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Effect of beta‐glucan supplementation on feed intake, digestibility of nutrients and ruminal fermentation in Thai native beef cattle
Author(s) -
Cherdthong Anusorn,
Seankamsorn Anuthida,
Suriyapha Chaichana,
Chanjula Pin,
Wanapat Metha
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.651
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1439-0396
pISSN - 0931-2439
DOI - 10.1111/jpn.12989
Subject(s) - latin square , rumen , zoology , straw , nutrient , population , biology , glucan , fermentation , beef cattle , fibrobacter succinogenes , beta glucan , digestion (alchemy) , food science , chemistry , agronomy , biochemistry , medicine , ecology , environmental health , chromatography
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ß‐glucan on feed intake, digestibility of nutrients and ruminal fermentation in Thai native beef cattle that were fed low‐quality roughage. Four, Thai native beef cattle with initial body weight (BW) of 100 ± 20.0 kg were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to receive four treatment by ß‐glucan at 0, 1.6, 3.1 and 4.7 g/day respectively. Supplementation of ß‐glucan at 0–4.7 g in cattle did not affect the intake of DM, OM, CP, NDF or ADF. However, supplementation with ß‐glucan significantly improved rice straw intake (g/kg BW 0.75 ), compared to the nonsupplemented group ( p < 0.05), so rice straw intake was higher than in the group without ß‐glucan supplementation. In addition, total feed intake increased with the higher level of ß‐glucan supplementation. The estimated energy intake was not altered by ß‐glucan supplementation ( p > 0.05). The experimental diet had no effect ( p > 0.05) on the apparent digestibility of DM, OM, NDF or ADF. However, the digestibility of CP was significantly different among treatment and supplementation at 4.7 g/day ß‐glucan which was the highest level (63.2%) among all diets. ß‐glucan supplementation did not affect rumen pH, temperature or ruminal NH 3 ‐N concentration. In addition, blood urea‐N levels were similar among experimental groups. The population of protozoa at 4 hr post‐feeding increased along with ß‐glucan supplementation and was highest at 4.7 g of ß‐glucan. Based on this experiment, it could be concluded that supplementation of ß‐glucan at 4.7 g improved rice straw intake, as well as total intake and digestibility of CP in Thai native beef cattle.