Periparturient coenzyme Q10 administration: effects on immunity, milk quality, and growth performance in sheep

This study investigated the effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) oral administration on biochemical, immunological, microbiological, and productive parameters in sheep. Forty Barki ewes (3.5 ± 0.6 years; 47.5 ± 0.5 kg; 91-96 days of gestation) were randomly assigned to a control group (standard diet) and a treatment group (standard diet + 2 mg CoQ10 /kg BW). The experiment was conducted from late gestation through four weeks postpartum. CoQ10 administration increased serum total protein (5.49 vs. 5.01 g/dL) and globulin (3.00 vs. 2.49 g/dL) at parturition (p < 0.01), along with higher immunoglobulin A (IgA) (92.60 vs. 74.20 ng/mL) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (28.55 vs. 19.15 U/mL). In lambs of CoQ10-treated ewes, total protein (5.41 vs. 4.52 g/dL), IgA (137.10 vs. 88.01 ng/mL), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (43.96 vs. 32.11 mM/L) were higher (p < 0.05). Colostrum and milk from treated ewes showed higher solids-not-fat (15.41 vs. 12.32%, p < 0.01) and fat content (up to 7.7 vs. 5.7%, p < 0.01), with consistently higher immunoglobulins and reduced microbial incidence. Milk yield was higher in treated ewes, with a significant increase at week 4. Lambs of CoQ10-treated ewes had consistently higher body weight at all measured time points (p < 0.05). In conclusion, periparturient CoQ10 administration enhanced antioxidant status, immune-related parameters, milk quality, and growth performance. These findings support CoQ10 as a potential management strategy to alleviate periparturient stress and improve productivity in sheep production systems. Further studies are needed to optimize dosage and evaluate long-term effects under commercial conditions.