Effects of abomasal oligofructose on blood and feces of Holstein steers

Abstract

Subacute ruminal acidosis can result in increased flow of fermentable substrates to the hindgut, which can negatively affect animal health and productivity. However, animal responses to increased hindgut fermentation independent of subacute ruminal acidosis have rarely been evaluated. This study determined the impact of abomasal dosage of a fermentable carbohydrate on animal performance and blood and fecal variables. Six ruminally cannulated Holstein steers fed a lactating dairy cow ration were used in a crossover design study with 14-d periods. On d 13 of each period, steers were infused abomasally with a pulse dose of 0 (control) or 1 (Oligo) g of oligofructose/kg of BW. Blood samples collected at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h after abomasal oligofructose dose were evaluated for metabolites (blood urea N, β-hydroxybutyric acid, and NEFA) and systemic inflammatory markers (Cu, serum amyloid A, and haptoglobin). Fecal samples, rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were taken at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 48 h after abomasal dosage. Fecal samples were assayed for pH, DM percentage, consistency score (1=liquid to 5=coarse), and organic acid concentrations. Data were evaluated using a model including the fixed effects of treatment, time after dosage, and their interaction. Effects of treatment or treatment × time were not significant for DMI, blood variables, rectal temperature, or respiratory rate. Fecal pH was slightly reduced for Oligo compared with control steers (6.76 vs. 7.02; P=0.04). A treatment × time interaction occurred for fecal DM (P < 0.001). Compared with control steers, DM content of feces was reduced in Oligo steers at 6 h (12.6 vs. 15.2%) but increased at 9 h (16.3 vs. 15.0%) and 12 h (16.5 vs. 15.0). Fecal consistency score was reduced by the Oligo treatment at 6 h (1.44 vs. 2.83; P < 0.001) and 9 h (1.83 vs. 2.67; P=0.005). A treatment × time interaction was detected for fecal concentrations of lactate and acetate (P < 0.05) and tended to occur for propionate and butyrate (P < 0.10). The greatest difference for all organic acids occurred at 12 h, when fecal concentrations of lactate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate were 0.5, 47, 11, and 4.0 mM in control steers and 5.3, 76, 15, and 6.8 mM in Oligo steers, respectively. In summary, abomasal dosage of 1 g of oligofructose/kg of BW increased fecal excretion of microbial fermentation products in steers without causing metabolic acidosis, metabolic disruption, or inflammation.

Acute phase proteins in ruminants

“…In this study the APP response possibly resulted from ruminitis due to acidosis, translocation of pro-inflammatory molecules from the rumen across damaged epithelium or a systemic acidosis due to an accumulation of organic acids in the circulation. However another study on the effect of oligofructose in the diet has reported that no effect was found in Hp or SAA concentrations [201] the difference from the previous report possibly being that in the latter study the treatment did not produce metabolic acidosis.…”

Effects of calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide and encapsulated sodium bicarbonate on measures of post‐ruminal fermentation

“…Rumen and faecal content of VFA and lactic acid were evaluated by high‐performance liquid chromatography following the procedures of Muck and Dickerson () as described by Mainardi, Hengst, Nebzydoski, Nemec, and Gressley (). The endotoxin concentration of faecal samples was determined using a commercial chromogenic endpoint amebocyte lysate kit according to manufacturer instructions (Pierce LAL Chromogenic Endotoxin Quantification Kit, Thermo Fisher Scientific).…”

Effect of abomasal carbohydrates and live yeast on measures of postruminal fermentation1

“…However, the single pulse dose nature of that model caused more dramatic changes in fecal composition than typically observed with SARA (Mainardi et al, 2011). Additionally, although oligofructose infusion delivered a precise amount of fructans to intestinal microbes, starch is the substrate primarily responsible for the hindgut effects of SARA (Hall, 2002;Li et al, 2012).…”

“…Fecal SCFA were determined as described by Mainardi et al (2011). Briefly, 25 ± 0.5 g of feces were acidified, stored at -20°C, and analyzed using HPLC using procedures described by Muck and Dickerson (1988).…”

“…We developed an abomasal oligofructose infusion model using a single pulse dose to mimic the increase in postruminal fermentation observed with SARA without altering rumen fermentation (Mainardi et al, 2011). ABSTRACT: Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of abomasal carbohydrate infusion on nutrient digestibility and fecal measures.…”