Effect of Solanum dimidiatum on embryonic loss and neonatal lamb survival in Rambouillet sheep.

摘要

Thirty-six Rambouillet ewes were utilized to determine if ingestion of potato-weed (Solanum dimidiatum) causes abortion or effect newborn lamb health. Ewes were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (n = 10) and were placed on a feeding trial at days 80 to 101 of pregnancy. All treatments received a basal diet plus potato-weed at: (1) 0.1% of body weight (BW), (2) 0.2% BW, (3) 0.3% BW, and (4) 0% BW; control. No differences were found for progesterone, total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), birth weights, vigor scores, total lamb gains, and 7-day weights (P > 0.05). Ewe intake, glucose, weight gains and final weights differed among treatments (P 0.05). Results indicate no abortive effects or hindered lamb health, however, plant toxicosis was evident by the decreased intake and elevated GGT levels.