Effect of Spirulina Algae Powder and Folic Acid on Some Physiological Parameters During the Early Stages of Local ewe's Pregnancy in the Summer

Salihi, Alan Sardar; Alsaadi, Sarmad Abdul Razak

doi:10.21608/ejvs.2024.283832.2019

Effect of Spirulina Algae Powder and Folic Acid on Some Physiological Parameters During the Early Stages of Local ewe's Pregnancy in the Summer

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Animal Production Department, College of Agriculture, Kirkuk University, Kirkuk, Iraq

10.21608/ejvs.2024.283832.2019

Abstract

For a total of 83 days, from June 15, 2023, to September 6, 2023, this study was carried out in the sheep field of the Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, University of Kirkuk. The study examined the physiological effect of dosing pregnant ewes with an aqueous solution containing spirulina algae powder and folic acid alone or together during the early pregnancy stage. Sixteen local Awassi ewes’ average weight of (40.67 ± 0.470) kg and (1.5) years old were utilized in the experiment. Randomly divided into four treatments, there are four ewes for each treatment. The 1st treatment (control group) was given 50 ml of deionized water without any additives. The 2nd treatment was dosed with an aqueous solution containing 2.5 grammes of spirulina algae powder in 50 ml of deionized water (ewe/day). The 3rd treatment dosed folic acid twice a week at a dose of 20 mg/ewe. The 4th treatment dosed an aqueous solution of spirulina algae powder at a concentration of (2.5 grammes in 50 ml of deionized water/ewe/day) + folic acid at a dose of (20 mg/ewe) at two doses per week, which was a combination of the second and third treatments. Blood glucose rate, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione concentrations and Malondialdehyde levels improved in all treatment groups in comparing with control group at in the mid and end stages of pregnancy.

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