In tropical condition, low quality feedstuff and heat stress expose ruminants such as dairy ewes and dairy cows to lack of proper amounts of available energy, which may lead to a negative energy balance condition (Van Knegsel et al., 2007; Chiofalo et al., 2005). Negative energy balance has been associated with an increase in incidence and severity of metabolic disorders, like fatty liver, ketosis (Grummer, 1993) and ruminal acidosis (Bobe et al., 2004), an increase in incidence of infectious diseases (Collard et al., 2000). Furthermore, negative energy balance leads to a decrease in reproductive performance, like delayed resumption of ovarian activity (Staples et al., 1990), diminished estrous expression (Lopez et al., 2004), attenuated follicle quality (Lucy et al., 1991), lower conception rates, and more days open (Reist et al., 2003; Reksen et al., 2002). It has been hypothesized that increasing the availability of glucogenic and lipogenic nutrients can improve energy balance and decrease the incidence of metabolic disorders associated with it. Lipogenic nutrients in ruminants originate from fermentation of fiber to acetate and butyrate, dietary fat or are derived from body reserves. Glucogenic nutrients originate from starch that has escaped rumen degradation or gluconeogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of glucogenic or lipogenic diets on plasma glucose and urea nitrogen concentration of Baloochi sheep.

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