Supplementation of Underfed Twin-Bearing Ewes with Herbal Vitamins C and E: Impacts on Birth Weight, Postnatal Growth, and Pre-Weaning Survival of the Lambs
Twin-bearing pregnancies of sheep reared in harsh environmental conditions result in maternal undernutrition and feto-maternal oxidative stress, leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We assessed the efficiency of supplementation with antioxidant herbal vitamins C and E alone or in combi...
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MDPI AG
2020-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/4/652 |
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| author | Víctor H. Parraguez Francisco Sales Oscar A. Peralta Eileen Narbona Raúl Lira Mónica De los Reyes Antonio González-Bulnes |
| author_facet | Víctor H. Parraguez Francisco Sales Oscar A. Peralta Eileen Narbona Raúl Lira Mónica De los Reyes Antonio González-Bulnes |
| author_sort | Víctor H. Parraguez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Twin-bearing pregnancies of sheep reared in harsh environmental conditions result in maternal undernutrition and feto-maternal oxidative stress, leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We assessed the efficiency of supplementation with antioxidant herbal vitamins C and E alone or in combination with concentrate throughout gestation on pregnancy outcomes, pre-weaning growth, and survival of twin lambs from grazing ewes at the Magellan Steppe. Four groups (<i>n</i> = 30 each) of twin-bearing ewes received a base natural prairie (P) diet, supplemented with either herbal vitamins C 500 mg and E 350 IU per day (V) or concentrated food (S); groups were: P, P + V, P + S, and P + VS. Vitamins and concentrate were supplemented until parturition. At birth, lambs were weighed, and blood was drawn for total antioxidant capacity (TAC) evaluation. Lamb body weight (BW) and survival rate were evaluated at mid-lactation (60 days) and at weaning (120 days). Vitamin supplementation resulted in increased lamb birth weight and TAC, with a trend towards higher BW at weaning, while nutritional supplementation only had a positive effect on birth weight. Lamb survival was higher in both vitamin supplemented groups. In conclusion, supplementation with herbal vitamins C and E alone or in combination with concentrate food during pregnancy may constitute a good nutritional strategy for sheep reared in harsh environmental conditions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:34:00Z |
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| id | doaj.art-852779079beb4813a0281e8b1f76aefa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:34:00Z |
| publishDate | 2020-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-852779079beb4813a0281e8b1f76aefa2023-11-19T21:09:03ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-04-0110465210.3390/ani10040652Supplementation of Underfed Twin-Bearing Ewes with Herbal Vitamins C and E: Impacts on Birth Weight, Postnatal Growth, and Pre-Weaning Survival of the LambsVíctor H. Parraguez0Francisco Sales1Oscar A. Peralta2Eileen Narbona3Raúl Lira4Mónica De los Reyes5Antonio González-Bulnes6Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8820808, ChileINIA-Kampenaike, Punta Arenas 6212707, ChileFaculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8820808, ChileFaculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8820808, ChileINIA-Kampenaike, Punta Arenas 6212707, ChileFaculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8820808, ChileINIA-Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n. 28040 Madrid, SpainTwin-bearing pregnancies of sheep reared in harsh environmental conditions result in maternal undernutrition and feto-maternal oxidative stress, leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We assessed the efficiency of supplementation with antioxidant herbal vitamins C and E alone or in combination with concentrate throughout gestation on pregnancy outcomes, pre-weaning growth, and survival of twin lambs from grazing ewes at the Magellan Steppe. Four groups (<i>n</i> = 30 each) of twin-bearing ewes received a base natural prairie (P) diet, supplemented with either herbal vitamins C 500 mg and E 350 IU per day (V) or concentrated food (S); groups were: P, P + V, P + S, and P + VS. Vitamins and concentrate were supplemented until parturition. At birth, lambs were weighed, and blood was drawn for total antioxidant capacity (TAC) evaluation. Lamb body weight (BW) and survival rate were evaluated at mid-lactation (60 days) and at weaning (120 days). Vitamin supplementation resulted in increased lamb birth weight and TAC, with a trend towards higher BW at weaning, while nutritional supplementation only had a positive effect on birth weight. Lamb survival was higher in both vitamin supplemented groups. In conclusion, supplementation with herbal vitamins C and E alone or in combination with concentrate food during pregnancy may constitute a good nutritional strategy for sheep reared in harsh environmental conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/4/652ovine pregnancy outcomepostnatal growth and survivalantioxidant vitamins |
| spellingShingle | Víctor H. Parraguez Francisco Sales Oscar A. Peralta Eileen Narbona Raúl Lira Mónica De los Reyes Antonio González-Bulnes Supplementation of Underfed Twin-Bearing Ewes with Herbal Vitamins C and E: Impacts on Birth Weight, Postnatal Growth, and Pre-Weaning Survival of the Lambs Animals ovine pregnancy outcome postnatal growth and survival antioxidant vitamins |
| title | Supplementation of Underfed Twin-Bearing Ewes with Herbal Vitamins C and E: Impacts on Birth Weight, Postnatal Growth, and Pre-Weaning Survival of the Lambs |
| title_full | Supplementation of Underfed Twin-Bearing Ewes with Herbal Vitamins C and E: Impacts on Birth Weight, Postnatal Growth, and Pre-Weaning Survival of the Lambs |
| title_fullStr | Supplementation of Underfed Twin-Bearing Ewes with Herbal Vitamins C and E: Impacts on Birth Weight, Postnatal Growth, and Pre-Weaning Survival of the Lambs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Supplementation of Underfed Twin-Bearing Ewes with Herbal Vitamins C and E: Impacts on Birth Weight, Postnatal Growth, and Pre-Weaning Survival of the Lambs |
| title_short | Supplementation of Underfed Twin-Bearing Ewes with Herbal Vitamins C and E: Impacts on Birth Weight, Postnatal Growth, and Pre-Weaning Survival of the Lambs |
| title_sort | supplementation of underfed twin bearing ewes with herbal vitamins c and e impacts on birth weight postnatal growth and pre weaning survival of the lambs |
| topic | ovine pregnancy outcome postnatal growth and survival antioxidant vitamins |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/4/652 |
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