• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.1215-1221
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• 1999

Twelve rumen fistulated cross-bred calves were divided into three groups and fed wheat straw and concentrate mixture according to their maintenance requirement. Animals in group II and III were fed 50 and 100mg rumensin per day, in addition to basal feed. Supplementation of rumensin in the diet decreased the dry matter intake significantly (p<0.05) along with a significant decrease in the straw intake. Digestibility coefficients of all the nutrients were not affected significantly except that of CF digestibility which was lower (p<0.05) in groups II and III as compared to group I. Among N-parameters in the rumen fluid, mean $NH_3-N$ was significantly lower in groups II and III (19.13 and 18.63 mg N/100 ml respectively) than in group I (22.68); total-N and TCA-ppt-N did not differ among the three groups. Total VFA concentration did also not differ among the three groups, however, propionate increased from 24.33 molar % to 32.73 while acetate and butyrate decreased respectively from 65.85 to 58.81% and 9.79 to 8.46%. Total VFA, bacteria and protozoa production rates were not affected significantly due to rumensin in diet. Methane production per kg DDM as well as % of methane in total gas were reduced at both the levels of rumensin on different concentrate ratios with wheat straw as roughage. Similar trend was also observed with rice straw and concentrate mixture as substrate with rumensin addition.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1116-1124
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• 2005

The influence of fiber content of hay (low-fiber 47% NDF and high-fiber 62% NDF of DM) and concentrate level (high 50% and low 20% of ration DM) on chewing activity, passage rate and nutrient digestibility were tested on four restrict-fed (11.1 to 13.7 kg DM/d) Holstein cows in late lactation. Aspects of ruminal fermentation and digesta particle size distribution were also investigated on two ruminally cannulated (100 mm i.d.) cows of the same group of animals. All digestion parameters studied were more affected by the fiber content of the hay and its ratio to non structural carbohydrates than by the concentrate level. Giving a diet of high-fiber (62% NDF) hay and low concentrate level (20%) increased chewing activity but decreased solid passage rate and total digestibility of nutrients due to a limited availability of fermentable OM in the late cut fiber rich hay. A supplementation of high-fiber hay with 50% concentrate in the diet seems to improve the ruminal digestion of cell contents, whilst a depression of the ruminal fiber digestibility was not completely avoided. Giving a diet of low-fiber (47% NDF) hay and high concentrate level (50%) reduced markedly the chewing and rumination activity, affected negatively the rumen conditions and, consequently, the ruminal digestion of fiber. A reduction of the concentrate level from 50 to 20% in the diet of low-fiber hay improved the rumen conditions as reflected by an increase of the ruminal solid passage rate and of fiber digestibility and in a decrease of the concentration of large particles and of the mean particle size of the rumen digesta and of the faeces. Generally, it can be summarised that, (i) concentrate supplementation is not a strategy to overcome limitations of low quality (fiber-rich) hay, and (ii) increase of the roughage quality is an effective strategy in ruminant nutrition, especially when concentrate availability for ruminants is limited.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.617-622
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• 1992

Four rumen-fistulated swamp buffaloes steers were used in a change-over experiment. This experiment was designed to provide a comparison of the effect of urea-ammonia treatment of rice straw with untreated rice straw. Nitrogen, mineral and trace elements were supplied at adequate levels to both diets in order to overcome deficiencies which may have otherwise confounded a direct comparison. There was a 46% increase in the intake of digestible organic matter (OM) with the urea-ammonia treated diet. This was contributed by a 17% increase in the digestibility of OM and a 25% increase in the voluntary intake of OM. Of the cell wall fraction, the digestibility of hemicellulose increased by the greatest amount (26%). There was an increased rate of passage of particulate matter out of the rumen for the treated straw, along with the increased rate of OM fermentation resulted in a 9% decrease in the amount of digesta dry matter (DM) contained in the rumen. The volatile fatty acid (VFA) pool in the rumen was 24% higher for the treated diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.818-822
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• 2003

In order to investigate the effect of different sources of energy on intake and nutrient utilization from urea molasses mineral block (UMMB), rumen fermentation pattern and blood biochemical constituents, 18 intact and 9 rumen fistulated male Murrah buffaloes aged about 3 years and average weight 310.8 kg were randomly allocated into three groups of 9 animals in each, thus each group having 6 intact and three rumen fistulated buffaloes. All animals were fed individually for 90 days. All buffaloes were offered wheat straw as basal roughage and urea molasses mineral block for free choice of licking. Three different energy sources viz., barley grain, (group I), maize grain (group II) and jowar green (group III) were offered to meet their nutrient requirement as per Kearl (1982). At the end of feeding trial, a metabolism trial of 7 days duration was carried out on intact animals to determine the digestibility of nutrients. Rumen fermentation studies were carried out on rumen fistulated animals. After the metabolism trial blood was collected from intact animals to estimate the nitrogen constituents in blood serum of animals fed on different sources of energy. Results revealed no significant difference in the intake of UMMB in three groups. Similarly, the intake of DM (kg), DCP (g) and TDN (kg) per day was similar in three groups statistically. The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) was significantly (p<0.05) more in group II than group III, whereas the digestibility of DM, OM and NFE was similar in group I and II. The digestibility of crude fiber (CF) and all the fiber fractions i.e. NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose was alike in 3 groups. Nitrogen balance (g/d) was significantly (p<0.05) more in group III as compared to group I and II, which were alike statistically, though the N intake (g/d) was similar in 3 groups but N balance (g/d) was significantly (p<0.05) less in group III as compared to other 2 groups. Significantly (p<0.05) higher concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), total nitrogen (TN) and its fractions were observed in group I and II as compared to group III. There was no effect on rumen pH, rumen volume and digesta flow rate due to different sources of energy in 3 groups. Similarly the blood serum biochemical parameters (NH3-N, urea-N and total protein) were statistically identical in 3 groups.

• 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 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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.802-806
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of processing method and rapeseed variety on ruminal and intestinal protein digestibility of rapeseed meal in steers. Intestinal amino acid digestibility was assessed with an in situ ruminal incubation and precision-fed rooster bioassay. In this experiment one traditional rapeseed meal sample (sample A, prepress extraction) and three double low rapeseed meal samples (sample B, prepress extraction, sample C, screw press and sample D, low temperature press) were placed in polyester bags(8 cm${\times}$12 cm) and suspended in the ventral rumen of steers for 16 h. The residues of in situ incubations were intubated to roosters. Total excreta were collected for 48 h after incubation and then desiccated and amino acid concentrations were determined. Results showed that in ruminal incubation the degradation rate of amino acid and crude protein was higher for traditional rapeseed meal sample A than for double low rapeseed meal sample B, but was much lower than for double low sample C and D. In the group of double low rapeseed meal samples, sample D processed by low temperature press had the highest degradation rate of amino acids in the rumen. For all amino acids, the digestibility of the residual protein as measured by the precision-fed rooster bioassay tended to be lower for sample B than for sample A, which had the same processing method with sample B, and in the group of double low rapeseed meals, sample B had similar digestibility of amino acid in residual protein to sample D and higher than that of sample C. However, although the total amino acid availability involving the digestibility of amino acids in the rumen and rooster bioassay of double low rapeseed meal sample D (low temperature press) was higher than those of the other three samples by 7 to 9 percent, there were no significant differences. Results indicated that processing method markedly affected ruminal and post ruminal amino acid digestibility of rapeseed meal when the temperature exceeded 110$^{\circ}C$. Rapeseed meal that had a high content of fiber was not suitable for dry heat treatment at higher temperatures or the amino acids digestibility in rumen and total availability of amino acids could be reduced. Results also suggested the variety of rapeseed meal had no significant effect on the digestibility and availability of amino acids.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.948-956
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• 2000

The effect of high and low level of feed intakes on nutrient digestibility, nutrient losses through methane, energy and protein utilization by goats fed on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pellets based diets was investigated in this study. Twelve castrated Japanese goats were employed in two subsequent digestion and metabolism trials. The goats were divided into three groups, offered three diets. Diet 1 consisted of 100% alfalfa pellet, Diet 2 was 70% alfalfa pellet and 30% corn, and Diet 3 was 40% alfalfa pellet and 60% corn. The two intake levels were high (1.6 times) and low (0.9 times) the maintenance requirement of total digestible nutrients (TON). Rumen ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3$-N) level of Diet 1 was lower (p<0.001) compared to Diets 2 and 3, but the values were always above the critical level (I50 mg/liter), The pH values of rumen liquor ranged from 6.02 to 7.30. Apparent digestibility of nutrient components did not show differences (p>0.05) between the two intake levels but inclusion of corn significantly altered the nutrient digestibility. Diet 3 had highest (p<0.001) dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen fee extract (NFE) digestibility followed by the Diet 2 and Diet 1. The crude protein (CP) digestibility values among the three diets were in a narrow range (70.1 to 70.8%). Crude fiber (CF) digestibility for Diet 3 was slight higher (p>0.05) than that for other two diets. When alfalfa was replaced by corn, there were highly significant (p<0.001) increases in DM, OM, EE and NFE apparent digestibility and a slight increase in the CF digestibility (p>0.05). There were no differences (p>0.05) in energy losses as methane ($CH_4$) and heat production among the diets but energy loss through urine was higher for the Diet 1. The total energy loss as $CH_4$ and heat production were higher for the high intake level but the energy loss as $CH_4$ per gram DM intake were same (0.305 kcal/g) between the high and low intake level. Retained energy (RE) was higher for Diet 3 and Diet 2. Nitrogen (N) losses through feces and urine were higher (p<0.001) for Diet 1. Consequently, N retention was lower (p>0.05) for Diet 1 and higher in Diets 3 and 2. It is concluded that inclusion of corn with alfalfa increased the metabolizable energy (ME) and RE, and retained N through reducing the energy and N losses. The high level of intake reduced the rate of nutrient losses through feces and urine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.144-154
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• 2008

The rumen microbial ecosystem produces methane as a result of anaerobic fermentation. Methanogenesis in the rumen is thought to represent a 2-12% loss of energy intake and is estimated to be about 15% of total atmospheric methane emissions. While methanogenesis in the rumen is conducted by methanogens, PCR-based techniques have recently detected many uncultured methanogens which have a broader phylogenetic range than cultured strains isolated from the rumen. Strategies for reduction of methane emissions from the rumen have been proposed. These include 1) control of components in feed, 2) application of feed additives and 3) biological control of rumen fermentation. In any case, although it could be possible that repression of hydrogen-producing reactions leads to abatement of methane production, repression of hydrogen-producing reactions means repression of the activity of rumen fermentation and leads to restrained digestibility of carbohydrates and suppression of microbial growth. Thus, in order to reduce the flow of hydrogen into methane production, hydrogen should be diverted into propionate production via lactate or fumarate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.320-325
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• 2005

Effect of period of adaptation and levels of monensin were studied for microbial fermentation/ digestibility to find out the optimum period of adaptation of monensin in rumen and suitable level of monensin in wheat straw+concentrate and wheat straw+UMMB diet. The mean digestibility of dry matter was decreased upto T-3 treatment (49.17%), however, digestibility of DM was affected upto period (P-2). NDF digestibility was affected due to treatment under P1 and P2 (p<0.05). Average digestibility of ADF was increased to 53.33% at T-3 level of monensin and P4 days of adaptation. TVFA (mmole/100 ml) were decreased from 9.49 in T-1 to 7.70 in T-7. Periods were not effectives except P2 (14 days of adaptation). Similarly, total gas was decrease with the increase of monensin levels in diet. Although acetate percentage in TVFA was not affected either due to level of monensin or period of adaptation but propionate was increased due to increase in monensin at 21 days of adaptation (P-3). Butyrate (%) was decreased significantly in T-2 to T-6 as compared to T-1 group. Total gas was significantly (p<0.01) higher in group T-1 (control) and it reduced significantly in T-5, however, differences in gas production between group T-3, T-5 and T-7 at P-1 was not significant. Methane production was reduced on P-3 and P-4 level of adaptation due to treatment. The overall result indicated that 21 days of adaptation with monensin was sufficient to mask the inhibiting effect of monensin to cell wall digestibility and 35 ppm monensin is optimum to reduce methane production and increase propionate productions.