Abstract
Aim:The present study was conducted to study the effect of propolis administration on bio-hematological parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, and productivity of Barki ewes during late pregnancy and lactation under the arid conditions.Materials and Methods:Twenty-five pregnant Barki ewes were fed the basal diet (n=12, control) and the basal diet plus propolis (5 g/kg diet, n=13) for 1 month before parturition and continued 2 months after parturition. Milk yield and milk composition, hematological constituents, antioxidant enzyme activities, thyroid hormones, and lambs birth and weaning weights, and antioxidants were determined.Results:Significant (p<0.05) increase in white blood cells in the propolis group compared to control was observed. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (Hb) (MCH) and corpuscular Hb (MCH concentration %) were decreased (p<0.05) in propolis compared to control group. Milk yield was increased (p<0.05) in the propolis group compared with control and continued to increase with the advancement of lactation. Milk fat and milk total solids increased (p<0.05) in the propolis group than the control. Plasma immunoglobulin A (IgA) was increased (p<0.05) in propolis compared to control with no effect in IgM and IgG. Superoxide dismutase, hydrogen peroxide (HP), and nitric oxide were decreased (p<0.01) in the propolis group compared to control. Weaning weight for lambs born to ewes fed propolis was increased (p<0.05) at week 8 after birth compared with control lambs. Malondialdehyde and HP activities were decreased (p<0.01) in lambs born to propolis ewes compared to control.Conclusion:Crude Chinese propolis (5 g/d) supplementation improved milk yield, milk composition, and the antioxidant enzymes in Barki ewes and immune functions, growth performance and antioxidant status in their lambs under arid conditions.
Highlights
Sheep meat is considered the second source of red meat after beef and buffalo and contributes 6% of the total red meat production in Egypt [1]
Overall means of superoxide dismutase (SOD), hydrogen peroxide (HP), and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, activity were significantly decreased in propolis group compared with control, while the overall mean of MDA concentrations activity tended to significantly decrease in propolis group compared with control
They inhibit the activity of some enzymes which inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) species by interrupting the reactions leading to the lipid peroxidation that is involved in the process of free radical creation [26]
Summary
Sheep meat is considered the second source of red meat after beef and buffalo and contributes 6% of the total red meat production in Egypt [1]. It is believed that Barki sheep originated from Barkah region at the Republic of Libya and are raised on the west-coast line of the Mediterranean and their population in Egypt is 470.000 heads [3]. The productivity of Barki sheep was reported to be low due to several factors including environment, health conditions, and scarcity of feed which leads to higher oxidative stress and hyperketonemia during. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
