Author(s): Mahdi Mohamed Al Ramadan and Mohammed Abdullah Alamer
Article publication date: 2010-12-01
Vol. 28 No. 4 (yearly), pp. 231-224.
223
Keywords
Sheep, heat stress, herbs, thermoregulation.
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of including certain medicinal herbs
(Sisymbrium irio L, Plantago Psyllium, Artemisia herba-alba) to alleviate heat stress in Awassi sheep in high ambient temperatures. Several indices were evaluated including: rectal temperature, respiration rate, sweatrate, changes in body weight, feed and water consumption and feed quality. Various blood parameters were evaluated. The experimental period lasted for three (3) weeks with 20 ewes in four (4) experimental groups. Three(3) groups received each medicinal herbs while the last group was a control. The herb were mixed with a concentrated mixture after grinding and were fed to animals at a rate of 1g/kg BW. Results showed a significant (p <0.05) reduction in rectal temperature, respiration rate and a trend to increase water consumption for the group receiving Sisymbrium irio. An increase in blood glucose was observed in the group receiving Plantago Psyllium compared to the other groups. It could indicate including Sisymbrium irio L in sheep’s diet alleviate heat stress.