Intake and some indicators of the metabolic status of native ewes in pregnancy and supplemented in grazing system

Abstract

The present study was to evaluate the effect of level of concentrate supplementation on the intake and some indicators of the metabolic parameters of native ewes in pregnancy and supplemented in a grazing system. 28 lactating ewes were selected: 14 Morada Nova (MN) and 14 Santa Inês (SI) were distributed in an experimental design completely randomized in 2x2x3 factorial arrangement with two breeds (MN and SI), two levels of supplementation (0.5 and 1.5% body weight) and three experimental periods (75, 105 and 135 days of pregnancy). The concentrate intake and total dry matter intake (DMI) was higher (P <0.05) on SI ewes and, in animals supplemented with 1.5% of concentrate, where the pregnancy progresses promoted the progressive decrease of DMI. There was breed effect (P <0.05) on metabolic parameters evaluated, in which the two breeds presented the same trend of mobilization of body reserves with decrease (P <0.05) in the body condition score close of parturition. Supplementation did not influence in the metabolic parameters. The metabolic parameters were influenced by breed, however, with normal values, indicating a good adaptability of the MN and SI breeds at the experimental conditions, promoting an evolution of production rates with 0.5% of concentrate supplementation.