Intraruminal administration of Megasphaera elsdenii modulated rumen fermentation profile in mid-lactation dairy cows

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Mazzolari, Alberto
  • Yang, Wen Z.
  • Terrill, Sarah J.
  • Zebeli, Qendrim
  • Dunn, Suzanna M.
  • Ametaj, Burim N.

• This study evaluated the effects of intraruminal administration of Megasphaera elsdenii on ruminal fermentation patterns, the profile of plasma metabolites, and milk yield and composition of mid-lactation dairy cows. Eight primiparous, ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were arranged in a paired 2×2 crossover design. Cows were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) intraruminal inoculation of 35 ml suspension per day of M. elsdenii ATCC 25940 (MEGA), containing 108 cfu/ml of bacteria, dissolved in 35 ml of saline (0·15 m), or 2) carrier alone (35 ml saline; CTR). Both postprandial and preprandial rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) and plasma metabolite measurements were analysed. Postprandial VFA patterns were affected the most, with butyrate (P0·05); however, after the morning feeding BHBA concentration was increased in both groups of cows. Dry matter intake and milk yield and composition were not affected by treatment. In conclusion, results indicate that M. elsdenii has the potential to modulate the rumen fermentation profile in mid-lactation Holstein cows, but these effects were only slightly reflected in changes in plasma metabolites and milk composition.

• Date created

  2012

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Short-Chain Fatty Acids
  • Dairy Cows
  • Plasma Metabolites
  • Megasphaera elsdenii

• Type of Item

  Article (Published)

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3ZW1958Q

• License

  © Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research 2011