RESUMEN
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
RESUMEN
Lack of nutritional knowledge is one of the most important reasons of nutritional problems and consequently improper practice, which can lead to several complications. This study has been designed in order to compare knowledge, attitude and practices of the urban and rural households regarding iron deficiency anemia [IDA] in Boushehr, Golestan and Sistan and Balouchestan provinces in 2004. The sampling method at household's level in each province was the single-stage cluster sampling with equal size clusters. The necessary data were gathered with a structured questionnaire and via the interviews between the questioners and the eligible people in each household. Comparison of frequency of variables between urban and rural areas were tested by chi square test. A total of 2306 households were selected as overall sample size. In urban areas, people recognized iron food sources better than rural areas. Knowledge level of respondents about vulnerable group for IDA and the favorite attitude of households toward IDA were better in urban areas of Sistan and Blouchestan and Golestan provinces. In Sistan and Balouchestan and Golestan, rural households who drank tea immediately before or after meal was more than urban ones. The majority of pregnant and lactating mothers [except for rural areas of Bushehr] did not take iron supplement regularly. Less than 60 percent of children used iron drop regularly. Knowledge, attitude, and practice levels of households toward IDA were not acceptable. One of the best ways of improving nutritional practice is nutritional education with focus on applying available food resources