Effects of feed restriction and supplementary garlic oil on blood metabolites in ewes

The effects of garlic oil (GO) on serum fatty acids, lipid profiles and energy-related blood metabolites in feed-restricted fat-tailed ewes were investigated. For this purpose, twenty-eight dry, non-pregnant Makuei ewes (about three years of age; ۴۵.۰۰ ± ۲.۲۰ kg of body weight) were assigned randomly to four experimental groups including group ۱ receiving basal diet as total mixed ration (TMR) without GO supplementation (control group), group ۲ receiving ۱۰۰% basal diet supplemented with GO (۱۰.۰۰ mg kg-۱ BW), group ۳ receiving ۷۰.۰۰% basal diet without GO supplementation and group ۴ receiving ۷۰.۰۰% basal diet supplemented with GO (۱۰.۰۰ mg kg-۱ BW). The main experimental period started eight weeks after performing adaptation and dietary allocations. Feed restriction reduced serum glucose levels along with higher serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids, triacylglycerols, β-hydroxybutyrate, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and very low-density of lipoprotein. Following feed restriction, the serum palmitic and oleic acids concentrations were increased. Garlic oil supplementation had a desirable effect on feed-restricted animals through lowering serum BHB and palmitic and oleic acids concentration and increasing the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the serum. These findings demonstrated that GO had the potential to reduce body-fat mobilization, thereby lowering the risk factors for disorders associated with negative energy balance in underfed ewes in the periparturient period.

کلیدواژه ها:

energy ، ‎ Fatty acid profile ، ‎ Feed restriction ، ‎ Negative energy balance