Effect Of Using Different Levels Of Watermelon Seeds On Productive Performance And Some Physical And Biochemical Blood Properties In Awassi Sheep

Abstract

The study aimed to know the effect of using different levels of crushed watermelon seeds on some blood and carcass characteristics of Awassi sheep. Sixteen Awassi sheep were used in the experiment, aged 3-4 months, with an average initial weight of 25 ± 1 kg. The sheep were divided into four groups (four sheep per group) and the treatments were distributed randomly to the groups. The first group was considered as a control group, while the second, third and fourth groups were fed on a provender containing 1.5%, 3%, and 4.5% of the crushed watermelon seeds. The experimental sheep were fed on a concentrated provender of 3% of the live animal's weight on the basis of dry matter, while the hay was provided freely, and the animals were weighed weekly to adjust the amount of feed provided according to the change in weight.
The results of this study indicated the following: No significant differences (P≤0.05) were recorded between the groups treated with watermelon seeds and the control group in the average body weight during the 106 days of the experiment, while the amount of daily weight gain increased significantly (P≤0.05) in favor of the fourth treatment during the period ( 71-106 days) compared to the control and experimental treatments, and the overall weight gain rate did not differ significantly (P≤0.05) compared to the rest of the treatments. The general average of feed conversion efficiency was not significantly affected (P≤0.05) during the entire period of the experiment and for all experimental treatments, as well as the average amount of the provender weekly intake did not show any significant effect (P≤0.05) between the experimental and control treatments, and this is what happened for Final weight of sheep, the experiment was not significantly affected (P≤0.05) compared to the control treatment. The physical properties of blood WBC 103/ml, RBC 106/ml, Hbg/100ml and PCV% No significant differences (P≤0.05) were recorded between the groups treated with watermelon seeds compared to the control group for the duration of the experiment. The level of thyroxine hormone T4 nmol/L decreased significantly (P≤0.05) in the fourth and third treatments on day 70 of the experiment, while on day 106 the fourth treatment recorded a significant increase (P≤0.05) in the level of TSH in mmU/L compared to other treatments. There were no significant differences (P≤0.05) between groups in the level of growth hormone GH ng/ml throughout the duration of the experiment, but the fourth and third group had an increase in urea level of g/100 ml at day 70, while no significant difference was indicated. (P≤0.05) between treatments in creatinine level mg/100ml.