Effect of Prickly Pear Cactus Peel Supplementation on Milk Production, Nutrient Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation of Sheep and the Maternal Effects on Growth and Physiological Performance of Suckling Offspring

Abstract

Prickly pear cactus peels (Opuntia ficus-indica, PPCP) are sustainable byproducts available in arid regions and a rich source of antioxidants. Fifteen multiparous Barki ewes (2–3 years old, 46.94 ± 0.59 kg body weight, BW) at postpartum were individually distributed in three equal groups and fed diets supplemented with PPCP at doses of 0, 5 and 10 g/head/day. Lambs were individually distributed into three equal groups according to their mothers’ groups to investigate the maternal effect on lambs’ growth performance, hematology and serum metabolites. This trial lasted for 56 days from birth to weaning. Moreover, nine adult male Barki sheep with a live BW of 65.76 ± 0.54 kg were randomly allocated into three equal groups to determine the effect of PPCP on the nutrient digestibility of the experimental diets. The results indicate that supplementing PPCP at low levels (5 g/head/day) increased milk yield (p = 0.050), fat-corrected milk (p = 0.022), energy-corrected milk (p = 0.015) and the yield of milk constituents compared to 10 g PPCP and the control group. In addition, lambs suckling from ewes fed the diet supplemented with 5 g PPCP had a higher (p = 0.001) weaning BW compared to other groups. Serum total protein, globulin, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities and the triiodothyronine hormone improved significantly in lambs suckling from ewes fed diets supplemented with 5 g PPCP compared to the control group. Serum cholesterol profile and kidney activities were enhanced significantly in lambs suckling from ewes fed diets supplemented with 5 and 10 g of PPCP compared to the control group. The dietary supplementation of 5 g PPCP improved the crude protein digestibility, digestible crude protein value, nitrogen balance and rumen fermentation characteristics of male sheep compared to the control group. In conclusion, supplementation with 5 g PPCP improved ewes’ milk production, offspring growth and physiological status. Furthermore, it improved the crude protein digestibility and rumen fermentation characteristics of Barki sheep.

Opuntia spp. as Alternative Fodder for Sustainable Livestock Production

“…Several studies have been performed to investigate the effect of Opuntia cladodes as forage on livestock performance and rumen physiology [18,60,61].…”

Spinless Forage Cactus: The Queen of Forage Crops in Semi Arid Regions

“…Forage cactos as Opuntia and Nopalea are a perennial crop, developed in several semiarid regions [1]. During periods of drought, it is used as forage in countries such as United States, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, Tunisia, Egypt, and Brazil [1][2][3][4]. In Brazil, It was introduced in 1880 and it is considered the main source of feed for herds, mainly in the semiarid region [1,5,6].…”

Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Economic Viability of Nguni Cattle Fed Diets Containing Graded Levels of Opuntia ficus-indica

“…This was also reflected by higher ADG on heifers fed commercial and control diets, which attained a higher DMI compared to those fed cactus diets. The observed low DMI and ADG for heifers fed cactus diets could be attributed to polyphenols, such as condensed tannins, phytates and oxalates [31]. Morshedy et al [31] also reported a low DMI of cactus diets relative to non-cactus feeds in sheep fed 5 and 10 g/head/day.…”

“…The observed higher FCR for heifers fed cactus diets was due probably to higher fibre content in these diets. Because cactus cladodes contain secondary compounds [31], it is highly likely that the degradation of the cactus material during digestion was low, resulting in low average daily gain and final body weight gain.…”