共查询到20条相似文献,搜索用时 31 毫秒
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J. Hummel K.‐H. Südekum D. Bayer S. Ortmann W. J. Streich J.‐M. Hatt M. Clauss 《Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition》2009,93(2):209-220
The stratification of reticulorumen (RR) contents has been described in domestic ruminants, but suspected to be absent in certain wild ruminant species. To investigate how such stratification could be quantified, we tested variables indicating stratification in three oxen with rumen cannulae, fed once daily for 3 h, one of three different forages (fresh grass FG, grass hay GH, lucerne hay LH). Ingesta samples from dorsal rumen (DR), ventral rumen (VR) and reticulum (RET) were taken at 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after the last meal and analyzed for dry matter (DM) concentration, mean particle size and proportion of floating/sedimenting particles. Viscosity was measured in centrifuged RR fluid. There was no relevant variation in rumen fluid viscosity over time or with feeding regime. Dry matter content in DR was always higher than in VR or RET and increased after feeding. When LH and FG were fed, DR always contained larger particles than VR, except at 6 and 12 h of feeding GH. The proportion of floating particles was higher in DR than VR except at GH 6 h and GR between 6 and 12 h. The floating particle fraction mostly contained larger particles, except for GH 3 h in both DR and VR and for FG 3–12 h in DR. Changes in the distribution of particle size and proportion of floating particles over time comply with the theoretical course of fermentative digestion for different forages, but make these variables unreliable indicators of stratification in less controlled settings, such as investigations in wild ruminants. In contrast, viscosity of rumen fluids appears constant over time and feeding regime and might be used as a species‐specific variable. The difference in DM content in DR and VR is a reliable indicator for RR contents stratification characterized by an oversaturation of the contents with fluid, leading to lower VR DM contents. 相似文献
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本试验旨在研究豆粕不同粉碎粒度对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质和消化器官指数的影响。粉碎组饲粮中豆粕采用锤片粉碎机进行粉碎,筛片孔径分别为4.00、5.00、6.00、7.00和8.00 mm,不粉碎组饲粮中豆粕直接过6.00 mm筛,其他饲料原料加工方式一致。选取2 592只210日龄的海兰褐产蛋鸡,随机分为6组,每组6个重复,每个重复72只鸡,进行饲养试验,试验期为8周。结果表明:粉碎组豆粕的几何平均粒径随着粉碎机筛片孔径的增大而显著增大(P<0.05),显著小于过6.00 mm筛不粉碎组(P<0.05),并且粒度分布也有所不同;粉碎组蛋鸡的生产性能、蛋品质和消化器官指数优于过6.00 mm筛不粉碎组。豆粕采用锤片粉碎机粉碎后,豆粕粉碎粒度对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质和消化器官指数的影响不显著(P>0.05),但筛片孔径5.00 mm(几何平均粒径732.00μm)组生产性能、蛋品质和消化器官指数优于其他各组。结果显示:对于蛋鸡饲粮,豆粕经锤片式粉碎机粉碎,筛片孔径为5.00 mm,豆粕几何平均粒径732.00μm时,蛋鸡的生产性能、蛋品质和消化器官指数最佳。 相似文献
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A. U. R. Muhammad C. Q. Xia B. H. Cao 《Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition》2016,100(2):217-223
The objective of study was to evaluate the effect of forage concentration (F:C) and forage particle length (FPL) on sorting, feeding behaviour, intake, growth and body measurements of growing calves. Twenty‐eight weaned calves of body weight 156.79 ± 33.44 (mean ± SD) were used in 2 × 2 factorial arrangements with the factors FPL of hay grass (full and short) and hay grass concentrations (low, 50% and high, 65%). The treatments were as follows: full length (FL) with low F:C (50:50), FL with high F:C(65:35), short length (SL) with low F:C (50:50) and SL with high F:C (65:35). Increasing F:C and decreasing FPL enhanced sorting for short and fine particle and sorting against long particle (p < 0.05). Dry matter intake (DMI) was decreased by decreasing the FPL (p < 0.05). Increasing F:C (65:35) increased the DMI (p < 0.05). A positive interaction between FPL and F:C was found for (daily weight gain) DWG, weight gain (WG) and feed conversation ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). In case of feeding behaviour, interaction for eating time and eating time per kilogram DM was present. Increasing the F:C increased the eating time in both FL and SL (p < 0.05). Chopping of hay had decreased the chewing time (p < 0.05). Increasing F:C increased chewing time per kilogram DMI. High F:C decreased the lying time (p < 0.05) in FL and SL treatments (p < 0.05). Increasing F:C reduced the overall abnormal behaviour (p < 0.05). These results suggested that animals performed better at higher F:C at SL diet. Intensity of sorting for short and fine particle and against long particle increased at higher F:C and SL diets. Eating time and eating time per kilogram DMI increased by increasing F:C level in both FL and SL treatments. Chewing time increased by increasing the FPL, while increasing the F:C enhanced the chewing time per kilogram DMI and reduced animal's abnormal behaviour. 相似文献
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早期断奶仔猪一方面消化系统发育不成熟,吸收养分能力差,消化酶和胃酸分泌不足,正常的肠道微生物系统尚未建立;另一方面断绝了从母体获得被动免疫的来源,而自身的主动免疫发育尚未成熟。所以断奶应激造成早期断奶仔猪出现消化不良、生长迟滞、抗病力弱等\"仔猪早期断奶综合症\"。仔猪肠道对日粮抗原过敏从而导致肠道损伤是断奶后腹泻的根本原因。早期补饲、逐步断奶、去母留仔、合理饲喂可预防早期断奶仔猪腹泻。 相似文献
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《The Journal of Applied Poultry Research》2006,15(1):136-144
The gastrointestinal tract contains within it a microenvironment of bacteria that influences the host animal in many ways. The microflora can metabolize several nutrients that the host cannot digest and converts these to end products (such as short-chain fatty acids), a process that has a direct impact on digestive physiology. The microbiota directs the assembly of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, helps educate the immune system, affects the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, modulates proliferation and differentiation of its epithelial lineages, regulates angiogenesis, modifies the activity of the enteric nervous system, and plays a key role in extracting and processing nutrients consumed in the diet. Despite these important effects, the mechanisms by which the gut microbial community influences host biology remain almost entirely unknown. Recent molecular-based investigations have confirmed the species diversity and metabolic complexity of gut microflora, although there is much work to be done to understand how they relate to each other as well as the host animal. It is almost a century ago that Eli Metchnikoff proposed the revolutionary idea to consume viable bacteria to promote health. Since that time, the area known as probiotics has made dramatic progress, particularly during the past 2 decades. The last 20 yr have also seen the emergence of a new, related area of study—prebiotics. Use of these 2 ideas—providing live nonpathogenic bacteria as well as substrates for their growth—have potential to help optimize the health of animals by manipulating the gastrointestinal tract in positive ways. 相似文献
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A. M. Van Vuuren V. A. Hindle A. Klop J. W. Cone 《Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition》2010,94(3):319-329
An in vivo experiment was performed to determine the effect of level of maize starch in the diet on digestion and site of digestion of organic matter, starch and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). In a repeated change‐over design experiment, three cows fitted with a rumen cannula and T‐piece cannulae in duodenum and ileum received a low‐starch (12% of ration dry matter) and a high‐starch (33% of ration dry matter) diet. Starch level was increased by exchanging dried sugar beet pulp by ground maize. After a 2‐week adaptation period, feed intake, rumen fermentation parameters (in vivo and in situ), intestinal flows, faecal excretion of organic matter, starch and NDF were estimated. When the high‐starch diet was fed, dry matter intake was higher (19.0 kg/day vs. 17.8 kg/day), and total tract digestibility of organic matter, starch and NDF was lower when the low‐starch diet was fed. Maize starch concentration had no significant effect on rumen pH and volatile fatty acid concentration nor on the site of digestion of organic matter and starch and rate of passage of ytterbium‐labelled forage. On the high‐starch diet, an extra 1.3 kg of maize starch was supplied at the duodenum in relation to the low‐starch diet, but only an extra 0.3 kg of starch was digested in the small intestine. Digestion of NDF was only apparent in the rumen and was lower on the high‐starch diet than on the low‐starch diet, mainly attributed to the reduction in sugar beet pulp in the high‐starch diet. It was concluded that without the correction for the reduction in NDF digestion in the rumen, the extra supply of glucogenic (glucose and propionic acid) and ketogenic nutrients (acetic and butyric acid) by supplemented starch will be overestimated. The mechanisms responsible for these effects need to be addressed in feed evaluation. 相似文献
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《African Zoology》2013,48(2):311-320
The greater cane rat is a recently domesticated monogastric herbivore, and the importance of the caecum in the functioning of its digestive tract has frequently been mentioned. However, no data are available on caecal fermentative activity of this animal and research on the digestive physiology was only performed in adult animals. The present work was initiated to describe some parameters of the digestive tract anatomy and to study caecal fermentation of the growing cane rat. Thirty 40-day-old weaned cane rats were used in this experiment. Six of them were immediately euthanased and 12 were housed in a collective pen for gastrointestinal tract (GIT) parameters measurements. Twelve others were kept in individual cages to record growth and food intake. Captive cane rats received a pelleted diet containing 12.5% of crude protein and 16.7% of lignocellulose. Six of the 12 collectively housed animals were euthanased on day 82 and a further six on day 103. The growth rate increased with age (P < 0.01) with a linear growth curve (P < 0.001) while the feed intake (g/kg body weight) did not vary (P > 0.05). The caecum represented the largest compartment of the digestive tract constituting more than 40% of total GIT contents. Acetate was the most abundant short-chain fatty acid with more than 70% of the total, followed by propionate (less than 25%) and butyrate (around 5%). Short-chain fatty acid profiles varied with age: when age increased, the acetate proportion increased (P < 0.01), the propionate proportion decreased (P < 0.001) and the butyrate proportion remained unchanged (P > 0.05). The propionate/butyrate ratio showed a decrease with an increase in age (P = 0.05). Ammonia concentrations did not vary with age (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the caecum is an important site of fermentation in the growing cane rat. 相似文献
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《The Journal of Applied Poultry Research》2006,15(2):245-255
A review of past literature revealed inconsistencies in recommended grain particle size for optimal broiler performance. Changing diet formulation and subsequent processing variables may alter pellet texture and potentially affect broiler performance. In the current study, ground corn, varying in size (781, 950, 1,042, 1,109, and 2,242 μm), was added to a soybean-based premix to create 5 different mash diets. Water and a commercial pellet binder were added separately to corn-soybean-based diets before steam pelleting to create 2 pelleted diets differing in texture (soft and hard, respectively). The objective was to evaluate corn particle size, pellet texture, and feed form variation of compound diets on 3- to 6-wk broiler performance, nutrient retention, carcass characteristics, TMEn, feed passage time, and particle size preference. Soft and hard pellets had similar pellet durability (90.4 and 86.2%, respectively) and fines (44.5 and 40.3%, respectively). Increasing particle size of mash diets improved nutrient retention. However, broiler performance and energy metabolism were decreased when corn particle size exceeded 1,042 μm. This observation was due, in part, to increased size and maintenance requirement of the gastrointestinal tract. Broilers fed hard pellets (1,856 g of pellet breaking force) had improved nutrient retention, TMEn, and subsequent performance compared with broilers fed soft pellets (1,662 g of pellet breaking force). Pellet texture may affect broilers in a manner similar to particle size. 相似文献
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采用粒径分析法研究全脂乳粉再水化过程中的粒径变化以及再水化温度(30、40、50℃)、乳粉粒径对全脂乳粉再水化过程的影响。结果表明:全脂乳粉的再水化受水化温度和乳粉粒径大小的影响,当水化温度为50℃时,再水化时间是水温40℃时的50%,且不足水温30℃时再水化时间的7.5%;同种加工工艺下的全脂乳粉,粒径越高其再水化时间越短,且粒径分布不同的全脂乳粉同种条件水化后其粒径分布不同。 相似文献
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双外流连续培养系统用于瘤胃发酵的体外模拟:技术综述 总被引:13,自引:0,他引:13
双外流连续培养系统是目前研究反刍动物瘤胃生理学、发酵生物化学和微生物学的较为理想的模型。本文综述了有关双外流连续培养系统的结构设计、系统运行、缓冲液配方和一些基本概念及常用计算等方面的基本知识与进展。 相似文献
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A. Al‐Kindi A. Schiborra A. Buerkert E. Schlecht 《Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition》2017,101(3):576-588
Irrigation agriculture of hot climates suffers from rapid soil organic carbon (C) turnover, high nitrogen (N) leaching and gaseous losses. In this context, we explored the possibility of supplementing ruminants with activated charcoal (AC) and condensed tannins (CT) to increase faecal concentration of long‐lived C and slowly decomposable N. For this purpose, we fed AC and quebracho tannin extract (QTE, source of CT) to goats and determined nutrient digestibility, digesta passage and composition of faeces. The feeding trial comprised three periods, with 24 male goats assigned to five treatments and a control. On dry matter (DM) basis, the basal diet (control) consisted of 50% hay, 46.5% crushed maize and 3.5% soya bean meal. Treatment diets contained (on DM basis) 2% and 4% QTE (QTE2, QTE4), 1.5% and 3.0% AC (AC1.5, AC3.0) and a mixture of 2% QTE plus 1.5% AC (QTEAC). Samples of feed, refusals and faeces were analysed for chemical constituents; digesta passage was computed with a one‐compartment Gamma‐2 model from pulse‐dose application of ytterbium‐mordanted fibre and quantitative collection of faeces during 7 days. Compared to the control, organic matter and N digestibility were reduced with QTE2 and QTE4 (p ≤ 0.001), that of neutral and acid detergent fibre (NDFom, ADFom) decreased with QTE4, QTEAC and both AC treatments (p ≤ 0.001). Ruminal particle passage ranged from 0.051 h?1 (QTEAC) to 0.056 h?1 (control; p > 0.05). Apart from the correlation between total tract mean retention time and faecal C/N ratio (r = ?0.35), passage parameters did not affect faeces quality. While faecal N concentration was not altered by both additives, AC enhanced faecal NDFom, ADFom and C concentrations (p ≤ 0.001). Whereas feeding up to 3% AC might slow down the decomposition of manure in the field without negatively affecting the digestive physiology of goats, including QTE seems not advantageous from a physiological and nutrient recycling perspective. 相似文献
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Rui Li Gaifeng Hou Zehe Song Cong Wu Jianfei Zhao Xingdong Sun Xuxiang Xiang Zhiyong Fan De‐xing Hou Xi He 《Animal Science Journal》2019,90(8):977-989
The study compared the effects of selected proteins replacing fish meal in low‐protein diets on piglets’ growth performance, intestinal digestive physiology, and nitrogen digestion and metabolism. Five reduced CP, amino acid (AA)‐supplemented diets containing 4% of either S50, HP300, concentrated degossypolized cottonseed protein (CDCP), P50, or fish meal were assigned to six pens with 11 pigs for a 28‐day study period. Compared with fish meal, dietary proteins did not affect growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, serum hormone levels and biochemical parameters, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP and most AA, colonic short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents, duodenal and ileal morphology, digestive enzyme activity, and pH in small intestine of piglets. However, HP300, CDCP, and P50 decreased (p < 0.05) fecal N excretion per weight gain. AID of Ile in S50 and HP300 and Glu in P50 were improved (p < 0.05), and AID of Gly in other proteins was reduced (p < 0.05). S50 and P50 lowered (p < 0.05) the contents of colonic isobutyric and isovaleric. S50 and HP300 reduced (p < 0.05) jejunal villus height. CDCP increased (p < 0.05) the pepsin activity in stomach. S50, HP300, and CDCP decreased (p < 0.05) pH in the proximal colon. Overall, the selected proteins could completely replace fish meal in low‐protein diet without impairing piglets’ growth via maintaining intestinal digestive physiology, and nitrogen digestion and metabolism. 相似文献
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Cao ZJ Li SL Xing JJ Ma M Wang LL 《Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition》2008,92(2):157-167
This study evaluated the effects of, and interactions between, maize grain particle size (MPS) and lucerne particle size (LPS) on dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition, ruminal fermentation, microbial yield, chewing activity and nutrient digestibility in midlactation cows. Four multiparous Holstein cows with ruminal cannulas were assigned randomly to a 4 x 4 Latin square design, averaged 595 kg (SD = 52) of body weight and 121 days in milk (SD = 21) at the start of the experiment. Experimental periods were 21 days in length (14 days of treatment adaptation and 7 days of data collection). All diets were fed as total mixed ration and were formulated to meet or exceed the requirements of a 600 kg multiparous cow producing 20 kg milk/day with 4.0% fat. The ratio of concentrate to forage was 39:61 (dry matter basis). Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design; two levels of LPS (2.54 and 6.22 mm) were combined with concentrates based on either ground maize grain (711 mum) or cracked maize grain (1755 mum). Maize grain and LPS did not affect milk production and milk fat percentage. Milk protein percentage increased when MPS was decreased (p = 0.04). Milk urea nitrogen was lower for cows fed ground maize grain compared with cracked maize grain (118-134 mg/l, p = 0.05). Estimated microbial N supply increased 41.9 g/day for ground maize grain compared with cracked maize grain. Cows fed long lucerne (LL) hay spent more time ruminating compared with cows fed short lucerne (SL) hay ranging from 293 to 336 min/day (p < 0.001). Total time spent chewing by cows increased from 505 to 574 min/day (p = 0.002) for SL and LL respectively. Based on the results from this study, midlactation cows can be fed diets that contain ground maize grain and SL hay without leading to negative effects on ruminal pH and nutrient digestibility. 相似文献
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本试验旨在研究复合有机酸对泌乳奶牛生产性能、养分表观消化率和消化生理的影响。选择388头泌乳奶牛,根据体重、产奶量、泌乳天数相近原则,按照随机区组设计分为2组,即对照组和试验组,每组194头。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中每头每天添加48 g复合有机酸。试验期共40 d,其中预试期10 d,正试期30 d。结果显示:与对照组相比,饲粮中添加复合有机酸可显著提高泌乳奶牛的干物质采食量、产奶量、乳脂率、4%乳脂校正产量以及钙的表观消化率(P<0.05),对乳蛋白率、体细胞数、体细胞评分以及干物质、粗蛋白质、粗灰分、磷的表观消化率没有显著影响(P>0.05);饲粮中添加复合有机酸显著增加了泌乳奶牛的采食时长(P<0.05),但未显著影响躺卧时长、咀嚼次数、肢蹄评分、瘤胃充盈度评分、粪便评分、体表清洁度评分(P>0.05)。由此可见,添加复合有机酸能够提高泌乳奶牛的生产性能、钙表观消化率及采食时长。 相似文献
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本试验旨在研究饲粮中不同水平发酵葡萄籽粕对5~12周龄五龙鹅消化生理、免疫器官指数和血清抗氧化指标的影响,以确定发酵葡萄籽粕使用效果和适宜添加水平。选用5周龄五龙鹅288只,随机分为6个组,每个组6个重复,每个重复8只鹅(公母各占1/2)。对照组(Ⅰ组)饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中分别添加2%(Ⅱ组)、4%(Ⅲ组)、6%(Ⅳ组)、8%(Ⅴ组)、10%(Ⅵ组)的发酵葡萄籽粕。试验期8周。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,Ⅴ组十二指肠和空肠中淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶、胰脂肪酶及胰腺中淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶活性极显著提高(P0.01),Ⅳ组胰腺中胰脂肪酶活性极显著提高(P0.01),Ⅴ组胃蛋白酶活性显著提高(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,Ⅳ组肠道中大肠杆菌数量显著降低(P0.05),Ⅴ组肠道中乳酸杆菌数量显著提高(P0.05),Ⅳ、Ⅴ组之间差异不显著(P0.05)。3)与对照组相比,Ⅳ组肠绒毛高度显著提高(P0.05),Ⅳ组肌层厚度显著提高(P0.05),Ⅴ组隐窝深度极显著降低(P0.01)。4)各组免疫器官指数差异不显著(P0.05)。与对照组相比,Ⅴ组血清总抗氧化能力极显著提高(P0.01);Ⅳ组血清丙二醛含量极显著降低(P0.01),Ⅴ组血清总超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性极显著提高(P0.01)。由此可见,发酵葡萄籽粕能显著提高5~12周龄五龙鹅消化酶活性,优化肠道组织结构,提高鹅的抗氧化能力,对免疫器官指数没有影响。建议饲粮中发酵葡萄籽粕适宜添加水平为6%~8%。 相似文献
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Tiago Antônio Del Valle;Elissandra Maiara de Castro Zilio;Lucas Ghedin Ghizzi;Julia Avansi Marques;Lucas Yudi Sakamoro;Nathalia Trevisan Sconamiglio;Mauro Sérgio da Silva Dias;Tássia Barrera de Paula Silva;Alanne Tenório Nunes;Guilherme Gomes da Silva;Larissa Schneider Gheller;Francisco Palma Rennó; 《Animal Science Journal》2024,95(1):e13920
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) from soybean oil in diets with different levels of rumen degradable protein (RDP) on bio-hydrogenation extent, and fatty acid (FA) profile intake, omasal digesta, rumen bacteria, and milk fat. Eight Holstein lactating cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design with two CSFA levels (0 or 33.2 g/kg DM of CSFA) and two RDP levels (98.0 or 110 g/kg DM). There was RDP and CSFA interaction effect on the omasal flow of total FA and some specific FA. Only in −CSFA diets, the higher RDP level increased omasal flow of total FA. Dietary RDP levels did not affect the FA profile of bacteria and milk fat. Feeding CSFA reduced or tended to reduce the bacterial proportion of C15:0, C16:0, C16:1, C17:0, and C18:0 FA and decreased the concentrations of short- and medium-chain FA (<18C) and increased the concentrations of unsaturated and long-chain FA (≥18C) in milk fat. Feeding CSFA of soybean oil increases the intake and omasal flow of FA and augments unsaturated FA content in bacteria pellets and milk fat. 相似文献
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本试验旨在探究鲤鱼对5种菜籽粕[加拿大菜籽粕(CCM)、印度菜籽粕(ICM)、冷生榨菜籽饼(CPCC)、国产95型菜籽粕(C95CM)和国产200型菜籽粕(C200CM)]利用效率的差异,以期为菜籽粕在鲤鱼饲料中的应用提供理论依据。以豆粕为主要蛋白质源配制基础饲料(含46%豆粕),于基础饲料(对照组)中分别添加20%(CCM-Ⅰ组、ICM-Ⅰ组、CPCC-Ⅰ组、C95CM-Ⅰ组和C200CM-Ⅰ组)或35%(CCM-Ⅱ组、 ICM-Ⅱ组、 CPCC-Ⅱ组、 C95CM-Ⅱ组和C200CM-Ⅱ组)5种不同来源菜籽粕等蛋白质替代豆粕共配制11种等氮等能饲料。取990尾健壮均匀的幼鲤,随机分为11个组,每组3个网箱,每个网箱30尾,饲喂8周。结果表明:1)CPCC-Ⅰ组、CPCC-Ⅱ组、ICM-Ⅰ组和ICM-Ⅱ组饲料中硫代葡萄糖苷(GLS)、异硫氰酸酯(ITC)和噁唑烷硫酮(OZT)含量分别为1.31%、 0.26 g/kg和0.62 mg/g, 2.30%、 0.45 g/kg和1.08 mg/g,0.12%、0.37 g/kg和0.01 mg/g,0.21%、0.65 g/kg和0.02... 相似文献
20.
F. Grandl A. Schwarm S. Ortmann M. Furger M. Kreuzer M. Clauss 《Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition》2018,102(3):639-651
The digestive physiology of cattle is characterised by comparatively long digesta mean retention times (MRTs), a particle sorting mechanism (difference in MRTs of large vs. small particles) and a distinct digesta washing (difference in MRTs between particles and fluids) in the reticulorumen (RR). How these processes mature during ontogeny, and how they link to other digestion characteristics and methane production, is largely unknown. We used a set of passage markers (Co‐EDTA for fluids and hay particles of 2, 5 and 8 mm length mordanted with Cr, La and Ce, respectively) to measure MRTs in 12 heifers (0.5–2.1 years; hay only) and two groups of 15 lactating cows (2.4–10.0 years; forage‐only vs. forage‐concentrate diet). The MRTs differed between markers (Co < Cr < La < Ce) and were longer in heifers than cows, consistent with the lower feed intake in heifers. MRTs were mostly similar between cow groups and increased with age. Digesta washing was not affected by group, age, feed intake and number of chews per unit of feed. The degree of digesta washing was not related to CH4 measures. Particle sorting was more prominent in cows than heifers but did not differ between cow groups or change with age in cows. This could be the consequence of the abrupt increase in intake from heifers to cows at a time when gut capacity is not yet fully developed; particle sorting might then clear smaller particles from the RR sooner allowing a higher intake. Surprisingly, CH4 yield per ingested feed did not correlate with MRTs, and CH4 yield per unit of digested fibre decreased with increasing MRTs and with increasing fibre digestibility. As this pattern occurred in heifers and both cow groups, it appeared independent of age, indicating a mechanism that has not been described in the literature so far and requires further investigation. 相似文献