Effect of Chemical Treatment of Sesame Stover with NaOH and Urea on Chemical Composition and <i>In vivo</i> Rumen Digestion in Sheep

Abstract

This study tested the effect of urea, urea sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and NaOH + urea on chemical composition and total tract nutrition in sheep. Treated stovers were prepared by mixing stovers with aqueous solution of urea (SU, 3g in 100 ml water /100 g DM), NaOH (SN, 4g in 100 ml water /100g DM) and urea + NaOH (SUN). Five male Balouchi sheep (30 ±1.4 kg) were used in a change-over design. In vivo experimental diets were as follows: alfalfa hay (AH), alfalfa hay + S (AHS), alfalfa hay + SU (AH SU), alfalfa hay + SN (AHSN) and alfalfa hay + SUN (AHSUN). The NDF content significantly (P0.05) in urea and NaOH. The urea caused a significant (P