oxalates and Weight-Gain

Sixteen Western Whiteface ewes were divided into 2 groups to determine the effects of plant maturity on liver function and weight gains. They were allowed to graze a greater than 95% pure stand of Kochia scoparia for 72 or 55 d. Four additional sheep (controls) were placed on weedy Bermuda grass pasture with the same water supply as the kochia-fed sheep. Body weights were determined on June 5, 1996 and on removal from the kochia pasture. Blood samples were collected at approximately 7-d intervals for serum chemistry profiles. Kochia scoparia plant samples were also randomly collected at 5-6 w intervals, oven dried, identified by date of collection and stored for later nutrient, oxalate, nitrate and sulfate analysis. Liver biopsies were performed pre-, mid- and post-study to assess morphologic changes. An almost exclusive diet (> 95%) of Kochia scoparia resulted in minimal elevations in serum GGT, suggesting mild hepatocellular injury, but was not associated with overt hepatic lesions or clinical disease. Other serum chemistry measurements were within normal ranges. Unlike for other domestic animal species, Kochia scoparia may be a useful grazing forage for sheep, offering little risk of toxicosis.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Chenopodiaceae; Female; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Liver; Liver Glycogen; Oxalates; Sheep; Sulfates; Weight Gain

1. The nutrient composition of sweet potato tuber meal (SPM) was similar to that of maize, with the exceptions of crude protein and calcium. The crude protein content was lower (62 v 91 g/kg) and the calcium content was higher (l.9 v 0.l g/kg) in SPM. The amino acid composition, in general, favoured SPM. 2. Trypsin inhibitor activity, and the contents of oxalate and phytate-phosphorus in SPM were too low to be of any nutritional concern. 3. The apparent metabolisable energy content of SPM was determined to be similar to that of maize (14.5l V 14.45 MJ/kg). 4. The results of feeding trials showed that SPM can replace up to 400 g/kg maize in broiler diets without adverse effects in performance. The depression in weight gains observed in birds fed on a diet containing 600 g SPM/kg was related largely to lowered food intake arising from the powdery texture of SPM.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Calcium; Calorimetry; Chickens; Energy Metabolism; Feeding Behavior; Food Analysis; Organ Size; Oxalates; Phosphorus; Phytic Acid; Plant Proteins, Dietary; Vegetables; Weight Gain; Zea mays