UTILIZATION OF 2,3-BUTANEDIOL BY SHEEP

Abstract

2,3-butanediol was measured at concentrations of up to 1.8% of the dry matter in barley silage and in lesser amounts in alfalfa-grass silage. In exp. 1, from 1.2 to 2.5% of the 2,3-butanediol in barley silage consumed by sheep was excreted in the urine. In exp. 2, 2,3-butanediol was fed to 16 sheep at concentrations of 0, 1, 3 or 5% of the diet for 20 days. The chemical had no detectable influence on voluntary consumption, weight gain or digestibility coefficients. From 3.7 to 12.5% of the consumed chemical was excreted, with 69–80% of the excretion occurring via urine and the percentage excreted increasing with feeding level. There were indications that the D and/or L isomers of the chemical were better utilized than the meso isomer. It was concluded that small amounts of 2,3-butanediol in silage are unlikely to have a major influence on animal performance, but when concentrations of the chemical exceed 4% of the diet, or intakes exceed 4–5 g/kg.75 liveweight, large proportions of the chemical may be excreted. Potential errors in energy balance measurements which could occur when 2,3-butanediol is present in silage were also noted.