Factors affecting the nutritive value of the diet and the composition of rumen fluid of grazing sheep and cattle

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 691 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands ◽  
J Sanson
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Green Material ◽  
Forage Availability ◽  
Components Analysis

The digestibility and nitrogen content of the diet and of the green fraction of the diet, and concentrations of individual volatile fatty acids in the rumen were measured in sheep and cattle grazing together on five Phalaris tuberosa pastures varying in forage availability. The sheep and cattle were aged 5 and 6 months respectively. Measurements were made at monthly intervals for 5 consecutive months during which animals were rotated between pastures. Measurements of forage availability, structure and composition were subjected to a principal components analysis from which orthogonal variables describing pasture composition were calculated. These were related to the nutritive value of the diet and the composition of rumen fluid by regression analysis. Diets selected by sheep were of higher digestibility and nitrogen content than those selected by cattle, because they contained more green material and the green material selected by the sheep was of higher digestibility and nitrogen content. The nutritive value of the diet of sheep varied with the availability of green forage, and that of cattle with both the availability of green and the bulk of forage on offer. Cattle were the more sensitive to changes in the quantity of green material available, and differences between sheep and cattle in the nutritive value of diets were reduced as the quantity of green material and the bulk of forage increased. The rumen liquor of cattle contained proportionately more acetic acid, and the proportions of other volatile fatty acids were less than in sheep. These differences were generally associated with differences in selective grazing.

scholarly journals Comparison of grass silage utilization by reindeer and sheep: 2. Rumen fermentation and rumen microbiota

1982 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-135
Author(s):  
Liisa Syrjälä-Qvist
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Propionic Acid ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Rumen Microbiota ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Sampling Times

The criteria used in comparing the utilization of grass silage by reindeer and sheep were rumen pH, ammonia, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and microbes. Rumen samples were taken before feeding, and 2 ½ and 5 ½ hours after the beginning of feeding. Rumen fermentation was lower in the reindeer than in the sheep and differed less between the three sampling times. In the reindeer/the pH of the rumen fluid averaged 6.94 and in the sheep 6.61. The average amounts of NH3—N were 17.0 and 24.2 mg/100 ml rumen fluid and those of total VFA 8.46 and 10.90 mmoles/100ml rumen fluid, respectively. The proportion of acetic acid in the VFA in the reindeer was 75.3 molar % and in the sheep 66.0 molar %, the corresponding values for propionic acid being 18.5 and 22.0 molar % and for butytic acid 4.2 and 8.8 molar %. The number of rumen ciliates in the reindeer averaged 87/mm3 rumen contents and in the sheep 314/ mm3. The numbers of bacteria were 16.0 X 106/mm3, respectively. The proportion of the total microbe mass in the reindeer rumen contents was 1.8 % and in the sheep 2.4 %. The proportions of bacteria in this mass were 87 % and 70 %, respectively. The differences between the reindeer and sheep in the rumen fermentation results and in the numbers of rumen microbiota were nearly all statistically significant (P

scholarly journals In vitro assessment of ruminal fermentation, digestibility and methane production of three species of Desmanthus for application in northern Australian grazing systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Vandermeulen ◽  
Sultan Singh ◽  
Carlos Alberto Ramírez-Restrepo ◽  
Robert D. Kinley ◽  
Christopher P. Gardiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Rhodes Grass ◽  
Ch4 Production ◽  
Grass Hay

Three species of Desmanthus adapted to the heavy clay soils of northern Australia were studied to determine their nutritive value and effects on in vitro fermentation with rumen fluid, compared with Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay. Leaves and stems of D. leptophyllus cv. JCU 1, D. virgatus cv. JCU 2 and D. bicornutus cv. JCU 4 were collected in summer, winter and spring of 2014 and analysed for chemical composition. Apparent digestibility as in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVD-OM) and fermentation parameters including methane (CH4) production were measured during 72-h fermentations using rumen fluid from steer donors grazing tropical grasses and legumes. Desmanthus bicornutus was on average more digestible than both D. leptophyllus and D. virgatus at 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation. This species also demonstrated an anti-methanogenic potential, in particular when harvested in summer with a reduction in CH4 production of 26% compared with Rhodes grass hay after 72 h of incubation. At this time point, D. leptophyllus produced higher volatile fatty acids (VFA per g of organic matter fermented) compared with the other forages. This legume also reduced the CH4 production up to 36% compared with the Rhodes grass hay reference. However, D. leptophyllus showed lower IVD-OM. Overall, Desmanthus species produced lower in vitro CH4 and lower volatile fatty acids concentration compared with the reference grass hay. These effects may be due to presence of secondary compounds such as hydrolysable tannins, condensed tannins and/or their combination in Desmanthus species. The IVD-OM was influenced by the season after 72 h of incubation; the digestibility was higher in plants collected in spring. This study suggests that contrasting fermentative profiles in Desmanthus cultivars may offer the opportunity to reduce the greenhouse gas contribution of the beef industry. The next step in demonstration of these promising in vitro results is demonstration of Desmanthus in vivo as proof of concept confirming the productivity and CH4 reduction ability of these legumes in the pastoral systems of northern Australia.

THE EFFECT OF ORGANIC ACID SALTS ON GROWTH AND RUMEN VOLATILE FATTY ACIDS OF SHEEP FED PELLETED OR CHOPPED HIGH-ROUGHAGE RATIONS

1964 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. G. Nicholson ◽  
H. M. Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Sodium Citrate ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Sodium Propionate ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The One ◽  
Standard Ration

Four experiments were conducted with sheep to compare the addition of sodium citrate and sodium propionate to pelleted and unpelleted rations and to determine the response to sodium citrate supplementation of different quality-hays. There were no significant differences in rate of gain or feed consumption of a ⅔ roughage −⅓ concentrate ration due to supplementation with sodium citrate or sodium propionate. Pelleting either the mixed ration or all-roughage rations increased feed consumption and rate of gain in all experiments. Pelleting the mixed ration decreased digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and nitrogen in the one experiment in which this was determined. Pregnant and lactating ewes lost less body weight when fed a limited amount of long hay plus pelleted hay ad libitum than similar ewes fed a standard ration of long hay ad libitum plus 0.5 lb of concentrates per day. It was necessary to feed lambs 0.5 lb of rolled barley per day with long hay ad libitum to obtain gains equal to those of similar lambs fed pelleted hay ad libitum. The addition of sodium citrate significantly increased the rate of gain of lambs fed ad libitum a slightly moldy, weathered legume hay in the pelleted form together with 0.25 lb of long hay per head per day.The addition of sodium citrate to a mixed ration or to all-roughage rations did not usually alter the proportions of rumen volatile fatty acids. The addition of sodium propionate decreased the proportion of acetic acid while increasing that of propionic acid. In both experiments where this was determined, pelleting an all-roughage ration resulted in a decrease in the proportion of acetic acid and an increase in the longer chain volatile fatty acids in rumen fluid.

Investigation of membrane processes for the removal of volatile fatty acids

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Barnes ◽  
R. Dalhoff ◽  
J. Keller ◽  
P. Wilderer ◽  
L. Kendall
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Acid Solution ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Free Acid ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Acetic Acid Solution ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Strong Base

The accumulation of volatile fatty acids such as acetic acid can cause reactor pH problems and the inhibition of microorganisms utilised in anaerobic digestion processes. A cross-flow membrane process using Teflon and ion-exchange membranes was investigated as a means of separating acetic acid from pure acetic acid solution and rumen fluid. Acetic acid transfer across the Teflon membrane was dependent on the free acid concentration (CH3COOH) in the acid solution. Concurrent transfer of water was minimal due to the hydrophobic nature of the membrane. The strong base anionic exchange membrane facilitated the separation of acetic acid from both pure solutions and rumen fluid with flux again being dependent on the free acid gradient across the membrane. Flux rates were lower than other studies of diffusion dialysis, however, this may be partly attributed to improper preparation of the membrane. The currently achieved rates of transfer using these membranes are very low and are therefore not yet suitable for full-scale use in anaerobic digestion. Additional research is needed to achieve higher trans-membrane transport rates at reasonable costs.

The mechanism of cellulose digestion in the ruminant organism: IV. Further observations from in vitro studies of the behaviour of rumen bacteria and their bearing on the problem of the nutritive value of cellulose

1938 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Woodman ◽  
R. E. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Thermophilic Bacteria ◽  
Breakdown Product ◽  
Bacterial Fermentation ◽  
Bacterial Decomposition ◽  
Micro Organisms

Further studies of the behaviour of cellulose-splitting bacteria in artificial media have been made in an attempt to account for the manner in which cellulose is utilized for fat production in the ruminant. The behaviour of thermophilic bacteria, with an optimum temperature of fermentation in the neighbourhood of 65°C, has been compared with that of the micro-organisms capable of fermenting at 37°C. In both cases the cultures were obtained from the rumen contents of sheep.By the addition of toluene at the “head” stage of fermentation, it was possible to demonstrate, both at 37 and 65°C., the production of small amounts of glucose during subsequent incubation. Glucose is clearly a primary breakdown product in the bacterial fermentation of cellulose.An investigation has been made of the nature of the volatile fatty acids produced by bacterial decomposition of shredded filter paper. No consistent differences from this standpoint were noted between the reactions as carried out at 37 and 65°C., but the nature and proportions of the acids varied considerably from culture to culture. In some cases acetic acid was produced almost exclusively, whilst in others the fatty acids consisted of butyric and formic acids, with but traces of acetic acid. The findings in this regard apparently afford no clue to the manner in which cellulose is used for fat production, since propionic acid, the only recognized fat-former among the lower normal fatty acids, was not detected.

NATIVE LOWLAND HAY IN PELLETED AND NON-PELLETED RATIONS FOR SHEEP: III. EFFECTS ON PRODUCTION OF VOLATILE FATTY ACIDS IN THE RUMEN

1963 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 202-210
Author(s):  
C. M. Grieve ◽  
A. R. Robblee ◽  
L. W. McElroy
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Sufficient Magnitude

Concentrations and proportions of volatile fatty acids (VFA) were determined chromatographically in samples of rumen contents from 27 lambs and 5 mature wethers fed a control ration of alfalfa and barley or non-pelleted and pelleted test rations containing 45, 60 or 90 per cent of poor quality lowland hay in the case of lambs, and 60 or 90 per cent of test hay in the case of wethers.When the rations were fed in pelleted form, concentrations of VFA increased in rumen contents from lambs receiving 45 and 60, but not 90 per cent levels of lowland hay. In the case of the wethers, pelleting resulted in higher levels of the acids in rumen contents when either 60 or 90 per cent of test hay was fed. Pelleting had no effect on the proportions of VFA in the rumen fluid. Differences in concentration of VFA in rumen fluid were not of sufficient magnitude to account for more than a small fraction of the differences observed in feed consumption and rate and efficiency of gain of the fattening lambs fed the pelleted vs. non-pelleted rations.Concentrations of VFA were lower in rumen fluid from animals fed lowland hay than in that from animals fed the alfalfa-barley ration. As the level of lowland hay in the rations was increased the proportion of acetic acid increased, and the proportions of propionic and/or butyric acids decreased.

Synthesis of microbial protein in the rumen. II. A response to higher volatile fatty acids

1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
ID Hume
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Microbial Protein ◽  
Nonprotein Nitrogen ◽  
Appreciable Increase ◽  
The Mean

When sheep were fed on a virtually protein-free purified diet adequately supplied with nonprotein nitrogen, 71 g microbial protein was produced in the rumen daily. The addition of a mixture of higher volatile fatty acids (VFA) increased protein production to 81 g daily (P < 0.05). The VFA supplement also increased the molar proportions of these acids in the rumen fluid and the flow of total nitrogen from the rumen. There were no differences in nitrogen balance associated with the supplement. There were significant variations between sheep and between periods in both protein production and the molar proportion of acetic acid in the rumen fluid. A negative correlation was found between acetic acid proportions and protein production (r = -0.62, P < 0.025). The mean yield of protein from the ruminal fermentation was 13.0 g/100 g organic matter digested in the rumen. The addition of the higher VFA did not result in any appreciable increase in the efficiency of protein production from the energy available.

scholarly journals Pilot Study of the Effects of Polyphenols from Chestnut Involucre on Methane Production, Volatile Fatty Acids, and Ammonia Concentration during In Vitro Rumen Fermentation

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Yichong Wang ◽  
Sijiong Yu ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Shuang Zhang ◽  
Xiaolong Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Propionic Acid ◽  
Acid Content ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Quadratic Response ◽  
In Vitro Rumen Fermentation

Nutritional strategies can be employed to mitigate greenhouse emissions from ruminants. This article investigates the effects of polyphenols extracted from the involucres of Castanea mollissima Blume (PICB) on in vitro rumen fermentation. Three healthy Angus bulls (350 ± 50 kg), with permanent rumen fistula, were used as the donors of rumen fluids. A basic diet was supplemented with five doses of PICB (0%–0.5% dry matter (DM)), replicated thrice for each dose. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs), ammonia nitrogen concentration (NH3-N), and methane (CH4) yield were measured after 24 h of in vitro fermentation, and gas production was monitored for 96 h. The trial was carried out over three runs. The results showed that the addition of PICB significantly reduced NH3-N (p < 0.05) compared to control. The 0.1%–0.4% PICB significantly decreased acetic acid content (p < 0.05). Addition of 0.2% and 0.3% PICB significantly increased the propionic acid content (p < 0.05) and reduced the acetic acid/propionic acid ratio, CH4 content, and yield (p < 0.05). A highly significant quadratic response was shown, with increasing PICB levels for all the parameters abovementioned (p < 0.01). The increases in PICB concentration resulted in a highly significant linear and quadratic response by 96-h dynamic fermentation parameters (p < 0.01). Our results indicate that 0.2% PICB had the best effect on in-vitro rumen fermentation efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas production.

scholarly journals Identification of the Potential Role of the Rumen Microbiome in Milk Protein and Fat Synthesis in Dairy Cows Using Metagenomic Sequencing

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1247
Author(s):  
Xin Wu ◽  
Shuai Huang ◽  
Jinfeng Huang ◽  
Peng Peng ◽  
Yanan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Amino Acid Synthesis ◽  
Prevotella Species

The rumen contains abundant microorganisms that aid in the digestion of lignocellulosic feed and are associated with host phenotype traits. Cows with extremely high milk protein and fat percentages (HPF; n = 3) and low milk protein and fat percentages (LPF; n = 3) were selected from 4000 lactating Holstein cows under the same nutritional and management conditions. We found that the total concentration of volatile fatty acids, acetate, butyrate, and propionate in the rumen fluid was significantly higher in the HPF group than in the LPF group. Moreover, we identified 38 most abundant species displaying differential richness between the two groups, in which Prevotella accounted for 68.8% of the species, with the highest abundance in the HPF group. Functional annotation based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG), evolutionary genealogy of genes: Non-supervised Orthologous Groups (eggNOG), and Carbohydrate-Active enzymes (CAZy) databases showed that the significantly more abundant species in the HPF group are enriched in carbohydrate, amino acid, pyruvate, insulin, and lipid metabolism and transportation. Furthermore, Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed that specific microbial taxa (mainly the Prevotella species and Neocallimastix californiae) are positively correlated with total volatile fatty acids (VFA). Collectively, we found that the HPF group was enriched with several Prevotella species related to the total VFA, acetate, and amino acid synthesis. Thereby, these fulfilled the host’s needs for energy, fat, and rumen microbial protein, which can be used for increased biosynthesis of milk fat and milk protein. Our findings provide novel information for elucidation of the regulatory mechanism of the rumen in the formation of milk composition.

PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE ADDITION OF GLUCOGENIC MATERIALS TO THE RATIONS OF LACTATING COWS

1971 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 721-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
J. D. ERFLE ◽  
F. D. SAUER
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Propylene Glycol ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Beta Hydroxybutyrate

Glutamate, succinate, propylene glycol, or glycerol were added to a basic concentrate at 3.3% of air-dry feed. Each concentrate was fed both ad libitum and in restricted amounts to four cows in early lactation. Dietary intake, milk yield and composition, molar proportions of rumen volatile fatty acids and blood glucose, ketones and plasma free fatty acids were used as criteria of effect of these supplements. Propylene glycol in the diet resulted in a lower intake of concentrate compared with glycerol (11.44 versus 14.30 kg/day) and significantly decreased (P < 0.05) rumen butyrate and plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate. Glutamate supplementation prevented the fall in milk fat content which occurred when the other three supplemented concentrates were fed ad libitum, and this effect may have been related to the constancy in the ratio of acetate to propionate in the rumen fluid.

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