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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(8); 2337; doi: 10.3390/ani11082337

Effects of Differences in Fibre Composition and Maturity of Forage-Based Diets on the Microbial Ecosystem and Its Activity in Equine Caecum and Colon Digesta and Faeces.

Abstract: Fibrous feeds are essential for horses. When developing feeding regimens promoting health and performance, we need to understand the digestion of plant cell walls and the functioning of the hindgut microbial ecosystem. Our objective was to investigate the effect of grass fibre maturity and legume forage on the hindgut microbiota and its activity. Six caecum and colon fistulated geldings were fed three diets differing in fibre composition: concentrate and late harvested grass haylage (35:65 energy ratio) (C); early and late harvested grass haylage (80:20) (G); lucerne and late harvested grass haylage (80:20) (L) for 28 days in a Latin-square design. No differences were measured in total bacteria concentrations, fungi and protozoa numbers nor in cellulolytic bacteria concentrations between the diets. Short-chain fatty acid concentrations did not differ between diets, but a lower (acetate + butyrate)/propionate ratio when the horses were fed Diet C, compared to G and L, was observed, suggesting lower fibrolytic and higher amylolytic activity. The pH increased when the horses were fed Diet L and decreased when fed C and G from caecum to faeces. The buffering capacity (BC) of hindgut digesta was five to fifteen-fold higher than that of the feeds, suggesting a decreased effect of feed BC as digesta travelled through the digestive tract. In conclusion, an early harvested forage opens up the possibility for forage-only diets, providing high energy without the negative effects of concentrate.
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Publication Date: 2021-08-08 PubMed ID: 34438794PubMed Central: PMC8388671DOI: 10.3390/ani11082337Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigated the impact of different fibrous diets on the microbial ecosystem of a horse’s digestive system. The findings included no significant changes in bacteria, fungi, and protozoa levels across the diets, with some differences in short-chain fatty acid concentrations and pH levels.

Objective and Methodology

  • The primary objective of the research was to explore the effects of grass fibre maturity and legume forage on the hindgut microbiota and activity in horses.
  • Six horses with fistulated caecums and colons were fed three different diets over 28 days as part of a Latin-square design experiment. This design helps minimize the impact of other variables, keeping the focus on the main variable (in this case, diet).

Diet Details

  • The three diets included a combination of a concentrate and late harvested grass haylage (designated as Diet C), early and late-harvested grass haylage (Diet G), and lucerne with late harvested grass haylage (Diet L).
  • These three diets differed in their fibre composition, allowing the researchers to assess the effects of different digestive microbes’ concentrations and activities.

Results

  • The research found no major differences in total bacteria concentrations, numbers of fungi or protozoa, or cellulolytic bacteria concentrations between the three diets. Cellulolytic bacteria help break down cellulose—a key component of plant cell walls—and are crucial for the digestive process in horses.
  • While there was no difference in short-chain fatty acid concentrations between diets—a key measure of how well the horse’s gut flora is breaking down food—the research did find a lower (acetate + butyrate)/propionate ratio in the horses fed Diet C, indicating lower fibrolytic and higher amylolytic activity. This means that Diet C potentially led to a higher breakdown of starches (amylolytic activity) and a lower breakdown of fibres (fibrolytic activity).
  • The pH levels were found to increase when the horses were fed Diet L and decreased when fed Diets C and G from caecum to the faeces.
  • The buffering capacity (a measure of how well a solution can resist changes in pH) of hindgut digesta was much higher than that of the feeds, indicating a decreased effect of feed buffering capacity as the digesta moved through the digestive tract.

Conclusion

  • Based on these findings, the researchers have suggested that early harvested forage could be a viable option for forage-only diets. Such diets would provide high energy levels without the potential negative effects of concentrate in the digestive system.

Cite This Article

APA
Muhonen S, Sadet-Bourgeteau S, Julliand V. (2021). Effects of Differences in Fibre Composition and Maturity of Forage-Based Diets on the Microbial Ecosystem and Its Activity in Equine Caecum and Colon Digesta and Faeces. Animals (Basel), 11(8), 2337. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082337

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 8
PII: 2337

Researcher Affiliations

Muhonen, Sara
  • AgroSup Dijon, Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, PAM UMR A 02.102, 21000 Dijon, France.
Sadet-Bourgeteau, Sophie
  • AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, UMR AgroEcologie, BP 87999, CEDEX, 21079 Dijon, France.
Julliand, Véronique
  • AgroSup Dijon, Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, PAM UMR A 02.102, 21000 Dijon, France.

Grant Funding

  • 2008-742 / Svenska Forskningsru00e5det Formas

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

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