RT Journal Article
T1 Influence of Maternal Factors (Weight, Body Condition, Parity, and Pregnancy Rank) on Plasma Metabolites of Dairy Ewes and Their Lambs
A1 Pesántez-Pacheco, Jose
A1 De las Heras Molina, Ana
A1 Torres-Rovira, Laura
A1 Sanz-Fernández, María
A1 García-Contreras, Consolación
A1 Vázquez Gómez, Marta
A1 Feyjoo Vico, Pablo
A1 Cáceres Martín, Elisa
A1 Frías Mateo, Millán
A1 Hernández, Fernando
A1 Martínez-Ros, Paula
A1 González Martín, Juan Vicente
A1 González Bulnes, Antonio
A1 Astiz, Susana
AB Pregnancy and lactation are challenging states that affect maternal and lamb health. In Lacaune dairy sheep, we evaluated the impact of parity, pregnancy rank, and body condition on body weight and the condition of ewes and lambs in mid-pregnancy (75 ± 5 d), in late pregnancy (142 ± 4d), and postpartum (52 ± 5d pp). Maternal age was associated with initial decreases, followed by increases, in body weight and condition. After lambing, both mature and maiden ewes lost weight and body condition. Maternal indices of glucose, protein, and lipid metabolism were within physiological values during pregnancy, but postpartum values depended on maternal parity and pregnancy rank, with multiple-pregnant ewes showing a postpartum increase in glucose and maiden sheep a postpartum increase in plasma cholesterol concentration. Male lambs were heavier than female lambs at birth, and lambs born to mothers with higher body condition scores were heavier. Lambs born as singletons were heavier than those born in litters. Maternal age and pregnancy rank did not influence lamb metabolic indicators. Sex affected plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Maternal metabolic indicators showed minimal effects on lamb phenotype. These results suggest that, when appropriately fed, dairy sheep can cover the metabolic demands of pregnancy and milk production, regardless of age and pregnancy rank.
PB MDPI
SN 2076-2615
YR 2019
FD 2019-03-28
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/12499
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/12499
LA eng
DS Docta Complutense
RD 18 abr 2025