Effects of Different Starch Sources Used at High Levels in Cattle on Ruminal Fermentation Properties and Some Blood Parameters

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of different starch sources on ruminal fermentation and in situ digestibility characteristics and some blood parameters in cows. In the study, three different total mixed rations (TMR) with similar energy, protein and starch contents were prepared and these TMR’s formed the groups of the ex-periment. The main starch sources of the TMR’s were from the barley, wheat, and corn grains, respectively. The study was carried out as two consecutive trails using 3 non-lactating Holstein female cattle with rumen cannulate within a 3 × 3 Latin square trial design. These TMRs were fed at ad libitum and then nutrient intakes, ruminal fermentation (pH, acetic, propionic, butyric, and lactic acids), some serum (urea, glucose, total protein, albumin, triglyceride) and blood gas parameters (pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3-, Na+, K+, Ca++, Cl-, anion gap, lactate) were determined. Also, in situ dry matter and starch degradability were carried out in these animals. Nutrient intakes of cows fed different TMRs were similar (P>0.05), except neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake (P<0.05). Both ruminal fermentation, serum and blood gas pa-rameters did not change among treatment groups (P>0.05). As a result, it was determined that there were no serious changes in the ruminal fluid, serum, and blood gas parameter values of the subjects due to the content difference of the trial TMR’s. On the other hand, it was determined that in situ dry matter (DM) and starch degradability of barley and wheat were significantly different among cereal grains, ruminal DM and starch degradability of corn followed a slower, stable, and gradual increase.