KAFKAS UNIVERSITESI VETERINER FAKULTESI DERGISI, cilt.16, sa.6, ss.933-939, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of inclusion of oregano oil (OO) (0 (control). 50, 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/L) on the incubation on gas production, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) using in vitro gas production technique. The inclusion of oregano oil significantly (P<0.05) decreased the in vitro gas production. OMD and ME contents of maize silage. The inclusion of oregano oil in different doses decreased the total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, acetic acid/propionic acid ratio and ammonia level whereas the increased the rumen pH. In addition, the inclusion of oregano oil significantly (P<0.05) decreased CO2 and CH4 production. The inclusion of oregano oil in 600 and 800 mg/L has been found to be the most effective doses. As a conclusion, oregano oil in a ratio which is lower than 600-800 mg/L should be used in ruminant nutrition. The higher doses may result in a decrease feed efficiency and animal performance.