Effect of Bt-cottonseed meal feeding on performance, fermentation, ciliates population and microbial
hydrolytic enzymes in lamb
M. K. Tripathi, S. K. S Raghuvansi, D. Mondal, and S. A. Karim
Division of Animal Nutrition, Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar 304 501 (Via- Jaipur), Rajasthan.
Abstract
Effect of the Bt- or conventional cottonseed meal was assessed as well as the performance,
fermentation, ciliate protozoa population and microbial enzyme of lambs. Three feed mixture (FM,
forage: concentrate ration of 35: 65) contained groundnut oilmeal (GNM), insect protected Bt-
cottonseed meal (Bt-CM) or conventional whole cottonseed (C-CM) as protein source, were fed for 123
days to the control, C-CM and Bt-CM group of lambs, respectively. Whole seed meal Bt- and C-CM had
similar nutrient composition. The Ca was higher while Zn content was lower in C-CM. Both CM had
similar metabolizable energy (MJ/kg DM). Lambs of three groups had similar daily gain, DM intake and
nutrient digestibility. Rumen fluid pH and TVFA were similar, while ammonia-N (mg/l) was higher
(p<0.001) in control lambs. Cottonseed feeding eliminated (p<0.001) rumen protozoa; protozoa were
101.1, 59.0 and 39.6 ×104
/ ml in rumen fluid respectively in control, C-CM and Bt-CM diet fed lambs.
Rumen enzymes activities of xyalanase, β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase were similar, while Bt-CM
feeding reduced (p=0.010) carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity by 47% and increased proteases
activity by 22%. The study concludes that inclusion of Bt-CM produced pronounced defaunation with
reduced rumen ammonia concentrations, which improved daily gain. Therefore, Bt-CM can be
incorporated at 180 g/kg in lamb diet.
Keywoards: Cottonseed, genetically modified feed, performance, fermentation, rumen enzymes.
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