Degradation of Crude Protein in Groundnut Cake, Guinea Grass (Panicum Maximum) and Rumen Epithelial Scraping based Diets by West African Dwarf Sheep

Abstract

Three West African dwarf rams fitted with rumen cannula, were used in a completely randomized design for degradation of crude protein (CP) of groundnut cake (GNC), Panicum maximum, rumen epithelial scraping (RES), and diets containing increasing levels of RES. Concentrate diets were formulated such that 0% (A), 50% (B), and 100% (C) of groundnut cake were replaced with RES in a diet containing 20% GNC. The soluble fraction a, insoluble fraction b and rumen undegradable protein (RUP) obtained for GNC, grass and RES varied significantly (p<0.05). Significant (p<0.05) variations were also observed for a, b and RUP of the test ingredients. Effective degradability (ED) of CP in GNC, grass and RES (at outflow rate of 0.02) were 38.19, 19.63 and 2.13 respectively. The ED values obtained for the diets decreased significantly (p<0.05) with increased inclusion of RES. Panicum maximum and RES contained significantly higher (p<0.05) level of RUP when compared with GNC. The RUP values obtained for the diets were not influenced (p>0.05) by the inclusion of RES. 

Keywords: Rumen epithelial scraping, degradability, concentrate, cannulated sheep, supplement.