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Abstract

Medicinal herbs have been used for several thousand years in traditional medicine and are known to be inexpensive, effective, readily available, and safe to use, with almost no side effects. As no previous research focused on the effect of ginger powder (Zingiber officinale) on acid-base balance in sheep, the goal of this study was studying the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) powder on acid-base balance, rumen, and blood constituents. Ten Egyptian ewes were given ginger powder 500mg/kg bwt orally in the morning before feeding for 5 days. Blood and rumen juice samples were collected in the morning on 0 (control), 3rd, and 5th day before feeding. Results generally showed a significant increase in rumen fluid pH, WBCS, lymphocytes, MCH, and MCHC. Significant decrease in total volatile fatty acids, serum total protein, and globulin were recorded. Ginger maintained acid-base balance, rumen protozoa activity, total protozoa count, rumen ammonia concentration, RBCs, PCV, Hemoglobin, neutrophils, albumin, BUN, Creatinine, GGT, and AST within normal range. Depending on changes in blood and rumen constituents we may suggest a recommendation for using ginger supplementation as 500mg/kg bwt orally for 3-5days as an immune stimulant and in the treatment of rumen acidosis and respiratory affections in sheep.