Comparative digestion of cell wall components of alfalfa hay cubes between Sika deer (Cervus nippon) and cattle

摘要: Four female Sika deer (mean bodyweight, 48 kg) and three male Holstein cattle 209 kg) were offered alfalfa hay cubes at 2% (deer) 2.5% (cattle) of respectively. The digestibility the cell walls wall components (rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose glucose) in its retention time digestive tract rumen parameters determined. Cell xylose less digestible than (P < 0.01 P < 0.05, respectively). was as high that cattle. other sugars total neutral numerically lower deer, but differences not significant. In mannose most digestible, followed order by galactose, glucose, rhamnose xylose; whereas, cattle, xylose. shorter number ruminal protozoa somewhat higher, concentrations propionic acid butyric higher (P < 0.05) These results indicate might utilize pectic polysaccharides a carbon source preference to glucose containing such cellulose. all except be mainly due time.