Effects of exogenous enzymes on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and growth performance in beef steers

• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2013.02.014
• Publication Date: 2013-03-26T17:05:40Z
• Authors: A.Z.M. Salem; H.M. Gado; D. Colombatto; M.M.Y. Elghandour
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; PURINE DERIVATES; STEERS; https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4.2; LIVE-WEIGHT GAIN; 0402 animal and dairy science; https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4; DIGESTIBILITY; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; ENZYMES

Abstract Forty crossbred steers (Baladi×Friesian, average BW 153±5.14 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of exogenous enzyme (ENZ) addition on nutrient intake, digestion, ruminal fermentation and feed conversion in beef steers. Steers were randomly assigned to two groups of 20 animals and fed individually a total mixed ration (TMR) without (CTRL) or with addition of 40 g/hd/d of an enzyme mixture (ZADO®). The ENZ mixture was added for 220 days and in vivo apparent digestibility was measured on days 210–220. Enzyme addition did not affect (P=0.1) DM intake, whereas it increased (P