Blood antioxidant potential in growing lambs of synthetic SCP line

This study investigated the hypothesis that the antioxidant potential of lamb blood increases with age and depends on lambs being reared and fed by their mothers. The study was performed on lambs (35 ewes and 35 rams) of the synthetic SCP line. From 10 days of age until weaning (at 90 days of life) the lambs received properly-balanced concentrate diets for every fattening stage. All the lambs also received a structural dietary additive of meadow hay during the entire rearing period. The blood samples were collected on 2 h of life and days 14, 56, 84, 112 of life. It was determined several parameters in the blood. Lamb sex did not affect levels of blood antioxidant parameters however rams tested higher in bilirubin content. The lambs younger than 84 days of age displayed higher antioxidant potential and lower oxidative stress compared to older lambs (above 112 days of life) that were weaned from their dams.