Rearing dairy calves on irrigated tropical pastures. 1. Effect of protein level on liveweight gain and blood components

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 569 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Moss ◽  
RM Murray
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Plasma Glucose ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Tropical Pastures ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Digestible Energy

Isoenergetic (12 MJ ME/kg DM) concentrate supplements of varying protein contents, were fed to dairy weaner calves grazing irrigated Setaria anceps cv. Kazungula pastures. Calves in each of the 5 treatment groups were given 1 kg concentratelday containing cracked maize and cottonseed meal in the proportions 1:0, 5:1, 4:2, 3:3 and 0:l. Acontrol group received no supplement. Two drafts of animals were used to measure the response during winter-spring (dry season) and summer (wet season). Without supplementation, calves gained 0.34 kg/day in spring and 0.20 kg/day during the wet season. Supplementation increased liveweight gains by 0.25 and 0.20 kg/calf.day in spring and summer, respectively. Substitution of cottonseed meal for maize did not consistently increase liveweight gain. Calves selected a pasture diet of 97% leaf, 16% crude protein and 66% in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Mean daily rumen ammonia concentration was 134 mg NH3-N/L in unsupplemented calves, and 89 mg NH3-N/L in calves fed maize (P<0.05). Cottonseed meal was rapidly degraded in the rumen, with peak concentrations of rumen ammonia of 570 mg NH3-N/L 2 hours after feeding. Concentrations of rumen ammonia and plasma urea were closely correlated with supplemental protein intake (R2 = 0.98). Plasma total protein and albumin also increased with protein content of supplements (R2 = 0.73). Concentrations of plasma glucose and total volatile fatty acids in rumen liquor increased with supplementation, but were not influenced by the level of protein in the supplement. Correlations between liveweight gain and plasma glucose concentration were low (R2 = 0.65 spring; R2 = 0.20 summer). Digestible energy intake was the first limitation to liveweight gain of these calves grazing actively growing, tropical grass pastures. Although animals consistently selected leaf, the level of digestible energy intake was well below requirements, and increasing the level of protein in the diet was ineffective in increasing liveweight gain.

Seasonal variations of nitrogen and digestible energy intake of cattle on tropical pasture

1980 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 393 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Romero ◽  
BD Siebert
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Substantial Improvement ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Tropical Pastures ◽  
Digestible Energy ◽  
Grass Growth ◽  
The Relationship

Organic matter intake of cattle grazing tropical pastures was measured during periods of, firstly, new grass growth in the wet season, secondly, regrowth of grass pasture following rain, and thirdly, mature growth consisting of chiefly either grass or legume. The measurements were made by reference to digesta markers on fistulated cattle carrying portable equipment. The intake values of digestible energy were considered in relation to digestibility values obtained from diet samples from oesophageally fistulated cattle grazing grass and legume pastures over a 5-month period, and also to changes in liveweight of a group of unfistulated cattle grazing the same pastures. The measured values of digestible energy intake during new pasture growth, regrowth and during the dry season were in accord with the weight changes. The relationship between digestibility and liveweight change suggested that the primary limitation to the growth of cattle on tropical pastures is one of digestibility. Although supplementary nitrogen is known to increase feed intake in deficient situations, it would seem that substantial improvement of dry season nutrition can only be achieved by using forage that is more digestible than the native vegetation. Some legume introductions appear to do this.

Effects of intraruminal infusions of urea, sucrose or urea plus sucrose on plasma urea and glucose kinetics in sheep fed chopped lucerne hay

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Obara ◽  
D. W. Dellow
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Glucose ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Glucose Production ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Irreversible Loss ◽  
Glucose Kinetics ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Urea Excretion ◽  
Urea Kinetics ◽  
Plasma Urea Concentration

SUMMARYThe effect of rumen fermentation on the relationship between urea and glucose kinetics was examined in sheep fed chopped lucerne hay with intraruminal infusions of water, urea, sucrose, or urea plus sucrose at Palmerston North, New Zealand in 1986. Sheep were fed hourly and infused intraruminally with water (1200 m1/day), or a similar volume containing either urea alone (13·7g/day), sucrose alone (178·2 g/day) or urea (14·6 g/day) plus sucrose (175·0 g/day). The added sucrose resulted in a lower rumen ammonia concentration (P< 0·05), lower plasma urea concentration (P< 0·05) and reduced urinary urea excretion (P< 0·05). Urea recycled to the gut tended to increase with the sucrose, urea or sucrose plus urea treatments compared with the water treatment. The fermentation of sucrose in the rumen resulted in decreases in ruminal pH (P< 0·05) and in the ratio of acetate to propionate (A:P) (P< 0·05). The infusion of sucrose also increased the concentration of propionate in rumen fluid (P< 0·05), tended to increase the plasma glucose level and increased plasma glucose irreversible loss (P< 0·05). The infusion of urea resulted in an increase in the plasma urea level (P< 0·05), urea pool size (P< 0·05) and urea irreversible loss (P< 0·01). However, urea infusion did not affect glucose metabolism or volatile fatty acid (VFA) fermentation. The effects of sucrose infusion on glucose and urea kinetics were broadly similar when given alone or with urea, apart from changes in the urea degradation rate. It was concluded that the additional fermentative activity resulting from sucrose increased propionate production which, in turn, was available for glucose production, thus ‘sparing’ amino acids for tissue protein utilization and reducing urea excretion.

Production of volatile fatty acids in the sheep caecum

1969 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 491 ◽  
Author(s):  
GJ Faichney
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Production Rate ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Isotope Dilution ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Digestible Energy

Acetic, propionic, and butyric acids labelled with 14C were infused into the caecum of continuously fed sheep. The specific activity of the volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the caecum was determined at intervals during the infusion. The production rate was calculated by isotope dilution from the results of those experiments in which steady state conditions were obtained. Substantial interconversions occurred between the fatty acid fractions. The total production of VFA was about 440 mmoles/day, equivalent to 125 kcal/day or 5.3% of the animal's digestible energy intake.

scholarly journals Nitrogen and purine metabolism at varying energy and protein supplies in sheep sustained on intragastric infusion

1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Lindberg ◽  
K.-G. Jacobsson
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Excretion ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Purine Derivatives ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
N Retention ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
N Requirement

Wether sheep were fitted with rumen fistulas and polyethylene tubes to the abomasum and were given all nutrients by intragastric infusion. In Expt 1 volatile fatty acids (VFA) were given at 340, 450 and 630 kJ gross energy (GE)/kg metabolic weight (W0.75) and protein at 0, 150, 300, 600, 900 and 1500 mg nitrogen/kg W0.75. In Expt 2 VFA were infused at 450 kJ GE/kg W0.75 and protein at 0 and 300 mg N/kg W0.75. At all levels of energy intake in Expt 1 the N retention was significantly (P < 0.01) related to N intake. The basal N requirement was estimated to be 281 mg (SE 21.8) N/kg W0.75 at 340 kJ VFA/kg W0.75, 226 (SE 21.8) mg N/kg W0.75 at 450 kJ VFA/kg W0.75 and 207 (SE 19.4) mg N/kg W0.75 at 630 kJ VFA/kg W0.75. Plasma urea concentrations varied markedly in relation to protein intake and to energy supply. On the other hand plasma ammonia, glucose, insulin and creatinine concentrations, and also urinary excretion of purine derivatives and creatinine were not significantly affected by the treatments imposed. It was concluded that the urinary excretion of purine derivatives in ruminants was largely unaffected by moderate changes in energy intake and by large changes in protein intake.

Digestion by ruminant lambs of a diet containing formaldehyde-treated casein

1971 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 461 ◽  
Author(s):  
GJ Faichney ◽  
RH Weston
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Amino Nitrogen ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Casein Diet ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Urea Level

Digestion of a diet containing 10% casein, either untreated or treated with formaldehyde, was studied in crossbred wether lambs. The treatment prevented breakdown of the casein in rumen liquor in vitro. There was a highly significant decrease in organic matter digestion in the rumen when the treated casein diet was given to the lambs. This was accounted for by increases in the amounts of protein and starch passing to the intestines. There was a 60 % increase in the amount of non-ammonia nitrogen and a 55 % increase in the amount of starch digested in the intestines. The concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonia in the rumen were significantly lower. There were increases in the plasma levels of insulin and �-amino nitrogen and a decrease in the plasma urea level in response to the treatment.

Intake, ruminal fermentation parameters, and apparent total tract digestibility by beef steers consuming Pensacola bahiagrass hay treated with calcium oxide

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francine M Ciriaco ◽  
Darren D Henry ◽  
Tessa M Schulmeister ◽  
Carla D Sanford ◽  
Luara B Canal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Ruminal Fluid ◽  
Fermentation Parameters

Abstract To determine the effect of CaO treated Pensacola bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) hay on intake, ruminal fermentation parameters, and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, 9 ruminally cannulated Angus-crossbred steers were used in a triplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Steers had ad libitum access to either: 1) untreated dry hay (DH;  n = 8); 2) hay at 50% DM treated with 8.9% CaCO3 [dry matter (DM) basis; CC; n = 9]; or 3) hay at 50% DM treated with 5% CaO (DM basis; CO; n = 8). Water was added to reach 50% DM in the CC and CO diets. Ruminal fluid and blood samples were collected every 3 h for 24 h. Ruminal fluid was analyzed for pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N). Blood was analyzed for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN). Hay and fecal samples were collected for 4 d, 4 times daily for hay and twice daily for feces, to determine apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients. The hay provided to steers during the digestibility period was analyzed for in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) for 48h. Data were analyzed as repeated measures for blood and ruminal fermentation parameters. Total DM intake was not affected (P ≥ 0.674) by treatment. A treatment effect (P &lt; 0.001) was observed for average ruminal pH, where steers consuming CO had the greatest pH (P &lt; 0.001). Ruminal concentration of NH3-N tended (P = 0.059) to be reduced in steers consuming CO. There was a treatment × time interaction (P = 0.023) on concentrations of PUN, where at 3 h DH and CO were lesser than CC (P ≤ 0.050) and at 21 h DH was lesser than CC (P = 0.020). Total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, branched-chain VFA, and valerate concentrations were affected by treatment (P ≤ 0.035), where a reduction (P ≤ 0.034) occurred in steers consuming CO. No treatment differences were observed for total-tract digestibility of DM (P = 0.186), organic matter (P = 0.169), or crude protein (P = 0.152); however, steers consuming DH had greater neutral detergent fiber (P = 0.038) than CC and tended to be greater than CO (P = 0.082). The CO hay had greater (P = 0.005) IVOMD compared with DH and tended (P = 0.100) to be greater than CC. Bahiagrass hay treated with CaO may reduce ruminal fermentation, as indicated by decreased total VFA concentration without altering DM intake. The addition of CaO did not improve the digestibility of bahiagrass hay in vivo; however, in vitro results are contradictory and warrant further elucidation.

Growth and water metabolism of cows and progeny on fertilized and unfertilized tropical pastures

1971 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 415 ◽  
Author(s):  
BD Siebert
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Water ◽  
The Body ◽  
Water Metabolism ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Tropical Pastures ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Stylosanthes Humilis ◽  
Significant Difference

Growth of Brahman x Shorthorn cows and their calves grazing unfertilized and fertilized pasture was studied in relation to body water content and water turnover; the main plant species in the pasture were spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) and Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis). During the dry season, prior to the birth of calves, there was little difference in body weight or body composition between cows from the unfertilized and fertilized areas, despite the greater yield of pasture on the latter. The increase in body weight of both groups after the onset of the new season was due to expansion of the body water space. Body solids did not increase until c. 2 months later. The cattle from the fertilized pasture continued to increase in weight over the entire wet season at a significantly faster rate (P < 0.001) than those in the unfertilized pasture, and this latter group ceased growing a month before the end of the season. There was no significant difference in birth weight between the two groups of calves, although those from the fertilized pasture were significantly heavier at 2 weeks of age; during these 2 weeks they had received 45 % more milk, and until about 20 weeks they continued to grow more rapidly and turn over more water than the group from the unfertilized pasture. From 20 weeks the quality of the forage in the unfertilized pasture became superior, owing to the relatively high proportion of legume (Stylosanthes humilis), and the calves from the unfertilized pasture grew more rapidly until the end of the wet season. Plant nitrogen content was reflected in plasma urea nitrogen levels. The relationship between pasture quality and growth of cows and their calves is discussed.

Comparison of enantiomers of organic acids for their effects on methane production in vitro

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1345 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Reis ◽  
A. V. Chaves ◽  
S. R. O. Williams ◽  
P. J. Moate
Keyword(s):  
Organic Acids ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
The Other ◽  
In Vitro Fermentation ◽  
Ruminal Microorganisms ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Ch4 Production

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic acids on in vitro fermentation characteristics. Four organic acids (tartaric, malic, fumaric and citric) and their enantiomers (L-tartaric, D-tartaric, DL-tartaric, L-malic and DL-malic) were analysed using in vitro batch culture incubations, at four concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 15 mM). Cumulative total gas and methane (CH4) production (mL/g DM) were measured at 6, 12 and 24 h; ammonia, pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were determined after 24 h of fermentation. Overall, addition of acids at 5 to 15 mM increased (P < 0.0001) cumulative gas and CH4 production. No effect (P > 0.10) of enantiomers, individual acid or interaction acid × concentration was detected at 12 and 24 h for cumulative gas or CH4 production. Addition of DL-malic, L-malic and fumaric acids increased (P < 0.0001) the percentage of propionic acid in the ruminal fluid total VFA compared with all concentrations of the other organic acids or their enantiomers. Ammonia concentration was not affected (P ≥ 0.28) by the addition of organic acids, concentrations or interactions. These findings are evidence that ruminal microorganisms can metabolise both D- and L-enantiomers of organic acids. None of the organic acids and their enantiomers at four different concentrations demonstrated potential as CH4 mitigation agents.

scholarly journals Dose-response effects of sage (Salvia officinalis) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) essential oils on rumen fermentation in vitro

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-142
Author(s):  
Mina Kahvand ◽  
Mostafa Malecky
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Dose Range ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Total Volatile ◽  
Alpha Pinene

Abstract This study aimed at determining the chemical composition of sage essential oil (SEO) and yarrow essential oil (YEO), and investigate in vitro their impacts on gas production kinetics, ruminal digestibility and fermentation, and rumen methanogenesis at different dosages (0, 250, 500 and 750 mg L-1 for SEO; and 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg L−1 for YEO). Alpha-pinene and 1,8 cineol were two major constituents of both SEO and YEO. Both SEO and YEO had a linear and quadratic effect on asymptotic gas production (P<0.05). The gas production rate increased linearly with SEO and curve-linearly with YEO dosages (P<0.05). In vitro degradability of dry matter and organic matter decreased only by YEO. The partitioning factor (PF) and the microbial biomass (MB) decreased and increased linearly with YEO and SEO dosages, respectively (P<0.05). Total volatile fatty acids (VFA ) were not affected by SEO, but decreased in a linear and quadratic manner with YEO dosage (P<0.05). The VFA pattern was modified in a linear and quadratic manner by both SEO and YEO (P<0.05). Ammonia concentration increased linearly only with YEO increasing doses. The methane to total gas (TG) ratio decreased quadratically only by SEO with reductions of 6.7, 13 and 4.2% at the doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg L−1, respectively. These results revealed that SEO modifies the rumen fermentation positively towards producing more MB and less methane in the dose range of 0-750 mg L−1, however, YEO adversely affected the rumen fermentation at all the tested doses.

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