Sacco Dry Matter Degradability Research Articles

Digestion of tropical tree forages : influence of the level of Faidherbia albida pods in the ration on rumen in sacco peanut hay dry matter degradation in Gobra Zebu (Bos indicus)

digestibility of the rations according to browse level are reported by Miranda (1989, Monographie n°7 ILCA) and Fall (1993, Thes Doct Univ ENSAM, France). The non-additivity of the ration components owing to the occurrence of digestive interactions, suggested application of regression method rather than difference method to evaluate the in vivo digestibility of tree forage based rations. To check the hypothesis of digestive interactions occurrence in the digestion of F. albida based rations, rumen cellulolytic capacity were measured in Zebu cattle fed with rations containing variable level of F. albida pods. Cellulolytic capacity of rations was evaluated by measuring rumen in sacco dry matter degradation (DMD) of a standard feed, peanut hay, in Gobra Zebu at the LNERV station of ISRA (Dakar, Senegal). Mature F. albida pods, collected in the Senegalese groundnut basin during the fresh dry season in 1994, were included in the ration of Gobra Zebu at a level varying from 0 to 75 % of the total ration. The basal diet was made of rice straw and peanut cake in the constant proportion of 85/15 (w/w). To avoid the influence of intake level in the digestion, cattle were fed on a restricted basis of 55 g/kg LW for all tested rations.

In sacco dry matter degradability and Ca, Mg and P disappearance from italian ryegrass, alfalfa hay and wheat straw in sheep and goats

ZusammenfassungIn‐sacco‐Trockensubstanzabbau sowie Ca‐, Mg‐ and P‐Verlust von Welschem Weidelgras, Luzerneheu und Weizenstroh bei Schafen und ZiegenGrastrockengrün (Lolium multiflorum), Luzerneheu (Medicago sativa) und Weizenstroh (Triticum aestivum) wurden gemahlen (Sieblochung: 2 mm), in Nylonbeutel gegeben (2 g je Beutel) und in den Pansen von je 12 mit Pansenfisteln versehenen Schafen und Ziegen für 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 und 72 h inkubiert. Die Tagesration der Kleinwiederkäuer bestand aus 300 g Weizenstroh und 750 g Konzentrat. In den inkubierten Futterproben wurden der Trockensubstanzabbau sowie der Verlust an den Mengenelementen Ca, P und Mg ermittelt.Sowohl der Trockensubstanzabbau als auch der Gehalt und der Austrag an den Mengenelementen Ca, P und Mg wurden signifikant von den inkubierten Futtermitteln und der Inkubationsdauer beeinflußt. Keine signifikanten Unterschiede bestanden zwischen Schafen und Ziegen. Zwischen beiden Tierarten wurden für alle untersuchten Kriterien Korrelationskoeffizienten von über 0,9 errechnet. Nach 48 h Aufenthaltsdauer betrug der Trockensubstanzabbau für Grastrockengrün, Luzerneheu und Weizenstroh im Mittel beider Tierarten 77,0, 70,5 und 50,8%.Mit zunehmender Aufenthaltsdauer im Pansen stieg die Ca‐Konzentration in den Rückständen von Weidelgras und Stroh an, während sie bei Luzerne annähernd konstant blieb.Die Mg‐ bzw. P‐Konzentration der Beutelrückstände aller Futtermittel war ständig bzw. überwiegend niedriger als die des Ausgangsmaterials. Während die Mg‐Konzentration bei allen Inkubationszeiten annähernd konstant blieb, stieg die P‐Konzentration mit zunehmender Aufenthaltsdauer im Pansen bei allen Futtermitteln an.Der Mg‐Verlust war bei allen Futtermitteln höher als der Trockensubstanzabbau. Der Ca‐ und P‐Verlust wurde wesentlich von der Zusammensetzung der Futtermittel und der Aufenthaltsdauer im Pansen beeinflußt.

Manipulation of rumen fluid pH and its influence on in sacco dry matter degradation of forage

Manipulation of rumen fluid pH and its influence on in sacco dry matter degradation of forage

Manipulation of rumen fluid pH and its influence on in sacco dry matter degradation of forage

Manipulation of rumen fluid pH and its influence on in sacco dry matter degradation of forage

A comparison of gas production during incubation with rumen contents in vitro and nylon bag degradability as predictors of the apparent digestibility in vivo and the voluntary intake of hays

AbstractTen hays harvested at three stages (early bloom MB, mid bloom MB or in seed) made from lucerne (Medicago sativaj, sweet clover (Melilotus segetalis), Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and pre-bloom (PB) Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum var.), were offered ad libitum to four Merino male sheep and daily intake (g dry matter (DM) per kg M0·75) and DM apparent digestibility (DMD) were measured. In sacco DM degradation (g per 100 g DM), gas production (ml per 200 mg DM), in vitro digestibility and fibre composition (g/kg DM) of the hays were also studied. Gas production or DM degradation were calculated at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h and their kinetics were described using the equation p = a + b(1 - e-ct). Intake and in vivo DMD of the hays were variable (P < 0·01). Lucerne EB and Persian clover (all stages) had the highest nutritive value, whereas sweet clover (all stages) had the lowest. Apart from neutral-detergent fibre, which was only related to intake (r = -0·68; P < 0·05), chemical components and in vitro digestibility were poorly (P > 0·05) related to animal performance. Between 12 and 96 h incubation, intake and in vivo DMD were better related to DM degradation (r = 0·79 to 0·83; r = 0·61 to 0·77) than to gas production (r = 0·73 to 0·80; r = 0·58 to 0·78). Prediction of intake and in vivo DMD from the (a + b) values did not provide a great advantage over using some of the static values of gas production or DM degradation.Multiple regression using separated kinetics of degradation resulted in highest accuracy for predicting intake and apparent digestibility from gas production (R2 = 0·63; R2 = 0·78) and nylon bag degradability (R2 = 0·77; R2 = 0·89). It was concluded that the gas test has good potentiality as it was capable of predicting not only apparent digestibility, but also intake to a level close to that of the nylon bag technique.

Fibre analyses and in sacco degradability of plant fractions of two corn varieties harvested at various times

Twenty maize plants each of the varieties Boss and Bezemara were harvested on four (4 September, 16 September, 30 September and 14 October) and three (16 September, 30 September and 14 October) dates, respectively. The plant stem below the ear was divided into 5-cm height portions, and the stalk over the ear and the ear formed two further fractions. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin were determined for selected fractions (height 0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 20–25 cm, 40–45 cm, over ear and ear). Rumen dry matter degradability (DMD) of all fractions was evaluated in situ using three rumen fistulated male sheep. The rumen incubation time for all samples was 48 h. Later harvest dates increased the cell wall content of all stalk fractions of the variety Boss (NDF: 55.2%, 64.9%, 75.4% and 85.7%; ADF: 35.3%, 41.5%, 48.8% and 58.6%; lignin: 6.6%, 7.7%, 8.7% and 11.6% of DM for harvest dates 4 September, 16 September, 30 September and 14 October, respectively). The latest harvest date did not enhance the fibre content of Bezemara (NDF: 60.8%, 76.6% and 76.1%; ADF: 38.8%, 49.6% and 49.1%; lignin: 7.5%, 9.9% and 8.5% of DM for 16 September, 30 September and 14 October, respectively). The lignin content decreased with height of stem (0–5 cm: 11.0%; 20–25 cm: 9.3%; 40–45 cm: 8.5%; over ear: 5.0% of DM). The cell wall content of ears was reduced with later harvest date. The in sacco DMD of residual plants of both varieties decreased with later growing stages. The higher fractions of residual plants showed a higher DMD than the lower ones (0–5 cm: 59.3%; 20–25 cm: 65.3%; 40–45 cm: 67.3%; over ear: 72.2%). The DMD of ears was less influenced by harvest date (88.5–93.8%), and was closely correlated with lignin content of fractions ( r = −0.93). A higher cut of corn plant may increase the digestibility of corn silage and probably also the performance of ruminants.

Influence of Nitrogen Fertilization of Wheat onin saccoDry Matter Degradability of Wheat Straw

Abstract Flachowsky, G., Vanselow, G. and Schneider, A. 1993. Influence of nitrogen fertilization of wheat on in sacco dry matter degradability of wheat straw. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 3: 91–96. Winter wheat of the varieties Astron and Borenos was fertilized with seven different nitrogen levek (50–215 kg N/ha). Cereals were harvested, threshed by a laboratory thresher and the straws were prepared for measurement of in sacco dry matter degradability in sheep. After 48 h rumen incubation the in sacco dry matter degradability (DMD) of straw of both varieties was about 57%. The highest N-level resulted in the highest DMD (59.3%), the other N-levels did not significantly influence DMD (52.8 to 59.1%) of siraw.

Influence of type of feeding and rumen incubation time on in sacco dry matter degradability of ryegrass, straw and concentrate in sheep and goats

Four each, male, rumen fistulated sheep and goats were fed different types of diets in a Latin-square design: (1) 100% artificially dried ryegrass; (2) 50% artificially dried ryegrass, 50% wheat straw; (3) 33% artificially dried ryegrass, 33% wheat straw, 33% concentrates; and (4) 33% wheat straw, 67% concentrates. Sheep consumed 1200 g of feed per day, goats 75% of this level. After 22 days of feeding, nylon bags of artificially dried ryegrass, wheat straw and concentrate were incubated for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h in the rumen of all animals to measure the in sacco dry matter degradability (DMD). Samples of rumen liquor were taken via rumen fistula at the end of each feeding period (day 25). Concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was determined by gas chromatography. In sacco DMD was significantly influenced by incubated feeds and incubation time. Type of feeding influenced only straw DMD (means: (1) 37.3; (2) 41.2; (3) 40.2; (4) 37.0%). Sheep and goats showed no significant differences of DMD (overall means: ryegrass - sheep, 81.4; goats, 81.7; straw - sheep, 38.5; goats, 39.4; concentrate - sheep, 88.8; goats, 88.4%). DMD of sheep and goats was highly correlated ( r=0.99). Total concentration of VFA of rumen liquor was higher (9.8 to 7.0 mmol/100 ml) and the pH was lower (6.33 to 6.45) in sheep than in goats. Molar concentration of VFA was not significantly influenced by animal species. Results demonstrated no important difference in rumen processes between sheep and goats.

Influence of the ratio between wheat straw and ground barley, ground corn or dried sugar beet pulp on in sacco dry matter degradation of ryegrass and wheat straw, rumen fermentation and apparent digestibility in sheep.

Castrated male sheep were fed with 5 different rations varying in the straw to concentrate ratio between 100: 0, 75: 25, 50: 50, 25: 75 and 0: 100. Ground barley, ground corn and dried sugar beet pulp were used as concentrate sources. Chopped winter wheat straw was fed as roughage source. All rations were supplemented with a protein-mineral-vitamin-premix. In sacco dry matter degradability of artificially dried ryegrass, untreated and ammonia treated wheat straw was measured within three rumen fistulated sheep. Nylon bags were incubated for 48 h in the rumen of sheep. Volatile fatty acids of rumen fluid were determined by gas chromatography. Samples were taken via rumen fistula 3 h after morning feeding. Apparent digestibility of organic matter and fibre fractions of total rations were determined within five sheep. Increased concentrate portion decreased in sacco dry matter degradability of incubated roughages. Decrease of dry matter degradability was much higher for ammonia treated (from 55.0 to 22.5%) and untreated straw (from 50.9 to 22.7%) than for ryegrass (from 75.6 to 69.2%), when concentrate increased from 0 to 100% of ration. The highest concentrate portions did not show any increase of degradability of ammonia treated straw. Specific concentrate effects were observed when 75 and 100% concentrate were fed (unphysiological level). Ground barley as concentrate source decreased rumen pH to a larger extent (down to 5.18) than corn and sugar beet pulp (down to 5.60 and 5.57). Sheep suffered from rumen acidosis in some cases. Higher concentrate levels increased concentration of total volatile fatty acids of rumen liquid and molar concentration of propionate and butyrate, but decreased acetate. Various concentrate sources showed different influences on parameters of rumen fermentation. Apparent digestibility of organic matter of total rations increased from 52.7 to 86.1% if concentrate portions enhanced from 0 to 100%. High portions of ground barley decreased cellulolytic activity and fibre digestion. On the other hand high levels of sugar beet pulp increased digestibility of crude fibre and neutral detergent fibre.

A note on the in sacco dry matter degradability of variously processed maize grains and of different maize varieties in sheep

Two series of in sacco experiments each with three or four rumen fistulated male sheep were carried out. In Experiment 1 whole, halved, broken and ground maize grains were incubated in nylon bags in the rumen of sheep fed with rations high in roughage or concentrate for 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216 and 240 h. In Experiment 2 ground maize grain of 12 different varieties was incubated in the rumen for 3, 6, 12 and 24 h. Furthermore, the rumen dry matter degradability (DMD) of whole grain of four varieties was determined. Rumen incubation time and treatments of maize grain influenced significantly the DMD, but no differences were found between diets (48h: 8.8, 44.4, 76.3 and 90.0%; 120 h: 36.9, 83.4, 96.0 and 99.0% for whole, halved, broken and ground grain). The DMD of different maize varieties varied between 35.2 and 56.9% after 6 h rumen incubation time or between 63.0 and 86.1% after 24 h rumen incubation time, if maize was ground. Similar tendencies were measured for whole grain (between 24.6 and 69.6% DMD after 120 h incubation time).

Influence of various straw-to-concentrate ratios on in sacco dry matter degradability, feed intake and apparent digestibility in ruminants

Five rumen fistulated male sheep were fed with isonitrogeneous diets varying in the straw-to-concentrate ratio ( 80:20, 65:35, 50:50, 35:65 and 20:80; diets I–V, Experiment 1). Single feeds (wheat straw, ground barley, protein-mineral-vitamin premix), as well as samples of all five diets with the corresponding straw-to-concentrate mixtures were incubated in nylon bags in the rumen of sheep for 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Washing loss of feeds and mixtures was measured. In the second experiment, five growing bulls and five castrated male sheep were individually fed with the same diets mentioned above in a 5 × 5 Latin-square design. Each diet was fed to all animals ad libitum over 30 days and limited (maintenance level) over 25 days. During the last 10 days of each period, the apparent digestibility (AD) of diets was determined. Dry matter degradability (DMD) of straw depended on incubation time and diet. After 48 h incubation, DMD of straw amounted to 50.7%; 47.4%; 47.1%; 39.8% and 29.2% when sheep were fed diets I–V, respectively. After 96 h incubation time there were no differences in straw DMD between 80% and 35% straw in the diet, but DMD was significantly lower when only 20% straw was fed. Concentrate DMD was not significantly influenced by type of feeding. The DMD of mixtures calculated from individual feeds correlated with r = 0.99 to the measured values. DMD of feed combinations was enhanced with increased concentrate portion and longer incubation time. Degradation curves of mixtures rich in concentrates were better described by using a modified degradation equation (DMD = a + b 1(1 − e −c1 t ) + b 2(1 − e −c2 t )) expressing the rapidly (b 1, c 1) and slowly (b 2, C 2) degradable fractions. The DMD of the feed combinations could be predicted from the degradability of single feeds. Dry matter intake (DMI) of cattle increased from 4.38 and 5.03, 5.97 to 6.78 kg day −1 (I–IV) and decreased to 6.36 kg day −1 (V). Sheep consumed 1.07 1.35, 1.63, 1.75 and 1.82 kg DM day −1 (I–V) when fed ad libitum. Apparent digestibility of organic matter (ADOM) of restrictively fed animals was 63.3%, 67.5%, 71.1%, 76.9% and 80.2% in cattle for the diets I–V respectively and 65.0%, 66.0%, 72.3%, 75.7% and 81.4% in sheep (I–V). Correlation of ADOM between cattle and sheep was r = 0.95. On average, ADOM of ad libitum-fed animals was about 4% lower than that of restrictively fed cattle and sheep (cattle: 58.5%, 66.9%, 74.2%, 73.1% and 69.7%; sheep: 62.8%, 62.4%, 68.9%, 72.3% and 74.2% for I–V respectively). Apparent crude fibre digestibility was not significantly influenced by diet in restrictively fed animals (-0.1% per 1% concentrate), but it decreased significantly with higher concentrate portion in ad libitum-fed animals (-.45% per 1% concentrate). There was a closed correlation ( r=0.91) between ADOM of restrictively fed sheep and the in sacco DM degradabilily of total diets after 48 h rumen incubation time. Diets II, III and IV showed the best agreement.

In saccoDegradability and Apparent Digestibility of Horse Urine Treated Wheat Straw in Sheep and Goats

Abstract Chopped wheat straw was homogeneously mixed with horse urine (1: 1.5; N-content of urine: 5.75 g/l) and stored in airtight plastic containers for 6 months. The straw-silage was of an excellent quality, the crude protein content of urine treated straw was increased from 50 to 99 g and NDF was decreased from 856 to 733 g/kg dry matter. Three sheep and three goats were fed on diets containing untreated (320 g) or urine treated wet wheat straw (800 g) plus concentrate (500 g per animal per day). Rumen in sacco dry matter degradability (DMD) and apparent digestibility (AD) were determined Urine treatment increased significantly the washing loss (from 15.0 to 24.0% of DM) and the potential degradability (from 67.1 to 72.7%). AD of organic matter of wheat straw was increased by urine treatment from 50.4 to 56.0%. There were no significant differences in DMD and AD between sheep and goats.

Influence of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae as Yea-Sacc or Levaferm) on in Sacco dry matter degradability and ruminal parameters of variously fed small ruminants.

Two series of experiments with rumen fistulated castrated male sheep and goats were carried out. In experiment I three sheep each consumed rations rich in concentrate (700 g concentrate, 200 g chopped wheat straw) or roughage (700 g artificially dried ryegrass, 200 g chopped wheat straw per animal per day) and supplemented with 0, 1, 2 or 4 g Yea-Sacc (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; USA) per sheep per day. In experiment II three sheep were fed with 1000 g artificially dried ryegrass and 200 g concentrate, three goats consumed 750 g ryegrass and 150 g concentrate. 0, 0.5, 1 or 2 g Levaferm (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Germany) per animal per day were added. Rations of all animals were supplemented with minerals and vitamins. After 14 days of feeding wheat straw, ammonia treated wheat straw and artificially dried grass (exp. I) or wheat straw and artificially dried grass (exp. II) were incubated in nylon bags in the rumen for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. At the end of the experiments rumen fluid was taken via cannulae and parameters of rumen fermentation were measured. Higher levels of added Yea-Sacc decreased in sacco dry matter degradability of all incubated feeds. Depression was much higher if Yea-Sacc was added to the concentrate ration (overall mean for 24, 48 and 72 h incubation time: 55.1, 47.1, 46.1 and 44.5 for 0, 1, 2 and 4 g Yea-Sacc) than to the roughage diet (58.7, 56.3, 55.0 and 54.1%). Levaferm did not significantly influence the rumen dry matter degradability of incubated feeds (overall mean for 24, 48, and 72 h incubation time: 64.0; 64.9; 64.9 and 64.2% for sheep; 63.0; 63.2; 63.2 and 61.6% for goats, if added with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g Levaferm per animal per day). Rumen pH, concentration of volatile fatty acids and molar concentration of fatty acids in rumen fluid were not significantly influenced by added yeasts. More research seems necessary to find out the mode of action of yeast and to quantify and to reproduce the effects of added yeast.

Studies on ammonia treatment of wheat straw: Effects of level of ammonia, moisture content, treatment time and temperature on straw composition and degradation in the rumen of sheep

The effect of 144 different treatment conditions (NH 3 level: 0, 15, 30 and 45 g kg −1 dry matter (DM); moisture content: 120, 300 and 450 g kg −1; temperature: 20, 40, 60 and 80°C; duration: 7, 14 and 28 days) on nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and lignin content and the rumen DM degradability of wheat straw was examined in a 4 × 3 × 4 × 3 factorial experiment. The N content of the straw was increased by ammoniation, depending on NH 3 level, moisture and temperature. Compared with untreated straw (6 g kg −1 DM0, a maximum value was reached at 29.1 g kg −1 DM (45 g NH 3 kg −1 DM, 450 g moisture kg −1 straw, 20°C). Significant NH 3 level × moisture, NH 3 level × temperature, moisture × temperature and moisture × time interactions were observed. In the straw, 89, 67 and 51% of the added N was recovered when 15, 30 and 45 g NH 3 kg −1 DM, respectively, were applied. Ammoniation (30 g NH 3 kg −1 DM) decreased NDF content from 834 to 771 g kg −1 DM on average, whereas ADF content remained almost unaffected (577 vs. 573 g kg −1 DM). The mean lignin content was 96 and 86 g kg −1 DM in untreated and NH 3-treated samples. At the higher temperature (80°C), an increase in the lignin content compared with that at 20°C in both untreated (from 78 to 115 g kg −1 DM) and ammonia-treated straw (from 74 to 99 g kg −1 DM) was observed. Rumen DM degradability of treated straw samples ranged from 36.7% (without NH 3, 120 g moisture kg −1 straw, 80°C, 28 days) to 74.4% (45 g NH 3 kg −1 DM, 450 g moisture kg −1 straw, 60°C, 7 days). Increasing the NH 3 level from 15 to 45 kg −1 DM resulted in improved DM degradability, but the dose-related additional effect became smaller. The best results were obtained with 30–45 g NH 3 kg −1 DM and a moisture content of 300 g kg −1 straw, indicating optimum conditions for ammonia treatment. Temperatures of 40–60°C enhanced the effect of treatment, whereas extending the duration of treatment did so below a temperature of ∼55°C only. The change in the in sacco DM degradability was correlated to the change in the nitrogen content by r=0.58.

Profile of isoacids in rumen fluid and influence of added isoacids on in sacco dry matter disappearance of untreated and ammonia treated wheat straw

The influence of type of diet and time after feeding on concentration of isoacids in rumen fluid of 6 fistulated sheep were investigated. The concentration of isoacids in rumen fluid was higher in diets rich in concentrate and protein (5.6) than in roughage diets (3.4) or in straw-starch-urea diets poor in native protein (highest concentration: 2.1 mmol/l rumen fluid). Feeding of roughage diet or straw-starch-urea-diet effected a significant decrease of concentration of isoacids in the rumen fluid after morning feeding, but concentrate-roughage diet, increased the isoacids-concentration. Reasons for decreased concentration of isoacids may be a shortage of corresponding amino acids and a high activity of cellulolytic microbes. Infusion of isoacids (3 g per day) in the rumen of sheep fed with a straw-starch-sugar-urea diet did not significantly influence the in sacco dry matter degradability of untreated wheat straw, but increased the dry matter loss of ammonia treated wheat straw from 16.0; 26.6; 39.4; 54.0 and 58.8% to 17.3; 29.7; 43.1; 56.3 and 63.0% after 6; 12; 24; 48 and 72 h rumen incubation time respectively. Further experiments seem to be necessary. The effect of isoacids may be expected to occur with poor quality feeds, rich in fibre low in protein and hence low in branched-chain amino acids.

A comparison of alkali treatment methods used to improve the nutritive value of straw. II. In sacco and in vitro degradation relative to in vivo digestibility

A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the effects of alkali treatment of barley straw (cultivar ‘Pernilla’) on the in sacco dry matter degradability (ISDMD), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vivo dry matter digestibility (IVVDMD). The 15 treatments employed included chemicals such as urea, urine, aqueous ammonia, anhydrous ammonia, and dry and wet processes with sodium hydroxide. The rates of ISDMD were markedly enhanced ( P < 0.05) by the wet (NaOH), dry (NaOH), NH 3 and urea/urine treatments, in the above order from highest to lowest. The ISDMD and IVDMD were both significantly correlated with IVVDMD ( r = 0.95, r = 0.90, respectively). The in vitro and the in sacco methods both underestimated the digestibility of untreated straw, whereas the ISDMD estimates resulting from the wet (NaOH) treatments were higher ( P < 0.05) than the IVVDMD estimates. The dry matter digestibility estimates by the three methods are summarized below.

Effects of ethanolamine and ethylenediamine treatments on the composition and degradability of wheat straw

Wheat straw was treated with NaOH and two primary amines, ethanolamine and ethylenediamine, either by maceration or by spraying. The ground samples were then incubated in a batch system or in nylon bags in the rumen of sheep. Maceration increased the CPC of wheat straw (2.3 control, 35.8 or 20.2% ethylenediamine or ethanolamine 8%) along with amine concentration. The NDF and ADF contents were decreased from 88 to 60 and 66% and from 65 to 48 and 51% for ethylenediamine and ethanolamine, respectively. In vitro dry matter and cell wall degradability were improved. Spraying increased CPC by 6 and 3% for ethylenediamine and ethanolamine as early as the first day, but NDF content of straw only decreased a little (between 2 and 4 percentage units). Both amines improved in sacco dry matter, organic matter, NDF and crude protein degradability.