Effects of phenolic components of Scrophularia striata Boiss powder on feed intake, digestibility, rumination and rumen protozoa population in Lori- Bakhtiari sheep

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of phenolic components of Scrophularia striata powder on feed intake, digestion and fermentation, rumination kinetic and rumen ecosystem in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep. In this experiment, 12 six months old lambs and average weight 30±1.5 kg were fed with 0 (control), 3 and 6 percent Scrophularia striata for one month. Feed intake, digestibility, rumination activity, blood metabolites and protozoa were measured. The results showed that the use of Scrophularia striata had no effect on dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake, body weight and feed efficiency (P>0.05). Highest digestibility of DM, OM and the protein was for 3% Scrophularia striata (P