Scientific knowledge about the predispositions of Bosnian native breeds of sheep (Dubska) for the production of milk and milk products until recently were quite sparse and very scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical indicators and serum minerals, for monitoring the nutritional status. Until now subject research did not include testing of the effect of biochemical parameters and hormonal status of the blood of sheep on the quality of milk and milk products. Persistence of this connection is justified by the fact that most of the ingredients of milk just derived from the blood. The main objective of this research was to explore metabolic parameters of sheep’s blood, and their relative importance on the quality and quantity of milk components. The study included a total of 127 sheep blood samples from two different areas (Livno and Travnik) in summer feeding period (July, August and September). The animals were marked with the appropriate number of ear tags on the basis of which we always took samples from the same animals through different periods. In sheep blood serum, the concentration of biochemical parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, urea, AST, ALT, AP, GGT, LDH, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) and metabolic hormones (triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and insulin cortisol), and samples of milk: milk parameters (milk fat, lactose and protein) as well as fatty acid composition of the milk. The concentrations of blood biochemical parameters were determined by spectrophotometry with automated analysis with ready-made package of slides. Concentrations of metabolic hormones (T3, T4, cortisol and insulin) in the serum were determined by ELISA method. The percentages of fat, protein and lactose in milk were determined by infrared spectrophotometry. Fatty acids in milk were determined by gas chromatography (GC). Our research showed hypoglicemia, mild hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia probably due to nutritional deificiencies during lactation period. Negative energy balance could be responsabile for changes found in the cholesterol concentration as well as in the activity of ALT, AST, GGT, LDH. Significant differences in milk fat and milk protein, as well as fatty acids composition were determined between localities and season sampling. In general, our results showed varriation of blood biochemistry and milk quality. Due to differencies in climate, botanical differences of soil and pasture these variations are considered to be acceptable. Statistical analysis was performed using the software package SPSS 15.00 (for biochemical paramters and parameters of milk) and 21.00 (for metabolic hormones and fatty acid composition of the milk).
Natural conditions of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) allow the raising and keeping of economically sustainable and profitable production of sheep milk, meat and wool. Being resilient and able to adapt to unpredictable climatic conditions, the sheep breed Pramenka was and will be an important economic resource for the occupancy and existence of the farms in the most remote rural areas of BiH. Milk should be seen as a complete and complex raw material containing active sub- stances potentially effective in promoting a good health. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to explore metabolic parameters of sheep’s blood, and their relative importance on the quality and quantity of milk components. Par- ticular emphasis was paid to the content of bioactive substances with a possible positive effect on human health. Biochemical parameters responsible for various body functions and it is deficiency result in impairment of functions induce structural and physiological abnormalities. The physiological responses of animals to environmental stress during the winter and summer and their energy balance, showed that seasonal heat and cold stress have profound effects on some serum biochemical parameters [
The research was conducted during July, August and September at Livno area (village Guber) and Vlasic Mountain (village Mudrike) in BiH. A total of 127 sheeps of the breed Pramenka was investigated. The animals were marked with numbered ear tags and the sampling was always of the same animal through the different sampling periods (July-I, August-II and September-III).
Physiological characterization included the examination of the following values of the biochemical parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanin aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), lactate dehydro- genase (LDH), calcium, phosphorus and magnesium), The sampling included parallel collection of blood samples as well as fresh milk from each animal. The concentrations of blood biochemical parameters were determined by spectro- photometry with automated analysis carried out by the company Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics Kodak (100 Indigo Creek Drive Rochester, New York 14650) with ready-made package of slides.
At the “Institute of Physiology, Pharmocology and Toxicology” of the Veterinary Faculty University of Ljubljana, Slovenia the value of metabolic hormones (triio- dothyronine―T3, thyroxine―T4, cortisol and insulin) in the blood serum of sheep were determined by ELISA (ACTIVE Cortisol ELISA―Diagnostic Systems Labo- ratories, Webster, USA and Demeditec Diagnostics Germany).
The percentages of fat, protein and lactose in milk were determined by infrared spectrophotometry. Fatty acids in milk were determined by gas chromatography (GC) in the laboratory “Vitas As” Oslo Innovation Centre, Norway. The fol- lowing paramters of milk were determined: milk fat, lactose and protein and fatty acid composition (butiryc acid (C4:0), caproic acid (C6:0), caprylic acid (C8:0), capric acid (C10:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1 cis-9), linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6), vaccenic acid (C18:1 trans-11), alpha linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3), arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6, ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3, (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3, DHA), rumenic acid (C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, CLA)). Statistical analysis was performed using the software package/ SPSS 15.00 and SPSS 21.00.
In this study we investigated metabolites concentrations in the blood serum of sheep, and their connection with the basic parameters of the quality of milk. Beside the metabolic profile of sheep, including biochemical indicators and serum minerals, it is important to monitor the nutritional status. The necessity for the body of mammals is maintaining the constancy of the internal environ- ment. However, the process of maintaining the constancy of the internal en- vironment, depends on the variety of mechanisms that tend to force intensity of metabolic processes subordinated to the needs of the body that depends on conditions such as pregnancy and lactation.
Results from the 127 blood samples indicated the presence of hypoglycemia, mild hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia in the test animals. These are possible consequence of energy deficit in lactating animal as lactation is a metabolic demanding process. A tendency of the various blood values to be more normal towards the end of the lactation period is a sign of a normalization of the metabolic status at the end of the production cycle. The values of analyzed enzymes in the blood serum were near or above the upper physiological range, an indication of the compensatory intensification of metabolic processes as a response to a negative energy balance. In the area of Mount Vlasic hypocalcemia was determined at the beginning of the sampling. This is probably the result of poor quality and quantity of food. Lower blood glucose concentration may occur as a result of the increase in glucose utilization in the synthesis of lactose [
Biochemical parameters | Area “Livno” | ||
---|---|---|---|
I sampling | II sampling | III sampling | |
Glucose (mmol/l) | 1.45 ± 0.07a | 1.58 ± 0.03a | 1.69 ± 0.04b |
Cholesterol (mmol/l) | 1.97 ± 0.11a* | 2.47 ± 0.08b* | 1.77 ± 0.06a |
Triglycerides (mmol/l) | 0.302 ± 0.015a | 0.351 ± 0.013b* | 0.276 ± 0.015a |
Total protein (g/l) | 62.89 ± 2.76a* | 63.11 ± 1.04a* | 58.67 ± 0.97a |
Albumin (g/l) | 27.68 ± 1.40a* | 29.68 ± 0.45b* | 27.11 ± 0.55a* |
Urea (mmol/l) | 4.87 ± 0.22c | 2.85 ± 0.19b | 2.24 ± 0.17a |
Aspartate aminotransferaze (U/L) | 140.84 ± 8.33b* | 155.53 ± 6.29b* | 110.47 ± 3.54a |
Alanin aminotransferase (U/L) | 44.29 ± 1.90b* | 40.24 ± 1.65a | 36.71 ± 1.58a |
Gamma glutamyltransferase (U/L) | 88.37 ± 6.72a | 91.26 ± 5.31a | 82.63 ± 6.76a |
Alkaline phosphatase (U/L) | 134.32 ± 11.48a* | 134.37 ± 15.72a | 119.16 ± 11.43a* |
Lactate dehydrogenase (U/L) | 1869.63 ± 83.69c | 1646.89 ± 42.33b | 1212.63 ± 42.64a |
Calcium (mmol/l) | 2.48 ± 0.08a* | 2.72 ± 0.03b* | 2.93 ± 0.04c* |
Phosphorus (mmol/l) | 1.29 ± 0.06c | 1.12 ± 0.05b | 0.90 ± 0.06a |
Magnesium (mmol/l) | 1.19 ± 0.039a* | 1.25 ± 0.023a* | 1.29 ± 0.028a* |
All values represent XX ± Sx. I, II, III represent sampling periods: July, August and September. a,b= values within a sampling area with different letters are statisically significant (p < 0.05). *= statisically significant (p < 0.05) between same periods of sampling different areas
Biochemical parameters | Area “Travnik” | ||
---|---|---|---|
I sampling | II sampling | III sampling | |
Glucose (mmol/l) | 1.62 ± 0.06a | 1.57 ± 0.03a | 1.81 ± 0.04b* |
Cholesterol (mmol/l) | 1.09 ± 0.11a | 1.71 ± 0.08b | 1.1 ± 0.06b |
Triglycerides (mmol/l) | 0.316 ± 0.016a | 0.262 ± 0.014a | 0.312 ± 0.016a |
Total protein (g/l) | 44.78 ± 2.76a | 56.72 ± 1.04b | 61.22 ± 0.97c |
Albumin (g/l) | 18.9 ± 01.37a | 26.60 ± 0.44b | 25.75 ± 0.54b |
Urea (mmol/l) | 5.31 ± 0.21b* | 4.73 ± 0.18b* | 3.13 ± 0.17a |
Aspartate aminotransferaze (U/L) | 100.79 ± 8.33a | 140.16 ± 6.29b | 115.16 ± 3.54a |
Alanin aminotransferase (U/L) | 34.37 ± 1.80a | 38.79 ± 1.56b | 37.16 ± 1.50b |
Gamma glutamyltransferase (U/L) | 70.95 ± 6.72a | 85.63 ± 5.31a | 60.79 ± 6.76a |
Alkaline phosphatase (U/L) | 78.30 ± 11.19a | 132.55 ± 15.32b | 82.80 ± 11.14ab |
Lactate dehydrogenase (U/L) | 1149.05 ± 81.57a | 151615 ± 41.26b | 1311.75 ± 41.56a |
Calcium (mmol/l) | 2.06 ± 0.08a | 2.45 ± 0.03b | 2.61 ± 0.05c |
Phosphorus (mmol/l) | 1.19 ± 0.06a | 1.32 ± 0.05ab* | 1.56 ± 0.06b* |
Magnesium (mmol/l) | 0.74 ± 0.038a | 0.89 ± 0.022b | 0.88 ± 0.027b |
All values represent XX ± Sx. I, II, III represent sampling periods: July, August and September. a,b= values within a sampling area with different letters are statisically significant (p < 0.05). * = statisically significant (p < 0.05) between same periods of sampling different areas.
above the upper physiological limit, could be due to compensatory inten- sification of metabolic processes in response, primarily in the liver, in a negative energy balance (
Calcium levels were significantly higher in the Livno area (village Guber) (
The hormonal status of the animals is relatively stable at experimental periods, but no statistically significant differences between sites with the exception of cortisol. In both areas of sampling revealed a high insulinemia, which could be due to diet that significantly change the hormonal regulation of metabolism during lactation (
By comparing the values obtained for milk fat in relation to literature, were identified deviations from the values of the majority referred to in the literature. By increasing the number of lactation, there was an increase percentage of milk fat, which is most pronounced in the milk of any sheep in the field of mountain
Hormones | I sampling | II sampling | III sampling | p |
---|---|---|---|---|
T3 (nmol/l) | 4.25 | 3.74 | 4.01 | - |
T4 (nmol/l) | 155.21 | 149.67 | 164.60 | - |
Insulin (pmol/l) | 287.31 | 308.14 | 301.89 | - |
Cortisol (nmol/l) | 602.28 | 623.53 | 530.83 | - |
I, II, III represent sampling periods: July, August and September.
Hormones | I sampling | II sampling | III sampling | p |
---|---|---|---|---|
T3 (nmol/l) | 2.26a | 2.597b | 2.26a | * |
T4 (nmol/l) | 119.9 | 122 | 112.48 | - |
Insulin (pmol/l) | 100.77 | 91.53 | 133.13 | - |
Cortisol (nmol/l) | 469.00 | 554.83 | 519.24 | - |
Mean values in the same row with different letter codes differ significantly. *p < 0.05; I, II, III represent sampling periods: July, August and September.
Vlasic at the end of lactation period (
In general though incomplete this is so far the most complete physiological characterization Dubska sheep. The metabolic profile of blood shows its ability to maintain homeostasis in terms of concurrent malnutrition and increased metabolic effort. Based on the variation of biochemical parameters in the blood serum, and their connection with variations of metabolites in milk can gain insight into the energy, protein and mineral supply of animals, and at the same time and in the health of the animals. Diseases associated with excessive consumption of food and non-compliance diet composition are becoming more common threat to health in younger and older age. An increasing number of
Sampling | Milk fat (%) | Lactose (%) | Protein (%) |
---|---|---|---|
I | 9.34 ± 0.43 | 6.56 ± 0.27 | 4.30 ± 0.04 |
II | 10.00 ± 0.46 | 6.11 ± 0.18 | 4.13 ± 0.06 |
III | 9.96 ± 0.44 | 6.10 ± 0.18 | 4.42 ± 0.04 |
All values represent XX ± Sx. I, II, III represent sampling periods: July, August and September. a, b = values within a sampling area with different letters are statistically significant (p < 0.05) *= statistically significant (p < 0.05) between same periods of sampling different areas.
Sampling | Milk fat (%) | Lactose (%) | Protein (%) |
---|---|---|---|
I | 10.38 ± 0.38 | 6.23 ± 0.23 | 4.29 ± 0.04 |
II | 10.15 ± 0.40 | 6.63 ± 0.15 | 4.24 ± 0.05 |
III | 12.50 ± 0.38 | 6.04 ± 0.16 | 4.36 ± 0.04 |
All values represent XX ± Sx. I, II, III represent sampling periods: July, August and September. a, b = values within a sampling area with different letters are statistically significant (p < 0.05) *= statistically significant (p < 0.05) between same periods of sampling different areas.
Fatty acid g/100 g FA | Livno | Travnik | p |
---|---|---|---|
C4:0 | 3.64 | 3.24 | * |
C6:0 | 1.75 | 1.73 | |
C8:0 | 1.32 | 1.37 | |
C10:0 | 3.69 | 3.83 | |
C18:0 | 9.02 | 8.77 | |
C18:1 cis-9 | 20.54 | 21.07 | |
C18:2 n-6 | 2.46 | 2.36 | |
C18:1 trans-11 | 2.73 | 2.89 | |
C18:3 n-3 | 1.83 | 1.87 | |
C20:4 n-6 | 0.21 | 0.27 | * |
C20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.13 | 0.15 | * |
C22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.11 | 0.14 | * |
C18:2 cis-9. trans-11 (CLA) | 1.66 | 2.0 | * |
*p < 0.05.
nutritionists emphasize the negative implications of the consumption of foods of animal origin, especially of certain ingredients such as fatty acids because of their impact on human health. Given the importance of fatty acids in the human diet, are essential new knowledge about the structure and activities of the human body. Bioactive fatty acids have shown significant beneficial effects on human health, ranging from antiatherogenic and antineoplastic to imunostimulan. For that, and the fact that the acids secreted milk, such studies are essential in terms of improving the health quality of milk and dairy product design options with the preferred range of fatty acids.
Hrkovic-Porobija, A., Hodzic, A., Abrahamsen, R., Saric, Z., Crnkic, C., Vegara, M., Hadzimusic, N. and Rustempasic, A. (2017) Physiological Cha- racterization of Dubska Pramenka. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 8, 465-473. https://doi.org/10.4236/fns.2017.85032