Supplemental Polyethylene Glycol and Energy Increase Intake of Mediterranean shrubs by Sheep and Goats (CROSBI ID 137544)
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Podaci o odgovornosti
Rogošić, Jozo
engleski
Supplemental Polyethylene Glycol and Energy Increase Intake of Mediterranean shrubs by Sheep and Goats
Maquis is extensive shrubby vegetation types in the Mediterranean region that provide important habitat for wild and domestic herbivores. Although the majority of these shrubs are nutritious, virtually all contain secondary compounds that reduce their forage value. In four trials, we examined the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and number of species offered on intake of Mediterranean shrubs by sheep and goats. We offered 6 shrubs in Trial 1, three shrubs in Trial 2, two shrubs in Trial 3, and one shrub in Trial 4. Trials were conducted with 12 sheep and 12 goats (6 PEG vs. 6 control). In trial 1, goats ate more total shrub biomass than did sheep (60.7 vs. 45.9 ± 2.6 g/kg BW, respectively). There was a trend (P=0.08) towards a positive PEG effect on total shrub intake, with PEG-supplemented animals consuming more total shrubs than controls (56.7 vs. 50.0 ± 2.6 g/kg BW). In trial 2, both species of animals showed a numerical decrease in total shrub intake with or without supplemental PEG. Sheep receiving PEG ate more (P=0.002) total shrubs than did controls, but no such treatment effect was found for goats. In trial 3, supplemental PEG had a positive effect (P<0.001) on total shrub intake for both sheep and goats when only 2 shrubs (Arbutus and Pistacia) of lower palatability were offered. In trial 4, supplemental PEG had a marked positive effect (P<0.001) on intake of Pistacia lentiscus in both sheep and goats. PEG supplemented goats ate more Pistacia lentiscus (39.6 g/kg BW) than did PEG supplemented sheep (28.1 g/kg BW), whereas control sheep and goats ate similar amounts (12.2 and 15.3 g/kg BW, respectively). Our findings suggest that plant biochemical diversity plays a very important role in herbivore’ s diet selection, enabling animals to better meet their nutritional needs and avoid toxicity. In addition, as the number of shrubs in the diet decreased, the impact of PEG on intake of shrubs increased. PEG alone had a greater influence on sheep than on goats, and it had the most influence on both sheep and goats when only one or two foods were available.
Mediterranean shrubs; bBiological diversity; sheep; goats; diet selection; decondary compounds; polyethylene glycol
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Podaci o izdanju
49 (5)
2007.
255-265
objavljeno
0023-4850