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Journal of Animal Science Advances
Effect of Graded Levels of Mexican Sunflower Leaf (Tithonia
Diversifolia Hemsl.A. Gray) Meal on the Feed Intake of Ewe
during the Entire Lactation Period of 90 Days
Ekeocha A. H.
J Anim Sci Adv 2012, 2(9): 727-733
Online version is available on: www.grjournals.com

ISSN: 2251-7219
EKEOCHA
Effect of Graded Levels of Mexican Sunflower Leaf
(Tithonia Diversifolia Hemsl.A. Gray) Meal on the
Feed Intake of Ewe during the Entire Lactation
Period of 90 Days
Abstract
Ekeocha A. H.
Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Original Article
A 90 – day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate Mexican Sunflower leaf (MSL) as dietary fiber source
in sheep diets. Straight diets were formulated to contain the MSL at dietary levels of 0%, 15%, 30% and 45% as
replacement for wheat bran. Sixteen (16) West African dwarf ewe weighing 19.50 to 22.46kg were allotted to
the 4 diets containing four replicates per treatment with 1 ewe per replicate in a completely randomized design
(CRD). Ewes were given ad libitum access to feed and water and routine vaccination and medication followed
standard procedures. Parameters measured were changes in feed intake during early, mid and late lactation,
Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and DM : LW %. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA.
There were significant (p diet D (17.60kg) although no statistical significance
(P>0.05) was observed. There was no significant correlation between live-weight at mating and duration of
pregnancy or live-weight at mating and lambs birth weight. Inclusion of up to 30% MSLM in the diets of
lactating ewe appeared most beneficial to sheep as it had no negative effects on dry matter and nutrient intake.
Keywords: Mexican sunflower leaf, feed intake, lactation period
Corresponding author: Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Received on: 22 Aug 2012
Revised on: 05 Sep 2012
Accepted on: 15 Sep 2012
Online Published on: 30 Sep 2012
727 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2012, 2(9):727-733

EFFECT OF GRADED LEVELS OF MEXICAN SUNFLOWER LEAF …
Introduction
Lactation plays an important role in the life of
sheep. Apart from provision of milk for humans,
lactation is an indication of good lamb performance.
Owen (1981) reported that the main difference in
lamb growth arising from lactation is due to
variation in the yield of milk. Poor quality feed
especially during the dry season has been identified
as one of the major constraints to small scale dairy
production (Barje et al., 1999).
In most animals not specialized for milk
production, the composition of milk is, apart from
vitamins, is largely independent of the quality of the
diets, any inadequacy or shortages being reflected
by a diminished yield (McDonald et al., 1987).
Sheep milk composition can also be influenced by
different feeds, grazing systems and by subclinical
mastitic conditions (Bufano et al., 1996). Milk
composition of major and minor components is
affected by feeding regimes, ration components and
forage : grain ratios (Perea et al., 2000). Studies by
Ekeocha et al., 2012 have shown that lactating West
African dwarf ewes fed on Mexican sunflower leaf
meal based diets have substantial mineral profile at
her disposal.
However, research emphasis worldwide has
been on sheep wool and meat production and their
characteristics, not on sheep milk.
Most textbooks on “Milk” deal only with cow
milk, and human milk to some extent (Kon and
Cowie, 1961; Falconer, 1971; Renner, 1982;
Gravert, 1983). The only major sources of research
information on sheep milk appear to be the bulletins
and proceedings of the International Dairy
Federation Seminars held in Greece in 1985 and
1995 (IDF, 1983; 1986; 1996). Not even the 1 st
World Congress of Dairy Products in Human
Health and Nutrition (Serrano Rios, 1994)
recognized the existence or contribution of sheep
milk products to human nutrition, nor does the
handbook of the US Sheep Industry Development
Program (Scott, 1986). In France, the scientific
journal Le Lait devoted an entire issue to goat milk,
including its role as an alternative to cow milk (Le
Lait, 1993). A biobliography on goat milk (Freund,
2000), and the proceedings of a national colloquium
on the nutritional and dietetic qualities of goat milk
(Freund, 1996) have been published, but similar
efforts on sheep milk are still missing. Even a book
on buffalo milk is available (Deepak Sahai, 1996).
Searching the CAB for the past 10 years, the
numbers of publications worldwide on sheep milk,
sheep cheese and allergies related to sheep milk are
minor compared to those on cow milk (King, 1988).
Certainly there are more publications in earlier
years, but those would be based on less
sophisticated analytical methods. Publications on
the nutritional value of sheep milk often give only
gross composition without detailed identification of
more specific unique components of benefit in
human nutrition, although trade magazines contain
many anecdotal reports that are waiting for
scientific evaluation. However, among the 1,000
research projects on sheep worldwide (King, 1988),
less than 4% deal with topics of sheep milk and
sheep dairying.
This experiment is aimed at evaluating feed
intake and weight change from WAD ewes fed
MSLM based diets during lactation.
Materials and Methods
Experimental Site
This study was carried out at the sheep unit of
the University of Ibadan Teaching and Research
farm.
Management of Experimental Animals
Sixteen WAD ewes aged between 16 - 17
months and weighing 19.50 – 22.46kg were used.
The management of experimental animals was same
as for the feeding trial.
Oestrus Synchronisation
Oestrus was artificially synchronized in all the
animals using Dinoprost tromethanine solution
PGF 2 -Tuco products, Canada),
administered intra-muscularly in two doses of 1ml
given 19 days apart. Rams bred at the sheep unit of
Teaching and Research farm were introduced once
signs of heat were detected. Mating was allowed
before 08.00hrs and after 18.00hrs to minimize heat
stress on the rams. All ewes were weighed at mating
and monthly thereafter till parturition and continued
till end of lactation.
728 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2012, 2(9):727-733

EKEOCHA
Routine Observed During Lactation Trial
At parturition, the dams were weighed, lambs
were weighed and their sex was recorded.
Thereafter lambs were weighed weekly.
The ewes were group penned and fed during
the period of the lactation trial. At every 4 th , 8 th and
12 th week, each ewe was weighed individually
penned and total feed intake was taken for that
week. Clean water was constantly available
throughout the experimental period. Ewes were then
reweighed and returned to their group pens. This
was continued till end of lactation.
Statistical Analysis
Data obtained were subjected to analysis of
variance (ANOVA) using the General Linear Model
(GLM) of SAS software (SAS, 1999). Treatment
means were compared by Duncan option of the
software.
Table 1: Ingredient composition of experimental diet
Ingredients %
Rations
A B C D
MSLM 1 0.00 15.00 30.00 45.00
Wheat bran 45.00 30.00 15.00 0.00
Cassava peel 33.20 33.20 33.20 33.20
Palm kernel meal 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00
Ground nut cake 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00
Oyster shell 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Bone meal 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Mineral/Vit. Premix 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30
Common salt 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
MSLM=Mexican Sunflower Leaf Meal, A = 0%MSLM, B =15% MSLM, C =
30% MSLM, D = 45% MSLM
Table 2 : Proximate composition of experimental diet
Constituents %
Rations
A B C D
Dry matter 92.00 91.00 90.00 89.00
Crude protein 17.10 16.90 16.50 16.20
Crude fiber 15.70 16.40 17.00 17.50
Ether extract 3.47 3.63 3.70 3.75
Ash 8.60 9.40 10.10 11.30
NFE 1 55.13 53.67 52.70 51.25
ADF 2 22.54 26.70 30.85 35.01
NDF 3
ADL 4 43.15
7.92
44.50
8.41
45.85
9.03
47.20
9.85
Gross energy(kcal/kg) 3829.5 3805.5 3781.0 3735.5
1 NFE= nitrogen free extract
2 ADF= acid detergent fiber
3 NDF= neutral detergent fiber
4 ADL = acid detergent lignin
729 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2012, 2(9):727-733

EFFECT OF GRADED LEVELS OF MEXICAN SUNFLOWER LEAF …
Table 3: Chemical Composition of Dried Mexican Sunflower Leaf Meal (MSLM),
Wheat bran and Panicum maximum
Components MSLM Wheat bran Panicum maximum
Dry matter 89.00 89.00 26.00
Crude protein (CP) 16.33 17.00 7.95
Crude fiber (CF) 21.80 8.50 31.00
Ether extract (EE) 2.81 3.50 4.00
Ash 14.68 13.01 8.90
NFE 1 44.38 57.99 48.15
ADF 2 42.63 25.00 42.70
NDF 3 60.00 51.00 74.30
Hemi cellulose 17.37 26.00 31.60
ADL 4 9.96 8.60 13.87
1 NFE= nitrogen free extract
2 ADF= acid detergent fiber
3 NDF= neutral detergent fiber
4 ADL= acid detergent lignin
Table 4: Anti Nutritional Factors in MSLM
Component
Quantity (mg/100g)
Total Alkaloid 6.32
Saponin 1.05
Oxalate 5.25
Phytate 8.81
Tannin 5.19
Glycosides 0.42
Phenol 0.53
Source: Ekeocha (2009)
Results and Discussion
Feed Intake
The chemical composition of grass (Panicum
maximum) and the concentrate supplements are
presented in (Tables 2 and 3). Dry matter intake
(DMI) at early, mid and late lactation is presented in
Table 5. Average total DMI (g/d) increased
gradually from average values of 503.29, 782.81,
562.39, and 441.82g/day in early lactation to
512.69, 797.44, 572.91, and 450.06g/day in mid
lactation and decreased slightly to average values of
493.90, 768.20, 551.90, and 433.56g/day in late
lactation for animals on diets A, B, C and D
respectively.
Dietary effects on total DMI were not
significant (P

EKEOCHA
Table 5: Feed intake of ewe during lactation (g/day)
Treatment A(0%MSLM) B(15%MSLM) C(30%MSLM) D(45%MSLM) SEM
Early Lactation
Concentrate 356.14 ab 604.57 a 319.17 ab 204.74 b 213.81
Grass 147.15 b 178.25 b 243.23 a 237.08 a 35.76
Total DMI 503.29 782.81 562.39 441.82 226.17
DMI g/dWkg 0.75 106.26 147.99 115.49 96.37 69.36
DM ÷ LW% 2.55 3.86 2.70 2.27 1.12
Mid Lactation
Concentrate 362.80 ab 615.87 a 325.13 ab 208.57 b 219.81
Grass 149.90 b 181.58 b 247.77 a 241.51 a 43.61
Total DMI 512.69 797.44 572.91 450.06 240.00
DMI g/dWkg 0.75 107.74 150.06 117.10 97.71 70.32
DM ÷ LW% 2.73 3.96 2.94 2.44 1.20
Late Lactation
Concentrate 349.50 ab 593.30 a 313.20 ab 200.92 b 209.82
Grass 144.39 b 174.92 b 238.68 a 232.64 a 35.09
Total DMI 493.90 768.20 551.90 433.56 221.94
DMI g/dWkg 0.75 104.77 145.92 113.87 95.01 68.28
DM ÷ LW% 2.77 3.83 2.90 2.46 1.18
ab means on the same row with different superscripts differ significantly (P0.05) with increasing inclusion of
MSLM. Kruip-Tam et al (1996) earlier enunciated
the occurrence of an apparently unavoidable post
partum negative nutrient balance in animals selected
for milk yield. The combination of increasing
demand for milk yields and insufficiently increased
feed intake capacity led to a gap between energy
input and energy output at the onset of lactation
which could only be compensated for by lipolysis
and protein mobilization from body tissues resulting
in net loss in weight. Owens (1981) further
highlighted that the requirements of a ewe in peak
lactation are approximately three times those of a
dry ewe. However, it is normally impracticable to
increase the energy concentration of the diet
sufficiently to match this increased demand
particularly since ewe in the first 3-4 weeks of
lactation have not reached maximum voluntary feed
intake. Observed variations were not significant
(P>0.05) on reproductive performance although
animals on treatment B was superior to others in
weight at parturition, lamb birth weight, shorter
gestation length and weight gain during pregnancy.
Conclusions
Mexican sunflower leaves provides an
opportunity to enhance utilization of the fibrous
fraction, and to raise the overall protein and energy
density of ruminant diets thus sparing wheat bran
which is unsustainable all year round due to
seasonal effect. There will also be potential for
indirect environmental benefits from making greater
use of MSL in ruminant diets, because of the
environmental pollution associated with burning of
MSL. However, this potential will only be realized
in practice when the improved supply of digestible
energy at the level of the rumen is reflected in
improved animal performance, which requires a
concomitant improvement in the balance of
essential nutrients available for metabolism by the
animal and possibly production of meat. Based on
the overall performance, inclusion of 15% Mexican
sunflower leaf meal in the diets of lactating ewes
appeared most beneficial to sheep as it improved
dry matter intake and reproductive performance but
731 J. Anim. Sci. Adv., 2012, 2(9):727-733

EFFECT OF GRADED LEVELS OF MEXICAN SUNFLOWER LEAF …
incorporation of up to 30% Mexican sunflower leaf
meal in the diets of sheep to replace Wheat bran
was adequate for lactation.
Table 6: Reproductive performance of WAD ewe fed MSLM based diets
Parameters
A(0%MSLM) B(15%MSLM) C(30%MSLM) D(45%MSLM) SEM
Initial wt before growth trial (kg) 14.10 14.00 14.30 14.00 2.78
Wt at mating (kg) 17.63 17.50 17.88 17.50 3.48
Wt at parturition (kg) 23.23 26.03 24.45 22.80 3.95
Wt after parturition (kg) 19.80 22.46 20.85 19.50 3.59
Gestation length (days) 150.00 149.50 150.50 150.00 0.82
Lamb birth wt(kg) 1.65 1.80 1.80 1.59 0.38
Wt loss during parturition (kg) 3.43 3.57 3.60 3.30 0.42
Wt gain during pregnancy (kg) 5.60 8.53 6.58 5.30 0.97
Wt of dam at mid lactation (kg) 18.80 21.46 19.50 18.43 3.41
Wt of dam at weaning (kg) 17.80 20.66 19.00 17.60 3.27
Wt changes during lactation (kg) -2.00 -1.80 -1.85 -1.90 0.40
SEM: Standard error of mean
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