TY - JOUR JO - Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences J2 - J. Anim. Feed Sci. SN - 1230-1388 VL - 5 IS - 4 PY - 1996 ID - Valdés1996 TI - Comparison of chemical composition and in vitro organic matter digestibility of herbage samples at different stages of maturity before and after collection through oesophageal fistula AB - To evaluate the influence of maturity stage of herbage on possible changes in chemical composition and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of extrusae from oesophageally- fistulated sheep compared to the corresponding feed sample, four trials were conducted with freshly cut herbage samples of a Lolium-Festuca-Trifolium sward in May, June, July and September. Sixteen oesophageally-fistulated Churra ewes were assigned to four balanced groups of four animals. One animal from each group was assigned to a trial. Samples of 250 g of herbage were fed to each animal in the morning of the three days of each period. There were no refusals. Moisture and ash contents were higher (P 0.10). Differences in NDF, ADF and cellulose between extrusa and herbage samples were significant (P < 0.01) only in July. Lignin concentration in extrusae was higher (P < 0.05) than in herbage samples in May and a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in lignin content was observed in July and September. A small but significant (P < 0.05) increase in the IVOMD value of extrusae was obtained in May. AU - Valdés, C. AU - Giráldez, F. J. AU - Mantecón, A. R. AU - Bermúdez, F. F. SP - 327 EP - 336 DA - 1996 DO - 10.22358/jafs/69612/1996 UR - https://doi.org/10.22358/jafs/69612/1996 ER -