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PubMed2000

Influence of the novel urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide on ruminant nitrogen metabolism: II. Ruminal nitrogen metabolism, diet digestibility, and nitrogen balance in lambs.

Three lamb metabolism experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of chronic administration of the novel urease inhibitor N (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) on ruminal N metabolism, fermentation, and N balance. In Exp. 1, ruminally cannulated wethers (n = 28; 45.0 +/- .9 kg) were administered one of seven doses of NBPT (0 [control], .125, .25, .5, 1, 2, or 4 g of NBPT daily) and fed a common cracked corn/cottonseed hull-based diet twice daily containing 2% urea at 2.5% of initial BW for the duration of the 15-d experiment. Overall, NBPT decreased (linear P < .0001; quadratic P < .001) ruminal urease activity, resulting in linear increases (P < .0001) in ruminal urea and decreases in ruminal NH3 N concentrations. However, the detection of an NBPT x day interaction (d 2 vs 15; P < .01) indicated that this depression in urea degradation diminished as the experiment progressed. Increasing NBPT linearly decreased (P < .01) total VFA concentrations on d 2 of the experiment, but it had no effect (P > .10) on d 15. Increasing NBPT had no effect (P > .10) on DM or ADF digestibilities, but it linearly decreased (P < .01) N digestibility. Supplementing NBPT produced a linear increase (P < .05) in urinary N excretion and a linear decrease (P < .01) in N retention. In Exp. 2, ruminally cannulated wethers (n = 30; 46.8 +/- .6 kg) were fed one of two basal diets (2.0 vs 1.1% dietary urea) at 2.5% of initial BW and dosed with either 0 (control), .25, or 2 g of NBPT daily for the duration of the 15-d experiment. There were no NBPT x dietary urea interactions (P > .10) for Exp. 2. Increasing NBPT depressed (linear and quadratic P < .0001) ruminal urease activity, producing linear (P < .0001) increases in urea N and linear decreases in NH3 N in the rumen. As in Exp. 1, an NBPT x day interaction (P < .05) was noted for urea, NH3 N, and total VFA concentrations; the maximum response to NBPT occurred on d 2 but diminished by d 15 of the experiment. Administration of NBPT did not influence (P > .10) DM, ADF, or N digestibilities in Exp. 2. In Exp. 3, wether lambs (n = 30; 26.4 +/- .7 kg) were subjected to the same treatment regimen as in Exp. 2 for a 14-d N balance experiment. Although several NBPT x dietary urea interactions (P < .05) were noted, increasing NBPT did not affect (P > .10) N digestibility. Administration of NBPT quadratically increased (P < .10) urinary N excretion, producing a linear decrease (P < .05) in N retention. These results suggest that although NBPT is capable of inhibiting ruminal urease short-term, the ruminal microflora may be capable of adapting to chronic NBPT administration, thereby limiting its practical use in improving the utilization of dietary urea.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1986

Postprandial trends in estimated ruminal digesta polysaccharides and their relation to changes in bacterial groups and ruminal fluid characteristics.

In a diurnal study, feedstuff and digesta polysaccharides, ruminal bacterial carbohydrate-fermenting groups, and selected ruminal fluid characteristics (ruminal pH, ammonia and volatile fatty acids) were measured in ruminal-cannulated Holstein steers fed high- or low-forage diets at maintenance level intake once daily. A procedure for the sequential extraction of soluble sugar, starch, pectin, hemicellulose and cellulose from feedstuffs was developed to measure these carbohydrates in dietary and ruminal digesta samples. Recovery of dry matter (determined chemically) using this scheme was 60 to 70%. Data were obtained within the ranges of those in the literature for similar feedstuffs and(or) by similar methods. Dietary analysis by the sequential method yielded total recovery across all carbohydrate fractions of 87 and 81% for the high- and low-forage diets, respectively, and similar recoveries were obtained for the digesta samples. Analytical variation was small (less than or equal to 15% CV), which permitted comparison of the carbohydrate profiles of the digesta over time. From these values, total ruminal digesta polysaccharide content was calculated and, when plotted over time, indicated that the disappearance per fraction corresponded with theoretical curves for ruminal fermentation of major feedstuff components. The postprandial variation within the bacterial population carbohydrate-fermenting groups was small, but changes were consistent with digesta component fermentation. Xylan- and cellulose-fermenting groups followed a pattern compatible with the disappearance of these polysaccharides from the rumen. In contrast, soluble sugar-fermenting groups predominated at all times despite the rapid rise and fall of these components in the digesta. Ruminal fluid pH, ammonia and total carbohydrate supported the digesta and bacterial trends observed. The data are interpreted to suggest that once daily maintenance feeding of high- or low- forage diets permits detection of digesta sugar and polysaccharide changes, supports a relatively stable microbial population while specific groups increase and decrease with the availability of substrate, and results in few differences in ruminal fluid traits.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1991

Controlled ruminal infusion of sodium bicarbonate. 2. Effects of dietary and infused buffer on ruminal milieu.

Four ruminally cannulated, lactating Holstein cows were assigned to a 4 X 4 Latin square to monitor the effects of NaHCO3 infusion on ruminal environment of cows receiving dietary sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate (110 g) was mixed with 3.8 L of water and infused at a constant rate into the rumen from 0 to 2, 2 to 4, or 4 to 6 h postfeeding twice daily. All cows were fed sorghum silage and concentrate in a 35:65 DM ratio for 45 min twice daily. Ruminal fluid was collected at feeding and every 30 min postfeeding for 8 h on the last day of each 1-wk experimental period. Dry matter intake was not affected by NaHCO3 infusion. Yields of milk and its components were reduced with 4- to 6-h NaHCO3 infusion. At certain isolated times, especially during infusion, NaHCO3 infusion increased ruminal fluid buffer. Concentrations of ruminal fluid total VFA were not affected by NaHCO3 infusions, whereas acetate to propionate ratio tended to be reduced. Ruminal liquid volume tended to be increased by 0- to 2-h NaHCO3 infusion, and ruminal outflow rate tended to be reduced by the 2- to 4-h infusion. Intraruminal infusion of NaHCO3 into cows receiving supplemental dietary NaHCO3 altered ruminal acid-base status as typically reported for those receiving dietary NaHCO3; however, these alterations were not accompanied by shifts in ruminal VFA patterns or in milk composition that normally result from such feeding regimens. The effects of NaHCO3 infused directly into the rumen may be different from those of dietary NaHCO3 and are possibly related to the different time of entry into the rumen relative to feeding.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1996

Preservation of ruminal microorganisms for in vitro determination of ruminal protein degradation.

Ruminal microorganisms, preserved either lyophilized or frozen, were compared with freshly strained ruminal fluid for proteolytic activity and as inoculum source for determination of ruminal protein degradation rates by the inhibitor in vitro method. Dialysis and glycerol addition had no effect on the proteolytic activity of preserved microorganisms. Net release of NH3 and total amino acids from protein using the fluid plus particle-associated microorganisms was higher than that found using the fluid-associated microorganisms alone. Method of inoculum preservation altered total proteolytic activity, but harvesting bacteria using centrifugal force greater than 5,000 x g did not increase proteolytic activity of the pellet. The proposed method for harvesting and preserving microorganisms consisted of centrifuging strained ruminal fluid at 5,000 x g (30 min at 4 degrees C), stirring the pellet in a 50:50 (vol/vol) solution of glycerol-McDougall's buffer for 15 min, and then storing at -20 degrees C. Protein degradation rates in incubations with preserved microorganisms were four to eight times slower than when using fresh ruminal fluid; however, feed proteins were ranked similarly for degradation rate. Preincubating the preserved microorganisms reduced blank concentrations of NH3 and total amino acid and increased protein degradative activity of the preserved inoculum. Degradation rates with preincubated, preserved inocula were similar to those obtained using fresh ruminal fluid. These results indicated that mixed ruminal microorganisms can be preserved by freezing and, after a preincubation period of 6 h, used as the inoculum source for in vitro estimation of ruminal protein degradation.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2004

Daily and alternate-day supplementation of urea or biuret to ruminants consuming low-quality forage: III. Effects on ruminal fermentation characteristics in steers.

Five ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers (491 +/- 21 kg BW) were used in an incomplete 5 x 4 Latin square with four 24-d periods to determine the influence of supplemental nonprotein N (NPN) source and supplementation frequency (SF) on the dynamics of ruminal fermentation in steers consuming low-quality grass straw (4% CP). Treatments (TRT) included an unsupplemented control (CON) and a urea or biuret supplement that were placed directly into the rumen at 0700 daily (D) or every other day (2D). The NPN treatments were formulated to provide 90% of the estimated degradable intake protein requirement; therefore, the urea and biuret treatments received the same amount of supplemental N over a 2-d period. Daily TRT were supplemented with CP at 0.04% of BW/d, whereas the 2D TRT were supplemented at 0.08% of BW every other day. Forage was provided at 120% of the previous 5-d average intake in two equal portions at 0715 and 1900. Ruminal fluid was collected 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h after supplementation on a day of and a day before supplementation for all TRT. Ruminal NH3-N increased (P < 0.04) with CP supplementation on the day all supplements were provided and on the day on which only daily supplements were provided compared with the CON. However, an NPN source x SF interaction (P = 0.03) on the day all supplements were provided indicated that NH3-N increased at a greater rate for urea as SF decreased compared with biuret. Ruminal NH3-N on the day only daily supplements were provided was greater (P = 0.02) for D compared with 2D. On the day all supplements were provided, D increased (P = 0.05) ruminal indigestible acid detergent fiber passage rate and ruminal fluid volume compared with 2D. These results suggest that urea or biuret can be used effectively as a supplemental N source by steers consuming low-quality forage without adversely affecting ruminal fermentation, even when provided every other day.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2006

Effects of feeding polyclonal antibody preparations on ruminal bacterial populations and ruminal pH of steers fed high-grain diets.

Three experiments with factorial arrangements of treatments were designed to test the efficacy of avian-derived polyclonal antibody preparations (PAP) against Streptococcus bovis (PAP-Sb) or Fusobacterium necrophorum (PAP-Fn) in reducing ruminal counts of target bacteria in beef steers supplemented or not with feed additives (300 mg of monensin/d and 90 mg of tylosin/d; MT). Feeding increasing doses of PAP-Sb in Exp. 1 or a single dose in Exp. 2 reduced S. bovis counts in a cubic fashion (P = 0.014). In Exp. 1 and 2, inclusion of MT in the diet had no effect (P > 0.05) on ruminal S. bovis counts. In Exp. 2, ruminal pH was increased (P < 0.05) by feeding PAP-Sb, MT, and PAP-Sb plus MT. Ruminal F. necrophorum counts were reduced by feeding PAP-Fn (P = 0.002) and MT (P < 0.001). Reduction in ruminal F. necrophorum counts was greater (P = 0.008) when feeding MT alone than when feeding PAP-Fn and MT together. In Exp. 3, ruminal S. bovis counts were not affected (P = 0.64) by PAP-Fn. Ruminal pH was not affected (P = 0.61) by feeding PAP-Fn, and the total anaerobic bacterial count was not affected (P > 0.05) by either PAP-Sb or PAP-Fn in Exp. 1 or Exp. 3. In conclusion, PAP of avian origin and against S. bovis or F. necrophorum were effective in reducing target ruminal bacterial populations. These PAP could be effective in preventing the deleterious effects associated with these bacteria, and possibly in enhancing animal performance.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1991

Controlled ruminal infusion of sodium bicarbonate. 1. Influence of postfeeding infusion interval on ruminal milieu.

Four ruminally cannulated, lactating Holstein cows were assigned to a 4 x 4 Latin square to monitor the effects of intraruminal NaHCO3 infusion on changes in the rumen environment. Sodium bicarbonate (110 g), dissolved in 3.8 L of water, was infused twice daily at a constant rate for 2 h starting at 0, 2, or 4 h postfeeding. All cows had access to their diet containing sorghum silage and concentrate in a 35:65 ration (DM basis) for 45 min twice daily. Ruminal fluid was collected at feeding and every 30 min postfeeding for 12 h on the last day of each 7-d period. Dry matter intake was lower for buffer infusion at 2 to 4 h than for water-infused control but was not affected by the other NaHCO3 infusions. Although total milk yield was not affected, milk fat percentage and fat yield tended to be lower for the NaHCO3 treatments. Compared with the water infusion, the NaHCO3 infusion from 2 to 4 h postfeeding most effectively prevented the postfeeding increase in ruminal free proton concentration. Additionally, volume of ruminal liquid was increased for the NaHCO3 infusions from 0 to 2 h and 4 to 6 h; ruminal liquid turnover time was increased for the NaHCO3 infusion at 4 to 6 h, but ruminal kinetics otherwise were not affected by NaHCO3. Although infusion of NaHCO3 from 2 to 4 h prevented severe alterations in ruminal acid-base status, it did not increase total VFA concentration or the acetate:propionate ratio. Although total VFA concentrations were not affected by NaHCO3 infusion, acetate:propionate ratio was higher for the NaHCO3 infusion from 0 to 2 h than for the control. Based upon alterations in ruminal acid-base status, exogenous buffer ideally should be provided to the rumen from 2 to 4 h postfeeding; however, our results indicate that the effectiveness of this regimen might be improved if buffer is combined with a rapidly released or unprotected dietary buffer.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1992

Postprandial changes of selected blood and ruminal metabolites in ruminating calves fed diets with or without hay.

Eight ruminally cannulated Holstein bull calves were used in a switchback design to evaluate effects of hay on postprandial changes in ruminal pH, ammonia and VFA, blood ketones, and plasma glucose, NEFA, VFA, and urea N. Calves were fed 4.5 kd/d of calf starter with or without hay for ad libitum consumption. Blood and ruminal fluid were sampled every 2 h for 12 h on d 21 (periods 1 and 2) or d 13 (period 3). Ruminal pH declined from 6.6 at 0 h to 5.3 by 2 h. Changes in ruminal and plasma VFA were consistent with low pH and rapid fermentation of soluble carbohydrate. Ruminal ammonia, molar percentage butyrate, and blood ketones, plasma urea N, and plasma molar percentage butyrate were lower when hay was fed. Postprandial increases in blood beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate were reduced when hay was fed, and correlated .65 and .50, respectively, to ruminal butyrate. Concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate averaged 1.24 and 1.87 mmol/L at 4 h postfeeding. These data suggest that rapid consumption of limited amounts of grain increased in ruminal VFA and blood ketones; increase in ketones was smaller when hay was included in the diet.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed2003

Effect of select nitrocompounds on ruminal fermentation; an initial look at their potential to reduce economic and environmental costs associated with ruminal methanogenesis.

Methane production by ruminal microbes during the digestion of feedstuffs is an inefficient process resulting in losses of 2-12% of the gross energy consumed by ruminants. Presently, we report the effect of three inhibitors on ruminal methane production in vitro. Mixed populations of ruminal microbes collected from cannulated cows maintained on an alfalfa hay:corn diet (50:50) were incubated at 39 degrees C for 24 h under a 100% carbon dioxide gas phase in closed tubes with 72 mM added sodium formate. Cultures were supplemented with 12 mM 2-nitropropanol, nitroethane or nitroethanol (experiment 1) or with 2, 12 or 24 mM nitroethane or a combination of 12 mM nitroethane and 4 mM nitroethanol (experiment 2). Control cultures containing no added nitrocompound were incubated simultaneously with treated incubations. Methane concentrations were reduced (P<0.05) from those measured in control incubations (27.6 +/- 2.1 and 17.7 +/- 0.8 micromol/ml; mean +/- SD for experiments 1 and 2, respectively) by at least 57% and as much as 94% in the nitrocompound supplemented incubations. By comparison, the widely fed methane inhibitor, monensin, typically reduces ruminal methane production by about 33%. Concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonia that accumulated in the nitrocompound supplemented incubations were not markedly affected compared to those produced by control cultures despite the reductions in methane produced. Hydrogen accumulated only slightly in cultures supplemented with the nitrocompounds. These results demonstrate that 2-nitropropanol, nitroethane and nitroethanol inhibit ruminal methane production. Further research is warranted to determine the mechanisms responsible for this inhibition and to see if these inhibitors can be used in practical application to reduce economic and environmental costs associated with ruminal methanogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The assessment of the frequency of chews during rumination enables an estimation of rumination activity in hay-fed sheep.

The objective was to assess rumination behaviour and, more specifically, the intra-individual and inter-individual variation of the frequency of chews during rumination (per min) in five Blackhead sheep fed hay at a level of 100% maintenance (experimental period [EP] I), 50% maintenance (EP II) and ad libitum (EP III). Animals ruminated in EP II less (416 min/day) than in EP I and III (558 and 592 min/day, respectively). Mean inter-individual coefficients of variation (CV) of frequency (defined as number of chews/duration of chewing per cycle) were 12.5%, mean intra-individual CV were 2.5%. The respective CVs for the duration of rumination per day were 8.1 and 9.7%, respectively. The level of intake influenced the frequency of chews significantly. It is concluded that the frequency of chews has to be considered in studies investigating chewing behaviour of ruminants. Under the experimental conditions investigated, number of chews during rumination per day could be estimated by the frequency of chewing with nearly the same precision as by using the duration of rumination per day.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1996

In vitro determination of ruminal protein degradation using freeze-stored ruminal microorganisms.

Mixed ruminal microorganisms were harvested from a lactating dairy cow and preserved frozen or lyophilized. Fermentation characteristics of freshly strained ruminal fluid, frozen microorganisms, or lyophilized microorganisms were evaluated during a 24-h pre-incubation and a 4-h incubation with test proteins. Differences observed during the first 4 to 6 h in total amino acid concentration, optical density, pH and VFA concentrations, acetate:propionate ratio, and lactate concentration largely disappeared later in the pre-incubation. Protein degradation rates determined for expeller and solvent meals were .015 and .092 h-1, .015 and .101 h-1, and .005 and .019 h-1, with fresh ruminal fluid, frozen microorganisms, and lyophilized microorganisms, respectively. Regression of degradation rates obtained with fresh ruminal fluid on those obtained with pre-incubated, frozen microorganisms indicated the two methods were well correlated (r2 = .98 and .94 in two experiments). Mean in vitro degradability obtained for 17 feeds using pre-incubated, frozen microbes was 89% of that obtained using the in situ method; however, in situ degradation rates for these same feeds averaged only 67% of those obtained using frozen microorganisms. Ruminal undegraded protein values for nine samples of heated soybeans and soybean meal, determined using frozen microbes, were overestimated relative to in vivo values (in vivo = 1.1 + .8 in vitro; r2 = .77). These results indicated that ruminal microorganisms can be preserved by freezing and used as the inoculum for in vitro determination of ruminal protein degradation after overnight pre-incubation.

Acetates↗
PubMed1986

Effects of slaframine on ruminant digestive function: ruminal motility in sheep and cattle.

Effect of purified slaframine (SF; 1-acetoxy-6-aminooctahydroindolizine), a parasympathomimetic secretagogue isolated from Rhizoctonia leguminicola, on ruminal motility was investigated in cattle and sheep. In trial 1, four ruminal cannulated wethers, fed a pelleted concentrate and hay diet, were injected intramuscularly with 0, 12, 24 and 48 micrograms SF/kg body weight (BW) in a 4 X 4 Latin-square design. Ruminal motility was recorded 1 h before and 1 to 2 h and 3 to 4 h after SF administration by measuring pressure changes exerted upon a fluid-filled, open-tipped catheter inserted into the dorsal sac of the rumen. The frequencies of both primary and secondary ruminal contractions were decreased as much as 20 to 78% with SF (P less than .05) depending upon the dosage level and time after administration. In trial 2, three ruminal-cannulated steers fed a concentrated diet were injected intramuscularly with 0, 12 and 24 micrograms SF/kg BW in a 3 X 3 Latin-square design. A water-filled balloon inserted into the cranial sac of the rumen was used to measure ruminal pressure changes 1 h before and 1 to 2 h, 3 to 4 h and 7 to 8 after SE administration. Frequency of primary and secondary ruminal contractions decreased with SF as much as 27 to 64% depending on the dosage level and time after administration. The frequency of secondary contractions increased 28% (P less than .05) as compared with control during the 7 to 8 h after administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1975

Relationship between ruminal ammonia and nonprotein nitrogen utilization by ruminants. I. Development of a model for predicting nonprotein nitrogen utilization by cattle.

The influence of ration composition on mean ruminal ammonia concentration was studied by collecting samples of ruminal ingesta from cattle fed rations varying in crude protein and total digestible nutrient content. A minimum of four sampling times distributed throughout the day permitted calculation of mean ruminal ammonia concentrations. Mean ruminal ammonia concentration was positively related to dietary crude protein concentration and negatively related to total digestible nutrient concentration. It is postulated that mean ruminal ammonia concentration may be a useful criterion for predicting efficacy of nonprotein nitrogen supplementation. A quantitative approach for evaluating nonprotein nitrogen supplementation based upon determination of the point at which ruminal ammonia exceeds the requirement (5 mg ammonia nitrogen/100 ml rumen fluid) of the ammonia-utilizing bacteria is proposed. Dietary conditions expected to result in excessive concentrations of ruminal ammonia are defined and recommended upper limits for nonprotein nitrogen supplementation are presented. Theoretical relationships between composition of the unsupplemented ration, amount of nonprotein nitrogen added, and efficiency of nonprotein nitrogen utilization are discussed. The practice of adding nonprotein nitrogen so as to exceed 12 to 13% crude protein in typical dairy or feedlot rations needs to be reevaluated.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1992

Ruminal buffers: temporal effects on buffering capacity and pH of ruminal fluid from cows fed a high concentrate diet.

In vitro characteristics of several buffers and alkalinizing agents commonly utilized to reduce ruminal acid load were evaluated. Ruminal fluid was collected from five cows consuming a diet containing concentrate and sorghum silage in a 68:32 ratio (DM basis). This fluid was incubated with either NaHCO3, a natural sodium sesquicarbonate, a multielement buffer or MgO (7.1 g/L of ruminal fluid), or no buffer for 48 h; flasks were removed and analyzed for pH, buffering capacity, and buffer value index every 12 h during the 48-h incubation. The buffer value index accounts simultaneously for alterations in pH and buffering capacity. Compared with the unbuffered control, all buffering compounds increased ruminal fluid buffer value index. However, the buffer value index separated these buffering compounds into two categories. The NaH-CO3 and sodium sesquicarbonate exhibited similar buffer value indexes; both were markedly higher than those for the multielement buffer and MgO. Although NaHCO3 and sodium sesquicarbonate each increased both ruminal fluid pH and buffering capacity sharply, the multielement buffer only increased pH and buffering capacity moderately. The increase in buffer value index for MgO primarily was due to an increase in pH. Both NaHCO3 and sodium sesquicarbonate were fully active within the first 12 h of incubation; activity of multielement buffer and MgO reached a plateau at 24 h. Compared with the multielement buffer and MgO, NaHCO3 and sodium sesquicarbonate should be more beneficial in preventing short-term postprandial increases in ruminal fluid hydrogen ion concentration; because of their slower release rates, the multielement buffer and MgO should help stabilize ruminal acid-base status, but efficacy might be reduced because of passage out of the rumen.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1995

Interferon, the oxytocin receptor and the maternal recognition of pregnancy in ruminants and non-ruminants: a comparative approach.

Ruminant and non-ruminant members of the Artiodactyla appear to use different mechanisms for the maternal recognition of pregnancy. In ruminants, the trophoblast of the developing blastocyst produces a characteristic Type I interferon of the interferon-tau family; this acts by blocking endometrial synthesis of the oxytocin receptor. A similar mechanism applies to domestic ruminants (sheep, cow, goat) and deer. In roe deer, which have embryonic diapause and are monoestrus, there is no requirement for a pre-implantation blastocyst signal to ensure maternal recognition of pregnancy. This paper compares the mechanisms leading to the maternal recognition of pregnancy in ruminants with that suggested to occur in a non-ruminant (the domestic pig).

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Screening of exogenous enzymes for ruminant diets: relationship between biochemical characteristics and in vitro ruminal degradation.

With the objective of developing a rational approach for the selection of feed enzymes for ruminants, 22 commercial enzyme products were examined in terms of protein concentration, enzymic activities on model substrates, and hydrolytic capacity, the latter determined from the release of reducing sugars from alfalfa hay and corn silage. An in vitro ruminal degradation assessment was carried out using the same substrates, untreated or treated with the 22 enzyme products at 1.5 microL/g forage DM. Stepwise regressions were then performed to establish relationships between these factors. Protein concentration and enzymic activities explained at least 84% (P < 0.01) of the variation in the release of reducing sugars from alfalfa and corn silage. Alfalfa DM degradation after incubation with ruminal fluid for 18 h was positively related to xylanase activity (R2 = 0.29, P < 0.01), but the same activity was negatively related to DM degradation of corn silage (R2 = 0.19, P < 0.05). Protease activity explained a further 10% of the alfalfa DM degradation (P < 0.10). Following sequential steps involving the determination of rate and extent of DM and fiber degradation, the best candidates for alfalfa and corn silage were selected. Enzyme products effective with alfalfa hay seemed to exert part of their effect during the pretreatment period, whereas enzymes effective with corn silage worked exclusively after ruminal fluid was added. This finding suggests that different modes of action of exogenous enzymes are attacking different substrates and may partly explain enzyme-feed specificity. In alfalfa, it seems that effective enzymes work by removing structural barriers that retard the microbial colonization of digestible fractions, increasing the rate of degradation. In corn silage, effective enzymes seem to interact with ruminal enzymes to degrade the forage more rapidly, which is consistent with previous findings of synergism between exogenous and ruminal enzymes.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1991

Effect of supplemental lysocellin and tetronasin on growth, ruminal and blood metabolites, and ruminal proteolytic activity in steers grazing ryegrass.

Forty-eight Angus and Brangus steers (249 kg initial BW) were used in a randomized complete block design. Steers grazed annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum [L.] Lam.) for 107 d and were sampled at 35 and 70 d. Treatments consisted of a corn supplement (C) or corn supplement plus either 80 mg.steer-1.d-1 of lysocellin (L) or 60 mg.steer-1.d-1 of tetronasin (T). When compared with C, ADG of L- and T-fed steers was higher (P less than .05) for the complete 107-d study (1.15 vs 1.25 kg/d). At 35 d, ruminal acetate:propionate ratio tended (P = .07) to be higher for C than for L- and T-fed steers (4.6 vs 3.8). When compared with T, steers fed L tended (P = .11) to have higher acetate:propionate ratios. Ruminal concentrations of ammonia and free amino acids were not affected (P greater than .05) by treatment, but ruminal proteolytic activity tended (P = .13) to be lower for L- and T-fed than for C steers at 70 d. Ionophores did not alter (P greater than .05) ruminal mineral concentrations, but ruminal Mg concentration tended (P = .14) to be higher for T- than for L-fed steers at 70 d. When compared with L- and T-fed steers, C steers had lower (P less than .05) plasma concentrations of Mg (23.7 vs 21.9 mg/liter) and Ca (113.0 vs 104.2 mg/liter) at 35 d. Plasma mineral concentrations were similar (P greater than .05) for L- and T-fed steers. Data are interpreted to indicate that L and T may improve ADG, decrease ruminal acetate:propionate ratio, and alter mineral metabolism.

Amino Acids↗