Effects of Feeding Rumen-Protected Sunflower Seed and Meal Protein on Feed Intake, Diet Digestibility, Ruminal, Cecal Fermentation, and Growth Performance of Lambs.

Andrés Haro,Jesus De La Fuente,Javier Gonzalez,Trinidad De Evan,María Dolores Carro

doi:10.3390/ani9070415

Abstract

Simple SummaryDue to inefficient use of nitrogen (N) in rumen, ruminants have a low efficiency of N utilization. A large part of ingested N is excreted into the environment without being used by animals. The objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy of a treatment combining malic acid and heating (MAH) to protect the protein in sunflower seeds (SS) and meal (SM) against rumen degradation and to improve the growth of lambs. Two high-cereal concentrates, either including untreated or MAH-treated SS and SM, were fed to two homogeneous groups of lambs. Further, feed intake, diet digestibility, and lamb growth from 14 to 26 kg body weight were assessed. An in vitro trial indicated that the MAH-treatment modified the rumen fermentation pattern of both SS and SM, and it reduced the NH3-N concentrations for SM. However, there were no significant effects of the MAH-treatment on feed intake, diet digestibility or growth of lambs. The hot carcasses of the lambs fed the MAH-treated concentrate were 7.9% heavier but not statistically different to those of the untreated group. In conclusion, under the conditions of the present study the MAH treatment did not improve the growth performance of lambs.The objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy of a treatment (MAH) of sunflower seed (SS) and meal (SM) with a malic acid solution (1 M; 400 mL/kg) and heating (150 °C, 2 h) to protect protein against rumen degradation and to improve the growth of lambs. Two homogeneous groups of 12 Lacaune lambs each (14.2 ± 0.35 kg body weight) were fed either a concentrate including untreated SS and SM or a concentrate with MAH-treated SS and SM. Lambs were fed concentrate and barley straw ad libitum for 40 days (about 26 kg body weight); feed intake and growth of lambs were recorded; blood samples were taken on days 0, 20, and the slaughter day for analysis of urea-N and amino acid-N; diet digestibility was determined; and ruminal and cecal samples were collected after slaughter. The in vitro incubation of both concentrates with sheep ruminal fluid for 12 h showed that the MAH-treatment tended to reduce NH3-N concentrations and increased propionate production. However, there were no differences (p > 0.05) between groups in any of the tested variables in the in vivo trial.

Highlights

Ruminants usually have a lower efficiency of nitrogen (N) utilization than non-ruminant animals and a large part of the ingested N is excreted into the environment, contributing to both soil and water eutrophication
The lower ether extract content was mainly due to the reduction in the ether extract content of sunflower seed (SS) produced by the MAH treatment, which was attributed partly to a dilution effect associated with adding malic acid in the protective treatment and partly to fat losses during the heating process, as partial oil exudation was observed during this process
The slight increases in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) may be associated with the heat treatment of sunflower seeds, as previously reported for different feeds [19,20]

Summary

Introduction

Ruminants usually have a lower efficiency of nitrogen (N) utilization than non-ruminant animals and a large part of the ingested N is excreted into the environment, contributing to both soil and water eutrophication. This problem is especially marked in productive ruminants with high protein requirements, such as growing and high-producing dairy animals. Recent studies [3,4] indicate that protein degradation contributes to CH4 emissions, as a consequence of the fermentation of the carbon chains resulting from amino acid deamination.

Objectives

Methods

Results