The effects of sesame oil supplementation on the performance of Awassi ewes and their offspring

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sesame oil (SO) supplementation on Awassi ewes during the pre-partum and post-partum periods. Variables measured included nutrient intake and digestibility, colostrum quality, milk production and composition, body weight changes in the ewes and their lambs, and blood biochemistry. About 35 days before giving birth, 32 pregnant ewes with an initial body weight of 59.7 ± 2.25 kg were selected and divided into two groups of 16 ewes each: one group received no sesame oil (CON), and the other group (SO) received sesame oil included in the diet at 1.5% of the dietary dry matter (DM). Ewes were housed individually (0.75 × 1.5 m) during the experiment. Body weight was recorded at 8:00 A.M. on days − 35, -32, 0 (parturition), 14, 28, and 56. Milk yield was measured on days 14, 28, and 56. Blood samples were taken at the end of both the pre-partum and post-partum periods. After lactation ended, five ewes from each group were selected and placed in metabolic crates (0.80 × 1.05 m) designed to separate feces and urine, allowing for the measurement of nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. During both periods, the intake of ether extract (EE) and metabolizable energy was greater (P