Influence of organic or inorganic forms of salts rich in phosphorus, copper and zinc on reproduction, productivity and blood constituents in sheep

Abstract

Thirty-nine mature Aboudeleik ewes were fed the basal diet and divided into three groups. The first one was served as control (n=12), the second group received the basal diet plus salts in organic form (2.7 g/h/d DM, n=14) while the third one received (2.7 g/h/d DM, n=13) salts in inorganic form. The supplementation period began one month before mating and continued for waning period. Estrus was synchronized using duple injections of PGF2α prior to the introduction of rams. Serum progesterone profile, blood biochemical constituents and elements concentration were determined during different pregnancy stages. Reproductive performance, productive traits of lambs including birth, weaning weights and average daily gain were also determined. The obtained results declared that the concentration of serum progesterone (P4) was higher (P<0.01) in organic or inorganic-S groups compared with control. Feeding trace element in organic or inorganic salts resulted in a higher (P<0.05) conception rate, while lambing and prolificacy rates increased (P<0.05) in inorganic-S compared with organic-S or control groups. Sex ratio of lambs born from treated ewes was not affected. Furthermore, treatment had no effects on total proteins (TP), albumin (Albu), globulin (Glo), urea concentrations, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). However, lipid metabolites including total lipids (T.L), cholesterol (Cho) and triglycerides (TG) concentrations increased (P<0.05) in treatment groups as compared to control. While serum creatinine (Crea) concentration was higher (P<0.05) in control group than organic or inorganic-S. Serum calcium (Ca), selenium (Se) and iron (Fe) concentrations were not different among treatment groups. While, serum phosphorus (P) and copper (Cu) concentrations increased (P<0.01) in treated groups compared with control. Birth weight for lambs born from ewes supplemented with organic salts was higher (P < 0.05) than those born from ewes supplemented with inorganic-S or control. Weaning weight and average daily gain for lambs of treated ewes increased (P < 0.05) as compared to control ones. In conclusion, the efficiency of different forms organic and inorganic of salts rich in phosphors, copper and zinc was similar and greatly affected progesterone concentration, lipid metabolism, phosphorus and copper concentrations in serum blood during different pregnancy stages and has a positive effect on the weight of lambs.