Effect of vitex agnus-castus on sheep rumen fluids using an in vitro gas production method

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) on in vitro gas production (GP), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and net energy lactation (NEL) using an in vitro gas-production method. Two rumen-fistulated sheep were used in the experiment. The sheep were fed 60% alfalfa hay and 40% concentrate feed twice daily. Five different levels of VAC were added to the concentrate (CON) to produce 200 mg DM (CON - without VAC; 1 - 2 mg VAC+198 mg CON; 2 - 4 mg VAC+196 mg CON; 3 - 6 mg VAC+194 mg CON; 4 - 8 mg VAC+192 mg CON; 5 - 10 mg VAC+190 mg CON). The volume of gas produced was recorded at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after incubation. The results showed GP, OMD and NEL contents with no significant changes even as the level of VAC were added to the CON. VAC groups affected the rapidly degraded fractions; however, did not affect the slowly degraded fractions.