Effects of Rice Straw Supplemented with Urea and Molasses on Intermediary Metabolism of Plasma Glucose and Leucine in Sheep.

Mohammad Khairul Alam,Yasumichi Ogata,Yukari Sato,Hiroaki Sano

doi:10.5713/ajas.15.0358

Mohammad Khairul Alam, Yasumichi Ogata + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.15.0358

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Abstract

An isotope dilution method using [U-13C]glucose and [1-13C]leucine (Leu) was conducted to evaluate the effects of rice straw supplemented with urea and molasses (RSUM-diet) on plasma glucose and Leu turnover rates in sheep. Nitrogen (N) balance, rumen fermentation characteristics and blood metabolite concentrations were also determined. Four sheep were fed either mixed hay (MH-diet), or a RSUM-diet with a crossover design for two 21 days period. Feed allowance was computed on the basis of metabolizable energy at maintenance level. The isotope dilution method was performed as the primed-continuous infusion on day 21 of each dietary period. Nitrogen intake was lower (p = 0.01) for the RSUM-diet and N digestibility did not differ (p = 0.57) between diets. Concentrations of rumen total volatile fatty acids tended to be higher (p = 0.09) for the RSUM-diet than the MH-diet. Acetate concentration in the rumen did not differ (p = 0.38) between diets, whereas propionate concentration was higher (p = 0.01) for the RSUM-diet compared to the MH-diet. Turnover rates as well as concentrations of plasma glucose and Leu did not differ between diets. It can be concluded that kinetics of plasma glucose and Leu metabolism were comparable between the RSUM-diet and the MH-diet, and rumen fermentation characteristics were improved in sheep fed the RSUM-diet compared to the MH-diet.

Highlights

The economic point of view and sustainable environmental concerns encourage investigating the possibility of using the crop residue as animal feed
Supplementation of nitrogenous substrates to rice straw is reported to recover its crude protein (CP) deficiency and improve its digestibility through providing necessary ammonia (NH3) for rumen microbial activities which is essential for better rumen fermentation characteristics (Wanapat et al, 2009)
The sheep were housed in individual pens in an animal barn during the adjustment period, and on day 15, the sheep were moved to a controlled house at an air temperature of 23°C±1°C with lighting from 8:00 h to 22:00 h and maintained in wooden metabolism stalls designed for total collection of feces and urine

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The economic point of view and sustainable environmental concerns encourage investigating the possibility of using the crop residue as animal feed. Supplementation of nitrogenous substrates to rice straw is reported to recover its CP deficiency and improve its digestibility through providing necessary ammonia (NH3) for rumen microbial activities which is essential for better rumen fermentation characteristics (Wanapat et al, 2009). In most of the tropical countries it is a common practice to use urea and molasses as the sources of N and soluble carbohydrate, which provide required NH3 and energy substrates for rumen microbial activities (Toppo et al, 1997; Tedeschi et al, 2002; Zinn et al, 2003). It could be expected that the RSUMdiet might influence plasma glucose and Leu metabolism in sheep through providing required NH3 and energy for rumen microbial activities to increase the dietary carbohydrate fermentation. All experimental methods along with the determination of N balances rumen procedures were carried out without noticeable stress to the characteristics and blood metabolite concentrations in sheep. animals

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONFLICT OF INTEREST