الفهرس 
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Abstract
This study was carried out at Sids Research Station, Animal Production Research
Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt in cooperation
with Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University,
throughout the period from July, till September. The present study aimed to alleviate the
negative effect of Egyptian hot summer conditions by using nutritional means including
addition of each of Nigella sativa seeds, Ginger, Curcumin and electroletes. Also, to asses
and evaluate the impact of these means on the physiological and reproductive
performance, particularly semen characteristics of Ossimi rams.
15 healthy mature Ossimi rams, with an average body weight of 67.5 kg and average age
of 2-3years, were equally divided into 5 groups. Rams were unsupplemented with only
of the following additions and served as control group (G1), Rams either received NSS
(100mg/kg BW) (G2), or ingested Curcumin 100mg/kg BW (G3), or ingested
Ginger100mg /kg BW (G4) while the last group ingested (0.5% NaHCO3 + 0.5%
K2CO3) (G5). Thermoregulatory responses (RT, ST and RR) were recoded. Serum
metabolites (TP, Alb, glob, TC, Glucose and triglycerides) and hormones (T3, T4 and
Testosterone were determined. Reproductive performance and semen characteristics
were estimated. The average THI over the study period was 93.85.
It could be indicated that treating rams with medicinal herbs or electrolytes
improve thermoregulatory where they significantly reduced RT, ST and RR. The best
result was for NSS. Moreover, medicinal herbs and electrolytes increased (p≤0.05)
serum glucose, TP and Glb while Alb levels were not affected by NSS or Cur.
Furthermore, treating heat stressed- rams with medicinal herbs and electrolytes led to a
reduced serum TC and TG and increased thyroid hormones and T levels.
Ejaculate volume, Sperm cell motility%, Sperm cell concentration/ml
or/ejaculate , Sperm motility and sperm motility/ejaculate were increased as a result of
supplying medicinal herbs or Electrolytes, where motility% were increased by 12.25,
9.93, 10.56 and 9.45% by using NSS, Cur, Gin, and Electro., respectively comparing to
control. In addition, significant reductions have been shown in the percentage of
abnormal sperm in all treated rams compared to the control group. Scrotal circumference
and Length of Urethral process were larger in treated rams.
Finally, medicinal herbs and electrolyte could be used effectively to ameliorate heat
stress in rams during hot climates and improve most of semen characteristics.
Key words: Rams, heat stress, Nigella s