Effect of supplementing fenugreek seeds as galactagogue on performance of lactating ewes [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Thirty Barki ewes 2-3 years of age and 45.5 kg live body weight (LBW) at last four weeks of gestation were divided into three similar groups (10 ewes in each). The first group (control group) (T1) was fed a basal diet, which contain 0.9 kg concentrate feed mixture (CFM), 2.0 kg berseem and 250 g rice straw. The second and third groups (T1 (F20)&T3 (F40)) were fed basal diet supplemented with 20 or 40 g ground fenugreek seeds (GFS)(Trigonelia foenum-graecum), respectively. At the same time Three¬ digestibility trails were carried out using twelve mature Barki rams average 52.6 kg LBW. Animals were randomly divided into three groups (4 animals each) and fed the same ewes diets to determined the effect of supplementing GFS on the digestibility and nutritive value of basal diet. The results of digestibility trials indicated that total dry matter intake (DMI) was increased with the first supplementation level (20 g/hid), whereas decreased in the second supplementation [level (40 g/h/d). High level of GFS supplement (40 g/h/day) improved the digestibility of OM, OM, CP and NFE. Moreover adding GFS increased the EE digestibility. On the other hand, adding GFS decreased the CF digestibility. Also. results indicated that adding GFS tended to improve the nutritive value of basal diet. The results of feeding trial indicated that weaning weight and average daily gain (ADG) of suckling lambs were improved by adding GFS. Also, milk yield, 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) and feed efficiency were improved by adding GFS. It is of interest to note, that chemical composition of milk was unaffected significantly by adding OFS, except for fat %, which decreased by adding GFS. On the other hand fat yield, protein yield and total solid yield were increased by GFS supplements. The results of blood analysis indicated that adding OFS significantly increased blood serum albumin, but blood serum cholesterol concentration was significantly decreased. On the other hand, serum total proteins, globulin, A/G ratio, GOT, GPT, Urea, total lipids, triglyceride were unaffected by adding GFS. Also, adding GFS non-significantly decreased triiodothyronin and tetraiodothyronin activity, which were determined by nuclear technique.

Summary in Arabic.

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