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Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate on Nitrogen Balance, Bacterial Protein Synthesis and Sites of Nutrient Digestion in Sheep

University of Illinois¹, Urbana 61801

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) on nitrogen (N) balance, ruminal N metabolism and site and extent of nutrient digestion in sheep fed 75% concentrate diets. A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was employed in both trials with experimental diets balanced for 10.5 or 12.0% crude protein and containing 0 or 3.5% NaHCO₃. In experiment 1, 12 lambs were allotted to four diets for two periods in a randomized complete-block design. Dry matter (DM) digestibility was increased (P<.10) by NaHCO₃ supplementation, but organic matter (OM) digestibility was unaffected by treatment. Apparent N digestibility was not affected by NaHCO₃ addition but was increased (P<.0001) at the higher level of protein. Ruminal pH (4 h postfeeding) was increased (P<.01) by NaHCO₃ supplementation. Sodium bicarbonate had no effect on molar proportions of acetate or propionate, but increased molar proportion of butyrate (P<.10) in ruminal fluid. Mean N retention (g/d) was increased (P<.05) at the higher protein level, but was not affected by NaHCO₃. In experiment 2, four ruminal- and duodenal-cannulated wethers were utilized in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Sodium bicarbonate addition increased ruminal pH (P<.05) 2 h postfeeding but did not affect ruminal ammonia (NH₃) levels, total VFA concentration or ruminal fluid dilution rates. Molar proportion of acetate was increased (P<.01) by NaHCO₃ at the lower protein level. Ruminal particulate dilution rates were increased (P<.05) by NaHCO₃ addition. Ruminal, postruminal and apparent total tract digestibilities of OM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were unaffected by NaHCO₃ supplementation. Sodium bicarbonate decreased (P<.05) ruminal starch digestion at the lower protein level but increased (P<.05) it at the higher protein level. Bacterial N flow (g/d) at the duodenum and efficiency of bacterial protein synthesis were increased (P<.10) by NaHCO₃ additions.

¹ Dept. of Anim. Sci.

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