Abstract:
iv
This study was conducted at research farm unit, College of Animal production,
Sudan University of Science and Technology from March to May 2016, to evaluate
the effect of added graded levels of prebiotics to the diet on performance of Sudan
desert sheep.
The studied performance parameter were dry matter intake, daily weight gain,
final body weight and feed conversion ratio, beside effects on immune system in
association with hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell and liver
’
s enzymes.
Sixteen Sudanese desert lamps of an average body weight (22.5 kg) and average
age of 6 month were used in feedlot performance trial for 60 days. Four rations: A
(control), B, C and D were formulated; with different levels of prebiotics (0 g/kg,
1g/kg, 1.5 g/kg and 2 g/kg, respectively). The rations were prepared to be isocaloric
and iso-nitrogenous by mixing, sorghum grains, groundnut cakes,
groundnut hulls, wheat bran, limestone and salt. The animals were distributed
randomly into four experimental groups (A, B, C and D).four lambs in each; and
were fed individually their appointed diets. The results showed that, the dry matter
intake and final body weight were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by different
inclusion rate of prebiotics in the diet. Group B showed the highest daily dry
matter intake DMI (1114.91±40.81g/day) and final body weight (39.25±2.22Kg)
followed by group C of daily DMI of (1007.7±69.16g/day) and final weight
(34.75±2.29kg). The daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were
not significantly (P>0.05) affected by variable levels of prebiotics in the diets.
Group B also had the best daily weight gain (283.33±13.61g/day) and FCR of
(3.94±0.22) followed by group C which gained daily (204.16±36.96g/day) and
improved FCR by (5.02±0.62). The hemoglobin and white blood cells were not significantly (P˃ 0.05) affected by
different inclusion rate of prebiotics in the diet. Group A showed the highest
concentrate of hemoglobin (12.02±4.22g/dl) followed by group B
(10.78±2.74mg/dl). Group B showed the highest concentrate of white blood cells
WBCs (11885.17±780.20) followed by group A (10714.28±681.86).
The Asparatate aminotransferase (AST) is not significantly (P˃ 0.05) affected by
different inclusion rate of prebiotics in the diet. Group C showed the highest
concentrate of Asparatate aminotransferase (250.92±23.08mg/dl) followed by
group D (243.45±13.09mg/dl). The Alanin Aminotransferase (ALT) is not
significantly (P˃ 0.05) affected by different inclusion rates of prebiotics in the diet.
Group A showed the highest concentrate of Alanin Aminotransferase
(50.28±11.12gm/dl) followed by group D (41±15.34gm/dl). The study concluded
that addition of prebiotics can improve the overall performance of the lambs. Yet
this may be dependent on several factors, such as quantity and level of prebiotics
used and other managerial and environmental condition.
