Effects of Serratula coronata Infusion on Metabolism and Growth Rates in Young Sheep.

The effects of the leaves of the crown-shaped saw-wort (Serratula coronata L.) used in the water infusion on the young sheep growth rates and serum biochemical profile have been studied. In the context of the deficient protein and excessive dietary fiber intake, a positive tendency for increasing the lamb growth rates dependent on the daily dosage of the crown-shaped saw-wort infusion was revealed. The young stock consuming a 300- and 400-mL infusion a day could increase their live weight over a 2-month period of the experiment by 1.68 kg and 1.86 kg more or 17.9 and 19.9% higher, respectively, than that in the reference animal group, respectively. Increases in the serum albumin level and the albumin : globulin ratio up to 24% and a simultaneous decline in the urea concentration to 28% were registered. It is shown that, under the effects of ecdysteroids, there is a tendency to normalize the blood glucose level in the young sheep as a result of the activation of the gluconeogenesis due to reamination of the amino acids. This has been proven by elevating the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The obtained data on the multifaceted metabolic effects of the crown-shaped saw-wort infusion allows us to recommend it as a feed additive improving the growth performance of the young sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]