Effects of defaunation in sheep fed sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum, L.) plus urea

The defaunation effect on feed intake, nutrient apparent digestibilities, solid phase dynamics, ruminal fermentation parameters and in situ degradation in sheep fed on sugar cane plus urea was studied in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Ruminal passage rates of 3.05 and 1.97%/h were observed for the faunated and defaunated groups, respectively. Higher values for sugar cane NDF ruminal digestion rate (5.41%/h), extension (46.7%) and effective degradability (31.53%) were observed for the faunated group. The faunated group daily intake (57.7 and 32.3 g/kg0.75 for dry matter and NDF residue, respectively) was higher (P<0.06) than that for the defaunated group. Total VFA, acetate and propionate concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in the faunated group and were dependent on sampling time. Defaunated sheep showed higher (P<0.04) post prandial decrease in pH. Relative to apparent digestibility difference (P<0.05) between treatments was observed only for dry matter.

Rumen; ciliate protozoa; defaunation; digestibility, in situ degradability; rate of passage