THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT DIETARY CRUDE PROTEIN LEVEL ON PERFORMANCE AND SERUM IMMUNO-

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) level on serum immunonoglobulin G (IgG) and the performance in male lambs. Twenty Kivircik male lambs were randomly selected for this experiment. Ages ranged between 120−135 days and average body weight was 29.01±3.65 kg. Ten lambs were randomly assigned to each of the two experimental diets containing 10 % CP and 18 % CP respectively, to determine the effects of dietary CP level on performance and serum IgG. Live body weights and daily body weight gains were greater (P<0.05) for lambs fed the 18 % CP diet compared to lambs fed 10 % CP diet on days 30 and 60. Body weights for lambs fed 10 % CP and 18 % CP were 33.36 ± 1.53 kg and 38.63 ± 1.74 kg (day 30), and 37.20 ± 1.30 kg and 43.05 ± 1.05 kg (day 60); respectively. Cumulative feed intakes of groups were similar. Serum IgG values of lambs fed 10 % CP (2.79 ± 0.31 mg/ml) were higher (P< 0.05) than those in the other group (1.98 ± 0.17 mg/ml) on day 0. Differences between serum IgG values on day 30 and 60 were not statistically significant. Key words: crude protein, immunoglobulin, Kivircik lamb, performanc