Effect of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and cumin (Carum carvi) powder and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in comparison with monensin on in vitro gas production parameters, protozoa population and microbial enzyme activity of sheep

The aim of present research was to investigate effects of supplementation lambs’ fattening diet with fennel and cumin powder and Saccharomyces cerevisiaein comparison with monensin on in vitro gas production and fermentation parameters, nutrient digestibility, microbial enzyme activity and protozoa population. Seven experimental diets were 1) control diet (basal diet) and supplementing control diet with 2) 8 g fennel (F) 8 g cumin (C) powder per kg DM (1 to 1 ratio), 3) 12 g F 4 g C (75 to 25 ratio), 4) 5 g yeast per kg diet DM, 5) 5 g yeast 8 g F 8 g C (1 to 1 ratio), 6) 5 g yeast 12 g F 4 g C (75 to 25 ratio), and 7) 30 mg monensin per kg diet DM. Diets were incubated in rumen liquor in a completely randomized design. The highest gas production during 24 and 48 h of incubation, total gas production, short chain fatty acids, organic matter digestibility and estimated metabolizable energy were observed in the diet containing yeast along with F and C (75 to 25 ratio) compared to control diet (P