Comparison of energy related metabolites during peri-parturition period in single and twin-bearing Lori-Bakhtiari ewes

BACKGROUND: The Lori-Bakhtiari sheep breed is one of themost common native breed in the south-western parts of Iran.The peri-parturition period (2 weeks before to, 2 weeks afterparturition), is generally of critical importance regarding thehealth, production and profitability of the ewes. OBJECTIVES:This study was carried out to compare the serum concentrationsof glucose, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate(BHBA), cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) andcalcium (Ca) during peri-parturition period in 30 single and 30twin-bearing Lori-Bakhtiari ewes. METHODS: All blood profileswere determined in healthy ewes on days 14, 7 prepartum,and days 7 and 14 postpartum. RESULTS: Serum glucose levelswere lower in twin-bearing ewes, compared to single-bearingewes on prepartum and day 7 after lambing. Serum NEFA,BHBA and cholesterol levels were higher in twin-bearingewes compared to single-bearing ewes during the peri-parturitionperiod. Lower serum Ca levels were recorded 7 days beforeand after parturition in twin-bearing ewes, compared tosingle-bearing ewes. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed thatNEFA and BHBA recorded significant (p<0.05) changes duringthe peri-parturition period in twin-bearing ewes. These significantdifferences could be related to increased metabolic demandsof the fetuses in twin-bearing ewes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Energy metabolites ، Lori-Bakhtiari sheep ، peri-parturition period ، twin-bearing