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 (T1R2 + T1R3), and sodium-glucose linked transporter 1 (SGLT1) 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 (p = 0.020), while milky (p < 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 T1R2, T1R3 and SGLT1 relative gene expression evaluated from the proximal jejunum biopsies. Flavour had no significant effect on the feed intake (p = 0.934), but capsicum increased the average daily weight gain per metabolic body weight (p = 0.049). The T1R3 gene was expressed highest in the mix treatment (1.7; p = 0.005). Collectively, our findings indicate that flavours can be used to motivate feed acceptance and improve the weight gain in lambs.
Keywords: capsicum; feed intake; sheep; sucram; taste receptor family 1 member 2; taste receptor family 1 member 3.