Effect of partial replacement of alfalfa hay with Moringa species leaves on milk yield and composition of Najdi ewes

摘要

The present study was carried out to investigate changes in milk yield and composition of Najdi ewes fed 25 % Moringa oleifera (MOD) or Moringa peregrina (MPD) leaf diets as a supplement to alfalfa hay diet (AHD). Thirty ewes (average 55 kg, 2 years old) were randomly sorted into three experimental groups with 10 animals each and were fed for a 6-week period with these diets (AHD, MOD, or MPD). Diets dry matter, crude protein, and crude fiber were comparable, while fat, nitrogen-free extract (NFE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), metabolizable energy (ME), total phenolic, and antioxidant activity varied (p aecurrency signaEuroe0.05) between the diets. Feeding ewes with MOD increased (p aecurrency signaEuroe0.05) the milk yield compared to those fed AHD while milk composition was similar (p aecurrency signaEuroe0.05) between treatments. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the ewes' milk and serum was lower (p aecurrency signaEuroe0.05) for MOD, while the total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, and vitamin C contents were increased (p aecurrency signaEuroe0.05). The serum cholesterol and glucose of the ewes were lower (p aecurrency signaEuroe0.05) for those fed MOD. Moringa diets increased (p aecurrency signaEuroe0.05) average daily weight gain of lambs compared to those fed alfalfa diets. The results obtained showed that the inclusion of Moringa, especially M. oleifera, in the diet of Najdi ewes can improve milk yield and quality.