Supplementation with willow containing condensed tannins shifted nitrogen excretion from urine to faeces in yearling ewes.

ABSTRACT: Ruminants have poor nitrogen use efficiency, with 70% of total ingested nitrogen (N) excreted. Much of this excreted N is in the form of urinary urea which is easily hydrolysed to ammonia. Increasing ammonia production has negative impacts on environmental and human health. Dietary supplementation with condensed tannins (CTs) could be a solution as they bind to the N source (protein) in the rumen, preventing degradation, allowing more N to reach the abomasum for digestion and absorption. However, if this N is not absorbed, it results in a shift in N excretion from urine to faeces. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of willow containing CTs through a 21% DM dietary inclusion of two willow varieties (Salix Beagle: BG and Salix Terra Nova: TN) mixed with grass silage. Willow tre

SUBMITTER: Thompson JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12708440 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature