The effect of consumption of Kharkhasak powder on the thyroid hormones and IGF-1 concentrations in blood serum of Arabi male lambs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tribulus terrestris powder on thyroid hormones (T3 &T4) and IGF-I concentrations in blood serum of Arabi male lambs. For this purpose, 18 Arabi male lambs with an average age of 3 months and average weight of 16.14 ± 2 kg were used in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 6 replications per treatment for 5 months. Experimental treatments included the zero (control), 15 and 30 gr/kg of Tribulus Terrestris powder in diet. The weights of lambs were measured monthly. At the age of 4-8 months, 5 consecutive samples were collected monthly to measure serum T3, T4 and IGF-I concentrations. The results showed thatTribulus terrestris powder had no significant effect on body weight. The concentrations of T3 and T4 were higher in lambs treated with Tribulus terrestris powder compared to control group (p<0.05). Concentrations of T3 at the age of 7 months and T4 at 8 months of age in lambs fed 30g/kg of Tribulus terrestris were significantly higher than control group (p<0.05). IGF-I concentration in lambs feed with 15g/kg of Tribulus terrestris at the age of 6 months was higher than control group (p<0.05). In general, the results of this study showed that feeding of 15 g/kg of Tribulus terrestris powder in Arabi male lamb diet by modulating thyroid hormones and IGF-1 and improving the reproductive system, prevents the reduction of sexual behavior and failure of reproductive activity.