Response of the Wumeng Sheep to Phosphorus Deprived Environment in the Southwest China

The objective of this study was to determine the response of the Wumeng sheep on phosphorus (P) deprived range in the Southwest China. Samples of herbage, soil and animal tissue were collected in the studied area. Physiological and biochemical values in blood were examined. The mineral contents were determined in soils, forages and animal tissues (blood, bone, wool). The results showed that P contents in soil and forage from P-deprived pastures were markedly lower than those in healthy ranges (P<0.01) and the ratio of calcium (Ca) to P in the P-deprived forages was 11.49:1. P contents in blood, wool, rib, hip, and teeth from P-deprived Wumeng sheep were also markedly lower than those in healthy sheep (P<0.01). Compared with healthy sheep, the levels of hemoglobin and packed cell volume from P-deficient sheep were significantly lower than those in healthy animals (P<0.01). The levels of creatinine (CRT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in serum were significantly higher and the inorganic phosphorus (IP) value was significantly lower in P-deficient compared with healthy sheep (P<0.01). Contents of alpha-globulin (alpha-GLB) and 0-globulin (0-GLB) in serum from P-deficient sheep were markedly higher than those in healthy sheep (P<0.01). Serum gamma-globulin (gamma-GLB) was significantly lower than that in healthy sheep (P<0.01). Therefore, P deprivation in forage not only influenced the mineral content in animal tissue, but also severely disrupted blood parameters (physiology, biochemistry) in Wumeng sheep.