Effect of different levels of Ipomoea batatasflour inclusion on the ruminal pH of sheep in metabolic cages

The accumulation of industrial by-products increases the use of sweet potato waste for ruminants, but ruminal pH characteristics are still not well known. The objective was to assess the fluctuation of ruminal pH in sheep supplemented with different levels of sweet potato flour inclusion in their diet. Four rumen-fistulated sheep were used; they were fed a diet based on ryegrass haylage (Lolium multiflorum) and sweet potato flour (Ipomoea batatas), provided according to the level of inclusion in the total diet (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%). Approximately 80 ml of ruminal fluid was collected for reading on a bench pH meter. Statistical data analysis was run on Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute INC. Cary, NC, USA), and statistical difference was considered for p < 0.05. The animals that received 1.5% of sweet potato flour in their diet presented acid rumen pH; the 1.0% group presented rumen pH acidification in the first 6 hours after feeding, and the 0.5% level of inclusion did not change the rumen environment. It is concluded that the inclusion of 0.5% sweet potato flour in sheep diet proved to be an efficient energy supplementation strategy.(AU)

Effect of different levels of Ipomoea batatasflour inclusion on the ruminal pH of sheep in metabolic cages

The accumulation of industrial by-products increases the use of sweet potato waste for ruminants, but ruminal pH characteristics are still not well known. The objective was to assess the fluctuation of ruminal pH in sheep supplemented with different levels of sweet potato flour inclusion in their diet. Four rumen-fistulated sheep were used; they were fed a diet based on ryegrass haylage (Lolium multiflorum) and sweet potato flour (Ipomoea batatas), provided according to the level of inclusion in the total diet (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%). Approximately 80 ml of ruminal fluid was collected for reading on a bench pH meter. Statistical data analysis was run on Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute INC. Cary, NC, USA), and statistical difference was considered for p < 0.05. The animals that received 1.5% of sweet potato flour in their diet presented acid rumen pH; the 1.0% group presented rumen pH acidification in the first 6 hours after feeding, and the 0.5% level of inclusion did not change the rumen environment. It is concluded that the inclusion of 0.5% sweet potato flour in sheep diet proved to be an efficient energy supplementation strategy.

Onset of reproductive activity of white and natural colored corriedale ewe labms

The objective of this study was to estimate differences in growth, plasma progesterone (P4) and age at puberty between white and natural colored Corriedale ewe lambs. Thirty ewe lambs with average age of 12 months were randomly allocated to genetic groups: white (WC, n = 15) and natural colored (NC, n = 15). Ewes were maintained under extensive grazing conditions on natural pasture, and herbage mass was estimated over a 28-day experimental period. Morphometric measurements (front and hind height, body length, thoracic perimeter, rump length and width, wool fiber length), body condition score (CC) and weight were taken at 28-day intervals. There was no effect of genetic group on body weight, average daily gain and morphometric measurements (P > 0.05). The WC ewe lambs had longer fiber length (P < 0.05). Plasma P4 was similar between genotypes (P > 0.05); however, it increased above 1ng ml-1 in NC from January onward and in WC from March onwards. Estrus was detected at the same time in both groups. The results of this study indicate that both genetic groups have similar growth patterns and ovarian activities.(AU)

Onset of reproductive activity of white and natural colored corriedale ewe labms

The objective of this study was to estimate differences in growth, plasma progesterone (P4) and age at puberty between white and natural colored Corriedale ewe lambs. Thirty ewe lambs with average age of 12 months were randomly allocated to genetic groups: white (WC, n = 15) and natural colored (NC, n = 15). Ewes were maintained under extensive grazing conditions on natural pasture, and herbage mass was estimated over a 28-day experimental period. Morphometric measurements (front and hind height, body length, thoracic perimeter, rump length and width, wool fiber length), body condition score (CC) and weight were taken at 28-day intervals. There was no effect of genetic group on body weight, average daily gain and morphometric measurements (P > 0.05). The WC ewe lambs had longer fiber length (P 0.05); however, it increased above 1ng ml-1 in NC from January onward and in WC from March onwards. Estrus was detected at the same time in both groups. The results of this study indicate that both genetic groups have similar growth patterns and ovarian activities.