Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Mill. Johnston) pellet supplementation improved rumen fermentation, milk yield and milk composition of lactating dairy cows

Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Mill. Johnston) is a fodder shrub that contains flavonoid compounds and uses as feeds, medicine and food, respectively. This study examined the effects of Chaya leaf pellet (CHYP) supplementation on nutrient digestibilities, feed intake, rumen fermentation, milk yield and milk compositions. Four lactating crossbred (75% Holstein-Friesian × 25% Thai native cows) dairy cows with average body weight (440 ± 10), milk production (12 ± 2 kg/h/d) and days- in- milk (126 ± 20) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Two ratio of concentrate to milk yield, (1:1; CM1 and 1:2; CM2) and two CHYP levels at 0 and 6% of total dry matter intake (TDMI) were imposed. The results revealed that concentrate to milk yield ratio and CHYP supplementation had interactive effect (P < 0.05) on nutrient intake except ADF, fat -corrected milk and total solids. Rumen pH was decreased (P < 0.05) in cows receiving high concentrate, while the pH was in normal range for animals fed with CHYP. Ruminal NH3-N concentration was increased (P < 0.05) by the 6% CHYP supplementation. The level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P < 0.05) was increased with the increase of ruminal NH3-N (P < 0.01), and bacterial population, while the, protozoal counts were slightly reduced by the supplementation of CHYP. The CHYP supplementation significantly increased total VFA and propionate concentration, while decreased acetate to propionate ratio and estimated methane emission. In conclusion, concentrate to milk yield at 1:1 ratio and CHYP supplementation at 6% significantly modulated rumen fermentation end-products and milk composition in lactating dairy cows

Supplemental effect of Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) leaf pellet on rumen fermentation, nutrients digestibility and microbial protein synthesis in growing crossbred bulls

This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) leaf pellet (CHYP) on rumen fermentation, nutrients digestibility and microbial protein synthesis in growing crossbred bulls. Four animals, with an average liveweight of 160 ± 10 kg were randomly arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. There were four treatments: 0, 4, 6 and 8% CHYP supplementation of DMI. The study findings showed that increasing supplementation level of CHYP linearly enhanced (p < 0.05) DM, OM, and CP digestibilities. Rumen characteristics, namely NH3–N concentration and bacterial population were increased (p < 0.05) while, protozoal and fungal population remained unchanged, as level of CHYP supplementation increased. Total rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) and propionic acid (C3) were enhanced (p < 0.05). Furthermore, N utilisation especially N absorption, N retention and efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis (EMNS) were significantly improved by increasing level of CHYP supplementation. Hence, CHYP supplementation is highly promising for ruminant feeding.HIGHLIGHTS Chaya leaf pellet (CHYP) contains high level of crude protein, essential amino acids and minerals. CHYP supplementation increased nutrient digestibility and propionic acid (C3) in rumen. CHYP enhanced N–balance, microbial nitrogen supply (MNS) and efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis (EMNS)

Supplemental effect of Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) leaf pellet on rumen fermentation, nutrients digestibility and microbial protein synthesis in growing crossbred bulls

This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) leaf pellet (CHYP) on rumen fermentation, nutrients digestibility and microbial protein synthesis in growing crossbred bulls. Four animals, with an average liveweight of 160 ± 10 kg were randomly arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. There were four treatments: 0, 4, 6 and 8% CHYP supplementation of DMI. The study findings showed that increasing supplementation level of CHYP linearly enhanced (p < 0.05) DM, OM, and CP digestibilities. Rumen characteristics, namely NH3–N concentration and bacterial population were increased (p < 0.05) while, protozoal and fungal population remained unchanged, as level of CHYP supplementation increased. Total rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) and propionic acid (C3) were enhanced (p < 0.05). Furthermore, N utilisation especially N absorption, N retention and efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis (EMNS) were significantly improved by increasing level of CHYP supplementation. Hence, CHYP supplementation is highly promising for ruminant feeding.HIGHLIGHTS Chaya leaf pellet (CHYP) contains high level of crude protein, essential amino acids and minerals. CHYP supplementation increased nutrient digestibility and propionic acid (C3) in rumen. CHYP enhanced N–balance, microbial nitrogen supply (MNS) and efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis (EMNS)

Effect of Rhodanese Enzyme Addition on Rumen Fermentation, Cyanide Concentration, and Feed Utilization in Beef Cattle Receiving Various Levels of Fresh Cassava Root

Fresh cassava root is not recommended for animal feeding due to high quantities of hydrocyanic acid (HCN), which produces symptoms of poisoning. The purpose of this study was to find out how a rhodanese enzyme addition affects rumen fermentation, HCN content, feed utilization, and blood metabolites in beef calves fed fresh cassava root. Four Thai native beef cattle with an initial body weight (BW) of 95 &plusmn; 10.0 kg (1&ndash;1.5 years old) were randomly allocated to receive fresh cassava root containing HCN at 0, 300, 450, and 600 ppm according to a 4 &times; 4 Latin square design. Rice straw was the basal diet. The rhodanese enzyme was combined with concentrated feeds at a concentration of 1 mg/104 ppm HCN. The fresh cassava root was cleaned to remove dirt and chopped into 3 to 5 mm sized pieces before being fed to the animals at their various levels. The total feed intake of beef cattle increased when fed with fresh cassava root (p &lt; 0.05). The digestibility of crude protein (CP) was different among various fresh cassava root levels (p &lt; 0.05). Ruminal ammonia-N levels were measured 4 hours after feeding, and the average concentration declined considerably in animals fed fresh cassava root at 300&ndash;600 ppm HCN (p &lt; 0.05). Cyanide concentration in the rumen was linearly increased by 270.6% (p &lt; 0.05) when it was supplemented with a high level of fresh cassava root. Blood urea-N concentration was altered and decreased when supplemented with fresh cassava root (p &lt; 0.01). The blood thiocyanate concentration was altered by the levels of fresh cassava root and rhodanese enzyme, which ranged from 4.1 to 27.9 mg/dL (p &lt; 0.01). Cattle given fresh cassava root showed no influence on total volatile fatty acid, acetic acid, or butyric acid concentrations in the rumen (p &gt; 0.05). However, the concentration of propionic acid increased slightly (p &lt; 0.05) 4 hours after feeding. Supplementing fresh cassava root up to 600 ppm HCN/day improved N absorption, retention, and the proportion of N retention to N intake (p &lt; 0.05). Therefore, increasing the inclusion of fresh cassava root with a rhodanese enzyme addition improves total feed intake, CP digestibility, nitrogen utilization, blood thiocyanate, and propionate concentrations, which may remove HCN without harming animal health