Effect of crude glycerin supplementation via drinking water on feed intake, water intake and productive performance of dairy ewes

• Published in: Journal of dairy research 2023-05, Vol.90 (2), p.132-137
• Main Authors: Santos, Felipe Santiago, de Sá, Hemilly Cristina Menezes, de Lima, Luciano Soares, Martins, Tássia Ludmila Teles, Alvarenga, Flávio Augusto Pereira, André Junior, José, Guedes, Luciana Freitas, Alves, Leonardo de Rago Nery, Campolina, Joana Palhares, Macedo Júnior, Gilberto de Lima, Borges, Iran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal lactation; Animals; Body weight; Dairy cattle; Drinking water; Feed conversion; Food intake; Glucose; Glycerol; Goats; Lactation; Lactose; Milk; Milk production; Nutrients; Proteins; Urea; Water intake; Water intakes; Weaning
• ISSN: 0022-0299; 1469-7629
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022029923000377

This study was performed to determine the effects of crude glycerin (CG) supplementation in drinking water on DM and nutrient intake, milk production, milk composition, and serum glucose. Twenty multiparous Lacaune × East Friesian ewes were randomly distributed into four dietary treatments throughout the lactation cycle. Treatments consisted of doses of CG supplementation via drinking water as follows: (1) no CG supplementation, (2) 15.0 g CG/kg DM, (3) 30.0 g CG/kg DM, and (4) 45.0 g CG/kg DM. DM and nutrient intake were reduced linearly with CG supplementation. CG linearly reduced water intake when expressed as kg d−1. However, no effect of CG was observed when it was expressed as a percentage of body weight or metabolic body weight. The water to DM intake ratio was increased linearly with CG supplementation. No effect of CG doses on serum glucose was observed. The production of standardized milk decreased linearly with the experimental doses of CG. Protein, fat, and lactose yield were linearly reduced with the experimental doses of CG. Milk urea concentration was quadratically increased with CG doses. Feed conversion was quadratically increased by treatments during the pre-weaning period (P < 0.05), in which the worst values were observed when the ewes were supplemented with 15 and 30 g CG/kg DM. The N-efficiency was linearly increased with CG supplementation in drinking water. Our results suggest that dairy sheep can be supplemented with CG up to 15 g/kg DM in drinking water. Greater doses are not beneficial for feed intake, milk production, and the yield of milk components.