Effect of feeding a commercial bacterial probiotic on milk production and blood metabolites in Mehraban ewes

This study was conducted to determine the effect of commercial bacterial probiotic on milk yield and composition, blood metabolites andenzyme activities in lactating ewes based on a completely randomized design (two treatments and eight replicateseach). The ewes were kept in the individual pens and fed a diet based on alfalfa hay (60%) and concentrates (40%) with or without probiotic. Milk production of the individual ewes was measured and sampled weekly for 12 weeks and blood samples were obtained at four, eight and 12 weeks of lactation before and six hours after feeding. Data were analyzed by repeated measurements procedure. No significant differences were observed due to the addition of probiotic in milk production and chemical composition, but it was changed pattern of milk production during lactation period. The probiotic increased (P