Effect of Level of Concentrate Feeding and Addition of Monensin on Blood Parameters of Awassi Lambs

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of level of concentrate feeding and addition of monensin on blood parameters. Sixteen Awassi lambs were used at 4-6 months of age and mean initial weight of 21.27 kg. Concentrate diet was offered at two levels (2.5 and 3% of body weight, BW) with or without the addition of monensin at a rate of 30 mg/kg DM. Ground wheat straw was offered adlibitum. Results showed that increasing level of concentrate significantly increased (P<0.01) blood concentration of total protein (BTP) from 6.94 to 8.84 g.100 ml-1, urea nitrogen (BUN), and triglyceride (TG) from 15.54 to 18.23 and 22.66 to 25.12 mg.100 ml-1 respectively. The addition of monensin significantly increased (P<0.05) TP concentration from 7.61 to 8.17 g.100 ml-1, whereas, BUN concentration was decreased (P<0.01) from 18.15 to 15.62 mg.100 ml-1. All blood parameters were also affected (P<0.05) by the interaction between the level of concentrate and the addition of monensin. In the study of diurnal changes, blood parameters showed an expected response to the time of withdrawing blood samples from lambs.