Nutritional and Metabolic Responses to Cactus-Atriplex Diets in Pregnant Ewes under semi-Arid conditions

Nutritional and Metabolic Responses to Cactus-Atriplex Diets in Pregnant Ewes under semi-Arid conditions | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Nutritional and Metabolic Responses to Cactus-Atriplex Diets in Pregnant Ewes under semi-Arid conditions Brahim Kamal Louacini, Ahmed Mennai, Kahina. Houd Chaker, Chaima Mennai, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7752282/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The aim of this study was to identify the most suitable diet based on Opuntia ficus-indica inerme and Atriplex halimus to meet the nutritional requirements of pregnant Barbarine ewes, and to assess its effects on feed intake, digestibility, metabolic profile, and weight variation of the ewes. The experiment was conducted on 36 ewes, allocated into 9 groups using a crossover design. Nine dietary treatments were tested : a control diet (barley straw + barley grain), five combinations of straw with varying proportions of Opuntia and Atriplex (100%, 75/25%, 50/50%, 25/75%, 100%), and three diets composed exclusively of straw, Opuntia, or Atriplex. Dry matter intake of diets D1 to D9 ranged from 43.01 to 71.64 g DM/kg BW⁰·⁷⁵, corresponding respectively to straw and Opuntia. Organic matter digestibility for diets D3to D6 was 67.47 ± 8.19, 74.27 ± 2.54, 66.34 ± 3.05, and 62.10 ± -65%, respective. Diets D3 to D5 are the most balanced with respect to energy and nitrogen, as shown by their respective energy and nitrogen levels. ANOVA revealed significant (p < 0.05) in the digestibility of the diets and in the biochemical parameters. Blood glucose levels remained within the normal physiological range for sheep. Urea and creatinine concentrations in diets 3 to 7 were similar to those in the control group. The Opuntia-Atriplex combination did not alter the metabolism of the ewes. Diet 4 appears to be a promising alternative to conventional diets, by reducing the cost of the diets. Aridity digestibility Opuntia Atriplex diet metabolic profil Introduction Opuntia ficus indica inerme, commonly known as prickly pear, a CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plant, and Atriplex halimus (chenopodiaceae) is a perennial xerohalophyte native to arid and semi-arid Mediterranean regions. This species tolerates harsh conditions such as salinity), light stress and drought (Martinez et al. 2005), can be a sustainable alternative for arid regions, thanks to their adaptation to the climate. These regions suffer from extreme climatic conditions: droughts, irregular rainfall and soil degradation, all of which are exacerbated by climate change, (Garcia-Franco et al. 2018). Arid regions are currently experiencing numerous difficulties for livestock farming, mainly due to insufficient fodder resources, the excessive cost of concentrates, which can even compromise human nutrition, and the often-irreversible degradation of pastoral resources (Bensalem and Smith 2008 ),(Albuquerque et al. 2020 ). In Algeria, the number of ewes alone reached 19.3 million in 2020, representing a 4.3% increase compared to 2019 (ONS, 2023 ). This growth highlights the importance of sheep farming for the production of meat, wool, and milk, as well as the growing challenges of sustaining this sector in the face of chronic fodder shortages and environmental degradation. To address these challenges, it is essential to identify and incorporate sustainable and locally available feed alternatives. Among these, Opuntia ficus-indica (cactus) and Atriplex halimus have proven to be viable options for supplementing traditional diets in arid and semi-arid regions. It was in this context of aridity that a feeding study was carried out in relation to the end-of-gestation needs of the Barbarine breed of ewe, known for its ability to adapt to the conditions of arid zones. Our experimental approach focused on predicting the nutritional value of the test foods, assessing food intake, evaluating the in vivo digestibility of the various dietary components, determining energy and nitrogen intake, monitoring body weight gain for each diet, and analyzing the metabolic profile. incorporation of the Opuntia-Atriplex combination, at 5 levels: 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% and vice versa. Opuntia cladodes are particularly valuable due to their high-water content and rich composition in energy and minerals, particularly potassium and calcium (Ayadi et al. 2009 ); Bargougui et al. 2019 ;), making them a crucial resource during periods of drought. Atriplex halimus is notable for its high crude protein and fibre content, but is also rich in sodium chloride (Ben Salem2010); (Boudaa et al. 2013 ), oxalates, which reduce calcium availability by creating insoluble calcium oxalate in the rumen and kidneys (Alazzeh et al. 2009 ). The Opuntia cladodes are particularly valuable due to their high water content and their richness in energy and minerals, especially potassium and calcium, making them a crucial resource during periods of drought. Atriplex halimus is notable for its high crude protein and fiber content, but it is also rich in sodium chloride (Ben Salem 2008 ) and oxalates, which reduce calcium availability by forming insoluble calcium oxalate in the rumen and kidneys (Alazzeh et al. 2009 ). and can contain high levels of tannins (12 to 15 g/kg DM), as observed in Jordan (Abu-Zanat et al. 2003 ). The interest of this study lies in the possibility of covering the gestation needs of Barbarine ewes and maintaining them physiologically in a satisfactory state of health, with the most appropriate rate of incorporation of Opuntia-Atriplex to replace grain barley in the diet of Barbarine ewes in southern Algeria. Materials and methods Animals Thirty-six Barbarine ewes aged between 4 and 6 years, average weight 57 ± 4.6 kg, parasite-free, body condition 2, placed in digestibility cages divided into 9 batches. The ewes underwent heat synchronisation using vaginal sponges (FGA = 20 mg (Intervet, France), and PMSG = 300 IU). Foods and diets The study was conducted in eastern Algeria, using Opuntia ficus-indica from Bedjene (Tébessa) and Atriplex halimus from Zribet El Oued (Biskra). Samples were collected in March–April 2022 at the early flowering stage. Barley grain and straw were sourced from a local private farm. Nine diets were tested on pregnant ewes over two 29-day periods, including 8 days of data collection per period. Diet substitutions were made (D1 versus D5, D2versus D4, D3versus D6), while diets D7, D8, and D9 were discontinued to prevent potential adverse effects. Rations were formulated based on the nutritional needs of ewes in late gestation, with incorporation rates of Opuntia and Atriplex ranging from 0 to 100%. Diet 1 (control) consisted of 461 g barley and 700 g straw. Other diets included varying combinations of Opuntia and Atriplex, with straw offered in limited amounts. Diets 7, 8, and 9, consisting solely of straw, Opuntia, or Atriplex, were used to assess potential digestive disorders and comparative digestibility (Gebremariam 2006). Measurements and parameters studied The quantity distributed in g corresponds to the last third of gestation of the ewes. It took into account the characteristics of the ewe, namely its live weight 57 kg ± 4.7, its UFL = 0.76 of its PDI (g) = 78g, the ingestion capacity − 27 UEM and the bulk of the barley straw 2.33 UEM / Kg of DM (INRA, 1988, 2007 ). The FULs were predicted from the chemical composition and by using the equations of (INRA, 1988), and (Guerin et al. 1989 ) specific to each food group. For Opuntia, we did not find any specific equations; however, according to Araba et al. ( 2009 ), its energy value is comparable to that of alfalfa. We chose the equations for green alfalfa 1st cycle. As for the PDI values, they were obtained from 4 characteristics: the MAT content; the theoretical degradability of MAT; the content of fermentable organic matter FOM; and the real digestibility (dr) of amino acids of dietary origin. For Atriplex, the DT and dr values are 0.73 and 0.75 respectively. The fresh intake of Opuntia is around 9 to 11 kg (Mulas.2004), given its high palatability and low bulkiness. For Atriplex, UFL values are maximum at the flowering stage values in and 0.80- 0.81UFL / Kg of DM. (Nefzaoui and Chermiti 1991 ) UFL advanced varying between 0.60 UFL / Kg of DM. Essafi et al, ( 2007 ), found values fluctuating between 0.71 and 0.75 UFL / Kg of DM. On the other hand, Le Houerou ( 1991 ), mentioned results which are between 0.50 and 0.60UFL /Kg of DM. The PDI have maximum values at the mature grain stage with PDIN of 165.32 g /kg of DM. Kessler ( 1990 ), reported that the high levels of proteins and mineral salts allow the use of Atriplex halimus as a fodder reserve in summer and autumn. The intake of the diets was determined by daily weighing of the distributed and the refused. Only the feces were collected each morning, at the same time, weighed and stored at (-18°C). The digestibility was evaluated by the apparent digestive utilization coefficient (ADC usually called by the term digestibility (D….). Feeding levels (FL) were calculated based on the amount of digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) for energy requirements and the amount of digestible protein in the intestine (PDI) for nitrogen requirements, according to INRA (1988, 2007 ). Average daily gain or loss was assessed by weekly weighing of the ewes on an empty stomach throughout the trial. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture using heparinised venoject tubes, after fasting, and were centrifuged and stored in microtubes at( − 30°C). Sampling was conducted prior to the introduction of cladodes and at the end of each experimental period. A total of 36 blood samples per biological parameter were collected during period 1, and 24 during period 2. Regarding growth: Lambs were monitored for a period of 21 days. The ewes were allowed a one-week postpartum recovery period before lamb weights began to be measured. The apparent digestibility coefficient ADC, or D(…), was calculated using the equation: ADC (%) = (I – E). I − 1 ×100, where I is the amount ingested and E the amount excreted. Energy feeding level (FL_energy) was defined as: FL_energy = DOMI (g.kg / BW 0.75 )/ 23, with 23 g DOMI representing the maintenance requirement (equivalent to 95 kcal ME kg / BW 0.75 ).DOMI was calculated as: DOMI = OM ingested × OM digestibility. Nitrogen feeding level (FL_nitrogen)was defined as:FL_nitrogen = PDI(g BWP 0 . 75 ) / 2.5,where 2.5 g PDI / kg BW 0.75 corresponds to nitrogen maintenance needs. Maintenance feeding units for lactation (FUL) were estimated as: FUL_maintenance = BW 0.75 × 0.033. Total FUL intake: FUL_total = BW 0.75 × 0.033 × FL. FUL available for gestation: FUL_gestation = FUL_total – FUL_maintenance. PDI requirements for maintenance: PDI_maintenance = BW 0.75 × 2.5. Total PDI intake: PDI_total = BW 0.75 × 2.5 × FL. PDI available for gestation: PDI_gestation = PDI_total – PDI_maintenance. All equations used are from (INRA , 1988, 2007 ) and (Guérin et a.l 1989). Test procedure. The experiment was conducted in a sheepfold in El-Oued (Algeria) over two periods of 29 days: 21 days of diet adaptation and 8 days of data collection. The 100% diets (straw, Opuntia, Atriplex) were discontinued due to physiological issues observed in 12 ewes. The remaining 24 ewes continued the trial with cross-over diets. The constituents of each feed and feces were analyzed using conventional methods: water content was determined by steaming at 103°C ± 2°C, crude fiber content by the Weende method, total nitrogen by Kjeldhal, and fat by hexane extraction using a Soxhlet apparatus. For the diets that received straw, the contents were determined on representative samples of the offered and refused diets. NDF and ADF were determined using the method described by Van Soest et al. (1991). The biochemical analysis was carried out using a COBAS C111 autoanalyzer, produced by ROCHE diagnostics in Rotkreuz (Switzerland). Statistical analysis. The results of the various chemical analyses were processed using Excel to calculate means and standard deviations, and with Statistica software version 6 for analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Newman-Keuls test to rank the different treatments at significance levels of p < 0.05 and p < 0.0- The comparison of means between treatments showed no significant differences between D1 and D4. However, highly significant differences ( p < 0.01) were observed between (D1 and D9), (D1 and D8), (D1 and D7), (D1 and D6), (D1 and D5), as well as between (D1 and D2). Results Chemical composition, intake and digestibility The results of the chemical composition of each feed and their nutritional values are shown in Table - The results of the chemical composition of the experimental feeds show that Opuntia cladodes have a UFL value / Kg DM of 0.63, (FAO 1989 ) indicating a value between 0.6 and 0.7. The PDI in g/ Kg DM are of the order of 38 ± 7.5 for PDIN and 64 ± 2 for PDIE. FUL values for Atriplex are highest at the flowering stage, at 0.81 FUL (Arbouche et al. 2013 ). (Essafi et al.2007), found values fluctuating between 0.71 and 0.75 FUL/ kg DM. (Nefzaoui and Chermiti 1991 ) put forward FUL values of between 0.6 and 0.8 FUL/kg DM. Le houerou ( 1991 ), on the other hand, reported results of between 0.50 and 0.60 FUL/Kg DM. Our results for Atriplex are 0.83 ± 0.03 UFL/kg DM and 120 ± 17g PDIN and 98 ± 9 PDIE g. The FUL values for straw and grain barley are close to the standards of (INRA 1988 ) The composition of the diets fed is shown in Table 2 . The diets were isoenergetic but not iso nitrogenous and we deliberately avoided balancing the diets with commercial nitrogen. The FUL and PDI contents of the diets were calculated from the chemical composition of each feed and by the prediction equations of (INRA, 1988, 2007 ). The intake of diets D1to D6 were practically equal and appeared to be independent of their digestibility. The straw intake of diets D2, to D6 is on average around 148 ± 36 g, showing that the straw is intended solely for the salivation of the diets. Only on diet 1, the straw intake was 617g because the addition of concentrate (grain barley) to the ration increased the straw intake and even improved the digestibility of the diet (Jarrige 1989). Table 2 Quantity of DM distributed and ingested (g/animal/day), chemical composition by diet and ration cost. Distributed D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 Grain barley 461 - - - - - - - - Opuntia - 1140 (100%) 855 (75%) 570 (50%) 285 (25%) - - 1210 - Atriplex 215 (25%) 430 (50%) 645 (75%) 860 (100%) - - 960 Straw 700 200 200 200 200 200 1680 Total FUL 0.80 0,80 0,80 0,80 0,80 0,80 0,76 0,76 0,79 Total PDIg 46,1 48,7 59 69,2 79,4 89,7 45,3 46 90 DM distributed 1161 1340 1270 1200 1130 1060 1700 1210 960 Ingestible D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 Grain barley 461 - Opuntia 960 790 566 285 - Atriplex 180 400 644 810 - - Straw 617 109 113 180 200 139 730 - - DM ingested 1078 ± 89 a 1069 ± 100a 1083 ± 99a 1146 ± 98a 1129 ± 103 a 949 ± 37 a 730 ± 37 b 1190 ± 10 a 920 ± 15c BW 0.75 22.06 ± 0.69 20.06 ± 0.46 22.26 ± 0.7 22.6 ± 0.96 22.4 ± 0.58 19.94 ± 0.58 16.97 ± 0.51 16.61 ± 0.335 16.24 ± 0.29 DMI/kgBW 0.75 48.86 ± 2.5 53.29 ± 3.7 48.65 ± 2.92 50.7 ± 2.2 50.4 ± 3.29 47.58 ± .38 43.01 ± 0.8 71.64 ± 0.4 56.6 ± 0.21 OM 1029 ± 84 826 ± 85 847 ± 80 919 ± 86 713 ± 29 785 ± 31 946 ± 39 896 ± 54 742 ± 12 CF 328 ± 26 180 ± 18 208 ± 19 269 ± 25 309 ± 27 480 ± 21 481 ± 19 159 ± 7 250 ± 7 CP 65 ± 5 43 ± 4 76 ± 7 80 ± 7 103 ± 12 108 ± 3 32 ± 3 58 ± 5 109 ± 6 DA / $ 25.4/ 0.18 24.7/0.18 22.4/0.16 20.04 / .14 16.2/0.11 10.2/0.07 15/0.1 28.5/0.2 9.2/0.06 ab, bc, in the same line, when the letters are different, the differences are significant at (p < 0.05 ). Price in DA/DM : Opuntia : 24DA/Kg of DM, Atriplex :10DA/ Kg of DM, Grain barley : 35DA / Kg of DM, Barley straw :15 DA/Kg of DM (DA/Algerian Dinar 1$ = 136DA ) The results of the digestibility of the different constituents of each diet are compared with each other and with the D (DM, OM, CF, and CP) of straw alone, Opuntia and Atriplex (Table 3 ) while the results of the feeding levels are shown in (Table 4 ). Table 3 Digestibility of the various constituents in % /Kg DM, n = 8 (cross-over diets D1versus D5, D2 versus D4, and D3 versus D6) D (…)in % of DM D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D(DM) diet 70.75 ± 3.5 a 53.8 ± 2,5 b 7 − 4 ± 1.6 a 72.4 ± 1.8 a 64.1 ± 3.4 c 55.2±-9 b 44.5 ± 1.75 d 62.5 ± 2 c 42.7 ± 1,7 d D (DM) straw 44.5 ± 1.75 44.5 ± 1.75 44.5 ± 1.75 . 44.5 ± 1.75 44.5 ± 1.75 44.5 ± 1.75 . 44.5 ± 1.75 44.5 ± 1.75 44.5 ± 1.75 . D(DM) Opuntia 62.5 ± 2 62.5 ± 2 62.5 ± 2 62.5 ± 2 62.5 ± 2 62.5 ± 2 62.5 ± 2 62.5 ± 2. 62.5 ± 2 D(DM)Atriplex 42.7 ± 1.7 42,7 ± 1.7 42.7 ± 1.7 42.7 ± 1.7 42,7 ± 1.7 42.7 ± 1.7 42.7 ± 1.7 42,7 ± 1.7 42.7 ± 1.7 D(OM) diet 72.4 ± 2.85. a 54.8 ± 3.5 b 67.5 ± 5.5 c 74.3 ± 2 a 66,4 ± 3.5 C . 62,1±-65c 52.35 ± 2.1 b 62.6 ± 2.03 c 47 ± 2,3 d D (OM)straw 52.35 ± 1,6 52.35 ± 1,6 52.35 ± 1,6 52.35 ± 1,6 52.35 ± 1,6 52.35 ± 1,6 52.35 ± 1,6 52.35 ± 1,6 52.35 ± 1,6 D OM)Opuntia 62.6 ± 2.03 62.6 ± 2.03 62.6 ± 2.03 62.6 ± 2.03 62.6 ± 2.03 62.6 ± 2.03 62.6 ± 2.03 62.6 ± 2.03 62.6 ± 2.03 D(OM)Atriplex 47 ± 2.3 47 ± 2.3 47 ± 2.3 47 ± 2.3 47 ± 2.3 47 ± 2.3 47 ± 2.3 47 ± 2.3 47 ± 2.3 D(CF)diet 61 ± 7.95 a 5 − 1 ± 6.35 b 69.4 ± 4.65 c 72.9 ± 6.7 c 62.2 ± 3.7 a 49.8 ± 3.65 d 44.7±-8 d 82.65±-25 e 33.7 ± 0.73 f D(CF) straw 44.67±-83 44.67±-83 44.67±-83 44.67±-83 44.67±-83 44.67±-83 44.67±-83 44.67±-83 44.67±-83 D(CF) Opuntia 82.64 ± 1. 82.64 ± 1.27 82.64 ± 1.27 82.64 ± 1.27 82.64 ± 1.27 82.64 ± 1. 27 82.64 ± 1.27 82.64 ± 1.27 82.64 ± 1.27 D (CF) Atriplex 33.7 ± 0.73 33.7 ± 0.73 33.7 ± 0.73 33.7 ± 0.73 33.7 ± 0.73 33.7 ± 0.73 33.7 ± 0.73 33.7 ± 0.73 33.7 ± 0.73 D(CP) diet 80.±5. 31 a 64.4 ± 5.15 b 89.05 ± 2.55 c 89.06±-2 c 85.3±-8 c 49.2±-6 d 45.25 ± 2.5 d 69.5 ± 4.8 b . 50.86±-45 d D(CP) straw 45.25 ± 2.5 45.25 ± 2.5 45.25 ± 2.5 45.25 ± 2.5 45.25 ± 2.5 45.25 ± 2.5 45.25 ± 2.5 45.25 ± 2.5 45.25 ± 2.5 D(CP)Opuntia 69.48 ± 4.77 69.48 ± 4.77 69.48 ± 4.77 69.48 ± 4.77 69.48 ± 4.77 69.48 ± 4.77 69.48 ± 4.77 69.48 ± 4.77 69.48 ± 4.77 D(CP)Atriplex 50.86±-46 50.86±-46 50.86±-46 50.86±-46 50.86±-46 50.86±-46 50.86±-46 50.86±-46 50.86±-46 ab , bc , in the same line, when the letters are different, the differences are significant at (p < 0.05). Table 4 The results of the Feeding levels and Average Daily Weight gain Diet D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 BW 0.75 22.06 ± 0.69 20.06 ± 0.46 22.26 ± 0.7 22.61 ± 0.96 22.40 ± 0.65 19.94 ± 0.58 16.97 ± 0.51 16.24 ± 0.29 16.61 ± 0.35 FUL maintenance 0.72 ± 0.02 0.66 ± 0.01 0,73 ± 0.04 0,74 ± 0,03 0.73 ± 0.02 0.65 ± 0.01 0.56 ± 0.03 0.53 ± 0.01 0.54 ± 0.02 DOMI/BW 0.75 33.86 ± 3.83 22.6 ± 6.52 27. 3 ± 0.1 31.23 ± 2.3 27.8 ± 0.2 26.05 ± 0.9 21.16 ± 1.05 34.2 ± 1.96 20.11 ± 1.2 FL Energy 1.53 ± 0.16 a 1.12 ± 0.28 b 1.22 ± 0.41 b 1.38 ± 0.09 a 1.24 ± 0.05 b 1.3 ± 0.03 b 1.24 ± 0.04 b 2.1 ± 0.08 c 1.21 ± 0.05 b FUL ingested 1.1 ± 0.003 0.73 ± 0.004 0.89 ± 0.018 1.02 ± 0.02 0.90 ± 0. 07 0.84 ± 0.007 0.69 ± 0.001 1.11 ± 0.007 0.65 ± 0.001 ADG measured 78 ± 17 34 ± 4 81 ± 14 104 ± 9 89 ± 9 96 ± 11 − 201 ± 11 -2171 ± 37 -181 ± 39 PDIg maintenance 55.15 ± 1.72 50.15 ± 1.15 55.65 ± 1.75 56.52 ± 2.4 56.52 ± 2.4 49.85 ± 1.45 42.35±-27 40.6 ± 0.72 41.52 ± 0.87 PDIg ingested 51.84 ± 4.3 27.58 ± 2.87 67.33 ± 4.37 71.2 ± 6 67 ± 4.05 37 ± 3.62 47 ± 3.17 11 ± 1–8 60 ± 2.17 PDI / BW 0.75 2.35 ± 0.28 1.38 ± 0.2 3.04 ± 0,17 3.15 ± 0,08 3 ± 0.12 1.87 ± 0.04 0.58 ± 0.02 0.72 ± 0.04 3.61 ± 0.1 FL nitrogen 0.94 ± 0.11 a 0.55 ± 0.22 b 1.21 ± 0.06 c 1.26 ± 0.03 c 1.2 ± 0.04 c 0.74 ± 0.01 d 0.24 ± 0.008 e 0.28 ± 0.01 e 1.44 ± 0.04 c Mean ± standard deviation. ab , bc , in the same line, when the letters are different, the differences are highly significant at (p < 0.05). Discussion Diets D1 to D6 exhibited similar intake levels. Straw consumption in diets D2 to D6 was low and primarily served to stimulate salivation. Diet D1, based on whole barley grain, showed the highest straw intake (33.86 g/kg P⁰·⁷⁵), which was facilitated by the presence of barley grain. Diets D3 to D9 excepted D8 showed dry matter intake levels ranging from 48.65 to 56.6 g DM/kg BW 0.75 , which are lower than those reported by (Correal and Sotomayor 2000 ) for Atriplex halimus (90 g DM/kg BW⁰·⁷⁵) and Atriplex nummularia (117 g DM/kg BW⁰·⁷⁵). This variability is influenced by several factors, including particle size (< 5 mm), digestibility, and salt (NaCl) content. Our findings sow date the particles size the consumable biomass (leaves and young tweegs) (is on the order of 8–10 mm). The dry matter intake of the ewes was not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. This suggests that the inclusion of an Opuntia-Atriplex blend at ratios of 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25, respectively, as well as the control diet, did not adversely influence the palatability of the dieds.. The D(MO) for R4 increased by 22, 12, and 27 points compared with the D(MO) of the straw based, Opuntia based, and Atriplex based diets, and increased appreciably relative to the control (R1) Statistically, there is significant difference at p < 0.05. (Table 3 ). Inclusion of Opuntia and Atriplex particularly in diets D3, D5, and D6 improved digestibility of all dietary constituents but remained below that of the control. This may be attributed to anti nutritional factors in Atriplex, such as tannins, which inhibit protein digestion by forming insoluble complexes, thus reducing the availability of Atriplex’s constituents for absorption. According to (Abu Zanat et al. 2003), Atriplex halimus may contain high levels of tannins (12–15 g/kg DM). Similarly, oxalic acid present in species of the Atriplex genus (Hungerford 1990 ), cited by (El Shaer 2010) reduces calcium availability by forming insoluble calcium oxalate in the rumen and kidneys, which can cause renal lesions and decrease calcium absorption in the intestine. (Ben Salem et al. 2010 ) showed that Atriplex based rations negatively affect digestibility of all components, whereas other studies reported no influence of Atriplex on digestibility (Al Owaimer et al. 2011). According to Al Hanafi et al. (2019), the combination of Opuntia and Atriplex improves both fiber and protein digestibility. These findings align with our results, where the digestibility of crude fiber and protein in diet D4 increased by 11.9and 8.5 percentage units, respectively, compared to diet D1.In contrast, diet D9, composed exclusively of Atriplex , exhibited a marked reduction in both parameters. The reduced crude fiber (CF) digestibility observed in diet 2 may be explained by the higher inclusion level of Opuntia in the ration, which is known to exert a suppressive effect on ruminal cellulolytic bacteria due to its high concentration of soluble carbohydrates (Abidi et al., 2009).The D8 ( Opuntia alone ) resulted in body weight loss, accelerated intestinal transit, and a laxative effect, particularly when Opuntia exceeded 60% of dietary dry matter. Degu and Solomon ( 2009 ) reported a weight gain of 20 g when using a diet based on Eragrostis straw and 172 g of Opuntia dry matter (DM), whereas Tegegne et al. (2005) observed a weight loss of 27 g with a diet composed of wheat straw and Opuntia, with each animal exhibiting its own individual average daily gain This response likely reflects an imbalance between fermentable energy and nitrogen availability. Diets D1, D3, D4, and D5 promoted enhanced protein digestibility, attributed to the energy provided by barley grain (D1), soluble carbohydrates from Opuntia , and the synergistic effect of the Opuntia–Atriplex combination. Specifically, protein digestibility in D4 increased by 44, 20, and 38 percentage units compared to D7, D8, respectively. Diets D6 to D8 remained deficient in fermentable nitrogen. The low protein digestibility observed is likely due to high levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 49.9%) and acid detergent fiber (ADF, 33.8%) (Table 1 ), which limit microbial enzymatic access by encapsulating proteins within the plant cell wall matrix. Furthermore, Atriplex halimus contains a high proportion (40–45%) of insoluble proteins that are poorly utilized for microbial protein synthesis due to insufficient fermentable energy (Salem et al., 2012 ). Table 1 Chemical composition of feed in % DM and nutritional value in kg DM Grain barley Opuntia ficus indica Atriplex halimus Barley straw DM 92.28± -27 14.63± -5 42.43± -51 9–24 ± 0.41 OM 96.5 ± 0.15 75.31±-1 80.74 ± -3 94.6 ± 0.7 CF 6.83± -02 13.37± -35 27.21± -08 48.07± -75 CP 9.8 ± 0.7 4.91 ± 1–4 12.87± -2 3.2 ± 0.81 MM 3.5 ± 0.4 24.69 ± 0.9 19.26 ± -17 5.4 ± 0.23 Fat 1.82 ± 0.2 1.7 ± 0.45 2.4 ± 0.24 - NDF 25.9 ± 0.8 30.33 ± 2 .9 49.9 ± 0 .85 67.8 ± 2.6 ADF 6.8 ± 0.57 15.2±-9 33.8 ±-34 45.4 ± 3.59 FUL 1. 08 ± 0.09 0.63 ± 0.05 0.83 ± 0.03 0.45 ± 0.04 PDIN 64 ± 8 38 ± 10.8 120 ± 17 27 ± 8 PDIE 96 ± 2.5% 64 ± 2 98 ± 9 49 ± 6 Holdin 64 ± 8 38 ± 10.8 98 ± 9 27 ± 8 Each value is the average of four observations. ±: Standard deviation. DM: dry matter, OM: organic matter, CF: crude fibre. CP: Crude Protein, MM: total mineral matter, Fat: fat content. NDF: Neutral detergent fibre. ADF: acid detergent fibre. FUL: forage unit for lactation. PDIN: proteins digestible in the intestine. PDIE: protein digestible in the intestine through energy. Regarding growth performance and energy balance, Diet D1 achieved the best results. However, the inclusion of barley makes this diet unsustainable under arid conditions. Diet D2 recorded a DOMI/BW⁰·⁷⁵ of 24.86 and an energy balance (FUL) of 1.12, ± 0.28 which is sufficient only for maintenance and is associated with a high risk of pregnancy toxemia. Weight losses have also been reported in other studies using 100% Opuntia-based diets.. Generally speaking, all diets have an acceptable energy level (Table 4 ). Diet D6 exhibited an FL (energy) of 1.3 ± 0.05, while the FL nitrogen) was 0.74 ± 0.04. Diets D7 to D9 were the most unbalanced in terms of both energy and nitrogen balances. Their respective FL energy values were: 1.24 ± 0.04, 2.1 ± 0.08, and 1.21 ± 0.05. The corresponding FL nitrogene values were: 0.24 ± 0.008, 0.28 ± 0.01, and 1.44 ± 0.04, respectively. The increase inFL nitrogene observed in diet D9 is attributed to the higher protein contribution from Atriplex. Weight loss was observed in ewes fed these diets: -200.96 ± 12.90 g, -217.17 ± 37.35 g, and − 180.26 ± 39 g, respectively. The measured ADG for the diets D3. D4, and D5 was approximately 81, 104, and 89 g, respectively. Diet 4 provided the most balanced nutritional profile that better met the demands of late gestation. The straw–Opuntia–Atriplex combination at a 50–50% ratio proved to be only slightly less effective than the straw–barley association in covering the energy needs of pregnant ewes. However, this combination was superior to the conventional diet in terms of nitrogen balance, with a ration cost of 20.04 DZD compared to 25.4 DZD for the conventional ration. Prior to the implementation of the dietary treatments, glucose levels were within the normal ovine range (0.4–0.7 g/L), as reported by Haddad (1981). A significant reduction in blood glucose concentration was observed in group D9, likely due to stress associated with dietary transition and the physiological condition of the animals, particularly the final third of gestation. In contrast, group D8 maintained stable glycemic levels, which could be explained by the therapeutic properties of Opuntia in inhibiting hepatic glucose production, as reported by (Andrade-Cetto A) and (Wiedenfeld H. (2011) and Jakobek ( 2015 ). These findings are consistent with those of Louacini et al. ( 2015 ), Abbeddou et al. (2011), who reported that feeding non-pregnant ewes with 100% Opuntia did not alter blood glucose concentrations. Similar results have been reported by a growing body of research on incorporating different levels of cactus into goat diets, Gu.C.et al (2020. However, our results differ from those of (Cardoso et al., 2019 ) ,who reported increased blood glucose levels in male Ines lambs fed varying levels of thornless cactus ( Nopallea cochenillifera ). Similarly, (El Gindy et al. 2021) found that glucose concentrations significantly increased in lactating Barki ewes with higher inclusion of prickly pear bark in the diet.Regarding renal function markers, no significant differences in urea and creatinine concentrations were observed in groups D3 to D7 (urea) and D2 (creatinine) when compared to the control group (D1). These values remained within normal ranges, indicating preserved renal function in animals fed a mixture of Atriplex and Opuntia , in agreement with the findings of (Alhanafi et al. 2019 ). Liver enzyme levels (AST and ALT) were also unaffected in the treatment groups D2 through D5, and in D6 for ALT, when compared to the control group (D1) (Table 5 ). These results corroborate earlier studies incorporating cacti into the diets of lambs and lactating ewes (Cardoso et al. 2019 ) and ( Dey et al. 2015 ) and support the findings of (Alhanafi et al.2019), who reported that a diet combining Atriplex and Opuntia did not alter AST or ALT levels Table 5 Biochemical parameters before and after incorporation of the Opuntia - Atriplex combination per diet and per batch n = 8. D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 Glucose before 0.51 ± 0.01 a 0.54 ± 0.03 a 0.54 ± 0.04 a 052 ± 0.03 a 0.53 ± 0.03 a 0.55 ± 0.03 a 0.55 ± 0.03 a 0.55 ± 0.05 a 0.53 ± 0.03 a Glucose after 0.42 ± 0.02 b 0.45 ± 0.04 b 0.42 ± 0.05 b 0.44 ± 0.0 5 b 0.43 ± 0.06 b 0.44 ± 0.04 b 0.44 ± 0.05 b 0.53 ± 0.05 a 0.37 ± 0.03 c Urea before 0.35 ± 0.06 a 0.35 ± 0.06 a 0.35 ± 0.06 a 0.35 ± 0.05 a 0.28 ± 0.08 b 0.35 ± 0.05 a 0.37 ± 0.06 a 0.37 ± 0.05 a 0.35 ± .07 a Urea after 0.34 ± 0.07 a 0.17 ± 0.03 b 0.27 ± 0.01 c 0.30 ± 0.06 a 0.28 ± 0.08 c 0.26 ± 0.09 c 0.28 ± 0.08 c 0. 04 ± 0.03 d 0.15 ± 0.02 e Creatinine before 1–97±-13 a 1–45 ± 2.25 a 10.30 ± 2.02 a 10.09 ± 2.44 a 10.31 ± 2.44 a 9.65±-72 a 12.42 ± 2.41 a 10.65 ± 2.49 a 1–08 ±-48 a Creatinine after 11.15±-83 a 13.10 ± 2.56 a 11.33±-86 a 11.83 ± 2.31 a 11.48±-94 a 11.02 ± 2.40 a 6.22 ± 0.79 b 5.09 ± -42 b 5.20 ± 0.86 b AST before 88.25 ± 1-04 a 101 ± 12.36 a 71.2 ± 18.37 a 79.39 ± 17.98 a 74 ± 17.09 a 85.37 ± 17.47 a 74.5 ± 10.40 a 78 ± 13.68 a 77 ± 1-16a AST after 78.62 ± 7.28 bc 70.5 ± 7.46 bc 75 ± 15.74 bc 77.62 ± 2.32 bc 102.37 ± 8.8 b 134.5 ± 30.31 ab 53.5 ± 5.32 c 42.75 ± 6.02 c 172 ± 14 a ALT before 10.62 ± 3.24 a 11.37 ± 3.7 a 8.75 ± 2.12 a 12.62 ± 7.2 a 9.62 ± 2.66 a 9.12 ± 2.85 a 9.5 ± 2.16 a 10.5±-29 a 11 ± 2.16 a ALT after 10.37 ± 2.72 b 7.62 ± 2.82 b 9.62 ± 3.24 b 12.37 ± 6.13 b 13.75 ± 4.83 ab 13.87 ± 4.29 ab 5.5±-29 b 4 ± 0.81 b 23.25 ± 3.3 a a, b, c: means with different letters in the same raw are significantly different (p < 0.05). glucose, urea, creatinine, AST: aspartate aminotransferase, ALT:alanine aminotransferase. Conclusion This study showed that the combination of Opuntia cladode and Atriplex twig improved the digestibility of the constituents studied. D4 covers the energy and nitrogen requirements of gestation with a low died cost compared with the cost a conventional sheep died. The combination studied can replace the conventional ration. With an increasing rate of incorporation of Atriplex halimus, the metabolism of pregnant ewes is not compromised. The Opuntia ficus indica - Atriplex halimus combination is recommended for feeding sheep In conclusion, the sheep species is condemned to its food restructuring and to the search for new modes of production or to its decline flocks in arid and semi-arid zones. Declarations Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest concerning this research. Ethical approval No. 21/9/2021 Declaration of funding This study did not receive any external financial support. Acknowledgement: The authors would like to express their sincere thanks to the Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Nutrition in Semi-Arid Zones, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Tiaret; to the staff in charge of the laboratories of the Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of El Oued, to the Bachir Bilal General Hospital, and to the Algerian Center for Quality Control and Packaging. Data Availability Statement The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are publicly available in previously published articles. Data on maintenance-fed ewes are available in Archivos de Zootecnia, Vol. 64 (248): 441–447, 2015. Data on pregnant ewes fed with Cactus–Atriplex-based diets are available in the Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences, pages 1–11. Full texts are accessible online through the respective journal websites.DOI : 10.21608/ejvs.2024.310945.2306 References Abu-Zanat, MM., Al-Hassanat, FM., Alawi, M., Ruyle, GB. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7752282","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":526646057,"identity":"92114462-86d3-498d-95a1-7766a5598a1d","order_by":0,"name":"Brahim Kamal Louacini","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA3klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACPjBpwMDDIMHG+ICB4QCQB6LxADYkLcwGEC0gmqAWEJBgY5MgTgt7j+GHHwV3ZBik29KqeWruyPEzMLN9wKuF54yxZI/BMx4GmWPHbvMce2Ys2cDMPAOvFokcA2kGg8NAv6S33eZhO5y44QD/YfwOk8gx/g3TUszzD6SFmZmQFjOoLWnHmHnbiNHCc6zMsgekReZYsuTcvsPGks0EtPCzN2++8ePPYXtgiBl+ePPtsBxQBL8WOLA/wMDAxANiEakBAhh/kKJ6FIyCUTAKRgwAAL8APw2kRh7IAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Ibn Khaldoun University Tiaret: Universite Ibn Khaldoun Tiaret","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Brahim","middleName":"Kamal","lastName":"Louacini","suffix":""},{"id":526646058,"identity":"1dfb3faa-6b60-44bf-a3e0-aaa089791325","order_by":1,"name":"Ahmed Mennai","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ibn Khaldoun University Tiaret: Universite Ibn Khaldoun Tiaret","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ahmed","middleName":"","lastName":"Mennai","suffix":""},{"id":526646059,"identity":"4179dff3-74ca-4ae0-a93b-47728414ba90","order_by":2,"name":"Kahina. Houd Chaker","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universite Chadli Bendjedid","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kahina.","middleName":"Houd","lastName":"Chaker","suffix":""},{"id":526646060,"identity":"14fca40f-52a4-4b18-8c13-793504c06037","order_by":3,"name":"Chaima Mennai","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universite d'El Oued","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Chaima","middleName":"","lastName":"Mennai","suffix":""},{"id":526646061,"identity":"06ff2778-ee53-4a63-8b5a-7df80cde333d","order_by":4,"name":"Khadidja Mennai","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universite d'El Oued","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Khadidja","middleName":"","lastName":"Mennai","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-09-30 14:03:54","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7752282/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7752282/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":94013016,"identity":"2f0dcb4c-6b45-40e8-9dbc-c95b73c2cbca","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-21 10:31:06","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":25324,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"TABLES.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7752282/v1/eb615e556fcf40889d795d94.docx"},{"id":94013015,"identity":"5b031a10-d2e2-44fc-b2ce-8fa7b2c815ed","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-21 10:31:05","extension":"xml","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":9018,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"tropTROPD2501889.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7752282/v1/9c1095c31bb03f914b3da446.xml"},{"id":94012312,"identity":"f41cdfcd-48d3-423e-b77d-b0559ef8c5b1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-21 10:23:06","extension":"xml","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":967,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"TROPD250188951228.go.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7752282/v1/a9cd048053653bc8a3715d3f.xml"},{"id":94013017,"identity":"7b56e509-b5ae-4174-8099-035622385e58","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-21 10:31:06","extension":"xml","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":839,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"TROPD2501889Import.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7752282/v1/7cfd61430529640330d63a6b.xml"},{"id":94012315,"identity":"f3b9360f-c3f9-4474-89e7-12fa9e0d46b1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-21 10:23:06","extension":"xml","order_by":5,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":157822,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"TROPD25018890enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7752282/v1/bcebe90aa2a10edcf478d07c.xml"},{"id":94012317,"identity":"efe9191c-b19b-45d9-8fbe-c44adad7819a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-21 10:23:06","extension":"xml","order_by":6,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":154805,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"TROPD25018890structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7752282/v1/18034c984e6ce53b816c54ab.xml"},{"id":94013018,"identity":"d2386e6c-10d7-446e-940e-39d1c2ed69b7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-21 10:31:06","extension":"html","order_by":7,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":159656,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7752282/v1/4fb609d6d8bc95652b26208f.html"},{"id":95802533,"identity":"a6b02907-9ddd-4c5c-8338-d0d5ea2acc56","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-13 08:27:48","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1056696,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7752282/v1/bea26db0-2357-4abf-ac3e-359b677da279.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Nutritional and Metabolic Responses to Cactus-Atriplex Diets in Pregnant Ewes under semi-Arid conditions","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOpuntia ficus indica\u003c/em\u003e inerme, commonly known as prickly pear, a CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plant, and \u003cem\u003eAtriplex halimus\u003c/em\u003e (chenopodiaceae) is a perennial xerohalophyte native to arid and semi-arid Mediterranean regions. This species tolerates harsh conditions such as salinity), light stress and drought (Martinez et al. 2005), \u003cem\u003ecan\u003c/em\u003e be a sustainable alternative for arid regions, thanks to their adaptation to the climate. These regions suffer from extreme climatic conditions: droughts, irregular rainfall and soil degradation, all of which are exacerbated by climate change, (Garcia-Franco et al. 2018). Arid regions are currently experiencing numerous difficulties for livestock farming, mainly due to insufficient fodder resources, the excessive cost of concentrates, which can even compromise human nutrition, and the often-irreversible degradation of pastoral resources (Bensalem and Smith \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e),(Albuquerque et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). In Algeria, the number of ewes alone reached 19.3\u0026nbsp;million in 2020, representing a 4.3% increase compared to 2019 (ONS, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). This growth highlights the importance of sheep farming for the production of meat, wool, and milk, as well as the growing challenges of sustaining this sector in the face of chronic fodder shortages and environmental degradation. To address these challenges, it is essential to identify and incorporate sustainable and locally available feed alternatives. Among these, \u003cem\u003eOpuntia ficus-indica\u003c/em\u003e (cactus) and \u003cem\u003eAtriplex halimus\u003c/em\u003e have proven to be viable options for supplementing traditional diets in arid and semi-arid regions. It was in this context of aridity that a feeding study was carried out in relation to the end-of-gestation needs of the Barbarine breed of ewe, known for its ability to adapt to the conditions of arid zones. Our experimental approach focused on predicting the nutritional value of the test foods, assessing food intake, evaluating the in vivo digestibility of the various dietary components, determining energy and nitrogen intake, monitoring body weight gain for each diet, and analyzing the metabolic profile. incorporation of the \u003cem\u003eOpuntia-Atriplex\u003c/em\u003e combination, at 5 levels: 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% and vice versa. Opuntia cladodes are particularly valuable due to their high-water content and rich composition in energy and minerals, particularly potassium and calcium (Ayadi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e); Bargougui et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e;), making them a crucial resource during periods of drought. Atriplex halimus is notable for its high crude protein and fibre content, but is also rich in sodium chloride (Ben Salem2010); (Boudaa et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e), oxalates, which reduce calcium availability by creating insoluble calcium oxalate in the rumen and kidneys (Alazzeh et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e ). The \u003cem\u003eOpuntia\u003c/em\u003e cladodes are particularly valuable due to their high water content and their richness in energy and minerals, especially potassium and calcium, making them a crucial resource during periods of drought.\u003cem\u003eAtriplex halimus\u003c/em\u003e is notable for its high crude protein and fiber content, but it is also rich in sodium chloride (Ben Salem \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e) and oxalates, which reduce calcium availability by forming insoluble calcium oxalate in the rumen and kidneys (Alazzeh et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e). and can contain high levels of tannins (12 to 15 g/kg DM), as observed in Jordan (Abu-Zanat et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e). The interest of this study lies in the possibility of covering the gestation needs of Barbarine ewes and maintaining them physiologically in a satisfactory state of health, with the most appropriate rate of incorporation of Opuntia-Atriplex to replace grain barley in the diet of Barbarine ewes in southern Algeria.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAnimals\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThirty-six Barbarine ewes aged between 4 and 6 years, average weight 57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.6 kg, parasite-free, body condition 2, placed in digestibility cages divided into 9 batches. The ewes underwent heat synchronisation using vaginal sponges (FGA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20 mg (Intervet, France), and PMSG\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;300 IU).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFoods and diets\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted in eastern Algeria, using \u003cem\u003eOpuntia ficus-indica\u003c/em\u003e from Bedjene (T\u0026eacute;bessa) and \u003cem\u003eAtriplex halimus\u003c/em\u003e from Zribet El Oued (Biskra). Samples were collected in March\u0026ndash;April 2022 at the early flowering stage. Barley grain and straw were sourced from a local private farm. Nine diets were tested on pregnant ewes over two 29-day periods, including 8 days of data collection per period. Diet substitutions were made (D1 versus D5, D2versus D4, D3versus D6), while diets D7, D8, and D9 were discontinued to prevent potential adverse effects. Rations were formulated based on the nutritional needs of ewes in late gestation, with incorporation rates of Opuntia and Atriplex ranging from 0 to 100%. Diet 1 (control) consisted of 461 g barley and 700 g straw. Other diets included varying combinations of Opuntia and Atriplex, with straw offered in limited amounts. Diets 7, 8, and 9, consisting solely of straw, Opuntia, or Atriplex, were used to assess potential digestive disorders and comparative digestibility (Gebremariam 2006).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMeasurements and parameters studied\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe quantity distributed in g corresponds to the last third of gestation of the ewes. It took into account the characteristics of the ewe, namely its live weight 57 kg\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.7, its UFL\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.76 of its PDI (g)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;78g, the ingestion capacity \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;27 UEM and the bulk of the barley straw 2.33 UEM / Kg of DM (INRA, 1988, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). The FULs were predicted from the chemical composition and by using the equations of (INRA, 1988), and (Guerin et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1989\u003c/span\u003e) specific to each food group. For Opuntia, we did not find any specific equations; however, according to Araba et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e), its energy value is comparable to that of alfalfa. We chose the equations for green alfalfa 1st cycle. As for the PDI values, they were obtained from 4 characteristics: the MAT content; the theoretical degradability of MAT; the content of fermentable organic matter FOM; and the real digestibility (dr) of amino acids of dietary origin. For Atriplex, the DT and dr values are 0.73 and 0.75 respectively. The fresh intake of Opuntia is around 9 to 11 kg (Mulas.2004), given its high palatability and low bulkiness. For Atriplex, UFL values are maximum at the flowering stage values in and 0.80- 0.81UFL / Kg of DM. (Nefzaoui and Chermiti \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e) UFL advanced varying between 0.60 UFL / Kg of DM. Essafi et al, (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e), found values fluctuating between 0.71 and 0.75 UFL / Kg of DM. On the other hand, Le Houerou (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e), mentioned results which are between 0.50 and 0.60UFL /Kg of DM. The PDI have maximum values at the mature grain stage with PDIN of 165.32 g /kg of DM. Kessler (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e), reported that the high levels of proteins and mineral salts allow the use of Atriplex halimus as a fodder reserve in summer and autumn. The intake of the diets was determined by daily weighing of the distributed and the refused. Only the feces were collected each morning, at the same time, weighed and stored at (-18\u0026deg;C). The digestibility was evaluated by the apparent digestive utilization coefficient (ADC usually called by the term digestibility (D\u0026hellip;.).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding levels (FL) were calculated based on the amount of digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) for energy requirements and the amount of digestible protein in the intestine (PDI) for nitrogen requirements, according to INRA (1988, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). Average daily gain or loss was assessed by weekly weighing of the ewes on an empty stomach throughout the trial. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture using heparinised venoject tubes, after fasting, and were centrifuged and stored in microtubes at( \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;30\u0026deg;C). Sampling was conducted prior to the introduction of cladodes and at the end of each experimental period. A total of 36 blood samples per biological parameter were collected during period 1, and 24 during period 2. Regarding growth: Lambs were monitored for a period of 21 days. The ewes were allowed a one-week postpartum recovery period before lamb weights began to be measured.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe apparent digestibility coefficient ADC, or D(\u0026hellip;), was calculated using the equation: ADC (%) = (I \u0026ndash; E). I\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u0026times;100, where I is the amount ingested and E the amount excreted.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEnergy feeding level (FL_energy) was defined as: FL_energy\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;DOMI (g.kg / BW\u003c/em\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e0.75\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003cem\u003e)/ 23, with 23 g DOMI representing the maintenance requirement (equivalent to 95 kcal ME kg / BW\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e0.75\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003cem\u003e).DOMI was calculated as: DOMI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;OM ingested \u0026times; OM digestibility. Nitrogen feeding level (FL_nitrogen)was defined as:FL_nitrogen\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;PDI(g BWP\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e0\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e75\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cem\u003e) / 2.5,where 2.5 g PDI / kg BW\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e0.75\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cem\u003ecorresponds to nitrogen maintenance needs. Maintenance feeding units for lactation (FUL) were estimated as: FUL_maintenance\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;BW\u003c/em\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e0.75\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026times; 0.033. Total FUL intake: FUL_total\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;BW\u003c/em\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e0.75\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u0026times; 0.033 \u0026times; FL. FUL available for gestation: FUL_gestation\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;FUL_total \u0026ndash; FUL_maintenance. PDI requirements for maintenance: PDI_maintenance\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;BW\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e0.75\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u0026times; 2.5. Total PDI intake: PDI_total\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;BW\u003c/em\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e0.75\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u0026times; 2.5 \u0026times; FL. PDI available for gestation: PDI_gestation\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;PDI_total \u0026ndash; PDI_maintenance. All equations used are from (INRA\u003c/em\u003e, 1988, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e) and (Gu\u0026eacute;rin et a.l 1989).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTest procedure.\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe experiment was conducted in a sheepfold in El-Oued (Algeria) over two periods of 29 days: 21 days of diet adaptation and 8 days of data collection. The 100% diets (straw, Opuntia, Atriplex) were discontinued due to physiological issues observed in 12 ewes. The remaining 24 ewes continued the trial with cross-over diets. The constituents of each feed and feces were analyzed using conventional methods: water content was determined by steaming at 103\u0026deg;C\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2\u0026deg;C, crude fiber content by the Weende method, total nitrogen by Kjeldhal, and fat by hexane extraction using a Soxhlet apparatus. For the diets that received straw, the contents were determined on representative samples of the offered and refused diets. NDF and ADF were determined using the method described by Van Soest et al. (1991). The biochemical analysis was carried out using a COBAS C111 autoanalyzer, produced by ROCHE diagnostics in Rotkreuz (Switzerland).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis.\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results of the various chemical analyses were processed using Excel to calculate means and standard deviations, and with Statistica software version 6 for analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Newman-Keuls test to rank the different treatments at significance levels of \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05 and \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.0- The comparison of means between treatments showed no significant differences between D1 and D4. However, highly significant differences (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01) were observed between (D1 and D9), (D1 and D8), (D1 and D7), (D1 and D6), (D1 and D5), as well as between (D1 and D2).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eChemical composition, intake and digestibility\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results of the chemical composition of each feed and their nutritional values are shown in Table - The results of the chemical composition of the experimental feeds show that Opuntia cladodes have a UFL value / Kg DM of 0.63, (FAO 1989 ) indicating a value between 0.6 and 0.7. The PDI in g/ Kg DM are of the order of 38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.5 for PDIN and 64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2 for PDIE. FUL values for Atriplex are highest at the flowering stage, at 0.81 FUL (Arbouche et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). (Essafi et al.2007), found values fluctuating between 0.71 and 0.75 FUL/ kg DM. (Nefzaoui and Chermiti \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e) put forward FUL values of between 0.6 and 0.8 FUL/kg DM. Le houerou (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e), on the other hand, reported results of between 0.50 and 0.60 FUL/Kg DM. Our results for Atriplex are 0.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03 UFL/kg DM and 120\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17g PDIN and 98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9 PDIE g. The FUL values for straw and grain barley are close to the standards of (INRA 1988 ) The composition of the diets fed is shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. The diets were isoenergetic but not iso nitrogenous and we deliberately avoided balancing the diets with commercial nitrogen. The FUL and PDI contents of the diets were calculated from the chemical composition of each feed and by the prediction equations of (INRA, 1988, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). The intake of diets D1to D6 were practically equal and appeared to be independent of their digestibility. The straw intake of diets D2, to D6 is on average around 148\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;36 g, showing that the straw is intended solely for the salivation of the diets. Only on diet 1, the straw intake was 617g because the addition of concentrate (grain barley) to the ration increased the straw intake and even improved the digestibility of the diet (Jarrige 1989).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eQuantity of DM distributed and ingested (g/animal/day), chemical composition by diet and ration cost.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDistributed\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrain barley\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e461\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpuntia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1140 (100%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e855 (75%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e570 (50%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e285 (25%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1210\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAtriplex\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e215 (25%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e430 (50%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e645 (75%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e860 (100%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e960\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStraw\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e700\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1680\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal FUL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal PDIg\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46,1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48,7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69,2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79,4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e89,7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45,3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e90\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDM distributed\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1161\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1340\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1270\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1130\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1060\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1700\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1210\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e960\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIngestible\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrain barley\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e461\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpuntia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e960\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e790\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e566\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e285\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAtriplex\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e180\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e644\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e810\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStraw\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e617\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e109\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e113\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e180\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e139\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e730\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDM ingested\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1078\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;89\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1069\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;100a\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1083\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;99a\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1146\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;98a\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1129\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;103\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e949\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;37\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e730\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;37\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1190\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e920\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15c\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBW\u003csup\u003e0.75\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.61\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.335\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDMI/kgBW\u003csup\u003e0.75\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e71.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1029\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e826\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e847\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e919\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e713\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e785\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e946\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e896\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e742\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e328\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e180\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e208\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e269\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e309\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e480\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e481\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e159\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e250\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCP\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e103\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e108\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e109\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDA / \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.4/ 0.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.7/0.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.4/0.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.04 / .14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.2/0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.2/0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15/0.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.5/0.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.2/0.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eab, bc, in the same line, when the letters are different, the differences are significant at (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e).\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrice in DA/DM : Opuntia : 24DA/Kg of DM, Atriplex :10DA/ Kg of DM, Grain barley : 35DA / Kg of DM, Barley straw :15 DA/Kg of DM (DA/Algerian Dinar 1$ = 136DA )\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results of the digestibility of the different constituents of each diet are compared with each other and with the D (DM, OM, CF, and CP) of straw alone, Opuntia and Atriplex (Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e) while the results of the feeding levels are shown in (Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDigestibility of the various constituents in % /Kg DM, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8 (cross-over diets D1versus D5, D2 versus D4, and D3 versus D6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD (\u0026hellip;)in % of\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(DM) diet\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70.75\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.5\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2,5\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.6\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.8\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.4\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.2\u0026plusmn;-9\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.75\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,7\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD (DM) straw\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" 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colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(DM)Atriplex\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42,7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42,7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42,7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(OM) diet\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.4 \u0026plusmn; 2.85.\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.5\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.5\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e66,4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.5\u003csup\u003eC\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62,1\u0026plusmn;-65c\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2,3\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD (OM)straw\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD OM)Opuntia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(OM)Atriplex\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(CF)diet\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.95 \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.35\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.65 \u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.7\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.7\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.65\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.7\u0026plusmn;-8\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.65\u0026plusmn;-25\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(CF) straw\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.67\u0026plusmn;-83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.67\u0026plusmn;-83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.67\u0026plusmn;-83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.67\u0026plusmn;-83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.67\u0026plusmn;-83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.67\u0026plusmn;-83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.67\u0026plusmn;-83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.67\u0026plusmn;-83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.67\u0026plusmn;-83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(CF) Opuntia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1. 27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD (CF) Atriplex\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(CP) diet\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80.\u0026plusmn;5. 31\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.15\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e89.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.55\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e89.06\u0026plusmn;-2\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.3\u0026plusmn;-8\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.2\u0026plusmn;-6 \u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.8\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.86\u0026plusmn;-45\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(CP) straw\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(CP)Opuntia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD(CP)Atriplex\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.86\u0026plusmn;-46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.86\u0026plusmn;-46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.86\u0026plusmn;-46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.86\u0026plusmn;-46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.86\u0026plusmn;-46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.86\u0026plusmn;-46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.86\u0026plusmn;-46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.86\u0026plusmn;-46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.86\u0026plusmn;-46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003eab\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ebc\u003c/em\u003e,\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cem\u003ein the same line, when the letters are different, the differences are significant at (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results of the Feeding levels and Average Daily Weight gain\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDiet\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBW\u003c/b\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.75\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.61\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.61\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFUL maintenance\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.72\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0,03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.54\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDOMI/BW\u003c/b\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.75\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.86\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27. 3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFL Energy\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16 \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04 \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFUL ingested\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.003\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.004\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.018\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.90\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0. 07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.84\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.007\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.69\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.007\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eADG measured\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e104\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;201\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-2171\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-181\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePDIg maintenance\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.35\u0026plusmn;-27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePDIg ingested\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.84\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e71.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u0026ndash;8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePDI / BW\u003c/b\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.75\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0,17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0,08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.87\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.72\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.61\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFL nitrogen\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.008\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;standard deviation.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003eab\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ebc\u003c/em\u003e,\u003c/sup\u003e \u003cem\u003ein the same line, when the letters are different, the differences are highly significant at (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eDiets D1 to D6 exhibited similar intake levels. Straw consumption in diets D2 to D6 was low and primarily served to stimulate salivation. Diet D1, based on whole barley grain, showed the highest straw intake (33.86 g/kg P⁰\u0026middot;⁷⁵), which was facilitated by the presence of barley grain. Diets D3 to D9 excepted D8 showed dry matter intake levels ranging from 48.65 to 56.6 g DM/kg BW\u003csup\u003e0.75\u003c/sup\u003e, which are lower than those reported by (Correal and Sotomayor \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e) for Atriplex halimus (90 g DM/kg BW⁰\u0026middot;⁷⁵) and Atriplex nummularia (117 g DM/kg BW⁰\u0026middot;⁷⁵). This variability is influenced by several factors, including particle size (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;5 mm), digestibility, and salt (NaCl) content. Our findings sow date the particles size the consumable biomass (leaves and young tweegs) (is on the order of 8\u0026ndash;10 mm). The dry matter intake of the ewes was not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. This suggests that the inclusion of an Opuntia-Atriplex blend at ratios of 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25, respectively, as well as the control diet, did not adversely influence the palatability of the dieds..\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe D(MO) for R4 increased by 22, 12, and 27 points compared with the D(MO) of the straw based, Opuntia based, and Atriplex based diets, and increased appreciably relative to the control (R1) Statistically, there is significant difference at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05. (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Inclusion of Opuntia and Atriplex particularly in diets D3, D5, and D6 improved digestibility of all dietary constituents but remained below that of the control. This may be attributed to anti nutritional factors in Atriplex, such as tannins, which inhibit protein digestion by forming insoluble complexes, thus reducing the availability of Atriplex\u0026rsquo;s constituents for absorption. According to (Abu Zanat et al. 2003), Atriplex halimus may contain high levels of tannins (12\u0026ndash;15 g/kg DM). Similarly, oxalic acid present in species of the Atriplex genus (Hungerford \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e), cited by (El Shaer 2010) reduces calcium availability by forming insoluble calcium oxalate in the rumen and kidneys, which can cause renal lesions and decrease calcium absorption in the intestine. (Ben Salem et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e) showed that Atriplex based rations negatively affect digestibility of all components, whereas other studies reported no influence of Atriplex on digestibility (Al Owaimer et al. 2011). According to Al Hanafi et al. (2019), the combination of \u003cem\u003eOpuntia\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eAtriplex\u003c/em\u003e improves both fiber and protein digestibility. These findings align with our results, where the digestibility of crude fiber and protein in diet D4 increased by 11.9and 8.5 percentage units, respectively, compared to diet D1.In contrast, diet D9, composed exclusively of \u003cem\u003eAtriplex\u003c/em\u003e, exhibited a marked reduction in both parameters. The reduced crude fiber (CF) digestibility observed in diet 2 may be explained by the higher inclusion level of \u003cem\u003eOpuntia\u003c/em\u003e in the ration, which is known to exert a suppressive effect on ruminal cellulolytic bacteria due to its high concentration of soluble carbohydrates (Abidi et al., 2009).The D8 (\u003cem\u003eOpuntia alone\u003c/em\u003e) resulted in body weight loss, accelerated intestinal transit, and a laxative effect, particularly when \u003cem\u003eOpuntia\u003c/em\u003e exceeded 60% of dietary dry matter. Degu and Solomon (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e) reported a weight gain of 20 g when using a diet based on Eragrostis straw and 172 g of Opuntia dry matter (DM), whereas Tegegne et al. (2005) observed a weight loss of 27 g with a diet composed of wheat straw and Opuntia, with each animal exhibiting its own individual average daily gain This response likely reflects an imbalance between fermentable energy and nitrogen availability. Diets D1, D3, D4, and D5 promoted enhanced protein digestibility, attributed to the energy provided by barley grain (D1), soluble carbohydrates from \u003cem\u003eOpuntia\u003c/em\u003e, and the synergistic effect of the \u003cem\u003eOpuntia\u0026ndash;Atriplex\u003c/em\u003e combination. Specifically, protein digestibility in D4 increased by 44, 20, and 38 percentage units compared to D7, D8, respectively. Diets D6 to D8 remained deficient in fermentable nitrogen. The low protein digestibility observed is likely due to high levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 49.9%) and acid detergent fiber (ADF, 33.8%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e), which limit microbial enzymatic access by encapsulating proteins within the plant cell wall matrix. Furthermore, \u003cem\u003eAtriplex halimus\u003c/em\u003e contains a high proportion (40\u0026ndash;45%) of insoluble proteins that are poorly utilized for microbial protein synthesis due to insufficient fermentable energy (Salem et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eChemical composition of feed in % DM and nutritional value in kg DM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrain barley\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOpuntia ficus indica\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAtriplex halimus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBarley straw\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e92.28\u0026plusmn; -27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.63\u0026plusmn; -5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.43\u0026plusmn; -51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u0026ndash;24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.31\u0026plusmn;-1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80.74 \u0026plusmn; -3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e94.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.83\u0026plusmn; -02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.37\u0026plusmn; -35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.21\u0026plusmn; -08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.07\u0026plusmn; -75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCP\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u0026ndash;4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.87\u0026plusmn; -2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.69\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.26 \u0026plusmn; -17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFat\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNDF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2 .9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0 .85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eADF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.2\u0026plusmn;-9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.8 \u0026plusmn;-34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFUL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1. 08\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePDIN\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePDIE\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5%\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHoldin\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003eEach value is the average of four observations. \u0026plusmn;: Standard deviation. DM: dry matter, OM: organic matter, CF: crude fibre. CP: Crude Protein, MM: total mineral matter, Fat: fat content. NDF: Neutral detergent fibre. ADF: acid detergent fibre. FUL: forage unit for lactation. PDIN: proteins digestible in the intestine. PDIE: protein digestible in the intestine through energy.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarding growth performance and energy balance, Diet D1 achieved the best results. However, the inclusion of barley makes this diet unsustainable under arid conditions. Diet D2 recorded a DOMI/BW⁰\u0026middot;⁷⁵ of 24.86 and an energy balance (FUL) of 1.12, \u0026plusmn; 0.28 which is sufficient only for maintenance and is associated with a high risk of pregnancy toxemia. Weight losses have also been reported in other studies using 100% Opuntia-based diets.. Generally speaking, all diets have an acceptable energy level (Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Diet D6 exhibited an FL (energy) of 1.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05, while the FL nitrogen) was 0.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04. Diets D7 to D9 were the most unbalanced in terms of both energy and nitrogen balances. Their respective FL energy values were: 1.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04, 2.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08, and 1.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05. The corresponding FL nitrogene values were: 0.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.008, 0.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01, and 1.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04, respectively. The increase inFL nitrogene observed in diet D9 is attributed to the higher protein contribution from Atriplex. Weight loss was observed in ewes fed these diets: -200.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.90 g, -217.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;37.35 g, and \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;180.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;39 g, respectively. The measured ADG for the diets D3. D4, and D5 was approximately 81, 104, and 89 g, respectively. Diet 4 provided the most balanced nutritional profile that better met the demands of late gestation. The straw\u0026ndash;Opuntia\u0026ndash;Atriplex combination at a 50\u0026ndash;50% ratio proved to be only slightly less effective than the straw\u0026ndash;barley association in covering the energy needs of pregnant ewes. However, this combination was superior to the conventional diet in terms of nitrogen balance, with a ration cost of 20.04 DZD compared to 25.4 DZD for the conventional ration.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrior to the implementation of the dietary treatments, glucose levels were within the normal ovine range (0.4\u0026ndash;0.7 g/L), as reported by Haddad (1981). A significant reduction in blood glucose concentration was observed in group D9, likely due to stress associated with dietary transition and the physiological condition of the animals, particularly the final third of gestation. In contrast, group D8 maintained stable glycemic levels, which could be explained by the therapeutic properties of Opuntia in inhibiting hepatic glucose production, as reported by (Andrade-Cetto A) and (Wiedenfeld H. (2011) and Jakobek (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). These findings are consistent with those of Louacini et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e), Abbeddou et al. (2011), who reported that feeding non-pregnant ewes with 100% Opuntia did not alter blood glucose concentrations. Similar results have been reported by a growing body of research on incorporating different levels of cactus into goat diets, Gu.C.et al (2020. However, our results differ from those of (Cardoso et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e) ,who reported increased blood glucose levels in male Ines lambs fed varying levels of thornless cactus (\u003cem\u003eNopallea cochenillifera\u003c/em\u003e). Similarly, (El Gindy et al. 2021) found that glucose concentrations significantly increased in lactating Barki ewes with higher inclusion of prickly pear bark in the diet.Regarding renal function markers, no significant differences in urea and creatinine concentrations were observed in groups D3 to D7 (urea) and D2 (creatinine) when compared to the control group (D1). These values remained within normal ranges, indicating preserved renal function in animals fed a mixture of \u003cem\u003eAtriplex\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eOpuntia\u003c/em\u003e, in agreement with the findings of (Alhanafi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Liver enzyme levels (AST and ALT) were also unaffected in the treatment groups D2 through D5, and in D6 for ALT, when compared to the control group (D1) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). These results corroborate earlier studies incorporating cacti into the diets of lambs and lactating ewes (Cardoso et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e) and ( Dey et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) and support the findings of (Alhanafi et al.2019), who reported that a diet combining \u003cem\u003eAtriplex\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eOpuntia\u003c/em\u003e did not alter AST or ALT levels\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBiochemical parameters before and after incorporation of the Opuntia - Atriplex combination per diet and per batch n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGlucose before\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.54\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.54\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e052\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.55 \u0026plusmn; 0.03\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGlucose after\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003e5\u003c/sup\u003eb\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUrea before\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;.07\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUrea after\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.34\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0. 04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCreatinine before\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u0026ndash;97\u0026plusmn;-13\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u0026ndash;45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.25\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.02\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.09\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.44\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.44\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.65\u0026plusmn;-72\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.41\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.49\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u0026ndash;08 \u0026plusmn;-48\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCreatinine after\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.15\u0026plusmn;-83\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.56\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.33\u0026plusmn;-86\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.31\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.48\u0026plusmn;-94\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.40\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.79\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.09 \u0026plusmn; -42\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.86\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAST before\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e88.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1-04\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e101\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.36\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e71.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;18.37\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79.39\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17.98\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17.09\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17.47\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.40\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.68\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1-16a\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAST after\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.28\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.46\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15.74\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.32\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e102.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.8\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e134.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;30.31\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.32\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.75\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.02\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e172\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;14\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eALT before\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.24\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.7\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.75\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.12\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.2\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.66\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.85\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.16\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.5\u0026plusmn;-29\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.16\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eALT after\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.72\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.82\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.24\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.13\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.75\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.83\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.87\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.29\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.5\u0026plusmn;-29\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.81\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.3\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ea, b, c: means with different letters in the same raw are significantly different (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). glucose, urea, creatinine, AST: aspartate aminotransferase, ALT:alanine aminotransferase.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study showed that the combination of \u003cem\u003eOpuntia\u003c/em\u003e cladode and Atriplex twig improved the digestibility of the constituents studied. D4 covers the energy and nitrogen requirements of gestation with a low died cost compared with the cost a conventional sheep died. The combination studied can replace the conventional ration. With an increasing rate of incorporation of Atriplex halimus, the metabolism of pregnant ewes is not compromised. The Opuntia \u003cem\u003eficus indica\u003c/em\u003e - Atriplex halimus combination is recommended for feeding sheep In conclusion, the sheep species is condemned to its food restructuring and to the search for new modes of production or to its decline flocks in arid and semi-arid zones.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConflicts of interest:\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflicts of interest concerning this research. Ethical approval No. 21/9/2021\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDeclaration of funding\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study did not receive any external financial support.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement:\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe authors would like to express their sincere thanks to the Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology and Nutrition in Semi-Arid Zones, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Tiaret; to the staff in charge of the laboratories of the Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of El Oued, to the Bachir Bilal General Hospital, and to the Algerian Center for Quality Control and Packaging.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability Statement\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are publicly available in previously published articles. Data on maintenance-fed ewes are available in Archivos de Zootecnia, Vol. 64 (248): 441\u0026ndash;447, 2015. Data on pregnant ewes fed with Cactus\u0026ndash;Atriplex-based diets are available in the Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences, pages 1\u0026ndash;11. Full texts are accessible online through the respective journal websites.DOI : \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.21608/ejvs.2024.310945.2306\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.21608/ejvs.2024.310945.2306\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAbu-Zanat, MM., Al-Hassanat, FM., Alawi, M., Ruyle, GB. (2003).Évaluation de l'oxalate et des tanins chez Atriplex halimus L. et A. nummularia L. J. Range Manag, 56, 370-374.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAlazzeh, AY., Abughazaleh , AA., Awawdeh , FT., Abdelrahman , MM., Al-Rayyan , NA.( 2009). 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Journal of Dairy Science .1990,74, 3583–3597\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Aridity, digestibility, Opuntia, Atriplex, diet, metabolic profil ","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7752282/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7752282/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe aim of this study was to identify the most suitable diet based on Opuntia ficus-indica inerme and Atriplex halimus to meet the nutritional requirements of pregnant Barbarine ewes, and to assess its effects on feed intake, digestibility, metabolic profile, and weight variation of the ewes. The experiment was conducted on 36 ewes, allocated into 9 groups using a crossover design. Nine dietary treatments were tested : a control diet (barley straw + barley grain), five combinations of straw with varying proportions of Opuntia and Atriplex (100%, 75/25%, 50/50%, 25/75%, 100%), and three diets composed exclusively of straw, Opuntia, or Atriplex. Dry matter intake of diets D1 to D9 ranged from 43.01 to 71.64 g DM/kg BW⁰·⁷⁵, corresponding respectively to straw and Opuntia.\u003csup\u003e \u003c/sup\u003eOrganic matter digestibility for diets D3to D6 was 67.47 ± 8.19, 74.27 ± 2.54, 66.34 ± 3.05, and 62.10 ± -65%, respective.\u0026nbsp; Diets D3 to D5 are the most balanced with respect to energy and nitrogen, as shown by their respective energy and nitrogen levels. ANOVA revealed significant (p \u0026lt; 0.05) in the digestibility of the diets and in the biochemical parameters. Blood glucose levels \u0026nbsp;remained within the normal physiological range for sheep. Urea and creatinine concentrations in diets 3 to 7 were similar to those in the control group. The Opuntia-Atriplex combination did not alter the metabolism of the ewes. Diet 4 appears to be a promising alternative to conventional diets, by reducing the cost of the diets.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Nutritional and Metabolic Responses to Cactus-Atriplex Diets in Pregnant Ewes under semi-Arid conditions","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-10-21 10:23:01","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7752282/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"4108ce85-7fb6-47ba-95b8-0080b3288024","owner":[],"postedDate":"October 21st, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-11-12T16:35:05+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-10-21 10:23:01","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7752282","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7752282","identity":"rs-7752282","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}