Affiliation:
1. Universidad del Tolima, Colombia
Abstract
Abstract In recent years sheep, farming has emerged as an alternative production system especially in dry areas. The use of leaves and fruit from some trees has become an alternative for feeding for ruminants; however, studies on these species are scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of S. spectabilis fruit meal on in vivo and in vitro digestibility, blood metabolites, and ruminal kinetics in hair lambs. This study was carried out at Las Brisas farm, University of Tolima - Colombia. Twelve male hair lambs with body weight of 20.3 ± 2.5 kg were used. Animals were distributed in an experimental 4x4 Latin square design. The treatments consisted of diets based on Dichanthium spp hay with different inclusion levels of S. spectabilis fruit meal (15, 30, and 45%). A linear increasing effect (P <0.05) was observed for in vivo and in vitro digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein; likewise, plasma urea and ruminal degradability increased as the level of supplementation of S. spectabilis increased. The meal of S. spectabilis improves digestibility, protein intake, and ruminal kinetics in hair lambs; therefore, it is suggested as a promising alternative for ruminants feeding in dry tropic regions.
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology
Reference30 articles.
1. In vitro gas production, in vivo nutrient digestibilities, and metabolisable energy concentrations for sheep of fresh and conserved pangola grass;Tikam K;I believe it is Small Ruminant Res,2015
2. Effect of supplementation with tree leaves on intake and digestibility of hybrid napier (NB-21) grass in Nellore Brown sheep;Rao B. V;Anim. Feed Sci. Technol.,1993
3. Nutrient intake, digestibility and growth performance of Washera lambs supplemented with graded levels of sweet blue lupin ( Lupinus angustifolius );Ephrem N;Small Ruminant Res,2015
4. Species diversity, usages, molecular markers and barcode of medicinal Senna species ( Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae ) in Thailand;Monkheang P;JMPR,2011
5. Leishmanicidal activity of the crude extract, fractions and major piperidine alkaloids from the flowers of Senna spectabilis;Albuquerque M De;Phytomedicine,2014