Influence of Age, Parity, and Fetuses’ Number on Blood Parameters in RembiEwes during Late Pregnancy in Semi-Arid zone, Algeria

Abstract

Several nutritional problems can be observed in ewes with advanced pregnancy when energy demands related to fetal development increase, then can hurt ewes and their lambs during this period. The aim of our study was the assessment of hematological and some biochemical parameters changes in ewes during late pregnancy and the influence of age, parity, and fetuses number on the latter. In this study blood samples were collected from forty ewes of the Rembi breed during the end of pregnancy, housed in the region of Tiaret, aged 2 to 6 years old. The choice of these ewes was made randomly. Our results recorded a decrease in the values of red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), Iron (Fe), and glucose (Glu), plus an increase in total white blood cells (WBC) compared to the range of reference.Statistical analyzes showed a significant influence of age on the RBC and Fe values with a highly significant influence of parity on the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) value. Our results recorded a positive correlation between (RBC, Hb, and Ht) and Glu value, whereas a negative correlation was found between WBC and platelets (PLA). Metabolic diseases due to nutritional problems are very important in ewes at the end of pregnancy, and then it is necessary to highlight the changes that can adversely affect lambing and lamb viability in this physiological stage.