Blood Profile and Reproductive Performance of Pregnant West African Dwarf Ewes Fed Rumen Epithelial Scrapings-Based Diets

Twelve WAd ewes weighing 18.50±4.00kg were blocked by weight into three groups of four animals each in a randomized complete block design. They were kept in individual pens and fed formulated diets as supplement to a basal grass (Panicum maximum), together with fresh water ad-libitum daily. All experimental ewes were given prostaglandin F2α for synchronization of oestrus and served with herd ram as soon as signs of heat were detected. Parameters measured and recorded were: Dry matter intake, Serum metabolites and Haematological indices. Before mating, after mating, as pregnancy advanced, and with increasing inclusion of RES, grass consumption (g/kgBW^0.75/day) increased; 34.08,40.90 and 52.57 for diets A, B and C respectively in the early pregnancy, to 37.96, 40.30 and 55.06nin mid-pregnancy. There was a noticeable decline in these values to 29.35, 29.98 and 40.83 in late pregnancy with animals on diets A, B and C respectively. Treatment effect on PCV(%) values declined significantly (p<0.05), from pre-mating period to early pregnancy, and with only animals on different levels of dietary RES inclusion, there was a significant (p<0.05) but corresponding rise in PCV. RBC (10⁶mm^-3) and Hb (g/100ml) followed the same trend as PCV. Macrocytic anaemia was observed in the animals during early pregnancy, {MCV (μ³): A(85.10), B(80.80) and C(99.50)} and this was corrected by late pregnancy (42.70, 35.80 and 33.70) for all treatments, displaying normal values, although, treatment effect was significant (p<0.05). The values of WBC (×10³mm^-3) were not consistent with increasing inclusion of RES. Serum minerals varied inconsistently with increasing inclusion of RES in the diet. Sera levels of both minerals varied similarly for other periods of pregnancy (mMol/l): (246.50, 311.50 & 290.50 of Na⁺ and 116.50, 119.50 & 117.50 of Cl^- for animals fed diets A, B and C respectively) in early pregnancy, and decreased to (148.80, 141.00 & 146.00 of Na⁺ and 108.00, 104.00 & 105.80 of Cl^- for animals fed diets A, B and C respectively) in late pregnancy. Variations in the sera levels of urea and creatinine were inconsistent with increasing inclusion of RES in the diet. Animals on diet C recorded the highest urea level (70.50mg/100ml) in early pregnancy and late pregnancy (39.50mg/100ml) but lowest level of urea in period prior to mating (30.00mg/100ml). Animals on diet C recorded a relatively stable protein profile and relatively higher sera protein in pre- pregnancy (6.53g/100ml), early pregnancy (7.90/100ml) and late pregnancy (6.50g/100ml), despite relatively low intake of dietary protein (10.84, 10.94 and 10.95g/kgBW^0.75/day for diets C, B and A respectively). The mean serum cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose values for sheep on diets A,B and C showed that trends obtained were inconsistent with the inclusion of RES in the diet. Serum transaminases were statistically similar at all stages of pregnancy and lack of dietary effect in values obtained for these transaminases is an indication of safety in feeding of RES to sheep.

At the three stages of pregnancy, there were significant (p<0.05) improvements in most of the measured parameters, while few were inconsistent, with increasing dietary level of RES.