Effect of Geographic Location and Age on Levels of Some Biochemical Parameters of Ewes in Southern of Iraq

Abstract

A total of one hundred and ten healthy dry ewes of Arabi sheep diffusive in three geographic locations in the north of Basrah (AL-Qurna, Al-Midaina and Al-Uazair) were divided into three different age groups: <1 year old, between 1-3 years old and >3 years old, to investigate the influence of geographic location and age on the concentration of some biochemical parameters of sheep in the south of Iraq. The results showed significant (P < 0.05) changes among geographic locations in some biochemical parameters such as cholesterol, glucose, estridol and growth hormone concentrations. No significant differences were presented in concentrations of total protein, albumin, Fe, phosphorus, ascorbic acid, LH, T3 and T4 hormones in the blood of ewes in different geographic locations. The concentrations of cholesterol, T3 and T4 hormones decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while, the concentrations of glucose and estradiol hormone increased significantly (P < 0.01) in adult ewes compared with younger ewes.

Influence of Maternal Factors (Weight, Body Condition, Parity, and Pregnancy Rank) on Plasma Metabolites of Dairy Ewes and Their Lambs

“…At least one study has reported no significant variation in glucose or cholesterol levels of ewes with different BCS [49], but those results are difficult to compare with ours, since they are based on samples taken from ewes after mating as well as in late pregnancy. When interpreting our results and comparing them with those from other studies, it is important to keep in mind that most of our sheep had appropriate BCS throughout the observation period, with a mean BCS-1 of 2.56 ± 0.44, a mean BCS-2 of 2.69 ± 0.52, and a mean BCS-3 = 2.45 ± 0.46, which likely explains why plasma lipid concentrations were always within physiological levels [37,47].…”

“…This may mean that fatter maiden animals did not regulate glucose levels as well as thinner maiden sheep. Nevertheless, glucose levels in all animals in our study were within the physiological range for sheep (32.42–79.99 mg/dl) [34,35,36,37]. This suggests that nutritional management on the study farm was appropriate.…”

“…Maternal lipid metabolism was affected by their BCS: sheep with higher BCS during pregnancy and postpartum showed greater plasma concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides than did sheep with lower BCS, although these values were within physiological levels for all animals, cholesterol (from 65.01 ± 6.78 to 89.01 ± 7.90 mg/dL) and triglycerides (17.7–25.66 mg/dL) [37,47]. Consistently, a study in dairy cows found that adequate BCS at the end of pregnancy was associated with higher levels of metabolites [48], and another study found similar results in non-pregnant ewes [13].…”

Feeding behavior of Arabi and Najdi lambs and its relationship with the physiolog

“…Samaradzija et al 2011showed that blood serum mineral concentrations such as Ca, P, Na, K, Cl and Mg are effected by the goat breeds. The values of phosphorous, Fe, copper and zinc were within normal range in Arabi and Najdi sheep (Kassim and AL-Hellou 2018;Kassim 2017).…”

“…Many factors may influence the hematological and biochemical blood parameters, these factors divide into two kinds: 1) genetic factors including genotype and breed. 2): environmental factors, including age, sex, species, season, nutrition, geographic location and physiological status (Kassim and AL-Hellou 2018;Onasanya et al 2015;Njidda et al 2014;Prisacaru 2014;Yokus et al 2006;Nazifi et al 2003).…”