and 1.5 kg of cracked high-linoleate (67.2% 18:2) safflower seeds (Linoleate); or 3) 1.5 kg of cracked high-oleate (72.7% 18:1) safflower seeds (Oleate). Safflower seed supplements were formulated to provide similar quantities of N and TDN and 5% dietary fat. Single degree of freedom orthogonal contrasts (Control vs. Linoleate and Oleate; Linoleate vs. Oleate) were used to evaluate treatment effects. True ruminal OM and ruminal NDF disappearances (percentage of intake) were greater (P < or =0.02) for Control than Linoleate and Oleate. True ruminal N degradability (% of intake) was not different (P = 0.38) among treatments. Apparent ruminal biohydrogenation of dietary 18:2 was greatest (Linoleate vs. Oleate, P < 0.001) for Linoleate, whereas biohydrogenation of dietary 18:1 was greatest (Linoleate vs. Oleate, P = 0.02) for Oleate. Duodenal flow of 18:0 was least (P < 0.001) for Control but did not differ (P = 0.92) between Oleate and Linoleate. Total flow of unsaturated fatty acid to the duodenum was greatest (P < 0.001) in cattle fed safflower seeds, and was greater with Linoleate (P < 0.001) than with Oleate. Duodenal flow of 18:1 and 18:2 increased (P < 0.001) in Oleate and Linoleate, respectively. Duodenal flow of 18:1trans-11 was greater (P < 0.001) in cattle fed safflower seeds and in Linoleate than in Oleate. Postruminal disappearance of saturated fatty acids was greatest (P < 0.001) for Control; however, postruminal disappearance of total unsaturated fatty acids was greater (P = 0.002) for Linoleate vs. Oleate. Supplemental high-linoleate or high-oleate safflower seeds to cattle fed forage-based diets may negatively affect ruminal OM and fiber disappearance but not N disappearance. Provision of supplemental fat in the form of safflower seeds that are high in linoleic acid increased intestinal supply and postruminal disappearance of unsaturated fatty acids, indicating that the fatty acids apparently available for metabolism are affected by dietary fat source.     

Effects of high-sugar ryegrass silage and mixtures with red clover silage on ruminant digestion. 2. Lipids

The experiment investigated the digestion of lipids from different forage silages in beef steers. Six Hereford x Friesian steers prepared with rumen and duodenal cannulas were given ad libitum access to a high-sugar grass silage, control grass silage, red clover silage, or mixtures of the red clover and each of the grass silages (50:50, DM basis). The experiment was conducted as an incomplete 5 x 5 Latin square, with an additional randomly repeated sequence. Total fatty acid and C18:3n-3 concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) for the high-sugar grass silage than the control grass silage or the red clover silage. Dry matter and total fatty acid intake were less (P < 0.05) for steers fed the control grass silage than for steers fed the other diets. Duodenal flow of C18:3n-3 was greater (P < 0.05), and flows of C18:0 and total C18:1 trans were less (P < 0.05), for the red clover silage compared with the 2 grass silage diets, with the mixtures intermediate. These results were supported by a reduction (P < 0.05) in biohydrogenation of C18:3n-3 for the red clover silage, with the mixtures again being intermediate. Flows of total branched- and odd-chain fatty acids were greater (P < 0.05) for the high-sugar grass silage diet, possibly as a result of greater microbial flow, because these fatty acids are associated with bacterial lipid. Duodenal flows of the chlorophyll metabolite, phytanic acid, were greater (P < 0.05) for animals fed the high-sugar grass silage treatments compared with the other treatments. These results confirm the potential for modifying the fatty acid composition of ruminant products by feeding red clover silage.     

Performance and digestibility characteristics of finishing diets containing distillers grains, composites of corn processing coproducts, or supplemental corn oil

Three experiments evaluated the lipids in distillers grains plus solubles compared with corn or other sources of lipid in finishing diets. Experiment 1 utilized 60 individually fed yearling heifers (349 +/- 34 kg of BW) fed treatments consisting of 0, 20, or 40% (DM basis) wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), or 0, 2.5, or 5.0% (DM basis) corn oil in a finishing diet based on high-moisture corn (HMC) and dry-rolled corn. Cattle fed 20 and 40% WDGS had greater (P < 0.10) G:F than cattle fed 0% WDGS. Cattle fed the 5.0% corn oil had less overall performance than cattle fed the other diets. Results from Exp. 1 indicated that adding fat from WDGS improves performance, whereas supplementing 5.0% corn oil depressed G:F, suggesting that the fat within WDGS is different than corn oil. Experiment 2 used 234 yearling steers (352 +/- 16 kg of BW) fed 1 of 5 treatments consisting of 20 or 40% (DM basis) dry distillers grains plus solubles, 1.3 or 2.6% (DM basis) tallow, or HMC. All diets contained 20% (DM basis) wet corn gluten feed as a method of controlling acidosis. No differences between treatments for any performance variables were observed in Exp. 2. The dry distillers grains plus solubles may be similar to tallow and HMC in finishing diets containing 20% wet corn gluten feed. Experiment 3 used 5 Holstein steers equipped with ruminal and duodenal cannulas in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. Treatments were a 40% WDGS diet, 2 composites, one consisting of corn bran and corn gluten meal; and one consisting of corn bran, corn gluten meal, and corn oil; and 2 dry-rolled corn-based diets supplemented with corn oil or not. Cattle fed the WDGS diet had numerically less rumen pH compared with cattle fed other treatments. Cattle fed WDGS had greater (P < 0.10) molar proportions of propionate, decreased (P < 0.10) acetate:propionate ratios, greater (P < 0.10) total tract fat digestion, and a greater (P < 0.10) proportion of unsaturated fatty acids reaching the duodenum than cattle fed other treatments. Therefore, the greater energy value of WDGS compared with corn may be due to more propionate production, greater fat digestibility, and more unsaturated fatty acids reaching the duodenum.     

Effects of supplementing with calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids or hydrogenated tallow on ewe milk production and twin lamb growth

Two experiments were conducted with Polypay ewes nursing twin lambs to evaluate the effects of supplementing fat (calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids or hydrogenated tallow) on ewe lactation. In Exp. 1, ewes were fed a 52% concentrate:48% hay-based diet (as-fed basis) consisting of alfalfa hay (n = 4), endophyte-free fescue hay (n = 4), or fescue hay with 3.7% fatty acids (n = 4) from d 4 to 56 of lactation. In Exp. 2, ewes were fed similar diets that had endophyte-free fescue hay (n = 6), fescue hay with 3.7% fatty acids (n = 5), or fescue hay with 3.1% tallow (n = 6) from d 14 before lambing until d 57 of lactation. Diet formulations with supplemental fat were more nutrient dense, and treatments were fed to meet ewe nutrient requirements; this caused diets with added fat to be offered at 10 and 17% lower rates than unsupplemented diets in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. Lambs were maintained to consume only ewe milk. Ewe milk production and composition were determined using a portable milking machine following a 3-h separation from lambs. In Exp. 1, milk fat content was increased (P < 0.01) when ewes consumed fescue hay with fatty acids vs. the fescue hay diet (11.4 vs. 8.3%). Ewes fed fescue hay with fatty acids lost the most (P < 0.05) weight over lactation (-8.6 kg) compared with ewes fed the alfalfa hay (-2.4 kg) and fescue hay (-3.8 kg) diets. Other milk measures, lamb gain, and production efficiencies were not changed. In Exp. 2, ewes supplemented with fatty acids produced more (P < 0.05) milk fat than those fed tallow (290 vs. 210 g/d). The proportion of synthesized milk fat 14:0 was decreased (P < 0.01), but the percentage of incorporated 16:0 increased (P < 0.05) when fatty acids were fed. Dietary fat digestibility by ewes was increased (P < 0.01) by fatty acid supplementation but decreased (P < 0.01) when tallow was added. Although ewe weight measures were not changed in Exp. 2, twin lamb gain per ewe organic matter intake was most efficient (P < 0.05) when ewes were supplemented with fatty acids. Results suggest that feeding hydrogenated tallow decreased nutrient availability for ewe milk fat production. A complete diet based on endophyte-free fescue hay can replace a traditional alfalfa hay diet, whereas supplementing with the calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids may be more feasible when energy is limiting during ewe lactation.     

Compartmental modeling with nitrogen-15 to determine effects of degree of fat saturation on intraruminal N recycling

Two- and three-compartment models were developed to describe N kinetics within the rumen using three Holstein heifers and one nonlactating Holstein cow fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas. A 4 x 4 Latin square design included a control diet containing no supplemental fat and diets containing 4.85% of diet dry matter as partially hydrogenated tallow (iodine value = 13), tallow (iodine value = 51), or animal-vegetable fat (iodine value = 110). Effects of fat on intraruminal N recycling and relationships between intraruminal N recycling and ruminal protozoa concentration or the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis were determined. A pulse dose of 15(NH4)2SO4 was introduced into the ruminal NH3 N pool, and samples were taken over time from the ruminal NH3 N and nonammonia N pools. For the three-compartment model, precipitates of nonammonia N after trichloroacetic acid and ethanol extraction were defined as slowly turning over nonammonia N; rapidly turning over nonammonia N was determined by difference. Curves of 15N enrichment were fit to models with two (NH3 N and nonammonia N) or three (NH3 N, rapidly turning over nonammonia N, and slowly turning over nonammonia N) compartments using the software SAAM II. Because the three-compartment model did not remove a small systematic bias or improve the fit of the data, the two-compartment model was used to provide measurements of intraruminal N recycling. Intraruminal NH3 N recycling (45% for control) decreased linearly as fat unsaturation increased (50.2, 43.0, and 41.7% for partially hydrogenated tallow, tallow, and animal-vegetable fat, respectively). Intraruminal nitrogen recycling was not correlated with efficiency of microbial protein synthesis or ruminal protozoa counts.     

Effect of high-oil corn or added corn oil on ruminal biohydrogenation of fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid formation in beef steers fed finishing diets

Three Angus steers (410 kg) cannulated in the proximal duodenum were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid level and oil source on ruminal biohydrogenation and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) outflow. Dietary treatments included: 1) typical corn (TC; 79.2% typical corn), 2) high-oil corn (HOC; 79.2% high-oil corn), and 3) the TC diet with corn oil added to supply an amount of lipid equal to the HOC diet (OIL; 76.9% TC + 2.4% corn oil). Duodenal samples were collected for 4 d following 10-d diet adaptation periods. Data were analyzed with animal, square, period, and treatment in the model and planned, nonorthogonal contrasts were used to test the effects of dietary lipid content (TC vs HOC and OIL) and oil source (HOC vs OIL) on ruminal biohydrogenation. Intake and duodenal flow of total long-chain fatty acids were increased (P < 0.05) by over 63% for diets containing more lipid regardless of oil source. Apparent ruminal dry matter and long chain fatty acid digestibilities were not altered (P > 0.05) by dietary lipid level or oil source. Ruminal biohydrogenation of total and individual 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acids was greater (P < 0.05) for diets with higher lipid content. Biohydrogenation of oleic acid was greater (P < 0.05) for HOC than OIL, but biohydrogenation of linoleic acid was lower (P < 0.05) for HOC than OIL. Duodenal flows of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidic acids were more than 30% greater (P < 0.05) for diets containing more lipid. Flow of all trans-octadecenoic acids was greater (P < 0.05) for diets containing more lipid. Corn oil addition increased (P < 0.05) the flow of trans-10 octadecenoic acid and the trans-10, cis-12 isomer of CLA by threefold compared to feeding high-oil corn. Feeding high-oil corn or adding corn oil to typical corn rations increased intake, biohydrogenation, and duodenal flow of unsaturated long-chain fatty acids. Compared with high-oil corn diets, addition of corn oil increased duodenal flow of trans-10, trans-12 and cis-12 isomers of octadecenoic acid and the trans-10, cis-12 isomer of CLA. The amount of cis-9, trans-11 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid flowing to the duodenum was less than 260 mg/d, a value over 20 times lower than flow of trans-11 vaccenic acid indicating the importance of tissue desaturation for enhanced conjugated linoleic acid content of beef.     

Effect of fats and fatty acid combinations on ruminal fermentation in semi-continuous in vitro cultures

Four in vitro trials were conducted to determine how ruminal fermentation is affected by source of fat, level of fat, and combinations of fatty acids. Trials I and II examined how volatile fatty acids (VFA) were changed by three sources of fat (blended animal-vegetable fat, corn oil and tallow fatty acids) each added to a hay substrate at six levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10%). Increasing blended fat caused no changes in VFA levels except to decrease butyric acid from 12.1 to 9.9% of the total VFA (P less than .05). Corn oil and tallow fatty acids both increased propionic acid, causing the ratio of acetic to propionic acids (A/P) to decrease (P less than .01). Trial III tested different ratios of oleic/stearic and linoleic/stearic acids to determine if certain combinations were better for fermentation. There was no evidence of synergism among fatty acids since increasing the ratio of unsaturates steadily reduced A/P. Trial IV was designed to determine how changes in VFA levels reflect changes in fiber digestibility of substrates containing added fat. Volatile fatty acids having significant regressions with fiber digestibility were acetic acid (r = .648), propionic acid (r = -.670), total VFA concentration (r = .742) and A/P (r = .831). Results are interpreted to show that blended animal-vegetable fats are less toxic in the rumen than equal levels of other lipids, and the beneficial effects of blended fat cannot be attributed to a unique combination of fatty acids acting synergistically.     

Effects of canola seed supplementation on intake, digestion, duodenal protein supply, and microbial efficiency in steers fed forage-based diets

Fourteen Holstein steers (446 +/- 4.4 kg of initial BW) with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate effects of whole or ground canola seed (23.3% CP and 39.6% ether extract; DM basis) on intake, digestion, duodenal protein supply, and microbial efficiency in steers fed low-quality hay. Our hypothesis was that processing would be necessary to optimize canola use in diets based on low-quality forage. The basal diet consisted of ad libitum access to switchgrass hay (5.8% CP; DM basis) offered at 0700 daily. Treatments consisted of hay only (control), hay plus whole canola (8% of dietary DM), or hay plus ground canola (8% of dietary DM). Supplemental canola was provided based on the hay intake of the previous day. Steers were adapted to diets for 14 d followed by a 7-d collection period. Total DMI, OM intake, and OM digestibility were not affected (P > or = 0.31) by treatment. Similarly, no differences (P > or = 0.62) were observed for NDF or ADF total tract digestion. Bacterial OM at the duodenum increased (P = 0.01) with canola-containing diets compared with the control diet and increased (P = 0.08) in steers consuming ground canola compared with whole canola. Apparent and true ruminal CP digestibilities were increased (P = 0.01) with canola supplementation compared with the control diet. Canola supplementation decreased ruminal pH (P = 0.03) compared with the control diet. The molar proportion of acetate in the rumen tended (P = 0.10) to decrease with canola supplementation. The molar proportion of acetate in ruminal fluid decreased (P = 0.01), and the proportion of propionate increased (P = 0.01), with ground canola compared with whole canola. In situ disappearance rate of hay DM, NDF, and ADF were not altered by treatment (P > or = 0.32). In situ disappearance rate of canola DM, NDF, and ADF increased (P = 0.01) for ground canola compared with whole canola. Similarly, ground canola had greater (P = 0.01) soluble CP fraction and CP disappearance rate compared with whole canola. No treatment effects were observed for ruminal fill, fluid dilution rate, or microbial efficiency (P > or = 0.60). The results suggest that canola processing enhanced in situ degradation but had minimal effects on ruminal or total tract digestibility in low-quality, forage-based diets.     

Effect of field peas, chickpeas, and lentils on rumen fermentation, digestion, microbial protein synthesis, and feedlot performance in receiving diets for beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of pulse grains in receiving diets for cattle. In Exp. 1, 8 Holstein (615 +/- 97 kg of initial BW) and 8 Angus-crossbred steers (403 +/- 73 kg of initial BW) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were blocked by breed and used in a randomized complete block design to assess the effects of pulse grain inclusion in receiving diets on intake, ruminal fermentation, and site of digestion. Experiment 2 was a 39-d feedlot receiving trial in which 176 mixed-breed steers (254 +/- 19 kg of initial BW) were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of pulse grains on DMI, ADG, and G:F in newly received feedlot cattle. In both studies, pulse grains (field peas, lentils, or chickpea) replaced corn and canola meal as the grain component in diets fed as a total mixed ration. Treatments included 1) corn and canola meal (control); 2) field pea; 3) lentil; and 4) chickpea. Preplanned orthogonal contrasts were conducted between control vs. chickpea, control vs. field pea, and control vs. lentil. In Exp. 1, there were no differences among treatments for DMI (11.63 kg/d, 2.32% of BW daily, P = 0.63) or OM intake (P = 0.63). No treatment effects for apparent ruminal (P = 0.10) and total tract OM digestibilities (P = 0.40) were detected when pulse grains replaced corn and canola meal. Crude protein intake (P = 0.78), microbial CP flow (P = 0.46), total tract CP digestibility (P = 0.45), and microbial efficiency (P = 0.18) were also not influenced by treatment. Total-tract ADF (P = 0.004) and NDF (P = 0.04) digestibilities were greater with field pea vs. control. Total VFA concentrations were lower for field pea (P = 0.009) and lentil (P < 0.001) compared with control. Chickpea, field pea, and lentil had lower (P < or = 0.03) acetate molar proportion than control. Ruminal pH (P = 0.18) and NH3 (P = 0.14) were not different among treatments. In Exp. 2, calves fed chickpea, field pea, and lentil had greater overall DMI (7.59 vs. 6.98 kg/d; P < or = 0.07) and final BW (332 vs. 323 kg; P < or = 0.04), whereas chickpea and lentil had greater ADG (1.90 vs. 1.71 kg/d; P < or = 0.04) than control. Gain efficiency (P = 0.18) did not differ among treatments. Steers fed pulse grains had similar CP and OM digestibilities compared with a combination of corn and canola meal in receiving diets. Pulse grains are a viable alternative for replacement of protein supplements in receiving diets for beef cattle.     

Effects of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes on intake,duodenal flow,and digestion in steers fed diets with whole or cracked Pima cottonseed

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes on intake, ruminal fermentation, and duodenal flow and digestion of nutrients in steers fed diets with whole Pima cottonseed (WPC) or cracked Pima cottonseed (CPC). Four Holstein steers (167±5 kg body weight) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas with a 4×4 Latin square in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments (WPC or CPC; 0 or 15 g enzyme) were used. Steers were fed wheat flaked-based diets with 9.95% of WPC or CPC as dry matter basis. Enzymes increased molar proportion of acetate in steer fed WPC, but in those fed CPC acetate decreased. Feeding enzymes increased duodenal flow of organic matter in steers fed WPC, but not in those fed CPC. Also, enzymes increased duodenal flow of N, non-ammonia N, and intestinal digestion of N in steers fed WPC and CPC.     

Effect of forage:concentrate ratio on ruminal digestion and duodenal flow of fatty acids in ewes

The objective of this study was to determine the forage:concentrate ratio that would provide the greatest duodenal flow of unsaturated fatty acids in ewes supplemented with soybean oil and to determine how diets differing in forage content affect flow of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and trans-vaccenic acid (18:1(trans-11)). Five mature ewes (66.5 +/- 12.8 kg) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square experiment. Diets were isonitrogenous and included bromegrass hay, cracked corn, corn gluten meal, urea, and limestone. Dietary fat was adjusted to 6% with soybean oil. Five ratios of forage:concentrate (18.4:81.6, 32.2:67.8, 45.8:54.2, 59.4:40.6, and 72.9:27.1) were fed at 1.3% of BW daily in equal allotments at 0630 and 1830. After 14 d, Cr2O3 (2.5 g) was dosed at each feeding for 7 d and ruminal, duodenal, and fecal collections were taken for the next 3 d. Duodenal flow of 18:0 increased linearly (P < 0.01) with dietary forage. Duodenal flow of 18:1(cis-9) and 18:2(cis-9,12) decreased (P < 0.001) but duodenal flow of 18:3(cis-9,12,15) increased (P < 0.01) with increased dietary forage. Biohydrogenation of dietary unsaturated fatty acids increased (P < 0.001) as dietary forage increased, which was concomitant with increased ruminal pH. Duodenal flow of 18:2(cis-9,trans-11) increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increased dietary forage but increased abruptly when forage was fed at 45.8%. Duodenal flow of the trans-10, cis-12 and cis-10, cis-12 CLA isomers decreased as dietary forage increased, but flow tended to increase on the highest-forage diet, resulting in both linear (P < 0.01) and quadratic (P < 0.01) effects. Duodenal flow of 18:1(trans-11) decreased from 8.28 g/d on the 18.4% forage diet to 5.47 g/d on the 59.4% forage diet then increased to 7.29 g/d on the highest-forage diet (quadratic, P < 0.1). Duodenal flow of 18:1(trans-11) was 27- to 69-fold greater than flow of CLA. We conclude that when ewes were fed a 6% crude fat diet duodenal flows of dietary fatty acids changed incrementally as dietary forage was increased, whereas changes in flows of CLA isomers seemed to be more abrupt. Biohydrogenation changes were gradual with diet, suggesting a gradual shift in ruminal microbial populations with increasing forage. Finally, the highest-concentrate diet supported the greatest duodenal flows of dietary unsaturated fatty acids, as well as the highest flow of 18:1(trans-11).     

Effects of tallow on the energy metabolism of wethers fed barley finishing diets

A balance trial was conducted to titrate the effects of tallow on the energy metabolism of wethers fed barley finishing diets. Six dietary levels of tallow (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10%) in a barley finishing diet were fed to six crossbred wethers (35+/-1.1 kg) in a randomized complete block design. Diets were 73% barley, 10% tallow and(or) bentonite, 10% alfalfa pellets, and 7% supplement. There was no effect of tallow level on OM intake (1,103.1+/-51 g/d), OM digestibility (84+/-0.9%), GE digestibility (83+/-1.1%), or cell solubles digestibility (84.2+/-1.2%). The level of tallow quadratically decreased ADF digestibility (P < 0.05), methane emissions, and methane energy as a percentage of GE P < 0.01). There were linear increases in dietary GE (megacalories per kilogram of OM [P < 0.01]), dietary DE (megacalories per kilogram of OM [P < 0.05]), and dietary ME (megacalories per kilogram of OM [P < 0.01]), as dietary tallow increased. Numbers of ruminal protozoa (Entodinium spp. and Polyplastron sp.) decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increased level of tallow. The energy value of tallow (calculated by difference) was low. The total-tract fatty acid digestibility of tallow was calculated by linear regression, without intercept, after accounting for the fatty acids digested from the base diet (0% tallow fed to a wether in a period). Fatty acids of the same carbon length were pooled for the regression analysis. All linear regressions were significant (P < 0.10) indicating no effect of tallow level on fatty acid digestibility. Lauric acid had low digestibility. The high digestibility of all C16 (89%) and C18 (104%) fatty acids suggests an effect of tallow on endogenous and microbial fatty acid excretion. Fatty acid digestibility was probably a minor contributor to the low energy content of tallow, calculated by difference, in these diets.