• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2005

This study was conducted to study the effect of fiber sources on ruminal pH and buffering capacity and whole digestive tract digestibility with five ruminally fistulated sheep. Evaluated fiber sources were alfalfa hay cube (AHC), corn cob (CC), com silage (CS), cotton seed hull (CSH), peanut hull (PHL), rice straw (RS), and sugarcane bagasse (SCB). Sheep were fed consecutively a diet containing each tested fiber source $(45\%)$ with a corn-based concentrate diets $(55\%)$ during each experimental period. Ruminal pH showed no difference among fiber sources except the significantly lower pH at 8h (p<0.05) with RS (pH; 5.78) than those in other sources. Buffering capacity showed significant differences at 0h (p<0.05) and 2h (p<0.05) after feeding in CS compared to those from SCB and CC, while there was higher in PHL (p<0.01) at 12h post feeding except AHC than CC, CS, SCB, and RS. Dry matter digestibility was significantly higher in CS (p<0.001) than in other sources. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was higher in CC, CS, CSH, and RS than other fiber sources (p<0.001). These results suggest that ruminal pH and buffering capacity and whole digestive track digestibility were significantly affected by fiber sources in ruminant diet, and, therefore, should be took those effects into account for TMR formulation.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.541-548
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• 2017

This study was conducted to compare in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics among corn grains imported from America, Brazil, Argentina and Ukraine A and Ukraine B. Two Holstein steers, each surgically fitted with a ruminal cannula, consuming total mixed ration were used as rumen fluid donors. In vitro rumen fermentation experiments were performed in a completely random design which included a control (no corn) and treatments with 3.0 g of corn from different geographical origins, i.e., America, Brazil, Argentina, and Ukraine A and Ukraine B, respectively. Ruminal pH, ammonia-N, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and total gas production were measured at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h post-incubation, respectively. No differences (p > 0.05) in mean ruminal pH appeared among the treated groups, however, ruminal pH patterns differed; i.e. corn treated groups had dramatically lower pH compared with control during the entire incubation period. Similarly, no different patterns between the groups in ammonia-N (p > 0.05) appeared until 6 h post-incubation. Unexpectedly, higher ammonia-N concentration for control than that for the corn treated groups appeared after 12 h post-incubation despite that for all groups increased. Total VFA was similar between the groups until 6 h post-incubation, but VFA after 12 h post-incubation was different (p < 0.05), i.e. VFA for corn from Argentina, Ukraine A, Ukraine B, and Brazil were comparatively higher than for America. Overall, data in this study showed that the corns of different origins may have different feed values to ruminants despite having similar chemical compositions.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.392-399
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• 2017

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different dietary proteins as fraction-enriched protein, defined by Cornell net carbohydrates and protein system (CNCPS), on in vivo ruminal fermentation pattern and blood metabolites in Holstein steers fed total mixed ration (TMR) containing 17.2% crude protein. Four ruminally cannulated Holstein steers in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design consumed TMR only (control) and TMR with rapeseed meal (AB1), soybean meal (B2), and perilla meal (B3C). Each protein was substituted for 23.0% of crude protein in TMR. Rumen digesta were taken through ruminal cannula at 1 h interval during the feeding cycle in order to analyze ruminal pH, ammonia-N, and volatile fatty acids (VFA). Plasma metabolites in blood taken via the jugular vein after the rumen digesta sampling were analyzed. Feeding perilla meal significantly (p < 0.05) decreased mean ruminal pH compared with control and the other protein feeding groups. Compared with control, feeding protein significantly (p < 0.05) increased ruminal ammonia-N concentration except for AB1. Statistically (p > 0.05) similar total VFA appeared among control and the supplemented groups. However, control, AB1, and B2 showed higher (p < 0.05) acetate concentrations than B3C, and propionate was vice versa. CNCPS fractionated protein significantly (p < 0.05) affected concentrations of albumin and total protein in blood; i.e. plasma albumin was lower for control and B2 groups than AB1 and B3C groups. Despite lack of significances (p > 0.05) in creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, AB1 and B2 groups were numerically higher than the others.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.35-42
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the addition of activated charcoal (AC) and oak charcoal on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics, nutrient disappearance, and ruminal gas production. AC and oak charcoal were added at the levels of 0.50, and 1.00 % to experimental diet (roughage/concentrate ratio ; 2/8). Ruminal pH and ammonia-N tended to increase by adding AC(P<0.05). But oak charcoal did not affect the ruminal pH and ammonia-N. Although not significant, ruminal total VFA and molar percentage of butyric acid tended to decrease in AC diets. but molar percentage of acetate and propionate were not affected by adding AC. Ruminal degradation of dry matter, crude protein, NDF, and ADF in AC diets tended to increase than in non-AC diet, however, no tendency in ruminal degradation of hemicellulose was observed. Ruminal gas production tended to increase in the AC and oak charcoal diets(P<0.05). Although there appeared some beneficial effects in adding AC to ruminant diets in this study, more works should be done with AC before we can make clear conclusion on the use of AC in the ruminant diets.

• 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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2014

As a result of the cost of grains, the replacement of grains by co-products (i.e. DDGS) in feedlot diets is a common practice. This change produces diets that contain a lower amount of starch and greater amount of fibre. Hypothetically, combining feed grade urea (U) with slow release urea (Optigen) in this type of diet should elicit a better synchrony between starch (high-rate of digestion) and fibre (low-rate of digestion) promoting a better microbial protein synthesis and ruminal digestion with increasing the digestible energy of the diet. Four cannulated Holstein steers ($213{\pm}4$ kg) were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to examine the combination of Optigen and U in a finishing diet containing different starch:acid detergent fibre ratios (S:F) on the characteristics of digestive function. Three S:F ratios (3.0, 4.5, and 6.0) were tested using a combination of U (0.80%) and Optigen (1.0%). Additionally, a treatment of 4.5 S:F ratio with urea (0.80% in ration) as the sole source of non-protein nitrogen was used to compare the effect of urea combination at same S:F ratio. The S:F ratio of the diet was manipulated by replacing the corn grain by dried distillers grain with solubles and roughage. Urea combination did not affect ruminal pH. The S:F ratio did not affect ruminal pH at 0 and 2 h post-feeding but, at 4 and 6 h, the ruminal pH decreased as the S:F ratio increased (linear, p<0.05). Ruminal digestion of OM, starch and feed N were not affected by urea combination or S:F ratio. The urea combination did not affect ADF ruminal digestion. ADF ruminal digestion decreased linearly (p = 0.02) as the S:F ratio increased. Compared to the urea treatment (p<0.05) and within the urea combination treatment (quadratic, p<0.01), the flow of microbial nitrogen (MN) to the small intestine and ruminal microbial efficiency were greater for the urea combination at a S:F ratio of 4.5. Irrespective of the S:F ratio, the urea combination improved (2.8%, p = 0.02) postruminal N digestion. As S:F ratio increased, OM digestion increased, but ADF total tract digestion decreased. The combination of urea at 4.5 S:F improved (2%, p = 0.04) the digestible energy (DE) more than expected. Combining urea and Optigen resulted in positive effects on the MN flow and DE of the diet, but apparently these advantages are observed only when there is a certain proportion of starch:ADF in the diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 1996

The dry matter (DM) disappearance and ruminal solubility of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) in eight Philippine forages were studied. The forages were: paragrass (Brachiaria mutica (Forsk.) Stapf), stargrass (Cynodon plectostachyum Pilger), napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach), clopo (Calopogonium mucconoides Desv.), centrocema (Centrocema pubescens Benth.), gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp.), leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit.) and sesbania (Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir. Nylon bags with samples were incubated for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h in rumen cannulated sheep. The 0-h bags were washed with deionized water. For the 0-h samples, 20.4, 17.2, 50.7, 52.2 and 80.1% of the DM, Ca, P, Mg and K was solubilized, respectively. At 3-h incubation period, DM disappearance was 10 percentage units higher than that of 0-h incubation whereas mineral disappearance increased by 43, 21, 30 and 13% for Ca, P, Mg and K, respectively. At 72-h incubation period, greater proportion of DM, Ca, especially in P, Mg and K was solubilized with a value of 73.8, 71.5, 85.6, 91.4 and 98.2%, respectively. The average particulate passage rate obtained in the present study was 1.9%/h where as the range of disappearance rates of various mineral elements were : 0.4 to 1.2%/h for Ca, 0.1 to 1.6%/h for P, 0.7 to 2%/h for Mg and 0.1 to 2%/h for K. The effective ruminal solubilization (ERS) of the macrominerals was calculated where particulate passage rate and disappearance rate of the various elements were included in the equation. The ERS of Ca, P, Mg and K was 50.0, 72.6, 83.9 and 94.5%, respectively. Species differences (p<0.05) on the various mineral solubilities were also observed. This study shows that ruminal solubility of macrominerals in selected Philippine forages is K > Mg > P > Ca.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1726-1735
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• 2014

This study investigated the effects of acarbose addition on changes in ruminal fermentation characteristics and the composition of the ruminal bacterial community in vitro using batch cultures. Rumen fluid was collected from the rumens of three cannulated Holstein cattle fed forage ad libitum that was supplemented with 6 kg of concentrate. The batch cultures consisted of 8 mL of strained rumen fluid in 40 mL of an anaerobic buffer containing 0.49 g of corn grain, 0.21 g of soybean meal, 0.15 g of alfalfa and 0.15g of Leymus chinensis. Acarbose was added to incubation bottles to achieve final concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/mL. After incubation for 24 h, the addition of acarbose linearly decreased (p<0.05) the total gas production and the concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, total volatile fatty acids, lactate and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). It also linearly increased (p<0.05) the ratio of acetate to propionate, the concentrations of isovalerate, valerate and ammonia-nitrogen and the pH value compared with the control. Pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene showed that the addition of acarbose decreased (p<0.05) the proportion of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and increased (p<0.05) the percentage of Bacteroidetes, Fibrobacteres, and Synergistetes compared with the control. A principal coordinates analysis plot based on unweighted UniFrac values and molecular variance analysis revealed that the structure of the ruminal bacterial communities in the control was different to that of the ruminal microbiota in the acarbose group. In conclusion, acarbose addition can affect the composition of the ruminal microbial community and may be potentially useful for preventing the occurrence of ruminal acidosis and the accumulation of LPS in the rumen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1721-1725
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of coconut materials on ruminal methanogenesis and fermentation characteristics, in particular their effectiveness for mitigating ruminal methanogenesis. Fistulated Holstein cows were used as the donor of rumen fluid. Coconut materials were added to an in vitro fermentation incubated with rumen fluid-buffer mixture and timothy substrate for 24 h incubation. Total gas production, gas profiles, total volatile fatty acids (tVFAs) and the ruminal methanogens diversity were measured. Although gas profiles in added coconut oil and coconut powder were not significantly different, in vitro ruminal methane production was decreased with the level of reduction between 15% and 19% as compared to control, respectively. Coconut oil and coconut powder also inhibited gas production. The tVFAs concentration was increased by coconut materials, but was not affected significantly as compared to control. Acetate concentration was significantly lower (p<0.05), while propionate was significantly higher (p<0.05) by addition of the coconut materials than that of the control. The acetate:propionate ratio was significantly lowered with addition of coconut oil and coconut powder (p<0.05). The methanogens and ciliate-associated methanogens in all added coconut materials were shown to decrease as compared with control. This study showed that ciliate-associated methanogens diversity was reduced by more than 50% in both coconut oil and coconut powder treatments. In conclusion, these results indicate that coconut powder is a potential agent for decreasing in vitro ruminal methane production and as effective as coconut oil.