Perfil metabólico sanguíneo de cordeiros lactentes alimentados com leite bovino complementar

Abstract

The profitability of beef sheep farming is strongly influenced by annual lamb production. Lactating animals with low weight gain are associated with competition between lambs born from multiple births or insufficient milk production, resulting in increased mortality and a decreased weaning rate. Milk supplementation is one of the alternatives to guarantee the growth and development of lactating animals affected by some adverse process in the breast milk produced, such as mastitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic profile of protein, energy, liver enzymes and minerals in lambs supplemented with cow's milk. To this end, 16 lactating lambs aged between birth and 30 days were used. They were divided into two groups: one group received complementary bovine milk, with a daily limit of 500 mL, while the other group was exclusively breastfed. Both groups were managed in collective pens and subjected to the same daily management conditions. The lambs were weighed and blood samples were taken to assess the metabolic profile of protein, energy, liver enzymes and minerals. All the results were subjected to analysis of variance to compare the means of each parameter, using a significance level of 5%. The average daily consumption of cow's milk for the artificially supplemented lambs was 324 ± 183 mL. Serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine showed no difference (P > 0.05) between conventionally breastfed and artificially supplemented lambs. On the other hand, the parameters of cholesterol, LDL, HDL and fructosamine showed a difference (P > 0.05), indicating the influence of supplementation with bovine milk and the absorption of nutrients. This is due to the biochemical composition of milk and the utilization of the energy and protein fractions of the food. Considering that the use of cow's milk as a supplement for neonatal sheep that have suffered some quantitative restriction in the availability of mother's milk or colostrum can compromise the animals' immune supply. The study therefore highlights the need to create strategies to supplement the lambs' diet and ensure good development by adjusting the metabolic balance.