Effect of slow-release bolus of Zn, Se and Co on performance and some blood metabolites of pregnant ewes and their lambs

In order to compare the existing traditional conditions and the use of slow release bolus containing zinc, selenium and cobalt on performance of pregnant ewes and their lambs, six weeks prior to lambing, 105 ewes were divided into three groups (35 heads each) including: 1) control group; 2) selenium vitamin E injected group; 3) slow-release bolus given group. Data obtained from all the 35 ewes in each group were used to determine the performance of lambs, but to determine the blood and milk parameters 6 of ewes and their lambs from each group were used. Ewes were blood sampled at 10 days prepartum and 45 and 90 days postpartum, and samples of their milk were collected on day 45 also blood samples of lambs were collected at 10, 45 and 90 days old. Body weight on birth and weaning of lambs and average daily gain of lambs were highest in bloused animals (P