Abstract
Objective of the present study was to develop an experimental model that could be used for the study of pregnancy toxaemia in ewes. The study included 28 ewes, which initially had received effective anthelmintic treatment and, then, received a mixture of trichostrongylid infective larvae. Until the 60th day of pregnancy, per ewe daily ration was 1.30kg of a concentrate feed (net energy: 0.844 FUL) plus 2.50kg of alfalfa hay. From the 60th to 100th day of pregnancy, per ewe daily ration was 0.60kg of the same concentrate plus 2.00kg of hay. From the 100th day of pregnancy, per ewe daily ration was 0.50kg of a reduced energy concentrate feed (net energy: 0.748 FUL) plus 0.50kg of alfalfa hay for ewes with one foetus; during that period, respective figures for ewes with two foetuses were 0.60kg and 0.50kg and for ewes with three foetuses were 0.80kg and 0.50kg. In total, 16 ewes developed increased β-hydroxybutyrate blood concentrations, characteristic of pregnancy toxaemia. There was a significant reverse correlation (P=0.016) between blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations and lamb birth bodyweight. Ewes with pregnancy toxaemia had greater faecal epg counts than ewes with no pregnancy toxaemia (P<0.025); there was also a significant reverse correlation between faecal epg counts and lamb birth bodyweight (P=0.03) and a significant correlation between blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations and faecal epg counts (P<0.001). Ewes with pregnancy toxaemia also had smaller blood concentrations of glucose than ewes with no pregnancy toxaemia (P=0.033). In conclusion, administration of a concentrate feed with reduced energy content during the last stage of pregnancy induced pregnancy toxaemia in ewes, at the same time covering satiation requirements of the animals and thus maintaining welfare standards. Parasitism might have further contributed to improving the efficacy of the model.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
