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The study aimed to evaluate the potential use of dried or ensiled paulownia (Paulownia spp.) leaves as roughage source for ruminants. Paulownia tree leaves were collected from one-year-old hybrid (C-125, CAR, and TF-33 clones) trees. Dried paulownia leaves of the clones were different in dry matter (DM), crude ash (CA), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), and nitrogen-free extract (NfE) and similar in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL); however, these values (except EE and ADL) of ensiled leaves were significantly different among the clones. Mean CP, CA, and condensed tannin contents in dried leaves were 15.36, 9.21, and 1.75%, respectively; NDF, ADF, and ADL contents were 38.35, 35.49, and 12.08%, respectively. Mean total volatile fatty acids, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and metabolizable energy (ME) value in dried leaves were 95.26 mmol/L, 76.34%, and 10.77 MJ/kg, respectively, whereas, CO2 and CH4 production were 54.66 and 29.78 mmol/L, respectively. Buffering capacity and water-soluble carbohydrates varied among the pre-ensiled paulownia leaves, although their means were 395.66 mEq/kg DM and 86.63 g/kg DM, respectively. In ensiled leaves, the pH, lactic acid ratio, and acetic acid ratio were 4.98, 11.23, and 2.56%, respectively, and butyric acid was not detected in any of the silages. Mean values of IVOMD and ME in ensiled leaves were 72.30% and 9.93 MJ/kg, respectively. Dried paulownia leaves are a high-quality alternative forage and the ensiled form is of medium quality. Therefore, paulownia leaves could be used as an alternative roughage source for ruminants., TUBITAK-1002 Short Term R&D Funding Program [118O461], This study was supported by the TUBITAK-1002 Short Term R&D Funding Program (project number 118O461). Researchers extend their special thanks to TUBITAK (Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu) and Salih Ertan for their assistance in obtaining the paulownia leaves.

This study investigated dietary supplementation of weaned lambs with Origanum vulgare essential oil and Capsicum oleoresin (chilli pepper) extract. Thirty-six eight-week-old male and female Menemen lambs were used in this study. Three dietary treatment groups consisted of T1, an unsupplemented control group; T2, a group supplemented with 300 mg/kg oregano essential oil, and T3, a group supplemented with 300 mg/kg Capsicum oleoresin. Feed and fresh water were available to the lambs ad libitum during the 56-day experiment. No significant effects of treatment were detected on growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion. In addition, serum urea, creatine, total protein, albumin, amylase, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels did not differ among treatments on day 56 of the study. When oregano oil and capsicum extract were added to the feed, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), acetate (AA), propionate (PA), butyrate (BA), isobutyrate (IBA), valerate (VA), and AA to PA ratio in the rumen were decreased significantly in comparison with the control group at two hours after feeding, with the effect of T2 being greater than that of T3. Female lambs had lower levels of TVFA than male lambs. Thus, although neither additive affected fattening performance and serum constituents of the lambs, both altered the rumen fatty acid profile., Ege University Scientific Research Projects Directorate [2016-ZRF-070], This study was supported by Ege University Scientific Research Projects Directorate under Grant 2016-ZRF-070.