1- DVM Graduated, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorram Abad, Iran.
2- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Iran
3- گروه علوم درمانگاهی، دانشکده دامپزشکی دانشگاه لرستان، خرم آباد، ایران
4- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorram-Abad, Iran.
2- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Iran
3- گروه علوم درمانگاهی، دانشکده دامپزشکی دانشگاه لرستان، خرم آباد، ایران
4- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorram-Abad, Iran.
Abstract: (33 Views)
ABSTRACT
Introduction and Objective
The global population growth and the subsequent increase in demand for livestock products have highlighted the need to improve production efficiency in the animal husbandry industry. One of the key factors influencing productivity is the enhancement of animal health, particularly during pregnancy and lactation, as these periods are associated with profound physiological and metabolic changes. To meet the demands of the fetus and milk production, animals utilize various compensatory mechanisms, which may lead to metabolic disorders resulting in reduced conception rates, abortion, and general weakness. For example, deficiencies of elements such as copper and iron cause miscarriage and anemia. Therefore, understanding the status of micronutrients or microminerals in pregnant and lactating livestock plays an important role in preventing diseases and improving production performance.
Microminerals, despite their low concentration in the body, are essential for metabolic processes, reproduction, immunity, and fetal growth. Iron, a key element in oxygen transport and hemoglobin synthesis, often decreases during pregnancy due to increased fetal demand. Chromium contributes to energy metabolism by enhancing tissue sensitivity to insulin, and its deficiency can impair metabolic efficiency during pregnancy and lactation. Boron, through improving calcium absorption and regulating vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels, contributes to calcium homeostasis and fetal bone formation. Conversely, excessive molybdenum intake, especially in the presence of sulfur, reduces copper absorption and leads to secondary deficiency. Elements such as beryllium, lithium, and antimony can be toxic at high concentrations and disrupt reproductive and cellular functions. The uncontrolled presence of these metals in animal diets may negatively affect animal health and the quality of livestock products. Since pregnancy and lactation involve significant metabolic changes, investigating the variations in micromineral concentrations during these stages is essential to better understand physiological conditions and prevent related disorders. Proper regulation of these elements helps prevent issues such as abortion, infertility, anemia, and immune weakness. Considering the nutritional status and trace mineral requirements of livestock is also crucial to meeting the global demand for animal products, ensuring sustainability, and improving production efficiency. Among Iranian sheep breeds, the Lori Bakhtiari breed—with a population exceeding 1.7 million head—holds special importance due to its large body size and high milk fat content, making it a significant source of animal protein in the country. Evaluating micromineral status in this breed, particularly during different stages of pregnancy and lactation, provides valuable information for formulating balanced diets according to their physiological needs. Such studies not only improve reproductive performance and health but also enhance the quality of livestock products and economic efficiency in animal production.
Therefore, this study aimed to investigate changes in serum micromineral levels in Lori Bakhtiari ewes during different stages of pregnancy and lactation, in order to identify their variation patterns and support the formulation of optimal dietary regimens for better health and productivity. This can serve as an effective step toward sustainable production, improved efficiency, and higher quality of animal products in the country.
Materials and Methods
A total of 75 healthy adult Lori Bakhtiari ewes (mean age: 2.5 years) from a semi-intensive farm in Dorud County, Lorestan Province, were used in this study. The animals were divided into five groups: non-pregnant, first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, and lactation. Their diet consisted of alfalfa, straw, and concentrate. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein, and sera were separated by centrifugation and stored at –20°C until analysis. Serum micromineral concentrations were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test in SPSS software (p<0.05).
Results
The study revealed significant variations in serum micromineral levels across different reproductive stages. Iron concentration was significantly higher in the third trimester of pregnancy compared to other groups (p<0.05), likely due to increased fetal demand and physiological adaptations related to oxygen transport. Chromium levels during pregnancy and lactation compared to the control group; a significant decrease was shown. The decrease in serum chromium levels during pregnancy is probably due to increased metabolic needs and greater consumption of this element in physiological processes related to fetal growth and insulin-dependent enzyme activities. Molybdenum levels significantly increased in the first and third trimesters and during lactation (p<0.05), possibly due to altered nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. Beryllium and boron levels increased during lactation, which may relate to boron’s role in calcium absorption and vitamin D regulation, whereas lithium concentrations rose in the latter stages of pregnancy, potentially linked to hormonal changes.These findings indicate the influence of reproductive stages on trace element status and underscore the importance of diet formulation based on metabolic demands during critical physiological periods.The serum copper concentration in the studied ewes showed no significant difference compared to the control group.
Conclusion
The results demonstrated that pregnancy and lactation stages significantly affect serum micromineral levels in ewes Paying attention to these changes can play an important role in the optimal design of nutritional and management programs to increase livestock health and productivity.
Introduction and Objective
The global population growth and the subsequent increase in demand for livestock products have highlighted the need to improve production efficiency in the animal husbandry industry. One of the key factors influencing productivity is the enhancement of animal health, particularly during pregnancy and lactation, as these periods are associated with profound physiological and metabolic changes. To meet the demands of the fetus and milk production, animals utilize various compensatory mechanisms, which may lead to metabolic disorders resulting in reduced conception rates, abortion, and general weakness. For example, deficiencies of elements such as copper and iron cause miscarriage and anemia. Therefore, understanding the status of micronutrients or microminerals in pregnant and lactating livestock plays an important role in preventing diseases and improving production performance.
Microminerals, despite their low concentration in the body, are essential for metabolic processes, reproduction, immunity, and fetal growth. Iron, a key element in oxygen transport and hemoglobin synthesis, often decreases during pregnancy due to increased fetal demand. Chromium contributes to energy metabolism by enhancing tissue sensitivity to insulin, and its deficiency can impair metabolic efficiency during pregnancy and lactation. Boron, through improving calcium absorption and regulating vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels, contributes to calcium homeostasis and fetal bone formation. Conversely, excessive molybdenum intake, especially in the presence of sulfur, reduces copper absorption and leads to secondary deficiency. Elements such as beryllium, lithium, and antimony can be toxic at high concentrations and disrupt reproductive and cellular functions. The uncontrolled presence of these metals in animal diets may negatively affect animal health and the quality of livestock products. Since pregnancy and lactation involve significant metabolic changes, investigating the variations in micromineral concentrations during these stages is essential to better understand physiological conditions and prevent related disorders. Proper regulation of these elements helps prevent issues such as abortion, infertility, anemia, and immune weakness. Considering the nutritional status and trace mineral requirements of livestock is also crucial to meeting the global demand for animal products, ensuring sustainability, and improving production efficiency. Among Iranian sheep breeds, the Lori Bakhtiari breed—with a population exceeding 1.7 million head—holds special importance due to its large body size and high milk fat content, making it a significant source of animal protein in the country. Evaluating micromineral status in this breed, particularly during different stages of pregnancy and lactation, provides valuable information for formulating balanced diets according to their physiological needs. Such studies not only improve reproductive performance and health but also enhance the quality of livestock products and economic efficiency in animal production.
Therefore, this study aimed to investigate changes in serum micromineral levels in Lori Bakhtiari ewes during different stages of pregnancy and lactation, in order to identify their variation patterns and support the formulation of optimal dietary regimens for better health and productivity. This can serve as an effective step toward sustainable production, improved efficiency, and higher quality of animal products in the country.
Materials and Methods
A total of 75 healthy adult Lori Bakhtiari ewes (mean age: 2.5 years) from a semi-intensive farm in Dorud County, Lorestan Province, were used in this study. The animals were divided into five groups: non-pregnant, first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, and lactation. Their diet consisted of alfalfa, straw, and concentrate. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein, and sera were separated by centrifugation and stored at –20°C until analysis. Serum micromineral concentrations were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test in SPSS software (p<0.05).
Results
The study revealed significant variations in serum micromineral levels across different reproductive stages. Iron concentration was significantly higher in the third trimester of pregnancy compared to other groups (p<0.05), likely due to increased fetal demand and physiological adaptations related to oxygen transport. Chromium levels during pregnancy and lactation compared to the control group; a significant decrease was shown. The decrease in serum chromium levels during pregnancy is probably due to increased metabolic needs and greater consumption of this element in physiological processes related to fetal growth and insulin-dependent enzyme activities. Molybdenum levels significantly increased in the first and third trimesters and during lactation (p<0.05), possibly due to altered nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. Beryllium and boron levels increased during lactation, which may relate to boron’s role in calcium absorption and vitamin D regulation, whereas lithium concentrations rose in the latter stages of pregnancy, potentially linked to hormonal changes.These findings indicate the influence of reproductive stages on trace element status and underscore the importance of diet formulation based on metabolic demands during critical physiological periods.The serum copper concentration in the studied ewes showed no significant difference compared to the control group.
Conclusion
The results demonstrated that pregnancy and lactation stages significantly affect serum micromineral levels in ewes Paying attention to these changes can play an important role in the optimal design of nutritional and management programs to increase livestock health and productivity.
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