Colostral immunoglobulin concentration and milk production of ewes fed salt tolerant forages as alternatives to berseem hay

Abstract

Feeding transition ewes on salt tolerant forages was proposed to enhance the immune response and milk production. Forty pregnant Barki ewes were assigned to four experimental diets (n = 10 each): i.e. control [40% berseem hay (Trifolium alexandrinum) and 60% concentrate mix] or salt tolerant forage diets [40% either cassava (Manihot esculenta), acacia (Acacia saligna) or atriplex (Atriplex nummularia) and 60% concentrate mix] for a period of 4 weeks before the expected lambing date until 8 weeks of lactation. Feeding with cassava resulted in the highest (P < 0.05) overall means of IgG and IgM in colostrum and lamb serum compared to other diets throughout the first 24 h after birth. Both cassava and control groups showed similar ewe serum glucose concentration, while cassava enhanced (P < 0.05) the milk protein and yield compared to control. Lambs raised by cassava group had the highest (P < 0.05) daily gain compared to other groups. In conclusion, our results suggested that the bioactive components of salt tolerant forages may enhance the immune response and milk production during early lactation period.