Nutrition and colostrum production in sheep. 2. Metabolic and hormonal responses to different energy sources in the final stages of pregnancy

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dc.contributor Banchero, G E
dc.contributor Quintans, G
dc.contributor Martin, G B
dc.contributor Milton, J T B
dc.contributor Lindsay, D R
dc.date.accessioned 2012-01-30T16:27:31Z
dc.date.available 2012-01-30T16:27:31Z
dc.date.issued 2004
dc.identifier.citation Rep. Fert. Dev. (2004) 16(6): 645-653
dc.identifier.issn 1031-3613
dc.identifier.uri http://livestocklibrary.com.au/handle/1234/16935
dc.description.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.
dc.publisher CSIRO Publishing
dc.source.uri http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=RD03092.pdf
dc.subject glucose
dc.subject insulin
dc.subject lactogenesis
dc.subject lactose
dc.subject lupins
dc.subject maize
dc.subject urea
dc.title Nutrition and colostrum production in sheep. 2. Metabolic and hormonal responses to different energy sources in the final stages of pregnancy
dc.type Research
dc.description.version Journal article
dc.identifier.volume 16
dc.identifier.page 645-653
dc.identifier.issue 6


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