Authors : Zhang Junxia, Zheng Chen, Hou Shengzhen, Li Fadi and Ma Liaowei
Abstract: The study was evaluated the effects of dietary energy levels on ruminal fluid parameters in Tibetan ewes. Tibetan ewes with similar weight, age, pregnant period and after delivering were assigned to three dietary treatments (Digestion Energy (DE) levels: 13.00, 13.50, 14.00 MJ kg-1) and pasturing group as control. After 60 days of experimental treatments, 14 sheep were selected rationally and ruminal fluid were collected to determine the content of Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA), pH, the concentrate of ammonia Nitrogen (NH3-N), urea N, protein N and total N of ruminal fluid. The results showed that concentration of TVFAs in ruminal fluid with higher DE than that of control group (p<0.05), meanwhile, TVFA concentration differed at every treatment group (p<0.05). Acetic/propionic, acetic, propionic, delphinic acid of treatments significantly differed with control groups (p<0.05) but no difference between each treatment group, butyric and pentanoic acid were not difference among all groups (p<0.05). Supplemental concentration might improve total N and protein N while different energy level did not affect total N significantly (p>0.05). Compared to pasturing group, the ewes’ supplementations with different energy levels did not significantly affect pH and the relative abundance of total N, NH3-N, urea N and protein N (p>0.05).
Zhang Junxia, Zheng Chen, Hou Shengzhen, Li Fadi and Ma Liaowei, 2014. The Effects of Tibetan Ewe Fed the Diets with Different Energy Levels on Ruminal Parameters. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 13: 247-250.