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de Roode JC, Huffman MA. Animal medication. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R808-R812. [PMID: 39255760 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
The word 'medicine' is typically associated with humans, but scientists are increasingly realizing that non-human animals also use medication to deal with infections and other health issues. Medication behaviors are shared by a wide diversity of animal species, ranging from ants to apes, from bees to bears, and from caterpillars to capuchins. These animals use a wide variety of medicines provided by nature, ranging from plant chemicals to other animals and clay (Box 1). The targets of medication are equally diverse: while many animals use medication as protection against internal and external parasites and pathogens, animals may also use medicine to reduce inflammation and stress or to improve reproductive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus C de Roode
- Biology Department, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Michael A Huffman
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki City, Japan.
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2
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Verma S, Akpensuen TT, Wolffram S, Salminen JP, Taube F, Blank R, Kluß C, Malisch CS. Investigating the efficacy of purified tannin extracts from underutilized temperate forages in reducing enteric methane emissions in vitro. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12578. [PMID: 38822060 PMCID: PMC11143233 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63434-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The study investigated how the concentration and composition of purified tannin extracts, at various inclusion rates, affect the ruminal in vitro fermentation parameters. Tannin extracts were isolated from four different forage species: birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), big trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), and salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor). Plants extracts were purified by Sephadex LH-20 gel chromatography and analyzed by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The results showed a large variation among the extracts from different species in terms of tannin composition and structural features. The extracts from salad burnet were dominated by hydrolysable tannins, comprising mainly ellagitannins. The extracts derived from sulla and big trefoil contained predominantly proanthocyanidins (PA), primarily composed of prodelphinidins with high mean degree of polymerisation (mDP). Birdsfoot trefoil extracts comprised procyanidin-rich PAs with low mDP. To determine whether the combined presence of tannins and flavonoid together lead to synergistic or antagonistic effects, the tannin extracts were incubated both with or without rutin at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 g/kg DM, using a base substrate of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, control). In general, all the tannin extracts decreased methane (CH4) production compared to the control, while no significant effect of rutin was observed on both gas (GP) and CH4 production, neither pure, nor in the simultaneous presence of tannins. The highest CH4 reduction (15%, at 30 g/kg DM) was observed from sulla and big trefoil extracts compared to control, but this was also supplemented with a concomitant reduction in GP (11%) indicating a reduction in feed digestibility. The extracts from birdsfoot trefoil and salad burnet reduced CH4 by up to 12% without significantly reducing GP, indicating the importance of tannin composition on ruminal fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Verma
- Grass and Forage Science / Organic Agriculture, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, E24118, Kiel, Germany.
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark.
| | - T T Akpensuen
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, EX20 2SD, UK
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jos, P.M.B 2084, Jos, Nigeria
| | - S Wolffram
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, E24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - J-P Salminen
- Natural Chemistry Research Group, University of Turku, 20500, Turku, Finland
| | - F Taube
- Grass and Forage Science / Organic Agriculture, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, E24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - R Blank
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, E24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - C Kluß
- Grass and Forage Science / Organic Agriculture, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, E24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - C S Malisch
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
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Roques S, Martinez-Fernandez G, Ramayo-Caldas Y, Popova M, Denman S, Meale SJ, Morgavi DP. Recent Advances in Enteric Methane Mitigation and the Long Road to Sustainable Ruminant Production. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2024; 12:321-343. [PMID: 38079599 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-021022-024931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Mitigation of methane emission, a potent greenhouse gas, is a worldwide priority to limit global warming. A substantial part of anthropogenic methane is emitted by the livestock sector, as methane is a normal product of ruminant digestion. We present the latest developments and challenges ahead of the main efficient mitigation strategies of enteric methane production in ruminants. Numerous mitigation strategies have been developed in the last decades, from dietary manipulation and breeding to targeting of methanogens, the microbes that produce methane. The most recent advances focus on specific inhibition of key enzymes involved in methanogenesis. But these inhibitors, although efficient, are not affordable and not adapted to the extensive farming systems prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Effective global mitigation of methane emissions from livestock should be based not only on scientific progress but also on the feasibility and accessibility of mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Roques
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, Saint-Genes-Champanelle, France; , ,
| | | | - Yuliaxis Ramayo-Caldas
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Torre Marimon, Caldes de Montbui, Spain;
| | - Milka Popova
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, Saint-Genes-Champanelle, France; , ,
| | - Stuart Denman
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia; ,
| | - Sarah J Meale
- School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia;
| | - Diego P Morgavi
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR Herbivores, Saint-Genes-Champanelle, France; , ,
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Zhao Y, Liu M, Jiang L, Guan L. Could natural phytochemicals be used to reduce nitrogen excretion and excreta-derived N 2O emissions from ruminants? J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:140. [PMID: 37941085 PMCID: PMC10634152 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00942-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruminants play a critical role in our food system by converting plant biomass that humans cannot or choose not to consume into edible high-quality food. However, ruminant excreta is a significant source of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas with a long-term global warming potential 298 times that of carbon dioxide. Natural phytochemicals or forages containing phytochemicals have shown the potential to improve the efficiency of nitrogen (N) utilization and decrease N2O emissions from the excreta of ruminants. Dietary inclusion of tannins can shift more of the excreted N to the feces, alter the urinary N composition and consequently reduce N2O emissions from excreta. Essential oils or saponins could inhibit rumen ammonia production and decrease urinary N excretion. In grazed pastures, large amounts of glucosinolates or aucubin can be introduced into pasture soils when animals consume plants rich in these compounds and then excrete them or their metabolites in the urine or feces. If inhibitory compounds are excreted in the urine, they would be directly applied to the urine patch to reduce nitrification and subsequent N2O emissions. The phytochemicals' role in sustainable ruminant production is undeniable, but much uncertainty remains. Inconsistency, transient effects, and adverse effects limit the effectiveness of these phytochemicals for reducing N losses. In this review, we will identify some current phytochemicals found in feed that have the potential to manipulate ruminant N excretion or mitigate N2O production and deliberate the challenges and opportunities associated with using phytochemicals or forages rich in phytochemicals as dietary strategies for reducing N excretion and excreta-derived N2O emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Linshu Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.
| | - Leluo Guan
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
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Bleke CA, Gese EM, Roberts SB, Villalba JJ. Seasonal shifts in pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) diets under a new lens: Examining diet composition using a molecular technique. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292725. [PMID: 37819912 PMCID: PMC10566741 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Foraging is one of the most fundamental activities contributing to the maximization of an animal's fitness, and thus herbivores must optimize their diet selection and intake to meet their nutrient demands for survival, growth, and reproduction. Using plant DNA barcoding, we determined diet composition of five subpopulations of adult female pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) grazing rangelands in southern and southeastern Idaho, USA. Fecal samples were collected for two years (2018-2019), and across metabolically-important adult female life history stages (late gestation, early lactation, breeding season). Plant DNA barcoding yielded 137 detected species within pronghorn diets across subpopulations and sampling periods with forbs being the most abundant. Pronghorn dietary functional group composition ranged from 52.2-60.3% from forbs followed by shrubs (22.6-28.2%), graminoids (8.7-15.7%), and legumes (5.5-9.6%). Dietary protein intake was also highest from forbs and ranged from 32.4-62.4% followed by graminoids (1.2-43.1%), shrubs (18.7-21.3%), and legumes (2.6-7.4%). We found significant intra- and interannual differences in the mean number of genera-based plant detections in pronghorn diets. Dietary protein intake of cultivated legumes (e.g., alfalfa [Medicago sativa] and sainfoin [Onobrychis viciifolia]) was lower than expected, ranging from <1.0-30.8%, suggesting that even within an agricultural-dominated landscape, factors other than plant nutritional composition contributed to pronghorn diets. Although the plant DNA barcoding technique exhibits limitations, it demonstrated potential for elucidating pronghorn dietary species richness, particularly for plants consumed in small proportions, as well as for observing temporal fluctuations in functional group composition and dietary protein intake explained through the interplay between environmental factors, plant chemical composition, and the animals' physiological needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole A. Bleke
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America
| | - Eric M. Gese
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Utah Field Station, Logan, Utah, United States of America
| | - Shane B. Roberts
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Juan J. Villalba
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America
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Siniscalchi D, Cardoso ADS, Corrêa DCDC, Ferreira MR, Andrade MEB, da Cruz LHG, Ruggieri AC, Reis RA. Effects of condensed tannins on greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen dynamics from urine-treated grassland soil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:85026-85035. [PMID: 35789460 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21807-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Condensed tannins are a potentially important treatment option to mitigate N2O (nitrous oxide) and affect carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions; however, their effect has been poorly assessed. Here, we quantified the emissions of N2O, CH4, and CO2, soil N mineralization, and nitrification with increasing doses of condensed tannins added to the urine of cattle raised on pasture. The experiment consisted of incubation with doses of 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0% of condensed tannins added directly to the collected urine. The experimental design was completely randomized. Greenhouse gas fluxes were quantified for four weeks using static chambers and gas chromatography. The addition of condensed tannins increased N2O emissions (P < 0.05), with total emissions averaging 95.84 mg N-N2O kg-1, 265.30 mg N-N2O kg-1, and 199.32 mg N-N2O kg-1 dry soil in the treatments with 0%, 0.5%, and 1% tannins, respectively. Methane emissions were reduced with the addition of tannins (P < 0.05), with total emissions of 8.84 g CH4 kg-1, 1.87 g CH4 kg-1, and 3.34 g CH4 kg-1 dry soil in the treatments with 0%, 0.5%, and 1% tannins, respectively. Soil respiration increased with the addition of condensed tannins (P < 0.05), with total emissions of 3.80 g CO2 kg-1, 6.93 g CO2 kg-1, and 5.87 g CO2 kg-1 in dry soil, in the treatments with 0%, 0.5%, and 1% tannins, respectively. The addition of condensed tannins reduced N mineralization and nitrification. We found evidence that the use of condensed tannins might not be a suitable option to mitigate N2O emissions. However, soil CH4 emissions can be abated. The increases in soil respiration suggest that tannins affect soil microorganisms, and the effects on CH4 and N2O could be related to the variation in the soil microbiome, which requires further clarification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Siniscalchi
- Departament of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Science, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane Castellane S/N - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Abmael da Silva Cardoso
- Departament of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Science, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane Castellane S/N - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Darlena Caroline da Cruz Corrêa
- Departament of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Science, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane Castellane S/N - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Mariane Rodrigues Ferreira
- Departament of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Science, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane Castellane S/N - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Marina Elizabeth Barbosa Andrade
- Departament of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Science, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane Castellane S/N - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Luana Hybner Gomes da Cruz
- Departament of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Science, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane Castellane S/N - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia Ruggieri
- Departament of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Science, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane Castellane S/N - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Andrade Reis
- Departament of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Science, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane Castellane S/N - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
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Rumen Function and In Vitro Gas Production of Diets Influenced by Two Levels of Tannin-Rich Forage. FERMENTATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8110607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of Acacia mearnsii (AM) at different levels of inclusion on ruminal digestion and in vitro gas production. A. mearnsii forage was incorporated in the diet at different levels of 0 (AM0), 20 (AM20), and 40 (AM40) %. In situ degradation of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) showed differences between treatments (P < 0.05), obtaining the highest value of the degradation of soluble fraction (A), insoluble but potentially degradable fraction (B), degradation rate in % per hour (c), potential degradation (A + B), and effective degradation for all passage rates in % h (0.02, 0.05, and 0.08) in AM0 with respect to AM20 and AM40. The in vitro digestibility of DM and OM was higher (P < 0.05) in AM0 with approximately 23.6% and 22.8% of DM and OM, respectively, compared to treatments AM20 and AM40. Cumulative gas production (PG) and gas production asymptote (B) were lower at AM0 and AM20 versus AM40; however, gas production rate (c) and total CH4 production were lower at AM40 with about 40.1 mL CH4/0.500 g fermented DM versus AM0 and AM20. Under the conditions of this study, it is concluded that the incorporation of A. mearnsii (20% and 40%) in the feed of ruminants negatively affected the digestion of nutrients; however, it reduced the production of CH4, which may be associated with the low activity of microorganisms toward the substrate due to the possible tannin/nutrient complex. This shows that in animals with little history of consuming plants rich in tannin, more than 3% of tannin could not be incorporated into the diet.
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Production and chemical composition of pasture forbs with high bioactive compounds in a low input production system in the Pacific Northwest. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2022.115324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Fouts JQ, Honan MC, Roque BM, Tricarico JM, Kebreab E. Board Invited Review: Enteric methane mitigation interventions. Transl Anim Sci 2022; 6:txac041. [PMID: 35529040 PMCID: PMC9071062 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txac041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitigation of enteric methane (CH4) presents a feasible approach to curbing agriculture’s contribution to climate change. One intervention for reduction is dietary reformulation, which manipulates the composition of feedstuffs in ruminant diets to redirect fermentation processes toward low CH4 emissions. Examples include reducing the relative proportion of forages to concentrates, determining the rate of digestibility and passage rate from the rumen, and dietary lipid inclusion. Feed additives present another intervention for CH4 abatement and are classified based on their mode of action. Through inhibition of key enzymes, 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) and halogenated compounds directly target the methanogenesis pathway. Rumen environment modifiers, including nitrates, essential oils, and tannins, act on the conditions that affect methanogens and remove the accessibility of fermentation products needed for CH4 formation. Low CH4-emitting animals can also be directly or indirectly selected through breeding interventions, and genome-wide association studies are expected to provide efficient selection decisions. Overall, dietary reformulation and feed additive inclusion provide immediate and reversible effects, while selective breeding produces lasting, cumulative CH4 emission reductions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Q Fouts
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Mallory C Honan
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Breanna M Roque
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
- FutureFeed Pty Ltd Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Ermias Kebreab
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
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Lagrange S, MacAdam JW, Stegelmeier B, Villalba JJ. Grazing diverse combinations of tanniferous and nontanniferous legumes: implications for foraging behavior, performance, and hair cortisol in beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:skab291. [PMID: 34657159 PMCID: PMC8575690 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A diversity of forages with different types and concentrations of nutrients and plant secondary compounds may lead to complementary relationships that enhance cattle performance and welfare. We determined whether grazing combinations of tanniferous legumes (Lotus corniculatus, birdsfoot trefoil [BFT], Onobrychis viciifolia, sainfoin [SF]), and alfalfa [ALF] (Medicago sativa) influence foraging behavior, performance, and hair cortisol concentration in beef cattle compared with grazing the same legumes as monocultures. Twenty-one pairs of heifers grazed three spatial replications of seven treatments: monocultures of BFT, SF, or ALF, and all possible two- and three-way choices among strips of these legumes: SF-BFT, ALF-BFT, ALF-SF, and ALF-SF-BFT in two periods of 25 d each (adaptation phase + experimental period) during two consecutive years. The lowest incidence of grazing events occurred in the BFT treatment (42.0% of the total scans recorded; P < 0.10), with the rest of the treatments ranging between 47.8% (SF-BFT) and 52.6% (ALF-SF) of the total scans recorded. Heifers selected a varied diet, preferring SF over BFT or ALF in a 46:27:27 ratio for the three-way choice, and in a 70:30 ratio for both two-way choices. Heifers preferred BFT over ALF (62:38 ratio) in a two-way choice. All treatments followed similar daily grazing patterns (P > 0.10), with two major grazing events (1 h after sunrise and 3 h before dark). No differences among treatments were observed for the number of steps taken by heifers on a daily basis, motion index, or the percentage of time heifers spent standing (1,599, 5,356, and 45.3%, respectively; P > 0.10), suggesting that heifers on choice treatments did not invest extra time in walking, searching, or patch switching activities relative to heifers grazing monocultures. Heifers grazing the three-way choice gained more body weight (1.27 kg/d) than the average gains observed for animals grazing in all legume monocultures (1.00 kg/d; P = 0.014) or two-way choices (0.97 kg/d; P = 0.007), suggesting a synergism among pasture species for the treatment with the highest diversity. No differences in hair cortisol concentration were observed among treatments, with values ranging between 1.4 (BFT) and 2.12 ng/g (three-way choice; P > 0.10). Thus, forage diversity has the potential to enhance animal performance without affecting grazing efficiency, likely explained by the spatial arrangement of the forage species presented in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Lagrange
- Department of Wildland Resources, Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bordenave, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Bordenave, Buenos Aires 8187, Argentina
| | - Jennifer W MacAdam
- Department of Plant, Soil & Climate, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Bryan Stegelmeier
- Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Logan, UT 84341, USA
| | - Juan J Villalba
- Department of Wildland Resources, Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
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Plasma Metabolites, Productive Performance and Rumen Volatile Fatty Acid Profiles of Northern Australian Bos indicus Steers Supplemented with Desmanthus and Lucerne. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11060356. [PMID: 34199517 PMCID: PMC8226790 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11060356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis tested was that tropical steers supplemented with the Desmanthus legume and lucerne, a widely characterized temperate legume of high nutritive value, would elicit similar responses in plasma metabolite profiles, productive performance, nitrogen retention, and volatile fatty acids (VFA). The tannin-binding compound, polyethylene glycol-4000 (PEG), was added to the diets (160 g/kg Desmanthus dry matter) with the objective of further exploring nitrogen (N) utilization in the animals supplemented with Desmanthus relative to lucerne. From February to June 2020, sixteen yearling Brangus steers (average liveweight of 232 ± 6 kg) were fed a background diet of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay for 28 days, before introducing three Desmanthus cultivars (Desmanthus virgatus cv. JCU2, D. bicornutus cv. JCU4, D. leptophyllus cv. JCU7) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) at 30% dry matter intake (DMI). Relative to the backgrounding period, all supplemented steers exhibited similar growth performance. Steers supplemented with Desmanthus recorded a lower DMI and animal growth performance, but higher fecal N concentration than animals supplemented with lucerne. Among the three Desmanthus cultivars, there were no significant differences in N concentrations, VFA, and plasma metabolite profiles. The addition of PEG induced higher rumen iso-acid concentrations and fecal N excretion. However, feeding Desmanthus spp. to tropical Bos indicus steers could be a valuable means of increasing N utilization, which is attributable to the presence of tannins, and, consequently, improve animal productive performance. Since supplementation with lucerne resulted in higher liveweight, daily liveweight gains, and overall animal performance than supplementing with Desmanthus, the tested hypothesis that both supplements will elicit similar animal performance does not hold and must be rejected. Further in vivo investigation is needed to better understand the impact of tannins in Desmanthus on N utilization.
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Villalba JJ, Ates S, MacAdam JW. Non-fiber Carbohydrates in Forages and Their Influence on Beef Production Systems. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.566338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Forages can provide a complete diet for ruminant animals, increasing the sustainability of beef production systems worldwide while reducing competition with humans for agricultural land or grain crops. Much of the emphasis on the nutritional characteristics of forages has been on the fiber, sugars, starch, and protein they supply to the rumen, despite the fact that other less-explored constituents, i.e., neutral detergent soluble fiber (NDSF) and other non-structural or non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) also play a key role in the nutrition of ruminants. This paper explores the less investigated potential of temperate legumes to accumulate levels of NFC comparable to corn silage or beet pulp in cool, dry environments under irrigation, and its implications for forage-based beef production systems. We conclude that genetic or managerial interventions (i.e., breeding programs, defoliation frequency) or ecological conditions (i.e., climate, elevation) that increase concentrations of NFC in legumes can enhance beef production, meat quality, and the efficiency of nitrogen utilization by ruminants while reducing environmental impacts.
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Tedeschi LO, Muir JP, Naumann HD, Norris AB, Ramírez-Restrepo CA, Mertens-Talcott SU. Nutritional Aspects of Ecologically Relevant Phytochemicals in Ruminant Production. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:628445. [PMID: 33748210 PMCID: PMC7973208 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.628445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides an update of ecologically relevant phytochemicals for ruminant production, focusing on their contribution to advancing nutrition. Phytochemicals embody a broad spectrum of chemical components that influence resource competence and biological advantage in determining plant species' distribution and density in different ecosystems. These natural compounds also often act as plant defensive chemicals against predatorial microbes, insects, and herbivores. They may modulate or exacerbate microbial transactions in the gastrointestinal tract and physiological responses in ruminant microbiomes. To harness their production-enhancing characteristics, phytochemicals have been actively researched as feed additives to manipulate ruminal fermentation and establish other phytochemoprophylactic (prevent animal diseases) and phytochemotherapeutic (treat animal diseases) roles. However, phytochemical-host interactions, the exact mechanism of action, and their effects require more profound elucidation to provide definitive recommendations for ruminant production. The majority of phytochemicals of nutritional and pharmacological interest are typically classified as flavonoids (9%), terpenoids (55%), and alkaloids (36%). Within flavonoids, polyphenolics (e.g., hydrolyzable and condensed tannins) have many benefits to ruminants, including reducing methane (CH4) emission, gastrointestinal nematode parasitism, and ruminal proteolysis. Within terpenoids, saponins and essential oils also mitigate CH4 emission, but triterpenoid saponins have rich biochemical structures with many clinical benefits in humans. The anti-methanogenic property in ruminants is variable because of the simultaneous targeting of several physiological pathways. This may explain saponin-containing forages' relative safety for long-term use and describe associated molecular interactions on all ruminant metabolism phases. Alkaloids are N-containing compounds with vast pharmacological properties currently used to treat humans, but their phytochemical usage as feed additives in ruminants has yet to be exploited as they may act as ghost compounds alongside other phytochemicals of known importance. We discussed strategic recommendations for phytochemicals to support sustainable ruminant production, such as replacements for antibiotics and anthelmintics. Topics that merit further examination are discussed and include the role of fresh forages vis-à-vis processed feeds in confined ruminant operations. Applications and benefits of phytochemicals to humankind are yet to be fully understood or utilized. Scientific explorations have provided promising results, pending thorough vetting before primetime use, such that academic and commercial interests in the technology are fully adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis O. Tedeschi
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - James P. Muir
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Stephenville, TX, United States
| | - Harley D. Naumann
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Aaron B. Norris
- Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
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Distel RA, Arroquy JI, Lagrange S, Villalba JJ. Designing Diverse Agricultural Pastures for Improving Ruminant Production Systems. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2020.596869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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