International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
B Murali Mohan, Suryanarayana Mvan, Devasena B and Gangaraju G

abstract
A growth trial was conducted for 90 days with 18 Nellore brown ram lambs with average body weight of 15±0.37 kg which were randomly divided into three groups containing six animals in each group and were evaluated with / without supplementation of Spirulina platensis on nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical factors in a CRD model. To a basal diet acting as control (T₁) the Spirulina was supplemented at 1 g and 2 g / 10 kg body weight to 2^nd and 3^rd groups to make them as T₂ and T_3, respectively. The animals were stall fed with the concentrate mixture and super napier green fodder. Significantly higher (p<0.05) protein digestibility was recorded for T₂ followed by T₃ and T₁ respectively. Crude protein digestibility was in the order of T₂ > T₃ > T₁. The digestibility of ether extract, crude fibre, NDF, ADF were found to be non-significant and comparable among the treatments. Significant difference (p<0.05) was noticed in DCP (%DM) content, with lowest value in T1 fed group. However, no significant difference was noticed in total DMI (% BW basis) and TDN (% DM) among the treatments. The results of the serum biochemical profile of ram lambs at the beginning of the experiment indicated no significant (p>0.05) difference for serum total protein, albumin, globulin, ALT, AST, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, HDL, LDL, VLDL, calcium and glucose. Except for total protein none of the serum biochemical parameters were found to be significant at 90^th day of trial. The serum total protein in T₂ was 9.8% and 3.9% more as compared to T₁ and T₃ respectively. The remaining parameters albumin, globulin, ALT, AST, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, HDL, LDL, VLDL, calcium and glucose were non-significant among the treatments.