• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1761-1768
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• 2006

In this study, the comparative effects of transgenic corn (Mon 810 and Event 176) and isogenic corn (DK729) were investigated for their influence on in vitro rumen fermentation. This study consisted of three treatments with 0.25 g rice straw, 0.25 g of corn (Mon810/Event176/DK 729) mixed with 30 ml rumen fluid-basal medium in a serum bottle. They were prepared in oxygen free conditions and incubated at $39^{\circ}C$ in a shaking incubator. The influence of transgenic corn on the number of bacterial population, F. succinogenes (cellulolytic) and S. bovis (amylolytic), was quantified using RT-PCR. Fermentative parameters were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h and substrate digestibility was measured at 12 and 24 h. No significant differences were observed in digestibility of dry matter, NDF, ADF at 12 and 24 h for both transgenic and isogenic form of corns (p>0.05) as well as in fermentative parameters. Fluid pH remained unaffected by hybrid trait and decreased with VFA accumulation as incubation time progressed. No influence of corn trait itself was seen on concentration of total VFA, acetic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids. There were no significant differences (p<0.05) in total gas production, composition of gas (methane and hydrogen) at all times of sampling, as well as in NH3-N production. Bacterial quantification using RT-PCR showed that the population number was not affected by transgenic corn. From this study it is concluded that transgenic corn (Mon810 and Event 176) had no adverse effects on rumen fermentation and digestibility compared to isogenic corn. However, regular monitoring of these transgenic feeds is needed by present day researchers to enable consumers with the option to select their preferred food source for animal or human consumption.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.36-45
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of protein sources and roughage (R) to concentrate (C) ratio on in vitro fermentation parameters using a gas production technique. The experimental design was a $2{\times}5$ factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design (CRD). Factor A was 2 levels of protein sources yeast fermented cassava chip protein (YEFECAP) and soybean meal (SBM) and factor B was 5 levels of roughage to concentrate (R:C) ratio at 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, and 0:100, respectively. Rice straw was used as a roughage source. It was found that gas production from the insoluble fraction (b) of YEFECAP supplemented group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in SBM supplemented group. Moreover, the intercept value (a), gas production from the insoluble fraction (b), gas production rate constants for the insoluble fraction (c), potential extent of gas production (a+b) and cumulative gas production at 96 h were influenced (p<0.01) by R:C ratio. In addition, protein source had no effect (p>0.05) on ether in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD) and organic (IVOMD) while R:C ratio affected the IVDMD and IVOMD (p<0.01). Moreover, YEFECAP supplanted group showed a significantly increased (p<0.05) total VFA and $C_3$ while $C_2$, $C_2:C_3$ and $CH_4$ production were decreased when compared with SBM supplemented group. In addition, a decreasing R:C ratio had a significant effect (p<0.05) on increasing total VFA, $C_3$ and $NH_3$-N, but decreasing the $C_2$, $C_2:C_3$ and CH4 production (p<0.01). Furthermore, total bacteria, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Ruminococcus albus populations in YEFECAP supplemented group were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in the SBM supplemented group while fungal zoospores, methanogens and protozoal population remained unchanged (p>0.05) as compared between the two sources of protein. Moreover, fungal zoospores and total bacteria population were significantly increased (p<0.01) while, F. succinogenes, R. flavefaciens, R. albus, methanogens and protozoal population were decreased (p<0.01) with decreasing R:C ratio. In conclusion, YEFECAP has a potential for use as a protein source for improving rumen fermentation efficiency in ruminants.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.369-378
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• 2018

Objective: The impact of forage feeding strategy on growth performance, ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility in post-weaning calves was investigated. Methods: Forty-five female Holstein calves (body weight [BW] = $79.79{\pm}0.38kg$) were enrolled in the 35-d study at one week after weaning and randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments. All diets were fed as total mixed ration containing 60% (dry matter [DM] basis) of basal starter feed and 40% (DM basis) of forage, but varied in composition of forage source including i) alfalfa (40% DM, AH); ii) alfalfa hay (26.7% DM)+oat hay (13.3% DM; OH); iii) alfalfa hay (26.7% DM)+corn silage (13.3% DM; WS). Results: Dry matter intake was not different among treatment groups (p>0.05). However, BW (p<0.05) and average daily gain (p<0.05) of calves fed AH and OH were greater than WS-fed calves, whereas heart girth was greater in OH-fed calves than those fed AH and WS (p<0.05). Ruminal fermentation parameters including proportion of butyric acid, acetated-to-propionate ratio, concentration of total volatile fatty acid, protozoal protein, bacterial protein, and microbial protein in rumen were the highest in OH (p<0.05) and the lowest in WS. Compared with the AH and WS, feeding oat hay to postweaning calves increased crude protein digestibility (p<0.05), and decreased duration of diarrhea (p<0.05) and fecal index (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggested that partially replacing alfalfa hay with oat hay improved ruminal fermentation, nitrogen utilization, and reduced incidence of diarrhea in post-weaning dairy calves.

• 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.20 no.3
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• pp.378-384
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• 2007

Three microorganisms and one chemical preservative were tested for their effects on the fermentation and aerobic stability of whole-crop wheat, sorghum and maize silages. Wheat at the early dough stage, sorghum at the late milk stage and maize at the one-third milk line stage were harvested and ensiled in 1.5-l anaerobic jars untreated or after the following treatments: control (no additives); Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) at $1.0{\times}10^6$ colony-forming units (CFU)/g of fresh forage; L. buchneri (LB) at $1.0{\times}10^6$ CFU/g; Propionibacterium acidipropionici (PA) at $1.0{\times}10^6$ CFU/g; and a formic acid-based preservative (FAP) at 3 ml/kg of fresh forage weight. Three jars per treatment were sampled on d 90 after ensiling, for chemical and microbiological analysis. At the end of the ensiling period, 90 d, the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test lasting 5 d. In this test, $CO_2$ produced during aerobic exposure was measured along with chemical and microbiological parameters which serve as spoilage indicators. The silages inoculated with LP had higher concentration of lactic acid compared with the controls and the other treated silages (p<0.05). The controls and LP-inoculated silages spoiled upon aerobic exposure faster than LB, PA and FAP-treated silages. The controls and LP-inoculated silages spoiled upon aerobic exposure faster than LB, PA and FAP-treated silages due to more $CO_2$ production (p<0.05) in these two groups and development of yeasts unlike the other groups. In the experiment, the silages treated with LB, PA and FAP were stable under aerobic conditions. However, the numbers of yeasts was higher in the LP-inoculated wheat, sorghum and maize silages compared with the LB, PA and FAP-treated silages. The LB, PA and FAP improved the aerobic stability of the silages by causing more extensive heterolactic fermentation that resulted in the silages with high levels of acetic and propionic acid. The use of LB, PA and FAP as silage additives can improve the aerobic stability of whole-crop wheat, sorghum and maize silages by inhibition of yeast activity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1416-1424
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of alfalfa flavonoids on the production performance, immunity, and ruminal fermentation of dairy cows. Methods: The experiments employed four primiparous Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas, and used a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Cattle were fed total mixed ration supplemented with 0 (control group, Con), 20, 60, or 100 mg of alfalfa flavonoids extract (AFE) per kg of dairy cow body weight (BW). Results: The feed intake of the group receiving 60 mg/kg BW of AFE were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the group receiving 100 mg/kg BW. Milk yields and the fat, protein and lactose of milk were unaffected by AFE, while the total solids content of milk reduced (p = 0.05) linearly as AFE supplementation was increased. The somatic cell count of milk in group receiving 60 mg/kg BW of AFE was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control group. Apparent total-tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein showed a tendency to increase (0.05<$p{\leq}0.10$) with ingestion of AFE. Methane dicarboxylic aldehyde concentration decreased (p = 0.03) linearly, whereas superoxide dismutase activity showed a tendency to increase (p = 0.10) quadratically, with increasing levels of AFE supplementation. The lymphocyte count and the proportion of lymphocytes decreased (p = 0.03) linearly, whereas the proportion of neutrophil granulocytes increased (p = 0.01) linearly with increasing levels of dietary AFE supplementation. The valeric acid/total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) ratio was increased (p = 0.01) linearly with increasing of the level of AFE supplementation, the other ruminal fermentation parameters were not affected by AFE supplementation. Relative levels of the rumen microbe Ruminococcus flavefaciens tended to decrease (p = 0.09) quadratically, whereas those of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens showed a tendency to increase (p = 0.07) quadratically in response to AFE supplementation. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that AFE supplementation can alter composition of milk, and may also have an increase tendency of nutrient digestion by regulating populations of microbes in the rumen, improve antioxidant properties by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities, and affect immunity by altering the proportions of lymphocyte and neutrophil granulocytes in dairy cows. The addition of 60 mg/kg BW of AFE to the diet of dairy cows was shown to be beneficial in this study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2018

Objective: Gelidium amansii (Lamouroux) is a red alga belonging to the family Gelidaceae and is commonly found in the shallow coasts of many East Asian countries, including Korea, China, and Japan. G. amansii has traditionally been utilized as an edible alga, and has various biological activities. The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation of G. amansii could be useful for improving ruminal fermentation. Methods: As assessed by in vitro fermentation parameters such as pH, total gas, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, gas profile (methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and ammonia), and microbial growth rate was compared to a basal diet with timothy hay. Cannulated Holstein cows were used as rumen fluid donors and 15 mL rumen fluid: buffer (1:2) was incubated for up to 72 h with four treatments with three replicates. The treatments were: control (timothy only), basal diet with 1% G. amansii extract, basal diet with 3% G. amansii extract, and basal diet with 5% G. amansii extract. Results: Overall, the results of our study indicate that G. amansii supplementation is potentially useful for improving ruminant growth performance, via increased total gas and VFA production, but does come with some undesirable effects, such as increasing pH, ammonia concentration, and methane production. In particular, real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated that the methanogenic archaea and Fibrobacter succinogenes populations were significantly reduced, while the Ruminococcus flavefaciens populations were significantly increased at 24 h, when supplemented with G. amansii extracts as compared with controls. Conclusion: More research is required to elucidate what G. amansii supplementation can do to improve growth performance, and its effect on methane production in ruminants.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.286-291
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• 2006

Various ${\beta}$-ionone resistant mutants were isolated from the wild-type red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous KCTC 7704. Although the growth of X. dendrorhous KCTC 7704 was strongly inhibited at 0.025 mM ${\beta}$-ionone, one of the ${\beta}$-ionone resistant mutants isolated at 0.1 mM ${\beta}$-ionone by NTG mutagenesis showed rather 70% of relative survival at 0.15 mM ${\beta}$-ionone. Fermentation kinetics study with the mutant was carried out at $20^{\circ}C$ for 4 days in 300-mL baffled flasks. The mutant yielded up to 2.3-fold higher carotenoids content(viz. $1.2{\mu}g$ of total carotenoids per mg of dry cells) compared with the wild-type strain. The production of metabolites such as organic acids could be neglected. Studies on the kinetics with various carbon substrates revealed both an increase in final dry cell mass and a higher total carotenoids content in cell mass with glucose when compared to fructose or sucrose. As a further part of study, the effect of pH on the fermentation kinetics was investigated in glucose-limited chemostat at a dilution rate of $0.04h^{-1}$. When compared to steady-state kinetic parameters obtained at pH 4.0, a significant reduction in cell concentration at pH 3.0 and a lower carotenoids content at pH 5.2 were evident.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.221-230
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• 2012

Rumen fermentative characteristic is useful indicators of the quality of ruminant feed stuffs and diets. An in vitro rumen fermentation experiment was therefore carried out to compare fermentation patterns among three forage sources. These were whole crop barley (WCBS), Italian ryegrass silage (IRGS) and rice straw silages (RSS). Rice straw (RS) was the control, making the treatments 4 in total. Forages were randomly allocated to serum bottles. The incubation times were arranged 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72h at $39^{\circ}C$, respectively. Each forage source was replicated 3 times per incubation time. At each sampling time, total gas and pH were measured, whilst individual volatile fatty acids (VFAs), total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) and ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3$-N) were determined later after storing samples at $-20^{\circ}C$. Acetate: Propionate ratio (A/P) was then calculated. Forage source had a significant effect (P<0.001) on pH and $NH_3$-N. RSS maintained higher pH values than the rest of the forage sources. A decreasing pH trend with increased time of incubation, in agreement with literature, was observed for all forage sources. WCBS recorded $NH_3$-N values higher than all the other treatments. Total gas, individual and total VFA and A/P ratio were not affected by forage source. However, there was a significant difference in all parameters (p<0.05) among forage sources at sampling periods at 3 to 72h. Therefore, the present results indicating that WCBS, IRGS, RS and RSS maintained in vitro rumen pH above the critical value. Also, WCBS produced the highest NH3-N and on this merit could be of better nutritive value, in vivo, in the ruminant.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of the study was to find a possible association between the ${\beta}-$ and ${\kappa}-casein$ and ${\beta}-lactoglobulin$ genotypes and important milk physiochemical and technological characteristics such as acidity, alcohol stability, the contents of some minerals and the parameters of acid fermentation ability (FEA) in Czech Fleckvieh Cattle. Methods: Milk and blood samples were collected from 338 primiparous Czech Fleckvieh cows at the same stage of lactation. The genotypes of individual cows for ${\kappa}-casein$ (alleles A, B, and E) and ${\beta}-lactoglobulin$ (alleles A and B) were ascertained by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, while their ${\beta}-casein$ (alleles $A^1$, $A^2$, $A^3$, and B) genotype was determined using melting curve genotyping analysis. The data collected were i) milk traits including active acidity (pH), titratable acidity (TA), alcohol stability (AS); calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) contents; and ii) yoghurt traits including active acidity (Y-pH), titratable acidity (Y-TA), and the counts of both Lactobacilli and Streptococci in 1 mL of yoghurt. A linear model was assumed with fixed effects of herd, year, and season of calving, an effect of the age of the cow at first calving and effects of the casein and lactoglobulin genotypes of ${\beta}-CN$ (${\beta}-casein$, CSN2), ${\kappa}-CN$ (${\kappa}-casein$, CSN3), and ${\beta}-LG$ (${\beta}-lactoglobulin$, LGB), or the three-way interaction between those genes. Results: The genetic polymorphisms were related to the milk TA, AS, content of P and Ca, Y-pH and Lactobacilli number in the fresh yoghurt. The CSN3 genotype was significantly associated with milk AS (p<0.05). The effect of the composite CSN2-CSN3-LGB genotype on the investigated traits mostly reflected the effects of the individual genes. It significantly influenced TA (p<0.01), Y-pH (p<0.05) and the log of the Lactobacilli count (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the yoghurt fermentation test together with milk proteins genotyping could contribute to milk quality control and highlight new perspectives in dairy cattle selection.