EFFECT OF DIETARY POMEGRANATE PEEL (PUNICA GRANATUM) SUPPLEMENTATION ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND IMMUNE STATUS OF FRIESIAN DAIRY COWS

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding different levels of pomegranate peel (2,3 and 4%) to dairy cows diets on milk production, chemical composition, digestion coefficients, decomposition rate of dry matter, rumen parameters and some blood serum measurements parameters and immune bodies of dairy cows. Sixteen crossbreed Friesian cows in the first week of lactation were randomly chosen used in the third or fourth season and divided into four groups (each group 4 cows) with the Latin square design (4x4) (28 days for each period ) . The groups were fed the following rations (1)- control ration (40% concentrate feed mixture + 40% corn silage + 20% rice straw. (2) control ration + 2% pomegranate peel . (3) - control ration + 3% pomegranate peel . (4)- control ration + 4% pomegranate peel . The rations were formed in according to NRC, (2001) . Three Barki rams were used for digestion tests and three Barki ewes with rumen fistula were used to measure rumen activity and estimate the rate of decomposition of dry matter and rumen protein. The results showed that the ration containing 2% of pomegranate peel Significant (P<0.05) improved digestion coefficients and nutritive value with an increase in the concentration of ammonia and rumen volatile fatty acids with an increase in the rate of decomposition of both dry matter and rumen protein compared to the levels of other pomegranate peel . The diet containing 2% of pomegranate peel increased (P<0.05) the milk 4%FCM production . The results of blood serum measurements were within the normal levels and without any health impact negative on animals. The ration containing 2%, 3% and 4% pomegranate peels showed an increase in the antioxidant activity and immune bodies of the blood serum compared to the control ration. This study concluded that pomegranate peels at the level of 2% can be used for dairy cow rations to increase digestibility coefficients , nutritive values and increasing milk yield of dairy cows without any harm to the productivity and health of animals. Further long-term studies on lactating animals are recommended to confirm the results obtained. In the current study.