Effects of humic substances with urea on protozoal population and fermentation in the rumen of sheep
The aim was to investigate the effects of humic substances (HS) combined with urea, on pH, ammonia, total volatile fatty acids (∑VFA), protozoal population, amylolytic and cellulolytic activities in rumen fluid (RF) of 12 female crossbred merino sheep (n = 6 in experimental EG and control CG groups)...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
2020-02-01
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| Series: | Bulgarian Journal of Veterinary Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://tru.uni-sz.bg/bjvm/BJVM-March%202020%20p.60-69.pdf |
| Summary: | The aim was to investigate the effects of humic substances (HS) combined with urea, on pH, ammonia, total volatile fatty acids (∑VFA), protozoal population, amylolytic and cellulolytic activities in rumen fluid (RF) of 12 female crossbred merino sheep (n = 6 in experimental EG and control CG groups). The basic daily ration consisted of 1.25 kg grass hay, 0.25 kg cereal grains – equally wheat and barley (daily intake of crude protein 113.45 g, crude fibre 394.19 g, crude fat 17.27 g and ash 71.85 g) and 10 g urea. HS were applied at 20 g.day-1 per animal in EG on day 2–18. Increased protozoal cells (P<0.05) of Entodinium spp. by 243.19, of Diplodinium spp. by 5.11 and of Ophryoscolex spp. by 2.06 103.mL-1 were observed in EG on day 3. The effects on the amylolytic and cellulolytic activities as well as pH values were not significant. Ammonia was higher (P<0.05) in EG by 5.78 at 3 h and by 12.75 at 6 h on day 2, by 10.62 at 9 h on day 3, and by 7.84 mg.100 mL-1 at 6 h on day 4 after feeding. ∑VFA were increased (P<0.05) by 3.89 mmol.L-1 at 3 h on day 18 after feeding. The feed intake of HS combined with urea had significantly positive effects on the course of ammonia and protozoal population in RF. |
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| ISSN: | 1311-1477 1313-3543 |