Functional native herbage (Capparis spinosa L.) modulates rumen microbial composition in grazing sheep
The goal is to assess the impact of supplementation with different levels of Capparis spinosa L. (CS) on rumen microbial (bacteria and fungi) communities of grazing sheep. 24 healthy 6-month-old rams were selected to graze on pastures of Medicago sativa and Festuca arundinacea Schreb (1:1) supplemented with 0, 0.83, 1.67, and 3.33 g/kg BW of CS, respectively. At the end of the experiment period, rumen fluid samples were collected from all experimental sheep using an oral stomach tube in the morning before grazing to assess changes in microbiota with different levels of CS.