A total of 15 multiparous pregnant Rahmani ewes (38.9 ± 1.21 kg) belonging
to the Agriculture Experimental and Research Station. Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo
University were used in this research. The objectives were two folds: 1-Studying the
effect due to substitution of the concentrate feed mixture crude prctein of a control
ration (no barley radicle, T1) by barley radicle crude protein (BRP) at 20 % (T2) or 40
% (T3) levels on some blood characteristics and composition of colostrum and
transitional milk. 2-lnvestigating the changes in blood characteristics and composition
of colostrum and transitional milk over different days relative to parturition. The
experiment started 4 weeks before expected lambing date and continued till the io"
day post-lambing.
Results indicated that 40% BRP feeding did not significantly affect any of
blood PCV% and Hb or plasma albumin or urea. Meanwhile, plasma total protein
(TP) and globulin values decreased by 20% BRP inclusion while increased by the
40% BRP. Plasma creatinine and AL T activity tended to increase with BRP inclusion
while plasma AST activity increased with the 20% BRP level and decreased with the
40% BRP.
Values of PCV%, Hb, TP, globulin and AL T were the highest at the za" day
prepartum and greatly declined just after parturition and stabilized thereafter. In
contrast plasma albumin, albumin: globulin ratio (A/G) , urea, creatinine and AST
values were the minimum at the za" day prepartum and elevated to their maximum
levels just after parturition and decreased again thereafter at the io" day post-
lambing.
Results also indicated that 40% BRP feeding improved colostrum and
transitional milk composition and their calorific values than the control or those fed
20% BRP. The 1st colostrum, just after parturition and before suckling, was the richest
in all studied nutritive constituents and calorific value, except lactose. All the studied
colostral constituents and gross energy significantly decreased with days post-
lambing till the io" day, except lactose which showed a reversed trend.
It is concluded that inclusion of barley radicle in the rations of Rahmani ewes
as a source of protein up to 40% of the concentrate feed mixture (24.64% of the total
dietary CP), starting 4 weeks pre-lambing, improved colostrum and transitional milk
composition. Also, days after parturition significantly affected the constituents of
mammary gland secretions. The first colostrum (before suckling) was the richest in all
studied constituents and calorific value, except lactose.