The effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on intake, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fluid pH in Awassi female lambs

Research (Published online: 30-07-2018)

20. The effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on intake, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fluid pH in Awassi female lambs

Belal S. Obeidat, Kamel Z. Mahmoud, Mohammad D. Obeidat, Mysaa Ata, Rami T. Kridli, Serhan G. Haddad, Hosam H. Titi, Khaleel I. Jawasreh, Hosam J. Altamimi, Hadil S. Subih, Safaa M. Hatamleh, Majdi A. Abu Ishmais and Ruba Abu Affan

Veterinary World, 11(7): 1015-1020

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding low (LO)- or high (HI)-fiber diets supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, rumen fluid pH, and serum concentrations of glucose and urea nitrogen in Awassi female lambs in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments.

Materials and Methods: Experimental diets were as follows: (1) LO-fiber diet with no SC supplementation (-LO), (2) LO-fiber diet supplemented with SC (+LO), (3) HI-fiber diet with no SC supplementation (-HI), or (4) HI-fiber diet supplemented with SC (+HI). Eight female lambs were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with 15-day experimental periods (10-day adaptation period and 5-day collection period).

Results: A fiber×SC interaction (p≤0.05) was detected for dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) intake among diets showing greater DM and CP intake for +LO diet compared to +HI group supplemented with SC, whereas -LO and -HI were intermediate. A fiber×SC interaction (p=0.05) was also detected for the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake among diets. Intake of NDF was greater for the -HI diet compared with +LO and -LO diets. Similarly, NDF intake was greater for +HI diet than -LO diet. A tendency (p=0.07) for a fiber×SC interaction was detected for acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake among diets as well. ADF intake tended to be greater for HI-fiber diets. No difference was observed in the rumen fluid pH for lambs fed with the different diets. No fiber×SC interactions were detected for the digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF among dietary treatments. Digestibility of DM was greater (72.9 g/100 g vs. 67.1 g/100 g; p=0.0002) for LO versus HI fiber. However, NDF and ADF digestibilities were greater (60.8 and 61.9 g/100 g vs. 55.8 and 52.7 g/100 g for NDF and ADF digestibility, respectively; p≤0.01) for the HI-fiber than the LO-fiber diets.

Conclusion: Results obtained in the current study indicate that SC supplementation has a minimal effect on the performance of Awassi female lambs fed with varying fiber levels.

Keywords: Awassi female lamb, intake, nutrients digestibility, yeast supplementation.