FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Rumen fermentation

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    Evaluation of dietary supplementation of ammonium sulphate on in vitro gas production and rumen fermentation characteristics of WAD ewes
    (Science Domain, 2016-06) Ososanya, T. O.; Shehu, S. A.; Inyang, U. A.
    Ammonium sulphate, a chemical compound was utilized to evaluate its potential through in vitro gas production technique and rumen fermentation characteristics as a rumen stimulator and mitigates methane gas. Four experimental diets were formulated with ammonium sulphate (AS) included at varying levels: T1 (control/0% AS), T2 (control diet + 0.25% AS), T3 (control diet + 0.50% AS) and T4 (control diet + 0.75% AS). Rumen fluid was collected from the ewes, sixteen in number and weighing 24 kg averagely, using suction tube method to evaluate in vitro gas production, determine microbial population and rumen fermentation characteristics. Gas production was determined over a 96 hour period. Other data collected included organic matter digestibility (OMD%), short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA μml), Metabolisable Energy (ME MJ/KJ DM), Degradability (D%), Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA), rumen pH, temperature and ammonia nitrogen (AN). Results showed no significant differences (p>0.05) for in vitro gas production profiles (i.e. total gas, OMD, ME, SCFA). However, as inclusion increased it stimulated the parameters measured to be numerically higher than control. Methane gas was highest for control diet (4 ml/200 mg DM) while T2 recorded the least (2 ml/200 mg DM). Degradability increased as the inclusion level of AS increased. Control diet was the lowest (32%) while T4 had the highest (45%). The rumen fermentation characteristics showed significant (p<0.05) differences for all the parameters measured except rumen temperature. Animals on T4 diet recorded the highest (p<0.05) pH value (6.85) while those on T2 diet had the least (6.53). Animals on Control diet recorded the highest values (p<0.05) for AN and acetic acid (100.40 mg/l and 8.98 mol/100L) while the least values were observed in animals on T2 diet (AN) and those on T4 (acetic acid). Increase inclusion of AS caused a decrease in acetic acid. Rumen bacteria was highest (p<0.05) in animals on T4 (1.40 x 10(6)cfu/mm(3)) and lowest in those on T3 (0.65 x 10(6)cfu/mm(3)). For fungi and protozoa, animals on T4 and T2 diets were higher (p<0.05) respectively than those on Control diet (1.15 and 1.09 x 10(6)cfu/mm(3) compared to 1.10 and 0.85 x 10(6)cfu/mm(3) respectively). Supplementation of AS has been validated by this study, with a 0.75% inclusion level resulting in lowest methane gas, and higher ME, SCFA, pH, bacteria and fungi and may be recommended for ruminant feeding.
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    Nutrient utilization, ruminal microbial population and fermentation characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams fed ammonium sulphate fortified diets
    (National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 2016) Akinlade, A. T.; Ososanya, T. O.
    The ruminal microbial population has enormous potential for fibre digestion. Microorganisms are responsible for breakdown of plant cell walls, fungi have better ability to attack lignocellulosic tissues for bacteria to act on it. Ammonium sulphate, a chemical compound that serves as a ready source of nitrogen and sulphur, plays important roles in enhancing rumen microbial activity. Therefore, the effects of ammonium sulphate fortification on rumen fermentation characteristics and microbial populations were evaluated. Sixteen (16) West African dwarf (WAD) rams weighing 12.8±0.12kg were assigned to diets containing 0g/100kg (control diet), 250g/100kg, 500g/100kg and 750g/100kg levels of ammonium sulphate (T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively) in a completely randomized design, each ram fed 5% body weight of the diet and wilted guinea grass in a 60:40 ratio for 105 days. At the end of the feeding trial, the effects of the diets on rumen microbial population and fermentation characteristics of the rams were assessed. The fungi population in sheep fed ammonium sulphate fortified diets ranged from 3.37- 4.36 x 10(4) cfu/ml. Acetate, propionate and butyrate in the ammonium sulphate fortified diets ranged from 46.37 - 48.71, 29.41 - 33.25 and 21.00 - 24.75 mmole/100ml respectively. The acetate and butyrate of the ammonium sulphate fortified diets decreased with increasing inclusion levels of ammonium sulphate, while the propionate decreased. Results obtained showed that ammonia nitrogen, fungi, bacteria and acetate were 1.45ppm, 4.36 cfu/ml, 7.01 cfu/ml, 48.71 mmole/100ml respectively, and they were significantly (P<0.05) highest in rams fed diet fortified with 750g/100kg ammonium sulphate. Rams on control diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher values of protozoa, pH, acetate and butyrate (5.96 cfu/ml, 6.82, 48.71 mmole/100ml, 24.75 mmole/100ml) than rams on T2, T3 and T4 because the control diet is not fortified with ammonium sulphate. It was concluded that rams fed 750g/100kg of ammoniumsulphate had greater number of rumen microbes which resulted in higher microbial protein synthesis, hence improved performance and higher body weight gain.