Late Pregnant Ewes Research Articles

Potential Benefits of Propolis in Large and Small Animal Practices: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Propolis is a resinous substance from a mixture of different plant parts and molecules bees compose. This narrative review article explored the application of propolis in large and small animal practices in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Propolis is applied in different pharmaceutical forms. Due to its numerous biological actions, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiulcer, antitumor, and immunomodulatory, propolis can improve animal health and production. Propolis could be used as an alternative treatment for many diseases, such as mastitis, lumpy skin disease, foot and mouth disease, reproductive disorders, and diarrhea in cattle. Moreover, it could improve weight gain in cattle. In equine, propolis has been used as a local anesthetic and for treating dermatomycosis, chronic bronchitis, and skin wounds. In pigs, propolis has been used to treat enzootic pneumonia and as a prophylaxis for gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in weak pigs. Propolis has been applied to treat caseous lymphadenitis and parasitic diseases in sheep and goats. Furthermore, it improves the immune status of kids and the health status of late pregnant ewes. In dogs and cats, propolis has been applied to treat otitis externa, eye diseases, Cushing’s syndrome, and dermatophytosis. In dogs, propolis can treat transmissible venereal tumors. Moreover, propolis positively affects animal production, average daily gain and milk yield in sheep, growth of calves, lambs, and piglets, and cow’s milk nutritional quality. On the other hand, the addition of propolis to the diet of feedlot bulls and pigs has no effect on their feed intake, hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters, nutrient digestibility, microbial synthesis, and carcass characteristics. Based on the available clinical studies, propolis has potential benefits for animal health in cattle, equine, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, and cats. According to the available literature, propolis is a natural promising agent that can alternate conventional pharmaceuticals, particularly antibiotics. It improves animal health and production with no adverse effects and low cost. Most conducted studies on the efficacy of propolis on animal health and production are in vitro. Due to its scarcity, further controlled clinical trials are recommended to evaluate the exact usefulness of propolis in veterinary medicine and to obtain reliable conclusions on the benefits of propolis in animal health and production.

Erythrocyte morphology variations in late pregnant ewes and their influence on erythrocyte indices

Erythrocyte morphology variations in late pregnant ewes and their influence on erythrocyte indices

Effects of intravenous butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin to late pregnant ewes on the metabolic indices around parturition and weight gain of their lambs after birth.

BackgroundManagement and control of metabolic disorders in sheep around parturition is important. and various researchers have suggested different managerial solutions. Butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin are widely used for curing metabolic disorders resulting from poor nutrition, inadequate management or diseases.ObjectivesIt was hypothesised that butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin could improve the metabolism of ewes around parturition.MethodsTwenty‐eight clinically healthy 3‐year‐old pregnant Afshari ewes from 21 days before parturition were enrolled into four equal groups: control (Ctrl), B+C1, B+C2 and B+C3. The Ctrl group only received intravenous normal saline and B+C1, B+C2 and B+C3 ewes, respectively, received an intravenous combination of 10% butaphosphan and 0.005% cyanocobalamin at 2, 4 and 6 ml/ewe, on Days 19–21, 10–12 and 1–3 before parturition. Blood samples were taken from all the ewes on Days 21, 12 and 3 before lambing at parturition day and on days 3, 12 and 21 after parturition. A body condition score of all the ewes was assessed at blood sampling days, and lambs born from the ewes were weighed at birth and every 2 weeks up to 3 months. Serum concentrations of glucose, cortisol, non‐esterified fatty acids, beta‐hydroxy butyric acid, triglyceride, cholesterol, high‐, low‐ and very‐low‐density lipoproteins, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were measured.ResultsThis drug combination decreased circulating glucose, cortisol, lipid profile and hepatic enzymes via dose‐dependent manner, 6 ml of this drug compound/ewe was more potent than 4 and 2 ml/ewe. The lambs’ weight from mothers receiving 6 ml of this combination was significantly higher than those of the others.ConclusionsIt may be suggested that the intravenous administration of 6 ml/ewe of this combination for 3 consecutive days in three states before parturition had prophylactic effects on metabolic disorders of ewes and enhanced the lambs weight gain after birth.

L-Arginine Nutrition and Metabolism in Ruminants.

L-Arginine (Arg) plays a central role in the nitrogen metabolism (e.g., syntheses of protein, nitric oxide, polyamines, and creatine), blood flow, nutrient utilization, and health of ruminants. This amino acid is produced by ruminal bacteria and is also synthesized from L-glutamine, L-glutamate, and L-proline via the formation of L-citrulline (Cit) in the enterocytes of young and adult ruminants. In pre-weaning ruminants, most of the Cit formed de novo by the enterocytes is used locally for Arg production.In post-weaning ruminants, the small intestine-derived Cit is converted into Arg primarily in the kidneys and, to a lesser extent, in endothelial cells, macrophages, and other cell types. Under normal feeding conditions, Arg synthesis contributes 65% and 68% of total Arg requirements for nonpregnant and late pregnany ewes fed a diet with ~12% crude protein, respectively, whereas creatine production requires 40% and 36% of Arg utilized by nonpregnant and late pregnant ewes, respectively. Arg has not traditionally been considered a limiting nutrient in diets for post-weaning, gestating, or lactating ruminants because it has been assumed that these animals can synthesize sufficient Arg to meet their nutritional and physiological needs. This lack of a full understanding of Arg nutrition and metabolism has contributed to suboptimal efficiencies for milk production, reproductive performance, and growth in ruminants. There is now considerable evidence that dietary supplementation with rumen-protected Arg (e.g., 0.25-0.5% of dietary dry matter) can improve all these production indices without adverse effectson metabolism or health. Because extracellular Cit is not degraded by microbes in the rumen due to the lack of uptake, Cit can be used without any encapsulation as an effective dietary source for the synthesis of Arg in ruminants, including dairy and beef cows, as well as sheep and goats. Thus, an adequate amount of supplemental rumen-protected Arg or unencapsulated Cit is necessary to support maximum survival, growth, lactation, reproductive performance, and feed efficiency, as well as optimum health and well-being in all ruminants.

İkizliğin İleri gebe koyunlar ve bunların kuzularında mineral madde, immunglobulin G ve kuzu doğum ağırlığı üzerine etkisi

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of twinship on the mineral matter, immunoglobulin G (IgG), and lamb birth weight in late pregnant ewes and their lambs. The material of the study consisted of the 18 Kıvırcık breed ewes, which were 130-150 days pregnant, and their 27 newborn lambs. The ewes included in the study were divided into two groups by ultrasound as those carrying a single pregnancy (n=9) and a twin pregnancy (n=9). Body Condition Scores (BCS) were determined and then their blood samples were taken. The lambs born from these ewes were weighed with precision scales as soon as they were born, and blood samples were taken 24 hours after birth. Mineral substance determination from blood samples was made by ICP-OES, and IgG determination was made by ELISA. It was found that serum IgG and mineral matter levels were not affected by twinship in ewes (p>0.05). Calcium (Ca) level was significantly higher in twin lambs compared to single lambs (p0.05). Total protein and globulin values were significantly higher in single lambs than twin lambs (P

The effects of Zinc-Methionine on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance during late pregnancy in ewes

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplements of Zinc-Methionine (Zn-Met) on the zinc concentration of the blood and indices such as insulin resistance and glucose tolerance in late-pregnancy ewes to provide a practical solution to prevent metabolic diseases associated with energy status. In this research, 18 Makouei pregnant ewes were selected and randomized into 3 experimental groups: Group 1: Basal diet containing 10.3 mg Zn/kgDM and no zinc supplementation = CTR (Control); Group 2: Basal diet supplemented with low-dose zinc equivalent to the pregnancy requirements (30 mg Zn/kgDM) = LZN; Group 3: Basal diet supplemented with high-dose zinc (300 mg Zn/kgDM) = HZN. Blood samples for insulin resistance and glucose tolerance indices were collected according to standard methods. The results of this study indicated that supplementation of high-dose Zn-Met decreased (P < 0.05) blood glucose and tended (P < 0.1) to reduce the beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations. After intravenous injection of glucose and insulin, none of the glucose tolerance and insulin resistance indices were significant among groups (P > 0.05). However, the intravenous glucose tolerance test (IGTT) showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of serum glucose in the HZN group was numerically lower than that of the LZN and CTR groups. Furthermore, the numerically higher clearance rate (CR) of glucose and more negative glucose AUC following intravenous administration of insulin in Zinc-supplemented groups suggested that the ewes had greater insulin response than control group. The results showed a decrease in blood glucose concentration due to higher zinc intake after insulin injection and supported the evidence for improving insulin sensitivity. In addition, our results showed that ewes receiving zinc supplementation experienced a more favorable state of BHB or NEFA values. In conclusion, Zn-Met supplementation was found to have promising effects in improving energy metabolism in late pregnant ewes. However, further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms involved in regulating lipolysis and energy metabolism.

Effect of dietary protein on growth performance, and serum biochemical index in late pregnant Hu ewes and their offspring

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different protein levels in late pregnancy on ewe and lamb growth performance, serum biochemical indexes. Thirty-three ewes (46.4 ± 1.38 kg initial weight) were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 11 ewes in each group. The protein levels of three diets formulated to provide components to meet 10.00 MJ/kg ME requirements diets were: 10.12%, 11.26%, 12.4%. Ewes were raised from the 90th day of pregnancy to the end of delivery, and the lambs were weaned at 60 days. Dietary protein levels had significant effects on blood urea nitrogen, glucose, ammonia nitrogen and triglyceride of ewes (p < 0.05). The height, chest depth, chest circumference, straight crown hip length and curved crown hip length of lambs decreased at first and then increased with the increase of protein. The body length, chest circumference, head width and head length of weaned lambs decreased at first and then increased with the increase of protein. The results showed that when the dietary protein level was increased to 12.4%, the amino acid, glucose and fat metabolism of ewes were affected. The body size development of lambs was better than 10.12% and 11.26% proteins.

Bee propolis extract as a phytogenic feed additive to enhance diet digestibility, rumen microbial biosynthesis, mitigating methane formation and health status of late pregnant ewes

Late pregnancy is one of the most critical stressed periods of reproductive lives of ewes that can effectively affect the whole animal subsequent productive life. Propolis is considered as an effective enhancer of rumen fermentation and the whole animal health conditions in growing and dairy cattle; however no study has confirmed these positive effects in late pregnant ewes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of supplementing red propolis extract (RPE) on apparent digestibility, purine derivatives, methane (CH4) emission and blood metabolites of late pregnant ewes. Eighteen Santa Inês ewes (52.5 ± 2.50 kg body weight) were kept individually in indoor pens. The trail lasted for 44 d of which 14 d were for adaptation and 30 d for data collection. Ewes were allotted into a randomized complete block design (9 blocks × 2 dietary treatments). The treatments were: control diet (CTL); the basal diet without supplementations and propolis diet (RPE); the basal diet supplemented with 3 g RPE/ ewe/ day. The GC/MS analysis of RPE showed 20 different components all belonging to the flavonoids class were detected. Propolis supplementation increased (P = 0.02) organic matter and crud protein digestibility compared to the control. Higher intake of nitrogen (P = 0.03) and body N retention (P = 0.01) were observed with RPE supplementation compared to CTL, also, the retained N expressed as g/g N intake tended to increase (P = 0.063). The administration of RPE increased (P < 0.05) urinary allantoin derivative excretion and also total purine derivatives (PD) tended to increase (P = 0.06) for RPE compared to CTL. Enhanced individual, total short chain fatty acids and acetate/propionate ratio were exhibited (P < 0.05) by RPE supplementation compared to CTL. Additionally, RPE decreased (P < 0.05) CH4 emission compared to CTL. All hematological parameters and biochemical parameters including total protein, globulin and glucose were enhanced (P < 0.05) by RPE supplementation compared to CTL. Propolis supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the tested hormones cortisol, triiodothyronine and thyroxine compared to CTL. This study illustrated that RPE represent a promising diet natural supplement for supporting body activates during the transition from late pregnancy to lactation without adverse impact on either animal productivity or environment.

The effect of twinship on selected hematological and biochemical parameters in late pregnant ewes

This study aimed to determine the effect of twinship on the hematological and biochemical parameters in ewes of the Kıvırcık breed commonly raised in the Thrace region of Turkey. The study material consisted of 30 Kıvırcık ewes at days 130-150 of gestation, aged 3-5 years, weighing 55.61 ± 0.76 kg. After ultrasound examination, the ewes included in the study were divided into a single-pregnant group (n = 15) and a twinpregnant group (n = 15), and their blood samples were taken. The levels of red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB) white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes (LYM), monocytes (MON), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, cholesterol, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were determined in their blood samples. It was found that, although twinship did not affect hemogram values in ewes (p &gt; 0.05), the biochemical parameters, BHBA, ALT, and AST values, were significantly affected by twinship (p &lt;0.05). A high positive correlation was found between BHBA and NEFA. Thus it was concluded that twin pregnancy did not cause any significant changes in hematological parameters in Kıvırcık ewes. However, the significantly higher BHBA in twin-pregnant ewes and the high positive correlation between BHBA and NEFA indicate that the negative energy balance started to affect these animals, and a carbohydrate deficiency emerged. Therefore, twin-pregnant ewes should be monitored closely to reduce the risk of ketosis.

Interactions between the immune system and the ruminant conceptus

Interactions of the conceptus with the immune system can involve either anti-sperm or anti-conceptus immune responses that limit the success of pregnancy of beneficial effects of cytokines released from lymphoid cells on embryonic growth and gene expression. The immune system is functional in the uterus and therefore there is the potential for anti-conceptus immune responses. However, endometrial lymphocytes are distinct in many respects from lymphoid cells at peripheral sites; one major subpopulation expresses the gamma delta T-cell receptor and may not recognize major histocompatibility antigens. There are also several control systems to limit anti-conceptus immune responses. In particular, expression of major histocompatibility antigens on the trophoblast is either absent or of limited distribution. In addition, activation of anti-conceptus immune responses leading to cytolytic responses is further limited by the presence of molecules that can inhibit lymphocyte transformation. The most well-characterized of these are prostaglandin E2 from placental and endometrial tissues, interferon-tau from the trophoblast during early pregnancy, and two endometrial proteins called the uterine milk proteins (UTMP). Progesterone plays a central role in inhibition of immune responses in actions that are mediated at least in part through endometrial secretion of UTMP. Cytokines play important roles as autocrine and paracrine regulators in many tissues including the reproductive tract. In ruminants, the best described example is interferon-tau. Other cytokines found in the reproductive tract or produced by the conceptus include interleukin-1, leukaemia inhibitory factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and interleukin-6. It is possible that the major source of cytokines in the reproductive tract is non-lymphoid cells of the endometrium and trophoblast. It is not known to what extent endometrial lymphocytes contribute to the cytokine milieu because no cytokine has been identified as a product of endometrial lymphocytes. However, there is a population of granulated lymphocytes that increase in number and granularity in the luminal epithelium of the late-pregnant ewe that is a potential source of cytokines.

Ovine uterine artery hydrogen sulfide biosynthesis in vivo: effects of ovarian cycle and pregnancy†.

Uterine vasodilation dramatically increases during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle and pregnancy, which are estrogen-dominant physiological states. Uterine vasodilation is believed to be mainly controlled by local uterine artery (UA) production of vasodilators and angiogenic factors. The extremely potent vasodilator and proangiogenic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is synthesized via metabolizing L-cysteine by cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CTH). This study was designed to determine if UA H2S production increases with augmented expression and/or activity of CBS and/or CTH during the ovarian cycle and pregnancy in sheep. Uterine arteries from intact nonpregnant (NP) luteal and follicular phase and late (130-135 days, term≈145 days) pregnant (P) ewes were collected; endothelium-enriched proteins (UAendo) and endothelium-denuded smooth muscle (UAvsm) were mechanically prepared for accessing CBS and CTH proteins by immunoblotting; their cellular localization was determined by semi-quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy. H2S production was measured by the methylene blue assay. Immunoblotting revealed that CBS but not CTH protein was greater in P>>>NP follicular>luteal UAendo and UAvsm (P<0.001). H2S production was greater in P>>>NP UAendo and UAvsm (P <0.01). Pregnancy-augmented UAendo and UAvsm H2S production was inhibited by the specific CBS but not CTH inhibitor. CBS and CTH proteins were localized to both endothelium and smooth muscle; however, only CBS protein was significantly greater in P vs NP UA endothelium and smooth muscle. Thus, ovine UA H2S production is significantly augmented via selectively upregulating endothelium and smooth muscle CBS during the follicular phase and pregnancy in vivo.

Downregulation of LRb in VMH/DMH during the second half of gestation and upregulation of SOCS-3 in ARC in late-pregnant ewes – Implications for leptin resistance

To investigate factors involved in pregnancy-induced regulation of tissue sensitivity to leptin, we determined leptin concentrations and expression levels of the long form of the leptin receptor (LRb) and suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)-3 in the ventro- and dorsomedial nuclei (VMH/DMH), arcuate nucleus (ARC), median eminence (ME) and anterior pituitary (AP) in 15 Polish Longwool ewes euthanized at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of pregnancy and before gestation (n = 3 per group). Leptin concentrations increased during the first half of pregnancy, peaked on day 60, and then declined. In the VMH/DMH, LRb mRNA levels decreased from day 60 of pregnancy; in the ARC, LRb mRNA levels remained stable before and throughout pregnancy. LRb expression in the ME was lower in the first two months of pregnancy than before pregnancy (P < 0.01) and peaked at day 90. In the AP, LRb mRNA levels were higher during mid-pregnancy (P < 0.05) than before pregnancy. SOCS-3 expression in the VMH/DMH was higher throughout gestation (P < 0.05) than before pregnancy but was undetectable at day 120. SOCS-3 transcript levels were higher in the ARC (P < 0.05) in late-pregnancy (at day 120) than in non-pregnant ewes. SOCS-3 mRNA levels in the ME were lower at days 30 and 60 (P < 0.05) than at day 120 or before pregnancy. In the AP, SOCS-3 transcription was stable throughout gestation except at day 120, when it increased (P < 0.05). The changes in plasma leptin concentrations during pregnancy, hypothalamic LRb downregulation in the VMH/DMH during the second half of gestation and SOCS-3 upregulation in the ARC in late-pregnant ewes identified here may be essential components of the mechanisms driving ovine leptin insensitivity.

The Diagnostic Value of Acute phase proteins in Barki Ewes with Pregnancy Toxemia

Pregnancy toxemia is a fatal metabolic disease resulting in high mortalities. The silent nature of the disease and lack of diagnostic tools decrease the chance of prediction and curing. In this paper we tried to find out the benefits of APPs, cytokines, and iron profile in diagnosis and prediction of the disease and their relation with other disease metabolic changes. Blood samples were collected from sixty barki ewes housed in Mattroh Research Station and were divided into 3groups; control, healthy late pregnant ewes, and pregnant toxemic ewes group. Biochemical analysis such as BHB, NEFA, Fb, Cp, Hp, SAA, Tf, Serum ferritin concentrations, Cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6,IL10, TNF-α) were measured and all the data were analyzed statically. The results confirmed that APPs and cytokines are valuable markers for pregnancy toxemia as they have a sensitivity and NPV as100% and high values of specificity, LR, PPV and accuracy rate. But APPs have higher percentages of increase than cytokines, especially Hp. Moreover, both of APPs and cytokines correlate well with other metabolic changes of the disease. Regarding the iron status, there was a significant decrease in mean concentrations of serum iron, ferritin, TF sat. % and a significant elevation in TIBC, UBIC and serum transferrin concentrationsin late pregnant ewes in comparison to control healthy group. On the other hand, the pregnancy toxemic ewes demonstrated a significant rise in the mean concentrations of serum iron, ferritin, TF sat. % and a significant drop in TIBC, UBIC and serum transferrin concentrations relative to the late pregnant group.

Behavioural and physiological changes in pregnant ewes after winter shearing

Our aim was to characterize the behavioural and physiological changes provoked by winter shearing of late pregnant ewes. Twelve ewes were shorn at 120 days of gestation, and the remaining 12 ewes remained unshorn as controls. The frequency in which animals were standing, lying down, and grazing, and the distance to the closest member of the group were recorded from Day -3 to Day -1 (shearing = Day 0), from Day 1 to Day 5, and on Days 13 and 20-21. The blood total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were also determined in blood samples collected immediately before shearing, and on Days 10, 15 and 22. Shearing pregnant ewes triggered behavioural changes, such as decreased time allocation to resting and greater allocation to standing and grazing than controls possibly reflecting an increased consumption. The time allocated to grazing increased after shearing and remained higher than controls until the end of the study. During the first two days after shearing ewes were more dispersed probably due to difficulties in recognizing flock-mates. Total protein concentration was slightly greater in shorn ewes.

Estradiol-17β stimulates H2 S biosynthesis by ER-dependent CBS and CSE transcription in uterine artery smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), synthesized by cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), is a potent vasodilator that can be stimulated by estradiol-17β (E 2 β) in uterine artery (UA) smooth muscle (UASMC) in vivo; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This study tested a hypothesis that E 2 β stimulates H 2 S biosynthesis by upregulating CBS expression via specific estrogen receptor (ER). Treatment with E 2 β stimulated time- and concentration- dependent CBS and CSE messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expressions, and H 2 S production in cultured primary UASMC isolated from late pregnant ewes, which were blocked by ICI 182,780. Treatment with specific ERα or ERβ agonist mimicked these E 2 β-stimulated responses, which were blocked by specific ERα or ERβ antagonist. Moreover, E 2 β activated both CBS and CSE promoters and ICI 182,780 blocked the E 2 β-stimulated responses. Thus, E 2 β stimulates H 2 S production by upregulating CBS and CSE expression via specific ER-dependent transcription in UASMC in vitro.

IMPACT OF SPIRULINA PLATENSIS ALGAE AND VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENTATION TO LATE PREGNANT EWES ON THEIR LAMB’S SURVIVABILITY AND PERFORMANCE

Micronutrient supplementation during late gestation can enhance the metabolic profile and physiological wellbeing of ewes and their lambs. This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of Spirulina platensis (SP) and vitamin A supplementation during late gestation on the pregnant ewes’ health and their newly born lambs’ viability and performance. One month before lambing, thirty six pregnant ewes (47.4±0.52 kg BW) were randomly assigned into three experimental groups (n=6 with 2 replicates for each treatment) and received one of three treatments: intramuscular injection of 1 mL saline per ewe twice a week (control); 1 g/10 kg BW of ewes /day of Spirulina platensis powder (SP) was added to the concentrate mixture; and intramuscular injection of 1 mL vitamin A (50,000 IU) per ewe twice a week. Results revealed that significantly (P< 0.05) decreased in the ewes’ serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and increased the serum creatinine level of control group after lambing. However, supplementation with SP and vitamin A normalized serum ALT activity and creatinine level after lambing. Also, SP enhanced serum levels of glucose, triacylglycerol and total cholesterol after lambing. In addition, supplementation of late pregnant ewes with SPincreased total leucocytes count and serum vitamin A concentration of their newly born lambs. Furthermore, SP and vitamin A supplementation to the pregnant ewes increased newly born lambs’ birth weights and body temperatures, while they decreased the stillbirth by 56% (11.1%) and 43% (14.3%), respectively compared to those of the control group (25%). Finally, SP and vitamin A ameliorated the lambing-induced stress in ewes and lambs represented by reducing serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha in both ewes and their lambs. Thus, supplementation of pregnant ewes with SP and vitamin A improved their health at lambing and enhanced their lambs’ survivability and performance.

Physiological Response and Haematological Profile of Reproductive Ewe Consuming Diet Supplemented with Black Tea Extract and Sunflower Seed Oil

This study was aimed to examine the effect of black tea extract addition in diet containing 4% and 6% sunflower oil on ewe physiological responses and blood profiles from late pregnancy until early lactation. This study was designed using a 2×2 factorial completely randomized design with 5 replications on 20 late-pregnant ewes. The first factor was two levels of sunflower seed oil (4% and 6%) and the second factor was the levels of black tea extract addition (0 ppm and 500 ppm). Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s multiple range test. Results showed that supplementation of sunflower seed oil and black tea extract had no effect on physiological responses and blood profiles of ewe during late pregnancy until early lactation except for erythrocyte numbers. Erythrocyte numbers were higher on 6% sunflower seed oil supplementation than that of 4% (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, addition of black tea extract in diets containing 4% and 6% sunflower seed oil limitedly affect physiological responses and blood profiles of ewe.

Effects of Trifolium alexandrinum phytoestrogens on oestrous behaviour, ovarian activity and reproductive performance of ewes during the non-breeding season

Phytoestrogens are classified as naturally occurring endocrine disrupting chemicals that may affect reproductive performance of farm animals. To investigate the effects of Berseem clover phytoestrogens on reproductive performance of seasonal anoestrus ewes, twenty four late pregnant Rahmani ewes were fed either Berseem clover or maize silage (n = 12/treatment). Treatment started 2 months prepartum and continued until oestrous induction (week 8 postpartum), using the CIDR-eCG based protocol, and early pregnancy. Throughout the 2–8 weeks postpartum, oestrous rate and ovarian activity were not affected by treatment. After oestrous induction, ewes in both groups expressed comparable oestrous rates; however feeding Berseem clover extended (P < 0.05) interval to oestrus (57.00 compared with 42.54 h) and shortened (P < 0.05) oestrous duration (20.0 compared with 34.90 h). Feeding Berseem clover did not affect follicular activity except the number of medium follicles, which was less (P < 0.05) on day of oestrus (Day 0). Feeding maize silage increased (P < 0.05) the total number of follicles and number of small and medium follicles the day before oestrus (Day -1). On Day 0, the greater total number of follicles was due to the greater (P < 0.05) number of medium follicles that was associated with less number of small follicles. Although, the number and diameter of corpora lutea (CLs) were not affected by treatment, serum P4 concentration was greater (P < 0.05) for ewes fed maize silage than for those fed Berseem clover. Fecundity and litter size tended to be greater (about 35%; P = 0.132 and 0.085, respectively) in the maize silage fed ewes. In conclusion, feeding Berseem clover throughout seasonal anoestrus disrupted aspects of behavioural oestrus and there was less luteal P4 synthesis and fecundity of ewes.

Responses of pregnant ewes and young lambs to ovalbumin immunization, antiovalbumin antibody transfer to lambs, and temporal changes in antiovalbumin antibody.

Factors affecting the decay of maternally derived IgG and ability of neonatal lambs to produce protective amounts of their own IgG are not well understood. Thus, we conducted 3 experiments to quantify the 1) response of pregnant ewes to ovalbumin immunization, 2) antiovalbumin antibody (OV-IgG) transfer to lambs, 3) changes over time in OV-IgG in lambs, and 4) response of young lambs to ovalbumin immunization. In Exp. 1, ewes (n = 10/group) either received control (adjuvant + saline) or ovalbumin (ovalbumin + adjuvant + saline) injections at ≈ 42 and 14 d prepartum. Ovalbumin increased (P < 0.001) ewe serum and colostrum OV-IgG. Serum OV-IgG was greater (P < 0.0001) in lambs from ovalbumin-treated than in lambs from control ewes. In Exp. 2, lambs (n = 20/group), which were from ewes that had received ovalbumin prepartum, were given either control or ovalbumin injections on d 1 and 15 of age. From d 1 to 15, maternally derived OV-IgG was less (P < 0.04) in ovalbumin-treated than in control lambs. After d 15, OV-IgG was greater (P < 0.001) in ovalbumin-treated than in control lambs. In Exp. 3, lambs (n = 20/group), which were from ewes naïve to ovalbumin, received 1 of 4 treatments: 1) d-1 + d-15 control injections; 2) d-1 + d-15 ovalbumin; 3) d-28 + d-42 control; and 4) d-28 + d-42 ovalbumin. In d-1 + d-15 ovalbumin lambs, OV-IgG increased (P < 0.001) from d 7 to 21 after treatment and then decreased (P < 0.004) after d 28. In d-28 + d-42 ovalbumin lambs, OV-IgG increased (P < 0.001) steadily until d 21 after treatment and then stabilized after d 21. At ≈ 159 d of age, lambs in each group received injections consistent with their original type. After the d-159 treatment, ovalbumin injection increased (P < 0.0001) OV-IgG, and the injection type × time interaction was significant (P < 0.0001). In d-28 + d-42 ovalbumin lambs, OV-IgG just before the d-159 injections was greater (P < 0.006) than that in the other groups. In this study, late pregnant ewes produced OV-IgG after ovalbumin injections and then transferred OV-IgG to lambs via colostrum. Ovalbumin treatment of young lambs reduced circulating maternally derived OV-IgG, but it also induced an immune response in the lambs. Overall, our results support recommendations to vaccinate ewes against common pathogens during late pregnancy and to ensure that lambs receive adequate colostrum soon after birth.

Molasses-based supplement improved the metabolic status of late-pregnant ewes bearing multiple fetuses

Metabolizable energy requirements rise dramatically at late gestation in ewes bearing multiple-fetuses; consequently, prolific ewes may suffer pregnancy toxemia and fetal intrauterine growth restriction. The present objectives of this study were to examine in ewes bearing ≥2 fetuses, the effects of dietary supplementation with a molasses-based product from 90 d of pregnancy until lambing on dams' metabolic status and perinatal lambs' performance. Fifty Afec-Assaf ewes, genetically bred to achieve multiple-fetus pregnancies, and bearing at least 2 fetuses were included in the study. The ewes were divided into two groups according to predicted number of fetuses, lambing time, parity number, and body weight (BW). The control group (CTL) was fed solely a basal diet; the treatment group (MLS) was fed the same diet supplemented with the molasses-based product ENERGILASS Sheep 15, in free-choice tubs. Blood samples were collected weekly. Average litter sizes were 3.06 and 3.19 for CTL and MLS groups, respectively. Fetal survival rates at birth differed insignificantly (P>0.05) at 0.82 and 0.84 in the CTL and MLS group, respectively, and the survival rate of lambs until weaning was insignificantly 6.8% higher in the MLS than in the CTL group (P>0.05). The CTL ewes lost 0.40 body condition score units from 90 d of pregnancy until lambing compared with only 0.15 by the MLS ewes (P<0.05). The average concentration of glucose in plasma during the last 3 wk of pregnancy was 17.3% higher in MLS than in CTL ewes (59.1 vs 50.4mg/dL, respectively; P<0.01), whereas the BHBA concentrations were 30.9% lower (0.67 vs 0.97mmol/L, respectively; P<0.03) and NEFA concentrations were 30.0% lower in the MLS than in the CTL ewes (P<0.007). During the last 3 wk of pregnancy glucose concentrations were ≤50mg/dL in 37/70 and 16/72 of the CTL and MLS blood samples, respectively (P<0.0002). Also, BHBA concentrations ≥1.4mmol/L were found in 19/70 and 6/72, respectively, of the CTL and MLS blood samples (P<0.003). In conclusion, molasses-based product supplementation to prolific ewes from 90 d in pregnancy until lambing greatly improved the metabolic status of dams but with minor effects on perinatal survival and growth of lambs, suggesting that the extra nutrients consumed were prioritized to dams rather than to the components of the gravid uterus.