In situ degradability and selected ruminal constituents of sheep fed with peanut forage hay

• Published in: Archives of animal nutrition Vol. 67; no. 5; pp. 393 - 405
• Main Authors: Fernandes, Gisele Machado, Possenti, Rosana Aparecida, Teixeira de Mattos, Waldssimiler, Schammass, Eliana Aparecida, Junior, Evaldo Ferrari
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.10.2013; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Ammonia - chemistry; ammonia nitrogen; Animal Feed - analysis; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Arachis - chemistry; Arachis pintoi; crude protein; Diet - veterinary; Digestion - physiology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Nitrogen - chemistry; Nitrogen - metabolism; Rumen - chemistry; Rumen - physiology; rumen digestion; sheep; Sheep - physiology; volatile fatty acids
• ISSN: 1745-039X; 1477-2817
• DOI: 10.1080/1745039X.2013.834581

Because legumes are a very important feed source for ruminants, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ideal inclusion level of hay Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte in sheep diets by measuring the dry matter intake (DMI), concentration of volatile fatty acids, ammonia-nitrogen concentration, ruminal pH and the in situ degradability of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP). In the experiment with four sheep, a 4 × 4 Latin Square design was used with four periods and four treatments (0%, 30%, 60% and 100% Arachis replacing grass hay). Significant interactions were observed between treatments and sampling times for ammonia-nitrogen and acetate, propionate and butyrate concentration and the acetate:propionate ratio. The ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acids concentration were not affected by interaction between treatments and sampling time. The degradation of DM and CP was similar, rising with the increasing content of Arachis, showing a linear effect. The treatment containing 60% of Arachis showed best results, with good levels of daily weight gain and higher ruminal concentrations of volatile fatty acids. The legume showed high levels of CP, high digestibility and appropriate levels of fibre, with excellent standards of degradation and ruminal characteristics. The use of the legume  Arachis for ruminants is a promising option of nutrient supply to meet production demands of these animals.