Studies on the effect of replacing wheat straw with coriander straw in different proportions in the diet on liver health status in Awassi lambs

The study was carried out on 40 Awassi lambs with an average weight 40.15 kg and an age of 218 days at the Sheep Research Station of Hama Agriculture Research Center, with the aim to find out the effect of replacing wheat straw with coriander straw in different proportions in the diet on liver health status in Awassi lambs. The experimental lambs were divided into four groups- the first group (control) was fed only 100% wheat straw, while the second was fed with 25% coriander straw and 75% wheat straw, the third with 50% coriander straw and 50% wheat straw and the fourth with 75% coriander straw and 25% wheat straw. Blood samples were taken from all experimental lambs in four blood draws, the first was before the start of the experiment, the second was after one month, the third was after two month and the fourth was after three months from the start of the experiment. The results showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.01) in glucose concentration in lambs of the second, third and fourth groups. As for the concentration of total proteins, it showed a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.01) one month after the start of the experiment in lambs of the second, third and fourth groups, and its concentration increased significant at the end of the experiment (P ≤ 0.01) in the third and fourth groups (P ≤ 0.01). Albumin concentration did not show any significant change during the experiment period and in all study groups. It may be concluded from this study that alternative feeding with coriander hay led to positive changes in blood glucose and total protein concentration, indicating a beneficial effect on metabolic processes and metabolism in Awassi lambs.