Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research

Moringa oleifera has garnered significant interest. This research evaluated the impact of different quantities of Moringa oleifera seed powder on certain productive and physiological characteristics in Awassi ewes. The research investigated the effects on lamb development and birth outcomes within a sheep herd managed by Rashidiyah Research Station, Agricultural Research Service, Ninawa Research Department, Mosul, Iraq.

Twenty ewes were divided into four groups of five ewes per group. Moringa seed powder was given to four groups: 0, 5, 10 and 15 (g/ewe/day). The weights of the newborns and mothers were recorded on the first day of the trial (0 days) and then the weights were taken at equal intervals of 15 days and on two consecutive days after the newborns were isolated from their mothers for 12 hours, these measurements continued the length of the trial. Blood tests were performed at the Physiology Laboratory of the Department of Animal Production Technologies at the Northern Technical University/Agricultural Technical College. cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, urea, creatinine and liver enzymes including Aspartate alanine transferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

Results of this study revealed that moringa seed powder supplementation (0, 5, 10, 15 g/head/day) significantly reduced feed intake for both ewes (2.087, 2.020, 1.769, 1.849 kg/ewe/day) and newborns (0.803, 0.770, 0.744, 0.758 kg/newborn/day). Ewes fed moringa also showed significant weight gains, with final weights reaching 59.6, 62, 58.6 and 57 kg across groups, compared to the control. Blood analysis showed an increase in leukocytes (20.23, 21.93, 20.97 and 16.03 × 10ˇ9/L) and lymphocytes, while granulocyte ratios remained similar. Total cholesterol significantly decreased in the moringa-fed groups (120.66, 86.54, 92.12 and 82.72 mg/100 ml), though triglycerides stayed stable (47.2-49.08 mg/100 ml). Glucose levels dropped with higher moringa doses (45.87, 45.28, 49.1 and 33.3 mg/100 ml). Urea levels decreased (46.93, 40.36, 43.44 and 47.05 mg/100 ml), while AST levels were lower in specific groups. ALT levels showed minimal change, with values between 15 and 19.2 IU/L across groups.