911 automatic analyzer

Blood samples were collected monthly by taking 10 ml blood from the jugular vein of each lamb, at 2 hrs after the morning feeding. After that, the blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes for obtaining the serum. The collected serum was stored at -20 •C until chemical analyses. At the analyses, the serum was analysed for glucose, total protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, creatinine, triglycerides, total cholesterol and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). These biochemical parameters were analyzed by spectrophotometer (Hitachi 911 automatic analyzer) using commercial test kits. Four digestibility trials were carried out using twelve local rams (two years old and about 53 ± 1.50 kg body weights). Each digested trial lasted for 21 days; the first 15 days were considered as a preliminary period followed by 7 days collection period. Animals were randomly allocated into four experimental groups, each with 3 rams. The animals in group one were considered as a control, fed basal diet of concentrate mixture plus wheat straw and treated groups were fed basal diet plus 2.5% of dried Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) (ORG), 2.5% dried Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) (ROS) and 2.5% dried Peppermint (Mentha piperita L) (MEN) .