Aim: The present study was conducted to study the effect of propolis administration on bio-hematological parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, and productivity of Barki ewes during late pregnancy and lactation under the arid conditions.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-five pregnant Barki ewes were fed the basal diet (n=12, control) and the basal diet plus propolis (5 g/kg diet, n=13) for 1 month before parturition and continued 2 months after parturition. Milk yield and milk composition, hematological constituents, antioxidant enzyme activities, thyroid hormones, and lambs birth and weaning weights, and antioxidants were determined.

Results: Significant (p<0.05) increase in white blood cells in the propolis group compared to control was observed. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (Hb) (MCH) and corpuscular Hb (MCH concentration %) were decreased (p<0.05) in propolis compared to control group. Milk yield was increased (p<0.05) in the propolis group compared with control and continued to increase with the advancement of lactation. Milk fat and milk total solids increased (p<0.05) in the propolis group than the control. Plasma immunoglobulin A (IgA) was increased (p<0.05) in propolis compared to control with no effect in IgM and IgG. Superoxide dismutase, hydrogen peroxide (HP), and nitric oxide were decreased (p<0.01) in the propolis group compared to control. Weaning weight for lambs born to ewes fed propolis was increased (p<0.05) at week 8 after birth compared with control lambs. Malondialdehyde and HP activities were decreased (p<0.01) in lambs born to propolis ewes compared to control.

Conclusion: Crude Chinese propolis (5 g/d) supplementation improved milk yield, milk composition, and the antioxidant enzymes in Barki ewes and immune functions, growth performance and antioxidant status in their lambs under arid conditions.

Keywords: antioxidants, Chinese propolis, immunoglobulin, productivity, sheep, thermorespiratory responses.

1. Kandiel, M.M.M., El-Khaiat, H.M. and Karima, M.M. (2016) Changes in some hematobiochemical and hormonal profile in Barki sheep with various reproductive statuses. Small Rumin. Res., 136(3): 87-95. [Crossref]

2. Hashem, A.L.S. Shaker, Y.M. Abdel-Fattah, M.S., Hanan Z.A. and Ashgan M.E. (2013) Effect of weaning age on growth performance and carcass traits of Barki lambs in Siwa Oasis, Egypt. World Appl. Sci. J., 21(7): 975-982.

3. Galal, E.S., Rasoul, E.F.A., Anous, M.R. and Shaat, I. (2005) On-station Characterization of Small Ruminant Breed in Egypt. ICARD, Aleppo, Syria.

4. Abdalla, E.B., El-Hawy, A.S., Gawish, H.A. and Madany, E. M. (2015) Reproductive and productive efficiency of Barki ewes fed on Nigella sativa meal as a source of ration protein. Egypt. J. Nutr. Feeds, 18(2): 213-221.

5. Sarker, M.S.K. and Yang, C.J. (2010) Propolis and illite as feed additives on performance and blood profiles of post-weaning Hanwoo calves. J. Anim. Vet. Adv., 9(19): 2526-2531. [Crossref]

6. Yyldyrym, A., Ulutas, Z., Ocak, N. and Kaptan, M. (2013) Effects of birth weight and feeding system on fattening performance and feeding behavior of Karayaka male lambs. Ital. J. Anim. Sci., 12(4): 546-550. [Crossref]

7. Mohamed, A.H., El-Saidy, B.E. and El-Seidy, I.A. (2003) Influence of some medicinal plants supplementation: 1-on digestibility, nutritive value, rumen fermentation and some blood biochemical parameters in sheep. Egypt. J. Nutr. Feeds, 6(2): 139-150.

8. Cardoso, S.M., Ribeiro, M., Ferreira, I.L. and Rego, A.C. (2011) Northeast Portuguese propolis protects against staurosporine and hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity in primary cortical neurones. Food Chem. Toxicol., 49(11): 2862-2868. [Crossref] [PubMed]

9. Sforcin, J.M. and Bankova, V. (2011) Propolis: Is there a potential for the development of new drugs. J. Ethnopharmacol., 133(2): 253-260. [Crossref] [PubMed]

10. Naito, Y., Yasumuro, M., Kondou, K. and Ohara, N. (2007) Anti-inflammatory effect of topically applied propolis extract in carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema. Photother. Res., 21(5): 452-456. [Crossref] [PubMed]

11. Almaraz-Abarca, N., Campos, G.M., Avila-Reyes, J.A., Naranjo-Jimenez, N. and Gonzalez-Valdez, L.S. (2007) Antioxidant activity of polyphenolic extract of monofloral honeybee-collected pollen from mesquite (Prosopis juliflora, Leguminosae). J. Food Comp. Anal., 20(2): 119-124. [Crossref]

12. Orsatti, C.L., Missima, F. and Pagliarone, A.C. (2010) Propolis immunomodulatory action in vivo on Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 expressions and on pro-inflammatory cytokines production in mice. Phytother. Res., 24(8): 1141-1146. [Crossref] [PubMed]

13. Watanabe, M.A.E., Amarante, M.K., Conti, B.J. and Sforcin, J.M. (2011) Cytotoxic constituents of propolis inducing anticancer effects: A review. J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 63(11): 1378-1386. [Crossref] [PubMed]

14. Gekker, G., Hu, S., Spivak, M., Lokensgard, J.R. and Peterson, P.K. (2005) Anti-HIV-1 activity of propolis in CD4+ lymphocyte and microglial cell cultures. J. Ethnopharmacol., 102(2): 158-163. [Crossref] [PubMed]

15. Fokt, H., Pereira, A., Ferreira, A.M., Cunha, A. and Aguiar, C. (2010) How do bees prevent hive infections? The antimicrobial properties of propolis. In: Mendez-Vilas, A., editor. Current Research, Technology and Education Topics in Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Microbiology Book Series-Number 2. Vol. 1. Formatex Research Center, Badajoz. p481-493.

16. NRC. (1985) Nutrient Requirements of Sheep. 6th ed. National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

17. American Society for Testing Materials. (2002) Water and Environmental Technology Annual Book of ASTM Standers. Sec. 11. Vol.11.01 and 11.02. West Conshohocken, USA.

18. Khatab, A.E., Hashem, N.M., El-Kodary, L.M., Lotfy, F.M. and Hassan, G.A. (2016) Evaluation of the effects of cypermethrin on female reproductive function by using rabbit model and of the protective role of Chinese propolis. Biomed. Environ. Sci., 29(10): 262-766.

19. Amundson, J.L., Mader, T.L., Rasby, R.J. and Hu, Q.S. (2006) Environmental effects on pregnancy rate in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci., 84(12): 3415-3420. [Crossref] [PubMed]

20. SAS Institute. (2006) Base SAS 9.1.3 Procedures Guide. 2nd ed. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC.

21. El-Hawy, A.S., Abdalla, E.B., Gawish, H.A., Abdou, A. and Madany, M.E. (2018) Effects of alternative dietary protein of Nigella sativa on some hematological, biochemical and immunological responses of pregnant Barki ewes. Aust. J. Basic Appl. Sci., 12(7): 148-156.

22. Emtnan, M.H., El-Kady, R.I., Zaabal, M. and Hegazi, A.G. (2005) Effect of some natural immune potentiates on the performance of Baladi does. J. Agric. Sci. Mansoura Univ., 30(7): 3543-3557.

23. Yaghoubi, S.M.J., Ghorbani, G.R., Rahmani, H.R. and Nikkhah, A. (2007) Growth, weaning performance and blood indicators of humoral immunity in Holstein calves fed supplemental Flavonoids. J. Anim. Phys. Anim. Nutr., 92(4): 456-462. [Crossref] [PubMed]

24. Nader, M.A., El-Agamy, D.S. and Suddek, G.M. (2010) Protective effects of propolis and thymoquinone on development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Arch. Pharm. Res., 33(4): 637-643. [Crossref] [PubMed]

25. Fabris, S., Bertelle, M. and Astafyeva, O. (2013) Antioxidant properties and chemical composition relationship of Europeans and Brazilians propolis. Pharmacol. Pharm., 4(1): 46-51. [Crossref]

26. Kurek-Gorecka, A., Rzepecka-Stojko, A., G'orecki, M., Stojko, J., Sosada, M. and Swierczek-Zieba, G. (2014) Structure and antioxidant activity of polyphenols derived from propolis. Molecules, 19(1): 78-101. [Crossref] [PubMed] [PMC]

27. Doaa, F.T., Nashwa, A.H.A., El-Din, H.A.T., Safaa, M.A. and Omaima, M.H. (2014) Study on levels of some blood hormonal and biochemical constituents during different reproductive status in Saidi ewes. Egypt. J. Sheep Goat Sci., 9(3): 105-113.

28. Fiore, E., Piccione, G., Gianesella, M., Pratico, V., Vazzana, I., Dara, S. and Morgante, M. (2015) Serum thyroid hormone evaluation during transition periods in dairy cows. Arch. Anim. Breed., 58(11): 403-406. [Crossref]

29. Illek, J., Khaled, N.F., Sedlakova, D. and Sindelar, M. (1998) Concentration of Thyroid Hormones in Dairy Goats during Lactation. In: 6th International Symposium on the Milking of Small Ruminants, Athens, Greece.

30. Dalvi, S.H., Deshmukh, B., Marti, T. and Talvelkar, B.A. (1995) Concentration of serum thyroid hormones during late pregnancy, parturition and early lactation of crossbred cows. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 65(1): 15-19.

31. De Deken, X., Wang, D., Many, M.C., Costagliola, S., Libert, F., Vassart, G., Dumont, J.E. and Miot, F. (2000) Cloning of two human thyroid cDNAs encoding new members of the NADPH oxidase family. J. Biol. Chem., 275(30): 23227-23233. [Crossref] [PubMed]

32. Gaitan, E. (1996) Flavonoids and thyroid. Nutrition, 12(2): 127-129. [Crossref]

33. Sartelet, H., Serghat, S., Lobstein, A., Ingenbleek, Y., Anton, R., Petitfrere, E., Aguie-Aguie, G., Martiny, L. and Haye, B. (1996) Flavonoids extracted from fonio millet (Digitaria exilis) reveal potent antithyroid properties. Nutrition, 12(2): 100-106. [Crossref]

34. Divi, R.L. and Doerge, D.R. (1996) Inhibition of thyroid peroxidase by dietary flavonoids. Chem. Res. Toxicol., 9(1): 16-23. [Crossref] [PubMed]

35. Morsy, A.S., Yosra A.S., Sallam, S.M.A., Alencar, S.M. and Abdalla, A.L. (2016) Impact of Brazilian red propolis extract on blood metabolites, milk production, and lamb performance of Santa Ines ewes. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 48(5): 1043-1050. [Crossref] [PubMed]

36. Elshama, S.S., Osman, H.H. and El-kenawy, A.E. (2015) Effect of propolis on immunotoxicity induced by phenol subchronic use in adult Albino rats. Iran. J. Pharm. Res., 14(2): 41-49.

37. Daleprane, J.B. and Abdalla, D.S. (2013) Emerging roles of propolis: Antioxidant, cardioprotective, and antiangiogenic actions. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med., 2013(4): 1-8. [Crossref] [PubMed] [PMC]

38. Sforcin, J.M., Orsi, R.O. and Bankova, V. (2005) Effect of propolis, some isolated compounds and its source plant on antibody production. J. Ethnopharmacol., 98(3): 301-305. [Crossref] [PubMed]

39. Aguiar, S.C., Paula, E.M., Yoshimura, E.H., dos Santos, W.B.R., Machado, E., Valero, M.V., dos Santos, G.T. and Zeoula, L.M. (2014) Effects of phenolic compounds in propolis on digestive and ruminal parameters in dairy cows. Rev. Bras. Zootec., 43(4): 197-206. [Crossref]

40. Da Silva, F.G.B., Yamamoto, S.M., Sarmento, E.M., Queiroz, M.A.A., Gordiano, L.A. and Formiga, M.A. (2015) Propolis extract and sodium monensin on ruminal fermentation and hematological parameters in sheep. Acta Sci., 37(3): 273-280. [Crossref]

41. Hamdon, H.A.M. (2010) Milk production characterization of Sohagi sheep. Assiut J. Agric. Sci., 40(4): 13-26.

42. Owen, J.B. (1976) Sheep Production. Bailliere Tindall, London, UK.

43. Santra, A., Karim, S.A. and Chaturvedi, O.H. (2002) Effect of concentrate supplementation on nutrient intake and performance of lambs of two genotypes grazing a semiarid rangeland. Small Rumin. Res., 44(1): 37-45. [Crossref]

44. Ocak, S., Onder, H. and Guney, O. (2009) Thermo-physiological responses and some growth parameters in kids during the first 45 days under Mediterranean climatic conditions in Turkey. J. Anim. Vet. Adv., 8(6): 1237-1241.

45. Nielson, K.S., editor. (1997) Animal Physiology: Adaptation and Environment. 5th ed. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England.

46. Yousef, M.K., editor. (1985) Measurement of heat production and heat loss. In: Stress Physiology in Livestock. Vol. 1. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA. p35-45.

47. Zidane, M.S.A. (2010) Physiological Performance and Immuno Competence of Growing Barki Sheep Fed Azzawi Dates in Siwa Oasis. M.Sc. Thesis, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University.