Seasonal variations in plasma phosphorus levels of transhumant sheep in kordofan, Sudan

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Abstract
Summary Plasma phosphorus levels were evaluated for one hundred adult breeding ewes from transhumant producer flocks during the late rainy season (September 1984/1985), the mid-dry season (February 1985) and the late-dry season (May 1985). The percentage of non-pregnant/non-lactating ewes critically deficient in phosphorus increased from 9% in the rainy season to 56% in the late-dry season. In September 35% of pregnant ewes were critically deficient in phosphorus. During peak lactation (February) 87% of lactating ewes were critically deficient in phosphorus and 84% remained critically deficient until the start of the rainy season approximately 20 weeks post-lambing. The low phosphorus content of grazing rations, which varied from 0.18% in the rainy season to 0.09% in the dry season, and low forage availability, which was especially acute during the late-dry season, appeared to be the most important factors limiting phosphorus intake.