Energy metabolism and methane production in llamas, sheep and goats fed high- and low-quality grass-based diets

TY - JOUR

T1 - Energy metabolism and methane production in llamas, sheep and goats fed high- and low-quality grass-based diets

AU - Nielsen, Mette Olaf

AU - Kiani, Ali

AU - Tejada, Einstein

AU - Chwalibog, André

AU - Alstrup, Lene

PY - 2014/5

Y1 - 2014/5

N2 - This study aimed to test whether the digestive and metabolic characteristics of pseudo ruminants provide superior ability to utilise low-quality diets compared to true ruminants. A total of 18 mature, non-pregnant, non-lactating female animals, including six llamas (Lama glama), six Danish Landrace goats and six Shropshire sheep, were used in a crossover design study. The experiment lasted for two periods of three weeks. Half of the animals were fed either high-quality grass hay (HP) or low-quality grass seed straw (LP) during each period. Animals were placed in metabolic cages during the last 5 d, and gaseous exchange was measured by open-circuit indirect calorimetry for 22 h. Metabolisable energy for maintenance (MEm) and fasting energy expenditure (FEExp) were estimated by regression approach. Dry matter (DM) intake per kg0.75 was substantially reduced in llamas and sheep, but not in goats, on the LP compared to HP diet. Llamas had lower daily energy expenditure (324 kJ · kg-0.75) than sheep (416 kJ · kg-0.75) and goats (404 kJ · kg-0.75) on the LP diet. Llamas in comparison with sheep and goats had lower methane emission (0.83 vs 1.34 and 1.24 l · d-1 · kg-0.75, p < 0.05), lower MEm (328 vs 438 and 394 kJ · d-1 · kg-0.75, p < 0.05) and lower FEExp (246 vs 333 and 414 kJ · d-1 · kg-0.75, p < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, llamas had lower basal metabolic rate and hence maintenance requirements for energy.

AB - This study aimed to test whether the digestive and metabolic characteristics of pseudo ruminants provide superior ability to utilise low-quality diets compared to true ruminants. A total of 18 mature, non-pregnant, non-lactating female animals, including six llamas (Lama glama), six Danish Landrace goats and six Shropshire sheep, were used in a crossover design study. The experiment lasted for two periods of three weeks. Half of the animals were fed either high-quality grass hay (HP) or low-quality grass seed straw (LP) during each period. Animals were placed in metabolic cages during the last 5 d, and gaseous exchange was measured by open-circuit indirect calorimetry for 22 h. Metabolisable energy for maintenance (MEm) and fasting energy expenditure (FEExp) were estimated by regression approach. Dry matter (DM) intake per kg0.75 was substantially reduced in llamas and sheep, but not in goats, on the LP compared to HP diet. Llamas had lower daily energy expenditure (324 kJ · kg-0.75) than sheep (416 kJ · kg-0.75) and goats (404 kJ · kg-0.75) on the LP diet. Llamas in comparison with sheep and goats had lower methane emission (0.83 vs 1.34 and 1.24 l · d-1 · kg-0.75, p < 0.05), lower MEm (328 vs 438 and 394 kJ · d-1 · kg-0.75, p < 0.05) and lower FEExp (246 vs 333 and 414 kJ · d-1 · kg-0.75, p < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, llamas had lower basal metabolic rate and hence maintenance requirements for energy.

KW - Animal Feed

KW - Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

KW - Animals

KW - Camelids, New World

KW - Cross-Over Studies

KW - Diet

KW - Energy Metabolism

KW - Female

KW - Goats

KW - Methane

KW - Nitrogen

KW - Poaceae

KW - Sheep

U2 - 10.1080/1745039x.2014.912039

DO - 10.1080/1745039x.2014.912039

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 24870266

SN - 1745-039X

VL - 68

SP - 171

EP - 185

JO - Archives of Animal Nutrition

JF - Archives of Animal Nutrition

IS - 3

ER -