Siberian Journal of Life Sciences and AgricultureSiberian Journal of Life Sciences and AgricultureSiberian Journal of Life Sciences and Agriculture2658-66492658-6657Science and Innovation Center Publishing House48044010.12731/2658-6649-2026-18-3-1479AAJDOFФизиология человека и животныхHuman and Animal PhysiologyResearch ArticleEffect of synbiotic supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites in Arabi lambshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8713-0921BannaiJinan Abdul Aziz
Iraq

PhD, Prof.

jenan.banna@uobasrah.edu.iqhttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-9043-2937KhalafAbass Nasser
Iraq

MSc., Assist. Prof.

husseinalihasan526@gmail.comhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1568-4463Al-GalbiHanaa Ali Jabar
Iraq

PhD, Prof.

hanaa.jaba@uobasrah.edu.iqhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7086-9711AlmayyahiAymen Abdulaali
Iraq

PhD, Prof.

aymen.abdulali@stu.edu.iqCollege of Veterinary Medicine, University of BasrahMaysan Education Directorate, Ministry of EducationCollege of Agriculture, University of BasrahManagement Technical College, Southern Technical Universityen3006202630062026202618311272610202526022026Received:26102025Accepted:26022026Published:30062026Copyright ©; 2026, J.A.A. Bannai, A.N. Khalaf, H.A.J. Al-Galbi, A.A. AlmayyahiCopyright ©; 2026, Jinan A., Khalaf A., Al-Galbi H., Almayyahi A.2026J.A.A. Bannai, A.N. Khalaf, H.A.J. Al-Galbi, A.A. AlmayyahiJinan A., Khalaf A., Al-Galbi H., Almayyahi A.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0https://journals.rcsi.science/2658-6649/article/view/480440480440/480440-1257454-1-PB.pdf

Background. A synobiotic is a product of living microorganisms and their metabolites, which when consumed can benefit the health of the host animal by affecting the microbial balance in the stomach or gut.

Purpose. To assess the growth performance and nutrient utilization of diet supplementation with synbiotic to Arabi lambs.

Methodology. Thirty male lambs, approximately four months old, were used in a 105-day feeding trial, which included a 15-day adaptation period. Animals were randomly and evenly allocated into three dietary groups. The control group received a basal diet composed of 40% concentrate and 60% alfalfa hay. The second and third groups were offered the same basal diet supplemented with 3 kg/ton and 5 kg/ton synbiotic, respectively. Parameters measured included body weight, total and daily weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and apparent nutrient digestibility.

Results. Synbiotic supplementation at 3 kg/ton and 5 kg/ton increased final body weight by 15.50% and 14.28%, respectively, compared with the control group. Likewise, total and daily weight gains improved by 40.19% and 33.83%, respectively. Feed intake showed a slight increase (2.11%), whereas feed conversion ratio improved markedly, decreasing by 24.97% and 22.32% in the 3 kg and 5 kg synbiotic groups, respectively. Digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in both supplemented groups.

Conclusion. The moderate synbiotic supplementation (3 kg/ton) optimizes nutrient utilization, enhances growth performance, and improves feed efficiency in Arabi lambs under Basrah field.

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