Scharenberg, A., Y. Arrigo, A. Gutzwiller, U. Wyss, H. D. Hess, M. Kreuzer, and F. Dohme. 2007. Effect of feeding dehydrated and ensiled tanniferous sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) on nitrogen and mineral digestion and metabolism of lambs. Arch. Anim. Nutr. 61:390-405.

Abstract: The effects of tanniferous sainfoin on digestion and metabolism have been investigated in 12 lambs in an incomplete cross-over design (<i>n</i>&nbsp;=&nbsp;6). Effects of condensed tannins (CT) were evaluated by comparing dehydrated and ensiled sainfoin treated with and without polyethylene glycol (PEG). Dehydrated and ensiled grass-clover mixtures served as controls. The lambs were fed the treatment diets, including a mineral supplement, for 21&nbsp;d. During the last 7&nbsp;d excreta, rumen fluid and blood were sampled. The CT of sainfoin decreased rumen fluid ammonia concentration (<i>p</i>&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.001) and increased the plasma concentration mainly of essential amino acids (<i>p</i>&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.001). Body retention of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium was lower with sainfoin compared to PEG-treated sainfoin (<i>p</i>&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.05). Sainfoin without PEG resulted in lower digestibilities of organic matter and neutral detergent fibre than sainfoin with PEG and the grass-clover mixture (<i>p</i>&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.001). Ensiling of sainfoin led to the lowest N-retention. In conclusion, the reduction in ruminal ammonia and urine-N losses by sainfoin CT did not improve N-retention