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Effect of Euphorbia esula on Sheep Rumen Microbial Activity and Mass In Vitro

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Abstract

Most large herbivores avoid the invasive weed leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.), possibly because the plant contains secondary compounds including terpenoids and condensed tannins. On the other hand, E. esula has high nutritive value based on traditional measures such as crude protein, fiber, and dry matter disappearance and is consumed by sheep and goats. Our objective was to determine if material from undefoliated and previously defoliated E. esula shoots, mixed in different proportions with grass hay, adversely affects sheep rumen microbial activity and mass in vitro. Material from undefoliated and previously defoliated E. esula shoots was collected in June, July, and August 1994 near Grass Range, Montana. Usually, increasing levels of E. esula leaves and flowers in the mixtures increased in vitro dry matter and neutral detergent fiber disappearances (DMD, NDFD), microbial gas production, and microbial purine concentrations. In contrast, increasing levels of E. esula stems in the mixtures decreased DMD, NDFD, microbial gas production, and microbial purine concentrations. Rumen microbial gas production and purine concentrations were higher with leaves from previously defoliated than undefoliated shoots. In contrast, rumen microbial gas production and DMD were lowest for stems from previously defoliated shoots; these responses correlated with high concentrations of condensed tannins in stems of previously defoliated plants. In early summer, the high nutritive value of E. esula appears to offset any potential negative effects associated with secondary compounds. In late summer, microbial response appears more sensitive to the presence of secondary compounds, when nutritive value of this plant is declining.

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  1. Joanna L. Roberts

    Present address: , 908 W. Washington, Lewistown, Montana, 59457

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  1. Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, P.O. Box 172900, Bozeman, Montana, 59717-2900

    Joanna L. Roberts & Bret E. Olson

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Roberts, J.L., Olson, B.E. Effect of Euphorbia esula on Sheep Rumen Microbial Activity and Mass In Vitro. J Chem Ecol 25, 297–314 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020846813258

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