Effects of terpenes on intake of alfalfa pellets by sheep

TitleEffects of terpenes on intake of alfalfa pellets by sheep
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication1999
AuthorsEstell RE, Fredrickson E.L., Anderson D.M., Havstad K, Remmenga M.D.
Conference Name91st National Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science
Date PublishedJuly 21-23, 1999
Conference LocationIndianapolis, IN
ARIS Log Number100643
AbstractFive experiments were conducted to examine influences of terpenes on intake of alfalfa pellets by sheep. Five mono- and sesquiterpenes that were related to tarbush (Flourensia cernua) consumption by livestock in previous studies using multivariate analysis were examined individually. Average concentrations of selected compounds (C) were 5, 25, 50, 100, and 10 micro g/g of tarbush DM for para-cymene, alpha-humulene, 1,8-cineole, 3-carene, and sabinene, respectively. During each experiment, 45 individually penned lambs received one of five treatments (multiples of C: 0X, .5X, 1X, 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 adapted to handling and individual pen feeding for 10 d before experiments began and were maintained and fed alfalfa pellets (4.7% of BW, DM basis) as one group except during 20 min tests. No linear or quadratic responses of intake to treatment level were detected (P > .05 for any of the five compounds. These five terpenes had little influence on consumption of alfalfa pellets, suggesting these compounds are not responsible for differential herbivory of individual tarbush plants by livestock.