ABSTRACT
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).
Share and Cite:
Hrkovic-Porobija, A. , Hodzic, A. , Abrahamsen, R. , Saric, Z. , Crnkic, C. , Vegara, M. , Hadzimusic, N. and Rustempasic, A. (2017) Physiological Characterization of Dubska Pramenka.
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
8, 465-473. doi:
10.4236/fns.2017.85032.