The effect of twinship on selected hematological and biochemical parameters in late pregnant ewes

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of twinship on the hematological and biochemical parameters in ewes of the Kıvırcık breed commonly raised in the Thrace region of Turkey. The study material consisted of 30 Kıvırcık ewes at days 130-150 of gestation, aged 3-5 years, weighing 55.61 ± 0.76 kg. After ultrasound examination, the ewes included in the study were divided into a single-pregnant group (n = 15) and a twinpregnant group (n = 15), and their blood samples were taken. The levels of red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB) white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes (LYM), monocytes (MON), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, cholesterol, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were determined in their blood samples. It was found that, although twinship did not affect hemogram values in ewes (p > 0.05), the biochemical parameters, BHBA, ALT, and AST values, were significantly affected by twinship (p < 0.05). A high positive correlation was found between BHBA and NEFA. Thus it was concluded that twin pregnancy did not cause any significant changes in hematological parameters in Kıvırcık ewes. However, the significantly higher BHBA in twin-pregnant ewes and the high positive correlation between BHBA and NEFA indicate that the negative energy balance started to affect these animals, and a carbohydrate deficiency emerged. Therefore, twin-pregnant ewes should be monitored closely to reduce the risk of ketosis.