Abstract
Nine Awassi ewes with an average body weight of (59.41 ± 5.29 kg) (4-5) year old were divided into 3 groups each of 3 ewes and fed for 15 days on one of 3 rations to study effect of using different levels of sodium bicarbonate on nutrients digestibility and some rumen parameters in Awassi ewes . All groups were fed rations consisted mainly of barley. wheat bran and soybean meal. The first group (control) was fed without sodium bicarbonate . while the other( 2 and 3) groups were fed on different levels of sodium bicarbonate (1.5 and 3%) respectively. All rations were iso calory and iso nitrogen. During the last three days after the pre period which lasted 15 days feces was collected and samples of rumen liquor and blood were taken. The results indicated that the different levels of sodium bicarbonate had a significant improvements(P < 0.05) on crude protein(69.56.73.42.76.64%) and crude fiber digestibility(52.63.58.41.62.35%) as the levels of sodium bicarbonate increased respectively. The results indicated that the levels of sodium bicarbonate had no significant effect on dry matter.organic matter and ether extract digestibility. Moreover. the results showed that the levels(1.5 . 3 % ) of sodium bicarbonate had a significant effect(P < 0.05)on pH rumen liquor( 5.17 . 5.83 . 6.32 )and bacteria concentration logarithm (11.34.11.47.11.78)/ml of rumen liquor respectively. Blood samples analysis showed that treatments had no significant effects on concentration of total protein. AST. ALT. urea. glucose. triglyceride. But the results showed that levels of sodium bicarbonate had a significant effect(P < 0.05)on blood cholesterol( 117.03. 126.33. 126.67 mg/100ml) respectively.
