Rumen Fermentation In Goats Research Articles

Evaluating the effect of phenolic compounds as hydrogen acceptors when ruminal methanogenesis is inhibited in vitro – Part 2. Dairy goats

Most mitigation strategies to reduce enteric methane (CH4) production in the rumen induce an excess of rumen dihydrogen (H2) that is expelled and consequently not redirected to the synthesis of metabolites that can be utilised by the ruminant. We hypothesised that phenolic compounds can be potential H2 acceptors when added to the diet, as they can be degraded to compounds that may be beneficial for the animal, using part of the H2 available when ruminal methanogenesis is inhibited. We performed four in vitro incubation experiments using rumen inoculum from Murciano-Granadina adult goats: Experiment 1 examined the inhibitory potential of Asparagopsis taxiformis (AT) at different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% of the substrate on a DM basis) in 24 h incubations; Experiment 2 investigated the effect of a wide range of phenolic compounds (phenol, catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, pyrogallol, phloroglucinol, gallic acid and formic acid) at different doses (0, 2, 4, and 6 mM) on rumen fermentation for 24 h; Experiment 3 evaluated the combined effect of each phenolic compound at 6 mM with AT at 2% DM in sequential batch cultures for 5 days; and Experiment 4 examined the dose–response effect of phloroglucinol at different concentrations (0, 6, 16, 26 and 36 mM) combined with AT in sequential batch cultures for 5 days. Results from Experiment 1 confirmed that AT at 2% DM substantially inhibited CH4 production while significantly increasing H2 accumulation and decreasing the acetate:propionate ratio. Results from Experiment 2 showed that phenolic compounds did not negatively affect rumen fermentation at any dose. In Experiment 3, each phenolic compound at 6 mM combined with AT at 2% DM inhibited CH4 production. Phloroglucinol numerically decreased H2 accumulation and significantly increased total gas production (TGP), volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and the acetate:propionate ratio. In Experiment 4, phloroglucinol at increasing doses supplemented with AT at 2% DM significantly decreased H2 accumulation and the abundances of archaea, protozoa and fungi abundances, and increased TGP, total VFA production and the acetate:propionate ratio in a dose-dependent way. In conclusion, combined treatment with AT and phloroglucinol was successful to mitigate CH4 production while preventing the accumulation of H2, leading to an increase in acetate and total VFA production and therefore an improvement in rumen fermentation in goats.

Supplementation of feed and water after long-duration road transportation: The effects on welfare and rumen fermentation in goats.

Water and feed are needed for livestock during their long-duration road transportation. However, limited information is available on the need to supply water and feed to livestock at temporary holding stations after road transportation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of providing water and feed at holding stations on the welfare of goats in mimic surroundings. A total of 24 Guizhou black goats were randomly divided into three groups of eight goats each as follows: deprived of water and feed (TRT0), supplemented with water ad libitum (TRT1), and supplemented with water and feed ad libitum (TRT2). Blood and rumen fluid samples were collected before loading (denoted as "PRE" in this article) and after transport (denoted as "POST" in this article). Statistical analysis was performed via the SAS procedure PROC MIXED. The 10-h road transportation period reduced body weight in TRT0 goats (p < 0.05) but not in TRT1 and TRT2 (p > 0.05). TRT0 and TRT1 goats had POST plasma glucose concentrations above their PRE values (p < 0.05). The PRE-plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) levels were higher in TRT2 compared to TRT0 (p < 0.05) goats, while the POST-PUN levels increased in TRT1 compared to TRT0 goats. The POST non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher for TRT0 compared to that in TRT1 and TRT2 (p < 0.05) goats. No difference was observed for plasma profiles of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p > 0.05). TRT2 goats had higher POST glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity than TRT0 and TRT1 (p < 0.05) goats. TRT0 goats had higher POST plasma glucagon (GC) compared to TRT2 (p < 0.05) and had increased values compared to their own PRE level as a result of road transportation (p < 0.05). TRT2 goats resulted in a lower POST plasma heat-stressed protein-70 (HSP-70) level than TRT0. There was no difference in ruminal pH (p > 0.05). Ruminal total VFA (acetate, propionate, butyrate), and the NH3-ammonia profiles showed a decrease (p < 0.05) after transportation in all groups. Ruminal microcrystalline cellulose, xylanase, cellobiase, and carboxymethyl cellulose activities were unaffected (p > 0.05). These combined results imply that water and feed supplementation to livestock can effectively alleviate stress responses in goats subjected to road transportation and emphasize the necessity to establish water and feed supplies even at a temporary holding pen.

Effect of dietary peNDF levels on digestibility and rumen fermentation, and microbial community in growing goats.

Physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) is a concept that accounts for the particle length of NDF in diets, sustaining the normal chewing behavior and rumen fermentation of ruminants. Specifically, peNDF>1.18 is the commonest one that is calculated from NDF and the percentage of feed dry matter left on the 1.18, 8.00, and 19.00 mm sieves. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of peNDF>1.18 on the rumen microbiome and its correlation with nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in goats. A total of 30 Lezhi black goats were randomized and blocked to five dietary treatments (n = 6). All the diets were identical in composition but varied in hay lengths, leading to the different peNDF>1.18 content of the diets: 32.97, 29.93, 28.14, 26.48, and 24.75%. The results revealed that the nutrient digestibility increased when dietary peNDF>1.18 levels decreased from 32.97% to 28.14%, with the highest digestibility at 28.14% peNDF>1.18 treatment, after which nutrient digestibility decreased with the decreasing of dietary peNDF levels. Ruminal NH3-N concentrations in the 29.93% and 28.14% groups were higher than that in the 24.75% group (p < 0.05). Ruminal microbial protein concentration was the highest in the 32.97% group (p < 0.05). Daily CH4 production in the 32.97% and 24.75% peNDF>1.18 treatments was lower than that in the 26.48% group (p < 0.05) and no differences were observed among other groups. The relative abundance of rumen fungi at the phylum and genus levels and archaea at the species were affected by dietary peNDF>1.18 content. In conclusion, decreasing dietary peNDF>1.18 levels within a certain range can improve nutrient digestibility and change the rumen microbial community structure of goats. Dietary peNDF>1.18 level should be 28.14% (roughage length around 1 cm) among the five levels for 4 months Lezhi black goats with the purpose of optimal nutrient digestibility.

Effect of dietary concentrate level on digestibility of nutrients in each region of the gastrointestinal tract and rumen fermentation in goats

This study evaluated the effects of high concentrate diets (HCD) on the rumen fermentation and the digestibility of nutrients in different sites of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in goats. Four goats were used in a crossover design. The goats were fitted with a ruminal cannula and flexible T-cannulae proximal duodenum and terminal ileum. Treatments were as follows: low concentrate group (LCG) and high concentrate group (HCG). Duodenal flow and forestomach digestibility of starch were significantly higher in the HCG than those in the LCG (p < 0.05); There was no significant difference in ileum flow and digestibility of starch in the small intestine, large intestine and total GIT (p > 0.05). The digestibility of crude protein (CP) in the forestomach was significantly higher in the HCG than in the LCG (p < 0.05); the flow of the duodenum and ileum of CP, and the CP digestibility of the small intestine, large intestine and total GIT were not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). The duodenal and ileal flow of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), the NDF digestibility of the different segments and total GIT were not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). Compared to the LCG, the ruminal pH of the HCG was significantly lower (p < 0.05). The HCG concentrations of microbial crude protein, ammonia nitrogen and isovaleric acid were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the LCG. The foam strength, foam production and viscosity of the rumen fluid in the HCG were higher than the LCG (p < 0.01). These results showed that when the goats were fed with HCD, the digestibility of nutrients was not significantly impaired, but the risk of frothy rumen bloat increased. Implications Due to a serious shortage of high-quality roughage in China, producers commonly used a high-concentrate diet in ruminants, which can improve animal production performance. Gastrointestinal digestive function plays a vital role in the absorption of nutrients and the healthy growth of animals. Therefore, this research evaluated the digestibility of various nutrients in different segments of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) under HCD feeding by using three-site cannula goats as experimental animals. The results indicated that the GIT of goats could fully digest nutrients such as starch and protein under HCD feeding conditions.

Effect of Replacing Alfalfa Hay with Acacia Foliage on the Growth Performance, In Vitro Gas Production and Rumen Fermentation in Goats

Effect of Replacing Alfalfa Hay with Acacia Foliage on the Growth Performance, In Vitro Gas Production and Rumen Fermentation in Goats

Effects of fumaric acid supplementation on methane production and rumen fermentation in goats fed diets varying in forage and concentrate particle size

BackgroundIn rumen fermentation, fumaric acid (FA) could competitively utilize hydrogen with methanogenesis to enhance propionate production and suppress methane emission, but both effects were diet-dependent. This study aimed to explore the effects of FA supplementation on methanogenesis and rumen fermentation in goats fed diets varying in forage and concentrate particle size.MethodsFour rumen-cannulated goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: low or high ratio of forage particle size: concentrate particle size (Fps:Cps), without or with FA supplementation (24 g/d). Fps:Cps was higher in the diet with chopped alfalfa hay plus ground corn than in that with ground alfalfa hay plus crushed corn.ResultsBoth increasing dietary Fps:Cps and FA supplementation shifted ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) patterns toward more propionate and less acetate in goats. An interaction between dietary Fps:Cps and FA supplementation was observed for the ratio of acetate to propionate (A:P), which was more predominant when FA was supplemented in the low-Fps:Cps diet. Methane production was reduced by FA, and the reduction was larger in the low-Fps:Cps diet (31.72%) than in the high-Fps:Cps diet (17.91%). Fumaric acid decreased ruminal total VFA concentration and increased ruminal pH. No difference was found in ruminal DM degradation of concentrate or alfalfa hay by dietary Fps:Cps or FA. Goats presented a lower ruminal methanogen abundance with FA supplementation and a higher B. fibrisolvens abundance with high dietary Fps:Cps.ConclusionsAdjusting dietary Fps:Cps is an alternative dietary model for studying diet-dependent effects without changing dietary chemical composition. Fumaric acid supplementation in the low-Fps:Cps diet showed greater responses in methane mitigation and propionate increase.

Effect of mycotoxins contaminated corn on growth nutrient digestibility and in vitro rumen fermentation in goats

Two trials (in vivo and in vitro) were conducted to evaluate corn naturally contaminated with mycotoxins, majority being aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the performance, nutrient digestion and rumen fermentation in growing goats. China Lezhi black goats (12), weighing 16.39 to 16.45 kg, were fed with the diet of 40% concentrate (the mycotoxin naturally contaminated diet containing 74.49 μg/kg AFB1, 2.08 μg/kg AFB2, 59.71 μg/kg DON and 36.51 μg/kg ZEN) for 28 days. The results showed that the contaminated corn had no significant effect on feed intake but decreased the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in growing goats. Digestibility of crude protein (CP) in the trial group was significantly lower than the control group and the digestibilities of acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) decreased too, but not significantly. Neither volatile fatty acid (VFA) nor pH was significantly different between the 2 groups. The ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in the trial group was lower in both in vivo trial and in vitro trial (0 h to 3 h). In in vitro experiment, ruminal fluids were collected from 4 China Lezhi goats and incubated at 39°C for 48 h with control corn or AFB1 contaminated corn. The total gas production and gas production rate in the trial group were significantly lower than the control group. These reductions showed the negative effects of the naturally contaminated AFB1 corn on nutrient digestibility and rumen function in growing goats.

Effect of replacement of concentrate mixture with isonitrogenous leaf meal mixture on growth, nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation in goats

This study was conducted to examine the effect of replacing concentrate mixture with leaf meal mixture of Leucaena leucocephala– Melia azedarach– Morus alba in equal proportion on growth, nutrient utilization, blood and rumen metabolites in growing goats using completely randomized design. Twelve male non-descript goats were divided into two groups, control and experimental, consisting of six animals in each group. The control group was fed concentrate mixture whereas in experimental group 50% of concentrate mixture was replaced with isonitrogenous leaf meal mixture. The duration of experimental feeding was 45 days. Weekly body weights were recorded to assess growth rate of goats. After 30 days of experimental feeding a metabolism trial of 6 days duration was conducted to determine digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. Blood samples were collected at 0, 7, 14, 21, 30 and 45 days of experimental feeding to study blood metabolites. Rumen liquor was also collected at 0 and 30 days to study rumen metabolites. The average daily gain (g) of control group (51.56) and experimental group (62.22) was statistically ( P > 0.05) similar. The goat of control and experimental group had statistically ( P > 0.05) similar intake (g/kg W 0.75/day) of dry matter (60.70 vs 64.64), concentrate mixture (40.16 vs 41.60) and wheat straw (20.53 vs 23.05), respectively. The digestibility (%) of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and ether extract was significantly ( P < 0.05) depressed in experimental group of goat (65.60, 68.90, 65.62 and 63.05, respectively) as compared to control group (75.14, 77.41, 76.06 and 79.14, respectively). The digestibility (%) of neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and hemicellulose was similar in control (66.73, 65.49 and 64.97, respectively) and treatment group (58.21, 51.66 and 64.97, respectively). Animals of both the groups were in positive balance of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. Nitrogen balance (g/day) in control and treatment group of goat was similar (3.86 and 4.05, respectively) while calcium and phosphorus balance (g/day) was significantly ( P < 0.05) higher in control group (2.34 and 1.02) than treatment group (1.06 and 0.22). There was no statistically significant ( P > 0.05) effect of collection period and diet composition on the blood biochemical metabolites (hemoglobin, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin and urea nitrogen) of goats. The pH of rumen fluid at 0 and 30 days of experimental feeding was 6.60, 6.60 for control group and 6.69, 6.33 for experimental group of goats. There was no significant difference ( P > 0.05) in nitrogenous fractions (mg/dl) (ammonia nitrogen (19.27 vs 19.30), total nitrogen (101.52 vs 100.14), TCA-ppt nitrogen (50.24 vs 48.84) and non-protein nitrogen (50.06 vs 51.12) of rumen fluid collected at 30 days of experimental feeding of control and treatment group of goats, respectively. From present study it can be concluded that Leucaena– Melia– Morus mixture can replace 50% of concentrate mixture in the ration of growing goats without any adverse effect on growth, nutrient utilization, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation parameters.

Effects of Rice Straw Particle Size on Chewing Activity, Feed Intake, Rumen Fermentation and Digestion in Goats

Effects of particle size and physical effective fibre (peNDF) of rice straw in diets on chewing activities, feed intake, flow, site and extent of digestion and rumen fermentation in goats were investigated. A 4x4 Latin square design was employed using 4 mature Liuyang black goats fitted with permanent ruminal, duodenal, and terminal ileal fistulae. During each of the 4 periods, goats were offered 1 of 4 diets that were similar in nutritional content but varied in particle sizes and peNDF through alteration of the theoretical cut length of rice straw (10, 20, 40, and 80 mm, respectively). Dietary peNDF contents were determined using a sieve for particle separation above 8 mm, and were 17.4, 20.9. 22.5 and 25.4%, respectively. Results showed that increasing the particle size and peNDF significantly (p<0.05) increased the time spent on rumination and chewing activities, duodenal starch digestibility and ruminal pH, and decreased ruminal starch digestibility and NH 3 -N concentration. Intake and total tract digestibility of nutrients (i.e. dry matter, organic matter, and starch) and ruminal fermentation were not affected by the dietary particle size and peNDF. Increased particle size and peNDF did not affect ruminal fibre digestibility, but had a great impact on the intestinal and total tract fibre digestibility. The study suggested that rice straw particle size or dietary peNDF was the important influential factor for chewing activity, intestinal fibre and starch digestibility, and ruminal pH, but had minimal impact on feed intake, duodenal and ileal flow, ruminal and total tract digestibility, and ruminal fermentation.

Effect of β-carotene on selected indices of &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt; rumen fermentation in goats

1. Effect of β-carotene supplementation to prepartum Holstein cows on colostrum quality and calf performance K.M. Aragona, E.M. Rice, M. Engstrom, P.S. Erickson Journal of Dairy Science CrossRef

Effect of alkali and (or) steam treatment of wheat straw or cellulase augmented concentrate mixture on rumen fermentation in goats

Four diets; untreated wheat straw plus concentrate mixture (CS), sodium hydroxide (5%, w/w) treated straw plus concentrate mixture (CA), sodium hydroxide (5%, w/w) and steam pressure (1 kg, cm −2, 1 h) treated straw plus concentrate mixture (CAS), and untreated straw plus cellulase augmented concentrate mixture (CES), were offered to goats to measure intake and ruminal parameters. The rumen fluids withdrawn at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h post feeding were analysed for pH, TVFA and its fractions as well as nitrogen fractions. The consumption of treated straw in CA or CAS groups was increased ( P < 0.01) over untreated straw. Similarly the total dry matter intake per day, per 100 kg body weight or per kg W 0.75 was higher ( P < 0.01) in CAS than in other groups. The ruminal pH was higher ( P < 0.01) in CA groups but lower ( P < 0.01), in CAS than in other groups, while TVFA concentration remained higher ( P < 0.01) in both CA or CAS diets compared with CS or CES diets. The fractional VFA remained similar amongst treatment groups. However, NPH, NH 3-N and soluble-N were lower ( P < 0.01) in CA or CAS groups than in others. Total-N and protein-N content remained similar amongst treatments. It is concluded that alkali plus steam treatment of wheat straw was the best method to improve the rumen fermentation process and enhance the availability of energy from native straw.