Rumen Research Articles

Effect of nonstructural carbohydrates on production performance, rumen metabolism and rumen health in lambs fed with isocaloric and isonitrogenous complete diets.

Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) are readily fermentable in the rumen and, are a critical factor while preparing protracted feed for higher animal performance. Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous complete feeds were prepared for this investigation to contain varying levels of nonstructural carbohydrates viz., 40.13 (NSC1), 45.21 (NSC2), 50.00 (NSC3) and 55.85 (NSC4) per cent, respectively. The four isocaloric and isonitrogenous complete feeds were tested in 32 Mecheri ram lambs (around three months of age) in a completely randomised block design (n = 8), and the lambs were fed their respective feed for six months. The study revealed that the increased NSC level in the complete diet increased the body weight and weight gain linearly (P < 0.05). The dietary NSC level affected the dry matter consumption in a quadratic manner (P < 0.05) and the lambs of the NSC4 group consumed significantly (P < 0.05) less DM compared to other dietary groups. The overall average feed conversion efficiency differed significantly (P < 0.05) among dietary groups. The correlation between dietary NSC level and faecal score was quadratic (r2 = 62.7, P < 0.05). The rumen pH, total nitrogen and NH3-N concentration were linearly decreased (P < 0.05) and the molar proportion of total short-chain fatty acids and propionic acid were increased (P < 0.05). The energy loss expressed as methane production was significantly (P < 0.01) lower for the high NSC diet-fed lambs. The lambs fed on a low NSC diet had significantly (P < 0.05) lower carcass weights, dressing percentage and loin eye area. The per cent share of rumen weight in the total fore stomach and the rumen papillae measurements length, width and surface area were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in high NSC diet-fed lambs. Increased levels of NSC in the diet increased (P < 0.05) fat deposition in the internal organs. The saturated fatty acids content in the meat was significantly (P < 0.05) lowered, whereas, the oleic acid and linoleic acid were increased (P < 0.05) as the NSC level increased in the diet. The study revealed that as the level of NSC increased in the complete diet there was a concomitant improvement in the final body weight, ADG and feed efficiency of post-weaned Mecheri lambs. It can therefore be recommended that the complete feed with 50 per cent NSC levels would be optimum to reap maximum returns from fattening Mecheri lambs.

Sri Lankan Contribution to Climate Change by Enteric Fermentation of Large Ruminants: An Overview

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; The Sri Lankan livestock sector (LS) which is essential to rural households' food systems and means of subsistence, contributed to 0.6% of the GDP in 2020. The cattle industry has contributed &lt;40% to the LS. The objective of the review was to determine how Sri Lankan LS, especially ruminants contributed to climate change (CC) by emitting greenhouse gasses (GHG). In the year 2020, in total there were 1 426 570 cattle, including neat cattle and buffaloes. Sri Lanka has experienced various impacts of CC as it is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean. The cattle industry is involved in CC directly and indirectly. Global warming (GW) is a predominant factor in CC. The emission of GHG in different ways is a root cause of GW. As a GHG, 17% of methane emissions in the atmosphere are accounted by the enteric fermentation of ruminants, especially by the large ruminants; cattle, and buffaloes. It is a complex process that occurs within the fore stomach (rumen) of ruminants where gases are released outside via a process called eructation. As a GHG, methane (CH4) contributes to GW 28 times higher than carbon dioxide produced in large ruminants by enteric fermentation. In Sri Lanka, the majority of the local indigenous cattle and buffaloes are used to eat low-quality grasses, straws, and other roughage which significantly increases the emission of CH4. A past study revealed that the CH4 emission factor estimated according to the IPCC (2006) Tier 2 methodology for an improved dairy cattle is 42 kg /head /year while a local dairy cow is 52 kg /head /year and 65 kg /head /year for dairy buffalo in Sri Lanka and the values are lower compared to default emission factors given by the IPCC (2006). The expected temperature rise in Sri Lanka, which would be primarily caused by GHG, will be slightly less than the average worldwide. However, the highest emission scenario predicts a 2.9o C–3.5o C increase in temperature by the 2090s. Therefore, instead of focusing solely on production, it is important to investigate measures to minimize GHG emitted by large ruminants under local management conditions.&#x0D; Keyword: Climate change, Enteric fermentation, Livestock, Methane&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Columbianadin ameliorates experimental acute reflux esophagitis in rats via suppression of NF-κB pathway.

Reflux esophagitis is a condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of the esophagus, resulting from the backflow of stomach acid and other gastric contents into the esophagus. Columbianadin is a coumarin derivative that exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we tried to scrutinize the protective effect of Columbianadin against acute reflux esophagitis in rats. RAW 264.7 cells were utilized to assess cell viability and measure the production of inflammatory parameters. The rats received anesthesia, and reflux esophagitis was induced via ligation of pylorus and fore stomach and corpus junction. Rats received the oral administration of Columbianadin (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) and omeprazole (20 mg/kg). The gastric secretion volume, acidity, and pH were measured. Additionally, the levels of oxidative stress parameters, cytokines, and inflammatory markers were determined. At the end of the study, mRNA expression was assessed. Columbianadin remarkably suppressed the cell viability and production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and prostaglandin (PGE2). Columbianadin treatment remarkably suppressed the secretion of gastric volume, total acidity and enhanced the pH level in the stomach. Columbianadin remarkably altered the level of hydrogen peroxidase, free iron, calcium, and plasma scavenging activity, sulfhydryl group; oxidative stress parameters like malonaldehyde, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase; inflammatory cytokines viz., TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; inflammatory parameters including PGE2, iNOS, COX-2, and nuclear kappa B factor (NF-κB). Columbianadin remarkably (P < 0.001) suppressed the mRNA expression TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Columbianadin demonstrated a protective effect against acute reflux esophagitis via NF-κB pathway.

Determination of hematobiochemical and fore stomach fluid constituents of llama (Lama glama) living in Egypt

There are no available data regarding the hematology, serum biochemistry, and fore stomach fluid constituents of llama (Lama glama) in Egypt. This study aimed to establish normal reference values for blood and fore stomach fluid constituents of llama and determine the influence of sex and season on these parameters under Egyptian conditions. The study was performed on (n = 38; 22 female, 16 male; 1–7 years) apparently healthy llamas located in the Giza Zoo and private zoo in the Ismailia Governorate. Samples were collected in two seasons and divided into summer and winter samples. Differences in the mean and range values of packed cell volume, serum minerals, fore stomach fluid pH, and total protozoal count in Egypt were recorded. Sex and season had minimal effects on hematology and only erythrocyte count showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in males compared with females. Regarding serum biochemistry, males showed significant (p < 0.05) increases in alanine transaminase and calcium levels, while globulin significantly (p < 0.05) increased in females. The influence of season on serum biochemistry was evident in alanine transaminase, total protein, albumin, and chloride which increased significantly (p < 0.05) in summer, while urea, bilirubin, and magnesium increased significantly (p < 0.05) in winter. Fore stomach fluid pH and ammonia showed significant (p < 0.05) increases in winter, while the total protozoal count increased significantly (p < 0.05) in summer and in males compared with females. The results obtained in this study can serve as reference values for the hematobiochemical and fore stomach fluid constituents of llama in Egypt.

Species identity and phylogeny of Paramphistomoidea Fischoeder, 1901 occurring in cattle and sheep in North Cameroon.

Paramphistomidae and Gastrothylacidae are parasitic flatworms occurring in wild and domestic ruminants in different parts of the world especially in Asia and Africa. In Central Africa, few studies have been done using molecular techniques to resolve taxonomical groupings and understand the epizootiology of these parasites. In this study, we molecularly characterized two hundred adult flukes collected from the fore stomachs of cattle and sheep in the Adamawa region of the northern Cameroon. PCR and sequencing of the nuclear ITS-2 of the ribosomal DNA gene and a portion of the mitochondrial cox-1 locus revealed the presence of at least nine species belonging to the genera of Cotylophoron, Calicophorn, Orthocoelium and Carmyerius. In Zebu cattle, we identified Ca. microbothrium, Ca. clavula, Ca. phillerouxi, Co. cotylophorum, Co. fuelleborni, O. scoliocoelium, Car. gregarius, Car. graberi and Car. mancupatus and one yet unknown Paramphistomoidea sp, whereas in sheep, only Ca. microbothrium was found. The present study also strongly suggests cross-hybridization between the two Cotylophoron species coexisting in cattle. These results have implications for the diagnosis and control of rumen flukes in the region and point to the need for accurate species identification to understand parasite distribution and population genetics.

Features of rumen digestion of cows when an enzyme feed additive is included in the basic ration

Under the influence of microorganisms 95 % of sugars and starch, 70 % of fiber and 40–80 % of protein are broken down in the fore stomachs. Since the microfl ora of the rumen cannot always cope with the digestion of a large amount of coarse feed, enzyme drugs designed to increase productivity and preserve animal health come to their aid. The use of enzyme additives is relevant and allows us to prevent the action of anti-nutritional factors of feed, increase the activity of endogenous enzymes, thereby contributing to the increase in metabolic processes in the body and increase milk productivity. The purpose of this work was to study the features of microbial processes in the rumen of lactating cows when the multicomponent enzyme feed additive Kormomix® Enzyme was included. The use of the enzyme additive aff ected the physics and chemical parameters of the rumen fl uid. The pH concentration in all groups was the same. The volatile fatty acids in the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups were on the same level as the control. In the 1st experimental group, there was a decrease in volatile fatty acids by 1,15 mmol/100 ml compare with control group. The assimilation of ammonia in animals of the 2nd experimental group, which received 50 g /head /day of the enzyme additive, was higher in compare with the control group. The ratio of volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid of cows of the experimental groups has changed towards the increase in the proportion of acetic acid. The composition of the bacterial community of the rumen improved with the inclusion of 50 g/head/day of the enzyme additive Kormomix® Enzyme. The number of cellulolytic microorganisms exceeded the control level by 6,45 abs.%. Thus, the use of the enzyme additive led to the intensification of microbiological processes in the rumen of cows.

Histomorphological changes in the goat, &lt;em&gt;Capra hircus &lt;/em&gt;L. rumen during different stages of gestation

Understanding the fetal development is essential to treat different anomalies of livestock after birth. Biological and anatomical data on the developing rumen of goat is scanty. Here, we investigated histomorphological changes in the ruminal part of the fore stomach of the goat, Capra hircus L. to elucidate the transformation of rumen prior to its functional state. For this study, 36 developing rumen were collected from healthy and normal embryos/foeti of either sex of goat from the first stage of prenatal life until birth. Tissues were processed by paraffin embedding technique and sections were stained. Definite four layers of the tubular structure were elucidated first at 51 days of gestation. We observed the ruminal wall lined by undifferentiated stratified epithelium up to 100 days which gradually became stratified squamous keratinized epithelium at 145 days of foetal life. Throughout the gestation lamina muscularis was absent. Reticular fibers evident first followed by collagen and elastic fibers. The prenatal development of the goat ruminal mucosa evidenced a considerable resemblance with the post natal rumen; however, certain morphological changes are still incomplete in order to meet the functional demands in postnatal life

Type II Vagal Indigestion and Adynamic Ileus in a Pregnant Cow with Haemato-biochemical and Blood Gas Analysis

Background: Vagal indigestion in cattle is an abdominal disorder resulting from mechanical or functional obstruction of the fore stomach and/or abomasum outflow. Prognosis is usually poor except in late pregnancy indigestion. A Holstein- Friesian cow in late pregnancy was presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex with the complaint of hyporexia, papple-shaped abdomen, dyschezia and voidance of pellety or dark scanty and greenish pasty dung for 8 days. Methods: Physical examination revealed papple-shaped abdomen. Rectal examination revealed L-shaped rumen and dilated intestinal loops. Haemato-biochemical analysis revealed neutrophilia, hyperglobulinemia, hypocalcaemia and hypokalemia. Blood gas analysis revealed no alterations. Ultrasonogram revealed normal architecture and motility of abomasum and absence of impaction. Result: Type II vagal digestion was identified as a cause in association with functional (adynamic) ileus which was due to with hypokalemic alkalosis and hypocalcaemia. The case responded to the treatment with cholinergic drugs, fluid therapy, antibiotics, antiinflammatory drugs and oral electrolytes.

Review of San Xiao Lun

San Xiao Lun is a posthumous manuscript by Liu Wansu. It discussed the etiology, pathogenesis and therapeutic principles of diabetes with special prescriptions for it. Most references in this book came from the works of Liu Wansu himself and some of them came from the works of other sources, such as The Internal Cannon of Medicine. It can be seen that it was a book with Liu Wansu's rethinking and summerising about diabetes after he completed his other works. San Xiao Lun was first published in Ru Men Shi Qin in the Jin Dynasty. It was also cited by Yi Fang Lei Ju in Korea in 1445. It was fully recorded and published in Ru Men Shi Qin in the Wanli Period in the Ming Dynasty and therefore, became the basic version of the current one. After that, it envolved into Si Ku Quan Shu. In the end of the Qing Dynasty, this book was published independently with the comments by Zhou Xuehai, being one of the books in the Zhous' Series Medical Books(Zhou Shi Yi Xue Cong Shu).

Impact of rumen bypass fat on growth performance in Nili Ravi buffalo calves.

This study was conducted to know the influence of rumen bypass fat supplement on growth performance of Nili-Ravi mal buffalo calves. Nili Ravi buffalo male calves (n=12) were randlomly selected and divided into two groups i.e., A and B based on two different levels of age. These groups (A and B) were further divided into two respective sub groups i.e., A1, A2 and B1, B2. Sub groups A1 and BI served as control (without supplement) whilst sub groups A2 and B2 were fed RBF supplement (at the rate of 2.35% of dry matter intake) with basel diet with total mixed ration. Results showed no statistical difference ( P>0.05) in dry matter intake, body weight gain and body condition score on rumen bypass fat supplementation. In blood metabolites, rumen bypass fat supplementation increased (P<0.05) blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels however, it reduced (P<0.05) blood glucose level in Nili-Ravi buffalo male calves. This study suggests that supplementation of rumen bypass fat at the rate of 2.35% per day in TMR possess no impact on growth performance parameters in Nili Ravi buffalo male calves. Keywords : buffalo calves, rumen bypass fat, growth performance, body condition score, blood metabolites

GATA4 Controls Epithelial Morphogenesis in the Developing Stomach to Promote Establishment of Glandular Columnar Epithelium.

Background & AimsThe transcription factor GATA4 is broadly expressed in nascent foregut endoderm. As development progresses, GATA4 is lost in the domain giving rise to the stratified squamous epithelium of the esophagus and forestomach (FS), while it is maintained in the domain giving rise to the simple columnar epithelium of the hindstomach (HS). Differential GATA4 expression within these domains coincides with the onset of distinct tissue morphogenetic events, suggesting a role for GATA4 in diversifying foregut endoderm into discrete esophageal/FS and HS epithelial tissues. The goal of this study was to determine how GATA4 regulates differential morphogenesis of the mouse gastric epithelium.MethodsWe used a Gata4 conditional knockout mouse line to eliminate GATA4 in the developing HS and a Gata4 conditional knock-in mouse line to express GATA4 in the developing FS.ResultsWe found that GATA4-deficient HS epithelium adopted a FS-like fate, and conversely, that GATA4-expressing FS epithelium adopted a HS-like fate. Underlying structural changes in these epithelia were broad changes in gene expression networks attributable to GATA4 directly activating or repressing expression of HS or FS defining transcripts. Our study implicates GATA4 as having a primary role in suppressing an esophageal/FS transcription factor network during HS development to promote columnar epithelium. Moreover, GATA4-dependent phenotypes in developmental mutants reflected changes in gene expression associated with Barrett’s esophagus.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that GATA4 is necessary and sufficient to activate the development of simple columnar epithelium, rather than stratified squamous epithelium, in the embryonic stomach. Moreover, similarities between mutants and Barrett’s esophagus suggest that developmental biology can provide insight into human disease mechanisms.

Effect of feeding bypass fat to dairy animals- A Review

The last 3 weeks each of pregnancy and early lactation are very critical for the dairy animals because of the challenges posed by metabolic and hormonal changes in the body. The dry matter intake of these animals starts declining during advanced pregnancy and gets reduced up to 30% just 3 weeks before parturition. Most of the energy is utilized for the production of colostrum and milk after parturition due to which the animal faces negative energy balance. The animal also loses its body condition score due to the utilization of its body fat to meet energy requirements that lead to an increase in non-esterified fatty acids in the blood. The animals are prone to metabolic disorders and decreased production of milk when its body fats are depleted. The energy requirements of such animals could be met by increasing the energy density of their diet. There is an increase in rumen acidosis if more quantity of concentrate is offered to such animals. Acidosis leads to the poor digestion of fibers in the rumen. There is increased production of propionate in comparison to acetate which is responsible for less percentage of fat in the milk of these animals. The ill effects of negative energy balance may be eliminated if these animals are offered bypass fat in their diet. The cellulose digesting bacteria stay unharmed due to bypass fat where as ordinary fat may harm these bacteria if more than 1% of its dry matter intake is fed. Therefore, it is advisable to offer bypass or prilled fat to the animals during transition period.

Fore-Stomach Foreign Bodies: prevalence, associated risk factors and types affecting cattle slaughtered at Gondar ELFORA abattoir, northwest Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, recurrent drought and feed shortage coupling with high level of environmental pollution predispose the animals to foreign body ingestion. A cross-sectional study with systematic random sampling approach was employed from November 2018 to April, 2019 with the objectives of estimating the prevalence; identify associated risk factors and to categorize the types of foreign body in cattle slaughtered at Gondar ELFORA Abattoir. Ante-mortem and postmortem examinations were used to collect the data. From the total of 384 animals examined, the overall prevalence of foreign body was 83(21.61%). Adult and old animals were 4.33 (95% CI=0.98, 19.00, p=0.052) and 4.54 (95% CI=1.03, 19.96, p=0.045) times more likely to have a chance of getting foreign body than young animals by keeping another factors constant, respectively. However, the difference is not statistically significant for adult cattle. Moreover, poor and medium body conditioned animals were 2.19 (95% CI=1.04, 4.56, p=0.037) and 1.51 (95% CI=0.72, 3.13, p=0.273) times more likely to acquire foreign bodies than good body conditioned animals by keeping another factors constant. In the positive cases (N=83), 41(49.40%), 34(40.96%), 8(9.64%) and 0(0%) of the foreign bodies were found in the rumen, reticulum, both rumen and reticulum, and omasum, respectively. Majority of foreign bodies identified (79.51%) were non-metallic in nature, including clothes, plastics, rope, sand and stone. Designing and implementation of appropriate solid waste disposal and management practices are strongly recommended to reduce the risk of ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies.&#x0D; Keyword: Abattoir; Cattle; Foreign body; Fore stomach; Prevalence

Efeitos da inclusão de taninos em suplementos de bovinos de corte em pastejo sobre a degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar o efeito da inclusão de tanino na suplementação de bovinos a pasto sobre a degradabilidade da matéria seca. Foram utilizados dois bovinos machos Nelore, não castrado, canulados no rúmen, e suplementados com suplemento proteico-energético com 26% de proteína bruta (PB) a 0,5% do peso corporal, contendo na dieta de um dos animais a inclusão de 1g de tanino por kg de matéria seca (MS). Avaliou-se a degradação da MS das amostras de DDG (que significa grãos secos por destilação, na sigla em inglês), farelo de soja e milho. Para todos os alimentos não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos. O DDG apresentou fração indigestível (65,6%) maior que a fração potencialmente digestível (20,5%), a fração potencialmente degradável da MS (B0) do farelo de soja foi inferior ao observado na literatura, entretanto a taxa de degradação da fração B0 (0,037) foi semelhante (0,080). O melhor ajuste dos modelos de desaparecimento para MS do milho foi com os tratamentos separados. Porém, não houve diferença significativa entre eles. A taxa de degradação do tratamento com tanino (0,178) não apresenta confiabilidade por incluir o zero dentro do intervalo de confiança. Existe uma diferença significativa somente no tempo de meia vida, sendo possível observar que o tratamento com tanino demora quase que o dobro de tempo (96,35%) para digerir metade da fração potencialmente digestível do tratamento sem tanino.

Producción de metano y bióxido de carbono in vitro de pastos tropicales de la costa de Oaxaca, México

Los pastos tropicales poseen baja concentración de proteína cruda y mayor fibra detergente neutra. Los pastos fermentados en el rumen, presentan diferentes valores de digestibilidad, concentración de ácidos grasos volátiles (AGV), producción de metano (CH4) y bióxido de carbono (CO2). Objetivo: determinar la composición química, caracterizar la fermentación y estimar la producción de CH4 y CO2 in vitro en pastos tropicales de Oaxaca. Materiales y métodos. Los pastos (0.5 g de materia seca): Cynodon nlemfuensis, Andropogon gayanus, Penissetum purpureum cv. Taiwán Morado, Penissetum purpureum cv. Maralfalfa y Panicum maximum, fueron incubados con 45 mL de medio para microorganismos anaerobios, y depositados en viales de vidrio de 100 mL mantenidos en condiciones anaerobias con CO2. Los pastos fueron inoculados con cinco mL de fluido ruminal de bovino e incubados a 39 °C durante 72 h. A las 6, 12, 24, 48 72 h se determinó la producción de biogás y la población de microorganismos. La concentración de AGV, pH y degradación de la materia seca in vitro (DIVMS) se determinaron a 72 h. A 24, 48 y 72 h se midió la producción de CH4 y CO2. Las variables se evaluaron mediante un diseño completamente aleatorizado utilizando cinco repeticiones por tratamiento, la comparación de medias se realizó mediante la prueba de Tukey. Cynodon nlemfuensis tuvo el mayor contenido de proteína cruda (P = 0.05). Las poblaciones de bacterias celulolíticas presentaron menor conteo en Andropogon gayanus así como en Panicum máximum (P &lt; 0.05). Cynodon nlemfuensis, Andropogon gayanus y Pennisetum purpureum cv. Taiwán Morado presentaron menores concentraciones de acetato (P &lt; 0.05), Pannicum maximum tuvo mayor concentración de propionato (P &lt; 0.05). Pennisetum purpureum cv. Maralfalfa presentó la mayor DIVMS y produjo menor volumen de CH4 (P &lt; 0.05), Cynodon nlemfuensis y Pannicum maximum produjeron menores volúmenes de CO2 (P &lt; 0.05).

Effect of secondary compounds on nutrients utilization and productivity of ruminant animals: A review

Plants produce secondary compounds (include tannins, saponins, flavoids, glucosinolates, mimosine and essential oils) which are not used for their growth, development and reproduction of the plant. The review found out the nutrient utilization and productivity performance of ruminant animals supplementing with secondary compounds containing forages, browse species, shrubs, grains, legumes and others. Secondary compounds influence the digestibility, dry matter intake and absorption of nutrients in ruminant’s nutrition. Their dose determines whether they are enhancers or detrimental. Tannins, saponins and essential oils are the major secondary compounds which may improve the health, average live weight gain and milk and wool production. Moreover, ruminant animals consuming secondary compound containing forages support the efficient utilization of energy while reducing the rumen gas production which results in low methane. The main problem of supplementing such kind of forages is the absence of consistent recommended dose. Therefore, this area needs to get more attention and further research should be done to establish much more profitable farm and to boost the economic value of ruminant animals.

Effect of feeding sugarcane bagasse treated with alkali and white rot fungi on dairy cow performance, blood metabolite and ruminal fermentation

Bagasse is the left over obtained from sugar production plants. After improving the quality with NaOH and white fungus, Pleurotus sajor-caju, it can be used as roughage source for ruminant animal. However, use at different levels in TMR diet is expected to produce different responses. Therefore, the objective this study is to find the suitable level of fermented sugarcane bagasse (FSB) as an ingredient in TMR with 14% dietary protein content on dairy cow performance, blood metabolite and ruminal fermentation. In CRD experiment, nine crossbred Holstein lactating multiparous cows (avg. b. wt. 405±45 kg) were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments comprising of 3 levels of FSB in TMR diet viz., 10, 20 and 30%. The result showed that inclusion of FSB at different levels in TMR diet had no effect on DMI and milk production. However, FSB at 20% in TMR had improved the milk composition. Increasing the level of FSB in TMR diet was effect to increase blood glucose, while blood urea nitrogen has the highest in 1.5 hours after feeding FSB at 10% in TMR diet. Level of FSB in TMR diet had no effect on ruminal fermentation as evidenced in every hour of determination, except 4.5 hours after feeding while FSB at 10 % in TMR diet had highest TVFA concentration in the rumen. Therefore, the study suggests that FSB at the level of 20-30% in TMR diet for optimum performance, blood metabolite and ruminal fermentation.

Effects of physically effective fiber on rumen and milk parameters in dairy cows: A review

The objective of this paper is to review the effects of physically effective fiber on rumen function, milk yield, and milk composition and the optimum requirement for dairy cows. Dietary fiber is a vital component of feed that regulates the rumen functions and improves milk quality and milk yield in ruminants. The appropriate particle size and quantity of dietary fiber in the diets of dairy cows help to prevent the occurrence of ruminal disorders and promote healthy rumen functioning and productivity. Currently, sub-acute ruminal acidosis is a common problem in a modern dairy production system. The disease is caused by lack of adequate amount of physically effective dietary fiber in animal feed. Long sized dietary fiber particles stimulate chewing and saliva production would help to maintain reticulo-ruminal buffering capacity. The optimum requirement of fiber for dairy cows depends on the physical form of the fiber source, the chemical composition of the total ration, the stage of lactation and level of production.

Impact of dietary supplementation of chromium, sodium nitrate or mineral mixture on growth performance and rumen microbes of Brahman crossbred cattle

The study was conducted on 20 Brahman crossbred bulls (217±22.6 kg) to investigate the effects of supplemented chromium, sodium nitrate and mineral mixture on rumen microbes, growth performance and blood biochemical profiles. It was found that the addition of mineral mixture increased the number of total bacteria (10.81×1010/mL) and Ruminococcus flavefaciens. Sodium nitrate supplementation also increased the number of Ruminococcus albus at the beginning of the trial but sodium nitrate supplementation did not lead to a change of bacterial quantity at the end of the experiment. In addition, better performance in weight gain (62.0 kg) and average daily gain (688 g/day) were indicated in cattle fed mineral mixture supplementation. Irrespective of supplementation sources, the blood biochemical profiles of cattle remained unchanged. However, it was observed that mineral mixture supplementation enhanced rumen bacteria and improved cattle growth during the growing stage.

Enhancing anaerobic digestion of vegetable waste and cellulose by bioaugmentation with rumen culture

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been widely used to valorize food waste (FW) because of its ability to convert organic carbon into CH4 and CO2. Korean FW has a high content of fruits and vegetables, and efficient hydrolysis of less biodegradable fibers is critical for its complete stabilization by AD. This study examined the digestates from different anaerobic digesters, namely Rs, Rr, and Rm, as the inocula for the AD of vegetable waste (VW) and cellulose (CL): Rs inoculated with anaerobic sludge from an AD plant, Rr inoculated with rumen fluid, and Rm inoculated with anaerobic sludge and augmented with rumen fluid. A total of six conditions (3 inocula x 2 substrates) were tested in serial subcultures. Biogas yield was higher in the runs inoculated with Rm than in the other runs for both VW (up to 1.10 L/g VS added) and CL (up to 1.05 L/g VS added), and so was biogas production rate. The inocula had different microbial community structures, and both substrate type and inoculum source had a significant effect on the formation and development of microbial community structures in the subcultures. The overall results suggest that the bioaugmentation with rumen microbial consortium has good potential to enhance the anaerobic biodegradability of VW, and thereby can help more efficiently digest high fiber-content Korean FW.