Effects of Epidinium caudatum on the growth and metabolism of goats given a low-protein-high-energy diet.
1994
Matsumoto M. | Takenaka A. | Kobayashi T. | Itabashi H.
The effects of the presence or absence of Epidinium caudatum in the rumen of goats given a low-protein-high-energy diet were studied using three E. caudatum mono-faunated (Epi-group) and three defaunated goats (Def-group). They were fed an experimental diet (CP 6.4%, TDN 72%) consisting of rolled-corn, molasses and steamed larch for 11 weeks (first period), followed by the supplementation of 2% urea to the diet for 11 weeks (second period). The number of Epidinium in Epi-group was 10(3) to 10(5)/ml for the first period, which increased about 10 times in the second period. Average daily gains in the Def-group (52g and 83g) were significantly higher than those in the Epi-group (16g and 58g) for the first and the second periods, respectively. The concentration of rumen NH3-N was higher in the Epi-group in the first period, while that of total VFA was higher in the Def-group in the second period. The concentration of plasma allantoin in the Epi-group was about 1.4 mg/100ml and did not fluctuate throughout either experimental period. On the contrary, in the Def-group, these were significantly higher in the second period (1.23 vs 1.64 mg/100ml). Concentrations of plasma total protein, albumin and glucose, and Ht value were higher in Def group. Plasma urea tended to be higher in the Epi-group in the first period. There were no differences in digestibility of organic matter, NDF or N between the two groups in the second period. But, Epidinium tended to increase the ratio of urinary N to N intake and to decrease N retention. Urinary allantoin excretion was significantly lower in the Epi-group. These results suggest that the presence of Epidinium alone may result in decreased efficiency of food utilization and microbial production in the rumen.
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