Ceratophyllum demersum Weed as a Dietary Protein for Iraqi Awassi Sheep
Ceratophyllum demersum Weed as a Dietary Protein for Iraqi Awassi Sheep
Faris Sahib Imran1*, Layth Hamzah Merzah2, Mohammed Mohsin Kareem3
ABSTRACT
Ceratophyllum demersum, commonly known as coontail or hornwort, is a submerged aquatic plant native to many parts of the world. C. demersum is used in aquaria and pond gardens for its fast growth rateability to improve water quality by excess nutrients, and toxins, and can be included in the sheep diet as a protein source at certain levels. The study was conducted in Karbala province, using the Al-Husseiniya River as the source of C. demersum. A total of 40 Awassi sheep were divided into two groups. The experimental group received a diet containing C.demersum as the primary protein source, while the control group had natural grass grazing as the basal diet. The results revealed that weight gain, final weight, fat tail weight, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, glucose, and total protein of the experimental group was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the control group A diet containing C. demersum has the potential as a protein source with a significant (P < 0.05) positive effect on the growth performance and hematological and biochemical parameters of Iraqi Awassi sheep and warrants further investigation to determine optimal levels of inclusion.
Keywords | Awassi sheep; Body measurement; Ceratophyllum demersum; Growth traits; Protein.
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April 2024
Vol. 12, Iss. 4, pp. 586-801
