| dc.description.abstract | The addition of poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in feed is needed for energy source and reproductive function. However, fat supplementation to the diet can disrupt the fermentation system, microbial population in the rumen, and limit the synthesis by rumen microbes. The objective of this research was to study the influences of feed containing different sources of unsaturated fatty acid on protozoa population, rumen fermentability, the urinary allantoin excretion rate, and the nitrogen (N) balance in the body. Twelve three-months old post weaning local female sheep were used in this study. The sheep were allocated in a Randomized Block Design and divided into three groups based on body weight and subjected to four treatments. Four treatments were M0 = control diet, MJ = diet containing 1.5% corn oil, MIL = diet containing 1.5% lemuru fish oil, MILT = diet containing 1.5% protected lemuru fish oil. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and any significant differences were further tested using contrast orthogonal. The results showed that the protozoa population, ruminal NH3 level, excretion of allantoin, and N retention were not affected (P>0.05) by dietary supplementation, but the volatile fatty acid (VFA) level was very significantly (P<0.01) increased with the addition of corn oil (171.49 mM) and lemuru fish oil (141.42 mM). It is concluded that different sources of unsaturated fatty acid supplementation had no influence in protozoa population, rumen activity, and urinary allantoin, but could improve the rate of VFA. | en |
