Effects of activated carbon on growth, ruminal characteristics and blood profiles in sheep
1994
Garillo, E.P. | Pradhan, R. | Tobioka, H.
This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of activated carbon (AD) on the growth, ruminal characteristics and blood profile in sheep. Twelve Suffolk breed of sheep of almost similar age and weight were grouped into four in a 2 x 2 factorial design. The two groups were fed with roughage-based diet with (R + AC) without carbon (R-AC) while the other two were fed with concentrate-based diet (C + AC) without activated carbon (C-AC). Incorporation of AC in roughage and concentrate diets had no marked effects on feed intake, daily gain and feed conversion of the animals. However, animals provided with AC in the concentrate-based diet (C + AC) did not suffer from diarrhea and they easily adjusted to high concentrate feeding. Furthermore, the pH value for diets with AC before feeding at the middle period was significantly higher than those without AC. Number of rumen protozoa decreased after feeding for both groups with AC diets in their respective middle and end period of feeding. The red and white blood cell (RBC and WBC) counts did not differ within and among the diets. However, the WBC differential count in the roughage-based diet with AC (R + AC) had higher (P0.05) lymphocytes than in the same diet without AC (R-AC). The enzyme activity of glutomic exaloacetic transaminase (GOT) in both diets with AC was higher in the middle period before feeding
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