Effect of previous exposure of sheep to monoterpene odors on intake of alfalfa pellets treated with camphor or alpha-pinene

TitleEffect of previous exposure of sheep to monoterpene odors on intake of alfalfa pellets treated with camphor or alpha-pinene
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsEstell RE, Fredrickson E.L., Anderson D.M., Havstad K, Remmenga M.D.
JournalSmall Ruminant Research
Volume58
Pagination33-38
Date PublishedApril 1, 2005
ARIS Log Number155172
Keywordsherbivory, intake, monoterpenes, olfaction, sheep
AbstractLambs were subjected to odors of two monoterpenes (camphor and alpha-pinene) that decreased intake in a previous study to determine if exposure during feeding modified their effects on subsequent intake. Two experiments were conducted using a split-plot design and with 36 ewe lambs (mean BW = 23.1 and 42.2 kg in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively) group-fed alfalfa pellets (3.8% of BW, DM basis) in enclosed portable buildings for 2 h each morning for 56 d. Nine lambs were randomly assigned to each of four buildings, and 25 g of camphor (Exp. 1) or 50 ml of alpha-pinene (Exp. 2) were placed in a mesh-covered container in the center of the feeder in two buildings immediately before feeding. After the 8-wk exposure period (phase 1), lambs were individually fed alfalfa pellets (640 g, DM basis) for 20 min each morning for 10 d (5-d adaptation, 5-d collection) in a metabolism building (phase 2). Treatments were sprayed on alfalfa pellets at levels representing the concentration of that chemical in Flourensia cernua or at 10-fold that concentration. Controls received the ethanol carrier only. During phase 2, lambs were fed in three groups (n = 12), stratified such that one lamb from each building received each treatment in each group. Lambs were housed as one group and fed alfalfa pellets at 4.7% of BW (DM basis) except during the 20-min tests. No interactions with day were detected for intake during adaptation or collection periods for either chemical (P > 0.05); therefore, data were pooled across day. Exposure to the volatile aroma for 8 wk had no effect on intake during the subsequent 10-d interval for either monoterpene (P > 0.05). Moreover, intake during the collection period was not affected by treatment concentration (P > 0.05). Neither concentration of the terpene applied to alfalfa pellets nor previous exposure to the volatile aroma from camphor or alpha-pinene altered feed intake under the conditions of this study.
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