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International Journal of AgriScience Vol. 4(6): 337-343, June 2014
ISSN: 2228-6322© International Academic Journals
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Nitrogen balance of Growing WAD ewe fed Mexican Sunflower leaf meal (MSLM) Based
Diets
Ekeocha A. H. * and Akinsoyinu A.O.
Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. *Author for correspondence (email:
[email protected])
Received March 2014; accepted in revised form April 2014
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted using sixteen West African dwarf (WAD) ewes (Initial BW 17.50±0.19kg) were used in a
completely randomized design to study the effects of increasing level of Mexican sunflower leaf (MSL) on Nitrogen
balance. The experimental animals were assigned to 4 treatment groups A,B,C and D of 4 replicates each and were
fed with Grass (Panicum maximum) plus Concentrate diet mixture of Mexican sunflower leaves (MSL) and Wheat
bran (WB) such that 0%, 15%, 30% and 45% of Wheat bran was replaced by weight with MSL gravimetrically. The
experiment lasted for one week. Digestibility was determined using a 6-d total urine and fecal collection. Ewes were
given ad-libitum access to feed and water and routine vaccination and medication followed standard procedures.
Parameters measured were nitrogen intake, nitrogen balance, nitrogen apparent digestibility and nitrogen retention.
Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Positive nitrogen balance was observed for animals on
all treatments. Urinary nitrogen g/day was significantly higher (p<0.05) with increasing inclusion of MSLM in the
ration while protein retention increased (90.40 - 90.80%) from treatment A (0%MSLM) to treatment B
(15%MSLM) and subsequently decreased (90.80 - 84.98%) from treatment B (15%MSLM) to D (45%MSLM).
Data obtained for N- balance in this study ranged from 6.28 – 15.01g/day. Animals on treatment B (15.01g/day) had
the highest N-balance, and this was significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to animals on treatment D (6.28g/day)
but numerically higher than observed values for animals on treatments C (9.05g/day) and A (9.32g/day). This trend
was the same for Nitrogen intake (7.39 – 16.53g/day) and absorbed (6.36 – 15.07g/day). Nitrogen balance was
positively related to DM intake and N intake. The overall regression were NB =2.39 + 0.068 DMI; R2 = 0.9340, (P=
0.3728) and NB= 0.72 +0.9152 NI; R2 =0.9954, (P=0.1318). It shows that a higher level of nitrogen intake and dry
matter (DM) intake significantly (p<0.05) improved N-balance. Mexican Sunflower Leaf Meal incorporation up to
30% in the diets of sheep improved nitrogen intake, balance and retention.
Keywords: Nitrogen balance, West African dwarf ewe, Mexican sunflower leaf meal
INTRODUCTION
Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower) is a shrub
native to Central America but which has become
naturalized in countries throughout the tropics, being
found in Nigeria, Kenya, India, Ceylon, Cuba,
Colombia (Katto and Salazar., 1995) and also in Lao,
Vietnam and Cambodia. Sunflower can be stored as
hay and used to complement wheat bran during the
dry season and can as well be fed fresh to ruminants.
Scientists at the International Centre for Research in
Agro Forestry (ICRAF) in Kenya have recently
determined that the weedy shrub Tithonia diversifolia
has potential as green manure crop. It is also useful
for fencing (hedges), ornamental and wind breaks
(SACRED AFRICA, 2000).
Some researchers have reported that Tithonia
diversifolia has a high nutritive value. Olayeni et al
(2006) used Tithonia diversifolia leaf meal as 20% of
the diet of weaner pigs and reported no reduction in
growth rate. Tithonia leaf meal was considered to be
a valuable supplement in diets for laying hens and a
cheap means of enhancing egg yolk coloration
(Odunsi et al., 1996).
Leaves of Tithonia as feed to rabbits have also been
reported by Martin Price, 1997. Katto and Salazar
(1995) also reported that it is used as forage for
Guinea pigs with protein levels of up to 28.5% in the
leaves (dry weight). One of the ways of ensuring
sustainability in livestock production is to make
valuable use of this weedy shrub. Sheep is about the
only small domestic ruminant that is not
discriminated against either on a cultural or religious
basis in Nigeria and no taboos are associated with the
consumption of mutton (Adeleye, 1982).
The
International Journal of AgriScience Vol. 4(6): 337-343, June 2014
337
improvement of the nutrition of sheep to make them
more productive is therefore a step in the right
direction. There appear to be few reports on the use
of Tithonia in feeding trials in ruminants. There is
little documented result on the use of Mexican
Sunflower in feeding program for sheep. In view of
this, the research was undertaken to investigate the
influence of Mexican sunflower leaf meal (MSLM)
based diets on nitrogen balance of growing WAD
ewes.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Plant materials (Mexican sunflower)
Mexican sunflower “Tithonia diversifolia” leaf
obtained at the Teaching and research farm,
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria was harvested
at approximately 4 weeks by slashing and carrying
after the onset of rains. The stems were cut 50cm
above the ground and sorted into leaves (Tarawali et
al., 1995). The stems were sun-dried on a clean
cemented platform until crisp. The leaves were
partially ground and packed into sacks, weighed and
stored in a silo. The samples were bulked together
and manually mixed to obtain as uniform a product as
possible. A representative sample was collected from
it for proximate analysis. The MSL sample was oven
dried at 1050 C for 24 hours (to constant weight),
milled and stored in air tight, sealed polythene bags
prior to chemical analysis.
Pen Management
The pen and metabolic cages were swept and dusted.
They were later fumigated with Izal (Saponated
cresol) at the ratio of 1:200 water (1litre:200litres of
water) and also with diazintol (diazinon) at the rate of
2ml/litre of water (diazintol a strong and broad
spectrum insecticide, acaricide and larvicide). Wood
shavings were later spread on the floor of individual
pens including the adaptation and spare pens; the
wood shaving was changed fortnightly till the end of
the trial.
Experimental Design and treatments
Sixteen WAD sheep were divided into four groups of
four animals each based on dentition. Each group was
randomly assigned to one of 4 treatments and
individual animals were completely randomized
within the experimental pens in the unit.
The statistical model was: γij = µ + αi + eij
where γij = individual observation
µ = general mean of population
αi = treatment effect due to diets
eij = error effect
Animal Feeding
The WAD sheep were fed Mexican sunflower wheat
bran blended ration (Table 1). Panicum maximum
leaves were harvested from pasture and range
management unit of Animal Science Department at
the Teaching and Research farm of the University of
Ibadan. Leaves were allowed to wilt over-night
before feeding and this was chopped manually with
cutlass into 3-5cm pieces just before feeding.
Panicum maximum was given to all the treatments as
basal diets. Concentrate supplements were
formulated so that 0% (A), 15% (B), 30% (C), and
45% (D) of wheat bran were replaced by weight with
Mexican Sunflower Leaf Meal (MSLM). Feeding
was done daily at 08:00 and 16:00 hrs (GMT). Fresh
water was provided to each animal ad libitum daily.
The animals were fed at 5% of body weight on dry
matter basis. Thus, nitrogen free extract (NFE) =100
– (CP +CF + EE + ash). The diet formulation,
proximate and nutrient compositions are shown in
Tables 1, 2 and 3.
Table 1: Ingredient composition of experimental ration
Ingredients %
Rations
A
B
C
D
MSLM1
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
International Journal of AgriScience Vol. 4(6): 337-343, June 2014
338
Table 2 : Proximate composition of experimental diet
Rations
Constituents %
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
NFE1
55.13
53.67
52.70
51.25
ADF2
22.54
26.70
30.85
35.01
NDF3
43.15
44.50
45.85
47.20
ADL4
7.92
8.41
9.03
9.85
Gross energy(kcal/kg)
3829.5
3805.5
3781.0
3735.5
NFE= Nitrogen free extract ; ADF= Acid detergent fiber; NDF= Neutral detergent fiber;
ADL = Acid detergent lignin
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
NFE1
44.38
57.99
48.15
ADF2
42.63
25.00
42.70
NDF3
60.00
51.00
74.30
Hemi cellulose
17.37
26.00
31.60
ADL4
9.96
8.60
13.87
1
.NFE= Nitrogen free extract ; 2.ADF= Acid detergent fiber; 3NDF= Neutral detergent fiber;
4
.ADL=Acid detergent lignin
Nutrient consumed (as feed) - Nutrient in faeces x 100
Digestibility Study
Digestibility was carried out by the total faecal and
urine collection method (McDonald et al., 1995).
Animals were weighed and each animal was penned
in an individual cage for 14 days, with a 7 day
adjustment and another 7days collection period.
Faeces and urine voided were collected. Individual
total urine was collected and a 10% aliquot were kept
in a refrigerator (0-4 0C) for analysis. Faecal samples
were dried at 65 0C for 48hrs to a constant weight
wrapped in aluminum foil, milled and stored in airtight bottles until analyzed.
Apparent Digestibilities (AD) of dry matter (DM),
organic matter (OM), Energy, crude protein (CP),
crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE), ash, nitrogen free
extract (NFE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid
detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin
(ADL) of experimental diets (Treatments) were
calculated using the formula:
339
Nutrient consumed
OR
Nutrient
[ Input – Output]
Input
x
100
Laboratory Analysis
Samples of dried MSLM and Panicum maximum
were oven dried at 105 0C to constant weight, milled
and stored in air tight, sealed polythene bags prior to
chemical analysis. The nutrient composition of dried
milled sample of MSLM, Panicum maximum leaves
or branchlets and faeces were determined according
to the procedure of AOAC (1990). Nitrogen content
of feeds, faeces and urine were determined by the
micro-kjeldahl technique (AOAC, 1990) using the
Markham’s distillation apparatus.
Results obtained were used for the calculation of
DM, nutrient digestibilities and nitrogen utilization
by the WAD sheep.
International Journal of AgriScience Vol. 4(6): 337-343, June 2014
Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF): NDF was determined
by the Van Soest and McQueen (1973) methods as
the residue after the reflux with 0.5m H2SO4
(TetraoxosulphateVI
acid)
and
acety/trimethy/ammonium bromide.
Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF): ADF was determined
by the Van Soest (1963) method as the residue after
extraction with boiling neutral solutions of sodium
lauryl sulphate and EDTA.
The percentage hemicellulose was obtained by
deducting the ADF from the NDF. The percentage
cellulose was obtained by deducting the percentage
lignin from the ADF. ADF residue is primarily
lignocellulose. The cellulose is dissolved by using
72% H2SO4 (TetraoxosulphateVI acid) solution. The
remaining residue consists of lignin and acid soluble
ash.
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)
Statistical Analysis
The experimental design was completely randomized
and the Data obtained were subjected to analysis of
variance (ANOVA) using the General Linear Model
(GLM) of SAS software (SAS, 1999). Treatment
means were compared using Duncan multiple range
test.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Nitrogen Balance (NB)
Data obtained for nitrogen balance is presented in
Table 5. Result indicates positive nitrogen balance
for animals on all treatments. This suggests that the
various diets were able to meet the protein need of
the animals for maintenance and production. Urinary
nitrogen (g/d/KgW 0.75) was significantly higher
(P<0.05) with increasing inclusion of MSLM in the
ration. Therefore, protein retention decreased with
the inclusion of MSLM in the rations. Data obtained
for N-balance in this study ranged from 6.28 –
15.01g/day. Animals on treatment B (15.01g/day)
had the highest N-balance, and this was significantly
(P<0.05) higher compared to animals on treatment D
(6.28g/day) but numerically higher (P>0.05) than
animals on treatments C (9.05g/day) and A
(9.32g/day). It is an indication that a favourable
energy: N balance resulted from diet B. However the
N retention in treatment B was similar (p > 0.05) to
those of other treatments. The values obtained for N
balance compared favourably with the values of 5.58
to 11.14g/day nitrogen balance obtained for WAD
sheep fed Siam weed leaf (Uwechue, 2000).
Nitrogen intake, absorbed and balance had the same
trend. Nitrogen balance was positively related to DM
intake and N intake (Figs 1 and 2). The overall
regression were NB =2.39+0.068DMI; R2 =0.9340,
(P =0.3728) and NB=0.72+0.9152NI; R2 =0.9954, (P
=0.1318). It shows that a higher level of nitrogen
intake and DM intake significantly (P<0.05)
improved N-balance and this have a positive
influence on growth of WAD ewes. The low level of
Nitrogen balance in animals on treatment D as
compared to the other treatments though within
normal range in literature for sheep could have been
due to the level of feed intake (Owens and Bergen,
1983). Results of anti-nutritional factors in MSLM
are within beneficial values for small ruminants like
sheep.
International Journal of AgriScience Vol. 4(6): 337-343, June 2014
340
Table 5: Nitrogen Balance of Growing WAD ewe fed MSLM based diets
Treatment
Parameters
A(0%MSLM) B(15%MSLM) C(30%MSLM) D(45%MSLM) SEM
N intake (g/day)
10.31ab
16.53a
10.24ab
7.39b
4.85
b
a
ab
N faecal (g/day)
0.94
1.46
1.12
1.03b
0.25
N absorbed (g/day)
9.37ab
15.07a
9.12ab
6.36b
4.64
N Apparent digestibility (%)
90.88
91.17
89.06
86.06
3.37
Urinary N (g/day)
0.05b
0.06b
0.07ab
0.08a
0.007
N balance (g/day)
9.32ab
15.01a
9.05ab
6.28b
4.57
N retention (%)
90.40
90.80
88.38
84.98
3.31
g/day/kgW0.75
N intake
5.75ab
8.20a
5.72ab
4.48b
2.70
b
a
ab
N faecal
0.95
1.33
1.09
1.02b
0.25
N absorbed
4.80ab
6.87a
4.63ab
3.46b
2.38
N Apparent digestibility (%)
83.48
83.78
80.94
77.23
3.10
Urinary N
0.11b
0.12b
0.14ab
0.15a
0.015
N balance
4.69ab
6.75a
4.49ab
3.31b
2.30
N retention (%)
81.57
82.32
78.50
73.88
2.99
ab: means on the same row with different superscripts differ significantly (P<0.05) . S.E.M: Standard error of mean
Fig 1: Relationship between Nitrogen Balance and Dry Matter Intake of Growing WAD Ewes fed
MSLM-based Diets
341
International Journal of AgriScience Vol. 4(6): 337-343, June 2014
Fig 2: Relationship between Nitrogen Balance and Nitrogen Intake of Growing WAD Ewes fed MSLM- based diets
CONCLUSION
Gross chemical analysis indicated that MSLM
contained appreciable level of nutrients that could be
utilized in the diets of WAD sheep.
The net effect is the improved nutrient balance as
shown by nitrogen balance, which improved with
MSLM inclusion.
Therefore MSLM could suitably replace wheat bran
in the diets of ewe-lamb up to 30% level.
Acknowledgements
The author expresses his sincere thanks to Chief and
Mrs P.C. Ekeocha (My parents) for financing this
work, University of Ibadan for providing the site of
study and Department of Animal Science for the
facilities to carry out the experiment.
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