The Effects of Different Levels of Sunflower Hulls on Reproductive Performance of Yearly Ewes Fed with Pelleted Complete Diets

In this study, 84 pregnant ewes were used and randomly distributed to one of four treatments, as follows: C (control), total mixed ration (TMR) +12% SFH (S12), TMR +20% SFH (S20), and TMR +28% SFH (S28). Treatments had a significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) effect on the daily feed intake (D...

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Main Authors: Abdualrahman S. Alharthi, Mohsen M. Alobre, Mutassim M. Abdelrahman, Hani H. Al-Baadani, Ayman A. Swelum, Rifat Ullah Khan, Ibrahim A. Alhidary
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/10/959
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author Abdualrahman S. Alharthi
Mohsen M. Alobre
Mutassim M. Abdelrahman
Hani H. Al-Baadani
Ayman A. Swelum
Rifat Ullah Khan
Ibrahim A. Alhidary
author_facet Abdualrahman S. Alharthi
Mohsen M. Alobre
Mutassim M. Abdelrahman
Hani H. Al-Baadani
Ayman A. Swelum
Rifat Ullah Khan
Ibrahim A. Alhidary
author_sort Abdualrahman S. Alharthi
collection DOAJ
description In this study, 84 pregnant ewes were used and randomly distributed to one of four treatments, as follows: C (control), total mixed ration (TMR) +12% SFH (S12), TMR +20% SFH (S20), and TMR +28% SFH (S28). Treatments had a significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) effect on the daily feed intake (DFI) of the ewes during the late gestation (30 d prepartum) and post-partum period, with the S12 and S20 groups having lower feed intake (35; 60%) than the C and S28 group. The DFI was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) low during late gestation in comparable with other periods. The results revealed that body weight (BW) at late gestation was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher than the BW at 60-days postpartum and during the mating period. Body condition score (BCS) was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher during late gestation in comparison with other periods. There was no significant effect of different levels of SFH on reproductive parameters except S/C, which was significantly higher in the S20 than other groups. Serum glucose level was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in the S20 group than the C, S12, and S28 groups during 30 days postpartum. S20 and S28 groups showed a significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) increase in glucose levels at parturition in comparison with other reproductive periods. At late gestation, a significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.01) higher concentration of blood NEFA was reported for ewes from the C group compared with other groups. Furthermore, significantly lower (<i>p</i> < 0.05) NEFA levels at parturition were found for ewes from the S20 group compared with the S12 group. In conclusion, TMR is not preferable to be used alone in the late gestation period. Sunflower hull can be used as a cheap source of fiber in TMR without adverse effects on health or the reproductive traits of ewes. The increasing level of sunflower hull up to 28% can affect fertility and increase the number of services per conception, probably due to its high content of lignin (phytoestrogen).
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spelling doaj.art-6348c786cd734120aa602946a8b34ed52023-11-22T17:04:54ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722021-10-01111095910.3390/agriculture11100959The Effects of Different Levels of Sunflower Hulls on Reproductive Performance of Yearly Ewes Fed with Pelleted Complete DietsAbdualrahman S. Alharthi0Mohsen M. Alobre1Mutassim M. Abdelrahman2Hani H. Al-Baadani3Ayman A. Swelum4Rifat Ullah Khan5Ibrahim A. Alhidary6Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Animal Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Animal Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Animal Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Animal Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar 25000, PakistanDepartment of Animal Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaIn this study, 84 pregnant ewes were used and randomly distributed to one of four treatments, as follows: C (control), total mixed ration (TMR) +12% SFH (S12), TMR +20% SFH (S20), and TMR +28% SFH (S28). Treatments had a significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) effect on the daily feed intake (DFI) of the ewes during the late gestation (30 d prepartum) and post-partum period, with the S12 and S20 groups having lower feed intake (35; 60%) than the C and S28 group. The DFI was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) low during late gestation in comparable with other periods. The results revealed that body weight (BW) at late gestation was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher than the BW at 60-days postpartum and during the mating period. Body condition score (BCS) was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher during late gestation in comparison with other periods. There was no significant effect of different levels of SFH on reproductive parameters except S/C, which was significantly higher in the S20 than other groups. Serum glucose level was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in the S20 group than the C, S12, and S28 groups during 30 days postpartum. S20 and S28 groups showed a significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) increase in glucose levels at parturition in comparison with other reproductive periods. At late gestation, a significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.01) higher concentration of blood NEFA was reported for ewes from the C group compared with other groups. Furthermore, significantly lower (<i>p</i> < 0.05) NEFA levels at parturition were found for ewes from the S20 group compared with the S12 group. In conclusion, TMR is not preferable to be used alone in the late gestation period. Sunflower hull can be used as a cheap source of fiber in TMR without adverse effects on health or the reproductive traits of ewes. The increasing level of sunflower hull up to 28% can affect fertility and increase the number of services per conception, probably due to its high content of lignin (phytoestrogen).https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/10/959Awassi ewesblood biochemistryconceptionpregnancypost-partum
spellingShingle Abdualrahman S. Alharthi
Mohsen M. Alobre
Mutassim M. Abdelrahman
Hani H. Al-Baadani
Ayman A. Swelum
Rifat Ullah Khan
Ibrahim A. Alhidary
The Effects of Different Levels of Sunflower Hulls on Reproductive Performance of Yearly Ewes Fed with Pelleted Complete Diets
Agriculture
Awassi ewes
blood biochemistry
conception
pregnancy
post-partum
title The Effects of Different Levels of Sunflower Hulls on Reproductive Performance of Yearly Ewes Fed with Pelleted Complete Diets
title_full The Effects of Different Levels of Sunflower Hulls on Reproductive Performance of Yearly Ewes Fed with Pelleted Complete Diets
title_fullStr The Effects of Different Levels of Sunflower Hulls on Reproductive Performance of Yearly Ewes Fed with Pelleted Complete Diets
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of Different Levels of Sunflower Hulls on Reproductive Performance of Yearly Ewes Fed with Pelleted Complete Diets
title_short The Effects of Different Levels of Sunflower Hulls on Reproductive Performance of Yearly Ewes Fed with Pelleted Complete Diets
title_sort effects of different levels of sunflower hulls on reproductive performance of yearly ewes fed with pelleted complete diets
topic Awassi ewes
blood biochemistry
conception
pregnancy
post-partum
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/10/959
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