in vitro Nitrogen Metabolism and Dry Matter Digestion in Cattle and Buffalo Owing to Preformed Proteins

Relative profile of rumen metabolites, cellulase and dry matter digestion under in vitro rumen simulated system of cattle and buffalo were elucidated due tofermentabilities of fibrous substrates (12% CP) constituted by combining wheat straw with sole source of either preformed protein (mustard cake, cotton seed cake) or good quality berseem hay. The concentration of ruminal ammonia which exceeded (P<0.01) in buffalo than in cattle may indicate the augmented deaminases of the former ruminant species. However, total nitrogen and protein nitrogen contents in the rumen remained almost identical between ruminant species while'TVFAs were evidently more in cattle vis-a-vis buffalo. Irrespective of diets fermented, DM digestibility was similar Sn cattle (48.52%) and buffalo (48.82%), though, wheat straw-berseem hay diet which elevated relatively the nitrogenous constituents (total protein, P<0.05) in the rumen exhibited higher (P<0.01) digestibility than wheat straw-mustard cake and wheat straw-cotton seed cake. Buffalo possessed higher (P<0.01) cellulase activity than in cattle, irrespective of diets.