Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolic profile of 24 male Santa Ines sheep, with initial mean live weight of 20 ± 1.25 kg, submitted to feed restriction followed by refeeding, distributed into four treatments with 0, 20, 40 or 60 % of food restriction. Two trials were carried out, one concerning restriction and the other one for feedback. For this, a completely randomized experimental design was used, with four treatments and six replicates. It was observed in the food restriction phase that there was a linear decrease in biochemical concentrations of urea, glucose, GGT, and phosphorus; conversely, the cholesterol concentration increased linearly at the end of the restrictive period. Food restriction had a negative effect on triglyceride and creatinine concentrations. Differently, total protein and albumin values increased significantly with the restriction period. In the refeeding, a linear decreasing behavior was observed for urea, glucose, GGT and magnesium. In the second assay, total protein, globulin and creatinine concentrations were found to differ (P <0.05) between the collection periods. Food restriction levels affected protein metabolism and also interfered with energy and mineral metabolism, and refeeding resulted in altered protein and energy metabolism.
Keywords:
clinical biochemistry; fasting; nutrition; sheep