CONCENTRATIONS OF CHOLESTEROL, TOTAL LIPI DS AND PROGESTERONE IN THE PUERPERIUM OF EWES

Puerperium as a last phase of the reproductive cycle is characterized by functional and morphological changes of sexual apparatus (Krajnicak ova et al., 1990) as well as by metabolic and hormonal changes, when o rganism is exhausted by previous gravidity and parturition. In our stu dy, we have focused on the investigation of dynamic changes in the con centration of cholesterol (Chol), total lipids (Cl) and progesterone ( P-4). Ten ewes of the Slovak Merino breed, lambed in January and Febru ary, were included in the experiment. The 3-5 months old animals were housed under the conditions of productive rearing. The animals were fe d with silage, hay, turnip and feeding mixture BAK. Water and cattle s alt were provided ad libitum. Blood was sampled from v. jugularis punc ture on days 1, 4, 7, 14, 17, 21, 25, 34 and 42 post partum (p.p.). Im mediately after sampling the blood samples were centrifuged. Serum cho lesterol and total lipids were determined using Bio-Lachema tests, Brn o, and concentrations of progesterone were determinated employing RIA- test-Prog kits, Institute of Radioecology and Applied Nuclear Techniqu es (URVJT), Kosice. In concentrations of cholesterol, an insignificant increase (P > 0.05) was recorded on days 4, 21 and 34, the values ran ged from 1.86 +/- 0.42 to 2.1 +/- 0.53 nmol.l(-1). The lowest concentr ations were recorded on day 25 (1.56 +/- 0.27 nmol.l(-1)). A significa nt increase in the concentration of total lipids compared to day 1 aft er lambing was recorded on days 4, 7, 17, 21 (P < 0.01) and 34 (P < 0. 05) p.p. The values ranged from 2.01 +/- 0.58 to 2.42 +/- 0.41 g.l(-1) . In other days (on days 14, 25 and 42) the levels ranged from 1.83 +/ - 0.46 to 1.87 +/- 0.67 g.l(-1). The decline in the concentrations of total lipids on day 1 after lambing (1.25 +/- 0.58 g.l(-1)) is likely to be concerned with the drawing the nutrients through the continuous cleavage and synthesis of proteins and lipids to the end of the gravid ity (Grummer, Carrol, 1989). The concentrations of progesterone on day 1 after lambing decreased to 0.057 +/- 0.08 nmol.l(-1) of serum. In o ther days of the observed period, its levels remained below 0.1 nmol.l (-1) except for day 34 p.p. when the values ranged with an extreme var iation dispersion of the individual values 0.906 +/- 2.82 nmol.l(-1) o f serum. The recorded increase of the P-4 concentrations is likely to be concerned with ovarian activity which can occur without external si gns of the oestrus in the period from day 1 to day 25 p.p. (Schirar, 1 986). The dynamic changes of biochemical parameters observed further t o the concentrations of steroid hormone - progesterone (P-4) point out to their key position in homeostatic and metabolic adaptation of the organism in the puerperium.