Mitragyna speciosa Korth Leaf Pellet Supplementation on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Protozoal Population in Thai Native Beef Cattle

Multi-omics analysis on the mechanism of the effect of Isatis leaf on the growth performance of fattening sheep

Introduction

This study evaluated the effects of Isatis Leaf (ISL) on the growth performance, gastrointestinal tissue morphology, rumen and intestinal microbiota, rumen, serum and urine metabolites, and rumen epithelial tissue transcriptome of fattening sheep.

Methods

Twelve 3.5-month-old healthy fattening sheep were randomly divided into two groups, each with 6 replicates, and fed with basal diet (CON) and basal diet supplemented with 80 g/kg ISL for 2.5 months. Gastrointestinal tract was collected for histological analysis, rumen fluid and feces were subjected to metagenomic analysis, rumen fluid, serum, and urine for metabolomics analysis, and rumen epithelial tissue for transcriptomics analysis.

Results

The results showed that in the ISL group, the average daily gain and average daily feed intake of fattening sheep were significantly lower than those of the CON group (P < 0.05), and the rumen ammonia nitrogen level was significantly higher than that of the CON group (P < 0.01). The thickness of the reticulum and abomasum muscle layer was significantly increased (P < 0.05). At the genus level, the addition of ISL modified the composition of rumen and fecal microorganisms, and the relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter and Centipeda was significantly upregulated in rumen microorganisms, The relative abundance of Butyrivibrio, Saccharofermentans, Mogibacterium, and Pirellula was significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). In fecal microorganisms, the relative abundance of Papillibacter, Pseudoflavonifractor, Butyricicoccus, Anaerovorax, and Methanocorpusculum was significantly upregulated, while the relative abundance of Roseburia, Coprococcus, Clostridium XVIII, Butyrivibrio, Parasutterella, Macellibacteroides, and Porphyromonas was significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). There were 164, 107, and 77 different metabolites in the rumen, serum, and urine between the ISL and CON groups (P < 0.05). The differential metabolic pathways mainly included thiamine metabolism, niacin and nicotinamide metabolism, vitamin B6 metabolism, taurine and taurine metabolism, beta-Alanine metabolism and riboflavin metabolism. These metabolic pathways were mainly involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and immune function in fattening sheep. Transcriptome sequencing showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in cellular physiological processes, development, and immune regulation.

Conclusion

In summary, the addition of ISL to the diet had the effect of increasing rumen ammonia nitrogen levels, regulating gastrointestinal microbiota, promoting body fat metabolism, and enhancing immunity in fattening sheep.

Effects of yeast and dried kratom leaves (Mitragyna speciosa [Korth] Havil.) supplementation on digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites and nitrogen balance in goats

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the experiment was to study yeast supplementation (yeast, Y) and dried kratom leaves (DKTL) on the digestibility, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites and nitrogen balance in goats.

METHODS

Four of 7 to 8 months old male crossbred (50% Thai Native-Anglo Nubian) goats with average liveweight 20±0.13 kg were randomly assigned according to a 2×2 factorial arrangement in a 4×4 Latin square design to receive four diets ad libitum basis. The study investigated the effects of two levels of yeast (Y) supplementation (Y, 0 and 0.5g/kg dry matter [DM]) along with two levels of DKTL supplementation (DKTL, 0 and 4.44g/kg DM). The experimental groups were as follows: T1 = control group with 0Y+0DKTL, T2 = 0Y+4.44 DKTL, T3 = 0.5Y+0DKTL, and T4 = 0.5Y+4.44 DKTL.

RESULTS

The results showed that there were no interactions between Y levels and DKTL levels with respect to total DM intake, but there were significant effects (p<0.05) by levels of Y; goats receiving 0.05 g/kg DM Y had higher than goats fed 0.0 g/kg DM on average (kg/d). A percentage of body weight (% BW) and grams per kilogram of metallic weight (g/kg w0.75) had no influence on yeast levels and DKTL, but there was a difference (p<0.05) by yeast level Y at 0.5 g/kg DM, being higher compared to the non-supplemented group. Apparent digestibility coefficient of nutrition in the form of (DM, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber) was an increased trend in the Y-level complementary group at 0.5 g/kg DM and DKTL at 4.44 g/kg DM, respectively. Protozoa populations decreased in the group receiving Y levels at 0.5 g/kg DM and DKTL levels at 4.44 g/kg DM when compared to group T1. The acetic acid concentration and methane gas generation decreased (p<0.05) in the group receiving Y levels of 0.5 g/kg DM and DKTL levels of 4.44 g/kg DM, while the amount of propionic acid increased (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Effects of feeding combinations of Y and DKTL supplementation on feed showed no interaction effect (Y×DKTL) on feed intake, rumen fermentation, bacterial and fungi population. The effect on protozoal populations was lower in the group that was supplemented with DKTL at 4.44 g/kg DM related to synthetic CH4 was reduced.

Feeding Pellets Containing Agro-Industrial Waste Enhances Feed Utilization and Rumen Functions in Thai Beef Cattle

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of citric waste fermented with yeast waste pellet (CWYWP) supplementation on feed intake, rumen characteristics, and blood metabolites in native Thai beef cattle that are fed a rice-straw-based diet. Four native male Thai beef cattle (1.0-1.5 years old) with an initial body weight (BW) of 116 ± 16 kg were held in a 4 × 4 Latin square design within 21-day periods. The animals were assigned to receive CWYWP supplementation at 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% of the total dry matter (DM) intake per day. The results indicate that feeding beef cattle with CWYWP leads to a linear increase in the total intake as well was the intake of crude protein (CP) and the digestibility of CP, with the maximum levels observed at 6% CWYWP supplementation (p < 0.05). Rumen characteristics, including pH, blood urea-nitrogen concentration, and protozoal population, showed no significant alterations in response to the varying CWYWP dosages (p > 0.05). In addition, the CWYWP supplementation resulted in no significant changes in the concentration of ammonia-nitrogen, remaining within an average normal range of 10.19-10.38 mg/dL (p > 0.05). The inclusion of 6% CWYWP resulted in the highest population of ruminal bacteria (p < 0.05). Additionally, the CWYWP supplementation led to a statistically significant increase in the mean propionic acid concentration as compared to the group that did not receive the CWYWP supplementation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this experiment demonstrates that supplementing Thai native beef cattle with CWYWP at either 4% or 6% DM per day can enhance their total CP intake as well as the CP digestibility and rumen bacterial population, and can increase propionate concentration.

Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) meal pellets as a protein supplement to improve feed efficiency, ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in Thai native beef cattle

OBJECTIVE

Replacing soybean meal (SBM) with cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) meal pellets (CMP) in concentrate diets was investigated for feed efficiency, ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in Thai native beef cattle.

METHODS

Four male beef cattle were randomly assigned to treatments using a 4×4 Latin square design with four levels of SBM replaced by CMP at 0%, 33%, 67%, and 100% in concentrate diets.

RESULTS

Results revealed that replacement of SBM with CMP did not affect dry matter (DM) consumption, while digestibilities of crude protein, acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber were significantly enhanced (p<0.05) but did not alter digestibility of DM and organic matter. Increasing levels of CMP up to 100% in concentrate diets increased ruminal ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations, blood urea nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids and propionate concentration (p<0.05), whereas production of methane and protozoal populations decreased (p<0.05). Efficiency of microbial nitrogen protein synthesis increased when SBM was replaced with CMP.

CONCLUSION

Substitution of SBM with CMP in the feed concentrate mixture at up to 100% resulted in enhanced nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation efficiency, with increased volatile fatty acids production, especially propionate and microbial protein synthesis, while decreasing protozoal populations and mitigating rumen methane production in Thai native beef cattle fed a rice straw-based diet.