Performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation of ewes fed by different sources of starch and fatty acids

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different sources of starch and fatty acids on performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation of Qezel ewes during transition period. 20 pregnant Qezel ewes from 30 days to the expected time of parturition until 30 days after parturition in a completely randomized design and implemented with 2×2 factorial method. Treatments included: 1) Corn-based diet + Saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid supplement (Roomi Fat)); 2) Corn-based diet + unsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 fish) (Persia fat) ®); 3) Barley-based diet + Saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid supplement) and 4) Barley-based diet + unsaturated fatty acids (supplement omega-3 fish). The results showed that at preparturition, feed intake and daily weight gain of ewes were not affected by the source of starch and type of supplementary fat and their interactions. After parturition, the effect of starch and fatty acids source on the changes of ewes weight was significant (P <0.05). Before parturition, only NEFA are significantly affected by the interaction between the source of starch and the source of fatty acids. The levels of NEFA in barley and saturated fatty acids were higher than other treatments (P <0.05). The concentration of ruminal fluid volatile fatty acids, ammonia nitrogen and protozoa numbers were influenced by the interactions of starch and fatty acids source, but there was no significant difference between rumen pH. Results of this study show that interaction of starch and fatty acids source, can affect the ewes metabolism in transition period.