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Effects of dietary deficiencies of energy, protein and calcium on the pregnant ewe

IV. Serum total protein, albumin, globulin, transferrin and plasma urea levels

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

A. R. Sykes  and
A. C. Field
A. R. Sykes
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh EH17 7JH
A. C. Field
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh EH17 7JH
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Summary

Scottish Blackface ewes were used to investigate the effect of protein deficiency during pregnancy on serum albumin, globulin, transferrin and plasma urea concentrations. Twenty-eight sheep were offered one of two iso-caloric diets in amounts which maintained energy intake at levels comparable to those found in hill sheep during winter. For half of the sheep (HP group) the crude-protein concentration was 11·8% and for the remainder (LP group) 6·0% in the dry matter. A further six sheep (group CL) were offered a diet containing 16·0% crude protein in amounts which prevented undernutrition. Concurrent changes in plasma volume and in certain serum proteins during pregnancy were determined in a second experiment.

Serum globulins were not affected by protein intake and fell from 44·5 to 30·7 mg/ml during pregnancy. This was attributed mainly to a 30% increase in plasma volume which occurred during pregnancy.

Serum albumin concentrations at the end of pregnancy were 29·3, 22·0 and 17'7 mg/ml and serum transferrin concentrations 400, 307 and 300 mg/100 ml in the CL, HP and LP groups respectively. Initial mean albumin and transferrin concentrations were 28·0 mg/ml and 383 mg/100 ml respectively. The usefulness of the parameters as indices of the protein status of pregnant ewes was discussed.

Plasma urea N concentrations were related to the current protein intake of the animal. Mean values during late pregnancy were 26·0, 7'4 and 4·0 mg urea N/100 ml in the CL, HP, and LP) groups respectively. Limitations as to its usefulness were discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 80 , Issue 1 , February 1973 , pp. 29 - 36
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

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