Rumen Degradation Regularity of Dry Matter and Crude Protein of Common Roughage in Beef Cattle

Three individuals of Horqin yellow cattle equipped with permanent fistula, weighed （548 ±21） kg, were sdected as the experimental animals. The ru- men degradation characteristics of dry matter （DM） and crude protein （CP） of roughage at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h were measured by nylon bag method. The re- suits showed that the effective degradation rates of DM and CP of alfalfa hay were the highest, while higher contents of rapid degradation part and potential degrada- tion part of DM and CP also resulted in higher degradation rates of DM and CP. The effective degradation rates of CP and DM of roughage presented strong positive correlation with CP, but showed strong negative correlation with neutral detergent fiber （NDF）. The effective degradation rates of CP of five roughages successively were alfalfa hay 〉 alfalfa block 〉 ryegrass 〉 silage corn 〉 straw.

Rumen Degradation Characteristics of Six Types of Common Roughage in Khorchin Beef Cattle in Tongliao City

[Objective] The paper was to study the degradation characteristics of different types of roughage in Khorchin beef cattle. [Method] The nylon bag method was used to determine the rumen degradability of six types of roughage： dry matter （DM）, crude protein （CP）, neutral detergent fiber （NDF） and acid detergent fiber （ADF）. [Result] Among the six types of roughage, alfalfa hay had the highest effective degradability of DM and CP in rumen; followed by alfalfa block, corn silage, leymus chinensis and corn stover, and the effective degradability of rice straw was lowest. In terms of effective degradability of NDF and ADF, alfalfa hay was the most effective, while leymus chinensis was the least effective. [Conclusion] Considering degradation characteristics of six types of roughage in Khorchin beef cattle, alfalfa hay possesses the highest nutritional value, while rice straw has the lowest value.

High rumen degradable starch decreased goat milk fat via trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid-mediated downregulation of lipogenesis genes,particularly,INSIG1

Background:Starch is an important substance that supplies energy to ruminants.To provide sufficient energy for high-yielding dairy ruminants,they are typically fed starch-enriched diets.However,starch-enriched diets have been proven to increase the risk of milk fat depression(MFD)in dairy cows.The starch present in ruminant diets could be divided into rumen-degradable starch(RDS)and rumen escaped starch(RES)according to their different degradation sites(rumen or intestine).Goats and cows have different sensitivities to MFD.Data regarding the potential roles of RDS in milk fat synthesis in the mammary tissue of dairy goats and in regulating the occurrence of MFD are limited.Results:Eighteen Guanzhong dairy goats(day in milk=185±12 d)with similar parity,weight,and milk yield were selected and randomly assigned to one of three groups(n=6),which were fed an LRDS diet(Low RDS=20.52%),MRDS diet(Medium RDS=22.15%),or HRDS diet(High RDS=24.88%)for 5 weeks.Compared with that of the LRDS group,the milk fat contents in the MRDS and HRDS groups significantly decreased.The yields of short-,mediumand long-chain fatty acids decreased in the HRDS group.Furthermore,increased RDS significantly decreased ruminal B.fibrisolvens and Pseudobutyrivibrio abundances and increased the trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid(CLA)and trans-10 C18:1 contents in the rumen fluid.A multiomics study revealed that the HRDS diet affected mammary lipid metabolism down-regulation of ACSS2,MVD,AGPS,SCD5,FADS2,CERCAM,SC5D,HSD17B7,HSD17B12,ATM,TP53RK,GDF1 and LOC102177400.Remarkably,the significant decrease of INSIG1,whose expression was depressed by trans-10,cis-12 CLA,could reduce the activity of SREBP and,consequently,downregulate the downstream gene expression of SREBF1.Conclusions:HRDS-induced goat MFD resulted from the downregulation of genes involved in lipogenesis,particularly,INSIG1.Specifically,even though the total starch content and the concentrate-to-fiber ratio were the same as those of the high-RDS diet,the low and medium RDS diets did not cause MFD in lactating goats.

Selective ligninolysis of wheat straw and wood chips by the white-rot fungus Lentinula edodes and its influence on in vitro rumen degradability

Background： The present work investigated the influence of lignin content and composition in the fungal treatment of lignocellulosic biomass in order to improve rumen degradability. Wheat straw and wood chips,differing in lignin composition, were treated with Lentinula edodes for 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 wk and the changes occurring during fungal degradation were analyzed using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and detergent fiber analysis.Results： L. edodes preferentially degraded lignin, with only limited cellulose degradation, in wheat straw and wood chips, leaving a substrate enriched in cellulose. Syringyl（S）-lignin units were preferentially degraded than guaiacyl（G）-lignin units, resulting in a decreased S/G ratio. A decreasing S/G ratio（wheat straw： r =-0.72, wood chips： r =-0.75） and selective lignin degradation（wheat straw： r =-0.69, wood chips： r =-0.88） were correlated with in vitro gas production（IVGP）, a good indicator for rumen degradability.Conclusions： L. edodes treatment increased the IVGP of wheat straw and wood chips. Effects on IVGP were similar for wheat straw and wood chips indicating that lignin content and 3D-structure of cell walls influence in vitro rumen degradability more than lignin composition.

Use of Asian selected agricultural byproducts to modulate rumen microbes and fermentation

In the last five decades, attempts have been made to improve rumen fermentation and host animal nutrition through modulation of rumen microbiota. The goals have been decreasing methane production, partially inhibiting protein degradation to avoid excess release of ammonia, and activation of fiber digestion. The main approach has been the use of dietary supplements. Since growth-promoting antibiotics were banned in European countries in2006, safer alternatives including plant-derived materials have been explored. Plant oils, their component fatty acids,plant secondary metabolites and other compounds have been studied, and many originate or are abundantly available in Asia as agricultural byproducts. In this review, the potency of selected byproducts in inhibition of methane production and protein degradation, and in stimulation of fiber degradation was described in relation to their modes of action. In particular, cashew and ginkgo byproducts containing alkylphenols to mitigate methane emission and bean husks as a source of functional fiber to boost the number of fiber-degrading bacteria were highlighted. Other byproducts influencing rumen microbiota and fermentation profile were also described. Future application of these feed and additive candidates is very dependent on a sufficient, cost-effective supply and optimal usage in feeding practice.

The Effect of Urea Treatment on the Chemical Composition and Rumen Degradability of Sorghum Stover

The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of different levels of urea treatments on chemical composition, nutritional value and rumen degradability of sorghum stover. Two groups of animals were used in this experiment. The first group, which served as control, was offered untreated sorghum stover. The other, the experiment group recived sorghum stover to which was added 2%, or 4% urea. Crude protein （CP） content of the treated sorghum was enhanced （P 〈 0.05） over the untreated one, and ranked as 7.30% and 6.05% CP for 4% and 2% respectively. Nutrient detergent fiber （NDF） content was decreased （P 〈 0.05） from 92.5% （control） to 89.8% and 87.8% for 2% and 4% urea respectively.Ether extract （EE） content was decreased （P 〈 0.05） from 1.77% （control） to 1.63% and 0.82% for 2% and 4% respectively. The rumen degradability was increased （P 〈 0.05） from 59.2% （control） to 64.2%, and 67.2% for 2%, and 4% sorghum and in hours 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96.

Analysis of Nutrition of Total Mixed Ration for Dairy Cows on a Large-scale Ranch of Heilongjiang Reclamation Area

With the rapid development of China's dairy industry,the yield and scale of dairy cows have gradually increased,and the total mixed ration(TMR)technology has been widely applied in pastures.The seven large-scale pastures in the Heilongjiang reclamation area were selected.The area was divided into high milk yield pastures(A,E,F and G)and low milk yield pastures(B,C and D).The nutritional contents of TMR of the seven pastures were compared with NRC(2001)recommendations.The results showed that in the high milk yield pastures,the crude protein(CP)contents were closer to NRC recommendations(2001)than those of the low milk yield pastures,and the contents of ether extract(EE)were significantly higher(P<0.05).The contents of acid detergent fiber(ADF)in TMR of all the scale pastures were close to those recommended by NRC(2001),where as the contents of neutral detergent fiber(NDF)were significantly higher than the NRC(2001)recommendations.After measuring the dry matter(DM)rumen degradation rates,CP,NDF and ADF of TMR of dairy cows on the ranch were assessed using the nylon bag method,CP contents of the high milk yield pastures were significantly higher(P<0.05)compared with those of the low milk yield pastures,and the rumen degradable protein(RDP)to rumen undegradable protein(RUP)ratio was more ideal.The diets in the high milk yield pastures had significantly higher NDF contents and degradation rates than those in the low milk yield pastures,except pasture D(P<0.05).The diets in pastures E and G(with higher milk yields)had higher ADF degradation rates than pastures B,C and D,which had lower milk yields(P<0.05).Additionally,the type and digestibility of roughage were also related to dairy cows'performance.In summary,dairy cow performance was positively correlated with the nutrition of TMR.By exploring the quality of TMR from the aspects of TMR's nutritional contents,rumen degradation rates and feed ingredients,this study provided a reference for the evaluation of TMR nutrition.

The effect of particle size and amount of inoculum on fungal treatment of wheat straw and wood chips

Background： The aim of this study was to optimize the fungal treatment of lignocellulosic biomass by stimulating the colonization. Wheat straw and wood chips were treated with Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Lentinula edodes with various amounts of colonized millet grains（0.5, 1.5 or 3.0 % per g of wet weight of substrate） added to the substrates. Also, wheat straw and wood chips were chopped to either 0.5 or 2 cm.Effectiveness of the fungal treatment after 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 wk of incubation was determined by changes in chemical composition, in vitro gas production（IVGP） as a measure for rumen degradability, and ergosterol content as a measure of fungal biomass.Results： Incomplete colonization was observed for C. subvermispora treated wheat straw and L. edodes treated wood chips. The different particle sizes and amounts of inoculum tested, had no significant effects on the chemical composition and the IVGP of C. subvermispora treated wood chips. Particle size did influence L.edodes treatment of wheat straw. The L. edodes treatment of 2 cm wheat straw resulted in a more selective delignification and a higher IVGP than the smaller particles. Addition of 1.5 % or 3 % L. edodes inoculum to wheat straw resulted in more selective delignification and a higher IVGP than addition of 0.5 % inoculum.Conclusion： Particle size and amount of inoculum did not have an effect on C. subvermispora treatment of wood chips. At least 1.5 % L. edodes colonized millet grains should be added to 2 cm wheat straw to result in an increased IVGP and acid detergent lignin（ADL） degradation.

Low rumen degradable starch promotes the growth performance of goats by increasing protein synthesis in skeletal muscle via the AMPK-mTOR pathway

Since starch digestion in the small intestine provides more energy than digestion in the rumen of ru-minants,reducing dietary rumen degradable starch(RDS)content is beneficial for improving energy utilization of starch in ruminants.The present study tested whether the reduction of rumen degradable starch by restricting dietary corn processing for growing goats could improve growth performance,and further investigated the possible underlying mechanism.In this study,twenty-four 12-wk-old goats were selected and randomly allocated to receive either a high RDS diet(HRDS,crushed corn-based concen-trate,the mean of particle sizes of corn grain=1.64 mm,n=12)or a low RDS diet(LRDS,non-processed corn-based concentrate,the mean of particle sizes of corn grain>8 mm,n=12).Growth performance,carcass traits,plasma biochemical indices,gene expression of glucose and amino acid transporters,and protein expression of the AMPK-mTOR pathway were measured.Compared to the HRDS,LRDS tended to increase the average daily gain(ADG,P=0.054)and decreased the feed-to-gain ratio(F/G,P<0.05).Furthermore,LRDS increased the net lean tissue rate(P<0.01),protein content(P<0.05)and total free amino acids(P<0.05)in the biceps femoris(BF)muscle of goats.LRDS increased the glucose concen-tration(P<0.01),but reduced total amino acid concentration(P<0.05)and tended to reduce blood urea nitrogen(BUN)concentration(P=0.062)in plasma of goats.The mRNA expression of insulin receptors(INSR),glucose transporter 4(GLUT4),L-type amino acid transporter 1(LAT1)and 4F2 heavy chain(4F2hc)in BF muscle,and sodium-glucose cotransporters 1(SGLT1)and glucose transporter 2(GLUT2)in the small intestine were significantly increased(P<0.05)in LRDS goats.LRDS also led to marked activation of p70-S6 kinase(S6K)(P<0.05),but lower activation of AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)(P<0.05)and eukaryotic initiation factor 2a(P<0.01).Our findings suggested that reducing the content of dietary RDS enhanced postruminal starch digestion and increased plasma glucose,thereby improving amino acid utilization and promoting protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle of goats via the AMPK-mTOR pathway.These changes may contribute to improvement in growth performance and carcass traits in LRDS goats.