Anaerobic fungi in the digestive tract of herbivores are one of the critical types of fiber-degrading microorganisms present in the rumen. They degrade lignocellulosic materials using unique rhizoid structures and a diverse range of fiber-degrading enzymes, producing metabolic products such as H2/CO2, formate, lactate, acetate, and ethanol. Methanogens in the rumen utilize some of these products (e.g., H2 and formate) to produce methane. An investigation of the interactions between anaerobic fungi and methanogens is helpful as it provides valuable insight into the microbial interactions within the rumen. During the last few decades, research has demonstrated that anaerobic fungi stimulate the growth of methanogens and maintain methanogenic diversity. Meanwhile, methanogens increase the fiber-degrading capability of anaerobic fungi and stimulate metabolic pathways in the fungal hydrogenosome. The ability of co-cultures of anaerobic fungi and methanogens to degrade fiber and produce methane could potentially be a valuable method for the degradation of lignocellulosic materials and methane production.
Objective:
The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of feeding pineapple waste silage (PWS) as the source of roughage replaced in Napier grass silage (NGS) on the nutrient intakes, energy status, and growth performances of growing Myanmar local cattle.
Materials and methods:
Eight growing Myanmar local cattle were randomly allocated into two groups, which were adjusted for age, sex, and body weight. Treatments were control (70% NGS + 30% concentrate) and PWS (45% NGS + 25% PWS + 30% concentrate). This experiment lasted for 6 weeks, including adaptation, and feed intake, energy status, and body weight gain were measured.
Results:
The higher (
p
< 0.05) intakes of dry matter, crude protein, non-fiber carbohydrate, neutral detergent fiber and energy, and energy balance were observed in the PSW group than in the control group. Although the initial and final body weights of both groups were not different (
p
> 0.05), the body weight gain and average daily gain were significantly higher (
p
< 0.05) in the PSW group than in the control group. Feeding PWS as a roughage source at 25% of diet improved the nutrient intake, energy balance, and body weight gain of growing Myanmar local cattle.
Conclusion:
Thus, PWS could be used as the source of roughage replaced in NGS in Myanmar local cattle with the improvement of productive performances.
Aim: This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of yeast cell wall (YCW) supplementation on production performances and blood biochemical indices such as liver enzyme activities, energy metabolites, and electrolyte concentrations of dairy cows in different lactation periods (LP). Materials and Methods: Thirty-two lactating Holstein cows were assigned into 2×2 factorial arrangement, in which the factors were the treatment (TM) (control [n=16] vs. YCW [n=16]) and the LP (early lactation [n=14] vs. mid-lactation [n=18]). The cows with day in milk (DIM) <120 (81±7 DIM) were defined as early lactating cows, whereas the cows with DIM >120 (179±5 DIM) were assumed as mid-lactating cows. The YCW (SafMannan; Phileo, Lesaffre Animal Care, France) was used as the dietary supplement (10 g/cow/day) in this experiment. The statistical analysis of the data was performed by the two-way analysis of variance using the general linear model procedure to determine the main effects (TM and LP) and their interaction (TM×LP) on production performances and blood biochemical parameters of experimental cows. Results: No significant effects (p>0.05) of YCW supplementation on production performances and blood biochemical indices of cows in TM groups (control vs. YCW) were observed; however, some obvious effects were detected in LP (early- and mid-lactation). Milk and milk component yield of cows in early lactation were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in mid-lactation, whereas somatic cell count and milk urea nitrogen were not different (p>0.05) with the YCW supplementation. The higher level (p<0.05) of serum albumin was found in mid-lactating cows after YCW supplementation. Before the experiment, the higher (p<0.05) non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and NEFA/total cholesterol (T-Cho) ratio, and the lower (p<0.05) calcium (Ca) concentration were observed in early lactating cows comparison with mid-lactating cows; however, there were not different after YCW supplementation. Conclusion: The positive effects of YCW supplementation on milk and milk component yields, energy metabolite, especially NEFA and NEFA/T-Cho ratio and Ca concentration were observed in early lactating cows rather than mid-lactating cows.
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