Objective: Maternal mineral status, including manganese (Mn), is critical for fetal growth as well as the health of the newborn lamb. Consequently, it is essential to supply minerals at sufficient levels for the pregnant animal to achieve the development of the embryo and fetus during gestation.
Methods: The current research was conducted to investigate the impact of organic Mn supplementation on blood biochemical, other mineral and, hematology in Afshari ewes and their newborn lambs in the transition period. Twenty-four ewes were randomly divided into three groups with eight replications. The control group was fed with a diet without organic Mn. The other groups were fed a diet supplemented with 40 (recommended by the NRC) and 80 (twice-recommended by the NRC) mg/kg of DM organic Mn.
Results: In this study, the consumption of organic Mn caused a significant increase in ewes and lambs plasma Mn concentration. Moreover, in the groups mentioned, levels of glucose, insulin, and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased in both ewes and lambs. Concentrations of total protein and albumin were higher in ewes fed whit organic Mn. In both ewes and newborn lambs, the levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular concentration in groups fed with organic Mn raised.
Conclusion: In general, the nutrition of organic Mn, improved factors of blood biochemical and hematology in ewes and their newborn lambs, and since the twice-recommended NRC level did not cause poisoning, it was recommended to supplement the diet with 80 mg of organic Mn per kg of DM.
Keywords: Afshari ewe; Blood parameters; Organic manganese; Suckling lambs; The transition period.
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