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In sacco ruminal degradability is an important measurement in the determination of the nutritive value of feedstuffs. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of non-protein nitrogen (urea) on the in sacco degradability of maize cobs ensiled for three (3), five (5) and seven (7) weeks. The first experiment was to evaluate the effect of non-protein nitrogen (urea) on the quality of maize cob silage. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three ensiling periods and three replications. The second experiment was to determine the effect of the first experiment on in sacco degradability of treated maize cob silage. In sacco studies were conducted in three fistulated kano brown bucks. Nylon bags containing 4 g of feed sample were inserted in triplicate at each time point in the ventral rumen of each buck for 8, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 hrs. The data of rumen feed degradation characteristics were fitted to the equation P = a+b (1-e-ct) and effective degradability were calculated using a theoretical rumen out flow rate of k= 0.02/hr, k = 0.05/hr and k= 0.08/hr. Results obtained revealed that physical properties of treated maize cob silage were improved with increasing ensiling period from three to seven weeks. Desirable pH (3.22-3.80) was obtained in all silages; while colour and aroma improved significantly (p<0.05) at the 7th week ensiling period. Silage protein content (10.78%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher at the 7th week while crude fibre decreased significantly (p<0.05) at the 7th week of ensiling. The dry matter disappearance and degradability values were greatest at the 7th week while effective degradability increase with the increasing ensiling times at different outflow rates. Therefore, it was concluded that the physical, nutritional and degradation characteristics of ensiled urea treated maize cobs improved with increase in ensiling period up to the 7th week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of grounded barley grain (BG), as a silage additive, on chemical composition, qualitative properties, in situ dry matter (DM) degradability and in vitro gas production of citrus pulp silage (CPS) was investigated. The whole fresh citrus pulp was manually chopped and used as either untreated or treated with 6, 12, or 18 g BG.kg-1 fresh citrus pulp for ensiling. The data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. The data showed that the silage with 18 g BG had highest DM and CP content among the treatments (P < 0.05). Also, with increasing of BG, the NDF and ADF concentrations linearly increased, but pH linearly decreased (P < 0.05). Aerobic stability of silages exhibited a negative relationship with adding of BG (P < 0.05). Data on in situ degradability of DM indicated that the soluble degradable fraction (a) was highest in control group (P < 0.05). Besides, the non-soluble degradation fraction (b) was highest in silages with BG (P < 0.05). The fractional degradation rate (c) linearly increased with increasing of BG (P < 0.05). After that, the potential DM degradability (a + b) was lowest in the treatment with 18 g of BG (P < 0.05). But, the effective degradability (ED) of DM was highest in treatments with BG (P < 0.05). The data on gas production test indicated that the potential (b) and fractional rate of gas production (c) was highest in silages with 12 and 18 g of BG (P < 0.05). Furthermore, treatments with 12 and 18 g of BG had higher OMD, NEl, ME and SCFA contents than other treatments (P < 0.05). This data suggest that the addition of 12 and 18 g of BG to CPS can improve the nutritional value of this by-product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND There is a growing interest in the development of novel and innovative vehicles for controlled release of urea into the rumen, aiming to provide ammonia‐N for the biosynthesis of proteins of bacterial origin and to prevent urea intoxication by direct feeding to livestock. Urea microencapsulation is a system that can control the release of urea to be slow and steady. RESULTS: The amount of encapsulated urea was 69% of CSU (calcium silicate + urea + Eudragit RS100® + dichloromethane) and 71% of ACU (activated charcoal + urea + Eudragit RS100® + dichloromethane) groups (p > 0.05) The buoyancy of the microcapsules was over 50% after 12 h of agitation in both groups (CSU and ACU), producing significant differences in the volume of the organic phase factor, which was 20 mL at the lowest value (p = 0.0005). The morphology of the microcapsules produced with CSU and ACU showed no significant differences in microcapsule morphology (p > 0.05). The lower temperature (35 versus 40 °C, p = 0.035) retained better morphology of the microcapsules. Regarding the in vitro ammonia‐N release kinetics, unprotected urea reached a maximal peak after 6 h, while CSU and ACU took more than 24 h to reach ammonia‐N released concentration. CONCLUSIONS: We stabilized the physical factors in the microencapsulation of urea that can allow slow release of rumen fluid. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbiota of the gut, milk, and cowshed environment were examined at two dairy farms managed by automatic milking systems (AMS). Feed, rumen fluid, feces, milk, bedding, water, and airborne dust were collected and the microbiota on each was assessed by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The most abundant taxa in feed, rumen fluid, feces, bedding, and water were Lactobacillaceae, Prevotellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae, respectively, at both farms. Aerococcaceae was the most abundant taxon in milk and airborne dust microbiota at farm 1, and Staphylococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae were the most abundant taxa in milk and airborne dust microbiota at farm 2. The three most prevalent taxa (Aerococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Ruminococcaceae at farm 1 and Staphylococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Ruminococcaceae at farm 2) were shared between milk and airborne dust microbiota. Indeed, SourceTracker indicated that milk microbiota was related with airborne dust microbiota. Meanwhile, hierarchical clustering and canonical analysis of principal coordinates demonstrated that the milk microbiota was associated with the bedding microbiota but clearly separated from feed, rumen fluid, feces, and water microbiota. Although our findings were derived from only two case studies, the importance of cowshed management for milk quality control and mastitis prevention was emphasized at farms managed by AMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six tree species (Diphysa robinioides, Gliricidia sepium, Erythrina americana, Bursera simaruba, Bambusa vulgaris and Zanthoxylum riedelianum) were investigated for in situ ruminal dry matter degradation, and effective degradability at three passage rates, in Veracruz, Mexico. Leaves, stems and petioles were randomly collected from trees during dry and rainy seasons to estimate, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in situ DM degradation using the nylon-bag technique. Ruminal degradation of organic matter, crude protein (ISCPD) and effective dry matter degradability (ED) were also calculated. The trial was a completely randomized design with a split-plot arrangement of factors, being the main plot factor the species, and the sub-plot factor the season. Legume trees showed the highest CP values for both dry (23.2-18.5%) and rainy seasons (24.2-19.8%). Organic matter showed less variability, which ranged in all species from 87.6% to 93.1%. For NDF during both seasons, B. vulgaris had the highest value (68.5%) contrary to D. robinioides: 36.8%. The highest degradation potential (a + b) and ED corresponded to D. robinioides (80.5% y 65.3%) and G. sepium (78.4% y 66.6%) species, respectively, for both seasons. OM ruminal degradation (ISOMD) averaged 46.9% for the six tree species. For ISCPD, no differences among species were found (P ≥ 0.05), and G. sepium had the highest values (90.5%). Based on the moderate to high CP values and the degradation characteristics, the assessed species constitute an alternative supply for different animal production systems, especially during the dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of rumen‐protected γ‐aminobutyric acid (RP‐GABA) on apparent nutrient digestibility, growth performance and health status in heat stressed beef cattle. Fifty Jinjiang Yellow cattle were randomly assigned to 5 treatments (10 animals/treatment). Treatments 1 to 5 were basal diets affixed with 0 (control), 8, 16, 24 and 32 mg of RP‐GABA/kg of body weight (BW) respectively. The trial lasted 45 days. Apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF) and calcium (Ca) quadratically increased with increasing RP‐GABA (p < .01), while apparent digestibility of phosphorus (P) tended to quadratically increase (p = .09). Dietary supplementation with increasing RP‐GABA linearly increased DM digestibility and average daily gain (ADG) (p < .01), whereas the feed to gain (F:G) ratio linearly decreased with increasing RP‐GABA (p < .01). The average daily feed intake (ADFI) value tended to linearly increase with RP‐GABA supplementation (p = .08). Total protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels quadratically decreased (p < .01) with increasing RP‐GABA, however albumin (ALB), glucose (GLU), superoxide dismutase (SOD), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels quadratically increased (p ≤ .01). In conclusion, the present results indicated that dietary supplementation with RP‐GABA led to improved nutrient digestibility, growth performance and antioxidant status in heat stressed beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy and early life are critical periods during which environmental factors such as nutrition can affect development. Rumen-protected methionine (Met; RPM) supplementation during the prepartum period improves not only performance but immune responses in dairy cows. We investigated the effects of enhanced maternal supply of Met via feeding RPM on whole-blood in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0, 0.01, or 5 μg/mL of blood) challenge and targeted microRNA and mRNA abundance in calf blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). Calves (n = 12/maternal diet) born to cows fed RPM at 0.08% of diet dry matter (DM)/d (MET) for the last 21 ± 2 d before calving or fed a control diet with no added Met (CON) were used. The PMNL were isolated at birth (before colostrum feeding) and d 1 (24 h after colostrum intake), 14, 28, and 50 of age. Maternal blood was collected at −10 ± 1.3 d relative to calving. Cows in the MET group had greater DM intake and lower prepartal haptoglobin concentration. In CON cows, haptoglobin was positively correlated with proinflammatory and host-defense mRNA abundance in CON calves. Except for NOS2 and NFE2L2, abundance of CASP8, MPO, ZBP1, and TNF was lower at birth in MET calves. Interleukin 1β concentration in response to LPS challenge in CON and MET calves was greatest at birth, underscoring the role of this cytokine for lymphocyte activation. Compared with 1 d of age, the interleukin-1β response to incremental doses of LPS was greater at 14 through 28 d, suggesting that the neonatal calf can mount a robust response to inflammatory stimuli. Greater abundance in CON calves of NOS2, CADM1, and TLR2 coupled with lower SELL from 1 through 50 d of age suggested a chronic activation of the PMNL. There was a marked upregulation over time of MIR125b, MIR146a, MIR155, and MIR9 in both CON and MET calves, suggesting that these microRNA could affect gene transcription associated with differentiation and inflammatory function in PMNL. Regardless of maternal diet, the gradual downregulation of MIR223 (the most abundant microRNA in PMNL) is in line with the progressive increase over time in the proinflammatory signature of the PMNL. Data revealed the potential for maternal supply of Met during late pregnancy through either greater DM intake or Met to elicit some changes in PMNL function during early postnatal life, partly through changes in mRNA expression encompassing cell adhesion and chemotaxis, oxidative stress, Toll-like receptor signaling, and Met metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When formulating dairy cow rations, characterization of protein in feeds requires estimation of protein degradation in the rumen and digestion in the intestine. The objective of this work was to evaluate experimental and feed-related factors that affect characterization using in situ, in vitro, or mobile bag techniques, of 0-h washout (A), potentially degradable (B), and undegradable (C) protein fractions, protein degradation rate (Kd), and digestibility of rumen undegradable protein (dRUP). Data sets of 136 studies on A, B, C, and Kd and 113 studies on dRUP were amassed from the literature. Mixed-effect linear models were used to relate these variables to methodological and feed factors while accounting for random differences among studies. Predictions of A, B, and C protein fractions were significantly influenced by crude protein and neutral detergent fiber interactions with bag pore size, incubation time, bag area, and sample-to-bag area ratio. For example, a 20.0% decrease in crude protein of a theoretical legume silage sample would increase A fraction prediction by 20.1%, but 34.7% with bag incubation time −1 standard deviation below the mean. Similarly, reported Kd values were significantly influenced by crude protein interactions with bag area and sample-to-bag area ratio and by neutral detergent fiber interaction with pore size. Feed variables and measurement variables influencing protein digestibility measures suggest that these analytical factors are likely associated with variance among differing methodologies and within unique samples of the same feed. When predicting dRUP, the use of mobile bag method produced significantly different estimates compared with the in vitro 3-step method. The use of mobile bag resulted in an 8.9% (±3.8%) higher estimate of dRUP compared with the in situ technique. In 618 and 977 samples, sample variation to sample mean ratio for acid detergent fiber and pepsin-acid incubation time was 63.0 and 58.0%, respectively. Variation in feedstuff content and lack of standardization of methods used to measure protein disappearance led to a lack of robustness in the measurements commonly employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was aimed to study the degradation kinetics of limestone-urea mixtures in the goats rumen using the nylon bag technique. Samples of limestone were obtained from two limestone mountains, Pamotan Subdistrict of Central Java Province and Wonosari Subdistrict of Yogyakarta Province. The mixtures were created by combining urea at levels 25, 50, 75and 100%; respectively with two limestones on the basis of their Ca contents: L0U100, LP25U75, LP50U50; LP75U25, LW25U75; LW50U50; and LW75U25. The soluble fraction, potentially degradable fraction, the degradation rate of potentially degradable fraction, and effective degradation of respective dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) ruminal degradation kinetics were measured in each mixture. The mixture of LP75U25 had lowest effective and degradation rate of potentially degradable fraction (P<0.05) respectively for DM and N compared with those of other mixtures. In conclusion, the limestone-urea mixture of LP75U25 could be suggested as a dietary supplement of ruminal N slow release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Effective micronutrient supplementation strategies are critical to ensure optimal health and productivity in livestock. The objective of this study was to develop a copper and vitamin (multimicronutrient) delivery system based on chitosan gel beads, and test its suitability, in vitro, for use as a cattle feed additive. RESULTS: Chitosan was chelated with copper sulfate to produce millimetre‐scale gel matrices (∼2 mm). The copper content was significantly increased (from 61 to 95 mg g by adjusting pH to alkaline conditions post bead formation. The beads could subsequently be loaded with the model vitamin riboflavin to levels as high as 324 µg g−1 beads. Restricted rehydration of the dried gel matrices in simulated rumen fluid led to a sustained release of riboflavin with no copper released in these neutral conditions for up to 24 h, demonstrating copper rumen bypass. Moreover, sustained release of the mineral was observed in abomasal conditions of pH 2 over a 3 h period. CONCLUSIONS: The matrices showed rumen bypass for copper yet supplied nutritionally relevant levels of the free mineral in abomasal conditions, as required for effective supplementation in cattle. The controlled‐release properties demonstrated by the matrices indicate their potential as a multimicronutrient functional feed additive to enhance cattle nutrition and productivity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro and in situ procedures performed to estimate indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) in forage or fecal samples are time consuming, costly, and limited by intrinsic factors. In contrast, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has become widely recognized as a valuable tool for accurately determining chemical composition and digestibility parameters of forages. The aim of this study was to build NIRS calibrations and equations for fecal iNDF. In total, 1,281 fecal samples were collected to build a calibration data set, but only 301 were used to develop equations. Once dried, samples were ground and chemically analyzed for crude protein, ash, amylase and sodium sulfite–treated NDF corrected for ash residue (aNDFom), acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, and in vitro digestion at 240 h to estimate iNDF (uNDF240). Each fecal sample was scanned using a NIRSystem 6500 instrument (Perstorp Analytical Inc., Silver Spring, MD). Spectra selection was performed, resulting in 301 sample spectra used to develop regression equations with good accuracy and low standard error of prediction. The standard error of calibration (SEC), cross validation (SECV), and coefficients of determination for calibration (R2) and for cross validation (1 − VR, where VR = variance ratio) were used to evaluate calibration and validation results. Moreover, the ratio performance deviation (RPD) and ratio of the range of the original data to SECV (range/SECV; range error ratio, RER) were also used to evaluate calibration and equation performance. Calibration data obtained on fiber fractions aNDFom (R2 = 0.92, 1 − VR = 0.87, SEC = 1.48, SECV = 1.89, RPD = 2.80, and RER = 20.19), uNDF240 (R2 = 0.92, 1 − VR = 0.86, SEC = 1.65, SECV = 2.24, RPD = 2.57, and RER = 14.30), and in vitro rumen aNDFom digestibility at 240 h (R2 = 0.90, 1 − VR = 0.85, SEC = 2.68, SECV = 3.43, RPD = 2.53, and RER = 14.0) indicated the predictive equations had good predictive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to determine the effects of feeding carinata meal (CRM) compared with distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance, rumen fermentation, and nutrient utilization in peripu-bertal dairy heifers. A 16-wk randomized block design experiment with 24 Holstein heifers [6.6 ± 0.7 mo and 218 ± 27 kg of body weight (BW)] was conducted. Treatments diets were (1) 10% cold-pressed CRM and (2) 10% DDGS on a dry matter (DM) basis. The remainder of the diets consisted of grass hay, ground corn, soybean meal, and mineral mix. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Heifers were individually fed using a Calan gate feeding system, and the rations were limit-fed at 2.65% of BW on a DM basis to target a 0.8 kg/d of average daily gain. Heifers were weighed every 2 wk and the ration amount offered was adjusted accordingly. Frame sizes, BW, and body condition scores were measured 2 d every 2 wk throughout the study. During wk 12 and 16, rumen fluid samples were collected via esophageal tubing for pH, ammonia N, and volatile fatty acid analyses. In wk 16, fecal grab samples were collected for apparent total-tract digestibility estimation. Heifer DM intake, BW, average daily gain, and gain: feed were similar between treatments. No differences were observed between treatments in frame measurements or body condition scores. Rumen pH tended to be greater in CRM compared with DDGS. Rumen ammonia N and total volatile fatty acid concentration were not different between treatments. Apparent total-tract digestibility of DM, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were decreased in CRM compared with DDGS. A tendency was detected for reduced organic matter digestibility in CRM. No difference was observed between treatments for crude protein total-tract digestibility. However, these differences in total-tract nutrient digestibility were not large enough to influence growth performance. Overall, results demonstrated that growing heifers can be limit-fed diets with 10% CRM and maintain growth performance compared with a control diet containing 10% DDGS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this experiment was to quantify the effects of graded replacement of late-harvested grass silage and barley with early-harvested silage on nutrient digestion and rumen fermentation. Four experimental diets were fed to 4 multiparous rumen-cannulated Nordic Red cows in 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Dietary treatments consisted of late-cut grass silage (LS) and rolled barley, which was gradually replaced with early-cut grass silage [ES; 0, 33, 67, and 100% of the forage component (ES + LS) of the diet]. With increased proportion of ES in the diet, the proportion of barley decreased from 47.2 to 26.6% on a dry matter basis. Early- and late-cut silages were harvested at 2-wk intervals (predicted concentrations of metabolizable energy 11.0 and 9.7 MJ/kg of dry matter). The 4 diets were formulated to support the same milk production. Nutrient flows were quantified using omasal sampling technique applying the triple-marker method (Cr, Yb, and indigestible neutral detergent fiber) and 15N as a microbial marker. Feed intake decreased with graded replacement of LS and barley with ES, but milk production was not influenced by diet. Digestibility of nutrients improved with graded addition of ES in the diet with the greatest difference observed in digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and potentially digestible NDF (pdNDF). The results suggested that improved cell wall digestibility with graded level of ES in the diet was partly related to higher intrinsic digestibility of ES than LS, and partly due to negative associative effects with an increased proportion of LS and barley in the diet. Efficiency of microbial N synthesis was not influenced by the diet, but ruminal protein degradability increased with ES in the diet. Rumen fermentation pattern was not affected by the diet despite large difference in the profile of dietary carbohydrates. Rumen pool size of NDF and pdNDF, and ruminal turnover time of NDF decreased with graded addition of ES in the diet, whereas digestion rate of pdNDF improved. The results of this study indicate that increased CH4 yield in a parallel production study with graded addition of ES in the diet were more related to greater ruminal and total digestibility of organic matter than to the changes in rumen fermentation pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the ratio of rumen-degradable protein (RDP) to rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) and corn processing method on production performance, nitrogen (N) efficiency, and feeding behavior of high-producing Holstein dairy cows. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows (second parity; milk yield = 48 ± 3 kg/d) were assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factor 1 was corn processing method [ground corn (GC) or steam flaked corn (SFC) with a flake density of about 390 g/L], and factor 2 was RDP: RUP ratio [low ratio (LR) = 60:40; high ratio (HR) = 65:35] based on crude protein (%). The crude protein concentrations were kept constant across the treatments (16.7% of DM). No significant interactions of main treatment effects occurred for lactation performance data. Cows fed 2 different RDP: RUP ratios exhibited similar dry matter intake (DMI), but those fed SFC showed decreased feed intake compared with those receiving GC (25.1 ± 0.48 vs. 26.2 ± 0.47 kg/d, respectively). Cows fed HR diets produced more milk than did those fed LR diets (44.4 ± 1.05 vs. 43.2 ± 1.05 kg/d, respectively). Milk fat content decreased but milk protein content increased in cows fed SFC compared with those fed GC. Feed efficiency (i.e., milk yield/DMI) was enhanced with increasing ratio of RDP: RUP (1.68 ± 0.04 vs. 1.74 ± 0.04 for LR and HR, respectively). Apparent N efficiency was higher in cows fed HR than in those fed LR (30.4 ± 0.61 vs. 29.2 ± 0.62, respectively). Compared with cows fed the GC-based diet, those receiving SFC exhibited lower values of N intake, N-NH3 concentration, and fecal N excretion. Cows receiving SFC-based diets spent more time ruminating (min/kg of DMI) than did those fed GC. Although these results showed no interaction effects of RDP: RUP ratio and corn processing method on performance, higher RDP: RUP ratios and ground corn can be effective feeding strategies for feed to lactating cows receiving high-concentrate diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to apply digital imaging to improve quantification of rumen protozoal biomass and distinguish treatment differences in cell motility and volume among ruminal protozoa. Observations of protozoa in rumen fluid treated with essential oils (CinnaGar, CIN; Provimi North America, Brookville, OH) or an ionophore (monensin, MON) indicated possible cell shrinkage. We hypothesized that MON would decrease protozoal motility and interact with CIN on cell volume. In addition, we hypothesized that analysis of still frames from video of swimming protozoa would improve volume prediction accuracy. Flocculated rumen fluid was incubated in batch culture dosed with N-free feed only (control), MON, CIN, or a combination of MON+CIN. Samples were taken at 0, 3, or 6 h post-treatment and wet-mounted on a microscope fitted with a high-definition camera. At 3 h post-inoculation, there was a treatment interaction for average speed such that CIN attenuated the effect of MON, with treatment means of 243, 138, 211, and 183 µm/s for control, MON, CIN, and MON+CIN, respectively. At 6 h post-inoculation, MON decreased average speed by 79.2 µm/s compared with the main effect mean without MON. We measured both minimum and maximum diameters (depth and width, respectively) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of swimming protozoa, yielding a 3-dimensional estimate of protozoal volume. The ellipsoid formula (4/3) πabc where a = 1/2 length, b = 1/2 width, and c = 1/2 depth, was compared with previously published volume estimations using genera-specific coefficients (genera-specific coefficient × length × width2). Residuals (genera-specific coefficients – ellipsoid) were plotted against predicted (ellipsoid) and centered to the mean (X - x) to evaluate both mean and slope biases. For Entodinium spp., Y = 0.248 (±0.037) (Xi − 7.98 × 104) + 1.97 × 104 (±1.48 × 103); n = 100; r2 [coefficient of determination (squared correlation coefficient)] = 0.31, with significant slope and mean biases. For family Isotrichidae, Y = −0.124 (±0.068) (Xi − 2.54 × 106) − 1.21 × 104 (±4.86 × 104); n = 32; r2 = 0.10, where slope tended to be different from zero but with no mean bias. For Epidinium spp., Y = 0.375 (±0.056) (Xi − 2.45 × 105) + 6.65 × 104 (±0.28 × 104); n = 64; r2 = 0.43, with both mean and slope biases. The present regression analyses demonstrate that the genera-specific coefficient-based method more likely overestimates volume for Entodinium and Epidinium than for the teardrop-shaped Isotrichidae. Based on simulations derived from previous literature reporting treatments that depress protozoal populations or among-animal changes in protozoal population structures, our proposed ellipsoid method offers potential to advance the prediction of treatment effects on protozoal volume and to shift focus from the number of cells present to the diversity, function, and biomass of protozoa under various treatment conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient utilization, body condition and carcass traits of cull ewes were studied in three dietary regimens based on complete feed block ( CFB) feeding to control (C) with rumen protected protein ( RPP), CU [ RPP + urea (6 g/kg)] and CUF [ RPP + urea + rumen protected fat ( RPF; 40 g/kg)]. The RPP component (g/kg) in C had 1% formaldehyde-treated soy flakes 50, mustard cake 50 and sesame cake 30. The mustard and sesame cakes were replaced with urea on equivalent N basis in CU and CUF. The ewes were offered ad libitum CFB composed (g/kg) of concentrate 650, roughage 300 and molasses 50. The digestibility of OM and EE was higher (p < 0.05) in CUF than in CU and C, while that of NDF and ADF was lower (p < 0.05). The CP digestibility was higher in both CU and CUF. Utilization of N and Ca was higher (p < 0.05) in CUF compared with C and CU. Urinary purine derivatives analysis and microbial N synthesis were similar in all the groups. Blood glucose concentration improved at 90 day compared with 0 day. Ruminal attributes showed a higher (p < 0.05) pH, total N, TCA precipitable N, entodiniomorphs and total ciliate population in CU and CUF than in the control. The CUF had higher (p < 0.01) DM, digestible OM and ME intake, which resulted in higher (p < 0.05) weight gain and better feed efficiency. Ewes in all the groups showed an improvement in carcass traits at 90 day. The pre-slaughter weight was higher (p < 0.05) and dissected and KOH bone content was lower in CUF. Thus, feeding of CFB with urea as a cheaper N source and RPF to enrich with energy supported the improved performance as evidenced from higher nutrient input, 'utilization and efficiency with enhanced carcass traits' for better marketability and returns from cull ewes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present context was aimed to determine the in vitro gas production (GP), mitigation of methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission, and ruminal fermentation from nine different tree leaves as suitable alternatives for alfalfa hay. Tree leaves and alfalfa hay were incubated with rumen inoculum from calves at different ages (20, 40, and 60 d). The level of asymptomatic GP [mL/g dry matter (DM)] differed ( P < 0.05) between different tree leaves compared with alfalfa hay. Most of the plant leaves showed differed ( P < 0.05) asymptomatic CH 4 production (mL/g DM), fractional rate of GP and lag time. The asymptomatic CO 2 production and fractional rate of CO 2 production decreased effectively ( P < 0.01) with the different tree leaves. In vitro rumen CH 4 and CO 2 productions (mL/g incubated DM) by species incubated in the rumen liquor of calves collected at 60 d of age increased effectively. Fermentation pH ( P < 0.001) was found to be significant parameter but DM degradability ( P > 0.05) was not significant by dose and substrate × dose interaction. Tree leaves showed lower production of CH 4 (mL/g incubated DM) and proportional CH 4 emission when compared to alfalfa hay after the required period of incubation at significant level ( P < 0.05). However, different tree leaves had no influence ( P > 0.05) on CO 2 production (mL/g incubated DM and mL/g degraded DM) and proportional CO 2 production. The incorporation of tested tree leaves in diet would be a valuable alternative of alfalfa hay with sustainable reduction properties of CH 4 and CO 2 productions. These potent tree leaves can be used as valuable cleaner product and feeding stuffs for the environment and ruminants respectively due to their in vitro fermentative properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumenocentesis is the collection of rumen fluid by percutaneous needle aspiration, under local anaesthetic. It can be done in any ruminant, but is usually reserved for dairy herds, where the monitoring of rumen pH and other rumen health parameters can be particularly valuable. The most easily measurable rumen fluid characteristics include pH and visual (microscopical) assessments of protozoa population. Careful animal selection and skilled interpretation of findings are necessary to reach sound conclusions.Management decisions can be based on rumenocentesis findings alone, but preferably other herd health and performance information is used alongside rumen fluid results. Rumen fluid examination allows a more holistic approach to be taken for dairy cow nutrition, considering, as it does, the response of the rumen microbiome to the diet which is being fed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of ponderosa pine needles, as well as needles and bark from a number of other trees, can cause abortions in cattle. The abortifacient compounds in these trees are labdane resin acids, including isocupressic acid and agathic acid. Previous research has demonstrated that cattle conditioned to pine needles metabolize the labdane resin acids more quickly than naïve cattle. The results from that study indicated that changes had occurred in the rumen of conditioned cattle. Therefore, in this study, the changes that occurred in the rumen bacterial microflora of cattle during exposure to ponderosa pine needles were evaluated. Cattle were dosed with ground pine needles twice daily for 7 d. Rumen samples were collected on d 0, 3, 7, and 14 (7 d after treatment stopped) and ruminal bacterial microbiome analyses were performed. There were 372 different genera of bacteria identified in the rumen samples. Principal coordinate analysis indicated that there was a significant difference in the rumen bacterial composition between the time points. There were 18 genera that increased in abundance from d 0 to d 7. Twenty three genera decreased in abundance from d 0 to d 7. The results from this study demonstrated that exposure of cattle to pine needles caused a clear shift in the rumen microbiome composition. In general, this shift lasted less than 1 wk post exposure, which indicates that any prophylactic treatment to manipulate the ruminal metabolism of the abortifacient compounds in pine needles would need to be continuously administered to maintain the necessary microbial composition in the rumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of butyrate infusion into the rumen on butyrate flow to the duodenum, expression of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) transporters (monocarboxylate transporter-1, -2, and -4) and receptors (G protein coupled receptor-41 and -43) in the duodenal epithelium and nutrient digestion in sheep. Eight wethers (39.0 ± 3.00 kg; mean ± SD) with ruminal and T-shape duodenal cannulas were allocated to 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design with each experimental period lasting for 21 d (12 d of adaptation and 9 d for data and sample collection). Experimental treatments were: 1) distilled water infusion into the rumen (CONT); 2) 15 g/d of butyric acid infusion into the rumen (BUT15); 3) 30 g/d of butyric acid infusion into the rumen (BUT30); and 4) 45 g/d of butyric acid infusion into the rumen (BUT45). The daily dose of butyrate was infused into the rumen via the rumen cannula, with 200 mL of solution of butyric acid and distilled water, at a constant rate (0.1389 mL/min) throughout the day using a peristaltic pump. Correspondingly, 200 mL/d of distilled water was infused into the rumen of CONT. The wethers were fed daily 900 g of chopped meadow hay and 200 g of concentrate in two equal meals at 0600 and 1800 h. Butyrate infusion into the rumen did not affect total SCFA concentration in the rumen fluid (P > 0.11). Molar proportion of butyrate in total SCFA linearly increased, and molar proportion of acetate and isovalerate linearly decreased (P = 0.02) with an increasing amount of butyrate infused into the rumen. The molar proportion of butyrate in total SCFA in the duodenal digesta linearly increased (P < 0.01), and butyrate flow to duodenum tended to linearly increase (P = 0.06) with an increasing dose of exogenous butyrate delivered to the rumen. Butyrate infusion into the rumen did not affect (P ≥ 0.14) the mRNA expression of monocarboxylate transporter-2 and -4 and G protein coupled receptor-43 in the duodenal epithelium. The G protein coupled receptor-41 and monocarboxylate transporter-1 mRNA expression in the duodenal epithelium was very low in many of the analyzed samples. Digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber in the stomach (forestomach and abomasum) decreased for BUT15 and BUT30 and then increased for BUT45 (quadratic, P ≤ 0.04); however, neither digestibility in the intestine nor total tract digestibility differed between treatments (P ≥ 0.10). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rumen is lined on the luminal side by a stratified squamous epithelium that is responsible for not only absorption, but also transport, extensive short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism and protection. Butyrate has been demonstrated to initiate the differentiation of the tissue following introduction of solid feed to the weaning neonate as well as affecting the metabolism of other nutrients and absorption of nutrients in in vitro experiments. The objective of the present study was to validate expression stability of eight putative reference genes bovine rumen, considering the intrinsic heterogeneity of bovine rumen with regard to different luminal characteristics due to direct infusion of butyrate to double the intra-ruminal content of the rumen liquor. Our focus was on identifying stable reference genes which are suitable to normalize real-time RT-qPCR experiments from rumen samples collected from clinical assays, irrespective of localization within the organ and the across physiological state. The most stably expressed genes included: ACTB, UXT, DBNDD2, RPS9, DDX54 and HMBS. Their high stability values suggest these reference genes will facilitate better evaluation of variation of across an array of conditions including: localization within the rumen, differences among cattle fed an array of rations, as well as response to development in the weaning animal. Moreover, we anticipate these reference genes may be useful for expression studies in other ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty lambs were fed one of four diets supplemented with a linseed and sunflower oil blend but differing in starch level (mid, ≈ 35 vs. high, ≈ 50%) and starch rumen degradability (mid, ≈ 70 vs. high, ≈ 80%). The effects of diet on growth, carcass traits and meat fatty acid (FA) composition, with emphasis on biohydrogenation intermediates were evaluated. Lambs stayed on trial for 5 weeks until slaughter. Treatment had no effect on animal performance and carcass traits. High-degradability diets decreased ( P = 0.04) meat shear force compared with mid-degradability diets. Lipid content of meat was unaffected by the diet. Mid-starch diets increased ( P < 0.05) the saturated FA and cis -MUFA but decreased ( P < 0.05) the trans -MUFA, particularly the t 10-18:1, when compared with high-starch diets. The t 11-18:1 (0.7% of total FA) and c 9, t 11-18:2 (< 0.3%) remained low and the 18:3n-3 remained high (1.74%) and unaffected by diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-grain feeding used in the animal production is known to affect the host rumen bacterial community, but our understanding of consequent changes in goats is limited. This study was therefore aimed to evaluate bacterial population dynamics during 20 days adaptation of 4 ruminally cannulated goats to the high-grain diet (grain: hay – ratio of 40:60). The dietary transition of goats from the forage to the high-grain-diet resulted in the significant decrease of rumen fluid pH, which was however still higher than value established for acute or subacute ruminal acidosis was not diagnosed in studied animals. DGGE analysis demonstrated distinct ruminal microbial populations in hay-fed and grain-fed animals, but the substantial animal-to-animal variation were detected. Quantitative PCR showed for grain-fed animals significantly higher number of bacteria belonging to Clostridium leptum group at 10 days after the incorporation of corn into the diet and significantly lower concentration of bacteria belonging to Actinobacteria phylum at the day 20 after dietary change. Taxonomic distribution analysed by NGS at day 20 revealed the similar prevalence of the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in all goats, significantly higher presence of the unclassified genus of groups of Bacteroidales and Ruminococcaceae in grain-fed animals and significantly higher presence the genus Prevotella and Butyrivibrio in the forage-fed animals. The three different culture-independent methods used in this study show that high proportion of concentrate in goat diet does not induce any serious disturbance of their rumen ecosystem and indicate the good adaptive response of caprine ruminal bacteria to incorporation of corn into the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choline is a vitamin-like substance it has multi-function in animal production, reproduction, and health. The transition period is most crucial stage in lactation cycle of dairy cows due to its association with negative hormonal and energy balances. Unfortunately, unprotected choline easily degrades in the rumen; therefore, choline added to the diet in a rumenprotected form. The use of rumen-protected choline (RPC) is a preventive measurement for the fatty liver syndrome and ketosis; may improve milk production as well as milk composition and reproduction parameters. This review summarizes the effectiveness of RPC on animal production, health, and reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean-derived isoflavones belong to the family of biologically active phytoestrogens. The purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive method, which permits quantification of the soybean isoflavonoids and equol in bovine rumen fluid and milk using LC-MS-(TOF). The samples of rumen fluid and milk were obtained from 12 lactating dairy cows ingesting 7,500-9,500 mg of total isoflavones daily. The validation of the developed method showed the limits of quantification to be in the range of 0.9-5.0 ng/mL. The precisionwas determined as relative standard deviation, whichwas lower than 25% in all cases. The recoveries of the most isoflavonoidswere satisfactory. Lower recoveries of daidzin and glycitin can be solved by adding an internal standard. The presented method will be useful for kinetic studies of isoflavone metabolism in ruminants due to simultaneous quantification of free aglycones and glycosides in the rumen fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hypothesized that cassava peel, high in energy, could replace corn and used as energy resource for animal feed in the tropics. This study assessed the intake, total apparent digestibility of nutrients, rumen parameters (pH, NH 3 -N, and volatile fatty acids), and rumen dynamics of NDF of sheep fed with different corn replacement levels with cassava peel (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). Five castrated Santa Ines sheep with an initial average weight of 42.0 ± 4.44 kg were fistulated in the rumen and distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square design, divided into five 14-d periods. Cassava peel levels had no effect on the DM intake (1364 g/d), DM digestibility (691 g/kg), pH (6.45), and N-NH 3 concentration (20.7 mg/100 mL). Collection time after feeding showed effect in both ruminal pH and N-NH 3 concentration. A quadratic effect was found for propionate concentration and acetate:propionate ratio. There was no effect of cassava peel levels on the ruminal pool of NDF (504 g) and NDFi (285 g), as well on the rate of ingestion (0.060%/h), digestion (0.033%/h), and passage of NDF (0.026%/h). Thus, we recommend the total replacement of corn with cassava peel in the diets of sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to estimate the digestibility of different ratios of Juncus acutus and maize silage and to investigate the effects of them on rumen bacteria.Three different ratios of Juncus acutus and maize silage 100:0 (A), 50:50 (B) and 0:100 (C) were prepared and their gas productions were determined at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h incubation times by ANKOM RF gas production system. OMD%, MEOMD, MEGP, and b values of A, B, C were 42.06, 51.06 and 60.21%; 6.72, 8.16 and 9.63 MJ/kg DM; 5.15, 6.28 and 7.55 MJ/kg DM; 20.85, 35.24 and 48.11 mL respectively. There were significant variations between the chemical composition, gas production, OMD%, MEGP and MEOMD values of A, B and C (P<0.05). Abundance of ruminal bacteria were as following Fibrobactersuccinogenes>Ruminococcus flavefaciens>Ruminococcus albus values at all incubation times. In conclusion, mixing of Juncus acutus with maize silage in 50:50 ratio increased the amount of rumen cellulolytic bacteria and 22% of both OMD and ME of Juncus acutus. Supplementation of maize silage to Juncus acutus in ruminant diet may improve the utilization of Juncus acutus through providing of nitrogen and fermentable carbohydrates to rumen bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to compare the performance of five types of stomach tubes for rumen fluid sampling. Rumen fluid was sampled in rumen fistulated cows assigned to a 5×5 Latin square study design. The pH values of samples taken by stomach tubes and via fistulas were measured; the results were compared with indwelling sensor measurements. The practicability of the stomach tubes for regular use was tested in the field. Rumen fluid samples were obtained rapidly. Volumes for transfaunation could be obtained. The pH-values of samples taken with the four out of the five tubes (Dirksen, Geishauser, tube 4 and a simple water hose used with a gag) did not show significant differences to samples taken via rumen fistulas. Mean differences ranged between -0.02 and +0.09. Samples taken with tube 4 and the water hose showed also no significant differences to pH-sensor measurements. This study demonstrates that stomach tubes are suitable for rumen fluid sampling. Tube 4 seems to be the best probe for work in the field. It was well tolerated by the animals, saliva contamination is negligible. We, therefore, conclude that the evaluation of rumen acid base status in the field is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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locally synthesized transition metal complex, cobalt-lumefantrine was assessed through laboratory and feeding trials to ascertain its usefulness as an agent for manipulation of the rumen in sheep grazing tropical pasture. The antimicrobial properties of the metal complex were examined on fresh rumen fluids at different concentrations (0, 0.010, 0.025 and 0.050 mg metal complex/50 ml) to estimate the optimum dosage for the sheep. Thereafter, twelve adult male sheep (11.27 ± 0.62 kg, initial body weight) were divided into three similar treatment groups. Sheep were drenched individually with 2.5 mg metal complex/head dissolved in 10 ml distilled water, either once or at two-week interval over 28 days. The control group received water without the metal complex. Total protozoa population was lowest (P < 0.05) when 50 ml rumen sample was incubated with 0.025 mg cobaltlumefantrine metal complex. Serum alanine amino transferase, ALT (23.73 and 18.16 vs. 16.92 μg/L) and cholesterol (0.94 and 1.18 vs. 1.40 mmol/L) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the antiplasmodial metal complex treatments (single and repeated treatments vs. the control). It was concluded that 2.5 mg cobalt-lumefantrine complex treatment had no adverse effects on rumen pH, favourably modified rumen microbial populations and improved serum cholesterol level in the sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survival of silage lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the gut of dairy cows was evaluated by examining the LAB communities of silage and gut contents. Samples were collected at 2 different research institutes (Mie and Okayama) that offered total mixed ration (TMR) silage throughout the year. Silage and feces were sampled in August, October, and November at the Mie institute, whereas silage, rumen fluid, and feces were sampled in June and August at the Okayama institute. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis using Lactobacillus-specific primers was performed to detect LAB species in the samples. The selected bands were purified for species identification and the band patterns were used for principal component analysis. Lactic acid was the predominant fermentation product in all the TMR silages analyzed, and the lactic acid level tended to be constant regardless of the sampling time and region. A total of 14 LAB species were detected in the TMR silage samples, of which 5 (Lactobacillus acetotolerans, Lactobacillus pontis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus suebicus, and Lactobacillus plantarum) were detected in the dairy cow feces. Most of the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis bands for the feces samples were also detected in the rumen fluid, suggesting that any elimination of silage LAB occurred in the rumen and not in the postruminal gut segments. The principal component analysis indicated that the LAB communities in the silage, rumen fluid, and feces were separately grouped; hence, the survival of silage LAB in the cow rumen and lower gut was deemed difficult. It was concluded that, although the gut LAB community is robust and not easily affected by the silage conditions, several LAB species can inhabit both silage and feces, which suggests the potential of using silage as a vehicle for conveying probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding systems can play an important role, not only in beef farm profitability but also in animal health and performance. Fourteen Avileña-Negra Ibérica bulls, with an initial weight of 270 kg (SE 22.6 kg) and aged 223 d (SE 16.2) were used to study the effect of two feeding systems on ruminal pH and temperature and animal performance when calves were kept in loose housing conditions. Feeding systems were barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain-based concentrate plus barley straw (CONC) and maize (Zea mays L.) silage-based total mixed ration (TMR). Internal wireless boluses were used to collect pH and temperature values every 10 min throughout the measurement period (15 d). Diet did not modify (P > 0.10) average daily gain, carcass weight, dressing percentage, ruminal mucosa color, or papilla counts. Papilla width and papilla width/lamina propria thickness were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in TMR than in CONC animals. Time spent below ruminal pH thresholds of 7.0, 6.6, 6.2, and 5.8 and the corresponding areas under the curve were higher (P < 0.05) for animals fed under the TMR system. No significant changes were observed between experimental treatments in parameters related to ruminal temperature or estimated number of times that the animals were drinking during the day (P > 0.10). Although animal performance is not affected, feeding fattening calves on a concentrate plus barley straw diet can result in better rumen conditions than using maize silage-based TMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheep (Ovis aries) are a major source of meat, milk, and fiber in the form of wool and represent a distinct class of animals that have a specialized digestive organ, the rumen, that carries out the initial digestion of plant material. We have developed and analyzed a high-quality reference sheep genome and transcriptomes from 40 different tissues. We identified highly expressed genes encoding keratin cross-linking proteins associated with rumen evolution. We also identified genes involved in lipid metabolism that had been amplified and/or had altered tissue expression patterns. This may be in response to changes in the barrier lipids of the skin, an interaction between lipid metabolism and wool synthesis, and an increased role of volatile fatty acids in ruminants compared with nonruminant animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to compare the measurements of sheep ruminal pH using a continuous telemetry system or a bench pH meter using sheep with different degrees of ruminal pH. Ruminal lactic acidosis was induced in nine adult crossbred Santa Ines sheep by the administration of 15 g of sucrose per kg/BW. Samples of rumen fluid were collected at the baseline, before the induction of acidosis (T0) and at six, 12,18, 24, 48, and 72 hours after the induction for pH measurement using a bench pH meter. During this 72-hour period, all animals had electrodes for the continuous measurement of pH. The results were compared using the Bland-Altman analysis of agreement, Pearson coefficients of correlation and determination, and paired analysis of variance with Student's t-test. The measurement methods presented a strong correlation (r = 0.94, P < 0.05) but the rumen pH that was measured continuously using a telemetry system resulted in lower values than the bench pH meter (overall mean of 5.38 and 5.48, resp., P = 0.0001). The telemetry system was able to detect smaller changes in rumen fluid pH and was more accurate in diagnosing both subacute ruminal lactic acidosis and acute ruminal lactic acidosis in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the accuracy of the estimates of ammonia concentration in rumen fluid using different analytical methods. The researchers evaluated the accuracy of a catalyzed indophenol colorimetric reaction (CICR) and the Kjeldahl distillation (KD), which are two different methods in measuring the ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3) concentration in rumen fluid. The study found that the estimates obtained by KD can be adjusted to avoid biases.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the parameters of ruminal degradation and behavior in fattening ovine fed highly concentrated diets with increasing levels of rice polishing. Two experiments were developed: 1.- effects of increasing levels of rice polishing (RP) on ruminal degradability of dry matter (RDDM) and 2.- behavior of fattening ovine. Three diets or treatments were used with equal content of CP (14 %) and metabolizable energy (8.36 MJ/kg of DM). The RP contents in diets were 0 % (T1 or control), 11 % (T2) and 22 % (T3). The RDDM was determined in Pelibuey sheep, using ruminal cannulas. Bags with food samples were incubated in the rumen during 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h. Sheep (75 % Pelibuey x 25 % Doper) of 20 ±2.99 kg at the beginning were used for the test of fattening behavior, randomly distributed in individual cages with the same treatments of the RDDM test. Degradation parameters show that the diet with 22 % of RP had higher values in the rapidly soluble fraction (a), as well as the DM which disappeared from the rumen in the 4, 8 and 12 h of incubation. In respect to the control diet, the diet with 22 % of RP had lower ruminal degradability of the soluble fraction (b) and the DM disappeared from the rumen after 48 h of incubation. The potential degradability (a + b) and the constant degradation (c) were not affected by the RP level. Effective degradability at the rumen turnover rate (k) from 5 to 10 % was higher in the diet with 22 % of RP. The highest daily food intake for the behavior test was for sheep in T3 and the lowest in T2 (P < 0.05). The biggest daily gain in sheep was in the control group and the lowest in the T2 group (P < 0.05). The best feed conversion was observed in the control group and the lowest in T3 group (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that the RP, at high concentrated portions, can increase the RDDM and the rate of ruminal fluid, and can affect the behavior in sheep fattening. However, the RP reduces the most expensive conventional ingredients such as soybean, sorghum grain and cattle bait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study describes the ultrasonographic findings of the rumen in 45 healthy dairy cows. Results: The cows were scanned on both sides using a 5.0 MHz transducer. The dorsal visible margin of the rumen ran parallel to the lung from cranioventral to caudodorsal. It was furthest from the dorsal midline at the 9th intercostal space (48.3 ± 9.24 cm) and closest at the 12th intercostal space (22.4 ± 3.27 cm). The longitudinal groove, which could be clearly identified at all examination sites because it appeared as a triangular notch, formed the ventral margin of the dorsal sac of the rumen. The dorsal sac of the rumen was largest at the caudal flank (40.3 ± 6.33 cm), where it was adjacent to the abdominal wall. The ventral sac of the rumen extended across the ventral midline into the right hemiabdomen and its ventral margin had a largely horizontal craniocaudal course. The height of the ventral sac of the rumen exceeded that of the dorsal sac at all examination sites; the maximum height was measured at the 12th intercostal space (62.6 ± 9.53 cm). The dorsal gas cap, characterised ultrasonographically by typical reverberation artifacts, was visible in all cows from the 12th intercostal space to the caudal flank. It was largest at the 12th intercostal space (20.5 ± 7.03 cm). The transition from the gas cap to the fibre mat was marked by the abrupt cessation of the reverberation artifacts. It was not possible to differentiate a fibre mat and a ventral fluid phase. The rumen could be imaged from the right side in 21 cows (47%). Conclusions: Ultrasonography is well suited for the detailed examination of the rumen of cows. The reference values obtained from this study add to the diagnostic tools that are available for the assessment of bovine patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of these studies was to characterize some factors affecting lysine degradation by mixed ruminal bacteria and by ruminal Fusobacterium necrophorum. Mixed ruminal bacteria degraded lysine, and addition of pure cultures of F. necrophorum did not increase lysine degradation. Addition of acetic or propionic acid strikingly reduced NH3 production from lysine by mixed ruminal bacteria at pH 6, but not at pH 7. Although typical ruminal environments with acidic pH and normal concentrations of volatile fatty acids might inhibit lysine degradation by F. necrophorum, ruminal fluid contained enough bacteria with a lysine-degrading capacity to ferment 50 mM lysine in vitro. Of 7 strains of ruminal F. necrophorum tested, all grew on both lactate and lysine as the primary energy source. Both subspecies of ruminal F. necrophorum (necrophorum and funduliforme) used lysine as a primary C and energy source. Lysine and glutamic acid were effectively fermented by F. necrophorum, but alanine and tryptophan were not, and histidine and methionine were fermented only to a minor extent. The end products of lactate fermentation by F. necrophorum were propionate and acetate, and those of lysine degradation were butyrate and acetate. Fermentation of glutamic acid by F. necrophorum yielded acetate and butyrate in a ratio near to 2:1. The minimum inhibitory concentration of tylosin for F. necrophorum was not dependent on whether bacteria were grown with lactate or lysine, but F. necrophorum was more susceptible to monensin when grown on lysine than on lactate. Although F. necrophorum is generally resistant to monensin, the ionophore may reduce lysine degradation by F. necrophorum in the rumen. The essential oil components limonene, at 20 or 100 µg/mL, and thymol, at 100 µg/mL, inhibited F. necrophorum growth, whereas eugenol, guaiacol, and vanillin had no effect. Our findings may lead to ways to minimize ruminal lysine degradation and thus increase its availability to the animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ciência Animal Brasileira is the property of Universidade Federal de Goias, Escola de Veterinaria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The effect of four mulberry (Morus alba Linn) varieties on the microbial population and fermentative products was determined under in vitro conditions, using rumen liquid from river buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). An in vitro fermentation was developed to evaluate five treatments: 1) 100 % of star grass (SG) (Cynodon nlemfuensis) (control), 2) SG + 30 % Cuban variety, 3) SG + 30 % Acorazonada variety, 4) SG + 30 % Tigreada variety and 5) SG + 30 % Indonesia variety. The culture and count of total viable, cellulolytic, proteolytic, amylolytic, and methanogenic bacteria and fungi were performed. Also, the count of protozoa was conducted, as well as the pH measurement and the determination of the ammonia concentration. A completely randomized design was applied with 5 x 3 factorial fit for the counts of bacteria and fungi, and with 5 x 5 for the indicators pH, ammonia concentration, and count of protozoa. The inclusion of the different mulberry varieties did not affect the populations of total viable, proteolytic, and celullolytic bacteria and fungi. At eight hours of fermentation, the treatment with the Acorazonada variety showed the lowest counts of methanogens (1.96 x 109 cfu.mL-1) compared with those including the Cuban, Tigreada, and Indonesia varieties (3.75, 3.99 and 3.70 x 109 cfu•mL-1, respectively). The counts of protozoa were superior for the Cuban variety (1.04 x 104 cel•mL-1). The pH declined, regardless the treatment, with the fermentation time, although it was always closed to neutrality. The concentration of ammonia was similar for all the treatments. It was concluded that the inclusion of 30 % of the mulberry varieties: Acorazonada, Cuban, Tigreada, and Indonesia did not affect the fiber-degrading populations or the end products of the rumen fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An in situ experiment was performed in the rumen to determine the DM and organic matter degradability of cottonseed, both normal and treated with heat and humidity. Four adult male sheep were used and fitted with rumen cannula. The samples were incubated for 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h in ventral position in the rumen. The values of potential degradability (a+b) varied from 56.4 up to 57.5, and from 86.59 up to 81.00 % for DM and CP of normal and treated seed, respectively. However, the c fraction, for DM and for CP, had better performance in the normal seed, compared with the treated with heat and humidity. The dynamics of rumen degradation evidenced increasing trend, from the first to the last incubation time, with differences (P < 0.01) in the treated and non-treated seeds. The chemical composition had adequate concentrations in this feed, with values up to 23.12 and 22.94 %, for CP in non-treated and treated seed meal, respectively. It was concluded that by humidifying the seed, there is higher availability of CP and DM for the ruminant animals. Besides, there is an efficient and easy to use alternative in animal feeding, with important contribution of bypassing proteins for the different feeding systems. Further studies on metabolism and productive indicators are recommended to support these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of the Mediterranean breed, with average ages of 13 months and initial liveweight of 300 ± 12 kg were used to determine the fermentative characteristics and the rumen kinetics in buffaloes fed hay of Bermuda grass(Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pears) (70 %) and concentrate (30 %), formulated with ground corn and meal of integral crude (CS) or extruded soybean (ES). The pH was inferior (P < 0.01) when using extruded soybean (6. 55) compared with the crude (6. 79). There were not differences between treatments, for the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the rumen. The average values were of 16.5 and 18.0 mg.dL-1 for the treatments with CS and ES, respectively. The rates of liquid turnover in the rumen were affected (P < 0.05) by the type of diet, with means of 6.17 % h-1 for CS and 7.85 % h-1 for ES. The rumen volume represented 13.3 - 14.6 % of the liveweight of the buffaloes, but it did not differ between treatments. The sampling time did not affect the pH or the total concentrations of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), acetic and butyric acid, but the propionic acid was increasing (P < 0.05) after the morning feeding. The results showed that, in the experimental conditions established, the use of extruded soybean in the concentrate, in respect to the crude soybean, did not affect significantly the fermentation or the rumen volume. Nevertheless, it increased the rate of liquid turnover. The values of pH were kept high and stable and the ammonia concentration was adequate for the rumen microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was compare the gas production and digestibility of ten forages, using rumen liquor and equine faecal liquor as the inoculum sources. The forages were lucerne, sewan hay, hedge lucerne, para grass, moth bean fodder, heteropogon, setaria grass, sugarcane tops, groundnut haulm and paddy straw. The forages were first pretreated with pepsin and amylase for 2 hr and 4 hr, respectively before incubating with equine faecal liquor for 48 hr, while the rumen liquor was directly inoculated with forages for 48 hr. The lowest IVDMD% and IVOMD% for both the species were found in case of paddy straw. The highest amount of net gas production (mM/0.2gDM) was observed in groundnut haulm by the rumen liquor, whereas lucerne produced highest net gas by equine faecal liquor and lowest net gas was recorded in hedge lucerne for both the species. Methane produced as percentage of total gas was highest in hedge lucerne in cattle, whereas lucerne produced highest methane in horses. Methane produced (g/kg DM digested) by the rumen liquor inoculation was found to be highest in lucerne and lowest was observed in moth bean straw, whereas, sugarcane tops produced the highest methane and lowest in hedge lucerne by the equine faecal liquor inoculation. The trial revealed that equines can digest low fibrous forages at par with cattle, while high fibrous forages with 90% efficiency of cattle. Moreover, the methane productions by the horses are about 1/ 3rd of that of cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The increase in milk yield achieved in recent decades by the dairy sector has been sustained by feeding dairy cows with more concentrates and less forage. This leads to increasing rumen acidity, a status widespread in high-producing dairy cows that may affect feed intake, impair ruminal digestion, and cause diarrhea, laminitis, inflammation, and liver abscesses. The effects of rumen acidity on milk yield and composition are controversial, while those on milk coagulation properties and cheese yield have not yet been explored. This study investigated whether the rumen acidity status affects rumination time, and the production, composition, coagulation properties and cheese yield of milk obtained by 100 early-lactating Holstein cows. The variation in rumen acidity was associated with changes in the cows' rumen fluid composition and circadian pattern of rumination time. Moreover, daily milk yield linearly decreased as the rumen acidity increased. Conversely, the composition and technological properties of milk were unaffected, even when there were differences in rumen acidity, suggesting that variation in rumen acidity has little impact on cheese-making traits. The use of high grain rations in dairy cows is related to an increase in rumen acidity. This study investigated whether the rumen acidity status affects rumination time (RT), and the production, composition, coagulation properties (MCPs) and cheese yield (CY) of milk. One hundred early-lactating Holstein cows with no clinical signs of disease and fed total mixed rations were used. Rumen fluid was collected once from each cow by rumenocentesis to determine pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA) content. The cows were classified according to the quartile of rumen acidity (QRA), a factor defined by multivariate analysis and associated with VFA and pH. Rumen fluid pH averaged 5.61 in the first quartile and 6.42 in the fourth, and total VFA content increased linearly with increasing rumen acidity. In addition, RT increased as rumen acidity increased, but only in the daily time interval from 08:00 to 12:00. Milk yield linearly decreased as rumen acidity increased, whereas QRA did not affect pH, fat or protein contents of milk. Furthermore, the MCPs, assessed by lactodynamograph, and CY were unaffected by QRA. It is suggested that differences in rumen acidity have little influence on the nutrient content, coagulation properties and CY of milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]