abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate whole substitution of Egyptian berseem hay (Trifolium alexandrinum) with a mixture ofAtriplex nummulariaandAcacia saligna(1:1 DM) in the diet of Barki lambs for
70 days. Thirty six lambs (27.070.89 kg initial BW) were divided into four treatment groups of nine
lambs each and fed: (1) the Control group with no substitution (70% concentrate mixture and 30%
berseem hay, DM basis), (2)A. nummulariaandA. salignamixture without fungal treatment (treatment
group AU), or (3)Trichoderma reeseitreatedA. nummulariaandA. salignamixture (treatment group AF),
or (4)A. nummulariaandA. salignamixture supplemented withSaccharomyces cerevisiaeat 0.5 g/kg DM
of feed (treatment group AS) replaced 100% of berseem hay in the diet. Live-weight change, rumen
fermentation parameters, blood chemistry, carcass characteristics and intestinal histology were investigated. Significant (Po0.05) interactions occurred between diet and period for feed conversion efficiency and blood serum urea. Lambs in the AS treatment consumed less (Po0.05) feed than lambs in
the AF treatment, with no difference between the other treatments (P40.05). Lambs fed AF and AU diets
had lower (Po0.05) feed conversion efficiency than lambs fed the AS and Control diets. Lambs fed AF
and AS had increased (Po0.05) volatile fatty acid production compared to Controls. Blood albumin and
urea concentrations increased (Po0.05) with lambs in AS treatment compared to lambs in the other
treatments, while lambs fed AF had lower (Po0.05) cholesterol and glucose concentrations compared to
the Controls. The AS lambs had the highest (Po0.05) dressing percentage. Decreased intramuscular fat
weights were obtained with lambs fed halophytes compared to Control lambs. Histology of the ileum,
sub mucosa and Peyer's patches were normal in all lambs. In conclusion, untreated halophyte mixtures of
A. nummulariaandA. saligna(at 1:1 DM) can be substituted for berseem hay without negative effects on
performance while treatment withS. cerevisiaemay improve performance and, likeT. reesei,change
certain biochemical responses.
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