Assessment of alterations in some blood biochemical and mineral contents concentration before and during pregnancy period in Iraqi ewes of Salah-edin province

Thirty local Iraqi ewes reared in Tikrit – Salah-edin province from first the of October-2016 to the first of March-2017 were used in the current study to investigate the influence of pregnancy on levels of some biochemical and minerals contents in the blood serum. Blood samples were collected from ewes before and monthly during pregnancy (first, second, third, fourth and fifth month), serum separated and stored at 5 °C until samples analysis. All samples were analyzed by spectrophotometer with special kits for each parameter. Results demonstrate significant decrease (P ≤0.05) in concentration of total protein, cholesterol and glucose as pregnancy advanced, while there is no effect of pregnancy on the concentration of creatinine and magnesium, however, there is a significant increase (P ≤0.05) in calcium concentration as pregnancy proceed. In conclusion the pregnancy has clear influences on the concentration of total protein, cholesterol, glucose and calcium. The measurements of these parameters give best assessment for nutritional and health status of Iraqi ewes during pregnancy.