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These experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of excessive sulfur on rumen fermentation, microflora, and epithelial barrier function in steers through in vitro gas production and animal feeding experiments. Nine and four levels of sulfur addition were evaluated in in vitro ruminal fermentation and animal feeding experiment, respectively. The results showed that increasing the level of sulfur in substrates decreased the total gas and methane production linearly, while increasing the production of hydrogen sulfide gas (p< 0.01). Volatile fatty acid concentrations, especially that of butyric acid, were increased by extra sulfur (p< 0.01). Sulfur content in the diet had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on most of the rumen microbes, except for Desulfovibrio, one of the major sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the rumen, whose population increased by adding extra sulfur (p< 0.001). The changes in the morphology of rumen epithelium and thickening of the total epithelial layer were mainly attributed to the increase in the acanthosis cell layer and stratum basale (p< 0.05). Further, the relative expressions of two tight junction protein regulating genes, CLDN-1 and TJP1, were reduced (p< 0.05). Excessive sulfur in the diet can change the type of rumen fermentation, sulfate metabolism and SRB population, and the rumen epithelial barrier function. The results of this study demonstrated that sulfur can be used as a methane inhibitor with the mechanism that SRB competitively used protons to produce hydrogen sulfide. However, a higher level of sulfur in the diet could increase the inflammatory reaction of the rumen epithelium which may affect nutrient absorption.
Hao Wu; Yan Li; Qingxiang Meng; Zhenming Zhou. Effect of High Sulfur Diet on Rumen Fermentation, Microflora, and Epithelial Barrier Function in Steers. Animals 2021, 11, 2545 .
AMA StyleHao Wu, Yan Li, Qingxiang Meng, Zhenming Zhou. Effect of High Sulfur Diet on Rumen Fermentation, Microflora, and Epithelial Barrier Function in Steers. Animals. 2021; 11 (9):2545.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHao Wu; Yan Li; Qingxiang Meng; Zhenming Zhou. 2021. "Effect of High Sulfur Diet on Rumen Fermentation, Microflora, and Epithelial Barrier Function in Steers." Animals 11, no. 9: 2545.
In Vivo fermentable organic matter (FOM) reflects the energy production and the potential of rumen’s microbial protein synthesis. However, the in vivo method with fistulated animals for FOM measurement compromises animal welfare and is laborious as well as expensive. Although the alternative in situ nylon bag technique has been widely used, it is also costly and requires rumen liquor. Therefore, the present study was performed to compare the in situ nylon bag technique with the in vitro neutral detergent cellulase (NDC) method or chemical composition to estimate in vivo FOM of roughages. For this purpose, we selected 12 roughages, including six each from forages and crop residues. Our results have shown the strong correlation equations between FOMin situ and FOMNDC of forages (n = 6; R2 = 0.79), crop residues (n = 6; R2 = 0.80), and roughages (n = 12; R2 = 0.84), respectively. Moreover, there were also strong correlations between the chemical composition of roughages and FOMin situ (n = 12; R2 = 0.84–0.93) or FOMNDC (n = 12; R2 = 0.79–0.89). In conclusion, the in vitro NDC method and chemical composition were alternatives to in situ nylon bag technique for predicting in vivo FOM of roughages in the current experiment.
Yue Liu; Rui Li; Hao Wu; Qingxiang Meng; Muhammad Khan; Zhenming Zhou. In Vitro Neutral Detergent Cellulase Method and Chemical Composition to Predict In Vivo Fermentable Organic Matter of Roughages. Animals 2021, 11, 1594 .
AMA StyleYue Liu, Rui Li, Hao Wu, Qingxiang Meng, Muhammad Khan, Zhenming Zhou. In Vitro Neutral Detergent Cellulase Method and Chemical Composition to Predict In Vivo Fermentable Organic Matter of Roughages. Animals. 2021; 11 (6):1594.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYue Liu; Rui Li; Hao Wu; Qingxiang Meng; Muhammad Khan; Zhenming Zhou. 2021. "In Vitro Neutral Detergent Cellulase Method and Chemical Composition to Predict In Vivo Fermentable Organic Matter of Roughages." Animals 11, no. 6: 1594.
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of hybrid type on the fermentation and nutritional parameters of whole-plant corn silage (dual-purpose and silage-specific corn). For this purpose, the two corn hybrid types were harvested at the one-half to three-fourths milk line and ensiled in fermentation bags (50 × 80 cm) for 60 day. Our results demonstrated that the ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid (p = 0.004), propionic acid (p< 0.001), Flieg point (p< 0.001), ether extract (p = 0.039), starch (p< 0.001), milk-per-ton index (p< 0.005), net energy for lactation (p = 0.003), total digestible nutrients (p< 0.001), neutral detergent soluble fiber (p =0.04), and in situ dry matter digestibility (TDMDis) (p< 0.001) were higher in dual-purpose corn silage, while the pH (p = 0.014), acetic acid (p = 0.007), the ratio of ammonia nitrogen to total nitrogen (p = 0.045), neutral detergent fiber (p< 0.001), acid detergent fiber (p< 0.001), acid detergent lignin (p< 0.001), dry matter yield per ha (p< 0.001), milk-per-acre index (p = 0.003), available neutral detergent fiber (p< 0.001), and unavailable neutral detergent fiber (p< 0.001) were higher in silage-specific corn silage. Based on our analysis, we concluded that under favourable production conditions for whole-plant corn silage, the nutritive value per unit was higher in dual-purpose corn while biomass yield and nutrient value per ha were higher in silage-specific corn.
Yue Liu; Guogen Wang; Hao Wu; Qingxiang Meng; Muhammad Khan; Zhenming Zhou. Effect of Hybrid Type on Fermentation and Nutritional Parameters of Whole Plant Corn Silage. Animals 2021, 11, 1587 .
AMA StyleYue Liu, Guogen Wang, Hao Wu, Qingxiang Meng, Muhammad Khan, Zhenming Zhou. Effect of Hybrid Type on Fermentation and Nutritional Parameters of Whole Plant Corn Silage. Animals. 2021; 11 (6):1587.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYue Liu; Guogen Wang; Hao Wu; Qingxiang Meng; Muhammad Khan; Zhenming Zhou. 2021. "Effect of Hybrid Type on Fermentation and Nutritional Parameters of Whole Plant Corn Silage." Animals 11, no. 6: 1587.
Background: Sulfur is essential for maintaining animal health and functional processing, but high sulfur in the diet can be toxic. The underlying mechanism for this toxicity is not clear in ruminants. Thus, we conducted experiments to evaluate the effect of excessive sulfur on rumen fermentation, microflora, and epithelial barrier function in steers through in vitro gas production and animal feeding trials.Results: The results showed that increasing the level of sulfur in substrates, decreased the total gas and methane production linearly while increasing the hydrogen sulfide gas (PP>0.05), the volatile fatty acid concentration, especially the butyric acid, was increased by extra sulfur (PP>0.05) on most of the rumen microbes, expect Desulfovibrio, one of the major sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the rumen, whose population increased by adding extra sulfur (PPPConclusion: These results indicate that excessive sulfur in the diet can change the type of rumen fermentation, sulfate metabolism and SRB population, and the rumen epithelial barrier function.
Hao Wu; Yan Li; Qingxiang Meng; Zhenming Zhou. Effect of High Sulfur Diet on Rumen Fermentation, Microflora and Epithelial Barrier Function in Steers. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleHao Wu, Yan Li, Qingxiang Meng, Zhenming Zhou. Effect of High Sulfur Diet on Rumen Fermentation, Microflora and Epithelial Barrier Function in Steers. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHao Wu; Yan Li; Qingxiang Meng; Zhenming Zhou. 2020. "Effect of High Sulfur Diet on Rumen Fermentation, Microflora and Epithelial Barrier Function in Steers." , no. : 1.
Aims To investigate the changes in fermentation quality of whole‐plant corn silage ensiled with varying dosages of mixed organic acid salts (MS), and link these dosage changes to shifts in bacterial composition. Methods and Results Fermentation quality and bacterial community of corn silage ensiled with MS at four application rates (0, 0·67 g kg−1, 1·33 g kg−1, and 2·00 g kg−1) were investigated. The MS consisted of 40% potassium sorbate and 60% sodium benzoate. The corn silages were conserved for 42 days. Dry matter losses and ammonia nitrogen concentration were linearly declined by up to 19·10 and 33·3% with increasing dosages of MS. MS treatments significantly reduced the pH of silage vs the control group. Further analysis indicated that the improvement of fermentation quality was the result of shifts in bacterial composition, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus paralimentarius and Pediococcus spp. increased while Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus coryniformis and Klebsiella declined with increasing dosages of MS. Conclusions MS effectively improved the fermentation quality of whole‐plant corn silage with an optimum dosage of 2·00 g kg−1. Significance and Impact of the Study The correlation between bacterial taxa and fermentation quality provides a potential for the development of novel silage inoculants and for the application of MS on controlling Klebsiella mastitis of livestock farms.
Y. Zhang; Y. Liu; Q. Meng; Z. Zhou; H. Wu. A mixture of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate improved fermentation quality of whole‐plant corn silage by shifting bacterial communities. Journal of Applied Microbiology 2020, 128, 1312 -1323.
AMA StyleY. Zhang, Y. Liu, Q. Meng, Z. Zhou, H. Wu. A mixture of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate improved fermentation quality of whole‐plant corn silage by shifting bacterial communities. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2020; 128 (5):1312-1323.
Chicago/Turabian StyleY. Zhang; Y. Liu; Q. Meng; Z. Zhou; H. Wu. 2020. "A mixture of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate improved fermentation quality of whole‐plant corn silage by shifting bacterial communities." Journal of Applied Microbiology 128, no. 5: 1312-1323.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of applying various silage additives to whole corn crops at ensiling on growth performance, rumen fermentation, and blood physiology in growing–finishing bulls. Sixty Simmental × Yellow Cattle crossbred bulls were blocked by initial body weight (BW; 324.0 ± 5.4 kg) into 15 blocks. Animals in each block were randomly assigned to one of four diets formulated based on the following corn silage: control (CON), inoculated with complex lactic acid bacteria (CLB), ensilaged with mixed organic acid salts (MS), and ensilaged with CLB and MS (CLBMS). The feeding experiment lasted over 155 days, with an additional 7 days for adaptation. The results showed that bulls fed CLB-inoculated silage had greater (p < 0.05) daily dry matter intake than the other groups. The experimental treatment had no significant effect on average daily gain (p = 0.33) and feed-to-gain ratio (p = 0.13), although bulls fed CLB-inoculated silage had a larger numeric average daily gain. All additive-treated silage increased ruminal NH3–N content (p < 0.05) and reduced the acetate-to-propionate ratio (p < 0.05) of bulls compared with the control group. Bulls fed CLB-inoculated silage had a lower ruminal pH value (p < 0.05) than that of the other groups. Compared with the control group, bulls fed CLB-inoculated silage had greater blood cholesterol, albumin, and urea nitrogen (p < 0.05). Blood physiological responses were similar in bulls fed MS-treated and control silage, whereas those in cattle fed CLBMS-treated silage were between bulls fed CLB- and MS-treated silages and more similar to the former. Taking animal performance and cost effectiveness into consideration, the application of CLB alone to whole corn crops at ensiling appears to be a better choice compared with the application of either MS alone or both of them together.
Yawei Zhang; Xiangwei Zhao; Wanbao Chen; Zhenming Zhou; Qingxiang Meng; Hao Wu; Zhao; Chen; Zhou; Meng; Wu. Effects of Adding Various Silage Additives to Whole Corn Crops at Ensiling on Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Serum Physiological Characteristics of Growing-Finishing Cattle. Animals 2019, 9, 695 .
AMA StyleYawei Zhang, Xiangwei Zhao, Wanbao Chen, Zhenming Zhou, Qingxiang Meng, Hao Wu, Zhao, Chen, Zhou, Meng, Wu. Effects of Adding Various Silage Additives to Whole Corn Crops at Ensiling on Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Serum Physiological Characteristics of Growing-Finishing Cattle. Animals. 2019; 9 (9):695.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYawei Zhang; Xiangwei Zhao; Wanbao Chen; Zhenming Zhou; Qingxiang Meng; Hao Wu; Zhao; Chen; Zhou; Meng; Wu. 2019. "Effects of Adding Various Silage Additives to Whole Corn Crops at Ensiling on Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Serum Physiological Characteristics of Growing-Finishing Cattle." Animals 9, no. 9: 695.
Although many byproducts of milling industries have potential as a ruminant feed, they have not been widely used due to their low nutritive value, especially high-fiber content and difficult processing techniques. Steam explosion can increase the degradation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin and make byproduct feedstuffs more suitable as ruminant feed. Five byproduct feedstuffs: cassava alcohol residue (CAR), distillers’ grains (DG), cottonseed meal (CM), rapeseed meal (RM) and potato starchy residues (PSR), were steam-exploded using five different processing parameters and the effects on the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, energy value, and Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System composition were assessed in order to provide a theoretical basis for the technique’s development and utilization for ruminant feed production. In this study, after steam-explosion treatment, the nutritive value and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of CAR, DG, RM and PSR were improved (p < 0.05), while there was no effect on nutritive value of CM (p > 0.05). Specifically, steam explosion treatment decreased the contents of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, available cell wall, and slowly degraded protein, and increased the total digestible nutrients, digestible energy, metabolic energy, net energy for maintenance, and net energy for gain, sugar, non-structural carbohydrate and IVDMD. Therefore, steam-explosion treatment offers the potential to improve the suitability of byproduct feedstuffs as ruminant feed.
Yue Liu; Xiaoxuan Ren; Hao Wu; Qingxiang Meng; Zhenming Zhou. Steam Explosion Treatment of Byproduct Feedstuffs for Potential Use as Ruminant Feed. Animals 2019, 9, 688 .
AMA StyleYue Liu, Xiaoxuan Ren, Hao Wu, Qingxiang Meng, Zhenming Zhou. Steam Explosion Treatment of Byproduct Feedstuffs for Potential Use as Ruminant Feed. Animals. 2019; 9 (9):688.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYue Liu; Xiaoxuan Ren; Hao Wu; Qingxiang Meng; Zhenming Zhou. 2019. "Steam Explosion Treatment of Byproduct Feedstuffs for Potential Use as Ruminant Feed." Animals 9, no. 9: 688.
Aims This study investigated the effects of ferric citrate, nitrate and saponin, both individually and in combination, on sulphidogenesis, methanogenesis, rumen fermentation and abundances of select microbial populations using in vitro rumen cultures. Methods and Results Ferric citrate (50 mg l−1), Quillaja saponin (0·6 g l−1) and sodium nitrate (5 mmol l−1) were used in in vitro ruminal fermentation. Ferric citrate alone, its combination with saponin and/or nitrate lowered the aqueous sulphide concentration and total sulphide production. Methane production was suppressed by nitrate alone (by up to 32·92%), its combination with saponin (25·04%) and with both saponins with nitrate (25·92%). None of the treatments adversely affected feed digestion or rumen fermentation. The population of sulphate‐reducing bacteria was increased by nitrate and saponin individually, while that of total Archaea was decreased by nitrate alone and the combination of the three inhibitors. Conclusions Nitrate and its combination with saponin or both ferric citrate and saponin substantially decreased methane production. Most importantly, the decreased methane production was not at the expense of feed digestion or fermentation. Sulphidogenesis from the sulphate present in the high‐sulphur diets can be suppressed competitively by ferric citrate, although it was elevated by saponin and nitrate. Significance and Impact of the Study The results of this study demonstrated that combinations of certain methane inhibitors, which have different mechanisms of antimethanogenic actions or inhibit different guilds of microbes involved in methane production and sulphate reduction, can be more effective and practical than individual inhibitors, not only in mitigating enteric methane emission but also in lowering the risk of sulphur‐associated polioencephalomalacia in feedlot cattle fed high sulphur diets.
H. Wu; Q. Meng; Z. Zhou; Z. Yu. Ferric citrate, nitrate, saponin and their combinations affect in vitro ruminal fermentation, production of sulphide and methane and abundance of select microbial populations. Journal of Applied Microbiology 2019, 127, 150 -158.
AMA StyleH. Wu, Q. Meng, Z. Zhou, Z. Yu. Ferric citrate, nitrate, saponin and their combinations affect in vitro ruminal fermentation, production of sulphide and methane and abundance of select microbial populations. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 2019; 127 (1):150-158.
Chicago/Turabian StyleH. Wu; Q. Meng; Z. Zhou; Z. Yu. 2019. "Ferric citrate, nitrate, saponin and their combinations affect in vitro ruminal fermentation, production of sulphide and methane and abundance of select microbial populations." Journal of Applied Microbiology 127, no. 1: 150-158.
The effect of cattle feed on beef quality and oxidative stability was investigated. A corn silage (CS)-based finishing diet was compared with the diets based on corn stalk silage (SS) or corn stalk silage combined with its expected corn grain (SSC), containing a ratio of stalk to grain of corn plant of 1.5:1. Replacing CS with SS in the finishing diet had no effect on the proximate nutrients, cholesterol content, fatty acids profile, pH, color, water holding capacity, tenderness, texture profile, or oxidative stability of beef muscle. Compared to the CS diet and SS diet, cattle fed SSC diet showed an inferior antioxidant capacity, lower SOD and higher MDA concentrations in blood. SSC diet fed cattle also showed higher MDA and protein carbonyl concentrations in beef muscle indicating increased oxidation damage, and potentially resulting in a greater drip loss of the beef muscle. Corn silage can be replaced in the finishing feed of beef cattle with corn stalk silage without any negative effects on measures of beef quality.
Liwen He; Hao Wu; Guogen Wang; Qingxiang Meng; Zhenming Zhou. The effects of including corn silage, corn stalk silage, and corn grain in finishing ration of beef steers on meat quality and oxidative stability. Meat Science 2018, 139, 142 -148.
AMA StyleLiwen He, Hao Wu, Guogen Wang, Qingxiang Meng, Zhenming Zhou. The effects of including corn silage, corn stalk silage, and corn grain in finishing ration of beef steers on meat quality and oxidative stability. Meat Science. 2018; 139 ():142-148.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLiwen He; Hao Wu; Guogen Wang; Qingxiang Meng; Zhenming Zhou. 2018. "The effects of including corn silage, corn stalk silage, and corn grain in finishing ration of beef steers on meat quality and oxidative stability." Meat Science 139, no. : 142-148.
This study was conducted to examine effects of nitrate on ruminal methane production, methanogen abundance, and composition. Six rumen-fistulated Limousin×Jinnan steers were fed diets supplemented with either 0% (0NR), 1% (1NR), or 2% (2NR) nitrate (dry matter basis) regimens in succession. Rumen fluid was taken after two-week adaptation for evaluation of in vitro methane production, methanogen abundance, and composition measurements. Results showed that nitrate significantly decreased in vitro ruminal methane production at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h (P < 0.01; P < 0.01; P = 0.01). The 1NR and 2NR regimens numerically reduced the methanogen population by 4.47% and 25.82% respectively. However, there was no significant difference observed between treatments. The alpha and beta diversity of the methanogen community was not significantly changed by nitrate either. However, the relative abundance of the methanogen genera was greatly changed. Methanosphaera (PL = 0.0033) and Methanimicrococcus (PL = 0.0113) abundance increased linearly commensurate with increasing nitration levels, while Methanoplanus abundance was significantly decreased (PL = 0.0013). The population of Methanoculleus, the least frequently identified genus in this study, exhibited quadratic growth from 0% to 2% when nitrate was added (PQ = 0.0140). Correlation analysis found that methane reduction was significantly related to Methanobrevibacter and Methanoplanus abundance, and negatively correlated with Methanosphaera and Methanimicrococcus abundance.
Liping Zhao; Qingxiang Meng; Yan Li; Hao Wu; Yunlong Huo; Xinzhuang Zhang; Zhenming Zhou. Nitrate decreases ruminal methane production with slight changes to ruminal methanogen composition of nitrate-adapted steers. BMC Microbiology 2018, 18, 21 .
AMA StyleLiping Zhao, Qingxiang Meng, Yan Li, Hao Wu, Yunlong Huo, Xinzhuang Zhang, Zhenming Zhou. Nitrate decreases ruminal methane production with slight changes to ruminal methanogen composition of nitrate-adapted steers. BMC Microbiology. 2018; 18 (1):21.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLiping Zhao; Qingxiang Meng; Yan Li; Hao Wu; Yunlong Huo; Xinzhuang Zhang; Zhenming Zhou. 2018. "Nitrate decreases ruminal methane production with slight changes to ruminal methanogen composition of nitrate-adapted steers." BMC Microbiology 18, no. 1: 21.