Effect of feeding garlic leaf on microbial nitrogen supply, kinetics of plasma phenylalanine, tyrosine and protein synthesis in sheep

The objective of the present study was to assess the feeding effects of garlic leaf on microbial N supply (MNS), turnover rates of plasma phenylalanine (PheTR) and tyrosine (TyrTR) and whole body protein synthesis (WBPS) in sheep. The sheep were fed either mixed hay (Hay-diet, as control) or hay plus garlic leaf diet (GL-diet, at a ratio of 9:1) in a crossover design each for a 21 day period. The isotope dilution method using [H-2(5)]Phe and [H-2(2)]Tyr was performed on the 21st day of each dietary treatment. Nitrogen intake remained similar between the diets and N absorption and N digestibility were higher (P<0.05) in the GL-diet than Hay-diet. Total purine derivatives excretion and MNS were greater (P<0.05) in the GL-diet than the Hay-diet. Plasma PheTR tended to be higher (P=0.06) during GL feeding and TyrTR did not differ between the diets. Further, WBPS tended to be greater (P=0.05) for the GL-diet compared with the Hay-diet. Hence, the present results suggest that garlic leaf may have positive effects on N metabolism by influencing MNS in sheep and could be used as a potential ruminant feed in the future.