Ruminal Undegradable Protein Research Articles

Efficiency of Amino Acid Utilization in Nellore Cattle Grazing Low-Quality Forage Supplemented with Different Sources of Nitrogen.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with non-protein nitrogen (NPN) or ruminal undegradable protein (RUP) on intake, digestibility, and amino acid (AA) use efficiency of Nellore cattle grazing during the dry season. Eight Nellore steers (12 ± 2 months old) were used in quadruplicate Latin squares (2 × 2). The animals were placed on Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés under continuous grazing. The treatments included the following: (1) urea supplementation (NPN) and (2) supplementation of corn gluten meal 60 (CGM, RUP). Animals supplemented with CGM showed higher intakes of dry matter (DM) supplement, total AA, essential AA, and individual AA. The supplementation did not affect the total AA digestibility, total AA flux, and the AA fluxes of microbial origin and RUP from the diet (p > 0.05). The ruminal microorganism origin flux of total AA to the duodenum was 44.5% and 52.7% for animals supplemented with NPN and CGM, respectively. Animals supplemented with CGM showed an increase in blood concentrations of isoleucine (+19.09 μmol/L), cystine (+27.29 μmol/L), and albumin (+0.11 g/dL) (p < 0.05), but this increase was not accompanied by an improvement in N use efficiency of steers (p > 0.05). RUP supplementation via CGM can be an efficient nutritional strategy to enhance the intake and absorption of AA by Nellore cattle grazing low-quality forage during the dry season.

Ruminal undegradable protein enriched diet during late gestation of beef cows affects maternal metabolism and offspring’s skeletal muscle development

We aimed to investigate the impacts of ruminal undegradable protein (RUP) enriched diet during late gestation on performance of pregnant beef cows and skeletal muscle growth of the offspring. From 180d of gestation to parturition, a total of 31 Brahman pregnant cows were randomly assigned to one of the experimental treatments: High-RUP diet (H-RUP, n = 17), and control diet (CTRL, n = 14). Maternal results showed no differences (P > 0.05) in dry matter intake, and total digestible nutrients intake between treatments. However, crude protein intake and the RUP intake were greater (P < 0.01) in H-RUP, while CTRL group had greater (P < 0.01) rumen degradable protein intake. Cows from H-RUP group were heavier (P < 0.01) at parturition and had greater (P = 0.01) average daily gain. Blood levels of nitric oxide tended (P = 0.06) to be greater in H-RUP, while blood glucose levels were not altered (P > 0.60) by RUP-enriched diet. Blood aminoacidic profile showed greater (P = 0.02) concentrations of methionine in CTRL group, and greater (P < 0.01) concentrations of the branched chain amino acids in H-RUP cows. A greater (P = 0.04) number of muscle fibers were observed in the H-RUP offspring, while a tendency (P = 0.07) of greater muscle fiber diameter was observed in CTRL offspring. Gene expression analysis indicated higher (P < 0.01) expression of the satellite cells marker (PAX7) in CTRL offspring. In contrast, the expression of the markers of fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells (PDGFRα), and adipogenesis (ZFP423, PPARγ, C/EBPα) were higher in the skeletal muscle of H-RUP offspring. Consistently, at the protein level the greater abundance of ZFP423 (P = 0.03), and PPARγ (P = 0.01) were observed in H-RUP offspring. Moreover, the expression of the fibrogenic marker (TGFβ) was higher (P = 0.01) in H-RUP offspring. Our findings suggest that supplementing pregnant beef cows during late gestation may increase the availability of amino acids, responsible to maintain maternal body conditions and to change the skeletal muscle characteristics of the offspring. Since the resulting offspring from H-RUP treatment showed greater number of muscle fiber and an increase in the process of intramuscular adipogenesis our data suggest that a RUP-enriched diet for pregnant cows at late gestation may be beneficial for the achievement of better carcasses at slaughter. However, the feeding strategy showed no changes in the offspring’s performance during the growing phase.

Effects of inclusion different level of low-quality forage and ruminal undegradable protein to degradable protein ratio in starter diet on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, and urinary purine derivatives in young lambs

Forty 12-day-old lambs with an average BW of 6.37 kg were allocated in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to evaluate the effects of wheat straw feeding level (WS; 10% vs. 25%, DM basis) and rumen undegradable to degradable protein ratio [RUP:RDP; low ratio (LR) = 27:73; high ratio (HR) = 38:62] on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, microbial protein yield (MPY), blood metabolites, and liver enzymes. Treatments (10 lambs/each; 5 males and 5 females) were: (1) 10% WS with low RUP:RDP ratio (10WS-LR); (2) 10% WS with high RUP:RDP ratio (10WS-HR); (3) 25% WS with low RUP:RDP ratio (25WS-LR); and (4) 25% WS with high RUP:RDP ratio (25WS-HR). Lambs were weaned on d 82 of the experiment and remained in the study until d 92. Lambs had free access to starter diet throughout the experiment. Results show that starter intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency did not change among experimental treatments. Organic matter digestibility was reduced in 25WS diets. Greater organic matter digestibility, fibre digestibility (tendency; p = 0.064), wither height (d 82), and urinary allantoin was found in HR compared to LR diets. However, ruminal NH3-N concentration and urinary nitrogen excretion was greater in LR diets indicating lower nitrogen utilization efficiency. The greatest ruminal butyrate concentration as well as the greatest concentration of blood beta-hydroxybutyrate was found for 25WS-HR diet at d 90 of experiment. The blood urea concentration was reduced in HR diets compared to LR diets. In summary, high RUP:RDP ratio is advisable when young lambs received high level of WS in starter diet due to improve nutrient digestibility and nitrogen efficiency.

Impact of condensed tannin-containing legumes on ruminal fermentation, nutrition, and performance in ruminants: a review

Legume forages, such as sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), can increase the forage quality and quantity of Western Canadian pastures, thus increasing producer profitability due to increased gains in grazing ruminants, while also reducing risk of bloat in legume pastures due to the presence of proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins (CT) are secondary plant polyphenol compounds that have been regarded as anti-nutritional due to their ability to bind protein in feeds, enzymes, and microbial cells, therefore disrupting microbial digestion and slowing ruminal protein and dry matter (DM) digestion. Research has shown that at high concentrations (&gt;50 g·kg−1 DM), CT can disrupt microbial digestion. However, at low dietary inclusion rates (5–10 g·kg−1 DM), they reduce bloat risk, increase ruminal undegradable protein, reduce enteric methane production, and benefit anthelmintic activity. Yet, research gaps still exist regarding grazing persistence and forage yield of novel CT-containing forages and their biological activity due to their vast differences in CT stereochemistry, polymer size, and intermolecular linkages. The objectives of this review are to summarize information regarding the impact of CT on ruminal fermentation, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and the potential to identify and select for forages that contain CT for ruminant production.

PSI-29 Effects of maternal supplementation of ruminally undegradable protein during early gestation on subsequent progeny performance in beef cattle

Abstract Late gestation protein supplementation has been shown to be beneficial to fetal development. However, little is known about early gestation protein supplementation when supplements contain high or low amounts of ruminally undegraded protein (RUP). Therefore, two-year study was conducted using 28 mixed-aged cows consumed a basal diet balanced to meet nutrient requirements for early gestation were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments during the first trimester of pregnancy, 1) no supplement (CON; n = 10); 2) 38% CP supplement containing 36% RUP (LRUP; n = 9); 3) 38% protein supplemented containing 50% RUP (HRUP; n = 9). All cows were managed similarly after the completion of the supplementation period. There were no treatment × year interactions observed for any variable measured. Subsequent progeny birth BW did not differ between treatments (P = 0.19). Calf weights did not differ due to treatment due to treatment (P ≥ 0.08) at weaning; however, calf weaning weight was greater in year 1 compared to year 2 (P &amp;lt; 0.0001). After weaning, calves were placed in an individual feeding system for a 60 d feeding period. Body weight was recorded biweekly and intake was measured daily. Intake from day 0 to 14 and 14 to 28 tended to be greater (P ≤ 0.07) for HRUP and LRUP when compared to unsupplemented control. Nonetheless, ADG and gain:feed was similar for all treatments (P ≥ 0.21). Steers were transitioned to a finishing diet and harvested at approximately 18 mo of age. No differences were observed in ribeye area, hot carcass weight or yield grade (P ≥ 0.23). Overall, under the conditions of this study, supplementing cows during the first trimester with a high protein supplement that varied in ruminally undegradable protein did not impact progeny growth or carcass characteristics.

Effects of the supplementation of distillers’ grape residues on ruminal degradability, whole tract digestibility and nitrogen metabolism in sheep

ABSTRACTFive ruminally and duodenally cannulated Kazakh male lambs (30 ± 2.75 kg) maintained singly in a metabolic cage were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square experiment to investigate the effect of supplementing a ration with five different levels of distillers’ grape residue (DGR) on ruminal degradability, whole tract digestibility and nitrogen (N) metabolism of growing lambs. The rations were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous and contained 0, 3.85, 7.70, 11.55 and 15.41% DGR (DM basis). Each experimental period lasted for 18 d: 10 d for adaptation to the dietary treatment and 8 d for faecal, urinary, ruminal and duodenal digesta sample collections. The outflow rate of ruminal digesta increased (p = 0.032) linearly with the increased level of dietary neutral detergent fibre content, caused by the supplementation of DGR. As a result, the effective degradability of dry matter and crude protein decreased significantly with the treatments. Although the dietary intake of N, duodenal flow of total N, and the endogenous N at the duodenum were not affected by experimental treatments, N fractions in the digesta were altered. Ruminal microbial N decreased (p < 0.01) linearly; in contrast, ruminal un-degradable protein increased linearly (p < 0.01) in response to the increased addition of DGR. Although there was no significant difference in faecal N among treatments, N retention was increased linearly (p = 0.014), owing to the remarkable reduction (p = 0.016) of urinary N excretion with an increasing level of DGR. The results indicate that the DGR has some potential benefits of increasing the supply of bypass protein and of improving the utilisation efficiency of N for sheep. Therefore, the supplementation of DGR in ruminant feeding is recommended at levels not exceeding 10% of the diet.

Interaction effect of ruminal undegradable protein level and rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) inclusion in the diet of growing goat kids on meat CLA content and quality traits.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of dietary rumen undegradable protein (RUP) level and rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid (rpCLA) on meat fatty acid (FA) profile, chemical compositions and colour parameters of growing kids. Thirty-two Kurdish goat kids (13·06 ± 1·08 kg body weight) were fed diets differing in RUP level (low = 250 v. high = 350 g/kg of dietary crude protein) supplemented either with 15 g/kg of rpCLA or 12 g/kg of hydrogenated soyabean oil (HSO) for 80 d. Interaction of dietary rpCLA and RUP level had no effect on hot carcass weight, dressing and cut percentage, and meat chemical composition and colour parameters. Meat total SFA, MUFA and PUFA concentrations were not influenced by experimental diets, whereas kids fed diets supplemented with rpCLA had lower meat total SFA and higher PUFA concentrations compared with those fed diets supplemented with HSO. The concentration of meat trans-11-8 : 1 was not influenced by rpCLA supplementation, RUP level and their interaction. Kids fed diets containing rpCLA supplementation had higher meat total CLA and cis-9, trans-11-CLA and trans-10, cis-12-CLA isomers compared with those fed diets containing HSO supplementation. Desaturase indexes of C14, C16 and C18 were not influenced by rpCLA supplementation, RUP level and their interaction. It is concluded that supplementing growing kids' diets with RUP and 15 g/kg of rpCLA not only decreased meat fat content but also increased some FA considered to be of potential benefit to human health.

Predicting post-absorptive protein and amino acid metabolism

ABSTRACT Sustainable production of adequate quantities of food to support a growing human population is a worldwide goal. Under current feeding conditions in the United States, dairy cattle convert dietary nitrogen to milk nitrogen with 25% efficiency. The remaining 75% is excreted, which contributes to air and water quality problems and reduces economic performance of the industry. Efficiency could be improved to 29% if protein was given to just meet current NRC requirements. Additional improvements may be achievable, but only with improved knowledge of amino acid (AA) requirements. The current metabolizable protein requirement model overestimates true requirements due to lack of knowledge of AA supply and requirements and to intrinsic limitations in system data and assumptions. Existing protein supply models based on passage and degradation rates are biased, which undermines predictions of AA supply. The use of an equation driven solely by protein solubility of each ingredient in the diet with no consideration of the effects of passage rate yielded unbiased predictions with significant improvements in precision. However, this still leaves a problem in predicting the AA composition of the ruminally undegraded protein (RUP). Current models generally assume that RUP AA composition equals the parent ingredient composition, but assessments of RUP AA composition indicate that this is false. Thus, bias is being introduced into predictions of the absorbed AA supply, which hampers derivation of estimates of AA digestion and absorption from the small intestine. Emerging isotope-based methods hold promise in allowing assessment of AA availability from individual ingredients in vivo, which will allow construction of a database of true ingredient AA bioavailabilities. These efforts will eventually allow development of more robust predictions of AA supply. On the AA requirement side, numerous data indicate that the efficiency of metabolizable protein use for lactation is variable and maximally 45%, whereas most models assume an efficiency of 65% or greater. The efficiencies of individual AA are centered on the protein efficiency value with those lower in efficiency, likely being provided in large excess. A better representation of the use efficiency of individual AA would allow improvements in overall animal N efficiency. Variable efficiency is driven by regulatory mechanisms that control protein synthesis in response to the supply of energy and individual AA and circulating concentrations of hormones and these drivers act independently and additively. Under this theory, protein synthesis can respond to nutrients other than the one identified as most limiting. Reflecting this regulation in our requirement models will allow better prediction of AA efficiency and enable construction of diets that minimize excess of individual AA by optimizing the energy and hormonal signals to improve N efficiency. Models of such an interacting system have been developed and shown to be superior in performance to models based on current paradigms.

In Vitro Ruminal Degradability of Soybean Meal Protein Protected with Natural Tannin

The influence of tannin from tea waste and gambier as natural tannin sources on ruminal protein degradability was studied in this investigation. The soybean meal was used as protein source in this investigation. There were three treatments in this investigation mainly without protection (NT); protection with tea waste (Tt); and protection with gambier (Tg). The measured parameters consisted of in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and the ruminal fermentation characteristics. Results of this experiment showed that protection with tannin from tea waste as well as gambier increased (p<0.05) the IVDMD (77.0 vs 85.10 and 86.20%) and IVOMD (75.70 vs 83.40 and 84.40%). The highest IVDMD and IVOMD (p<0.05) was found in Tg treatment group. The Ruminal Undegradable Protein (RUP) in Tt and Tg group was higher than that in NT group (66.29 and 69.20 vs 51.10%). The ruminal protozoa population decreased (p<0.05) as a result of tannin protection (6690 vs 3790 and 5480 microorganism/ml rumen fluid). The Tt treatment group showed the lowest (p<0.05) ruminal protozoa population. The ammonia concentration in Tt and Tg tend to be lower compared to NT (4.67 and 4.69 vs 5.00 mM). The soybean meal protein protection with tea waste and gambier tannin increased IVDMD, IVOMD, RUP. The ruminal protozoa population and ammonia concentration, on the other hand, were decreased by tannin protection from those tannin natural sources. The natural tannin from gambier was the most effective protection agent for soybean meal protein.

Protein dietary efficiency and methane emission in cattle fed soybean meal treated with tannins

Adding tannins to the dietary protein source will cause complexation between the tannin and protein, which may increase dietary ruminal undegraded protein. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SM) with soybean meal treated with tannin (SMT) on the intake, partial and total nutrient digestibility, and protein dietary efficiency of young cattle fed a high-concentrate diet. Five Nellore bulls with bodyweights of 290 ± 11.2 kg were fitted with ruminal and abomasal cannulas and were used in the study. The experimental diets included 7.5% SM, with a proportion of that SM (0%, 33%, 66% or 100%) replaced with SMT. Another treatment (SMT+urea) with only 2.5% SM treated with tannins was tested. The intake of ether extract and the intake of neutral detergent fibre ash and protein were the only parameters related to feed intake that were affected by the replacement of SM with SMT. Ruminal and intestinal digestibility each showed a linear effect on crude protein, which decreased with ruminal digestibility and increased with intestinal digestibility. The intake of ruminal undegraded protein and metabolisable protein showed a positive linear correlation with the amount of SMT in the diet. SMT substitution showed no effect on methane emission. The replacement of traditional SM with SM treated with 2.5% tannins (85% condensed tannins and 15% hydrolysable tannins) for cattle that were fed high-concentrate diets showed increased amounts of metabolisable protein and decreased nitrogen loss per unit of crude protein, without changing the methane emission.

Effects of correcting in situ ruminal microbial colonization of feed particles on the relationship between ruminally undegraded and intestinally digested crude protein in concentrate feeds.

In situ estimates of ruminally undegraded protein (RUP) and intestinally digested protein (IDP) of ten concentrates, uncorrected or corrected for the ruminal microbial colonization, were used to examine the effects of this correction on the relationship between IDP and RUP values. Both variables were established for three rumen and duodenum cannulated wethers using 15 N labeling-techniques and considering measured rates of ruminal particle comminution (kc ) and outflow (kp ). A covariance analysis showed that the close relationship found between both variables (IDP = -0.0132 ± 0.00679 + 0.776 ± 0.0002 RUP; n = 60; P < 0.001; r = 0.960) is not affected by correcting for microbial colonization (P = 0.682). The IDP content in concentrates and industrial by-products can be predicted from RUP values, thus avoiding the laborious and complex procedure of determining intestinal digestibility; however, a larger sample of feeds is necessary to achieve more accurate predictions. The lack of influence of the correction for microbial contamination on the prediction observed in the present study increases the data available for this prediction. However, only the use of corrected values may provide an accurate evaluation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

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Improving the Performance of Local Kacang Goats Using Ruminally Undegradable Protein Feeds

Improving the Performance of Local Kacang Goats Using Ruminally Undegradable Protein Feeds

Delaying Postpartum Supplementation in Cows Consuming Low-Quality Forage Does Not Alter Cow and Calf Productivity

Reducing the amount of supplemental feed postpartum without affecting productivity may enhance profitability of cow-calf operations. Therefore, sixteen 2-yr-old fall calving cows were used to evaluate effects of delaying postpartum supplementation on milk production, serum metabolites, and cow and calf BW change. Cows were stratified by calving date and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 908 g/d of a 46% CP supplement beginning 5 d postpartum (Supp5, n = 7); or 908 g/d of the same supplement beginning 30 d postpartum (Supp30, n = 9). Supplements were formulated to provide 425 g/d of CP with 225 g coming from ruminally undegradable protein (RUP), and were fed twice weekly. Cows were daily fed 8.2 kg chopped sudangrass hay (5.5% CP, 74% NDF, OM basis) during lactation. Cows and calves were weighed before feeding on two consecutive days on d 0, d 30, and d 80 postpartum. Milk production and constituents were evaluated on d 90. Cow BW was not different at d 0 (P = 0.21) and 80 (P = 0.12) between treatment groups. Cows receiving supplement starting on d 5 postpartum were heavier (P = 0.04) than Supp30 cows on d 30. However, no differences (P ≥ 0.17) were found in BW change or ADG during the duration of the study. Milk production was similar (P = 0.99) for postpartum supplementation treatments. No differences (P ≥ 0.27) were observed in milk fat, lactose, protein, or solids-non-fat. However, there was a tendency (P = 0.09) for milk urea nitrogen to be greater for cows receiving supplement on d 5 than d 30 of lactation. Serum urea nitrogen was greater (P = 0.02) in cows receiving Supp5 than cows receiving Supp30. Serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and glucose concentrations were not different (P ≥ 0.40) between treatment groups. Calf BW and average daily gain (ADG) was not influenced (P ≥ 0.81) by timing of initial postpartum supplementation. These results indicate that withholding supplementation during the first 30 d postpartum may change pattern of cow BW loss without affecting net BW loss, milk production, or calf growth. Therefore, timing of postpartum supplementation can be manipulated to reduce amount of feed provided without sacrificing cow or calf productivity.

Effects of the dietary ratio of ruminal degraded to undegraded protein and feed intake on intestinal flows of endogenous nitrogen and amino acids in goats

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the dietary ratio of ruminal degraded protein (RDP) to ruminal undegraded protein (RUP) and the dry matter intake (DMI) on the intestinal flows of endogenous nitrogen (N) and amino acids (AA) in goats. The experiment was designed as a 4 × 4 Latin square using four ruminally, duodenally and ileally cannulated goats. The treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design; two ratios of RDP to RUP (65:35 and 45:55, RDP1 and RDP2, respectively) and two levels at 95% and 75% of voluntary feed intake (DMI1 and DMI2, respectively) were fed to the goats. There were no significant differences in the N intake, duodenal flow of total N, undegraded feed N, microbial N, endogenous N or ileal flow of endogenous N, but the duodenal and ileal flow of endogenous N numerically decreased by approximately 22% and 9%, respectively, when the feed intake changed from DMI1 (0.63 kg/d) to DMI2 (0.50 kg/d). The dietary ratio of RDP to RUP had significant effects (p < 0.05) on the ileal flows of endogenous leucine, phenylalanine and cysteine. The present results implied that the duodenal flows of endogenous N and AA decreased when the dietary RDP to RUP ratio and DMI decreased, and the flow of endogenous AA at the ileum also decreased when the DMI decreased but increased with decreasing RDP to RUP ratios.

INFLUENCE OF ALL OR PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF MORINGA FROM BERSEEM ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SHEEP

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of inclusion Moringa oleifera (MO) to be partially or all replace berseem in sheep ration and its effect on nutrients digestibility, in-sacco effective degradability of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) of fresh berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) against Moringa oleifera forage, dietary nitrogen utilization, rumen fermentation activity, productive performance and blood parameters of Barki sheep. Digestibility trials were conducted with Barki rams, while rumen fermentation trials were conducted with fistulated Barki ewes. Feeding trials were applied with thirty male growing lambs. Thirty male Barki sheep (25.37±0.37kg, and 7 months of age) were randomly divided into five similar groups (6 each) for a feeding period of 75 days, where weight was recorded and blood samples were collected at end of the feeding period. Experimental rations based on 60% CFM + 40% fresh berseem (R1); 60% CFM + 30% berseem + 10% moringa (R2); 60% CFM+ 20% berseem+ 20% moringa (R3); 60% CFM + 10% berseem + 30% moringa (R4) and 60% CFM + 40% moringa (R5). Results indicated that higher nutrients digestibility associated moringa containing rations, where the R4 containing (10% berseem + 30% moringa) and R5 (40% moringa) had the highest (P<0.05) digestibility values for all nutrients followed by those of R3 (20% berseem + 20% moringa). While, the lowest values were recorded with R1 containing 40% berseem (0% moringa). Nutritive values expressed as TDN was (P<0.05) higher for R4 and R5 than R1, while DCP was (P<0.05) higher for all moringa rations (R2, R3, R4 and R5) than R1. Results of nitrogen utilization as well showed remarkable (P < 0.05) increase of N-retained as % of N-absorbed and relative to N-intake or digestible N with moringa containing rations. The results indicated that feeding moringa forage in partial or complete substitution of berseem fodder improved nitrogen utilization with all moringa rations in comparison to R1. Rumen liquor pH values and NH3-N concentration were lower (P<0.05) with increasing moringa in rations (R3, R4 and R5) than R1 and R2, while total VFA's concentration was remarkably higher for R3, R4 and R5 than R1 and R2 experimental rations. In similar trend, microbial nitrogen yield was greater with the moringa rations (R5) than that of R1 (40% berseem containing ration). Molar proportion % of propionic acid and butyric acid were insignificantly lower with increasing moringa in experimental rations. Acetic acid, acetic: propionic ratio and rumen volume (L) were higher (P<0.05) with increasing moringa in rations. Effective degradability of DM and ruminal undegradable protein (RUP) were significantly increased with increasing the level of moringa up to 40%. Economic return and economic efficiency were higher for moringa than berseem. Feeding moringa rations was associated with higher (P<0.05) blood glucose concentration, total protein, albumin and globulin with increase moringa in rations compared with the control ration. Moreover, blood cholesterol and urea was decreased (P<0.05) with moringa rations, however the effect was more pronounced with 40% moringa ration. Feeding moringa up to 40% of the whole daily ration did not badly affects liver or kidney functions. Under the conditions of this study, it’s fair to conclude that; moringa oleifera is palatable and highly nutritious fodder. Therefore, the partial or complete replacement of berseem with moringa is highly recommended in the feeding practices of sheep.

A Meta-analysis of Ruminal Outflow of Nitrogen Fractions in Dairy Cows

Data from the scientific literature and statistical methods were used to estimate the magnitude and significance of the effects of the amount and source of dietary crude protein (CP) supplements on the supply of N fractions passing to the small intestine of lactating dairy cows. The passage of total N and nonammonia N from the rumen was influenced by the source of CP in the control diet and only marginally by the source of ruminally un-degradable protein (RUP) in the dietary treatment. Even though NH3N did not appear to limit growth of the microbes, overall flow of microbial N from the rumen was depressed when RUP partially replaced other sources of CP in the diet. This response tended to be affected by the source of RUP in the dietary treatment. The passage of nonammonia, nonmicrobial N to the duodenum increased when cows consumed diets that contained RUP supplements. The magnitude of this response, however, was distinctly altered by the source of CP in the control diet with which the RUP treatment was compared. In addition, the proportion and source of total CP supplied by RUP in the treatment diet tended to modulate the response. Feeding RUP resulted in a significant increase in the ruminal outflow of total and essential amino acids but the magnitude of this response depended on the source of RUP. Feeding some RUP sources quantitatively improved the delivery of methionine and lysine to the small intestine. Therefore, variability exists in the ruminal outflow of N fractions when different sources of RUP are fed to cows. A portion of this variation is explained by the source of CP in the control diet, the source of RUP in the dietary treatment, the amino acid composition of the dietary CP, and the CP percentage of the diet.

Effect of supplementation with rumen undegradable protein on milk production and ovarian activity in double purpose cows

In order to evaluate the effect of ruminal undegradable protein (RUP) supplementation on the productive and reproductive performance of double purpose cows, 20 cows (F1 Holstein×Brahman) at 4 days postpartum (body weight 420±24 kg) were divided in two groups (n=20) to receive 2 kg/animal/day of 30% RUP or 45% RUP supplement for 100 days. Cows were weighed, the body condition score (BCS) was recorded weekly and milk production and composition was evaluated twice a week. Faeces, concentrate and pasture samples were collected to estimate forage intake and digestibility. Assessments of oestrous behaviour were performed by visual observation from Day 14 until Day 105 postpartum and blood samples were collected twice a week to measure progesterone. The results show that the use of 45% RUP did not improve intake, digestibility, milk production and composition, body weight or BCS (P > 0.05), but tended to reduce (P = 0.15) the number of days to first normal luteal activity and increased (P=0.14) the number of animals with luteal activity in the first 105 days postpartum. It is concluded that supplementation with 45% RUP did not improve forage use or milk production, but had a positive effect on the restoration of ovarian activity in double purpose cows in early postpartum.

Ruminal and intestinal amino acid digestion of distiller's grain vary with grain source and milling process

A study was conducted to evaluate the in situ ruminal degradability of crude protein (CP), amino acid (AA) profiles of ruminal undegradable protein (RUP), and in vitro intestinal digestibility of AA for dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as affected by grain source (corn vs. wheat) and milling process (conventional vs. fractional). The feeds tested included wheat, wheat DDGS (WDDGS), corn, corn DDGS (CDDGS) and corn fractional DDGS (FDDGS). The feeds were evaluated in three ruminally cannulated beef heifers fed a diet containing 600g/kg barley silage and 400g/kg barley-based concentrate (dry matter [DM] basis). Polyester bags containing 5g of ground feed (2-mm) were incubated in the rumen of each heifer for 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 16, 24, and 48h. Ruminal microbes were labeled using 15N to correct the bacterial contamination. The model y=a+b(1−e−c(t−lag)) was fitted to determine degradation kinetics of DM and protein. Effective degradability (ED) was determined as: a+[bc/(c+k)], where k was assumed to be 0.06/h. In vitro intestinal digestibility of the RUP and AA were determined on the residue after 16h of ruminal incubation using a modified 3-step method. The CP, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, ether extract, and mineral contents of DDGS varied (P<0.01) with grain and milling process. Amino acid profiles of DDGS were different (P<0.05) from those of the original grain. Ruminal degradation of CP was lower (P<0.01) in DDGS than in the original grain, and lower (P<0.01) in FDDGS than in CDDGS, with no difference between WDDGS and CDDGS. However, ruminal degradation of essential AA (EAA) was higher (P<0.05) for WDDGS than for CDDGS, and it was lowest (P<0.01) for FDDGS. The AA profiles of RUP were different (P<0.05) between DDGS and the original grain as well as between DDGS types. Intestinal digestibility widely varied among individual AA and among feeds. The intestinal digestibility of total AA and EAA was not different between WDDGS and CDDGS, but it was lower (P<0.05) for FDDGS than for CDDGS. Estimated intestinal absorbable total AA and EAA were highest (P<0.05) for FDDGS, intermediate (P<0.05) for CDDGS, and lowest (P<0.05) for WDDGS. The results suggest that the AA availability of DDGS varies with the grain source used to produce ethanol and with the milling process prior to ethanol fermentation. Although FDDGS is a good RUP source, its CP digestibility coefficient in the total digestive tract of cattle is lower (P<0.05) than that of WDDGS and CDDGS.

Economical and financial analysis of lamb finishing fed with diets formulated according to the NRC (1985) and the NRC (2007)

This study compares both versions of the nutritional requirement system determined by the National Research Council (NRC) version 1985 (NRC85) and NRC version 2007 (NRC07), for finishing lambs in feedlots. Nineteen crossbred lambs were divided in four groups representing four experimental treatments: one diet according to NRC85 and three diets according to NRC07. The diets recommended by NRC07 considers crude protein intake relative to ruminal undegradable protein at 20, 40, and 60 % levels (NRC07/20, NRC07/40, and NRC07/60). Diets were composed of Brazilian semi-arid native grass silage, soybean meal, corn, annatto byproduct, and limestone. Purchases and sales of lambs were done according to average market prices in Brazil. The economic indicators considered pointed that all treatments were viable but NRC07/20 and NRC07/60 were more profitable with similar net present values (NPVs) and internal return rates (IRRs). NRC07/20 was the best option showing an IRR of 17.20 % and a payback period (PP) of 5.07 considering a fixed annual interest rate of 6 %. Sensitivity analysis considering a 10 % raise in variable costs showed negative NPVs, IRRs inferior to the opportunity cost rates adopted and PPs that exceeded the planning horizon of 7 years for both NRC85 and NRC07/40.