The effect of total mix ration with xylitol supplementation on in vitro ruminal total gas and methane production, digestion values, organic acids, ammonia-nitrogen, and the number of total protozoa in dairy cattle

Abstract

Th e study aimed to determine the eff ect of xylitol, added to the dry period total mix ration (TMR) of dairy cattle, on in vitro rumen fermentation, total gas production, methane production, estimated digestion values, organic acids and ammonia-nitrogen contents and the number of total protozoa. Xylitol was added to dairy cattle TMR at diff erent rates (0%, 2% 4%, and 8%; dry matter basis). Th e xylitol supplementations at 2 and 4% did not aff ect in vitro total gas production, in vitro methane production, metabolizable energy (ME) and organic matter digestibility (OMd) values (P>0.05). However, 8% xylitol supplementation decreased in vitro total gas production, in vitro methane production, ME and OMd (P0.05). Th e iso-valeric acid (IVA), iso-butyric acid (IBA) and valeric acid (VA) percentages in TVFA of in vitro rumen fl uid linearly decreased with xylitol supplementation, especially 8% xylitol supplementation (P0.05). Consequently, the supplementation of 2% and 4% xylitol to dairy cattle ration did not aff ect the in vitro rumen fermentation (total gas production, methane production, estimated digestion values, organic acids and ammonia-nitrogen parameters). However, 8% supplementation xylitol to dairy cattle ration had the potential to aff ect the before-mentioned in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters adversely.

Keywords

• dairy cattle
• in vitro gas production
• rumen fermentation
• xylitol