Original scientific paper

NUTRITION OF LAMBS AND ACID-BASE BALANCE

Zvonko Antunović ; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta J.J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Marcela Šperanda ; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta J.J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Josip Novoselec ; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta J.J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Mislav Djidara ; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta J.J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the acid-base balance of 20 lambs Tsigai breed in suckling period. Lambs were an average age of 65 days and average weight 22.88 kg. Apart from suckling their mothers, lambs consumed the alfalfa hay, animal feed mixture and animal salt (ad libitum). In the blood of lambs were determined pH value, gases (pCO2, pO2, tCO2), electrolytes (Ca2+, Na+, K+, Cl-), bicarbonate (HCO3-) and oxygen saturation (O2 sat) as well as calculated anion gap and SID (strong ion difference). Acid-base balance in the blood of suckling lambs indicates satisfactory nutritional supply of lambs with nutrients. Although one can say that the determined values of pH levels were at the lower limit of reference values, which are associated with higher concentrations of Cl in the blood of lambs. The reason for this may be offered animal salt to lambs at libitum, and thus the possibility of higher levels of Cl in the diet. Most of the indicators acid-base balance of blood lambs showed small deviations from the reference value, which may be the influence of age. Monitoring indicators of blood acid-base balance in lambs suckling period, provides a clearer picture of nutrient supply and lambs indicates the quality of meals.

Keywords

lambs; nutrition; acid-base balance; blood

Hrčak ID:

68046

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/68046

Publication date:

8.4.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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