The effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on its serum level and energy metabolic profile in Grey Shirazi ewes

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Zahra Davoodabadi ¹
• Seyedeh Missagh Jalali ¹
• Meysam Makki ²
• Alidad Boostani ¹
• Mohamad Rahim Hajikolai ¹

¹ Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

² Department of Animal Science, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Fars, Iran.

10.22067/ijvst.2025.92115.1478

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum vitamin D levels and the metabolic profile of Grey Shirazi ewes, during pregnancy. A total of sixty healthy Grey Shirazi ewes were divided into three groups: Group 1 (control); Group 2, which received a single intramuscular dose of 10,000 IU vitamin D at the time of insemination; and Group 3, which received a single dose of 10,000 IU vitamin D at mid-pregnancy. Blood samples were collected at four stages: insemination, mid-pregnancy, late pregnancy, and post-lambing. Vitamin D levels in the control group decreased significantly during pregnancy. In contrast, no such decrease occurred in the two supplement groups, so that the highest vitamin D concentrations were observed in late pregnancy and postpartum in group 3. In terms of energy balance, serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels were lowest in the mid-pregnancy supplemented group.  Additionally, in group 3, insulin levels increased during the final stages of pregnancy, while serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations were higher in this group compared to the other groups, reaching their maximum levels after delivery. All groups increased triglycerides and cholesterol, but Group 3 had the highest triglycerides postpartum. Additionally, serum protein and albumin levels were significantly higher in Group 3 during the postpartum period, reflecting improved nutritional status and protein synthesis. The results of this study suggest that vitamin D supplementation during mid-pregnancy has the potential to improve metabolic health in Grey Shirazi ewes, having significant implications for both maternal and neonatal health outcomes. 

Keywords

• Vitamin D
• Energy balance
• metabolic biomarkers
• Pregnancy
• Grey Shirazi sheep

Main Subjects

• Clinical pathology

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