The Effect of Tannin Powder Supplementation in the Ration on Hematological Profiles and Blood Urea Nitrogen of Priangan Sheep

The use of dietary tannins as natural feed additives to regulate rumen protein degradation and improve nitrogen metabolism has been increasingly explored. Nevertheless, the evidence concerning the combined use of chestnut (Castanea sativa) and quebracho (Schinopsis lorentzii) tannin extracts in Priangan sheep is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a commercial tannin powder containing these two plant extracts on Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) concentration and hematological profiles in Priangan sheep. Eighteen healthy male Priangan sheep with an initial average body weight of 19.64±2.51 kg were randomly allocated into three dietary treatments in a Completely Randomized Design with six animals assigned to each treatment. The experimental diets consisted of a control ration (P0), control ration plus 1% tannin powder (P1) and control ration plus 2% tannin powder (P2). Blood samples were taken for biochemical and hematological evaluation after 70 days of feeding. 2% tannin powder supplementation significantly increased BUN concentration compared to control and 1% supplementation groups (P<0.05). On the other hand, the dietary treatment did not affect the erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte counts, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P>0.05). In general, supplementation with chestnut and quebracho tannin powder at the 2% inclusion level induced alterations in nitrogen metabolism without any measurable changes in the hematological status. The results of this study suggest that the tannin preparation tested can be included in the diet of Priangan sheep at up to 2% of dietary dry matter without causing adverse physiological effects.