1,721,017 research outputs found
Evolution of the rumen fluid enzymatic activity during in vitro incubation
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of the rumen fluid enzymatic activity (EA) during in vitro incubation. Rumen fluids (RFs) were collected from dairy cows in 2 physiological stages fed 4 diets (DT): dry cows administered 100% hay (TH) or 80:20 forage:concentrate ratio (F:C) diets; and lactating cows fed hay ad libitum and concentrate separately at about 60:40 F:C or total mixed rations (TMR) with a 60:40 F:C. Three farms per each DT were involved and rumen collection was performed on 3 donor cows/farm. RFs were pooled by farm, divided in 2 flasks, inoculated at a ratio of 1:4 with medium and 5 g of a common substrate –a TMR diet- in an in vitro batch fermentation system. Flasks were maintained at 39 °C under anaerobic conditions for 48 hours. During the incubation process, diluted RFs were sampled in duplicate at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 h of incubation. Samples were centrifuged and filtered through 0.45 μm porosity filters for the EA determination. EA was evaluated through the radial enzyme diffusion method. Petri dishes with the specific substrate were inoculated with RFs, incubated for 16 h. Halos dimension was measured and expressed as area of the halos surface. Statistical analysis was performed through the repeated measures procedure of the general linear model using DT as a fixed factor, farm as random effect and intervals as repeated measures. With the exception of Xyl, starting from different EA, after an initial irregular peak of activity, a gradual reduction of EA was observed over time. RFs derived from TH showed an opposite trend for both cellulose and xylanase. RFs showed similar A activity at 4 h. Overall, DT showed significant effect for C and A (P ≤0.001) while only a trend was observed for Xyl (P=0.065). At 48 h considering A and at 24h considering C and Xyl, EA were similar between DT and only TH rumen fluid was different compared to the other RFs. In general it appears that the incubation of RFs of different origin with a common substrate tend to homogenise their EA
Textured vs pelletted feed impact on dairy heifers pre-weaning
No full textSubmitted 2020-07-03 | Accepted 2020-08-08 | Available 2020-12-01https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.197-204The first three months of life is the most critical period for the young calf, and nutrition plays an essential role for a successful weaning program. The effects of starter feed physical form have been widely investigated in the last decades, but results are variable and often inconsistent. We compared the impact of texturized and pelleted starters on growth performances during the artificial pre-weaning period on replacement female dairy calves. A total of 16 calves were divided in two independent groups, fed with pelleted or texturized starter and monitored from 2 to 44 days of life. Morphometric traits as well as health status, growth performances, feed intake and efficiency were recorded weekly. An interesting significance (p=0.013) was found for the weight increment, that starting from 5th week showed higher values in animals fed with texturized rather than pelleted feedstuff, although no differences were obtained for the feed efficiency. Despite the lack of significant differences, the trends observed for weight increment and health status, suggest some advantages in the use of texturized feedstuff during the pre-weaning period.Keywords: calves pre-weaning nutrition, texturized feed, growth performancesReferencesBach, A. et al. (2007) Effects of physical form of a starter for dairy replacement calves on feed intake and performance. Journal of Dairy Science. 90, 3028–3033. doi:https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2006-761Baldwin, R. L. VI et al. (2004) Rumen development, intestinal growth and hepatic metabolism in the pre- and post-weaning ruminant. Journal of Dairy Science. 87(E Suppl.): E55–E65. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)70061-2Boulton, A. C. et al. (2015) A study of dairy heifer rearing practices from birth to weaning and their associated costs on UK dairy farms. Open Journal of Animal Sciences 5, 185–197.Boulton, A. C. et al. (2017) An empirical analysis of the cost of rearing dairy heifers from birth to first calving and the time taken to repay these costs. Animal. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731117000064Drackley, J. K. (2008) Calf nutrition from birth to breeding. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice Special. 24, 55–86. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2008.01.001Franklin, S.T. et al. (2003) Health and performance of Holstein calves that suckled or were hand-fed colostrum and were fed one of three physical forms of starter. Journal of Dairy Science. 86, 2145–2153.Greenwood, R. H. et al. (1997) A new method of measuring diet abrasion and its effect on the development of the forestomach. Journal of Dairy Science. 80, 2534–2541. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(97)76207-6Khan, M. A. et al. (2011) Invited Review: Effects of milk ration on solid feed intake, weaning and performance in dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science. 94, 1071–1081. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3733Khan et al. (2016) Invited review: Transitioning from milk to solid feed in dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science. 9, 885–902. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-9975Larson, L. L. et al. (1977) Guidelines toward more uniformity in measuring and reporting calf experimental data. Journal of Dairy Science. 60, 989–991.Lassiter, C.A. et al. (1955) The nutritional merits of pelleting calf starters. Journal of Dairy Science. 38, 1242-1245.Mirzaei, M. et al. (2016) Interactions between the physical form of starter (mashed versus textured) and corn silage provision on performance, rumen fermentation, and structural growth of Holstein calves. Journal of Animal Science. 94(2):678-686. doi: https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2015-9670Newman P.E. and Savage E.S. (1938) Use of Yeast in Calf Meals and Pellets. Journal of Dairy Science. 21: 161-167.Olynk. N. J. and Wolf, C. A.(2008) Economic analysis of reproductive management strategies on US commercial dairy farms. Journal of Dairy Science. 91, 4082–4091. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2007-0858Pazoki, A, et al. (2017) Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Ruminal Fermentation, and Rumen Development of Calves During Transition From Liquid to Solid Feed: Effects of Physical Form of Starter Feed and Forage Provision. Animal feed science and technology, 234, 173-185. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2017.06.004Porter, J. C. et al. (2007) Effect of fiber level and physical form of starter on growth and development of dairy calves fed no forage. Professional Animal Scientist. 23, 395–400. doi:https://doi.org/10.15232/S1080-7446(15)30994-3Quigley, J. D., et al. (2018). Effects of feeding milk replacer at 2 rates with pelleted, low-starch or texturized, high-starch starters on calf performance and digestion. Journal of Dairy Science. 101(7), 5937-5948.Ragionieri, L, et al. (2016) Annals of Anatomy Effect of the supplementation with a blend containing short and medium chain fatty acid monoglycerides in milk replacer on rumen papillae development in weaning calves. Annals of Anatomy 207:97–108.Righi, F.et al. (2016). Feeding a free choice energetic mineral-vitamin supplement to dry and transition cows: Effects on health and early lactation performance. Large Animal Review. 22(4), 161–170.Sutton, J. D. et al. (1963) Functional development of rumen mucosa. I. Absorptive ability. Journal of Dairy Science. 46, 426–436.Tamate, H. et al. (1962) Effect of various dietaries on the anatomical development of the stomach in the calf. Journal of Dairy Science, 45, 408–420. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(62)89406-5Terré, M. et al. (2015) Interaction between the physical form of the starter feed and straw provision on growth performance of Holstein calves, Journal of Dairy Science, 98(2), 1101-1109. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8151von Keyserlingk, M. A. G. et al. (1998) A comparison of textured versus pelleted concentrates on rumen degradability, dry matter intake, milk yield and composition in lactating Holstein cows. Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 78(2), 219-224
Faecal particle size distribution in relation to forage type and digestibility in horses: preliminary results
No full textThe study aimed to explore the connection between horses’ total tract apparent dry matter
digestibility (ttaDMD) of various roughages and faecal particle size (FPS), to develop a tool to
rank roughage digestibility. Six horses, varying in size and breed, were fed six distinct roughages
(four cuts of fescue, perennial ryegrass/clover mix, and straw). Each feeding period lasted 16 days,
with a 14-day adaptation phase. Faecal samples underwent wet sieving analysis. Roughage
chemical composition was evaluated using NIRs. Faecal and roughage acid insoluble ash content
were used to estimate ttaDMD and FPS was determined by wet sieving using a set of 6 sieves of
different mesh sizes (S1 to S6; 6.50, 4.50, 2.36, 1.18, 0.6 and 0.15 mm respectively). The effects of
roughage ttaDMD on FPS across sieves were analysed using GLM. Linear regressions and correlations
were performed between faecal residues on each sieve and mesh sizes of the sieves to create
a mathematical tool to rank ttaDMD based on FPS distribution. Increased ttaDMD was
associated with larger FPS, with perennial ryegrass/clover mix (ttaDMD 74.44%) and straw
(ttaDMD 44.57%) resulting in smaller and larger faecal particles respectively. Correlations were
observed between ttaDMD, S1 and S2 (r1⁄40.639 and 0.668; p�0.001). The angular coefficient of
the linear function between faecal residues on each sieve support the idea to estimate roughages
digestibility from FPS (R2 1⁄4 0.4153). Consequently, determining faecal residues across sieves
of varying mesh sizes could serve as an indirect method for ranking roughages digestibility
Genetic parameters estimation in an Italian horse native breed to support the conversion from agricultural uses to riding purposes
No full textHorses are nowadays mainly used for sport and leisure purposes, and several local breeds, traditionally used in agriculture, are exposed to the risk of extinction. The long-term survival of local horse breeds depends on strategies to both monitor their genetic diversity and to find their sustainable role in the equine market. Thus, several local horse breeds need to adapt their breeding objective to allow a modernization process. The Bardigiano is an example of such horse breeds; we, therefore, studied the existing evaluation protocol from a genetic standpoint to assess the protocol's suitability to convert the Bardigiano from an agricultural to a riding horse. To this end, we estimated genetic parameters for four conformation measurements, ten grading traits and 23 linear traits. For conformation measurements, the heritabilities ranged from 0.31 for cannon bone circumference to 0.63 for height at withers. For conformation and attitude grading traits, the highest heritability (0.34) was estimated for development and the lowest (0.09) for gaits. The heritabilities for linear traits ranged from 0.05 for the leg straightness to 0.32 for the coat colour. Genetic correlations between linear traits and corresponding grading traits varied considerably, ranging from −0.42 to 0.98. This study showed that the current evaluation protocol in the Bardigiano horse is appropriate for genetic evaluation. Genetic parameters estimation can, in turn, be used to develop novel breeding values to help this conversion. Our study paves the way to optimize the Bardigiano horse breeding programme, and it may help several other local horse breeds experiencing similar issues
STUDY OF A FIVE SIEVES FECAL PARTICLES SEPARATOR TO EVALUATE FIBER AND DRY MATTER DIGESTIBILITY IN DAIRY CATTLE
No full textThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the undigestible neutral detergent fiber and dry matter (auNDFom and uDMom) in fecal particle fractions of lactating dairy cows. Fecal particles were stratified through a battery of five sieves with 4.6, 2.36, 1.18, 0.6 and 0.15 mm pore sizes. Four dairy farms located in the Parmigiano Reggiano cheesemaking area, feeding hay based total mixed ration (TMR), were involved. Five fecal samples were collected in each farm from 5 multiparous lactating Holstein cow of 60 to 90 days in milk (DIM). For each analysis, 250 g of feces were weighted and put on the upper sieve, then washed with a water flow of 250 ml/s for 30 seconds. Washing was performed at each level of the sieves battery during sieves removal. Sieving was repeated three times for each sample. Residual material on each sieves was recovered, dried at 50°C for 48 hours and weighted. Triplicate of each sieve were pooled to carry out the “in vitro” digestion, for the determination of uDMom and auNDFom at 240 hours of fermentation. Statistical analysis was performed through the univariate procedure of the general linear model, using farm and sieves as fixed factors and cow as a random effect; post hoc LSD test was performed. Results showed that 2nd, 3rd and 4th sieves residues were similar for auNDFom proportion but differed from the 1st and 5th and escape residues (64.12, 67.55 and 64.18 %DM vs 57,39, 55,77% and 16,90% respectively; P≤0.001), while, considering the uDMom, the 3rd sieve residue showed the highest value (P≤0.001), being equal to 75.13 %DM. It appears that fecal particles having dimensions between 1.18 and 2.36 contained the lowest digestible dry matter residue, indicating the highest exploitation by the lactating cow, while this range is wider if auNDFom (%DM) is considered
Study of the in vivo and in vitro variations of the enzymatic activity of bovine rumen fluid inocula
No full textAim of the present work was to quantify the enzymatic activities
(EAs) of rumen fluids (RFs) collected as inoculum in
“in vitro” digestibility tests, in the attempt to assess the possible
variations of RFs degradative capacity. A further objective
was to evaluate the effects of the incubation of RFs on a
standard substrate on enzyme expression by rumen microbes.
In a first trial the activities of cellulase (C), amilase (A) and
xylanase (X) were tested on 7 rumen fluid pools collected
from two cows fed a hay-forage based diet in the interval
June-September 2015. The EAs were tested using the radial
enzyme diffusion method (RED) using substrate concentrations
of 0.5%, 0.5% and 0.1% for C, A and X respectively.
Wide variations of rumen fluid EA were observed with values
(area of the halo surface; mm2
) ranging from 295.75 to
621.70 for C, from 310.26 to 495.40 for A and from 95.00 to
723.17 for X. The differences observed between the rumen
fluids examined were significant for all the enzymes
(p<.001) The EAs decreased in August, probably in relationship
to heat/dietary stress. In a second trial, 3 different pools
of (RFs), collected from cows fed no (NC), medium (MC) or
high concentrate (HC) diets, were incubated in triplicate “in
vitro” on a standard substrate (lactating cows total mixed
ration). The relative EA were tested at different intervals (h:
1, 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48) to evaluate the dynamic of C, A and X
enzymes expression pattern by ruminal microbiota, and to
individuate the interval at which the different inoculums
showed similar and/or maximum EAs. Initial EA were NC 1⁄4
226.12; MC 1⁄4 198.49 and HC 1⁄4 282.93 mm2 for A activity;
NC 1⁄4 250.32, MC 1⁄4 365.67 and HC 1⁄4 578.79 mm2 for C; NC
1⁄4 227.83; MC 1⁄4 95.00; HC 1⁄4 124.10 mm2 for X. An increase
of EA was observed for A from 4 to 8 hours, with maximum
values of 321.71 for NC, 270.99 for MC and 304.27 mm2 for
HC. EA peaks were observed for C at 2 and 8 h. X activity
showed a maximum value at 8 h for HC (208.67 mm2
) and
after 48 h for NC (343.5 mm2
) and MC (288.07 mm2
). Similar
values of EA in the 3 pools (NC, MC and HC) were observed
at 24 h for C and at 4 h for X. Concerning A, two (MC and
HC) out of 3 pools showed similar EA values at 24 h. The RFs
EA can vary widely across inoculums from the same animals.
Incubations affects EA, generally inducing an increase in RFs
coming from NC diet, and a decrease in RFs derived from HC
diet, with similar values at variable intervals depending on
the enzyme
Feeding a free choice energetic mineral-vitamin supplement to dry and transition cows: Effects on health and early lactation performance
No full textIntroduction-Diets or total mixed rations (TMRs) formulated for specific groups of animals are not always able to satisfy the nutrient requirements of individuals cows and this limit can became critical in key phases of the productive-reproductive cycle such as the dry and the transition periods, whose proper management is recognized to affect the entire subsequent lactation. Various nutritional strategy have been tested for the conduction of these critical phases and different tools have been developed to help farmers in preventing the metabolic and reproductive diseases typical of the fresh cow. Aim-The aims of the present work were to evaluate the use of a free choice energetic mineral-vitamin supplement as a tool for the nutritional management of dry and transition cows and to study its effect on cattle health and early lactation performances. Materials and methods-A randomized complete block design was performed on 20 Italian Holstein cows divided into two balanced groups: Control, fed hay and total mixed ration (TMR) and Treated, offered the same diet and the supplemental product as ad libitum licking feed. Group feed intake and individual dry matter digestibility, health, metabolic parameters, and productive and reproductive performances were monitored from the drying off to 100 days in milk (DIM). Results and discussion-The TMR was a fibrous mix with high level of NDF, low level of NFC and an average level of starch, while hay was a mixed hay characterised by a prevalence of grasses. The Treated group consumed from 0.34±0.12 to 0.74±0.50 kg/d of supplement and in comparison with the Control group showed an higher hay intake during the colostral phase (5.98±0.44 vs 4.39±0.57 kg, P = 0.004) and an higher TMR intake during the post-partum period (16.16±1.43 vs 14.49±1.35 kg, P = 0.001). No differences were observed in dry matter digestibility at the intervals considered. Because of the higher quantity of energy and nutrient availability, treated animals showed a trend for a lower incidence of ovarian cysts in the fresh period, produced a significantly higher quantity of colostrum (15.4±2.1 vs 5.8±2.8 kg; P = 0.010) and showed a tendentially higher immunoglobulin output (1403±222 vs 706±190 g; P = 0.069) such as tendentially higher cumulative milk production at 20 DIM (632±104 vs 517±134 kg, P = 0.058). Calving to first cycle interval was significantly reduced by treatment (19.8±2.0 vs 41.7±5.2 days; P = 0.001). Conclusions-The use of free choice energetic mineral-vitamin supplements administered as ad libitum dietary component during dry and transition periods seems to be a viable tool for the nutritional management of the dry and transition cows. Under sub optimal nutritional field conditions, this practice appeared to positively affect dry matter intake, colostral phase performance and early lactation health status but also reproductive function resumption and milk production
Optimizing Essential Oil Mixtures: Synergistic Effects on Cattle Rumen Fermentation and Methane Emission
No full textRuminant livestock contribute significantly to methane emissions, necessitating sustainable mitigation strategies. Essential oils (EOs) show promise for modulating ruminal fermentation, but their synergistic effects remain underexplored. Two 24 h in vitro experiments evaluated the synergistic effects of EO blends on rumen microbial fermentation. Exp. 1 screened five oils using two triad combinations. Triad 1 tested 10 combinations of thyme (THY), peppermint (PPM), and cinnamon leaf (CIN) oils. Triad 2 tested 10 combinations of anise (ANI), clove leaf (CLO), and peppermint (PPM) oils. Each blend was tested at 400 mg/L, using batch culture methods measuring: pH, ammonia-N (NH3-N), and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The two most effective blends, designated as T1 and T2, were selected for Exp. 2 to assess total gas and methane (CH4) production using pressure transducer methods. All treatments were incubated in a rumen fluid–buffer mix with a 50:50 forage-to-concentrate substrate (pH 6.6). In Exp. 1, data were analyzed according to the Simplex Centroid Design using R-Studio. In Exp. 2, an analysis was conducted using the MIXED procedure in SAS. Mean comparisons were assessed through Tukey’s test. The results from Exp. 1 identified CIN+PPM (80:20) and ANI+CLO (80:20) as optimal combinations, both increasing total VFAs while reducing acetate/propionate ratios and NH3-N concentrations. In Exp. 2, both combinations significantly reduced total gas and CH4 productions compared to the control, with CIN+PPM achieving the greatest methane reduction (similar to monensin, the positive control). Specific essential oil combinations demonstrated synergistic effects in modulating rumen fermentation and reducing methane emissions, offering potential for sustainable livestock production. Further in vivo validation is required to optimize dosing and assess long-term effects on animal performance
Forage Value as Production Factor: a new tool for estimating forages productive and economic value
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