Marine algae meal (Schizochytrium sp.) and vitamin E in lamb nutrition: Intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, ingestive behavior, ruminal parameters, performance, and carcass characteristics

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the inclusion of marine algae meal associated with vitamin E in lamb feed regarding nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, ingestive behavior, ruminal parameters, performance, and carcass characteristics. A total of 32 Ile de France lambs (average age of 2 months and average initial body weight of 20.0 ± 0.2 kg) were distributed in a completely randomized design in four experimental diets: CO = control (no added marine algae and vitamin E); MA = marine algae meal; VE = vitamin E, and MAVE = marine algae meal + vitamin E. In order to assess the ruminal parameters in vitro (pH, ammonia-nitrogen, and short-chain fatty acids), with repeated measures over time (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours), eight ruminally cannulated Santa Inês sheep were used. Nutrient intake and the apparent nitrogen balance were not influenced (P>0.05) by the diets. The inclusion of MA resulted in greater (P=0.05) ethereal extract digestibility (94.41%). Meanwhile, neutral detergent fiber digestibility was lower (P=0.04) in the CO group (56.50%). Animals from this group spent less (P<0.01) time feeding, more (P=0.02) idle time, and had a lower (P=0.02) number of ruminated boluses (day) than those of the MA group. Lambs on the VE diet presented a lower number (P=0.03) and duration (P=0.02) of chews per bolus and number of ruminating chews (day) (P=0.01) than those from the MAVE group, in addition to a higher ruminal pH (6.07). Ammonia-nitrogen levels were higher in the MA group (26.01 mg/dL), and the concentrations of acetic and propionic acid were greater in the CO (76.48 mM) and MA groups (34.78 mM), respectively. Changes in performance and carcass characteristics were not observed (P>0.05). Although the MA can be used, associated or not with VE, to feed confined lambs, as it does not compromise the performance of the animals more research should be carried out to assess the potential of both.