The effects of adding acipin to elephantgrass and corn silages on the passage rates of the solid and liquid phases of the ruminal digesta, and on degradabilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were evaluated. The animals with average live weight of 550kg, were kept in individual stalls for 90 days. The experiment was carried out in four experimental periods, according to a split plot arrangement, with 2×2 (two silages combined with absence or presence of acipin) factorial treatment combination in the plot and the time of collection of ruminal liquid in the split plot, in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The degradabilities of DM, CP and NDF in the elephantgrass silage without acipin was lower as compared to elephantgrass silage with acipin and to corn silage with or without acipin, that were similar. The passage rates of the ruminal solids were higher in animals fed on corn silage, and the ruminal liquid passage rates were higher in animals fed on elephantgrass silage. The addition of acipin improved the degradability of DM, CP and NDF of elephantgrass silage.
digestibility; nutritive value; potential intake; rumen fermentation
