Research Article | 18 Jun 2019

Propolis supplementation improved productivity, oxidative status, and immune response of Barki ewes and lambs

Hesham Attia Shedeed1, Bahaa Farrag1, Eman Ali Elwakeel2, Ibrahim Samir Abd El-Hamid1, and Muhammed Ahmed Hilmy El-Rayes1Show more
VETERINARY WORLD | pg no. 834-843 | Vol. 12, Issue 6 | DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.834-843
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Abstract

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