Study of morphometric and ruminal parameters in santa ines sheep fed spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica, MILL)

The present study aimed to morphometrically evaluate the ruminal mucosa and ruminal fluid characteristics of Santa Ines sheep fed different levels of spineless cactus as a replacement for Tifton grass hay. A total of 32 intact male Santa Ines sheep, approximately 180 days old and with a mean weight of 32.0 +/- 1.6kg, were studied in a completely randomized design with four treatments and eight replicates. The morphometric measurements evaluated in the ruminal epithelium (papilla height and surface area) were significantly affected (P<0.05) by supplementation of the diet with spineless cactus, and these effects showed increasing linear trends. Evaluations of the ruminal fluid also showed a significant increasing linear effect (P<0.05) for ammonia and a quadratic effect for microbial protein. The inclusion of spineless cactus in the sheep diet affects the ruminal epithelium morphology, including the papilla height and surface area, and favors the absorption process in the rumen. The diet containing higher levels of spineless cactus led to maximum microbial protein production. These results characterize spineless cactus as a feasible alternative for feeding sheep during periods of drought, when the typical food source is scarce.