BACKGROUND: The correct usage of  wastes in animal nutrition causes  decrease in environmental pollution. Apple pomace as an energetic matter and source of digestible fibers for ruminants is a proper alternative for forage. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of diets containing dried apple pomace on digestibility, rumination, microbial fermentation and blood glucose and urea of Arabi sheep. METHODS: In the first step, 0, 10, 20 and 30% dried apple pomace replaced with alfalfa were used in the experimental diets. According to the result, gas production and digestibility of diet containing 30% dried apple pomace was higher than the other diets (p<0.05). Therefore, in the second step, 8 Arabi sheep were fed with diet without apple pomace (control) and diet containing 30% apple pomace for 45 days. RESULTS: The result showed that nutrient digestibility (dry matter, organic matter, NDF and ADF) were not significantly affected by the diets (p>0.05), but rumination activity of diet containing apple pomace decreased (p<0.05). Blood metabolites (glucose and urea) showed no significant differences between experimental diets, but blood glucose was higher in control treatment. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration was 14.48 and 17.49 mg/dl (p>0.05), and pH was 6.30 and 6.16 for control and apple pomace treatment, respectively (p<0.05). The rumen protozoa numbers increased with apple pomace (p<0.05). Diet containing apple pomace increased gas production potential and digestibility of wheat straw by rumen microorganism and bacteria (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that alfalfa replaced with 30% dried apple pomace in Arabi sheep’s diet can improve digestive activity of rumen microbes and nutrient fermentation and digestibility.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tulathromycin as a bovine respiratory disease (BRD) metaphylactic treatment on rumen fluid parameters in feedlot cattle in an intensive livestock production farm. One hundred beef cattle, immediately after housing, were divided in 2 equal groups: 50 animals with metaphylactic treatment against BRD (treated group; tulathromycin at 2.5 mg/kg BW) and 50 animals with placebo treatment (control group). Rumen fluid samples were collected from each animal by rumenocentesis in 3 periods: 1 d (T1), 8 d (T8), and 15 d (T15) after treatment. Rumen pH was determined by ruminal fluid using portable pH meter. Total volatile fatty acids (total VFA) were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All animals were singularly weighed at T1 and T15. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to determine significant effects of treatment (treated group versus control group) and period (T1, T8, and T15) on rumen fluid parameters and body weight. No clinical signs of BRD or other related diseases were recorded during the periods of study from any animal. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between treated group and control group for mean values of ruminal pH (6.02 versus 5.89) and total VFA (5.84 versus 5.13) at 8 d after treatment. The weight gain (Δ) showed an average increase of 8.6 kg in treated group (P < 0.05). The trends of ruminal pH and VFA values suggest an effect of tulathromycin as BRD metaphylactic treatment on the modulation of rumen fermentation, particularly 8 d after administration.

Drug-metabolizing enzyme activities were measured in livers from calves fed commercial milk replacer (nonfunctioning rumen [veal]), and those fed milk replacer supplemented with whole grain and hay from the first week of age (functioning rumen [ruminating calves]). After birth, cytochrome P450 and its NADPH-dependent reductase activities remained unchanged in veal calves; in ruminating calves they increased almost 50%. Cytochrome P450-mediated reactions, such as aniline hydroxylase activity, tripled in ruminating calves, but remained unchanged in veal calves. In both groups of calves, coumarin hydroxylase and 7-ethoxycoumarin 0-deethylase activities increased after birth, but maturation rates and activity values in ruminating calves were considerably greater than those of veal calves. The aminopyrine N-demethylase activity for veal calves was equal to that of calves with functioning rumen. Uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid glucuronyl transferase and glutathione-S-transferase activities also were higher in calves with functioning rumen than in veal calves. This increased activity in calves with functioning rumen probably represents a response to environmental exposure to xenobiotics. Compared with rumen-functional calves, bob veal (0 to 3 weeks old) and fancy veal (15 to 19 weeks old) calves fed commercial milk replacer have a significantly (P = 0.05) diminished capacity for metabolizing drugs and other xenobiotics. From a regulatory perspective, the variance in drug-metabolizing enzyme activities within these different market classes of calves suggests that specific studies designed to determine drug residue-depletion times in veal calves may be needed.

In vitro digestibility study was conducted to determine the effectsof supplementing fractionated Refined,Bleached and Deodorized Palm Stearin(RBDPST) on ruminal digestion. Fractionated RBDPST was soaked in incubation medium consisting of distilled water, buffer solution, trace element solution, micro and macro mineral solution, as well as rumen liquor that was collected from slaughtered cattle. This experiment was conducted at 39°C with an incubation period of 24 hours. Dried napier grass was used as control treatment. Gas producedwas recorded and collected to measure the methane gas produced. Methane gas produced from fractionated RBDPST was found to be relatively lower than control. This indicates that fractionated RBDPST had the ability to function as rumen bypass fat as it was not fully digested in the rumen.

Objective: This study evaluated the utilization of marigold leaves (MGLs) in rations and their impact on rumen enzyme activity, fermentation parameters, methane (CH4) emission, and nutrient digestibility in vitro. Materials and Methods: The experimental diets comprised different proportions of MGL incorporated into the dry matter (DM) rations. Experimental design: The MGL treatments in diets include 0% (MGL-0), 7% (MGL-7), and 14% (MGL-14). Results: Results indicated that MGL-14 substantially raised (p &lt; 0.05) the rumen parameters, including NH3–N and microbial protein, total volatile fatty acids, acetate (C2), propionate (C3), butyrate (C4), and the C2:C3 ratio. In contrast, the MGL-7 and MGL-14 groups experienced a noteworthy reduction (p &lt; 0.05) in the total protozoa population. The MGL-7 and MGL-14 treatments also led to a substantial increase in the digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), and crude fiber (CF) in the rumen. However, they also resulted in a decline (p &lt; 0.05) in crude protein (CP) digestibility. The DM and OM total digestibilities were higher (p &lt; 0.05) in the MGL-14 and MGL-7 groups. The utilization of MGL did not influence (p &gt; 0.05) the ruminal enzyme activities (carboxymethyl cellulase, amylase, protease), cumulative gas production, kinetics, ruminal pH value, CH4 and CO2 production, total CF, and CP digestibility. Conclusion: The utilization of MGL until 14% DM in diets can enhance ruminal fermentation parameters and nutrient digestibility in vitro without negatively affecting gas production kinetics or ruminal enzyme activities. However, it did not have any impact on CH4 production. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(4.000): 782-793]

Objective: The price of animal production will be affected by the significant increase in feed costs. The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of adding waste cassava pulp to fer¬mented total mixed ration (FTMR) on nutrient utilization, rumen ecology, and microbial protein synthesis in tropical sheep. Materials and Methods: A 3 × 3 replicated Latin square design was used to randomly arrange nine crossbreed lambs (Santa Inês × Dorper) with an initial body weight (BW) of 18.7 ± 1.6 kg (mean ± SD). During a 21-day trial, the animal was offered a random selection of concentrate diets and rice straw (control), total mixed ration (TMR), or FTMR. During the investigation, data on nutrition utilization, rumen ecology, and microbial protein synthesis were analyzed using analysis of variance. Results: The finding shows that FTMR had significantly higher dry matter (DM) intake and DM intake per BW than either TMR or control (p &lt; 0.05). Lamb fed on FTMR had significantly higher DM, organic matter protein, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber digestion than those on control or TMR (p &lt; 0.05). Rumen pH values for all treatments ranged from 6.68 to 6.73, with no significant differences. Growing lambs fed FTMR had greater rumen total volatile fatty acid and propionic acid concentrations than those given TMR and the control (p &lt; 0.05). Protozoa were not different across the FTMR groups, although total bacterial and fungal zoospores were increased. In addition, when lambs were fed FTMR containing cassava pulp, ruminal microbial protein syn¬thesis was significantly increased. Conclusion: It could indicate that feeding growing lambs with FTMR could improve nutrient utili¬zation, ruminal fermentation, and microbial protein synthesis. However, studies on the effects of FTMR on sheep performance, meat quality, and milk quality are necessary. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(4.000): 754-760]