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Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Small Ruminants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2021) | Viewed by 36628

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gema Romero Moraleda

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Guest Editor

Department Agro-Food Technology, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Orihuela, Spain
Interests: small ruminant production; alternative feeds; machine milking; welfare; milk quality; dairy products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Carlos Sandoval Castro

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Guest Editor

Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida 97000, Mexico
Interests: animal nutrition; nutraceutics; tropical forages; feed evaluation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Alberto Stanislao Atzori

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Sezione di Scienze Zootecniche, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: ruminant nutrition; nitrogen and methane; dairy farm management and efficiency; system dynamics modeling; feed and environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The production and use of conventional feedstuffs is usually associated with a high use of energy, soil, and water, among other resources, also enhancing resource scarcity, food feed competition, and emissions from animal production chains. Furthermore, feeds constitutes a relevant share of production costs, directly or indirectly. Society in general demands more efficient and sustainable productive systems, and especially for livestock, a lower environmental impact and higher standards of animal welfare are required to produce healthy and ethical food products with valuable targets of nutritional values and nutraceutical properties. In small ruminant production systems (sheep and goats), the use of no-conventional feeds or by-products locally available could help to reduce production costs, substitute part of grains and forages, and introduce bioactive compounds in animal diets. In addition to highly diffused agroindustrial byproducts, small ruminant production chains, which are present in different areas also in a small scale, can take advantage of alternative feeds and byproducts also available in a limited amount and/or diffused only at a local level. Additional conservation methods of alternative feed materials could even provide additional benefits for the maintenance of nutritive values, for the reduction of seasonal availability and economic convenience and thereby facilitate their use systematically throughout the year, at the same time contributing to the reduction of waste and a more efficient use of natural resources. The knowledge of how the consumption of these resources affects the production, welfare, and health status of the animals and the quality of their products is of great value for the small ruminant production chain and dairy industry, and for the society in general, also considering the important socioeconomic role of these species in many countries.

We invite review and original papers that address research and studies on alternative feeds and feeding systems oriented toward improving small ruminant production: meat, milk, and dairy products. The studies must be focused on the harvesting and employment of nonconventional feeds, forages, agroindustrial by-products, and preserved feed, including evaluation of preservation methods for small ruminant feeding. Results on production/performance (weight gain, milk yield, and quality), animal health, meat quality, dairy product quality, and economic and environmental implications from the use of alternate and nonconventional feeds will be welcome.

Prof. Gema Romero Moraleda
Prof. Carlos Sandoval Castro
Prof. Alberto Stanislao Atzori
Guest Editors

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Keywords

silage
by-products
dairy products
nutraceutics
nonconventional feeds
sheep
goat

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 2930 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microbiome-Metabolites Analysis Reveals Unhealthy Alterations in the Gut Microbiota but Improved Meat Quality with a High-Rice Diet Challenge in a Small Ruminant Model

by Kaijun Wang, Xiaomin Peng, Feifei Lv, Mengli Zheng, Donglei Long, Hongxiang Mao, Hongbin Si and Peihua Zhang

Animals 2021, 11(8), 2306; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11082306 - 05 Aug 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2954

Abstract

Effects of a high-rice dietary proportion on the meat quality, acute phase reaction proteins (APRPs) and colonic microbiota and metabolites in goats are rarely reported. This study was designed to investigate the meat quality and metabolism in goats. Sixteen goats were equally divided into two groups and fed a control diet (Con, 55% concentrate) or a high-rice diet (HR, 90% concentrate) for five weeks. We found that the HR diet improved the slaughtering characteristic and meat quality but induced an acute phase reaction and decreased bacterial richness and diversity when compared to the control group. Furthermore, the levels of acetate, propionate and total VFA concentrations were higher in the colonic contents of the HR-fed goats than in those of the control group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the HR diet decreased the pH value, lactic acid concentration and increased the activity of amylase and lipopolysaccharide concentration in the colonic contents of goats (p < 0.05). The proportion of Oscillibacter increased while Phocaeicola and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group significantly decreased with the HR diet (p < 0.05). Collectively, the HR diet induced an acute phase reaction and altered the colonic bacterial community, which increases the health risk to growing goats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

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19 pages, 2172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Productive Performance and Meat Characteristics of Kids Fed a Red Orange and Lemon Extract

by Angela Salzano, Sara Damiano, Livia D’Angelo, Gabriele Ballistreri, Salvatore Claps, Domenico Rufrano, Aristide Maggiolino, Gianluca Neglia, Pasquale De Palo and Roberto Ciarcia

Animals 2021, 11(3), 809; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11030809 - 13 Mar 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2277

Abstract

This study evaluates the animal performance and meat characteristics of 60 Saanen suckling kids daily fed a red orange and lemon extract (RLE), rich in anthocyanins. In our methodology, after colostrum administration, animals are randomly assigned to two treatments: Treatment group (Group RLE; n = 30) that received RLE (90 mg/kg live body weight) as oral food additive, and a control group (Group CON; n = 30) that received a standard diet. Animals are slaughtered after 40 days. The RLE administration did not influence daily weight gain, carcass measurements, or incidences (expressed as a percentage) of different anatomical regions on the whole carcass weight. On the contrary, RLE supplementation significantly improved the oxidative profile of the meat seven days after slaughtering, as demonstrated by the reduced levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS; p < 0.01) and hydroperoxides (p < 0.01) in Group RLE compared to Group CON. A significant influence of RLE administration is observed on day 7 for yellowness (p < 0.01). There are also lower saturated and higher monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids concentration in Group RLE meat (p < 0.01), which also shows lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes (p < 0.01) compared to Group CON. The study demonstrates that the supplementation of a diet with RLE rich in anthocyanins is effective to improve the meat quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

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14 pages, 2148 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feeding a Negative Dietary Cation-Anion Difference to Female Goats Is Feasible, as Indicated by the Non-Deleterious Effect on Rumen Fermentation and Rumen Microbial Population and Increased Plasma Calcium Level

by Kang Yang, Xingzhou Tian, Zhengfa Ma and Wenxuan Wu

Animals 2021, 11(3), 664; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11030664 - 02 Mar 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1872

Abstract

The dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) has been receiving increased attention in recent years; however, information on rumen fermentation, cellulolytic bacteria populations, and microbiota of female goats fed a negative DCAD diet is less. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of feeding a negative DCAD diet for goats with emphasis on rumen fermentation parameters, cellulolytic bacteria populations, and microbiota. Eighteen female goats were randomly blocked to 3 treatments of 6 replicates with 1 goat per replicate. Animals were fed diets with varying DCAD levels at +338 (high DCAD; HD), +152 (control; CON), and −181 (low DCAD; LD). This study lasted 45 days with a 30-d adaption and 15-d trial period. The results showed that the different DCAD levels did not affect the rumen fermentation parameters including pH, buffering capability, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, sum of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid, or the ratio of acetic acid/propionic acid (p > 0.05). The 4 main ruminal cellulolytic bacteria populations containing Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Ruminococcus albus did not differ from DCAD treatments (p > 0.05). There was no difference in bacterial richness and diversity indicated by the indices Chao, Abundance Coverage-based Estimator (Ace), or Simpson and Shannon, respectively (p > 0.05), among 3 DCAD levels. Both principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) weighted UniFrac distance and unweighted UniFrac distance showed no difference in the composition of rumen microbiota for CON, HD, and LD (p > 0.05). At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes was the predominant phylum followed by Firmicutes, Synergistetes, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetae, and Tenericutes, and they showed no difference (p > 0.05) in relative abundances except for Firmicutes, which was higher in HD and LD compared to CON (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundances of 11 genera were not affected by DCAD treatments (p > 0.05). The level of DCAD had no effect (p > 0.05) on growth performance (p > 0.05). Urine pH in LD was lower than HD and CON (p < 0.05). Goats fed LD had higher plasma calcium over HD and CON (p < 0.05). In summary, we conclude that feeding a negative DCAD has no deleterious effects on rumen fermentation and rumen microbiota and can increase the blood calcium level, and is therefore feasible for female goats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

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14 pages, 303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Soybean Oil Supplementation on Milk Production, Digestibility, and Metabolism in Dairy Goats under Thermoneutral and Heat Stress Conditions

by Soufiane Hamzaoui, Gerardo Caja, Xavier Such, Elena Albanell and Ahmed A. K. Salama

Animals 2021, 11(2), 350; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11020350 - 30 Jan 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2605

Abstract

In a previous work, we observed that heat-stressed goats suffer reductions in milk yield and its contents of fat and protein. Supplementation with soybean oil (SBO) may be a useful strategy to enhance milk quality. In total, eight multiparous Murciano–Granadina dairy goats (42.8 ± 1.3 kg body weight; 99 ± 1 days of lactation) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four periods; 21 d each (14 d adaptation, 5 d for measurements and 2 d transition between periods). Goats were allocated to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were no oil (CON) or 4% of soybean oil (SBO), and controlled thermal neutral (TN; 15 to 20 °C) or heat stress (HS; 12 h/d at 37 °C and 12 h/d at 30 °C) conditions. This resulted in four treatment combinations: TN-CON, TN-SBO, HS-CON, and HS-SBO. Compared to TN, HS goats experienced lower (p < 0.05) feed intake, body weight, N retention, milk yield, and milk protein and lactose contents. However, goats in HS conditions had greater (p < 0.05) digestibility coefficients (+5.1, +5.2, +4.6, +7.0, and +8.9 points for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, respectively) than TN goats. The response to SBO had the same magnitude in TN and HS conditions. Supplementation with SBO had no effects on feed intake, milk yield, or milk protein content. However, SBO supplementation increased (p < 0.05) blood non-esterified fatty acids by 50%, milk fat by 29%, and conjugated linoleic acid by 360%. In conclusion, feeding 4% SBO to dairy goats was a useful strategy to increase milk fat and conjugated linoleic acid without any negative effects on intake, milk yield, or milk protein content. These beneficial effects were obtained regardless goats were in TN or HS conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

12 pages, 476 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Fate of Tannins from Birdsfoot Trefoil and Their Effect on the Nitrogen Balance in Growing Lambs Fed Diets Varying in Protein Level

by Eleonora Seoni, Myriam Rothacher, Yves Arrigo, Silvia Ampuero Kragten, Giuseppe Bee and Frigga Dohme-Meier

Animals 2021, 11(1), 190; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11010190 - 14 Jan 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1784

Abstract

Two experimental periods were employed to investigate the fate of ingested CT from BT and their effects on the intake, digestibility, and N balance in lambs fed diets differing in CP levels. In period 1, 24 lambs were fed a basal diet either treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG+) to deactivate CT or without polyethylene glycol (PEG−). In period 2, the same lambs were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design and fed either the basal diet (BP) or a high protein diet (HP), again treated with or without PEG. In both experimental periods, feeding lambs diets without PEG caused a reduction in the dry matter (DM) intake and an increase in the DM digestibility. Urinary and total N excretion decreased in lambs fed diets without PEG, but only in absolute terms and not in relation to the N intake. The total N intake, total N excretion, and body N retention were higher with a higher dietary CP level. Related to the CT intake, less soluble and protein-bound CT were excreted by lambs fed diets without PEG, and more protein-bound and fiber-bound CT were excreted by lambs fed BP diets. Regardless of the PEG treatment and CP level, not all CT that are ingested are also excreted. The effect of PEG treatment on the N excretion pathway was independent of the CP level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

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14 pages, 583 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of the Use of Tomato Pomace on Feeding and Performance of Lactating Goats

by Waldeana C. F. Mizael, Roberto Germano Costa, George Rodrigo Beltrão Cruz, Francisco Fernando Ramos de Carvalho, Neila Lidiany Ribeiro, Aécio Lima, Rubén Domínguez and José M. Lorenzo

Animals 2020, 10(9), 1574; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10091574 - 03 Sep 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2992

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of including different levels of tomato pomace (TP) on performance, blood biochemical parameters, hormones, production and composition of milk, and economic analysis of Saanen goats reared in confinement. Sixteen multiparous goats (Saanen), 21 days in milk, were randomly distributed in two Latin square 4 × 4 (four periods and four treatments), according to the inclusion levels of dehydrated tomato pomace (0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%) in the diet. This inclusion resulted in differences in the intake of dry and organic matter, as well as ether extract, crude protein, water, neutral detergent fiber, and non-fibrous carbohydrates. The inclusion of 60% TP resulted in a significant decrease of body weight (−4.42 kg) in comparison with initial body weight, while the other three treatments did not affect or increase the animal body weight (between −0.05 and +3.07 kg). The addition of 20% and 40% of TP resulted in higher milk production (around 1.5 kg day⁻¹) than in animals from a control (1.2 kg day⁻¹) and 60% TP (1.04 kg day⁻¹). This increase was approximately 28% in the animals with 40% of TP inclusion. Moreover, the addition of 20% or 40% TP also improved the milk quality, which presented a higher fat amount (4.37% and 4.63% in 20% TP and 40% TP animals, respectively) than in a control (3.7%) and animals feed with 60% TP (4.02%). The feed efficiency and feed conversion did not show differences between diets. Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) were also significantly affected by the inclusion of TP in the diet. The diet with the highest level of TP (60%) had the lowest cost per kilo among the diets evaluated. However, the use of 40% TP in animal diet presented the highest milk production and intermediate production cost. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

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14 pages, 321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inclusion of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Extract in the Diet of Growing Lambs: Effects on Blood Parameters, Animal Performance, and Carcass Traits

by Richard R. Lobo, Rafaela Vincenzi, Danny A. Rojas-Moreno, Annelise A. G. Lobo, Caroline M. da Silva, Vanderlei Benetel-Junior, Laura R. Ghussn, Vinícius C. Mufalo, Alexandre Berndt, Sarita B. Gallo, Rafael S. B. Pinheiro, Ives C. da S. Bueno and Antonio P. Faciola

Animals 2020, 10(6), 961; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10060961 - 01 Jun 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3205

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate levels of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract (YME), as a feed additive in the diets of growing lambs on serum biochemical parameters and hematological indices, animal performance, body metrics and carcass traits. Thirty-six entire (nine per treatment), male growing lambs, weighing 23.8 ± 3.7 kg, were fed the experimental diets which were treatments consisting of increasing levels of YME (0, 1, 2, and 4% inclusion on a dry matter [DM] basis) during an experimental period of 53 days. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, which initial body weight was used as blocking factor and the results were analyzed by orthogonal contrasts (linear, quadratic, and cubic). Yerba mate extract did not change the general health status of the animals; however, inclusions of up to 2% of the extract increased globulins (p = 0.05) and white blood cell count, as segmented neutrophils (p = 0.02) and lymphocytes (p = 0.04). Additionally, inclusion of up to 2% YME increased dry matter intake, final weight gain, total and daily gain (p < 0.05), also tended to increase ribeye area and reduce fat thickness (p < 0.10); however, YME above 2% of inclusion reduced animal productive parameters (p < 0.05). In conclusion, levels up to 2% of YME were beneficial to the health and productive parameters of growing lambs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

15 pages, 2110 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ensiling Process in Commercial Bales of Horticultural By-Products from Artichoke and Broccoli

by Paula Monllor, Gema Romero, Raquel Muelas, Carlos A. Sandoval-Castro, Esther Sendra and José Ramón Díaz

Animals 2020, 10(5), 831; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10050831 - 11 May 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3131

Abstract

Wastes from artichoke and broccoli crops and cannery industries represent an environmental problem. A viable option to this problem is ensiling them for use as ruminants feed. The aim of this study was to characterise the ensiling process of broccoli and artichoke by-products and assess their suitability to be part of the ruminant diet, as well their minimum shelf life. Twenty-one commercial round bale silos (300 kg and 0.64 m³) of each by-product were made. Samples were analysed at days 0, 7, 15, 30, 60, and 200 to determine microbial populations, fermentation metabolites, nutritional components, and phytosanitary residues. Feedstuffs showed good suitability for ensiling, and stabilisation was achieved on day 30. The variables with the greatest significant differences among sampling times were microbial populations and fermentative components. There were no important dry matter losses, and some significant differences were observed in the nutritional composition, especially in crude protein and fibrous fractions, but they were not relevant for the loss of nutritional quality of silages. The phytosanitary residues determined on day 200 were below the maximum residue limits set by European legislation. So, ensiling these by-products in commercial round bale silos is a suitable and profitable technique that allows their preservation for a long time (200 days). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

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17 pages, 707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Concentrates Rich in Orange By-Products in Goat Feed and Its Effects on Physico-Chemical, Textural, Fatty Acids, Volatile Compounds and Sensory Characteristics of the Meat of Suckling Kids

by José Luis Guzmán, Manuel Delgado-Pertíñez, María José Beriáin, Rafael Pino, Luis Ángel Zarazaga and Alberto Horcada

Animals 2020, 10(5), 766; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10050766 - 28 Apr 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2834

Abstract

We analysed how replacing cereal concentrates with dehydrated orange pulp (DOP) in the diet of mother goats affects the meat quality of suckling kids. Three experimental diets for mother goats were designed. The DOP-0 diet contained commercial concentrates and alfalfa hay. In the DOP-40 and DOP-80 diets, 40% and 80% (respectively) of the cereal in the concentrate was replaced with pellets of DOP (the alfalfa hay component was unchanged). We evaluated the chemical composition, texture, water holding capacity, colour, fatty acids (FAs) profile, volatile compounds, and sensorial appraisal of the meat from 30 male suckling kids (cold carcass weight 4.74 kg, 4.82 kg, and 4.65 kg for DOP-0, DOP-40, and DOP-80, respectively) of the Payoya breed (n = 10 for each diet). Meat from kids in the DOP-40 and DOP-80 groups exhibited characteristics favourable for human health, including the meat’s thrombogenicity index, PUFA/SFA ratio (0.60 index), and n-6 PUFA/n-3 PUFA ratio (approximately 7.50). The meat also exhibited reduced MUFA content (around 460 mg/100 g fresh meat). An increase in ethyl furan, dimethyl disulphide and heptane was observed in grilled meat from goats that were fed using DOP. The inclusion of DOP in goat feed improved consumers’ sensory appreciation of the kid’s meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

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Review

Jump to: Research

31 pages, 3659 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Small Ruminant Production Based on Rangelands to Optimize Animal Nutrition and Health: Building an Interdisciplinary Approach to Evaluate Nutraceutical Plants

by Rafael Arturo Torres-Fajardo, Pedro Geraldo González-Pech, Carlos Alfredo Sandoval-Castro and Juan Felipe de Jesús Torres-Acosta

Animals 2020, 10(10), 1799; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10101799 - 03 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4211

Abstract

The plant kingdom can influence the productivity and health of herbivores at different levels. However, demonstrating this process in a scientific manner entails substantial endeavors from different disciplines. In the present review, we will describe the features of a native vegetation system traditionally used by small ruminants and use its particularities to build an interdisciplinary approach to evaluate the nutraceutical properties of plants. Initially, we will establish the context of the low deciduous forest (LDF), considering some botanical and nutritional aspects, as well as the presence of plant secondary compounds (PSC) and gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Furthermore, we will focus on coevolutionary aspects that undoubtedly shaped the plants–nutrients–PSC–GIN–herbivore relationship. In addition, the concept of nutraceutical will be discussed to provide clarity and aspects to be considered for their evaluation. Then, ethological, agronomical, nutritional, PSC, parasitological and animal species issues are deepened placing emphasis on methodological approaches. Special focus is given to condensed tannins, as they are the fourth largest group of PSCs and the most studied in livestock sciences. Validation of the nutraceutical properties of plants from native vegetation systems should be seen as a process derived from many scientific disciplines that feed into each other in a cyclic manner. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

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22 pages, 1105 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sheep and Goats Respond Differently to Feeding Strategies Directed to Improve the Fatty Acid Profile of Milk Fat

by Anna Nudda, Antonello Cannas, Fabio Correddu, Alberto Stanislao Atzori, Mondina Francesca Lunesu, Gianni Battacone and Giuseppe Pulina

Animals 2020, 10(8), 1290; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10081290 - 28 Jul 2020

Cited by 44 | Viewed by 5954

Abstract

This bibliographic review presents and discusses the nutritional strategies able to increase the concentration of beneficial fatty acids (FA) in sheep and goat milk, and dairy products, with a particular focus on the polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), and highlights differences between the two species. In fact, by adopting appropriate feeding strategies, it is possible to markedly vary the concentration of fat in milk and improve its FA composition. These strategies are based mostly on the utilization of herbage rich in PUFA, or on the inclusion of vegetable, marine, or essential oils in the diet of lactating animals. Sheep respond more effectively than goats to the utilization of fresh herbage and to nutritional approaches that improve the milk concentration of c9,t11-conjugated linoleic acid (c9,t11-CLA) and α-linolenic acid. Dietary polyphenols can influence milk FA profile, reducing or inhibiting the activity and growth of some strains of rumen microbes involved in the biohydrogenation of PUFA. Although the effectiveness of plant secondary compounds in improving milk FA composition is still controversial, an overall positive effect has been observed on the concentration of PUFA and RA, without marked differences between sheep and goats. On the other hand, the positive effect of dietary polyphenols on the oxidative stability of milk fat appears to be more consistent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative feeds and feeding systems in small ruminant production and health)

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