Effect of pectinase on rumen fermentation in sheep and lambs

In trial with adult wethers and weaned lambs the effect of enzymatic preparation Pektofoetidin G3x (mostly pectinase and cellulase) on rumen fermentation was studied. After 4 weeks of Pektofoetidin G3x application (0.54 g per day and animal) to adult wethers no statistically significant differences in total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, ammonia in the rumen contents and urea in blood were determined between control and enzyme treated group. In comparison of fermentation parameters in wethers (mean of 1-3 hours after feeding) and lambs (2-3 hours after feeding) the significant differences in mol % of acetic acid (63.3 in control, 54.6 in experimental group, P less than 0.01), propionic acid (24.6, vs. 31.3, P less than 0.001), acetate: proprionate ratio (2.54, vs. 1.77, P less than 0.01) and in energy efficiency of VFA production (76.0%, vs. 79.1%, P less than 0.001) were determined. These differences between wethers and lambs suggest more intensive fermentation in lambs than in adult sheep. On the basis of these results it is possible to suggest, that in adult animals the efficiency of application of enzymatic preparations is low. In utilization of enzymatic preparations more important role, probably, is that of ruminal ecosystem itself, that, if once fully developed, is perfectly resistant to biotechnological interferences.