Blood biochemical parameters of crossbred Istrian x East Friesian dairy ewes: relation to milking period

Abstract

The research was conducted to investigate the serum biochemistry values for crossbred Istrian x East Friesian dairy ewes and additionally to test the effects of the milking period on biochemistry values. The values could be used for monitoring metabolic status and breeding program. Biochemical values for crossbred Istrian x East Friesian dairy ewes were derived from one hundred and twenty ewes raised in the Mediterranean region of Croatia. The milking period was divided into early, mid and late milking periods in order to examine the effects of the milking period on biochemical values. The concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, beta-hydroxy-butirate as well as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatine phosphokinase (CK) activities were examined.