Effect of Feeding Lactating Ewes with Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract on Milk Yield, Milk Composition and Preweaning Performance of Ewe/Lamb Pair

Abstract

<jats:p>The objective this study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOE) on milk production and milk composition in ewes and on preweaning performance of their lambs. Twenty-four lactating ewes were housed individually with their lambs and assigned to four groups in a completely randomized design. The treatments included a basal diet without MOE (MOE0) or a basal diet supplemented with either 20 mL MOE per ewe per day (MOE20), 40 mL MOE per ewe per day (MOE40) or 60 mL MOE per ewe per day (MOE60). Over 45 days, milk production was recorded weekly and individual milk samples were collected for chemical analysis. Milk yield, fat-corrected milk and daily yields were similar among the four treatments. The supply of MOE did not affect ewe weaning efficiency and average daily gain or litter weaning weight of the lambs. Overall, the results from this study showed that dietary supplementation of hydroalcoholic extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves at doses of 20, 40 or 60 mL/ewes/d in lactating ewes does not have negative effects on milk yield, milk composition or lamb performance.</jats:p>

Physico-Chemical, Sensory and Texture Properties of an Aged Mexican Manchego-Style Cheese Produced from Hair Sheep Milk

“…Daily milk yield in the present study was lower compared to recent reports on milk yield from hair sheep ewes. Under tropical conditions, it has been reported that Pelibuey sheep and their crosses have milk daily yields of around 1 to 1.7 kg/d [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. However, it is important to note that daily milk yields obtained in the present study only correspond to half of the milk produced in a day.…”

“…However, there is a lack of information regarding dairy production using hair sheep (e.g., Pelibuey) under tropical conditions [ 9 , 10 ]. Recent studies have reported that Pelibuey sheep and their crosses yielded a milk production during their lactation from 1.1 to 1.7 kg/d under tropical conditions [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. However, detailed data on the milk composition and its potential performance on dairy products from hair sheep is unavailable.…”

Physicochemical Characteristics of Yogurt from Sheep Fed with Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts

“…The extract was analyzed to determine the presence of bioactive compounds (hydrolyzed tannins, condensed tannins, phenolic compounds, saponins, and flavonoids). Details on extract preparation can be found in a companion paper [ 5 ].…”

“…These changes in milk quality depend on the type of feed. Ruminants are mostly fed on forages; however, forages derived from shrubs contain high amounts of phenolic compounds, tannins, saponins, and flavonoids that are available at relatively low costs, making them a strategy for improving dairy product quality [ 5 ].…”

“…Its foliage contains protein (>18% DM), fiber (32% DM), a low amount of tannins (12 g/kg DM), phytate (21 g/kg DM), the absence of trypsin and amylase inhibitors [ 9 , 10 ], 845 mg/kg of calcium, 108 mg/kg of phosphorus, and 421 mg/kg of potassium [ 8 ]. The use of MO in sheep diets has been shown to have effects on the productive parameters (higher DM intake, improved daily milk production, and increased weight gains) and nutritional quality of dairy products [ 5 , 11 , 12 ].…”