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Tilahun M, Ma L, Callaway TR, Xu J, Bu D. The effect of Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) fruit supplementation on the rumen microbiota and its correlation with rumen fermentation in dairy cows. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1365681. [PMID: 38803380 PMCID: PMC11128671 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1365681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Medicinal plants, rich in phytochemicals like phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins, offer potential benefits in enhancing productivity, quality, and animal health. Amla fruit (Phyllanthus emblica) is one such plant with promising attributes. This study aimed to investigate the impact of fresh Amla fruit (FAF) supplementation on ruminal microbial composition and its correlation with rumen fermentation in lactating dairy cows. Methods The study employed a repeated crossover design involving eight ruminally cannulated mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows. Animals received varying levels of fresh Amla fruit supplementation (0, 200, 400, and 600 g/d). Results When 400 g/d of FAF was added to the diet, there was a significant increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes (p = 0.02). However, at 200 g/d, the relative abundance of ruminal Bacteroidota was higher than the 0 and 400 g/d FAF supplementation (p < 0.01). LEfSe analysis identified distinct taxa, such as Clostridia vadinBB60 in the 200 g/d group, Oscillospiraceae in the 400 g/d group, and Elusimicrobium in the 600 g/d group. Notably, the random forest species abundance statistics identified Oscillospiraceae V9D2013 as a biomarker related to milk yield. Oscillospiraceae, Bacilli RF39, norank_f Prevotellaceae, and Bifidobacterium were positively correlated with ruminal total VFA and molar proportion of propionate, while Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group and Clostridia vadinBB60 were negatively correlated. Discussion FAF supplementation affects the abundance of beneficial microbes in a dose-dependent manner, which can improve milk yield, efficiency, rumen health, desirable fatty acids, and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mekonnen Tilahun
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Lu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Todd R. Callaway
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jianchu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- World Agroforestry Centre East and Central Asia, Kunming, China
| | - Dengpan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAAS-ICRAF Joint Lab on Agroforestry and Sustainable Animal Husbandry, Beijing, China
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Zheng W, Duan H, Cao L, Mao S, Shen J. Acid-base properties of non-protein nitrogen affect nutrients intake, rumen fermentation and antioxidant capacity of fattening Hu sheep. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1381871. [PMID: 38596467 PMCID: PMC11002212 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1381871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
This study conducted a comparison of the effects of non-protein nitrogen with different acid-base properties on feed intake, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and antioxidant capacity in fattening Hu sheep. Sixteen fattening male sheep (31.43 ± 2.41 kg) with permanent rumen cannulas were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments: 1% urea and 1.78% ammonium chloride (NH4Cl, AC). A 42 days experimental period was conducted, with 14 days for adaptation and 28 days for treatment. Daily feed intake was recorded and various samples including feed, feces, rumen fluid, and blood were collected at different time points during the final week. The results indicated that the urea group had significantly higher dry matter intake, average daily gain, and gain efficiency in comparison to the AC group (p < 0.01). There was no difference in rumen pH and concentration of ammonia nitrogen between different groups (p > 0.05), but the rumen pH of urea group was higher than that of the AC group at 1 and 3 h after feeding (p < 0.05). The urea group exhibited higher concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and individual VFAs compared to the AC group at all-time points (p < 0.01). Compared to the urea group, the intake of all nutrients decreased in the AC group (p < 0.01), but the digestibility of dry matter and organic matter increased significantly (p < 0.01), and the digestibility of CP had an increasing trend (p = 0.06) in the AC group. Additionally, the urea group had lower levels of serum glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide YY, Cl, total protein and globulin than the AC group (p < 0.05). The overall levels of HCO3-, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, albumin/globulin, blood urea nitrogen and total cholesterol in the urea group increased significantly compared to the AC group (p < 0.05). It was concluded that adding urea to the high-concentrate diet resulted in increased rumen pH and improved rumen fermentation and growth performance in fattening sheep compared to NH4Cl addition. Furthermore, urea addition improved sheep's antioxidant capacity and maintained their acid-base balance more effectively as compared to NH4Cl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjin Zheng
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongwei Duan
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liwen Cao
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengyong Mao
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junshi Shen
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos MDL, Christensen H, Dusemund B, Fašmon Durjava M, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Dierick N, Anguita M, Brozzi R, Galobart J, Holczknecht O, Innocenti ML, Manini P, Navarro‐Villa A, Pizzo F, Radovnikovic A, Rossi B, Vettori MV, Amaduzzi A. Assessment of the feed additive consisting of ammonium chloride (Amoklor™) for all ruminants, dogs and cats for the renewal of its authorisation and its extension of use to sows (Latochema Co Ltd). EFSA J 2023; 21:e07696. [PMID: 36643906 PMCID: PMC9832324 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for the renewal of authorisation of ammonium chloride (Amoklor™) as a zootechnical additive for all ruminants, dogs and cats and its extension of use in sows for urinary health. The applicant provided evidence that the additive currently in the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. There is no new evidence that would lead the FEEDAP Panel to reconsider its previous conclusions. Thus, the Panel concludes that the additive remains safe for ruminants other than lambs for fattening, lambs for fattening, cats and dogs, consumers and the environment under the current authorised conditions of use. Inhalation exposure of the additive is considered very likely. Amoklor™ should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser but not a skin sensitiser. The additive is not irritant to the skin, but the Panel could not conclude on its eye irritation potential. The present application for renewal of the authorisation does not include a proposal for amending or supplementing the conditions of the original authorisation that would have an impact on the efficacy of the additive. Therefore, there was no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation. Regarding the extension of use in sows, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that the additive is safe and efficacious for sows at the inclusion level of 5,000 mg/kg feedingstuffs from week 9th to 11th of gestation and from week 15th of gestation to 1st of lactation.
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Effects of Low Dietary Cation and Anion Difference on Blood Gas, Renal Electrolyte, and Acid Excretions in Goats in Tropical Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233444. [PMID: 36496965 PMCID: PMC9740077 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Goats can suffer from intermittent heat stress in high ambient temperature (HTa) conditions, which causes sporadic respiratory hypocapnia. Obstructive urolithiasis is a common urological problem in goats. Sandy uroliths can be partially relieved by urine acidification with short-term ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) treatment. However, the outcome of urine acidification and the physiological responses to short-term NH4Cl supplementation under respiratory hypocapnia of HTa have rarely been reported. The present study investigated the effect of NH4Cl supplementation that produced a low dietary cation-anion different (l-DCAD) diet on acid-base balance and renal function under HTa conditions. The first experiment investigated the physiological responses to natural HTa to prove whether the peak HTa during the afternoon could induce HTa responses without a change in the plasma cortisol. The partial pressure of CO2 also tended to decrease during the afternoon. The second experiment examined the short-term effect of l-DCAD under HTa conditions. Although the blood pH was within the normal range, there was a clear acid-base response in the direction of metabolic acidosis. The major responses in renal function were an increase in tubular function and acid excretion. With a comparable level of creatinine clearance, the fractional excretions (FE) of chloride and calcium increased, and the FE of potassium decreased. Acid excretion increased significantly in the l-DCAD group. We conclude that under HTa conditions, the tubular excretion of electrolytes and acids was the major response to acid loading without changing the filtration rate. The l-DCAD formulation can be used to acidify urine effectively.
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Burezq H, Khalil F. Multifarious feed additives on lamb performance on Kuwait farms. Vet World 2022; 15:2785-2794. [PMID: 36718317 PMCID: PMC9880850 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.2785-2794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim A change in the livestock feeding strategy is of utmost importance for the stability of animal health and sustainable livestock productivity to overcome the problem of subsiding the environmental effects of sheep production. Supplementing dietary feed with safe and efficient additives provides optimal animal performance and maximizes productivity. This study aimed to assess the effects of adding various feed additives to lamb rations for optimizing feed efficiency in weaned lambs for meat production in Kuwait. Materials and Methods The feed additives, namely, ammonium chloride, urea, algae, fishmeal, and humic acid, were investigated on the physical performance of lambs for their effect on body weight, length, height, and waist length. The total feed consumption rate and feed efficiency were also measured. Each treatment comprising five healthy lambs was randomly allocated into six treatments comprising 30 lambs. The six treatments were the basal ration supplemented with ammonium chloride (50-100 g/day/head), urea (30 g/day/head), fishmeal (35 g/day/head), algae (Spirulina platensis) powder (50 g/day/head), humic acid (2.5 g/day/head), control group with only basal ration. The study was conducted for around 27 months and the data were recorded once in 2 weeks. Results The results indicated a positive elevation in the physique of lambs with all tested additives, showing an affirmative insignia for lamb fattening. The growth parameters in terms of augmented length, height, and waist length of lambs' bodies amplified significantly with ammonium chloride and fishmeal supplement, while the other additives reported a non-significant increment. The feed consumption was significantly elevated for ammonium chloride, algae, and fishmeal supplementation, while humic acid was recorded the least. Concerning feed efficiency of young lambs, fish meal and ammonium chloride were reported best, followed by urea. In contrast, algae and humic acid exhibited a non-significant effect on feed efficiency. Conclusion This study exposed noteworthy influence on a lamb body's performance with the addition of fish meal and ammonium chloride in lamb rations, trailed by urea and algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana’a Burezq
- Desert Agriculture and Ecosystems Program, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait,Corresponding author: Hana’a Burezq, e-mail: Co-author: FK:
| | - Faten Khalil
- Desert Agriculture and Ecosystems Program, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
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Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos MDL, Christensen H, Dusemund B, Fašmon Durjava M, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Dierick N, Brozzi R, Galobart J, Gregoretti L, Vettori MV, Innocenti ML. Safety and efficacy of the feed additive consisting of ammonium chloride (Ammonium Chloride AF) for all ruminants, dogs and cats for the renewal of its authorisation (BASF SE). EFSA J 2022; 20:e07255. [PMID: 35497378 PMCID: PMC9036852 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Tilahun M, Zhao L, Sun L, Shen Y, Ma L, Callaway TR, Xu J, Bu D. Fresh Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Fruit Supplementation Enhances Milk Fatty Acid Profiles and the Antioxidant Capacities of Milk and Blood in Dairy Cows. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11030485. [PMID: 35326136 PMCID: PMC8944803 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11030485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a diet supplemented with fresh amla fruit as a natural feed additive on blood metabolic parameters, milk antioxidant capacity, and milk fatty acid (FA) proportions in lactating dairy cows. Eight ruminally cannulated mid-lactation dairy cows were used in a repeated crossover design. The first group of four cows received total mixed ration (TMR) feed without fresh amla fruit (control group). The remaining four cows sequentially supplemented fresh amla fruit (FAF) at three levels (200, 400, then 600 g/d) (treatment group) at 14-day intervals. In second period, control and treatment groups were exchanged. The first ten days were adjusted to diet adaptation for each sub-period, and the last four days for sampling milk and blood. A total of 514 metabolites were detected from FAF using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The five main metabolites in FAF were phenolic acids (22%), flavonoids (20%), lipids (20%), amino acids and derivatives (9%), and tannins (7%). Amla fruit supplementation reduced total saturated fatty acid and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio at 200 or 400 g/d FAF dose compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased unsaturated FA, such as C20:5 (Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and C22:6 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), and branched-chain FA in a dose-dependent manner at 200 or 400 g/d compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased the antioxidant capacity biomarkers in the blood, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and albumin; this confirms that amla fruit is an excellent antioxidant, inhibiting reactive oxygen species’ (ROS) metabolism, and can thereby protect cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, the most remarkable improvement of ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in milk was recorded at 400 g/d FAF doses compared to controls. Therefore, fresh amla fruit doses for lactating cows at 400 g/d on an as-fed basis can be used as an alternative additive feed in dairy cow diets to improve antioxidant capacity, protein efficiency, butter quality, and to produce more desirable milk fatty acid profiles for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mekonnen Tilahun
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (M.T.); (L.Z.); (L.S.); (Y.S.); (L.M.); (J.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Liansheng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (M.T.); (L.Z.); (L.S.); (Y.S.); (L.M.); (J.X.)
| | - Lingling Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (M.T.); (L.Z.); (L.S.); (Y.S.); (L.M.); (J.X.)
| | - Yifan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (M.T.); (L.Z.); (L.S.); (Y.S.); (L.M.); (J.X.)
| | - Lu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (M.T.); (L.Z.); (L.S.); (Y.S.); (L.M.); (J.X.)
| | - Todd R. Callaway
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2771, USA;
| | - Jianchu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (M.T.); (L.Z.); (L.S.); (Y.S.); (L.M.); (J.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
- World Agroforestry Centre East and Central Asia, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Dengpan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (M.T.); (L.Z.); (L.S.); (Y.S.); (L.M.); (J.X.)
- Joint Laboratory on Integrated Crop-Tree-Livestock Systems of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) and World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), Beijing 100193, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-010-6289-0458
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Tilahun M, Zhao L, Guo Z, Shen Y, Ma L, Callaway TR, Xu J, Bu D. Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) fresh fruit as new feed source to enhance ruminal fermentation and milk production in lactating dairy cows. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.115160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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van Gastelen S, Dijkstra J, Nichols K, Bannink A. Abomasal infusion of ground corn and ammonium chloride in early-lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows to induce hindgut and metabolic acidosis. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:4174-4191. [PMID: 33485681 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Next to rumen acidosis, other forms of acidosis may also affect lactational performance of cows. Therefore, the effects of hindgut acidosis, induced via abomasal infusion of ground corn, and metabolic acidosis, induced via abomasal infusion of NH4Cl, were studied in cows in early lactation. Observations were made on intake and digestibility of nutrients, lactation performance, energy and N partitioning, blood acid-base status, and rumen and hindgut fermentation characteristics. In a 6 × 6 Latin square design, 6 rumen-fistulated, second-lactation Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (48 ± 17 d in milk) were subjected to 5 d of continuous abomasal infusions of water as control, or solutions of 2.5 mol of NH4Cl/d, 5.0 mol of NH4Cl/d, 3.0 kg of ground corn/d, or the combination of ground corn with either of the 2 NH4Cl levels, followed by 2 d of rest. Treatment solutions were administered via peristaltic pumps through infusion lines attached to the rumen cannula plug and an abomasal infusion line with a flexible disk (equipped with holes to allow digesta passage) to secure its placement through the sulcus omasi. A total mixed ration consisting of 70% grass silage and 30% concentrate (on dry matter basis) was fed at 95% of ad libitum intake of individual cows. The experiment was conducted in climate respiration chambers to determine feed intake, lactation performance, and energy and N balance. Abomasal infusion of NH4Cl affected the acid-base status of the cows, but more strongly when in combination with abomasal infusion of ground corn. Metabolic acidosis (defined as a blood pH < 7.40, blood HCO3 concentration < 25.0 mmol/L, and a negative base excess) was observed with 5.0 mol of NH4Cl/d, 3.0 kg of ground corn/d + 2.5 mol of NH4Cl/d, and 3.0 kg of ground corn/d + 5.0 mol of NH4Cl/d. Metabolic acidosis was associated with decreased milk lactose content, metabolic body weight, energy retained as protein, and fecal N excretion, and increased urine N excretion, and tended to decrease intake of nutrients. Digestibility of several nutrients increased with 5.0 mol of NH4Cl/d, likely as a result of decreased intake. Abomasal ground corn infusion resulted in hindgut acidosis, where fecal pH decreased from 6.86 without ground corn to 6.00 with ground corn, regardless of NH4Cl level. The decrease in fecal pH was likely the result of increased hindgut fermentation, evidenced by increased fecal volatile fatty acid concentrations. Hindgut acidosis was associated with decreased digestibility of nutrients, except for starch, which increased, and crude fat, which was not affected. No systemic inflammatory response was observed, suggesting that the hindgut epithelium was not severely affected by the more acidic conditions or barrier damage. Abomasal infusion of ground corn increased milk yield, milk protein and lactose yield, fecal N excretion, N use efficiency, and total energy retained as well as energy retained in fat, and reduced milk fat content and urine N excretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne van Gastelen
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Jan Dijkstra
- Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Kelly Nichols
- Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - André Bannink
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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