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Effect of Level of Readily-Available Carbohydrates in Purified Sheep Rations on Cellulose Digestibility and Nitrogen Utilization

Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg²

Abstract

Metabolism trials were conducted to study the effect of dietary level of readily-available carbohydrates on cellulose digestion and nitrogen utilization in wethers fed purified rations. The level of readily-available carbohydrates in the ration was varied from 0 to 48% by replacing cellulose with a 1:1 mixture of glucose and corn starch.

Levels of readily-available carbohydrates below 32% had no significant effect on cellulose digestibility. When levels in excess of 32% were fed, cellulose digestion was significantly reduced. Dry matter and energy digestibilities were higher for rations containing 8% or more readily-available carbohydrates, but differences were not always significant.

There was a trend toward a decrease in urinary nitrogen and an increase in nitrogen retention with increasing levels of readily-available carbohydrates.

Readily-available carbohydrate supplementation tended to increase total volatile fatty acid content of the rumen fluid. Most of this increase appeared to be due to increased butyric and propionic acid concentrations.

¹ Present address: Animal Sciences Department, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

² Departments of Animal Science and Biochemistry and Nutrition.