Effects of dried white mulberry pulp, mulberry leaf and mulberry extract on yield performance in lambs with in situ degradation and in vitro fermentation parameters

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dried white mulberry pomace, mulberry leaves, and mulberry extract on in situ degradability and in vitro fermentation parameters as well as on the performance of lambs. In the in vivo trial of the study, 42 weaned 3 month old male and female Merino lambs were used. The trial was conducted in 3 groups: control, DP150 (150 grams of mulberry pomace), and DP300 (300 grams of mulberry pomace), each containing 7 male and 7 female lambs. The lambs were subjected to a 14-day acclimatization and 90-day fattening period feeding and performance parameters were examined in 15 day periods. At the beginning, middle, and end of the trial, blood samples were taken from the lambs to examine metabolic profile parameters. In the in vitro trial of the study; TMR samples containing 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50% NDF were prepared, and groups were formed by adding mulberry pomace and mulberry leaves at a 50% ratio, and mulberry extract at levels of 0, 325 and 0, 650 µl. In vitro rumen fermentation parameters and nutrient digestibility were examined. In the in situ trial of the study, the degradation values of mulberry leaves and mulberry pomace were examined using the nylon bag technique. In the in vivo trial, the average live weight gain was determined as 60,9% in the DP150 group, 58,7% in the DP300 group, and 46,7% in the control group. Daily average live weight gains were found to be 0,20 kg/day in the DP150 group, 0,18 kg/day in the DP300 group, and 0,16 kg/day in the control group but the differences between groups were not statistically significant (p>0,05). No significant difference was detected in dry matter consumption between groups (p>0,05). Changes were observed in metabolic profile parameters, but no significant differences were found in terms of group and group × time interactions (p>0,05). In the in vitro trial, gas production of groups with mulberry pomace addition was found to be higher compared to other groups (p<0,001). In the in situ trial, it was determined that mulberry leaf degraded by 70,2% and mulberry pomace by 65,5% within the first 24 hours. As a result, it can be said that mulberry pomace has positive effects on daily and average live weight increases of lambs, mulberry pomace, mulberry leaf and mulberry extract on in vitro rumen fermentation. The fact that mulberry pomace and mulberry leaf have similar rumen degradation values to alfalfa and corn silage indicates that they have potential as alternative feed sources. It is also thought that this study, which examines mulberry by-products in many aspects, will guide future research.