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<p>There is a growing interest in alternative feed sources for sheep, especially under desert conditions. This study evaluated the effects of replacing 25% of alfalfa hay with <i>Panicum maximum</i> hay in three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets, with or without Spirulina supplementation (2&#xa0;mg/g), on nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in Barki rams. Forty-eight adult rams (2 years old; 45 ± 0.60&#xa0;kg) were randomly assigned to six groups (<i>n</i> = 8). Forage represented 40% of the diet, and its composition varied as follows: 0% Panicum (all alfalfa with no replacement; T1, T2), 25% of the forage as Panicum (partial replacement; T3, T4), and 100% of the forage as Panicum (complete replacement; T5, T6). Spirulina was added to T2, T4, and T6. Results showed that all alfalfa hay diets significantly (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.0001) enhanced rumen total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) concentration, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and overall nutrient composition compared to diets with 10% Panicum and 30% alfalfa or 40% Panicum. Moreover, Spirulina supplementation significantly (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.0001) improved all measured rumen parameters and digestibility indices relative to non-supplemented groups. Regarding blood metabolites, rams fed by 40% alfalfa hay exhibited the highest (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.0001) levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, and urea, followed by those receiving 10% Panicum and 30% alfalfa. Spirulina supplementation also significantly increased these blood parameters compared with the unsupplemented groups. In conclusion, partial replacement of alfalfa hay with Panicum maximum hay (25%), combined with Spirulina supplementation, can enhance rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and metabolic profiles in Barki rams, suggesting a promising strategy for improving productivity under forage-limited conditions.</p>

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Digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites of Barki rams fed Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa hay as a substitute for alfalfa hay, with or without spirulina

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月17日

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  • M. I. Meteab,
  • M. M. Khorshed,
  • M. S. Nassar,
  • Abeer. M. EL-Essawy,
  • N. E. El-Bordeny

摘要

There is a growing interest in alternative feed sources for sheep, especially under desert conditions. This study evaluated the effects of replacing 25% of alfalfa hay with Panicum maximum hay in three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets, with or without Spirulina supplementation (2 mg/g), on nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in Barki rams. Forty-eight adult rams (2 years old; 45 ± 0.60 kg) were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 8). Forage represented 40% of the diet, and its composition varied as follows: 0% Panicum (all alfalfa with no replacement; T1, T2), 25% of the forage as Panicum (partial replacement; T3, T4), and 100% of the forage as Panicum (complete replacement; T5, T6). Spirulina was added to T2, T4, and T6. Results showed that all alfalfa hay diets significantly (P < 0.0001) enhanced rumen total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), ammonia (NH3) concentration, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and overall nutrient composition compared to diets with 10% Panicum and 30% alfalfa or 40% Panicum. Moreover, Spirulina supplementation significantly (P < 0.0001) improved all measured rumen parameters and digestibility indices relative to non-supplemented groups. Regarding blood metabolites, rams fed by 40% alfalfa hay exhibited the highest (P < 0.0001) levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, and urea, followed by those receiving 10% Panicum and 30% alfalfa. Spirulina supplementation also significantly increased these blood parameters compared with the unsupplemented groups. In conclusion, partial replacement of alfalfa hay with Panicum maximum hay (25%), combined with Spirulina supplementation, can enhance rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and metabolic profiles in Barki rams, suggesting a promising strategy for improving productivity under forage-limited conditions.