Search Results (2)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of using different levels of sunflower hulls (SFH) as a source of fiber in a complete feed on Naemi ewes’ milk yield, composition, and fatty acid profile at 6, 45, and 90 days postpartum. In this study, 48 primiparous lactating Naemi ewes were randomly selected for the four treatment groups as follows: C (control), total mixed ratio (TMR; 0% SFH); TMR1, including S12% SFH; TMR2, including S20% SFH; and TMR3, including S28% SFH. The data were analyzed by SAS software 9.4 as a complete randomized design with repeated measurements. Both the S20 and S28 groups showed significant effects on milk yield and persistence at 45 and 90 days compared to the control and S12 groups. The triglyceride concentration level at 6 and 90 days postpartum was significantly higher (p < 0.05; p < 0.001) in the blood serum. The treatment significantly affected fat, protein, and total solids (p < 0.05), with quadratic and cubic responses, respectively. The time significantly influenced protein (p < 0.001), lactose (p < 0.01), and total solids (p < 0.05). A significant difference (p < 0.05) in the treatments showed varying responses in the fatty acid concentration in milk. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and omega 6 (n-6)/omega 3 (n-3) in the milk fat of ewes from the S12, S20, and S28 groups were significantly lower compared to the others. Furthermore, the (n-6) and atherogenicity (AI) were high and low, respectively, in S28, which is considered beneficial to human health. In conclusion, ewes can be fed up to 28% SFH during lactation as a complete pelleted feed to obtain an acceptable milk yield, nutritive value, and healthy fatty acid profile. Full article

This study investigated the effects of supplementing different levels of sunflower hulls (SFH) to the complete feed of late-gestation pregnant ewes on the nutritive and fatty acids profile of colostrum at three and 48 h postpartum. In this study, 24 primiparous lactating Naemi ewes were randomly selected at parturition from four dietary groups as follows: (1) C (control), total mixed ration (TMR; 0% SFH), (2) S12, TMR1 with 12% SFH (level 1), (3) S20, TMR2 with 20% SFH (level 2), and (4) S28, TMR3 with 28% SFH (level 3). The body condition scores were estimated 30 days prepartum. Colostrum samples were collected at three and 48 h postpartum to measure the nutritive values and fatty acids profiles. Data were analyzed as a complete randomized design with repeated measures and via Pearson’s correlation and regression analyses. The results indicated a numerical correlation (R² = 0.42; p < 0.09) between the body condition score and both colostrum fat and total solids. SFH increased the colostrum fat % (p < 0.05), especially for S12 and S20, following a cubic trend. Additionally, the colostrum from S12 and S20 ewes had a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs), omega3 and lower levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), other than margaric acid (C17) and stearic acid (C18), SFA/USFA, and omega 6/omega 3. Furthermore, the regression analysis of the fatty acid classes and indices indicated a quadratic relationship between the parameters and SFH levels. The results confirm that the inclusion of SFH at levels greater than 20% may have a negative effect on some fatty acid parameters as a result of the high lignin intake. In conclusion, up to 20% SFH can be used in a complete feed for pregnant ewes without negative effects on the colostrum fat content and fatty acids profiles. Full article