PSII-22 Effects of Clinoptilolite inclusion on Ruminant Invitro Digestibility

• Published in: Journal of animal science 2020-11, Vol.98 (Supplement_4), p.404-404
• Main Authors: Lente, Leeroy A, Murray, Roderick A Gonzalez, Archibeque, Shawn L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa278.709

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Zeolite (ZE, clinoptilolite) inclusion on in vitro rumen fermentation. A modified procedure from Tilley and Terry (1963) was used to determine alfalfa in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) in the presence or absence of ZE. Test tubes (n = 96) were placed in a 39 °C bath and were blocked based on hours 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48. Substrate consisted of dried alfalfa grinded through a 1mm screen using a Wily Mill. Treatments consisted of, Control (no ZE inclusion), and 0.05g ZE, for each 1 gram of alfalfa. After incubation, IVDMD was calculated 24 hours after drying period. Data was analyzed using a randomized block design. The IVDMD was found to be similar across all treatments (P > 0.8464). The IVDMD was significantly different when incubated for the varying lengths of time (P < 0.001). There was an IVDMD of 20.18 ± 2.89 % for the control and 18.07 ± 5.49 % for the ZE at the zero hour. The IVDMD for Control and ZE for 48 hours were 54.30 ± 1.58 % and 53. 48 ± 1.04 % respectively. To predict the IVDMD of the effects of ZE treatment on digestibility over time, the corresponding regression f(x) = 20.60 + 0.421X1 + 0.730X2 with R2 = 0.8464. In conclusion these data demonstrate that inclusion of ZE, does not influence the in vitro digestibility of alfalfa. These findings are important as previous data would indicate that inclusion of ZE may reduce cost of gain and/or influence liver abscess rates, it was uncertain if that would come at the cost of reduced digestibility of feed. These data indicate that there is likely very little to no impact on feed digestibility when ZE is included in the ration.