Study of the Biological Effect of Substitution Soybean Meal with Lupinus albus L. on Some Somatic and Sex Hormones in Awassi Lambs from Weaning to Puberty

This study was carried out at the farm of the Animal Resources Dept., College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit during the period from 15/2/2017 to 15/6/2017. Twelve Awassi lambs at the age of 4–5 months of age with an average weight of 24.65 ± 2.49 kg, were distributed into 3 groups (4 lamb/group) to study the effect of replacement of soybean meal (SM) with Lupinus albus L. (LA) at levels of 0, 6 and 12% for the T1 (control), T2 and T3 respectively and its effect on some hormones growth hormone, thyronine, thyroxine, testosterone, interstitial cell stimulating hormone ICSH and Follicle stimulating hormone FSH levels for four age periods, 4–5, 5–6, 6–7 and 7–8 month for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th periods respectively. A significant increase (P≤0.01) in lambs weight in T3 at the 2^nd and 4^th periods. Also, substituting with LA in proportion 6 and 12% showed a significant increase (P≤0.01) in the levels of thyroxine, testosterone, ICSH and FSH. In addition. This study concludes that it is possible to substitute soybean meal whit Lupinus albus L. for in lambs’ provender which raises the level of certain hormones.