Abstract:
Objective An in vitro gas production and nutrient degradation test was applied to determine the possibility of using fermented mulberry leaves in feed for Hu sheep.
Method Three healthy adult Hu sheep were fed each on alfalfa, Leymus chinensis or fermented mulberry leaves for comparison in this study. Ruminant liquids from the sheep were extracted and designated as ARL (from the sheep fed on alfalfa), LRL (from the sheep fed on L. chinensis), and MRL (from the sheep fed on the fermented mulberry leaves) for the 48 h in vitro simulated fermentation culture test. Production of selected gases and degradation of dry matters and fibers from the test were measured in 48-hour intervals during the fermentation process.
Result After 48h of the in vitro fermentation, the total gas produced by MRL was 187.25 mL·g−1, which was significantly higher than LRL (P<0.01) but not with respect to ARL (P>0.05); the 46.78 mmol·L−1 total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) significantly higher than either LRL or ARL (P<0.01); the acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, isobutyrate and isovalerate, with the exception of propionate, concentrations of 29.76, 10.18, 4.12, 1.54, 0.48, and 0.70 mmol·L−1, respectively, significantly higher than LRL (P<0.01); butyrate and valerate significantly higher than ARL (P<0.01); and, the ratio of
acetate to propionate is 2.92 significantly higher than LRL or ARL (P<0.01). There were extremely significant differences on NH3-N content among the fermentation broths of MRL, ARL, and LRL at 1.03, 1.75, and 0.71 mmol·mL−1, respectively (P<0.01). The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) by MRL of 46.76% was extremely significantly lower than the others (P<0.01), but the neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD) of 70.25% significantly higher (P<0.01).
Conclusion The in vitro fermentation test with the ruminant liquids employed in this study clearly demonstrated the enhancing effect of MRL in the gas production and nutrient degradation as compared to ARL or LRL. It appeared that the fermented mulberry leaves could be applied in feed to promote the ruminant digestion of Hu sheep.