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Digestibility of soybean and pigeon pea seed meals and morphological intestinal alterations in pigs.

To compare the nutrient digestibility of soybean meal (SM) and pigeon pea seed meal (PM) as well as morphological intestinal alterations in piglets fed them, three pigs per group were randomly selected at the end of the feeding experiment for ten days. Growth performance was higher in the SM group than in the PM group (p<0.05). The digestibility of crude protein, crude fat and crude fiber was 80.6%, 23.6% and 52.4% in the SM group, while in the PM group, values of 49.8%, 23.6% and 43.2% were observed, respectively. Digestible energy was 3.26 kcal g(-1) in SM and 3.17 kcal g(-1) in PM. It was concluded that the digestibility of PM was lower than that of SM; almost half of the protein in PM was digested. Dietary treatments had no effect on length of each small intestinal segment and weight of visceral organs (small intestine, liver, heart, spleen, kidney, stomach and lung) except the decreased kidney weight in the PM group (p<0.05). The epithelial cells on the jejunal villi showed a dome-like shape in the SM group, but they were a flat shape in the PM group. The present digestion trial and histological intestinal data suggest that the intestinal digestive and absorptive functions are much more atrophied in the PM group than in the SM group, and demonstrate that histological intestinal alterations might be well related with the intestinal functions.

Animal Feed↗

Apparent digestibility of macronutrients in captive babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa).

The apparent digestibilities of macronutrients by babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) were measured. Three group-housed captive babirusa were fed a diet of pelleted feed, boiled potatoes, grains, vegetables, and fruits. To determine reproducibility of the results, two digestibility trials were conducted 5 wk apart. The apparent digestibilities for crude protein, crude fat, and nonstructural carbohydrates (nitrogen-free extract) were 71, 76, and 78% of intake, respectively. Average apparent digestibilities of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were 62 and 19% of intake, respectively. Hemicellulose (neutral detergent fiber minus acid detergent fiber) digestibility was 75%. Cellulose digestibility on average was 19% of intake, i.e., identical to acid detergent fiber digestibility because the diet did not contain a detectable amount of acid detergent lignin.

Animals↗

The influence of physiological state and dietary nitrogen supply on digestion in the dairy cow.

The effects of N supply on digestion were compared in cows in late pregnancy vs early lactation. Two groups of four and one group of three dairy cows received, during a digestion trial, corn silage-concentrate diets (65:35) differing in N supply. Concentrates were formulated so that diets were either insufficient (Diet 1) or sufficient (Diets 2 and 3) in ruminally fermented N and either insufficient (Diets 1 and 2) or sufficient (Diet 3) in protein digestible in the intestines. Experimental periods were 3 wk before and 3 wk after parturition. Organic matter digestibilities were 69.8, 73.1 and 72.5% in late pregnancy vs 64.9, 69.8 and 70.8% in early lactation for Diets 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Digestibility was higher (P less than .05) in late pregnancy than in early lactation. Differences between physiological states were attributed to differences in ruminal digestibility and in fiber digestibility. These differences were not explained by a reduction in large particle retention time, but in situ DM disappearance was reduced in early lactation. Ruminal protozoa concentration and the acetate: propionate ratio decreased between pregnancy and lactation. The duodenal non-ammonia N:N intake ratio was higher for Diet 1 than for Diets 2 and 3, 1.20, .97 and .94, respectively, but it did not vary between physiological states. In conclusion, some of the negative consequences of a shortage in degraded N are more dramatic in early lactation than in late pregnancy.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of dietary level of barley-based supplements and ruminal buffer on digestion and growth by beef cattle.

Six ruminally cannulated beef steers were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square experiment with a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to evaluate the effects of barley supplementation (BS; 10, 30 or 50% of diet DM) and ruminal buffer (RB; Na sesquicarbonate at 0 or 4% of BS DM) addition to bromegrass hay-based diets on digestion. When early- (boot) and late- (full maturity) havested bromegrass and wheat straw substrates were incubated in situ, no interactions (P greater than .10) involving substrate with dietary BS or RB were observed, indicating that forages differing in fermentability responded similarly to different ruminal environments. Averaged across substrates, RB had no effect with 10% BS and a positive effect with 30% BS, but a negative effect with 50% BS diets (BS x RB, quadratic; P less than .05) for in situ DM and NDF disappearance for 18 and 24 h of incubation and for rate of disappearance of potentially degraded DM and NDF. Intakes of DM and digested DM were greater (P less than .01) for RB diets; however, RB had no effect (P greater than .10) on total tract DM and NDF digestibility. Intake and digestibility of DM increased linearly (P less than .01), whereas NDF digestibility decreased linearly (P less than .01) as BS percentage was increased in the diet. Sixty beef steers (avg initial wt 302 kg) were fed the same dietary treatments in a growth experiment. A numerical improvement in DM intake (P = .20) and ADG (P = .06) was observed when RB was provided with the 50% BS diet. Results of these experiments indicate that RB may moderate negative effects occurring on ruminal fiber digestion when grains are used to supplement forage-based diets; however, improvements in ruminal digestion were not translated effectively to improved animal productivity.

Ammonia↗

The effect of source of fiber on ileal and fecal amino acid digestibility and bacterial nitrogen excretion in growing pigs.

Studies were carried out with six barrows (initial BW 50 kg) to determine the effect of two fiber sources on the apparent ileal and fecal N and amino acid digestibilities and bacterial N excretion in feces. The pigs, fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, were fed three cornstarch-based diets formulated to contain 16% CP from soybean meal according to a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Diet 1 did not contain additional fiber. Diets 2 and 3 contained 10% powdered cellulose and 10% barley straw (ground through a 2-mm mesh screen), included at the expense of cornstarch, respectively. The pigs were fed 900 g at each meal twice daily, 0800 and 2000. Feces were collected for 48 h after a 10-d adaptation period. Thereafter, ileal digesta were collected for 24 h. Chromic oxide was used as a digestibility marker. With the exception of leucine, the inclusion of fiber did not affect (P greater than .05) the ileal digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids. The values for the average of the ileal digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids were 85.3, 82.9, and 83.2% for diets 1, 2, and 3, respectively. On the other hand, the inclusion of fiber decreased (P less than .05) the fecal digestibilities of all the indispensable amino acids. The values for the average of the fecal digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids were 91.7, 87.4, and 89.1% for diets 1, 2, and 3, respectively. These decreases resulted from an increase (P less than .05) in the excretion of bacterial N, which was measured using 2,6-diaminopimelic acid as a marker. In conclusion, as measured with the ileal analysis method, the inclusion of fiber had little effect on the digestible amino acid supply.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of diet composition and feed intake level on diet digestibility and ruminal metabolism in growing lambs.

Lambs (29 +/- 2.5 kg) were fed three diets at various intakes to determine whether diet composition or level of intake was reflected in changes in diet digestibility or ruminal fluid characteristics. In Exp. 1, a 90% concentrated, pelleted diet or a whole shelled corn diet with a pelleted protein supplement was fed at three levels of intake: ad libitum and 92.5 and 85% of ad libitum (n = 15). Exp. 2 compared the 90% concentrate diet with diets in which the energy density was diluted to 55 or 72.5% concentrate by including alfalfa hay as a possible method of restricting energy intake (n = 6). Lambs were adapted to diets for 13 d; feces were collected for 6 d and ruminal fluid was collected 0, 3, and 6 h after feeding on the day following fecal collection. Restricting intake in Exp. 1 did not affect DM digestibility or digestibility of CP or starch. Digestibility of ADF was increased (P less than .10) by restricting intake. Ruminal fluid pH, ammonia concentration and VFA concentrations were affected little by either restricted intake level. Digestibility of DM was 4% higher (P less than .001) and starch 5% higher (P less than .001) for the whole shelled corn diet than for the pelleted, high-concentrate diet. Ruminal pH of lambs fed the whole shelled corn diet was higher and fluctuated less than the ruminal pH of lambs fed the high-concentrate, pelleted diet. In Exp. 2, diet digestibility was reduced (P less than .01) and ruminal pH was increased (P less than .002) by addition of hay. Restricted feeding of lambs did not seem to increase diet digestibility or alter ruminal conditions.

Ammonia↗

Effects of alfalfa maturity on energy utilization by cattle and nutrient digestibility by cattle and sheep.

Two comparative slaughter experiments conducted with growing beef steers (300 kg to 480 kg BW) fed alfalfa cubes demonstrated that animal performance diminished as alfalfa matured. In each trial, ADG (empty BW basis) was 10 to 20% greater from pre-bloom than from early-bloom alfalfa. Net energy for maintenance (Mcal/kg) followed a pattern similar to that of ADG, but NEg (Mcal/kg) did not decrease (P greater than .05) as alfalfa maturity increased. Digestion trials with steers and wethers clearly indicated significant reductions in apparent digestibilities of DM, energy, and cell wall fractions as alfalfa matured. Steers fed at 110% of maintenance in digestion Trails 1, 2, and 3 consistently digested cubed alfalfa to a greater extent than wethers fed the same alfalfa ground and pelleted. Digestion coefficients (percentages) for ADF, cellulose, NDF, and crude fiber were 5 to 14% greater for steers fed cubes than for wethers fed pellets. Regression equations calculated from results of three digestion trials indicate that digestible DM % and DE (Mcal/kg) could be predicted from ADF %, but they were 4 to 5% lower for wethers fed pelleted alfalfa than for steers fed cubes.

Animal Feed↗

Relationships of body weight, forage composition, and corn supplementation to feed intake and digestion by Holstein steer calves consuming bermudagrass hay ad libitum.

Holstein steer calves (101 to 350 kg BW) consumed bermudagrass hay ad libitum without or with supplemental ground corn up to 1.0% of BW. As BW increased, total DMI increased quadratically (-2.459 + .05448 [BW]-.000073 [BW2] + .540 [corn DMI]; R2 = .83, sy.x = .655). Each kilogram of corn DM decreased bermudagrass DMI by .46 kg. Total digestible OM intake (kg) increased with BW and corn supplementation (.314 + .0127 [BW] + .441 [corn OM intake]; R2 = .79, sy.x = .444). Feed intake level accounted for approximately 2.5 times more variability in total digestible OM intake than digestion did. Corn supplementation decreased digestion of bermudagrass NDF (62.50 - 8.468 [corn DMI, % BW]; R2 = .13, sy.x = 8.121), with a similar decrease across BW. Increasing bermudagrass DMI (% of BW) decreased bermudagrass NDF digestion slightly, but variation accounted for was only 33% of that attributable to corn DMI (% of BW). Concentrations of common fiber fractions (NDF, ADF, cellulose, hemicellulose, and ADL) in bermudagrass explained very little variation in feed intake and digestion, indicating considerable influence of other factors. Bermudagrass intake and digestion were not related, and no substantial interactions were observed among steer BW, corn level, and bermudagrass composition.

Animal Feed↗

Selection of a sterilization method for the study of cereal grain digestion.

Experiments were initiated to select a sterilization method(s) that minimizes alterations in the digestive properties of cereal grains and, thus, would be suitable for the study of cereal grain digestion by pure cultures of ruminal bacteria. The following five treatments were examined: unsterilized (U), autoclaving with buffer (AB), autoclaving without buffer (AD), ethylene oxide (E), and gamma irradiation (I). Solubility of DM, starch, and CP was determined by soaking grain in buffer for 1 h followed by filtration through Whatman #54 filter paper. Ground corn and wheat from each treatment were placed in vials with a 1:1 mixture of Bryant's medium and ruminal inoculum. Vials were incubated for 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h and analyzed for starch content. Bacterial growth was not evident in sterilized, uninoculated samples. The AD treatment decreased the disappearance of CP in wheat and corn, whereas AB caused an increase in the disappearance of DM, CP, and starch in wheat (P less than .001) compared with U. Rates of microbial starch digestion for corn were 1.3, 1.5, 3.3, 14.7, and 3.5%/h and for wheat were 1.3, 3.4, 4.6, 17.1, and 4.6%/h for AD, E, I, AB, and U, respectively. Contrasts indicated that AD and AB differed (P less than .001) from U for both corn and wheat. It is likely that gelatinization of cereal starch enhanced microbial starch digestion in AB and the formation of Maillard products reduced starch digestion in AD. Corn and wheat sterilized with E or I had digestive properties that closely resembled those of U grain, and either sterilization method was suitable for studying cereal grain digestion.

Animals↗

Effect of a supply of raw or extruded rapeseeds on digestion in dairy cows.

The influence of extruded oilseeds on total tract digestibility and ruminal digestion in dairy cows was studied in three cows fed a hay-concentrate (60.5/39.5; 3.7% fatty acids in diet on DM basis) control diet (C) or the same diet supplemented with raw (R) or extruded (ER) rapeseeds (8.0% fatty acids in diet DM). The experimental design was a 3 x 3 Latin square design. Compared with diet C, diets containing rapeseed decreased ruminal OM digestibility (9.5%, P less than .10) and increased (P less than .05) the proportion of propionate in ruminal fluid VFA. Extrusion had no effect on DM and OM total tract digestibilities and increased (P less than .10) N digestion. Microbial N flow at the duodenum was calculated taking into account solid-adherent bacteria (SAB) and liquid-associated bacteria (LAB). Duodenal flows of total, SAB, and LAB of OM and N did not change with diet. Extrusion of the rapeseeds did not modify (P less than .10) the proportion of bacterial N at the duodenum and had no effect on crude fiber digestibility. This trial demonstrates that rapeseeds in hay-based diets can be fed at levels of up to 14% of the diet without adversely affecting crude fiber digestibility.

Animal Feed↗

Digestible tryptophan requirements of starting, growing, and finishing pigs.

Seven hundred eight crossbred pigs were used in growth and digestion trials to determine the digestible tryptophan (Trp) requirement of starting (6 to 16 kg), growing (22 to 50 kg), and finishing (55 to 97 kg) pigs. Each growth trial evaluated a corn-fish meal-corn gluten meal basal diet, the basal diet with five incremental additions of L-Trp, and a control corn-soybean meal diet. The tryptophan content of the six incremental diets ranged from .13 to .255% for starting pigs, .08 to .18% for growing pigs, and .063 to .163% for finishing pigs. Lysine contents of basal diets were 1.38, .90, and .72% for starting, growing, and finishing diets, respectively. In all trials, ADG, ADFI, and gain/feed increased (P less than .001) linearly and quadratically as dietary Trp increased. Broken-line regression analyses determined the total dietary Trp requirements needed to optimize performance to be .19, .13, and .09% (as-fed basis) for starting, growing, and finishing pigs, respectively. These concentrations equated to Trp intakes of .96, 2.18, and 2.88 g/d. A digestion trial using growing pigs (29 kg initially) determined the apparent ileal digestibility of Trp in the basal starting and growing diets to be 72 and 70%, respectively; a similar trial with finishing pigs (55 kg initially) found 59% Trp digestibility for the basal finishing diet. Mean digestibility of L-Trp was 97%. Based on these values and the total Trp requirements given above, the digestible Trp requirements are .15, .10, and .06% for starting, growing, and finishing pigs, respectively.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment on cell wall composition and digestion kinetics of sugarcane residues and wheat straw.

Our objective was to characterize changes in cell wall composition and digestibility of sugarcane bagasse, pith from bagasse, and wheat straw after treatment with alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP). The AHP treatment solution contained 1% H2O2 (wt/vol) maintained at pH 11.5 with NaOH. The H2O2 in solution amounted to 25% of the quantity of substrate treated. After treatment, residues were washed and dried. Detergent fiber composition, total fiber components (neutral sugars, uronic acids, Klason lignin, and noncore lignin phenolic acids), IVDMD, in vitro digestion kinetics of NDF, and monosaccharide digestibilities (24 and 120 h) were determined. Total fiber (TF) and NDF concentrations of all treatment residues were increased (P less than .05) over control substrates by AHP because of greater losses of cell solubles than of cell wall constituents. Hemicellulose:cellulose ratio in NDF of treatment residues was decreased (P less than .05) by AHP for all substrates, but the neutral sugar composition of TF did not agree with this preferential loss of hemicellulose components. Klason lignin, ADL, and esterified noncore lignin, especially ferulic acid, were reduced (P less than .05) by AHP, whereas etherified noncore lignin composition was unchanged. Treatment increased (P less than .05) IVDMD, extent of NDF digestion, and monosaccharide digestibilities of all crop residues. The rate of NDF digestion was increased (P less than .05) for the sugarcane residues but not for wheat straw. Alkaline hydrogen peroxide improved crop residue digestibility, probably as a result of the removal of core and noncore lignin fractions.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of protein-protected fat on ruminal and total nutrient digestibility of sheep diets.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing chopped ryegrass hay with 0, 5, 10, or 20% fat coated with ruminal bypass protein (Prolip on ruminal digestion by cows and nutrient digestibility by sheep. Ruminal disappearances of DM, ADF, and NDF were measured by the in sacco technique using a cannulated cow. Degradation of DM, ADF, and NDF was not affected by protected fat supplementation at the 5, 10, or 20% level during the first 16 h in the rumen. In addition, supplementation with Prolip did not influence in vitro fermentation characteristics such as pH and VFA patterns. A digestibility experiment with six mature sheep in a switch-back design showed no decrease in feed intake or other undesired effects between unsupplemented (basal) and Prolip-supplemented diets. Whatever the diet fed to sheep, fiber digestibility was similar; however, DM and nitrogen digestibilities were significantly higher relative to the basal diet when ryegrass hay was substituted at 20% (64.2 vs 59.0% and 74.1 vs 71.1%, respectively). Ether extract digestion was enhanced by increasing level of Prolip; the corresponding values were 48.0, 64.9, 74.6, and 84.6% at 0, 5, 10, or 20% Prolip. Likewise, Prolip supplementation at the 10 or 20% level augmented digestibility of energy (62.7 or 65.9 vs 59.2%). Nitrogen and energy retentions were improved due to the decreases in fecal and(or) urinary excretion(s).

Animal Feed↗

Technical note: forage in vitro dry matter digestibility as influenced by fiber source in the donor cow diet.

Objectives of this study were to determine the influence of five donor cow diets that differed in source of fiber on true in vitro DM digestibility of eight forages. Test forages included two alfalfa (31.2 and 38.3% NDF), corn silage (50.2% NDF), oat forage (48.2% NDF), perennial rye (62.1% NDF), two reed canarygrasses (55.9 and 68.1% NDF), and timothy (68.2% NDF). Sources of fiber in donor cow diets were alfalfa haylage or alfalfa haylage plus either corn cobs, cottonseed hulls, oat hulls, or soy hulls. In addition, the effect of filtering through sintered glass crucibles or filter paper (two replicates each) was evaluated. There were differences (P < .01) among feeds in in vitro DM digestibility, but there were no interactions (P > .05) between test forages and either source of fiber in donor diets or filtration method. There was an interaction between source of fiber in the donor diet and method of filtration (P < .01). Samples inoculated with ruminal fluid from cows fed diets with oat hulls or soy hulls had lower (P < .01) in vitro DM digestibility when filtered on crucibles than on filter paper. Filtration method did not affect (P > .05) in vitro DM digestibility of samples inoculated with ruminal fluid from other diets. The in vitro DM digestibility of samples inoculated with ruminal fluid from cows fed alfalfa haylage was less than the in vitro DM digestibility when other inocula were used. The source of fiber in the donor cow diet and filtration method can affect in vitro DM digestibility, but relative ranking of forages was unaffected by these variables.

Animal Feed↗

Microbial attachment and feed digestion in the rumen.

Direct microscopic examination of the rumen and its contents shows microbial populations largely attached to feed particles in the digesta. Most feeds contain a surface layer that is resistant to attachment and therefore to digestion. Infiltration of these recalcitrant epidermal layers through damage sites or through focused enzymatic attack is essential for initiation of the digestive process. Proliferation of primary colonizing cells produces glycocalyx-enclosed microcolonies. Secondary colonizers from the ruminal fluid associate with microcolonies, resulting in the formation of multispecies microbial biofilms. These metabolically related organisms associate with their preferred substrates and produce the myriad of enzymes necessary for the digestion of chemically and structurally complex plant tissues. Upon accessing the internal, enzyme-susceptible tissues, microbial "digestive consortia" attach to a variety of nutrients, including protein, cellulose, and starch and digest insoluble feed materials from the inside out. Substances that prevent microbial attachment or promote detachment (e.g., condensed tannins, methylcellulose) can completely inhibit cellulose digestion. As the microbial consortium matures and adapts to a particular type of feed, it becomes inherently stable and its participant microorganisms are notoriously difficult to manipulate due to the impenetrable nature of biofilms. Properties of feed that place constraints on microbial attachment and biofilm formation can have a profound effect on both the rate and extent of feed digestion in the rumen. Developments in feed processing (i.e., chemical and physical), plant breeding, and genetic engineering (both of ruminal microorganisms and plants) that overcome these constraints through the promotion of microbial attachment and biofilm formation could substantially benefit ruminant production.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of feeding high-concentrate diets at restricted intakes on digestibility and nitrogen metabolism in growing lambs.

In Trial 1, 12 wether lambs (34.2 +/- .8 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of restricting intake of diets increasing in percentage of concentrate, to achieve isoenergetic intakes, on digestibility and N metabolism. The trial consisted of two 14-d periods, 9 d for adaptation and 5 d for total collection of urine and feces. Treatments were 22, 39, 61, and 92% concentrate diets fed at ad libitum intake and 90, 80, and 70% of ad libitum intake, respectively. Diets were formulated to provide equal daily intakes of ME. Feeding diets increasing in proportion of concentrate at restricted intakes resulted in linear increases (P < .001) in DM, OM, ADF, and NDF digestibilities. Starch digestibility was not affected (P > .10) by intake. Apparent N digestion was improved (P < .001) with restricted feeding of diets containing greater proportions of concentrate. Nitrogen retention was increased (P < .005) for lambs receiving diets containing a greater proportion of concentrate at reduced intakes. In Trial 2, 12 wether lambs (30.6 +/- .6 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of feeding high-concentrate (92%) diets at reduced intakes on digestibility and N metabolism. Diets were fed at ad libitum intake and 90, 80, and 70% of ad libitum intake. The trial consisted of two 14-d periods, similar to Trial 1. Restricting the intake of high-concentrate diets improved (P < .001) digestibility of DM, OM, ADF, starch, and CP. Digestibility of DM, ADF, CP, and starch increased .142, .423, .497, and .046 percentage units, respectively, for each 1% reduction in DM intake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

The influence of intake level and corn processing on digestibility and ruminal metabolism in steers fed all-concentrate diets.

The effects of intake (ad libitum and 70% of ad libitum) and corn processing (whole or rolled) on digestion, ruminal metabolism, and blood metabolites were determined in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment using eight ruminally fistulated steers. All-concentrate diets were fed with adjustments to dietary concentrations of N, vitamins, and minerals to ensure equal daily intake of these nutrients. Digestion of DM, OM, and starch were affected by an intake x processing interaction (P < .03). Starch digestion for the low-intake, whole-corn diet was much lower than that for the other three diets. This decrease in starch digestion was the major reason for the interaction. Nitrogen digestion was improved (P < .03) with limited intake but was not affected by processing. Ruminal volume and ruminal turnover (percentage/hour) were both reduced (P < .03) on the low-intake diet. Molar proportion of acetate was reduced and propionate was increased (P < .01) for steers receiving high intake of rolled corn compared with the other three diets. Butyrate concentrations were increased (P < .01) when corn was rolled before feeding. Ruminal pH was higher immediately before feeding for steers receiving whole corn than for those receiving rolled corn. Decreases in pH were observed for rolled corn 2 to 9 h after feeding, suggesting a faster rate of fermentation of rolled corn than of whole corn. Concentrations of blood glucose and insulin were not affected by intake or processing. It was concluded that processing corn can improve DM and OM digestibility if intake is restricted and that N digestion is improved with restricted feeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ammonia↗

The influence of restricted feeding on site and extent of digestion and flow of nitrogenous compounds to the duodenum in steers.

The effects of restricted feeding on site and extent of digestion, flow of N-containing compounds to the duodenum, and ruminal metabolism were determined. In Trial 1, corn silage-based diets were fed at one of three intakes to three ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers (420 +/- 4.4 kg BW) in a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square experiment. Feeding levels were 100% of ad libitum intake, 90% of ad libitum intake, and 80% of ad libitum intake. Site of digestion was not affected by restricted feeding; however, extent of DM, NDF, and apparent N digestion were increased (P < .03) 2.8, 4.1, and 6.2 percentage units for each 1-kg restriction in DM intake. Restricted feeding increased (P < .06) ruminal pH and ammonia concentrations, decreased (P < .05) ruminal liquid dilution rate, and had no major effects on bacterial concentrations. In Trial 2, all-concentrate diets based on whole shelled corn were fed at 100, 90, or 80% of ad libitum intake to six ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers (440 +/- 4.1 kg BW) in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square experiment. Restricted feeding increased (P < .06) apparent ruminal DM digestion; however, true ruminal OM digestibility was not affected. Extent of apparent N digestion increased 3.0 percentage units for each 1-kg restriction in DMI. Ruminal pH was not affected by restricted feeding; however, ruminal ammonia concentrations increased (P < .06) and ruminal liquid dilution rate decreased (P < .04) with restricted feeding. In both Trials, total N flow to the duodenum was approximately 100% of N intake for the 80% of ad libitum intake. Flow of N exceeded N intake in a linear (P < .01) manner as DMI increased. Decreases in duodenal N flow when intake was restricted resulted from decreases (P < .01) in bacterial N flowing to the duodenum, and also in decreases (P < .01) in non-ammonia, non-bacterial N flow when whole shelled corn-based diets were fed. We concluded that restrictions in digestible energy intake are less than the DM restriction when corn silage-based diets are fed but are equal to the DM restriction when whole shelled corn-based diets are fed. Also, restricted feeding strategies reduce the flow of N to the duodenum from both bacterial and feed origins.

Animal Feed↗