Backgrounding lambs on saltbush provides an effective source of Vitamin E that can prevent Vitamin E deficiency and reduce the incidence of subclinical nutritional myopathy during summer and autumn

摘要: Vitamin E deficiency is common in sheep during summer and autumn Mediterranean environments because of the lack green feed. Deficiency can lead to development nutritional myopathy, a condition causing heart skeletal muscle damage which, severe cases, death animal. Saltbush (Atriplex spp.) contains high concentrations E, so providing with access saltbush may improve their status prevent deficiency. We wished determine whether backgrounding lambs on over (i.e. graze saltbush-based pastures for several weeks before finishing them suitable slaughter) would myopathy compared effectiveness this strategy preventing commercially available synthetic supplement. Ten-month-old cross-bred (n ≤ 48) were backgrounded dry, senesced (control) or 8 summer. After they fed grain-based ration containing low levels further 5 weeks. found that while grazing plasma increased from 1.1 2.6 mg/L within 3 weeks, significantly higher than did not have (P < 0.001). The improved corresponded reduction incidence none showing any biochemical signs whereas 17% control had elevated creatine kinase indicative subclinical myopathy. During subsequent phase, all deficient and, these, 8.5% diagnosed By contrast, was nor evidence E-responsive present study demonstrated valuable source livestock reduce becoming up after removed diet.