Effect of adding aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves to the drinking water of Awassi sheep in milk production, its components, and some blood indicators
الملخص
Recent studies are witnessing a growing trend towards the use of medicinal plants and their extracts as natural alternatives to improve sheep productivity and health. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the effect of aqueous Moringa oleifera leaves extract (MOE) on milk production, its components, and some blood cellular indicators. Forty Awassi ewes of similar ages and weights were used in the experiment, divided into four groups fed a standardized, integrated concentrate ration MOE was added to the drinking water at four levels. Group G1, the control, was provided with drinking water only (0 ml of MOE), Group G2 was provided with 20 ml of MOE /liter of drinking water, Group G3 was provided with 40 ml of MOE /liter of water, and Group G4 was provided with 60 ml of MOE /liter of water. The results indicated a significant increase (P≤0.05) in the daily milk production quantity and its fat and protein content in the treatment groups G2, G3 and G4 compared with the control group G1, while the rest of the milk components were not affected by the extract. The use of MOE also led to a significant increase (P≤0.05) in the red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in the blood of the ewes in the treatment groups compared with the control group G1, while the rest of the studied blood indicators were not affected. It can be concluded that adding MOE to the drinking water of lactating ewes increased the quantity and quality of milk produced and improved the values of blood cellular indicators, within their normal limits.
