Effect of Using Tanniniferous Plants Shrubs in Feeding Barki Ewes on some Productive and Physiological Parameters

EL-Gohary, E. S. H.; Fathala, M. M.; El-Rayes, M. A-H.; Abou-Aiana, R. M.; Eissa, M. M.

doi:10.21608/jappmu.2017.46065

Effect of Using Tanniniferous Plants Shrubs in Feeding Barki Ewes on some Productive and Physiological Parameters

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Doki, Giza, Eygpt.

² Animal Husbandry and Animal wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Alexandria University, Egypt.

³ Animal and Poultry Physiology Department, Desert Research Center, Matareya, Cairo, Egypt.

10.21608/jappmu.2017.46065

Abstract

Tanniniferous plants shrubs are those plants which tolerate the high levels of salts in the soil, they are well grown in the northern coast of Egypt, and they include Acacia nilotica, Atriplex nummularia and Cassava manihot esculenta. This study aimed at exploring the possibility of complete replacement of berseem hay (control) in the diet by leaves and stems of tanniniferous shrubs plants and its effect on productive and physiological responses, in addition to some milk and blood biochemical constituents. Forty mature healthy Barki ewes at late pregnancy, 3-4 years old with an average live body weight (LBW) 51.5±0.46 kg were randomly divided into 4 similar groups. The 1^st group (Hay) was fed the control diet which consisted of 40% concentrate feed mixture plus 60% berseem hay (BH), while in the 2^nd,3^rd and 4^th groups, BH as percentage was replaced by Acacia, Atriplex and Cassava respectively. Body weight of ewes and their offsprings were recorded biweekly. Milk yield was measured weekly and milk samples of each animal were taken for milk analysis. Blood samples were collected biweekly for measuring some hematological and biochemical parameters. Feeding tanniniferous plants shrubs did not result in significant differences on body weight of Barki ewes and their offsprings, while improved milk productivity and increased milk protein and lactose. According to the results of biochemical parameters of blood, it could be concluded that feeding tanniniferous plants shrubs did not cause any negative effects on blood parameters of the experimental animals under the present study.

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