Effect of different feeding methods on rumen microbes in growing Chinese Tan sheep

Zilin Fu,Jie Zhang,Xiaofeng Xu,Lili Zhang

doi:10.37496/rbz4920190258

Abstract

ABSTRACT We evaluated the difference between rumen bacteria in Tan sheep fed either by grazing or in a feedlot. The aim was to provide a theoretical basis for ruminant nutrition and meat quality based on rumen fermentation. Twenty-four three-month-old Tan sheep were randomly and equally divided into two groups, the grazing group and ration group. Five sheep of each group were selected for slaughter at six months of age. Ruminal contents were collected and assessed to identify rumen bacteria, based [...]

Highlights

Tan sheep are an endemic breed to northwestern China, mainly found in the arid desert areas
We evaluated the difference between rumen bacteria in Tan sheep fed either by grazing or in a feedlot
Owing to environmental concerns in recent years (Chen et al, 2013), feeding methods for Tan sheep have started to shift from full-forage grazing in desert and arid grasslands to the feedlot, which has caused a change in the composition of animal diets (Morand-Fehr et al, 2007)

Summary

Introduction

Tan sheep are an endemic breed to northwestern China, mainly found in the arid desert areas. Owing to environmental concerns in recent years (Chen et al, 2013), feeding methods for Tan sheep have started to shift from full-forage grazing in desert and arid grasslands to the feedlot, which has caused a change in the composition of animal diets (Morand-Fehr et al, 2007). The rumen, as an important digestive organ of ruminants, has an abundance of microorganisms, the composition of which is mainly influenced by the animal diet (Henderson et al, 2015). An Effect of different feeding methods on rumen microbes in growing Chinese Tan sheep 2 important factor of meat quality and flavor, is positively linear with the abundance of Firmicutes and negatively linear with that of Bacteroidetes in the porcine gut (Guo, 2009). Only a few studies have evaluated the total rumen bacteria of Tan sheep

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Conclusion