EFFECT OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS AS FEED ADDITIVES ON LACTATING AWASSI EWE PERFORMANCE, MILK COMPOSITION, LAMB GROWTH AND RELEVANT BLOOD ITEMS

Abstract

SUMMARY Milk production and composition, lamb growth, blood hematological profile and relevant blood metabolites were assayed in Awassi ewes and lambs as affected by supplementing basal diet by either chamomile flowers (CF) or Nigella sativa seeds (NSS). Twenty-one pregnant Awassi ewes of similar weight (BW around 50 Kg) and age (45-48 months) were equally divided into three dietary treatments. Group (1) served as a control group received basal diet (BD) with no feed supplement. Groups (2) (CF) and (3) (NSS) received 10 g / ewe / day (CF) or (NSS), respectively. Lactation period and milk yield were higher (P<0.05) in ewes of (CF) supplement followed by that of (NSS) supplement than that of basal diet only, respectively. Whereas, weaning weight (WW) and average daily gain (ADG) of lambs were improved (P<0.05) by the addition of (CF) or (NSS) to the basal diet. The addition of (CF) and (NSS) increased (P<0.05) WBC’s and lymphocytes counts of these lactating ewes, while, monocytes count was higher (P<0.05) in ewes fed basal diet only. No significant effects were noticed on eiosinophils, RBC’s count and Hb concentration in ewes fed the supplemented diets. RBC’s, WBC’s, lymphocytes counts and Hb concentration of suckling lambs were improved (P<0.05) by adding (CF) or (NSS) to the basal diet of ewes. Addition of (CF) or (NSS) to the basal diet increased (P<0.05) blood serum; total protein and globulin concentration of these ewes compared to those of control group. However, no significant differences were observed in albumin, glucose, triglycerides and urea concentrations. Total serum cholesterol was decreased (P<0.05) by the addition of (CF) and (NSS). Concerning suckling lambs, the addition of (CF) or (NSS) to the basal diet increased (P<0.05) total protein and globulin concentration, while, it decreased albumin: globulin ratio. No significant effects were noticed in albumin, glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol of suckling lambs blood serum. It is concluded that (CF) and (NSS) diet supplement could be used as natural growth promoters in ewe diets to improve milk yield and composition and lamb growth.