Fecal Fiber Research Articles

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in young and middle aged patients

Objective To explore the clinical features of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)in young and middle-aged patients.Methods The clinical data of 81 young and middle-aged patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by NSAIDs were retrospectively analyzed.Results All patients,taking NSAIDs within two weeks,diagnosed by fecal occult blood and fiber gastroscope.18 cases(22.2％)complicated with abdominal pain.53 cases (65.4％)addicted to coffee or sour-spicy food.48 cases(59.3％)smoked.Conclusions Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by NSAIDs in young and middle-aged people is occult onset and has mild clinical symptoms and unobvious signs.Clinicians and pharmacists should pay attention to it. Key words: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ; Young and middle-aged people ; Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Passage kinetics of 13C-labeled corn silage components through the gastrointestinal tract of dairy cows

Fractional passage rates form a fundamental element within modern feed evaluation systems for ruminants but knowledge on feed type and feed component specific passage rates are largely lacking. This study describes the use of carbon stable isotopes (13C) to assess component-specific passage kinetics of 6 intrinsically 13C-labeled corn silages varying in quality (2 cultivars×3 maturity stages) in a 6×6 Latin square design using 6 rumen-fistulated lactating dairy cows. An increase in maturity increased starch and decreased neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents of corn silages. Passage kinetics were assessed for an external (chromium mordanted fiber; Cr-NDF) and an internal marker (13C isotopes) collected in feces and omasal digesta. The best fit was obtained with a deterministic multicompartmental model compared with stochastic Gn and GnG1 models with increasing order of age dependency (n=1 to 5) for both sampling sites. The Cr-NDF marker yielded higher rumen fractional passage rates (K1) than did 13C in the dry matter (13CDM) in feces (0.042/h vs. 0.023/h). Omasal marker excretion patterns support the conclusions based on conventional fecal marker excretions. Component-specific passage was assessed for acid detergent fiber (13CADF) in feces and for starch (13CST) in omasal digesta. The fractional passage rate based on fecal 13CDM and 13CADF did not differ. Omasal 13CST provided higher K1 values (0.042/h) than omasal 13CDM (0.034/h) but lower values than omasal Cr-NDF (0.051/h). Fractional passage rates from the proximal colon-cecum (K2) based on fecal marker concentrations showed trends similar to K1, with Cr-NDF providing a value (0.425/h) more than twice as high as that of 13CDM (0.179/h) and 13CADF (0.128/h). Total mean retention time in the gastrointestinal tract was approximately double for 13CDM (64.1h) and 13CADF (77.6h) compared with Cr-NDF (36.4h). Corn silage quality did not affect any of the estimated passage kinetic parameters. In situ fractional degradation rates did not differ among corn silages, except for a decreased fractional degradation rate of starch with advancing maturity. Results indicate that isotope labeling allows assessment of component-specific passage kinetics of carbohydrate fractions in corn silage.

Effects of straw treatment and nitrogen supplementation on digestibility, intake and physiological responses of water intake as well as urine and faecal characteristics

This study investigates the effects of feeding diet based on untreated (UT) or ensiled alkali-treated (ET) barley straw with either urea or casein supplementation, on feed intake, digestibility, ruminal pH, water intake and faecal and urinary characteristics. Four sheep fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a 4×4 Latin square design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Barley straw was treated by the dry (spraying) method in pH adjusted of hydrogen peroxide (pH 11.5), ensiled for 6weeks and included at 65% of the diet dry matter (DM). The results showed that straw pH reduced from 11.58 to 8.60 after 6weeks of ensilage. The ET diet increased average DM digestibility and intake by 19% and 43% respectively. Total water intake was similar across treatments, while the water/DM intake ratio was 23% higher with the UT diet than with the ET one. Ruminal (6.73 vs. 6.84) and faecal (8.67 vs. 9.05) pH decreased but urinary pH (6.14 vs. 8.13) increased as a result of feeding animals on the ET diet compared with the UT diet. Compared with the UT diet, the ET one decreased faecal fibre (12%), moisture (32%) and water holding capacity, while it increased faecal ash (10%) and density (20%). The volume of urine excreted by the sheep fed with the ET diet increased by 67%, but their urine specific gravity (SG) decreased. No significant effects were observed for the dietary N supplementation and interactions between straw type×N supplementation with regard to any of the measured characteristics except for DM intake, which reduced due to the casein supplementation in the ET diet. These results indicate that the alkali treatment and ensilage of barley straw increased digestibility, intake, faecal consistency and urinary pH and dilution but decreased straw alkalinity as well as ruminal and faecal pH.

Fibre analysis and fibre digestibility in pet foods – a comparison of total dietary fibre, neutral and acid detergent fibre and crude fibre*

Six dry dog foods and six dry cat foods with different carbohydrate sources were investigated in digestion trials. Food and faecal samples were analysed for CF, TDF and starch. In dogs, also neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom) and acid detergent fibre (ADFom) were analysed. N-free extract (NfE) was calculated for CF, and similarly for all other fibre analyses. Linear regressions were calculated between fibre intake and faecal fibre excretion. True digestibility was calculated from the regression coefficients [true digestibility in % = (1 - regression coefficient)*100], with the intercept of the equation representing excretion of material of non-food origin. Crude fibre analyses gave the lowest values, and TDF the highest, while ADFom and aNDFom were in between. Variation between diets was lowest in CF and highest in TDF. Total dietary fibre, aNDFom and ADFom in food were positively correlated. Crude fibre in food did not correlate with any other method. The NfE analogue for TDF was closest to the starch content. Methods of fibre analyses in faeces did not agree very well with each other. Crude fibre had the lowest apparent digestibility, followed by ADFom, TDF and aNDFom. For all fibre analyses, there was a significant correlation between fibre intake and faecal fibre excretion. True digestibility was close to zero for CF, with a high uniformity in both species. In dogs, true digestibility of aNDFom was 53%, of ADFom 26% and of TDF 37%; in cats, true digestibility of TDF was 31%. Except for CF, the intercept of the regression equations suggest that faecal excretion of some material of non-food origin is analysed as fibre. A combination of TDF and CF analyses might give good information on the content of total (TDF), unfermentable (CF) and partially fermentable fibre (TDF-CF) in pet foods.

The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 106, 1976: Decreased absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus by humans due to increased fiber and phosphorus consumption as wheat bread.

During a 20 day period of high fiber consumption in the form of bread made partly from wheaten wholemeal, two men developed negative balances of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus due to increased fecal excretion of each element. The fecal losses correlated closely with fecal dry matter and phosphorus. Fecal dry matter, in turn, was directly proportional to fecal fiber excretion. Balances of nitrogen remained positive. Mineral elements were well-utilized by the same subjects during a 20 day period of white bread consumption.

Technical note: Effects of forage protein-binding polyphenols on chemistry of dairy excreta

Forage chemistry can affect intake, digestion, milk production, and manure excretion. Although information is available on the effects of forage protein-binding polyphenols on small ruminant production and manure excretion, little information is available for dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to compare fecal and urinary N excretion of diets formulated with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage versus condensed tannin-containing birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) or o-quinone-containing red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) silages. Significantly higher concentrations of N were excreted in urine by lactating Holstein dairy cows fed red clover and low-tannin birdsfoot trefoil (8.2g/L) than by cows fed high-tannin birdsfoot trefoil or alfalfa (7.1g/L). Fecal N concentrations were similar (33.6 g/kg) among all diets. Dairy cows fed red clover had lower rates of urinary N excretion (5.0 g/h) compared with other forages (6.6 g/h). Fecal N excretion rates were lowest for red clover (4.1 g/h), intermediate for alfalfa (5.8 g/h), and greatest for cows fed high- and low-tannin birdsfoot trefoil (6.4 g/h). The ratio of fecal N to urinary N was highest for high-tannin trefoil, lowest for alfalfa and red clover, and higher in excreta collected in morning than evening. Concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in feces, of N in NDF (NDIN) and acid detergent fiber (ADIN), and relative amounts of NDIN and ADIN excreted in feces were significantly higher from cows fed high-tannin birdsfoot trefoil than the other silage types. Study results imply that collection of excreta for environmental studies needs to consider forage polyphenol and diurnal effects on chemistry of dairy excreta.

매생이 추출물이 흰주의 간장조직과 분변 중의 콜레스테롤 함량에 미치는 영향

We investigated the effect of a green seaweed Capsosiphon fulvescens extract (CFE) on the serum, liver tissue, and fecal cholesterol levels in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (four weeks old) were given on of three diets for four weeks: basal, high cholesterol, and CFE, The total serum and liver tissue cholesterol levels in the CFE group were significantly decreased compared to those in the cholesterol group. The CFE group showed increased amounts of feces, total fecal bile acid and dietary fiber as compared to basal and cholesterol group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed fat droplets in the livers of the rats in the cholesterol group; however, a decreased number of droplets was observed in the rats fed the CFE diet. Our results suggest that CFE supplementation may improve lipid metabolism, by controling serum and liver tissue cholesterol levels, and by increasing the total amounts of bile acid, dietary fiber and cholesterol excretion in feces.

Comparing Protein and Energy Status of Winter-Fed White-Tailed Deer

Although nutritional status in response to controlled feeding trials has been extensively studied in captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), there remains a considerable gap in understanding the influence of variable supplemental feeding protocols on free-ranging deer. Consequently, across the northern portion of the white-tailed deer range, numerous property managers are investing substantial resources into winter supplemental-feeding programs without adequate tools to assess the nutritional status of their populations. We studied the influence of a supplemental winter feeding gradient on the protein and energy status of free-ranging white-tailed deer in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. We collected blood and fecal samples from 31 captured fawns across 3 sites that varied considerably in the frequency, quantity, and method of supplemental feed distribution. To facilitate population-wide comparisons, we collected fresh fecal samples off the snow at each of the 3 sites with supplemental feeding and 1 reference site where no feeding occurred. Results indicated that the method of feed distribution, in addition to quantity and frequency, can affect the nutritional status of deer. The least intensively fed population showed considerable overlap in diet quality with the unfed population in a principal components ordination, despite the substantial time and financial resources invested in the feeding program. Data from fecal samples generally denoted a gradient in diet quality and digestibility that corresponded with the availability of supplements. Our results further demonstrated that fecal nitrogen and fecal fiber, indices of dietary protein and digestibility, can be estimated using regressions of fecal pellet mass, enabling a rapid qualitative assessment of diet quality.

Fiber and Lignin Analysis in Concentrate, Forage, and Feces: Detergent Versus Enzymatic-Chemical Method

Hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin contents of contrasting feeds, with emphasis on concentrate ingredients and complete concentrates, were analyzed using the Van Soest detergent procedure (analyzing neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin) and the enzymatic-chemical procedure (analyzing cellulose, soluble and insoluble noncellulosic polysaccharides, and Klason lignin). Also, feces from cows fed concentrates differing in carbohydrate composition were analyzed by the 2 procedures. The correlation between acid detergent lignin and Klason lignin was significant, but not as close as the one between individual structural polysaccharides measured with the 2 procedures. The correlation between the results of the 2 procedures was highly significant for apparent cellulose digestibility, as were the correlations between digestibilities of hemicelluloses with total as well as with insoluble noncellulosic polysaccharides. The relationship between dietary lignin content and fiber digestibility was weak. The exclusion of a group of cows fed a concentrate with apple pulp, however, improved the respective correlations. Klason lignin correlated more closely with the measured fiber digestibility than acid detergent lignin. The study showed that results of the detergent method were comparable to those of the enzymatic-chemical method with cellulose, hemicelluloses, and their digestibilities. However, acid detergent lignin was much lower than Klason lignin. When the carbohydrate composition of concentrate varied widely, lignin was not suitable for the prediction of fiber digestibility.

Inflammatory processes in a murine model of intra-abdominal abscess formation.

Abscess formation has been viewed as a host defense strategy to contain the spread of infection. However, abscesses are also serious and life-threatening manifestations of persisting microbial infection. The initiation of abscess formation, both clinically and experimentally, involves the release of bacteria and an abscess-potentiating agent (e.g., fecal fiber or an analog) into a sterile site, with host defense mechanisms being unable to eliminate the infecting organisms. Abscess formation is aided by a combination of factors that share a common feature: impairment of phagocytic killing and hence clearance of microorganisms. These include bacterial virulence factors (e.g., capsule formation, succinic acid production); complement activation by the abscess potentiating agent; fibrin deposition; and microbial sequestration within abscess neutrophils. Recruitment of cells into the peritoneal cavity follows mast cell activation in the pathogenesis of infection: histamine and tumor necrosis factor alpha can be detected in the peritoneal cavity within minutes of challenge with an abscess-inducing mixture. However, the role of mast cells in host defense is made less clear by the finding of diminished abscess formation (but no mortality or increased morbidity) in mast-cell-depleted mice. This may indicate that mast cell products have a role in not only the initiation of an inflammatory response but also the promotion of fibrin deposition and abscess formation.

Preoperative nurse-patient encounter: interview or conversation?

Fractional passage rates form a fundamental element within modern feed evaluation systems for ruminants but knowledge on feed type and feed component specific passage rates are largely lacking. This study describes the use of carbon stable isotopes (13C) to assess component-specific passage kinetics of 6 intrinsically 13C-labeled corn silages varying in quality (2 cultivars × 3 maturity stages) in a 6 × 6 Latin square design using 6 rumen-fistulated lactating dairy cows. An increase in maturity increased starch and decreased neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents of corn silages. Passage kinetics were assessed for an external (chromium mordanted fiber; Cr-NDF) and an internal marker (13C isotopes) collected in feces and omasal digesta. The best fit was obtained with a deterministic multicompartmental model compared with stochastic Gn and GnG1 models with increasing order of age dependency (n = 1 to 5) for both sampling sites. The Cr-NDF marker yielded higher rumen fractional passage rates (K1) than did 13C in the dry matter (13CDM) in feces (0.042/h vs. 0.023/h). Omasal marker excretion patterns support the conclusions based on conventional fecal marker excretions. Component-specific passage was assessed for acid detergent fiber (13CADF) in feces and for starch (13CST) in omasal digesta. The fractional passage rate based on fecal 13CDM and 13CADF did not differ. Omasal 13CST provided higher K1 values (0.042/h) than omasal 13CDM (0.034/h) but lower values than omasal Cr-NDF (0.051/h). Fractional passage rates from the proximal colon-cecum (K2) based on fecal marker concentrations showed trends similar to K1, with Cr-NDF providing a value (0.425/h) more than twice as high as that of 13CDM (0.179/h) and 13CADF (0.128/h). Total mean retention time in the gastrointestinal tract was approximately double for 13CDM (64.1 h) and 13CADF (77.6 h) compared with Cr-NDF (36.4 h). Corn silage quality did not affect any of the estimated passage kinetic parameters. In situ fractional degradation rates did not differ among corn silages, except for a decreased fractional degradation rate of starch with advancing maturity. Results indicate that isotope labeling allows assessment of component-specific passage kinetics of carbohydrate fractions in corn silage.

The effect of the bacterial product, succinic acid, on neutrophil bactericidal activity.

We investigated the effect of succinic acid on neutrophil bactericidal activity in a model of intra-abdominal abscess induced in mice by the peritoneal inoculation of 5 x 10(6) cfu ml-1 E. coli and 5 x 10(8) cfu ml-1 B. fragilis plus 1 mg of bran as faecal fibre analogue. The mean pH of the induced abscesses at week 1 was 6.7, higher than the pH associated with succinic acid inhibitory activity. We therefore determined the effect of succinic acid (0-100 mM) at pH 6.7 on the bactericidal activity of mouse bone marrow-derived neutrophils. Phagocytic killing of Proteus mirabilis by neutrophils was significantly inhibited by 30-100 mM succinic acid at pH 6.7 but there was no significant effect of succinic acid on engulfment of bacteria at this pH. However, significant inhibition of intracellular killing (assayed by adding succinic acid to suspensions of neutrophils which had engulfed bacteria in low serum concentrations but in the absence of succinic acid) was noted at 70 and 100 mM. These results indicate that succinic acid inhibits neutrophil bactericidal activity at a physiological pH, principally through inhibition of intracellular killing mechanisms and therefore contributing to bacterial persistence in this model of abscess formation.

The effect of the bacterial product, succinic acid, on neutrophil bactericidal activity

We investigated the effect of succinic acid on neutrophil bactericidal activity in a model of intra-abdominal abscess induced in mice by the peritoneal inoculation of 5×10 6 cfu ml −1 E. coli and 5×10 8 cfu ml −1 B. fragilis plus 1 mg of bran as faecal fibre analogue. The mean pH of the induced abscesses at week 1 was 6.7, higher than the pH associated with succinic acid inhibitory activity. We therefore determined the effect of succinic acid (0–100 mM) at pH 6.7 on the bactericidal activity of mouse bone marrow-derived neutrophils. Phagocytic killing of Proteus mirabilis by neutrophils was significantly inhibited by 30–100 mM succinic acid at pH 6.7 but there was no significant effect of succinic acid on engulfment of bacteria at this pH. However, significant inhibition of intracellular killing (assayed by adding succinic acid to suspensions of neutrophils which had engulfed bacteria in low serum concentrations but in the absence of succinic acid) was noted at 70 and 100 mM. These results indicate that succinic acid inhibits neutrophil bactericidal activity at a physiological pH, principally through inhibition of intracellular killing mechanisms and therefore contributing to bacterial persistence in this model of abscess formation.

Fecal output, gastrointestinal transit time, frequency of evacuation and apparent excretion rate of dietary fiber in young men given diets containing different levels of dietary fiber.

Five healthy young male subjects were given meals containing different levels of dietary fiber (DF) for one week each, and the effects on the fecal output, gastrointestinal transit time, frequency of evacuation, and apparent excretion rate of dietary fiber in feces were studied. The experiments were conducted twice by varying the subjects and the DF levels. The following results were obtained. 1) With an increase in the intake of DF, feces increased significantly in both wet weight and volume. The fecal specific gravity did not show any clear-cut relation with the intake level of DF. 2) The gastrointestinal transit time tended to shorten in each DF period compared to the DF-free period. However, it did not shorten with an increase in the intake level of DF. 3) Frequency of evacuation tended to be high in any of the DF periods compared to the DF-free period. However, the differences in the intake level of DF produced no changes in the frequency. 4) The DF content in feces increased significantly with an increase in the intake of DF, indicating that the larger the fecal output, the larger the fecal DF content. The apparent mean excretion rate of DF in feces remained in the range of 60-75% throughout the two experimental phases. Residues in feces other than DF increased with an increase in the DF intake. 5) The results obtained here indicate that the DF intake of at least 20 g per day produces 140-150 g of fecal output which can be easily excreted daily by a normal adult person.

Chemical analysis of cell wall and energy digestibility in growing pigs

Ileal and faecal fibre digestibility was studied in pigs, with six diets containing increasing levels (1.5–9%) of beet pulp, alfalfa and wheat bran. The apparent digestibility of fibre was assessed from the crude fibre (CF), the neutral and acid detergent fibre (NDF, ADF) and the non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). The analytical methods employed gave clearly different figures for fibre content in the diets and their respective ileal and faecal residues. Crude fibre, NDF and ADF underestimated fibre degradation in the hindgut by more than 100% when compared with NSP values. Xylose and glucose polymers were the most resistant to digestion. At the ileal level, the NDF overestimated fibre digestibility. Solubilization, particularly of uronic acid residues, anterior to the caecum was apparent. Solubilized NSP glucose, on the other hand, was substantially degraded in the small intestine.

DETERMINATION OF CRYSTALLINITY OF CARBOHYDRATES BY 13C CROSS POLARIZATION/MAGIC ANGLE SPINNING NMR WITH APPLICATIONS TO THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF FORAGES

An NMR technique using solid samples is presented. The relative "crystallinity" of carbohydrates is estimated by the use of a 20 ms delayed contact pulse sequence. There was good agreement between the crystallinity of cellulose determined by the NMR procedure and that estimated by using an acid hydrolysis procedure. The "crystallinity index" (crystallinity relative to that of cellulose powder at 100) of timothy stems increased from seven for samples cut on 30 June to 16 for those cut on 15 July. Mature-weathered timothy stems which were collected in the spring had a "crystallinity index" of 20. The carbohydrate crystallinity index increased from 10 in alfalfa-grass hay to 49 in a sample of fecal fiber from a steer fed this hay indicating that noncrystalline carbohydrate is preferentially digested in the animal. Treatment of fecal fiber with ammonia decreased the crystallinity index. It was concluded that the NMR technique can provide useful information concerning the nature of the carbohydrates in forages. Key words: I3C CP/MAS NMR, delayed contact pulse sequence, crystallinity, carbohydrates

Dietary and hormonal evaluation of men at different risks for prostate cancer: plasma and fecal hormone-nutrient interrelationships

Relationships between dietary nutrients and plasma and fecal estrone, estradiol-17 beta, testosterone, and plasma prolactin concentrations were studied in young Seventh-day Adventist men: 18 nonvegetarians (NVs), 20 lactoovovegetarians (LOVs), and 15 vegans (V). Blood samples and 3-d dietary records were obtained. Contemporaneously collected diet composites and stool samples were analyzed for fiber. Vs and LOVs consumed significantly more fiber than did the omnivores, whereas NVs and LOVs consumed more saturated fatty acids than did Vs. Although plasma steroid-hormone status did not differ, Vs had significantly higher fecal estrogen concentrations than did NVs or LOVs. Plasma prolactin concentrations were significantly higher in NVs and LOVs than in Vs. Significant relationships were observed for the combined groups between dietary and fecal fiber components and fecal, but not plasma, steroid hormones. For the combined groups, prolactin concentrations were positively correlated with saturated fatty acid intake. Further research on the effects of dietary nutrients on endocrine homeostasis in other age groups is warranted.

Dietary and hormonal evaluation of men at different risks for prostate cancer: fiber intake, excretion, and composition, with in vitro evidence for an association between steroid hormones and specific fiber components

Dietary fiber intake and fecal fiber excretion were investigated in 53 Seventh-day Adventist men: 18 nonvegetarians (NVs), 20 lactoovovegetarians (LOVs), and 15 vegans (Vs). Three-day composite diets and stools were analyzed for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, and pectin. In vitro binding of estrone (E1), estradiol-17 beta (E2), and testosterone (T) to a water-insoluble fiber fraction obtained from these diets was correlated with the intake of specific dietary fiber components. Vs consumed and excreted significantly more of all fiber components than did LOVs or NVs. LOVs consumed more of all fiber components (except cellulose) than did omnivores and excreted more NDF, hemicellulose, and cellulose. Dietary lignin was positively correlated with T binding in the V group. There were significant relationships for all groups combined between lignin and water-insoluble fiber binding of E1, E2, and T. Further study is needed to clarify relationships between fiber components, steroid-hormone metabolism, and risk of prostate cancer.

The effect of exogenous factors on prececal nutrient and amino acid absorption, ascertained from swine with ileo-rectal anastomoses. 3. The effect of crude fiber-rich coarse meal supplements to a basic ration

In digestion trials using pigs fitted with ileo-rectal anastomoses and parallel intact pigs the influence of wheat straw meal (WSM) or grass meal (GM) supplemented on two different levels to a basal diet was examined with regard to nutrient and amino acid digestibility resp. absorption. Both roughages reduced, obviously because of their high cell wall contents, nearly at equal amounts and partly significantly the precaecal as well as the total digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, carbohydrates (= crude fibre + NFE), crude fibre and hemicelluloses (arabinose, xylose). By the roughage supplementations the crude protein digestibility at the terminal ileum was less reduced than at the end of the total digestive tract, the starch digestibility was hardly influenced and that of ether extract mostly increased. In comparison with precaecal glucose and fructose digestibilities it could be shown that the anthrone method is not suitable for determinations of the precaecal digestibility of water soluble carbohydrates. Beside these compounds other substances in the ileum digesta must evidently be dyed by anthrone too. The crude protein digestibility and the amino acid absorption were precaecally hardly or not reduced by WSM supplementations, therefore it can be concluded that it is possible to dilute the energy concentration in diets (e.g. for sows) by addition of WSM without impairing protein digestion and amino acid absorption. The GM supplementations, however, impaired protein digestibility and amino acid absorption of the whole diet, probably caused by the encrusted, possibly heat damaged protein present in the GM itself. When the roughage supplemented diets were fed, the excretion of nitrogen compounds in the faeces was enlarged due to the more intensive bacterial activity in the hind gut and the additional sorption effects to cell wall substances, so that a too low apparent and also true digestibility is made believe. The applicability of the difference method to the calculation of protein and amino acid digestibilities in roughages is very questionable because of their low contents and the missing additivity. The crude fibre and hemicellulose digestibility values calculated by the difference method demonstrate for the both roughages--in spite of high standard deviations--that the precaecal digestibility of crude fibre is about zero and that of the hard lignified hemicellulose fraction in contrast to the predominantly endospermic hemicelluloses of the basal diet is very low. The faecal crude fibre and hemicellulose digestibilities of WSM--especially on the lower supplementation levels--are markedly worse than those of GM.

Effect of straw quality and ammonia treatment on voluntary intake, milk yield and degradation characteristics of faecal fibre

ABSTRACTThirty-two Friesian cows in early lactation were given one of tour completely mixed diets based on equal proportions of barley straw and concentrate. Two varieties of barley straws had been identified as varying in degradation characteristics (Corgi and Gerbel) and the straws were either given untreated or treated with anhydrous ammonia. The ad libitum intake for 10 weeks closely reflected degradation characteristics. For Corgi, treated and untreated and Gerbel, treated and untreated the 48·h degradabilities were 71·9, 66·8, 61·9 and 52·2 (g/100 g) respectively. The voluntary intakes of dry matter were 17·1, 14·8, 15·0 and 13·1 (s.e. 0·51) kg/day and average yields of fat-corrected milk for 10 weeks were 26·7, 21·5, 22·6 and 22·4 (s.e. 1·0) kg/day respectively.It was calculated that the differences between actual digestibility and potential degradability were greatest for ammonia-treated straws. Also it was observed that the degradability of faecal dry matter was greater from animals given ammonia-treated straws.