Effects of Neem Tree Leaf Extract (Azadirachta I Ndica A. Juss) as Defaunating Agent of Sheep (Ovis Aries L.) Fed Napier Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum Schumach)

Abstract

The effectiveness of neem tree leaf extract (NTLE) as defaunating agent was compared with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Ten (10) sheep was used in the comparison of defaunating agents, the neem tree leaf extract was found to cause fluctuations in ruminal pH, similar to that of sodium lauryl sulphate, effectively reducing protozoal counts (from 296,000 cells/ml to 1,000 cells/ml) and increasing bacterial population (from 10,780 colony forming units/ml to 950,000 colony forming units /ml) in the rumen of sheep. It is therefore strongly advised to use neem tree extract as defaunating agents for sheep fed Napier grass to defaunated sheep in order to maximize food utilization and animal performance.