Plasma total proteins and albumin were estimated in 40 adult Barki ewes (20
pregnant and 20 non-pregnant). Each group was divided into two equal subgroups (10
each); the 1st subgroup was watered daily while the second was watered once every 3
days. In the pregnant ewes, estimations were made during 2nd, 3rd and 5th months
representing early, mid and late stages of pregnancy. After parturition, eight ewes
were excluded; four pregnant ewes due to the mortality of their lambs and another
four dry ewes from control group. Thus, the experiment continued during suckling
period (from the 2nd to the s" week post partum) on the reminder thirty-two Barkf ewes
as 16 suckling and 16 non-suckling on the same sequence as previously mentioned.
Results revealed that total protein and globulin were higher (P< 0.01) in
pregnant ewes as compared with non-preqnant ones, while albumin level slightly
increased in pregnant ewes with a difference that was insignificant. Albumin/Globulin
ratio did not differ significantly between pregnant (0.90) and non-pregnant ewes
(0.93). Dehydration during different pregnancy stages did not affect TP levels (7.67
vs. 7.64 g/dl for watered and deprived ewes, respectively) but resulted in a significant
(P<0.05) decrease in GL levels (4.07 vs. 3.93 g/dl for watered and deprived ewes,
respectively). Albumin level slightly increased in deprived ewes (3.72 g/dl) than
watered ones (3.61 g/dl). Accordingly, AlG ratio was higher (P<0.05) in deprived
ewes. The plasma total proteins slightly (P<0.05) decreased in suckling ewes as
compared with non- suckling ones (7.66 vs. 7.91 g/dl, respectively). The albumin was
significantly (P< 0.01) higher in lactating (3.99 g/dl) than in dry ones (3.83 g/dl) and
subsequently resulted in higher AlG ratio. Dehydration during the five weeks of
suckling period reduced (P<0.05) TP and GL levels while AL levels were the same in
watered and deprived groups. Lack of water during the early pregnancy stage seemed
to be of residual effect on suckling as judged by the low milk production (421
mllh/day) since the second week of suckling. Watering sheep twice a week under
harsh conditions is recommended without adverse effects on their productivity