Effect of sainfoin on in vitro digestion of fresh alfalfa and bloat in steers

McMahon, L. R.; Majak, W.; McAllister, Tim A.; Hall, John W.; Jones, Graham A.; Popp, J. D.; Cheng, K.-J.

doi:10.4141/a98-074

Cited by 90 publications

(99 citation statements)

References 49 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…S25 5 S0). Other beneficial effects of feeding sainfoin forage in association with lucerne, but not studied in this experiment, include a reduction in incidences of bloating (McMahon et al, 1999). More research should be carried out in order to identify other factors related to CT that could lead to variations in the effect of CT on the feed value of forage mixtures (content, structure and biological activity of CT, leaf/stem ratio, variety, preservation method and environmental conditions; Theodoridou et al, 2011 and.…”

Section: Intestinal Digestibilitymentioning

confidence: 98%

“…These results suggested that the tannin-protein complexes formed in the rumen may not be fully dissociated post-ruminally (Barry and McNabb, 1999). Moreover, according to McMahon et al (1999), although sainfoin did not completely eliminate bloat in cattle grazing alfalfa-based pastures, there is evidence that sainfoin will reduce the incidence of bloat in grazing cattle if it accounts for at least 15% DM in the pasture.…”

Section: N Utilisationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Mixing sainfoin and lucerne to improve the feed value of legumes fed to sheep by the effect of condensed tannins

Aufrere

Dudilieu

Andueza

et al. 2013

Animal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of sainfoin-based condensed tannins (CT) enhances feed value when given with tannin-free legumes (lucerne) to sheep. The experiments were conducted with fresh sainfoin and lucerne harvested at two stages (vegetative stage as compared with early flowering) in the first growth cycle. Fresh sainfoin and lucerne forages were combined in ratios of 100 : 0, 75 : 25, 25 : 75 and 0 : 100 (denoted S100, S75, S25 and S0, respectively). Voluntary intake, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and nitrogen (N) retention were measured in sheep fed the different sainfoin and lucerne mixtures. Loss of dry matter (DM) and N from polyester bags suspended in the rumen, abomasum and small intestine (SI) was also measured using rumen-fistulated sheep and intestinally fistulated sheep. The CT content in sainfoin (S100) decreased with increasing percentage of lucerne in the mixture (mean value from 58 g/kg DM for S100 to 18 g/kg DM for S25) and with growth stage (S100: 64 to 52 g/kg DM). OMD did not differ between different sainfoin/lucerne mixture ratios. Sainfoin and lucerne had an associative effect (significant quadratic contrast) on voluntary intake, N intake, total-tract N digestibility, N in faeces and urine (g/g N intake) and N retained (g/g N intake). Compared with lucerne mixtures (S0 and S25), high-sainfoin-content mixtures (S100 and S75) increased the in situ estimates of forage N escaping from the rumen (from 0.162, 0.188 for S0 and S25 to 0.257, 0.287 for S75 and S100) but decreased forage N intestinal digestibility (from 0.496, 0.446 for S0 and S25 to 0.469, 0.335 for S75 and S100). The amount of forage N disappearing from the bags in the SI (per g forage N) was the highest for high-sainfoin mixtures (from 0.082, 0.108 for S100 and S75 to 0.056, 0.058 for S25 and S0, P , 0.001). Rumen juice total N (tN) and ammonia N (NH3-N) values were the lowest in the high-sainfoin diet (mean tN 0.166 mg/g in S100 as compared with 0.514 mg/g in S0; mean NH3-N 0.104 mg/g in S100 as compared with 0.333 mg/g in S0, P , 0.001).Keywords: ruminants, in vivo, condensed tannins, sainfoin-lucerne mixtures. ImplicationsLucerne is favoured for its high yield and nutritional quality, but is seldom grazed in pure stands as it causes bloating. Condensed tannins (CT)-containing legumes do not cause bloating and form CT-protein complexes that are stable and insoluble at rumen pH. Several papers have focused on the effect of CT on the nutritive value of CT-containing forages. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of sainfoin CT enhances feed value when given with tannin-free legumes (lucerne). We tested the effects of different sainfoin/lucerne proportions on voluntary intake, in vivo digestibility and in situ ruminal and intestinal digestibility in sheep.

show abstract

Section: Intestinal Digestibilitymentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: N Utilisationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixing sainfoin and lucerne to improve the feed value of legumes fed to sheep by the effect of condensed tannins

Aufrere

Dudilieu

Andueza

et al. 2013

Animal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, when these animals graze on leguminous plants containing CT (for example Onobrychis viciifolia) this does not occur (Mangan, 1988;Aerts et al, 1999;Barry and McNabb, 1999;McMahon et al, 2000). The substitution of a small amount (approximately 10%) of ingested alfalfa DM by Onobrychis viciifolia provides unquestionable benefits in the prevention of bloat (McMahon et al, 1999 and2000). The problem of this strategy is, however, the low persistence of this plant species in mixed cropping with alfalfa.…”

Section: Bloat Preventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review. Tannins and ruminant nutrition

Frutos¹,

Hervás²,

Giráldez³

et al. 2004

Span. j. agric. res.

399

284

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Tannins are a complex group of polyphenolic compounds found in a wide range of plant species commonly consumed by ruminants. They are conventionally classified into two major groups: the hydrolysable and the condensed tannins. Although for a long time tannins were thought to be detrimental to ruminants, their effect may be either beneficial or harmful depending on the type of tannin consumed, its chemical structure and molecular weight, the amount ingested, and the animal species involved. High concentrations of tannins reduce voluntary feed intake and nutrient digestibility, whereas low to moderate concentrations may improve the digestive utilisation of feed mainly due to a reduction in protein degradation in the rumen and a subsequent increase in amino acid flow to the small intestine. These effects on nutrition are reflected in animal performance.

show abstract

“…Similarly, Waghorn and Jones (1989) demonstrated an absence of bloat in cows fed dock (Rumex obtusifolius) at 10% of dry matter while consuming a lucerne based diet. In addition bloat scores in steers have been reduced by feeding Sainfoin herbage (Onobrychris Viciifolia) at 10-20% dry matter (McMahon et al, 1999). Although it is possible to co-cultivate a bloat susceptible sward such as lucerne or clover with a CT containing plant such as Sainfoin, Lotus or Dock, consistent intakes of both plants by ruminants must be verified and production traits assessed before full recommendation to producers.…”

Section: Foam Production/bloat Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant bioactives for ruminant health and productivity

Rochfort¹,

2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plants have been used throughout history for their medicinal properties. This use has often focused on human health but plants have also been, and still are, applied in ethnoveterinary practice and animal health management.In recent times, the use of synthetic chemicals has become prevalent. Public awareness of the potential environmental and health risks associated with heavy chemical use has also increased. This has put pressure on regulatory bodies to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture. The most striking example is the 2006 banning of antibiotics in animal feed by the European Union. Moves such as this have increased the drive to find alternatives to synthetic chemicals and research has again turned to the use of plant bioactives as a means of improving animal health.Current scientific evidence suggests there is significant potential to use plants to enhance animal health in general and that of ruminants (cattle, deer, sheep, etc.) in particular. Active areas of research for plant bioactives (particularly saponin and tannin containing plants) include reproductive efficiency, milk and meat quality improvement, foam production/bloat control and methane production. Nematode control is also a significant area of research and the evidence suggests a much broader range of phytochemicals may be effective. This review presents a summary of the literature and examines international research efforts towards the development of plant bioactives for animal health.

show abstract

Effect of sainfoin on in vitro digestion of fresh alfalfa and bloat in steers

Cited by 90 publications

References 49 publications

Mixing sainfoin and lucerne to improve the feed value of legumes fed to sheep by the effect of condensed tannins

Mixing sainfoin and lucerne to improve the feed value of legumes fed to sheep by the effect of condensed tannins

Review. Tannins and ruminant nutrition

Plant bioactives for ruminant health and productivity

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About