Productive performance and oxidative status of sheep fed diets supplemented with coffee pulp

Abstract

Productive performance, rumen fermentation and oxidative status of sheep fed diets supplemented with coffee pulp ensiled with 5% molasses were evaluated. Thirty-four Blackbelly cross-breed sheep, 6 months old, mean weight 21.2±0.63kg, were assigned to three treatments T0: control treatment (n=11), T1: treatment with 8% coffee pulp in the diet (n=12), and T2: treatment with 16% coffee pulp in the diet (n=11). Coffee pulp at the levels evaluated did not affect daily weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion (P>0.05). However, water intake, acetic acid, butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acids significantly increased (P<0.05) with the 16% coffee pulp diet. No differences (P>0.05) were observed in the antioxidant capacity of the sheep's plasma; however, lipid peroxidation was lower for sheep fed with 16% coffee pulp. The present study concluded that a supplemented sheep diet with coffee pulp up to 16% coffee pulp did not affect their productive parameters but reduced oxidative stress.