Paper Title
Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility, Some Blood Metabolites and Rumen Parameters in Karadi Lambs

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of supplementing different levels of Nigella sativa oil in the rations of Karadi lambs on nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and some rumen parameters. In this experiment, 18 Karadi lambs were divided equally into three groups and the first group was fed a basal diet (control) whereas, the second and third groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.15 and 0.30% of DM Nigella sativa oil. All animals were fed individually at a rate of 1.5 kg/lamb/day. Results showed that nutrients digestibility of DM, OM, CP and CF were not affected (P>0.05) by Nigella sativa oil supplementation. Also, supplementing Nigella Sativa oil had no significant effect on serum (TP), (Alb), (Glb), triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, and VLDL concentrations. There was an increase trend (P=0.07) in LDL concentration of lambs fed on T2 and T3 as compared to control. Neither treatment nor interaction between time and treatment had an effect on rumen fluid pH. A significant decrease (P=0.008) was noted in rumen fluid pH value with the advances of time post feeding. The ammonia-nitrogen concentration in rumen fluid was generally lower upon oil supplementation, and it was significantly (P=0.03) decreased in the T2 group at 4 hours following morning feeding. It can be concluded thatwith the exception of serum HDL concentration, supplementing with 0.15 and 0.3% /DM of Nigella sativa oil had no effects on nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites. Nigella sativa oil supplementation caused reduction in rumen ammonia-nitrogen in Karadi lambs. Further research is required to study N. sativa supplementation on rumen function at wider time intervals. Keywords - Nigella sativa oil, Digestibility, Blood and rumen parameters