Effect of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) powder on acid-base balance, rumen, and blood constituents in healthy Egyptian sheep

Abstract

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an important medicinal plant and widely used in the treatments of a variety of diseases such as digestive and pulmonary disorders in human. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of thyme powder on acid-base balance, rumen, and blood constituents in apparently healthy Egyptian sheep. Ten Egyptian ewes were given thyme powder (500 mg/kg bodyweight) orally in the morning before breakfast feeding for 5 days. Blood samples and rumen juice were collected in the morning on zero (control), 3rd, and 5th day before feeding. There was a significant increase in blood pH, bicarbonate, base excess, rumen fluid pH, WBCS, lymphocytes, MCH, and MCHC; on the other hand, total protozoal count, total volatile fatty acids, and total serum protein were significantly decreased. Depending on changes in acid-base balance, rumen, and blood constituents, it can be recommended using thyme powder 500 mg/kg for 5 days as an immune stimulant and in treatment of indigestion, and rumen acidosis in sheep.