• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.15-27
• /
• 1990

Effects of oral administration of electrolyte solutions were studied in experimentally dehydrated adult sheep. By the latin square method five ruminal fistulated sheep were examined and dehydrated by deprivation of feed and water for 72 hours. Tap water, physiological saline, 0.45% NaCl+120 mM/L glucose and 0.9% NaCl+1% propylene glycol solution were orally administrated after dehydration, respectively. Rehydration effect and modification of the rumen function were compared. 1. After 72 hours of deprivation of feed and water, sheep were hypertonic dehydrated and blood acid-base parameters were not significantly changed. And there was marked increase in ruminal pH and decrease in ruminal total volatile fatty acid(VFA) concentration. 2. After the fluids administration the changes in blood acid-base parameters were not significant in all groups. 3. Although glucose fermentation in the rumen was observed, 0.45% NaCl+120 mM/L glucose was more effective in rehydration than physiological saline and tap water. But it was difficult to know the rehydration effect of 0.9% NaCl+1% propylene glycol solution exactly because of excessive increase in plasma osmolality. 4. After refeeding, total concentration and proportions of ruminal volatile fatty acid(VFA) were not significantly different among groups and recovered to normal concentration but not in proportions after 2 days in all groups. 5. In vitro cultured ruminal protozoa were susceptible to the decrease of the pH and osmolality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.776-782
• /
• 2019

Objective: Fasting may lead to changes in the microbiota and activity in the rumen. In the present study, the effects of fasting on rumen microbiota and the impact of fasting on in vitro rumen fermentation were evaluated using molecular culture-independent methods. Methods: Three ruminally cannulated Holstein steers were fed rice straw and concentrates. The ruminal fluids were obtained from the same steers 2 h after the morning feeding (control) and 24 h after fasting (fasting). The ruminal fluid was filtrated through four layers of muslin, collected for a culture-independent microbial analysis, and used to determine the in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics. Total DNA was extracted from both control and fasting ruminal fluids. The rumen microbiota was assessed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Microbial activity was evaluated in control and fasting steers at various intervals using in vitro batch culture with rice straw and concentrate at a ratio of 60:40. Results: Fasting for 24 h slightly affected the microbiota structure in the rumen as determined by DGGE. Additionally, several microorganisms, including Anaerovibrio lipolytica, Eubacterium ruminantium, Prevotella albensis, Prevotella ruminicola, and Ruminobacter amylophilus, decreased in number after fasting. In addition, using the ruminal fluid as the inoculum after 24 h of fasting, the fermentation characteristics differed from those obtained using non-fasted ruminal fluid. Compared with the control, the fasting showed higher total gas production, ammonia, and microbial protein production (p<0.05). No significant differences, however, was observed in pH and dry matter digestibility. Conclusion: When in vitro techniques are used to evaluate feed, the use of the ruminal fluid from fasted animals should be used with caution.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.83-89
• /
• 1994

The effects of inorganic selenium (Se), selenate and selenite on Se balance levels in the different ruminal fluid fractions were studied using Japanese Corriedale wethers with an average body weight of 47 kg. A $3{\times}3$ Latin square design was used with three animal, three periods and three treatments. In each period, there was 7 d dietary adjustment followed by 5 d total collection of urine and feces. Ruminal fluid samples were obtained at 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 h postprandially on the final day of the collection period. The three dietary treatments were: (1) without Se supplementation (control); (2) with Se supplement as sodium selenate; and (3) sodium selenite at a rate of 0.2 mg Se/kg dietary DM. The basal diet was timothy hay (Phleum pratense L.) fed 2% of body weight/d. Results indicated that Se balance were higher (p < 0.05) for those animals under supplementation than those animals under control. Overall data gathered showed a similar digestion balance of selenate and selenite in sheep. Inorganic Se, both selenate and selenite produced positive Se contents of the ruminal feed particles and protozoa. Bacterial Se increased (p < 0.05) on the first three hours post-prandially in Se supplemented diets. Gross ruminal fluid fraction, although there was improvement on their Se content under the supplemented diets, the changes were insignificant over the control. free inorganic Se and Se in soluble protein of the ruminal fluid were not significantly different for selenate and selenite. Most of the Se in the ruminal fluids of the animals under supplementation were insoluble, indicating the influence of rumen environments on Se bioavaliability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.104-115
• /
• 2003

A series of experiments was carried out to determine the possibility for the non-ionic surfactant (NIS) as a feed additive for ruminant animals. The effect of the NIS on (1) the enzyme distribution in the rumen fluids of Hereford bulls, (2) the growth of pure culture of rumen bacteria and (3) rumen anaerobic fungi, (4) the ruminal fermentation characteristics of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo), and (5) the performances of Holstein dairy cows were investigated. When NIS was added to rumen fluid at the level of 0.05 and 0.1% (v/v), the total and specific activities of cell-free enzymes were significantly (p<0.01) increased, but those of cell-bound enzymes were slightly decreased, but not statistically significant. The growth rates of ruminal noncellulolytic species (Ruminobacter amylophilus, Megasphaera elsdenii, Prevotella ruminicola and Selenomonas ruminantium) were significantly (p<0.01) increased by the addition of NIS at both concentrations tested. However, the growth rate of ruminal cellulolytic bacteria (Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens) were slightly increased or not affected by the NIS. In general, NIS appears to effect Gram-negative bacteria more than Gram-positive bacteria; and non-cellulolytic bacteria more than cellulolytic bacteria. The growth rates of ruminal monocentric fungi (Neocallimastix patriciarum and Piromyces communis) and polycentric fungi (Orpinomyces joyonii and Anaeromyces mucronatus) were also significantly (p<0.01) increased by the addition of NIS at all concentrations tested. When NIS was administrated to the rumen of Hanwoo, Total VFA and ammonia-N concentrations, the microbial cell growth rate, CMCase and xylanase activities in the rumen increased with statistical difference (p<0.01), but NIS administration did not affect at the time of 0 and 9 h post-feeding. Addition of NIS to TMR resulted in increased TMR intake and increased milk production by Holstein cows and decreased body condition scores. The NEFA and corticoid concentrations in the blood were lowered by the addition of NIS. These results indicated that the addition of NIS may greatly stimulate the release of some kinds of enzymes from microbial cells, and stimulate the growth rates of a range of anaerobic ruminal microorganisms, and also stimulate the rumen fermentation characteristics and animal performances. Our data indicates potential uses of the NIS as a feed additive for ruminant animals.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.789-804
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to determine effects of supplementation levels of aqueous direct-fed microbials (DFM; Bacillus spp.) to TMR(exp. 1.) and aqueous DFM addition under the various ratios of starch and cellulose(exp. 2.) on ruminal fermentation and fibrolytic enzyme activity. In experiment 1, ruminal fluids taken from rumen-cannulated Holstein cows were incubated during 24 hr by using TMR as substrates. Aqueous DFM was applied at a rate of 0, 0.025 and 0.05%, respectively. The pH of 0.025% treatment was not significantly different from that of control at 6 and 9 hr, but it was significantly lower (P<0.05) than 0.05% treatment. Concentrations of ammonia-N and VFAs were not affected by supplementing aqueous DFM. The A:P ratio of 0.05% treatment was significantly increased(P<0.05) by supplementation of aqueous DFM as compared with that of control at 24 hr. Although overall fibrolytic enzyme activities were not significantly affected by supplementing aqueous DFM, CMCase(carboxymethylcellulase) activity showed significant increase(P<0.05) compared to control at 6hr. However, the xylanase activity of 0.05% treatment significantly decreased(P<0.05) at 12 hr due to the application of aqueous DFM. There was no significant difference for in vitro dry matter disappearance among treatments. In experiment 2, ruminal fluids were incubated under the condition of various ratios of starch to cellulose(90:10, 70:30, 50:50, 30:70 and 10:90) with or without aqueous DFM(0.025%). Ruminal pH was unaffected by the addition of aqueous DFM, however, as increased level of starch, ruminal pH partially showed significant decrease(P<0.05). Ammonia-N concentration was not affected by aqueous DFM and ratio of starch and cellulose. On 9 hr incubation, DFM addition at a ratio of 70:30 showed significantly (P<0.05) lower value of ammonia-N(35.65 mg/dL) than that(65.05 mg/dL) of control. Concentrations of VFAs were significantly increased(P<0.05) by aqueous DFM addition compared with control at the same ratio on 6 hr incubation. The overall CMCase activity was not affected by aqueous DFM addition. However, the xylanase activity by aqueous DFM partially showed significant differences at the ratios of 90:10, 30:70 and 10:90. Our results indicated that supplementation of aqueous DFM did not significantly improve in vitro fermentation and fibrolytic enzyme activity. In addition, the DFM utilized in this study did not show consistent results by having various effects on ruminal fermentation under different feeding regimens.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.65 no.3
• /
• pp.652-663
• /
• 2023

The rumen fluids contain a wide range of bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. The various ruminal microorganisms in the rumen provide nutrients by fermenting the forage they eat. During metabolic processes, microorganisms present in the rumen release diverse vesicles during the fermentation process. Therefore, in this study, we confirmed the function of rumen extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their interaction with the host. We confirmed the structure of the rumen EVs by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the size of the particles using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Rumen EVs range in size from 100 nm to 400 nm and are composed of microvesicles, microparticles, and ectosomes. Using the Caenorhabditis elegans smart animal model, we verified the interaction between the host and rumen EVs. Exposure of C. elegans to rumen EVs did not significantly enhance longevity, whereas exposure to the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus significantly increased lifespan. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis showed gene expression alterations in C. elegans exposed to rumen EVs, with significant changes in the metabolic pathway, fatty acid degradation, and biosynthesis of cofactors. Our study describes the effect of rumen EV interactions with the host and provides novel insights for discovering biotherapeutic agents in the animal industry.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.53-59
• /
• 1993

In situ degradability and fermentation characteristics in the rumen of goats fed whole crop corn forage ensiled with (MS silage) or without (CS silage) 30% of cage layer manure (CLM) were investigated. The two silages were well preserved. To adjust nitrogen intake of CS silage to that of MS silage, the 3rd group of goats was given urea with CS silage at feeding time (US silage). Each goat was given a diet of 2% of the body weight (dry matter basis) daily. In situ degradability of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) of MS silage in the rumen were higher than those of CS and US silages. Total potentially degradable portions of DM and CP in MS silage were also higher than those in CS and US silages. Blood urea nitrogen and rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration of goats fed US and MS silages were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of goats fed CS silage. Acetic, propionic and butyric acids in ruminal fluids of goats fed MS silage were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of goats fed CS and US silages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.91-99
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study investigated the effects of oral administration of rumen-protected L-tryptophan (RPL-T) on duodenal starch digestion and gastrointestinal hormones (GIH) secretions using Hanwoo beef steers as the animal models. Methods: Four steers (423±24 kg) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were employed in a crossover design replicated twice. Treatments were control (basal diet) and RPL-T (basal diet+191.1 mg/kg body weight [BW]) group. Blood and duodenal samples were collected to measure serum GIH levels and pancreatic α-amylase activity at day 0, 1, 3, and 5 (-30, 30, 90, 150, and 210 min) of the study. Samples from each segment of the gastrointestinal tract were collected via ruminal and duodenal cannulas and were used to determine soluble protein and the starch digestion rate at days 6 (-30, 180, 360, and 540 min) and 8 (-30, 90, 270, and 450 min) of the experiment. Results: No significant difference in ruminal pH, NH₃-N, and total volatile fatty acid including the levels of acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate, and the acetate-to-propionate ratio was observed between groups (p>0.05). Crude protein uptake was higher and feces starch content was lower in RPL-T group than the control group (p<0.05). The D-glucose contents of feces in RPL-T group decreased at day 5 compared to those in the control group (p<0.05), however, no change was found at day 0, 1, or 3 compared to the control group (p>0.05). Serum cholecystokinin (CCK), melatonin, duodenal pancreatic α-amylase activity, and starch digestion were significantly higher in RPL-T group than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Taken together, oral administration of RPL-T at the rate of 191.1 mg/kg BW consistently increased CCK concentration, pancreatic α-amylase activity in duodenal fluids, and starch digestion rate in the small intestine and thus found to be beneficial.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.352-356
• /
• 2002

One hundred-fifty lactating, multiparous cow at post-peak of lactation were used to examine the effect of dietary yeast supplementation on milk production, milk composition and ruminal fermentation. The cows were randomly allocated to three groups of fifty cows each: a control group fed on a basal diet without yeast supplementation and two groups fed on basal diets supplemented with one of two commercial sources of yeast cultures, given at the rates of 15 g/head/d ($YC_1$) and 50 g/head/d ($YC_2$), respectively, as per manufacturers' recommendation. Daily milk production was recorded for all cows, while milk samples were taken randomly from ten cows per group for two consecutive days at two-week intervals for chemical analysis of the milk. Rumen fluids were also analyzed for ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids. The results indicated that cows consuming diets supplemented with yeast culture tended to decrease their dry matter intake and to increase their milk yield. Cows fed $YC_2$ supplemented diet produced more milk and 4% fat corrected milk than those fed either $YC_1$-supplemented diet or the control. The highest milk fat percentage was obtained in cows fed $YC_2$ supplemented diet while the highest percentages of protein, lactose, total solids and solids not fat were recorded in cows fed $YC_1$. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased significantly after yeast culture supplementation. Molar proportion of volatile fatty acids did not change significantly with yeast supplementation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.591-596
• /
• 1994

Chemical composition and nutritive values of napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) silages subjected to two cutting intervals were studies; 1st harvest in July (A), and 2nd (B) and 1st (C) harvests in November. Each forage was ensiled with 4% molasses in plastic bags and stored for 5 or 9 months. A feeding experiment with castrated goats was conducted from April to June of the following year. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) content of the harvests varied from 9.5 to 22.8% and 6.6 to 13.6% of DM, respectively. The dry matter content of the silages fed to the goats were 13.0 to 24.4%, because some effluent was removed from each silage before the feeding trial. The pH values of the silages were between 4.03 and 4.29. Goats were given sufficient silage to meet maintenance nitrogen requirements from napier grass silage. Silage C was not completely consumed, and the silage had low digestibilities of DM, CP, hemicellulose and cellulose. Nitrogen balance was slightly positive for goats consuming silage B and was negative for goats consuming silages A and C. Nitrogen utilization was discussed in terms of ruminal $NH_3-N$ and volatile fatty acid concentration in the rumen fluids. It is concluded that goats could not maintain N-equilibrium not only when a younger forage was consumed at a level of N requirement by a restricted feeding, but also when an older forage could not be consumed enough for N requirement because of feed intake limitation.