CHERRY (Prunus cerasus L.) KERNEL PULP SUPPLEMENTATION IN PERIPARTUM KURDI EWES: EFFECTS ON DIGESTIBILITY, ANTIOXIDANT STATUS, AND MILK FATTY ACIDS

Abstract

The periparturient period in ewes is characterized by severe metabolic changes, that may pose risks to animal health and performance. Effective management, particularly nutritional strategies, can enhance pre- and post-partum performance while reducing metabolic disorders. This study determined the effects of supplementation with different levels of cherry kernel pulp (CKP) on colostrum and milk fatty acid (FA) profile, nutrient digestibility, and antioxidant indicators in prepartum ewes. Twenty-eight primiparous Kurdi ewes were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7) supplemented with 0, 4, 8, and 12% CKP on dry matter (DM) basis for 3 weeks pre- and post-partum. Blood samples were collected at multiple time points, and colostrum and milk were sampled post-lambing. CKP-supplemented ewes had lower dry matter intake (DMI; p = 0.002) and DM digestibility (p = 0.0001), crude protein (CP; p = 0.0001), and ether extract (EE; p = 0.0001) than control ewes. CKP supplementation did not affect plasma glucose, albumin, creatinine, total protein, high-density lipoprotein, aspartate aminotransferase, or lactate dehydrogenase (p > 0.05). However, CKP supplementation increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC; p = 0.018) and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (p = 0.001) in plasma. Dietary CKP inclusion did not affect colostrum or milk composition or their FA profiles (p > 0.05). Overall, our findings indicate that CKP supplementation at levels of up to 8% of dietary DM may improve antioxidant status in transition ewes without adversely affecting postpartum milk yield or composition. However, CKP supplementation was associated with reduced DM and CP digestibility.