The effect of different levels of sulfur Bentonite on performance, digestibility of nutrients, rumination behavior, blood and rumen parameters in Dalagh

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Animal and Poultry Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of different levels of sulfur bentonite on performance, digestibility of nutrients, rumination behavior, blood and rumen parameters in Dalagh ewes, 18 non-pregnant lactating ewes with an average weight of 38±3.5 kg were used. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three treatments and six replications. The treatments included: 1- control (without sulfur bentonite), 2- containing 0.15% dry matter sulfur bentonite and 3- containing 0.3% dry matter sulfur bentonite. The results of this experiment showed that different levels of bentonite sulfur in ewes had no significant effect on the weight at the end of the experiment, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, dry matter intake, rumination behavior, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, globulin and blood albumin/globulin ratio. The use of different levels of bentonite sulfur reduced the apparent digestibility of dry matter and organic matter, increased glucose and blood urea (P<0.05). Also, bentonite sulfur treatments had lower protozoan population, pH of three hours after morning feeding and higher rumen ammonia concentration than the control treatment (P<0.05). In overall, the use of sulfur bentonite up to 0.3% of the dry matter of the diet decreased the digestibility of dry and organic matter, although a tendency to improve the feed conversion ratio and daily weight gain was observed

Keywords

Main Subjects

Extended Abstract

Introduction

Use of mineral elements is necessary to maximize production and animal health. For the first time in 1930, the role of sulfur as a nutrient was proven, and studies on a wide range of tissue proteins showed that sulfur is an integral part of protein, which includes 0.5 to 2% by weight. Sulfur is an essential mineral in ruminants. Sulfur is found in methionine, cysteine, cystine, homocysteine, cystathionine, taurine, biotin, thiamine, lipoic acid, coenzyme A, glutathione, fibrinogen, and heparin. Sulfur supplement can be added to ruminant diets in the form of L-methionine, sodium sulfate, copper sulfate, ammonium sulfate, calcium sulfate, potassium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfide, and elemental sulfur. Sulfur is an important component of chondroitin sulfates, digestive and reproductive mucins. This research was carried out to consider the effect of different levels of sulfur bentonite on performance, digestibility of nutrients, rumination behavior, blood and rumen parameters  in ewes.

 

Material and method

In this experiment, 18 non-pregnant Dalagh breed ewes with an average weight of 38±3.5 were used. All the ewes were subjected to a complete and detailed examination to ensure their health and performance. A completely randomized design with three treatments and six replications was used in this exprement. The treatments include: 1- control (without bentonite sulfur), 2- containing 0.15% and 3- 0.3% dry matter of bentonite sulfur. Animals in each treatment were kept in individual cages for 42 days (35 days of habituation and one week of sampling). Experimental rations were prepared based on the National Sheep Research Association information (NRC, 2007) with combinsation of 40% forage and 60% concentrate , and were provided to the ewes at two times: morning (8:00 am) and evening (5:00 pm) based on their appetite as totally mixed rations. During the experiment, animals had free access to clean drinking water. The ewes were weighed at the beginning and end of the 42-day period before morning feeding and fasting. Also, given feed and remained feed for each animal was recorded daily in order to calculate the amount consumed dry matter.  In order to measure digestibility, stool and feed samples were collected on days 38 to 42 for five days to perform digestibility tests. Also, the methods of the official association of analytical chemists were used to determine the chemical composition of feed and feces samples (dry matter and organic matter). During the 39th and 40th days of the experimental period, feed consumption behavior was measured by recording activity for a duration of 24 hours. The time spent on eating, resting and ruminating activities was visually recorded every five minutes and assuming that the activity continued for the last five minutes for all animals during the day and night hours. On the 41st day of the experiment and three hours after the morning feeding, a blood sample was taken from the jugular vein of the sheep using vacuum tubes and a heparinized needle. Pars Azmoun chemical kits were used to measure blood metabolites. In order to measure pH, counting protozoa and ammonia nitrogen, rumen fluid was sampled on the last day of the experiment. Ruminal fluid was collected from the animals by esophageal tube in times of fasting and three hours after the morning feeding . The obtained data were analyzed using SAS software, and the average of the treatments was compared using Duncan's test at a significance level of five percent.

 

Result

The results of this experiment showed that different levels of bentonite sulfur in ewes had no significant effect on final weight , daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, dry matter intake, rumination behavior, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, globulin and blood albumin/globulin ratio. The use of different levels of bentonite sulfur reduced the apparent digestibility of dry matter and organic matter, increased glucose and blood urea (P<0.05). Also, bentonite sulfur treatments had lower protozoan population, pH at three hours after morning feeding and higher rumen ammonia concentration than the control treatment (P<0.05).

 

Conclusion

In overall, the use of sulfur bentonite up to 0.3% of the dry matter of the diet decreased the digestibility of dry and organic matter, although a tendency to improve the feed conversion ratio and daily weight gain was observed.

References

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Iranian Journal of animal Science
Volume 55, Issue 1
March 2024
Pages 1-14

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History

  • Receive Date: 29 October 2022
  • Revise Date: 17 April 2023
  • Accept Date: 18 April 2023

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