부산대학교 도서관

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livprodsci.2005.09.016 Byline: S.K. Hamadeh, N. Rawda, L.S. Jaber, A. Habre, M. Abi Said, E.K. Barbour Keywords: Water restriction; Awassi; Physiological response; Lactation Abstract: The effect of water restriction in Awassi ewes was assessed under two physiological conditions: lactating and dry, over a 3-week-period (August-September, 2002). Eight dry and eight lactating Awassi ewes (with their lambs) were assigned to one of two watering regimes: watered once every three days and daily watering, respectively. Weather data, body weight and rectal temperature were recorded. Venous blood was sampled on the watering day of the water-restricted group, and subjected to haematological, biochemical and electrolytes analysis. Ewes under water restriction lost more weight and had higher packed cell volume, haemoglobin, serum cholesterol, urea, creatinine, total protein and albumin as compared to daily-watered animals. However, lactation seemed to have no significant effect on these serum components. As for blood pH and electrolytes, Na.sup.+ and Cl.sup.- were significantly higher under water restriction; whereas significantly lower K.sup.+ and Ca.sup.++ but higher pH and Cl.sup.- were observed in lactating animals. Finally, lower cortisol concentrations were observed in water-restricted animals, warranting further studies on the hormonal adaptation to long term water stress. It was concluded that water restriction induces similar changes in blood physiological indicators in dry and lactating Awassi ewes; while lactation beyond the first month post partum seems to mostly affect blood electrolytes. Author Affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh 1107-2020, PO Box: 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon Article History: Received 22 April 2005; Revised 5 September 2005; Accepted 26 September 2005