日粮不同CP及RUP水平对奶牛瘤胃发酵的影响

试验旨在研究不同水平的粗蛋白(CP)及瘤胃非降解蛋白(RUP)的日粮对奶牛瘤胃代谢的影响.试验选择18头健康、体重相近的荷斯坦奶牛作为试验动物,随机分为6组,每组3头.采用2×3因子完全随机试验设计,其中CP设7.5％(低)、9.0％(中)、10.5％(高)3个水平,RUP设45％CP(低)、55％CP(高)2个水平,共6个处理组,饲喂相同基础日粮,精粗比为3∶7,预饲期10d,饲喂后2、4、8、12、24h从食道采集瘤胃液2d,测定瘤胃液pH值,NH3-N、微生物蛋白质(BCP)、挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)含量.结果表明,日粮CP水平对瘤胃液NH3-N浓度的影响极显著(P＜0.01),对BCP及VFA的含量影响较小,总体而言,9.0％ CP水平组对奶牛的瘤胃发酵略好于其他两组;日粮中高RUP(55％CP)可以显著降低瘤胃pH值且有降低NH3-N浓度的趋势,同时,对瘤胃BCP及VFA的合成有一定的促进作用.该试验条件下,日粮中CP(9.0％)和RUP(55％CP)可在一定程度上改善瘤胃代谢.     

日粮不同CP及RUP水平对奶牛瘤胃发酵的影响

试验旨在研究不同水平的粗蛋白（CP）及瘤胃非降解蛋白（RUP）的日粮对奶牛瘤胃代谢的影响。试验选择18头健康、体重相近的荷斯坦奶牛作为试验动物,随机分为6组,每组3头。采用2×3因子完全随机试验设计,其中CP设7.5%（低）、9.0%（中）、10.5%（高）3个水平,RUP设45%CP（低）、55%CP（高）2个水平,共6个处理组,饲喂相同基础日粮,精粗比为3∶7,预饲期10d,饲喂后2、4、8、12、24h从食道采集瘤胃液2d,测定瘤胃液pH值,NH3-N、微生物蛋白质（BCP）、挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）含量。结果表明,日粮CP水平对瘤胃液NH3-N浓度的影响极显著（P〈0.01）,对BCP及VFA的含量影响较小,总体而言,9.0%CP水平组对奶牛的瘤胃发酵略好于其他两组;日粮中高RUP（55%CP）可以显著降低瘤胃pH值且有降低NH3-N浓度的趋势,同时,对瘤胃BCP及VFA的合成有一定的促进作用。该试验条件下,日粮中CP（9.0%）和RUP（55%CP）可在一定程度上改善瘤胃代谢。     

日粮不同CP及RUP水平对奶牛瘤胃发酵的影响

试验旨在研究不同水平的粗蛋白(CP)及瘤胃非降解蛋白(RUP)的日粮对奶牛瘤胃代谢的影响。试验选择18头健康、体重相近的荷斯坦奶牛作为试验动物,随机分为6组,每组3头。采用2×3因子完全随机试验设计,其中CP设7.5%(低)、9.0%(中)、10.5%(高)3个水平,RUP设45%CP(低)、55%CP(高)2个水平,共6个处理组,饲喂相同基础日粮,精粗比为3∶7,预饲期10d,饲喂后2、4、8、12、24h从食道采集瘤胃液2d,测定瘤胃液pH值,NH3-N、微生物蛋白质(BCP)、挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)含量。结果表明,日粮CP水平对瘤胃液NH3-N浓度的影响极显著(P<0.01),对BCP及VFA的含量影响较小,总体而言,9.0%CP水平组对奶牛的瘤胃发酵略好于其他两组;日粮中高RUP(55%CP)可以显著降低瘤胃pH值且有降低NH3-N浓度的趋势,同时,对瘤胃BCP及VFA的合成有一定的促进作用。该试验条件下,日粮中CP(9.0%)和RUP(55%CP)可在一定程度上改善瘤胃代谢。     

日粮不同CP及RUP水平对奶牛瘤胃发酵的影响

试验旨在研究不同水平的粗蛋白(CP)及瘤胃非降解蛋白(RUP)的日粮对奶牛瘤胃代谢的影响。试验选择18头健康、体重相近的荷斯坦奶牛作为试验动物,随机分为6组,每组3头。采用2×3因子完全随机试验设计,其中CP设7.5%(低)、9%(中)1、0.5%(高)三个水平,RUP设45%CP(低)、55%CP(高)两个水平,共6个处理组,饲喂相同基础日粮,精粗比为3:7,预饲期10 d,饲喂后2、4、8、12、24 h从食道采集瘤胃液2 d,测定瘤胃液pH值,NH3-N、微生物蛋白质(BCP)、挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)含量。结果表明:日粮CP水平对瘤胃液氨氮浓度的影响极显著(P<0.01),对BCP及VFA的含量影响较小,总体而言,9%CP水平组对奶牛的瘤胃发酵略好于其他两组;日粮中高RUP(55%CP)可以显著降低瘤胃pH值且有降低NH3-N浓度的趋势,同时,对瘤胃BCP及VFA的合成有一定的促进作用。本试验条件下,日粮中CP(9%)和RUP(55%CP)可在一定程度上改善瘤胃代谢。     

日粮不同结构和非结构碳水化合物比例对瘤胃体外发酵的影响

研究应用体外产气法研究了绵羊日粮中4种不同结构性碳水化合物（SC）与非结构性碳水化合物（NSC）比例（1．84,1．51,0．92,0．71）对瘤胃发酵参数的影响。结果表明：绵羊日粮中SC：NSC值在一定范围内对瘤胃最大产气量有显著影响（P〈0．05）,SC：NSC值与产气速率呈负相关,对干物质的降解率有显著影响（P〈0．05）;随着SC：NSC值的降低,干物质降解率逐渐提高,对瘤胃微生物降解中性洗涤纤维（NDF）、酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）起到促进作用,随着SC：NSC值降低NDF、ADF降解率呈现上升趋势;发酵0—48h的NH3-N浓度随SC：NSC值的下降不断增加,差异显著（P〈0．05）;而对pH值、羧甲基纤维素酶活影响差异不显著（P〉0．05）;对0～24h木聚糖酶活的影响差异显著（P〈0．05）,木聚糖酶活与SC：NSC值呈正相关;对总挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）浓度的影响差异显著（P〈0．05）,对乙酸、丙酸和丁酸摩尔百分比影响差异不显著（P〉0．05）,但乙酸与丙酸比例得到调控,从而使饲料转化效率得到提高。     

日粮中结构性碳水化合物水平对奶牛瘤胃发酵及生产性能的影响

结构性碳水化合物是反刍动物的一种必需营养素.奶牛日粮中含有适当比例的结构性碳水化合物,对其健康、高产有重要意义.本文总结归纳了国内外有关结构性碳水化合物的相关研究文献和资料,分析了结构性碳水化合物对奶牛瘤胃发酵内环境及终产物的调控作用;对生产性能的影响以及中性洗涤纤维有效性的研究方法等,为科学配制奶牛日粮,实现高效饲养提供依据.     

绵羊日粮中不同碳水化合物比例对瘤胃内环境参数的影响

本研究以18只安装有瘤胃瘘管的内蒙古半细毛羯羊作为试验动物 ,研究了绵羊日粮中6个不同结构性碳水化合物(SC)与非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)比例(3.52、3.32、2.86、2.64、2.40和1.88)对绵羊瘤胃内环境参数随时间的动态变化的影响。结果表明 ,绵羊日粮中一定范围内的SC :NSC比例对瘤胃内 pH和NH3-N浓度的影响不显著 ,但会改变瘤胃内VFA的摩尔比例。若适度提高丙酸浓度 ,调控瘤胃发酵模式 ,可达到提高纤维物质利用率的目的。     

不同氮硫比日粮对南江黄羊瘤胃体外发酵的影响

本试验旨在探讨不同氮硫比日粮对瘤胃发酵特性的影响。以4只装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的南江黄羊作为瘤胃液供体,采用单因素试验设计,通过体外培养试验研究不同氮硫比日粮(氮硫比分别为10.5∶1、9∶1、7.5∶1、6∶1)对瘤胃pH、干物质(DM)降解率、氨氮(NH3-N)浓度、挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)含量以及微生物蛋白产量(MCP)的影响。结果表明:不同氮硫比日粮对培养液pH无显著影响(P>0.05);氮硫比为7.5∶1组的DM降解率在第4、8、12 h时显著高于其他处理组(P<0.05);在培养前8 h内,氮硫比为7.5:1和9:1组的氨氮浓度均显著低于10.5∶1组(P<0.05);降低日粮中的氮硫比可显著降低乙酸丙酸比例(P<0.05);氮硫比为7.5∶1组其总的挥发性脂肪酸、原虫蛋白、细菌蛋白以及总的微生物蛋白含量显著高于其他处理组(P<0.05)。因此,瘤胃微生物的生长需要适宜的氮硫比,在本试验的条件下瘤胃发酵适宜的氮硫比为7.5∶1。     

饲喂不同结构性与非结构性碳水化合物比例日粮对绵羊瘤胃发酵参数的影响

试验旨在研究不同结构性碳水化合物(SC)与非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)比例日粮对绵羊瘤胃发酵参数的影响。选取6只体重为(54.58±2.8)kg、体况相近且装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的哈萨克绵羊作为试验动物,采用有重复的3×3拉丁方试验设计,分别饲喂SC/NSC为2.32、1.60和1.14的3种日粮,试验共3期,每期17 d,其中预试期14 d,正试期3 d,正试期内于饲喂前记为0 h,饲喂后0.5、1、2、4、8、12 h共计7个时间点采集瘤胃液样品。结果表明,饲喂不同SC/NSC日粮条件下:①瘤胃液pH值试验Ⅲ组除饲喂前0 h以外,其它时间点均极显著低于试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组(P<0.01),试验Ⅱ组与试验Ⅰ组相比差异不显著(P>0.05)。②3个试验组绵羊瘤胃液氨态氮浓度随采食后时间的延长呈先升高后降低变化趋势,采食后2 h瘤胃液氨态氮浓度达到最高;试验Ⅲ组的瘤胃液氨态氮(NH_3-N)浓度均极显著高于试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组(P<0.01),在饲喂后0.5、1、2、4、8 h,试验Ⅱ组的瘤胃液氨态氮(NH_3-N)浓度均极显著高于试验Ⅰ组(P<0.01)。③在饲喂后4 h,乙酸浓度试验Ⅰ组与试验Ⅲ组相比显著升高(P<0.05),饲喂后8、12 h,试验Ⅰ组与试验Ⅲ组相比极显著升高(P<0.01),试验Ⅱ组与试验Ⅲ组相比差异不显著(P>0.05)。饲喂后0.5、1、2 h,丙酸浓度试验Ⅲ组与试验Ⅰ组相比极显著升高(P<0.01),在饲喂后2 h,试验Ⅱ组与试验Ⅲ组相比差异显著(P<0.05),瘤胃液中丁酸、异丁酸、戊酸、异戊酸的平均浓度随日粮SC/NSC比例的降低呈升高的趋势。由此可见,随着日粮SC/NSC比例的降低,绵羊瘤胃液pH值、乙酸浓度呈降低的趋势,NH_3-N、丙酸浓度呈升高趋势,瘤胃发酵类型由乙酸型发酵为主向丙酸型发酵为主转变。     

Effects of ruminally degradable and escape protein supplements on steers grazing summer native range.

One experiment was conducted during 1989 to determine whether a deficiency exists for either ruminally degradable or escape protein in steers grazing summer native range. Increasing levels of ruminally degradable (.15, .27, and .37 kg/d) and escape protein (.07, .14, and .21 kg/d) replaced a cornstarch and molasses (energy control) supplement. Supplements were isoenergetic and fed individually to steers (.88 kg/d). No response to the degradable protein supplement (P = .15) was observed; however, a linear gain response (P less than .01) was observed in steers fed escape protein in addition to ruminally degradable protein. An in vitro study indicated that more (P less than .01) microbial protein was synthesized from the energy supplement than from the degradable protein; this finding presumably relates to the numerical decrease in weight gains observed for steers fed degradable protein supplements. Analyses of esophageal extrusa samples indicated that CP was relatively constant for the 1989 growing season compared with the 1988 growing season (P less than .05). Escape protein values differed (P less than .01) between years and among months within year. Forages that were apparently grazed in 1989 were never deficient in degradable protein. Additional gain observed from feeding escape protein would indicate that microbial protein synthesis may be insufficient to satisfy the metabolizable protein requirement, which probably limited gains by steers grazing summer native range.     

Effects of supplemental ruminally degradable protein versus increasing amounts of supplemental ruminally undegradable protein on site and extent of digestion and ruminal characteristics in lambs fed low-quality forage

Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated Suffolk wether lambs (34.5 +/- 2 kg initial BW) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square designed experiment to compare effects of supplemental ruminally degradable protein (RDP) vs. increasing amounts of supplemental ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) on ruminal characteristics and site and extent of digestion in lambs. Lambs were fed a basal diet of crested wheatgrass hay (4.2% CP) for ad libitum consumption, plus 1 of 4 protein supplements: isolated soy protein (RDP source) fed to meet estimated RDP requirements assuming a microbial efficiency of 11% of TDN (CON) or corn gluten meal (RUP source) fed at 50, 100, or 150% of the supplemental N provided by CON (C50, C100, and C150, respectively). Neither NDF nor ADF intake was affected (P >/= 0.18) by protein degradability, but they increased or tended to increase (P /= 0.26) for CON and C100, but increased (P /= 0.33) by protein degradability. However, true ruminal N digestibility was greater (P = 0.03) for CON compared with C100. Ruminal ammonia concentrations were greater (P = 0.002) for CON compared with C100 lambs, and increased (P = 0.001) with increasing RUP. Microbial N flows were not affected (P >/= 0.12) by protein degradability or increasing RUP. Likewise, neither ruminal urease activity (P >/= 0.11) nor microbial efficiency (P >/= 0.50) were affected by protein degradability or level of RUP. Total tract OM, NDF, and ADF digestibility was greater (P 相似文献   

Influence of protein fermentation and carbohydrate source on in vitro methane production

Incubations were carried out with batch cultures of ruminal micro‐organisms from sheep to analyse the influence of the N source on in vitro CH₄ production. The two substrates were mixtures of maize starch and cellulose in proportions of 75:25 and 25:75 (STAR and CEL substrates, respectively), and the three nitrogen (N) sources were ammonia (NH₄Cl), casein (CA) and isolated soya bean protein (SP). Five isonitrogenous treatments were made by replacing non‐protein‐N (NPN) with CA or SP at levels of 0 (NPN), 50 (CA50 and SP50, respectively) and 100% (CA100 and SP100) of total N. All N treatments were applied at a rate of 35 mg of N/g of substrate organic matter and incubations lasted 16.5 h. With both proteins, N source × substrate interactions (p = 0.065 to 0.002) were detected for CH₄ production and CH₄/total VFA ratio. The increases in CH₄ production observed by replacing the NPN with protein‐N were higher (p < 0.05) for STAR than for CEL substrate, but the opposite was observed for the increases in volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. As a consequence, replacing the NPN by increased levels of CA or SP led to linear increases (p < 0.05) in CH₄/total VFA ratio with STAR, whereas CH₄/total VFA ratio tended (p < 0.10) to be decreased with CEL substrate. Increasing the amount of both proteins decreased linearly (p < 0.05) ammonia‐N concentrations, which may indicate an incorporation of amino acids and peptides into microbial protein without being first deaminated into ammonia‐N. In incubations with the tested N sources as the only substrate, the fermentation of 1 mg of CA or SP produced 1.24 and 0.60 μmol of CH₄ respectively. The results indicate the generation of CH₄ from protein fermentation, and that the response of CH₄ production to protein‐N supply may differ with the basal substrate.     

Production from first-calf beef heifers fed a maintenance or low level of prepartum nutrition and ruminally undegradable or degradable protein postpartum.

Two experiments were conducted in consecutive years to determine the effects of prepartum nutrient level and postpartum ruminally undegraded protein intake on nutrient status, milk production, subsequent calf production, and reproductive performance of 126 crossbred, primiparous beef heifers. Prepartum treatments were low nutrient intake (LN) (approximately 2.5 kg of TDN, .5 kg of CP animal-1.d-1 and maintenance nutrient intake (MN) (5 kg of TDN, 1 kg of CP animal-1.d-1), which were fed for 75 d before parturition. Two postpartum protein supplements were formulated to provide 250 g/d of ruminally degradable protein (RD) and one to supply ruminally undegraded protein (UD) at 250 g/d of additional UD CP compared to the RD supplement. Cholesterol was lower (P less than .01) in heifers given UD than in heifers given RD. Blood urea nitrogen was higher (P less than .01) for UD-fed heifers than for RD-fed heifers and was higher in LN heifers (P less than .06) than in MN heifers. Milk production did not differ (P greater than .11) as a result of LN, MN, UD, or RD. Postpartum cow weight gain was greatest (P less than .01) for UD and LN heifers. The percentage of heifers bred during the first estrous cycle of the breeding season was greater (P less than .02) for UD than for RD. Overall, prepartum nutrition did not interact with postpartum protein supplement, nor did it have any effect on postpartum interval, whereas UD increased cow weight gain postpartum and reduced postpartum interval.     

Effects of barley grain processing and dietary ruminally degradable protein on urea nitrogen recycling and nitrogen metabolism in growing lambs

The objective of this study was to determine how interactions between dietary ruminally degradable protein (RDP) level and ruminally fermentable carbohydrate (RFC) alter urea N transfer to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the utilization of this recycled urea N in rapidly growing lambs fed high-N diets. Four Suffolk ram lambs (34.8 +/- 0.5 kg of BW) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods and a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. The dietary factors studied were 1) dry-rolled vs. pelleted barley as the principal source of RFC and 2) dietary levels of RDP of 60 vs. 70% (% of CP). All diets contained 28.8 g of N/kg of DM. Experimental diets were composed of 80% concentrate mixture and 20% barley silage (DM basis) and were fed twice daily at 0900 and 1700 as total mixed rations. Nitrogen balance was measured from d 15 to 20, and urea N kinetics were measured from d 15 to 19 using intrajugular infusions of [(15)N(15)N]-urea. Nitrogen intake (P = 0.001) and fecal (P = 0.002) and urinary (P = 0.03) N excretion increased as dietary RDP level increased, but the method of barley processing had no effect. Feeding dry-rolled compared with pelleted barley (P = 0.04) as well as feeding 60% RDP compared with 70% RDP (P = 0.04) resulted in a greater N digestibility. Whole-body N retention was unaffected (P >/= 0.74) by dietary treatment. Dietary treatment had no effect on endogenous production of urea N and its recycling to the GIT; however, across dietary treatments, endogenous production of urea N (45.8 to 50.9 g/d) exceeded N intake (42.3 to 47.9 g/d). Across dietary treatments, 30.6 to 38.5 g/d of urea N were recycled to the GIT, representing 0.67 to 0.74 of endogenous urea N production; however, 0.64 to 0.76 of urea N recycled to the GIT was returned to the ornithine cycle. In summary, although dietary treatment did not alter urea N kinetics, substantial amounts of hepatic urea N output were recycled to the GIT under the dietary conditions used in this study, and additional research is required to determine how this recycled urea N can be efficiently captured by bacteria within the GIT.     

A net carbohydrate and protein system for evaluating cattle diets: I. Ruminal fermentation.

The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) has a kinetic submodel that predicts ruminal fermentation. The ruminal microbial population is divided into bacteria that ferment structural carbohydrate (SC) and those that ferment nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC). Protozoa are accommodated by a decrease in the theoretical maximum growth yield (.50 vs .40 g of cells per gram of carbohydrate fermented), and the yields are adjusted for maintenance requirements (.05 vs .150 g of cell dry weight per gram of carbohydrate fermented per hour for SC and NSC bacteria, respectively). Bacterial yield is decreased when forage NDF is < 20% (2.5% for every 1% decrease in NDF). The SC bacteria utilize only ammonia as a N source, but the NSC bacteria can utilize either ammonia or peptides. The yield of NSC bacteria is enhanced by as much as 18.7% when proteins or peptides are available. The NSC bacteria produce less ammonia when the carbohydrate fermentation (growth) rate is rapid, but 34% of the ammonia production is insensitive to the rate of carbohydrate fermentation. Ammonia production rates are moderated by the rate of peptide and amino acid uptake (.07 g of peptide per gram of cells per hour), and peptides and amino acids can pass out of the rumen if the rate of proteolysis is faster than the rate of peptide utilization. The protein-sparing effect of ionophores is accommodated by decreasing the rate of peptide uptake by 34%. Validation with published data of microbial flow from the rumen gave a regression with a slope of .94 and an r2 of .88.     

Effect of energy source and ruminally degradable protein addition on performance of lactating beef cows and digestion characteristics of steers

Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of energy source (ENG) and ruminally degradable protein (RDP) on lactating cow performance and intake and digestion in beef steers. In Trial 1, 78 cow-calf pairs were used in a 2 x 2 factorial design to determine the effect of ENG (corn or soyhulls; SH) and RDP (with our without sunflower meal) to a forage diet for lactating beef cows. The basal diet consisted of 75% grass hay (11.5% CP) and 25% wheat straw (7.4% CP). Supplement treatments and predicted RDP balances were corn (-415 g of RDP/d); SH (-260 g of RDP/d); corn plus RDP (0 g of RDP/d); or SH plus RDP (0 g of RDP/d). Data were analyzed as a split-plot in time, with pen as the experimental unit (two pens per treatment). No interaction between ENG and RDP was present (P > 0.08) for any response variable. No differences (P > 0.39) due to ENG or RDP were noted for BW, BCS, or milk yield; however, final calf weight tended to increase with ENG (P = 0.06). In Trial 2, a 5 x 5 Latin square was used to determine effects of ENG and RDP on intake and digestion in steers (686 +/- 51 kg BW). Treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 plus one factorial and comprised a control (CON; grass hay, 7% CP), grass hay plus 0.4% BW SH, grass hay plus 0.4% BW SH and 0.15% BW sunflower meal, grass hay plus 0.4% BW corn, and grass hay plus 0.4% BW corn and 0.2% BW sunflower meal. Preplanned contrasts included main effects of ENG and RDP, ENG x RDP interaction, and CON vs. supplemented (SUP) treatments. Supplementation increased total DMI compared with CON (P = 0.001), but forage DMI was greater (P = 0.001) for CON than for SUP. An ENG x RDP interaction occurred for forage DMI (P = 0.02); addition of RDP to corn decreased forage intake, whereas addition of RDP to SH had no effect. There was an ENG x RDP interaction (P = 0.001) for ruminal pH; pH tended to increase with RDP addition to SH (P = 0.07), but decreased with RDP addition to corn (P = 0.001). Supplementation increased ruminal ammonia compared with CON (P = 0.001). Likewise, RDP increased ruminal ammonia (P = 0.001). An interaction occurred for OM disappearance (OMD; P = 0.01). The RDP addition to SH numerically decreased OMD (P = 0.23), whereas RDP addition to corn numerically increased OMD (P = 0.14). Intake and digestion seem to respond differently to RDP addition depending on supplemental energy source. Both corn or SH seem to be suitable supplements for the quality of forage used in this trial. Addition of supplemental protein did not improve cow or calf performance.     

Effects of level and source of carbohydrate and level of degradable intake protein on intake and digestion of low-quality tallgrass-prairie hay by beef steers.

Ruminally fistulated steers (n = 13; 263 kg) were used in an incomplete Latin square with 13 treatments and four periods to evaluate the effects of level and source of supplemental carbohydrate (CHO) and level of degradable intake protein (DIP) on the utilization of low-quality, tallgrass-prairie hay. Steers were given ad libitum access to forage (5.7% CP, 2.6% DIP, and 74.9% NDF). The supplementation treatments were fashioned as a 2x3x2 factorial arrangement plus a negative control (NC; no supplement). The factors included two DIP levels (.031 and .122% BW) and three CHO sources (starch, glucose, and fiber) fed at two levels (.15 and .30% BW) within each level of DIP supplementation. The effect of supplementation on forage OM intake (FOMI) was dependent (P<.01) on level and source of CHO and level of DIP fed. When DIP was low, forage, total, and digestible OM intakes were generally greater for the starch treatment than for the nonstarch treatments. However, when the DIP level was high, intakes were greater for the nonstarch (i.e., fiber and glucose) treatments. Generally, FOMI decreased (P<.01) when more supplemental CHO was provided. Supplementation typically increased fiber digestion, but the response was dependent (P<.01) on level and source of CHO and level of DIP. Generally, supplements with low levels of CHO improved NDF digestion (NDFD). However, supplements with the high level of CHO decreased NDFD, except for fiber at the high level of DIP. Organic matter digestion was increased by supplementation, but the impact of increasing CHO was dependent (P<.01) on source of CHO and level of DIP. Supplementation treatments had significant impact on ruminal pH, NH3 N, and the total concentration of organic acids as well as their relative proportions. In conclusion, supplemental DIP enhanced the use of low-quality forage; however, the impact of supplemental CHO on low-quality forage use was dependent on source and level of CHO offered, as well as the level of DIP provided.     

Effect of varying ruminally degradable to ruminally undegradable protein ratio on nutrient intake, digestibility and N metabolism in Nili Ravi buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Four Nili-Ravi buffalo calves (100 ± 4 kg) were used in 4 × 4 Latin Square Design to evaluate the influence of varying ruminally degradable protein (RDP) to ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) ratio on dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility and nitrogen (N) metabolism. Four experimental diets A, B, C and D were formulated to contain RDP:RUP of 70:30, 65:35, 60:40 and 55:45, respectively. The calves were fed ad libitum. Dry matter intake by calves fed C diet was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed D diet and lower (P < 0.05) than calves fed A diet, however, it was similar to those fed B diet. There was a linear decrease (P < 0.01) in DMI with decreasing the RDP to RUP ratio. Similar trend was noticed in crude protein (CP) intake. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was significantly different across all treatment. The decrease in CP and NDF intake was due to decreasing trend of DMI. Dry matter (DM) digestibility in calves fed A and B diets was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed C and D diets. A linear decrease (P < 0.01) in DM digestibility was observed with decreasing the RDP to RUP ratio. Crude protein digestibility remained unaltered across all treatments. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was higher in calves fed A and B diets than those fed C and D diets. Higher NDF digestibility in calves fed A and B diets was due to higher level of dietary RDP that might resulted in higher ruminal ammonia concentration which stimulate activity of cellulytic bacteria and ultimately increased NDF digestibility. The N retention (g/d) was similar among the calves fed B, C and D diets, however, it was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed A diet. Decreasing the RDP to RUP ratio resulted in linear increase (P < 0.01) in N retention. The N retention, as percent of N intake was significantly different across all treatments. Decreasing RDP to RUP ratio resulted in linear increase (P < 0.01) in N retention, as percent of N intake. A similar trend was noticed in N retention, as percentage of N digestion. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration in calves fed B diet was higher (P < 0.05) than those fed D diet and was lower (P < 0.05) than those fed A diet, however, it was not different from calves fed C diet. Decreasing dietary RDP to RUP ratio resulted in linear decrease (P < 0.05) in BUN concentrations. The decrease in BUN concentration was because of decreasing level of dietary RDP. The N retention can be increased by decreasing RDP to RUP ratio in the diet of growing buffalo calves and diet containing RDP to RUP ratio 55:45 is considered optimum regarding N retention in buffalo calves.     

Effects of distillers grains with high sulfur concentration on ruminal fermentation and digestibility of finishing diets

Twelve ruminally cannulated crossbred Angus steers were used to evaluate ruminal fermentation characteristics and diet digestibility when 30% (DM) corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) containing 0.42 or 0.65% (DM) of dietary S was incorporated into finishing diets based on steam-flaked corn (SFC) or dry-rolled corn (DRC). The study was a replicated, balanced randomized incomplete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors consisted of dietary S concentration (0.42 and 0.65% of DM; 0.42S and 0.65S, respectively) and grain processing method (SFC or DRC). The 0.65S concentration was achieved by adding H(2)SO(4) to DDGS before mixing rations. Steers were assigned randomly to diets and individual, slatted-floor pens, and fed once daily for ad libitum intake. Two 15-d experimental periods were used, each consisting of a 12-d diet adaptation phase and a 3-d sample collection phase. Samples were collected at 2-h intervals postfeeding during the collection phase. Ruminal pH was measured immediately after sampling, and concentrations of ruminal ammonia and VFA were determined. Fecal samples were composited by steer within period and used to determine apparent total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, NDF, CP, starch, and ether extract. Feeding 0.65S tended (P = 0.08) to decrease DMI but resulted in greater apparent total tract digestibilities of DM (P = 0.04) and ether extract (P = 0.03). Ruminal pH increased (P < 0.05) in steers fed 0.65S diets, which may be attributable, in part, to decreased (P = 0.05) VFA concentrations and greater (P < 0.01) ruminal ammonia concentrations when 0.65S was fed, compared with feeding 0.42S. These effects were more exaggerated in steers fed DRC (interaction, P < 0.01), compared with steers fed SFC. Steers fed DRC-0.65S had greater (P < 0.01) acetate concentration than steers fed DRC-0.42S, but acetate concentration was not affected by S concentration when SFC was fed. Propionate concentration was decreased (P < 0.01) in steers fed SFC-0.65S compared with steers fed SFC-0.42S, but dietary S concentration had no effect on propionate concentration when DRC was fed. Butyrate concentration was less (P < 0.01) in steers fed 0.65S diets than in steers fed 0.42S. Lactate concentrations tended (P = 0.06) to decrease in steers fed 0.65S diets. Feeding DDGS with increased S concentration may decrease feed intake and ruminal VFA concentration but increase ruminal ammonia concentration.