Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of biocholine powder (BP) added to the concentrate of ewe lambs on growth, rumen fermentation, antioxidant status, and metabolism. Forty-eight Lacaune lambs were divided 3 treatments: T0, T4, and T8, representing 0, 4, and 8 g of BP per animal/day added to the concentrate, respectively. The T4 and T8 lambs had greater average daily gain from d 0–75 (0.22, 0.25, and 0.26 kg/d for T0, T4 and T8, respectively). T4 and T8 lambs had higher methylene blue test results (indicating microbiological activity), and the higher effects were detected for T8 lambs. The BP in lamb’s diet increased the ruminal concentration of propionate (T4 and T8). The T8 lambs had greater serum activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione transferase, and lower reactive oxygen species levels. We conclude that BP is a biotechnological additive with high nutritional potential.
Highlights
Lamb rearing systems have direct impacts on parameters related to reproductive efficiency
Simplício and Maia [1] reported that body development and the age of puberty in lambs depend on the environment, genetics and gender; these events are strongly influenced by the production system, nutrition, and feed
A sample of this additive was sent to a specialized laboratory for actual quantification of total phospholipids and phosphatidylcholine in biocholine powder (BP) using high-performance thinlayer chromatography [17]; we found levels of total phospholipids of 16.8 g/kg and 9.74 g/kg of phosphatidylcholine
Summary
Lamb rearing systems have direct impacts on parameters related to reproductive efficiency. In dairy sheep production systems, is normal provide ewes milk for the lambs between days 2–5 of age, and milk replacer until 50–60 days of age, when they are weaning [2]. According to Silva Sobrinho [3], on most farms, there are deficiencies of essential nutrients attributable to the lack of commercial products formulated for sheep. For these reasons, it is important to provide supplements so as to minimize these negative effects. Researchers have suggested, for example, supplementation with minerals, vitamins or herbal extracts [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
