The Colostrum Content Comparison of Awassi and Cukurova Meat Type Sheep Breeds in Mediternean Conditions

The aim of this study to compare colostrum content of awassi and ?ukurova meat type sheep breeds in mediternean conditions. Colostrum quality and content is very important factor for lamb mortality rate. The colostrum composition (protein, fat, moisture, ash, pH and fatty acid content) is influenced by many factors such as calving season, lactation number, dry period length, maternal diseases, age and breed. Awassi is the most important and common breed in the semi - arid regions. ?ukurova meat type sheep is also a result of improved meat type sheep quest to meet the needs red meat demand in Turkey. In this study, the chemical and fatty acid composition of colostrums of two sheep genotype as local Awassi (AW, n = 6) and ?ukurova Meat Type Sheep breed (CMTS, n = 6), raised in city of Adana, where the Mediterranean conditions. Animal material of the research were kept under semi - intensive conditions in subtropical Mediterranean climate. As a result, it was determined that, the protein ratio was lower ofCMTS (10.90 %) than local AW (18, 60 %) while fat ratio ofCMTS (12, 93 ? 1, 04) higher thanAW (10.91 %). According to results of the analysis of fatty acids contents, it has been determined that?SFA rate was higher in CMTS (54.70) while ?MUFA (38.92) and ?PUFA (3.67) rates were higher inAW.