Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, the objectives were: 1) to develop and evaluate the accuracy and precision of a new continuous ruminal pH measurement system 2) to determine the required frequency for pH electrode standardization and 3) to determine the effect of additional pre-partum concentrate when compared to NRC (2001) recommendations on post-partum ruminal acidosis in primiparous cows. Accuracy and precision of the Lethbridge Research Centre Ruminal pH measurement system (LRCpH) was determined by comparing LRCpH derived values against manual measurement. To determine the required frequency of electrode standardization, three treatments were imposed (24, 48, or 72 h of continuous measurement) and arranged in a repeated 3×3 Latin square design. The LRCpH accurately and precisely measured ruminal pH (repeated measures correlation coefficient = 0.97 and concordance correlation coefficient = 0.97 for 5-min averages). Changes in baseline mV readings for pH readings after 24, 48 or 72 h of ruminal incubation were not significantly different than zero, indicating that daily standardization of new electrodes was not essential. Using the LRCpH to measure ruminal pH overcomes animal mobility restrictions of previous systems. <p>In experiment 2, the effect of additional concentrate allocation during the pre-partum period was evaluated using 14 ruminally cannulated Holstein heifers. The heifers were assigned to one of two feeding regimes pre-calving: 1) control treatment or 2) an intensive high concentrate feeding treatment (HC). All cows received the same lactation diet post-partum. Ruminal pH was measured continuously from d -5 to d +5, and for 3-consecutive days starting on d +17 ± 1.2, d +37 ± 1.4, and d +58 ± 1.5 relative to parturition. Feeding additional concentrate pre-partum did not reduce post-partum ruminal acidosis. In fact, animals fed the HC treatment had more daily episodes of acute acidosis and lower dry matter intake and body condition score than animals fed the control treatment. Day relative to parturition affected the occurrence and severity of ruminal acidosis with a dramatic increase in ruminal acidosis after parturition. This study demonstrates that feeding addition concentrate pre-partum did not reduce post-partum acidosis which emphasized the need to develop and implement feeding strategies that reduce this risk.

Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, the objectives were: 1) to develop and evaluate the accuracy and precision of a new continuous ruminal pH measurement system 2) to determine the required frequency for pH electrode standardization and 3) to determine the effect of additional pre-partum concentrate when compared to NRC (2001) recommendations on post-partum ruminal acidosis in primiparous cows. Accuracy and precision of the Lethbridge Research Centre Ruminal pH measurement system (LRCpH) was determined by comparing LRCpH derived values against manual measurement. To determine the required frequency of electrode standardization, three treatments were imposed (24, 48, or 72 h of continuous measurement) and arranged in a repeated 3×3 Latin square design. The LRCpH accurately and precisely measured ruminal pH (repeated measures correlation coefficient = 0.97 and concordance correlation coefficient = 0.97 for 5-min averages). Changes in baseline mV readings for pH readings after 24, 48 or 72 h of ruminal incubation were not significantly different than zero, indicating that daily standardization of new electrodes was not essential. Using the LRCpH to measure ruminal pH overcomes animal mobility restrictions of previous systems. <p>In experiment 2, the effect of additional concentrate allocation during the pre-partum period was evaluated using 14 ruminally cannulated Holstein heifers. The heifers were assigned to one of two feeding regimes pre-calving: 1) control treatment or 2) an intensive high concentrate feeding treatment (HC). All cows received the same lactation diet post-partum. Ruminal pH was measured continuously from d -5 to d +5, and for 3-consecutive days starting on d +17 ± 1.2, d +37 ± 1.4, and d +58 ± 1.5 relative to parturition. Feeding additional concentrate pre-partum did not reduce post-partum ruminal acidosis. In fact, animals fed the HC treatment had more daily episodes of acute acidosis and lower dry matter intake and body condition score than animals fed the control treatment. Day relative to parturition affected the occurrence and severity of ruminal acidosis with a dramatic increase in ruminal acidosis after parturition. This study demonstrates that feeding addition concentrate pre-partum did not reduce post-partum acidosis which emphasized the need to develop and implement feeding strategies that reduce this risk.

Current feeding strategies for dairy cows focus on meeting the energy requirements for high levels of milk production. However a major concern is the effect that these feeding regimes might have on rumen pH, which can have harmful effects on the cow and rumen microbial population. Several interventions have been used to counteract the effects of low rumen pH such as the use of probiotics e.g. yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). However benefits have been inconclusive due to large individual animal variation in responses to treatment observed. The use of novel monitoring technologies can help assess the effect that different dietary interventions have on performance, rumen pH and rumen health. Data from three on-farm dairy cow trials (Trial 1 standard diet plus yeast; Trial 2 standard diet plus acidotic challenge plus yeast; Trial 3 cows grazing grass plus yeast) was used to evaluate the use of rumination collars (RC), rumen pH boluses, a whole cow dynamic mechanistic simulation model (SM) and the effect that different feeding strategies have on performance rumen pH dynamics and rumination time. No statistically significant differences between Control (no yeast) and Treatment (addition of yeast) diets were observed on any of the parameters measured. The lack of animal response to yeast supplementation observed in the three feeding Trials could be attributed to the stage of lactation, as the cows were passed peak lactation. Comparison of rumination time obtained with the RC and visual observations (obtained directly and from video recordings) suggest that the RC can be used to determine rumination time in housed cows. However its poor performance in grazing environments makes its use not advisable in cows outside at grass. The rumen pH boluses provided detailed and accurate data on circadian rumen pH. Highly varied individual responses to the feeding strategies were observed. This resulted in a diverse degree of risk of individual cows which experienced sub-acute rumen acidosis. The SM was able to accurately predict circadian pH, compared against the data obtained from Trials 1 and 2. The model provided pH values that were in agreement with those obtained with the rumen boluses. The use of new technologies to monitor cows individually could aid in whole-herd management, for example by setting thresholds for rumen pH and rumination time related to individual cow status, and then trigger appropriate interventions.

Os ionóforos possuem papel importante como manipuladores da fermentação ruminal, principalmente por melhorar a eficiência energética e proteica nos animais ruminantes. A narasina é um ionóforo capaz de fazer controle microbiológio no ambiente ruminal. Entretanto, a literatura possui poucas informações sobre a utilização de narasina na nutrição de ovinos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar a utilização de doses de narasina em dietas de ovinos alimentados contendo elevado teor de concentrado ou volumoso. A hipotese é que a narasina tenha a capacidade de alterar os produtos finais da fermentação ruminal, melhorando a utilização dos nutrientes e o metabolismo de nitrogênio de ovinos. No Exp I os tratamentos experimentais foram definidos de acordo com a inclusão ou não de aditivos na dieta contendo elevado teor de concentrado, sendo utilizado uma dieta Controle (C), em que não houve a inclusão de ionóforo; a adição de 25 ppm de monensina sódica (M); 5 ppm (N5); 10 ppm (N10); e 15 ppm de narasina (N15). A inclusão de 5, 10 e 15 mg de narasina/kg de MS aumentou o ganho de peso e a eficiência alimentar de cordeiros alimentados durante 56 dias com dieta contendo 90% de concentrado. No Exp II foram avaliadas as mesmas dietas do exp I. A inclusão de 5, 10 e 15 mg de narasina/kg de MS reduziu o CMS e aumentou o coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da MS, MO, PB, gordura e CNF. Além disso, após o período de adaptação houve efeito quadrático para a proporção molar de acetato e a relação acetato:propionato com o aumento das doses de narasina, entretanto, não alterou o pH ruminal. As doses de narasina reduziram linearmente a concentração de amônia no fluido ruminal. A inclusão de narasina nas dietas de borregos tendeu a diminuir o consumo de nitrogênio e reduziu a eliminação de nitrogênio pelas fezes e pela urina. No Exp III os tratamentos foram definidos pela inclusão de doses de narasina em dietas contendo elevado teor de volumoso, sendo o tratamento controle (N0: sem a adição de ionóforo) e a inclusão de 8, 16, 24 e 32 mg de narasina/kg de MS. A inclusão de 0, 8, 16, 24 ou 32 mg de narasina/kg de MS em dietas de borregos alimentados com elevado teor de volumoso não afetou o consumo de matéria seca e tendeu a aumentar linearmente o coeficiente de digestibilidade da FDN. As doses de narasina não alteraram a proporção molar de AGCC, entretanto aumentou a concentração total de AGCC e diminuiu linearmente a concentração de amonia no fluido ruminal. Com base nesses dados foi possivel concluir que a narasina pode ser utilizada em dietas de ovinos aumentando o desempenho dos animais. / Ionophores play an important role as ruminant fermentation manipulators mainly for improving energy and protein efficiency in ruminant. Narasin is an ionophore capable of making microbiological control in the ruminal environment. However, the literature has little information on the use of narasin in sheep nutrition. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the use of doses of narasin in diets of sheep fed diets containing high concentrate or forage contents. The hypothesis is that narasin has the ability to alter the final products of ruminal fermentation, improving nutrient utilization and nitrogen metabolism of sheep. In the Exp I the experimental diets were defined according of the inclusion or not of additives in the diet containing high concentrate, using a control diet (C: no ionophore); the addition of 25 mg of monensin/kg of DM (M); 5 (N5), 10 (N10) or 15 mg of narasin/kg of DM. The inclusion of 5, 10 and 15 mg of narasin / kg of DM increased the average daily gain and feed efficiency of lambs fed for 56 days on a diet containing 90% concentrate. In the Exp II were evaluated the same diets used in the Exp I. The inclusion of 5, 10 and 15 mg narasin / kg DM reduced CMS and increased the apparent digestibility coefficient of DM, OM, CP, fat and NFC. In addition, after the adaptation period there was a quadratic effect for the molar proportion of acetate and the acetate: propionate ratio with increasing doses of narasin, however, did not alter the ruminal pH. The doses of narasin linearly reduced the concentration of ammonia in the ruminal fluid. The inclusion of narasin in diets of wethers tended to reduce nitrogen consumption, and reduced the elimination of nitrogen through feces and urine. In the Exp III the experimental diets were defined by the inclusion of doses of narasin in diets containing high forage contend, being the control diets (N0: no ionophore), and inclusion of 8, 16, 24 or 32 mg of narasin/kg od DM. the inclusion of 0, 8, 16, 24 or 32 mg of narasin / kg of DM in diets of lambs fed with high volume did not affect dry matter intake and tended to linearly increase the NDF digestibility coefficient. Doses of narasin did not alter the molar ratio of AGCC, however increased the total concentration of AGCC in and decreased linearly the concentration of ammonia in the ruminal fluid. Based on these data it was possible to conclude that narasin can be use in sheep diets to improve animal performance

Os ionóforos possuem papel importante como manipuladores da fermentação ruminal, principalmente por melhorar a eficiência energética e proteica nos animais ruminantes. A narasina é um ionóforo capaz de fazer controle microbiológio no ambiente ruminal. Entretanto, a literatura possui poucas informações sobre a utilização de narasina na nutrição de ovinos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar a utilização de doses de narasina em dietas de ovinos alimentados contendo elevado teor de concentrado ou volumoso. A hipotese é que a narasina tenha a capacidade de alterar os produtos finais da fermentação ruminal, melhorando a utilização dos nutrientes e o metabolismo de nitrogênio de ovinos. No Exp I os tratamentos experimentais foram definidos de acordo com a inclusão ou não de aditivos na dieta contendo elevado teor de concentrado, sendo utilizado uma dieta Controle (C), em que não houve a inclusão de ionóforo; a adição de 25 ppm de monensina sódica (M); 5 ppm (N5); 10 ppm (N10); e 15 ppm de narasina (N15). A inclusão de 5, 10 e 15 mg de narasina/kg de MS aumentou o ganho de peso e a eficiência alimentar de cordeiros alimentados durante 56 dias com dieta contendo 90% de concentrado. No Exp II foram avaliadas as mesmas dietas do exp I. A inclusão de 5, 10 e 15 mg de narasina/kg de MS reduziu o CMS e aumentou o coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da MS, MO, PB, gordura e CNF. Além disso, após o período de adaptação houve efeito quadrático para a proporção molar de acetato e a relação acetato:propionato com o aumento das doses de narasina, entretanto, não alterou o pH ruminal. As doses de narasina reduziram linearmente a concentração de amônia no fluido ruminal. A inclusão de narasina nas dietas de borregos tendeu a diminuir o consumo de nitrogênio e reduziu a eliminação de nitrogênio pelas fezes e pela urina. No Exp III os tratamentos foram definidos pela inclusão de doses de narasina em dietas contendo elevado teor de volumoso, sendo o tratamento controle (N0: sem a adição de ionóforo) e a inclusão de 8, 16, 24 e 32 mg de narasina/kg de MS. A inclusão de 0, 8, 16, 24 ou 32 mg de narasina/kg de MS em dietas de borregos alimentados com elevado teor de volumoso não afetou o consumo de matéria seca e tendeu a aumentar linearmente o coeficiente de digestibilidade da FDN. As doses de narasina não alteraram a proporção molar de AGCC, entretanto aumentou a concentração total de AGCC e diminuiu linearmente a concentração de amonia no fluido ruminal. Com base nesses dados foi possivel concluir que a narasina pode ser utilizada em dietas de ovinos aumentando o desempenho dos animais. / Ionophores play an important role as ruminant fermentation manipulators mainly for improving energy and protein efficiency in ruminant. Narasin is an ionophore capable of making microbiological control in the ruminal environment. However, the literature has little information on the use of narasin in sheep nutrition. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the use of doses of narasin in diets of sheep fed diets containing high concentrate or forage contents. The hypothesis is that narasin has the ability to alter the final products of ruminal fermentation, improving nutrient utilization and nitrogen metabolism of sheep. In the Exp I the experimental diets were defined according of the inclusion or not of additives in the diet containing high concentrate, using a control diet (C: no ionophore); the addition of 25 mg of monensin/kg of DM (M); 5 (N5), 10 (N10) or 15 mg of narasin/kg of DM. The inclusion of 5, 10 and 15 mg of narasin / kg of DM increased the average daily gain and feed efficiency of lambs fed for 56 days on a diet containing 90% concentrate. In the Exp II were evaluated the same diets used in the Exp I. The inclusion of 5, 10 and 15 mg narasin / kg DM reduced CMS and increased the apparent digestibility coefficient of DM, OM, CP, fat and NFC. In addition, after the adaptation period there was a quadratic effect for the molar proportion of acetate and the acetate: propionate ratio with increasing doses of narasin, however, did not alter the ruminal pH. The doses of narasin linearly reduced the concentration of ammonia in the ruminal fluid. The inclusion of narasin in diets of wethers tended to reduce nitrogen consumption, and reduced the elimination of nitrogen through feces and urine. In the Exp III the experimental diets were defined by the inclusion of doses of narasin in diets containing high forage contend, being the control diets (N0: no ionophore), and inclusion of 8, 16, 24 or 32 mg of narasin/kg od DM. the inclusion of 0, 8, 16, 24 or 32 mg of narasin / kg of DM in diets of lambs fed with high volume did not affect dry matter intake and tended to linearly increase the NDF digestibility coefficient. Doses of narasin did not alter the molar ratio of AGCC, however increased the total concentration of AGCC in and decreased linearly the concentration of ammonia in the ruminal fluid. Based on these data it was possible to conclude that narasin can be use in sheep diets to improve animal performance

Ruminal acidosis is a persisting digestive disorder in modern ruminant production; however, the susceptibility of cows to ruminal acidosis differs among cows fed a common diet. The overall objective of this research was to evaluate factors affecting the susceptibility of cows to ruminal acidosis. This research demonstrated that feeding sucrose in replacement for corn grain to Holstein cows in early lactation does not increase the risk for ruminal acidosis and may actually increase ruminal pH. However, regardless of dietary treatment, cows in early lactation were at risk for ruminal acidosis. In Study 2, diets differing in the forage-to-concentrate ratio were fed to Holstein cows to evaluate changes in the in vivo rate of short-chain fatty acid absorption (SCFA) and the expression of genes coding for transporters and enzymes involved in the absorption and metabolism of SCFA in ruminal tissue. Contrary to the hypothesis, the fractional rate of absorption and expression of genes involved in SCFA absorption and metabolism were not affected by the forage-to-concentrate ratio. Considerable variation among individual cows for the severity of ruminal acidosis was detected for cows on the diet containing the low forage-to-concentrate ratio. To determine the cause of this variation, a ruminal pH measurement system was developed to accurately and precisely measure ruminal pH in non-cannulated small ruminants. Sheep were then subjected to a ruminal acidosis challenge model in vivo, and the absorption of acetate and butyrate across the isolated ruminal epithelia was measured in vitro in Ussing chambers. The results of this study demonstrated that differences in the severity of ruminal pH depression among animals could largely iv be accounted for by differences in the absorptive capability of the ruminal epithelium. In summary, although ruminal acidosis is a common digestive disorder in dairy production systems, variation in the susceptibility to ruminal acidosis is common. The cause for much of this variation is due to differences in the absorptive capacity of the ruminal epithelia. / Animal Science

No description available.

The objective of the first study was to quantify the effects of feeding Schizochytrium sp. microalgae (SP-1, Alltech, Inc., Nicholasville, KY) on milk fat and DHA content. Eight cows were fed: 0, 100, 300, or 600 g of algae per day. Fat percentage was greater (P < 0.05) for cows on treatments 0 g and 100 g than for cows on treatments 300 g and 600 g (P < 0.05). Docosahexaenoic acid in milk was greater for cows on treatment 300 and 600 than for cows on treatment 0 and 100 (P < 0.05). The objective of the second study was to assess yeast supplementation effects on high and low forage dairy cow diets. Four cows were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) low forage (LF), 2) low forage with 10 g/d yeast (Yea-Sacc®; Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY; LFY), 3) high forage (HF), or 4) high forage with 10 g/d yeast (HFY). Only rumination time and DMI were influenced by treatment (P < 0.01). Dry matter intake was 17.05, 13.41, 19.44, and 20.29 ± 1.40 kg/d and rumination time was 442.88, 323.09, 433.34, and 475.50 ± 21.93 min/d for cows on the LF, LFY, HF, and HFY treatments, respectively.

Chez les ruminants, l’Acidose Ruminale SubAiguë (ARSA) est une maladie d’origine nutritionnelle qui fait suite à une perturbation des fermentations microbiennes et à une acidité anormale du compartiment ruminal. L’installation chronique de ce dysfonctionnement digestif peut avoir une incidence néfaste sur l’efficacité de production et la santé des animaux. À l’échelle de l’individu ou du troupeau, elle aura pour conséquences des retombées économiques négatives pour l’éleveur. Un des problèmes majeurs de cette maladie est qu’elle ne se manifeste pas par des signes cliniques spécifiques. A l’heure actuelle, seul le pH ruminal permet d’objectiver la maladie même si aucun indicateur de pH ne fait l’unanimité, notamment du fait des variabilités importantes liées à la technique de mesure du pH d’une part et à la susceptibilité des animaux d’autre part. Dans ce contexte, cette thèse a eu pour objectif d’améliorer le diagnostic individuel de l’ARSA chez la vache laitière en développant une approche multiparamétrique applicable sur le terrain. Nous proposons de nouveaux indicateurs issus de cinétiques de pH mesuré de façon non-invasive avec des bolus intra-ruminaux. Ces nouveaux indicateurs relatifs, calculés quotidiennement sur les cinétiques normalisées sur 0 (NpH), sont le temps passé sous NpH <-0,3, l’écart type et l’amplitude. Ils permettent de pallier les fortes sources de variabilité et présentent l’intérêt d’être transposables entre études et sont plus précis pour caractériser l’ARSA. Parallèlement, nous avons développé des modèles multiparamétriques composés de plusieurs paramètres mesurés simultanément dans différents compartiments biologiques (lait, fèces, salive, sang, urine) ou sur l’animal (comportement). Leur capacité de prédiction de l’ARSA a ensuite été évaluée en élevage. Certains modèles incluant des paramètres périphériques au rumen et simples à mesurer sur le terrain présentent une bonne sensibilité (concentration en urée dans le lait, en bicarbonate dans le sang, pH salivaire), et d’autres ont une bonne spécificité (nombre de buvées de l’animal, pH fécal, concentration en urée dans le lait). Néanmoins, aucun modèle ne renferme un couple sensibilité et spécificité satisfaisant. A l’issue de ce travail nous proposons une stratégie diagnostique fondée sur 4 étapes : 1) l’analyse du contexte de diagnostic de l’ARSA, 2) l’évaluation des facteurs de risques, 3) l’évaluation des modèles multiparamétriques et 4) le calcul d’indicateurs NpH ruminaux des individus à risque. / In ruminants, subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is a nutritional disease that induces an abnormal acidity of the rumen compartment as well as disturbance in microbial fermentation. When the disease becomes chronic, it can lead to negative effects on production efficiency and animal health at the individual or the herd scales, with negative economic consequences for the farmer. One of the major problems of SARA is that there are no obvious clinical signs. Presently, the only benchmark to define SARA is rumen pH. However, no pH indicator is unanimous due to the important variability related both to the measurement technique itself and to the animal susceptibility. In this context, this thesis aimed to improve the individual diagnosis of SARA in dairy cows by developing a multiparametric approach that could be used on field. We propose new indicators of pH kinetics measured noninvasively with intra-ruminal boluses. These new relative indicators, calculated daily (kinetic normalised on 0, NpH), consist of the time spent under NpH < - 0.3, the NpH standard deviation and the NpH range. These indicators make it possible to overcome the strong sources of variability and have the advantage of being transposable while being more accurate to characterize SARA. At the same time, we have developed multiparametric models including a number of parameters measured simultaneously in various biological compartments (milk, faeces, saliva, blood, urine) or on animal behaviour. The models ability to predict SARA has been evaluated on field. Some models including rumen peripheral parameters (concentration of urea in milk, of bicarbonate in blood, salivary pH) have a proficient sensitivity while others have a proficient specificity (number of drinking acts, faecal pH, and urea concentration in milk). However, no model developed is both sensitive and specific enough. The diagnostic strategy we propose is based on 4 steps: 1) analysis of the SARA diagnostic context, 2) assessment of risk factors, 3) evaluation of multiparametric models and (4) determination of ruminal NpH indicators for individuals presenting a high risk of SARA.

No description available.