Effects of the higher concentrate ratio on the production performance, ruminal fermentation, and morphological structure in male cattle‐yaks

Abstract

Background The present study evaluated the effects of the different concentrate‐to‐forage ratio on the parameters of production, ruminal fermentation, blood biochemical indices, and ruminal epithelial morphological structure of the male cattle‐yaks. Methods Eight male cattle‐yaks (280 ± 10 kg of body weight) were randomly divided into the high concentrate (HighC, 70% concentrate feeds on a dry matter basis) and low concentrate (LowC, 50% concentrate feeds on a dry matter basis) groups. All the animals were regularly provided rations twice a day at 08:00 and 16:00 h and had free access to water. The experiment lasted for 37 days. Results The dry matter intake and average daily gain of the HighC group were higher (p < 0.05) than those of LowC group. Moreover, a high concentrate diet was found to significantly increase (p < 0.05) the total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) production, and the ratio of propionate and butyrate in TVFA. On the contrary, the ruminal pH, the ratio of isobutyrate and isovalerate, and the acetate‐to‐propionate were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after high concentrate feeding. The lipopolysaccharide concentrations of the ruminal fluid and plasma in the HighC group were higher (p < 0.05) than those of the LowC group. The results of the ruminal histomorphology showed the rumen to possess an inflammatory reaction. Conclusion These findings revealed that upon higher dry matter intake and average daily gain, high concentrate feeding altered the rumen fermentation and morphology, inducing the ruminal inflammation of the cattle‐yak.

Dietary Concentrate-to-Forage Ratio Affects Rumen Bacterial Community Composition and Metabolome of Yaks

“…The C80 group had the highest NH 3 -N content among the three groups, which could be explained by the high-concentrate diet producing more rumen microbial protein. In this study, increasing the proportion of dietary concentrate increased the total VFA yield and the yields of propionate, butyrate and isobutyrate, but decreased the amount of acetate and the acetate:propionate ratio, which was essentially consistent with the results of other studies (10,19,20). Our findings confirm that feeding a high-concentrate diet shifted the rumen fermentation pattern of yaks from acetate to propionate.…”

Blood Metabolites, Feed Utilization and Performance in Thai Native X Lowline Angus Crossbred Cattle Fed Cassava Byproducts

“…The current study results were greater than some previous studies, which could be due to different growing stages of calves, environmental conditions being more suitable, or probably only one feeder feeding experimental calves, which had no fear of calves during feeding. In addition, according to (Desnoyers et al, 2008;Jiang et al, 2022), dry matter intake was greater than the current study, which found between 2.24-2.60 kg/day. Furthermore, CtFCp-50 and CtFCp-ad libitum in the ruminant diet effectively consumed energy intake and growth performance.…”

“…The current study was similarly designed for several researchers who used limited ruminants to conduct experiments by fed concentrate-to-forage or by-product ratios, replacement, or supplementation. Jiang et al (2022) conducted an experimental design with eight male cattle yaks, four heads for each treatment to compare different concentrate-to-forage ratios. According to Gunun et al (2023), feeding concentrate was replaced by yeastfermented cassava peels for 12 goats by designing three groups with four heads in each group.…”

“…Cassava pulp-fermented Total Mixed Rations (TMR) increased the nutrient digestibility in lambs (Khejornsart et al, 2022), while this has been confirmed previously (Morm et al, 2023) and by this current study. In addition, using concentration assists in boosting nutrient digestibility and intake in cattle (Jiang et al, 2022). Providing a high-concentrate diet for dairy cows could reduce ruminal ammonia concentration and boost ammonia utilization to synthesize protein in milk (Agle et al, 2010).…”

Characterization of N6-methyladenosine in cattle-yak testis tissue

“…Interspecific hybridization can play a central role in the adaptation and evolution of particular species in nature, with heterosis often resulting from the hybridization of genetically distinct animals ( 10 ). In an effort to improve yak production performance, researchers and breeders have sought to combine the excellent productivity of other cattle species with the QTP-adapted traits of yaks, such as cold tolerance, through interspecific hybridization ( 11 ). The resultant cattle-yaks, which are a hybrid of yaks and conventional cattle ( Bos taurus ), possess the high productivity of cattle and the adaptability of yaks to high-altitude conditions ( 12 ).…”