Effects of inclusion of dried deoiled Satureja khuzistanica in finishing diet of lambs on kinetics of gas production in vitro

The current experiment was carried out to investigate the possible effects of replacing alfalfa by dried de-oiled Savory (Satureja khuzistanica; DDS) at the levels of 0، 25، 50، 75 and 100 percent in finishing diets of Mehraban lambs on kinetics of gas production in vitro. The experimental diets contained 20% alfalfa and 80% of concentrate on dry matter basis. Replacing alfalfa by DDS had no significant effect on gas production at different incubation times as well as on kinetics of gas production including asymptotic of gas production (A)، fraction rate of gas production (C) and half time of gas production (t1/2) (P>0. 05). Concentration of ammonia was significantly decreased when alfalfa was replaced by DDS in the diets (P<0. 05). Experimental diets did not have significant effect on total volatile fatty acids. Although apparent in vitro dry matter digestibility was significantly decreased (P<0. 05) when alfalfa was replaced by dried DDS at the levels of 75 and 100%، true dry matter digestibility remained unaffected. Replacing alfalfa by DDS up to 75% tended to increase microbial biomass production (MBP) and efficiency of MBP. The results of current study showed that inclusion of DDS in finishing diet of lambs could reduce ammonia production; thereby improve nitrogen utilization without having any adverse effect on digestibility of dry matter.