Stimulation of ruminal digestion of young cattle with oak bark extract (Quercus cortex)

Abstract

The significance of rumen for the body of ruminants determines the prospects for improving the efficiency of ruminal digestion, which can be achieved through the use of probiotics, antimicrobial metabolites and other drugs. Recently, plant extracts of medicinal plants have been actively used, for example, oak bark extract (Quercus cortex). Based on the results of recent studies, antiquorum substances are one of extract components. According to the results of in vitro study, it was established that addition of oak bark extract (OBE) in various concentrations into ruminal fluid (RF) affects enzymatic activity and is accompanied by a change in feed digestibility from 2.42% (P <0.05) to 7.13% (P <0.01). The greatest digestibility is achieved after the introduction of OBE in a dosage of 3.3 mg/ml. The use of EKD leads to an increase in the pH of the ruminal fluid to 6.7-6.8 and stimulation of enzymatic activity of microorganisms, therefore, leads to an increase in digestibility and absorption of nutrients.