EFFECT OF FORMALDEHYDE TREATED AND UNTREATED SUNFLOWER SUPPLEMENT ON NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND SOME RUMEN AND BLOOD PARAMETERS IN AWASSI SHEEP

Nine Awassi rams were used in this study. The rams were divided into three groups. The first group (control) was fed on ration consisted mainly of barley, wheat bran and soybean meal, while the second and third group fed on ration contained 10% of sunflower untreated or treated with formaldehyde respectively. All the rams were fed for 15days, the first 10days considered as preperiod, then 5days for feces collection. Samples of rumen liquor and blood was taken in last day.
Results indicated that addition of sunflower seeds untreated and formaldehyde treated had no significant effect on the coefficient of nutrient digestibility (dry and organic matter , Protein , Fat extraction and fiber). Result of statistical analysis showed significant difference (P<0.05) between treatments in the pH of rumen liguor for the second treatment (6.58) vs. (6.25 and 6.28) for the first and third treatments. It was noted that the pH value was decreased after feeding in all groups. Concentration of ammonia in rumen liquor before feeding was 2.17, 2.60 and 3.06 mg/100ml respectively. While a significant increases (P<0.05) was noted in ammonia concentration after feeding for the first and second group as compared with third group, the values were 8.82, 7.62 and 4.04 mg/100ml respectively. Results also indicated that the treatments had no significant effect on the concentration of blood triglyceride, urea, glucose, protein and albomine, while their was significant (P<0.05) differences between the second and third groups on glubulin, their values were 2.83, 3.16 and 2.33 mgl/100ml respectively.