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PubMed1995

Diet quality and ruminal digestion in beef cattle grazing midgrass prairie rangeland or plains bluestem pasture throughout the summer.

Beef cattle fitted with esophageal (four steers/pasture) or ruminal and duodenal (six calves/pasture; beginning BW +/- SE = 267 +/- 6 kg) cannulas grazed midgrass prairie rangeland (excellent range condition; MIDGRASS) or plains bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum var. Plains) pasture (BLUESTEM) in mid-May, late-June, mid-August, and mid-October of 1990 and 1991. Nitrogen in masticate samples collected from MIDGRASS was lowest (P < .05) in June and August across both years. The N in BLUESTEM masticate peaked (P < .05) in August 1990, but N was lowest (P < .05) in August 1991. The detergent fiber content of masticate from both forages increased (P < .05) as the grazing season advanced from May through August; fall regrowth in October occasionally resulted in a small decrease (P < .05) in fiber content. In vitro OM disappearance (IVOMD) followed a pattern similar to N content. The IVOMD of BLUESTEM masticate was greater (P < .05) than that of MIDGRASS masticate. The ruminal ammonia N concentration (milligrams/deciliter) in cattle grazing BLUESTEM (4.5) usually was greater (P < .05) than in cattle grazing MIDGRASS (3.3). In situ OM and N disappearance was greater (P < .05) from BLUESTEM masticate than from MIDGRASS masticate in May, June, and August. The ruminally degraded N:ruminally degraded OM ratio (grams/kilograms) estimated from in situ digestion suggested that cattle grazing MIDGRASS during the mid-summer of both years and BLUESTEM in August 1991 may have been marginally deficient in ruminally degraded N. Plains bluestem pasture would complement MIDGRASS by providing better quality grazing during the mid-summer.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1996

Prediction of ruminal volatile fatty acids and pH within the net carbohydrate and protein system.

A steady-state model of the production, absorption, passage, and concentration of ruminal VFA and pH is developed from published literature data and is structured to use the feed descriptions and inputs from the net carbohydrate and protein system. Included are the effects of pH on growth rate and yield of structural and non-structural carbohydrate-fermenting bacteria; production of acetate, propionate, butyrate, lactate, and methane; conversion of lactate to VFA; ruminal absorption of acids; and prediction of ruminal pH from dietary measures and from ruminal buffering and acidity. The root mean square error of predicted total VFA concentration was 12 mM. Individual VFA fractions were inadequately predicted. In a review of literature data, effective NDF (eNDF) provided a better correlation with ruminal pH than forage or NDF. Digestion rate of NDF remained at normal levels above pH 6.2, which corresponds to a minimum eNDF of 20% of dietary DM. Further research is needed to determine the individual VFA produced from carbohydrate fractions at various pH, the appropriateness of partitioning the starch and pectin carbohydrate pool into slowly and rapidly degraded fractions, and the effect on microbial yield, total tract digestibility, and predicted energy values of feeds.

Acetates↗
PubMed1996

Effects of organic acid and monensin treatment on in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation of cracked corn.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of organic acids and monensin on the in vitro fermentation of cracked corn by mixed ruminal microorganisms. Ruminal fluid was collected from a steer fed 36.3 kg of wheat silage and 4.5 kg of concentrate supplement once daily. Mixed ruminal microorganisms were incubated in anaerobic media that contained 20% (vol/vol) ruminal fluid and .4 g of cracked corn. Incubations were carried out in batch culture for 24 h at 39 degrees C. Organic acids (L-aspartate, fumarate, and DL-malate) were added to serum bottles (n = 4) to achieve final concentrations of 0, 4, 8, or 12 mM. Monensin, dissolved in ethanol, was included in serum bottles at a final concentration of 0 or 5 ppm of culture fluid. The addition of 8 and 12 mM organic acids to cracked corn fermentations increased final pH (P < .05), tended to increase total gas production and CO2 concentration, and decreased the acetate:propionate ratio (P < .05). Organic acids tended to decrease methane concentrations and hydrogen concentration was not altered. DL-Malate addition at all levels reduced (P < .05) lactate accumulation. Additive effects of monensin and organic acids were observed in some fermentations. In conclusion, organic acid addition to in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentations yielded beneficial results independent of monensin treatment by decreasing the acetate: propionate ratio and increasing final pH.

Acetates↗
PubMed1997

Effects of saturation and esterification of fat sources on site and extent of digestion in steers: ruminal fermentation and digestion of organic matter, fiber, and nitrogen.

Five steers (average 526 kg) fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a 5 x 6 Youden square design with 14-d periods. Diets contained chopped alfalfa hay, corn silage, and concentrate (25:35:40, DM basis). Treatments were 1) control (no added fat), 2) tallow (T), 3) partially hydrogenated tallow (PHT), 4) hydrogenated tallow (HT), 5) blend (1:1) of HT and hydrogenated free fatty acids (HTHFA), and 6) hydrogenated free fatty acids (HFA). Fats replaced cornstarch in the control diet to supply 5% added fatty acids. Intake was restricted to 90% of ad libitum; DMI was similar among diets (average 9 kg/d). Ruminal pH and molar proportion of propionate (P) were greater (P < .05) but total VFA concentration, proportion of acetate (A), A:P, and percentages of OM digested in the rumen and total tract were less (P < .05) when fat-supplemented diets were fed than when the control diet was fed. Total VFA concentration increased linearly (P < .05) as esterification of fat sources increased (HFA < HTHFA < HT). Acetate and A:P increased linearly (P < .10) but propionate and apparent total tract digestibility of OM decreased linearly (P < .05) as either saturation (T < PHT < HT) or esterification of fat sources increased. Ruminal NH3 N concentration increased linearly (P < .001) as saturation increased. Apparent ruminal digestibilities of ADF (P < .05) and NDF (P < .10) increased linearly as esterification increased. Flow of nonammonia nonmicrobial N to the duodenum was less (P < .10) but flow of microbial N was greater (P < .05) for the control diet than for fat-supplemented diets. Flows and small intestinal digestibilities of N and efficiencies of microbial protein synthesis were not altered by degree of saturation or esterification. Results confirm previous in vitro observations that T or HFA can alter ruminal digestion; however, because these effects usually are not observed in dairy cows, feed intake likely is very important in responses to supplemental fats.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Effect of ruminal cellulolytic bacterial concentrations on in situ digestion of forage cellulose.

To evaluate the effects of ruminal cellulolytic bacterial concentrations on in vivo cellulose digestion, varying percentages of flaked soybean hulls were substituted for orchardgrass hay in high-forage diets fed to sheep. In two experiments, total and cellulolytic ruminal bacterial concentrations were not affected by diet. No differences were found for in situ digestion of forage cellulose in the first experiment; however, in Exp. 2, ruminal pH and in situ cellulose digestion were lower (P<.01) with a 40% soybean hull diet. In Exp. 3 with four sheep, two diets were compared, one containing 19.6% cellulose from alfalfa meal and the other 64.3% purified wood cellulose. Ruminal pH was lower (P<.02), 9 and 24 h after feeding, for the high-cellulose diet. Total bacterial concentrations did not change with diet; however, the concentration of cellulolytic bacteria increased (P<.05) when the higher cellulose diet was fed. In situ cellulose digestion was not different between diets. In Exp. 4, 3% sodium bicarbonate was added to the high-cellulose diet, and it was fed twice a day. No differences were observed in pH between diets (P>.42). However, the concentration of total ruminal bacteria increased (P<.06), the concentration of cellulolytic bacteria increased (P<.03), and the percentage of cellulolytic bacteria increased (P<.04) when the buffered high-cellulose diet was fed. In situ digestion of alfalfa cellulose at 30 h was not different between diets (P>.60). These data indicate that the concentration of cellulolytic bacteria is not the limiting factor in the digestion of cellulose in the rumen.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1998

Ruminal microbial and fermentative changes associated with experimentally induced subacute acidosis in steers.

We used six ruminally cannulated steers in a two-period crossover design to study ruminal fermentative and microbial changes associated with induced subacute acidosis. Steers were adapted to either an 80% alfalfa hay (hay-adapted)- or corn grain (grain-adapted)-based concentrate diet. After feed was withheld for 24 h, steers were overfed with an all-grain diet at 3.5 x NEm daily for 3 d. Ruminal contents and jugular blood samples were collected before withholding feed and at 0 and 12 h daily for 3 d during the overfeeding period. Ruminal samples were analyzed for pH, lactate, VFA concentrations, and counts of total anaerobic, amylolytic, lactic acid-producing and -fermenting bacteria, and ciliated protozoa. Blood samples were analyzed to assess acid-base status. Ruminal pH declined to a range of 5.5 to 5.0 with increased VFA concentrations, but normal lactate concentrations (<5 mM) were indicative of subacute acidosis. Total viable and amylolytic bacterial counts were higher (P < .05) in grain-adapted than hay-adapted steers. Anaerobic lactobacilli counts increased over time (P < .01) in both groups and were generally higher in grain-adapted than hay-adapted steers. Lactate-utilizing bacteria were initially greater in grain-adapted than hay-adapted steers and increased over time in both groups following grain challenge. Total ciliates were initially higher (P < .05) in grain-adapted than hay-adapted steers and decreased after 48 h in both groups. Blood acid-base changes were minimal. Bacterial changes associated with subacute acidosis resemble those reported during adaptation to grain feeding, and the decline in ciliated protozoa may be the only microbial indicator of a potentially acidotic condition in the rumen.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1998

Effect of degradable intake protein level on finishing cattle performance and ruminal metabolism.

Two finishing trials and a metabolism trial were conducted to evaluate level of supplemental degradable intake (crude) protein (DIP) in finishing diets on cattle performance, carcass characteristics, and ruminal metabolism. Finishing trials were conducted in two consecutive years using 128 crossbred yearling steers (BW = 343+/-5 kg, Trial 1) and 176 crossbred yearling steers (BW = 375+/-4 kg, Trial 2) in a randomized complete block design. Steers were fed dry-rolled corn diets containing urea at 0, .88, 1.34, or 1.96% (DM basis). No differences in DMI, daily gain, or feed efficiency were noted among steers receiving diets containing supplemental urea. However, steers fed diets supplemented with urea were 5.4% more efficient (P < .01) and gained 6.6% faster (P < .01) than steers receiving no supplemental urea. Metabolizable protein (MP) content of all diets exceeded the steers' requirements. However, diets containing no urea were deficient in DIP. In the metabolism trial, four ruminally fistulated steers (BW = 380+/-22 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design and fed (ad libitum) diets similar to those used in the finishing trials. Nitrogen intake and ruminal ammonia N concentration increased linearly (P < .05) with increasing level of urea supplementation. Diets containing no supplemental urea were calculated to be deficient in DIP, resulting in reduced bacterial synthesis. Results indicate that dry-rolled corn finishing diets containing no supplemental N are deficient in ruminally degradable N. Supplementing these diets with an inexpensive source of ruminally degradable N improved animal performance. However, supplementation with urea above .88% was not beneficial.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1999

Feasibility of using total purines as a marker for ruminal bacteria.

A procedure for measuring total purine content of mixed ruminal bacteria was adapted for use in the determination of purines in pure cultures of ruminal bacteria. Recovery of adenine and guanine, alone or in mixture, was quite variable. The problem was traced to solubility of the silver salt of adenine in the acid wash solution. When the precipitating solution was used as the wash, recovery of the purines was over 97%. Recovery of a 1:1 mixture of adenine and guanine added to yeast RNA was 100.6+/-3.2%. Purine, protein, and bacterial concentrations were determined for 10 pure cultures of ruminal bacteria: Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, D16f, H10b, and H17c; Fibrobacter succinogenes B21a; Lachnospira multiparus D25e; Lactobacillus lactis ARD26e; Prevotella ruminicola H15a; Ruminococcus albus 7; Ruminococcus flavefaciens B34b; and Streptococcus bovis ARD5d. The CV for the most-probable-number (MPN) assay (bacterial concentrations), purine analysis, and protein analysis were 55.86, 5.25 and 6.52%, respectively. Considerable variation was found among bacterial species and strains when purine and protein concentrations were compared as the amount per individual cell. More consistent values were obtained when these components were expressed on a dry matter basis. Purine:protein ratios for the 10 pure cultures ranged from .023 to .1299, with a mean value of .0883. For samples of mixed bacteria separated from ruminal fluid, this ratio was found to average .0306, which is approximately one-third of the value for the pure cultures. The value determined for the mixed bacterial sample is similar to previously reported values. Based on the ratio obtained with the pure cultures, the microbial protein flow out of the rumen has probably been overestimated in most previous reports. Limited studies suggest that the samples of mixed ruminal bacteria used as a standard are probably contaminated with feed particles containing protein, which results in lower purine:protein ratios.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Influence of mass and volume of ruminal contents on voluntary intake and digesta passage of a forage diet in steers.

To assess the influence of volume and mass of ruminal contents on voluntary intake and related variables, five ruminally cannulated steers (550 kg) were fed a low-quality forage diet (43.1% ADF, 8.1% CP) in a 5 x 5 Latin square experiment. Mass and volume of ruminal contents were altered by adding varying numbers and weights of filled tennis balls (6.7-cm diameter) to the rumen immediately before the initiation of each experimental period. Treatments consisted of 0 balls (control), 50 balls with a 1.1 specific gravity (SG), 100 balls with a 1.1 SG, 50 balls with a 1.3 SG, and 100 balls with a SG of 1.3. The total volume of balls was 7.25 and 14.5 L for 50 and 100 balls, respectively. The total weight of balls was 8.5 and 17 kg for 50 and 100 balls with a 1.1 SG and 10.75 and 21.5 kg for 50 and 100 balls with a 1.3 SG, respectively. Daily DMI was 8.3, 7.3, 7.0, 6.5, and 6.0 kg for control; 50, 1.1 SG; 50, 1.3 SG; 100, 1.1 SG; and 100, 1.3 SG, respectively. Addition of balls to the rumen reduced (P < .01) DMI. Increasing the number (P < .01) and SG (P <. 01) of the balls decreased DMI further. However, digestibilities of DM, NDF, ADF, and CP were not influenced by treatment. Increasing the number of balls in the rumen increased (P < .05) rate of passage of digesta from the rumen, but increasing SG of the balls did not alter rate of passage. There was a treatment x hour interaction (P < .05) in the proportion of ruminal digesta with a functional specific gravity (FSG) less than 1.1, which decreased with time after feeding for the control but increased with time after feeding for other treatments. Ruminal passage rate of inert particles added in the rumen of different SG (1.1 and 1.3) and length (1 and 3 mm) decreased (P < .05) as SG of the balls increased. Mean fecal particle size was greater for those treatments with the heavier balls. Both the number and SG of balls (P < .10) influenced total VFA, and total concentrations were greater for the control and for the 1.1 SG than for the 1.3 SG treatments.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2000

Site of administration and duration of feeding oleamide to cattle on feed intake and ruminal fatty acid concentrations.

Two experiments were conducted to determine effects of oleamide on feed intake and ruminal fatty acids when the oleamide was introduced in the feed vs through a ruminal fistula (Exp. 1) or the oleamide was fed for an extended (9-wk) length of time (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, four nonlactating Holstein cows, each fitted with a ruminal cannula, were fed four diets in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Each period lasted 2 wk. Diets consisted of 48% corn silage and 52% concentrate on a DM basis. One diet contained no added fat (control) and a second diet contained 4.2% oleic acid. The remaining two diets were designed to expose cows to 4.2% amide (as oleamide) either through the feed (AF) or by administering oleamide into the rumen (AR) each day through the ruminal cannula. The AF diet reduced DMI similarly to results reported previously for lactating dairy cows and sheep. Intake of the oleic acid diet was intermediate between the control and AF diets. Dry matter intake was reduced by AR similarly to the AF diet. The acetate:propionate ratio in samples of ruminal contents was reduced by oleic acid but not by AF or AR. In Exp. 2, 12 steers were divided into three equal groups of two Angus and two Simmental x Angus crosses, and each group was assigned a diet containing either no added fat (control), 4% oleamide, or 4% high-oleic canola oil. All steers had ad libitum access to feed and water. Dry matter intake by steers fed the canola oil diet was not different from that by steers fed the control diet when averaged over the first 3 wk, the last 3 wk, or over the entire 9-wk study. Oleamide reduced DMI 4 kg/d over the first 3 wk of the study. However, DMI of the oleamide diet consistently increased over the 9-wk study, resulting in wk 7 to 9 DMI that was not different from that of steers fed the control diet. These results show that the reduction in feed intake when oleamide is added to cattle rations can be attributed more to physiological responses than to an undesirable unique taste or odor of the oleamide. In finishing beef steers, the decreased intake induced by oleamide was most severe during the first 1 or 2 wk of feeding but gradually lessened over time until it nearly returned to normal by wk 9.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Pretanned leather shavings in a supplement mixture for steers: II. Digesta kinetics, ruminal fermentation, and grazing behavior in steers grazing dormant wheatgrass pasture.

Twelve ruminally cannulated steers (Angus x Holstein; average initial BW = 533 +/- 3.28 kg) were randomly allotted to one of three treatments (four steers/treatment) to evaluate the use of pretanned leather shavings as a component of a protein supplement for steers grazing dormant intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium Host). Steers were allotted to one of three treatments: 1) no supplement (control); 2) supplementation intraruminally at 0700 with soybean meal at .2% of BW (as-fed basis); 3) supplementation intraruminally with soybean meal and pretanned leather shavings (17:8 ratio, respectively) at .16% of BW (as-fed basis). Supplements were formulated so that intakes were isonitrogenous and were placed intraruminally once daily (0700). Sampling periods were conducted February 3 to 16 and February 17 to March 5, 1995. In situ organic matter disappearance of the soybean meal supplement was greater (P > .05) than that of the leather shavings supplement at all incubation times (1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 48 h). Data suggested that pretanned leather shavings within the leather shavings supplement were only 25% degradable within the rumen. Forage OM intake (control = 12.7, soybean meal = 12.7, and leather shavings = 13.4 g/kg of BW), grazing time, and grazing efficiency were not altered (P > .10) by supplementation or type of supplement provided but did increase between the February and March samplings. Total intake was increased (P = .09) with supplementation and reflected the addition of the protein supplements. Particulate and fluid passage estimates were unaffected (P > .10) by the supplements; however, gastrointestinal fill increased (P = .01) between the February and March samplings. Ruminal pH was lower (P = .04) and ruminal NH3 N concentration was greater (P = .02) for supplemented steers than for control steers, and supplementation treatments did not differ (P > .10). Total VFA concentrations were increased (P = .01) by supplementation but were not affected by type of supplement provided (P > .10). Ruminal molar proportions of acetate and propionate and the ratio of these two VFA did not differ (P > .10) between supplementation types. Nonetheless, supplementation increased molar proportions of butyrate (P = .04), valerate (P = .02), and isovalerate (P = .05), and leather shavings supplementation increased (P = .10) isobutyrate proportions over those in steers supplemented with soybean meal. Combining pretanned leather shavings with soybean meal seemed to have no deleterious effects on forage intake, digesta passage, grazing behavior, or ruminal fermentation and seemed to provide effects similar to those of soybean meal alone.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2000

Accounting for the effects of a ruminal nitrogen deficiency within the structure of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System.

The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) prediction of fiber digestion and microbial mass production from ruminally degraded carbohydrate has been adjusted to accommodate a ruminal N deficiency. The steps for the adjustment are as follows: 1) the ruminal available peptide and ammonia pools are used to determine the N allowable microbial growth; 2) this value is subtracted from the energy allowable microbial growth to obtain the reduction in microbial mass; 3) this mass reduction is allocated between pools of bacteria digesting fiber (FC) and nonfiber (NFC) carbohydrate according to their original proportions in the energy allowable microbial growth; 4) the reduction in fermented FC is computed as the FC bacterial mass reduction divided by its yield (g bacteria/g FC digested); and 5) this reduction is added to the FC fraction escaping the rumen. Five published studies included information that allowed us to evaluate the response of animals to added dietary N. These evaluations compared observed and CNCPS-predicted ADG with and without this adjustment. The adjustment decreased the CNCPS overprediction of ADG from 19.2 to 4.7%, mean bias declined from .16 to .04 kg/d, and the r2 of the regression between observed and metabolizable energy (ME) or metabolizable protein allowable ADG was increased from .83 to .88 with the adjustment. When the observed dry matter intake was regressed against CNCPS-predicted DMI with an adjustment for reduction in cell wall digestibility, the r2 was increased from .77 to .88. These results indicated the adjustment for ruminal nitrogen deficiency increased the accuracy of the CNCPS model in evaluating diets of growing animals when ruminally degraded N is deficient.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Effects of restricted versus conventional dietary adaptation on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, site and extent of digestion, digesta kinetics, and ruminal metabolism.

Three experiments were conducted to determine effects of restricting intake of the final finishing diet as a means of dietary adaptation compared with diets increasing in grain over a period of 20 to 22 d on overall cattle performance, carcass characteristics, digestibility, digesta kinetics, and ruminal metabolism. In Exp. 1, 84 Angus x Hereford yearling steers (initial BW = 418 +/- 29.0 kg) were fed for 70 d. Restricting intake during adaptation had no effect (P > 0.10) on overall ADG:DMI, but decreased (P < 0.05) DMI compared with ad libitum access to adaptation diets, which resulted from differences during the initial 28 d of the experiment. In Exp. 2, 150 mixed crossbred steer calves (initial BW = 289 +/- 22.9 kg) were fed for an average of 173 d. Restricting intake decreased (P < 0.01) overall daily gain (1.51 vs 1.65 kg/d) and DMI (8.68 vs 9.15 kg/d) compared with ad libitum fed steers; however, ADG:DMI was not influenced (P > 0.10) by adaptation method. Experiment three used eight ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers (initial BW = 336 +/- 20 kg) in a completely random design. Total tract digestibility, digesta kinetics and ruminal metabolism were determined. Restricting intake reduced (P < 0.10) daily DMI variation from d 1 through 7, 8 through 14, and 22 through 28 compared with ad libitum feeding of three adaptation diets. Restricted steers had reduced (adaptation method x period interaction, P < 0.05) intakes and fecal excretions of ADF and greater OM digestibilities on d 4 through 7, 11 through 14, and 18 through 21. Digesta kinetics and ruminal metabolism were generally not affected (P > 0.10) by adaptation method. Our results suggest that restricted-feeding of the final diet as a means of dietary adaptation can be used in finishing cattle with few problems from acidosis or related intake variation. In light-weight steers (Exp. 2), disruptions in intake during the adaptation period might have resulted in restriction for an extended period, which decreased (P < 0.01) hot carcass weight compared with calves fed ad libitum. Effects of limit feeding during the initial 28 d of the feeding period on site and extent of digestion, digesta kinetics, and ruminal metabolism were minimal, supporting few differences in performance across the finishing period for yearling cattle.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2002

Effects of oscillating dietary protein on ruminal fermentation and site and extent of nutrient digestion in sheep.

Eight cannulated wethers (BW = 52.5 +/- 5.7 kg) were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square designed experiment to evaluate the effects of oscillating dietary protein concentrations on ruminal fermentation, site and extent of digestion, and serum metabolite concentrations. Four treatments consisted of a 13, 15, or 17% CP diet fed daily or a regimen in which dietary CP was oscillated between 13 and 17% on a 48-h basis (ACP). All diets consisted of 65% bromegrass hay (10.5% CP, 61.9% NDF, 37.2% ADF) plus 35% corn-based supplement and were formulated to contain the same amount of degradable intake protein (9.6% of DM) plus additional undegradable intake protein (SoyPLUS, West Central Cooperative, Ralston, IA) to accomplish CP levels above 13%. Each of four experimental periods were 16 d in duration with 12 d for diet adaptation followed by 4 d for sample collection. All wethers were fed at 3.0% of initial BW (DM basis) throughout the experiment, resulting in an average organic matter intake of 1.39 kg/d across treatments. When compared to the 15% CP daily treatment, feeding ACP had no effect (P > or = 0.10) on ruminal or lower tract N, NDF, ADF, or OM digestion. True ruminal OM digestion responded quadratically (P = 0.07) to increasing dietary CP, reaching a maximum of 52.0% of OM intake with the 15% CP treatment. Sheep fed ACP tended to have lower (P = 0.08) ruminal NH3 N concentrations and an overall higher (P = 0.0001) molar proportion of acetate compared to those fed 15% CP daily. Total VFA concentrations were not affected (P > or = 0.45) by increasing dietary CP. Microbial efficiency did not differ (P > or = 0.55); thus, bacterial N flow at the duodenum responded quadratically (P = 0.04) to increasing dietary CP. Nonbacterial N (P = 0.001) and total N (P = 0.01) flows at the duodenum and total tract N digestibility (P < or = 0.04) increased linearly as dietary CP increased. Wethers fed ACP maintained a lower (P = 0.002) serum glucose and lower (P = 0.0006) serum urea N compared to those fed 15% CP daily. Because the CP content of the diet was increased at the expense of corn, the response to increased CP observed in this experiment is most likely due to negative associative effects of supplemental starch on ruminal fermentation and microbial growth. Oscillating the CP content of the diet on a 48-h basis has little effect on digestion or N utilization in sheep compared with feeding the same quantity of protein on a daily basis.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2003

Composition and digestive tract retention time of ruminal particles with functional specific gravity greater or less than 1.02.

The objective of this study was to determine composition, particle size distribution, and in vivo kinetics of ruminal particles having functional specific gravity (FSG) greater or less than FSG of particles found in the omasum and reticulum of lactating dairy cows. Particles from the reticulum and the omasal had FSG of 1.03 and 1.02, respectively. Particles from ruminal contents with FSG higher (HP) or lower (LP) than 1.02 were isolated and labeled with Er or Dy, respectively. Four ruminally cannulated, lactating Ayrshire dairy cows were fed all-grass silage (AS) or 54% grass silage:46% concentrate (SC) diets in a cross-over design trial and used to study chemical composition and ruminal and total tract kinetics of HP and LP. Labeled particles were pulse dosed into the rumen of the cows and disappearance of the markers from ruminal HP and LP pools and excretion in feces was monitored for 72 and 120 h, respectively. Fecal marker excretion data were fitted using two-compartment mathematical age-dependent/age-independent (Gn-->G1) models. Inclusion of concentrate in the diet (SC) increased (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of dietary DM, OM and N. Digestibility of fiber fractions, NDF and ADF, was lower (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) for SC compared with AS. The heavy particles had higher (P < 0.01) indigestible NDF and lower (P < 0.01) N concentration than LP. Particles from the HP pool passed from the rumen more rapidly (P < 0.01) than particles from LP (0.044 and 0.019 h(-1), respectively). Diet had no effect on particle rate of disappearance or pool size in the rumen. Across diets, pool size of LP was consistently larger (P < 0.05) than that of HP. Diet had no effect on total tract mean retention time (MRT) of LP or HP. Total tract MRT of LP was greater (P < 0.05) than MRT of HP (59.6 vs. 49.0 h, respectively). Results from this study support the hypothesis that functional specific gravity is an important factor determining the rate of outflow and residence time of feed particles within the reticulo-rumen and total digestive tract. Our data indicate that digesta particles with functional specific gravity greater or less than 1.02 have different composition and flow characteristics. Heavier particles contain more indigestible fiber and less N and are likely depleted of substrate available for microbial fermentation, are smaller in size, and have a higher passage rate/shorter retention time in the digestive tract than lighter particles.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2003

Effects of 9,10 anthraquinone on ruminal fermentation, total-tract digestion, and blood metabolite concentrations in sheep.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding 9,10 anthraquinone, a known inhibitor of methanogenesis and sulfate reduction, on blood metabolites, digestibility, and distribution of gas in sheep. In all experiments, we fed a complete pelleted diet that contained 17.5% crude protein and 24.5% acid detergent fiber. In an 8-wk study, feeding up to 66 ppm (dry matter basis) of 9,10 anthraquinone had no adverse effects on blood metabolites including indicators of normal enzyme function, mineral concentrations, and hematological measurements. Feeding 9,10 anthraquinone had no effect on average daily gain, although sheep fed a diet containing 66 ppm of 9,10 anthraquinone numerically gained the least weight. The ruminal molar proportions of acetic acid were decreased (P < 0.05) and the molar proportions of propionic acid were increased (P < 0.05) in sheep fed 1.5 and 66 ppm 9,10 anthraquinone when compared to those fed an unsupplemented diet. In a digestion trial, 9,10 anthraquinone (33 and 66 ppm) had no effect on the apparent digestion of nutrients in the total gastrointestinal tract. In a metabolism study, ruminal gasses were collected by rumenocentesis and analyzed for methane and hydrogen concentrations. Feeding 500 ppm of 9,10 anthraquinone to sheep resulted in a decrease (P < 0.07) in the concentration of methane, but an increase (P < 0.05) in hydrogen concentration of ruminal gas throughout the 19 d of feeding. There was no indication of ruminal adaptation throughout this time. These results are the first to show that 9,10 anthraquinone can partially inhibit in vivo rumen methanogenesis, which supports previous in vitro findings. In addition, at the concentrations used in this study, 9,10 anthraquinone was not toxic to ruminants.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effect of increasing ruminal butyrate absorption on splanchnic metabolism of volatile fatty acids absorbed from the washed reticulorumen of steers.

Four steers fitted with a ruminal cannula and chronic indwelling catheters in the mesenteric artery, mesenteric vein, hepatic portal vein, hepatic vein, and the right ruminal vein were used to study the absorption and metabolism of VFA from bicarbonate buffers incubated in the temporarily emptied and washed reticulorumen. Portal and hepatic vein blood flows were determined by infusion of p-aminohippurate into the mesenteric vein, and portal VFA fluxes were calibrated by infusion of isovalerate into the ruminal vein. The steers were subjected to four experimental treatments in a Latin square design with four periods within 1 d. The treatments were Control (bicarbonate buffer) and VFA buffers containing 4, 12, or 36 mmol butyrate/kg of buffer, respectively. The acetate content of the buffers was decreased with increasing butyrate to balance the acidity. The butyrate absorption from the rumen was 39, 111, and 300 +/- 4 mmol/h for the three VFA buffers, respectively. The ruminal absorption rates of propionate (260 +/- 12 mmol/h), isobutyrate (11.4 +/- 0.7 mmol/h), and valerate (17.3 +/- 0.7 mmol/h) were not affected by VFA buffers. The portal recovery of butyrate and valerate absorbed from the rumen increased (P < 0.01) with increasing butyrate absorption and reached 52 to 54 +/- 4% with the greatest butyrate absorption. The liver responded to the increased butyrate absorption with a decreasing fractional extraction of propionate and butyrate, and with the greatest butyrate absorption, the splanchnic flux was 22 +/- 1% and 18 +/- 1% of the absorbed propionate and butyrate, respectively. The increased propionate and butyrate release to peripheral tissues was followed by increased (P < 0.05) arterial concentrations of propionate (0.08 +/- 0.01 mmol/kg) and butyrate (0.07 +/- 0.01 mmol/kg). Arterial insulin concentration increased (P = 0.01) with incubation of VFA buffers compared with Control and was numerically greatest with the greatest level of butyrate absorption. We conclude that the capacity to metabolize butyrate by the ruminal epithelium and liver is limited. If butyrate absorption exceeds the metabolic capacity, it affects rumen epithelial and hepatic nutrient metabolism and affects the nutrient supply of peripheral tissues.

Absorption↗
PubMed2004

Effect of field pea-based creep feed on intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and performance by nursing calves grazing native range in western North Dakota.

Two experiments evaluated digestive and performance effects of field pea-based creep feed in nursing calf diets. In Exp.1, eight nursing steer calves (145 +/- 27 kg initial BW) with ruminal cannulas were used to evaluate effects of supplementation and advancing season on dietary composition, intake, digestion, and ruminal fermentation characteristics. Treatments were unsupplemented control (CON) and field pea-based creep (SUP; 19.1% CP, DM basis) fed at 0.45% BW (DM basis) daily. Calves grazed native range with their dams from early July through early November. Periods were 24 d long and occurred in July (JUL), August (AUG), September (SEP), and October (OCT). Experiment 2 used 80 crossbred nursing calves, 48 calves in yr 1 and 32 calves in yr 2 (yr 1 = 144 +/- 24 kg; yr 2 = 121 +/- 20 kg initial BW), to evaluate effects of field pea-based creep on calf performance. Treatments included unsupplemented control (CON); field pea-based creep feeds containing either 8% (LS); or 16% (HS) salt; and soybean meal/field pea-based creep containing (as-fed basis) 16% salt (HIPRO). Masticate samples from SUP calves in Exp.1 had greater CP (P = 0.05) than those from CON calves. Forage CP and ADIN decreased linearly with advancing season (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). In vitro OM digestibility of diet masticate decreased from JUL to OCT (P < 0.01; 58.5 to 41.3%). Forage intake did not differ (P = 0.33) between treatments but increased linearly with advancing season (1.67, 1.90, 3.12, 3.38 kg/d for JUL, AUG, SEP, and OCT, respectively; P < 0.01). Milk intake (percentage of BW) did not differ (P = 0.56) between CON and SUP calves but decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with advancing season. Supplemented calves had greater (P = 0.03) total intake (g/kg of BW; forage + milk + creep) compared with CON calves. Treatment did not affect (P < 0.30) rate of in situ disappearance of forage or creep. Forage DM, CP, and creep DM disappearance rate decreased linearly (P < or = 0.02) with advancing season. Supplementation decreased (P = 0.05) ruminal pH, whereas ruminal ammonia and VFA concentrations were greater (P < or = 0.02) in SUP calves. In Exp. 2, creep-fed calves had greater ADG and final BW than CON calves (P < 0.01). Calves offered HS tended (P = 0.07) to have increased gain efficiency above CON than LS calves. Field peas can be used as an ingredient in creep feed to increase calf weight gain without negatively affecting ruminal fermentation and digestion.

Animal Feed↗