Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Detergent Fiber (detergent + fiber)
Kinds of Detergent Fiber Selected AbstractsEffects of Grazing on Bituminaria bituminosa (L) Stirton: A Potential Forage Crop in Mediterranean GrasslandsJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 6 2006M. Sternberg Abstract Plant traits of Bituminaria bituminosa, as affected by different intensities of cattle grazing, were studied in a Mediterranean grassland in Israel. B. bituminosa is a widespread Mediterranean perennial legume species that may potentially serve as a fodder crop in Mediterranean grasslands. The aims of the present study were: (i) to evaluate the responses of B. bituminosa to different cattle grazing intensities; (ii) to study functional traits associated with grazing tolerance; and (iii) to evaluate its potential as an alternative forage crop in the region. A total of 100 B. bituminosa plants were monitored in field conditions. During the growing season each individual was sampled five times and the following plant traits were monitored each time: (i) aboveground biomass production, (ii) plant height, (iii) specific leaf area (SLA), (iv) number of flowers, (v) seed mass and size, (vi) tannin concentration in leaves, (vii) total nitrogen in leaves, (viii) fibre concentration in leaves (Neutral Detergent Fiber), and (ix) in vitro dry matter digestibility. The results showed that grazing intensity and history of grazing affected B. bituminosa performance. Plant biomass, height, and flower and seed production were all reduced when plants were exposed to cattle grazing. However, under moderate grazing intensities, its plant cover remained relatively stable indicating a potential tolerance under this stocking rate. The nutritious characteristics of B. bituminosa leaves were good, and the condensed tannins concentration found indicated favourable conditions for digestion. Moreover, the in vitro digestibility studies indicated relatively high values (46,51 %) of digestion. B. bituminosa may be considered as a potential crop for cattle feeding in Mediterranean grasslands. Growing this plant in dense stands in rotational paddocks may provide alternative sources of natural fodder protein, reducing the potential costs of artificial feed supplements. [source] Indigestibility of plant cell wall by the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminiferaENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 3 2004F.J. Clissold Abstract The plant cell wall may play an important role in defence against herbivores since it can be both a barrier to, and nutrient diluter of, the easily digested cell contents. The aim of this study was to investigate the digestibility of the cell wall of three grasses, Triticum aestivum L., Dactyloctenium radulans (R. Br.) Beauv., and Astrebla lappacea (Lindl.) Domin, by the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera Walker (Orthoptera: Acrididae, Acridinae) as determined by the Van Soest method [Van Soest PJ, Robertson JB & Lewis BA (1991) Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74: 3583,3597]. Determination of plant cell wall digestion by locusts required a precise methodological procedure to determine both the exact intake and the concentration of cell wall in the diet and the faeces. Plant cell wall determination is affected by the particle size distribution of the dried plant material. All three grasses differed in the percentage of cell wall per gram dry matter and the proportions of hemicellulose, cellulose, and acid-detergent sulphuric lignin within the cell wall. The locust was unable to digest the cell wall of any of the grasses. Thus, plant cell walls are a mechanical barrier hindering locusts assimilating nutrients. That is, access, rather than nutrient concentration per se, may be limiting nutrient factor. [source] Comparative effect of biofertilizers on fodder production and quality in guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.)JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 9 2008Seema Mishra Abstract BACKGROUND:Panicum maximum Jacq. is one of the most important fodder grasses of the tropics. For good production and growth it requires high amounts of N fertilizer. Chemical fertilizers have a deleterious effect on soil fertility and are not economical for resource-poor farmers. Utilization of plant growth-promoting bacteria and fungi proved to be beneficial for improving crop production as well as the soil fertility. In the present paper the effect of inoculation of N fixer (Azospirillum brasilense) and P solubilizers (arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi consortia and inoculum of Glomus intraradiaces) was studied in single as well as mixed inoculation on forage yield and quality in guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) at different cuttings under the cut-and-carry system. RESULTS: Overall five cuttings were obtained during the year. Dual inoculation, i.e., Azospirillum with indigenous AM consortia, significantly improved fodder growth, production and quality in terms of crude protein (CP) content, while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content decreased after this treatment. The density of soil microbes (number of Azospirillum colony-forming units, number of AM spores) was enhanced in mixed inoculation. Chemical fertilizer improved fodder production and CP content significantly over control but also enhanced NDF and ADF content and suppressed the Azospirillum colony-forming units, AM spores and AM root infection. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded from the present study that inoculated N fixer and P solubilizer have a synergistic effect which enhanced overall fodder production, quality and also beneficial microflora in the rhizosphere soil, which also demonstrated the sustainability of biofertilizers. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Effects of high- and low-fiber diets on fecal fermentation and fecal microbial populations of captive chimpanzeesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2009Svetlana Ki, idayová Abstract We examined fiber fermentation capacity of captive chimpanzee fecal microflora from animals (n=2) eating low-fiber diets (LFDs; 14% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 5% of cellulose) and high-fiber diets (HFDs; 26% NDF and 15% of cellulose), using barley grain, meadow hay, wheat straw, and amorphous cellulose as substrates for in vitro gas production of feces. We also examined the effects of LFD or HFD on populations of eubacteria and archaea in chimpanzee feces. Fecal inoculum fermentation from the LFD animals resulted in a higher in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and gas production than from the HFD animals. However, there was an interaction between different inocula and substrates on IVDMD, gas and methane production, and hydrogen recovery (P<0.001). On the other hand, HFD inoculum increased the production of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), acetate, and propionate with all tested substrates. The effect of the interaction between the inoculum and substrate on total SCFAs was not observed. Changes in fermentation activities were associated with changes in bacterial populations. DGGE of bacterial DNA revealed shift in population of both archaeal and eubacterial communities. However, a much more complex eubacterial population structure represented by many bands was observed compared with the less variable archaeal population in both diets. Some archaeal bands were related to the uncultured archaea from gastrointestinal tracts of homeothermic animals. Genomic DNA in the dominant eubacterial band in the HFD inoculum was confirmed to be closely related to DNA from Eubacterium biforme. Interestingly, the predominant band in the LFD inoculum represented DNA of probably new or yet-to-be-sequenced species belonging to mycoplasms. Collectively, our results indicated that fecal microbial populations of the captive chimpanzees are not capable of extensive fiber fermentation; however, there was a positive effect of fiber content on SCFA production. Am. J. Primatol. 71:548,557, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Nutritional chemistry of foods eaten by gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, UgandaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2006Jessica M. Rothman Abstract Foods eaten by gorillas (Gorilla beringei) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP), Uganda, were analyzed for their nutrient content. The goal of the study was to assess the amounts of fiber, protein, and sugars in the foods eaten by the Bwindi gorillas, and to determine whether condensed tannins and cyanide are present in these foods. A total of 127 food plant parts representing 84 plant species eaten by two groups of Bwindi gorillas were collected, processed, and analyzed for their chemical contents. The Bwindi gorilla ate foods that contain 2,28% crude protein (CP), 21,88% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 14,60% acid detergent fiber (ADF), 2,42% acid detergent lignin (ADL), and ,1,50% water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) on a dry matter (DM) basis. Moisture in these foods ranged from 7% to 96%. Approximately 35% of the foods analyzed contained condensed tannins, and two foods contained cyanogenic glycosides. This is the first detailed report regarding the nutritional chemistry of gorilla foods in Bwindi, many of which are also eaten by other primates. This unique data set adds to our knowledge about the nutritional composition of foods eaten by gorillas across habitats, is useful for understanding aspects of feeding behavior, and provides valuable comparative data for optimizing the diets of gorillas ex situ. Am. J. Primatol. 68:1,17, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Associative effects of supplementing rice straw-based diet with cornstarch on intake, digestion, rumen microbes and growth performance of Huzhou lambsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010Xian-Dong ZHANG ABSTRACT Thirty-six male Hu lambs consuming a rice straw-based diet were used in a 60-day trial to study the associative effects of cornstarch supplementation on intake, digestion, ruminal microbial population and growth performance. All animals were fed rice straw ad libitum together with 160 g/day of rapeseed meal and supplemented with cornstarch at levels of 0 (control), 60, 120 or 180 g/day, respectively. Increment of supplementary cornstarch showed little influence on rice straw intake. Optimal growth performance and highest apparent digestibility of organic matter was achieved in the 120 g/day cornstarch group (P < 0.05), while the digestibilities of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein were significantly decreased by 180 g/day cornstarch (P < 0.05). Similar results were observed for carboxymethyl cellulose activity and relative populations of cellulolytic bacteria (Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Fibrobacter succinogene). Blood urea nitrogen was reduced by supplementary cornstarch, indicating enhanced protein utilization efficiency. Carcass traits were all significantly improved by supplementary cornstarch. These results suggested that proper amounts of starch supplementation (within 0.5% BW) has little adverse effect on forage utilization, but could effectively improve growth performance. High levels of cornstarch, however, would decrease cellulase activity and populations of cellulolytic bacteria, and hence the digestibility of forage. [source] Effect of different levels of Quebracho tannin on nitrogen utilization and growth performance of Najdi sheep fed alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay as a sole dietANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009Soliman N. AL-DOBAIB ABSTRACT A commercial tannin source (Quebracho tannin, QT), containing 75% condensed tannins (CT) in dry matter (DM) was used to evaluate the effects of addition of different levels of QT to alfalfa hay on the in vitro degradation kinetics of organic matter (OM) and nitrogen (N) in experiment 1 (Exp. 1), N utilization and microbial N synthesis (MNS) in experiment 2 (Exp. 2) and growth performance of growing Najdi lambs in experiment 3 (Exp. 3). Alfalfa hay was treated with QT at the levels of 0, 1, 2 and 3% of DM to form four treatments of QT0, QT1, QT2 and QT3 to have actual levels of CT being 0, 0.75, 1.5 and 2.25% of DM, respectively. Degradation rate and the effective degradability of N were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) for QT2 and QT3 as compared with the QT0. In Exp. 2, digestibility coefficients for OM, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) at QT3, whereas QT1 and QT2 showed no difference toQT0. In the metabolism trial (Exp. 2), digested N (DN) and urinary N (UN) excretion for QT2 and QT3 were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) compared to QT0 and QT1. The DN and UN as percentage of N intake were 79.2, 76.9, 75.5 and 69.8%; and 24.4, 22.6, 19.9 and 19.6% for QT0, QT1, QT2 and QT3, respectively. QT2 had the highest MNS and the lowest value was in QT3, the MNS of the treatments were 18.1, 18.7, 19.2 and 15.8 g/day for QT0, QT1, QT2 and QT3, respectively. In the growth trial of 56 days duration (Exp. 3, n = 24 lambs), the addition of QT at the level of QT2 enhanced (P < 0.05) the average daily gain and feed conversion rate compared with the QT0, while, QT1 and QT3 had intermediate values. It is concluded that alfalfa hay treated with QT at the level of 2% of DM could be used to protect alfalfa N from ruminal degradation that would lead to improve growth performance of lambs. [source] The effect of dietary ratios of corn silage and alfalfa hay on carbohydrate digestion and retention time of feed particles in the gastrointestinal tract of steersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009Taketo OBITSU ABSTRACT Four Holstein steers fitted with duodenal cannula were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate the effect of the combination of corn silage (CS) and alfalfa hay (AH) in different ratios on the ruminal and intestinal digestion of carbohydrates and feed particle passage rate. Steers were fed mixed diets containing both CS and AH in ratios of 80:20, 60:40, 40:60 and 20:80 on a dry matter basis at 95% of ad libitum feed intake. The increase of AH proportion in diets increased dry matter intake and ruminal digestion of dry matter, non-fiber carbohydrate, neutral and acid detergent fiber linearly. Ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fiber showed a quadratic response, and total digestibility increased linearly with increasing AH proportion. Digestibility of acid detergent fiber in the rumen was not affected by the dietary treatments, but the total tract digestibility increased as the AH proportion increased. Mean retention time of feed particles in total compartment increased when the AH proportion increased from 20% to 60%, but decreased with further increase of the AH proportion. These results indicate that moderate combinations of CS and AH have an associative effect on ruminal fiber digestion, modifying particle movement in the rumen. [source] Silage preparation and nutritive value of Chinese yam by-productANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009Chuncheng XU ABSTRACT The objective of this experiment was to determine the ensiling characteristics, nutrient composition and nutritive value of Chinese yam by-product (CYBP) silage treated without additive (Control), with lactic acid bacteria (LY), with dried beet pulp (BY), or with mixtures of lactic acid bacteria and dried beet pulp (LBY) for a fermentation period of 150 days. The nutritive value of CYBP silage was studied in an in vivo digestibility trial using wethers in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Addition of lactic acid bacteria and/or dried beet pulp greatly improved fermentation quality of CYBP silage. The pH was reduced to below 4.0 and lactic acid was produced at above 4.6% on dry matter basis. There were no statistical differences among treatments in the digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and energy in the silages, but neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility were higher (P < 0.001) in wethers fed BY and LBY silages compared to the control and LY silages. It was estimated that total digestible nutrient and digestible energy in the CYBP silage averaged 79.1% and 14.3 MJ/kg on dry matter basis. The study suggests that CYBP can be well preserved by making a silage and it is a good potential energy source for ruminant diets. [source] The comparative study digestion and metabolism of nitrogen and purine derivatives in male, Thai, Swamp buffalo and Thai, Brahman cattleANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009Thongsuk JETANA ABSTRACT Studies on in vivo digestion, rates of passages, metabolism of nitrogen, urinary purine derivative excretion and blood metabolites were carried out in Thai Brahman cattle and Thai swamp buffaloes (16 months old). The animals were fed mixed diets based on pineapple (Ananas comusus) waste silage containing urea-N (NPN) and true protein from a concentrate (TP). The Brahman cattle (310 ± 15 kg) were heavier than the swamp buffaloes (195 ± 9.4 kg) and had higher dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intakes when compared on the basis of their metabolic body weight (BW0.75), but these intakes did not differ significantly when the diets of each animal species were compared. The total tract, apparent digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) were not significantly different between the animal species when comparing the two types of diets. The NDF digestibility was significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in both animal species when fed the TP diet, but was significantly (P < 0.01) greater in cattle than in swamp buffaloes. The passage rate digesta k1 (P < 0.01) and the passage rate digesta k2 (through the caecum and proximal colon) (P < 0.03) were significantly slower, and the total mean retention time (TMRT) (P < 0.01) was significantly longer in swamp buffaloes when compared to Brahman cattle, but the transit time (TT) showed no difference (P = 0.07) between the animal species or the diets. The N intakes were not different in both animal species and diets, but urine-N was greater (P < 0.05) in Brahman cattle than that in swamp buffaloes. Urine N and digestibility of N were significantly (P < 0.04) higher in animals fed the NPN diet than those fed the TP diet. Urinary purine derivatives (PD) and the creatinine (Cr) excretion of swamp buffaloes were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than those in Brahman cattle. Plasma urea-N (BUN) concentration was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in swamp buffaloes than that in Brahman cattle, but plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in Brahman cattle than in swamp buffaloes. The concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were not significantly (P > 0.05) different in animals fed different diets. The present study demonstrated that Brahman cattle were better in fiber digestibility than swamp buffaloes at utilizing pineapple waste silage with both N sources. [source] Chemical characterization, energy values, protein and carbohydrate fractions, degradation kinetics of frost damaged wheat (with severely overall weight loss) in ruminantsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009Peiqiang YU ABSTRACT In Canada, frost damage can result in millions of tonnes of wheat that is not suitable for human consumption (such wheat is referred to as ,frozen') each year. There is a need to systematically evaluate the nutritive value of frozen wheat for ruminants. So far, little research has been conducted to determine the magnitude of the differences in nutritive value between frozen and normal wheat. The objectives of this study were to compare frozen wheat and normal wheat (AC Barrie) in terms of (i) chemical characteristics; (ii) protein and carbohydrate fractions; (iii) energy value; and (iv) rumen degradation kinetics. The results showed that the overall yield losses of the frozen wheat were around 24%. The frozen wheat was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in starch (47 vs. 62%DM), non-structural carbohydrates (60 vs. 70%DM), and non-protein N (63 vs. 93%SCP); and higher (P < 0.05) in crude fat (3 vs. 2%DM), acid (6 vs. 2%DM), neutral detergent fiber (22 vs. 10%DM), lignin (2 vs. 1%DM), acid (3 vs. 1%CP) and neutral detergent insoluble CP (19 vs. 14%CP). The frozen wheat was also lower in (P < 0.05) energy (TDN, DE3X, ME3X, NEL3X, DE4X, ME4X, NEL4X for dairy; ME, NEm, and NEg beef cattle). After partitioning of protein and carbohydrate (CHO) subfractions, the results showed that the frozen wheat was lower (P < 0.05) in the intermediately degradable CP (PB2: 47 vs. 59%CP); and higher in rapidly degradable CP (PB1: 12 vs. 2%CP) and unavailable CP (PC: 3 vs. 1%CP). The frozen wheat was also lower (P < 0.05) in intermediately degradable CHO (CB1: 60 vs. 77%CHO); and higher (P < 0.05) in slowly degradable CHO (CB2: 20 vs. 8%CHO) and unavailable CHO (CC: 5 vs. 2%CHO). The in situ results showed that the frozen wheat had different patterns in rumen degradation kinetics of protein and starch. The extent of the changes varied according to the specific nutrient examined. In conclusion, the frozen wheat differed in chemical characteristics, TDN and energy values, protein and carbohydrate fractions and in situ degradation behavior from normal wheat. The chemical and nutritional characterization of wheat was highly associated with climate condition (frost damage). The frost damage to the wheat reduced nutrient content and availability and thus reduced nutrient supply to ruminants. [source] Effect of D-mannitol on feed digestion and cecotrophic system in rabbitsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009Hamza HANIEH ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sugar alcohol as an energy source for cecal microbes on digestibility, cecotrophy (i.e. reingestion of microbial products of cecum, cecotrophs) and performance in rabbits. Thus, we fed rabbits an experimental diet that included 5% of D-mannitol, and collected hard feces and cecotrophs to be analyzed for crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract (EE), crude ash (CA) and dry matter (DM). Cecotrophic behavior of the rabbits was also observed. Feeding D-mannitol increased (P < 0.01) digestibility of ADF, resulting in a decrease (P < 0.05) in the concentration in hard feces. The increase (P < 0.05) in CP concentration was attributed to lower (P < 0.05) digestibility. D-mannitol had a similar modulatory effect on CP and ADF concentrations in hard feces and cecotrophs. Accordingly, estimations of the proportion of nutrients recycled by cecotrophy to dietary intake (PR), obtained by the two calculation methods, showed an increase (P < 0.01) in PR of CP and a decrease (P < 0.05) in that of ADF. Daily weight gain and feed efficiency increased (P < 0.05) for D-mannitol-fed rabbits, while daily feed intake decreased (P < 0.05). These results suggest the possibility of using D-mannitol as a stimulator of cecal microbial growth and cellulolytic activity, and therefore, improved rabbits performance. [source] Effects of herbage intake on goat performance in the mediterranean type natural pasturesANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009Basri H. HAKYEMEZ ABSTRACT This study aimed at identifying changes in natural pastures during the grazing season and investigating the effects of these changes on pasture feeding potential for high yielding dairy goats. During the study, 12 dairy goats were grazed on a 1.5 ha natural pasture for three months from April to June in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The goats were fed 0.5 kg/day of concentrate as a supplement during the grazing season. Botanical composition, herbage production and intake, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of the pasture were determined. Live weight, milk yield, milk dry matter (DM) and fat content of the goats were monitored. The data were analyzed using a linear model, which evaluated the effects of grazing seasons in each year. Based on the three-year average, 87% of pasture was herbaceous plants and the remaining was shrubs in DM basis with Cistus creticus, Quercus ithaburensis, Pistacia atlantica and Asparagus acutifolius being the major shrub species. The herbage yield in June was significantly lower than in other months in all years (P = 0.001). In all experimental years, the CP content of the pasture decreased but the structural carbohydrates increased as the grazing season proceeded. While live weight was not affected by grazing periods except for 2004 (P = 0.001), milk yield significantly decreased with advancing grazing period (P = 0.001). The results of the present study indicate that natural pasture has a supportive effect in April and May on the milk yield of lactating goats which are in mid-lactation, and suggested that supplementary feeding is required in consecutive grazing periods. [source] Influence of replacing brewers' grains with green tea grounds on feed intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics of wethersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2008Chuncheng XU ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to examine feed intake, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal fermentation and blood components of wethers fed diets containing increasing levels of wet green tea grounds (WGTG). The experimental design was a 4 × 4 Latin square with four wethers in four 15-day periods. Wethers were allowed access to diets ad libitum, and allotted to one of four treatments in which WGTG replaced 0% (no WGTG added, CTG), 5% (low level, LBG), 10% (medium level, MTG), and 15% (high level, HTG) of total mixed ration (TMR) dry matter (DM) as wet brewers grains (WBG). All TMR silages were ensiled for 120 days and, irrespective of the WGTG addition, they were well preserved with a high lactic acid content, low pH and ammonia-N contents. There were no differences among treatments in feed intake, with the exception of ether extract intake (P = 0.032). Digestibilities for LTG and MTG treatments were not different from CTG. However, the organic matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber and energy digestibilities for HTG treatment were lower than the CTG (P < 0.05). As the level of WGTG increased, nitrogen intake did not differ, but fecal nitrogen increased (P = 0.002), while urinary nitrogen decreased (P < 0.001). No differences among treatments were found in pH level and volatile fatty acids concentrations. However, the ruminal ammonia-N of the HTG silage was lower than for the CTG silage at all times (P < 0.05). Increasing concentrations of WGTG in the TMR silage decreased (P = 0.019) plasma urea nitrogen content. Therefore, the possible mixing proportion of WGTG for TMR silages can be 10% of the diet DM. [source] Effect of cyclodextrin diallyl maleate on methane production, ruminal fermentation and microbes in vitro and in vivoANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2004Zeenat Ara LILA ABSTRACT Effects of ,-cyclodextrin diallyl maleate (CD-M) on methane production, ruminal fermentation and digestibility were studied both in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro study, diluted ruminal fluid (30 mL) was incubated anaerobically at 38°C for 6 and 24 h with or without CD-M using hay plus concentrate (1.5:1) as a substrate. The CD-M was added at different concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g/L). The pH of the medium and numbers of protozoa were not affected by the addition of CD-M. Total volatile fatty acids were increased and ammonia-N was decreased, molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased (P < 0.05) by CD-M. Methane was inhibited (P < 0.05) by 14,76%. The effect of CD-M on methane production and ruminal fermentation was further investigated in vivo using four Holstein steers in a cross-over design. The steers were fed Sudangrass hay and concentrate mixture (1.5:1) with or without CD-M (2% of feed dry matter) as a supplement. Ruminal proportion of acetate tended to decrease and that of propionate was increased (P < 0.05) 2 h after CD-M dosing. Total viable counts, cellulolytic, sulfate reducing, acetogenic bacteria and protozoa were unaffected while methanogenic bacteria were decreased (P < 0.05) by CD-M. The plasma concentration of glucose was increased, whereas that of urea-N was decreased (P < 0.05). Methane was inhibited (P < 0.05) from 36.4 to 30.1 L/kg dry matter intake by the addition of CD-M. Apparent digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber were not affected while that of crude protein was increased (P < 0.05) in the medicated steers. These data suggested that dietary supplementation of CD-M decreased methane production and improved nutrient use. [source] Chemical compositions, feed intakes and digestibilities of crop residue based rations in non-lactating Red Sokoto goats in the subhumid zone of NigeriaANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2003Bunmi S. MALAU-ADULI Abstract The present study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition, intake and digestibility of crop residue based rations by Red Sokoto goats maintained on natural pastures and Digitaria smutsii hay during the dry season of the year. Twenty-eight non-lactating does were blocked for weight and assigned to 7 treatment groups comprising 4 does each in a completely randomized design. Ration A, the conventional concentrate ration, was used as the positive control, Rations B and C were the two crop residue based test rations, while Ration D, the unsupplemented treatment, was used as the negative control. Each of the supplementation rations was fed at 1% and 2% of the doe's body weight. Ration A had the highest crude protein percentage of 17.19% while Rations B and C had 9.54 and 10.38%, respectively. The naturally grazed pastures and Digitaria smutsii hay (Ration D) contained the least protein: 2.76 and 4.75%, respectively. Ration D also had the highest percentages of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and lignin (49.14, 74.73 and 9.49% in hay and 50.29, 8.27 and 11.5% in grazed pastures, respectively). Ration A on the other hand, had the lowest percentages of acid detergent fiber (20.00%), neutral detergent fiber (40.01%) and lignin (4.64%). The results indicated that the supplemented group of does had significantly higher (P < 0.05) dry matter and crude protein intakes as well as nutrient digestibilities than the unsupplemented groups. A comparison of the unsupplemented animals with all the other treatment groups revealed that dry matter digestibility improved by a range of 4.1,27.9%, while crude protein digestibility improved by 17.1,42.2%, the highest value being in does on Ration A. It was concluded that goats were able to subsist and make appreciable gains in the long dry season on crop-based diets that compared favorably with the conventional concentrate rations. Of the two tested crop residue based rations, Ration C is a better supplementation package than Ration B. [source] | ||||||||||