ARS | Publication request: EFFECTS OF GAMMA-TERPINENE, TERPINOLENE, ALPHA-COPAENE, AND ALPHA-TERPINENE ON CONSUMPTION OF ALFALFA PELLETS BY SHEEP

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: May 14, 2004
Publication Date: July 25, 2004
Citation: Estell, R.E., Fredrickson, E.L., Anderson, D.M., Havstad, K.M., Remmenga, M.D. 2004. Effects of gamma-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha-copaene, and alpha-terpinene on consumption of alfalfa pellets by sheep [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 87(Suppl 1):34.

Technical Abstract: Secondary chemistry influences shrub consumption by free-ranging ruminants. However, effects of many specific terpenes on herbivory have not been examined. Four experiments were conducted to examine effects of individual terpenes on alfalfa pellet intake by lambs. Forty-five lambs (nine lambs/treatment) were individually fed alfalfa pellets sprayed with either gamma-terpinene, terpinolene, alpha-copaene, or alpha-terpinene at one of five concentrations in an ethanol carrier. Treatments (0, .5, 1, 2, and 10X) were multiples of the concentration (X) of a specific terpene on the leaf surface of Flourensia cernua. Terpenes were applied to alfalfa pellets (0.64 kg/lamb/d, DM basis), and consumption was measured during a 20-min interval for 5 d. Lambs were adapted to handling and individual pen feeding for 10 d and were maintained and fed alfalfa pellets in one group (except during 20-min tests) at a mean total daily intake of 3.9% of BW (DM basis). A day effect (P < 0.02) was detected for intake with gamma-terpinene (P < 0.0001 for both linear and quadratic contrasts). A treatment effect (P < 0.02) was observed for alpha-copaene, with intake on the 2X treatment lower than other treatments. No effect of terpinolene or alpha-terpinene on intake was observed during the 20-min interval. None of the chemicals tested were strongly related to intake of alfalfa pellets by lambs under the conditions of this study.