Effect of Adding Omega-3 to Ration on Production and Physiological Performance of Awassi Ewes during Winter Season

Abstract

O MEGA-3 fatty acids are reported to play an important role for healthy cell membranes, which are necessary for both human and animal health. The aim of this study was to study the role of supplementation of omega-3 in rations of ewes exposed to cold stress during the three winter months on productive performance of ewes. Adding 35ml of omega-3 to Awassi ewes ration led to increasing weight gain during the months of January and February (10-12•C). At the same time that feed intake rates reached their lowest levels in ewes who dosed 35 ml of Omega in the three months of the study, feed conversion ratio for those ewes improved. All physiological traits represented like body temperature, heart and breath rate stabilized and significantly improved in cold-stressed sheep, especially in those that were add 35 ml of omega-3. All physiological biomarkers corresponded to a clear improvement in the levels of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Thyroxin (T4) and in both 25 and 35Omega3 treatment groups, which, in turn, outperformed the control group. It can be concluded that adding omega3 to ewes ration improved productive and physiological traits.