Rumen Degradation Characteristics Research Articles

Assessing Fermentation Quality, Aerobic Stability, In Vitro Digestibility, and Rumen Degradation Characteristics of Silages Mixed with Sweet Sorghum and Aerial Parts of Licorice

Assessing Fermentation Quality, Aerobic Stability, In Vitro Digestibility, and Rumen Degradation Characteristics of Silages Mixed with Sweet Sorghum and Aerial Parts of Licorice

Analysis of Rumen Degradation Characteristics, Attached Microbial Community, and Cellulase Activity Changes of Garlic Skin and Artemisia argyi Stalk.

The purpose of this study was to study the chemical composition, rumen degradation characteristics, surface attached microbial community and cellulase activity of garlic skin (GS) and Artemisia argyi stalk (AS), in order to explain their feeding value. Four 14-month-old healthy Min Dong male goats with permanent rumen fistula were selected as experimental animals. The rumen degradation characteristics of GS and AS were determined by using the nylon bag method, and the bacterial composition, cellulase activity and their relationship on the surface of the two groups were analyzed with high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that in GS and AS, the effective degradation rate (ED) values of dry matter (DM) were 42.53% and 37.12%, the ED values of crude protein (CP) were 37.19% and 43.38%, the ED values of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were 36.83% and 36.23%, and the ED values of acid detergent fiber (ADF) were 33.81% and 34.77%. During rumen degradation, the richness and evenness of bacteria attached to the AS surface were higher. At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were always the main rumen bacteria in the two groups. At the genus level, fiber-degrading bacteria such as Prevotella, Treponema, and Ruminococcus showed higher levels in GS (p < 0.05). Compared with GS, the activity of β-glucosidase (BG enzyme), endo-β-1,4-glucanase (C1 enzyme), exo-β-1,4-glucanase (Cx enzyme) and neutral xylanase (NEX enzyme) attached to AS surface showed a higher trend. Correlation analysis showed that the relative abundance of Succinivibrio and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group was positively correlated with the rumen degradability of nutrients in GS, and the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae R-7_group, Succinivibrio and Ruminococcus was positively correlated with the rumen degradability of nutrients in AS. The conclusion of this study shows that AS has more potential to become ruminant roughage than GS. In addition, this study also revealed the relationship between cellulase activity and bacteria, which provided new information for us to better analyze the effects of GS and AS on the rumen of ruminants and provided an important theoretical basis for the development and utilization of agricultural by-products.

Evaluating Fermentation Quality, Aerobic Stability, and Rumen-Degradation (In Situ) Characteristics of Various Protein-Based Total Mixed Rations.

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate changes in fermentation quality, chemical composition, aerobic stability, anti-nutritional factors, and in situ disappearance characteristics of various protein-based total mixed rations. Soybean meal (control, non-fermented), fermented cottonseed meal (F-CSM), and fermented rapeseed meal (F-RSM) group were used to prepare the TMRs with corn, whole-plant corn silage, corn stalks, wheat bran, and premix. The test groups were inoculated at 50% moisture with Bacillus clausii and Saccharomyces cariocanus and stored aerobically for 60 h. The nylon-bag method was used to measure and study the rumen's nutrient degradation. The pH of all TMRs after 48 h of air exposure was below 4.8, whereas that of the F-CSM and control and F-RSM groups increased to 5.0 and >7.0, respectively. After 8 h of aerobic exposure, the temperatures of all groups significantly increased, and 56 h later, they were 2 °C higher than the surrounding air. The lactic acid concentration in the F-CSM and F-RSM groups increased after 12 h of aerobic exposure and then decreased. The acetic acid concentrations in the fermented groups decreased significantly with the increasing air-exposure time. The yeast population of the TMRs increased to more than 8.0 log10 CFU/g before 72 h of air exposure, followed by a decrease in the population (5.0 log10 CFU/g). After fermentation, the free gossypol (FG) concentration in F-CSM decreased by half and did not change significantly during the air-exposure period. Fermentation with probiotics also reduced the F-RSM's glucosinolate concentration, resulting in a more than 50% detoxification rate. Compared with the F-CSM and F-RSM groups, the effective degradation rates of nutrients in the control group were the lowest, and the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), natural detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) all degraded effectively at rates of 28.4%, 34.5%, 27.8%, and 22.8%, respectively. Fermentation with B. clausii and S. cariocanus could improve the fermentation quality and nutrient composition, decrease the anti-nutritional factor, and increase nutrient degradation of the TMR with cottonseed meal or rapeseed meal as the main protein source, thus achieving detoxification.

Effects of fodder tree leave supplementation for basal rice straw diet on rumen ammonia, pH, and degradation characteristics in sheep

Fodder tree leaves (FTLs) contain high levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals that play a major role in enhancing roughage intake by ruminants, thus improving low-quality roughage utilization. The study sought to measure the rumen degradation characteristics, pH, and ammonia N concentration of sheep fed rice straw (RS) and supplemented with FTLs. Four forest-type rumen-fistulated rams of an average weight of 19.0±1.2 kg were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design. Treatment diets consisted of urea-ammoniated straw (UAS; control), RS+100% Leucaena leucocephala (L), RS+100% Samanea saman (S), and RS+50% L+50% S (LS). Data obtained were subjected to the Glimmix procedure of SAS (2016) and significant means were separated using Tukey’s test at (P&lt;0.05). Treatments differed significantly (P&lt;0.001) in the quantity of readily soluble materials (a), rate of degradation (c), and a potentially degradable fraction (P) with LS recording the highest a, c, and P among the treatments. Ruminal pH and ammonia concentrations differed significantly (P&lt;0.0001) among the treatments. Overall mean rumen pH values obtained ranged from 6.44 in UAS to 6.72 in the S-supplemented diet whereas mean rumen ammonia values ranged from 4.59 mg/100 ml in sheep fed UAS diet to 9.15 mg/L in sheep fed L diet. The pH values obtained imply that the experimental diets could improve rumen fermentation and, hence, serve as good sources of feed for ruminants. The rumen DM degradation values indicated that sufficient amounts of DM would be degraded over a period of time, thus releasing substantial quantities into the small intestines for digestion to provide essential nutrients needed for better animal performance. The rumen ammonia values obtained were higher than the minimum values recommended for optimal microbial activity for animals fed lignocellulosic materials. This indicated that such FTLs could be utilized for moderate animal performance, especially during the dry seasons when natural pastures are qualitatively and quantitatively poor.

Analysis of rumen degradation characteristics of forage crude protein in goat

The quality of feed given to ruminants can be determined from the degradation of nutrient content in the rumen. This study aimed to determine the pattern of forage degradation and the characteristics degradation of crude protein in the rumen using the in sacco method. The study used 4 fistulae kacang goats with an average body weight of 14.57 kg. The forage used consisted of R1: elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), R2: mini elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott), R3: guinea grass (Panicum maximum), and R4: signal grass (Bracharia decumbens). The nylon bag is made of polyester measuring 8x4 cm with a porosity of 40 µm. Feed samples were put into the rumen and incubated for 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The parameters measured were consumption, patterns, and forage degradation characteristics by calculating the values of a, b, c, a+b, lag time, and ED. Determination characteristics of feed degradation in the rumen by in sacco method will be analyzed. The results showed that the characteristics of crude protein degradation had significant differences in fraction values a, b, a+b, and lag time (P&lt;0.05), while c and ED did not have significant differences (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion the crude protein of the degradation characteristics in the rumen were: elephant grass (a: 9.88%, b: 64.37%, and c: 0.06/h-1), mini elephant grass (a: 16.50%, b: 45.24%, and c: 0.05/h-1), guinea grass (a: 7.42%, b: 68.24%, and c: 0.05/h-1), and signal grass (a: 6.79%, b: 56.19%, and c: 0.07/h-1). So, grass can provide sufficient protein for microbial growth in the rumen for ruminants.

Evaluation of Rumen Degradation Kinetics of Low-Lignin Alfalfa 'Hi-Gest® 360' in Saskatchewan Canada.

The objective of this study was to determine rumen degradation kinetics of new low-lignin alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cv. Hi-Gest®360 (HiGest) in comparison with conventional alfalfa cv. AC Grazeland (Grazeland) in monoculture and binary mixtures at different maturity stages. Two cultivars of alfalfa (HiGest, and AC Grazeland) and their binary mixtures with hybrid bromegrass (HBG; cv. AC Success), grown in 2019 at two locations (Saskatoon and Lanigan), were cut at three maturity stages of alfalfa (1 = 10% bloom; 2 = 40% bloom; and 3 = 100% bloom). Rumen degradation characteristics, including rapidly degradable fraction (S), potentially degradable fraction (D), undegradable fraction (U), degradation rate (Kd), lag time (T0), and effective degradability (ED) of each component were determined using in situ technique and were analyzed by a first-order kinetic equation described by Ørskov and McDonald with lag time. Generally, in alfalfa monoculture, S or D were decreased and U was increased without affecting Kd and T0, resulting in decreased ED fraction with increasing stage of maturity. In binary mixtures, plant maturity stages have negligible effects on rumen degradation characteristics of CP. HiGest had higher effective degradability of DM (EDDM) as well as of NDF (EDNDF) than Grazeland. In conclusion, HiGest had greater DM and NDF rumen degradation potential relative to Grazeland. HiGest and Grazeland were different in DM and CP degradation patterns, with HiGest having higher EDDM and EDCP than Grazeland.

In Situ Degradation Kinetics of 25 Feedstuffs and the Selection of Time Points in Mathematical Statistics

Rumen degradation kinetics of 25 feedstuffs (six protein feeds, nine energy feeds and ten roughages) were first determined using the nylon bag technique in situ and the differences of degradation characteristics fitted with five or seven time points measuring data were evaluated with the goodness of fit (R2) of degradation curves. Protein and energy feeds were incubated for 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, 48 h, roughages were incubated for 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, 48, 72 h, where three and six data sets of five time points were screened out, respectively. Only the degradation parameters a (rapidly degraded proportion), b (slowly degraded proportion) and c (degradation rate of slowly degraded proportion) of several feeds at five time points were significantly different from those at seven time points (p < 0.05), and the others were not significant (p > 0.05). The R2 of the degradation curves obtained at five time points was closer to 1, indicating that the fitting obtained at five time points was more accurate in predicting the real-time rumen degradation rate of feed. These results indicate that it is feasible to determine the rumen degradation characteristics of feedstuffs by only setting five measuring time points.

Comparison of Nutritional Components, Ruminal Degradation Characteristics and Feed Value from Different Cultivars of Alfalfa Hay.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different cultivars of alfalfa hay, including American Anderson (AA), American Golden Empress (GE), China Zhongmu No. 1 (ZM1) and China Gongnong No. 1 (GN1), on conventional nutrient composition, rumen degradation characteristics and feed value. Four healthy Holstein cows (137 ± 14 days in milk, 2.40 ± 0.50 parity) equipped with permanent ruminal cannulas were examined for the nylon-bag technique. The alfalfa hay samples were incubated in the rumen for 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h according to the "gradual in/all out" schedule to detect the ruminal nutrients' degradability. Our results showed that various cultivars of alfalfa hay from different planting regions had significant differences on nutrient contents, rumen degradability and feed value. For nutritional components of alfalfa hay, the highest dry matter (DM) content was found in GE and the lowest in GN1 (p < 0.001); however, GN1 had the greatest concentration of ether extract (EE, p = 0.01), Ca (p < 0.001) and the lowest Ash (p < 0.001). Additionally, the lowest neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and highest starch contents were observed in AA and GE (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the cultivar of ZM1 represented the highest NDF, ADF and Ash contents, in conjunction with minimal CP and P concentrations (p < 0.001). In terms of rumen degradation characteristics, the effective degradation rate (ED) of DM in GE and ZM1 was significantly higher than that in AA and GN1 (p = 0.013). The NDF effective degradation was lower in ZM1 than the other three cultivars (p = 0.002), and in addition ZM1 also showed lower CP and ADF effective degradation than GE (p < 0.001). As far as feed value was concerned, the cultivar of alfalfa hay imported from the US, including AA and GE, exhibited higher relative feed value (RFV) and relative forage quality (RFQ) than Chinese alfalfa based on ZM1 and GN1 (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the results suggested that the cultivar of GE exhibited greater rumen degradable characteristics and feed value, while ZM1 showed the opposite status.

Thermal processing induced changes on molecular structure spectral profile of carbohydrates and ruminal degradation and intestinal digestion characteristics of oat grains (Avena sativa) in dairy cows: comparison among dry heating vs. moisture heating vs. microwave irradiation

In this study, the objectives were to ( i) identify the magnitude of differences between dry heating, moisture heating, microwave irradiation, and no-heated treatments on chemical profiles, energy values, the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System fractions, rumen degradation, and intestinal digestion of newly developed oat ( Avena sativa) varieties; ( ii) investigate heating induced changes in the molecular structure of the grains with the use of vibrational attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy; and ( iii) predict rumen degradability of the nutrients based on the molecular spectral profile obtained from ATR-FTIR. Duration and temperature for each processing treatment were established based on previous studies. Results showed that heat processing treatments altered CHO fractions with undegradable CHO fraction (CC) increased by moisture heating. The ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was successful in detecting the processing induced CHO molecular structure changes in oat grain. The CHO molecular profiles were correlated to chemical profile and in situ rumen degradation characteristics. Lastly, multiple regressions with best model variable selection for prediction of nutritional value were obtained. In conclusion, heat processing methods tended to affect both energy values and rumen degradation features. The CHO molecular structure spectral profiles could be used as potential predictors for heated oat grain degradation.

Comparative Study of the Nutritional Value and Degradation Characteristics of Amaranth Hay in the Rumen of Goats at Different Growth Stages.

The objective of this study was to investigate the rumen degradation characteristics of grain amaranth hay (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) at four different growth stages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of grain amaranth hay at different growth stages by chemical composition, in vivo digestibility, and in situ degradability. Three Boer goats with permanent ruminal fistulas were selected in this study. Amaranthus hay at four different growth stages (squaring stage (SS), initial bloom stage (IS), full-bloom stage (FS) and mature stage (MS)) was crushed and placed into nylon bags. Each sample was set up with three replicates, and two parallel samples were set up in fistulas at each time point. The rumen degradation rates of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) were determined at 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h. The results were as follows: (1) The concentration of CP in SS was the highest and was significantly higher than that in other stages (p < 0.05), whereas the contents of NDF and ADF gradually increased with the extension of the growing period and reached a maximum in MS; (2)The degradation of CP in the rumen at 72 h of SS and IS was more than 80%. Compared with other stages, the effective degradability of CP was highest in SS (p < 0.05) and reached 87.05% at 72 h, and the degradation rate was the lowest in MS; and (3) The effective degradability of NDF in IS was the highest (p < 0.05) and reached 69.326% at 72 h. The effective degradability of ADF in MS was the highest (p < 0.05) and reached 65.728% at 72 h. The effective degradability of DM and CP in SS was the highest. In conclusion, among the four stages, IS was superior in chemical composition and rumen degradability characteristics.

In Situ Rumen Degradation Characteristics and Bacterial Colonization of Corn Silages Differing in Ferulic and p-Coumaric Acid Contents.

In plant cell wall, ferulic acid (FA) and p-coumaric acid (pCA) are commonly linked with arabinoxylans and lignin through ester and ether bonds. These linkages were deemed to hinder the access of rumen microbes to cell wall polysaccharides. The attachment of rumen microbes to plant cell wall was believed to have profound effects on the rate and the extent of forage digestion in rumen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bound phenolic acid content and their composition in corn silages on the nutrient degradability, and the composition of the attached bacteria. Following an in situ rumen degradation method, eight representative corn silages with different FA and pCA contents were placed into nylon bags and incubated in the rumens of three matured lactating Holstein cows for 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Corn silage digestibility was assessed by in situ degradation methods. As a result, the effective degradability of dry matter, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre were negatively related to the ether-linked FA and pCA, and their ratio in corn silages, suggesting that not only the content and but also the composition of phenolic acids significantly affected the degradation characteristics of corn silages. After 24 h rumen fermentation, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidota were observed as the dominant phyla in the bacterial communities attached to the corn silages. After 72 h rumen fermentation, the rumen degradation of ester-linked FA was much greater than that of ester-linked pCA. The correlation analysis noted that Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-002, Olsenella, Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group, Acetitomaculum, and Bifidobacterium were negatively related to the initial ether-linked FA content while Prevotella was positively related to the ether-linked FA content and the ratio of pCA to FA. In summary, the present results suggested that the content of ether-linked phenolic acids in plant cell walls exhibited a more profound effect on the pattern of microbial colonization than the fibre content.

Evaluation of the Feed Nutritional Value of Noni (Morinda citrifolia) Meal for Holstein Dairy Cows.

Simple SummaryThree follow-up experiments as one set were conducted to evaluate the feed nutritional value of noni (Morinda citrifolia) meal to be included in the diet of Holstein dairy cows. An in vitro study was conducted to explore the effect of noni meal on rumen fermentation characteristics. An in situ study was conducted to evaluate the rumen degradation characteristics of noni meal, using wheat bran as a control. Finally, an in vivo study was carried out to investigate the applicability of noni meal as a feed ingredient for Holstein dairy cows. The in vitro study showed that the addition of noni meal up to 7% at 24 and 48 h of incubation did not negatively affect rumen fermentation characteristics. The in situ study showed that the rumen degradable protein content of the noni meal was high. The in vivo study showed that 1.5% noni meal can be used as a feed ingredient for Holstein dairy cows to improve the C18:1 fatty acid concentration in the milk.In three consecutive studies, we evaluated the effects of noni (Morinda citrifolia) meal on rumen fermentation and degradation characteristics, production performance, physiological parameters, and milk fatty acid profile in Holstein dairy cows. In in vitro (first study) and in situ (second study) experiments, rumen fluids from two fistulated Holstein dairy cows were used. The concentration of noni meal added was 0 (control), 1, 3, 5, or 7% of the basal diet (DM basis). In the in situ experiment, wheat bran was used as a control. Triplicated bags were incubated for 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, or 96 h. In an in vivo experiment (third study), 38 Holstein cows (145 ± 87 days DIM; 1.8 ± 0.9 parity; 35.4 ± 6.3 kg/day milk yield) were equally assigned to the control and treatment groups (19 cows each). Basal feed and noni meal pellets (1.5% of total feed DM basis) were fed to the treatment group. The control group was also fed the basal feed and pellets containing 0% noni meal. There were no significant differences in in vitro dry matter digestibility, pH, total gas production (TGP), CH4, NH3-N, and volatile fatty acids (p > 0.05). In the in situ experiments, the crude protein (CP) rapidly soluble fraction ‘a’ (CP-a) was higher in noni meal than in wheat bran, and rumen degradable protein was also higher in noni meal than in wheat bran. In the in vivo experiments, when noni meal pellets were fed, there was no significant difference in milk yield and composition, but the triglyceride levels decreased (p < 0.05), the C18:1 fatty acid level increased (p < 0.05), and the C18:0 fatty acid level decreased (p < 0.05). Collectively, noni meal can be used as a feed ingredient up to 1.5% (total feed DM basis) in Holstein dairy cows and as feed supplementation to increase the C18:1 fatty acid level in milk.

Effects of corn straw treated with CaO on rumen degradation characteristics and fermentation parameters and their correlation with microbial diversity in rumen

The objectives of this study were to investigate the degradation characteristics and fermentation parameters of corn straw treated with different concentrations of calcium oxide (CaO) and degradation characteristics and fermentation parameters of samples in relation to microorganisms diversity in the rumen. Corn straw with 60 % moisture were treated with four concentrations of CaO (0 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 7 % of dry straw weight) respectively: i) The nylon bag technology method was used in estimating the rumen effective degradability, and each treatment was performed eight times. Then, the degradability of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were determined by taking nylon bags from rumen at 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively. ii) The fermentation parameters of corn straw were measured by rumen simulation technology in vitro. The mixture was measured at different times (6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 72 h) for the determination of ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N), volatile fatty acids (VFAs) indexes and rumen microbes. iii) The free online platform of Majorbio Cloud Platform was used in evaluating microbe diversity, abundance, and taxonomic composition in the rumen. Species difference analysis was designed, each treatment had three replicates, and 48 samples in total were used. iv) The correlations among effective degradability, fermentation indexes, and rumen microorganisms of corn straw treated by CaO were analyzed by means of an online platform. The results showed that i) the effective rumen degradability of corn straw treated with CaO significant differed among treatments (P < 0.01). The degradability of DM, NDF, and ADF in 7 % and 5 % treatments were higher than that in other treatments (P < 0.01). Soluble and rapidly degraded components in corn straw had significant higher in 5 % and 7 % treatments than in the 0 % and 3 % treatments. ii）The concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total VFA at 6 h in vitro had significant differences (P < 0.01) or obvious upward tendency with increasing concentration of CaO. iii) Alpha index analysis revealed that rumen microorganisms diversity and abundance obviously decreased from 0 % to 7 % treatment in 6 h fermentation. Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group at the genus level decreased in the top 15 species in terms of average abundance (P < 0.01), but the most abundant genus Prevotella_1 had an upward tendency in 6 h incubation (P = 0.066). iv) Correlation analysis demonstrated that Prevotella_1 and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 had positive correlations with acetate, propionate, total VFA, and DM, NDF, and ADF degradability (P < 0.01). Overall, corn straw treated with CaO at 5 % and 7 % can improve rumen effective degradability and promote the fermentation of corn straw, especially promoting Prevotella_1 enrichment in the straw in a short time. In terms of cost saving, 5 % CaO treatment is the best choice.

Effects of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzyme Derived from Trichoderma reesei on Rumen Degradation Characteristics and Degradability of Low-Tannin Whole Plant Faba Bean Silage in Dairy Cows

The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme derived from Trichoderma reesei on dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) degradability of whole plant faba bean silage (Snowbird), (2) evaluate the effects of fibrolytic enzyme (FETR) on DM and NDF degradation kinetics of whole plant faba bean silage, and (3) compare the difference between in the vitro approach (DaisyII incubation method) and the in situ assay-biological approach (nylon bag technique) in the determination of degradability of dry matter (DMD) and neutral detergent fibre (NDFD). The fibrolytic enzyme from Trichoderma reesei was a mixture of xylanase and cellulase. The whole plant faba bean silage was treated with seven doses of fibrolytic enzyme, with 0 as a control and 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 and 1.5 mL of FETR/kg DM of silage. The results obtained from the in situ method show that fibrolytic enzyme cubically (p &lt; 0.05) affected DMD and quadratically (p &lt; 0.01) affected NDFD with increasing level of enzyme application. In vitro DM and NDF degradability were quadratically and cubically (p &lt; 0.01) affected by the increasing dosage of enzyme. Correlation analysis between the in situ assay-biological approach and the In vitro DaisyII approach showed a strong correlation (r = 0.98, p &lt; 0.01) on overall DMD and also a satisfactory relationship (r = 0.84, p &lt; 0.01) was found on overall NDFD. The enzyme application showed a great impact on NDF rumen degradation kinetics by decreasing the undegradable fraction and increasing the potential degradable fraction and the effective degradable content of fiber. The washable (W) and potential degradation fraction (D) were linearly (p = 0.05) increased by the enzyme treatments. Therefore, the undegradable fraction was linearly decreased (p = 0.05) with increasing dosage of enzyme. Both bypass (BNDF) and effective degradable NDF (EDNDF) were cubically (p = 0.05) affected by fibrolytic enzyme. In conclusion, the exogenous fibrolytic enzyme derived from Trichoderma reesei highly impacted rumen degradation characteristics and degradability of whole plant faba bean silage and could be used to improve fibre digestion of whole plant faba silage in dairy cows.

Analysis of Chemical Composition, Amino Acid Content, and Rumen Degradation Characteristics of Six Organic Feeds.

Simple SummaryIn this study, six organic feed raw materials (corn grain, soybean cake, wheat bran, corn silage, oat hay, and alfalfa hay) were selected for a comparison of their nutritional values. The chemical composition, amino acid content, and rumen degradation characteristics of these raw materials were studied in detail.The current study was designed to investigate the chemical composition, amino acid content, and rumen degradation characteristics (nylon bag method) of six organic feeds to illustrate their feeding values. The feeds analyzed were: corn grain (CG), soybean cake (SC), wheat bran (WB), corn silage (CS), oat hay (OT), and alfalfa hay (AF). Our results showed that the contents of crude protein (CP) (47.46%) and ether extract (EE) (8.23%) in SC were highest. The contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (65.00%) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (39.16%) in OT were highest. The contents of total amino acid (TAA) (42.95%) and essential amino acid (EAA) (19.73%) in SC were highest. Among SC, WB, and CG, the effective degradation rate (ED) of dry matter (DM) is SC (87.89%) > WB (73.32%) > CG (64.25%); the ED value of CP is CG (82.37%) > WB (82.40%) > SC (60.47%). Among CS, OT, and AF, the effective degradation rate (ED) of DM is CS (72.68%) > OT (59.97%) > AF (58.89%); the ED value of CP is AF (76.46%) > CS (72.03%) > OT (71.99%). In conclusion, the chemical composition, amino acid content, and rumen degradation rate of SC and AF were better than those of the other four feeds.

Using Mid-IR spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) as a fast analytical tool to reveal association between protein spectral profiles and metabolizable protein supply, protein rumen degradation characteristics and estimated intestinal protein digestion before and after rumen incubation of faba bean partitions and faba bean silage

To our knowledge, there is little research done in using vibrational MID-IR molecular spectroscopy- attenuated total reflectance - Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) for ruminant system study. The objective of this study was to use ATR-FTIR as a fast analytical tool to reveal association between protein molecular structure in faba and metabolizable protein supply and nutrient delivery, and to explore the relationship between protein molecular structure in original and ruminal degraded residue and in situ rumen protein degradation and protein metabolism characteristics of faba bean samples (whole crop, stem, leaf, whole pods, and faba silage). The experiment for ruminant nutrition research was RCBD. Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of faba samples before and after 12 and 24 h rumen incubations were collected with JASCO FT/IR-4200 with ATR at mid-IR range (ca. 4000–700 cm−1) with 128 scans and at 4 cm−1 resolution. The univariate molecular spectral analysis was carried using OMNIC software. Protein related spectral parameters before and after rumen degradation included amide region (ca. 1730–1480 cm−1), amide I region (ca. 1713–1558 cm−1) and amide II region (ca. 1558–1485 cm−1). Within amide I region, α-helix (ca. 1644 cm−1) and β-sheet (ca. 1630 cm−1) were studied. The results showed that ATR-FTIR protein molecular spectral features were significantly different before and after rumen incubation. Protein availability and digestion characteristic are mainly determined by original ATR-FTIR spectral profiles. Total truly digestible protein value (DVE) of faba partitions could be predicted with this equation: DVE (g/kg DM) = 1207.7 HAII12 + 228.7 alpha_beta24 − 310.8 (with R-square = 0.94, RSD = 8.06, model P < 0.001). The study shows that vibrational MID-IR molecular spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) show a high potential to be a fast analytical tool to predict nutrient delivery.

Analysis of Nutrient Composition, Rumen Degradation Characteristics, and Feeding Value of Chinese Rye Grass, Barley Grass, and Naked Oat Straw.

Simple SummaryLimited studies have been reported so far on the rumen degradability characteristic of low-quality forage. In the current study, three low-quality forages (Chinese rye grass, barley grass, and naked oat straw) were selected. Various nutritional parameters such as rumen degradation characteristics, chemical composition and feeding value of three roughages were studied in detail. Among the three roughages, the Chinese rye grass (Leymus chinensis) was superior in terms of rumen degradability characteristics, chemical composition and feeding value.The current study was designed to investigate the chemical composition, rumen degradation characteristics, and feeding value of three roughages commonly used in Asia as ruminant feed, including Chinese rye grass (CRG), barley grass (BG), and naked oat straw (NO). Four Holstein Friesian cows equipped with permanent rumen fistulas were chosen for experimental trials in the current study. The nylon bag method was carried out to measure the crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Our analysis revealed that the contents of CP in the CRG (9.0%) and BG (8.9%) were higher than in the NO (5.94%). The contents of NDF in the CRG (64.97%) and NO (63.83%) were lower than in the BG (67.33%), and the content of ADF in the CRG (37.03%) was lower than in the BG (37.93%) and NO (38.28%). The ED values of DM in the NO and CRG were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the BG. The effective degradability (ED) values of NDF were the highest in the CRG and lowest in the NO (p < 0.001). In addition, the ED values of ADF were the highest in the CRG and lowest in the BG (p < 0.001). The ED value of CP in the CRG was significantly higher than that in the BG and NO (p < 0.001). The estimated total digestible nutrients (TDN) (54.56%) and DM degradation rate (DDM) (60.06%) of the CRG were higher than those of BG and NO. In addition, the expected DM intake (DMI), estimated relative feed value (RFV), and estimated relative feed quality (RFQ) of the BG were lower than those of the CRG and NO. Altogether, based on our findings, we concluded that the nutritional quality, feeding value and effective rumen degradation rate of CRG were better than of BG and NO.

In situ rumen degradation characteristics and bacterial colonization of whole cottonseed, cottonseed hull and cottonseed meal with different gossypol content

Regarding whole cottonseed (WCS), cottonseed meal (CSM), and cottonseed hull (CSH), in situ rumen incubation was applied to determine their nutrient and gossypol degradation characteristics and bacterial colonization profile in lactating Holstein cows. Nylon bags containing the cotton by-products were incubated for 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h in the rumen, respectively. The relationship between nutrient degradability and free gossypol (FG) content were examined, and the differences in the composition and inferred gene function of the colonized microbiota were studied. As a result, CSM presented highest effective degradability of dry matter, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre, but the highest effective degradability of crude protein was found in WCS. Free gossypol disappearance rate increased significantly in the first 6 h, and it reached approximately 94% at 72 h of incubation among all samples. The level of FG did not affect nutrient degradability of cotton by-products. Significant differences were noted in attached bacterial community structure among cotton by-products after 24 h rumen incubation. Among the most abundant taxa at genus level, a greater abundance of Cercis gigantea and Succiniclasticum was observed in WCS samples, whereas the CSH and CSM samples contained a greater proportion of Prevotella 1 and Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group. The redundancy analysis revealed that the level of neutral detergent fibre, ether extract, and FG in cotton by-products were significantly positive related with the composition of the attached bacteria. Collectively, our results revealed the dynamics of degradation characteristics, and the difference in the composition of bacterial colonization. These findings are of importance for the targeted improvement of cotton by-products nutrient use efficiency in ruminants and further understanding of the gossypol degradation mechanism in the rumen.

Rumen degradation characteristics of two tropical forages supplemented with monensin in the rumen of N’dama Steer

Rumen degradation characteristics of Panicum maximum and Gmelina arborea forages in response to monensin supplementation were studied in a 2 x 4 factorial experiment using an Ndama fistulated steer. Monensin had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on the soluble fraction 'a' of nutrients but showed reductions (P&lt;0.05) in the degradable fractions b' of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre at 30 and 45 mg/kg DM supplementation levels relative to the control. These reductions were within the range of 45.76 - 49.52, 37.88 - 43.57, 44.60 - 45.31 and 45.18 - 46.85% for DM, CP, NDF and ADF, respectively. The potenti al degradation 'p' of DM, NDF, and ADF reduced (P&lt;0.05) at 30 and 45 mg/kg DM while p' for CP reduced at 45 mg/kg DM. Forage type had significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on nutrient degradation with Panicum maximum having lower nutrient degradation characteristics values than those of Gmelina arborea. While monens resulted in reduced nutrient degradation from Panicum maximum at 30 and 45 mg/kg DM, reduction in nutrients degradation from Gmelina arborea was observed only at 45 mg/kg DM. Comparatively, at similar levels of 15, 30 and 45 mg of monensin/kg DM, Panicum maximum had lower (P&lt;0.05) degradation values to those observed for Gmelina arborea. The reduction effect of monensin on nutrient degradation from both forages suggests an inhibition of microbial digestion. This could increase rumen fill, reduce ruminal outflow rate and possibly increase the proportion of un-degradable proteins leaving the rumen for the lower tract. The particular level of monensin supplementation at which such reductions would occur depends on forage type &#x0D; Keywords: , , .

Farklı Tohum Oranlarında Ekilen Macar Fiği (Vicia Pannonica Crantz.) ve Tritikalenin (Xtriticosecale Wittmack) Yem Değeri ve Rumende Parçalanabilirlik Özellikleri Üzerine Etkileri

The aim of the study was to determine forage yield, forage quality and in situ rumen degradation characteristics of Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz.) mixtures with triticale (x Triticosecale sp. Wittmack) in different seeding rates (HV, 75:25 HVT, 50:50 HVT, 25:75 HVT and T) during the flowering period of triticale. The research was carried out in the experimental lands of Gaziosmanpaşa University Agricultural Application and Research Center during the 2015-2016 vegetation period. Field experiment was designed as Randomized Block Design with 3 replicates. Besides, three rumen cannulated Karayaka rams (average 3 year old) were used to determine dry matter degradablity characteristics of pure and mixtures by using in situ method according to randomized design. The results that biomass and dry matter yield were not different among the groups, whereas the highest crude protein concentration (13.12%) was determined in the pure sown Hungarian vetch (P&amp;lt;0.01). In addition, the maximum crude protein yield was obtained from 75:25HVT group. In terms of effective dry matter digestibility, 50:50HVT experimental group, ED2, ED5 and ED8 (720.82, 706.1 and 692.64 g kg-1) was found to have the highest dry matter degradability. It was concluded that in case of mixed cultivation of Hungarian vetch and triticale, more digestible dry matter yield and crude protein yield can be obtained compared to pure cultivation.