Animal Bioscience

Asian Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies (아세아태평양축산학회)
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Replacing alfalfa hay with amaranth hay: effects on production performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility and antioxidant ability in dairy cow

  • Jian Ma (College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University) ;
  • Xue Fan (College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University) ;
  • Guoqing Sun (Modern Animal Husbandry (Hefei) Co. Ltd.) ;
  • Fuquan Yin (College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University) ;
  • Guangxian Zhou (College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University) ;
  • Zhihui Zhao (College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University) ;
  • Shangquan Gan (College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University)
  • Received : 2023.06.25
  • Accepted : 2023.09.06
  • Published : 2024.02.01
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Abstract

Objective: The aim of this research was to explore the effects of dietary substitution of alfalfa hay by amaranth hay on production performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant ability in dairy cows. Methods: A total of 45 healthy Holstein cows with same parity and similar milk yield and body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups: control diet without amaranth hay (CON) or 50% and 100% alfalfa hay replaced by an equal amount of amaranth hay (dry matter basis, AH1 and AH2, respectively). All the cows were fed regularly 3 times a day at 06:30, 14:30, and 22:30 and had free access to water. The experiment lasted for 60 d. Results: The dry matter intake of CON and AH1 groups was higher (p<0.05) than that of AH2 group. Compared with AH1 group, the milk yield of AH2 group was reduced (p<0.05). Moreover, dietary substitution of alfalfa hay by amaranth hay increased (p<0.05) milk fat, ammonia nitrogen and acetate concentrations. However, the crude protein digestibility of AH2 group was lower (p<0.05) than that of CON group, while an opposite tendency of serum urea nitrogen was found between two groups. The neutral detergent fiber digestibility of AH1 group was increased (p<0.05) when compared to AH2 group. Amaranth hay treatment increased (p<0.05) the serum concentration of glutathione peroxidase in dairy cows. Compared with CON group, the malonaldehyde activity of AH1 group was decreased (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dietary replacing alfalfa hay with amaranth hay (50% ratio) in dairy cows did not affect production performance but improved their antioxidant ability.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was funded by the program for scientific research start-upfunds of Guangdong Ocean University (060302052308), China Central Government Guide the Development of Local science and Technology Special Funds and Fundamental Research Funds for the Guangdong Province (2020A03025).

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