Effect of Dietary )Balanites aegyptiaca( on Microenvironment of Rumen And Some Blood Constituents of Cattle

Abstract

This study was carried out at the Experimental Farm Unit of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Sudan University of Science and Technology at Hillat Kuku. Three steers were used to study and compare the digestion characteristics of the different parts of Balanites aegyptiaca (leaves, coat, flesh and kernel cake) and the effect of different levels of B. aegyptiaca kernel cake on the rumen environment and some haematological and biochemical constituents . Samples of Balanites aegyptiaca leaves, coat, flesh and kernel cake were collected from North Kordofan state during April 2008. The kernel cake showed the highest crude protein and Ash content and the lowest contents were found in the coat. The highest value of nitrogen free extract and crude fibre were recorded in the coat. The kernel cake had the highest dry matter and crude protein degradation rate while the coat exhibited the lowest degradability characteristics. In this study gas production after 48hrs incubation time ranged between 10.00 (leaves) and 66.00ml/200gDM (flesh). Balanites aegyptiaca flesh had a significantly higher (P<0.05) gas production from rapid soluble fraction (a) (22.61), than the leaves, ( 3.5), and coat, (9.73), while Balanites aegyptiaca