Effects of fibrolytic enzymes on ruminal fermentation and digestibility in steers fed diets with sodium bicarbonate

Abstract

Effects of fibrolytic enzymes on ruminal fermentation and digestibility in steers fed diets with Sodium bicarbonate. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 38: 191-196. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (ENZ) on ruminal fermentation and disappearance in steers fed high-concentrate diets with sodium bicarbonate (SB, 3% of total diet). Six ruminally cannulated steers (450±15 kg) were randomly assigned to a replicate 3×3 Latin square. Experimental high-concentrate diets (70% concentrate DM) were as follow: control; ENZ (0.3% enzymes) and ENZ+BS (0.3% enzymes plus 3% SB). Dry matter intake, ruminal pH, ammonia N, ruminal disappearance of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber of diets were not affected by ENZ or ENZ+SB. Steers fed ENZ and ENZ+SB spent more time ruminating and resting and less time eating than steers on control diet. Ruminal pH and ammonia N concentrations in steers fed ENZ+BS were greater than in steers fed ENZ or not supplemented. There were scarce effects of fibrolytic enzymes on Ruminal disappearance and fermentation of high-concentrate diet with sodium bicarbonate for steers.