Nutritional and Metabolic Responses to Cactus-Atriplex Diets in Pregnant Ewes under semi-Arid conditions

The aim of this study was to identify the most suitable diet based on Opuntia ficus-indica inerme and Atriplex halimus to meet the nutritional requirements of pregnant Barbarine ewes, and to assess its effects on feed intake, digestibility, metabolic profile, and weight variation of the ewes. The experiment was conducted on 36 ewes, allocated into 9 groups using a crossover design. Nine dietary treatments were tested : a control diet (barley straw + barley grain), five combinations of straw with varying proportions of Opuntia and Atriplex (100%, 75/25%, 50/50%, 25/75%, 100%), and three diets composed exclusively of straw, Opuntia, or Atriplex. Dry matter intake of diets D1 to D9 ranged from 43.01 to 71.64 g DM/kg BW⁰·⁷⁵, corresponding respectively to straw and Opuntia. ^{Organic matter digestibility for diets D3to D6 was 67.47 ± 8.19, 74.27 ± 2.54, 66.34 ± 3.05, and 62.10 ± -65%, respective. Diets D3 to D5 are the most balanced with respect to energy and nitrogen, as shown by their respective energy and nitrogen levels. ANOVA revealed significant (p < 0.05) in the digestibility of the diets and in the biochemical parameters. Blood glucose levels remained within the normal physiological range for sheep. Urea and creatinine concentrations in diets 3 to 7 were similar to those in the control group. The Opuntia-Atriplex combination did not alter the metabolism of the ewes. Diet 4 appears to be a promising alternative to conventional diets, by reducing the cost of the diets.}