Monitoring of blood metabolic profile and milk quality of ewes during lactation in organic farming

Abstract

The aim of this research was to monitor the metabolic profile of blood and the quality of ewes' milk during lactation in organic farming. Biological investigations were carried out on 32 clinically healthy Merinolandschaf ewes during the 3 th lactation on the 20 th , 60 th and 100 th day of lactation. Ewes' milk was analyzed for the non fat dry matter, milk fat, protein, lactose, urea, the somatic cells count (SCC) and te total viable cell number (CFU), as well as for the concentration of fatty acids, atherogenic (AI), thrombogenic (TI) and Δ9-desaturase activity index. Concentrations of minerals (Ca-calcium, P-phosphorus-inorganic, Mg-magnesium, and Fe-iron), biochemical parameters (urea, glucose, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, globulin, NEFA-non-esterified fatty acids, BHBA-beta-hydroxybutyrate) and enzyme activity (ALT-alanine aminotransferase, AST-aspartate aminotransferase, ALP-alkaline phosphatase, CK-creatine kinase and GGT-γ-glutamyl transferase) were analyzed in blood serum. Chemical composition of milk differed among different stages of lactation, which was marked by the increased content of milk fat, the decreased urea concentration, as well as by numeorus changes of fatty acid concentration observed along with lactation progression. Number of SCC and CFU in milk increased during lactation. AT and TI were appropriate in all stages of lactation, which resulted in satisfactory quality of ewes' milk from organic farming. Determined concentrations of certain biochemical parameters (NEFA, triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol, Ca and Fe) in blood of ewes originating from organic farming indicated lower deficit of energy during the 20 th day of lactation, as well as a lack of Ca and Fe concentrations in blood, which most likely occurred due to higher loss through milk. Accordingly, the blood metabolic profile can be considered as an indicator for feeding and health status of ewes during lactation in organic farming.

Influence of Maternal Factors (Weight, Body Condition, Parity, and Pregnancy Rank) on Plasma Metabolites of Dairy Ewes and Their Lambs

“…This may mean that fatter maiden animals did not regulate glucose levels as well as thinner maiden sheep. Nevertheless, glucose levels in all animals in our study were within the physiological range for sheep (32.42–79.99 mg/dl) [34,35,36,37]. This suggests that nutritional management on the study farm was appropriate.…”

The Potential Interaction between Nutrition of Twin-Bearing Ewes' and the Performance Growth of their Newborns

“…The gradual increase of plasma NEFA during the final days of pre-lambing period may be explained by the gradual depression of DMI observed during this time. This increase is due to the required energy for parturition and milk production (Antunovic et al, 2017). The NEFA levels (ranged from 0.42 to 0.46 mmol L-1) in T2 and T3 ewes during peri-lambing period take place in normal levels (NEFA, < 0.45 mmol L-1) described by Mohammadi et al (2016).…”

“…They also defined that twins or triplets lambs imposes more demand on the mammary gland to meet the needs of the offspring and milk production for their growth. Indeed, the effect of nutrition on mammary gland development and suckling milk production appears to be independent of the milk amount (Hunter et al, 2015), the degradability (Antunovic et al, 2017) and dietary protein or energy concentration (Ángeles Hernández et al, 2018). In the current results, feeding ewes on ration contents protein or energy has more appositive results on number and growth of lambing from birth to weaning than control ration.…”

“…Pesántez-Pacheco et al (2019) found that less of serum total protein due to decrease in globulin especially alpha 1 and gamma fractions; this was thought to be due to the production of globulin-rich colostrum. On the other hand, Antunovic et al (2017) found that the ability to synthesize milk appears in sheep three to four weeks before parturition and also drainage of globulins to mammary glands for colostrum synthesis may be considered as a main factor for serum total protein reduction. Recently, Shereef (2020) found that 17% protein in ewes' ration have positive results on immune globulin blood.…”

Influence of organic or inorganic forms of salts rich in phosphorus, copper and zinc on reproduction, productivity and blood constituents in sheep

“…Furthermore, the highest growth rate and waning weight of lambs during the first three months of life, are affected by many factors such as number of lambs born per ewe (Datta et al, 2007), improved of immunity to newly born from dams feeding with by P, Cu and Zn in organic or inorganic forms (Senosy et al, 2018;Strnadová et al, 2011). Supplementation of trace elements had a positive impact on quality milk or milk fat content (Antunovic et al, 2017;Kinal et al, 2007;Wiking et al, 2008;Pechova et al, 2009). After the first few months the newborn became progressively less dependent on the mother milk, as its consumption of solid food increase (Owen.…”