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Metabolic profile of transition period in ewes and its influence on passive immunity transference in lambs

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Abstract

The intensification of ewe production, focusing on increasing prolificity, results in a higher incidence of metabolic disorders, especially in the transition period, which can lead to production losses with consequences for the health of the animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolic profile in transition period Lacaune ewes according to the parity and litter size born and its influence on the transference of passive immunity. Nineteen Lacaune ewes, with initial mean body weight of 76.36 ± 10.37 kg (SD), kept in a semi-extensive system and receiving the same diet, were used. Ewes were classified according to parity (primiparous and multiparous) and the litter size born at parturition (1, 2, and 3). On days − 14, − 7, and − 4 of the expected date of parturition and on days 1, 4, 7, and 14 days postpartum, blood sampling, the evaluation of the body condition score (BCS), and the weighing of animals were performed. Blood samples were taken from the lambs 48 h after birth. Colostrum was collected up to 6 h postpartum to determine the brix percentage. Serum concentrations of total plasma proteins (TPP), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), paraoxonase (PON1), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were evaluated. In lambs, the blood parameters evaluated were TPP, albumin, GGT, and PON1. Lamb plasma was used to estimate colostrum efficiency, brix percentage immunity, and total plasma protein (PPT). Productive data, pre- and postpartum metabolic variables for ewes, lambs, and those related to colostrum brix were analyzed. The BCS had a reduction (p < 0.0001) in the postpartum period, which is evidenced on days 7 and 14 (2.88 and 2.73, respectively). Serum concentration of BHB presented the highest concentrations in the prepartum period for ewes that gave birth to triplets, from day − 14, and for ewes that gave birth to twins on day − 4 (p = 0.0245). Serum concentration of NEFA demonstrated the highest value on day 14 in primiparous (1.07; p = 0.0402). Calcium had the lowest concentrations on day 1 (8.85 mg/dl, p < 0.0001) and magnesium on day 3 (1.79 mg/dl, p < 0.0001) postpartum. The multiparous with two lambs had higher brix percentages (30.5%), and the lowest value was observed in primiparous ewes that gave birth to a single lamb (27.06%; p = 0.0395). Triplet lambs had the lowest weight (3.73 kg, p = 0.0007), and the best brix percentage in plasma was observed in twins (10.29%, p = 0.0174). Regardless of the parity, the ewes that presented the greatest metabolic challenge were those that gave birth to triplets, and these lambs presented the worst immunity and the lowest live weight. The quality of colostrum was influenced by the parity, and multiparous ewes that gave birth to triplets had the lowest brix percentage in the colostrum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Curso de Pós Graduação Em Produção e Sanidade Animal – Instituto Federal Catarinense, Araquari, Santa Catarina, 89245-000, Brazil

    Domênico Weber Chagas, Vanessa Peripolli, Ivan Bianchi, Fabiana Moreira & Elizabeth Schwegler

  2. Instituto Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Campus Bento Gonçalves, Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande Do Sul, 95700-206, Brazil

    Domênico Weber Chagas

  3. Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino E Extensão Em Pecuária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande Do Sul, 96010- 610, Brazil

    Josiane de Oliveira Feijó, Marcio Nunes Corrêa & Manoela Furtado

  4. Núcleo de Ensino E Pesquisa Em Produção Animal, Instituto Federal Catarinense, CampusAraquari, Araquari, Santa Catarina, 89245-000, Brazil

    Manoela Furtado, Juliano Santos Gueretz, Vanessa Peripolli, Ivan Bianchi, Fabiana Moreira & Elizabeth Schwegler

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  1. Domênico Weber Chagas
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by DWC, JOF, MU, VP, and ES. The first draft of the manuscript was written by DWC, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Vanessa Peripolli.

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All of the procedures, animal ethics, and welfare were carried out in accordance with guidelines set out by the Animal Use Ethics Committee (CEUA) of the Instituto Federal Catarinense, number 325/2019.

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Chagas, D.W., de Oliveira Feijó, J., Corrêa, M.N. et al. Metabolic profile of transition period in ewes and its influence on passive immunity transference in lambs. Trop Anim Health Prod 55, 112 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03531-5

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