Effect of dried Leucaena leaf supplementation on rumen ecology, nutrient digestibility and urinary excretion of 2,3-dihydroxy pyridone (2,3-DHP) and 3,4-dihydroxy pyridone (3,4-DHP) in swamp buffaloes

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dried Leucaena leaf supplementation on rumen ecology, nutrient digestibility and urinary excretion of 2,3-dihydroxy pyridone (2,3-DHP) and 3,4-dihydroxy pyridone (3,4-DHP) in swamp buffaloes. Four rumen fistulated swamp buffaloes were assigned according to a cross-over design to receive 3.0 kg/hd/d dried Leucaena leaf supplementation. Swamp buffaloes were fed with rice straw ad libitum and dried Leucaena leaf was supplemented at 3.0 kg/hd/d. Apparent digestibility of CP were increased (P< 0.05) in buffaloes supplemented with Leucaena leaf. The average values of BUN were 1.26, 13.08 mg/dl and NH3 were 8.9, 16.1 mg/dl in control and in the supplemented group, respectively. Moreover, there were differences in total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) in Leucaena leaf supplemented than in the control group. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (EMPS) were increased by Leucaena leaf supplemented group. Population sizes of the target total bacteria, predominant cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen were influenced by dietary treatments (