Effect of Varying Levels of Dietary Cation-Anion difference (DCAD) on Nutrient Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation in Deccani Lambs

Experiment was conducted to study different levels of dietary cation-anion differences (DCAD) on nutrient digestibilitiesand rumen fermentation patternof Deccani lambs. Eighteen Deccani lambs (27.58±1.99 kg/body weight) were selected and randomly allotted to 3 groups, containing 6 animals in each.A sorghum stover based complete ration (50R:50C) was prepared as a basal diet.Three experimental rations viz., DCAD-160, DCAD-220 and DCAD-280 were prepared by adding sodium bicarbonate at 0.0, 0.477 and 0.955 % to the basal diet to achieve a DCAD level of 160, 220 and 280mEq/kg DM, respectively. Feeding on varying levels of DCAD had similar effects on digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and acid detergent fibre. However, the digestibility of DM, OM, NFE, NDF, hemicellulose and cellulose were lowered (P<0.05) significantly at +280 DCAD level while they were comparable inother two groups. Similarly, the TDN in DCAD-280 ration was significantly (P<0.01) lower than DCAD-160 or DCAD-220 rations. The rumen pH and total volatile fatty acids concentrations were comparable among the three experimental rations while, ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased significantly (P<0.01) in DCAD-280 ration. Thus, it can be concluded that, the sorghum stover based complete rations containing DCAD level of +220 shall be better for optimum digestibility and rumen fermentation in Deccani lambs.