Effect of ensiled hop (Humulus lupulus L.) residues on plasma acetate turnover rate in sheep

Abstract

An isotope dilution method using [1-(13)C]sodium acetate was applied to determine the effect of feeding ensiled hop (Humulus lupulus L.) residues on plasma acetate turnover rate in six adult crossbred sheep. The sheep were fed 63 g/kg body weight (BW)(0.75)/day of either mixed hay of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and round bale silage at 3:1 ratio (Hay-diet), or another where round bale silage was replaced by ensiled hop residues (Hop-diet) with a crossover design each of a 3-week period. The isotope dilution method was performed on day 21 of each dietary treatment. Dry matter digestibility was similar between diets, and nitrogen (N) digestibility was lower (P = 0.001) for Hop-diet than Hay-diet. However, N retention did not differ between diets. Plasma acetate concentration was lower (P = 0.04) for Hop-diet than Hay-diet, and the turnover rate of plasma acetate did not differ between diets. Plasma concentration of lactate and non-esterified fatty acids were similar between diets. Hop-diet was found almost comparable to Hay-diet on plasma acetate turnover rate in the present experimental conditions. Therefore, it could be concluded that hop residues partially could be used as an alternative to traditionally used round bale silage for rearing sheep.

Influence of two hop (Humulus lupulusL.) varieties onin vitrodry matter and crude protein degradability and digestibility in ruminants

“…Information of the use of hops as feed additives for ruminants and especially dairy cows is sparse. It is limited to the effects of hop acids on rumen fermentation, of hop and hop acids on rumen microorganisms and on the use of dried or ensiled hop residues . With the present experiment we wanted to determine the effects of the two hop varieties, Aurora and Dana, on in vitro dry matter (DM) and CP degradability and digestibility, confirming the positive experience of Slovene beef and dairy cattle breeders who already supplement the diets of their animals with low quantities of hops.…”

Dietary supplementation of medicinal herbs with total mixed ration to mitigate enteric methane emission in sheep

“…Researchers seek ways to reduce enteric methane emissions from sheep while also improving mutton quality through dietary manipulation. Medicinal herbs like hop (Humulus lupulus) having polyphenolic compounds could enhance rumen propionate production (Al-Mamun et al, 2011) and thereby mitigate methane production in ruminants (Narvaez et al, 2011). From economic, safety, and value addition to mutton aspects, phytochemicals from phytogenic feed additives are more sustainable in reducing enteric methane emission than other dietary strategies implications (Beauchemin et al, 2008, Rahman et al, 2021.…”