Effects of Acremonium terricola culture supplementation on apparent digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood parameters in dairy cows

Abstract This study was conducted to examine the effects of Acrermonium terricola culture (ATC) on feed digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood parameters in dairy cows. Six non-lactating ruminally and duodenally fistulated cows were evaluated in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design, with each period lasting 27 d. The cows were randomly assigned into three treatment groups: (1) basal diet (no additive); (2) basal diet plus 15 g/cow per day ATC; and (3) basal diet plus 30 g/cow per day ATC. Cows supplemented with ATC had a higher total-tract apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, production of ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids, and relative population size of proteolytic bacteria than did unsupplemented cows. ATC supplementation decreased ruminal pH, concentration of urea nitrogen, aspartate transaminase, non-esterified fatty acids, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid in plasma and improved ruminal disappearance of roughage and blood glucose content. Overall, ATC is an effective feed additive and regulates apparent digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolism for dairy cows.