Dietary nitrate metabolism and enteric methane mitigation in sheep consuming a protein-deficient diet

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
L. Villar ◽  
R. Hegarty ◽  
M. Van Tol ◽  
I. Godwin ◽  
J. Nolan

It was hypothesised that the inclusion of nitrate (NO3–) or cysteamine hydrochloride (CSH) in a protein deficient diet (4.8% crude protein; CP) would improve the productivity of sheep while reducing enteric methane (CH4) emissions. A complete randomised designed experiment was conducted with yearling Merino sheep (n = 24) consuming a protein-deficient wheaten chaff control diet (CON) alone or supplemented with 1.8% nitrate (NO3–; DM basis), 0.098% urea (Ur, DM basis) or 80 mg cysteamine hydrochloride/kg liveweight (CSH). Feed intake, CH4 emissions, volatile fatty acids (VFA), digesta kinetics and NO3–, nitrite (NO2–) and urea concentrations in plasma, saliva and urine samples were measured. There was no dietary effect on animal performance or digesta kinetics (P > 0.05), but adding NO3– to the CON diet reduced methane yield (MY) by 26% (P = 0.01). Nitrate supplementation increased blood MetHb, plasma NO3– and NO2– concentrations (P < 0.05), but there was no indication of NO2– toxicity. Overall, salivary NO3– concentration was greater than plasma NO3– (P < 0.05), indicating that NO3– was concentrated into saliva. Our results confirm the role of NO3– as an effective additive to reduce CH4 emissions, even in a highly protein-deficient diet and as a source of additional nitrogen (N) for microbial protein synthesis via N-recycling into saliva and the gut. The role of CSH as an additive in low quality diets for improving animal performance and reducing CH4 emissions is still unclear.

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 186-187
Author(s):  
Aklilu Alemu ◽  
Xiu Min Zhang ◽  
Maik Kindermann ◽  
Karen A Beauchemin

Abstract Supplementation of ruminant diets with the investigational methane (CH4) inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP; DSM Nutritional Products, Switzerland) is as a promising mitigation strategy. However, most studies have examined high grain or mixed forage-concentrate diets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing a forage diet with 3-NOP on rumen fermentation, CH4 emissions and apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility. Eight ruminally cannulated beef heifers (BW = 514 kg) were randomly allocated to two treatments in a crossover design with 49-d periods. Dietary treatments were: control, high-forage diet (90% forage DM basis) without 3-NOP; and NOP, control diet supplemented with 150 mg 3-NOP/kg DM. After a 14-d diet adaption, dry matter (DM) intake (DMI) was recorded daily. Rumen contents were collected on days 17 and 28 for volatile fatty acid (VFA) analysis, whereas ruminal pH was continuously monitored from day 20 to 27. Diet digestibility was measured on day 38 to 41 by total collection of feces. Enteric CH4 emissions were measured on days 46 to 49 in chambers. Dry matter intake was lower (P = 0.001) for NOP (10.0 kg/d) as compared with control (10.2 kg/d). However, DM, neutral and acid detergent fiber, and crude protein digestibilities were similar between treatments (P ≥ 0.29). Although total VFA concentration was not affected by treatment (P = 0.19), the reduction in acetate and increase in propionate proportion for NOP lowered (P < 0.001) the acetate to propionate ratio by 18% as compared with control. Mean pH was lower (P = 0.03) for control (6.46) than NOP (6.57). Furthermore, CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) was 21.6% less (P < 0.001) for NOP relative to control (25.5 g/kg DMI). Overall, the results indicate that enteric CH4 emissions were effectively decreased with 3-NOP supplementation of a forage diet without affecting apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Vyas ◽  
A. Alazzeh ◽  
S. M. McGinn ◽  
T. A. McAllister ◽  
O. M. Harstad ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of Propionibacterium strains to mitigate enteric methane (CH4) emissions in beef heifers fed a mixed diet. An experiment was conducted with 16 ruminally cannulated beef heifers fed a basal diet consisting of 60 : 40 barley silage : barley grain (DM basis). Treatments included: (1) Control, (2) Propionibacterium freudenreichii T114, (3) P. thoenii T159, and (4) P. freudenreichii T54. Strains (1 × 1011 colony forming units) were administered daily directly into the rumen before feeding. No treatment effects were observed for DM intake (P = 0.90), mean ruminal pH (P = 0.50) and total volatile fatty acids (P = 0.44). However, compared with the Control, proportions of individual volatile fatty acids changed with acetate being less with Propionibacterium T159 (P = 0.02), whereas ruminal isobutyrate (P < 0.01) and acetate : propionate ratio (P = 0.04) were greater with Propionibacterium T114. Total daily enteric CH4 production averaged 188 g/day and was not affected by Propionbacterium strains (P = 0.51). Methane yield averaged 22 g/kg of DMI intake and tended to be greater with Propionibacterium strains (P = 0.08). The relative abundance of total Propionibacteria was greater with the inoculation of Propionibacterium T159 relative to the Control heifers (P = 0.04). In conclusion, inoculation of Propionibacterium T159 decreased ruminal acetate proportion and Propionibacterium T114 increased acetate : propionate ratio. However, inoculated strains failed to lower total CH4 emissions possibly due to the inability of Propionibacterium strains to elevate ruminal propionate concentrations.


Author(s):  
Deepak Pandey ◽  
◽  
Morteza Mansouryar ◽  
Margarita Novoa-Garrido ◽  
Geir Næss ◽  
...  

The livestock production sector is facing challenges to find alternative feed resources and nutritional strategies to mitigate enteric methane (CH4) emissions from ruminants. Recently, marine macroalgae have emerged as potential anti-methanogenic feed ingredients due to their ability to suppress enteric CH4 production in ruminants. The anti-methanogenic properties of macroalgae have been ascribed to the contents of secondary metabolites, such as halogenated compounds e.g., bromoform in red species, and polyphenols or isoprenoids in brown species. These compounds may suppress methanogenesis by inhibiting the growth and activity of methanogens or by altering rumen fermentation pathways and the patterns of volatile fatty acids production. On the other hand, the anti-methanogenic macroalgae, particularly when added to diets in large amounts, are known to reduce animal performance, due to the presence of special and poorly degradable carbohydrates. Thus, finding a proper balance between the abilities to reduce CH4 emissions and sustain animal performance is important.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 2042 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. S. Silva ◽  
S. C. Valadares Filho ◽  
E. Detmann ◽  
S. A. Santos ◽  
L. A. Godoi ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diets containing corn silage (CS) or sugarcane (SC) with 300 or 500 g/kg of concentrate (on a DM basis) on energy conversion, enteric methane (CH4) production, and the animal performance of Holstein × Zebu heifers. An experiment was conducted while using comparative slaughter. Twenty Holstein × Zebu heifers with an average age of 12 ± 1.0 months and an average bodyweight of 218 ± 36.5 kg were used. Four heifers were assigned to a baseline group, whereas the remaining 16 heifers were distributed in a completely randomised design using a 2 × 2 factorial scheme (n = 4), with two types of roughage (CS or SC) and two levels of concentrate (300 or 500 g/kg) on a DM basis of the diet over the course of 112 days. For the evaluation of the apparent total-tract digestibility of diets and energy losses, a digestibility assay was performed by using the total collection of faeces and urine over three consecutive days. The enteric CH4 production was quantified by continuous analysis of regular samples of air excreted by the animals throughout the day. The greatest (P < 0.05) average daily gain was observed for heifers that were fed CS-based diets or with 500 g/kg of concentrate. Greater (P < 0.05) daily CH4 emissions were observed for heifers that were fed 500 g/kg of concentrate; CH4 production as a function of DM intake was greater (P < 0.05) for heifers that were fed SC-based diets. The efficiency of the conversion from digestible energy (DE) to metabolisable energy (ME) was not influenced (P > 0.05) by variables that were analysed in this study. However, the mean value that was observed in the present study was above those values proposed by the main evaluation systems of feedstuffs and nutrient requirements of ruminants. Therefore, we concluded that CS-based diets allow for better animal performance of Holstein × Zebu heifers in relation to SC-based diets. Also, the increased concentrate improves the performance of growing heifers. A greater inclusion of concentrate in SC-based diets can allow for a reduction of CH4 emissions per consumed unit and per gain unit. The mean suggested value for the ME : DE ratio based on this study is 0.86. However, more studies are necessary to validate this result.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1184
Author(s):  
Mahfuzul Islam ◽  
Seon-Ho Kim ◽  
A-Rang Son ◽  
Sonny C. Ramos ◽  
Chang-Dae Jeong ◽  
...  

Seasonal effects on rumen microbiome and enteric methane (CH4) emissions are poorly documented. In this study, 6 Holstein and 6 Jersey steers were fed the same total mixed ration diet during winter, spring, and summer seasons under a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement for 30 days per season. The dry matter intake (DMI), rumen fermentation characteristics, enteric CH4 emissions and rumen microbiota were analyzed. Holstein had higher total DMI than Jersey steers regardless of season. However, Holstein steers had the lowest metabolic DMI during summer, while Jersey steers had the lowest total DMI during winter. Jersey steers had higher CH4 yields and intensities than Holstein steers regardless of season. The pH was decreased, while ammonia nitrogen concentration was increased in summer regardless of breed. Total volatile fatty acids concentration and propionate proportions were the highest in winter, while acetate and butyrate proportion were the highest in spring and in summer, respectively, regardless of breed. Moreover, Holstein steers produced a higher proportion of propionate, while Jersey steers produced a higher proportion of butyrate regardless of season. Metataxonomic analysis of rumen microbiota showed that operational taxonomic units and Chao 1 estimates were lower and highly unstable during summer, while winter had the lowest Shannon diversity. Beta diversity analysis suggested that the overall rumen microbiota was shifted according to seasonal changes in both breeds. In winter, the rumen microbiota was dominated by Carnobacterium jeotgali and Ruminococcus bromii, while in summer, Paludibacter propionicigenes was predominant. In Jersey steers, Capnocytophaga cynodegmi, Barnesiella viscericola and Flintibacter butyricus were predominant, whereas in Holstein steers, Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens and Gilliamella bombicola were predominant. Overall results suggest that seasonal changes alter rumen microbiota and fermentation characteristics of both breeds; however, CH4 emissions from steers were significantly influenced by breeds, not by seasons.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Reyes Gámez-Belmonte ◽  
Mireia Tena-Garitaonaindia ◽  
Cristina Hernández-Chirlaque ◽  
Samir Córdova ◽  
Diego Ceacero-Heras ◽  
...  

The liver expresses tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), which may participate in the defense against bacterial components, in cell regulation as part of the purinome or in bile secretion, among other roles. We aimed to study the role of TNAP in the development of hepatosteatosis. TNAP+/− haplodeficient and wild type (WT) mice were fed a control diet (containing 10% fat w/w) or the same diet deficient in methionine and choline (MCD diet). The MCD diet induced substantial weight loss together with hepatic steatosis and increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) plasma levels, but no differences in IL-6, TNF, insulin or resistin. There were no substantial differences between TNAP+/− and WT mice fed the MCD diet. In turn, TNAP+/− mice receiving the control diet presented hepatic steatosis with alterations in metabolic parameters very similar to those induced by the MCD diet. Nevertheless, no weight loss, increased ALT plasma levels or hypoglycemia were observed. These mice also presented increased levels of liver TNF and systemic resistin and glucagon compared to WT mice. The phenotype of TNAP+/− mice fed a standard diet was normal. In conclusion, TNAP haplodeficiency induces steatosis comparable to that produced by a MCD diet when fed a control diet.


2006 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Matsuzaki ◽  
Misao Miwa

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of dietary calcium (Ca) supplementation on bone metabolism of magnesium (Mg)-deficient rats. Male Wistar rats were randomized by weight into three groups, and fed a control diet (control group), a Mg-deficient diet (Mg- group) or a Mg-deficient diet having twice the control Ca concentrations (Mg-2Ca group) for 14 days. Trabecular bone volume was significantly lower in the Mg - and Mg-2Ca groups than in the control group. Trabecular number was also significantly lower in the Mg - and Mg-2Ca groups than in the control group. Mineralizing bone surface, mineral apposition rate (MAR), and surface referent bone formation rate (BFR/BS) were significantly lower in the Mg - and Mg-2Ca groups than in the control group. Furthermore, MAR and BFR/BS were significantly lower in the Mg-2Ca group than in the Mg - group. These results suggest that dietary Ca supplementation suppresses bone formation in Mg-deficient rats.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S42-S42
Author(s):  
Kohei Sugihara ◽  
Nobuhiko Kamada

Abstract Background Recent accumulating evidence suggests that amino acids have crucial roles in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), amino acid metabolism is changed in both host and the gut microbiota. Among amino acids, L-serine plays a central role in several metabolic processes that are essential for the growth and survival of both mammalian and bacterial cells. However, the role of L-serine in intestinal homeostasis and IBD remains incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary L-serine on intestinal inflammation in a murine model of colitis. Methods Specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice were fed either a control diet (amino acid-based diet) or an L-serine-deficient diet (SDD). Colitis was induced by the treatment of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The gut microbiome was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. We also evaluate the effect of dietary L-serine in germ-free mice and gnotobiotic mice that were colonized by a consortium of non-mucolytic bacterial strains or the consortium plus mucolytic bacterial strains. Results We found that the SDD exacerbated experimental colitis in SPF mice. However, the severity of colitis in SDD-fed mice was comparable to control diet-fed mice in germ-free condition, suggesting that the gut microbiota is required for exacerbation of colitis caused by the restriction of dietary L-serine. The gut microbiome analysis revealed that dietary L-serine restriction fosters the blooms of a mucus-degrading bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila and adherent-invasive Escherichia coli in the inflamed gut. Consistent with the expansion of mucolytic bacteria, SDD-fed mice showed a loss of the intestinal mucus layer. Dysfunction of the mucus barrier resulted in increased intestinal permeability, thereby leading to bacterial translocation to the intestinal mucosa, which subsequently increased the severity of colitis. The increased intestinal permeability and subsequent bacterial translocation were observed in SDD-fed gnotobiotic mice that colonized by mucolytic bacteria. In contrast, dietary L-serine restriction did not alter intestinal barrier integrity in gnotobiotic mice that colonized only by non-mucolytic bacteria. Conclusion Our results suggest that dietary L-serine regulates the integrity of the intestinal mucus barrier during inflammation by limiting the expansion of mucus degrading bacteria.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 307-315
Author(s):  
J.R. Newby ◽  
N.J. DeCesare

Nutritional condition embodies environmental conditions experienced by animals with survival and reproductive consequences. Body fat is often associated with ungulate fecundity; however, other nutritional currencies may limit fecundity. Using data from 129 moose (Alces alces (Linnaeus, 1758)) monitored over 429 moose-years, we examined the limiting role of multiple nutritional currencies on pregnancy rates while concurrently assessing the influence of age and prior reproduction. Females tended to be pregnant in successive years, suggesting differences in individual or habitat quality. However, probability of pregnancy declined with survival of calves from prior litters, indicating a reproductive cost to rearing offspring. Pregnancy was positively associated with serum iron (Fe), body fat, body mass, and serum protein. The best model predicting pregnancy included serum Fe, body fat, and age class, with serum Fe being the strongest single predictor. Moose with Fe concentrations considered deficient in cattle (Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758) had pregnancy rates of 33%–35%, whereas 89%–91% of individuals with sufficient Fe were pregnant. We subsequently evaluated hypotheses concerning factors potentially limiting Fe concentrations, including Fe-deficient diet, chronic infection, parasitism, and malnutrition. The best supported hypothesis was energy and protein malnutrition constrained Fe stores. We conclude that subclinical anemia due to nutritional constraints can limit or indicate limits in moose fecundity.


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