Abstract
Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is widely ensiled to feed sheep in southwestern China, as unconventional woody forage. Feeding lambs with paper mulberry silage (PMS) may improve certain feeding characteristics, thereby affecting the growth performance and meat quality. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of four diets of PMS on growth performance, rumen microbial composition, and muscle fatty acids profile in Hu lambs. The results showed that 30% and 40% PMS increased the dry matter intake and average daily gain of Hu lambs compared to the control group. PMS30 and PMS40 increased the content of C24:1, and PMS40 increased the content of C20:5n-3. The content of microbial protein (MCP) was higher in PMS40 than in others, but PMS30 and PMS40 reduced the total volatile fatty acid in rumen. PMS30 significantly increased the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid. The abundance of ruminal Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and norank_f_Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group was significantly higher in PMS30 and PMS40 groups. Moreover, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group had a significant positive correlation with n3-polyunsaturated fatty acid. PMS40 might lead to a relatively high content of unsaturated fatty acids in longissimus dorsi muscle by increasing the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group in rumen.
Highlights
Sheep are thought to be the first domesticated livestock species and integral to animal husbandry [1]
Considerable interest has been given to the use of paper mulberry [6,7], a woody grass which could enjoy a broad array of uses for meeting the challenge of food–fuel–feed competition [8], available substitution for enhancing lamb performance
We closely examined the effects of paper mulberry silage on the meat quality of Hu sheep, including correlations between rumen bacteria flora and fatty acid composition which have previously received little attention
Summary
Sheep are thought to be the first domesticated livestock species and integral to animal husbandry [1]. China has experienced a significant economic growth in recent decades, and the growing consumption of mutton is leading to increased lamb production and sheep meat import. China is the largest importer of sheep and goat meat in the world, with a volume forecast to reach 1.38 million metric tons in 2021 [2]. Hu sheep are widely farmed in southern China because of their high reproductive performance (Multiple fetuses) [3]. The main constraint for further improvement of lamb products is the lack of adequate and high-quality feed stuff [4,5]. Sino–US economic- and trade frictions have continued in the past few years, which have worsened the shortage of quality forages in domestic. Considerable interest has been given to the use of paper mulberry [6,7], a woody grass which could enjoy a broad array of uses for meeting the challenge of food–fuel–feed competition [8], available substitution for enhancing lamb performance
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