Evaluating Effects of Ziziphora Tenuior on Digestibility, Hematological, Serum Biochemical Indices, Fecal Bacteria and Nematode Population of Ewes

Ziziphora one of aromatic and medicinal plants that have a wide distribution in Iran. This study was to investigate the effects of supplemented different levels of Ziziphora tenuior to diet on digestibility, hematological, serum biochemical indices, fecal bacteria and nematode population of Dalagh ewes.

Twelve matured Dalagh ewes averagely weighting (40 ±0.5 kg) were assigned to a completely randomized design experiment with 3 treatments: 1) basal diet without additive (control), 2) basal diet +25g Z. tenuior, and 3) basal diet +50g Z. tenuior per day for each animal. The whole period of the experiment was carried out in 44 days, consisting of 14 days for the adaptation period. Digestibility of dry matter and organic matter were calculated using Acid Insoluble Ash (AIA) method, fresh feces were taken by rectal sampling three times every day from each ewe.  In the last day of experiment, fecal samples from each animal were taken by latex gloves from the rectum then were transferred to sterile containers. The samples were directly transported on ice to the microbiology laboratory. The microbial population was assessed by microbial culture method and the number of parasite eggs in feces was conducted by corrected McMaster method. Blood samples were collected from each animal after 16 hours' starvation period, before the morning feed, at the end of the experimental period.

Addition of Z. tenuior did not significantly affect the dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility, serum biochemical indices and fecal bacteria. Different levels of Z. tenuior had no significant effects on glucose, cholesterol, Urea, HDL, LDL. But 25 grams Ziziphora treatment had the biggest decline in VlDL and triglyceride (P<0.05). It was found that treatment 50g Z. tenuior significantly increased the percentage of lymphocytes (P=0.007) and reduced the percentage of Neutrophils (P=0.048) compared to other treatments while the differences between other hematological parameters were not significant.

According to the results mentioned, this experiment indicates that supplementation of ewe diet with Z. tenuior could beneficially affect the fecal bacteria and immune status.