In Vitro Degradation of'Mimosine and Dihydmoxypyridine in Cattle on Transinoculation of Rumen Liquor from Leucaena Leucocephala Fed Goats

Rumen liquor from goats (showing 84.92 to 92.88% DHP degradation on 4 months adaptation toleucaena diet) was transimoculated in two Karats Fries cattle which were thereafter switched over from non-Jeucaeua diet to 60% Jeucaena based ration. From 16 to 24 and 25 to 33 day of experiment, they received 80 and 90% of dry matter through leucaena, respectively. Average mimosine intake varied from 0.36 to 0.56 g/kg body weight, yet there was no toxicity symptom. There was gain in body weight throughout the experimental period. On in vitro incubation For 24 h with rumen liquor from these cattle, 7.88, 62.57, 47.59, 37.77, 34.52 and 50.46 percent of total incubated toxin (mimosine -+- 3.4 DHP + 2.3 DHP) was degraded on zero, 6th, 11th, 16th, 23rd and 34th day of transinoculation, respectively. In vitro ruminal fermentation pattern was normal. It is concluded that cattte can acquire extensive DHPdegradability within 6 days of transinoculation of rumen liquor from leucaena adapted goats.