Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences · 2017 · 38 citations · 26 references
AgricultureAnimal SciencesDairy ScienceDairy MicrobiologyRuminant MedicineRuminant NutritionDairy Cattle NutritionDairy Cow NutritionForage NutritionLivestock NutritionRumen MicrobiologyRumen NutritionBacterial Operational Taxonomic UnitsDietary Supplementation EffectsHeifer NutritionMicrobial Community CompositionOperational Taxonomic Unit ClusteringOperational Taxonomic Unit ProfilingTotal Mixed Ration FeedingTotal Mixed Ration Management
OBJECTIVE: The effect of flavonoids from alfalfa on the microbial flora was determined using molecular techniques of 16S ribosome deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) analysis. METHODS: Four primiparous Holstein heifers fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a 4×4 Latin square design and fed a total mixed ration to which alfalfa flavonoids extract (AFE) was added at the rates of 0 (A, control), 20 (B), 60 (C), or 100 (D) mg per kg of heifer BW. RESULTS: at the genus level tended to decrease linearly with increasing AFE (0.05<p<0.10). CONCLUSION: Including AFE in the diet of dairy cows may alter the microbial composition of the rumen; however its effect on nutrient digestibility remains to be determined.
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