›› 2015, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (11): 2969-2976.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2015.11.022

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Effect of Alfalfa Flavonoids on Rumen Fermentation Function and Cellulolytic Enzymatic Activity of Crossbreed Sheep

WANG Meng-zhu1,2, LIU Yan-feng1,2, WANG Wen-qi2, HOU Guang-tian2, ZHANG Wen-ju1   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, China;
    2. Feed Research Institute, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830000, China
  • Received:2015-06-03 Online:2015-11-20 Published:2015-11-26

Abstract: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of alfalfa flavonoids on rumen fermentation function and cellulolytic enzymatic activity of crossbreed sheep.A single factor random block design was used,and twelve crossbreed sheep (F1) Suffolk×Small-tail Han sheep with permanent rumen fistulas and the body weight of 27.02 kg±3.03 kg were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates per group and 1 single sheep per replicate.The control group was fed a basal diet without alfalfa flavonoids,and the experimental groups were fed the basal diets supplemented with 0.1%,0.2% and 0.4% alfalfa flavonoids,respectively.The pre-test period lasted for 7 days and the trial period lasted for 41 days.The results showed as follows:①Compared with control group,the pH of 0.2% group was significantly increased at 12 h after adding alfalfa flavonoids (P<0.05),and no significant differences were observed in other groups (P>0.05);There were no significant differences in NH3-H concentration among all groups (P>0.05),and the concentration was increasing with the dose rising (P>0.05).②Compared with control group,the average concentrations of acetate,propionate,butyrate,valerate and TVFA in 0.1% and 0.4% groups were increased,whereas the concentrations in 0.2% group showed contrary pattern.The isovalerate concentration in 0.1% and 0.2% groups were significantly higher than that in 0.4% group at 2 h after adding alfalfa flavonoids (P<0.05).③Compared with control group,the activities of xylanase,endoglucanase,cellobiase and cellulase in 0.1% and 0.2% groups were decreased,but those in 0.4% group were increased and the difference was not significant (P>0.05).In conclusion,dietary supplementation of alfalfa flavonoids could keep the stability of rumen fermentation function of crossbreed sheep and this compound in different dose had different effect on cellulolytic enzymatic activity.The recommended supplemental level of alfalfa flavonoids was 0.4% in diet for crossbreed sheep under this test condition.

Key words: alfalfa flavonoids; fermentation function; cellulolytic enzymatic; activity

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