Diet Of Ewes Research Articles

Botanical composition of mature ewe diets in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Botanical composition of mature ewe diets in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Prepartum fatty acid supplementation in sheep. III. Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid during finishing on performance, hypothalamus gene expression, and muscle fatty acids composition in lambs.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of feeding an enriched diet with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to finishing lambs born from ewes supplemented either with or without EPA and DHA during late gestation on productive performance, muscle fatty acid (FA), and hypothalamus mRNA concentration of metabolic genes and hormone receptors. Lambs born from dams fed during the last 50 d of gestation either with a control diet containing 0.39% Ca salts of palmitic fatty acid distillate (C) or Ca salts enriched with EPA and DHA (PFA) were used. After weaning lambs (n = 70) were blocked by weight (BW) and used in a 2 × 2 factorial into 2 finishing diets containing 1.5% of C or PFA. The 2 factors were the ewe diet and the finishing diet. Lambs (37.9 ± 0.4 kg) were weighed and blood sampled for glucose and NEFA measurements at days 1, 14, 28, and 42. Dry matter intake (DMI) was measured daily. At day 43, 14 females and 14 males were slaughtered, and hot carcass weight, body wall thickness, rib eye area, and FA composition of Longissumus thoracis muscle were evaluated. Female hypothalamuses were obtained and mRNA concentration of hormone receptors, neuropeptides, and their receptors was measured. Lambs born from PFA dams were heavier (P < 0.01). There was a time × finishing diet interaction for BW (P = 0.03), and lambs fed C had a greater BW. Lambs fed C had an increase in DMI (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in plasma glucose and NEFA concentration (P > 0.1). Lambs born from PFA dams had a greater concentration of C22:0 (P < 0.03). Lambs fed C had higher concentrations of C18:1c15 (P < 0.01), C17:0 (P < 0.09), C18:0 (P < 0.09), and n6/n3 (P < 0.01). Lambs fed PFA had greater concentration (P < 0.05) of C16:1, C22:1, C20:5, C22:5, C22:6, total n3 FA, and total EPA and DHA. There was a significant dam × finishing diet interaction (P ≤ 0.08) on mRNA concentration for MCR3, CCK-R, Cort-R, and CART. Lambs, which had the same treatment as their dams, showed lower overall mRNA concentration than those with different treatments between them and their dams. Lambs born from PFA ewes had lower concentration of MCR4 mRNA (P = 0.09) than C. Agouti-related peptides mRNA concentration was lower in lambs fed PFA (P = 0.06) than C. In conclusion, changes on lamb performance, muscle fatty acid composition, and metabolic neuropeptides depend not only on the lamb diet, but also on the dam diet during late gestation.

Effects of probiotic supplementation on milk production, blood metabolite profile and enzyme activities of ewes during lactation

There is scarce information regarding the effects of probiotics in the diet of lactating ewes on milk yield and composition as well as on metabolite concentrations and enzyme activities in blood. Sixteen Sanjabi ewes, kept under the same feeding and management practices, were divided in two equal groups. The ewes in the first group were fed a diet without probiotics, while the ewes of the second group were fed the same diet supplemented with two grams of commercial probiotics (PrimaLac® 454 Feed grade, containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, 2.5 × 107 CFU/g; Lactobacillus casei, 2.5 × 107 CFU/g; Bifidobacterium thermophilum, 2.5 × 107 CFU/g; Enterococcus faecium, 2.5 × 107 CFU/g). Milk yield measurements, milk composition and blood plasma analyses were carried out at the fourth, eighth and twelfth week of lactation. Probiotics had no effects (p>.05) on any of the examined variables during the first two-thirds of lactation. In the last third of lactation, probiotic supplemented ewes showed an increase (p<.05) of aspartate aminotransferase activity in blood plasma (209 versus 98 U/L) as well as higher (p<.05) yields of milk (503 versus 312 g/d), fat (34.8 versus 22.2 g/d), protein (33.1 versus 20.3 g/d) and lactose (22.4 versus 13.9). In conclusion, probiotics barely affected blood plasma metabolite contents and enzyme activities, but positive effects on milk yield and its components were observed during the last third of lactation. Further research would be needed to determine whether the supplementation of ewe diet with probiotics is advisable for sustainable livestock farming systems.

Effect of Dietary Olive Cake on Reproductive and Physiological Traits of Native Pregnant Ewes

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of feeding olive cake (OC) on the reproductive and physiological traits of pregnant ewes. This study was conducted on 117 pregnant ewes, 11-12 months age, with an average weight of 41.5 kg. The animals were divided into three equal groups; each group consisted of 39 ewes, given olives cake partitions representing 0, 15 and 30 % of the diet respectively. Feeding olive cake significantly (p < 0.05) increases the fertility rate and the proportion of twins, represented in an increment of ewes conceived twins (200-233%). Addition of olive cake in diets at a rate of 15 % resulted in significantly lower GOT, GPT, creatinine, urea, total lipid, cholesterol and estrogen levels. However, this led to increasing concentrations of progesterone hormone, in comparison with other groups. Thus, it can be recommended that using olive cake up to 15% in the diets of ewes has no negative effects on reproduction or physiological functions for improving twin’s percentage.

Grape pomace in ewes diet: Effects on meat quality and the fatty acid profile of their suckling lambs

Grape pomace (GP) is an inexpensive natural antioxidant promising as animal feed supplement due to its high content of phenolic compounds. In order to evaluate its effect in lactating ewe rations on meat quality and fat composition of their suckling lambs, 48 Churra ewes were divided into 4 treatments. All animals were fed a ration containing linseed oil (Control) supplemented with Vitamin E or two levels of GP. Lambs were nourished exclusively by suckling until they were slaughtered. Dietary GP did not generate adverse effects on carcasses or lambs meat quality when compared with Control or Vit-E diets. GP improved the water holding capacity of the meat. In addition, lambs meat FA profile was not nutritionally affected with the diets assayed. Hence, the use of GP as a dietary supplement in ewe rations would not have negative effects on meat from suckling lambs.

442 Effect of Fetal Programming and Finishing FA Supplementation on Hypothalamus mRNA Concentration.

Maternal nutrition produces metabolic and endocrine changes that may cause fetal programming effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding an enriched diet with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to ewes during late gestation and its effect to their offspring on the hypothalamus gene expression of hormones, metabolites and neurotransmitter receptors in finishing lambs. Lambs born from ewes fed during the last 50 days of gestation, either with a diet containing 0.39 % Ca salts of a palmitic fatty acid distillate (PFAD) or Ca salts enriched with EPA and DHA (PUFA) were used in this study. At lambing all ewes and lambs were penned together and fed the same pasture until weaning. After weaning the lambs were blocked by BW and divided in a 2x2 factorial into 2 finishing diet containing 1.5% of PFAD or PUFA. The 2 factors were the ewe diet and the finishing diet. On d 43, 14 female hypothalamuses were obtained and 18 metabolic genes were analyzed. There was a significant mother/treatment interaction in melanocortin receptor (MCR) 3 and cholecystokinin receptor (CCK-R) mRNA (P<0.01), and a tendency in cortisol receptor (Cor-R; P=0.06) and cocaine and amphetamine regulated protein (CART; P=0.08) mRNA; animals which had the same treatment as their mothers showed lower concentration than those with different treatment from their mother. Lambs born from PUFA ewes had lower concentration of MCR-4 mRNA showing a tendency (P=0.09) than PFDA. Agouti related peptides (AGRP) mRNA concentration was lower in lambs fed with PUFA (P=0.06) (Table 1) than PFDA. None of the other genes analyzed (insulin receptor, NPY and its receptors and POMC) had significant differences (P>0.1). Fatty acids change the expression of neuropeptides and their receptors and hormones receptors mRNA in the hypothalamus. Animals fed finishing diets with fatty acids that were opposite of the fatty acids in their dam’s diet during late gestation showed higher levels of mRNA than those with the same fatty acids in their diet. Table 1. Hypothalamic mRNA concentration in lambs fed with PUFA or PFAD and born from ewes with the similar FA supplementation. Table 1. Hypothalamic mRNA concentration in lambs fed with PUFA or PFAD and born from ewes with the similar FA supplementation.

Effect of increasing amounts of olive crude phenolic concentrate in the diet of dairy ewes on rumen liquor and milk fatty acid composition

Agro-industrial by-products contain several secondary plant metabolites, such as polyphenols, tannins, saponins, and essential oils. The effects of these compounds on animal metabolism may vary significantly according to the dose, the chemical nature of the molecules, and the overall composition of the diet. In the Mediterranean area, the olive oil extraction is associated with 2 by-products: olive pomace and wastewater, both rich in polyphenols. In particular, wastewater may be further processed to obtain olive crude phenolic concentrate (OCPC). An experiment was carried out aiming to evaluate animal performance, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, diversity of rumen microbial population, and rumen liquor FA profile in dairy ewes fed diets containing extruded linseed (EL) and increasing doses of OCPC. Twenty-eight Comisana ewes in mid lactation were allotted to 4 experimental groups. The experiment lasted 5 wk after 3 wk of adaptation. Diets were characterized by lucerne hay administrated ad libitum and by 800 g/ewe and day of 4 experimental concentrates containing 22% of EL on dry matter and increasing dose of OCPC: 0 (L0), 0.6 (L0.6), 0.8 (L0.8), and 1.2 (L1.2) g of OCPC/kg of dry matter. Milk yield was daily recorded and milk composition was analyzed weekly. At the beginning and at the end of the experiment, samples of rumen liquor were collected to analyze FA profile, changes in rumen microbial population, and dimethylacetal (DMA) composition. The inclusion of OCPC did not affect milk yield and gross composition, whereas milk from L0.8 and L1.2 sheep contained higher concentrations of linoleic (+18%) and α-linolenic acid (+24%) and lower concentration of the rumen biohydrogenation intermediates. A similar pattern was observed for rumen liquor FA composition. No differences were found in the diversity of the rumen microbial population. Total amount of DMA did not differ among treatments, whereas significant differences were found in the concentration of individual DMA; in the diet with a higher amount of OCPC, DMA 13:0, 14:0, 15:0, and 18:0 increased, whereas DMA 16:0 decreased. Probably the presence of polyphenols in the diet induced a rearrangement of bacteria membrane phospholipids as a response to the rumen environment stimulus. Overall, the use of OCPC allowed a significant increase in the polyunsaturated FA content of milk, probably due to a perturbation of the rumen biohydrogenation process. Further studies are needed to understand the correlation between diet composition and the pattern of DMA in rumen liquor.

The Fatty Acids Composition and Health Lipid Indices in the Sheep Raw Milk Under a Pasture-Based Dairy System

This research was conducted to study fatty acids composition, especially content of n-3 FA; c9,t11-CLA (rumenic acid) and t11-C18:1 (vaccenic acid) and health lipid indices of milk according to the feeding practices in sheep. The exeperimental diets consisted of: P - pasture without any diet supplementation, PC - pasture + standard concentrate (500 g/d), PCs - pasture + fat-enriched concentrate (camelina seed-based concentrate: 500 g/d). Camelina seeds (Cs - Camelina sativa L) were used to increase the beneficial FA concentration in milk fat. PC diet as compared to P diet increases daily milk yield and the content of milk fat, but it adversely affects the quality of milk fats. Fat in the milk of PC ewes had a higher content of hypercholesterolemic FA, while the polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) concentration decreased (p [ 0.001). The use Cs in the concentrate mixture (PCs diet) increased by more than double the c9,t11-CLA, C20:5n-3 (EPA), C22:6n-3 (DHA), C18:3n-3 (ALA) and t11-C18:1 (VA) (p [ 0.001) in milk fat, without any negative effects on milk yield and composition. Beneficial changes of health lipid indices milk fat (atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, n-6/n-3 FA) were detected when the diet of ewes was supplemented with fat-enriched concentrate (PCs group) because of high concentration of c9,t11-CLA, n-3 FA which has sanogenic properties. It is concluded that, when pasture quality and availability do not limit dairy production, supplementation of grazing ewes with concentrate mixture is not recommended, because compromised the milk FA profile. The using camelina seeds in strategies for supplementing the diet of ewes on pastures is a good choice both for the daily milk yield and even more so for the sanogenetic quality of milk fats.

Maternal grazing on stubble and Mediterranean shrubland improves meat lipid profile in light lambs fed on concentrates

Concentrates-fed lamb meat is often associated with an unfavourable lipid profile (high levels of saturated and/or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids; SFA and PUFA). For this reason, Spanish sheep producers from Mediterranean areas are turning to traditional grazing by ewes to obtain healthier lamb meat. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of maternal grazing on the fatty acid (FA) composition of weaned lamb meat. The ewes (Segureña breed) were allocated to two different rearing systems during pregnancy (5 months) and lactation (45 days): (i) feeding indoors on barley grain and lucerne pellets; (ii) grazing on cereal stubble, fallow land and seasonal pastures consisting of Mediterranean shrubs, herbs and trees. Two groups of 20 autumn and spring lambs were sampled. The lambs were weaned at 13.1±0.9 kg and 45.0±4.1 days age and fed on grain-based concentrates until they reached 24.8±2.1 kg live weight (light lambs slaughtered at 98.3±3.6 days of age). The FA content was determined in the intramuscular loin fat by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector. The ewe diet did not affect the levels of the main lamb FAs (C18:1c+t, C16:0 and C18:2c), and so did not provide any additional reduction in fat saturation. Saturated fatty acids represented around 40% of total FAs determined in the meat. Ewe grazing acted as an n-3 PUFA-promoting diet, providing a lamb meat with a lower n-6/n-3 ratio. Spring lamb meat had higher proportions of n-3 PUFA (C18:3n-3, C20:5, C22:5 and C22:6) and conjugated linoleic acid (C18:2c9t11+c11t9) to the detriment of the n-6 PUFAs (C20:4, C20:2 and C22:4), while autumn lamb meat also had higher levels of C18:3n-3 and C18:3n-6, and lower level of C20:4, which points to little seasonal differences. The n-6/n-3 ratio achieved by ewe grazing fell from 8.2 to 4.1 (Spring) and from 7.6 to 5.5 (Autumn), values which are close to those recommended in human diet for good cardiovascular health. These n-6/n-3 reductions were associated with lower levels of total PUFA and C20:4n-6. Our research concluded that grazing on stubble and Mediterranean shrubland by ewes, a sustainable rearing practice involving local agro resources, contributed to obtaining weaned lamb meat with a more favourable lipid profile and so can be recommended to sheep farmers.

Обменные процессы и продуктивность овцематок при использовании в рационах препарата «Лактофлэкс»

Одним из перспективных методов повышения продуктивности животных является использование в рационах нетрадиционных кормов и кормовых добавок, в том числе пребиотиков. Рассмотрено сравнительное влияние различных доз пребиотического препарата «Лактофлэкс» на обменные процессы и продуктивные качества овцематок грозненской породы в Калмыкии в 2014 – 2016 гг. Для этого были отобраны методом пар-аналогов четыре группы маток в начале второй половины суягности по 30 голов в каждой. Все животные получали одинаковый по структуре и питательности основной рацион, принятый в хозяйстве и соответствующий нормам кормления. Применение в рационах суягных маток опытных групп различных доз биопрепарата положительно повлияло на поедаемость кормов, переваримость и использование питательных веществ рационов, морфологические и биохимические показатели крови, что свидетельствует о более интенсивных окислительно-восстановительных процессах, протекающих в организме. В результате более интенсивный процесс обмена веществ у опытного маточного поголовья способствовал повышению воспроизводительных качеств, живой массы ягнят при рождении и их сохранности, молочности, химического состава молока и шерстной продуктивности маток. При этом по всем изучаемым показателям наибольшее достоверное превосходство имели животные III и IV групп, получавшие с рационами биопрепарат в расчете 0,20 и 0,25 мл на 1 кг живой массы. Установленная достаточно высокая эффективность этого биопрепарата вызывает определенный научный и практический интерес для выяснения более разностороннего познания особенностей в раскрытии генетических возможностей организма животных, направленных на повышение качественных хозяйственно-полезных признаков.

Whole exhausted berries of Myrtus communis L. supplied to dairy ewes: Effects on milk production traits and blood metabolites

Exhausted myrtle berries (EMB) is a by-product of the maceration process of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) berries to produce a commercial liqueur called Mirto. This study evaluated the effect of the dietary inclusion of EMB on milk production traits, milk coagulation properties, liver and kidney metabolic activity and nitrogen balance in lactating dairy ewes. Thirty Sarda dairy ewes were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments consisting of a control diet (CON), a diet supplemented with 50g/d per head of EMB (EMB50), or a diet supplemented with 100g/d per head of EMB (EMB100). The study lasted 13 weeks, with 2 weeks of adaptation period and 11 weeks of experimental period. Milk yield was measured and milk samples were collected weekly and analyzed for fat, protein, casein, lactose, milk urea (MU) content and somatic cell count (SCC). Milk samples collected every two weeks were analyzed for milk coagulation properties. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 of the experiment by jugular vein puncture and analyzed for hematological parameters, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, creatinine, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), protein, blood urea (BU), and serum protein fractions. Dietary treatments did not affect milk yield, composition and coagulation properties, except for MU, which decreased as the dose of EMB in the diet increased, and SCC. Diets did not influence hematological, kidney and liver parameters, except for BU content and blood protein, which decreased with the inclusion of EMB in the diet. The reduction in MU and BU as EMB dose increased suggests that the EMB use might positively affect the dietary nitrogen use. The limited variation in milk production traits, and hematological and metabolic parameters suggests that EMB can be included in the diet of dairy ewes without adverse effects on milk production and health status.

Blood serum metabolic profile and fatty acid composition in sheep fed concentrates with Camelina sativa cake and distillers dried grains with solubles

The both Camelina sativa cake and dried distillers grains with solubles, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, were previously used as dietary supplements to improve the energy value of the sheep diet and milk parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of these additives to lactating ewes diet on the blood serum metabolic parameters, hormone concentration and fatty acid composition. A total of 39 milking ewes of Polish dairy sheep were divided into three groups: the control (C), the group fed Camelina sativa cake (CS) and the group receiving distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The following parameters were determined in blood serum: blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, glucose, alanine aminotransferase – ALT and aspartate aminotransferase – AST as well as insulin, leptin, triiodothyronine – T3 and thyroxine – T4. The obtained results indicated that both additives changed the blood serum profile of fatty acids and altered the concentration of some hormones and biochemical parameters. DDGS was found to have beneficial effects, manifested by the decrease of TG while FFA concentration were analtered. The reduced TG concentration was also observed in the blood serum of ewes fed with CS diet. Cholesterol level was increased in blood of ewes only after the administration of DDGS enriched diet. In both experimental groups, a reduced concentration of glucose and an increased concentration of insulin were recorded. Both additives strongly augmented T4 concentration in blood and lowered the T3/T4 ratio, especially in the DDGS fed group. MUFA content decreased under the influence of DDGS, while CS had no effect. DDGS treatment resulted in an increase of PUFA content and this increase was related to increased n-6 PUFA. The results obtained in the present experiment indicate that Camelina sativa cake and distillers dried grains with solubles administered to dairy sheep changed fatty acid contents and altered the concentration of selected hormones and biochemical parameters in blood.

Síntesis de calostro y desarrollo de las crías por efecto de la inclusión de aceite de soya en la dieta preparto de ovejas de pelo

El objetivo fue evaluar el efecto del nivel de inclusión de aceite de soya (AS) en la dieta pre-parto de ovejas de pelo sobre la producción y composición del calostro, desarrollo de las crías en los primeros 10 días postparto y la productividad de la oveja al parto. Un grupo de ovejas multíparas preñadas Katahdin x Pelibuey se asignaron a tres tratamientos (n=10), los cuales consistieron en dietas isoenergéticas e isoprotéicas que contenían: 0, 3 y 6 % de AS/kg de materia seca. Las dietas se ofrecieron del día 100 de gestación al parto. El peso y volumen del calostro aumentaron linealmente (P&lt;0.05) conforme el nivel de AS en la dieta incrementó. El resto de las variables no presentaron efectos lineales ni cuadráticos (P&gt;0.05) por nivel de AS. Entre ovejas alimentadas con y sin AS, o entre ovejas alimentadas con 3 y 6 % de AS, no se observaron diferencias (P&gt;0.05) en peso vivo y condición corporal de las ovejas, así como en la composición del calostro, peso al nacimiento de las crías ni en peso de camada al parto. Se concluye que la adición de 3 o 6 % de AS en la dieta preparto de ovejas de pelo no afectó la composición del calostro, el desarrollo de las crías ni la productividad de la oveja, pero sí afectó la producción de calostro, siendo éste mayor usando un nivel de 6 % de AS en la dieta.

The intensity of grazing management influences lamb production from native grassland

The intensity of grazing management required for optimal pasture and animal production from heterogeneous native grasslands has received little research in the high-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. The aim of this experiment was to determine how the intensity of grazing management, from continuous grazing (P01) to flexible 4- and 20-paddock rotational systems (P04 and P20), influenced the productivity and sustainability of a Merino ewe, terminal sire lamb production system run on a native grassland dominated by Microlaena stipoides and Rytidosperma spp. The present paper focuses on the animal production and feed-quality results from this experiment. There was a higher per head animal production for the P01 than the P20, with the P04 being intermediate. The differences were found for ewe liveweight and fat score, lamb growth rates and lamb liveweight at weaning. The P20 was able to run higher ewe numbers, in response to greater feed on offer than for P04 and P01, which enabled lamb production per hectare at weaning to be similar and greasy wool production per hectare to be greater than for P01. The organic matter digestibility of the ewe diet estimated from faecal analysis was lower for P20 and P04 systems than for P01 over a 7-month period and explained differences measured in sheep performance at that time. When lambs were retained after weaning, they could be kept for longer on the P20 and grown to a greater weight than for the P01 and P04, but the criteria for setting stocking rates and selling lambs from systems influenced the production from the systems. Further work is needed to investigate the interaction between stocking rate (ewe numbers and lamb sale time) and grazing management and examine different options for managing rotational grazing systems.

Digestibility, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites and antioxidant status in ewes supplemented with DL‐methionine or hydroxy‐4 (methylthio) butanoic acid isopropyl ester

The effects of supplementing ewe diets with either DL-methionine (DL-Met) or 2-hydroxy-4 (methylthio) butanoic acid isopropyl ester (HMBi) were investigated on ruminal insitu degradability of grain and forage diets, invivo digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites and antioxidant status. Six ruminally cannulated ewes were used in a replicated 3×3 Latin square design with 28-day periods. The dietary treatments were as follows: (i) no supplemental Met (control; CON), (ii) DL-Met at 1.2g/kg DM intake and (iii) HMBi at 1.8g/kg dry matter (DM) intake. Corn grain, barley grain and alfalfa hay were evaluated for their ruminal degradability by both insitu incubation and effective degradability measurements of DM, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF). Compared to other treatments, HMBi supplementation increased (p<0.05) the digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and NDF and also tended (p=0.08) to increase the digestibility of DM and ADF. Moreover, HMBi supplementation increased (p<0.01) total VFA concentrations, the molar proportions of valerate and iso-butyrate in the rumen. Compared to the CON treatment, DL-Met and HMBi treatments tended (p=0.08) to increase the molar proportion of acetate but decreased (p<0.05) ruminal ammonia-N concentration. Ewes supplemented with HMBi and DL-Met recorded greater (p<0.05) serum concentrations of glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase than the CON treatment. Serum concentrations of glucose, total protein, albumin, high-density lipoprotein and very low-density lipoprotein were greater (p<0.01) and serum urea nitrogen (p<0.05), malonyl dialdehyde and triglyceride were lower (p<0.02) in the HMBi and DL-Met animals than in the CON ewes. The results concluded that HMBi is a very effective form of dietary Met supplementation for ewes with a positive effect on digestion, rumen fermentation and serum antioxidant function.

Relación entre el consumo de grasas vegetales insaturadas y el contenido de ácidos grasos de la leche de ovejas

El efecto de la inclusión de aceites y semillas, ricos en ácidos grasos insaturados, en la dieta de ovejas sobre el contenido de ácidos grasos de la grasa láctea se cuantificó mediante metarregresión. Se utilizaron los resultados de 22 trabajos de investigación con un total de 67 tratamientos. Los trabajos se realizaron con 10 razas ovinas europeas y americanas que recibieron dietas con hasta un 7 % de grasa insaturada. Los contenidos de los ácidos grasos saturados de cadena media (AGSCM) mostraron una respuesta lineal negativa al consumo creciente de grasa, que fue más acentuada en el caso del ácido palmítico. Los contenidos del ácido esteárico y de los ácidos grasos insaturados de 18 átomos de carbono (AGI-C18) aumentaron de forma lineal, pero la respuesta fue mayor en los segundos. Los cambios en los AGSCM y AGI-C18 ocasionaron que el índice de aterogenicidad disminuyera linealmente en la grasa láctea. Estos resultados indican que la inclusión de fuentes de grasa ricas en ácidos insaturados en dietas para ovejas ocasiona un cambio favorable en la composición de ácidos grasos de la grasa láctea desde el punto de vista de la salud humana.

THE IMPACT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF IODINE AND SELENIUM ON NUTRIENTS DIGETIBILITY AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF EWES AND THEIR SUCKLING LAMBS

Atotal number of 32 Ossimi pregnant ewes averaged 50.77 ± 2.29 kg and 2.5 years old at 4-6 weeks of late-gestation were used to assess the effect of dietary supplementation of iodine (I) and selenium (Se) on nutrients digestibility and productive performance of ewes and their suckling lambs. The ewes were allocated into four equal groups (8 ewes in each). The ewes were fed on basal diet containing 0.048 mg I and 0.19 mg Se/kg DM (control) supplemented with 0.6 mg I (T1), 0.2 mg Se (T2) and 0.6 mg I plus 0.2 mg Se (T3) /kg DM. The results showed that digestibility of DM, OM, EE, CF and NDF were higher (P<0.05) for ewes fed T2 and T3 diets than those fed control or T1. Digestibility of CP increased (P<0.05) with feeding T3 diet vs. each of T1 or T2. The ADF digestibility was greater (P<0.05) for ewes fed T1, T2 and T3 diets than those fed control. The nutritive value (DCP and TDN) increased (P<0.05) with feeding T1, T2 and T3 diets vs. control. The improving in DCP and TDN was higher (P<0.05) with feeding T3 diet than each of T1 or T2. No significant differences was detected in all productive performance for ewes fed on T1, T2 and T3 diets vs. control. While, the digestible crude protein intake (DCPI) increased (P<0.05) for ewes fed T1, T2 and T3 diets vs. control.The total digestible nutrients intake (TDNI) was higher (P<0.05) for ewes fed T2 and T3 diets compared to control or those fed T1. The averages of DCPI and TDNI were greater (P<0.05) for ewes fed T3 than those fed T1 or T2. Data of lambs showed that the birth weight increased (P<0.01) for lambs born to ewes fed T2 or T3 diets compared to those born to ewes fed control or T1 diet. Lambs born to ewes fed T1, T2 and T3 diets had higher (P<0.01) averages of FBW and daily gain (ADG) vs. control. Averages of final body weight (FBW) and average daily gain (ADG) were improved (P<0.01) for lambs born to ewes fed T3 diet vs. control or fed on T1. This study demonstrated that the combined I and Se dietary supplementation led to positive effects on nutrients digestibility, nutritive values of ewes diet and enhancing growth performance of their suckling lambs.

Comparison of energy rationing systems for late gestation ewes: Impacts on ewe and lamb performance1

The objectives of this study were 1) to compare the effects of a ME () or a NE () system for rationing ewes during late gestation on ewe and progeny performance and 2) to investigate incremental increases in NE allocation above 100% of recommendation during late gestation on ewe and progeny performance. Fifty-two twin-bearing ewes ( = 13 per treatment) were rationed to either 100% of recommended ME requirements (100% ME) or 100, 110, or 120% of recommended NE requirements (100% NE, 110% NE, and 120% NE) from d 112 of gestation to parturition. Mean energy intake, measured as ME and NE, from Day 112 of gestation to parturition was higher in all NE treatments compared with 100% ME ewes ( = 0.01). Ewes offered the 3 NE treatments had a higher live weight at parturition compared with 100% ME ewes ( = 0.02), with 100% NE and 120% NE ewes still being heavier than 100% ME ewes at 35 d postpartum ( = 0.02). Increasing NE allowance resulted in a linear decrease in the level of BCS loss prepartum ( = 0.01) and a linear increase in the level of BCS loss postpartum ( = 0.01). There was no difference observed between any of the treatments in total colostrum produced to 18 h postpartum ( = 0.29) or in total colostrum intake to 18 h postpartum ( = 0.27). Increasing maternal NE allowance led to a linear increase in lamb serum IgG concentration at 24 h postpartum ( = 0.03). The estimated milk production of 120% NE ewes tended to be higher than all other treatments at wk 6 of lactation ( = 0.08). Colostral SFA levels from 100% ME ewes was lower than that of all 3 NE treatments ( = 0.01), and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) levels in colostrum of the 100% ME ewes were lower than those of the 100% NE ewes ( = 0.01). Cumulative levels of milk SFA, UFA, and MUFA did not differ between treatments ( = 0.19). Lamb growth rates during the first 5 wk postpartum were unaffected by treatment ( = 0.18) as were days to slaughter ( = 0.34). It can be concluded that both ME and NE systems used in this study are appropriate for formulating ewe diets during late gestation. Increasing NE allocation above 100% altered the pattern of body reserve mobilization during late gestation and early lactation without observed variations in lamb performance during this time.

Replacement of mustard oil cake by urea in short-term strategic feeding of cull ewes to improve body condition and carcass traits

Strategic short-term feeding of culled Malpura ewes (age &gt;6 years, average liveweight 26.8 ± 0.96 kg) was aimed at improving their body condition and increase marketability of their carcass following slaughter. Randomly, 8 out of 40 ewes were slaughtered to study initial (Day 0) carcass traits and the remaining ewes were equally divided into two groups: mustard cake (Control) and urea. They were stall fed with ad libitum guar straw (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) and concentrate mixture at 25 g/kg liveweight after 4 h of morning grazing in the pasture. The Control group was offered concentrate with solvent extracted mustard cake whereas it was replaced on an equivalent nitrogen (N) basis with urea in the concentrate offered to the other group. Daily feed intake and weekly change in ewe liveweight and body condition score were measured during the 91 days of the experiment. There was no significant (P &gt; 0.05) difference in digestibility of nutrients between the groups. Both groups had similar dry matter and metabolisable energy intake, but the mustard cake group recorded higher (P &lt; 0.05) cumulative weight gain and body condition score. Ruminal fluid samples and blood biochemical measurements were analysed periodically (0, 45 and 91 days), with ruminal fluid samples during the post-feeding hours also analysed. There was periodic variation in rumen pH (P = 0.013), volatile fatty acid (P = 007), total N (P = 0.001) and ammonia-N (P = 0.025) concentration in both groups. Higher post-feeding volatile fatty acid (P = 0.031) and total N (P = 0.003) values were observed in the mustard cake group. Ruminal ciliate protozoal population showed a quadratic response over time after feeding with an initial decline post-grazing, but was not affected by treatment. Similar significant (P &lt; 0.05) improvements in haemoglobin, glucose, total protein, urea and cholesterol levels were evident in both groups at 91 days. Both treatments showed similar improvement in carcass composition, distribution of fat and chemical composition of Longissimus dorsi after 91 days of realimentation compared with initial values. Short-term pre-slaughter feeding of cull ewes improved body condition, carcass traits and composition. Replacement of costly mustard cake with urea in the diet of cull ewes could be a means to improve profitability of this strategic feeding protocol, as well as enhancing their market value.

Effect of adding sunflower oil in the ration on some productive traits in Awassi ewes

This study was designed to investigate the effects of the addition of different ratios of sunflower oil to the diet of Awasi ewes on the rumen fermentation and milk composition. It was conducted by using 12 Awassi ewes (2-3.5 years old) with average body weight 56.62 kg. The ewes were randomly divided into three groups. Each group had four ewes according to the age, body weight and milk yield. The ewe in each group received 1.4 kg/ dry matter for three rations consisting of barley, wheat bran, soybean meal and alfalfa hay. The first group was fed on control ration, while 2.5 and 5 % of sunflower oil were included in the rations of the second and third groups, respectively. The results showed that the treatments had no significant effect on the average body weight, milk production and milk composition (lactose, protein and SNF percentage). Milk Fat percentage was significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased in second and third groups (4.30 ±0.31 and 4.23 ±0.40) %, respectively as compared with the control group (5.89 ±0.53 %). The pH value of rumen liquor in hours (0 and 3) after feeding showed no significant differences between groups, also there were no significant differences in the volatile fatty acid and ammonia concentration in the rumen liquor in all groups, despite that the volatile fatty acid decreased insignificantly in all treated groups as compared with the control group after feeding. The blood parameters were not affected by the experimental treatments. These results indicated that the fermentation patterns were affected by the increased oil supplementation to the diet of ewes.