According to Gram Research analysis, sisal plant silage causes serious liver and kidney damage in lambs when fed without additives, but mixing in wheat bran protects the liver while ground corn protects the kidneys. In a 60-day study of 18 lambs, those eating plain sisal silage developed severe liver cell death and kidney inflammation, while lambs fed sisal with wheat bran showed almost complete liver protection, and those fed sisal with ground corn had the best kidney protection.
Researchers tested whether adding wheat bran or corn to sisal plant silage could protect lamb livers and kidneys from damage. Sisal is a tough plant fiber that farmers sometimes use as animal feed because it’s cheap and available. The study found that plain sisal silage caused serious liver and kidney problems in young lambs over 60 days. However, mixing in wheat bran protected the liver, while adding ground corn protected the kidneys. This research shows farmers can safely use sisal as feed if they add the right ingredients to prevent organ damage.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article studying 18 lambs found that sisal mucilage silage without additives induced severe hepatic coagulative necrosis and microvesicular steatosis alongside moderate-to-severe renal proliferative glomerulonephritis over a 60-day feeding period.
According to research reviewed by Gram, wheat bran completely prevented macrovesicular steatosis and pericentral necrosis in lambs fed sisal silage, while ground corn provided the most effective glomerular protection by mitigating proliferative glomerulonephritis to mild intensity.
A 2026 animal nutrition study found that renal medullary dystrophic calcification remained unaltered across all treatment groups at 66.6%, indicating an intrinsic lesion profile of sisal mucilage ingestion that cannot be prevented by moisture-absorbing additives.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding wheat bran or ground corn to sisal plant silage could prevent liver and kidney damage in lambs
- Who participated: 18 young lambs (Soinga breed) weighing about 19 kilograms each, divided into three groups eating different diets for 60 days
- Key finding: Plain sisal silage caused severe liver damage and kidney inflammation in lambs, but wheat bran protected the liver while ground corn protected the kidneys
- What it means for you: If you raise sheep or goats in tropical regions where sisal is available, you can use it as affordable feed, but only if you mix it with wheat bran or corn to protect your animals’ organs
The Research Details
Scientists divided 18 young lambs into three equal groups. Each group ate a different diet for 60 days: one group ate sisal plant silage with nothing added, another ate sisal silage mixed with wheat bran, and the third ate sisal silage mixed with ground corn. Before the main study started, all lambs ate their assigned diets for 14 days to get used to them. After 60 days, researchers examined the lambs’ livers and kidneys under a microscope to see what damage had occurred.
This type of study is called a feeding trial. It lets researchers see exactly what happens to an animal’s organs when eating different foods over time. By comparing the three groups, scientists could figure out which additive worked best for protecting each organ.
Sisal is a common plant in tropical countries, and farmers want to use it as cheap animal feed. However, if it damages animals’ organs, it’s not safe to use. This research shows that sisal can be used safely if prepared correctly, which helps farmers save money while keeping their animals healthy.
This study used a controlled experimental design where all conditions were kept the same except for the diet, which is a strong research method. The sample size of 18 lambs is reasonable for this type of animal study. The researchers examined actual tissue samples under a microscope rather than just measuring blood tests, which provides direct evidence of organ damage. However, the study only lasted 60 days, so we don’t know what happens with longer-term feeding.
What the Results Show
Lambs eating plain sisal silage without any additives developed serious liver problems. Their liver tissue showed severe cell death and fat accumulation, which are signs of poisoning. These lambs also developed moderate-to-severe kidney inflammation and shrinking of kidney structures that filter blood.
When wheat bran was added to the sisal silage, it almost completely protected the liver. The wheat bran prevented most types of liver fat accumulation and cell death. However, wheat bran didn’t help much with kidney problems.
When ground corn was added to the sisal silage, it provided the best protection for the kidneys. It reduced kidney inflammation and prevented kidney structure shrinking. However, ground corn didn’t protect the liver as well as wheat bran did.
Interestingly, all three groups developed the same type of kidney crystal deposits, suggesting this is a natural result of eating sisal that can’t be prevented by adding wheat bran or corn.
The study found that sisal silage causes specific types of organ damage that are consistent and predictable. The liver damage appears as two different patterns of fat buildup and cell death. The kidney damage includes both inflammation and structural changes. The fact that crystal deposits appeared in all groups suggests this is an unavoidable consequence of sisal consumption rather than something that additives can prevent.
Previous research has shown that many plant-based animal feeds can contain compounds that damage organs if not prepared properly. This study adds to that knowledge by showing that sisal specifically damages both liver and kidneys, but that this damage can be reduced through proper food preparation. The finding that different additives protect different organs is new and suggests that farmers might need to use both wheat bran and corn together for complete protection.
This study only included 18 lambs, which is a small number, so results might not apply to all sheep breeds or larger populations. The study lasted only 60 days, so we don’t know if organ damage gets worse or better over longer periods. The research only tested lambs, not adult sheep, so results might differ for older animals. The study didn’t measure how much the lambs grew or how well they used the feed, only organ damage. Finally, researchers didn’t test combinations of wheat bran and corn together, only each one separately.
The Bottom Line
Farmers in tropical regions can use sisal plant silage as animal feed if they add wheat bran to protect the liver or ground corn to protect the kidneys. For maximum protection, mixing both additives together would likely be best, though this study didn’t test that combination. The additives should be mixed into the sisal silage during the preparation process. This recommendation has moderate confidence because the study was well-designed but involved a small number of animals over a limited time period.
This research matters most for farmers in tropical countries where sisal is grown and available as cheap animal feed. It’s relevant for anyone raising sheep, goats, or other ruminant animals who wants to reduce feed costs. This research does not apply to people in temperate climates where sisal isn’t grown, or to farmers feeding cattle or other non-ruminant animals. Pet owners and people who don’t raise livestock don’t need to apply these findings.
Organ damage from plain sisal silage developed within 60 days in young lambs. If farmers switch to sisal with additives, they should see improvement in their animals’ health within a similar timeframe, though the study didn’t measure recovery time. Farmers should monitor their animals closely during the first two months after introducing sisal-based feed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sisal safe to feed to sheep and goats?
Plain sisal silage causes serious liver and kidney damage in lambs within 60 days. However, mixing sisal with wheat bran or ground corn significantly reduces this damage, making it safer to use as animal feed when properly prepared with additives.
What additive works best for protecting sheep organs from sisal?
Wheat bran provides the best liver protection, while ground corn provides superior kidney protection. A 2026 study found wheat bran completely prevented certain types of liver damage, whereas ground corn reduced kidney inflammation to mild levels.
How long does it take for sisal to damage animal organs?
Serious organ damage developed within 60 days in young lambs eating plain sisal silage without additives. The damage included severe liver cell death and moderate-to-severe kidney inflammation, suggesting farmers should monitor animals closely during the first two months.
Can additives completely prevent sisal toxicity in animals?
No, additives cannot prevent all sisal-related damage. A 2026 study found that kidney crystal deposits appeared in all treatment groups at 66.6%, indicating some sisal toxicity cannot be prevented, though wheat bran and corn significantly reduce other types of organ damage.
What are the signs that sisal is harming my sheep?
Watch for reduced appetite, lethargy, changes in urine color, or poor weight gain. These may indicate liver or kidney damage from sisal. If you notice these signs, stop feeding sisal silage and consult a veterinarian immediately.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If you raise sheep or goats, track weekly weight gain and monitor for signs of illness such as reduced appetite, lethargy, or changes in urine color. Record which additive combination you’re using with sisal feed and note any changes in animal behavior or health.
- Switch to sisal silage mixed with wheat bran or ground corn instead of plain sisal silage. Document the exact ratio of sisal to additive you’re using so you can replicate successful batches. Set a reminder to evaluate your animals’ health weekly.
- Create a simple spreadsheet tracking each animal’s weight, appetite, and general health status weekly. Note the date you started the new feed and any health changes that occur. After 60 days, compare your animals’ condition to their baseline before switching feeds. If problems develop, immediately switch back to previous feed and consult a veterinarian.
This research describes effects observed in lambs under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be interpreted as medical advice for human consumption or as a guarantee of safety for all animal species or breeds. Farmers considering using sisal-based feed should consult with a veterinarian or animal nutrition specialist before implementing dietary changes. Results from this 60-day study may not apply to longer feeding periods or different animal species. Individual animals may respond differently to sisal silage based on age, breed, and overall health status. Always monitor animals closely when introducing new feed sources and have veterinary support available.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.