Nutrient Utilization in Yankasa Rams Fed Crop Residue Supplemented With Xylanase and Glucanase Combinations

Abstract

Background: There is less information in Nigeria with regard the understanding of the use of exogenous enzymes widely used in monogastric diets in ruminant’s rations. The study evaluated the effects of supplementing xylanase and glucanase in combination in rations of Yankasa rams. Sixteen yearling Yankasa rams (average 21 kg) were used. Four treatments were evaluated: control (without enzyme combination), 50:50, 75:25 and 25:75 xylanase-glucanase combinations denoted as T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively. The basal roughage was cowpea husk and sorghum husk. The feeding trial was conducted using complete randomize design.Results: There were differences (p<0.05) with regard to nutrient intake and total digestibility coefficient except crude protein and nitrogen free extract digestibility (p>0.05). The intake and digestibility increased with supplementation of xylanase and glucanase combination at 25:75 ratio respectively. It increased DM intake by 211.90 g/d, DM digestibility by 17.73%, ADF digestibility by 1.17% and NDF digestibility by 1.02%. The nitrogen balance in the body did not increase (p>0.05) with supplementation of 50:50 xylanase-glucanase combination. The efficiency of nitrogen utilization did not differ between the control and 50:50 xylanase-glucanase combination. Conclusion: The combination of xylanase and glucanase at ratio 25:75 respectively improved nutrient intake and digestibility but did not influence nitrogen utilization.

Rumen fermentation and nutrient utilization of growing Yankasa rams fed a mixed ration containing tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) residue and cowpea husk (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

“…Faecal nitrogen from this study was lower than the range of 3.48 g day -1 to 4.81 g day -1 reported by Njidda et al (2018). Nitrogen balance as (%) of intake from this study was lower than the report of Millam et al (2021) who had a range between 79.66% to 83.27%. The results for Nitrogen retained as intake is within the range of 52.81% to 61.18% reported by Bello (2017) and Njidda et al (2018) who fed growing Yankasa lambs groundnut haulms and Red Sokoto goats, Daniella oliveri forage and cowpea husk respectively.…”

“…Results for nitrogen intake, fecal nitrogen, urine nitrogen, nitrogen loss, nitrogen absorbed, and nitrogen retained as % intake from this study were higher than the reports from Millam et al (2021), who obtained 2.97 g day-1 for nitrogen intake, 0.21-0.31 g day -1 for faecal nitrogen, 0.29-0.30 g day -1 (urine nitrogen), 0.50-0.60 g day -1 (nitrogen losses), 2.66-2.76 g day -1 (nitrogen absorbed). Faecal nitrogen from this study was lower than the range of 3.48 g day -1 to 4.81 g day -1 reported by Njidda et al (2018).…”

“…The results for NDF and ADF from this study were lower than the report from Mekuriaw & Asmare (2018), who obtained NDF (44-66%), and ADF (42%-63%). The digestibility of ash from this study was higher than the range of 78.80-79.82%) reported by Millam et al (2021). Observed differences in the digestibility of feed are attributed to the type of diets offered to the animals in the various studies.…”