The effect of cumin and fennel powder in comparison with monensin on oxidative stress in fattening lambs under thermal stress conditions

Heat stresses have an adverse effect on the oxidative status of the body. In order to investigate the effect of cumin and fennel powder in comparison with monensin on oxidative stress of lambs in heat stress conditions, 15 male lambs were used in a completely randomized design in three groups with five replications. Experimental groups included group one: basis diet, group two: basis diet + 8 g of cumin and fennel powder mixture and group three: basis diet + 30 mg monensin. Blood samples were collected from lambs' vein on day 56 and blood serum antioxidant enzymes and blood parameters were measured. Data were analyzed using SAS statistical software. The supplementation of base diet with cumin and fennel powder resulted in a significant increase in the level of glutathione reduction and antioxidant enzymes activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and paraoxonase), but the amount of nitric oxide (inflammation index) and malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation index) in the blood serum of lambs decreased significantly. The addition of cumin and fennel powder, similar to monensin, did not significantly affect thyroxine hormone concentration, but significantly reduced the amount of aspartate aminotransferase enzyme in lamb's blood serum. Based on the findings of this study, adding cumin powder and fennel to 8 g/kg DM in the diet of lambs can reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress and improve the antioxidant status of lambs in heat stress conditions.