Levels of Certain Blood Nutrients in Grazing Non-pregnant, Pregnant and Lactating Marwari Ewes

P C Mali; B C Patnayak; A K Ghosal

doi:10.56093/aaz.v33i4.65082

Authors

P C Mali Central Arid Zone Research Institute,Jodhpur
B C Patnayak Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar
A K Ghosal Department of Physiology and Biochemistry. College of Veterinary and Animal Science. Bikaner

https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.v33i4.65082

Abstract

Blood serum levels of inorganic phosphorus, calcium, copper, sodium, potassium, urea nitrogen, total protein and blood glucose were measured in 16 month old Marwari ewes bred during autumn (September) or spring (March) and maintained exclusively on grazing. Serum phosphorus level was significantly decreased and calcium level increased during lactation as compared to pregnancy in March-bred ewes. In September-bred ewes, although the calcium level increased. the phosphorus level did not decrease during lactation. Sodium level decreased during pregnancy of ewes bred in March. Blood glucose level decreased during advanced pregnancy in both the seasons. Serum protein level decreased only in September ewes. Blood urea nitrogen values were significantly lower in November, February and March (8 to 13 mg/1OO ml) as compared to May, August and September (21 to 28 mg/1OO ml) in both mated and non-mated ewes. The low level of urea nitrogen could be indicative of low prutein status of the ewes, during the lean period.