Effects of tributyrin supplementation on ruminal microbial protein yield, fermentation characteristics and nutrients degradability in adult Small Tail ewes

Abstract

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.

Sodium butyrate and monensin supplementation to postweaning heifer diets: Effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and health

“…For SB, our results are supported by research that indicates a decrease in fiber digestibility in the rumen of sheep (Górka et al, 2017;Górka et al, 2018b,c). However, Ren et al (2018) observed an increase in NDF digestibility in sheep supplemented with tributyrin, whereas Rice et al (2019) observed no difference in fiber digestibility in heifers supplemented with unprotected SB.…”

Tributyrin Plays an Important Role in Regulating the Growth and Health Status of Juvenile Blunt Snout Bream (Megalobrama amblycephala), as Evidenced by Pathological Examination

“…These results indicated that TB supplementation in feed was effective in enhancing fish performance, at least in Megalobrama amblycephala. Researchers have demonstrated the availability and functionality of TB supplemented in the feed of terrestrial animals, such as broiler chickens (9, 10), weaned pigs (11), and small tail sheep ewes (12). Among aquatic animals, the effects of TB supplementation in feed have also been assessed in some fish species.…”

“…Hence, TB has a function similar to that of butyric acid. Some studies have shown that TB has a positive effect on growth performance in various terrestrial animals, such as broiler chickens (1,9), weaned pigs (10,11), and small tail sheep ewes (12). In addition, TB can promote the healthy development, digestion and collection of nutrients of the intestinal tract.…”

“…1PI3K, phosphoinositide 3-kinase;2 Akt, protein kinase B; 3 NF-kB, nuclear factor-kappa B; 4 Nrf2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; 5 Keap1, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1; 6 CAT, catalase;7 Cu/Zn-SOD, copper and zinc superoxide dismutase;8 HO-1, heme oxygenase 1; 9 HSP70, heat stress protein 70;10 Mn-SOD, manganese superoxide dismutase;11 GPx, glutathione peroxidase;12 TNF-a, tumor necrosis factor-a;13 IL-8, interleukin 8; 14 IL-1b, interleukin 1b.…”

Tributyrin‐supplemented high‐soya bean meal diets of juvenile black sea bream, Acanthopagrus schlegelii : Study on growth performance and intestinal morphology and structure

“…Therefore, more butyrate molecules can be released in the intestine where they exert their functions. Several studies have been conducted in which TB supplementation was used in various terrestrial animals, such as piglets (Dong et al, ; Hou, Liu, Hu, & Shen, ), small tail ewes (Ren et al, ) and broilers (Antongiovanni et al, ; Li et al, ; Lum et al, ). The results of these studies were consistent and demonstrated that TB promotes growth performance and maintains normal intestinal morphology of animals.…”