Enhanced Ruminal Fermentation Parameters and Altered Rumen Bacterial Community Composition by Formulated Rumen Buffer Agents Fed to Dairy Cows with a High-Concentrate Diet
Sonny C. Ramos,
Chang-Dae Jeong,
Lovelia L. Mamuad,
Seon-Ho Kim,
A-Rang Son,
Michelle A. Miguel,
Mahfuzul Islam,
Yong-Il Cho,
Sang-Suk Lee
Affiliations
Sonny C. Ramos
Ruminant Nutrition and Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, 413 Jungangno, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea
Chang-Dae Jeong
Ruminant Nutrition and Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, 413 Jungangno, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea
Lovelia L. Mamuad
Ruminant Nutrition and Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, 413 Jungangno, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea
Seon-Ho Kim
Ruminant Nutrition and Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, 413 Jungangno, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea
A-Rang Son
Ruminant Nutrition and Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, 413 Jungangno, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea
Michelle A. Miguel
Ruminant Nutrition and Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, 413 Jungangno, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea
Mahfuzul Islam
Ruminant Nutrition and Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, 413 Jungangno, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea
Yong-Il Cho
Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, 413 Jungangno, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea
Sang-Suk Lee
Ruminant Nutrition and Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, 413 Jungangno, Jeonnam, Suncheon 57922, Korea
The effects of rumen buffer agents on ruminal fermentation parameters and bacterial community composition were determined using in vitro and in vivo experiments in three rumen-cannulated, high-concentrate fed Holstein Friesian dairy cows. Experiment 1 in vitro treatments included bentonite, calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and processed coral, and unbuffered samples served as the control. Experiment 2 in vitro treatments were based on the formulation of various combinations of the buffer agents used in Experiment 1. Combinations were selected for the in vivo study based on their buffering ability. Calcium oxide, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium sesquicarbonate stabilized the ruminal pH and improved in vitro rumen fermentation. The combined buffer agents had a significant effect on pH, buffering capacity, total gas, and total volatile fatty acids. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla in both treatments and the control. Ruminococcus and Prevotella were found to be the dominant genera. Ruminococcus bromii was predominant in the treatment group. Prevotella jejuni was more abundant in the control group compared to the treatment group, in which its abundance was very low. Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Intestinimonas butyriciproducens gradually increased in abundance as cows received treatment. Overall, a high-concentrate diet administered to cows induced adverse changes in ruminal pH; however, buffer supplementation enhanced ruminal fermentation characteristics and altered bacterial community, which could contribute to preventing ruminal acidosis.
