Effects of Feeding Different Levels of Whole and Ground Flaxseed in Late Pregnancy on the Performance of Karakul Ewes
M.R. Dehghani
1
(Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran)
Hamideh Hosseini
2
(Animal Science Department, University of Zabol, Iran)
Abdolhamid karimi
3
(Animal Science Department, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Shiraz, Iran)
M Yousef elahiyousefelahi
4
(Animal Science Department, University of Zabol, Iran.)
Mohammad Javad Abarghuei
5
(Animal Science Department, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Shiraz, Iran)
Keywords: flaxseed, late pregnancy, karakul ewe, colostrum,
Abstract :
This study was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of whole and ground (8 and 15%) in late pregnancy on the performance of Karakul ewes. Thirty Karakul ewes, ages 2–3 years old and weighing 55 ± 2.5 kg, were randomly divided into five treatments and individually penned. Results revealed that there were no significant differences among treatments in the dry matter intakes or body weight changes of ewes and lambs (P>0.05). Crude protein and ether extract digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) higher in ewes fed whole and ground flaxseed compared to those fed the control treatment. The highest amount of crude protein and ether extract digestibility in ewes was observed with treatment with 15% whole flaxseed. The yield and composition of colostrum were not affected by experimental treatments (P>0.05), except for colostrum protein, which increased by using treatments with whole flaxseed (P<0.05). Glucose and cholesterol in blood plasma were significantly increased in ewes fed whole and ground flaxseed compared to the control treatment. (P<0.05), and the highest blood glucose and cholesterol levels were observed in the treatment of 15% whole flaxseed. The research showed that whole flaxseed (15%) can be used in late-pregnancy ewes’ diets without detrimental effects on performance and could be beneficial due to changes in glucose concentrations in plasma and colostrum protein.
