DOI: 10.36347/sajp

Pages: 374-378

This study investigated the effects of feeding commercial oil of the Black cumin (seeds of Nigella sativa) on the levels of total cholesterol and the body weights in sheep. Twelve male cross breed sheep were divided individually into two groups on the basis of their weights. Each cage was supplied with fattening ration prepared as pellets at the rate of one kilogram per day. Barseem and water were supplied ad libitum throughout the day. The sheep were fed the commercial ration for two weeks as an adaptation period and then they were subjected to a feeding programme for 6 weeks as follows: In group I (control group) sheep’s received pellets. In group II (treated group) received pellets mixed with 4.7% (47 gram) of black cumin NS oil seeds. Black seed oil of N. sativa significantly increased serum cholesterol and the body weights at the end of experimental period (6 weeks) compared to time zero. The treated group showed significant elevation. Feeding of black seed oil to the diets of sheep resulted in significant elevation in Serum total cholesterol and the body weights.