PSI-28 Effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol on methane production, rumen fermentation and performance of Hanwoo steers fed an early stage fattening diet.

Abstract

3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) has been recognized as an effective feed additive to reduce enteric methane (CH₄) production in ruminants. The current experiment evaluated the effects of supplementation of Bovaer^®10 (BOV; diluted preparation of 3-NOP [minimum 10% w/w]) on enteric CH₄ production in Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) steers. Twelve Hanwoo steers with an initial body weight (BW) 342 ± 17 kg and age 12 ± 1 months were divided into three groups of 4 steers balanced for body weight, and were assigned to one of three diets: (1) CON, 500 g/kg dry matter (DM) timothy hay and 500 g/kg DM commercial concentrate; (2) NOP100, control diet supplemented with 0.10% BOV (100 mg 3-NOP /kg dietary DM); (3) NOP150, control diet supplemented with 0.15% BOV (150 mg 3-NOP /kg dietary DM) for 32 days in a replicated Latin square type design. Gas emissions (CH₄ and carbon dioxide) were measured using the whole-body respiratory chambers (RC). Compared to control, NOP100 and NOP150 decreased CH₄ absolute emissions by 21.9% and 29.5% (p < 0.01), and CH₄ yield (g/kg DM intake [DMI]) by 22.9% and 27.7% (p < 0.01), respectively. The proportion of gross energy intake lost as CH₄ (Ym) decreased (p < 0.01) by 22.8% and 27.6% in NOP100 and NOP150, respectively. NOP150 diet slightly decreased DMI of the steers both in the barn (2.5%; p < 0.05) and in the RCs (3.3%; p = 0.06). However, no negative effect (p > 0.05) on final BW, average daily gain or gain to feed ratio was observed. Increased (p < 0.05) ruminal pH and decreased total volatile fatty acid and ammonia concentration was noted in 3-NOP fed animals in a dose-dependent manner after 2h of feeding. The increase (p < 0.01) in molar proportions of butyrate and propionate and decrease (p < 0.01) in acetate: propionate ratio, respectively, clearly reflected a shift in the ruminal H₂ sink in 3-NOP fed animals. Overall, supplementing 3-NOP to ruminant diets decreased CH₄ emissions without any adverse effects on performance of Hanwoo steers at the tested levels.