Volume 55 (2005) Issue: 2005 No#4

Influence of feeding the probiotic PIONEER PDFM® to growing lambs on performance and blood composition

Author(s): Antunović Z, Šperanda Marcela, Liker B, Šerić V, Senčić Đ, Domaćinović M, Šperanda T

Keywords:Lambs, probiotic, conversion, blood, metabolic acidosis

The research has been conducted on 48 weaned lambs divided into two groups (C-control and E-experimental) and lasted for 35 days. To lambs in group E the probiotic PIONEER PDFM® was added to the fodder. Lambs in group E had larger average body weights, greater daily weight gain, increased average daily intake and a better feed efficiency, compared to group C.However, differences between groups have not been statistically significant. The concentration of calcium in the blood serum of group E (2.16 mmol/l) on the 35th day has been statistically lower (P<0.01) compared to group C (2.38 mmol/l). The concentration of chloride was statistically higher in group E (P<0.05) on the 19th day (104.75:103.38 nmol/L) and statistically lower (P<0.05) on the 35th day (106.00: 107.33 mmol/L). The concentration of iron in the blood serum was statistically higher (P<0.05) on the 19th and the 35th day in group E (26.29 and 33.00 mmol/l) than in group C (21.97 and 29.15 mmol/l); concentrations of phosphorus and potassium in the blood serum were statistically higher on the 35th day in group E (2.74 and 4.95 mmol/l) than in group C (2.41 and 4.65 mmol/l). Lambs in group E had in the blood sera statistically lower (P<0.01) concentrations of glucose and urea. The activities of the enzymes ALT, AST and CK measured on the 35th day of fattening were lower (P<0.01) compared to group C. The concentrations of total bilirubin and triglycerides were statistically higher in group E than in group C.