• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.365-372
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine effects of salinomycin (SL) on feeding-induced changes in glucose kinetics and blood VFA concentrations in sheep fed a high-roughage diet. Four sheep were fed the diet with or without 20 mg/kg diet of SL once daily for 21 d. Glucose entry and utilization rates were determined during the prefeeding and 3 h postfeeding periods, using a [$^{13}C_6$]glucose dilution method and non-steady state equations. Ruminal characteristics and concentrations of blood VFA, plasma glucose and insulin were also measured during the same periods. A feeding-induced increase in ruminal total VFA concentration tended to be inhibited (p<0.10) with SL, although ruminal pH was unaffected (p>0.10) with SL or by feeding. Salinomycin decreased (p<0.05) acetate proportion and increased (p<0.05) propionate proportion in the rumen, but did not modify these changes in response to feeding (p>0.10). A feeding-induced increase in blood acetate concentration was attenuated (p<0.05) with SL. Salinomycin tended to increase (p<0.10) blood propionate concentration without modifying its response patterns to feeding (p>0.10). Plasma concentrations of glucose or insulin were unaffected (p>0.10) with SL. Salinomycin tended to enhance (p<0.10) glucose entry and utilization rates. Feeding also enhanced (p<0.01) both rates, whereas their interactive effect was not detected (p>0.10). We conclude that SL possibly enhances whole body glucose entry and utilization with an increase in blood propionate concentration in sheep given a high-roughage diet, although SL does not appear to affect their responses to feeding.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1437-1445
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding increasing proportions of corn grain on concentration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the rumen fluid and the subsequent alterations in immune responses as reflected by plasma concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp) in goats. Nine goats were assigned to three diets (0%, 25%, and 50% corn grain) in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square experimental design. The results showed that as the proportion of dietary corn increased, the ruminal pH decreased (p<0.001), and the concentrations of propionate (p<0.001), butyrate (p<0.001), lactic acid (p = 0.013) and total volatile fatty acid (p = 0.031) elevated and the ruminal LPS level increased (p<0.001). As the proportion of dietary corn increased, the concentration of SAA increased (p = 0.013). LPS was detectable in the blood of individual goats fed 25% and 50% corn. A real-time PCR analysis showed that the copy number of phylum Bacteroidetes (p<0.001) was reduced ($4.61{\times}10^9$ copies/mL to $1.48{\times}10^9$ copies/mL) by the increasing dietary corn, and a correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between the number of Bacteroidetes and rumen LPS levels. Collectively, these results indicated that feeding goats high proportions (50%) of corn grain decreased the ruminal pH, increased LPS in the rumen fluid and tended to stimulate an inflammatory response.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1623-1631
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of protein and energy on goats fed oil palm fronds (OPF) as roughages. Twenty-four male Saanen goats aged between 7 and 8 months and weighing $23.4{\pm}1.6kg$ were used in a $2{\times}3$ factorial design. Factors were three levels of urea (3%, 4% or 5%) and two levels of energy (low energy (LE) or high energy (HE)). On average, all parameters measured, including dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient digestibility, digestible nutrient intakes, ruminal ammonia-N ($NH_3$-N), ruminal total volatile fatty acid (total VFA) and individual VFA concentrations (mM/L), microbial N supply, P/E ratio and N retention were higher for HE compared to LE diets. Significant (p<0.05) interactions were found between levels of urea and energy for nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) and energy (DE) digestibilities, ruminal $NH_3$-N and total VFA concentrations. HE diets had higher N absorption and retention than LE diets. Interactions between urea and energy for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), heat production (HP), and urine and faeces N excretion were significantly lower (p<0.05) for the HE diets than those recorded for the LE diets. The results indicated that supplementation of energy enhanced utilization of urea and resulted in higher animal performance as a consequence of improved ruminal fermentation, microbial yield and N balance. However, the optimal level of urea supplementation remained at 3% in the HE diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1116-1122
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• 2015

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sunflower seeds, either as whole or as oil, on rumen fermentation, milk production, milk composition and fatty acids profile in dairy goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 5) fed a basal diet of concentrate feed mixture and fresh Trifolium alexandrinum at 50:50 on dry matter basis (Control) in addition to 50 g/head/d sunflower seeds whole (SS) or 20 mL/head/d sunflower seeds oil (SO) in a complete randomized design. Milk was sampled every two weeks during 90 days of experimental period for chemical analysis and rumen was sampled at 30, 60, and 90 days of the experiment for ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids (tVFA), and ammonia-N determination. Addition of SO decreased (p = 0.017) ruminal pH, whereas SO and SS increased tVFA (p<0.001) and acetate (p = 0.034) concentrations. Serum glucose increased (p = 0.013) in SO and SS goats vs Control. The SO and SS treated goats had improved milk yield (p = 0.007) and milk fat content (p = 0.002). Moreover, SO increased milk lactose content (p = 0.048) and feed efficiency (p = 0.046) compared to Control. Both of SS and SO increased (p<0.05) milk unsaturated fatty acids content specially conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) vs Control. Addition of SS and SO increased (p = 0. 021) C18:3N3 fatty acid compared to Control diet. Data suggested that addition of either SS or SO to lactating goats ration had beneficial effects on milk yield and milk composition with enhancing milk content of healthy fatty acids (CLA and omega 3), without detrimental effects on animal performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1728-1736
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• 2006

The effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) waste silage and supplemental polyethylene glycol (PEG) on rumen fermentation and blood components were studied in cattle. Six Holstein steers were fed three diets in a 3${\times}$3 Latin square design, replicated twice. One diet was a control with no added silage, and the other two diets were supplemented (20% of the dry matter) with green tea waste silage either with (PEG) or without PEG (tea). Most of the fermentation parameters including major volatile fatty acids (VFA) were not affected by the diet treatments. The concentrations of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in the PEG group and urea nitrogen in the tea and PEG groups were greater than those in the control before morning feeding. The plasma 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid equivalent concentration was not different before morning feeding, but 3 h after morning feeding, its concentrations in both the tea and PEG groups were higher than in the control. Although the concentration of plasma vitamin A in the animals was not affected by feeding green tea waste silage, the concentrations of plasma vitamin E were significantly higher in the tea and PEG groups than in the control, both before and 3 h after morning feeding. The results from the present study suggest that feeding diets containing 20% of the dietary dry matter as green tea waste silage to Holstein steers has no negative impact on their ruminal fermentation, and increases their plasma antioxidative activity and concentration of vitamin E.

• 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.30 no.3
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• pp.355-362
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• 2017

Objective: The use of locally produced forage (LPF) in cattle production has economic and environmental advantages over imported forage. The objective of this study was to characterize the nutritional value of LPF commonly used in Korea. Differences in ruminal fermentation characteristics were also examined for the LPF species commonly produced from two major production regions: Chungcheong and Jeolla. Methods: Ten LPF (five from each of the two regions) and six of the most widely used imported forages originating from North America were obtained at least three times throughout a year. Each forage species was pooled and analyzed for nutrient content using detailed chemical analysis. Ruminal fermentation characteristics were also determined by in vitro anaerobic incubations using strained rumen fluid for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. At each incubation time, total gas, pH, ammonia, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility were measured. By fitting an exponential model, gas production kinetics were obtained. Results: Significant differences were found in the non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) content among the forage species and the regions (p<0.01). No nutrient, other than NFC, showed significant differences among the regions. Crude protein, NFC, and acid detergent lignin significantly differed by forage species. The amount of acid detergent insoluble protein tended to differ among the forages. The forages produced in Chungcheong had a higher amount of NFC than that in Jeolla (p<0.05). There were differences in ruminal fermentation of LPF between the two regions and interactions between regions and forage species were also significant (p<0.05). The pH following a 48-h ruminal fermentation was lower in the forages from Chungcheong than from Jeolla (p<0.01), and total VFA concentration was higher in Chungcheong than in Jeolla (p = 0.05). This implies that fermentation was more active with the forages from Chungcheong than from Jeolla. Analysis of gas production profiles showed the rate of fermentation differed among forage species (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the nutritional values of some LPF (i.e., corn silage and Italian ryegrass) are comparable to those of imported forages widely used in Korea. This study also indicated that the nutritional value of LPF differs by origin, as well as by forage species. Detailed analyses of nutrient composition and digestion kinetics of LPF should be routinely employed to evaluate the correct nutritional value of LPF and to increase their use in the field.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.279-283
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• 1992

Eighteen wether lambs averaging 32 kg were used to determine the effects of dietary silica, added as silicic acid, on mineral metabolism. Lambs were fed 1200 g daily of a coastal Bermuda grass based diet supplemented with either 0, .5 or 1.5% silicic acid. A 7-d total collection of urine and feces was conducted after lambs had adjusted to the dietary treatments for 19 days. Urinary excretion of silica was higher (p<.01) in lambs fed added silicic acid. Ruminal soluble concentrations of manganese tended to be lower (p<.10) and apparent absorption and retention of manganese were lower (p<.05) in lambs supplemented with silicic acid compared to control lambs. Apparent absorption and retention of calcium were slightly lower (p<.10) in silicic acid fed lambs. No differences in urinary between lambs fed .5 and those given 1.5% silicic acid. Phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper absorption and retention were not affected by treatment.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2006

In this study, changes of ammonia, alcohol and volatile fatty acid(VFA) concentrations or pH in in vitro ruminal fluid were studied to determine the effects of alcoholic feeds on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics. To formulate the alcoholic feeds, alcohol was added to commercial formulated feed at the levels of 1, 3, and 5 %. Experiments were done with four treatment groups, control(commercial feed), AF-1(commercial feed+1% alcohol), AF-3(commercial feed+3% alcohol), and AF-5(commercial feed+5% alcohol). Ammonia concentrations of AF-1 and AF-5 were significantly lower than that of control for the 12h incubation(p<0.05). Ruminal alcohol concentration was increased with the addition level of alcohol increased(p<0.05). TVFA concentrations of AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 were significantly higher than those of control at 12h(p<0.05). Significant decrease of molar percentage of acetate was observed in control from 8 to 12h incubation, but molar percentage of acetate for AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 was constant. Molar percentage of propionate was increased in control compared with AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 from 8 to 12h incubation(p<0.05). Molar percentages of butyrate and valerate were higher in AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 than in control(p<0.05). Molar percentage of caproate for AF-1, AF-3 and AF-5 was 0.05, 0.58 and 0.47M% at 8h, respectively, but that was not detected for control. Present results may indicate that the alcoholic feeds show positive effects on in vitro ruminal ammonia, alcohol and VFA concentrations or pH. Furthermore, the results of this study implies that the addition level of 5% could be more effective to ruminal fermentation than other addition levels.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1092-1099
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• 2011

To evaluate the effects of replacing concentrate with urea molasses treated fermented wheat straw (FWS) ensiled with cattle manure (CM) on ruminal characteristics, in situ digestion kinetics and nitrogen (N) metabolism was studied in Nili Ravi cannulated buffalo bulls in a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square Design. Wheat straw treated with urea (4%) and molasses (6%) was ensiled with cattle manure (CM) (70:30) and fermented for 40 days. Four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated. In the FWS0, FWS10, FWS20 and FWS30 diets 0, 10, 20 and 30% of the concentrate was replaced with FWS, respectively. Daily intake by bulls was restricted to 1.5% dry matter (DM) of body weight. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration was greater (p<0.05) in bulls fed FWS diet than for those fed FWS0 diet at 3, 6, 9 and 12 h post-parandial. Bulls fed FWS 20 and FWS 30 diets had higher ruminal pH at 3 and 6 h post-parandial than bulls fed FWS10 and FWS0. Ruminal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations 3 h post-parandial were greater (p<0.05) in bulls fed FWS0 than those fed FWS diets. However ruminal VFA tended to increase at 6, 9 and 12 h post-parandial as the level of FWS increased. In situ ruminal DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradation, rates of disappearance and extent of digestion were higher (p<0.05) for bulls fed FWS30 diet than those fed FWS0. Ruminal DM and NDF lag time tended to decrease (p<0.05) as FWS concentration in the diet increased. Feed intake, nitrogen intake, N-balance and blood urea-N did not differ (p>0.05) in buffalo bulls fed different diets. Wheat straw treated with urea and molasses and ensiled with CM enhanced the nutritive value of wheat straw and improved nutrient utilization in buffalo bulls when up to 30% of the concentrate was replaced with FWS; no adverse effects on ruminal characteristics and nutrients digestibilities were detected.