Energetic metabolic profile of ewes presenting low body condition score induced to subclinical hypocalcemia in early postpartum

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The aim of the present study is to assess plasma concentrations of metabolites related to energy balance in ewes showing low body condition score (BCS) induced to subclinical hypocalcemia in early postpartum. Sixteen crossbred ewes (Ideal x Corriedale) presenting BCS <3 were divided in two groups: 1) control group (n = 9), which received no treatment, and 2) hypocalcemia group (n = 7), which was subjected to twelve hours of induced subclinical hypocalcemia through intravenous Na 2 EDTA infusion six hours postpartum. Ionized calcium levels were monitored and kept between 0.62 and 0.87 mmol/L. All ewes were subjected to daily blood sampling for five days in order to set the postpartum metabolic profile. There was no interaction between day and treatment in total and ionized calcium concentrations (P>0.05), whereas the mean concentrations of these marks after five days were lower in the hypocalcemia group (P<0.05). However, neither the mean group were different at glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate and insulin (P>0.05) level. These results evidence that, despite the subclinical hypocalcemia induction at early postpartum, ewes presenting low body condition do not change the concentrations of energy balance-related metabolites in the following five days.

Dynamics of Hematobiochemical and Clinical Patterns in Ewes in Different Reproductive Stages Under Controlled Nvironmental Conditions

“…Glucose levels decrease throughout pregnancy (77.10±1.03, 70.32±0.55, 66.03±3.07mg/dL), meeting the energy demands of fetal development and lactation, and return to early pregnancy levels in the postpartum stage (86.78±0.12mg/dL). The rise in postpartum blood glucose levels could also be attributed to the increased cortisol release observed following lambing in meat crossbred ewes (Schmitt et al 2018). Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that glucose levels in all the animals within our study fell within the physiological range for sheep, as reported in previous studies (Pesántez-Pacheco et al 2019, Iqbal et al 2022.…”

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

“…This greater availability of glucose may reflect an adaptation to the presence of multiple fetuses in the high-producing Lacaune dairy breed [41]. It may also result from the greater release of cortisol after multiple lambings previously observed in meat crossbred ewes [42]. Studies in Würtenberg breeds have also reported higher levels of plasma glucose in milk-producing ewes than in non-lactating, pregnant ewes [43].…”

Influence of lambing on the metabolic profile, neutrophil function and IgG levels in Lacaune sheep

“…During the 30 days of the study, the Lacaune sheep did not clinically present any disease, so this increase in the mean protein values in both groups could be related to the total protein supply in the diet, which was 22% per day throughout the trial period. This value of crude protein offered to the sheep in the peripartum period was higher than that offered in other studies (PICCIONE et al, 2009;SCHMITT et al, 2018), and according to Rankins (2005), sheep in the lactation period need a diet with about 13.5% crude protein.…”