Investigation of the effects of tomato greenhouse pruning by-products added to the ration at different levels on some biochemical, physiological and oxidative stress parameters in lambs

Due to the rapid increase in the population in the world, nutritional problems became more important than ever. Although our country is an agricultural country, it has problems in terms of animal feeding. Therefore, the need for alternative feeds in animal nutrition is increasing. In line with this result, it is very important for our country to close the feed deficit for animal husbandry to ensure that the tomato leaves, which are released in large quantities from the intensively produced tomato plant, are removed from being a waste product and recycled as an alternative feed raw material. Within the scope of this thesis, some biochemical, physiological and oxidative stress parameters obtained as a result of adding different levels of fermented tomato leaves (FDY) to the rations of Anatolian Merinos lambs were investigated. In the experimental setup, 24 male lambs, 65±5 days old, 19.61±4.33 kg initial live weight, were used. They were randomly placed in the paddocks in a block order and divided into 3 groups. The study was completed in 8 weeks. These groups are control, 2.5% FDY and 5% FDY and each of these groups have 8 animals. While the control group was given a basic ration without FDY throughout the experiment, the 2.5% FDY group and the 5% FDY group were fed with a ration containing 2.5% FDY and 5% FDY in total mixed ration (TMR), respectively. During the study, individual daily feed consumption of each animal was determined, body weights and body measurements were recorded every week. During the trial period, blood samples were taken every 14 days, a total of 5 times. In addition, feces samples were taken from each animal rectally, once a day, in the last 3 days of the study. At the end of the study, liver and kidney were weighted and intestinal samples were taken and analyzed of the lambs that were slaughtered. As soon as the contents were taken from the rumen during slaughter, pH value was measured and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile analyzes were performed. Statistical evaluation of the analysis results was made in the SAS program. When the obtained data are examined; it was observed that there was no change in parameters related to performance and growth, feces output and organ weights (p>0.05). On the other hand, it was determined that in hematology and serum biochemistry measurements; urea nitrogen (BUN) and granulocyte percentage (GRA%) values, in serum lipid profile; non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and phospholipid values, in rumen parameters; pH value and in small intestine parameters; absorbance surface value were affected (p≤0.05). As a result of this study; pruning by-products that are normally considered as waste and can both potentially harm the environment and economy, can be used as an alternative feed raw material with an equivalent value to alfalfa pellets in ruminants by adding them to the ration at the applied rates and also from these results, it has been concluded that these waste materials can be consumed with both reducing animal feed cost and higher added value.