Authors : Karaalp Musa , Cimen Murat and Elmastas Mahfuz
Abstract: In this study, the changes in the plasma parameters of different sex lambs were investigated when diet is constituted by the free choice of animals instead of feeding a standard diet. 6-7 months old Karayaka lambs (7 male and 7 female) were used in experiment 1. Sugar beet pulp, perennial ryegrass and alfalfa straw were used to feed lambs in the research lasting for 28 days. In experiment 2, 7-8 months old Karayaka lambs (7 male and 7 female) were used. The ground barley, wheat bran, expeller cottonseed meal and alfalfa straw were used to feed. The second experiment was continued for 42 days. In roughage selection, male lambs consumed more feed (42.6%) than female lambs in total consumption (experiment 1). Besides, the sugar beet pulp consumption of male lambs were higher (66%) than that of the female lambs, but were lower (76.3%) for alfalfa straw. In experiment 2, total feed consumption of male lambs was higher (10.2%) than that of female lambs. Besides the feed consumption of male lambs was higher 43.7 and 35.7% for wheat bran and alfalfa straw, respectively. In both experiments, there were no significant (p>0.05) differences between plasma glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, amylase, sodium and potassium of the groups. The cholesterol level were higher (p<0.01) in male lambs in experiment 1. Besides, the triglyceride values were found to be higher in male lambs in experiment 1 (p<0.05) and 2 (p<0.01). In experiment 1, the high cholesterol levels in males may due to their hormonal status and more sugar beet pulp intake. Plasma triglycerides elevated in males in both experiments, because of their low estrogen level according to females. The other plasma parameters (glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, amylase, sodium and potassium) of lambs were not differ between sex in both experiments.
Karaalp Musa , Cimen Murat and Elmastas Mahfuz , 2005. The Effect of Voluntary Feed Intake on Some Plasma Parameters in Different Sex Lambs . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 702-705.