Concentrations of B-Vitamins in Ruminal Fluid of Steers Fed Different Levels and Physical Forms of Hay and Grain

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Abstract
Samples of ruminal fluid from 48 yearling Angus steers were assayed microbiologically for B-vitamins. Eight steers were assigned to each of the following treatments: flaked corn, ground corn, flaked corn and long hay, ground corn and long hay, flaked corn and ground hay and ground corn and ground hay. Corn was self-fed and alfalfa hay was fed at the rate of 1.8 kg. per head per day. Supplements containing soybean meal, vitamins A and D and minerals were mixed with the corn at appropriate levels to balance the rations according to recommended requirements. Ruminal samples were taken via stomach tube on the first and 56th days of the experiment. Ration effects on B-vitamin levels in ruminal fluid at 56 days were significant (P<.05) except for biotin. Thiamine, pantothenic acid, folic acid, niacin and vitamin B12 were found in greatest concentrations in ruminal fluid of steers fed the all-concentrate rations, while the greatest concentrations of riboflavin were found in ruminal fluid from steers that received ground hay in their rations. Copyright © 1966. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1966 by American Society of Animal Science