The effect of feeding dried sugar beet tops on the productive and reproductive performance of ram lambs
Abstract: Twenty four crossbred lambs (1/2 Finish Landrace x 1/2 Rahmani) aged 3 months old with 17.95 kg average body weight and were randomly blocked by weight in three equal groups A, Band C and were fed on the following rations: 1- 50% concentrate mixture (CM) + 50% berseem hay (BH),control; 11- 50% CM + 25% BH + 25% dried sugar beet tops (DSBT); 111- 50% CM + 50% DSBT, respectively. The aim of the present study is to studying the effect of feeding DSBT as a replacement of berseem hay in the ration on the productive and reproductive performance of ram lambs. Three digestibility trails were done for the nutritional evaluation of tested rations.
The main resultes showed that the DM,OM,CP and NFE digestibility coefiecients as well as nutritive value expressed as TDN and DCP content of ration II were not significantly differed compared with those of ration I (control), but they were significantly reduced when the level of DSBT was increased up to 50% in ration III. However, the digestibility of CF increased (P<0.05) by increasing the level of DSBT in (ration III) comparing with ration I (control). Concentration of NH3 N was lower (P<0.05) while concentration of total VFA's was higher (P<0.05) in rumen liquor of rams fed on ration III than those fed on rations I and II. The effect of feeding has insignificant effect on blood urea, glucose, haemoglobin, total protein, albumen and globulin concentrations. Average daily gain (ADG) for groups A and B was higher (P<0.05) than that for group C. Feed efficiency as kg DM / kg gain improved by 9.93 and 13.13 % for lambs in groups A and B, respectively compared to lambs in group C. Feed cost as L.E / kg gain decreased by 16.23 and 18.30 %, while economical efficiency improved by 19.47 and 22.57% for lambs fed on rations II and III comparing with those fed on control ration I.
Ram lambs in group B expressed first ejaculation (puberty) younger by 51.4 and 33.2 days than those in groups A and C, respectively. No significant differences in testosterone concentration (TC) in serum of ram lambs in the three groups at all stages of sexual development. Rams given ration I and II were produced semen in greater (P<0.05) quality (volume, motile spermatozoa, live spermatozoa, sperm cell concentration and sperm output) than those given ration III. However, the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa and abnormal acrosome were lower (P<0.05) in group A than those in groups Band C.
Keywords: Dried sugar beet tops, berseem hay, digesitibility, testosterone concentration, semen quality and sheep,
Publication year 2003
Pages 5969-5983
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى-شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City المنصورة
serial title Journal Agricultural Science Mansoura University
ISSN 1110-0346
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    محمد فريد السيد على جامعة طنطا
Agris Categories Animal physiology - NutritionAnimal physiology - Reproduction
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Production. Reproductive performance. Sheep. Sugarbeet.
Proposed Agrovoc ram lambs;Dried sugar beet tops;berseem hay;digesitibility;testosterone concentration;semen quality;
Publication Type Journal
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