Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of propylene glycol (PG) added to the water sheep drank during lactation on protein and mineral metabolites of their suckling lambs. We assessed 24 lambs born to sheep fed levels of propylene glycol in the water (0; 1.5; 3.0 and 4.5%). The sheep were subdivided according to a completely randomized design, in a split-plot scheme. There was no interaction effect between lamb age and amount of PG provided to the sheep on the concentration of protein and mineral metabolites of the lambs. The concentration of total protein, globulin, and albumin: globulin ratio, uric acid and creatinine in the lambs was not affected by the inclusion of PG (p > 0.05). The concentration of urea and magnesium in the lambs presented a quadratic response as a function of the addition of PG; there was linear response for albumin concentration. The addition of PG to the sheep’s diet and the lambs’ age affect the concentration of protein and mineral metabolites in the lambs. However, using PG to feed lactating sheep does not have negative effects on the lambs’ blood parameters, as evidenced by the absence of nutritional deficiency (protein and minerals) in the suckling lambs.
Highlights
The adequate growth and slaughter of lambs at early age require, in addition to genetic factors, proper feeding
There was no interaction between lamb age and propylene glycol (PG) levels in the sheep’s food for concentration of total protein, globulin and albumin: globulin ratio
The concentration of these metabolites in the offspring was not affected by the addition of PG to the water the mothers drank (p > 0.05), remaining within the range considered normal for species
Summary
The adequate growth and slaughter of lambs at early age require, in addition to genetic factors, proper feeding. Considering that good performance by these animals in the growth phase is directly related to milk production by their mothers, it is fundamental to adopt strategies aiming at increasing milk production and, a greater performance by lambs. Called 1,2-propanediol, is a product with applications in the food, beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. It is obtained through the hydrogenolysis of glycerol in the presence of a metallic and hydrogenic catalyst (Chun, Beltramini, Fan, & Lu, 2007).
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