Ing 10 wheat, W20 = TMR containing 20 wheat, BP10 = TMR containing 20 wheat plus
Ing 10 wheat, W20 = TMR containing 20 wheat, BP10 = TMR containing 20 wheat plus10 beet pulp; 2Determined using the Penn State Particle Size Separator (PSPS).W0 = TMR containing 0 wheat; W10 = TMR containing 10 wheat; W20 = TMR containing 20 wheat; BP10 = TMR containing 20 wheat plus10 pelleted beet pulp; 2Contained (/kg of premix; DM basis): 1,000,000 IU vitamin A; 65,000 IU vitamin D; 5,000 IU vitamin E; 2,000 mg Fe; 2,550 mg Mn; 5,500 mg Zn; 1,750 mg Cu; 70 mg I; 40 mg Co; 75 mg Se; 3Calculated using NEL values of feedstuffs from NRC (2001); 4Nonfibre carbohydrates = 100?(NDF + CP + Ether extract + Ash ); 5Forage neutral detergent fibre; 6Forage to concentrate ratio.all the samples were dried at 65 in a forced-air oven (Model 2000; Experimental Mill, Beijing, China) for 48 h to a constant weight, ground through a 1-mm screen using a Wiley mill (standard model 4; Arthur H. Thomas Co., Philadelphia, PA), and analysed for dry matter (DM), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (method 973.18; AOAC 1990) [18], and starch [19]. The NDF was measured by the method of Van Soest et al. [20] with heat-stable -amylase (A-3306; Sigma Quinagolide (hydrochloride) cost chemical Co., St. Louis, MO), and the sodium sulfite and ash concentration was corrected for the Ankom 200 fibre Analyzer (Ankom Technology, Fairport, NY). The CP was determined by the micro-Kjeldahl method (method 4.2.08; AOAC 1990). Ether extract (method PubMed ID:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25112874 920.85; AOAC 1990), ash (942.05; AOAC 1990), calcium and phosphorus (method 945.46; AOAC 1990) were also analysed. The chemical composition of the TMR was calculated from the chemical composition of the concentrate mix and the individual forage in the diets. The diets had a similar chemical composition, except for the higher levels of starch and NFC, and the lower levels of NDF in the higher FGW diets. The acid-insoluble ash (AIA) was used as an intrinsic digestibility marker to estimate nutrient digestibility in the total tract. The AIA in the diets and the faeces were analysed according to Van Keulen and Young [21], using the equation described by Zhong et al. [22] to calculate the apparent digestibility of a nutrient in the gastrointestinal tract. The equation is as follows: D = [1?(Ad ?Nf )/(Af ?Nd)] ?100, where Ad (g/kg) and Af (g/kg) represent the AIA in the diet and faeces, respectively, and Nd (g/kg) and Nf (g/kg) represent the nutrient in the diet and faeces, respectively.Ruminal pH, plasma metabolites and oxidative stress parametersnutrient intake. Faecal grab samples (300?00 g fresh basis) were collected on 12 occasions: d14 at 0400, 0900, 1400, 1900 h; d15 at 0500, 1000, 1500, 2000 h; and d16 at 0600, 1100, 1700, and 2200 h. The daily diets, orts, and faecal matter were pooled by dietary treatment and cows, and stored at -20 until analysis. After the experiment,Ruminal samples were collected for pH analysis. The ruminal fluid (100 mL) was sampled at 0700 (before the meal), 1000, 1300, 1600, and 1900 h at d15 and d16. The samples were collected manually from the anterior dorsal, anterior ventral, medial ventral, posterior dorsal, and posterior ventral locations within the rumen and composited by cow. They were filtered through four layers of cheesecloth. AtGuo et al. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology 2013, 4:31 http://www.jasbsci.com/content/4/1/Page 4 ofeach sampling time, the pH was measured immediately after collection using a handheld pH electrode (Model pH B-4; Shanghai Chemical, Shanghai, China). On d17 of each experimental period, 10.