Small Ruminant Research最新文献

{"title":"Influence of physical forms of non-forage diet on growth performance, feeding behavior, rumen and blood indices, and nutrient digestibility in fattening goats","authors":"Muhammad Bilal ,&nbsp;Muhammad Irfan Malik ,&nbsp;Muhammad Afzal Rashid ,&nbsp;Muhammad Awais Khurshid ,&nbsp;Muhammad Shahbaz Yousaf ,&nbsp;Habib Ur Rehman","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107407","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107407","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of physical forms (PF) of a non-forage fiber-based fattening diet on the growth performance, feeding behavior, nutrient digestibility, blood, and rumen indices in male Beetal goats. Thirty male goats with an average body weight (BW) of 32 ± 1 kg were assigned to one of three dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. The treatments were as follows: (1) Pelleted (P) diet, where all ingredients were ground to 2 mm and then pelleted; (2) Texturized (TX) diet, where all ingredients, except whole corn grain, were ground to 2 mm, pelleted, and then mixed with whole corn grains; and (3) Unprocessed conventional mix (UCM), where all ingredients were mixed without any mechanical processing. The experimental duration was 12-week, two weeks for dietary adaptation, nine weeks for growth data collection, and one week for evaluation of nutrients digestibility. Daily dry matter intake (DMI) and DMI as a percentage of BW were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the P diet compared to the TX diet. The male goats fed with the UCM exhibited higher (P &lt; 0.05) average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio than TX and P diet. The ruminal pH tended to be higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the goats fed the UCM compared to those fed the TX and P diets. The odds of having a fecal consistency score of 3 or more were 16.4 times (2.18–123.97) greater in the P diet and 9.1 times (1.15–72.16) in the TX diet than in the UCM. The intake of DM, NDF, feeding and total rumination time, were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in goats fed UCM than those fed P and TX diets. The digestibility of NDF and EE were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the UCM and TX than in the P diet. These findings suggest that incorporating an unprocessed diet composed of whole corn grain and soyhulls can lead to enhanced growth performance, improved feeding behavior, and better nutrient utilization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 107407"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of challenges and practices utilized for production and breeding goats in East Wollega, Ethiopia","authors":"Ibrahim Jemal Aman ,&nbsp;Kemal Adem Abdela ,&nbsp;Ayansa wakjira Obo","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research analyzes the goat production system and breeding procedures in selected areas of Ethiopia's East Wollega zone. Data were gathered from 180 respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire and group talks. Data were analyzed using descriptive and GLM techniques. The principal agricultural activity is a mixed crop-livestock farming system. It depends largely on huge grazing systems. The average number of goats per family was 9.66, with most kept for cash and meat consumption. The goat flock structure consists predominantly of adult females aged one year and above, with female goats being proportionally higher across all studied agro-ecological zones than male goats. The flock structure of indigenous goats was primarily female. Natural grassland and crop residue were the primary feed supplies in the dry and wet seasons, accounting for 37.53 % and 54.26 %, respectively. Feed scarcity, illnesses, and drought were the primary restraints on goat production. Most goat owners (97.1 %) used an unregulated mating strategy. The majority of farmers (88.93 %) chose breeding goats as parents for the following generation, with body conformation and coat color being the most desirable characteristics. The present level of goat management and breeding practices will not considerably increase productivity and profitability. Therefore, creating management and genetic development programs is crucial for boosting the production of indigenous goats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 107418"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ziziphus nummularia and Acacia nilotica leaves based polyphenols rich diet modulates fatty acid profile and keeping quality of lamb meat","authors":"G.N. Aderao ,&nbsp;A. Sahoo ,&nbsp;R.S. Bhatt ,&nbsp;L.K. Soni ,&nbsp;Y.P. Gadekar ,&nbsp;P.K. Kumawat","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107406","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107406","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The polyphenols, due to their chemical characteristics, are known to alter microbial populations, impart antioxidant properties, and bind proteins. Accordingly, the present study was carried out to study the potential of plant polyphenol-rich diets in modulating the fatty acids (FAs) profiles and keeping quality of lamb meat. For this, thirty Avishan lambs (10 weeks old, 14.0 ± 0.2 kg) were randomly distributed into three groups: control (T1) on a complete feed block containing <em>Vigna sinensis</em> hay, T2 on CFB containing <em>Acacia nilotica</em>, and T3 on CFB containing <em>Ziziphus nummularia</em> leaves. The CFB in T1 had a negligible quantity of polyphenols, whereas T2 was rich in hydrolysable tannins, and T3 was rich in condensed tannins. The feeding trial was carried out for 12 weeks. A lower intake of nutrients (per kg BW0.75) was recorded in T2 compared to T1 and T3, while feed efficiency was similar across all treatments. Five lambs from each group were slaughtered at the end of the feeding trial for studying carcass attributes. T1 and T3 recorded higher (P = 0.003) weight gain, whereas T2 and T3 had higher dressing percentages and loin-eye areas. The FAs profile of <em>Longissimus thoracis</em> muscle in T2 and T3 showed a positive shift (decreased saturated and trans-FAs and increased ω-3, ω-6, and polyunsaturated FAs) with healthier atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices. The carcasses of T2 and T3 showed improved keeping quality following 14 days of refrigerated (4°C) storage, as evidenced by lower malondialdehyde values. Between the two sources, the condensed tannin-rich <em>Z. nummularia</em> showed superiority over the hydrolysable tannin-rich <em>A. nilotica</em> in modulating FA biohydrogenation and preserving keeping quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 107406"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Breed and shearing effects on milk composition and rennet-induced coagulation properties in dairy ewes","authors":"S. González-Luna ,&nbsp;L. Cordón ,&nbsp;A.A.K. Salama ,&nbsp;A. Contreras-Jodar ,&nbsp;G. Caja","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107419","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107419","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shearing during late-pregnancy and mid-lactation has been proposed as improving welfare practices in dairy sheep. With this aim, and as a follow up of a previous experiment, milk composition and milk rennet-induced coagulation properties were assessed in 2 breeds of dairy ewes (Manchega, MN, n = 43; Lacaune, LC, n = 28) which were shorn at different moments of their production cycle: i) unshorn (CO), ii) shorn before breeding (SBB), or iii) shorn at d 100 of pregnancy (S100). Individual milk samples were collected at d 160 and 161 of lactation and composited for milk analyses and milk batches produced by breed and shearing treatment for assessing milk rennet-induced coagulation properties with an Optigraph laboratory instrument (rennet coagulation time, RCT; Curd firmness at 45 min, F45). Milk composition and cheese rennet-induced coagulation properties varied markedly by breed, the MN showing greater values than the LC ewes, but no differences in major milk components nor in rennet-induced coagulation properties were detected by effect of shearing in both breeds. Nevertheless, opposite differences by shearing treatment were detected in RCT, which was longer in MN (9 %) and shorter in LC (− 8 %), when S100 and CO treatments were compared. The obtained results showed marked differences in cheese extract and yield in favor to the richer MN milk, with economic consequences on milk price, whereas shearing moment only modified RCT, the sense of variation depending on the breed and not being associated to changes in milk composition; therefore, assessment of additional factors is required for in-depth understanding.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 107419"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization and feeding value of mixed broccoli by-product silage for finishing lambs in confinement","authors":"Ali-Reza Mohammadi ,&nbsp;Seyed Mehdi Ghoreishi ,&nbsp;Shahryar Kargar ,&nbsp;Mohammad-Javad Abarghuei ,&nbsp;Morteza Hosseini Ghaffari","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107410","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107410","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of agricultural by-products in animal nutrition is increasingly being considered to address livestock feed shortages, reduce feed costs, and diminish environmental pollution. While some studies have investigated broccoli by-products as livestock feed, few have focused on the nutrition of finishing lambs. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of broccoli by-product silage (BBS) and the effect of the complete replacement of forage with BBS in the diet of male Mehraban finishing lambs on growth performance, nutrient intake, digestibility, and meat characteristics. Sixteen Mehraban ram lambs (270.7 ± 1.4 days old; body weight of 28.3 ± 1.5 kg) were individually housed for 60 days and adapted to feed and housing for 14 days. The experimental diets included the control diet (diet without BBS) and the BBS diet (diet containing 330 g/kg DM BBS). The broccoli by-product before ensiling was mixed with wheat straw and ground barley grain in a ratio of 80:15:5 on a fresh weight basis. The pH, aerobic stability and Fleig point of BBS were 4.9, 71 h and 75.9, respectively. The values for dry matter intake and live weight at slaughter (LWS) were lower in lambs fed the BBS diet than in those fed the control diet (P &lt; 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively). Average daily gain and feed conversion ratio did not differ between lambs fed the experimental diets. The feed cost per kg and cost per kg of LWS in the BBS diet were 19.5 % and 25.7 % lower than in the control diet, respectively. Digestibility of nutrients (DM, OM, CP, EE, and NDF) did not differ between treatments. Most carcass traits and cuts did not differ between treatments (P &gt; 0.05) but the <em>longissimus lumborum m.</em> (LL) muscle area (cm²<em>)</em>, skin, brisket, and tail fat (as a percentage of LWS) were lower in lambs fed BBS than in those fed the control diet (P &lt; 0.01). The internal organs (a percentage of LWS) of lambs fed the experimental diets were not affected by the treatments except for the heart (P = 0.005), which was higher in lambs fed the control diet. For meat color stability, no significant differences were observed in the values of lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*), chroma, red color (R), green color (G), and blue color (B) between the two treatments, however, the hue angle (h*) was greater in lambs fed BBS than in those fed the control diet (P = 0.002). In conclusion, BBS can be fed to finishing lambs; however, further dose-response studies may be needed to determine the optimal levels and mixtures of BBS for inclusion in lamb diets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 107410"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of genetic diversity in latvian darkheaded sheep population","authors":"Daina JONKUS ,&nbsp;Liga PAURA","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The purpose of this study is to evaluate the parameters of genetic diversity, the level of inbreeding and effective population size based on pedigree data in genetic resources Latvian Darkheaded Old Type (LTV) sheep breed population. The study was based on genetic resources rams and ewes pedigree data that were alive in 2020. The pedigree data is available from 1976 with a total number of animals 2295 – 1817 (407 rams and 1410 ewes) with and 478 without progeny. Starting from the 2000 four generations completeness progressively increased and was higher than 70 %. In 2020, the pedigree completeness (PC) for the first generation was 100 % and for the fourth generation was around 90 %. The average number of generations in the LTV pedigree for inbreed animals is 10.2 ± 0.07 generations. The number of inbreed animals in data set was 1177 with an average inbreeding coefficient 2.75 %. A positive change was found in the population of alive animals, where the level of inbreeding decreased and reached 2.36 %, however, 7.4 % of alive animals have a level of inbreeding greater than 5 %. The number of <em>Ne</em> in the LTV population within the last five years (2015 – 2020) is decreasing from 124 and in 2020 reached 108 animals. The changes in genetic diversity of the LTV population are explainable due to the greater restrictions in the LTV breeding programme, where from 2015 only purebred animals with 100 % LTV were accepted as genetic resources or the LT old-type sheep breed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 107403"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142746486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing the genetic evaluation criteria for the small herd of Saanen x Beetal crossbred dairy goats of Indian sub-tropic","authors":"Amritanshu Upadhyay ,&nbsp;Rani Alex ,&nbsp;M.S. Dige ,&nbsp;Shweta Sahoo ,&nbsp;Kashif Dawood Khan ,&nbsp;Pradyut Das ,&nbsp;Vikas Vohra ,&nbsp;G.R. Gowane","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study focused on the accurate genetic evaluation of a small dairy flock of crossbred dairy goats, specifically developed for high milk production in the Indian sub-tropical climate. The study was conducted on Saanen x Beetal (SxB) crossbred goats, which utilized 12,660 test day records for first parity. Additionally, complete lactation records (N=1283) across multiple parities and for the first parity (N=659) were analyzed separately for genetic evaluation. The main traits examined were 150-day milk yield (150DMY), days in milk (DIM), peak yield (PY), and total milk yield (TMY), with averages of 198.80±2.83 kg, 227.90±4.18 days, 1.17±0.02 kg, and 262.40±6.12 kg, respectively, highlighting the genetic superiority of SB goats over native Indian goats. Across parities, the estimates for 150DMY, DIM, and TMY were 230±6.16 kg, 210±7.0 days, and 277±11.82 kg, respectively. Given the moderate heritability (0.24±0.08) and repeatability (0.29±0.04) estimates of 150DMY, the study recommends using 150DMY as the primary selection criterion for genetic improvement in SxB goats. The single-trait random regression model (RRM) utilizing various orders of orthogonal Legendre polynomials (LEG) and B-spline (BS) functions with heterogeneous residual variances was also employed. The test day milk yield (TDMY) showed a least squares mean of 1.30±0.01 kg, with moderate heritability estimates across test days (0.26±0.08). The optimal model was identified as a quadratic B-spline function with six knots (BS6Q). Positive genetic correlations were observed between consecutive test-day milk yield values, while correlations decreased for more distant test days. The study demonstrated the superiority of the B-spline model in genetically assessing Saanen x Beetal dairy goats, highlighting its benefits in curve fitting, genetic parameter estimation, and higher breeding value prediction accuracy. Looking into the moderate heritability and desirable genetic correlation of 150 DMY with other lactation traits, we recommend using 150 DMY for further selection programs. As the concordance of ranking between different approaches for breeding value prediction was high, we recommend using the random regression test day model (RR-TDM) when data recording across lactation is costly.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"241 ","pages":"Article 107402"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142719628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on goat farming systems in rural mediterranean regions","authors":"Melis Çelik Güney,&nbsp;Nazan Koluman","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Numerous studies have highlighted the detrimental effects of COVID-19 disruptions on various aspects of rural farming communities worldwide, including economic status, food security and nutritional status. However, despite this extensive literature, there is a striking gap in understanding the nuanced impacts of these disruptions on different segments of smallholder goat keepers, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkiye. The aim of this study is to shed light on the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on goat farming and the local community in rural areas. Data was collected to examine the impact of COVID-19 on various dimensions such as input use, agricultural production (livestock and crops, etc.), market accessibility and food safety among goat farmers in Tufanbeyli, Feke and Karatas districts of Turkiye. The results showed that goat farming in rural areas under the pressure of COVID-19 had a negative impact on input management and marketing. In addition, it was found that breeders suffered economic setbacks, particularly due to the disruption to production and family nutrition caused by COVID-19.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"241 ","pages":"Article 107404"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142697314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Two-dimensional, m-mode and doppler-derived echocardiographic parameters in standing healthy dorper sheep","authors":"Rauane Sousa de Moura ,&nbsp;Beatriz Câmara Landim ,&nbsp;Daianny Pires de Freitas ,&nbsp;Jéssica Rocha Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Rosângela de Oliveira Alves Carvalho ,&nbsp;Leandro Guimarães Franco","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107391","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107391","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sheep are widely used in cardiovascular system research with emphasis in translational research for the echocardiographic diagnosis of heart diseases. Several studies have proposed reference values for the various echocardiographic parameters in healthy sheep. It is known that breed, age, sex and the technique used can contribute to changes in echocardiographic parameters, the reason for investigations in Dorper sheep echocardiography. The aim of study was to establish reference two-dimensional, m-mode and Doppler-derived echocardiographic parameters in standing Dorper sheep and to determine whether there is an influence of sex on echocardiographic parameters. Sixty-five pure Dorper lambs with 3–5 months of age, weighing 29.47 ± 3.1 kg were used. The Doppler echocardiographic was conducted in a standing position through right parasternal windows for the long axis of the left ventricular outflow tract, short axis at the level of the papillary muscles, mitral valve, aortic valve, and left atrium; and left parasternal for the cranial long axis of the right ventricular outflow tract. Significant differences between males and females were noted in left ventricular free wall (LVFW) measurements during diastole (P = 0.03) and systole (P = 0.04), as well as in output by pulmonary artery flow (DC_PA) values (P = 0.03). This study successfully established Doppler echocardiographic reference values for cardiac dimensions, left ventricular systolic function, and pulmonary artery flow in healthy lamb Dorper in a standing position.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"241 ","pages":"Article 107391"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142697313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Meta-analysis of dietary supplementation with flavonoids in small ruminants: Growth performance, antioxidant status, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and meat quality","authors":"Fernando Lucio-Ruíz ,&nbsp;Juan Eduardo Godina-Rodríguez ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Danilo Granados-Rivera ,&nbsp;José Felipe Orzuna-Orzuna ,&nbsp;Santiago Joaquín-Cancino ,&nbsp;Pedro Abel Hernández-García","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with flavonoids on growth performance, antioxidant status, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and meat quality of small ruminants through a meta-analytic approach. The data used in the meta-analysis were extracted from 29 scientific articles identified through systematic searches following the PRISMA methodology. Der-Simonian and Laird, random effects models, were used to assess effect sizes using weighted mean differences. Dietary supplementation with flavonoids increased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) dry matter intake, average daily gain, hot carcass weight, hot carcass yield, <em>Longissimus dorsi</em> muscle area, and backfat thickness. In contrast, the feed conversion ratio decreased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) in response to dietary flavonoid supplementation. Dietary supplementation with flavonoids increased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) the serum concentration of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity but decreased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) the serum concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA). The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber increased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) in response to dietary flavonoid supplementation. Dietary supplementation with flavonoids decreased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) the ruminal concentration of ammonia nitrogen and increased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids and acetate. Dietary supplementation with flavonoids decreased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) cooking loss, shear force, and MDA in meat. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with flavonoids can be used as a nutritional strategy to improve growth performance, antioxidant status in blood serum, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and meat quality in small ruminants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"241 ","pages":"Article 107401"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}