Abstract

Application of phytogenic feed additives in livestock production is a sustainable practice and the search for more phytogenic options continues. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of lemongrass supplementation on nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation and milk production and composition. Thirty gestating Farafra ewes were randomly assigned to three experimental treatments of control (without a supplement), or with the supplementation of 5 g (LEM5 treatment), or 10 g of lemongrass/ewe/d (LEM10 treatment) for 12 weeks. Lemongrass supplementation at both doses did not influence ( p > 0.05) nutrient intake, but improved nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05). Furthermore, LEM5 and LEM10 treatments improved (p ≤ 0.001) ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate. Blood glucose was increased (p < 0.05) and cholesterol was decreased in ewes supplemented with lemongrass at both doses. Milk yield, energy corrected milk yield, and milk component were improved (p ≤ 0.001) in ewes supplemented with lemongrass at 5 and 10 g while the feed efficiency was decreased. Lemongrass supplementation at both doses increased (p = 0.040) the proportion of milk total conjugated linoleic acid without affecting other milk fatty acids. In most of the parameters evaluated, there was no significant difference between LEM5 and LEM10. Therefore, lemongrass supplementation at 5 g/ewe/d can be used in dairy production with positive impacts.

摘要

在畜牧生产中应用植物源性饲料添加剂是一种可持续的做法，并且仍在继续寻找更多的植物源性选择。本研究旨在调查补充柠檬草对养分利用、瘤胃发酵以及牛奶产量和成分的影响。将 30 只怀孕的 Farafra 母羊随机分配到三个实验处理组（无补充），或补充 5 克（LEM5 处理）或 10 克柠檬草/母羊/天（LEM10 处理），持续 12 周。两种剂量的柠檬草补充剂均未影响 ( p  > 0.05) 营养摄入，但提高了营养消化率 ( p  < 0.05)。此外，LEM5 和 LEM10 治疗改善了 ( p ≤ 0.001) 瘤胃总挥发性脂肪酸、乙酸盐和丙酸盐。 在两种剂量下补充柠檬草的母羊的血糖升高 ( p < 0.05) 和胆固醇降低。 补充 5 克和 10 克柠檬草的母羊的产奶量、能量校正产奶量和乳成分得到提高 ( p ≤ 0.001)，同时饲料效率降低。两种剂量的柠檬草补充剂均增加了 ( p  = 0.040) 牛奶总共轭亚油酸的比例，而不影响其他牛奶脂肪酸。在评估的大多数参数中，LEM5 和 LEM10 之间没有显着差异。因此，5 克/母羊/天的柠檬草补充剂可用于乳制品生产并产生积极影响。