Recommendation of Choline Inclusion in Lambs’ Diet

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: Establish an inclusion recommendation of choline (herbal or synthetic) in fattening lamb’s diet based on productive performance and blood metabolites. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review of herbal and synthetic choline supplementation in the diet of fattening lambs was carried out. Results: The addition of protected choline chloride (50% purity) in the lamb’s diet should be less than 2.5 g/ kg DM in order not to cause a detrimental effect on the productive performance. On the other hand, the inclusion of herbal choline in lambs’ diet should be greater than 6g/ kg DM to have positive effects on body gain and feed conversion. Study limitations/implications: It is necessary establish the requirement for choline in fattening lambs, because studies where choline is supplemented show that the contribution of conventional ingredients is insufficient. Findings/conclusions: The inclusion of herbal (6 g / kg DM) and synthetic (2.5 g / kg DM) choline in lamb´s diet improves body gain and modifies energy metabolites.