Nitrogen Retention and Nutrient Digestibility in Geldings Fed Grass Hay,Alfalfa Hay,or Alfalfa Cubes

This study was conducted to determine whether feeding different physical forms of hay alters nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention (NR). Six Quarter Horse geldings were assigned to any one of three different dietary treatments in three 14-day periods. The diets included long-stem Bermuda grass hay (G), long-stem alfalfa hay (A), and alfalfa cubes (C). In the final 4 days of each period, horses were fitted with harnesses for total collection of urine and feces. Samples of feed, orts, feces, and urine were analyzed for dry matter, organic matter, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nitrogen (N). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and N was greatest for A, intermediate for C, and smallest for G (P < .05). Digestibility of acid detergent fiber was greater (P < .05) for A than G or C, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility was greater (P < .05) for A or G than C. Nitrogen intake (NI) was greatest for A, intermediate for C, and smallest for G (P < .05). Fecal N excretion was not different between diets, but urine N excretion was greater (P < .05) for A and C as compared with G. When expressed as a percentage of NI, NR did not differ among diets. We concluded that NR in mature horses increases with NI, but N utilization is not significantly influenced by the physical form or crude protein content of the hay fed. Potential differences in fiber digestibility and daily fecal output are factors to consider when incorporating processed forages into feeding programs of horses.     

绵羊对红豆草营养期青干草的采食率和消化率

利用全收粪法测定甘肃高山细毛羊对普通红豆草营养期青干昔的采食率和消化率，结果得出：干物质的采食率95.23%，干物质的消化率62.28%,有机物的消化率65.70％。粗蛋白的消化率69.79％，无氮浸出物的消化率69.83％，粗纤维的消化率55.68％，证明红豆草营养期青干草是优质豆科牧草。     

不同季节虎尾草对绵羊采食量和养分消化率的影响

研究不同季节草地牧草的饲喂价值动态变化规律,对于改善和调控家畜的营养状况具有重要的意义。虎尾草（Chloris virgata）作为松嫩草地一种耐旱、耐盐碱的优势饲草,是放牧家畜重要的饲草来源。但目前有关虎尾草的饲喂价值数据有限。因此,本试验选择乌珠穆沁公羊12只,平均体重为27.37±2.20 kg,随机分为4个处理,每个处理3个重复。分别饲喂春、夏、秋、冬四季的虎尾草干草,试验绵羊采取单笼饲养,采用全收粪法进行消化代谢试验。结果表明,春、夏、秋、冬四季绵羊每公斤代谢体重虎尾草干物质采食量分别为73.48,30.01,29.80和34.33 g·kg^-1LW^0.75,春季显著高于其他季节（P<0.05）;不同季节的虎尾草对绵羊干物质消化率、中性洗涤纤维消化率、以及碳、氮采食和排泄均有显著影响（P<0.05）,表现为春季最高,并且春季氮代谢处于正平衡,氮的摄入量可以满足部分增重的需要。     

使用猪T型瘘管法测定饲料原料氨基酸回肠末端表观消化率

使用 8头T型瘘管猪测定了 4种饲料原料的猪回肠末端氨基酸表观消化率。结果说明玉米和豆粕的氨基酸回肠末端表观消化率与最近的文献报道值较为一致 ,羽毛粉的氨基酸表观消化率有一定的趋势 ,乳清粉的氨基酸表观消化率与中国饲料数据库的推荐值较为吻合。这些数据可以为我国的氨基酸消化率数据库提供参考 ,并且可以作为以可消化氨基酸为基础配制日粮时的依据     

Intake and apparent digestibility of hay or hay plus concentrate diets determined in horses by the total collection of feces and n-alkanes as internal markers

The apparent digestibility of hays plus two commercial mixed feeds containing about 14% and 11.8% crude fiber (CF), respectively as feeds was determined by means of two in vivo digestibility trials, each performed on 4 or 5 saddle horses weighing on average about 550 and 535 kg, respectively, over a 6 day feces total collection period with a previous 14 day adaptation period. The diets were based on a first cut meadow hay – whose digestibility was estimated in each trial – and different percentages of the mixed feeds at a feeding level close to maintenance. The two mixed feeds were rich respectively in a by-product from the citrus fruit industry (citrus pulp) and in a by-product from the apple fruit industry (apple pectin pulp). The forage to concentrate ratio was, respectively, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 on a dry matter basis (Diets 1, 2 and 3) in the first trial and, 50:50 and 100:0 (Diets 4 and 5) in the second trial.

The apparent digestibility of the dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, and crude protein was measured by the ingesta/excreta procedure and using the most abundant n-alkanes (C₂₇, C₂₉, and C₃₁) as internal markers for all the rations and the hays.

No differences were found among the digestibility coefficients obtained by the total collection method or using the different n-alkanes.

The use of n-alkanes for digestibility determinations in horses is neither precise nor accurate, but can be advised for free ranging animals, when the total collection of feces is impossible. Taking into account that the accuracy of this later method is comparable, we suggest selecting n-alkanes with a high concentration and the highest fecal recovery; C₂₉ and C₃₁ n-alkanes (the first in particular) resulted to be the best choice.     

Acceptability of Teff Hay by Horses

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is a productive warm season annual grass. Because teff is relatively new to the horse industry in the United States, horses unaccustomed to teff hay were used in two sets of two-choice preference tests comparing teff with alfalfa hay or teff with timothy hay. A second experiment used mature mares to compare voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) of teff hay and timothy hay. In the two-choice preference tests, horses preferred alfalfa hay and timothy hay to teff hay (P < .05). Horses preferred teff hay that was cut at an earlier stage of maturity and had lower concentrations of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber than teff hay cut at a later stage of maturity. In the VDMI experiment, four mares were fed teff hay and four mares were fed timothy hay for 17 days. Both hays had been harvested in the head stage of maturity. VDMI was measured during the last 10 days and was not different between the two groups of horses (P > .05). It was concluded that horses that are unfamiliar with teff may discriminate against it when it is offered simultaneously with alfalfa or timothy; however, if not given a choice, horses will consume approximately the same amount of mature teff as mature timothy. Additional studies are needed to compare VDMI of early maturity teff hay with other common hays.     

The Content of Amino Acids in Pasture Vegetation and Their Apparent Digestibility in 2-year-old Horses

Ten samples of plant vegetation and 10 samples of fresh excrement were taken from the same pasture area. The excrement were collected from 10 2-year-old Old Kladruber horses that received the pasture vegetation daily. The apparent digestibility of nitrogen and amino acids in pasture vegetation was determined by using the acid-insoluble ash marker method. In comparison with excrement, the pasture vegetation contained higher levels of Ser, Ala, Leu, and His and higher levels of Pro (P ≤ .01), Met (P ≤ .01), and Arg (P ≤ .05). The mean level of Ile in pasture vegetation was lower than in excrement (P ≤ .05). The apparent digestibility of amino acids from pasture vegetation was high for Pro and Met (86.75 and 89.39%), moderate for Ser, Ala, Leu, His, and Arg (68.61%-76%), and low for Asp, Thr, Glu, Gly, Val, Leu, Tyr, Phe, and Lys (56.15%-66.03%). The digestibility of lysine and Ile was relatively low (56.39% and 56.15%, respectively). The total content of nitrogen per dry matter was 10.98 ± 2.46 g/kg for pasture vegetation and 12.12 ± 2.38 g/kg for excrement, whereas the content of protein nitrogen was 7.20 ± 0.25 g/kg and 6.89 ± 0.21 g/kg of dry matter in pasture vegetation and excrement, respectively. This means that only 65.55% and 56.90% of N is bound in proteins in pasture vegetation and excrement, respectively. Non-protein nitrogen accounts for 34.45% in pasture vegetation and for 43.10% in excrement.     

能量水平对20～30 kg羔羊生长性能、能量和氮表观消化率的影响

本试验旨在研究不同能量水平对道寒杂交羔羊生长性能、能量和氮表观消化率的影响,为肉用羔羊配制适宜营养水平的日粮提供依据。选用体重20 kg左右的道寒杂交断奶公羔48只,随机分为3组,每组4个重复,每个重复4只。以NRC(2007)营养需要量参数为依据,配制不同代谢能水平(10.12、11.11、12.05 MJ/kg)日粮,可消化蛋白(11%)、钙和磷水平一致。试验预试期15 d,正试期50 d。当其中1组平均体重达到30 kg时,每组取6只,采用全收粪法收集粪样,测定能量和氮表观消化率。结果表明:羔羊体重、日增重、采食量均随能量水平的增加而提高,其中高能组极显著高于低能组(P0.01),显著高于中能组(P0.05),中能组显著高于低能组(P0.05);高能组日粮能量表观消化率显著高于低能组和中能组(P0.05),低能组与中能组间差异不显著(P0.05);高能组和中能组的日粮氮表观消化率极显著高于低能组(P0.01),高能组与中组间差异不显著(P0.05)。综上所述,日粮能量水平影响羔羊能量和蛋白的消化利用及生长发育,当20~30 kg羔羊日粮含11%可消化蛋白,代谢能为12 MJ/kg时羔羊生长性能、能量和蛋白利用率最佳。     

放牧强度和放牧时间对牦牛干物质采食量及其表观消化率的影响

垂穗披碱草/星星草混播草地3个放牧季节的牦牛放牧试验结果表明:放牧强度和放牧时间对牦牛采食量均有极显著的影响(P<0.01),在放牧期内,牦牛干物质的采食量随放牧强度的增加而减小,而且随放牧时间的延续,各放牧区牦牛的干物质采食量均在8月5-20日达到最大;放牧强度对牦牛粪干物质的影响极显著(P<0.01),而放牧时间(季节变化)对它的影响不显著(P>0.05);极轻度和轻度放牧区牦牛干物质的消化率均在7月20日-8月5日达到最大,而中度和重度放牧区均在8月20日-9月5日达到最大。     

全混合日粮对奶牛生产性能和养分表观消化率的影响

实验研究了不同精粗比全混合日粮对奶牛生产性能和养分表观消化率的影响。实验选用了30头奶牛,根据产奶量、泌乳天数和胎次相近的原则分为5组。试验结果表明,随着全混合日粮中精料比例的增加,奶牛产奶量、4%标准乳产奶量、乳蛋白率、乳糖量、乳固形物产量和乳非脂固形物产量可显著提高(P<0.05),日粮养分中除粗脂肪外,其余各养分的表观消化率均随着日粮精料比例的增加而增加(P<0.05)。     

Effect of Chronic Furosemide on Salt and Water Intake of Ponies

Furosemide is used acutely in racehorses and chronically for treatment of edema and congestive heart failure, but the behavioral effects on horses of chronic administration of this drug have not been studied. The objectives of this study were to measure salt and water intake as well as sodium and water losses in ponies treated chronically with furosemide. The salt and water intake of ponies was measured daily for 3 weeks before and 3 weeks during treatment with furosemide at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/d. Fecal dry matter was measured for 9 days before and during furosemide treatment by collecting a fecal sample from each pony's stall and drying it overnight in a 100°C oven. Urine volume and urine sodium content were measured daily for three consecutive days during pretreatment, treatment, and post-treatment periods so that sodium and water status could be calculated. Sodium chloride intake increased in ponies treated daily with furosemide from 7.9 ± 2.2 (standard error of the mean) to 20.3 ± 2.4 g/d and was significantly higher than control for all weeks of treatment (P < .03). Water intake was also significantly increased from 8.9 ± 1 during the control period to 11 ± 0.7 kg/d during furosemide treatment (P < .001), and the ponies drank more water than they lost. Urine volume and urine sodium concentrations increased significantly during treatment with the diuretic, whereas urinary potassium and calcium concentrations decreased.     

全株小黑麦干草对育成牛营养物质表观消化率、血清生化指标及瘤胃发酵的影响

【目的】试验旨在研究全株小黑麦干草对育成牛营养物质表观消化率、血清生化指标及瘤胃发酵的影响,为小黑麦干草在畜牧业中的合理使用提供数据参考。【方法】在相同的饲养条件下,选取10月龄、平均体重为（325.0±20.0） kg、健康、生理状态良好的荷斯坦育成牛30头,随机分为3组：对照组、Ⅰ、Ⅱ组,每组10头牛,每头为一个重复。对照组饲喂基础饲粮（苜蓿干草：小麦秸秆＝1：1）,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组分别以全株小黑麦干草替代饲粮中50％（苜蓿干草：小麦秸秆：全株小黑麦干草＝0.5：0.5：1）和100％干草（100%全株小黑麦干草）,试验预饲期7 d,正试期66天。于正试期前后对每头牛称重,并每天记录采食量,计算平均日增重和料重比;正试期最后4 d采集粪便和饲粮样品,测定各营养物质表观消化率;正试期第66天晨饲前采集血液,晨饲后2 h采集瘤胃液,测定血清生化和瘤胃发酵指标。【结果】①各组育成牛体重、日增重均差异不显著（P>0.05）;Ⅱ组料重比显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。②Ⅰ组育成牛干物质（DM）、有机物（OM）和粗蛋白质（CP）表观消化率与对照组相比差异不显著（P>0.05）,但极显著高于Ⅱ组（P<0.01）;Ⅰ组牛中性洗涤纤维（NDF）和酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）表观消化率显著高于Ⅱ组（P<0.05）,且极显著高于对照组（P<0.01）。③育成牛血清中葡萄糖（GLU）、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、总蛋白（TP）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）含量在各组间均无显著差异（P>0.05）;Ⅱ组牛血清白蛋白（ALB）浓度极显著高于对照组和Ⅰ组（P<0.01）;Ⅰ组牛血清尿素氮（UN）含量显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,但与Ⅱ组差异不显著（P>0.05）。④育成牛瘤胃pH、总挥发性脂肪酸（TVFA）、乙酸、丙酸、丁酸含量及乙酸/丙酸（A/P）在各组间均无显著差异（P>0.05）;Ⅱ组牛瘤胃NH₃-N浓度显著高于Ⅰ组（P<0.05）,与对照组间无显著差异（P>0.05）;Ⅱ组牛瘤胃微生物蛋白（MCP）含量显著低于Ⅰ组（P<0.05）。【结论】将育成牛粗饲料中50％的干草替换为全株小黑麦干草,对其血清生化指标及瘤胃发酵均具有一定的改善作用,且显著提高了饲粮中营养物质表观消化率。     

Evaluation of the Effects of Live Yeast Supplementation on Apparent Digestibility of High-Fiber Diet in Mature Horses Using the Acid Insoluble Ash Marker Modified Method

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of live yeast (LY) in a high-fiber diet on nutrients digestibility in mature horses. Six Italian Standardbred mares (weight: 544 ± 14 kg; age: 15.30 ± 3.9 years) in a two-period crossover design were fed a basal diet (2.5% body weight [BW]) in a 70:30 forage:concentrate ratio with (LY) or without (CTR) the administration of 4.6 × 10¹⁰ colony forming unit (CFU)/d of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MUCL 39885). An adaptation to the diet of 14 days, and an 18-day administration phase, with fecal collection in the last 3 days were performed for each period. Yeast was top-dressed twice a day during the concentrate meal (12:30 am and 09:00 pm). Change in BW was measured at the beginning of each experimental phase and the diet adjusted accordingly, and individual feed intake was recorded daily. Concentrate samples were collected at the beginning of each confinement period and individual hay samples were obtained for each confinement day 38 hours before fecal collection. No influence of LY was observed on BW change (P = .64), feed intake (P = .48), hay intake (P = .48), or concentrate intake (P = .47). S cerevisiae supplementation improved apparent digestibility of dry matter (64.5% vs. 60.1%, P = .03), organic matter (66.1% vs. 61.6%, P = .04), neutral detergent fiber (42.5% vs. 35.9%, P = .04), and acid detergent fiber (36.5% vs. 28.0%, P = .03) with a positive trend on crude protein (P = .08). In the present study, the administration of LY to horses significantly improved the digestion of the fiber fractions of the diet.     

不同油料籽实日粮对奶牛养分表观消化率、生产性能及血液指标的影响

本试验目的在于研究在日粮中添加3种富含不饱和脂肪酸的油料籽实对泌乳早期奶牛养分表观消化率及泌乳性能的影响。试验挑取80头泌乳早期[(43±25)DIM]荷斯坦奶牛,随机分成4个处理组,进行为期10周的饲养试验。按照等能等蛋白的日粮配置原则:对照组饲喂基础日粮(精粗比55∶45),3个试验组分别添加占日粮干物质10%的膨化大豆、5%的双低油菜籽和10%的全棉籽替代基础日粮中部分精料和羊草,使试验组日粮中粗脂肪含量在5%左右。结果表明:(1)添加膨化大豆有提高养分表观消化率的趋势,而棉籽组和双低油菜籽组日粮各养分表观消化率均低于另外2组;(2)添加油料籽实有改善泌乳初期奶牛体况的趋势,而添加膨化大豆提高了常乳产量(P<0.05)以及乳蛋白产量,但是对乳脂产量有一定的抑制作用(P>0.05);(3)添加油料籽实的3组奶牛血液中总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白、低密度脂蛋白以及甘油三酯浓度均高于对照组。     

Effect of Yeast Culture Supplementation on Digestibility of Varying Forage Quality in Mature Horses

Supplementation of yeast culture to equine diets has improved digestion of nutrients in some studies but not others. Improving the digestibility of lower-quality forages could be advantageous both for the producer and for the horse's health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of yeast culture on digestibility of high- and low-quality forage in mature horses. Sixteen geldings (483.6 ± 25.5 kg and 6.8 ± 3.2 years), of Quarter Horse (n = 14) and Thoroughbred (n = 2) breeding, were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-day treatment periods. Russell Bermuda grass hay of either high (13.1% crude protein (CP), 73.1% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 35.3% acid detergent fiber (ADF), and 6.0% ash) or low (8.1% CP, 75.3% NDF, 37.6% ADF, and 4.3% ash) quality was offered at 1.35% of body weight (BW, dry matter [DM] basis). Diets consisted of high-quality forage with the addition of yeast culture (HY), high-quality forage without yeast culture (HC), low-quality forage with the addition of yeast culture (LY), and low-quality forage without yeast culture (LC). All horses were fed a commercial grain mix (12.6% CP, 25.4% NDF, 12.1% ADF, and 4.0% ash) offered at 0.45% of BW (DM basis) daily. Yeast culture was added to the grain mix during the morning feeding at a rate of 56 g per horse. Body weight was measured weekly and feed intake was adjusted accordingly. Fecal samples were obtained every 6 hours on the last 3 days of each treatment period. Horses receiving low-quality hay (LY and LC) had greater (P < .01) intake expressed as a percentage of BW compared with horses receiving high-quality hay (HY and HC). No influence of yeast culture supplementation was seen on intake of grain or forage (P < .23 and P < .62, respectively). Digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), CP, and NDF were greater (P < .01, P < .01, P < .01, and P < .01, respectively) for the diets with high-quality forage compared with the diets with low-quality forage. Dry matter, CP, and NDF digestibilities were greater (P < .09, P < .03, and P < .05, respectively) for horses receiving LY compared with LC. Supplementation of yeast culture to mature horses improved digestibility of lower-quality Bermuda grass hay.     

非洲鸵鸟饲料营养物质表观消化率的测定及适宜方法的探讨

试验选用 3只 15月龄的非洲鸵鸟 (1公 2母 ) ,采用全收粪法对鸵鸟表观消化率进行了测定。其测定结果为 :干物质 5 5 .9%± 0 .2 1% ,粗蛋白 6 8.5 %± 0 .2 2 % ,粗纤维 5 7.4 %± 1.2 1% ,粗脂肪 5 8.8%± 1.35 % ,无氮浸出物 75 .3%± 0 .6 2 % ,总磷 5 5 .2 %± 1.10 %。钙消化率因消化道中存留较多的沙石而未能测得。同时探讨了鸵鸟消化率测定的适宜方法     

几种饲料原料的猪氨基酸回肠末端表观消化率和真消化率的测定

试验选用起始体重为(35±1.04)kg的5头健康去势公猪(大白×长白),采用5×5拉丁方设计测定了玉米、豆粕、花生粕和乳清粉的氨基酸回肠末端表观消化率,采用水解酪蛋白法测定了氨基酸的内源损失,并计算得出4种原料的氨基酸回肠末端真消化率。本试验测得的4种原料的赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、苏氨酸、色氨酸的表观消化率与真消化率与中国饲料数据库2004年第15版推荐范围比较吻合。     

Dry Matter Intake and Apparent Digestibility of Nutrients in the Ration of Mangalarga Marchador Weanling Horses Fed Sorghum Silage Versus Grass Hay

In central Brazil, there are two well-defined climatic periods, the rain and the dry season, the latter being marked by massive forage shortages in pastures. In this context, forage conservation such as making hay and silage for herbivores is imperative during the dry season. Grass hay is most commonly used for horses, but sorghum silage is often used for ruminants. The objective was to compare the nutrient digestibility, fecal production, and dry matter intake (DMI) of sorghum silage (Sorghum bicolor l. Moench CV. BRS 655) to that of vaquero hay (Cynodon CV. 90160 CD × CV. Mirage). Twelve Mangalarga Marchador fillies (8 months of age) were divided into two groups: S (sorghum silage, n = 6) and F (vaquero hay, n = 6). The ration was formulated to supply 3.0% body weight in dry matter (DM) per day, with a forage:concentrate ratio of 50:50 on a DM basis. The concentrate used was a corn-based ration formulated to meet or exceed requirements for growth when fed at 1.5% body weight DM to young horses. The animals were housed in individual stalls (3 × 3m) for a period of 25 days, with 21 days for adaptation, followed by 4 days of total collection of feces. During the collection period, an external marker of digestibility, Purified and Enriched Lignin (LIPE), was added to the concentrate as an external marker to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, crude protein, gross energy, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicelluloses, and cellulose. The forage DMI was calculated by subtracting the quantity supplied at each meal minus the amount of forage that was not eaten by the next meal (orts). The measures of digestibility of the sorghum silage were not different (P > .05) from that of vaquero hay. However, DMI of the sorghum silage was lower (P < .05) than the vaquero hay and may be of concern if fed for prolonged periods of time and not supplemented with carefully balanced concentrates. Purified and Enriched Lignin can be used as a marker for evaluation of digestibility of nutrients in weanling horses.     

不同季节刈割羊草对绵羊采食量和养分消化率的影响

羊草（Leymus chinensis）是北方草地的优势植物,是放牧家畜重要的饲草来源。有关羊草干草营养价值已有相关报道,但关于不同季节刈割的羊草营养价值数据有限。因此本试验选择7月龄乌珠穆沁公羊12只,平均体重为（31.13±2.61）kg,随机分为4个处理,每个处理3个重复。分别饲喂春季、夏季、秋季和冬季末收割的羊草干草,试验绵羊单笼饲养,预饲期2周,试验期1周,自由采食和饮水,采用全收粪法进行消化代谢试验。结果表明,不同季节收割羊草干草对绵羊干物质采食量和消化率有显著的影响（P<0.05）,春、夏和秋季采食量和消化率显著高于冬季,春、夏、秋和冬季干物质日采食量分别为68.30,69.86,57.09和32.53 g·kg^-1LW^0.75;干物质消化率分别为50.75%,50.94%,46.74%和36.91%。秋季和冬季氮处于负平衡,冬季枯黄的羊草不能满足绵羊的能量和蛋白质的维持需要,还需要优质豆科牧草或其他蛋白源补充,从而获得更好的生产性能。