The Effects of Pre-weaning and Post-weaning Feeding Periods on Biochemical Parameters in Terms of Metabolic Profile in Dorper and Lacaune Lambs

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding on biochemical parameters in terms of metabolic profile in female and male lambs of Dorper and Lacaune breeds at the developmental stages from birth. Methods: A total of 32 singleton newborn Dorper and Lacaune breed lambs (n= 8 for each group; male and female) were used. The trial was continued total of 5 nutritional periods each of 21-day after the first two weeks (0-14 days) suckling period. The biochemical parameters determined were paraoxonase 1 (PON1), ischemia modified albumin (IMA), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), aspartat amino transferase (AST), alanin amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Result: PON1 activity of all lambs was found to be low during the suckling period (P≤0.001). The highest IMA value was reached in against to the decrease in TP and ALP levels during the weaning period (P≤0.001). There was no difference between the groups in terms of PON1, TP, ALB and ALP. Increases were observed in the AST, ALT, IMA and MDA levels of male Dorpers. (P≤0.05). It was concluded that adaptation periods to solid feeds may cause oxidative damage or variable metabolic activity in male Dorpers.