Effect of Level of Readily-Available Carbohydrates in Purified Sheep Rations on Cellulose Digestibility and Nitrogen Utilization

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Abstract
Metabolism trials were conducted to study the effect of dietary level of readily-available carbohydrates on cellulose digestion and nitrogen utilization in wethers fed purified rations. The level of readily-available carbohydrates in the ration was varied from 0 to 48% by replacing cellulose with a 1:1 mixture of glucose and corn starch. Levels of readily-available carbohydrates below 32% had no significant effect on cellulose digestibility. When levels in excess of 32% were fed, cellulose digestion was significantly reduced. Dry matter and energy digestibilities were higher for rations containing 8% or more readily-available carbohydrates, but differences were not always significant. There was a trend toward a decrease in urinary nitrogen and an increase in nitrogen retention with increasing levels of readily-available carbohydrates. Readily-available carbohydrate supplementation tended to increase total volatile fatty acid content of the rumen fluid. Most of this increase appeared to be due to increased butyric and propionic acid concentrations. Copyright © 1968. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1968 by American Society of Animal Science

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