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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Livestock Bio-Systems » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413980
Research Project: Discovery of Novel Traits to Improve Efficiency and Sustainability of Different Sheep Production Systems

Location: Livestock Bio-Systems

Title: Serum energy metabolite and mineral concentrations in a contemporary flock of Western white-faced ewes during the periparturient period

Author
item LAVERELL, DYLAN - University Of Wyoming
item Murphy, Thomas - Tom
item ENGLE, TERRY - Colorado State University
item KERSH, AARON - University Of Wyoming
item MILLS, JOE - University Of Wyoming
item STEWART, WHITNEY - University Of Wyoming

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/21/2024
Publication Date: 9/14/2024
Citation: Laverell, D.M., Murphy, T.W., Engle, T.E., Kersh, A.J., Mills, J.B., Stewart, W.C. 2024. Serum energy metabolite and mineral concentrations in a contemporary flock of Western white-faced ewes during the periparturient period [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science Supplement. 102(Supplement 3):484-485. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.550.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.550

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ewe prolificacy and litter weight has increased in Western U.S. sheep flocks potentially leading to greater prevalence of metabolic dysfunction around the periparturient period. Thus, the objective of this research was to quantity serum energy metabolites and minerals in a flock of Rambouillet ewes. A total of 56 ewes (2 to 5 yr; 92.4 ± 0.56 kg body weight(BW)) with an average litter size (NLB) of 1.84 ± 0.08 (single n = 15, 27%; twin n = 35, 62%; triplet n = 6, 11%) were evaluated. Blood was collected on d -21, -14, -7, 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 relative to parturition. Serum concentrations of glucose, ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and minerals were quantified. Data were analyzed as repeated measures with fixed effects of ewe age (2 to 5 yr), sampling timepoint, NLB (1 or >/= 2), and their interactions. There was a NLB x sampling timepoint interaction for serum Cl where multiple bearing ewes had greater concentration at d -14 (P = 0.03) and single bearing ewes had greater concentration on d -7 (P = 0.01; Figure 1). The NLB x ewe age interaction was significant for serum Fe where concentrations were greater for multiple than single bearing 4-yr-old ewes but greater for single than multiple bearing 5-yr-old ewes (Figure 1; P