Impact of purified lignin on performance, rumen health, oxidative stress control and meat quality of lambs fed a high-concentrate diet

Effect of Castor and Cashew Nut Shell Oils, Selenium and Vitamin E as Antioxidants on the Health and Meat Stability of Lambs Fed a High-Concentrate Diet

“…Daily DMI remained in the recommended range by the NRC [ 3 ], from 1.0 to 1.5 kg, as did the ADG (from 317 to 364 g) and CCY (from 47.1 to 47.9%). Similar values have been reported by Bezerra et al [ 17 ] who fed Dorper x Santa Inês lambs with comparable high-concentrate diets with four treatments (control, no additives; 15 mg/kg DM of monensin; 12.5 g/DM of a purified lignin; and 0.33 mg/kg of selenium combined with 100 IU/kg DM of vitamin E) and reported an ADG of 324 to 339 g and a CCY of 46 to 48%.…”

“…Daily DMI remained in the recommended range by the NRC [3], from 1.0 to 1.5 kg, as did the ADG (from 317 to 364 g) and CCY (from 47.1 to 47.9%). Similar values have been reported by Bezerra et al [17] who fed Dorper x Santa Inês lambs with comparable high-concentrate diets with four treatments (control, no additives; 15…”

“…The experimental procedures described by Bezerra et al [ 17 ] were followed. Thirty-two just-weaned, male, crossbreed Dorper x Santa Ines lambs (22.42 ± 3.9 kg of initial body weight and 60 days old) were used in order to assess the effect of castor and cashew nut shell oils as antioxidants on oxidative stress control, performance, rumen health, carcass traits, and meat quality, considering that diets with high proportions of concentrate can compromise the redox stability of the organism by boosting the metabolic rate.…”

“…To analyze oxidative stress, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), peroxidases and catalase were measured in plasma instead of serum, because metabolites are better preserved by avoiding the cascade of coagulation and limiting the removal of enzymes from the platelet aggregate, which promotes the better homogenization of the metabolites [ 17 ]. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) was measured in serum as described by the specification of the commercial kit.…”

“…They can also improve the quality of the final product, such as extending the shelf life of meat, since selenium is the main component of glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GSH-Px) [ 16 ], the major category of intracellular antioxidant defense, and, as well as vitamin E, act by scavengers of free radicals responsible for lipid peroxidation [ 17 ]. It is well-known that their functions extend beyond the antioxidant defense to immunomodulation, especially when dietarily administered, because they can incorporate into cellular membranes [ 15 ].…”