Optimizing Sheep Productivity: The Impact of Bypass Protein Supplementation and Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) Induced Defaunation on Napier (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) Grass-Based Diets

This study investigated the effects of ruminal defaunation and bypass protein supplementation on dry matter intake (DMI), weight gain, and feed digestibility in sheep. The experimental results indicated that the combination of ruminal defaunation and bypass protein supplementation, achieved through the administration of liquefied soybean meal (LSBM), resulted in statistically significant increases in DMI and weight gain compared to control animals. While bypass protein supplementation alone did not elicit a statistically significant increase in DMI in animals possessing an intact ruminal microbiome, it did enhance weight gain and overall feed digestibility, particularly in animals subjected to defaunation using Neem Tree Liquid Extract (NTLE) and Sodium laurel sulfate (SLS). Mechanisms, including enhanced bacterial fiber digestion, increased dietary nitrogen availability, and improved nutrient delivery to the small intestine, explain the observed improvements in DMI and weight gain in defaunated, LSBM-supplemented animals. Furthermore, ruminal defaunation alone also led to increased DMI and digestibility, thereby suggesting that the elimination of protozoa enhances the efficiency of bacterial digestive processes. These findings indicate that the combined strategy of ruminal defaunation and bypass protein supplementation is a promising approach for optimizing nutrient utilization and enhancing production efficiency in ovine livestock, contingent upon the economic viability of supplementation.