Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Ali Kiani
• Ayoob Azizi shotor-khoft

Abstract

Effects of feeding sequence and boiling of barley on digestibility of fiber and activity of hydrolytic enzymes in colonic contents of horse were investigated. The experiment carried out in a completely randomized design using six Arabian mares in a factorial cross-over with four consecutive periods. The concentrate part of the ration was offered either 30 min after (F-C) or 30 min before (C-F) forage feeding. Barley grain was either boiled (processed) or crushed (not processed). At the end of each period, fecal sample was collected directly from rectum and the activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, microcrystalline cellulase, filter paper degrading, and α-amylase enzyme were determined. Results showed that dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber intakes were significantly higher in C- F than those in F-C (P<0.05). Feeding sequence had no effects on digestibility of fiber and on activity of carboxymethyl cellulase, microcrystalline cellulase and filter paper degrading activity. Amylase activity was significantly increased in C-F and decreased by boiling barley (P<0.05). When processed barley was used, the activity of carboxymethyl cellulase decreased in F-C but increased in C-F. In conclusion, using F-C feeding sequence and boiling barley showed positive effects on the activity of hydrolytic enzymes in rectal contents of Aabian mares.

Keywords

• Amylase
• Arabian horse
• carboxymethyl cellulose
• feeding sequence
• microcrystalline cellulose
• cereal processing