The aim of this study was to in vitro evaluate encapsulated probiotic supplementation to ruminant rationson degradation and fermentation parameters. The ration consisted of 40% alfalfa hay and 60% concentrate feed mixture. Encapsulated and not encapsulated probiotic were supplemented with level of 106cfu/kg of the total dry matter of ration (DM) and compared with encapsulation media (Sodium Alginate, SA) and control (not supplemented ration). DM and OM degradation and total gas production as well as fermentation parameters of the incubated samples were determined after 24 h of fermentation. Significant (P<0.01) increases in in-vitro DM degradability was observed for the experimental ration supplemented with encapsulated or not encapsulated probiotics at levels (106 CFU/ kg DM) and SA treatment compared to control ration. Also, significant (P<0.05) improvement in OM degradability was recorded for the ration supplemented with not encapsulated probiotics bacteria compared to the other treatments. Moreover no significant differences were observed between the control ration and the rations supplemented with encapsulated probiotics or SA only, as well as no significant difference was recorded between the ration supplemented with encapsulated probiotics and the ration supplemented with SA only. Probiotics bacteria supple mentation in the form of not encapsulated probiotic resulted significant increases in in vitro total gas production per sample and per g DM, OM, dDM, NDF and ADF after 24 hours incubation period compared to the other experimental rations (control, encapsulated probiotic and SA). While significant increase in total gas production per g dOM was observed for not encapsulated probiotic compared to encapsulated probiotic only. It could be concluded that, using encapsulated probiotics bacteria had no significant effect on DM degradability and may be induce decrease in gas production and fermentation parameters.

Two hundred multiparous Holstein dairy cows post-partum were randomly assigned into two groups. The first group (control, n=100) was fed total mixed ration (TMR) without a supplement of liquid probiotic enzymes. The second group (treatment, n=100) was fed TMR supplemented with a commercial probiotic (ZAD) prepared by Bactizad company, Cairo, Egypt. at the rate of 10 ml/head/day.  According to the guide of the manufacture for 12 weeks ZAD was added and mixed to the TMR at the time of feeding once per day. Each group was placed in a shaded pen equipped with free stalls.    Results obtained showed that     Milk yield increased significantly from 39.57 kg/day for control group up to 41.73 kg/day for treated with ZAD group.  Fat and protein milk percentage tended to be improved due to treated with ZAD but the difference was not significant. Lactose percentage was affected positively and significantly by treated of ZAD, lactose percentage was 4.79 for control group and 4.83 for ZAD group.  Serum total protein increased significantly from 11.52 (g/dl) for control group up to 11.85(g/dl) for treated ZAD group. Albumin was significantly higher in control group.   Results indicated that blood urea concentration in treated group being 34.77 (mg/dl) and for the control group 33.91 (mg/dl), was significantly higher.  Alkaline phosphates increased significantly in treated group from 21.105 U/l for control group up to 26.92 U/l for treated group.   Cholesterol concentration was reduced significantly due to treatment from 240.98 mg/dl in control cows to 190.13 mg/dl in treated cows.  Triglycerides concentration declined significantly due to treatment of probiotic ZAD. In control cows triglycerides concentration was 27.871 (mg/dl) and treated cows was 20.9781 (mg/dl).  T3 concentration increased significantly as a response to treatment by probiotic ZAD. T3 concentration was 117.29 ng/dl in treated group and 62.38 mg/dl in control group.