Estimation of Microbial Protein Synthesis and Urinary Excretion of Purine Derivatives in Sheep Offered Alfalfa

The aim of the present study was to estimate the Microbial N yield (MN), Efficiency of Microbial Protein Supply (EMNS), amounts of Purine absorbed (Pa) and Purine Derivatives excretion (PDe) in gezel sheep fed Hamedani (HAM) and Kareyonge (KAR) hays. Digestible Organic Matter fermented in the Rumen (DOMR) of KAR (0.473 kg d 1) was lower than that of HAM hay (0.713 kg d 1). The MN was higher for HAM (22.8 g d 1) hay, than that of KAR hay (15.1 g d 1); but EMNS was similar (32 g N kg 1 DOMR). The Pa and PDe contents of HAM hay were higher than that of KAR hay (31.6 vs. 20.8 and 28.5 vs. 19.5 mmol d 1, respectively). In conclusion,it seems that, HAM hay can have a higher inclusion than of KAR hay in diets for sheep because of greater MN and PDe.