Seyed Hadi Ebrahimi

Evaluation of complementary effects of 9,10-anthraquinone and fumaric acid on methanogenesis and ruminal fermentation in vitro

The objective of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) in combination with fumaric acid (FMA) may provide complementary effects to inhibit methanogens and enhance rumens capacity for better utilisation of FMA towards propionate production. Three levels of AQ and four levels of FMA were tested in a 3 × 4 factorial design using in vitro gas production technique. AQ reduced the total gas and methane production significantly. The combination of 4 ppm AQ with FMA had additive effect on concentration of propionate. Supplementation of AQ alone resulted in hydrogen accumulation (p < 0.001), whereas presence of FMA (up to 6.5 mM) along with AQ declined hydrogen concentration (p < 0.001). The level of 4 ppm AQ did not affect in vitro digestibility, however, a reduction of organic matter digestibility was caused by 8 ppm AQ (p < 0.001), which was partially compensated by the addition of FMA (p = 0.06). The optimum FMA level depended on the AQ concentration. At 4 ppm AQ, a FMA level of 3.5 mM had best possible effect on partitioning factor and microbial biomass production (p < 0.001), though, at 8 ppm AQ the higher level of FMA (6.5 mM) responded better. Overall, FMA in combination with AQ provided an alternative hydrogen sink and might be introduced as a novel strategy for mitigation of enteric methane emission. Nevertheless, the result should be proved by in vivo experiments.

Prospective use of bacteriocinogenic Pediococcus pentosaceus as direct-fed microbial having methane reducing potential

Abstract Direct-fed microbials (DFM), generally regarded as safe status, are successfully used in improving rumen ecology, gastro-intestinal health, feed efficiency, milk production and growth rate in ruminants. On the other hand, methanogenesis in rumen, which accounts for a significant loss of ruminant energy and increased greenhouse gas in environment, is of great concern, therefore, use of DFM for improving productivity without compromising the animal health and ecological sustainability is encouraged. The present study was conducted to investigate the methane reducing potential of bacteriocinogenic strain Pediococcus pentosaceus-34. Since, the culture showed no hemolysis on blood agar and DNase activity, hence, it was considered to be avirulent in nature, a prerequisite for any DFM. The culture also showed tolerance to pH 5.0 for 24 h with 0.5% organic acid mixture, whereas when given a shock for 2 h at different pH and organic acids concentrations, it showed growth at pH 3.0 and 4.0 with 0.1 and 1.0% organic acids, respectively, as having good animal probiotics attributes. The total gas production was significantly (P

A New Low Protein Feeding Strategy for Enhancing Nitrogen Utilization in Lactating Dairy Cows

This study assessed the impact of replacing Soybean Meal (SBM) with Rapeseed Meal (RSM) on the performance of lactating dairy cows with a focus on meals’ potential for utilizable Crude Protein (uCP) supply at the duodenum. Four samples of SBM and two types of RSM were used in an in vitro experiment and the uCP of the samples was estimated. In the second experiment, nine Holstein dairy cows were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design in which three experimental diets (differing in SBM to RSM ratio) were fed to the cows for the duration of 21 days. There was a significant difference in the effective uCP between treatments in all rate of passages (p<0.001) and the effective uCP of pelleted RSM was significantly higher than the other protein meal samples. In case of soybean meals (except the outflow rate of 1% per hour), maximum and minimum of effective uCP were observed in one of the pelleted and powder SBMs, respectively. Dry matter intake, milk yield and compositions were not affected by the mentioned treatments. However, blood urea nitrogen was significantly greater (p<0.01) in the cows fed only by SBM than other groups. Cows consumed RSM significantly excreted lower urinary nitrogen compare to animals fed with SBM (p<0.01). Overall, lowering CP level in the diet of lactating dairy cows by using similar euCP supply from RSM as an alternative for SBM, decreased nitrogen losses with no influence on the animal performance.

In Vitro Rumen Fermentation and Furans Degradation Potential of Rock Candy Juice and Sugarcane Molasses

The present study was conducted to examine the rumen fermentation and furans disappearance potential of rock candy juice (RCJ) and sugarcane molasses (SM). In the first experiment, RCJ was compared with SM by in vitro gas production technique. Presence and disappearance of furans in the liquid substances were also investigated before and at the end of 24 h incubation. In the second experiment, a multi-phasic model was used for the interpretation of gas production profile from molasses, rock candy juice, sugar, barley and corn grains whereas gas production was measured at 2 min. intervals. There was no significant difference between the two treatments in terms of the molar VFA proportion and acetate to propionate ratio. At the end of fermentation, concentration of ammonia nitrogen was lower (P<0.05) in the RCJ compared to SM which supplied more utilizable CP through RCJ fermentation compared to SM. After 24 h of fermentation, concentration of SM and RCJ furans decreased compared to the pre-incubation phase which denoted the microbial degradation of furans during fermentation. In the second experiment, gas production was evaluated after 24 h incubation of SM, RCJ, sugar, barley and corn grains at two-minute intervals using an automated gas measurement system. The gas production was higher (P<0.001) in SM compared to the other treatments. On the other hand, rate of gas production from water-soluble carbohydrate sources ‘b’ was higher compared to the grains with the lowest ‘b’ value observed in SM. RCJ had relatively slower rumen fermentation rate. As the price of RCJ was lower compared to the sucrose, hence, it could be used for partial replacement of grains in the diet of dairy cattle.

The Effect of Intermittent Watering on Performance, Blood Metabolites, and Nutrient Digestibility in Baluchi Lambs

Objective This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of intermittent watering on Baluchi lambs, regarding their performance, blood metabolites, and nutrient digestibility. Methods Twenty male Baluchi lambs, 120 ± 5 days of age and 29 ±2.2 kg body weight were randomly assigned to four watering treatments: (T1) free access to water during the day, (T2) watered ad libitum twice a day, (T3) watered ad libitum once a day, (T4) watered ad libitum once every two days. The experiment lasted 42 days. Results water restriction led to reduction in weight gain, DMI, water consumption, Water/DMI (p<0.05). Rectal temperature and respiration rate non influenced (p>0.05). aldosterone, cortisol, insulin hormone affected by treatments (p<0.05). Serum glucose, creatinine, total protein and globulin not affected (p> 0.05). while observed significant difference among T3 with other treatment in BUN (p<0.05). significant differences were observed in serum cholesterol and triglyceride between T4 and other groups (p< 0.05). There was a significant difference between T4 and T1 and T2 in albumin serum (p< 0.05). RBC WBC non influenced by water restriction (p< 0.05). However, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC and hemoglobin influenced by treatments (p< 0.05). sodium and chloride of serum was significantly higher in T4, and there were significant differences among the treatments (p< 0.05). But there were no differences among the treatments (p> 0.05), with regard to calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium. Digestibility of ADF, NDF, CP and OM was different among T3, T4 and other treatments (p< 0.05), while no differences were found in EE digestibility among treatments (p> 0.05). There was a significant difference between T4 and other groups and between T4 and T1 regarding fecal output and urine exertion respectively. Conclusion This results implies that Baluchi lambs can tolerate water restriction up to once a day for at least 28 days without harmful effects.