ArticleTropical animal health and production2026
Digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites of Barki rams fed Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa hay as a substitute for alfalfa hay, with or without spirulina.
Article in Tropical animal health and production, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
There is a growing interest in alternative feed sources for sheep, especially under desert conditions. This study evaluated the effects of replacing 25% of alfalfa hay with Panicum maximum hay in three isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets, with or without Spirulina supplementation (2 mg/g), on nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in Barki rams. Forty-eight adult rams (2 years old; 45 ± 0.60 kg) were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 8). Forage represented 40% of the diet, and its composition varied as follows: 0% Panicum (all alfalfa with no replacement; T1, T2), 25% of the forage as Panicum (partial replacement; T3, T4), and 100% of the forage as Panicum (complete replacement; T5, T6). Spirulina was added to T2, T4, and T6. Results showed that all alfalfa hay diets significantly (P < 0.0001) enhanced rumen total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), ammonia (NH3) concentration, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and overall nutrient composition compared to diets with 10% Panicum and 30% alfalfa or 40% Panicum. Moreover, Spirulina supplementation significantly (P < 0.0001) improved all measured rumen parameters and digestibility indices relative to non-supplemented groups. Regarding blood metabolites, rams fed by 40% alfalfa hay exhibited the highest (P < 0.0001) levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, and urea, followed by those receiving 10% Panicum and 30% alfalfa. Spirulina supplementation also significantly increased these blood parameters compared with the unsupplemented groups. In conclusion, partial replacement of alfalfa hay with Panicum maximum hay (25%), combined with Spirulina supplementation, can enhance rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and metabolic profiles in Barki rams, suggesting a promising strategy for improving productivity under forage-limited conditions.
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