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Effect Of Direct-Fed Microbials And Monensin On In Vitro Rumen Fermentation, Sheryl Wingard

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

The impact of supplying a mixed culture of lactate producing bacteria on in-vitro rumen fermentation of forage- (Experiment 1) and concentrate- (Experiment 2) based diets in the presence and absence of monensin was explored. In experiment 1, interactions between DFM and MON were absent (P>0.10) for gas production and fermentative end products. Gas production and fermentative end products were unaffected by DFM alone (P>0.10). Monensin decreased (P<0.001) CH₄ and NH₃ production, rate and total gas production, as well as total VFA concentration and molar proportions of acetate and butyrate. However, MON increased (P<0.001) proportions of propionate, valerate, isobutyrate and isovalerate. Independently, DFM and MON increased (P<0.001) end point pH. In experiment 2, DFM x MON interactions or tendencies (P=0.07, P<0.01, P<0.01) were present, DFM effects were abated by MON, for rate, total gas production and total VFA concentrations. Acetate:propionate ratio was decreased (P<0.01) with MON and was unaffected by DFM. Ammonia-N concentration was increased (P<0.01) by DFM and unaffected (P=0.75) by MON. Both DFM and MON treatment increased (P<0.01) ruminal pH levels. These studies suggest the effects of DFM and MON of in-vitro fermentation are …