Evaluation of the metabolic profile indices allows early detection and treatment of various metabolic disorders during the transition period in ewes. This study aimed to determine the variations in the blood metabolites around lambing in Ossimi ewes. The blood metabolites were investigated in ewes with single (n = 27) and multiple (n = 9) lambs at 3- and 1-week pre-lambing and 3-week post-lambing. The plasma concentrations of glucose were higher in single-bearing ewes than those in multiple-bearing ewes (p < .05), moreover, its lowest value was measured at 1-week prepartum in both groups. Throughout the study period, the serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were significantly increased in ewes with multiple lambs compared to ewes with single lambs (p < .05), and the highest value was found at 1-week before parturition in both groups. In addition, the serum level of beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) was higher at 3-week postpartum, and it was significantly increased in multiple-bearing ewes than that in single-bearing ones (p < .05) at 3-week pre-lambing. In both groups, the lowest values of total proteins were determined 1-week before lambing, and its concentrations, at 3- and 1-week prepartum, were higher in ewes with single lambs than those with multiple lambs (p < .05). In contrast, the serum concentrations of albumin were significantly lowered 1-week postpartum (p < .05), and without significant differences between both groups (p > .05). The serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) were significantly increased at 1-week after parturition in both groups (p < .05). Furthermore, the serum activities of AST were higher in multiple-bearing ewes than those in single-bearing ones at 3-week pre-lambing and 3-week post-lambing (p < .05). Variable positive and negative correlations were determined among the blood metabolites. In conclusion, physiological adaptations are associated with the fluctuation of the blood metabolites around lambing. The higher the number of foetuses the higher the metabolic variations in Ossimi ewes. Therefore, regular metabolic profiling for health monitoring may be necessary to avoid disease development during the transition period.
uterus is a very important reproductive organ for implantation and holding embryos till labor. Many drugs and medicinal plants affect the uterus, some researchers reported that Salvadora persica (Miswak) is a phytoestrogen plant as it contains flavonoids and can be used as a contraceptive drug; however, no available investigations explain the histomorphological structure of the uterus after Miswak extract administration. Twelve female albino rats (165.3 ± 3.269 g) were divided equally into two groups. In the control group, the animals received normal saline daily for 4 weeks. While in the Miswak treated group, the animals received 900 mg/kg of body weight of the Miswak aqueous extract daily for the same period. Grossly, at the end of the experiment, our results revealed that the uteri in the Miswak-treated group had characteristics of low active organs; they were pale with low weight and high thickness. In contrast to the treated group, the uteri of the control group had the signs of active organs; they were more vascular, relatively thin and edematous. Microscopically, in the control group, the uterine lumen was wide and the mucosa was folded and covered by secretory columnar epithelium. The uterine glands were more active, and the myometrium was thick. Whereas, in the Miswak-treated group, the lumen was slit-like, the uterine glands were less active, and the uterine wall had thick lamina propria and thin myometrium. In conclusion, the oral administration of Miswak extract reduces the uterus activity. It showed a state of anestrous with a narrow slit-like lumen and a decrease in glandular activit
