Abstract
Simple SummaryThe use of plant extracts as supplemental additives in ruminant diets shows beneficial effects. This study evaluated the effects of different doses of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOE) on milk production and milk composition in ewes and on preweaning performance of their lambs. At different doses, MOE supplementation did not affect overall productive traits in ewes and lambs and did not have negative effects on milk production and milk quality. The objective this study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOE) on milk production and milk composition in ewes and on preweaning performance of their lambs. Twenty-four lactating ewes were housed individually with their lambs and assigned to four groups in a completely randomized design. The treatments included a basal diet without MOE (MOE0) or a basal diet supplemented with either 20 mL MOE per ewe per day (MOE20), 40 mL MOE per ewe per day (MOE40) or 60 mL MOE per ewe per day (MOE60). Over 45 days, milk production was recorded weekly and individual milk samples were collected for chemical analysis. Milk yield, fat-corrected milk and daily yields were similar among the four treatments. The supply of MOE did not affect ewe weaning efficiency and average daily gain or litter weaning weight of the lambs. Overall, the results from this study showed that dietary supplementation of hydroalcoholic extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves at doses of 20, 40 or 60 mL/ewes/d in lactating ewes does not have negative effects on milk yield, milk composition or lamb performance.
Highlights
IntroductionThe use of agricultural byproducts, herbal plants and/or their extracts as feed additives in ruminant production systems has increased due to their relative low cost, their potential to replace synthetic products and consumers’ high demand for organic animal products [1,2,3,4].Agroindustrial byproducts consist of considerable amounts of bioactive components, such as polyphenols (tannins or flavonoids), and these compounds exert antimicrobial activities to improve immune status and reduce stress [3,4]
In recent years, the use of agricultural byproducts, herbal plants and/or their extracts as feed additives in ruminant production systems has increased due to their relative low cost, their potential to replace synthetic products and consumers’ high demand for organic animal products [1,2,3,4].Agroindustrial byproducts consist of considerable amounts of bioactive components, such as polyphenols, and these compounds exert antimicrobial activities to improve immune status and reduce stress [3,4]
Some authors reported that supplementation of lactating ewes’ diets with foliage and meal obtained from leaf and other plant components improved milk yield, milk fat and milk fatty acid profiles [8,9]
Summary
The use of agricultural byproducts, herbal plants and/or their extracts as feed additives in ruminant production systems has increased due to their relative low cost, their potential to replace synthetic products and consumers’ high demand for organic animal products [1,2,3,4].Agroindustrial byproducts consist of considerable amounts of bioactive components, such as polyphenols (tannins or flavonoids), and these compounds exert antimicrobial activities to improve immune status and reduce stress [3,4]. Adequate energy levels in the diets of ewes improves body condition score, body weight, milk yields and, weight gain of their lambs [6,7]. In this context, some authors reported that supplementation of lactating ewes’ diets with foliage and meal obtained from leaf and other plant components improved milk yield, milk fat and milk fatty acid profiles [8,9]. Some authors reported that due to their oxidative stability, phenolic compounds, tannins, saponins and flavonoids could be used to improve the functional properties of milk, meat and derived products of small ruminants [4,8,10,11]
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