Methane mitigation potential of diets supplemented with mesquite piperidine alkaloids for sheep

摘要

Phytogenic compounds as rumen fermentation modifiers are gaining importance while synthetic antimicrobials have its restricted use as a nutritional additive for ruminants. The aim was to evaluate the effects of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C.)piperidine alkaloids (MPA) levels as phytogenic additive alternative to sodium monensin (MON) on enteric CH4 production in diets of lambs. Five male Dorper lambs of 120 days of age and initial body weight 25±2 kg were used in a 5x5 Latin square design.The experimental diets constituted MON (2.8 mg/kg DM) and MPA (0, 6.6, 17.3, and 27.8 mg/kg DM) and were composed of 40% Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp) hay and 60% concentrate. Enteric CH4 (g/d) production from lambs fed MPA presented tendency (P<0.10) to decrease compared with MON. Lambs fed increased MPA levels presented linear decrease in the CH4 production. The use of MPA level of 27.8 mg/kg decreased 24% the CH4 yield (g/kg ingested NDF) compared to MON diet (PO.05). The results show that MPA is an enteric CH4 inhibitor in ruminants.