LAUSR

BACKGROUND Two experiments were implemented using three cannulated crossbreed rams (Corriedale × Suffolk) fed rice straw-based diet. In vivo evaluation of garlic powder (GP) supplementation to rice straw-based diet on CH4 and CO2 emissions and blood profiles of the rams (body weight = 52 ± 3 kg) was performed. The design was a triplicate 3 × 3 Latin square. Groups were the control (no GP) and two GP groups, which were given supplementation for 0.1 (GP0.1) and 0.5% (GP0.5) of concentrate. The differences between two experiments were data missing of GP0.1 and uncontrolled environment in Experiment 1. Blood profiles were added in Experiment 2. RESULTS In Experiment 1, supplementation of GP to the rams reduced CH4 production significantly (P < 0.05) by 38%. Dry matter intake was not different among the groups in both experiments. In Experiment 2, CH4 was lower in the GP0.5 group than the control group by 7%, whereas CO2 showed no difference among the groups. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase was significantly (P > 0.05) lower in the GP0.5 group than the control group, whereas glutamic pyruvic transaminase, total protein, urea N, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and non-esterified fatty acids were not significantly (P > 0.05) different. CONCLUSIONS GP supplementation, particularly GP0.5, decreases CH4 emissions in rams fed rice straw-based diets. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.