Authors : Varol Kurtoglu, Firuze Kurtoglu , Esat Sami Polat and Emel Gurbuz
Abstract: In this study, the effects of various levels (0, 15, 30, 45 ppm) of Boron (B) supplementation to the wethers diet on performance parameters such as body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed convertion ratio and serum Ca, P, Mg, glucose, ALP, triglyceride, total cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, albumin and total protein levels were investigated. As animal material, a total of 32 merino male wethers 8 months age were used. These animals were divided 4 groups consisting 8 animals in each. Animals were housed and fed in individual cage. Before the experiment all animals were weighed and were grouped in equal body weight mean. This trial was made in University of Selcuk, Veterinary Faculty Experimental Farm and was lasted at 56 days. As a boron source, sodium borate was added to the diets. Boron was not supplemented to the diets of control while trial groups (group 2-4) included 15, 30 and 45 ppm B, respectively. Body weight datas were obtained on 14, 28, 42 and 56 days. Ca, Mg, P, glucose, ALP, triglyceride, total cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, albumin and total protein were determined by spectrophotometer in blood samples obtained by vena jugularis on the 1, 28 and 56 days of the trial. Boron supplementation were increased on body weight gain and feed convertion ratio on some periods (p<0.05). Boron additions also significantly affected the serum Ca, Mg and ALP values. In conclusion, boron might be have beneficial effects on performances and some blood parameters of wethers.
Varol Kurtoglu, Firuze Kurtoglu , Esat Sami Polat and Emel Gurbuz , 2012. The Effects of Various Levels of Boron Supplementation on the Performance and Some Plasma Mineral and Metabolites of Wethers. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 1072-1079.