• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.967-972
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• 2004

Four Holstein$\times$Indigenous cows with ruminal canulas were used in a 4$\times$4 Latin square design with 28 d periods to determine the effect of replacing nonforage fiber source (NFFS) from cassava residues for non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) on ruminal fermentation characteristics and milk production. Dietary treatments contained 17% forage neutral detergent fiber (FNDF) from corn silage and 0, 3, 6 and 9% nonforage NDF from cassava residues and 11% nonforage NDF from other NFFS, so that levels of nonforage NDF were 11, 14, 17 and 20% dry matter (DM). Intakes of DM and net energy for lactation, average daily gain and milk fat percentage were not different (p>0.05). Ruminal pH, ammonia concentrations, acetate to propionate ratios, 24 h in sacco fiber digestibility significantly increased with increasing contents of nonforage NDF from cassava residues. Concentrations of VFA, urinary excretion of purine derivatives, milk protein percentage, production of milk and 4% FCM significantly decreased. These results suggest that NFC in diets is one of the limiting factors affecting productivity of dairy cows in the tropics and thus NFFS is better used as partial replacements for FNDF.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.132-140
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• 2019

Fermented total mixed ration (TMR) is a novel feed for ruminants in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the quality of TMR and in vitro ruminal fermentation. Strains of three LAB spp. (Lactobacillus plantarum, L. brevis, L. mucosae) were used in fermentation of TMR. Inoculations with the three LAB spp. lowered pH and increased concentrations of lactic acid, acetic acid, and total organic acid compared to non-LAB inoculated control (only addition of an equivalent amount of water) (p<0.05). Bacterial composition indicated that aerobic bacteria and LAB were higher. However, E. coli were lower in the fermented TMR than those in the control treatment (p<0.05). Among the treatments, L. brevis treatment had the highest concentration of total organic acid without fungus detection. Gas production, pH, and ammonia-nitrogen during ruminal in vitro incubation did not differ throughout incubation. However, ruminal total VFA concentration was higher (p<0.05) in the LAB spp. treatments than the control treatment at 48 hours. Overall, the use of L. brevis as an inoculant for fermentation of high moisture. TMR could inhibit fungi growth and promote lactic fermentation, and enhance digestion in the rumen.

• 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.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.759-768
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• 2005

The study was designed to estimate the in vitro rumen by-pass rate of both chromium methionine chelate as an organic supplement and $ClCl_3$ as an inorganic supplement. Rumen by-pass rates of the supplements were evaluted by comparing ruminal metabolites in rumen fluid and Cr and methionine contents in the body of ruminal microorganism. For in vitro digestion examination, basic nutrients for ruminal microbes were supplied with 7g(DM) of feed, 2g of rice straw, and 2g of corn silage per each incubation jar. Three treatments including Control(no supplementation of Cr), T1(1000ppb supplementation of $ClCl_3$) and T2(chromium methionine chelate supplementation equivalent to 1000ppb of Cr content) were prepared with five replications per each treatment. pH of T2 was lower than that of Control and T1 regardless of incubation time. Ammonia content was higher in T2 than in Control and T1 during first 6 hours of incubation. However, the ammonia content in Control was remained low after 6 hours. Total volatile fatty acids(VFA) content in control was increased constantly as incubation time was extended. Therefore, VFA content in T1 and T2 were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of Control. Dry matter recovery rate by ruminal microorganism was the lowest in T1, however ruminal microbial population was increased most efficiently in T2 during 12 hours of in vitro incubation. Cr concentrations in the body of ruminal microbes were not different(P>0.05) between Control and T2, but it was significantly high in T1(P<0.05). Contents of methionine and cystine in ruminal microbes also were not different between Control and T2(P>0.05), but it was relatively low in T1. Based on the above results, the chromium methionine chelate was believed to by-pass rumen and could remain intact until it reaches small intestine compared to inorganic chromium. This results implies that chromium methionine chelate could be more effective to function in the small intestine of ruminant animals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1367-1373
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to determine the feeding value to sheep of Acacia saligna grown under temperate conditions. Pen trials were undertaken to determine the effects of feeding A. saligna, which had been grown in a Mediterranean environment, on feed intake, nitrogen balance and rumen metabolism in sheep. Sheep were given ad libitum access to A. saligna with or without supplementation with PEG 4,000 or PEG 6,000. PEG 4000 appears to be the major detannification agent used in trials involving high tannin feed despite the fact that PEG 6000 has been shown to be more effective, in vitro. For this reason it was of interest to compare the two, in vivo. Dry matter intake was greater (p<0.05) in sheep supplemented with either PEG 4,000 or PEG 6,000 compared to the control. There was no difference, however, in intake between those supplemented with either PEG 4,000 or 6,000. Although animals were not weighed throughout the trial, a loss in body condition was obvious, in particular in the control group. Intake of N was greater (p<0.05) in sheep supplemented with either PEG 4,000 or PEG 6,000 than in the control. There was no difference in N intake between those supplemented with either PEG 4,000 or PEG 6,000. There were no significant differences in either the faecal or urinary N output between any of the treatment groups and all treatment groups were in negative N balance. Neither the average nor maximum pH of ruminal fluid of the control group was different to those supplemented with PEG. The minimum pH for the control group, however, was significantly higher (p<0.05) than for either of the PEG treatments. The average and the maximum ammonia levels were lower (p<0.05) in the control group compared with those in either of the PEG treatment groups. For all dietary treatments ruminal ammonia levels were well below the threshold for maximal microbial growth. Feeding A. saligna, without PEG, had a definite defaunating effect on the rumen. For all dietary treatments ruminal ammonia levels were well below the threshold for maximal microbial growth. It was concluded that A. saligna was inadequate as the sole source of nutrients for sheep, even with the addition of PEG 4,000 or PEG 6,000. The anti-nutritional effects on the animals were largely attributed to the excessive biological activity of the phenolics in the A. saligna leaves. There is a need to determine other supplements that may be complimentary with PEG to enhance the nutritive value of A. saligna to maintain a minimum of animal maintenance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.368-373
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• 2003

This experiment was conducted to examine the effects on the composition and rumen degradation in sacco of rice straw treated with animal urine (1 l of 2.9 g N/kg DM straw) and urea plus calcium hydroxide (2% urea plus 0.5% $Ca(OH)_2$/kg DM straw) as a cheap and relatively safe alternative for ammonia (3% ammonia solution/kg DM straw). Mold occurred in urine treated straw, but other treatments were apparently mold-free. All treatments significantly (p<0.05) increased CP content in the straw compared with untreated one. Ammonia-treated straw contained CP at about twice that in urine or urea-calcium hydroxide treated straw. NDF and hemicellulose contents decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all treatments, while ADF and cellulose showed no differences compared with untreated straw. The degradable fraction of DM, CP, NDF, hemicellulose and cellulose was significantly (p<0.05) increased for ammonia and urea-calcium hydroxide treatments than for urine treated or untreated straw except for CP of urine treated straw. Chemical treatment of rice straw increased the readily degradable fraction of CP, while it decreased the slowly degradable fraction for urine or urea-calcium hydroxide treated rice straw. The degradation rate of hemicellulose was significantly (p<0.05) increased for ammonia and urea-calcium hydroxide treatments compared to urine treated or untreated straw. However, no effect on cellulose degradation rate was found by any of the treatments. There was no improvement in the degradation kinetics caused by the urine treatment despite the improvement of the chemical composition. Although the improvement in rumen degradability was less in the urea-calcium hydroxide treatment than in the ammonia treatment, its use may be more desirable because it is less expensive to obtain, less hazardous nature, and readily available. For further improvement it is necessary to investigate the supplementation of slowly degradable nitrogen to ureacalcium hydroxide treated rice straw diet.

• 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.26 no.7
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• pp.935-944
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• 2013

Essential oils have been shown to favorably effect in vitro ruminal fermentation, but there are few in vivo studies that have examined animal responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of thyme (THY) and cinnamon (CIN) essential oils on feed intake, growth performance, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites in feedlot calves fed high-concentrate diets. Twelve growing Holstein calves ($213{\pm}17kg$ initial BW) were used in a completely randomized design and received their respective dietary treatments for 45 d. Treatments were: 1-control (no additive), 2-THY (5 g/d/calf) and 3-CIN (5 g/d/calf). Calves were fed ad libitum diets consisting of 15% forage and 85% concentrate, and adapted to the finishing diet by gradually increasing the concentrate ratio with feeding a series of transition diets 5 wk before the experiment started. Supplementation of THY or CIN did not affect DMI and ADG, and feed efficiency was similar between treatment groups. There were no effects of additives on ruminal pH and rumen concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and total VFA; whereas molar proportion of acetate and ratio of acetate to propionate decreased, and the molar proportion of propionate increased with THY and CIN supplementation. Rumen molar concentration of butyrate was significantly increased by adding CIN compared to control; but no change was observed with THY compared with control group. No effects of THY, or CIN were observed on valerate, isobutyrate or isovalerate proportions. Plasma concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea-N, ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were not changed by feeding THY or CIN. Results from this study suggest that supplementing a feedlot finishing diet with THY or CIN essential oil might be useful as ruminal fermentation modifiers in beef production systems, but has minor impacts on blood metabolites.

• 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.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.182-189
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• 2020

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculation to domestically-cultivated Italian ryegrass (IRG) on silage fermentation and in vitro ruminal fermentation. There were six treatments based on the LAB inoculants: 1) no addition of LAB (negative control: NC), additions of 2) commercially-available LAB (positive control: PC), 3) Lactobacillus plantarum (LPL), 4) L. paracasei (LPA), 5) L. acidophilus (LA), and 6) L. pentosus (LPT). All treatments were inoculated at a concentration of 10⁶ CFU/g and ensiled for 3, 7, 21, and 42 days in triplicate and analyzed for nutritive values when ensiling was terminated. Day 42 silage from all treatments were also examined for in vitro ruminal fermentation. After 42 days, LAB-inoculated silages had higher (P<0.05) lactic acid concentration compared to the NC. In terms of nutritive values, the silages treated with LPA, LA, and LPT showed higher (P<0.05) crude protein and lower (P<0.05) neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content compared to the rest of the treatment. In vitro ruminal dry matter degradability was not affected by LAB addition. However, LAB-treated IRG had shown higher (P<0.05) ammonia-N compared with that of the NC. LPA had shown the highest (P<0.05) volatile fatty acid concentration among the LAB examined. In conclusion, the addition of a single strain of LAB appeared to produce a quality IRG silage compared with the NC and the PC. Among the strains examined, LPA seemed to be superior to the others.