DRY-MATTER AND PROTEIN-DEGRADATION OF FOLIAGE FROM MEDICAGO-SATIVA, ACACIA-GREGGII AND PROSOPIS-GLANDULOSA BY SHEEP

Leaves from native shrubs catclaw (Acacia greggii) and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) were evaluated as protein supplements in an in s itu digestion trial, and compared to alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa). Tw elve rumen cannulated Pelibuey sheep were used (four/plant) to incubat e ground samples (4 g) in nylon bags (10 x 5 cm, 53 pm pore size). To measure the rate and extent of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) digestion, and effective degradability of DM (EDDM) and CP (EDCP) bags were suspended in the rumen of sheep at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. Alfalfa hay and honey mesquite resulted with higher (P<0.05) EDDM tha n catclaw. Moreover, EDCP was higher (P<0.05) in alfalfa hay and honey mesquite than in catclaw. The DM and CP in leaves from catclaw were p oorly degraded in the rumen of sheep. High levels of lignin in catclaw may have reduced rumen digestion.