Hou Qirui, Zhang Wenfeng, Wang Shuli, Hou Wenyu, Zhao Weiguo, Xie Hui, Zhao Peng, Zhang Yongen
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China.
Key Lab of Agricultural Outlook, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, China.
Anim Biosci. 2025 Aug;38(8):1657-1671. doi: 10.5713/ab.24.0763. Epub 2025 Feb 27.
This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of corn straw and mulberry leaves on the growth performance and antioxidant capacity of sheep.
Corn straw and mulberry leaves were mixed in six different ratios as culture substrates: 100:0 (T0), 80:20 (T20), 60:40 (T40), 40: 60 (T60), 20:80 (T80) and 0:100 (T100). Rumen fluid from small-tailed Han sheep was collected, and artificial saliva was prepared. Gas production (GP) parameters, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), microbial crude protein (MCP) and additional indicators of in vitro rumen fluid fermentations were measured over 72 h. Combinations with a positive multiple-factors associative effect index were chosen for a 65 d in vivo feeding experiment, during which the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and liver antioxidant function were evaluated.
Mulberry leaves exhibited a positive correlation with in vitro theoretical maximum GP, cumulative GP, MCP, and organic matter digestibility. At 72 h, total VFA and acetic acid were significantly higher in the T60, T80, and T100 groups (p<0.05). Additionally, at 6 h, 12 h, and 72 h, the NH3-N of the T60, T80, and T100 groups were significantly higher (p<0.05). The T20, T60, and T80 combinations were selected for sheep feeding, and T60 got the highest increase in average daily feed intake (p<0.05). Moreover, the thickness of the rib and back muscle were notably increased in the T60 and T80 groups (p<0.05). Water-holding capacity of the longissimus dorsi muscle was higher and drip loss was lower in the combination-fed groups, particularlly in the T20 and T60 groups (p<0.05). Blood urea nitrogen levels decreased with increasing mulberry leaf content (p<0.05). Furthermore, the T60 and T80 groups demonstrated higher α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radical scavenging ability (p<0.05). Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the sheep liver were also notably enhanced (p<0.05).
The combination of corn straw and mulberry leaves had a positive synergistic effect on improving feed intake, muscle thickness, muscle water retention, and the liver antioxidant capacity in sheep. The ratios of 40:60 corn straw to mulberry leaves showed the most beneficial effects. This combination provides a practical method for utilizing agricultural waste and optimizing sheep diets.
本研究旨在探讨玉米秸秆与桑叶对绵羊生长性能和抗氧化能力的协同作用。
将玉米秸秆和桑叶按六种不同比例混合作为培养底物：100:0（T0）、80:20（T20）、60:40（T40）、40:60（T60）、20:80（T80）和0:100（T100）。采集小尾寒羊的瘤胃液，制备人工唾液。在72小时内测定产气（GP）参数、挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）、氨氮（NH3-N）、微生物粗蛋白（MCP）以及体外瘤胃液发酵的其他指标。选择具有正多因素关联效应指数的组合进行为期65天的体内饲养实验，在此期间评估生长性能、胴体性状、肉质和肝脏抗氧化功能。
桑叶与体外理论最大GP、累积GP、MCP和有机物消化率呈正相关。在72小时时，T60、T80和T100组的总VFA和乙酸含量显著更高（p<0.05）。此外，在6小时、12小时和72小时时，T60、T80和T100组的NH3-N显著更高（p<0.05）。选择T20、T60和T80组合用于绵羊饲养，T60组的平均日采食量增加最多（p<0.05）。此外，T60和T80组的肋骨和背肌厚度显著增加（p<0.05）。组合饲养组的背最长肌持水力较高，滴水损失较低，特别是T20和T60组（p<0.05）。血尿素氮水平随桑叶含量增加而降低（p<0.05）。此外，T60和T80组表现出较高的α,α-二苯基-β-苦味酰肼和2,2'-联氮-双（3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸）自由基清除能力（p<0.05）。绵羊肝脏中的过氧化氢酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性也显著增强（p<0.05）。
玉米秸秆与桑叶的组合对提高绵羊采食量、肌肉厚度、肌肉保水性和肝脏抗氧化能力具有积极的协同作用。玉米秸秆与桑叶比例为40:60时效果最为显著。这种组合为利用农业废弃物和优化绵羊日粮提供了一种实用方法。
