Effect of starch sources with different degradation rates on ruminal fermentation of lactating dairy cows B.H. GULMEZ and I.I. TURKMEN* Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa, TURKEY * Corresponding author : Doc. Dr. I. Ismet TURKMEN, Uludag Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi, Hayvan Besleme ve Beslenme Hastaliklari Ana Bilim Dali, 16059 Gorukle Kampusu/ Bursa TURKEY - Tel : +90 224 4429200 (ext. 129) Fax : + 90 224 4428025 E-mail :
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SUMMARY
RÉSUMÉ
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of starch sources with different degradation rates on ruminal fermentations of lactating dairy cows. Four primiparous lactating Holstein cows were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design and fed with diets containing different proportions of corn and wheat: diet 1 containing 26.20% of corn; diet 2 containing 16.10% of corn and 7.09% of wheat; diet 3 containing 16.51% wheat and 7.26% corn; or diet 4 containing 25.88%. Dry matter intake values were unaffected by diets. The daily mean ruminal pH decreased from 6.45 to 5.83 (P
