Effect of balanced concentrate ration on the performance and hematobiochemical profile of lactating native ewes and lambs in coastal Odisha

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of balanced concentrate ration during lactation on the growth performance, blood and metabolic profiles of native ewes and lambs in coastal Odisha. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 numbers of lactating ewes of the same parity comprised the experimental animals. The selected ewes were randomly assigned to two groups of twenty each, maintaining uniformity in body weight (13.36±0.33 kg for Group 1 and 13.48±0.37 kg for Group 2). Group 1 was maintained on grazing only while Group 2 was supplemented with a balanced concentrate mixture @ 200 g/head/day during the first 2 months of lactation. The concentrate was fed individually in separate containers in the morning hours before the animals were taken out for grazing. Results: The ewes in Group 2 registered higher body weights at every fortnight. The differences were found to be highly significant (p<0.01) from 2nd to 5th fortnight and significant (p<0.05) for the remaining fortnights. The ewes in Group 2 showed significantly (p<0.01) higher daily gains than those in Group 1 at every fortnight. The hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and total leukocyte count (TLC) values were significant (p<0.05) between groups at the end of 4th fortnight after lambing and the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values is significantly (p<0.05) higher in Group 2 over Group 1. Conclusion: It was concluded that supplementation of a balanced concentrate mixture (crude protein 18.21%) @ 200 g/ewe/day along with grazing during the first 2 months of lactation resulted in higher ewe body weight gain. It improved their hematological and metabolic profiles and also resulted in higher body weight gain in lambs born to these supplemented ewes.


Introduction
Sheep is an important species of livestock in India contributing greatly to food, fibre, rural employment and gross domestic products, and it is of special economic importance in arid, semi-arid and hilly areas.It plays an important role in the rural economy and is principally maintained by poorer section of the rural community providing them a source of livelihood.Out of total sheep found in Odisha, only two breeds of sheep i.e., Ganjam and Bolangir have been identified and reported both by FAO and ICAR.Ganjam sheep constitute a total of 25.21%, Bolangir sheep 19.88% and the remaining 54.91% are considered as nondescript.These nondescript sheep include Kuzi/Deshi/Kendrapara, Koraput, Edka, Dalua [1].
These sheep are named according to their place of origin or distribution or phenotypic characters shown by them.The Deshi or Kuzi or Kendrapara sheep is primarily a mutton breed distributed in large numbers in coastal districts of Odisha like Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Kendrapara.Kuzi sheep is characterized by its small adult body weight (18-22 kg).Kuzi sheep found close to the sea coast are dwarf.Higher body weights were recorded for Kuzi sheep in undivided Cuttack district, especially in Jagatsinghpur region and called as Desi.As the Kuzi or Kendrapara sheep are only maintained on community rangelands, they often face feed scarcity due to low forage yield with wide seasonal variations and higher stocking density of animals.It results in decreased dry matter intake and nutrient utilization pattern in grazing sheep even to meet the maintenance requirements, preventing them to express their full production potential and affects the profitability of sheep rearing for farmers.The dietary supplementation is high during lactation due to increased nutrient requirement for milk production.Maternal nutrition, particularly during lactation has a bearing on the body condition of the ewe which, in turn, influences milk yield, mortality rate during early part of growth and body weight gain in lambs, conditions which are so very crucial on economic aspects of sheep rearing.It is observed that the challenge in feeding lactating ewes is to provide adequate energy and protein to support milk production for proper growth of its lambs.To minimize the stress due to milk secretion during lactation, high-quality feed ingredients should be fed to the ewes during this period.Moreover, Coop [2] reported that the nutritive level of the ewe during lactation had more effect on lamb growth than nutritive level during pregnancy.A low cost scientific input as concentrate supplementation at the rate of 1% of body weight to ewes during this critical stage is recommended to enhance their production performance, general condition as well as growth rate of lambs [3].
The present study is proposed to be undertaken with the objectives to study the effects of a balanced concentrate supplement to ewes in early lactation on ewe performance i.e., body weight, hematobiochemical profile, postpartum onset of estrus and lamb performance i.e., body weight gain together with incidence of diseases and mortality.

Ethical approval
The experiment followed the guidelines of Institutional Animal Ethics Committee.

Study area
The experiment was conducted on lactating ewes reared by the farmers of Mundida village in Tirtol block of Jagatsinghpur district, which is located in tropical wet eastern part of Odisha, lies between 19° 58' N and 20° 24' N latitude, 86° 02' E and 86° 43' E longitude, covering a landmass of 1,759 sq.km.

Animals
The experimental animals comprised forty numbers of lactating ewes of same parity (20 belongs to 1st lactation and rest 20 belongs to 2 nd lactation) of similar body weight (average 13.42 kg) selected from the flocks of four farmers of this village.The ewes selected before parturition were identified with neck tags and were then fed with concentrate just after parturition.The selected ewes were randomly assigned to two groups of 20 each, maintaining uniformity in body weight and parity.40 lactating ewes were randomly divided into two groups of 20 each.Of the 20 ewes in each group, 10 ewes were in first, and other 10 were in second parity.The ewes in both groups were dewormed at the beginning of the experiment with albendazole @10 mg/kg body weight.The lambs were dewormed at the end of the 1 st fortnight and subsequently at monthly intervals with piperazine hexahydrate @ 200 mg/kg body weight.

Feeding protocols
Group 1 was maintained solely on grazing and Group 2 was provided with a balanced concentrate supplement, as shown in Table-1, at the rate of 200 g/head/day during the first 2 months of lactation along with grazing.The supplemental feeding was done individually in separate containers in the morning hours before the animals were taken out for grazing.

Recording of individual body weight
Individual body weight of the ewes in each group was recorded at the beginning of the experiment (at lambing) followed by fortnightly intervals for a period of 13 fortnights (182 days).Body weight was recorded with the help of a spring balance of 25 kg capacity (0.1 kg least count).Birth weights of individual lamb for the two groups were recorded soon after birth before feeding colostrums.Birth weight was recorded with the help of electronic single pan balance of 5 kg capacity (0.01 kg least count).Subsequently, individual body weights of lambs under each group were recorded at fortnightly intervals from birth to the 13 th fortnight of age.The experimental animals were weighed in the morning before offering feed and water, with the help of a spring balance of 25 kg capacity (0.1 kg least count).

Evaluation of haematobiochemical parameters
Blood samples were collected from six ewes from each group, at the beginning of the experiment, i.e., just after lambing, 4 th fortnight after lambing and 12 th fortnight after lambing.Blood samples were collected in the morning prior to feeding and watering.These samples are subjected to estimations of hematological parameters like hemoglobin (Hb) (g/dL), hematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV) %, total erythrocyte count (TEC) 10 6 /μL, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) fL, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) pg, mean corpuscular hemoglobin The data from the experiment were subjected to statistical analysis as per the methods suggested by Snedecor and Cochran [4].

Result Ewe body weight and average daily gain
The mean fortnightly body weights for the ewes in the two groups are presented in Figure -1.For the ewes in Group 1, the body weight showed a slight depression at the first fortnight, which was followed by a steady increase at every fortnight till the end of the 13 th fortnight (182 days).For the ewes in Group-2, the body weight showed an increase with successive fortnights till the 4 th fortnight and remained almost constant with erratic trends till the end of 7 th fortnight.Thereafter, it went on increasing through successive fortnights up until the end of the 13 th fortnight.The ewes in Group 2 registered higher body weight at every fortnight.The differences were found to be highly significant (p<0.01)from 2 nd to 5 th fortnight and significant (p<0.05) for the remaining fortnights.
The ewes in Group 1 exhibited a loss in daily weight gain during the 1 st and 2 nd fortnights.Thereafter the daily gain increased progressively from 3 rd to the 13 th fortnight.The ewes in Group 2 showed an increase in daily gain from 25.36±1.78g/day at the 1 st fortnight to 52.02±4.42g/day at 3 rd fortnight, after which the daily gain decreased gradually till 8 th fortnight and remained almost constant with fluctuating trends till 13 th fortnight.The ewes in Group 2 showed significantly (p<0.01)higher daily weight gains than those in Group 1 at every fortnight.

Hematological profiles in ewes
The means of Hb concentration, PCV or hematocrit, TEC, MCV, mean corpuscular Hb or MCH, MCHC and TLC for the ewes in the two treatment groups are presented in Table -2.

Haemoglobin (Hb)
The Hb concentrations recorded were 9.38±0.47and 9.29±0.58g/dL for ewes in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively at lambing.There was no significant difference between these two values at the start of the experiment.At the end of 4th fortnight after lambing, the Hb concentrations recorded were 8.12±0.78 and 9.13±0.67g/dL for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.At the end of 12th fortnight after lambing, the Hb concentrations recorded were 9.22±0.78and 9.43±0.62g/dL for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, there being no significant (p≥0.05)difference between the groups.

Packed cell volume (PCV)
The PCV values recorded for the two groups of ewes were 28.97±1.13and 30.23±1.41 % for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively at lambing and no significant difference (p≥0.05) was found between these two values at the start of experiment.At the end of the 4th fortnight after lambing, the PCV values recorded were 24.18±1.57and 28.42±1.28%for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.This value of PCV for Group 2 was significantly (p<0.05)higher than that of Group 1.At the end of the 12 th fortnight after lambing, the PCV values recorded were 29.18±1.51and 31.42±1.19for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.The PCV values were higher for the lambs in Group 2 at the end of 4 th and 12 th fortnight, and the differences were also significant (p<0.05) at both the stages.

Total erythrocyte count (TEC)
The TEC values recorded at start of the experiment, i.e., immediately after parturition were 10.12±0.32 and 10.20±0.49× 10 6 /mm 3 for the ewes in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.At the end of 4 th fortnight after lambing, the TEC values recorded were 10.23±0.63 and 10.51±0.41× 10 6 /mm 3 for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.At the end of the 12 th fortnight after lambing, the TEC values recorded were 10.43±0.60 and 10.83±0.34× 10 6 /mm 3 for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.The TEC values at both the stages, tended to be higher for the lambs in Group 2, however the differences were non-significant (p≥0.05).

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
The MCV values of ewes recorded at lambing were 28.68±0.97and 29.74±1.01fL for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, and there was no significant difference (p≥0.05) between the two groups at lambing.At the end of 4 th fortnight after lambing, the MCV values recorded were 23.65±0.87 and 27.04±1.13fL for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.The MCV value for Group 2 was significantly (p<0.05)higher than that of Group 1.At the end of 12 th fortnight after lambing, the MCV values recorded were 27.98±0.82fL and 29.01±1.08fL for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, which also showed significant (p<0.05)difference between the groups.

Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH)
The MCH values recorded just after parturition were 9.31±0.50and 9.07±0.67pg for the ewes in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.The MCH values at different stages showed fluctuation in its value i.e., 7.98±0.61and 8.71±0.67pg at the end of 4 th fortnight and 8.84±0.54 and 8.72±0.58pg at the end of 12 th fortnight for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.The differences in the values of MCH were significant (p<0.05) between group 1 and 2 only at 4 th fortnight in favor of Group 2.

Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
The MCHC values recorded just after parturition were 32.27±2.68 and 30.58±2.04 g/dL for the ewes in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.The MCHC values at different stages showed fluctuation in its value i.e., 33.59±2.18and 32.13±2.13g/dL at the end of 4 th fortnight and 31.59±2.11and 30.02±2.01 g/dL at the end of 12 th fortnight for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.The differences in the values of MCHC were significant (p<0.05) between Group 1 and 2 only at 12 th fortnight in favor of group.

Total leukocyte count (TLC)
The TLCs recorded just after parturition were 7953±121 and 8105±118/μL of blood and at the end of 4 th fortnight 7752±116 and 7858±143/μL for Group 1 and 2 respectively.The ewes in Group 2 had significantly (p<0.05)higher leukocyte count than the ewes in Group 1.At the end of the 12 th fortnight after lambing, the TLC values recorded were 8118±126 and 7994±134/μL for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, showing no significance (p≥0.05) between the groups.

Glucose
The mean serum glucose concentrations recorded at lambing were 51.43±1.76 and 52.05±1.46mg/dL for the ewes in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.At the end of 4th fortnight, the serum glucose levels in the ewes of Group 2 (53.13±1.62 mg/dL) were significantly (p<0.05)higher than that of Group 1 (48.37±1.51mg/dL).At the end of the 12th fortnight, the values were 50.83±1.51and 51.03±1.63mg/dL for Group 1 and 2 respectively.Though the value was higher for Group 2 over Group 1, it was found non-significant (p≥0.05).

Total protein
The serum total protein levels in ewes immediately after lambing were 8.43±0.65 and 8.52±0.44 g/dL for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively with no significant difference (p≥0.05).At the end of 4th fortnight, the values were found to be 6.85±0.46 and 7.86±0.37g/dL, indicating a depression in serum total protein.The ewes in group 2 showed significantly (p<0.05)higher concentrations than those in Group 1 at the end of 4th week after lambing.The total protein values for the Group 1 and 2 at the end of 12 th week after lambing were found to be 7.89±0.48and 7.98±0.41g/dL respectively, showing no significant difference (p≥0.05) between the groups.

Albumin
The serum albumin concentrations recorded were 4.62±0.17and 4.73±0.12g/dL for the ewes in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively at lambing.For Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, the value recorded was 4.59±0.21and 4.69±0.19g/dL at the end of

Globulin
The serum globulin concentrations recorded were 3.81±0.51and 3.79±0.53g/dL for the ewes in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, at lambing.At the end of 4 th fortnight after lambing, the values recorded were 2.26±0.45 and 3.17±0.32g/dL for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively and on 12 th fortnight it was found to be 3.30±0.48and 3.29±0.34g/dL respectively, which showed that the value for Group 2 on 4 th fortnight was significantly (p<0.05)higher than that of Group 1.

Total cholesterol
The mean serum total cholesterol levels found just after lambing were 46.98±1.49and 46.77±1.91 mg/dL for the ewes in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.At the end of 4 th fortnight the values recorded were 45.76±1.03and 52.19±0.83mg/dL and on 12 th fortnight it was 44.98±1.03and 49.19±0.78mg/dL for the ewes in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, which shows the serum cholesterol of Group 2 is significantly (p<0.05)higher than Group 1.

Creatinine
The serum creatinine recorded for Group 1 ewes were 0.76±0.14,0.94±0.08 and 0.88±0.08mg/dL at lambing, on 4 th fortnight and 12 th fortnight respectively and that for Group 2 were 0.70±0.09,0.82±0.06and 0.84±0.10mg/dL respectively.There was no significant difference between the values for Group 1 and 2 at any stage.

SGPT (ALT)
The SGPT values recorded for Group 1 ewes were 41.82±0.79,40.62±0.69and 41.72±0.67U/L at lambing, on 4 th fortnight and 12 th fortnight respectively and that for Group 2 were 42.21±0.72,42.00±0.78and 42.10±0.72U/L respectively.There was no significant difference between the values for Group 1 and 2 at any stage.

Post-partum onset of estrus
The mean days to postpartum onset of estrus recorded were 68.54±0.72 and 64.32±0.67 days for the ewes in Groups 1 and 2, respectively.No significant difference was noticed between the groups even as the ewes in Group 2 tended to have a slightly shorter period.
for Group 1 increased from 1.87±0.07kg at birth to 9.30±0.18kg at 13 th fortnight, while for Group 2, it increased from 1.83±0.04kg at birth to 11.95±0.47kg at 13 th fortnight (182 days) of age.Similarly, in the case of female lambs, the body weight for Group 1 increased from 1.56±0.06kg at birth to 8.74±0.17kg at 13 th fortnight, while for Group 2, it increased from 1.57±0.04kg at birth to 11.42±0.47kg at the age of 13 th fortnight.
Initially both for male and female lambs, the birth weight did not significantly differ between Group 1 and Group 2. After that, the lambs in Group 2 registered significantly higher body weights than those in Group 1 during every fortnight.The differences in body weight of male lambs between the groups were found significant (p<0.05)from 2 nd to 5 th fortnight, while from 6 th to 13 th fortnight it was found to be highly significant (p<0.01).The female lambs in Group 2 registered higher body weights than those in Group 1 at every stage from 2 nd to the 13 th fortnight, and the differences between the groups were found highly significant (p<0.01).
The mean cumulative average daily gains in weight at fortnightly intervals for the two groups of lambs are presented in Figure -4.In the case of male lambs, the daily gains, for Groups 1 and 2, respectively averaged 51.43±6.19 and 65.71±5.61g/day at 1st fortnight, which increased to 66.67±3.51 and 82.14±5.61g/day at 3 rd fortnight.After this, the gains gradually declined to 40.82±1.09and 55.99±2.74g/day at the end of the 13 th fortnight for Group 1 and 2 respectively with slight fluctuation at last 3 fortnights.The fortnightly average daily gain in body weight of male lambs was significantly (p<0.05)higher from 2 nd to 5 th fortnight and after that it was found to be highly significant (p<0.01)till the end of 13 th fortnight.
In the case of female lambs, the daily gains, for Groups 1 and 2, averaged 48.57±2.56 and 50.00±4.52g/day respectively at 1st fortnight, which increased to 60.18±1.94and 77.50±3.04g/day at 4 th fortnight.After this, the gains gradually decreased to 39.45±0.95 and 54.12±2.64g/day at the end of the 13 th fortnight for Group 1 and 2 respectively with slight fluctuation at last 2 fortnights.The fortnightly average daily gain in body weight of female lambs was higher (p<0.01)for lambs of Group 2 from 2 nd till the end of the 13 th fortnight.

Hematological profiles in lambs
A shown in Table-4, values of Hb, PCV, MCV and MCH in lambs showed a significant (p<0.05)rise in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 during 12 th fortnight of age.On the other hand, values of TEC and MCHC showed a rise in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 during 12 th fortnight of age, but not significant (p<0.05) in nature.

Serum biochemical profiles in Lambs
A shown in Table-5, values of Glucose and cholesterol in lambs showed a significant (p<0.05)rise in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 during 12 th fortnight of age.On the other hand, values of the rest of the biochemical parameters of Group 2 lambs showed a non-significant increase trend in their values.

Incidence of disease and mortality
No disease or mortality was encountered in either group during the experimental period.

Ewe body weight and average daily gain
In the case of ewes in Group 1, the initial depression in fortnightly body weight gain as well as average daily gain might be due to lactation stress on lambing, which the animals could gradually overcome as the milk production might have declined after about 4 weeks of lactation.This finding is in line with the findings of Idris et al. [5] and Adrian and Arancon, [6] who reported that supplementation of ewes during early lactation had significant effect body weight change, as animals do not get enough nutrient requirements to meet mammary growth and milk production.Ewes in Group 1 might have mobilized their reserve more than ewes in Group 2. Also, Idris et al. [5], Tibin et al. [7] and Adrian and Arancon [6] reported that, protein supplementation to ewes grazing low quality pasture improved their body weight.It is reported that the total digestible nutrients requirement of lactating ewes increased during lactation [8].Jordan and Hanke [9] also reported that the milk production during first 4 weeks of lactation was partially at the expense of stored body tissue.In the case of ewes in Group 2, there was no initial depression in body weight or daily gain, unlike in the case of Group 1.This might be because of concentrate supplementation to the ewes in this group, which could have helped these ewes to overcome the stress inflicted due to pregnancy and lactation.This finding is in accordance with that of Osuagwah and Aire [10] and Chaturvedi et al. [3].However, there was a decline in average daily gain from 4 th fortnight onwards, since the concentrate was discontinued by the end of 4th fortnight.

Haemoglobin (Hb)
The significantly higher values (p<0.05)recorded for the ewes in Group 2 might be due to better availability of nutrients from the concentrates for erythrocyte production and Hb synthesis.Erythropoiesis was affected by the level of feeding in sheep [11,12].The Hb values obtained in the present study were well within the range reported by different workers for sheep.The values reported were; 9.0-14.5 g/100 ml [13] and 8.6-15.8g/100 ml [14].

Packed cell volume (PCV)
The PCV values are relevant parameters in the demonstration of the protein state of the ruminants [12], signifies animals of Group 2 has better plane of nutrition.The PCV values in the present study were well within the range, i.e., 22-39% [14].However, the values obtained were found lower than that reported (33-46%) by [13], which might be due to differences in breed, environment, nutrition and health status of the animals in the two studies.Means in a row bearing different superscripts differ significantly (p<0.05),SGPT=Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, ALT=Alanine aminotransferase, ALP=Alkaline phosphatase, SGOT=Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, AST=aspartate transaminase

Total erythrocyte count (TEC)
Decline in the number of red blood cell in the blood of ewes in the early lactation are similar to those of Opara et al., [15]; Skotnicka [16] in goats.The TEC values recorded in the present study were within the range of 6.2-15.5 × 10 6 /mm 3 as reported by Holman [14], 8.5-13.5 × 10 6 /mm 3 by Coffin [14] and 8.0-16.0 by Schalm [17].

Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH)
All these values recorded in the present study were found well within the normal range: 8-12 [19], while at lower side with respect to the range (9)(10)(11)(12)(13) given by Benjamin [18], which may be due to differences in environment and nutritional status of the test animals.

Total leukocyte count (TLC)
The TLC values recorded in the present study agreed to the normal value of 4-12.0 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) as reported by Schalm [17] for sheep.The values recorded in the present study were found at par with that reported for Tuj sheep (7.7±1.9 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) by Bozdogan et al. [20].The minute difference between the leukocyte numbers found in the present study and as reported by Bozdogan et al. [20] might be due to differences in breed, environment, nutrition and health status of the animals in the two studies.The TLC observed in the present study are also at par with the reported normal values for adult sheep: 7.62 × 10 3 /mm 3 [21], which substantiates our findings, but lower than 9.2 × 10 3 /mm 3 , as recorded by Holman [14].The increased number of TLC at parturition, and early lactation is probably a response to uterine involution that agrees with those in does [22].

Glucose
The significantly higher glucose concentrations during 4 th fortnight in Group 2 ewes might be due to the effect of supplementary concentrate feeding.A depressed blood glucose concentration was found in lactating ewes, due to increased utilization of glucose for milk lactose synthesis to maintain blood glucose homeostasis [23,24].There is always an elevated glucose need which consequently increases the glucose turnover during late pregnancy and subsequent stages of lactation [25].The current study is consistent with earlier results in lactating ewes [26].
The glucose concentrations recorded in the present study conformed to the standard biochemical values in sheep serum as reported by Rodosttis et al. [19].

Total protein
Usually, the pregnant ewes showed higher concentrations of total protein and albumin in blood when compared to the lactating ewes [27] which might be due to rapid extraction of immunoglobulin from the plasma protein for the colostrum synthesis in the mammary gland.The ewes in Group 2 showed significantly (p<0.05)higher concentrations than those in Group 1 at the end of 4 th week after lambing, which could be attributed to their higher plane of nutrition due to supplementary concentrate feeding.
The concentrations found in the present study were within the range or slightly above the range of reported values for sheep Kaneko et al., [28] and Schalm et al. [17].The overall differences found between the two studies might be due to differences in breed, environment and nutritional status of the animals.

Albumin
The concentrations recorded in the present study were above the range (2.4-3.0 g/dL) as reported by Rodosttis et al. [19].

Globulin
The significantly higher globulin value during 4 th fortnight in Group 2 ewes might be due to the higher plane of nutrition in this group.The globulin concentrations recorded in the present study were well within the physiological range of 3.5-5.7 g/dL as reported by Kaneko [28].

Total cholesterol
Decreased cholesterol concentrations in early lactation are consistent with an increased energy requirement and negative energy balance which might be due to the influence of the concentrate supplementation.Similar results have been detected by Eshratkhah et al. [29].The total cholesterol concentrations recorded in the present study are close to the standard values of 52-76 mg/dL for sheep serum as reported by Benjamin [18].

Urea
Greater urea concentration in lactating ewes can be due to muscle protein catabolism when large amounts of body reserves are mobilized to fulfill the demand that depends upon body condition score and body weights of the lactating ewes.Jalilian et al. [30] concluded that ewes with lower body condition score have greater urea concentration.Similar results have obtained by Fibrosas and Condiciones [31].

Creatinine
No significance difference in creatinine values signifies absence of any adverse effects of feed on hepatic function or by the urea cycle [32][33][34].

SGPT (ALT)
The SGPT (ALT) level recorded in the present study is higher than the standard value: 22-38 U/L [19], which may be attributed to the differences in breed, environment, nutrition and health status of the animals.

ALP
There was no significant difference between the values for Group 1 and 2 at any stage, and the values were well within the standard range: 70-390 U/L [19].

SGOT (AST)
There was no significant difference between the values for Group 1 and 2 at any stage and values obtained were within the standard range: 60-280 U/L [19].

Calcium
There was no significant difference between the values for Group 1 and 2 at any stage.The serum calcium concentrations recorded in the present study were slightly lower than the standard value: 11.5-13 mg/dL [19], which might be due to the requirements for calcium were suddenly raised during the last days of prepartum and the 1st days postpartum as a result of high calcium level in colostrum and milk.

Post-partum onset of estrus
Sejian et al., [35] opined that prolonged restriction of dietary energy lengthened postpartum estrus period in cattle and sheep, possibly by suppression of the increase in LH pulse frequency that was necessary for growth of ovarian follicles to the pre-ovulatory stage.The findings in the present study agree to some extent to the observations made by Naqvi et al., [36] which showed that by providing supplemental nutrition to pasture grazing ewes for 14 days before lambing and 21 days postpartum, the time to postpartum estrus was shorter, though non-significant (p≥0.10) for the supplemented group during dry season (46.9±2.7 vs. 52.9±2.6 day), while in wet season, it was significantly (p<0.07)shorter for the supplemented group (33.0±3.1 vs. 41.1±2.9 day).

Lamb body weight and average daily gain
The body weights of lambs recorded in the present study are close to the findings of Parhi et al. [37], who reported 3-month body weight of male and female lambs as 6.980±0.084and 6.563±0.059kg and 6 month body weight as 14.944±0.124and 13.933±0.073kg, respectively.
The increased body weight and average daily weight gain for the lambs in Group 2 might be attributed to the supplementary concentrate fed to their dams during lactation, which might have resulted in increased milk production of the dams, leading to higher growth of lambs.This corroborates the findings of Jordan and Hanke [9] and Galvani et al., [38], who reported higher lamb body weight gain when their dams were supplemented with concentrate.Several reports suggest that concentrate supplement increases the milk yield of lactating animals and subsequently increase infant live weight gain like ewes [5,[39][40][41], goat does [42][43][44].

Haematological profiles in lambs
The significantly higher values (p<0.05)recorded for the lambs in Group 2 might be due to the higher plane of nutrition in this group [5,43].The TLC values recorded in the present study agreed to the normal value as reported by Schalm et al. [17] for sheep.The values recorded in the present study were found at par with that reported for Tuj sheep (7.7±1.9 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) by Bozdogan et al. [20].The minute difference between the leukocyte numbers found in the present study, as also reported by Bozdogan et al. [20], might be due to differences in breed, environment, nutrition and health status of the animals in the two studies.Nevertheless all the values of hematological profile remain within normal physiological limits.

Serum biochemical profiles in lambs
As far as the characterization of the energetic state of the ruminants is concerned, the glucose and the total cholesterol were evaluated.Elevated concentration of glucose and cholesterol has a close relationship with the nutritional state of the animal [30,45] courtesy of subsequent stages of lactation [20,25].
On the other hand, values of rest of the biochemical parameters of Group 2 lambs showed a non-significant increase trend in their values which may be culminated due to improved milk production in ewes due to supplementary concentrate feeding [9,38].

Incidence of disease and mortality
No disease or mortality was encountered in either group during the experimental period which might be due to pre-emptive deworming.

Conclusion
From the present study it can concluded that supplementation of a balanced concentrate mixture (crude protein 18.21%) @ 200 g/ewe/day along with grazing during the first 2 months of lactation resulted in higher ewe body weight gain.It improved the hematological and metabolic profiles of the ewes.It also resulted in higher body weight gain in lambs born to the supplemented ewes and also improved their hematological and metabolic profiles.
Husbandry, Bhubaneswar for their support and cooperation in carrying out the study.The fund for the study was provided by Department of Livestock Production & Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Figure- 1 :
Figure-1: Mean±standard error values of fortnightly body weight of ewes of different groups.*Significantly different from the base value (p<0.05).**Significantly different from the base value (p<0.01).

Figure- 2 :
Figure-2: Mean±standard error values of fortnightly average daily gain in weight of ewes of different groups.*Significantly different from the base value (p<0.05).**Significantly different from the base value (p<0.01).

Figure- 3 :
Figure-3: Mean±standard error values of body weight of lambs at fortnight intervals of different groups.*Significantly different from the base value (p<0.05).**Significantly different from the base value (p<0.01).

Figure- 4 :
Figure-4: Mean±standard error values of fortnightly average daily gain in weight of lambs of different groups.*Significantly different from the base value (p<0.05).**Significantly different from the base value (p<0.01).

Table 4 :
Haematological profiles in lamb

Table 5 :
Serum biochemical profiles in lamb