Abstract #W271

# W271
Tannin extract supplementation on gas production in feces of receiving bull-calves.
Eva X. Murillo1, Ernesto A. Velázquez1, Melissa B. Corona1, Idalia Enríquez1, Billy J. Cervantes2, Javier A. Romo1, Rubén Barajas*1, 1FMVZ-Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa, México, 2Ganadera Los Migueles, S.A. de C.V, Culiacán, Sinaloa, México.

The addition of condensed tannins to feces of beef cattle decreases the amount of in vitro gas production; but it is not clear if the same effect occurs when tannin extracts are fed to cattle. In this research, 30 Brahman bull-calves (230 ± 12.7 kg) were used to evaluate the influence of tannin extract supplementation on gas production in feces of receiving bull-calves. Fecal samples were taken from each bull-calf during 3 consecutive days, 40 g aliquots were placed in 600 mL plastic flasks, and 40 g of distillated water were added, flask were closed, and connected with a plastic pipe toward a 250 mL graduate glass flask inverted in a water bath. Flasks were incubated at 37°C during 24 h, and displaced water was recorded as the in vitro gas production. Other feces aliquots of 20 g were used to DM determination. Before receiving the treatments, the values of in vitro gas production (BGP) were computed as mL gas/g of feces DM basis. Bull-calves were placed in 6 dirt-floor pens, using a completely randomized design experiment, 3 treatments were randomly assigned: 1) corn silage based-diet (15.2% CP; 1.36 Mcal NEm/kg DM) without extra additives (Control): 2) Control plus 0.6% of condensed tannin extract (CT); and 3) Control plus 0.6% of hydrolysable tannin extract (HT). After 28 d on treatment diets, fecal samples were taken during 3 continuous days again, and after treatment fecal gas production (AGP) was measured as previously described. Each bull-calf was considered as the experimental unit. Results were analyzed by ANOVA for a completely randomized design. The BGP values were similar between treatments (P = 0.53) with a mean of 4.7 ± 0.45 mL/g of feces DM. The AGP values were not affected by treatments (P = 0.54) with a mean of 5.9 ± 0.49 mL/g of feces DM. Results indicate that when both, hydrolysable or condensed tannin are supplemented in the diet; they have no influence on the amount of gas produced in the feces of receiving bull-calves.

Key Words: feces, gas production, tannin