Effects of ã-terpinene, terpinolene, á-copaene, and á-terpinene on consumption of alfalfa pellets by sheep

Title	Effects of ã-terpinene, terpinolene, á-copaene, and á-terpinene on consumption of alfalfa pellets by sheep
Publication Type	Conference Paper
Year of Publication	2004
Authors	Estell RE, Fredrickson E.L., Anderson D.M., Havstad K, Remmenga M.D.
Conference Name	2004 Joint Annual Meeting, American Dairy Science Association/American Society of Animal Science/Poultry Science Association
Date Published	July 25, 2004
Publisher	Journal of Animal Science
Conference Location	St. Louis, MO
ARIS Log Number	162790
Keywords	alfalfa pellet intake, intake, lambs, sheep, terpenes
Abstract	Secondary chemistry influences shrub consumption by free-ranging ruminants. However, effects of many specific terpenes on herbivory have not been examined. Four experiments were conducted to examine effects of individual terpenes on alfalfa pellet intake by lambs. Forty-five lambs (9 lambs/treatment) were individually fed alfalfa pellets sprayed with either ã-terpinene, terpinolene, á-copaene, or á-terpinene at one of five concentrations in an ethanol carrier. Treatments (0, .5, 1, 2, and 10X) were multiples of the concentration (X) of a specific terpene on the leaf surface of Flourensia cernua. Terpenes were applied to alfalfa pellets (0.64 kg·lamb-1·d-1, DM basis), and consumption was measured during a 20-min interval for 5 d. Lambs were adapted to handling and individual pen feeding for 10 d and were maintained and fed alfalfa pellets in one group (except during 20-min tests) at a mean total daily intake of 3.9% of BW (DM basis). A day effect (P <0.02) was detected for intake with ã-terpinene (P <0.0001 for both linear and quadratic contrasts). A treatment effect (P <0.02) was observed for á-copaene, with intake on the 2X treatment lower than other treatments. No effect of terpinolene or á-terpinene on intake was observed during the 20-min interval. None of the chemicals tested were strongly related to intake of alfalfa pellets by lambs under the conditions of this study.