In vitro and in vivo studies of factors affecting digestion of feeds in synthetic fiber bags

The different factors influencing microenvironments in the rumen were studied by measuring cellulose disappearance (CD) and dry matter disappearance (DMD) of alfalfa hay enclosed in synthetic fiber bags during rumen fermentation in vitro and in vivo. The kind of fabric and its pore size affected the acidity, CD and DMD in the bags. A pore size of 50 micrometer induced the accumulation of gas and reduced CD and DMD due to reduced pH, which was in turn caused by the lack or absence of fluid exchange with the digesting medium.