EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTING TWO DIFFERENT COMMERCIAL STRAINS OF YEAST CULTURES ON RUMEN FERMENTATION, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND BIO-CHEMICAL PROFILE IN KANKREJ COWS.

The present study was conducted to test efficacy of supplementing two commercial probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Yea-Sacc1026 (YC-1) of M/s. Alltech and Levucell SC-20 strain: CNCM I-1077 (YC-2) of M/s. Lallemand Animal Nutrition on the rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility and bio-chemical profile in Kankrej animals. Based on the in vitro studies, optimum levels for incorporation of live yeast strains YC-1 and YC-2 in 50:50 concentrates: wheat straw based total mixed ration (TMR) were found to be 15 and 1.5 g/day, respectively. Fifteen animals were selected and divided into three equal groups of 5 in each, based on the body weight and age for allocating dietary treatments. The animals in group T0 (control group) were fed 50:50 concentrates: wheat straw based TMR without yeast culture, to meet nutrient needs as per NRC (2001) standard, whereas, animals under T1 and T2 groups were fed TMR containing YC-1 and YC-2 @ 15 and 1.5 g/animal/day, respectively. After 40 days of experimental feeding, a digestibility trial for 7 days was conducted. Rumen liquor and blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment. The DM intake of experimental animals did not differ significantly (P>0.05). Ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen, total nitrogen, TCA-N and total volatile fatty acids were within the normal range under the T0, T1 and T2 groups, respectively, and differed significantly (P<0.05) from each other. However, non protein nitrogen in the SRL did not differ significantly from each other. There was significant (P<0.05) reduction in acetate and butyrate concentrations and increase in propionate concentration in T1 and T2 groups, as compared to T0 group. Acetate to propionate (A:P) ratio was also decreased in the yeast supplemented groups, as compared to control. Animals receiving supplemental yeast cultures in T1 and T2 groups tended to have significantly (P<0.05) higher total anaerobic bacteria and cellulolytic bacteria concentrations in ruminal fluid than animals in T0 group. The serum glucose was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T1 and T2 groups, as compared to T0 group. The average digestibility coefficients of nutrients for DM, OM, CP, CF, NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemi-cellulose were significantly (P<0.05) higher in treatment groups (T1 and T2) than the control (T0), except those for EE and NFE. The serum enzymes aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alanine amino-transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) did not differ within groups. Yeast supplementation did not adversely influence red blood cells, PCV and white blood cells, except a significant (P<0.05) improvement in haemoglobin concentration. The results indicated that inclusion of live yeast culture in 50:50 concentrates: wheat straw based TMR resulted in improved rumen fermentation and digestibility of nutrients, without affecting bio-chemical profile in Kankrej cows.