• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.500-508
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Momordica charantia saponin (MCS) on ruminal fermentation of maize stover and abundance of selected microbial populations in vitro. Five levels of MCS supplements (0, 0.01, 0.06, 0.30, 0.60 mg/mL) were tested. The pH, $NH_3-N$, and volatile fatty acid were measured at 6, 24, 48 h of in vitro mixed incubation fluids, whilst the selected microbial populations were determined at 6 and 24 h. The high dose of MCS increased the initial fractional rate of degradation at t-value = 0 ($FRD_0$) and the fractional rate of gas production (k), but decreased the theoretical maximum of gas production ($V_F$) and the half-life ($t_{0.5}$) compared with the control. The $NH_3-N$ concentration reached the lowest concentration with 0.01 mg MCS/mL at 6 h. The MSC inclusion increased (p<0.001) the molar proportion of butyrate, isovalerate at 24 h and 48 h, and the molar proportion of acetate at 24 h, but then decreased (p<0.05) them at 48 h. The molar proportion of valerate was increased (p<0.05) at 24 h. The acetate to propionate ratio (A/P; linear, p<0.01) was increased at 24 h, but reached the least value at the level of 0.30 mg/mL MCS. The MCS inclusion decreased (p<0.05) the molar proportion of propionate at 24 h and then increased it at 48 h. The concentration of total volatile fatty acid was decreased (p<0.001) at 24 h, but reached the greatest concentration at the level of 0.01 mg/mL and the least concentration at the level of 0.60 mg/mL. The relative abundance of Ruminococcus albus was increased at 6 h and 24 h, and the relative abundance of Fibrobacter succinogenes was the lowest (p<0.05) at 0.60 mg/mL at 6 h and 24 h. The relative abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and fungus reached the greatest value (p<0.05) at low doses of MCS inclusion and the least value (p<0.05) at 0.60 mg/mL at 24 h. The present results demonstrates that a high level of MCS quickly inhibits in vitro fermentation of maize stover, while MCS at low doses has the ability to modulate the ruminal fermentation pattern by regulating the number of functional rumen microbes including cellulolytic bacteria and fungi populations, and may have potential as a feed additive applied in the diets of ruminants.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.541-548
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• 2002

This study, consisting of two experiments, was conducted to determine the effects of feeding heat treated protein and mineral complex (HPM) on milk production and composition, and ruminal fermentation of Holstein dairy cows. In in vitro experiment, HPM levels were 0, 0.2, 1 and 2%, and Timothy hay, which was substrate, was milled as 1 mm size, and the effects of HPM on pH, ammonia and VFA were analyzed after incubation times of 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively. The pH and ammonia production were not significantly different between treatments during the incubation. In addition, generally, total VFA and individual VFA were not affected by HPM on 0, 6 and 24 h. While, total VFA and individual VFA were increased in 0.2% and 1% of HPM supplemented treatments, but decreased in 2% of HPM treatment compared with control on 12 h. On 48 h, total VFA and individual VFA were increased in HPM treatments compared to control (P<0.05). However, A/P ratio was not affected by HPM supplementation. Gas production was higher in HPM treatment compared to control on 24 h (P<0.05) and 48 h (P<0.05). In lactating experiment, fourteen lactating Holstein cows were used for 4 months in a cross over experimental design. There were two treatments; no added HPM as a control and 0.2% of HPM added as a test treatment. Daily milk yield (P<0.001), 4% FCM (P<0.001), milk protein (P<0.05) and SNF (solid not fat; P<0.05) were increased in HPM treatment compared to control. While, milk fat, MUN (milk urea nitrogen) and SCC (somatic cell count) were not significantly different between treatments.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.521-532
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• 2006

An in vitro study was conducted to examine the effect of addition level of carbohydrates on fermentation characteristics, and bio-hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids by mixed rumen bacteria when incubated with soybean oil or flaxseed oil. Four levels(0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%, w/v) of the mixed carbohydrates(glucose, cellobiose, soluble starch, 1:1:1, in weight basis) and oil sources(soybean or flaxseed oil, 60mg in 150ml culture solution) were added to the mixed solution of strained rumen fluid with artificial saliva(1:4, v/v), and incubated anaerobically for 12 hours at 39℃. pH and ammonia-N concentration were lower by increasing the substrate levels at all incubation periods(P<0.05～P<0.001). The propionate proportion increased(P<0.001), but acetic acid and butyric acid decreased(P<0.001) with the substrate level at 6 and 12 h incubations. Oil sources did not influence the proportions of individual VFA. At the end of incubation, the proportions of C18:0(P<0.01), C18:1(P<0.001) and trans-11C-18:1(P<0.01) were reduced but those of C18:2(P<0.001) and C18:3(P<0.01) were enhanced by the addition of flaxseed oil compared to addition of soybean oil. The proportions of C18:0 and total CLA were reduced(P<0.01) but those of trans-11-C18: (P<0.05) and C18:2(P<0.01) were increased with the substrate level when incubated with soybean oil or flaxseed oil. There were interactions(P<0.05) in the proportions of C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3(P<0.01) between oil source and substrate level. The proportions of cis-9, trans-11-CLA and trans-10, cis-12-CLA tended to reduce with substrate level, although there was no significant difference between treatments.