Dry matter and nitrogen degradation parameters of tropical tree foliages eaten by west African dwarf sheep.

摘要

Foliages from Ficus exasperata, Spondias mombin, Tectona grandis and Terminalia catappa were evaluated to measure rumen degradation characteristics of their DM and N contents using the nylon bag technique in sheep. Effective and potential degradabilities of dry matter of F. exasperata were much higher than those of other trees, whereas, effective and potential degradabilities of N were highest for F. exasperata and lowest for Terminalia catappa. The leaves of S. mombin, Tectona grandis and Terminalia catappa appear to be potential sources of rumen undegraded protein to the small intestine, which could probably be exploited for the benefits of ruminants.