Dry Matter Digestibility Of Diets Research Articles

Forage Preference, Voluntary Intake, and In Vivo Digestibility of Six Tropical Tree Leaves by Sheep in Semi-Arid Areas in Benin Republic (West Africa)

Livestock supplementation with forage trees is becoming a sustainable alternative to traditional grazing on the open pastures during the dry season in Benin. However, little is known about the feeding preferences of sheep and the digestibility of such native tree/shrub fodder. Such knowledge could improve their use on smallholder farms. Multiple-choice feeding preference tests were conducted on six tree fodders (Annona senegalensis, Blighia sapida, Cassia sieberiana, Gmelina arborea, Khaya senegalensis, and Mangifera indica) to determine the best choice to feed the local rams and ewe Djallonke sheep. The cafeteria test involved four rams and four ewes. In addition, an in vivo trial using metabolic cages was conducted to evaluate the voluntary intake of dried woody leaves and the dry matter digestibility of diets containing these dried leaves. Preferences varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) according to the woody species. Based on relative intake values, sheep preferred, in decreasing order, the leaves of M. indica, B. sapida, K. senegalensis, G. arborea, A. senegalensis, and C. sieberiana. The apparent digestibility of dry matter was highest (p ≤ 0.01) in the G. arborea diet (86.8%); all diets presented a value higher than 70%. This study provided helpful information about better resource utilization to improve animal productivity. Further study could evaluate the growth performance of sheep supplemented with tree fodder.

Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites and Carcass Characteristics of Black Goat Kids Fed Diets Containing Olive Cake.

This study investigated the dietary effect of incorporating different levels of olive cake (OC) on the metabolic responses, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of black goat male kids. Thirty kids (body weight = 17.3 ± 0.40 kg) were randomly distributed into one of three equally sized dietary groups: a control diet (CON), OC at 75 g/kg (OC75), and OC at 150 g/kg (OC150) of dietary dry matter (DM). The results revealed that the intake of DM, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) was similar (p ≥ 0.11) among the three treatment groups. However, the OC150 group had the greatest (p < 0.0001) ether extract (EE) intake compared to the OC75 and CON groups. The growth measurements were similar (p ≥ 0.13) among the three groups. Feed efficiency was not affected by the inclusion of OC. In contrast to the CON diet, the cost of gain was, however, reduced (p = 0.004) in the OC diets. All three treatment groups' digestibility of DM, CP, and ADF was similar. However, when compared to the OC75 and CON groups, the digestibility of NDF was better (p < 0.05) in the OC150 group. The N intake did not differ among the three experimental groups. Nitrogen retained as g/d was higher (p = 0.04) in the OC150 and OC75 groups compared to the CON group, while retention as a percentage (g/100 g) was similar among the three groups. Except for intermuscular fat, total fat, leg fat depth, and tissue depth, the inclusion of OC did not result in any discernible treatment effects on the carcass and meat quality parameters. Only alanine aminotransferase enzyme activity was lower (p < 0.0001) in OC-treated groups compared to the CON group. In summary, incorporating OC at 75 g/kg and 150 g/kg levels into the diets of black goat kids had positive comparable effects on some parameters related to growth performance, carcass attributes, and meat quality. Importantly, utilizing olive cake led to cost savings in production and may serve as a viable alternative feed source in goat nutrition.

Effects of nanoselenium supplementation on lactation performance, nutrient digestion and mammary gland development in dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of nanoselenium (NANO-Se) addition on milk production, milk fatty acid synthesis, the development and metabolism regulation of mammary gland in dairy cows. Forty-eight Holstein dairy cows averaging 720 ± 16.8 kg of body weight, 66.9 ± 3.84 d in milk (dry matter intake [DIM]) and 35.2 ± 1.66 kg/d of milk production were divided into four treatments blocked by DIM and milk yields. Treatments were control group, low-Se (LSe), medium-Se (MSe) and high-Se (HSe) with 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg Se, respectively, from NANO-Se per kg dietary dry matter (DM). Production of energy- and fat-corrected milk (FCM) and milk fat quadratically increased (p < 0.05), while milk lactose yields linearly increased (p < 0.05) with increasing NANO-Se addition. The proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) linearly decreased (p < 0.05), while proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) linearly increased and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) quadratically increased. The digestibility of dietary DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) quadratically increased (p < 0.05). Ruminal pH quadratically decreased (p < 0.01), while total VFA linearly increased (p < 0.05) with increasing NANO-Se addition. The acetic to propionic ratio decreased (p < 0.05) linearly due to the unaltered acetic molar percentage and a quadratical increase in propionic molar percentage. The activity of CMCase, xylanase, cellobiase and pectinase increased linearly (p < 0.05) following NANO-Se addition. The activity of α-amylase increased linearly (p < 0.01) with an increase in NANO-Se dosage. Blood glucose, total protein, estradiol, prolactin, IGF-1 and Se linearly increased (p < 0.05), while urea nitrogen concentration quadratically decreased (p = 0.04). Moreover, the addition of Se at 0.3 mg/kg from NANO-Se promoted (p < 0.05) mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ, SREBP1, ACACA, FASN, SCD, CCNA2, CCND1, PCNA, Bcl-2 and the ratios of p-ACACA/ACACA and BCL2/BAX4, but decreased (p < 0.05) mRNA and protein expressions of Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9. The results suggest that milk production and milk fat synthesis increased by NANO-Se addition by stimulating rumen fermentation, nutrients digestion, gene and protein expressions concerned with milk fat synthesis and mammary gland development.

211 Evaluation of Beef Heifer Variability in the Ability to Eat and Digest a High Forage Diet

Abstract This study evaluated beef heifers selected for high or low digestible fiber intake (DFI) and investigated its relationship with methane production, residual feed intake (RFI), and total tract digestibility. Sixteen recently weaned black Angus beef heifers (n = 8/treatment) were selected from a group 64 heifers (224 ± 17.2 kg) fed a high forage-based diet [70% barley silage:30% pelleted concentrate (DM basis)]. The 64 heifers were fed in 6 outdoor pens equipped with GrowSafe bunks to monitor feed intake for 60 d (14 d adaptation + 46 d for data collection). Individual fecal samples and BW, and feed samples were taken once weekly. Fecal samples were pooled by animal. Feed and fecal samples were analyzed for dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) content. The internal marker uNDF was used to estimate total tract diet DM and NDF digestibility. The 8 heifers with the greatest and the 8 with the least digestible NDF intake (g/kg BW0.75) were selected and used for methane measurements using the GreenFeed system (42 d) and in a total-tract digestibility trial with total fecal and urine collection using the same high forage based diet. Results from the GrowSafe selection trial indicated no differences between the average BW of low and high DFI heifers (264 vs. 274 kg, P = 0.20). Heifers selected for high DFI had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) DM and NDF intake (kg/d or % of BW), and digestibility (49.6 vs. 42.1% NDF digestibility). The heifer groups differed in RFI (P &amp;lt; 0.01), with high DFI categorized as inefficient (+0.84 RFI) and low DFI as efficient (-0.34 RFI). No differences in ADG were observed between low and high DFI heifers during this short 46 d study period (0.614 vs 0.773, P = 0.16). High DFI heifers had lower methane production than low DFI heifers (15.9 vs. 19.0 g/kg of DMI, P = 0.02). The results of the total-tract digestibility trial showed that the high DFI heifers had a greater DMI compared with the low DFI heifers (10.9 vs. 10.2 kg/d; P = 0.04). The DMI intake was not different between groups when expressed as a % of BW (2.06 vs 2.04, P = 0.65). There was also no difference observed for DM digestibility (73.0 vs 73.1%) between the two groups. It is important to note that in the digestibility study, the DMI was less than in the GrowSafe selection trial (2.5 vs 3.2% BW) and this may have influenced results. Heifers with high DFI were heavier than low DFI heifers (533 vs. 505, P = 0.02) during the digestibility trial. Results suggest that selecting heifers for high DFI may increase growth rate and reduce methane production.

Black cumin meal (Nigella sativa) as an alternative feed resource during the suckling period of Awassi ewes: Assessments of performance and health

This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of different Black cumin meal (BCM) dietary treatments during the suckling period on lactating performance and health of multiparous Awassi ewes. We randomly allocated 27 nursing Awassi ewes (4–5 years age; 50.2 ± 1.42 kg body weight) to one of three equally dietary treatments: 1) control diet, no feed BCM (CON), 2) BCM50 diet (50 g/kg of dietary dry matter (DM) and; 3) BCM100 diet (100 g/kg BCM of dietary DM). The results showed that there are no significant differences at P ≥ 0.67 among the three treatment groups in measured parameters like intakes of DM and crude protein (CP). However, the BCM100 group showed greater (P < 0.0001) ether extract (EE) intake compared to both the BCM50 and CON groups and ewes exhibited greater (P < 0.02) metabolizable energy intake in BCM100 and BCM50 groups than the CON group. The digestibility of CP and neutral detergent fiber improved (P < 0.05) in the BCM100 and BCM50 diets compared to the CON diet. The acid detergent fiber digestibility tended to be higher (P = 0.08) in the BCM100 and BCM50 diets compared to the CON diet. However, the digestibility of DM and EE did not show significant differences (P ≥ 0.17) among the three treatment groups. Nitrogen retained as (g/d) and retention as a percentage (g/100 g) were greater (P < 0.01) in the BCM100 and BCM50 diets compared to the CON diet. The final body weight and average daily gain of the lambs in the BCM50 and BCM100 groups increased compared with the CON group (P< 0.02). The BCM100-treated group had greater milk yield per day (P< 0.05) compared to the CON group. The content of fat, protein, lactose, solid-not-fat (SNF), and total solids (TS) % did not differ among the three groups. The BCM100-treated group had higher (P< 0.03) fat and TS milk yields (g/d) compared to the BCM50-treated group and CON group. However, fat and TS milk yields were similar between the BCM50 treatment group and the CON group. The BCM100-treated group had a greater SNF yield per day (P< 0.05) compared to the CON group. However, SNF yields in BCM treatment groups and between BCM50 group and CON group were similar. Moreover, the average protein and lactose yield of milk were significantly higher in the BCM100 diet than CON diet. Feed efficiency tended to be greater in BCM-treated ewes than the CON ewes. Moreover, the cost/kg of milk produced was lower (P < 0.01) in the BCM diets than in the CON diet. Ewes fed a BCM100 had higher energy-corrected milk than other groups. The analysis did not detect differences in the blood serum metabolites in all treatments. In conclusion, this study suggests that dietary inclusion of different levels of BCM showed a positive influence on most lactating characteristics and economic performance for the lambs and lactating Awassi ewes, and could be used as a good alternative feed source in ruminant feeds.

73 Effects of Fatty Acids Sources and Lysophospholipids on Nutrient Digestibility in Lactating Cows

Abstract Fatty acids (FA) are a common supplement for lactating cows to increase energy supply, potentially improving feed efficiency and milk and milk fat yields. However, different FA can cause varying responses probably because of different FA digestibility and interactions with other nutrients (e.g., fibers). Lysophospholipids (LPL) are natural emulsifiers and LPL as a feed additive have shown increases in FA digestibility and nutrient absorption in non-ruminant animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FA sources with LPL supplementation on nutrient digestibility in lactating cows. Mid-lactation cows (n = 48) were allocated into 12 blocks, and cows in each block were randomly assigned to the following dietary treatments:1) a diet with a FA supplement [1.8% of dietary dry matter (DM)] mainly containing palmitic acid (PA); 2) the PA diet with LPL (0.003% of dietary DM); 3) a diet with a FA supplement (1.8% of dietary DM) mainly containing stearic acid (SA); and 4) the SA diet with LPL (0.003% of DM). The experiment was conducted for 6 weeks, and spot samples of feces and urine were collected over 3 days (every 3 hours within a 24-hour cycle) during the last week of the experiment to determine nutrient digestibility and utilization. Data were analyzed using the mixed model with FA source, LPL, and their interaction as fixed effects and block as a random effect. The digestibility of DM, organic matter, and crude protein were not affected by the FA source and no interaction between FA and LPL was observed. However, PA had greater neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (41.4 vs. 38.8%; P = 0.04) than SA with no interaction between the FA source and LPL. In addition, as expected, PA decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) the digestibility of 16-carbon FA compared with SA due to the greater C16:0 supply, and SA decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) that of 18-carbon FA compared with PA due to the greater C18:0 supply. Supplementation of LPL did not affect digestibility of DM, OM, CP, and NDF, but increased total FA digestibility (64.7 vs. 60.5%; P = 0.02) compared with no LPL. In addition, LPL increased 18-carbon FA digestibility (68.2 vs. 74.1%; P &amp;lt; 0.01) compared with no LPL. An interaction between LPL and FA was observed for 16-carbon digestibility because LPL increased 16-carbon digestibility with SA but not with PA. In conclusion, PA supplementation improved fiber digestibility compared with SA, which could be a factor for increased productivity (e.g., milk fat). Supplementation of LPL was effective in increasing FA digestibility and may have potential to increase dietary energy supply or provide a similar energy supply with less dietary fat content in practice. However, more studies are needed to understand different interactions of LPL with FA sources.

Nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in different pig breeds fed raw, sprouted, or roasted (Vigna unguiculata) diets

The study examined effects of feeding iso-nutrient (150 g CP, 17.3 MJ ME kg−1) raw (RCP), sprouted (SPC), or roasted (RSCP) cowpea diets to Windsnyer (W), Large White (LW) × Landrace (LR), and the 3-way crossbred (W × LW × LR) growing pigs. Diet dry matter (DM) digestibility was estimated using standard, 3-step (gastric, small intestines, colon) in vitro digestion. Dietary in vivo nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance were evaluated using 3 weaned pigs of each genotype. Pigs were housed in individual metabolic cages. The diets were assigned to pigs in a 3 × 3 change-over factorial experiment within three balanced, 3 × 3 Latin squares. Feeding periods consisted of 7 days adaption + 5 days’ measurement of feed intake, and the total faecal and urine excretions. The SPC diet increased step 3 in vitro DM digestibility compared to RSCP (P < 0.05). Metabolic size-scaled feed consumption was higher on the RCP compared to the RSCP diet (P < 0.05). Cowpea processing reduced apparent DM and ash digestibility (P < 0.05). LW × LR pigs exhibited lower digestibility of ash and acid detergent fiber (ADF) compared to 3-way crossbred pigs (P < 0.05). Significant genotype-diet interactions were observed for nitrogen intake (P < 0.0001), digestible nitrogen (P = 0.043), urinary nitrogen output (P < 0.0001), faecal nitrogen output (P < 0.0001), total nitrogen excretion (P < 0.0001), and nitrogen retention (P < 0.001). The biological value of feed protein was higher for W pigs than 3-way crossbred pigs (P < 0.05). Genotype-diet interactions suggested unique digestive and, or metabolic adaptive traits in the utilization of the differently processed cowpeas, which need further investigation.

Dietary supplementation of sodium butyrate enhances lactation performance by promoting nutrient digestion and mammary gland development in dairy cows

This experiment was to evaluate the influence of sodium butyrate (SB) addition on milk production, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestion, and the development and metabolism regulation of the mammary gland in dairy cows. Forty Holstein dairy cows averaging 710 ± 18.5 kg body weight, 72.8 ± 3.66 d in milk (DIM), and 41.4 ± 1.42 kg/d milk production were divided into four treatments blocked by DIM and milk production. Treatments were control group, low SB, medium SB, and high SB with 0, 100, 200 and 300 g/d of SB addition per cow, respectively. The study lasted for 105 d. Production of milk, milk protein and lactose quadratically increased (P < 0.05), while fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk and milk fat yields linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing SB addition. The digestibility of dietary dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein linearly increased (P < 0.05), whereas the digestibility of ether extract, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre quadratically increased (P < 0.05). Ruminal pH quadratically decreased (P = 0.04), while total volatile fatty acids (VFA) quadratically increased (P = 0.03) with increasing SB addition. The acetic acid to propionic acid ratio increased (P = 0.03) linearly due to the unaltered acetic acid molar percentage and a linear decrease in propionic acid molar percentage. Ruminal enzymatic activity of carboxymethyl-cellulase and α-amylase, populations of total bacteria, total anaerobic fungi, total protozoa, Ruminococcus albus, R. flavefaciens, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Fibrobacter succinogenes, and Ruminobacter amylophilus linearly increased (P < 0.05). Blood glucose, urea nitrogen, and non-esterified fatty acids linearly decreased (P < 0.05), while total protein concentration linearly increased (P = 0.04). Moreover, the addition of SB at 200 g/d promoted (P < 0.05) mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ, SREBF1, ACACA, FASN, SCD, CCNA2, CCND1, PCNA, Bcl-2, GPR41, and the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR, but decreased (P < 0.05) mRNA and protein expressions of Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9. The results suggest that milk production and milk fat synthesis increased with SB addition by stimulating rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion, gene and protein expressions concerned with milk fat synthesis and mammary gland development.

Comparison of rumen and abomasal infusions of an exogenous emulsifier on fatty acid digestibility of lactating dairy cows

We evaluated the effects of infusing an exogenous emulsifier (polysorbates-C18:1) either into the rumen or abomasum on fatty acid (FA) digestibility and production responses of lactating dairy cows. Nine ruminally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows (170 ± 13.6 d in milk) were assigned to a treatment sequence in replicated 3 × 3 Latin squares with 18-d periods consisting of 7 d of washout and 11 d of infusion. Treatments were abomasal infusions of water carrier only into the rumen and abomasum (control, CON), 30 g/d polysorbate-C18:1 (T80) infused into the rumen (RUM), or 30 g/d T80 infused into the abomasum (ABO). Emulsifiers were dissolved in water and delivered at 6-h intervals (total daily infusion was divided into 4 equal infusions per day). Cows were fed the same diet that contained [% diet dry matter (DM)] 32.2% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 16.1% crude protein, 26.5% starch, and 3.41% FA (including 1.96% FA from a saturated FA supplement containing 28.0% C16:0 and 54.6% C18:0). Two orthogonal contrasts were evaluated: (1) the overall effect of T80 {CON vs. average of the T80 infusions [1/2 (ABO + RUM)]}, and (2) the effect of ABO versus RUM infusion. Compared with CON, infusing T80 increased the digestibilities of NDF (2.85 percentage units), total (4.35 percentage units), 16-carbon (3.25 percentage units), and 18-carbon FA (4.60 percentage units), and tended to increase DM digestibility and total and 18-carbon FA absorption. Compared with RUM, ABO decreased the intakes of total (28 g/d), 16-carbon (7 g/d), and 18-carbon FA (19 g/d); tended to increase the digestibility of total and 18-carbon FA; and had no effect on the absorption of total, 16-carbon, or 18-carbon FA. Production responses did not change among our treatments. In conclusion, infusing 30 g/d polysorbates-C18:1 increased NDF and total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA digestibility. Compared with RUM, ABO tended to increase the digestibilities of total and 18-carbon FA; however, this may be related to the fact that ABO reduced the intakes of total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA, not necessarily due to better emulsifying action per se. In summary, ABO and RUM both improved FA absorption.

Effect of substituting maize silage with fresh or ensiled sugar beets on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and microbial synthesis, and enteric methane emission in dairy cows

This study aimed to 1) examine nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and microbial synthesis, and enteric methane emission when feeding diets high in sugar content provided as freshly stored or ensiled sugar beets to dairy cows, and 2) to evaluate the methane mitigation potential of ensiled sugar beets with different nutrient composition (sugar vs. alcohol) by use of an additive during ensiling. Four rumen, duodenal and ileal fistulated Danish Holstein dairy cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Maize silage was included in the control diet (CON) and was partially replaced in the experimental diets with either freshly stored sugar beets (SBF), ensiled beets with ensiling additive (SBE+), or ensiled beets without ensiling additive (SBE−) at 196 g/kg dietary dry matter (DM) content. Cows adapted to the diets for 11 d, after which rumen liquid and digesta were collected over 5 d, and gas exchange was measured in respiration chambers over the next 5 d. Dry matter intake (DMI), daily methane production, and methane per kg organic matter (OM) intake, rumen digested OM, and energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield were unaffected by diet. Methane per kg DMI (tendency) and per kg OM intake was lower for SBE– compared to SBF. Nutrient digestibility of DM, OM, starch, and neutral detergent fibre in different sections of the digestive tract were unaffected by diet. Molar proportion of acetate in rumen liquid decreased for ensiled sugar beet diets relative to CON, while molar proportions of propionate and acetate-to-propionate ratio remained unaffected. Molar proportion of butyrate was higher for SBE+ than CON. Microbial crude protein synthesis and microbial efficiency were unaffected by diet. Milk yield and ECM yield (tendency) were lower for SBE+ than CON. In conclusion, freshly stored sugar beets and sugar beets ensiled with or without additive, can replace maize silage in dairy cattle rations without adverse effects on DMI, rumen fermentation, and nutrient digestibility, and without altering most expressions of methane emissions, but methane per kg of OM intake was lower for beets ensiled without additive compared to freshly stored beets. The ECM yield, however, tends to be lowered for ensiled beets with additive.

Methane emission, intake, digestibility, performance and blood metabolites in sheep supplemented with cupuassu and tucuma cake in the eastern Amazon.

The use of co-products as a feed supplement for ruminants makes livestock sustainable and optimizes the use of available areas and animal performance. Furthermore, when cakes are used, the residual fat composition can influence ruminal metabolism and methane (CH4) production. This study aimed to assess the effects of a diet containing cupuassu (CUP; Theobroma grandiflorum) and tucuma (TUC; Astrocaryum vulgare Mart.) cakes on intake, digestibility, serum metabolites, performance, and CH4 emissions in confined sheep in the Amazon. Approximately 28 animals, Dorper-Santa Inês, castrated, with an average initial live weight (ILW) of 35 ± 2.3 kg, were distributed in metabolic cages, in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and seven replications: (1) Control (C40), without the addition of Amazonian cake and with 40 g of ether extract (EE)/kg of dietary dry matter (DM); (2) CUP, the inclusion of the CUP cake and 70 g of EE/kg; (3) TUC, the inclusion of the TUC cake and 70 g of EE/kg; and (4) Control (C80), without the addition of Amazonian cake and with 80 g of EE/kg of dietary DM, with roughage to concentrate ratio of 40:60. The use of the TUC cake as a feed supplement reduced the intake of DM, crude protein (CP), and EE compared to the inclusion of the CUP cake (p < 0.05); however, it increased the intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) by 32% (p < 0.01). The highest averages of DM (732 g/kg) and CP (743 g/kg) digestibility were presented in C40, while the highest digestibility of NDF was presented in TUC (590 g/kg). Albumin levels stayed above and protein levels were below the reference values, and the C40 diet also obtained below results for cholesterol, triglycerides and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) (P < 0.05). Sheep fed CUP (91 g) and TUC (45 g) had lower daily weight gains (DWGs) than those fed with diets without the inclusion of cakes (C40 = 119 g; C80 = 148 g), and feed efficiency (FE) was also lower in CUP (84) and TUC (60) diets than in C40 (119) and C80 (137) diets. CH4 emissions were lower in animals fed TUC (26 L/day) and higher in C40 (35 L/day); however, TUC resulted in higher CH4 emissions in grams/body live weight (BW) gain/day (353 g/BW/day) vs. 183 g/BW/day (C40), 157 g/BW/day (C80), and 221 g/BW/day (CUP). The supplementation with cakes did not improve intake, digestibility and performance, did not compromise blood metabolites and did not reduce the enteric CH4 emission in confined sheep in the Amazon; however, the use of CUP cake showed similar results to the control treatments and did not increase CH4 emissions, as occurred with the inclusion of TUC cake.

Effects of coated folic acid and coated methionine on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in Simmental bulls

In one-carbon metabolism, methionine (Met) is methyl donor and folic acid (FA) is responsible for the transfer of methyl groups. Approximately 25 % of coated methionine (CMet) and coated folic acid (CFA) released in the rumen at 24 h of incubation. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of CMet or/and CFA on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in bulls. Forty Simmental bulls, 464 ± 15.9 kg of body weight (BW), were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to four groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatment, with factors being CFA 0 or 6 mg FA/kg dietary dry matter (DM) and CMet 0 or 0.66 g Met/kg dietary DM. The experiment period was 81 days long with 20 days for adaptation and 61 days for data and sample collection. Dry matter intake increased (P = 0.001) with CFA or CMet addition. The CFA × CMet interaction was noticed on average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.001) and feed conversion ratio (FCR; P = 0.020); the improvements in ADG and FCR were greater for supplementing CMet in diets with CFA than in diets without CFA. The digestibility of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased (P < 0.050) with CFA or CMet addition. When CMet was supplemented, crude protein digestibility increased in CFA diets and was unchanged in diets without CFA. Ruminal pH decreased (P < 0.050), but total volatile fatty acid concentration increased (P < 0.050) with CFA or CMet addition. Acetate to propionate ratio was unchanged with CFA addition, but decreased (P = 0.039) with CMet addition. Rumen ammonia-N concentration decreased (P < 0.050) for either CFA or CMet addition. The activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, protease, α-amylase and cellobiase and populations of protozoa, total bacteria, fungi, dominant cellulolytic bacteria, Ruminobacter amylophilus and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens increased (P < 0.050) with CFA or CMet supplementation. The CFA × CMet interaction was noticed on Ruminococcus albus population (P = 0.014); when CMet was supplemented, R. albus population increased for diets without CFA and was unchanged for diets with CFA. The activities of chymotrypsin in duodenum increased (P < 0.050) with CFA or CMet supplementation, and that of amylopsin and trypsin in ileum increased (P < 0.050) for bulls receiving CFA addition. The concentrations of glucose, albumin and urea nitrogen in blood were unchanged and homocysteine decreased (P < 0.050) with CFA or CMet supplementation. The CFA × CMet interaction was noticed on blood total protein concentration (P = 0.045); when CMet was added, blood total protein concentration increased for diets without CFA and was unchanged for diets with CFA. The concentration of folate in blood increased (P = 0.001) for CFA addition. The concentration of Met increased (P = 0.002) for CMet supplementation. The results indicated that dietary CFA or/and CMet supplementation improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation, and the greatest daily gain was observed for combined addition of CFA and CMet in bulls.

PSII-B-18 Açai Seed as Fiber Source on Intake, Digestibility and Ruminal Parameters in Zebu Beef Cattle fed a High Concentrate Diet

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate the effects of açaí seed (AS) as a fiber source on intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation parameters of beef cattle fed a high concentrate diet. Five rumen-fistulated Zebu bulls were used in a 5x5 Latin-square design. Treatments consisted of five diets with different inclusion rates of AS: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% of the diet dry matter (DM). The total mixed ration contained 75% of concentrate and 25% of roughage. Mombasa grass silage and AS were used as the roughage sources. The concentrate portion of the diet contained cracked corn (61.8%), soybean meal (8%) and vitamin/mineral premix (5.2% of DM). Each experimental period lasted 25 d and the last 11 d were used for data collection. Total fecal collections were performed over three days. Titanium dioxide was used to estimate the omasal outflow. Statistical significance was declared at P &amp;lt; 0.05, and tendency at 0.05 &amp;gt; P &amp;lt; 0.10. A linear increase was observed for DM (P= 0.07), organic matter (P &amp;lt; 0.05), crude protein (CP, P &amp;lt; 0.05), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake with the inclusion rate of AS. Intake was greatest in bulls receiving diets containing 20% AS. A linear decrease (P&amp;lt; 0.05) in NDF digestibility was detected with the inclusion rate of AS. DM, CP digestibility, and metabolic energy were similar across treatments (P &amp;gt; 0.10). Ruminal and intestinal DM and nutrient digestibility were similar between the treatments (P &amp;gt; 0.10). Rumen concentrations of acetic acid increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and total short-chain fatty acids (P = 0.07) and butyrate (P = 0.08) tended to increase linearly with the inclusion of AS. Açaí seed as a source of fiber in confined Zebu bulls diets alters DM intake and rumen fermentation but has no impact on total tract DM digestibility.

Probiotic effect of ferulic acid esterase-producing Lactobacillus plantarum inoculated alfalfa silage on digestion, antioxidant, and immunity status of lactating dairy goats.

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effects of inoculating alfalfa silage with a ferulic acid esterase-producing inoculum on feed digestibility, rumen fermentation, antioxidant, and immunity status of lactating dairy goats. Twenty dairy goats were distributed into 2 experimental groups consisting of control diet (Lp MTD/1, including Lactobacillus plantarum MTD/1 inoculated silage) against diet containing silage treated with ferulic acid esterase-producing L. plantarum A1 (Lp A1). Alfalfa silage inoculated with a ferulic acid esterase-producing Lp A1 had better fermentation quality than the Lp MTD/1 inoculation. The application of Lp A1 improved silage antioxidant capacity as indicated by greater total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in Lp A1 treated silage versus Lp MTD/1 treatment. Compared with Lp MTD/1 treated group, inoculation of silage with Lp A1 increased apparent total tract digestibility of dietary dry matter, organic matter and crude protein, and ruminal concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, acetate, propionate and isobutyrate as well. The results of current study also demonstrated improved antioxidant capacity and immune performance of dairy goats with Lp A1 inoculation. Feeding Lp A1-treated silage increased dairy goats' serum antioxidase activity, such as T-AOC, SOD, GSH-Px and catalase, and the serum concentration of immunoglobulin A, while decreased tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6. In addition, compared with Lp MTD/1, diet containing alfalfa silage inoculated with Lp A1 endowed dairy goats' milk with greater fat and protein contents, improved dairy goat milk quality without affecting feed efficiency.

PSVII-11 Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Prototype Maintained Growth in Finishing Pigs Fed Diets with Reduced Energy and Protein

Abstract During warm summer months, dietary intake levels of finishing pigs can drastically decrease, which may impact overall growth performance through macronutrient insufficiencies resulting from decreased intake. The goal of this 77-d finishing pig trial was to investigate the inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation prototype (SCFP) in diets with reduced nutrient content on growth performance. A total of 44 pens (237 finishing gilts and barrows) were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: CON formulated in 4 diet phases using corn, soybean meal, and DDGS, CON+ where 1% SCFP was added, and RED5+ and RED8+ where protein, amino acids, and energy were reduced 5% and 8%, respectively with the inclusion of soy hulls plus 1% SCFP. Dietary NDF was 16% and 17.5% in RED5+ and RED8+, respectively and 13% in CON and CON+. Pigs and feeders were weighed every 2 weeks; data were analyzed as a completely random design with pens as the experimental unit. In d28-d42, gain:feed ratio (G:F) was lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in RED8+ and RED5+ pigs than CON and CON+, and in d42-d56 G:F was lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in RED5+ than CON+ with CON and RED8+ intermediate. In d56-d70, average daily gain and BW were reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in RED8+ pigs than CON, and G:F was less (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in RED8+ than CON and CON+. In all other weigh periods, BW was similar across all groups. There was no difference in dry matter digestibility of diets in any phase. The similar growth and feed intake between CON, CON+, and RED5+ pigs suggest that the SCFP may provide a nutrient uplift by way of enhanced nutrient digestion to offset the 5% reduction in dietary protein and energy.

199 Characterizing Digestion Traits of Corn Bran Products from Corn Wet Milling

Abstract Evaluation of new bran products are necessary for continual improvement of wet milling feeds used by the cattle industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate 3 novel corn bran products from Cargill Corn Milling on rumen fermentation and nutrient digestion in beef cattle. Eight ruminally fistulated beef steers were utilized in a 4×4 replicated Latin Square design with 4 dietary treatments and 4 periods (21 d in length for each period with 14 d of adaptation and 7 d of collection). Four treatment diets were bran products (Bran A/B/C) included at 70% of diet dry matter (DM) with 25% steam flaked corn (SFC), and an internal control (SFC control) diet consisted of 70% SFC and 25% Sweet Bran, with 5% wheat straw in all 4 diets. The SFC control exhibited the greatest DM, organic matter (OM) and starch digestibility (P ≤ 0.06), and the least neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (P &amp;lt; 0.01). When 3 bran products each included at 70%, there was no difference in DM or OM intake and digestibility. Starch and NDF digestibility were greatest (P &amp;lt; 0.01) for bran A fed steers, least for bran C with bran B intermediate. Bran products had minimal effect on energy digestibility, ruminal pH, rumination activity and jugular vein blood parameters. Total ruminal VFAs concentration was greatest (P = 0.04) for SFC control, with no difference among bran A, B and C fed steers. Acetate: Propionate ratio was least (P &amp;lt; 0.01) for SFC control fed steers, greatest for bran A with bran B and C being intermediate. Digestion trait differences existed among different corn bran products, of which feeding bran A resulted in better digestion of starch and NDF, and greater starch content of bran B and C resulted in greater ruminal propionate production.

Feeding of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) enhances the growth performance of lambs

Background and Aim:The high price of conventional diet ingredients led livestock producers to search for alternative feed sources such as faba beans (Vicia faba L.; FB). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding FB on the growth performance of lambs.Materials and Methods:A total of 24 male lambs were distributed randomly into two groups and fed a control diet (CON; n=12) and 200 g/kg FB (FB200; n=12) dietary dry matter (DM). The study lasted for 70 days. The first 7 days were used for acclimatization, followed by 63 days of data collection (i.e., nutrient intake and digestibility and growth performance). A complete randomized design was used for the statistical analysis.Results:The average initial body weight (BW) (20.54±0.798 kg) was similar between the diet treatment groups. Lambs fed the FB200 diet demonstrated higher (p≤0.008) nutrient intake than lambs fed the CON diet. The FB200 diet tended to improve the digestibility of DM, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber more than the CON diet (p≤0.072). Neutral detergent fiber and ether extract digestibility were higher (p<0.05) in lambs fed the FB200 diet than those fed the CON diet. Next, nitrogen retention increased (p<0.05) in lambs fed the FB200 diet compared with the CON diet. Final BW did not differ (p=0.221) between the two groups. However, the average daily gain was higher (p=0.028) in lambs fed the FB200 diet than in lambs fed the CON diet. Furthermore, the cost of gain decreased more (p=0.04) with the FB200 diet than with the CON diet.Conclusion:The results obtained in this study demonstrate the feasibility of using FB in feeding growing lambs, as it was shown to improve growth performance and reduce the cost of diet and gain.

Effects of supplementation rate of an extruded dried distillers' grains cube fed to growing heifers on voluntary intake and digestibility of bermudagrass hay.

Our objectives were to 1) investigate the difference in chemical composition and disappearance kinetics between loose dried distillers' grains (DDG) and extruded DDG cubes and 2) evaluate the effects of supplementation rate of extruded DDG cubes on voluntary dry matter intake (DMI), rate and extent of digestibility, and blood parameters of growing beef heifers offered ad libitum bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay. To characterize the changes in chemical composition during the extrusion process, loose and extruded DDG were evaluated via near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy, and dry matter (DM) disappearance kinetics were evaluated via time point in situ incubations. Extruded DDG cubes had greater (P ≤ 0.01) contents of fat, neutral detergent insoluble crude protein, and total digestible nutrients, but lower (P ≤ 0.01) neutral and acid detergent fiber than loose DDG. Additionally, the DM of extruded DDG cubes was more immediately soluble (P < 0.01), had greater (P < 0.01) effective degradability and lag time, and tended (P = 0.07) to have a greater disappearance rate than loose DDG. In the 29-d supplementation rate study, 23 Charolais-cross heifers were randomly assigned to one of four supplemental treatments: 1) control, no supplement; 2) low, 0.90 kg DDG cubes per d; 3) intermediate, 1.81 kg DDG cubes per d; or 4) high, 3.62 kg DDG cubes per d. Titanium dioxide was used as an external marker to estimate fecal output and particulate passage rate (Kp). Blood was collected from each animal to determine supplementation effects on blood metabolites. Indigestible neutral detergent fiber was used as an internal marker to assess the rate and extent of hay and diet DM digestibility (DMD). Increasing supplementation rate increased Kp and total diet DMI linearly (P < 0.01), yet linearly decreased (P < 0.01) hay DMI. Hay DMD decreased quadratically (P < 0.01), while total diet DMD increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increased DDG cube inclusion. Supplemented heifers had greater (P = 0.07) blood urea nitrogen concentrations than control animals 4 h post-supplementation. Intermediate and high rates of supplementation resulted in lower (P < 0.01) serum nonesterified fatty acid concentrations post-supplementation than control heifers. Concentrations of serum glucose and lactate were greatest (P ≤ 0.06) 8 h post-supplementation. Our results suggest that extruded DDG cubes may be an adequate supplement for cattle consuming moderate-quality forage, and further research is warranted.

Comparison of In Vivo and In Vitro Digestibility in Rabbits.

Simple SummaryWe tested the Ankom DaisyII Incubator as an alternative to the in vivo procedures for measuring the in vitro dry matter digestibility of diets for rabbits. The results were variable according to the methods. Among those tested in the trial, the enzymatic one was more effective than those based on fecal inocula. We conclude that the Ankom DaisyII Incubator can be used to estimate the in vivo dry matter digestibility of rabbit diets, but the choice of the method proved to be fundamental for the reproducibility of results.The apparent dry matter digestibility of diets for rabbits was measured in vivo (ADMDvv) and in vitro with the Ankom DaisyII Incubator. Four diets were tested: low fiber (LF), LF + 5% of pregerminated fenugreek seeds (PGFS) (LF5), LF + 10% PGFS (LF10), and high fiber (HF). For the ADMDvv, feces samples were collected from 56 White New-Zealand × Californian rabbits fed the 4 diets; animals were randomly allocated into 4 groups and housed in individual cages. For the in vitro trial, 3 methods were tested: fecal inoculum (FA) with Kansans State buffer; fecal inoculum with artificial saliva (FB); and multienzyme (ENZ). Fecal inocula were collected at slaughtering from the distal colon of rabbits fed ad libitum the LF diet. For FA and FB methods, the digestibility was measured at 36 and 48 h. The in vitro methods ranked the apparent dry matter digestibility of diets in the same order as in vivo, but ENZ values were always higher than FA and FB at 36 and 48 h. The prediction equations of in vivo digestibility with the ENZ method showed higher coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.69) and lower SE (0.190) than FA and FB; also, reproducibility was higher with ENZ (CV = 3.1%). In conclusion, different methods can be applied to the Ankom DaisyII Incubator to study the digestibility in rabbits. In our trial, the better reproducibility was observed with the multienzyme method than FA and FB were probably related to the variability of inocula.

PSVI-13 Changes in the taxonomic composition of the rumen of ruminants when introducing fat components into the diet

Abstract Fats are concentrated energy sources for cattle growth, but their inclusion in the diet has a huge impact on the taxonomic composition of the rumen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental linseed oil administration (3% of dry matter (DM) diet) on microbiota and DM digestibility in the rumen. The studies carried out on Kazakh white-headed bull calves, aged 15 months, with chronic rumen fistula (diet - 70% grassland hay, 30% barley grain). Dietary dry matter digestibility (in-vitro in an artificial rumen system, for 24 hours) analyzed daily for 10 days, and microflora (fluid-bound) analyzed using high-throughput 16SrRNA gene sequencing (Illumina). Inclusion of LO showed a slight 3.5% increase in DM digestibility compared to C (52.0% versus 53.9%). The taxonomic composition of the rumen microbiocenosis in group C was mainly represented by the phylum Firmicutes (54.7%) and Bacteroidetes (39.3%), while other phylum numbers were less than 2%. When LO was injected, the dominance of phylum Bacteroidetes (64.2%), phylum Firmicutes (19.3%), and Verrucomicrobia (5.3%) was noted. The calculation of the Shannon index showed an increase in species diversity in the group that received LO. It was H’= 0.76, while in CH’= 0.42. The Simpson dominance index in group C was 0.44, in the group receiving LOD = 0.54. The obtained data show a positive effect. The linseed oil allow to increase the biodiversity of the rumen microbiome and the digestibility of DM feed, which can be used in fattening young cattle. This research performed with financial support from the project 0761-2019-0005.