PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY OF BARKI EWES AS AFFECTED BY ZEOLITE SUPPLEMENTATION UNDER SALINE CONDITIONS IN SINAI

Abstract

This study was carried out during the period from September, 2017 to June, 2018 at South Sinai Research Station located at Ras Sudr, South Sinai Governorate, belongs to the Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. Sixty adult Barki ewes (2.0-3.0 years old and averaged 38.9 ± 1.02 kg live body weight) were randomly assigned into three equal groups (20 ewes/group). The 1st group (G1); ewes drank TW (274 ppm TDS) and fed the basal diet (control group). The 2nd group (G2); ewes drank SW (5980 ppm TDS) and fed the basal diet. The 3rd group (G3); ewes drank SW (5980 ppm TDS) and fed the basal diet supplemented with 60 g zeolite /kg diet (6 %). Rations were adjusted monthly to cover their requirements during their different physiological statuses. This work was conducted to investigate the role of zeolite in reduce the negative effects of drinking natural saline well water on physiological responses as well as reproductive and productive performance of Barki ewes under arid conditions of South Sinai Governorate, Egypt. The main results could be summarized as follows: 1- Total protein concentration significantly increased in control group then G3compared to G2. While, albumin concentration tended to significantly increase in G3 then control group compared to G2. Globulin concentration insignificantly increased in control and G3 than G2. 2- Resulted for drinking SW, liver enzymes (ALT and AST) were increased in G2, while zeolite supplementation reduced these enzymes as control group.