Volume 19, Issue 3 , November 2017, , Pages 585-599
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the effect of commercial bacterial probiotic on milk yield and composition, blood metabolites andenzyme activities in lactating ewes based on a completely randomized design (two treatments and eight replicateseach). The ewes were kept in the individual pens and fed ...
Read More
This study was conducted to determine the effect of commercial bacterial probiotic on milk yield and composition, blood metabolites andenzyme activities in lactating ewes based on a completely randomized design (two treatments and eight replicateseach). The ewes were kept in the individual pens and fed a diet based on alfalfa hay (60%) and concentrates (40%) with or without probiotic. Milk production of the individual ewes was measured and sampled weekly for 12 weeks and blood samples were obtained at four, eight and 12 weeks of lactation before and six hours after feeding. Data were analyzed by repeated measurements procedure. No significant differences were observed due to the addition of probiotic in milk production and chemical composition, but it was changed pattern of milk production during lactation period. The probiotic increased (P<0.01) alanine amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase activities both before and after feeding at four, eight and eight, 12 weeks, respectively. Aspartate transaminase activity was also higher before feeding at eight week (P<0.05) and before and after feeding at 12 week (P<0.01) in experimental treatment. Overall, the probiotic has no significant effect on the production and chemical composition of milk of ewes, but could change the pattern of milk production and some parameters of blood plasma in Mehraban ewes during lactation period.