• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2017

Objective: Two trials were conducted in order to examine the effects of level of supplemental methionine on productive performance, dietary energetic, plasma amino acid concentration, and digestive function. Methods: Dietary treatments consisted of a steam-flaked corn-based diet containing urea as the only source of supplemental nitrogen supplemented with no supplemental amino acid (control), or control plus 1.01% lysine and 0.032%, 0.064%, 0.096%, or 0.128% methionine. In Trial 1, 150 Holstein steer calves ($127{\pm}4.9kg$) were utilized to evaluate the influence of treatments on growth-performance, dietary energetic, plasma amino acid concentration during the first 112 days of growing period. During the initial 56-d period calves received the 5 experimental diets. During the subsequent 56-d period all calves were fed the control diet. Results: During the initial 56-d period, methionine supplementation increased (linear effect, p<0.01) plasma methionine. In the presence of supplemental lysine, increases on level of methionine in diet did not affect average daily gain. However, increased gain efficiency (quadratic effect, p = 0.03) and estimated dietary net energy (NE; linear effect, p = 0.05). Estimated metabolizable methionine supply was closely associated ($R^2=0.95$) with efficiency NE utilization for maintenance and gain. During the subsequent 56-d period, when all calves received the control diet (no amino acid supplementation), plasma amino acid concentrations and growth performance was not different among groups. However, the effects of methionine supplementation during the initial 56-period carried over, so that following a 56-d withdrawal of supplementation, the overall 112-d effects on gain efficiency (quadratic effect, p = 0.05) dietary NE (linear effect, $p{\leq}0.05$) remained appreciable. In Trial 2, 5 cannulated Holstein steers were used to evaluate treatment effects on characteristics of digestion and amino acid supply to the small intestine. There were no treatment effects on flow of dietary and microbial N to the small intestine. Postruminal N digestion increased (p = 0.04) with increasing level of supplemental methionine. Methionine supplementation linearly increased (p<0.01) duodenal flow of methionine. Likewise, lysine supplementation increased an average of 4.6% (p = 0.04) duodenal flow of lysine. In steers that received non-supplemented diet, observed intestinal amino acid supply were in good agreement with expected. Conclusion: We conclude that addition of rumen-protected methionine and lysine to diets may enhance gain efficiency and dietary energetics of growing Holstein calves. Observed amino acid supply to the small intestine were in good agreement with expected, supportive of NRC (2000, Level 1).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1897-1906
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• 2019

Objective: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) deficiency on intestinal pH value, digestive enzyme activity, morphology, nutrient utilization, and gene expression of NaPi-IIb in meat ducks from 1 to 21 d of age. Methods: A total of 525 one-d-old Cherry Valley ducklings were fed diets (with 7 pens of 15 ducklings, or 105 total ducklings, on each diet) with five levels of nPP (0.22%, 0.34%, 0.40%, 0.46%, or 0.58%) for 21 d in a completely randomized design. Five experimental diets contained a constant calcium (Ca) content of approximately 0.9%. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed to gain ratio (F:G) were measured at 14 and 21 d of age. Ducks were sampled for duodenum and jejunum digestion and absorption function on 14 and 21 d. Nutrient utilization was assessed using 25- to 27-d-old ducks. Results: The results showed ducks fed 0.22% nPP had lower (p<0.05) growth performance and nutrient utilization and higher (p<0.05) serum Ca content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. When dietary nPP levels were increased, BW (d 14 and 21), BWG and FI (all intervals), and the serum phosphorus (P) content linearly and quadratically increased (p<0.05); and the jejunal pH value (d 14), duodenal muscle layer thickness (d 14), excreta dry matter, crude protein, energy, Ca and total P utilization linearly increased (p<0.05); however, the serum ALP activity, jejunal $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase activity, and duodenal NaPi-IIb mRNA level (d 21) linearly decreased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that ducks aged from 1 to 21 d fed diets with 0.22% nPP had poor growth performance related to poor intestinal digestion and absorption ability; but when fed diets with 0.40%, 0.46%, and 0.58% nPP, ducks presented a better growth performance, intestinal digestion and absorption function.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1256-1266
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• 2009

Effects of particle size and physical effective fibre (peNDF) of rice straw in diets on chewing activities, feed intake, flow, site and extent of digestion and rumen fermentation in goats were investigated. A 4${\times}$4 Latin square design was employed using 4 mature Liuyang black goats fitted with permanent ruminal, duodenal, and terminal ileal fistulae. During each of the 4 periods, goats were offered 1 of 4 diets that were similar in nutritional content but varied in particle sizes and peNDF through alteration of the theoretical cut length of rice straw (10, 20, 40, and 80 mm, respectively). Dietary peNDF contents were determined using a sieve for particle separation above 8 mm, and were 17.4, 20.9, 22.5 and 25.4%, respectively. Results showed that increasing the particle size and peNDF significantly (p<0.05) increased the time spent on rumination and chewing activities, duodenal starch digestibility and ruminal pH, and decreased ruminal starch digestibility and $NH_{3}$-N concentration. Intake and total tract digestibility of nutrients (i.e. dry matter, organic matter, and starch) and ruminal fermentation were not affected by the dietary particle size and peNDF. Increased particle size and peNDF did not affect ruminal fibre digestibility, but had a great impact on the intestinal and total tract fibre digestibility. The study suggested that rice straw particle size or dietary peNDF was the important influential factor for chewing activity, intestinal fibre and starch digestibility, and ruminal pH, but had minimal impact on feed intake, duodenal and ileal flow, ruminal and total tract digestibility, and ruminal fermentation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2013

Four Luxi beef cattle ($400{\pm}10$ kg) fitted with ruminal, duodenal and ileal cannulas were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square to assess the effects of soybean small peptide (SSP) infusion on rumen fermentation, diet digestion and flow of nutrient in the gastrointestinal tract. The ruminal infusion of SSP was 0 (control), 100, 200 and 300 g/d. Ruminal SSP infusion linearly (p<0.01) and quadratically (p<0.01) increased microbial protein synthesis and rumen ammonia-N concentration. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acid were linearly increased (p = 0.029) by infusion SSP. Rumen samples were obtained for analysis of microbial ecology by real-time PCR. Populations of rumen Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Streptococcus bovis, Ciliate protozoa, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Prevotella ruminicola were expressed as a proportion of total Rumen bacterial 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA). Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens populations which related to total bacterial 16S rDNA were increased (p<0.05), while Streptococcus bovis populations were linearly (p = 0.049) and quadratically (p = 0.020) decreased by infusion of SSP. Apparent rumen digestibility of DM and NDF were (Q, p<0.05; L, p<0.05) increased with infusion SSP. Total tract digestion of DM, OM and NDF were linearly (p<0.01) and quadratically (p<0.01) increased by infusing SSP. The flow of total amino acids (AA), essential amino acids (EAA) and individual amino acids were linearly (p<0.01) and quadratically (p<0.01) increased with infusion SSP. The digestibility of Lysine was quadratically (p = 0.033) increased and apparent degradability of Arginine was linearly (p = 0.032) and quadratically (p = 0.042) increased with infusion SSP. The results indicated that infusion SSP could improve nutrient digestion, ruminal fermentation and AA availability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1152-1159
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• 2013

Four male lambs (Katahdin; average live weight $25.9{\pm}2.9$ kg) with "T" type cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square experiment to evaluate the influence of supplemental dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%, dry matter basis) in substitution for dry-rolled (DR) corn on characteristics of digestive function and digestible energy (DE) of diet. Treatments did not influence ruminal pH. Substitution of DR corn with DDGS increased ruminal neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion (quadratic effect, p<0.01), but decreased ruminal organic matter (OM) digestion (linear effect, p<0.01). Replacing corn with DDGS increased (linear, $p{\leq}0.02$) duodenal flow of lipids, NDF and feed N. But there were no treatment effects on flow to the small intestine of microbial nitrogen (MN) or microbial N efficiency. The estimated UIP value of DDGS was 44%. Postruminal digestion of OM, starch, lipids and nitrogen (N) were not affected by treatments. Total tract digestion of N increased (linear, p = 0.04) as the DDGS level increased, but DDGS substitution tended to decrease total tract digestion of OM (p = 0.06) and digestion of gross energy (p = 0.08). However, it did not affect the dietary digestible energy (DE, MJ/kg), reflecting the greater gross energy content of DDGS versus DR corn in the replacements. The comparative DE value of DDGS may be considered similar to the DE value of the DR corn it replaced up to 30% in the finishing diets fed to lambs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.823-829
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• 2016

Eight Holstein steers ($216{\pm}48kg$ body weight) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used to evaluate effects of wheat straw processing (ground vs pelleted) at two straw inclusion rates (7% and 14%; dry matter basis) in dry rolled or steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets on characteristics of digestion. The experimental design was a split plot consisting of two simultaneous $4{\times}4$ Latin squares. Increasing straw level reduced ruminal (p<0.01) and total tract (p = 0.03) organic matter (OM) digestion. As expected, increasing wheat straw level from 7% to 14% decreased (p<0.05) ruminal and total tract digestion of OM. Digestion of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and starch, per se, were not affected (p>0.10) by wheat straw level. Likewise, straw level did not influence ruminal acetate and propionate molar proportions or estimated methane production (p>0.10). Pelleting straw did not affect ($p{\geq}0.48$) ruminal digestion of OM, NDF, and starch, or microbial efficiency. Ruminal feed N digestion was greater (7.4%; p = 0.02) for ground than for pelleted wheat straw diets. Although ruminal starch digestion was not affected by straw processing, post-ruminal (p<0.01), and total-tract starch (p = 0.05) digestion were greater for ground than for pelleted wheat straw diets, resulting in a tendency for increased post-ruminal (p = 0.06) and total tract (p = 0.07) OM digestion. Pelleting wheat straw decreased (p<0.01) ruminal pH, although ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration and estimated methane were not affected ($p{\geq}0.27$). Ruminal digestion of OM and starch, and post-ruminal and total tract digestion of OM, starch and N were greater (p<0.01) for steam-flaked than for dry rolled corn-based diets. Ruminal NDF digestion was greater (p = 0.02) for dry rolled than for steam-flaked corn, although total tract NDF digestion was unaffected (p = 0.94). Ruminal microbial efficiency and ruminal degradation of feed N were not affected (p>0.14) by corn processing. However, microbial N flow to the small intestine and ruminal N efficiency (non-ammonia N flow to the small intestine/N intake) were greater (p<0.01) for steam-flaked than for dry rolled corn-based diets. Ruminal pH and total VFA concentration were not affected ($p{\geq}0.16$) by corn processing method. Compared with dry rolled corn, steam-flaked corn-based diets resulted in decreased acetate:propionate molar ratio (p = 0.02). It is concluded that at 7% or 14% straw inclusion rate, changes in physical characteristics of wheat straw brought about by pelleting negatively impact OM digestion of both steam-flaked and dry-rolled corn-based finishing diets. This effect is due to decreased post-ruminal starch digestion. Replacement of ground straw with pelleted straw also may decrease ruminal pH.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.321-325
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• 2001

Two experiments were conducted to examine the degradation rates of 4 tropical legume forages in rumen and intestine of Kedah-Kelantan (KK) cattle. Three KK cattle, averaging $173{\pm}17.15kg$ each fitted with a permanent ruminal and a T-shaped duodenal cannulae were used. The cattle were fed a maintenance diet (1% DM of their body weight) composing of 60% oil palm frond (OPF) pellet and 40% of a legume mixture of Arachis pintoi (AP) and Leucaena throughout the study. The overall DM and CP degradabilities in the rumen for Gliricidia sepium (GS) and AP were significantly higher than those for Leucaena leucocephala-Bahru (LB) and Leucaena leucocephala-Rendang (LR). This implies that LB and LR would have higher dietary protein flows into the intestine for the more efficient enzymatic digestion. However, the results of the present study suggested only limited proportions of the ruminal undegraded protein in the Leucaenas were digested in the intestine.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.533-540
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• 2011

The objectives of experiments were to compare directly the effects of synchrony of slowly fermented (corn and corn gluten meal; C-CGM) and of rapidly fermented ingredients (barley and soybean meal; B-SBM) in the rumen on starch disappearances in gastrointestinal tracts (Experiment 1) and growth performance (Experiment 2) of Hanwoo steers in the feedlot barn. In experiment 1, four Hanwoo steers ($288{\pm}21$ kg) fitted with ruminal and "T" shaped duodenal cannula were placed in one pen with Calan gate and assigned randomly to a duplicate $2{\times}2$ Latin square design. In experiment 2, eight intact Hanwoo steers ($311{\pm}8$ kg) were assigned randomly to one of two pens with Calan gate to evaluate the effect of the same diets as like in experiment 1 on growth performance. There were no differences in ruminal pH, ammonia and total VFA concentrations between treatments. Percentage of apparent ruminal starch disappearance was 33.3% unit lower (p<0.05) for steers fed C-CGM than for steers fed B-SBM diets and this difference resulted in 268% higher (p<0.05) in duodenal starch flows for steers fed C-CGM diet than for steers fed B-SMB diet. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in quantity (927 vs. 400 g/d) of corn starch digested post-ruminally compared to barley starch. However, percentage of starch apparently digested post-ruminally was 8% higher (p=0.1) in steers fed fast synchrony diet with B-SBM than in steers fed slow synchrony diets with C-CGM. The differences of percentage and amount of starch apparently digested post-ruminally between C-CGM and B-SBM diets did not affect rice straw DM intake, average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency. In conclusion, there is some uncertainty in regards to the relationship between site of starch digestion and DM intake, ADG, and feed efficiency in this study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.510-521
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• 1998

The effects of two types of protein, soybean meal (SBM) and fish meal (FM); and two types of energy supplements, corn flour (CF) and paper pulp (PP), on intake of guinea grass (Panicum maximum), fibre digestion and microbial activities in four Merino rams with an average weight of $54.4{\pm}4.5kg$ were studied. Each animal was fitted with a ruminal cannula and a duodenal cannula at the proximal position. The animals were fed twice daily with chopped guinea grass (5 cm) ad libitum and one of the four dietary supplements: 170 g FM+268 g PP; 170 g FM+268 g CF; 200 g SBM+200 g PP or 200 g SBM+200 g CF. All the supplements were mixed with 100 g molasses. In sacco and in vivo digestibilities, digesta flow rates, fermentation and microbial population were studied in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design with a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. The effects of energy or protein sources were not significant on grass intake of sheep. The potential degradabilities of NDF and ADF were not significantly affected by any of the supplements. However, the energy and protein sources had significant efects on disappearance rate of NDF and ADF. The disappearance rate of both NDF and ADF were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in animals fed PP when compared to animals fed CF. Animals fed FM also showed significantly (p < 0.03) higher disappearance rate of ADF than those fed SBM. Animals fed PP showed better digestion in the rumen and total tract. Total flow of NDF and ADF through the duodenum was not significantly affected by the various supplements. The mean rumen pH values (5.8-6.1) were not significantly different among the four different diets. The concentration of rumen ammonia was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in animals fed SBM (235-266.4 mg N/L) supplement than in animals fed FM (174.9-179.7 mg N/L), while total VFA concentration was not significantly affected by both energy and protein supplements. Mean values of total VFA ranged from 72.5-82.3 mM. Molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate were typical of a roughage type fermentation. Molar proportion of acetate was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in sheep fed PP when compared to sheep fed CF. Animals fed FM had higher total viable bacterial counts, while animals fed CF showed higher protozoal numbers. Proportions of cellulolytic bacteria were only slightly higher in animals fed SBM or PP.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.74-83
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• 2018

The objectives of this study was to evaluate the degradability and digestibility of crude protein (CP), rumen undegradable protein (RUP), and individual amino acids (AA) on six by-product feedstuffs (BPF) (rice bran, RB; wheat bran, WB; corn gluten feed, CGF; tofu residue, TR; spent mushroom substrate from Pleurotus ostreatus, SMSP; brewers grain, BG) as ruminants feed. Three Hanwoo steers (40 months old, $520{\pm}20.20kg$ of body weight) fitted with a permanent rumen cannula and T-shaped duodenal cannula were used to examine of the BPF using in situ nylon bag and mobile bag technique. The bran CGF (19.2%) and food-processing residue BG (19.7%) had the highest CP contents than other feeds. The RUP value of bran RB (39.7%) and food-processing residues SMSP (81.1%) were higher than other feeds. The intestinal digestion of CP was higher in bran RB (44.2%) and food-processing residues BG (40.5%) than other feeds. In addition, intestinal digestion of Met was higher in bran RB (55.7%) and food-processing residues BG (44.0%) than other feeds. Overall, these results suggest that RB and BG might be useful as main raw ingredients in feed for ruminants. Our results can be used as baseline data for ruminant ration formulation.