ABSTRACT
Eighteen Ossimi ewes (6 non-pregnant, 6 late-pregnant 4 weeks prior to lambing, 6 early-lactating ewes 4 weeks postpartum) were used to determine the influence of physiological status on some hematological and biochemical parameters in addition to levels of thyroid hormones. The ewes were averaged 2.5 years old and their mean body weights were 49.27 ± 4.40, 53.85±3.87 and 47.65±3.45 kg for non-pregnant, late-pregnant and early-lactating ewes respectively. The current results showed that late-pregnant ewes recorded higher (P<0.05) values of blood Hb and RBCs count compared to early-lactating and non-pregnant ewes. The PCV and monocyte values decreased (P<0.05) in late-pregnant and early-lactating compared to non-pregnant ewes. Total WBCs count decreased (P<0.05) in late-pregnant compared to non-pregnant and early-lactating ewes. Concerning neutrophil values and N: L ratio increased (P<0.05) in late-pregnant and early-lactating compared to non-pregnant ewes with no significant changes in eosinophil, basophil and lymphocyte values. Serum glucose and cholesterol levels decreased (P<0.01) in late-pregnant and early-lactating ewes compared to non-pregnant ones. Serum total protein decreased (P<0.05) in late-pregnant ewes compared to non-pregnant and early-lactating ewes. Serum albumin increased (P<0.05) in late-pregnant and non-pregnant ewes compared to lactating ones, while opposite trend was recorded for serum globulin. Serum total lipids increased (P<0.05) in late-pregnant and early lactating compared to non-pregnant ewes. Serum ALT activity showed higher (P<0.05) levels in late-pregnant and non-pregnant compared to early-lactating ewes with no significant difference in serum AST levels and creatinine concentrations. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in serum urea due to physiological status with highest values in late-pregnancy followed by early-lactation and non-pregnancy. Serum T3 decreased (P<0.01) in non-pregnant and late-pregnant ewes compared to early-lactating, while the differences in serum T4 concentrations were not significant. The results indicated that blood hematological and biochemical parameters as well as thyroid hormone (T3) concentrations significantly changed as influenced by the physiological status of Ossimi ewes.