Author
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VAREL V H - 5438-01-07 |
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KREIKEMEIER K K - 5438-01-07 |
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Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/1993 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Daily additions of 3 g Amaferm to alfalfa and bromegrass diets were evaluated for effects on ruminal fiber degradation, fermentation profile and bacteria. Eight cows, were fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulae. The split plot design consisted of 4 cows fed alfalfa, 4 fed bromegrass and two sampling periods, with or without Amaferm. Each period consisted of 28 d; 1-14 d for adaptation, 15-21 d for feed intake and 22-28 d for ruminal and duodenal sampling. Nylon bags containing NDF substrate from alfalfa or bromegrass were used to determine ruminal fiber degradation at 3,6,9,12,24,48, and 72 h. Amaferm increased degradation of the cellulose fraction and the initial degradation rate of the hemicellulose fraction of bromegrass, but not for alfalfa. Cows fed alfalfa had higher VFA, acetate to propionate ratio and ammonia nitrogen, and consumed less feed compared to cows fed bromegrass. There were no Amaferm effects on these responses. The number of ruminal anaerobic bacteria were greater when Amaferm was included in the diet; 0.91 x 10**10 vs 1.82 x 10**10 for alfalfa, and 1.57 x 10**10 vs 2.31 x 10**10 for bromegrass. Although the total number of cellulolytic bacteria was not affected by Amaferm, there was a diet by Amaferm interaction on the percent Ruminococcus albus present. R. albus accounted for 24.4% of the total cellulolytic population from cows fed alfalfa plus Amaferm compared to 33.3% from cows fed bromegrass plus Amaferm. Amaferm increased the total number of ruminal anaerobic bacteria when cows were fed either bromegrass or alfalfa, it increased the degradation of the grass forage, but not the legume, and it modified the proportion of R. albus isolates. |
