Biochemical parameters in sheep fed diet in presence of mixed Salix babylonica extract and exogenous enzyme as feed additives

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction impacts of Salix babylonica L. (SB) extract with exogenous enzyme (EZ) as feed additives on some serum biochemistry parameters in lambs. Suffolk lambs (20), 24±0.3 kg live weight and 6–8 months old were used during 60 days. The lambs were distributed in individual cages of 1.5×1.5 m cages into 4 treatments of 5 lambs each of completely randomized design. All animals were fed a basal diet (BD) of 70% maize silage and 30% commercial concentrate. Treatments were: (i) control; PD without any additives; (ii) EZ; PD plus 10 g of EZ; (iii) SB; BD plus 30 mL of S. babylonica (SB) extract; and (iv) EZSB; BD plus 10 g EZ and 30 mL of SB extract. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 and analyzed for total proteins, glucose, creatinine, blood urea N (BUN), alanin aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Interactions between treatment×time were occurred in creatinine, BUN and magnesium. The highest values of total proteins were obtained with control and SB animals versus EZ or EZSB. The SB treatment tend to increase the levels of creatinine versus other treatments. The ALP level was highest in SB animals. In conclusion, supplementation with S. babylonica extract, exogenous enzymes and/or their combination did not cause any major health disorders in lambs within 60 days of experiment.