title: Effects of water addition to total mixed ration on water intake, nutrient digestibility, wool cortisol and blood indices in Corriedale ewes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding water to total mixed ration (TMR) on fresh water intake, nutrient digestibility, wool cortisol, and blood indices in Corriedale ewes under hot and humid conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine non-pregnant Corriedale ewes (ave. body weight = 41±3.5 kg) were individually fed diets based on maintenance requirements in metabolic crates. Ewes were assigned to three treatment groups according to a triplicate 3×3 Latin Square design for 3 periods of 21 days duration each (9 ewes per treatment, 27 replications). Treatments were TMR (crude protein [CP] = 16.1, total digestible nutrients = 69.1%) moisture levels for 40%, 50%, and 60%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences were found in body weight gain among all treatment groups (p>0.05). Nitrogen balance including digestible N, retained N, and urinary and fecal N showed no change among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Fresh water intake was the lower in 50% TMR moisture group than in the other groups (p<0.05). Other than ether extract which was higher in 60% TMR moisture group (p<0.05) the differences among nutrient digestibilities including CP, organic matter, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and non-fiber carbohydrate were not significant (p>0.05). No significant difference was observed for serum protein, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, and triglyceride among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Wool and blood cortisol were not different among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Blood hematology including red blood cell, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, basophils, and eosinophils were not different among the treatment groups (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that TMR moisture at 40%, 50%, and 60% had no effects on N balance parameters, and nutrient digestibilities except for the ether extract under hot and humid conditions. Additionally there were no effects on stress conditions include wool cortisol, as well as blood cortisol levels of ewes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Resource Science, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea.
authors.forename: Jalil Ghassemi
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Nejad
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Resource Science, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea.
authors.forename: Byong-Wan
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Resource Science, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea.
authors.forename: Bae-Hun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Resource Science, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Yung
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Resource Science, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Il
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Sung
keywords: Blood Parameters; Corriedale Ewes; Digestibility; Stress; Total Mixed Ration Moisture; Wool Cortisol