Rumen Fermentation, Digestive Enzyme Activity, and Bacteria Composition between Pre-Weaning and Post-Weaning Dairy Calves

To better understand the transition of rumen function during the weaning period in dairy calves, sixteen Holstein dairy calves were selected and divided into two groups: pre-weaning (age = 56 ± 7 day, n = 8) and post-weaning (age = 80 ± 6 day, n = 8). The rumen fluid was obtained by an oral gastric tube. The rumen fermentation profile, enzyme activity, bacteria composition, and their inter-relationship were investigated. The results indicated that the post-weaning calves had a higher rumen acetate, propionate, butyrate, and microbial crude protein (MCP) than the pre-weaning calves (p < 0.05). The rumen pH in the post-weaning calves was lower than the pre-weaning calves (p < 0.05). The protease, carboxymethyl cellulase, cellobiohydrolase, and glucosidase in the post-weaning calves had a lower trend than the pre-weaning calves (0.05 < p < 0.1). There was no difference in α and β diversity between the two groups. Linear discriminant analysis showed that the phylum of Fibrobacteres in the post-weaning group was higher than the pre-weaning group. At the genus level, Shuttleworthia, Rikenellaceae, Fibrobacter, and Syntrophococcus could be worked as the unique bacteria in the post-weaning group. The rumen bacteria network node degree in the post-weaning group was higher than the pre-weaning group (16.54 vs. 9.5). The Shuttleworthia genus was highly positively correlated with MCP, propionate, total volatile fatty acid, glucosidase, acetate, and butyrate (r > 0.65, and p < 0.01). Our study provided new information about the rumen enzyme activity and its relationship with bacteria, which help us to better understand the effects of weaning on the rumen function.

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Effects of Age, Diet CP, NDF, EE, and Starch on the Rumen Bacteria Community and Function in Dairy Cattle

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9081788 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1788

Author(s):

Yangyi Hao ◽

Yue Gong ◽

Shuai Huang ◽

Shoukun Ji ◽

Wei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Variation Partitioning ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Rumen Bacteria ◽

Linear Discriminant ◽

Fermentation Profile ◽

High Age ◽

Community Variation ◽

And Function

To understand the effects of diet and age on the rumen bacterial community and function, forty-eight dairy cattle at 1.5 (M1.5), 6 (M6), 9 (M9), 18 (M18), 23 (M23), and 27 (M27) months old were selected. Rumen fermentation profile, enzyme activity, and bacteria community in rumen fluid were measured. The acetate to propionate ratio (A/P) at M9, M18, and M23 was higher than other ages, and M6 was the lowest (p < 0.05). The total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) at M23 and M27 was higher than at other ages (p < 0.05). The urease at M18 was lower than at M1.5, M6, and M9, and the xylanase at M18 was higher than at M1.5, M23, and M27 (p < 0.05). Thirty-three bacteria were identified as biomarkers of the different groups based on the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) when the LDA score >4. The variation partitioning approach analysis showed that the age and diet had a 7.98 and 32.49% contribution to the rumen bacteria community variation, respectively. The richness of Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 and Fibrobacter were positive correlated with age (r > 0.60, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with TVFA and acetate (r > 0.50, p < 0.01). The Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, Pseudobutyrivibrio, and Saccharofermentans has a positive correlation (r > 0.80, p < 0.05) with diet fiber and a negative correlation (r < −0.80, p < 0.05) with diet protein and starch, which were also positively correlated with the acetate and A/P (r > 0.50, p < 0.01). The genera of Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, Pseudobutyrivibrio, and Saccharofermentans could be worked as the target bacteria to modulate the rumen fermentation by diet; meanwhile, the high age correlated bacteria such as Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 and Fibrobacter also should be considered when shaping the rumen function.

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Intraruminal administration ofMegasphaera elsdeniimodulated rumen fermentation profile in mid-lactation dairy cows

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029911000707 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 16-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Qendrim Zebeli ◽

Sarah J Terrill ◽

Alberto Mazzolari ◽

Suzanna M Dunn ◽

Wen Z Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Holstein Cows ◽

Plasma Metabolites ◽

Fermentation Profile

This study evaluated the effects of intraruminal administration ofMegasphaera elsdeniion ruminal fermentation patterns, the profile of plasma metabolites, and milk yield and composition of mid-lactation dairy cows. Eight primiparous, ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were arranged in a paired 2×2 crossover design. Cows were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) intraruminal inoculation of 35 ml suspension per day ofM. elsdeniiATCC 25940 (MEGA), containing 108cfu/ml of bacteria, dissolved in 35 ml of saline (0·15m), or 2) carrier alone (35 ml saline; CTR). Both postprandial and preprandial rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) and plasma metabolite measurements were analysed. Postprandial VFA patterns were affected the most, with butyrate (P<0·01) and valerate (P<0·01) proportions increasing, and acetate (P<0·01), isobutyrate (P=0·05) and isovalerate (P<0·01) decreasing in MEGA cows. Preprandial data measured at various days showed that MEGA dosage tended to increase the molar proportion of propionate (P=0·09) and lower the acetate to propionate ratio (P=0·07) in the rumen fluid. There was no effect of treatment on rumen pH and on the concentration of lactate in the rumen as well as on selected preprandial plasma metabolites. Postprandial plasma concentrations of cholesterol tended to increase (P=0·07) in MEGA cows compared with CTR. Concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in the plasma were lower in MEGA cows after the morning feeding (P<0·01). Sampling hour also affected plasma NEFA in this study. Plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) were not affected by the treatment (P>0·05); however, after the morning feeding BHBA concentration was increased in both groups of cows. Dry matter intake and milk yield and composition were not affected by treatment. In conclusion, results indicate thatM. elsdeniihas the potential to modulate the rumen fermentation profile in mid-lactation Holstein cows, but these effects were only slightly reflected in changes in plasma metabolites and milk composition.

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Forage and sugar in dairy calves' starter diet and their interaction on performance, weaning age and rumen fermentation

Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition ◽

10.1111/jpn.12089 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 98 (3) ◽

pp. 439-445 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

H. Beiranvand ◽

G. R. Ghorbani ◽

M. Khorvash ◽

M. Kazemi-Bonchenari

Keyword(s):

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Weaning Age

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Effect of the Length of Oat Hay on Growth Performance, Health Status, Behavior Parameters and Rumen Fermentation of Holstein Female Calves

Metabolites ◽

10.3390/metabo11120890 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 890

Author(s):

Jianxin Xiao ◽

Tianyu Chen ◽

Gibson Maswayi Alugongo ◽

Muhammad Zahoor Khan ◽

Tingting Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

The Body ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Basic Diet ◽

Rumen Ph ◽

Abnormal Behaviors ◽

Daily Gain

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the length of oat hay on the performance, health, behavior, and rumen fermentation of dairy calves. For this purpose, two hundred and ten healthy two-day-old Holstein dairy calves were randomly allocated into three groups: basic diet (calf starter) without hay (CON), or a basic diet with oat hay at either long (OL: 10–12 cm) or short (OS: 3–5 cm) length cut. The basic diet was fed from day 4, while the hay was offered from day 14. All calves were weaned at day 56 and remained in their individual hutches till the end of the trial (day 70). Calf starter intake and fecal scores were recorded daily. Bodyweight, body size, and rumen fluid samples were collected biweekly before weaning and weekly after weaning. Overall, providing oat hay (OS and OL) in the diet increased the body weight, starter intake, and average daily gain compared to the CON group. Similarly, feeding oat hay improved rumen fermentation. More specifically, hay enhanced the rumen pH and changed the rumen fermentation type. Hay fed calves spent more time on rumination but less time performing abnormal behaviors compared to control. As it can be concluded, feeding oat hay to calves enhances the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and normal calf behaviors, implying improved animal welfare irrespective of the hay length.

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Chemical composition and rumen fermentation profile of mangrove leaves (Avicennia marina) from West Sumatra, Indonesia

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d211126 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (11) ◽

Author(s):

Novirman Jamarun ◽

Roni Pazla ◽

Arief ARIEF ◽

Anuraga Jayanegara ◽

Gusri Yanti

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Avicennia Marina ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Mineral Contents ◽

Ruminant Animal ◽

West Sumatra ◽

Fermentation Profile ◽

Phytochemical Compounds

Abstract. Jamarun N, Pazla R, Arief, Jayanegara A, Yanti G. 2020. Chemical composition and rumen fermentation profile of mangrove leaves (Avicennia marina) from West Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 5230-5236. This study aimed to determine the potential of mangrove leaves of Avicennia marina for ruminant animal feed. Laboratory tests were carried out on A. marina with three replicates. Parameters measured were proximate and fiber contents, rumen fluid profile (pH, NH3 and VFA), digestibility of nutrients (DM, Ash, CP, CF, NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose), macro and micro mineral contents, and phytochemical compounds. The results showed the nutritional content of A. marina were CP 13.37%; Ash 7.17%; lignin 7.34%; TDN 79%, rumen fluid profile is in reasonable condition, digestibility of food substances is more than 50%, rich in macro and micro minerals and contains phytochemical compounds such as phenols, steroids, triterpenoids, and tannins. Macro and micro minerals content of Ca 0.38%, Na 0.20%, Mg 0.20%, K 0.48%, P 0.51%, S 0.01%, Cl 1.03%, Fe 388 ppm, Zn 164 ppm, Mn 211 ppm, and Cu 128 ppm. This research concludes that A. marina is very potential to be used as a ruminant animal feed.

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