Effect of dietary inclusion of tree leaves on growth, antioxidant status and blood biochemical constituents in ram lambs during summer stress

Abstract

A growth trial of 120 days was conducted during summer on 42 ram lambs (5-6 months age; 18.48±0.29 kg BW) to evaluate effect of 20% tree leaf inclusion in concentrate mixture on their performance. The concentrate mixture of control group contained maize, de-oiled rice bran, cotton seed cake and soyabean meal as major ingredients and in the five experimental concentrate mixtures, de-oiled rice bran and soyabean meal were partially replaced either with moringa (MOR20), subabul (SBL20), guava (GVL20), moringa and subabul mixture (60:40) (MS20) or moringa and guava mixture (40:60) (MG20). Animals were fed with respective concentrate mixtures to meet about 80% of protein requirements and sorghum stover was offered ad lib. Tree leaf inclusion did not affect fortnightly body weights, dry matter intake, average daily gain, or feed efficiency. However, combination groups (MS20 and MG20) showed higher apparent ADG and feed conversion ratio (13% and 11%, respectively) compared to the control. Blood analysis revealed higher HDL concentrations and lower cortisol levels in lambs fed with tree leaves. Antioxidant enzyme activities increased, while lipid peroxidation decreased in tree leaf fed groups. It was concluded that dietary inclusion of tree leaves at 20% in concentrate mixture improved antioxidant enzyme activities, decreased serum cortisol levels with no adverse effect on feed intake, growth rate and feed efficiency in sheep.

Keywords

• Antioxidant enzyme, Cortisol, Growth, Tree leaves, Ram lambs, Summer stress