A study on influences of feeding the horses used for producing snake antivenom with diets contain different levels of protein and energy on snake antivenom titer, total protein, albumin and blood picture in order to find out an optimal diet.

In order to find out the appropriate feeding manner, as well as, introducing a proper diet for snake antivenom producing horses, in present study 20 horses of same age, used for equal times for snake antivenom producing, were divided into four groups. Each group consisted of five horses. One group, control, was feed with usual diet of snake antivenom producing horses in Razi vaccine and serum research institute; 7 kg of a mixture of alfa alfa hay and wheat straw (1:1) and 2 kg of oat, for a 400 kg horse. Three other groups were feed with different levels of energy and protein; by using a prepared concentrate and mixture of alfa alfa hay and wheat straw (1:1). The Effects of different diets on some blood biochemical factors, blood picture (CBC), differential blood count and snake antivenom titer was estimated by two times bleeding of all the horses, at the beginning and the end of the feeding of the horses with different diets. Blood serums were used for total protein, albumin, globulin measurements as well as potency test for snake antivenom titer. However, CBC and differential count was performed on anticoagulant treated blood. The results of present study showed that: the energy and protein content of the usual diet of the horses in Razi institute, control group, is about the diet of the hard to medium working horses witch is relatively suitable. But it has deficiency in calcium content. Moreover, the balance between calcium and phosphorus is not good witch can lead to diseases, especially osteodystrophia fibrosa, in horses. On the other hand by observation of mild to moderate megaloblastic anemia in horses, particularly control group, it is considered necessary to add premixes of vitamins and trace elements to the snake antivenom producing horse's diet. Totally, the result of present study showed that using of concentrate, as a replacement for oat, in feeding the horses have many advantages and can generate all the need of animals. Moreover, it can reduce diseases, especially osteodystrophia fibrosa, as well as, anemia in snake antivenom producing horses. Based on the results a proper sufficient diet, in normal and very cold weathers, for snake antivenom producing horses are as follow: _ In normal salutations a mixture of 72-78٪ of alfa alfa hay and wheat straw (1:1) and 22-28٪ concentrate, with the mentioned formula in the content, is suggested. _ In very cold weather a mixture of 56٪ of alfa alfa hay and wheat straw (1:1) and 44٪ concentrate, with the mentioned formula in the content, is suggested.