title: Effect of partial replacement of alfalfa hay with Moringa species leaves on milk yield and composition of Najdi ewes.
abstract: The present study was carried out to investigate changes in milk yield and composition of Najdi ewes fed 25 % Moringa oleifera (MOD) or Moringa peregrina (MPD) leaf diets as a supplement to alfalfa hay diet (AHD). Thirty ewes (average 55 kg, 2 years old) were randomly sorted into three experimental groups with 10 animals each and were fed for a 6-week period with these diets (AHD, MOD, or MPD). Diets dry matter, crude protein, and crude fiber were comparable, while fat, nitrogen-free extract (NFE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), metabolizable energy (ME), total phenolic, and antioxidant activity varied (p ≤ 0.05) between the diets. Feeding ewes with MOD increased (p ≤ 0.05) the milk yield compared to those fed AHD while milk composition was similar (p ≤ 0.05) between treatments. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the ewes' milk and serum was lower (p ≤ 0.05) for MOD, while the total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, and vitamin C contents were increased (p ≤ 0.05). The serum cholesterol and glucose of the ewes were lower (p ≤ 0.05) for those fed MOD. Moringa diets increased (p ≤ 0.05) average daily weight gain of lambs compared to those fed alfalfa diets. The results obtained showed that the inclusion of Moringa, especially M. oleifera, in the diet of Najdi ewes can improve milk yield and quality.
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Nutrition Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia. elfadilbabiker@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Elfadıl E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Babiker
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Nutrition Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Fahad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al Juhaimi
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Nutrition Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Kashif
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghafoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, AlBaha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.affiliation: Animal Production Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Khalid A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Abdoun
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D003612:Dairying; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D000455:Medicago sativa; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D029587:Moringa / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012756:Sheep; D014329:Tropical Climate
keywords: Alfalfa; M. oleifera; M. peregrina; Milk yield; Najdi sheep; Oxidative status