Diet Preference, Feed Efficiency and Expression of the Sodium-Dependent Glucose Transporter Isoform 1 and Sweet Taste Receptors in the Jejunum of Lambs Supplemented with Different Flavours

oleh: Felista Mwangi, Areen Dallasheh, Mugagga Kalyesubula, Naama Reicher, Chris Sabastian, Sameer J. Mabjeesh

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-04-01

Deskripsi

This study investigated the effect of dietary flavour supplements on the preference, feed efficiency and expression of the sweet taste receptor family 1 members 2 and 3 (<i>T1R2</i> + <i>T1R3</i>), and sodium-glucose linked transporter 1 (<i>SGLT1</i>) genes in the lambs’ small intestines. Eight, five-month-old, Israeli crossbred Assaf lambs were offered 16 different non-nutritive commercial flavours in rolled barley and ground corn. Capsicum and sucram were the most preferred non-aroma flavours (<i>p</i> = 0.020), while milky (<i>p</i> < 0.001) was the most preferred powder-aroma flavour. For the metabolic and relative gene expression study, eight lambs were randomly assigned to either sucram, capsicum, a mix containing sucram and capsicum at 1:1 ratio or no flavour for control in a 4 × 2 cross-over design. The total collection of urine (females only), faeces and refusals was carried out, and <i>T1R2</i>, <i>T1R3</i> and <i>SGLT1</i> relative gene expression evaluated from the proximal jejunum biopsies. Flavour had no significant effect on the feed intake (<i>p</i> = 0.934), but capsicum increased the average daily weight gain per metabolic body weight (<i>p</i> = 0.049). The <i>T1R3</i> gene was expressed highest in the mix treatment (1.7; <i>p</i> = 0.005). Collectively, our findings indicate that flavours can be used to motivate feed acceptance and improve the weight gain in lambs.