The aim of this study is to determine the influence of physiological status on blood metabolic profile, enzymes and some hormones concentration in the blood of Egyptian buffalo. Investigations were carried out on 24 buffalo (12 pregnant buffalo cows on the 60th day prior to parturition and 12 lactating buffalo cow from 10th day of lactation during winter feeding season). The buffalo cow was average 3 years old and healthy. Buffalo were fed according to Mehlet Moussa Experimental Station which belongs to Animal Production Research Institute, north part of the Nile Delta, Egypt. The present study indicated that there was drop in calcium, sodium, phosphorus and potassium levels during early stage of lactation than pregnant period buffaloes, the opposite trend recorded in chloride levels. The concentrations of plasma glucose, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides and total protein were higher during pregnant period than in lactation period, the opposite trend recorded in creatinine level. The present study indicated that, the blood enzymes (AST, ALT and AlP) activities were insignificantly higher during pregnant period than in lactation period. The concentrations of plasma IGF-1, thyroid hormones and leptin were higher during pregnant period than in lactation period.

The growth performance of lambs attributes the economic viability of animals. Faster growth allows lambs to reach maturity in early age. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare growth performance, blood metabolites and expression of IGF-1, GH, and Leptin genes in three different Egyptian sheep breeds across age. Thirty Egyptian sheep males from three breeds (Ossimi, Rahmani and Barki) were divided into three ages categorize (7-9, 10-12, and 13-16 months). The results showed that there was a significant increase in sheep's live body weights toward advanced ages till the second age category for all breeds, the highest values of linear body measurements were observed in Ossimi breed. There was a non-significant inverse effect of advanced age on blood glucose and total lipids levels in all sheep breeds. There wasn't any significant effect of interaction between age and breed on plasma total protein concentrations. According to age categories, Barki breed showed a significant up-regulation of GH compared to the Ossimi breed in 7-9 months age category. However, Barki breed showed a significant downregulation of IGF-1compared to the Ossimi breed in 7-9 months. Meanwhile, Leptin expression showed significant differences in Ossimi breed between 10-12 months age category and two other age categories. We concluded that measuring of physical body measurements, blood metabolites and GH, IGF-1 and Leptin genes in early ages is a good and accurate indicator for growth performance in Egyptian sheep breeds.