Abstract

This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of low energy diets (that is food restriction) on the liver function of Gezel ewes in late pregnancy. Twenty-four clinically intact ewes with an average weight of 50±3 kg used for the study. Twenty one pregnant ewes (clinically intact ewes with an average weight of 50±3 kg) were divided into 3 groups (Treatments I, II and III). The ewes in Treatment 1 (control) were fed rations containing 2. 4 MCal ME/kg of dry matter [(DM)-11.2% crude protein (CP)], the ewes in Treatment 2 (mild feed restriction) were fed rations containing 2 MCal ME/kg of DM-11% CP and the ewes in Treatment 3 (sever feed restriction) were fed rations containing 1.74 MCal ME/kg of DM-4. 8% CP. Serum concentration of glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, bilerubin, total bilerubin, beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), AST and GGT concentration were measured on days 130 and 145 of pregnancy. No significant differences for glucose, albumin, total protein and GGT were detected among the groups on days 130 and 145 of pregnancy. The results showed that feed restriction statistically increased (p<0.05) serum triglyceride, total bilerubin, BHB, NEFA and decreased (p<0.05) serum cholesterol concentration in ewes fed sever restricted ration during late pregnancy. Feed restriction resulted in mild to moderate ketosis; however the Gezel ewes revealed an excellent ability to resist against mild and sever feed restriction by compensatory mechanism.

Key words: Liver function, feed restriction, Gezel ewes, biochemical parameters, pregnancy.