No abstract

he objective of this research was to study the antioxidant propertyofMoringaoleifra L leaves as feed supplement and its effect on nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen fermentation and growth performance parameters of Rahmanisheep. Twenty one Rahmani lambs averaged (17±0.12 kg) body weight and 4 months old were divided into 3 groups, (7 animals each)in a completely randomized design experiment. Experimentalanimals were fed on concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and clover hay (CH) with different levels of Moringaoleifera leaves 0, (R1-control); 10gm/kg of the ration (R2) and 20g of the ration / Kg (R3), respectively in a feeding trial lasted for 90 days.Obtained results indicated thatR3 and R2groups fed rations supplemented with 20 and 10 gmMoringa leaves per kg of ration recorded the highest (P<0.05) EE digestibility compared with the R1, (control). R3 recoded higher (P<0.05) digestibility values of CP and NFE compared with R1 while differences were insignificantcompared with R2 as well as between R2 and R1.Insignificant differences (P<0.05) were observed among the three treatments in the digestibility of OM, CF and its fractions (NDF and ADF). R2 also recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher TDN values comparedwith R1, while between R3 and R1, differences were not significant. Both R3and R2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher in their nitrogen balance compared to R1.No significant differences were observed in pH values of rumen among three treatments at 0, 2 and 4 hours sampling time while at 6 hours R1 showed high (P<0.05) pH value compared with R2 and R3. R3 and R2recorded (P<0.05) higher values of NH 3 N at all sampling times. The same trend was observed that R3 and R2 recorded (P<0.05) higher values of rumen TVFA, s compared with R1.No significant difference among R3 and R2 in the values of glutathione peroxidase in the serum of tested animalscompared with control, while, R3 and R2 recorded (P<0.05) higher values of serum Glutathione reductase compared with R1. Regarding to non-enzymatic anti-oxidants, R3 and R2 recoded (P<0.05) high concentration of Vit. C, Vit. E and zinc compared to R1.R3 and R2 recorded (P< 0.05) higher values of final body weight, weight gain and average daily weight gain and FCR compared with R1.It could be concluded that Moringaoleifera leaves are suitable feedsupplement at 10 or 20 g/kg of feed without any adverse effect on the performance of Rahmani lambs.