Nutrition and colostrum production in sheep. 2. Metabolic and hormonal responses to different energy sources in the final stages of pregnancy
- 1 January 2004
- journal article
- research article
- Published by CSIRO Publishing in Reproduction, Fertility and Development
- Vol. 16 (6), 645-653
- https://doi.org/10.1071/rd03092
Abstract
Lupins and maize, with similar concentrations of metabolisable energy, should produce similar responses in colostrum production at parturition when fed during the last week of pregnancy, but, in the present study, we tested the proposal that the physical form of whole lupins would restrict intake and, therefore, the response compared with cracked lupins or maize. Fifty-five twin-bearing ewes were divided into four groups: in the last 15 days of pregnancy, 14 were fed whole lupins, 13 were fed cracked lupins, 14 were fed cracked maize and 14 received no supplement. The cracked supplements were fed in increasing amounts for 6 days to avoid acidosis. The whole lupins were fed only from Day −8. All supplementary grains increased the intake of metabolisable energy by >35%, but only ewes eating maize accumulated significantly more colostrum at parturition: control, 207 g; cracked maize, 452 g; cracked lupins, 206 g; whole lupins, 231 g (P < 0.05). Plasma urea concentrations were extremely high (approximately 10 mmol L–1) for both groups eating lupins and approximately double those of control ewes or those receiving maize (P < 0.05). We conclude that gut distention is not a cause of a poor response to lupins, but the ammonia associated with near-toxic concentrations of plasma urea may be affecting the production of colostrum.Keywords
This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- Nutrition and colostrum production in sheep. 1. Metabolic and hormonal responses to a high-energy supplement in the final stages of pregnancyReproduction, Fertility and Development, 2004
- The secretion of gonadotrophins, insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 by Merino rams supplemented with different legume seedsAustralian Journal of Agricultural Research, 1996
- Nutritional Value of Grain Legumes for RuminantsNutrition Research Reviews, 1992
- The effects of intraruminal infusions of urea on the voluntary intake and milk production of cows receiving grass silage dietsJournal of Dairy Research, 1990
- Subclinical ammonia toxicity in steers: effects on hepatic and portal-drained visceral flux of metabolites and regulatory hormones.Journal of Animal Science, 1990
- Milk Lactose, Citrate, and Glucose as Markers of Lactogenesis in Normal and Diabetic WomenJournal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 1989
- Fetal NutritionAnnual Review of Nutrition, 1988
- Subclinical Ammonia Toxicity in Steers: Effects on Blood Metabolite and Regulatory Hormone ConcentrationsJournal of Animal Science, 1988
- The relationship of changes in mammary blood flow and plasma progesterone at the time of parturition in the eweAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1978
- DILUENTS FOR INSULIN STANDARDS IN IMMUNOASSAY OF INSULIN IN UNDILUTED OVINE PLASMA BY A DOUBLE ANTIBODY TECHNIQUEJournal of Endocrinology, 1966