Abstract

Two trials were conducted to assess the effects of tributyrin (TB) supplementation on ruminal microbial protein yield and fermentation characteristics in adult sheep. In an invitro trial, substrate was made to offer TB at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8g/kg on a dry matter (DM) basis and incubated for 48hr. In an invivo trial, 45 adult ewes were randomly assigned by initial body weight (55±5kg) to five treatments of nine animals over an 18-day period. Total mixed ration was made to offer TB to ewes at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8g/kg on a DM basis. The invitro trial showed that TB enhanced apparent degradation of DM (p=.009), crude protein (p<.001), neutral detergent fiber (p=.007) and acid detergent fiber (p=.010) and increased methanogenesis (p<.001), respectively. The invivo trial showed that TB decreased DM intake (p<.001) and enhanced rumen microbial N synthesis (p<.001), respectively. Both invitro and invivo trials showed that TB increased total volatile fatty acid concentration and enhanced fibrolytic enzyme activity. The results indicated that TB might exert positive effects on microbial protein yield and fermentation in the rumen.

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