The effect of high calcium intake by pregnant Awassi ewes at late gestation on minerals status and performance of ewes and newborn lambs

Abstract

Calcium (Ca) requirement increase rapidly by pregnant ewes at late gestation as a result of high fetal growth. Furthermore, Ca deficiency results in poor growth and bone development in growing newborn lambs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium supplementation (Calcium carbonate–CC) and vitamin AD 3E injection (75,000 IU/shot) to pregnant Awassi ewes at late gestation (− 45 days prepartum) on their mineral levels and performance of their newborn lambs. Forty pregnant Awassi ewes at late gestation (65 ± 6.1 kg) were selected before parturition (− 45 days; using hormonal sponges for estrus synchronization) and randomly divided to 4 dietary treatments. The treatments were: group 1 Control (1.4% CC); group 2 (2.4% CC); group 3 (1.4% CC + 2 shots vitamin AD3E at − 45 and − 21 days prepartum); group 4 (2.4% CC + 2 shots vitamin AD3E at − 45 and − 21 days prepartum). Blood samples were collected from ewes (− 45, 0 days prepartum: 30 and 60 days postpartum) and lambs (0, 30 and 60 days old). Average milk yield and samples were collected. Body weights of lambs were taken at birth, 30 and 60 days old. Blood serum and milk samples were prepared and analyzed by AAS for Ca, Mg, Co, Mn and Cu concentrations. Calcium concentrations in bloods serum of ewes, 0 and 60 days postpartum, and lambs at weaning (60 days old) from group 4 were significantly ( P < 0.05) higher compared to other groups. No significant effect ( P > 0.05) of treatment on Co, Mg and Cu in blood serum of ewes and lambs except for Cu concentration in ewes. Moreover, a significant increase ( P < 0.01) in milk inorganic% (30 and 60 days samples) in ewes from group 2 when compared with other groups. The average milk yield (AMY) of ewes from group 2 and 4 at late stage of lactation (45–60 days) were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) compared to groups 1 and 3. In addition, Ca% in colostrums samples from ewes in groups 2 and 4 were significantly higher ( P < 0.01). The average daily gain (ADG) and total body gain for lambs up to weaning (60 days old) were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in groups 1 and 2 compared with the other groups. In conclusion, increasing level of Ca intake in feed of Awassi ewes at late gestation, with or without vitamin AD 3E injections, improve the calcium concentration in colostrums and blood serum of ewes and their lambs without negative effect in their health and performance.