Effects of replacing alfalfa hay and wheat straw with Gundelia Tournefortii hay on digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, ruminal and blood parameters Kermani sheep

The aim of this study was to determine chemical composition of Gundelia Tournefortii (GT) hay and the effect of replacing GT hay with alfalfa hay and wheat straw on nutrients digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, ruminal and blood parameters. In this experiment, four Kermani mature ram (BW= 55±2.5 kg) were used in a 4×4 Latin Square design with four periods of 21 days. The experimental diets were: 1) control diet (without GT hay), 2) diet containing 10% GT hay, 3) diet containing 20% GT and 4) diet containing 30% GT hay. The organic matter, ether extract and neutral detergent fiber of GT hay were significantly (p < 0.05) higher, while crude protein and acid detergent fiber were lower than alfalfa hay (p < 0.05). The intake and excretion nitrogen, and percentage of retained nitrogen, ruminal ammonia- nitrogen and pH were not affected by experimental diets. The lowest number of total protozoa and its species were obtained with diet containing 30% GT hay (p < 0.05). The concentration of blood glucose in sheep fed diet containing 20% GT was maximum (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the chemical composition of GT hay compared to alfalfa hay and wheat straw showed that this can be used as a feed with the high amount of metabolizable energy and fiber in sheep diet without negative effects on animal performance.