Volume 14, Issue 2: 2024 - Article 165

Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of pregnancy and lactation on the serum levels of some macro-minerals and glucose of Large White (LW) sows. Twenty sexually matured LW sows and three LW boars, of mean weight 45.38 ± 1.29 kg, aged between 8 and 10 months were used for the study. The sows were randomly assigned to five groups (A to E) of four sows per group in a completely randomized design, as follows; Group A: Non-pregnant (control), Group B: Early-gestation (38 days), Group C: Mid-gestation (78 days), Group D: Late-gestation (112 days) and Group E: Post-gestation (14 days postpartum). Blood samples were collected from sows in each group and the laboratory determination of the serum levels of minerals and glucose followed standard procedures. Results showed that the mean sodium concentration of early gestation (first trimester) sows was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of mid-gestation (second trimester) and late gestation (third trimester) groups but showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference when compared to non-pregnant control and post-gestation groups. Similarly, the mean serum level of phosphorus in the early gestation group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of the mid-gestation and non-pregnant control groups. The mean serum glucose level in the early gestation group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of the control and post-gestation groups. The mean serum calcium: phosphorus ratio of the mid-gestation group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of the early gestation and post-gestation groups. The mean serum sodium: potassium ratio of the early gestation group was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of the mid-gestation group. There were however no significant (p > 0.05) variations in the mean serum levels of potassium and calcium of all the groups. It was concluded that there are significant variations in the serum levels of some of the assayed minerals and glucose during pregnancy and lactation in the sows.

Keywords: Pigs, Large White (Yorkshire), Pregnancy, Lactation, Serum Minerals, Serum Glucose.

How to cite this article:
Nweze EC, Obidike IR, Udem SC and Uchendu CN (2024). Serum electrolyte and glucose profiles of apparently healthy Large White (Yorkshire) sows during gestation and after
parturition. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 14(2): 790 – 798.


*Correspondence: E-mail:     ernest.nweze@yahoo.com      Phone: +2348066336466

Serum electrolyte and glucose profiles of apparently healthy Large White (Yorkshire) sows during gestation and after parturition

Ernest C. Nweze ¹ *, Ikechukwu R. Obidike ², Samuel C. Udem ² and Chukwuka N. Uchendu ^2
1 Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

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