China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (1): 205-214.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2025.01.018

• Nutritionand Feed • Previous Articles    

Effects of Adding Polygonum hydropiper L.to High-concentrate Diet on Fermentation Parameters and Flora of Rumen in Sheep

YU Tianli, HE Zhenlian, HAN Yijing, REN Jingyu, XIA Chengqiang, PEI Caixia   

  1. College of Animal Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China
  • Received:2024-05-11 Published:2024-12-30

Abstract: 【Objective】 The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of adding Polygonum hydropiper L.to high-concentrate diet on rumen fermentation parameters,microbial populations,lactic acid metabolism,and enzyme activity in sheep. 【Method】 Forty 3-month-old Duhan hybrid male sheeps with an average weight of (23.26±0.33) kg were selected and randomly divided into four groups with 10 sheeps per group.Lambs were fed individually with a crude-to-processed diet ratio of 75∶25.The levels of Polygonum hydropiper L.supplementation were 0 (control),5 (L1),10 (L2),and 15 g/d (L3).After a 15-day adaptation period,a 60-day experimental period was conducted,lasting 75 days.Rumen fluid samples were collected from all lambs 3 hours after morning feeding at the end of the experimental period for subsequent analysis of rumen fermentation parameters,microbial enzyme activities,lactic acid metabolism,and microbial populations. 【Result】 ① The total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) content in rumen fluid of sheep in group L3 was significantly higher than that in control group and L1 group (P<0.05),the propionic acid content was significantly higher than that in the other three groups (P<0.05),the ratio of ethylene to propylene was significantly lower than that in control group,and the ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) content was significantly lower than that in L1 group and control group (P<0.05).The content of microbial protein (MCP) was significantly higher than that in L1 group and control group (P<0.05).The contents of propionic acid and MCP in rumen fluid of sheep in L2 group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05),the ratio of ethylene to propylene and the content of NH3-N in L2 group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05),the content of NH3-N in rumen fluid of sheep in L1 group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05).② The activity of cellobiase in rumen fluid of sheep in L2 and L3 groups was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05),and the activity of protease was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05),the protease activity in rumen fluid of sheep in L3 group was also significantly lower than that in L1 group (P<0.05),and the α-amylase activity was significantly higher than that in L1 group and control group (P<0.05).③ Lactic acid content in rumen fluid of sheep in L3 group was significantly lower than that in control group and L1 group (P<0.05),and lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly lower than that in other three groups (P<0.05).Pyruvate content and pyruvate kinase activity in rumen fluid of sheep in 3 experimental groups were significantly higher than those of control group,and L3 group was significantly higher than L2 and L1 groups (P<0.05).④ The number of total methanogens in rumen fluid of sheep in group L3 was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05),the number of total protozoa and Prevotella ruminalis was significantly lower than that in L1 group and control group (P<0.05),and the number of Ruminococcus albus was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).The number of Ruminbacter amylophilus was significantly higher than that in L1 and control groups (P<0.05).The number of total protozoa and Prevotella ruminalis in rumen fluid of sheep in L2 group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05),and the number of Ruminbacter amylophilus was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The addition of Polygonum hydropiper L. to a high-concentrate diet influenced rumen microbiota,improved fermentation,reduced A/P ratio,enhanced pyruvate-related protein synthesis,decreased NH3-N concentrations,and regulated lactic acid metabolism by altering enzyme activities,thereby reducing lactic acid accumulation.Under these conditions,the optimal supplementation level was determined to be 15 g/d.

Key words: high-concentrate diet; Polygonum hydropiper L.; sheep; rumen fermentation; lactic acid

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