National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of maternal iodine supplementation on thermoregulation and performance of Saidi newborn lambs. The trial was performed on a total of 53 newborn lambs which were born to 40 ewes that were divided into two equal groups as control group (did not receive treatment) included 20 ewes lambed 26 newborn lambs and treatment group which were supplemented with iodine from the beginning of the last third of pregnancy until weaning of their lambs and this group consisted of 20 ewes lambed 27 newborn lambs. The trial was conducted during the winter lambing season. The results revealed that the lamb’s birth weights were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the supplemented group and also, body weight and average daily gain of lambs at 1, 2 and 3 months were improved. Besides, the lamb's survival was higher in the iodine treated group at 1, 2 and 3 months of age. Rectal temperature and skin temperature of lambs at birth were significantly (P<0.01) higher in treated group than in control and similar trend was noticed at 2 weeks, 1 month and 2 months and this was accompanied with a significant increase in metabolic rate at all measurement periods in these lambs. Also, a significant increase in serum total protein, glucose, T3 and T4 concentrations was recorded in these lambs of treated ewes. In conclusion, iodine supplementation for ewes during late pregnancy and lactation periods have beneficial effects on thermoregulation of newborn lambs (by improving physiological responses and metabolic rate) which enhanced their ability to face cold conditions and improved their performance and survivability.
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