Effect of volatile compounds on intake of alfalfa pellets by sheep

TitleEffect of volatile compounds on intake of alfalfa pellets by sheep
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsEstell RE, Fredrickson E.L., Tellez M.R., Havstad K, Anderson D.M., Remmenga M.D.
Conference NameJournal of Animal Science
Date Published1997
Abstract

Six experiments were conducted to examine influences of volatile plant compounds on intake. Compounds were selected based on apparent relationships of tarbush leaf surface chemistry and livestock herbivory in previous studies. Average concentration of selected compounds (C) was 100, 100, 5, 300, 25, and 100 /ìg/g of tarbush DM for camphor, limonene, cis-jasmone, âcaryophyllene, borneol, and -pinene, respectively. During each experiment, 45 individually penned lambs were fed one of five treatments (multiples of C: OX, .5X, IX, 2X, or 10X) for five consecutive days. Treatments were applied to alfalfa pellets (.64 kg, DM basis), and intake was monitored during a 20 min interval each morning. Lambs were preadapted to handling procedures and pelleted diet (without treatments) for 10 d before experiments began. Lambs were maintained and fed (approximately 5% of BW) as one group except during 20 min tests. Borneol treatment resulted in intake differences (P < .04), with intake for the 2X treatment greater than OX, IX, and 10X treatments (P <  .10). A treatment effect was also observed for -pinene (P < .05), with lower intake for the 10X treatment than OX, .5X, or IX treatments. Camphor tended to affect intake (P < .08), with lower intake for the 10X treatment than OX or IX treatments (P < .10). Although volatile compounds generally had little influence on intake patterns, reduced intake with increased -pinene (and a similar pattern for camphor) concentration suggests these monoterpenes may partially explain differential herbivory of individual tarbush plants by livestock.