The Role of Condensed Tannins in the In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Kinetics in Ruminant Species: Feeding Type Involved?

Abstract

Animal feeding behavior and diet composition determine rumen fermentation responses and its microbial characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the rumen fermentation kinetics of domestic ruminants feeding diets with or without condensed tannins (CT). Holstein dairy cows, Nelore beef cattle, Mediterranean water buffalo, Santa Inês sheep and Saanen goats were used as inoculum donors (three animals of each species). The substrates were maize silage (Zea mays), fresh elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Tifton-85 hay (Cynodon spp.) and fresh alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Acacia (Acacia molissima) extract was used as the external CT source. The in vitro semi-automated gas production technique was used to assess the fermentation kinetics. The experimental design was completely randomized with five inoculum sources (animal species), four substrates (feeds) and two treatments (with or without extract). The inclusion of CT caused more severe effects in grazing ruminants than selector ruminants.