Effects of Protected Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation on Milk Fatty Acid in Dairy Cows

Piamphon, N.,Wachirapakorn, Chalong,Wanapat, M.,Navanukraw, C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.1

The objective was to determine the effects of supplementation of protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), CLA-20 comprising 10% each of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12, on milk production and fatty acid profiles in plasma and milk in lactating dairy cows. Five mid-lactation, multiparous crossbred Holstein Friesian cows with average 402${\pm}$20 kg BW were used in a 5${\times}$5 Latin square design for 21-d periods. Cows were given a total mixed ration (TMR) and supplemented with CLA-20 at 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 g/d. The results showed that dry matter intake depression occurred in cows supplemented with CLA-20 at 160 g/d. Milk production slightly increased when CLA-20 supplementation was at 20, 40 and 80 g/d. However, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM) was not affected by CLA-20 supplementation. Increased levels of CLA-20 supplementation resulted in a significantly decreased percentage of milk fat. Plasma concentrations of fatty acid were not altered by the amounts of CLA-20 supplementation except for the concentration of trans-10, cis-12 CLA. For all dietary treatments, percentages of fatty acids (C4:0, C6:0, C8:0, C13:0, C14:0 C14:1 C15:0 C15:1 C16:0, C16:1, C18:1n9t, C18:2n6t, C18:2n6c, C20:0, C18:3n6, C18:3n3, C20:1 and C20:3n6) in milk fat were similar. Concentrations of C10:0, C11:0, C12:0 and C18:1n9c were decreased cubically and C18:0 was elevated linearly (p<0.01) according to the increased amounts of CLA-20 supplemented. The linear increase was observed for cis-9, trans-11 CLA (0.62, 1.17, 1.94, 1.87 and 1.82% of total fatty acid), trans-10, cis-12 CLA (0.01, 0.63, 0.67, 0.93 and 0.95% of total fatty acid) and total CLA (0.80, 2.25, 3.16, 3.97 and 3.94% of total fatty acid) in milk fat from 0 to 160 g/d of CLA-20 supplement. In conclusion, concentration of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat was concomitantly elevated at an increasing rate with the increased amounts of CLA-20. Based on the results in this study, supplementation of CLA-20 at 80 g/d optimally enhanced total CLA in milk fat.

Effects of Fermented Total Mixed Ration and Cracked Cottonseed on Milk Yield and Milk Composition in Dairy Cows

Wongnen, C.,Wachirapakorn, C.,Patipan, C.,Panpong, D.,Kongweha, K.,Namsaen, N.,Gunun, P.,Yuangklang, C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.12

Four lactating Holstein Friesian crossbred cows, with an average initial weight of 450 kg, 48${\pm}$12 days in milk and initial milk yield of 18 kg/h/d, were randomly arranged according to a 2${\times}$2 factorial arrangement in a 4${\times}$4 in Latin square design with 21-d period to investigate the effects of type of total mixed ration (TMR) and type of whole cottonseed (WCS) on intake, digestibility and milk production. The dietary treatments were i) TMR and WCS supplementation at 0.5 kg/h/d, ii) TMR and cracked WCS (cWCS) supplementation at 0.5 kg/h/d, iii) fermented TMR (FTMR) and WCS supplementation at 0.5 kg/h/d, and iv) FTMR and cWCS supplementation at 0.5 kg/h/d. Voluntary feed intake was 15.9, 15.2, 15.4 and 15.6 kg DM/d in dietary treatment 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF were not significantly different among dietary treatments. Ruminal pH, $NH_{3}-N$ and volatile fatty acids in the rumen were also not significantly different among type of TMR or type of WCS. Blood urea-N concentration was not significantly different among dietary treatments. Ruminal bacteria population tended to increase but ruminal protozoa population tended to decrease with supplementation of cWCS, but they were not affected by FTMR. Milk yield and 3.5% FCM were not statistically different among treatments (16.6, 16.2, 17.0, 16.3 kg/d and 18.0, 18.6, 19.9 and 19.0 kg/d, respectively). Milk composition was not significantly different among dietary treatments. However, unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat in cows fed FTMR were lower (p<0.05) than in cows fed TMR. In conclusion, fermentation is a conceivable method to improve the quality of TMR for long-time storage and the cracking method is suitable to release the fat from cottonseed for enhancing fatty acid deposition in milk. Thus, the combination of FTMR and cWCS supplementation would be an alternative strategy to improve performance of lactating cows.

UTILIZATION OF ROUGHAGE AND CONCENTRATE BY FEEDLOT SWAMP BUFFALOES (BUBALUS BUBALlS)

Wanapat, M.,Wachirapakorn, C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1990 Animal Bioscience Vol.3 No.3

Thirty-six yearling (18 bulls, 18 heifers) swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with average liveweight $177{\pm}26kg$, were randomly allotted to receive 6 dietary treatments according to a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design (CRD). Factor A assigned for two types of straw; untreated rice straw (RS) and urea-treated (5%, w/w) rice straw (UTS). Factor B assigned for three ratio of roughage to concentrate (R:C) at 80:20, 50:50 and 20:80. Feeding trial lasted for 9 months during which respective feeds were offered at 3% body weight and adjusted at bi-weekly intervals using corresponding liveweights. Parameters measured under this experiment were feed intake, ruminal fluid for pH, $NH_3-N$, volatile fatty acids (VFA), liveweight change at bi-weekly intervals, carcass characteristics and cost-net profit analysis. It was found that intakes and digestion coefficients of DM, OM, CP except NDF and ADF were improved appreciably when ratio of concentrate increased. The average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were highest in group fed urea-treated rice straw at R:C levels of 20:80 (551.2 g/d, 10.7 kg/kg) and 50:50 (542.3 g/d, 10.6 kg/kg). It was obvious that FCR was best in the group fed on urea-treated rice straw (13.8 kg/kg) as compared to untreated rice straw fed-group (24 kg/kg). Carcass compositions of buffaloes measured resulted in 48.2 dressing percentage in all treatments offered at R:C levels of 50:50 and 20:80, however, loin eye area were 46.0, 53.6, 50.0 and $54.0cm^2$ for RS and UTS at respective levels of R:C. It was notable that carcass fat content was low which resulted in higher content of lean meat particularly in group fed UTS at 50:50 ratio R:C. Simple cost-net profit analysis was performed, it was found that net profits were obtained as follows 27, 30, -47, 44, 58, 22 $US/hd for respective treatment groups of RS and UTS at respective R:C levels. As shown, the best net profit resulted in group fed UTS at 50:50 R:C level.

Influence of Sulfur on Fresh Cassava Foliage and Cassava Hay Incubated in Rumen Fluid of Beef Cattle

Promkot, C.,Wanapat, M.,Wachirapakorn, C.,Navanukraw, C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.9

Two male, rumen fistulated crossbred Brahman-Thai native beef cattle (body weight = $400{\pm}50$ kg), fed on rice straw as a source of roughage, were used as rumen fluid sources. The treatments were $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangements; two roughages (fresh cassava foliage and cassava hay) and three sulfur levels (elemental sulfur) at 0.2 (control), 0.5 and 1% of DM, respectively. The experiment revealed that the rates (c) of gas production, ammonia-nitrogen concentration, true digestibility, total concentration or molar proportions of VFA and microbial biomass were not significantly different between cassava hay and fresh cassava foliage. However, all parameters for cassava hay were higher than for fresh cassava foliage. The supplementation of 0.5% sulfur to fresh cassava foliage resulted in a significant increase in the rate of gas production, true digestibility, total concentration of VFA, microbial biomass, rate of HCN disappearance, thiocyanate appearance and cyanide percentage conversion into thiocyanate. However, there were no effects of sulfur supplementation at 0.2, 0.5 and 1% to cassava hay. The finding suggests the utilization of cassava foliage for rumen microorganisms in terms of fermentation and HCN detoxification could be improved by sulfur supplementation of 0.5% of DM.

Effects of Urea Level and Sodium DL-malate in Concentrate Containing High Cassava Chip on Ruminal Fermentation Efficiency, Microbial Protein Synthesis in Lactating Dairy Cows Raised under Tropical Condition

Khampa, S.,Wanapat, Metha,Wachirapakorn, C.,Nontaso, N.,Wattiaux, M. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.6

Four, lactating dairy cows were randomly assigned according to a $2{\times}2$ Factorial arrangement in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to study supplementation of urea level (U) at 2 and 4% and sodium dl-malate (M) at 10 and 20 g/hd/d in concentrate. The treatments were as follows U2M10, U2M20, U4M10 and U4M20, respectively. The cows were offered the treatment concentrate at a ratio to milk yield at 1:2.5 and urea-treated rice straw was fed ad libitum. The results have revealed that rumen fermentation and blood metabolites were similar for all treatments. The populations of protozoa and fungal zoospores were significantly different as affected by urea level and sodium dl-malate. In addition, the viable bacteria were similar for amylolytic and proteolytic bacteria. Cellulolytic bacteria were significantly affected by level of sodium dl-malate especially Selenomonas ruminantium and Megasphaera elsdenii while Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens was significantly affected by level of urea supplementation. In conclusion, the combined use of concentrate containing high level of cassava chip at 75% DM with urea at 4% in concentrate and sodium dl-malate at 20 g/hd/d with UTS as a roughage could improv rumen ecology and microbial protein synthesis efficiency in lactating dairy cows.

Ruminal Degradability of Tropical Feeds and Their Potential Use in Ruminant Diets

Chanjula, P.,Wanapat, M.,Wachirapakorn, C.,Uriyapongson, S.,Rowlinson, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.2

The objective of this study was to determine the degradability of cassava chip (CC), cassava waste (CW), yellow sweet potato (YP), white sweet potato (WP), purple sweet potato (PP), corn meal (CM), and rice bran (RB) using in situ technique. Two ruminally fistulated steers with an average weight of $303{\pm}10kg$ were used to determine in situ degradabilities of DM and OM. Seven feed sources were weighted in nylon bags ($38{\mu}m$ pore size) and incubated ruminally for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h. The results showed that asymptote (a+b) and effective degradability (ED) of DM of energy sources ranked from the highest to the lowest; CC, YP, WP, PP, RB, CW, and CM (99.3, 92.5; 97.6, 87.9; 97.5, 87.9; 97.2, 87.8; 87.5, 63.6; 78.6, 63.0 and 81.7; 59.3, respectively) and for OM asymptote (a+b) and effective degradability (ED) were similar to those of degradation of DM (99.4, 93.4; 98.8, 89.8; 98.5, 89.4; 98.4, 88.1; 92.4, 65.8; 85.1, 66.9 and 83.6, 63.3, respectively). It was concluded that disappearance characteristic of CC was the highest and it may potentially facilitate the achievement of optimal ruminal availability of energy: protein especially with NPN for microbial protein synthesis.

Effect of Levels of Sodium DL-malate Supplementation on Ruminal Fermentation Efficiency of Concentrates Containing High Levels of Cassava Chip in Dairy Steers

Khampa, S.,Wanapat, Metha,Wachirapakorn, C.,Nontaso, N.,Wattiaux, M.A.,Rowlison, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.3

Four rumen-fistulated dairy steers were randomly assigned according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to investigate effects of supplementation levels of sodium dl-malate in concentrates on rumen ecology, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen balance, feed intake and digestibility of nutrients and ruminal microbial protein synthesis. The dietary treatments were cassava concentrate-based, containing sodium dl-malate supplementation at 0, 9, 18 and 27 g/hd/d with urea-treated rice straw (UTS) fed ad libitum. The experiment was conducted for four periods, each period lasting 21 days. Ruminal pH increased with incremental addition of malate (p<0.05). Additionally, molar proportions of propionate were higher in supplemented groups and was highest at 18 g/hd/d of malate supplement (p<0.05). Microbial protein synthesis tended to be higher in dairy steers receiving sodium dl-malate supplements and also was the highest at 18 g/hd/d. Variable bacterial populations, such as amylolytic, proteolytic and cellulolytic species were increased (p<0.05). Furthermore, protozoal populations were decreased significantly (p<0.05), while fungal zoospores were dramatically increased in dairy steers receiving sodium dl-malate supplement (p<0.05). These results suggested that supplementation of concentrate containing a high level of cassava chip at 18 g/hd/d with UTS in dairy steers could improve rumen fermentation efficiency and rumen microbial protein synthesis.

Effect of Synchronizing Starch Sources and Protein (NPN) in the Rumen on Feed Intake, Rumen Microbial Fermentation, Nutrient Utilization and Performance of Lactating Dairy Cows

Chanjula, P.,Wanapat, M.,Wachirapakorn, C.,Rowlinson, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.10

Eight crossbred (75% Holstein Friesian) cows in mid-lactation were randomly assigned to a switchback design with a 2x2 factorial arrangement to evaluate two nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) sources (corn meal and cassava chips) with different rumen degradability and used at two levels of NSC (55 vs. 75%) with protein source (supplied by urea in the concentrate mix). The treatments were 1) Low degradable low level of corn (55%) 2) Low degradable high level of corn (75%) 3) High degradable low level of cassava (55%) and 4) High degradable high level of cassava (75%). The cows were offered the treatment concentrate at a ratio to milk yield at 1:2. Urea-treated rice straw was offered ad libitum as the roughage and supplement with 1 kg/hd/d cassava hay. The results revealed that total DM intake, BW and digestion coefficients of DM were not affected by either level or source of energy. Rumen fermentation parameters; NH3-N, blood urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen were unaffected by source of energy, but were dramatically increased by level of NSC. Rumen microorganism populations were not affected (p>0.05) by source of energy, but fungal zoospores were greater for cassava-based concentrate than corn-based concentrate. Milk production and milk composition were not affected significantly by diets containing either source or level of NSC, however concentrate than corn-based concentrate averaging (4.4 and 4.2, respectively). Likewise, income over feed, as estimated from 3.5% FCM, was higher on cassava-based concentrate than corn-based concentrate averaging (54.0 and 51.4 US$/mo, respectively). These results indicate that feeding diets containing either cassava-based diets and/or a higher of oncentrates up to 75% of DM with NPN (supplied by urea up to 4.5% of DM) can be used in dairy rations without altering rumen ecology or animal performance compared with corn-based concentrate.

Effects of Various Levels of Cassava Hay on Rumen Ecology and Digestibility in Swamp Buffaloes

Chanjula, P.,Wanapat, M.,Wachirapakorn, C.,Rowlinson, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.5

Four, mature rumen fistulated male swamp buffaloes with an average initial weight of $426{\pm}25kg$ were randomly allocated to receive dietary treatments according to a $4{\times}4$Latin square design. Four dietary treatments with varying proportions of ureatreated rice straw (UTRS) and cassava hay (CH) were offered (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 0:100). Each feeding period lasted 21 days, the first 14 days for feed adjustment and intake measurement and the final 7 days for rumen fluid and faecal collections. The results demonstrated the potential use of both UTRS and CH as roughage sources. As levels of CH increased in the diets pH values were maintained (6.5-7.0). Ruminal $NH_3-N$ concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) raised as higher levels of CH were incorporated into the diets. Moreover, cellulolytic and proteolytic bacterial populations were enhanced while total protozoal counts were decreased (p<0.05). In addition, DM, OM and CP digestibilities and their digestible intakes as well as estimated energy increased with increasing levels of CH in the diets. The results suggest a favorable effect of CH substituting for UTRS.

Effects of Pelleted Sugarcane Tops on Voluntary Feed Intake, Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation in Beef Cattle

Yuangklang, Chalermpon,Wanapat, M.,Wachirapakorn, C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.1

Four male crossbred beef steers about 2 years old were used in a 4$\{times}$4 Latin square design to investigate the effect of pelleted sugarcane tops on voluntary feed intake, rumen fermentation and digestibility of nutrients. Experimental treatments were; Control (dried-chopped sugarcane tops (DCST)); PS1 (Pelleted sugarcane tops at 1 cm of diameter); PS2 (Pelleted sugarcane tops at 2 cm of diameter) and PS3 (Pelleted sugarcane tops at 3 cm of diameter). Roughage intake and total dry matter intake were 1.59, 1.62, 1.61, 1.63% BW and 2.09, 2.12, 2.11 and 2.13% BW in control, PS1, PS2 and PS3 treatments, respectively (p<0.05). Digestibility of DM, OM and CP were similar in control and PS3 treatment but there was significant difference (p<0.05) between control and PS1, PS2 treatments. Digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were 52.89, 50.01, 50.05 and 50.56% and 41.91, 39.96, 39.91 and 39.69% in control, PS1, PS2 and PS3, respectively (p<0.05). Total volatile fatty acids concentrations in rumen contents was 67.68, 65.93, 66.15 and 66.67 mM in control, PS1, PS2 and PS3, respectively (p<0.05). Even though, concentrations of acetate and butyrate (%) were significant different (p<0.05) but concentration of propionate (%) was not affected by treatments (p>0.05). Rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen and plasma urea nitrogen were significantly different (p<0.05) among treatments. From this experiment, it was found that dried-chopped sugarcane tops increased digestibility of nutrients whereas pelleted sugarcane tops increased feed intake in beef cattle. However, pelleted sugarcane tops at 3 cm of diameter did similar result in digestibility and rumen parameters with DCST. Therefore, it could be concluded that pelleting sugarcane top is an alternative way to improve the quality of sugarcane tops for use as ruminant roughage source.