Alimentary and anti-methanogenic potential of four tropical species in domestic ruminants

Objective: To describe some considerations about the nutritional and antimetanogenic potential of four tropical leguminous plants present in Campeche, Mexico: Bauhinia divaricata, Dalbergia glabra, Piscidia piscipula and Caesalpinia vesicaria, in domestic ruminants. Design/methodology/approach: The information was obtained from databases and repositories available on the internet, as well as from official websites of national and international organizations. Results: Although there is vast information of several leguminous species, data still is limited for B. divaricata, D. glabra, P. piscipula and C. vesicaria, despite they are consumed by domestic ruminants. The few available studies report that these species have between 11 and 18% of crude protein (PC) and the presence of some secondary metabolites; however, there is no information regarding their antimetanogenic potential and animal productivity. Limitations of the study/implications: This study provides an overview of the nutritional and antimethanogenic potential of four species of tropical leguminous plants in domestic ruminants in Campeche. Findings/conclusions: B. divaricata, D. glabra, P. piscipula and C. vesicaria are leguminous plans that grow in the Yucatan Peninsula, are found in grazing areas and consumed by domestic ruminants; however, there are few reports that determine the nutritional value of their edible components and none that evaluate their effect on animal productivity and their ability to decrease rumen production of methane (CH4).OObjective: To describe some considerations about the alimentary and anti- methanogenic potential of Bauhinia divaricata, Dalbergia glabra, Piscidia piscipula and Caesalpinia vesicaria (Fabaceae) present in Campeche, Mexico, in domestic ruminants.Design/methodology/approach: The information was obtained from databases and archives in the internet, as well as official pages of national and international organizations.Results: Although there is vast information about some Fabaceae species, it is still limited for B. divaricata, D. glabra, P. piscipula and C. vesicaria, although they are consumed by domestic ruminants. The few studies available report between 11 and 18% of raw protein (RP) and some secondary metabolites; however, there are nostudies that allow understanding their anti-methanogenic potential and their effects on productivity.Limitations on study/implications: This study offers a panorama of the alimentary and anti-methanogenic potential of four tropical species in domestic ruminants.Findings/conclusions: B. divaricata, D. glabra, P. piscipula and C. vesicaria grow in the Yucatan Peninsula, they are found in grazing zones and are consumed by animals; however, there are few reports that determine the nutritional value of their edible components and no reports that evaluate their effect on productivity of domestic ruminants or their capacity to decrease the ruminal production of methane (CH 4 )

Efecto de la vitamina E en la función digestiva y composición de la leche de bovinos alimentados con un suplemento de ácido linoleico conjugado protegido.

La presente tesis se compone de la Introducción General, Revisión de literatura, tres capítulos que engloban la investigación, objeto de este estudio, y Conclusiones y Recomendaciones Generales. El Capítulo 1 consiste en un artículo de revisión de literatura que enmarca la importancia de proteger ingredientes y/o compuestos del ataque de microrganismos a nivel ruminal, donde la nanotecnología ocupa un papel importante. En el Capítulo 2 se discute el efecto de la vitamina E en la composición de la leche de vacas en pastoreo que recibieron un suplemento de ácido linoleico conjugado microencapsulado, así como un análisis económico del mismo. El Capítulo 3 consiste en el estudio del efecto de la vitamina E en la fermentación ruminal y la digestión de nutrientes en novillos que recibieron un suplemento de ácido linoleico conjugado microencapsulado. En el Capítulo 1 se describen aspectos generales de la nanotecnología así como algunas de las aplicaciones que pudiera tener en la producción animal. Considerando que a pesar de que gran parte de los estudios van dirigidos a humanos, primeramente se hacen prueban en animales, por lo que este hecho pudiera considerarse para desarrollar productos que tengan por objetivo alguna especie animal, ya que el uso de tal tecnología aún es escasa en la producción animal. Sin embargo, la microencapsulación es una tecnología que posee prácticamente los mismos objetivos que la nanotecnología, además de que en el proceso se utilizan los mismos métodos de preparación. Por lo anterior, en los Capítulos 2 y 3 se discute la utilización de un suplemento de ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) microencapsulado, tecnología reciente que permite proteger al CLA de la hidrogenación ruminal. De esta manera, se evaluó el efecto de la vitamina E en la concentración de grasa y perfil de ácidos grasos de leche de vacas en pastoreo que recibieron un suplemento el CLA microencapsulado (Capítulo 2). Se utilizaron 8 vacas Holstein neozelandesas, en pastoreo rotacional, en un Diseño Crossover asignadas aleatoriamente a cuatro tratamientos: testigo (dieta base con CLA microencapsulado) y tres niveles de vitamina E (4000, 8000 y 12000 UI/vaca por día). Todas las vacas recibieron un suplemento que aportó 5g de cis-9, trans-11 y 5g de trans-10,cis-12 de ácido linoleico conjugado. No hubo diferencias en el consumo de materia seca, en la producción de leche ni en su composición por efecto de la vitamina E y, en todos los tratamientos, el contenido de grasa fue inferior a 3%. El perfil de ácidos grasos de la leche tampoco se modificó, ni hubo beneficios económicos debido a que no se encontraron incrementos en producción de leche ni de grasa. Así mismo, se evaluó el efecto de la vitamina E en la fermentación ruminal y en la digestión de nutrientes en novillos que recibieron un suplemento de CLA microencapsulado (Capítulo 3). Se utilizaron 4 novillos machos Holstein canulados ruminal y duodenalmente, en un Diseño en Cuadro Latino 4 x 4, asignados aleatoriamente a cuatro tratamientos: Testigo (dieta base con CLA microencapsulado) y testigo con tres niveles de vitamina E (4000, 8000 y 12000 UI/novillo por día). Todos los novillos recibieron un suplemento que aportó 5g de cis-9, trans-11 y 5g de trans-10,cis-12 de ácido CLA el cual, junto con la vitamina E, se colocaron directamente en el rumen a través de la cánula ruminal. No hubo cambios significativos en la producción ruminal de AGV’s, aunque numéricamente, la digestión ruminal de la FDN fue mejor (P<0.15) en el tratamiento con 12000 UI de vitamina E, y de la FDA (P<0.25) en los tratamientos con 4000, 8000 y 12000 UI de vitamina E; así mismo, también, numéricamente, no estadísticamente (P<0.17), la digestión postruminal de la materia orgánica fue mejor con 8000 y 12000UI de vitamina E. Se concluye que la vitamina E no es efectiva para prevenir la disminución de grasa en la leche de vaca por efecto del CLA microencapsulado a pesar de que se mejora la digestión de nutrientes a lo largo de todo el tubo gastrointestinal de novillos. Se necesita aún más investigación que explique el papel de la vitamina E en la digestión de nutrientes a lo largo de todo el tubo digestivo, y de esta manera poder entender con mayor certeza, la respuesta en el comportamiento productivo. _______________ ABSTRACT: This thesis includes the General Introduction, a Review, and three chapters that include the discussion of the research project, and general recommendations and conclusions. Chapter 1 is a review that takes into consideration the importance of protecting ingredients or/and compounds against attack ruminal microorganisms, where the nanotechnology plays an important role. In Chapter 2, the evaluation of the effect of vitamin E on the fat content and fatty acid profile of grazing dairy cows supplemented with microencapsulated conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is discussed. In Chapter 3, the evaluation of the effect of vitamin E on the digestion of nutrients in steers supplemented with microencapsulated CLA is described. In Chapter 1, nanotechnolgy general aspects and its possible application on animal production is described, taking into consideration that even though most of the studies on nanotechnology are addressed to human being, all tests are done using animals first. This suggests that it is possible to use this technology on animal production. In this sense, as the microencapsulation has the same principles of the nanotechnology, it took us to work on microencapsulated CLA, a technology that allows to protect the CLA against the ruminal biohidrogentation, which is discussed in Chapters 2, where the main objective to evaluate the effect of vitamin E on the fat content and fatty acid profile of grazing dairy cows supplemented with microencapsulated conjugated linoleic acid. Eight New Zealand Holstein cows in a rotational grazing system were used, in a crossover design, randomly assigned to four treatments: control (base diet with microencapsulated CLA) and three levels of vitamin E (control with 4000, control with 8000, and control with 12000 UI/cow per day). All the cows received a supplement with 5 g of cis-9, trans-11, and 5 g of trans-10, cis-12 of CLA. Moreover, they each received 4 kg DM concentrate and 3.2 kg DM corn silage every day. There were no differences in dry matter intake, milk production, or milk composition (fat, protein, and lactose) as an effect of vitamin E, and fat content remained under 3% in all treatments. The fatty acid profile of the milk was not modified either, although there was a decrease of 5.7% saturated fatty acids in the treatments with vitamin E. On the other hand, to understand the digestion of nutrients, a study was carried out using four Holstein steers cannulated in the rumen and duodenum in a 4 x 4 (Chapter 3) in a Latin Square design, randomly assigned to four treatments: control (basal diet with microencapsulated CLA) and three levels of vitamin E (control with 4000, 8000 and 12000 IU/steer per day, respectively). All steers were placed intraruminally the supplement that provided 5 g of cis-9, trans-11 and 5 g of trans-10, cis-12 CLA, and the dose of vitamin E in according with the assigned treatment. Dry matter intake was restricted to 2.1% of initial BW. There were no statistically significant differences in ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid production by the effect of vitamin E. The digestion of nutrients was not statistically affected either, but there was a trend to improve ruminal digestion of NDF (P <0.15) in the treatment with 12000 IU of vitamin E, and ADF (P <0.25) in treatments with 4000, 8000 and 12000 IU of vitamin E. Post-ruminal digestion of OM was improved, numerically (P <0.17), in treatments with 8000 and 12000 IU of vitamin E. It is concluded that vitamin E improves ruminal, post-ruminal and total digestion of some nutrients, but not ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid production. Further research is needed to explain the role of vitamin E on the digestion of nutrients throughout the gastrointestinal tract, in order to understand the animal performance.Tesis (Doctorado en Ciencias, especialista en Ganadería).- Colegio de Postgraduados, 2012.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT)

Respuesta productiva de vacas lecheras en pastoreo a la suplementación con maíz fresco picado

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de suplementar con maíz fresco picado (MFP) a vacas lecheras en pastoreo en la respuesta productiva. Se utilizaron 24 vacas Holstein multíparas. El pastoreo fue rotacional en una pradera mixta alfalfa-pasto ovillo. Se evaluaron tres tratamientos: 0, 4 y 8 kg de MS de MFP animal-1día-1. Todos los animales recibieron 3.8 kg de MS de alimento concentrado animal-1 día-1. Se utilizó un diseño reversible simple (cross-over) (tres tratamientos, dos repeticiones con cuatro animales cada uno), de 3 períodos, con una duración de 19 días cada uno (10 d de adaptación y 9 d de muestreo). No hubo diferencias significativas en producción individual ni en composición de la leche. El consumo de forraje de la pradera disminuyó (3<0.0001) de 8.4 a 5.2 y 3.1 kg de MS de forraje de pradera al aumentar el nivel de MFP de 0 a 4 y 8 kg de MS, respectivamente; mientras que el consumo total de MS incrementó (3<0.0001) en aquellas vacas con un nivel de suplemento más alto, promediando 12.2, 12.9, y 14.8 kg de MS total con 0, 4 y 8 kg de MS de MFP, respectivamente. La tasa de sustitución (TS) de forraje de la pradera por MFP fue de 0.75 y 0.67 kg de forraje por kg de MFP con 4 y 8 kg de MS de MFP, respectivamente, consecuentemente, incrementó (3<0.0001) la carga animal (CA), de 3.8 a 6.2, y 8.8 vacas ha-1 al aumentar el MFP de 0 a 4 y 8 kg de MS de MFP, respectivamente, mientras que la producción de leche por hectárea incrementó (3<0.0001) de 39.3 a 64.5 y 95.5 kg de leche, respectivamente. Esto indica que por cada kg de MS de MFP, la CA aumenta 0.63 vacas ha-1, y 0.75 kg de leche ha-1. Lo anterior indica que suplementar con MFP a vacas en etapa final de lactancia no presentó beneficios en producción de leche individual, ni cambios en composición de la leche, pero sí incrementó la producción de leche por hectárea, como resultado de aumento en la CA.________The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing with fresh chopped maize (FCM) to grazing dairy cows on animal performance. Twenty four multiparous Holstein dairy cows were used in a rotational grazing system on a mixed alfalfa-orchard sward. Three treatments were evaluated: 0, 4, and 8 kg of DM of FCM cow-1 day-1. Each cow received 3.8 kg of concentrate (DM basis). The experimental design was a cross-over (three treatments, two replicates with four animals each), with 3 periods lasting 19 days each (10 adaptation plus 9 sampling period). There were no differences on individual milk production nor on milk composition. Herbage dry matter intake decreased (3<0.0001) from 8.4 to 5.2 and 3.1 kg of DM when increasing FCM from 0 to 4 and 8 kg of DM, respectively; while total DM intake increased (3<0.0001) on those cows with the highest level of supplementation, averaging 12.2, 12.9, 14.8 kg of total DM at 0, 4, and 8 kg of DM of FCM, respectively. Substitution rate (SR) of pasture for FCM was 0.75 and 0.67 kg of pasture per kg of FCM with 4 and 8 kg of DM of FCM, respective. Consequently, stocking rate (STR) increased (3<0.0001) from 3.8, to 6.2, and 8.8 cows ha-1, with 0, 4, and 8 kg of DM of FCM, respectively; and milk production per hectare increased (3<0.0001) from 39.3 to 64.5 and 95.5 kg of milk with 0, 4, and 8 kg of DM of FCM, respectively. This means that STR increases 0.63 cows ha-1, and 0.75 kg of milk ha-1 when FCM is increased in one kg of DM. It is suggested that offering FCM as supplement to grazing dairy cows in their final lactation stage had no benefits in individual milk production or milk composition; but on milk production per hectare.Tesis ( Maestría en Ciencias, especialista en Ganadería).- Colegio de Postgraduados, 2008.CONACY

Pumpkin Waste as Livestock Feed: Impact on Nutrition and Animal Health and on Quality of Meat, Milk, and Egg

Meat, milk, and egg contribute positively to the nutrition and health of humans; however, livestock requires a large number of resources, including land for fodder and grains. Worldwide millions of tons of vegetable waste are produced without any further processing, causing pollution and health risks. Properly managed vegetable waste could provide a source of feed for livestock, thus reducing feeding costs. In this regard, pumpkin waste (Cucurbita sp.) is an alternative. Research on pumpkin waste on animal nutrition is scarce, however, it has potential as animal feed not only for its nutritional value but also for its antioxidants, pigments, and polysaccharides content that could enhance quality of meat, milk, and egg, as well animal health. In this review, we describe the environmental impact of livestock as a result of greater demand for food of animal origin, including the importance of the consumption of animal foods in human nutrition and health. Moreover, we emphasize the potential of plant residues and, particularly, on the characteristics of pumpkins and how their use as feedstuff for livestock could improve productivity and modify the composition of meat, milk, and egg

Considerations on the Use of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes to Improve Forage Utilization

Digestion of cell wall fractions of forage in the rumen is incomplete due to the complex links which limit their degradation. It is therefore necessary to find options to optimize the use of forages in ruminant production systems. One alternative is to use exogenous enzymes. Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes are of fungal or bacterial origin and increase nutrient availability from the cell wall, which consists of three fractions in different proportions depending on the species of forage: digestible, potentially digestible, and indigestible. The response to addition of exogenous enzymes varies with the type of forage; many researchers infer that there are enzyme-forage interactions but fail to explain the biological mechanism. We hypothesize that the response is related to the proportion of the potentially digestible fraction. The exogenous enzyme activity depends on several factors but if the general conditions for enzyme action are available, the potentially digestible fraction may determine the magnitude of the response. Results of experiments with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes in domestic ruminants are inconsistent. This, coupled with their high cost, has made their use unattractive to farmers. Development of cheaper products exploring other microorganisms with fibrolytic activity, such as Fomes fomentarius or Cellulomonas flavigena, is required

Evaluation of complete feeds for intensive fattening lambs

Se realizó una evaluación de 4 alimentos comerciales para el engorde intensivo de ovinos en México, con diferentes composiciones de nutrientes. Se determinó la concentración de almidón y se estimaron las fracciones de proteína digestible en intestino (PDI). Se usaron 20 borregos machos criollos x Suffolk, con peso vivo inicial de 25,28 ± 5,7 kg en jaulas metabólicas individuales para evaluar consumo de materia seca (CMS), ganancia de peso (GDP) y conversión (CA), durante 45 días. Los alimentos (tratamientos) evaluados fueron: T1=Albapesa; T2=Purina; T3=Union Tepexpan; y T4=Hacienda. No se encontraron diferencias (P>0,05) en el CMS g/d (T1 1316; T2 1201; T3, 1124; T4 1093), GDP g/d (T1 260; T2 216; T3 285; T4 202), y CA (T1 5,05; T2 5,56; T3 3,94; T4 5,39). La estimación de la ganancia de peso basado en la digestibilidad in situ de la MS y en las ecuaciones del NRC permitieron predecir en forma adecuada el comportamiento de ovinos (r²=0,79). A pesar de que no hubo diferencias en el comportamiento, los costos de alimentación y los beneficios económicos fueron diferentes.66 - 72BimestralAn evaluation of 4 commercial concentrates for intensive fattening of sheep was conducted in Mexico. Starch content was determined and protein digestible in small intestine (PDI) fractions were estimated. Twenty male sheep (criollo x Suffolk) with initial weight 25.28 ± 5.7 kg were allotted in individual crates to evaluate dry matter intake (DMI), weight gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FC), during 45 days. Feed (treatments) evaluated were: T1=Albapesa; T2=Purina; T3=Union Tepexpan; and T4=Hacienda. No differences were found (P>0.05) in DMI g/d (T1 1316; T2 1201; T3, 1124; T4 1093), AGD g/d (T1 260; T2 216; T3 285; T4 202), FC (T1 5.05; T2 5.56; T3 3.94; T4 5.39). Estimation of gain based on in situ DM digestion and NRC equations allow the adequate prediction of sheep performance (r²=0.79). Despite of the lack of difference in performance, feed costs and economic benefits were different

Foliage of Tropical Trees and Shrubs and Their Secondary Metabolites Modify In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation, Methane and Gas Production without a Tight Correlation with the Microbiota

Ruminants, mainly cattle, contribute to greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions as methane (CH4) is produced by ruminal fermentation. Hence, various anti-methanogenic feed strategies have been studied, including the use of plants with secondary metabolites. This study evaluated in vitro ruminal fermentation metrics, microbial composition by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) and the CH4 production of the foliage of several tropical trees and shrubs: Leucaena leucocephala, Moringa oleifera, Albizia lebbeck, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Piscidia piscipula, Brosimum alicastrum, Lysiloma latisiliquum, Guazuma ulmifolia, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Gliricidia sepium and Bursera simaruba, using Cynodon plectostachyus grass as control. The results showed a wide variation in the chemical composition of the foliage, as well as in the ruminal microbiota. The crude protein (CP) content ranged from 11 to 25%, whereas the content of condensed tannins (CT) and saponins (S) was from 0.02 to 7%, and 3.2 to 6.6%, respectively. The greatest dry matter degradability (DMD) after 72 h was 69% and the least 35%, the latter coinciding with the least gas production (GP). A negative correlation was found between the CT and CH4 production, also between protozoa and fungi with the SGMT group of archaea. We concluded that the foliage of some tropical trees and shrubs has a high nutritional value and the potential to decrease CH4 production due to its CT content

Stability and Effects of Protected Palmitic Acid on In Vitro Rumen Degradability and Fermentation in Lactating Goats

Few studies have evaluated the impact of a lipid-rich diet with palmitic acid (PA) in ruminal fermentation. The objective was to evaluate the in vitro bath culture of the protected PA on the ruminal fermentative variables. Four diets were used: (a) without protected PA (nPA) and (b) inclusion of protected PA at three levels: PA3 = 3%, PA6 = 6%, and PA9 = 9% dry matter (DM). The maximum gas production occurred without including protected PA and the low gas production given with the inclusion of protected PA9 (p ≤ 0.05). Meanwhile, the inclusion with 3 and 6% of protected PA showed a higher level of gas production kinetics than the other treatments (p ≤ 0.05). DM and organic matter degradation after 72 h of incubation linearly decreased (p ≤ 0.05) with a high level of protected PA. The level of C16:0 in the protected AP increased with the higher level of supplemented AP (p ≤ 0.05). The best efficiency in propionic acid, decrease in methane, and increase in biohydrogenation (79%) occurred with the inclusion of protected PA3 (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, supplements with protected PA at 3 and 6% increased PA availability. The results indicate good benefits of protected PA on fermentative variables, and these doses seem ideal for future research in lactating goats