Abstract
Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of rumen-protected glucose (RPG) supplementation on growth performance, body measurements and plasma biochemical indices of Simmental bulls in Northeast China during the fattening period. Methods: A 90 d feedlot study was conducted using thirty Simmental bulls (body weight = 444.3±26.9 kg). Bulls were randomly allocated into three groups to receive a basal total mixed ration (TMR) supplemented daily with 0 g RPG (control, Con), 100 g RPG (RPG100) or 300 g RPG (RPG300) per bull. Growth performance, body measurements and plasma biochemical indices were evaluated. Result: The greater ADG (P less than 0.05) and lower feed efficiency value (P less than 0.01) were found for bulls fed RPG compared to CON diet. Bulls fed RPG had increased body height and chest girth growth compared with CON diet (P less than 0.05). The plasma glucose (GLC) concentration was higher for bulls fed RPG300 diet than CON and RPG100 diets (P less than 0.01). Nonestesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was lower for RPG compared with CON treatment (P less than 0.05). Our analysis suggests that a daily supplement of 300 g RPG is an effective way to increase the body’s total GLC provision and thus improve the growth performance of Simmental bulls during the fattening period.
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