Abstract: The aim was to evaluate the effect of dietary addition of a polyherbal phytogenic (Animunin) on the productive performance and blood biochemistry in finishing lambs. Forty Hampshire × Suffolk males lambs (initial body weight 26.52 ± 2.13 kg) were allocated according to a completely randomized design in four treatments. Treatments consisted of dietary inclusion of the Animunin at 0, 1, 2, and 3 g kg-1 dry matter (DM). Animunin addition was not modified (p > 0.05) the productive performance, DM intake, backfat thickness, chop area, energy and protein metabolites, or liver enzymes. While hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocytes showed a quadratic response (p ≤ 0.05) with Animunin. The polyherbal phytogenic evaluated did not improve lamb’s productive performance and metabolites related with immune response.

Resumen: El objetivo fue evaluar el efecto de la adición dietaría de un fitogénico poliherbal (Animunin) sobre el comportamiento productivo y la bioquímica sanguínea en corderos. Se utilizaron 40 corderos machos Hampshire × Suffolk con peso vivo inicial de 26.52 ± 2.13 kg, distribuidos en un diseño completamente al azar en cuatro tratamientos. Los tratamientos fueron la inclusión de Animunin a 0, 1, 2 y 3 g kg-1 de materia seca (MS). La adición de Animunin no modifico (p > 0.05) el comportamiento productivo, el consumo de MS, el espesor de grasa dorsal, el área de la chuleta, los metabolitos energéticos y proteicos, o las enzimas hepáticas. Mientras que el hematocrito, la hemoglobina y los eritrocitos mostraron una respuesta cuadrática (p ≤ 0.05) a la adición de Animunin. El fitogénico poliherbal no mejoró el comportamiento productivo ni los metabolitos relacionados con la respuesta inmune de corderos.

RESUMO: Este estudo foi conduzido para avaliar as mudanças em alguns indicadores do estado oxidativo durante a gestação e lactação em ovelhas com diferentes números de partos. Ovelhas Dorset x Sufolk foram classificadas pelo número de partos: 1, 2 e ≥4. Amostras foram coletadas antes da prenhez e no primeiro, segundo, terceiro e quarto mês e no dia 143 de gestação, assim como no dia 5 após o parto e com um mês de lactação. Encontrou-se que a capacidade antioxidativa teve duas reduções, a primeira durante o segundo mês de gestação e a segunda no dia 5 de lactação. A atividade total da glutationa peroxidase aumentou quando se deram as reduções de capacidade antioxidante. O ácido ascórbico diminuiu durante a gestação e lactação, com o valor mais baixo foi no terceiro mês de gestação. Conclui-se que a suscetibilidade a oxidação diminui com o número de partos, e que nas ovelhas durante a gestação e lactação há um mecanismo que previne a oxidação lipídica ocasionando mudanças na capacidade antioxidante, e das atividades glutationa peroxidase e ácido ascórbico.

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to assess the changes in some indicators of oxidative status during pregnancy and lactation in sheep of different parity. Dorset x Suffolk ewes were classified by number of parity: 1, 2 and ≥4. They were sampled before pregnancy and on the first, second, third, and fourth months, then on day 143 of pregnancy, as well as on day 5 after birth and after one month of lactation. Antioxidant capacity was found to have two reductions, the first during the second month of pregnancy and the second on day 5 of lactation. Susceptibility to lipid oxidation decreased with an increased number of parturitions. A reduction in lipid oxidation was observed on day 143 of gestation relative to the other samplings during gestation and lactation. Total glutathione peroxidase activity increased when the two reductions in antioxidant capacity took place. Ascorbic acid decreased during lactation and gestation; the lowest values were recorded in the third month of gestation. It is concluded that susceptibility to lipid oxidation decreases with the number of parturitions and that in ewes, during gestation and lactation, there is a mechanism that prevents lipid oxidation involving changes in antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase and ascorbic acid.