›› 2016, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (8): 2020-2025.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2016.08.013

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of 2-methylbutyrate on Daily Gain,Dietary Nutrient Digestion and Methane Emissions in Simmental Cattle

GUO Jian-bing1, WANG Cong2, WANG Jiang-qin1   

  1. 1. Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of Linfen County in Shanxi Province, Linfen 041000, China;
    2. College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicines, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China
  • Received:2015-11-03 Online:2016-08-20 Published:2016-08-23

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2-methylbutyrate on daily gain,dietary nutrient digestion and methane emissions in Simmental cattle.Thirty-six Simmental cattle (12-month-old) consuming a corn straw diet were divided randomly into four groups (control group,experimental groups 1,2 and 3) and supplemented with four levels of 2-methylbutyrate as 0,1.0,2.0 and 3.0 g/(kg·BW),respectively.Dietary nutrient digestibilities,average daily gain and methane emissions were determined.The results showed that OM digestibilities of the cattles in experimental group 2 and 3,CP digestibilities of the cattles in experimental groups 2 were significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).NFE digestibilities were not affected by adding 2-methylbutyrate (P>0.05).NDF digestibilities of the cattles in experimental group 2 were significantly higher than that in control group and experimental group 1 (P<0.05),while their ADF digestibility were significantly higher than that in control and other experimental groups (P<0.05).Compared with control group,the average daily gains of cattles increased significantly in experimental groups 2 and 3 (P<0.05),the dry matter intakes of cattles decreased significantly in experimental group 2 (P<0.05),and the feed gain ratio decreased significantly in experimental groups 2 and 3 (P<0.05).In addition,the methane emissions were decreased significantly in experimental groups 2 and 3 (P<0.05).The results indicated that the average daily gain,nutrient digestion could be improved,and methane emissions could be restrained by supplementing 2-methylbutyrate in Simmental beef cattle,the optimal dose of 2-methylbutyrate supplementation was 2.0 g/(kg·BW).

Key words: 2-methylbutyrate; digestibility; average daily gain; methane emissions; Simmental cattle

CLC Number: