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Effects of tributyrin supplementation on ruminal microbial protein yield, fermentation characteristics and nutrients degradability in adult Small Tail ewes
Author(s) -
Ren QingChang,
Xuan JingJing,
Wang LiKe,
Zhan QiuWen,
Yin DingZhong,
Hu ZhongZe,
Yang HongJian,
Zhang Wei,
Jiang LinShu
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
animal science journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.606
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1740-0929
pISSN - 1344-3941
DOI - 10.1111/asj.13033
Subject(s) - rumen , fermentation , dry matter , in vivo , zoology , tributyrin , neutral detergent fiber , chemistry , nutrient , food science , propionate , biology , agronomy , biochemistry , enzyme , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry , lipase
Two trials were conducted to assess the effects of tributyrin ( TB ) supplementation on ruminal microbial protein yield and fermentation characteristics in adult sheep. In an in vitro trial, substrate was made to offer TB at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/kg on a dry matter ( DM ) basis and incubated for 48 hr. In an in vivo trial, 45 adult ewes were randomly assigned by initial body weight (55 ± 5 kg) to five treatments of nine animals over an 18‐day period. Total mixed ration was made to offer TB to ewes at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/kg on a DM basis. The in vitro trial showed that TB enhanced apparent degradation of DM ( p = .009), crude protein ( p < .001), neutral detergent fiber ( p = .007) and acid detergent fiber ( p = .010) and increased methanogenesis ( p < .001), respectively. The in vivo trial showed that TB decreased DM intake ( p < .001) and enhanced rumen microbial N synthesis ( p < .001), respectively. Both in vitro and in vivo trials showed that TB increased total volatile fatty acid concentration and enhanced fibrolytic enzyme activity. The results indicated that TB might exert positive effects on microbial protein yield and fermentation in the rumen.