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Abstract: With the main objective of test an inoculum of chitin-degrading rumen bacteria, 15 lambs with an average BW of 22.8kg were allotted at random (5 per treatment) to diets containing: T1=soybean meal, corn meal and corn stover (control treatment), T2=inclusion on the diet of 250g of shrimp shell waste (SSW) per 1000g (DM bases), in replacement of ingredients contained in T1, and T3=T2+inoculum made of Streptococcus milleri (chitin-degrading bacterium; 0.12ganimal−1 d−1). In general, the feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion were similar (P<0.05) between T1 and T3, but the lambs feed SSW without inoculum (T2) presented the lowest values. Concentration of total and cellulolytic bacteria was similar among treatments after 30d, but decreased in T2 and T3 after 60d. The population of chitinolytic bacteria increased (P<0.05) in the rumen of lambs fed 25% SSW. This increment was observed in lambs feed with or without inoculum. It is concluded that SSW can be efficiently used as a feedstuff for ruminants without any requirement of an adaptation period to the diet and decreasing the diet cost, if an inoculum of chitinolytic bacteria is added. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of a directly fed exogenous fibrolytic enzyme on intake and digestion of DM, OM, protein, NDF, ADF, and hemicetlulose of alfalfa and ryegrass hay by sheep. Four diets were randomly assigned to four ruminally cannulated lambs using a 4 × 4 Latin square design, repeated in time, with a factorial arrangement (2 × 2) of diets: 1) alfalfa hay; 2) alfalfa hay + exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (enzyme); 3) ryegrass hay; and 4) ryegrass hay + enzyme. Lambs consumed more DM and OM from alfalfa than from ryegrass hay (P < 0.001). The ADF intake was not different between the hays, but NDF intake was lower for alfalfa (P < 0.001). For both hays, the enzyme increased intake of DM (P < 0.01), as well as OM and CP (P < 0.05); however, NDF and ADF intake were not changed. Alfalfa hay had higher apparent digestibility of DM, OM, and CP (P < 0.001), but lower digestibility for NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose. The enzyme increased apparent digestibility of CP, hemicellulose (P < 0.05), and NDF (P < 0.10) for alfalfa. Also, for both hays, the enzyme improved N balance because lambs retained more N (P < 0.05). The enzyme increased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentration (3 and 6 h) for both hays. Results from this trial indicate that directly fed exogenous fibrolytic enzymes may change ruminal fermentation, intake, and digestibility of forages with different nutritive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has focused on the response of lambs and its ruminal bacteria to diets with 0, 15 or 25% of shrimp shell waste (SSW). Fifteen lambs (Suffolk×Corriedale; average BW, 21.74 kg) were allotted at random (five per treatment) to diets calculated to contain 0, 15 and 25% of SSW (DM basis) in a growth and digestion trial during 72 days. Average feed intake was similar between treatments, but at the end of the experiment (periods 4 and 5) feed intake decreased (P<0.05) in lambs fed 25% SSW. Weight gain showed a linear decrease (P<0.05) in lambs fed with increasing levels of SSW. However, average feed conversion was similar among treatments. In vivo digestibility was lower (P<0.05) in the group fed 25% SSW, compared to those fed 0 and 15% for DM, CP, ADF, and NDF. Concentration of total, cellulolytic and chitinolytic bacteria were measured using anaerobic culture techniques. Bacteria concentration were estimated on days 30, 60 and 72 of the experimental period. Concentrations of total and cellulolytic bacteria were not affected by treatments. In contrast, chitinolytic bacteria concentration increased (P<0.05) in lambs fed 15 or 25% SSW, compared with control diet. This increase in chitinolytic bacteria was observed 60 days after feeding SSW. Results indicate a very slow adaptation of ruminal microorganisms to diets containing chitinous compounds. It is concluded that SSW can be used (up to 15%, DM basis) in diets for growing lambs, without a negative effect on animal performance. The use of a ruminal inocula made of chitinolytic bacteria to decrease the adaptation period for the animal and its ruminal microorganisms should be studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]