Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and domestic horse (Equus caballus) hindgut microflora demonstrate similar fermentation responses to grape seed extract supplementation in vitro
2017
Summary The domestic horse is used as a nutritional model for
rhinocerosmaintained under human care. The validity of this model for browsing
rhinoceroshas been questioned due to high prevalence of
iron overload disorder(IOD) in captive
black rhinoceros(Diceros bicornis), which is associated with high morbidity and mortality.
Iron chelators, such as tannins, are under investigation as dietary supplements to ameliorate or prevent IOD in prone species. Polyphenolic compounds variably affect microbial
fermentation, so the first objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of
grape seed extract(GSE; a concentrated source of
condensed tannins; CT) on
black rhinoceros
hindgut fermentation.
Equine nutritionknowledge is used to assess supplements for
rhinoceros; therefore, the second objective was to evaluate the domestic horse model for
black rhinoceros
fermentationand compare
fermentationresponses to GSE using a continuous single-flow in vitro culture system. Two replicated continuous culture experiments were conducted using horse and
black rhinocerosfaeces as inoculum sources comparing four diets with increasing GSE inclusion (0.0%, 1.3%, 2.7% and 4.0% of diet dry matter). Diet and GSE polyphenolic compositions were determined, and sodium sulphite effect on neutral detergent fibre extraction of CT-containing forages was tested. Increasing GSE inclusion stimulated microbial growth and
fermentation, and proportionally increased diet CT concentration and
iron-binding capacity. Horse and
black rhinoceros
hindgutmicroflora nutrient digestibility and
fermentationresponses to GSE did not differ, and results supported equine
fermentationas an adequate model for microbial
fermentationin the
black rhinoceros. Interpretation of these results is limited to
hindgut fermentationand further research is needed to compare
foregutdigestibility and nutrient absorption between these two species. Supplementation of GSE in
black rhinocerosdiets up to 4% is unlikely to adversely affect
hindgutnutrient digestibility or microbial viability and
fermentation.
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