Linseed-based diets for sheep. 1. Nutrient digestibility, N retention and rumen fermentation.

摘要

The effects of linseed-based diets for sheep on the nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) retention and some parameters in blood serum and rumen fluid were studied. 20 rams were randomly assigned into 4 groups and fed a diet containing meadow hay and concentrate. The control group received a concentrate with no supplemental linseed, whereas concentrate for groups II, III and IV contained 10% crushed linseed cultivars Opal, Omega and LinolaTM947, respectively. Linseed-based diets contained more fat (%) and different fatty acid profiles. Inclusion of linseed increased the crude fat digestibility from 68 to 80% (P<0.05), without significant effects on digestibility of other nutrients and N retention. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found in the total cholesterol, triacylglyceride [triacylglycerol] and total lipid contents in the blood serum, as well as in the ammonia content of the rumen fluid. The 10% addition of linseed to concentrate caused a decrease in volatile fatty acids (VFA; P<0.05) in the rumen fluid.