Phytol supplementation alters plasma concentrations of formate, amino acids, and lipid metabolites in sheep

Metabolism and Nutrition of L-Glutamate and L-Glutamine in Ruminants

Although both L-glutamate (Glu) and L-glutamine (Gln) have long been considered nutritionally nonessential in ruminants, these two amino acids have enormous nutritional and physiological importance. Results of recent studies revealed that extracellular Gln is extensively degraded by ruminal microbes, but extracellular Glu undergoes little catabolism by these cells due to the near absence of its uptake. Ruminal bacteria hydrolyze Gln to Glu plus ammonia and, intracellularly, use both amino acids for protein synthesis. Microbial proteins and dietary Glu enter the small intestine in ruminants. Both Glu and Gln are the major metabolic fuels and building blocks of proteins, as well as substrates for the syntheses of glutathione and amino acids (alanine, ornithine, citrulline, arginine, proline, and aspartate) in the intestinal mucosa. In addition, Gln and aspartate are essential for purine and pyrimidine syntheses, whereas arginine and proline are necessary for the production of nitric oxide (a major vasodilator) and collagen (the most abundant protein in the body), respectively. Under normal feeding conditions, all diet- and rumen-derived Glu and Gln are extensively utilized by the small intestine and do not enter the portal circulation. Thus, de novo synthesis (e.g., from branched-chain amino acids and α-ketoglutarate) plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of Glu and Gln in the whole body but may be insufficient for maximal growth performance, production (e.g., lactation and pregnancy), and optimal health (particularly intestinal health) in ruminants. This applies to all types of feeding systems used around the world (e.g., rearing on a milk replacer before weaning, pasture-based production, and total mixed rations). Dietary supplementation with the appropriate doses of Glu or Gln [e.g., 0.5 or 1 g/kg body weight (BW)/day, respectively] can safely improve the digestive, endocrine, and reproduction functions of ruminants to enhance their productivity. Both Glu and Gln are truly functional amino acids in the nutrition of ruminants and hold great promise for improving their health and productivity.

Valine Treatment Enhances Antimicrobial Component Production in Mammary Epithelial Cells and the Milk of Lactating Goats Without Influencing the Tight Junction Barrier

The production of antimicrobial components and the formation of less-permeable tight junctions (TJs) are important in the defense system of lactating mammary glands and for safe dairy production. Valine is a branched-chain amino acid that is actively consumed in the mammary glands and promotes the production of major milk components like β-casein; additionally, branched-chain amino acids stimulate antimicrobial component production in the intestines. Therefore, we hypothesized that valine strengthens the mammary gland defense system without influencing milk production. We investigated the effects of valine in vitro using cultured mammary epithelial cells (MECs) and in vivo using the mammary glands of lactating Tokara goats. Valine treatment at 4 mM increased the secretion of S100A7 and lactoferrin as well as the intracellular concentration of β-defensin 1 and cathelicidin 7 in cultured MECs. In addition, an intravenous injection of valine increased S100A7 levels in the milk of Tokara goats without influencing milk yield and milk components (i.e., fat, protein, lactose, and solids). In contrast, valine treatment did not affect TJ barrier function either in vitro or in vivo. These findings indicate that valine enhances antimicrobial component production without influencing milk production and TJ barrier function in lactating mammary glands; thus, valine contributes to safe dairy production.

Dynamics and correlations of chlorophyll and phytol content with silage bacterial of different growth heights Pennisetum sinese

The dynamics and correlations of chlorophyll and phytol content with silage bacterial of different growth heights Pennisetum sinese were investigated. The results demonstrated that the chlorophyll and phytol content of P. sinese before and after ensiled decreased with the increase of growth height. Ensiling significantly reduced pigment content but had no significant effect on phytol. In addition, P. sinese pigment yield before and after ensiled increased with growth heights increasing, and the yield at 150 or 180 cm was obviously higher. Moreover, the higher silage quality V-Score were at 150 or 180 cm growth heights. Furthermore, the silage microbial diversity were varied by growth heights, and some specific undesirable microorganisms (Acinetobacter, Cellvibrio, Sphingobacterium, etc.) were negatively correlated with pigment and phytol content. Therefore, with comprehensive consideration of pigment, phytol yield, and silage quality, the optimum harvest growth height of P. sinese was 150 cm. Furthermore, precise reduction of particular undesirable microorganisms maybe helps to preserve pigments and phytol.

Effect of ensiled total mixed rations containing sake lees on digestion, nitrogen use, and plasma metabolite concentrations in sheep

Sake lees are a byproduct of Japanese rice wine and used as ruminant feed with high protein and ethanol contents. This study aimed to explore the effects of ensiled total mixed ration (TMR) containing sake lees on rumen fermentation, digestion, nitrogen (N) use, and plasma metabolites in sheep. Four mature wethers were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a factorial arrangement of ensiling treatment (non-ensiled or ensiled TMR) and types of sake lees (traditional or liquefied). Although dietary ethanol consumption was higher in sheep fed ensiled TMR, ruminal and plasma concentrations of methanol and ethanol increased after feeding in all dietary treatments, which was accompanied by the increased plasma concentrations of formate. The intake and digestion of dry matter and N were lower in sheep fed ensiled TMR than in those fed non-ensiled TMR. The plasma concentrations of most amino acids decreased in sheep fed ensiled TMR. Although plasma methionine, serine, and glycine concentrations were not altered by diet, homocysteine concentration was the highest in sheep fed ensiled TMR containing traditional sake lees. The negative impacts of ensiling treatment on N digestion and amino acid utilization should be considered for formulating ensiled TMR containing sake lees.