AZOLLA (AZOLLA PINNATA) LEAVES EXTRACT SUPPLEMENTATION: EFFECT ON DIGESTIBILITY, BLOOD CONSTITUENTS, AND IMMUNITY STATUS OF OSSIMI SHEEP

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of Azolla (Azolla pinnata) leaves supplementation (AE) on the performance and immunity status of Ossimi sheep. Twelve Ossimi rams, 20 months old with an average body weight of 44.22 ± 2.45 kg were divided into three comparable groups (four rams /group) according to their live body weight. Animals in the control group were fed clover hay and a concentrate feed mixture (CFM) at a 40:60% roughage concentrate ratio without Azolla extract (AE0). The treated groups received the control diet supplemented with Azolla extract either 200 mg (AE1) or 400 mg (AE2) per kg of dry matter (DM). Results indicated that Azolla extract at both levels as a feed additive significantly enhanced (P<0.01) DM digestibility values compared to the non-additive diet (AE0), with values of 57.02, 56.09, and 54.45 for AE2, AE1, and AE0, respectively. Animals on the AE2 diet recorded the highest (P<0.01) CP, CF, and NFE digestibility values being 59.68, 57.68, and 68.43%, followed by AE1; 58.75, 56.98, and 67.83. However, the AE0 group showed the lowest (P<0.01) values for corresponding values; 57.01, 54.88 and 67.00% respectively, a similar trend was observed with nutritive value, where the AE2 diet showed the highest (P<0.01) value of TDN (61.75%) and AE0 recorded the lowest one (58.72%), AE1 was intermediate (61.04%). Digestive crude protein (DCP %) followed a similar pattern to TDN. Azolla extract additives in both levels; 200 and 400 mg/ kg DM, improved (P<0.01) nitrogen balance by 7.64 and 14.96 % above the control group, respectively. Total VFA in the rumen was significant in response to Azolla extract at two hours. post feeding, the AE2 group recorded the highest (P<0.01) values (16.70 meq/dl) compared to the control group (AE0) which recorded the lowest (P<0.01) value (15.14 meq/dl), while AE1 was intermediate (15.57 meq/dl). Rumen NH3-N concentration followed a similar pattern to rumen VFA. Azolla extract additives at level 400 mg/kg DM (AE2) recorded the highest (P<0.01) values of serum total protein and albumin (6.44 and 3.80 g/dl respectively) being higher (P<0.01) than AE1 group (6.14 and 3.50 g/dl), which also was significantly higher (P<0.01) than AE0 group (5.72 and 2.97 g/dl respectively). Glucose concentration was significantly higher (P<0.01) with AE1 and AE2 groups (66.30, and 66.03 mg/dl respectively) compared to the control group (64.98 mg/dl). Liver and kidney functions, as well as hematological parameters were insignificant as affected by Azolla extract. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) values were improved (P < 0.01) with Azolla extract groups; AE1 and AE2 (35.65 and 35.63 mg/dl, respectively) compared to the control group (32.90 mg/dl). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) values followed a similar trend. Interleukin 2 improved (P < 0.01) with the AE2 group (61.43 Pg/ml) compared to AE0 and AE1 groups (58.90 and 59.70 Pg/ml, respectively). All blood criteria were within the average values of the blood characteristics of sheep, indicating that Azolla extract did not have any adverse effect on animals' health and hygiene.