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Veterinary Sciences
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Effects of Feeding Strategies on Rumen Function and Animal Performance
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Effects of Feeding Strategies on Rumen Function and Animal Performance

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 8 November 2024 | Viewed by 13508

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rita Cabrita

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV), Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), Department of Veterinary Clinics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Interests: animal nutrition and feeding; feed evaluation; feed efficiency; rumen function; environmental impact; animal performance
Dr. Margarida Maia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV), Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), Department of Veterinary Clinics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Interests: animal nutrition and feeding; alternative feeding strategies towards sustainable animal production; rumen fermentation and methanogenesis; modulation of rumen lipid metabolism; improvement of nutritional and functional value of ruminant edible products

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to submit an article to our Special Issue “Effects of Feeding Strategies on Rumen Function and Animal Performance”.

Livestock production is rapidly developing driven by the growth in the global population and the consequent demand for animal products, thus, requiring an increasing amount of feed supplies. Additionally, the increase in living standards will increase the demand for food safety and health benefits in the near future. To contend with these drivers, it is essential to enlarge the feedstock base through the search for novel or underexploited feeds and feeding strategies that improve resource use efficiency, while mitigating the environmental impact of ruminant production and ensuring animal health and the nutritional and functional value of animal products.

This Special Issue aims to study the effects of novel or underexploited feeding strategies on rumen function, feeding efficiency, environmental impact, and the quality of animal products. Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Novel additives, ingredients and feeding management strategies
  • Rumen fermentation and microbiome
  • Dietary modulation of greenhouse gases emissions
  • Functional value towards increased animal health
  • Nutritional and functional value of animal products

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Rita Cabrita
Dr. Margarida Maia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ruminant animals
  • growth and milk performance
  • feed efficiency
  • functional value
  • environmental sustainability
  • rumen fermentation
  • microbiome

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2071 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Milk Replacer Supplemented with Ascophyllum nodosum as a Novel Ingredient to Prevent Neonatal Diarrhea in Dairy Calves and Improve Their Health Status
by Elena Scaglia, Serena Reggi, Benedetta Canala, Sara Frazzini, Matteo Dell’Anno, Monika Hejna and Luciana Rossi
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(10), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10100618 - 13 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1710
Abstract
Nutrition and health during pre-weaning affect the calves’ future fertility, calving age, production, and carrier length. Calves are highly susceptible to neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), which can be fatal. NCD is due to hypovolemia and acidosis, which may involve anorexia and ataxia. The [...] Read more.
Nutrition and health during pre-weaning affect the calves’ future fertility, calving age, production, and carrier length. Calves are highly susceptible to neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), which can be fatal. NCD is due to hypovolemia and acidosis, which may involve anorexia and ataxia. The One Health principle calls for a drastic reduction in antimicrobial use. One approach is to improve animal health and reduce the use of antibiotics and functional ingredients that have beneficial effects due to bioactive compounds. Several functional ingredients and additives can be considered, and, in particular for this study, Ascophyllum nodosum was considered. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of A. nodosum as a functional ingredient implemented into the milk replacer in neonatal calves. Twelve pre-weaned Holstein Frisian calves, housed in twelve individual pens in the same environmental conditions, were divided into two groups of six animals: a control group (CTRL, n = 6) fed with a milk replacer, and a treatment group receiving milk enriched with 10 g of A. nodosum in their diet (TRT, n = 6) for 42 days. The fecal score was evaluated daily (3–0 scale) to monitor the incidence of diarrhea in the two groups. The body weight was evaluated weekly, and every two weeks feces were collected for microbiological evaluation using a selective medium for plate counting of total, lactic acid, and coliform bacteria. To verify the presence of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Escherichia coli, real-time qPCR was used. At the beginning and at the end of the trial, blood samples were obtained for serum metabolite analysis. The growth performance did not differ in either of the two groups, but significant differences were observed in the incidence of moderate diarrhea (p-value < 0.0113), where the TRT group showed a lower incidence of cases during the 42-day period. Serum analysis highlighted higher contents of albumin, calcium, phosphorus, and total cholesterol in the TRT group compared to CTRL (p-value < 0.05). In conclusion, implementation of A. nodosum in the diet of calves can lead to better animal welfare and may reduce the use of antibiotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Feeding Strategies on Rumen Function and Animal Performance)
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12 pages, 965 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Beeswax Supplementation on Productive Performance of Growing Assaf Lambs
by Hamed Mohamed Gaafar, Matteo Dell’Anno, Luciana Rossi, Mohamed Kamel Mohsen, El-Sayed Mohamed Abdel-Raouf, Mostafa Mohamed El-Nahrawy and Abdeen Wajeeh Amer
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(9), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10090574 - 15 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1887
Abstract
The aim of this work was to assess the effects of beeswax supplementation on growth rate, feed intake, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and economic sustainability in Assaf lambs. Eighteen growing Assaf (5 months old) lambs were separated into three experimental groups [...] Read more.
The aim of this work was to assess the effects of beeswax supplementation on growth rate, feed intake, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and economic sustainability in Assaf lambs. Eighteen growing Assaf (5 months old) lambs were separated into three experimental groups (n = 6 lambs/group). The lambs were fed a basal diet without supplementation (G1) or supplemented with 2 and 4 g beeswax/head/day in G2 and G3 groups, respectively. Zootechnical performance was evaluated over a 90 day period. Feed digestibility was assessed in faeces through the acid insoluble-ash method, and rumen liquor was collected to measure ammonia (NH3-N) and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) levels. Blood samples were obtained for the titration serum metabolites by colorimetric tests. The findings showed that G3 had an improved performance compared to the other groups (p < 0.01). The lambs in G3 revealed the highest nutrient digestibility and feed use, followed by G2, and G1. G3 recorded the highest economic efficiency followed by G2 and G1 (p < 0.01). The TVFA, acetate, and propionate concentrations were higher and the pH values, NH3-N, and butyrate concentrations were lower in G3 compared to G2 and particularly to G1 (p < 0.01). The concentrations of total protein, globulin, and glucose were significantly higher with 4 g beeswax (p < 0.05). However, albumin, cholesterol, total lipids, urea, creatinine, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) concentrations as well as the albumin to globulin ratio decreased significantly with both levels of beeswax (p < 0.05). The addition of beeswax at the level of 4 g/head/day for growing Assaf lambs significantly improved the growth performance, digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood serum parameters in addition to the economic efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Feeding Strategies on Rumen Function and Animal Performance)
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23 pages, 1376 KiB  
Article
Marine Microalgae as a Nutritive Tool to Mitigate Ruminal Greenhouse Gas Production: In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics of Fresh and Ensiled Maize (Zea mays L.) Forage
by Mona Mohamed Mohamed Yasseen Elghandour, Aristide Maggiolino, Edwin Rafael Alvarado-Ramírez, Javier Hernández-Meléndez, Raymundo Rene Rivas-Cacerese, Pedro Enrique Hernández-Ruiz, Ameer Khusro, Pasquale De Palo and Abdelfattah Zeidan Mohamed Salem
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(9), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10090556 - 04 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1431
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of marine microalgae (Dunaliella salina) as a food additive on biogas (BG), methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production kinetics, as well as [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of marine microalgae (Dunaliella salina) as a food additive on biogas (BG), methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production kinetics, as well as in in vitro rumen fermentation and the CH4 conversion efficiency of different genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) and states of forage. The treatments were characterized by the forage of five maize genotypes (Amarillo, Montesa, Olotillo, Tampiqueño, and Tuxpeño), two states of forage (fresh and ensiled), and the addition of 3% (on DM basis) of microalgae (with and without). The parameters (b = asymptotic production, c = production rate, and Lag = delay phase before gas production) of the production of BG, CH4, CO, and H2S showed an effect (p < 0.05) of the genotype, the state of the forage, the addition of the microalgae, or some of its interactions, except for the time in the CO delay phase (p > 0.05). Moreover, the addition of microalgae decreased (p < 0.05) the production of BG, CH4, and H2S in most of the genotypes and stages of the forage, but the production of CO increased (p < 0.05). In the case of fermentation characteristics, the microalgae increased (p < 0.05) the pH, DMD, SCFA, and ME in most genotypes and forage states. With the addition of the microalgae, the fresh forage from Olotillo obtained the highest pH (p < 0.05), and the ensiled from Amarillo, the highest (p < 0.05) DMD, SCFA, and ME. However, the ensiled forage produced more (p < 0.05) CH4 per unit of SFCA, ME, and OM, and the microalgae increased it (p < 0.05) even more, and the fresh forage from Amarillo presented the highest (p < 0.05) quantity of CH4 per unit of product. In conclusion, the D. salina microalga showed a potential to reduce the production of BG, CH4, and H2S in maize forage, but its effect depended on the chemical composition of the genotype and the state of the forage. Despite the above, the energy value of the forage (fresh and ensiled) improved, the DMD increased, and in some cases, SCFA and ME also increased, all without compromising CH4 conversion efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Feeding Strategies on Rumen Function and Animal Performance)
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Review

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14 pages, 329 KiB  
Review
Estimating Microbial Protein Synthesis in the Rumen—Can ‘Omics’ Methods Provide New Insights into a Long-Standing Question?
by Joana Lima, Winfred Ingabire, Rainer Roehe and Richard James Dewhurst
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(12), 679; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10120679 - 27 Nov 2023
Viewed by 2844
Abstract
Rumen microbial protein synthesis (MPS) provides at least half of the amino acids for the synthesis of milk and meat protein in ruminants. As such, it is fundamental to global food protein security. Estimating microbial protein is central to diet formulation, maximising nitrogen [...] Read more.
Rumen microbial protein synthesis (MPS) provides at least half of the amino acids for the synthesis of milk and meat protein in ruminants. As such, it is fundamental to global food protein security. Estimating microbial protein is central to diet formulation, maximising nitrogen (N)-use efficiency and reducing N losses to the environment. Whilst factors influencing MPS are well established in vitro, techniques for in vivo estimates, including older techniques with cannulated animals and the more recent technique based on urinary purine derivative (UPD) excretion, are subject to large experimental errors. Consequently, models of MPS used in protein rationing are imprecise, resulting in wasted feed protein and unnecessary N losses to the environment. Newer ‘omics’ techniques are used to characterise microbial communities, their genes and resultant proteins and metabolites. An analysis of microbial communities and genes has recently been used successfully to model complex rumen-related traits, including feed conversion efficiency and methane emissions. Since microbial proteins are more directly related to microbial genes, we expect a strong relationship between rumen metataxonomics/metagenomics and MPS. The main aims of this review are to gauge the understanding of factors affecting MPS, including the use of the UPD technique, and explore whether omics-focused studies could improve the predictability of MPS, with a focus on beef cattle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Feeding Strategies on Rumen Function and Animal Performance)
16 pages, 1765 KiB  
Review
Beta-Adrenergic Agonists, Dietary Protein, and Rumen Bacterial Community Interactions in Beef Cattle: A Review
by Alison P. Pfau, Elizabeth A. Shepherd, M. Gabbi Martin, Sophia Ascolese, Katie M. Mason, Amanda M. Egert-McLean, Brynn H. Voy and Phillip R. Myer
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(9), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10090579 - 18 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1862
Abstract
Improving beef production efficiency, sustainability, and food security is crucial for meeting the growing global demand for beef while minimizing environmental impact, conserving resources, ensuring economic viability, and promoting animal welfare. Beta-adrenergic agonists and dietary protein have been critical factors in beef cattle [...] Read more.
Improving beef production efficiency, sustainability, and food security is crucial for meeting the growing global demand for beef while minimizing environmental impact, conserving resources, ensuring economic viability, and promoting animal welfare. Beta-adrenergic agonists and dietary protein have been critical factors in beef cattle production. Beta-agonists enhance growth, improve feed efficiency, and influence carcass composition, while dietary protein provides the necessary nutrients for muscle development and overall health. A balanced approach to their use and incorporation into cattle diets can lead to more efficient and sustainable beef production. However, microbiome technologies play an increasingly important role in beef cattle production, particularly by optimizing rumen fermentation, enhancing nutrient utilization, supporting gut health, and enhancing feed efficiency. Therefore, optimizing rumen fermentation, diet, and growth-promoting technologies has the potential to increase energy capture and improve performance. This review addresses the interactions among beta-adrenergic agonists, protein level and source, and the ruminal microbiome. By adopting innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and responsible management strategies, the beef industry can contribute to a more secure and sustainable food future. Continued research and development in this field can lead to innovative solutions that benefit both producers and the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Feeding Strategies on Rumen Function and Animal Performance)
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19 pages, 518 KiB  
Review
A Review of Effect of Saponins on Ruminal Fermentation, Health and Performance of Ruminants
by Ahmed E. Kholif
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(7), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10070450 - 10 Jul 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2401
Abstract
Saponins are steroid, or triterpene glycoside, compounds found in plants and plant products, mainly legumes. However, some plants containing saponins are toxic. Saponins have both positive and negative roles in animal nutrition. Saponins have been shown to act as membrane-permeabilizing, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolaemic, and [...] Read more.
Saponins are steroid, or triterpene glycoside, compounds found in plants and plant products, mainly legumes. However, some plants containing saponins are toxic. Saponins have both positive and negative roles in animal nutrition. Saponins have been shown to act as membrane-permeabilizing, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolaemic, and defaunating agents in the rumen for the manipulation of ruminal fermentation. Moreover, it has been reported that saponins have impair protein digestion in the gut to interact with cholesterol in the cell membrane, cause cell rupture and selective ruminal protozoa elimination, thus improving N-use efficiency and resulting in a probable increase in ruminant animal performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Feeding Strategies on Rumen Function and Animal Performance)
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