Inhibiting methane production in Brahman cattle by dietary supplementation with a novel compound and the effects on growth

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 323 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. McCrabb ◽  
K. T. Berger ◽  
T. Magner ◽  
C. May ◽  
R. A. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Methane Production ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Respiration Chamber ◽  
Brahman Cattle ◽  
Medium Quality

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with a novel antimethanogenic compound (AM) on methane production and growth in Brahman (Bos indicus) steers. The compound was a chemical complex of bromochloromethane (BCM) and α-cyclodextrin, which is chemically stable when added to feed, thus overcoming the highly volatile nature of BCM. In these experiments the AM compound was administered to steers as a mixture with different feed supplements. In Expt 1 the effect on in vivo methane production of feeding steers the AM compound was determined using a confinement-type respiration chamber. Methane production of AM-treated steers (0 ± 2·4 mL/min) was lower (P < 0·001) than that of control steers (205 ± 5·2 mL/min) over 28 days. In Expt 2 we determined the effect of AM treatment over 12 weeks on growth of steers fed on a low quality roughage diet. The most marked effect of AM treatment was reduced (P < 0·01) voluntary roughage dry matter intake (DMI), and reduced (P < 0·01) acetate : propionate molar ratio (A : P) in rumen fluid. Average daily liveweight gain (ADG) (0·22 ± 0·01 kg/day) and feed : gain ratio (F : G) (20·7 ± 1·46 kg DMI/kg liveweight) were not significantly affected by AM treatment. In Expt 3 we determined the effect of AM treatment over 10 weeks on growth of steers fed on a medium quality roughage diet, in steers that were either treated or not treated with a hormonal growth promotant (HGP; oestadiol 17β). AM treatment reduced (P < 0·05) DMI below that of steers not treated with AM, whereas DMI was not significantly affected by HGP treatment. Both AM (P < 0· 1) and HGP (P < 0·05) treatments separately reduced A : P ratio in rumen fluid. AM treatment had no significant effect on ADG, whereas ADG of HGP-treated steers was higher (P < 0·05) than that of steers not treated with HGP (0·76 ± 0·27 v. 0·60 ± 0·027 kg/day). F : G was reduced (P < 0·01) by HGP treatment. F : G of both HGP-treated steers and those steers not treated with HGP was reduced (P < 0·05) by AM treatment. We conclude that feeding steers with this novel AM compound enables the potent antimethanogenic properties of BCM to be realised under commercial conditions, and that prolonged use over 10–12 weeks is associated with an improved feed conversion efficiency in steers fed on better quality roughage diets.

scholarly journals Diversity of methanogens in ruminants in Queensland

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 722 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Ouwerkerk ◽  
A. F. Turner ◽  
A. V. Klieve
Keyword(s):  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Methanogen Community ◽  
Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Cattle And Sheep

Methane emissions from ruminant livestock represent a loss of carbon during feed conversion, which has implications for both animal productivity and the environment because this gas is considered to be one of the more potent forms of greenhouses gases contributing to global warming. Many strategies to reduce emissions are targeting the methanogens that inhabit the rumen, but such an approach can only be successful if it targets all the major groups of ruminant methanogens. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of the diversity of these microbes in different breeds of cattle and sheep, as well as in response to different diets, is required. A study was undertaken using the molecular techniques denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, DNA cloning and DNA sequence analysis to define the extent of diversity among methanogens in ruminants, particularly Bos indicus cross cattle, on differing forages in Queensland. It was found that the diversity of methanogens in forage-fed cattle in Queensland was greater than in grain-fed cattle but there was little variability in methanogen community composition between cattle fed different forages. The species that dominate the rumen microbial communities of B. indicus cross cattle are from the genus Methanobrevibacter, although rumen-fluid inoculated digestors fed Leucaena leucocephala leaf were populated with Methanosphaera-like strains, with the Methanobrevibacter-like strains displaced. If ruminant methane emissions are to be reduced, then antimethanogen bioactives that target both broad groups of ruminant methanogens are most likely to be needed, and as a part of an integrated suite of approaches that redirect rumen fermentation towards other more useful end products.

scholarly journals Design and construction of low-cost respiration chambers for ruminal methane measurements in ruminants

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Rodolfo Canul Solis ◽  
Angel Trinidad Piñeiro Vázquez ◽  
Jeyderl Israe Arceo Castillo ◽  
José Alayón Alayón Gamboa ◽  
Armín Javier Ayala Burgos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methane Production ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Mass Action ◽  
Pennisetum Purpureum ◽  
Air Conditioner ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
In Vivo Measurement ◽  
Design Construction

ABSTRACTRuminant animals contribute significantly to methane emissions in tropical regions. Nonetheless, there are few facilities available in those regions of the world for in vivo measurement of methane production in cattle. The aim of the present work was to describe the design, construction and operation of respiration chambers for in vivo measurement of methane production in cattle in Mexico. Locally available materials were used in the construction. Walls, roof and doors were constructed of thermic panels with two windows of acrylic at the front so the animal can be observed at all times. Chambers have an air volume of 9.97 m3. Air is drawn from the chamber at a rate of 500 L/min by the effect of mass action flow generators. Methane was measured in air samples with an infrared analyzer. Chambers operate under a slight negative pressure of around -500 Pa. Air temperature inside the chambers is kept at 23 °C with an air conditioner, while relative humidity is maintained at 55 % with a dehumidifier. Functioning of the chambers was evaluated in Bos indicus, Nelore cattle fed Taiwan grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and a concentrate (18 % crude protein), and measurements were made during runs of 23 h duration. Methane production was on average 173.2 L per day, while the emission factor was 17.48 L methane per kilogram o dry matter consumed. It concludes that this respiration facility is capable of measuring methane production accurately in cattle fed tropical rations.

An initial investigation on rumen fermentation pattern and methane emission of sheep offered diets containing urea or nitrate as the nitrogen source

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 653 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Li ◽  
J. Davis ◽  
J. Nolan ◽  
R. Hegarty
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acid ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Calcium Nitrate ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acid Concentration ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Fermentation Pattern

The effects of dietary nitrate and of urea on rumen fermentation pattern and enteric methane production were investigated using 4-month-old ewe lambs. Ten lambs were allocated into two groups (n = 5) and each group was offered one of two isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing either 1.5% urea (T1) or 3% calcium nitrate (T2). Methane production was estimated using open-circuit respiration chambers after 6 weeks of feeding. No difference in nitrogen (N) balance, apparent digestibility of N or microbial N outflow existed between treatments (P > 0.05). Animals offered the T2 diet lost less energy through methane than did those fed the T1 diet (P < 0.05). Total volatile fatty acid concentration, molar proportion of propionate, and the molar ratio of acetate to propionate in rumen fluid were not affected by dietary N source. Compared with urea inclusion, nitrate inclusion caused a significantly higher acetate and lower butyrate percentage in rumen volatile fatty acid. Nitrate supplementation tended to lower methane production by ~7.7 L/day relative to urea supplementation (P = 0.06). Methane yield (L/kg DM intake) was reduced (P < 0.05) by 35.4% when 1.5% urea was replaced by 3% calcium nitrate in the diet. Emission intensity (L methane/kg liveweight gain) was ~17.3% lower in the nitrate-supplemented sheep when compared with urea-fed sheep; however, the reduction was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). This study confirms that the presence of nitrate in the diet inhibits enteric methane production. As no clinical symptoms of nitrite toxicity were observed and sheep receiving nitrate-supplemented diet had similar growth to those consuming urea-supplemented diet, it is concluded that 3% calcium nitrate can replace 1.5% urea as a means of meeting ruminal N requirements and of reducing enteric methane emissions from sheep, provided animals are acclimated to nitrate gradually.

scholarly journals Effects of Geraniol and Camphene on in Vitro Rumen Fermentation and Methane Production

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
M. Joch ◽  
V. Kudrna ◽  
B. Hučko
Keyword(s):  
Methane Emission ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the effects of geraniol and camphene at three dosages (300, 600, and 900 mg l-1) on rumen microbial fermentation and methane emission in in vitro batch culture of rumen fluid supplied with a 60 : 40 forage : concentrate substrate (16.2% crude protein, 33.1% neutral detergent fibre). The ionophore antibiotic monensin (8 mg/l) was used as positive control. Compared to control, geraniol significantly (P < 0.05) reduced methane production with increasing doses, with reductions by 10.2, 66.9, and 97.9%. However, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) production and in vitro dry matter digestibility were also reduced (P < 0.05) by all doses of geraniol. Camphene demonstrated weak and unpromising effects on rumen fermentation. Camphene did not decrease (P > 0.05) methane production and slightly decreased (P < 0.05) VFA production. Due to the strong antimethanogenic effect of geraniol a careful selection of dose and combination with other antimethanogenic compounds may be effective in mitigating methane emission from ruminants. However, if a reduction in total VFA production and dry matter digestibility persisted in vivo, geraniol would have a negative effect on animal productivity.

A bromochloromethane formulation reduces enteric methanogenesis in cattle fed grain-based diets

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 1053 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. W. Tomkins ◽  
S. M. Colegate ◽  
R. A. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Methane Production ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Maximum Residue Limit ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Edible Tissue ◽  
Australian Greenhouse

Enteric fermentation has been estimated to be responsible for 64.2 Mt CO2-e, or ~16% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions (Australian Greenhouse Office 2007). A bromochloromethane (BCM) formulation, previously shown to inhibit methanogenesis, was included in the diet of Brahman (Bos indicus) cross steers, twice daily in three separate experiments, to determine the effect on methane production, daily feed intake, liveweight (LW) gain and accumulation of residues of BCM in edible tissue. In the first experiment, the BCM formulation was fed at rates of 0, 0.15, 0.30, or 0.60 g/100 kg LW, twice daily, for 28 days. Methane production (mean ± s.e.), measured over 11 h after feed was first consumed on day 28, was 0.3 ± 0.13 and 0.1 ± 0.03 L/h for animals treated at a rate of 0.30 and 0.60 g/100 kg LW, respectively. This was significantly less (P < 0.05) than for control animals (4.6 ± 0.46 L/h) and animals treated at a rate of 0.15 g/100 kg LW (2.1 ± 0.28 L/h). The dose rate of 0.30 g/100 kg LW was associated with a decrease in methanogenesis by ~93% compared with the control group and was used in subsequent experiments. The second experiment evaluated the efficacy of the BCM formulation fed at rates of 0 or 0.30 g/100 kg LW, twice daily, for 90 days. Methane production was measured over 24-h periods, on days 30, 60 and 90. For days 30 and 90, methane production was reduced by 60% (P < 0.05) to 4.2 ± 1.82 L/h and by 50% (P < 0.05) to 6.1 ± 0.63 L/h, respectively, for treated animals compared with the control group. The final experiment determined the effect on LW gain and detectable residues in edible tissue, with animals given the BCM formulation at rates of 0 or 0.30 g/100 kg LW, twice daily, for 85 days. Liver, kidney, depot fat and muscle samples collected 1 and 10 days after the last day of treatment had concentrations of BCM that did not exceed 0.015 mg/kg and were less than the temporary maximum residue limit (0.02 mg/kg BCM), which applies to bovine meat, fat and edible offal. There were no significant differences in LW gain (1.4 ± 0.10 v. 1.5 ± 0.07 kg/day), feed conversion ratio (5.7 ± 0.32 v. 5.4 ± 0.09), hot carcass weight (235 ± 5.0 v. 250 ± 6.5 kg) or P8 fat depth (6.4 ± 0.89 v. 8.1 ± 1.15 mm) between control and treated animals. The experiments reported here were completed in 2004 before the Australian Government prohibited the manufacture and use of BCM. It is unlikely that the BCM formulation will be available for commercial use to mitigate livestock methane emissions in Australia. Nevertheless, the study has demonstrated that methane emissions were substantially reduced over a 90-day feedlot finishing period. This indicates that alternative antimethanogens with a similar mechanism of action may have practical commercial relevance.

scholarly journals In vitro gas and methane production in rumen fluid from dairy cows fed grass silages differing in plant maturity, compared to in vivo data

2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 843-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. M. Macome ◽  
W. F. Pellikaan ◽  
W. H. Hendriks ◽  
D. Warner ◽  
J. T. Schonewille ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Plant Maturity

Stoichiometry ofin vitrofermentation of pure substrates with particular emphasis on methane production, using the cumulative gas production technique

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 24-24
Author(s):  
Angela R. Moss ◽  
Karen C. O'Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Methane Production ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Production Technique

There is a need to be able to measure the methane producing potential of a range of feedstuffs under different rumen conditions in order to predict more accurately the amount of methane produced per animal.In vitrotechniques using rumen fluid as an innoculum can be considered as models ofin vivorumen digestion and have been applied to estimate digestibility of feedstuffs. Thein vitrogas production technique (Menkeet. al., 1979) can be used successfully to estimate this but there has been limited attempts to use it to estimate the methane producing potential of feedstuffs. The objective was to assess the potential of the technique to do this.Three pure substrates, glucose (G), pectin (P) and cellulose (C) (lg) were pre-wetted in 94ml of medium D (Theodorouet. al., 1994). inoculated with strained rumen fluid (from wether sheep. 10ml) and incubated without agitation for 72h at 39°C.

Methane production from a range of feedstuffs as determined in vitro using the cumulative gas production technique and compared with that measured in vivo

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 ◽  
pp. 194-194
Author(s):  
Angela R. Moss ◽  
D. I. Givens
Keyword(s):  
Methane Production ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Production Technique

There is a need to be able to measure the methane producing potential of a range of feedstuffs under different rumen conditions in order to predict more accurately the amount of methane produced per animal. In vitro techniques using rumen fluid as an innoculum can be considered as models of in vivo rumen digestion and have been applied to estimate digestibility of feedstuffs. The in vitro gas production technique (Menke et. al, 1979) can be used successfully to estimate this but there have been limited attempts to use it to estimate the methane producing potential of feedstuffs. The objective was to assess the potential of the technique to do this.

Stoichiometry of in vitro fermentation of pure substrates with particular emphasis on methane production, using the cumulative gas production technique

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 24-24
Author(s):  
Angela R. Moss ◽  
Karen C. O'Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Methane Production ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Production Technique ◽  
In Vitro Fermentation

There is a need to be able to measure the methane producing potential of a range of feedstuffs under different rumen conditions in order to predict more accurately the amount of methane produced per animal. In vitro techniques using rumen fluid as an innoculum can be considered as models of in vivo rumen digestion and have been applied to estimate digestibility of feedstuffs. The in vitro gas production technique (Menke et. al., 1979) can be used successfully to estimate this but there has been limited attempts to use it to estimate the methane producing potential of feedstuffs. The objective was to assess the potential of the technique to do this.Three pure substrates, glucose (G), pectin (P) and cellulose (C) (lg) were pre-wetted in 94ml of medium D (Theodorou et. al., 1994). inoculated with strained rumen fluid (from wether sheep. 10ml) and incubated without agitation for 72h at 39°C.

scholarly journals Changes in in vitro gas and methane production from rumen fluid from dairy cows during adaptation to feed additives in vivo

animal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Klop ◽  
S van Laar-van Schuppen ◽  
W.F. Pellikaan ◽  
W.H. Hendriks ◽  
A. Bannink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Feed Additives
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