Dynamics of methanogenesis, ruminal fermentation and fiber digestibility in ruminants following elimination of protozoa: a meta-analysis

Table 2 Data summary and meta-analysis of relevant variables based on all of the selected studies

Variables	No. of trials	Defaunation group			Faunation group			Meta-analysis
Variables	No. of trials	n	Mean	SD	n	Mean	SD	I², %	SMD	P-value
CH₄, L/d	18	126	20.8	12.4	129	23.4	12.0	71.9	−0.602	0.037
Total VFA, mmol/L	29	211	78.8	29.7	212	87.1	31.3	44.2	−0.549	< 0.001
Individual VFA molar proportion, %
Acetate	29	210	67.7	5.6	211	66.3	4.3	67.8	0.358	0.083
Propionate	29	210	21.0	4.8	211	20.6	3.1	73.5	0.150	0.515
Butyrate	27	202	8.2	2.0	203	10.2	2.8	68.3	−1.026	< 0.001
A:P	18	78	3.6	1.6	81	3.5	0.7	77.0	−0.284	0.493
Total-tract fiber digestibility, %
NDF	15	109	55.0	11.6	109	58.1	11.8	55.7	−2.063	< 0.001
ADF	11	82	42.8	2.7	82	45.7	3.7	69.8	−3.075	< 0.001

n number of animals, I² percentage of heterogeneity across studies, SMD standardized mean difference, A:P acetate: propionate ratio, NDF neutral detergent fiber, ADF acid detergent fiber

ISSN: 2049-1891