›› 2017, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (5): 1375-1381.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2017.05.017

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Effect of Particle Size of Feed on Rumen Fermentation of Sheep Using the Rumen Simulation Technique (Rusitec)

HAN Hai-zhu, GUO Yan-li, ZHENG Chen, LUO Rui-rui, SUN Guang-ming, LI Shu, CHAI Shu-ling, FENG Pei-gong   

  1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
  • Received:2016-11-16 Online:2017-05-20 Published:2017-05-18

Abstract:

This experiment was aimed to investigate the effects of different particle sizes of feeds on rumen fermentation using the rumen simulation technique (Rusitec). There were two treatments (5 and 0.45 mm) with 4 replicates per group. After 10 days'adaptations,the fermentation parameters were determined for 2 days,and the total gas production,methane production and fermentation parameters were determined. The results showed that the total gas production of 5 nm group was extremely significantly higher than that of 0.45 nm group (P <0.01),while methane production of the two group was no significant difference (P >0.05).The ruminal fluid pH at 6 h,acetic acid at 6 and 9 h, isobutyric acid at 6 h, acetic acid to propionic acid ratio at 12 h,butyric acid at 6 h,total volatile fatty acids at 0,12 h and total nitrogen at 6 and 9 h in 5 mm group were significantly or extremely significantly greater than those in 0.45 mm group (P <0.05;P <0.01). While propionic acid at 12 h and valeric acid at 3,6,9 and 12 h in 5 mm group were significantly or extremely significantly lower than that in 0.45 mm group (P <0.05;P <0.01).Other parameters were not significantly affected by particle size (P >0.05). These results certified that the particle size of feeds in Rusitec did affected the rumen fermentation. Large size improved the gas production,acetic acid to propionic acid ratio,total volatile fatty acids and total nitrogen cotents.

Key words: Rusitec; sheep; particle size; rumen fermentation

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