Analysis of the blood concentration of betahydroxybutyrate in pregnant and postpartum ewes at different moments of nutritional requirement

• Grant number: 18/19990-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2019
• End date: December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Breno Fernando Martins de Almeida
• Grantee: Giovana Siqueira Camargo
• Host Institution: Centro Universitário Faculdades Integradas de Ourinhos. Fundação Educacional Miguel Mofarrej. Ourinhos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Because the high fetal energy demands of last weeks of gestation, pregnant sheep and goats, mainly of multifetal pregnancies, often suffer with a metabolic disorder called pregnancy toxemia. It is characterized by hyperketonemia and hypoglycemia and its prevalence are higher in sheep with nutritional deficiencies, concomitant diseases, and obesity. The mortality rate of the pregnant ewe and fetus is high if a precise and immediate diagnosis of the disease is not done. There are some rapid tests, as effective as laboratory exams, that facilitates their application in the field, however, beta-hydroxybutyrate blood parameters haven´t been defined for the ovine species. For these reasons, the aim of the present study is to analyze levels of blood beta-hydroxybutyrate in female ewes in three different moments: (1) in the last third of gestation (30 days before prediction of parturition), (2) at the day of parturition and (3) near to peak milk production. Females will be weighted at M1, M2 and M3, and their lambs at M2 and M3.