The Effect of Replacement of Slow Releasing Non-Protein Nitrogen Source by Urea in Diets Containing Almond Hulls on Microbial Protein Production and Nitrogen Balance in Sheep

Using horticultural and agricultural products such as almond hull is a useful way to compensate for feedstuff shortages and reduce environmental pollution. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of slow-release non-protein nitrogen replacement (Nitrosa) with urea in diets containing almond hulls on microbial protein production and nitrogen balance in sheep in order to provide an inexpensive non-forage fiber source with easily accessible nitrogen.

Materail and Methods:

This study was performed using four adult sheep weighing 49.33 ± 4.59 which were kept in metabolic cages were assigned in a 4×4 Latin square design in four 19-days periods. Feed intake and daily excretion of feces and urine were measured. Four rations were tested with the same raw protein and energy content, which contained 36% of the total crude protein content of non-protein nitrogen supplements. Only urea was used in the first treatment. In the second treatment, 24% of the crude protein required by urea and 12% by Nitrosa were provided. In the third treatment of urea and Nitrosa, respectively, 12 and 24%, and in the fourth treatment, Nitrosa was used only to provide 36% of the total crude protein needed in four periods. Each period included 14 days of habit and 5 days of measurements.

Allantoin showed a significant difference between treatments under the influence of experimental diets. So that treatment 3 had a significant difference with treatment 1 and 2, but did not differ with treatment 4. Also, treatment 2 had a significant difference with treatment 4 (p<0.05). Xanthine and hypoxanthine were not affected by diets (p>0.05). Uric acid, total purine derivatives excreted and all purine derivatives absorbed microbial nitrogen production, and microbial protein production under experimental diets showed a significant difference between treatments (p<0.05). The dry matter digestibility, crude protein, crude fat, and organic matter were not affected by the experimental syringes and there was no significant difference between the treatments (p>0.05). The digestibility of insoluble fiber in neutral detergent under the influence of experimental diets showed a significant difference between treatments (p<0.05). Treatment 4 had significant differences with treatment 1 and 3 and there was no difference between treatment 4 and 2.

Based on the results Using Nitrosa in diets containing almond hull as a low-cost non-forage fiber source also low-protein can be useful in improving the digestibility of fiber.