Effect of Ginger Powder (Zingiber Officinale) on Selected Rumen and Blood Serum Constituents in Sheep

Al-Azazi; A; SH.; Tayeb; F. A.; Baraka; T.A.; Khalaf; A.M.

Volume : VIII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

Effect of Ginger Powder (Zingiber Officinale) on Selected Rumen and Blood Serum Constituents in Sheep

Al Azazi, A, Sh. , Tayeb, F. A. , Baraka, T. A. , Khalaf, A. M.

Abstract :

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of ginger powder (Zingiber officinale) on rumen and blood constituents. Ten Egyptian native sheep, their ages ranged between 1.5 – 2.5 years, and body weights 30 – 45kg. they divided into two equal groups. The first group (control group) was fed on traditional ration only, the second (experimental group) was given ginger powder (500mg /kg body weight orally) in the morning before feeding for 5 days. In first day in both groups rumen juice and blood samples were collected in the morning before feeding (considered 0 hour) and at 2^nd, 4^th, 6^th and 8^th hours of supplementation with ginger.In treated group rumen and blood samples were taken daily before feeding from first day up to fifth day of experiment.

Results generally showed that ginger made significant changes in fermentation patter in rumen and blood serum constituents among hours, while by days it caused marked increases in rumen calcium and VFAs. On the other hand ginger maintained rumen protozoal activity, TPC, pH, rumen ammonia concentration, serum total protein,serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus, BUN, creatinine and GGT within normal range.

Regarding fermentation pattern on hours and changes that occurred in both rumen and blood serum constituents may suggest a recommendation for using ginger supplementation as 500mg /kg body weight orally for 3–5days in treatment of indigestion and maintenance of normal rumen function. Further investigation should be applied on diseased cases to confirm the effect of ginger as therapeutic agent in such cases.