No CrossRef data available.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 November 2017
Utilization of low quality roughages is limited fundamentally by the low energy cont and low DM intake when fed to the ruminant animal. Supplementation with concentrates can al improved energy supply although their inclusion can lead to a negative effect upon rough intake and ruminal cellulolitic activity. Urinary excretion of purine derivatives, urea and may constitute a suitable index to detect possible effects on rumen fermentation.
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of changes in rumen fermentat: upon urinary excretion of these compounds induced by dietary supplementation of straw v differents sources of carbohydrates.
Twelve Rasa Aragonesa ewes (44±0.45 Kg) were fed “ad libitum” with urea-supplemer barley straw and allocated at random to 3 groups of 4 animals. Each group was supplemented barley grain, sugar beet pulp and grass hay, respectively, at 4 levels of supplementation (: 300, 450 and 600 g/d) in a 4 x 4 latin square design. Each 42-d experimental period compr: 35 days of adjustment period followed by a 7 days measurement period.