Present study aimed to evaluate the impacts of probiotic mixtures as a biological feed additive on the reproductive and productive performance of Barki ewes under desert conditions. A total number of 100 Barki ewes were randomly assigned and divided into five equal groups (20 each) to evaluate the effect of different levels and forms of biological additives mixtures on Barki ewes productivity. The first mixture of probiotic added as liquid forms (Mixture Probiotic Liquid, MPL), while the second added as powder forms (Mixture Probiotic Powder, MPP). The two forms of enzymes used at two levels (6 and 10ml or g/h/d). The two additives formed of exogenous enzymes and obtained through an anaerobic fermentation process of Ruminococcus flavefaciens. The results indicated that feed intake was higher in MPL and MPP treated groups compared to control group. During pregnancy and lactation stages, MPL and MPP groups recorded significantly increase in ewes body weight. The conception and lambing rates were tended to differ between groups, but the number of lambs born alive was significantly higher in MPP groups [19 lambs for group 2 (G2) and 18 lambs for group 3 (G3)] followed by MPL groups (16 and 18 lambs for group 4 (G4) and group 5 (G5), respectively), while the control group recorded 18 lambs. The mortality rate from birth to weaning decreased (P<0.05) in treated groups with 5%, 5%, 0% and 5% for G2, G3, G4 and G5, respectively, while the mortality rate increased (P<0.05) by 11% in control group. The milk yield tended to increase in MPP then MPL groups. The birth and weaning weights as well as average daily gain increased (P<0.05) in MPL and MPP groups. Thyroid hormones T 3 and T 4 concentrations increased (P<0.05) with enzymes mixtures supplementations. In conclusion, under the semi-arid conditions, supplementation of exogenous enzyme preparations of MPL and MPP to sheep rations, may improve weaning weight and daily gain of lambs as much as live body weight and milk production of ewes.
Feeding tiny amounts of micro-algae meal to animals enhances animal physiology by improving immune response, disease resistance, and gut function, as well as enhancing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial protection, reproductive performance, feed conversion ratio, and weight gain. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of dietary microalgae meal (Nannochloropsis oculata) on physical semen quality, serum biochemical parameters, and oxidative status of Hi-Plus buck rabbits for 12 weeks during the summer. A total of 45, Hi-Plus buck rabbits aged 20-24 weeks were divided into three equally comparable experimental groups. Bucks in the first, second, and third groups were daily supplemented in their diets with 0% (control), 0.50% (T1), and 1.0% (T2) microalgae meal, respectively. Semen and blood samples were collected to evaluate semen quality traits and some serum biochemical constituents, and oxidative status, as well as serum triiodothyronine (T3) and testosterone (Ts) hormones concentrations. The obtained data revealed that dietary supplementation of Nannochloropsis oculata meal significantly improved most physical semen characteristics, including ejaculate volume, progressive sperm motility, semen pH value, sperm cell concentration, total sperm output, live sperm, and semen quality factor. Blood serum glucose, total proteins, and their fractions increased significantly in T1 and T2, compared with the control group, while total serum cholesterol and hepatic enzymes concentrations recorded a significant decrease in bucks supplemented with T1 and T2, compared with the control group. The total antioxidant capacity of serum significantly increased in both two levels of microalgae, compared with the control group. Serum T3 concentration significantly increased in both levels of dietary microalgae compared with the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Nannochloropsis oculata meal (1.0%) was advised to improve semen quality, serum constituents, and antioxidative status without any adverse effects on the liver and kidney functions of rabbits.
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