Tag Archives: metabolic hormones

xxx I. Trapina, S. Plavina, N. Krasņevska, J. Paramonovs, D. Kairisa and N. Paramonova
Metabolic hormone profiles pre- and post-fattening in sheep breeds in Latvia with varying feed efficiency
Abstract |

Metabolic hormone profiles pre- and post-fattening in sheep breeds in Latvia with varying feed efficiency

I. Trapina¹, S. Plavina¹, N. Krasņevska¹, J. Paramonovs¹, D. Kairisa²³ and N. Paramonova¹

¹Genomics and Bioinformatics, The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, the University of Latvia the University of Latvia, Jelgava Str. 3, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
²Institute of Agrobiotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Liela Str. 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
³Latvian Sheep Breeders Association, ‘Klimpas’ Jeru pagasts, Valmieras novads,
LV-4234, Latvia
*Correspondence: ilva.trapina@lu.lv

Abstract:

In sheep production, livestock fattening constitutes a major source of income, with overall economic efficiency largely determined by feed efficiency (Fe). Feed efficiency, in turn, is influenced by the hormone-regulated physiological state of the animal. Monitoring hormone levels as biomarkers can significantly optimise the lamb fattening process, improving outcomes. The study aims to analyse levels of hormone IGF-1, insulin, total T4, ACTH, haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin (Hb), and glucose in sheep breeds raised in Latvia at different ages or fattening periods and corresponding Fe indicators. Blood samples and phenotypic data were collected from 76 and 92 intensively fattened lambs at ~81 and ~150 days of age, respectively, with ~60% representing the Latvian Dark-Head breed. Post-fattening levels of IGF-1, insulin, haematocrit, and haemoglobin were statistically higher, while glucose was elevated pre-fattening. IGF-1 and insulin varied significantly across five and three breeds; HCT and Hb levels differed significantly in one breed each. Pre-fattening IGF-1 and glucose levels correlated with feed efficiency traits.  Regression analysis showed that pre-fattening hormone levels explained 24.7% of FCR, 22.8% of RGR, and 31.6% of KR variance.

Results demonstrate breed-specific hormonal differences in Latvian sheep and indicate the potential of hormone levels as biomarkers for assessing and optimising feed efficiency, emphasizing the need to study hormone levels across breeds and at different fattening stages.

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