• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.807-813
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• 2016

Two experiments were conducted assessing the effects of presence or absence of rumen protozoa and dietary nitrate addition on rumen fermentation characteristics and in vitro methane production in Brahman heifers. The first experiment assessed changes in rumen fermentation pattern and in vitro methane production post-refaunation and the second experiment investigated whether addition of nitrate to the incubation would give rise to methane mitigation additional to that contributed by defaunation. Ten Brahman heifers were progressively adapted to a diet containing 4.5% coconut oil distillate for 18 d and then all heifers were defaunated using sodium 1-(2-sulfonatooxyethoxy) dodecane (Empicol). After 15 d, the heifers were given a second dose of Empicol. Fifteen days after the second dosing, all heifers were allocated to defaunated or refaunated groups by stratified randomisation, and the experiment commenced (d 0). On d 0, an oral dose of rumen fluid collected from unrelated faunated cattle was used to inoculate 5 heifers and form a refaunated group so that the effects of re-establishment of protozoa on fermentation characteristics could be investigated. Samples of rumen fluid collected from each animal using oesophageal intubation before feeding on d 0, 7, 14, and 21 were incubated for in vitro methane production. On d 35, 2% nitrate (as $NaNO_3$) was included in in vitro incubations to test for additivity of nitrate and absence of protozoa effects on fermentation and methane production. It was concluded that increasing protozoal numbers were associated with increased methane production in refaunated heifers 7, 14, and 21 d after refaunation. Methane production rate was significantly higher from refaunated heifers than from defaunated heifers 35 d after refaunation. Concentration and proportions of major volatile fatty acids, however, were not affected by protozoal treatments. There is scope for further reducing methane output through combining defaunation and dietary nitrate as the addition of nitrate in the defaunated heifers resulted in 86% reduction in methane production in vitro.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.92-102
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• 2019

Objective: To investigate changes in rumen fermentation characteristics and bacterial community by a sudden change to a high concentrate diet (HC) in Korean domestic ruminants. Methods: Major Korean domestic ruminants (each of four Hanwoo cows; $545.5{\pm}33.6kg$, Holstein cows; $516.3{\pm}42.7kg$, and Korean native goats; $19.1{\pm}1.4kg$) were used in this experiment. They were housed individually and were fed ad libitum with a same TMR (800 g/kg timothy hay and 200 g/kg concentrate mix) twice daily. After two-week feeding, only the concentrate mix was offered for one week in order to induce rapid rumen acidosis. The rumen fluid was collected from each animals twice (on week 2 and week 3) at 2 h after morning feeding using an oral stomach tube. Each collected rumen fluid was analyzed for pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA), and $NH_3-N$. In addition, differences in microbial community among ruminant species and between normal and an acidosis condition were assessed using two culture-independent 16S polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and quantitative real-time PCR). Results: The HC decreased ruminal pH and altered relative concentrations of ruminal VFA (p<0.01). Total VFA concentration increased in Holstein cows only (p<0.01). Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and real-time quantitative PCR analysis using culture-independent 16S PCR-based techniques, revealed rumen bacterial diversity differed by species but not by HC (p<0.01); bacterial diversity was higher in Korean native goats than that in Holstein cows. HC changed the relative populations of rumen bacterial species. Specifically, the abundance of Fibrobacter succinogenes was decreased while Lactobacillus spp. and Megasphaera elsdenii were increased (p<0.01). Conclusion: The HC altered the relative populations, but not diversity, of the ruminal bacterial community, which differed by ruminant species.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.127-137
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• 2024

This study was conducted to investigate effect of corn flake and corn ground on nutrient digestibility and fermentation characteristics of rumen in Hanwoo. The animals used were three Hanwoo cows implanted with ruminal fistula. Corn were categorized in 2 groups based on the corn processing method: Ground and Flake. The rumen digestibility of dry matter, starch, nitrogen free extract and non fiber carbohydrates were increased in flake compared to ground from 3 to 24 hours of incubation(P<0.05). The pH of rumen was lower in the flaked treatment than ground treatment at 3 hours after incubation, but average pH was no significantly difference between treatments. The average acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid were significantly increased in the flaked treatments compared to the ground treatment (P<0.05). Thus, flake processing can improve the carbohydrate availability of corn in the rumen and increase feed value.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.132-141
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• 2001

This study was conducted to determine effects of whole and processed corns on attachment characteristics of rumen microbes in Hanwoo. Whole corn(WC) was processed into four different types; ground corn(GC), cracked corn(CC), flaked corn(FC), and soaked corn(SC). After each processed corns was incubated in the rumen of Hanwoo for 12 h and 24 h, attachment characteristics of rumen microbes and morphological changes of feed substrates was examined by utilizing scanning electron microscopy(SEM). In this study, the treatment group of GC and CC showed the highest in the attachment of rumen microbes. On the other hand, microbial attachments to the starch particle of WC and SC were hardly detected. However, with the increase of incubation time the surface of WC and SC was covered by many microbes, resulting in enhancing the surface degradation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.14.1-14.9
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• 2017

Background: Garlic and its constituents are reported to have been effective in reducing methane emission and also influence glucose metabolism in body; however, studies in ruminants using garlic leaves are scarce. Garlic leaves contain similar compounds as garlic bulbs, but are discarded in field after garlic bulb harvest. We speculate that feeding garlic leaves might show similar effect as garlic constituents in sheep and could be potential animal feed supplement. Thus, we examined the effect of freeze dried garlic leaves (FDGL) on rumen fermentation, methane emission, plasma glucose kinetics and nitrogen utilization in sheep. Methods: Six sheep were fed Control diet (mixed hay and concentrate (60:40)) or FDGL diet (Control diet supplemented with FDGL at 2.5 g/kg $BW^{0.75}$ of sheep) using a crossover design. Methane gas emission was measured using open-circuit respiratory chamber. Plasma glucose turnover rate was measured using isotope dilution technique of [$U-^{13}C$]glucose. Rumen fluid, feces and urine were collected to measure rumen fermentation characteristics and nitrogen utilization. Result: No significant difference in rumen fermentation parameters was noticed except for rumen ammonia tended to be higher (0.05 < P < 0.1) in FDGL diet. Methane emission per kg dry matter ingested and methane emission per kg dry matter digested were lower (P < 0.05) in FDGL diet. Plasma glucose concentration was similar between diets and plasma glucose turnover rate tended to be higher in FDGL diet (0.05 < P < 0.1). Nitrogen retention was higher (P < 0.05) and microbial nitrogen supply tended to be higher (0.05 < P < 0.1) in FDGL diet. Conclusion: FDGL diet did not impair rumen fermentation, improved nitrogen retention; while absence of significant results in reduction of methane emission, glucose turnover rate and microbial nitrogen supply, further studies at higher dose would be necessary to conclude the merit of FDGL as supplement in ruminant feedstuff.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.951-957
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• 2015

Four rumen fistulated swamp buffaloes were randomly assigned according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to investigate the effects of Eucalyptus (E. Camaldulensis) leaf meal (ELM) supplementation as a rumen enhancer on feed intake and rumen fermentation characteristics. The dietary treatments were as follows: T1 = 0 g ELM/hd/d; T2 = 40 g ELM/hd/d; T3 = 80 g ELM/hd/d; T4 = 120 g ELM/hd/d, respectively. Experimental animals were kept in individual pens and concentrate was offered at 0.3% BW while rice straw was fed ad libitum. The results revealed that voluntary feed intake and digestion coefficients of nutrients were similar among treatments. Ruminal pH, temperature and blood urea nitrogen concentrations were not affected by ELM supplementation; however, ELM supplementation resulted in lower concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen. Total volatile fatty acids, propionate concentration increased with the increasing level of EML (p<0.05) while the proportion of acetate was decreased (p<0.05). Methane production was linearly decreased (p<0.05) with the increasing level of ELM supplementation. Protozoa count and proteolytic bacteria population were reduced (p<0.05) while fungal zoospores and total viable bacteria, amylolytic, cellulolytic bacteria were unchanged. In addition, nitrogen utilization and microbial protein synthesis tended to increase by the dietary treatments. Based on the present findings, it is suggested that ELM could modify the rumen fermentation and is potentially used as a rumen enhancer in methane mitigation and rumen fermentation efficiency.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1591-1598
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• 2002

The effect of different dietary structural carbohydrate (SC) to nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) ratios on fiber degradation, digestion, flow, apparent digestibility and rumen fluid characteristics was studied with a design using 18 wethers fitted with permanent rumen and duodenum cannulae. All sheep were divided into six groups randomly, receiving six diets with varying SC to NSC ratios. All diets contained the same proportion of wheat straw and concentrate. The dietary SC to NSC ratios were adjusted by adding cornstarch to the concentrate supplements. The duodenal and fecal flows of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose (HC) and cellulose (CEL) were estimated using chromium-mordanted wheat straw as a flow marker. The degradation parameters of wheat straw DM, NDF, ADF, HC and CEL were determined by incubating the ground wheat straw in nylon bags in the rumen for different periods of time. There was no effect (p>0.05) of the different dietary SC to NSC ratios on rumen pH or $NH_3$-N, but acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations were significantly affected (p<0.05 or p<0.01) by dietary SC to NSC ratios in the rumen fluid. When the dietary SC to NSC ratio was 2.86, the highest rumen degradability of wheat straw DM, NDF, ADF and CEL was found, but the highest apparent rumen digestibilities of DM, NDF, ADF, HC and CEL occurred at a 2.64 SC to NSC ratio. However, because of compensatory digestion in the hindgut, the apparent digestibilities of DM, NDF, ADF, HC and CEL were highest when the dietary SC to NSC ratio was 2.40. In conclusion, there is a optimal range of dietary SC to NSC ratios (between 2.86 and 2.40) that is beneficial to maximize wheat straw fiber degradation and apparent digestibility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.370-378
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• 2017

Objective: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a specific mixture of essential oils (MEO), containing thyme, clove and cinnamon EO, on rumen microbial fermentation, nutrient apparent digestibility and blood metabolites in fistulated sheep. Methods: Six sheep fitted with ruminal fistulas were used in a repeated measurement design with two 24-d periods to investigate the effect of adding MEO at 0 (control), 0.8, and 1.6 mL/d on apparent nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, rumen microbial population and blood chemical metabolites. Animals were fed with a 50:50 alfalfa hay:concentrate diet. Results: Ruminal pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, molar proportion of individual VFA, acetate: propionate ratio and methane production were not affected with MEO. Relative to the control, Small peptides plus amino acid nitrogen and large peptides nitrogen concentration in rumen fluid were not affected with MEO supplementation; while, rumen fluid ammonia nitrogen concentration at 0 and 6 h after morning feeding in sheep fed with 1.6 mL/d of MEO was lower (p<0.05) compared to the control and 0.8 mL/d of MEO. At 0 h after morning feeding, ammonia nitrogen concentration was higher (p<0.05) in sheep fed 0.8 mL/d of MEO relative to 1.6 mL/d and control diet. Ruminal protozoa and hyper ammonia producing (HAP) bacteria counts were not affected by addition of MEO in the diet. Relative to the control, no changes were observed in the red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen and aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase concentration. Apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude proten, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber were not influenced by MEO supplementation. Conclusion:The results of the present study suggested that supplementation of MEO may have limited effects on apparent nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and protozoa and HAP bacteria count, blood cells and metabolites.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.527-533
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• 2019

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of three types of Chestnut Meals (CM) on chemical composition and rumen fermentation characteristics of the fermented diet. The inoculants consisted of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis, and Sacaromyces cerevisiae and were applied to three different types of CM; Whole Chestnut (WC), endodermis (EN), and kernel (KE). All types of CMs were ensiled at $39^{\circ}C$ for 0, 1, 2, 4, or 6 days. After ensiling, the fermented CMs were sub-sampled for laboratory assays. On day six of fermentation, counts of the lactic acid-producing Bacillus subtilis, and yeast were higher (P<0.05) in WC than in the other CM types. On day four, KE had higher (P<0.05) crude protein content but lower (P<0.05) neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents than the other treatments. In terms of rumen digestibility, KE had the highest (P<0.05) in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD), total volatile fatty acid (VFA), propionate, butyrate concentrations, and total gas volume, as well as the lowest (P<0.05) acetate concentration. On the other hand, EN had the highest (P<0.05) pH and ammonia-N concentration in the rumen. In the rumen, even though WC application produced the highest microbial count and fermentation characteristics, it did not have a beneficial effect on rumen digestibility. Therefore, this study concluded that application of KE could be recommended due to the observed improvements in IVDMD and IVNDFD.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 1994

This experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the chemical composition and rumen degradation characteristics of Italian ryegrass harvested at three different growth stages, i,e. pre-blooming, early-blooming and late-blooming. Degradation values were obtained by incubation of the samples using the nylon bag technique on the rumen of sheep fed a normal diet (Timothy hay with 200 g/d concentrate per head) for 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Neutral detergent fiver (NDF) content was highest at late-blooming (64.4%) while no difference was found among the pre-blooming and early-blooming (49.4% vs 48.3%). However, acid detergent fiber (ADF) content markedly increased from 30.0% at pre-blooming to 35.4% and 46.4% at early-blooming and late-blooming, respectively. Lignin and silica contents also increased as advancing maturity of the grass, Rumen degradation of dry matter (DM) significantly reduced (p < 0.05) as advancing maturity of the grass. Ruman degradation cellulose and ADF at pre-blooming were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of early-blooming and late-blooming. However, no significant differences were observed among the early-blooming and late-blooming. With advancing maturity, rumen degradation of NDF and hemicellulose significantly reduced (p < 0.05) at the incubation times.