Mango (Mangifera indica) seed kernels as untraditional source of energy in Rahmani sheep rations

Abstract

Nitrogen retention (NR) (NR % of nitrogen intake (NI) and NR % of digested nitrogen (DN)) values were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing level of MSK in the sheep ration. Inclusion MSK significantly (P < 0.05) increased ruminal pH; however, it had no significant (P > 0.05) on both ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and total volatile fatty acid (TFVA) concentrations. Sampling time at 3 h post feeding significantly (P < 0.05) decreased ruminal pH in comparison with before and 6 h post feeding; meanwhile, sampling time had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on NH3-N concentration. Dietary treatment significantly (P < 0.05) increased the interaction between treatments and sampling time for ruminal pH. However, no interaction between treatments and sampling time was observed for both NH3-N and TVFA concentrations.