The Effect of Formaldehyde Treatment of Solvent and Mechanical Extracted Cottonseed Meal on the Performance, Digestibility and Nitrogen Balance in lambs

The effect of formaldehyde treatment of solvent and mechanical extracted cottonseed meal on the performance, digestibility and nitrogen balance was assessed in lambs. Four total mixed rations viz., A, B, C and D containing 40% untreated and treated solvent and mechanical extracted meal were prepared. Sixteen male lambs with average BW of 20-22 kg were randomly allocated to experimental rations and were fed individually during ninety days growth trial. The treatment of solvent extracted cottonseed meal resulted in a linear decrease in ruminal protein degradation. Maximum decrease (64%) in protein degradation was observed at 4 h incubation time with 0.3% formaldehyde treatment. Highest daily BW gain was observed in lambs fed on rations Band D compared to lambs fed on rations A and C. Daily BW gain was higher on rations having 0.3% for fromaldehyde treated cottonseed meals. Higher DM digestibility was observed on ration D compared to other rations. Higher (p<0.05) CP and CF digestibility was observed on rations Band D compared to rations A and C. Nitrogen retention as % age of nitrogen intake was (p<0.05) higher for lambs fed rations B and D compared to rations A and C. Similar pattern was observed for nitrogen retention as percent of nitrogen absorbed. The present study suggested that oil extraction methods of cottonseed did not alter their meal utilization in lambs, however, formaldehyde (0.3%) treatment of meals enhanced its efficiency for growth, digestibility and nitrogen balance in lambs.