The effect of intraruminal infusion of iodinated casein on the potential degradability of Panicum maximum in west African dwarf x uda sheep

Abstract

The quantitative (percentage) rumen degradability of Panicum maximum at 48hrs post rumen incubation was studied in West African (Northern) long-legged sheep using the nylon bag technique, in a 4x4 Latin square experimental design of; four sheep, four time intervals, four experimental rounding of same sample and f our levels of iodinated casein. The animals had an average body weight of 9.6 +/- 1.46kg. The animals were fitted with rumen fistula through which Panicum maximum were incubated. Various dose ranges of 1.5g, 2.5g, 3.5g, and 4.5g of iodinated casein were infused into the rumen 8hrs prior to the incubation. Potential rumen degradability of Panicum maximum was determined at time intervals of 4,8,12 and 48hrs post incubation. The results of the experiment showed that infusing a maximum dose of 3.5g of iodinated casein produced marked improvement in the rumen degradability of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein fractions of Panicum maximum and beyond this limit the effect decreased. The increase in rumen potential degradability of all the fractions of Panicum maximum was significantly different (p<0.05) between the treatment groups of 2.5g and 3.5g of iodinated casein and the control as well as among the extremes of the treatment groups. This increase was however found to be dose (iodinated casein) dependent The result of this experiment will hopefully expand the possibilities of exploiting the nutritional benefits of some ruminant feeds particularly the more fibrous, rumen undegradable, non-conventional feed resources through the inclusion of appropriate levels of iodinated casein in ration containing them. In so doing, the scope of feed resources for ruminants may be expanded.

Keywords: Rumen, degradability, iodinated casein, Panicum maximum, sheep.

Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 27 (2) 2006: pp. 7-13