Effect of energy source in diet on methane production in ruminal fluid

• Grant number: 10/14452-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2011
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Henrique Mazza Rodrigues
• Grantee: Maurício Furlan Martins
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Worldwide problem arose in the last two decades, greenhouse gases (GHG) is partially formed from methane emissions by ruminants. Methane, a potent GHG, is the end product of ruminal fermentation and represents a significant loss of potential of production. Emission of this gas has been studied by nutritionists all around the world. Searching for strategies aiming at reduction energetic losses due to methane, different diets, additives and nutritional management strategies have been employed. Vegetable lipid sources such as soybean seeds and cottonseed contain a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids and this can contribute to a significant decrease in methanogenesis. In contrast, the inclusion of a rich source of pectin (citrus pulp) can contribute to an increase in production of methane. Thus, the goal of this study is to quantify methane production in cattle fed different types of diet, which differ regarding the energy source. A new technique for quantification of methane which will be determined directly in the rumen fluid will be adopted. Eight cows will be distributed to four diets, as a Latin square replicated (n = 32 experimental units): Control (CON): low ether extract diet (3%); Soybean (SO): high ether extract diet (6%) and whole soybean as the main energetic source; Cottonseed (CS): high ether extract diet (6%) and cottonseed as the main energetic source; Citrus Pulp (CP): low ether extract diet ( 3%) and high participation of pectin. Dry matter intake and digestibility of dry matter and its fractions will be measured, as well as parameters of ruminal fermentation (pH, short chain fatty acids, ammonia and methane). (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MARTINS, Maurício Furlan. Effect of energy sources ruminal methane production using ex-situ ruminal fermentation technique in bovines. 2012. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia Pirassununga.