Abstract
Simple SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of mineral supplementation on the serum concentration of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in pre- and postpartum Blackbelly sheep throughout three successive lambing periods under free grazing conditions in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region. The field work was carried out between January 2015 and February 2018 using 20 Blackbelly females. The flock was randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (G1), who were fed forage plus a supplementation (Pecutrin® Mineral supplement plus vitamins A, D3, and E. Bayer HealthCare); and Group 2 (G2), who were fed forage only without mineral supplementation. In this study, we showed that Blackbelly sheep raised under free grazing conditions (G2) had very low serum calcium values, and supplementation was unable to improve them. Meanwhile, phosphorus and magnesium values were below the required levels, but after supplementation (G1), they exceeded the minimum threshold. Mineral supplementation in the rearing of sheep in grazing systems is necessary during the entire production cycle, but it must be done taking into account the soil–plant–animal relationship, specifically for the Amazonian Region systems.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of mineral supplementation on the serum concentration of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in pre- and postpartum Blackbelly sheep throughout three successive lambing periods under free grazing conditions in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region. The field work was carried out between January 2015 and February 2018 using 20 Blackbelly sheep belonging to the Centre for Research, Postgraduate Studies and Conservation of Amazon Biodiversity, Ecuador. The flock was randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (G1) was fed with forage plus a supplementation (Pecutrin® Mineral supplement plus vitamins A, D3, and E. Bayer HealthCare) and Group 2 (G2) was fed only with forage without mineral supplementation. Three blood samples from the coccygeal vein were taken from each sheep 30 days before lambing, 30 days after, and 60 days after lambing. Concerning the average of calcium, significant differences were found at different times inside each group and also between them (p < 0.0001 in both cases). As for the phosphorus, significant differences were found between the means of the groups for all times from 30 days after the second lambing season (p < 0.05). It was observed that the groups differed significantly in terms on the average of magnesium (considering a significance level of 0.05) 30 days before the first lambing and at all times measured from the 30 days after the second lambing (p < 0.005). In this study, we showed that Blackbelly sheep raised under free grazing conditions in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region had very low serum calcium values, and supplementation was unable to improve them. Meanwhile, phosphorus and magnesium levels were below the required values, but after supplementation, they exceeded the minimum threshold. Mineral supplementation in the rearing of sheep in grazing systems is necessary during the entire production cycle, but it must be done taking into account the soil–plant–animal relationship specifically for the Amazonian Region systems.
Highlights
The Blackbelly breed is of utmost relevance for meat production in the Ecuadorian AmazonRegion, as it can adapt to extreme conditions
We showed that Blackbelly sheep raised under free grazing conditions in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region had very low serum calcium values, and supplementation was unable to improve them
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of mineral supplementation on the serum concentration of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in pre- and postpartum Blackbelly sheep throughout three successive lambing periods under free grazing conditions in the Ecuadorian
Summary
The Blackbelly breed is of utmost relevance for meat production in the Ecuadorian Amazon. As it can adapt to extreme conditions. This fact is reflected in its low mortality, precocity and high reproductive fertility (multiple births), medium size, and productive longevity [1]. The soils of the Amazonian Region, with a pH lower than 5.5 during most of the year, generate restrictions on plants. The soil acidity modifies physical and chemical properties. These negative effects are reflected by an excess of certain minerals—such as aluminum—and the deficiency of others, for instance, molybdenum. It should be considered that forage resources have fluctuations throughout the year, both in quantity and in quality [4]
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