Reproductive responses and productive characteristics in ewes supplemented with detoxified castor meal for a long period

Abstract

-The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with detoxified castor meal (DCM) in the diet of ewes during pregnancy, partum, and post-partum on the weight development of their offspring and at slaughter. The study included 56 ewes with synchronized estrus that were naturally mated. At the beginning of pregnancy and in post-partum, hepatic and renal function-related parameters and progesterone levels were measured. At slaughter, the proximate composition and fatty acid profile were determined in the loin of ewes. There was no effect of diet on reproductive response after estrus synchronization. At the beginning of pregnancy, albumin and creatinine levels were lower in the DCM group. Supplementation with DCM did not alter the weight or body condition of ewes at partum. However, at weaning, the DCM group showed a higher loin-eye area (LEA) in relation to the group fed diets without detoxified castor meal (WDCM). At partum, as well as at weaning, the offspring of the ewes supplemented with DCM had a larger LEA than the WDCM group. In post-partum, levels of glucose, urea, protein, and cholesterol were lower in the DCM group. The return to cyclicity was similar in both groups, with an average of 47 days after partum. At slaughter, neither anatomical and carcass components nor the results of the proximate analysis were affected by the type of diet, except for an increase in heptadecanoic acid in the DCM group. Supplementation with detoxified castor meal in the diet of ewes does not affect lambing, pregnancy, prolificacy, return to cyclicity, milk production, blood biochemical parameters, or carcass characteristics.

Detoxified castor meal in substitution of soybean meal in sheep diet: growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat yield

“…Replacement levels of SM by DCM, % SEM Effect Silva et al 2014). The absence of treatment effect on performance and carcass characteristics is in agreement with the results for intake and DM digestibility, indicating no limitation in the supply of nutrients to animal performance.…”

“…Diniz et al (2010Diniz et al ( , 2011 reported that DCM could totally replace SM without affecting the performance and digestibility of beef cattle. Silva et al (2014) did not observe any effect of supplementation of sheep with DCM on carcass characteristics. In another study with sheep, Nicory et al (2015) showed that the dry matter intake (DMI) in lambs reduced as SM was replaced by DCM.…”

“…On the other hand, the absolute value of the shoulder was greater in treatments with 0 and 15 % of DCM than in treatments with 30 and 45 % of DCM. Diniz et al (2010) and Silva et al (2014) also did not observe significant effect of replacement of SM by DCM on the weights and yields of retail cuts in cattle and sheep, respectively.…”

“…Thus, this material must be subjected to a process of detoxification before it is used in animal feed (Akande et al 2015). Detoxified castor meal (DCM) has a high content (41 %) of crude protein (CP) (Silva et al 2014), and therefore, it could be used to replace soybean meal (SM), the main protein source of feed for ruminants and one of the most expensive ingredients of concentrates.…”

Effect of feeding of sorghum stover based complete feed blocks containing guar meal as protein supplement on reproductive efficiency, hormone profile and antioxidant status in Deccani ewes

“…Similarly, Silva et al . (2014) [ 39 ] observed no significant effect on the weight of the lambs from birth to weaning with supplementation of detoxified castor meal in the diet of ewes during pregnancy. Erdogan et al .…”