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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 November 2017
Oak trees (Quercus spp.) are the main source of animal feedstuff in the forest areas of Zagros mountain chain in Iran. The leaves of oak contain high level of tannins particularly hydrolysable, which causes mortality in ruminant animals (Makkar, 2003). Polyethylene glycol (PEG) can form a stable complex with tannins, preventing the binding between tannins and dietary proteins (Makkar, 2003). Little information is available on the nutritive value of Quercus species (Q. persica and Q. infectoria). This study, therefore, is evaluating the chemical composition, phenolic compounds, organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and metabolisable energy (ME) of these species with or without PEG using gas production technique in sheep.