Factors Affecting Neonatal Lamb ~ortality in Pak-karakul Sheep

This study was conducted on 528 neonates of Pak-Karakul sheep born during February to April, 1998 at the Sheep and Goat Development Center, Rakh Khairewala, District Layyah, Overall mortality observed in neonates was 9.28%.The mortality rate in male and female neonatal lambs was 9.72 and 8.90%,respectively. The survived lambs were significantly heavier (3.77 ± 0.63 kg) (P< 0.001) than those died during neonatal period (2.79 ± 0.49 kg). Male lambs were significantly (P< 0.03) heavier than female lambs (3.84 ± 0.71 vs. 3.52 ± 0.59 kg). Parity of the dam did not affect the survival of the lambs. The lambs that survived neonatal period had significantly (P< 0.001) higher serum immunoglobulin levels (30.89 ± 7.62 ZSTunits) than those who died (7.08 ± 5.26 ZST units). Serum total proteins and globulin concentration had also significant effect on survival rate of neonata 1 lambs (P< 0.001). The mean serum total protein values for survived and died lambs using refractometer were 7.85 ± 1.55 and 4.71 ± 1.28 g/dL and by using biuret method were 7.89 ± 1.54 and 4.65 ± 1.17 g/dL, respectively. The mean globulin concentration of lambs that survived was 3.95 ± 1.32g/dLwhich was significantly (P< 0.001) higher than those died (1.02 ± 0.72 g/dL). .