Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-995ml Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T00:22:46.645Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The effect of condensed tannins in Lotus pedunculatus on the digestion and metabolism of methionine, cystine and inorganic sulphur in sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

W. C. McNabbl
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
G. C. Waghorn
Affiliation:
AgResearch Grasslands, Palmerston North, New Zealand
T. N. Barry
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
I. D. Shelton
Affiliation:
AgResearch Grasslands, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Two experiments were conducted with sheep fed on fresh Lotus pedunculatus containing 50–55 g condensed tannin (CT)/kg dry matter. Effects of CT were assessed by comparing control sheep (CT operating) with sheep receiving a continuous intraruminal infusion of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to bind and inactivate CT. Digestion of methionine and cystine was determined using a continuous intraruminal infusion of indigestible markers, whilst plasma irreversible loss (IRL) of methionine, cystine and inorganic sulphate was determined using 35S labelling. The proportion of microbial non-NH3-N (NAN) in whole rumen digesta NAN and the IRL of reducible S from the rumen were determined using a continuous intraruminal infusion of (NH4)235SO4. The proportion of microbial NAN in whole rumen digesta NAN (0·44 v. 0·71) and the IRL of reducible S from the rumen (0·84 v. 2·49 g S/d) were lower in control than PEG sheep. PEG sheep lost 30% of ingested methionine and cystine across the rumen, whereas the control sheep lost no methionine and cystine across the rumen. Apparent absorption of methionine from the small intestine was 27% higher in control than PEG sheep, but both groups had a similar apparent absorption of cystine. The apparent digestibility of cystine in the small intestine was lower in control (0·42) than PEG (0·53) sheep, whereas the apparent digestibility of methionine was similar (0·78) for both groups. CT had no effect on plasma methionine IRL, but markedly increased the IRL of cystine (39·8 v. 22·4 μmol/min) and reduced the IRL of plasma inorganic sulphate (35·9 v. 50·2 μmol/min). A three-pool model comparing interconversions between the three plasma metabolites showed that CT increased the flow of cystine to body synthetic reactions (36·5 v. 17·3 μmol/min). This was due to trans-sulphuration of methionine to cystine being greater in control than in PEG sheep, whilst the oxidation of both methionine and cystine were reduced in control sheep. It was concluded that CT reduced the proteolysis of forage protein and the degradation of S amino acids to inorganic sulphide in the rumen, resulting in increased net absorption of methionine and increased utilization of cystine for body synthetic reactions in sheep with a high capacity for wool growth (and, hence, high cystine requirement).

Type
Effects of Non-Nutrient Constituents of Plants on the Nutrition of Sheep
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1993

References

REFERENCES

Ashes, J. R., Mangan, J. L. & Sidhu, G. S. (1984) Nutritional availability of amino acids from protein cross- linked to protect against degradation in the rumen. British Journal qf Nutrition 52, 239246.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barry, T. N. (1981) Protein metabolism in growing lambs fed on fresh ryegrass (Lolium perennet)–white-clover(Trifolium repens) pasture ad lib. British Journal of Nutrition 46, 521532.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barry, T. N. (1989) Condensed tannins: Their role in ruminant protein and carbohydrate digestion and possible effects upon the rumen ecosystem. In The Roles of Protozoa and Fungi in Ruminant Digestion. pp. 153167 [Nolan, J. V., Leng, R. A., and Demeyer, D. I., editors]. Australia: University of New England Publishing UnitGoogle Scholar
Barry, T. N. & Forss, D. A. (1983) The condensed tannin content of vegetative Lotus pedunculatus, its regulation by fertiliser application, and effect upon protein solubility. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 34, 10471056.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barry, T. N. & Manley, T. R. (1986) Interrelationships between the concentrations of total condensed tannin, free condensed tannin and lignin in Lotus sp. and their possible consequences in ruminant nutrition. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 37, 248254.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barry, T. N., Manley, T. R. & Duncan, S. J. (1986). The role of condensed tannins in the nutritional value of Lotus pedunculatus for sheep. 4. Sites of carbohydrate and protein digestion as influenced by dietary reactive tannin concentration. British Journal of Nutrition 55, 123137.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beever, D. E. & Siddons, R. C. (1986) Digestion and metabolism in the grazing ruminant. In Control of Digestion and Metabolism in Ruminants, pp. 479496 [Milligan, L. P., Grovum, W. L., and Dobson, A., editors]. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.Google Scholar
Binnerts, W. T., van't Klooster, A. Th. & Frens, A. M. (1968). Soluble chromium indicator measured by atomic absorption in digestion experiments. Veterinary Record 82, 470476.Google Scholar
Egan, A. R. & Ulyatt, M. J. (1980) Quantitative digestion of fresh herbage by sheep. 1. Utilization of nitrogen in five herbages. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 94, 4756.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Faichney, G. J. (1975) The use of markers to partition digestion within the gastro-intestinal tract of ruminants. In Digestion and Metabolism in the Ruminant, pp. 227291 [McDonald, J. W. and Warner, A. C. I., editors]. Australia: University of New England Publishing Unit.Google Scholar
Ferguson, K. A., Hemsley, J. A. & Reis, P. J. (1967). Nutrition and wool growth. The effect of protecting dietary protein from microbial degradation in the rumen. Australian Journal of Science 30, 215217.Google Scholar
Flores, J. F., Stobbs, T. H. & Minson, D. I. (1979). The influence of the legume Leucaena leucocephala and formaldehyde-treated casein on the production and composition of milk from grazing cows. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 92, 351360.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hnngate, R. E. (1966). The rumen and its microbes. London: Academic Press.Google Scholar
John, A. & Lancdshire, J. A. (1981). Aspects of the feeding and nutritive value of Lotus species. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grasslands Association 42, 152–1 59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnson, C. M. & Nishita, H. (1952). Microestimation of sulfur in plant materials, soils, and irrigation waters. Analytical Chemistry 24, 736742.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jones, W. T. & Mangan, J. L. (1977). Complexes of the condensed tannins of sainfoin (Onohryehis viciifolia Scop.) with Fraction 1 Leaf protein and with submaxillary mucoprotein, and their reversal by polyethylene glycol and pH. Journal of the Science ofFood and Agriculture 28, 126136.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kennedy, P. M. & Milligan, L. P. (1978). Quantitative aspects of the transformation of sulphur in sheep. British Journal of Nutrition 39, 6572.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kennedy, P. M., Williams, E. R. & Siebert, B. D. (1975). Sulphate recycling and metabolism in sheep and cattle. Australian Journal of Biological Science 28, 3142.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, J. (1983). Evaluation of the inductively coupled organ plasma emission spectrometer during ‘bedding-in’ and its performance in the analysis of biological materials. Technical Report no. 3. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Applied Biochemistry Division, DSIR.Google Scholar
MacRae, J. C. & Ulyatt, M. J. (1974). Quantitative digestion of fresh herbage by sheep. II. The sites of digestion of some nitrogenous constituents. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 82, 309319.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marshall, R. C. & Gillespie, J. M. (1977). The keratin proteins from wool, horn and hoof from sheep. Australian Journal of Biological Sciences 30, 389397.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mathers, J. C. & Miller, E. L. (1980). A simple procedure using 35S incorporation for the measurement of microbial and undegraded food protein in ruminant digesta. British Journal of Nutrition 43, 503518.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nolan, J. V., Norton, B. W. & Leng, R. A. (1976). Further studies of the dynamics of nitrogen metabolism in sheep. British Journal of Nurtition 35, 127133.Google ScholarPubMed
Purchas, R. W. & Keogh, R. G. (1984). Fatness of lambs on Grasslands ‘Maku’ Lotus and Grasslands ‘Huia’ white clover. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 44, 219222.Google Scholar
Radcliffe, B. C. & Egdn, A. R. (1978). The effect of diet and of methionine loading on activity of enzymes in the transulphuration pathway in sheep. Australian Journal of Biological Sciences 31, 105107.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reis, P. J. (1965 a). Variation in the sulphur content of wool. In Biology of the Skin and Hair Growth, pp. 365379 [Lyne, A. G. and Short, B. F., editors]. Sydney: Angus and Robertson.Google Scholar
Reis, P. J. (1965 b). The growth and composition of wool. III. Variation in the sulphur content of wool. Australian Journal of Biological Sciences 18, 671679.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reis, P. J. (1979). Effects of amino acids on the growth and properties of wool. In Physiological and Environmental Limitations to Wool Growth, pp. 223242 [Black, J. L. and Reis, P. J., editors]. Australia: University of New England Publishing Unit.Google Scholar
Reis, P. J. & Schinckel, P. G. (1963). Some effects of sulphur-containing amino acids on the growth and composition of wool. Australian Journal of Biological Sciences 16, 218230.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rogers, G. L., Bryant, A. M. & McLeay, L. M. (1979). Silage and dairy cow production. 111. Abomasal infusions of casein, methionine, and glucose, and milk yield and composition. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 22, 533541.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stobbs, T. H., Minson, D. J. & McLeod, M. N. (1977). The response of dairy cows grazing a nitrogen fertilized grass pasture to a supplement of protected casein. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 89, 137141.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tan, T. N., Weston, R. H. & Hogan, J. P. (1971). Use of 193Ru-labelled tris (1, 10-phenanthroline ruthenium) (II) chloride as a marker in digestion studies with sheep. International Journal of Applied Radiation and Isotopes 22, 301308.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Terrill, T. H., Douglas, G. B., Foote, A. G., Purchas, R. W., Wilson, G. F. & Barry, T. N. (1992). Effect of condensed tannins upon body growth, wool growth and rumen metabolism in sheep grazing sulla and perennial pasture. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 119, 265273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Waghorn, G. C., John, A., Jones, W. T. and Shelton, I. D. (1987 a). Nutritive value of Lotus corniculatus L. containing low and medium concentrations of condensed tannins for sheep. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 41, 2530.Google Scholar
Waghorn, G. C., Jones, W. T., Shelton, I. D. & McNabb, W. C. (1989). Condensed tannins and the nutritive value of herbage. Proceedings of the NPW Zealand Grasslands Association 51, 171179.Google Scholar
Waghorn, G. C., Ulyatt, M. J., John, A. & Fisher, M. T. (1987 b). The effect of condensed tannins on the site of digestion of amino acids and other nutrients in sheep fed on Lotus corniculatus L. British Journal of Nutririon 57, 115126.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Williams, C. H. & Twine, J. R. (1967). Determination of nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium in plant materials by automatic analysis. In CSIRO Technical Paper no. 24, pp. 119. Melbourne:CSIRO.Google Scholar