| Author(s) | Mutassim M. Abdelrahman, Walid S. Gazan and Saffa S. El- Ghusien |
| Affiliation | Jerash Private University, Faculty of Agriculture and Science Department of Animal Production Jerash, Jordan |
| Title | The Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium Status of Awassi Ewes and Their Newborns, at Parturition and Early Lactation, Raised under Intensive and Semi-intensive Systems |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Agricultural Sciences. Volume 15, No 2. (2003/1423) |
| Abstract | Abstract. A field study was conducted to evaluate the Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (PI) and Magnesium (Mg) status of Awassi ewes and their lambs at parturition and early lactation raised under intensive and Semi-intensive systems in the northern part of Jordan. Twenty Awassi ewes were selected randomly from a herd, at parturition, raised under intensive systems (group1; fed concentrate ration) and another twenty raised under a Semi–intensive system (group 2; grazed natural pasture and by-product). Blood samples from ewes and their newborns were collected at parturition, 30 and 60 days postpartum. Moreover, milk samples were collected at time of blood sampling. Samples were prepared and analyzed for Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) by AAS and Phosphorus (Pi) by Spectrophotometer. A significant different (P<0.01) was found in Ca concentration in blood serum of ewes in group 1 only at 30 days postpartum compared with group 2. The levels of serum Ca of ewes’ in-group 2 were below the normal level especially at 30 days postpartum. Phosphorus concentrations in serum of ewes and the newborns in both groups were adequate throughout early lactation. Magnesium concentration in blood serum of ewes and their lambs in group1 were significantly (P< 0.05) higher and adequate at parturition and early lactation compared with ewes from group 2. Milk Ca% of ewes in-group 1 were significantly higher (P< 0.01) at parturition and 60 days postpartum, P% at parturition and 30 days postpartum (P< 0.05), while Mg% only at parturition (P< 0.01). Milk DM% of ewes in-group 1 were significantly (P< 0.01) higher compared with group 2 at parturition and at 60 days postpartum (P< 0.001), while OM% only at 60 day postpartum (P< 0.001). In conclusion, ewes raise under a semi–intensive system in northern part of Jordan require Ca and Mg supplementation at early lactation to improve their general performance. (Keywords: Minerals, Awassi ewes, Parturition, Early lactation, Systems) |
