Comparative studies on microbial protein synthesis in the rumen of goats and sheep

Abstract

The ruminal microbial protein synthesis (MPS) was estimated in six adult Granadina goats and six Segureña sheep by measuring the urinary allantoin excretion and using the purine bases/N (PB/N) content ratios, determined in liquid associated bacteria (LAB) from continuous fermentors. Both, animals and fermentors were fed four different diets which included olive by-products: two-stage olive cake and olive leaves. Goats showed higher (P<0.001) microbial protein synthesis and efficiencies values for some diets than sheep. The PB/N content was affected (P<0.001) by the quality of diet supplied to the fermentors and its use resulted in an overestimation of MPS.