Thyme essential oil for sheep: effect on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, and growth

Abstract

Óleo essencial de tomilho para ovinos: efeito na fermentação ruminal, na digestibilidade dos nutrientes, no metabolismo de nitrogênio e no crescimento]A. ABSTRACTTwo experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil (EO) doses on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen metabolism, as well as performance and coccidia oocyst discharge. In experiment I, 20 rumen-cannulated wethers received the experimental diets containing 80% dry matter (DM) of haylage and 20% DM of concentrate. Treatments were 25mg of monensin/kg DM or doses of 1.25, 2.50, or 3.75g of thyme EO/kg DM. In experiment II, 50 ewe lambs received the same diets from experiment I, including a diet without feed additives. Wethers fed with diets containing 1.25g/kg DM of thyme EO had higher molar proportion of propionate (P= 0.03) and butyrate (P< 0.01), and lower (P= 0.04) acetate to propionate ratio than other treatments. Adding thyme EO to diets increased (P= 0.02) nitrogen retention compared to monensin. The performance of ewe lambs was not affected (P≥ 0.05) by treatments. However, lambs fed monensin had a lower (P= 0.04) number of coccidia oocyst discharge than others. Adding 1.25g/kg DM of thyme EO in high-forage diet improved ruminal fermentation. Thyme EO enhanced nitrogen metabolism, however, it did not improve performance.

Effects of Cornus and Its Mixture with Oregano and Thyme Essential Oils on Dairy Sheep Performance and Milk, Yoghurt and Cheese Quality under Heat Stress

“…In general, essential oils have a positive influence when administrated with dairy sheep rations. Adding 1.25 g/kg DM of thyme essential oil improved both ruminal fermentation and nitrogen metabolism [ 48 ]. Another study investigating the effects of oregano essential oils on sheep showed an increase in the population of three primary cellulosic bacteria and ruminal fungi, affecting the rumen fermentation process [ 49 ].…”

The use of essential oils as a growth promoter for small ruminants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Of these, 12 studies were eligible for the current meta-analysis. The essential oil sources included oregano 11 , 22 – 24 , thyme 25 , 26 , chavil 27 , juniper 7 , 28 , and mixed product 9 , 29 . Unfortunately, one study did not define the source of essential oil 8 .…”

Identification, Superantigen Toxin Gene Profile and Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococci Isolated from Polish Primitive Sheep Breeds

“…Primitive breeds kept on organic farms get sick less frequently as compared to conventional farms or even more large-scale breeding [ 32 ]. Their treatment is based primarily on the use of natural substances of plant origin e.g., the essential oils (based on thyme, cinnamon, lemongrass, oregano, and rosemary) [ 66 , 67 ] and herbs (garlic, onion, dill, parsley, mint) which constitute an alternative to antibiotics and other conventional antimicrobial drugs [ 68 ]. All the animals included in our study were healthy and had never been treated with any antimicrobials or antiseptics.…”