The effect of oral administration of onion extract (Allium cepa. L) on lipid profile, some blood parameters and performance in Torki Qashqai suckling lambs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of onion extract on lipid profile, some blood factors and performance in Torki Qashqai suckling lambs. In this experiment, 18 Torki Qashqai suckling lambs of 30 days’ age were used in a completely randomized design, over a 60 days’ trial with three groups and 6 replicates. Treatments were included: 1) basal diet without onion extract+ sheep milk, 2) basement diet containing 150 mg/kg onion extract + sheep milk, 3) basement diet containing 250 mg/kg onion extract+ sheep milk. Lambs from each group weighted at 7-days intervals and measured feed intake at every day. Final data were analyzed by ANOVA procedure and SAS software and means compared in the 5% level by Duncan test. The results showed that there was a significant increase in feed intake and daily weight gain in 250 mg/kg group than150 mg/kg group and control group. There were no significant differences between groups for feed conversion ratio. The use of onion extract significantly decreased the amounts of plasma triglyceride, LDL, VLDL and glucose but increased the amounts of HDL. No significant differences were observed between groups of albumin, globulin, cholesterol, urea, uric acid, creatinine and total protein. The results showed that the addition of onion extract improved performance and also led to positive effects on lipid profile in suckling lambs.