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Influence of Feeding Napier Grass on Rumen Microflora and Treatment of Nitrate Poisoining in Sheep

M.A. AWAL
Department of Pharmacology Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh

M. MOSTOFA
Department of Pharmacology Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh

M. MYENUDDIN
Department of Physiology Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Feeding of nappier grass alone and nappier plus green grass daily for 28 days showed no apparent signs of nitrate or any other poisoning in sheep. There was no change of colour, odour and pH of the rumenliquor of the treated sheep. Microscopic examination of rumen fluid showed no appreciable change in bacterial pattern, protozoal motility and total protozoal count. However, total bacterial count was significantly increased in both groups of treated sheep and the increase was more pronounced in sheep given napier plus green grass. Total bacterial count returned to normal level within 7-14 days of withdrawl of feeding the grasses. Administration of methylene blue (1 % Soln) at 8 mg/kg dose afforded 100% protection against sodium nitrate induced poisoning in sheep.

Keywords: Napier grass, Rumen liquor, Methylene blue, Sheep

Location: Department of Pharmacology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Fodder

Objectives:

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of methylene blue against nitrate poisoning in sheep.

Methodology:

Napier grass was collected from BAU Dairy Farm. Fifteen sheep weighing between 12-15 kg were divided into 3 groups each consisting of 5 animals. One group of sheep WQS kept as control without giving nappier grass. Other two groups of sheep were given either napier grass alone (800 mg/sheep) or nappier grass (1.5 kg/sheep) plus green grass (1.5 kg/sheep) together for 28 consecutive days. The toxic symptoms of the sheep, is any, were recorded during nappier feeding and also for 14 days of post-feeding period. The rumen liquor was collected by the help of stomach tube from all the groups of sheep at different time intervals to study the effect of feeding nappier on different parameters of rumen liquor. In the second experiment sodium nitrite was fed to a group of sheep (5 in number) at the dose rate of 200 mg/kg body wt after over night fasting. Methylene blue as 1 % aqueous solution was injected (8 mg/kg body wt) between 100-120 min of nitrite feeding when all the sheep showed clinical signs of nitrite toxicity. Efficacy of methylene blue was evaluated on the basis of survival rate and disappearance of clinical signs of nitrate poisoning in sheep.

Source of Information: BAU Res. Prog. 7: 510-512;1993

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study revealed that although nappier grass contain high amount of nitrate but feeding of nappier grass at different concentrations to sheep does not produce nitrate toxicity. Methylene blue has been found to be an effective therapeutic agent against nitrate poisoning in sheep.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings