PSXIV-19 Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on productive parameters and ruminal VFA profile in sheep

Abstract

Abstract Alpha lipoic acid (LA) is a potent nutritional antioxidant. It is a derivate of octanoic acid containing a cyclic disulfide bond. An LA complex with lysine-lipoamide, functions as a co-factor in the mitochondrial dehydrogenase that catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of α-keto acids. In this reaction, LA is reduced to dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), which interacts with reactive oxygen species, and LA can also inactivate free radicals. Another important role of DHLA is in signal transduction by activating insulin receptors, which causes glucose transporters translocation from cytoplasm to the cell surface. Due to its potential antioxidant effect at ruminal level, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fed LA on productive parameters, ruminal fatty volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and blood glucose of sheep. Sixty-four, two-months-old, crossbred lambs were penned in groups of four, divided into four treatments: 0, 40, 80, and 120 ppm LA in diet. During 84 days, every 28 days on two consecutive days, animals were weighed (to determine average daily weight gain, DWG), blood and ruminal fluid were taken for glucose and VFA quantification, respectively. All variables were analyzed in a completely randomized design. DWG was statistically higher in those animals receiving 80 ppm (250 g) as compared to the rest (200, 188, 180 g for 120, 40, 0 ppm, respectively) (P < 0.0001). No differences in blood glucose or ruminal VFA were found (P > 0.1). LA could improve the productive performance of sheep; however, it would be necessary to study the role of LA and its effects on the ruminal microbiome and its action mechanism. Research support by Project PAPIIT-UNAM IN211518