Abstract
Simple SummaryThe present study assessed the effects of maternal parity, weight, body condition score (BCS), and pregnancy rank (single vs. multiple) on maternal metabolism during pregnancy and subsequent lactation, as well as on lamb birth weight, perinatal viability, and metabolism. The results highlight the relevance of appropriate nutritional management to maintain maternal BCS and offspring metabolism within physiological ranges, allowing sheep to face the metabolic challenges of lactation and pregnancy. Adequate nutrition and management reduce the influence of maternal factors on offspring phenotype.Pregnancy and lactation are challenging states that affect maternal and lamb health. In Lacaune dairy sheep, we evaluated the impact of parity, pregnancy rank, and body condition on body weight and the condition of ewes and lambs in mid-pregnancy (75 ± 5 d), in late pregnancy (142 ± 4d), and postpartum (52 ± 5d pp). Maternal age was associated with initial decreases, followed by increases, in body weight and condition. After lambing, both mature and maiden ewes lost weight and body condition. Maternal indices of glucose, protein, and lipid metabolism were within physiological values during pregnancy, but postpartum values depended on maternal parity and pregnancy rank, with multiple-pregnant ewes showing a postpartum increase in glucose and maiden sheep a postpartum increase in plasma cholesterol concentration. Male lambs were heavier than female lambs at birth, and lambs born to mothers with higher body condition scores were heavier. Lambs born as singletons were heavier than those born in litters. Maternal age and pregnancy rank did not influence lamb metabolic indicators. Sex affected plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Maternal metabolic indicators showed minimal effects on lamb phenotype. These results suggest that, when appropriately fed, dairy sheep can cover the metabolic demands of pregnancy and milk production, regardless of age and pregnancy rank.
Highlights
The productive performance of farms is highly dependent on adequate metabolic status of the animals
The present study suggests that the magnitude of the metabolic challenges imposed by pregnancy depends on maternal age and pregnancy rank in dairy ewes
Maternal BW increased in maiden and adult sheep during pregnancy, but maiden sheep lost Body condition score (BCS) during pregnancy and after lambing, suggesting a loss of conceptus-free live weight
Summary
The productive performance of farms is highly dependent on adequate metabolic status of the animals. During later stages of pregnancy, maternal metabolism focuses mostly on providing energy for fetal development and growth [3] These increased metabolic challenges cannot be met through the intake of increased dry matter in the case of dairy cows or ewes, those in late pregnancy and the early postpartum period. Instead, these animals adapt their metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids [4,5] to maintain their own homeostasis and to channel glucose and other nutrients towards the pregnant uterus and the lactating mammary gland. These events have been intensively studied in cows, but there is a scarcity of data on dairy sheep
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