[Objective] This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of Astragalus Polysaccharides (APS) on rumen fermentation and nutrient degradability of Jinjiang yellow cattle in vitro. [Method] Four healthy Jinjiang yellow cattle with rumen fistula were selected to collect rumen fluid, and all fluid samples were mixed in vitro and divided into 6 groups as follwoing: basal diet Astragalus Polysaccharides by 0 (control group), 0.25 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 2.0 %, and 4.0 %. After 24-hour in vitro fermentation, the fermentation parameters and nutrient degradability were determined. The results showed that the content of microbial protein (MCP) in the both 1.0% and 2.0% APS groups were increased significantly, and the contents of propionic acid were increased but the ratio of acetic acid and propionic acid was decreased in the 1% APS group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) was decreased significantly in the APS 2.0% group, but the digestibility of crude protein (CP) in the 0.5 %, 2.0 %, and 4.0 % APS groups was increased significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in total gas production, pH value, the content of acetic acid and propionic acid, acetic acid/propionic acid, the digestibility of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) among all groups (P > 0.05). Using multiple-factors associative?effects?index (MFAEI) analysis. [Result] The results showed the MFAEI value in 1% APS group was highest in all groups. [Conclusion] These results indicated that Astragalus polysaccharide can promote the synthesis of rumen MCP and propionic fermentatio in vitro, and the additive level of APS by 1.0% is better. |