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Investigating the chemical composition, digestion and fermentation of Alternanthera sessilis red plant and its effect on the performance of fattening lambs

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Zahra Ghashang Mirzavand
Zahra Ghashang Mirzavand
Zahra Ghashang Mirzavand
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Morteza Chaji at Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan (Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University)
Morteza Chaji
  • Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan (Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University)
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Abstract

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of red Alternanthera sessilis for fattening lambs when they were replaced with alfalfa forage. Forty growing lambs with an average weight of 21.12 kg and an age of 5 months were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation parameters, protozoa population, blood parameters, and composition of carcass components were evaluated. The results of this experiment showed that the use of Alternanthera sessilis in the diet significantly reduced feed intake, increased the average daily weight gain, and improved the feed conversion ratio compared to the control treatment (P < 0.05). The digestibility of dry matter and protein was significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and organic matter showed a numerical increase. Diets containing different levels of the Alternanthera sessilis plant did not affect pH, but the increase in the amount of this plant in the diet led to an increase ammonia nitrogen concentration and rumen protozoa population (P < 0.05). The addition of Alternanthera sessilis to the diet significantly reduced the concentration of blood glucose and cholesterol and increased the concentration of blood urea nitrogen (P < 0.05). Except for the weight of the thigh and neck, the effect of experimental treatments on other carcass components was not significant. Overall, the results of this experiment showed that using the Alternanthera sessilis plant in the rations of fattened lambs as a substitute for alfalfa forage not only had no negative effect on the studied parameters but also improved them in some cases. Therefore, Alternanthera sessilis can be used in rations of fattened lambs as a substitute for part of alfalfa forage.
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REGULAR ARTICLES
Tropical Animal Health and Production (2024) 56:304
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-024-04151-3
those living in poverty (Ulian et al. 2020). With the global
population growing at an unprecedented rate, it has become
essential to discover new and aordable sources of food for
livestock and poultry. The nutritional value of these sources
must also be determined (Ulian et al. 2020). Ruminant live-
stock breeding is primarily dependent on forage. However,
due to the lack of forage in terms of quantity and quality,
researchers are seeking alternative sources of feed or meth-
ods to improve feed yields (Busquet et al. 2006).
Alternanthera sessilis is a plant belonging to the Ama-
ranth family (Amaranthus). It is located in the suborder
Spermatophyta in the class Magnoliophyta and subclass
Caryophyllidae. The plant is native to South America and
is one of the most popular ornamental plants in China.
However, in agricultural farms, it is considered a common
weed (Hyde et al. 2023; Hwong et al. 2022). Alternanthera
Introduction
For centuries, nature has been a vital source of food and med-
icine. Wild plants, with their active nutrients and therapeutic
properties, have been particularly important. People around
the world, especially those living in rural areas and develop-
ing countries, rely on wild edible plants to supplement their
food intake and provide medicine.This is especially true for
Morteza Chaji
mortezachaji@yahoo.com; chaji@asnrukh.ac.ir
1 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science
and Food Technology, Agricultural Sciences and Natural
Resources, University of Khuzestan, P.O. Box 63517-73637,
Mollasani, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract
The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of red Alternanthera sessilis for fattening lambs
when they were replaced with alfalfa forage. Forty growing lambs with an average weight of 21.12 kg and an age of
5 months were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen
fermentation parameters, protozoa population, blood parameters, and composition of carcass components were evalu-
ated. The results of this experiment showed that the use of Alternanthera sessilis in the diet signicantly reduced feed
intake, increased the average daily weight gain, and improved the feed conversion ratio compared to the control treat-
ment (P < 0.05). The digestibility of dry matter and protein was signicantly increased (P < 0.05), while the digestibility
of neutral detergent ber, acid detergent ber, and organic matter showed a numerical increase. Diets containing dierent
levels of the Alternanthera sessilis plant did not aect pH, but the increase in the amount of this plant in the diet led to
an increase ammonia nitrogen concentration and rumen protozoa population (P < 0.05). The addition of Alternanthera ses-
silis to the diet signicantly reduced the concentration of blood glucose and cholesterol and increased the concentration
of blood urea nitrogen (P < 0.05). Except for the weight of the thigh and neck, the eect of experimental treatments on
other carcass components was not signicant. Overall, the results of this experiment showed that using the Alternanthera
sessilis plant in the rations of fattened lambs as a substitute for alfalfa forage not only had no negative eect on the stud-
ied parameters but also improved them in some cases. Therefore, Alternanthera sessilis can be used in rations of fattened
lambs as a substitute for part of alfalfa forage.
Keywords Carcass trait · Chewing activity · Performance · Protozoa · Volatile fatty acid
Received: 12 December 2023 / Accepted: 11 September 2024 / Published online: 30 September 2024
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024
Investigating the chemical composition, digestion and fermentation
of Alternanthera sessilis red plant and its eect on the performance of
fattening lambs
Zahra GhashangMirzavand1· MortezaChaji1
1 3
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