Effects of Supplementation of Vitamin A on Fermentation Pattern in the Rumen and Cellulose Degradability Ruminococcus flavefaciens

摘要

The aim of this study was tofind out the effects of supplementation of vitamin A to the diets of high or low amounts of concentrates for ruminants. In the first experiment, ruminal fermentation patterns with the data of pH, VFA production and cellulose disappearance rates in the rumen in vitro were investigated. In the second experiment, enzyme activities, gas production and dry matter degradabilities using cellulolytic bacteria, Ruminococcus flavefaciens were investigated. Ruminal pH was higher in low amounts of concentrates than in high amounts of concentrates as expected, however, no significant differences were found. Cellulose disappearance rates improved in vitamin A addition particularly in early incubation time (before 24h) and also the production of volatile fatty acids increased in vitamin A addition. These trends were more evident in diets containing high amounts of concentrates than in low amounts of concentrates and it may indicate that vitamin A is more required in the diets of high amounts of concentrates, hi the second experiment, gas production, enzyme activities and dry matter degradabilities using cellulolytic bacteria, Ruminococcus flavefaciens were not different between vitamin A added and non-added diets. Ruminococcus flavefaciens may not require additional vitamin A for its own growth.