Effect of Yucca schidigera on ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestion in heifers.

Abstract

In a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square experiment, six heifers (443 +/- 6.1 kg) fed a 61% barley grain:39% alfalfa silage diet (DM basis) were given intraruminal doses of powdered Yucca schidigera (YS). Doses of 0 (control), 20, or 60 g/d were given at 0800 daily. Ruminal content was sampled 0, 2, 4, and 6 h after dosing. Acidity, concentrations of reducing sugars, free amino acids, and peptides in the rumen were not affected (P > .05) by YS. Relative to control, ruminal ammonia concentration was reduced (P < .05) 2 h after YS dosing. Ruminal propionate concentration was increased (P < .05) by YS. Protozoal numbers in the rumen were lower (P < .05) with YS than without. Yucca did not affect (P > .05) rate or extent of in situ DM degradability. Fibrolytic, amylolytic, and proteolytic activities in ruminal contents were similar among treatments (P > .05). Dry matter intake, apparent digestibilities of DM, NDF, and CP, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen were not affected (P > .05) by treatment. The effect of YS on ruminal ammonia concentration likely resulted from a decreased concentration of protozoa and, presumably, from ammonia binding by YS. The effect on ruminal propionate was probably a result of a selective inhibitory effect of YS on rumen microbial species.

Bioactivity of phytochemicals in some lesser-known plants and their effects and potential applications in livestock and aquaculture production systems

“…Abreu et al (2004) and Hess et al (2004) found an increase in duodenal flow of microbial-nitrogen in sheep fed Sapindus saponaria fruit. However, Hristov et al (1999) did not obtain a significant effect of yucca saponin on microbial protein flow to the intestine in heifers. An increase of microbial nitrogen supply, efficiency of microbial-nitrogen supply, and faecal-nitrogen excretion with increasing levels of Sapindus rarak extract was observed, but this increase was not significant.…”

Use of ‘natural’ products as alternatives to antibiotic feed additives in ruminant production

“…They significantly decrease ruminal NH 3 concentration and increase that of propionic acid at the expense of acetate and butyrate (Abreu et al, 2004;Santoso et al, 2004b;Hristov et al, 1999). In agreement with the stoichiometry of ruminal fermentations, they significantly decrease methane production either in vitro (Lila et al, 2003;Hu et al, 2005) or in vivo (Santoso et al, 2004a).…”

“…They have been shown to have hypocholesterolaemic, anticoagulant, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities (Milgate and Roberts, 1995;Cheeke, 1999). In ruminants, dietary supplementation with saponins has been claimed to improve growth, feed efficiency and health (Mader and Brumm, 1987).…”

Effects of sunflower seed supplementation and different dietary protein concentrations on the ciliate protozoa population dynamics in the rumen of sheep

“…Reductions in protozoal populations in the rumen of sheep and goats were also previously achieved by feeding dietary supplements of Yucca shidigera extracts (Hristov et al 1999) and of foliage from a variety of different sub-tropical leguminous trees (Leng et al 1992;Navas-Camacho et al 1992, 1993Chaudhary et al 1997;Newbold et al 1997;Teferedegne et al 1999). Saponins have been suggested as the active antiprotozoal agent in these plants (Newbold et al 1997).…”