Abstract #T503

# T503
Influence of supplementing lamb with dried algae + live yeast product on growth and blood metabolites during summer.
Ekin Sucu*1, Duygu Udum Küçüksen2, Nazmiye Günes2, 1Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey, 2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey.

Endocrine and immune system stimulation by Algae is an active area of research. Thus, the current case conducted to examine the impact of an dried algae (Schizochytrium limacinum) and live yeast product (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBS 493.94; 3.0 × 1010 cfu) on lamb performance and blood metabolites during summer (mean temperature humidity index 75.5). Lambs were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to receive either control ration (n = 20) based on wheat grain and sunflower meal or a algae derived supplement with live yeast product (n = 20) in a crossover design with two 21-d experimental periods. Supplement top dressed 1×/d at a rate of 5 g/head/d. Daily pen dry matter intake were recorded and lambs were weighed weekly throughout the trial to determine daily weight gain and feed efficiency. Blood samples were collected from the individual animals during both periods at the beginning of the treatment period (d 0) and on the last day (d 21) of trial. Data were analyzed with the repeated measures PROC MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc. Cary NC). Overall, Algae+ live yeast supplement increased final live weight and average daily gain (P < 0.05). However, no differences were noted between treatments for average dry matter intake (P = 0.24) or feed efficiency (P = 0.23). Plasma glucose (98.47 vs. 84.97 mg/dl) and insulin (64.14 vs. 29.26 ng/mL) concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) while total plasma cholesterol concentration tended to be lower (P = 0.09; 58.22 vs. 61.68 mg/dL) in Algae+ live yeast-fed lambs relative to control animals. However, plasma non-ester fatty acid (P = 0.68), total protein (P = 0.55), blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.58), lipopolysacharide binding protein (P = 0.89), diamine oxidase (P = 0.17), malondialdehyde (P = 0.49) and glutathione peroxidase (P = 0.44) concentrations were unaffected by supplementation. Results of this study indicate that algae supplement influences productivity and alter bioenergetics in growing lambs during summer. This study was supported by the Scientific Research Project Council of Uludag University, Project Number: KUAP(Z)-2013/46.

Key Words: algae, blood metabolite, lamb performance