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Simulation of the effects of diet on the contribution of rumen protozoa to degradation of fibre in the rumen

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Jan Dijkstra  and
Seerp Tamminga
Jan Dijkstra
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, North Wyke Research Station, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2SB Wageningen Agricultural University, Department of Animal Nutrition, Haagsteeg 4, 6708 PM Wageningen, The Netherlands
Seerp Tamminga
Affiliation:
Wageningen Agricultural University, Department of Animal Nutrition, Haagsteeg 4, 6708 PM Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract

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A previously described mathematical model, that simulates the metabolic activities of rumen bacteria and protozoa, was used to examine the contribution of protozoa to neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) degradation in the rumen of cattle. Comparisons between predicted and experimentally observed NDF degradation showed general agreement. Further simulations were performed with diets containing variable proportions of concentrate (between 0 and 1 kg/kg diet DM) and at intake levels ranging between 5·3 and 21·0 kg DM/d. The simulated protozoal contribution to NDF degradation was 17–21% at the lowest intake level. Except for the all-concentrate diets, raising the feed intake level reduced this contribution to 5–3% at the highest intake level. The changes in contribution of protozoa to NDF degradation were related to variations in the fibrolytic bacteria: protozoa value and the NDF-degrading activities of protozoa predicted by the model. In simulations where dietary NDF levels were reduced and starch and sugar levels were increased independently, protozoal contribution to NDF degradation generally increased. These differences were reflected also in the generally increased protozoal contribution to NDF degradation predicted in response to a decreased roughage:concentrate value. The contribution of protozoa also generally declined in response to added N. These changes in predicted protozoal contribution to NDF degradation resulting from dietary variations provided possible explanations for the differences in rumen NDF degradation observed when animals are defaunated.

Keywords

Computer simulationMathematical modelProtozoaRumenFibre digestion
Type
Protozoal contribution to fibre degradation
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 74 , Issue 5 , November 1995 , pp. 617 - 634
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1995

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