Peppermint and pennyroyal essential oil effect on performance, rumen microbial population and some blood parameters of sheep

Background: the use of antibiotics as feed additive in animal feeds due to the appearance of residues in milk and meat and their effects on human health is restricted. Two essential oils with high potential for use in ruminant diet are Mentha piperita [peppermint] and Mentha pulegium [pennyroyal] essential oil

Objectives: this study was conducted to investigate the effects of essential oils of peppermint and pennyroyal on performance, ruminal microbial population and some blood parameters of sheep

Methods: for this purpose, 9 Dallagh sheep were used in a change-over design experiment in three 21-d periods [14 days as adaptation and 7 days for sample collection]. Experimental treatments were 1] basal diet without additive [control], 2] basal diet + 110 mg/d Mentha piperita essential oil and 3] basal diet +110 mg/d Mentha pulegium essential oil. Sheep were kept in individual cages and had free access to food and water. Rumen fluid was collected before, 4 h and 8 h after morning feeding and a blood sample was obtained 3 h after morning feeding at the last day of each period

Results: essential oils had no effect on performance, blood parameters, pH, ammonia, protozoa, and total viable bacterial count of rumen. Coliforms of rumen fluid significantly decreased at 4 h and increased 8 h after morning feeding following peppermint and pennyroyal supplementation, respectively [p<0.05]. Acid lacticbacteria count was significantly higher at before and 4 h after morning feeding in pennyroyal treatment compared with other treatments

Conclusions: although essential oils of Mentha piperita and Mentha pulegium had some effects on rumen microbial population they had no significant effects on performance and blood metabolites of Dallagh sheep

[Study on possible relationship between gastric ulcer and cardiac arrhythmias in the Arab horse and Caspian miniature horse]

Peptic ulcer is a very common disorder in horse race and foals. In the present research possible relationship between gastric ulcer and the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmia were studied in two different horse race. In this respect. 13 Caspian miniature horses and 8 Arab horses were studied. Gastric ulcers and cardiac arrhythmias were diagnosed in 13 horses [62%] and 12[57%] out of 211 horses, respectively. The observed cardiac arrhythmias were sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, second degree AV block and SA block. There was no significant relationship between gastric ulcer and cardiac arrhythmia in general and between gastric ulcer and each kind of arrhythmia [p>0.005]. Serum calcium, potassium. sodium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorous concentrations were measured in the horses. No significant correlation was seen between serum electrolyte and gastric ulcer or cardiac arrhythmia. Despite lack of significant correlation between cardiac arrhythmia and gastric ulcer, more occurrence for some kinds of arrhythmia in affected horses with gastric ulcer was very interesting and need to be further investigated in future

Para clinical studies of ethanol extract of achillea millefolium L. on electrocardiogram, cardiac enzymes and serum electrolytes in sheep

Achillea millefolium has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It has many indications including treatment of heart weakness, hypertension cerebral and coronary thrombosis in traditional system of medicine. The purpose of this study is an investigation on effects of Achillea millefolium total extract on electrocardiogram, cardiac enzymes and serum electrolytes in sheep. In this study, 12 clinically healthy sheep were divided into 2 groups of treatment and control. The treatment group were administered intravenously a total extract of Achillea millefolium in the dose of 20 mg/kg. The control group received normal saline. Base-apex electrocardiogram was recorded in 0, 5,15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after administration and blood samples were collected in 0, 2, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours after administration. Serum cTnT, CK-MB, AST, Na, P, K, Ca, Mg and Cl were measured. Total extract of Achillea millefolium significantly [p<0.05] increased P amplitude after 5 and 90 minutes and S amplitude after 120 minutes; and decreased T duration after 15 minutes following administration. Achillea millefolium had no significant effect on serum enzymes and electrolytes. Regarding that Achillea millefolium extract increased cardiac contractility after 2 hours, detailed studies on the active constituents are needed which might provide new insight in cardiovascular drugs