Effect of nutrition and dose level of PMS on oestrous response and ovulation rate in progestagen-treated non-cyclic Suffolk × Galway ewe lambs

1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Keane
Keyword(s):  
Dose Level ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Delayed Onset ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Fresh Cut ◽  
The Difference

SUMMARYMarch-born non-cyclic Suffolk × Galway ewe lambs were treated with progestagen pessaries while being either fed fresh-cut grass ad libitum, or restricted to 50% of appetite and at pessary removal half of the animals on each nutritional treatment received either 600 i.u. or 300 i.u. PMS. Averaged over both levels of PMS, 97·5% of the lambs showed oestrus when fed ad libitum but only 67·5% of those on restricted feeding responded. When feed intake was not restricted there were no differences due to PMS level but when feed intake was restricted the higher dose level of PMS resulted in a greater percentage showing oestrus and a significantly higher ovulation rate. The dose level of PMS had no effect on the time of oestrous onset but restricted feeding resulted in delayed onset and poor synchronization of oestrus. Duration of oestrus was greatest for lambs fed ad libitum given 600 i.u. PMS and least for those on restricted feeding given 300 i.u. PMS but the difference was not significant. A minority of lambs showed broken oestrous periods.

Effect of residual feed intake phenotype–nutritional treatment interaction on the growth performance, plasma metabolic variables and somatotropic axis gene expression of growing ewes

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 1593 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Nie ◽  
Z. Y. Wang ◽  
S. Lan ◽  
H. Zhang ◽  
Y. J. Wan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Mrna Abundance ◽  
Feed Restriction ◽  
Somatotropic Axis ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Treatment Interaction ◽  
Ad Libitum

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of residual feed intake (RFI) phenotype and nutritional treatment interaction on the growth performance, plasma variables and gene expression levels within the somatotropic axis. Growing ewes [n = 52, initial bodyweight (BW) = 17.5 ± 0.5 kg, 2 months of age] were offered ad libitum access to diets for 63 days and ranked based on RFI phenotype. Thirty ewes with the highest and lowest RFI values were selected and randomly assigned to three nutritional treatments based on dry matter intake (DMI), which are ad libitum (AL), low restriction (LR) and high restriction (HR) groups, respectively. Each nutritional treatment group included ewes with high (n = 5) and low RFI (n = 5) values. During nutritional treatment (from Day 64 to Day 138), plasma samples were obtained to measure metabolite and hormone concentrations. Tissues of the hypothalamus, pituitary, liver, and Longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) were harvested at the end of the experiment (Day 138) to measure the gene expression level within the somatotropic axis. Muscle growth hormone receptor mRNA abundance of low RFI ewes tended to be greater (P = 0.09) under AL feeding, but this difference was abolished by underfeeding (P > 0.10). Low RFI ewes under HR treatment showed slightly greater growth performance, which was accompanied with lower pituitary somatostain receptor 2 mRNA abundance (P < 0.05), plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentration (P < 0.05), and greater concentration of triglyceride (P < 0.05), compared with ewes classified as high RFI group. Our results suggested that ewes categorised as low RFI showed higher resistance to the condition of high feed restriction, which might be attributed to less intensity of fat mobilisation under negative energy balance. The mechanism underlying resistance to such feed restriction was presumably through action of somatostain receptor 2 and was potentially mediated by inhibitory effects of somatostatin on growth hormone release but not basal growth hormone secretion.

Nutrient metabolism and rumen micro-organisms in sheep fed a poor-quality tropical grass hay supplemented with sulphate

1990 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Morrison ◽  
R. M. Murray ◽  
A. N. Boniface
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Nutrient Metabolism ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Molar Proportion ◽  
Group A ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Group B

SUMMARYA feeding trial was performed during 1986, in Townsville, Australia, to describe alterations in nutrient metabolism, and the coincident gross changes in rumen microbiology, when a sulphurdeficient diet was supplemented with inorganic sulphur. Eight Merino sheep were fedad libituma spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) hay of low sulphur content (0·4 g/kg DM), supplemented with all other essential minerals. Upon supplementation, daily sulphur intake was increased toc.0·75 g and four animals continued to be fedad libitum(group A) whilst the remaining animals were restricted in feed intake (group B). Sulphur supplementation caused a twofold increase in the feed intake of group A (P< 0·05). In both groups of animals, sulphur supplementation increased the fermentation of cotton thread cellulose (P< 0·05), as well as of ground plant dry matter (P< 0·05), suspended in the rumen in nylon bags for 24 and 48 h. The apparent digestibility of organic matter (AOMD) was also increased by sulphur supplementation; from 30·6 to 39·3% in group A (P< 0·05) and from 35·1 to 41·5% in group B (P> 0·05). The difference in AOMD between groups with sulphur supplementation was not significant, despite group B maintaining a longer retention of fluid digesta in the rumen (20·7 v. 25·3 h) with a significantly lowered rumen volume (4·68 v 3·67 litres,P< 0·05) and outflow of fluid digesta from this site (5·31 v 3·58 litres/day,P< 0·05). Sulphur supplementation increased the molar proportion of acetic acid in rumen fluid (P< 0·05) but lowered propionic and butyric acids in group A (P< 0·05). Only the molar proportion of propionic acid in rumen fluid was significantly lowered in group B (P< 0·05). In both groups of animals, counts of fluid-borne rumen bacteria, protozoa and sporangia of rumen anaerobic fungi (RAF) all increased significantly with sulphur supplementation (P< 0·05 in all instances), but no significant differences were observed between groups in microbial counts, despite the different feeding regimes. The increase in sporangial forms of RAF was most marked; no sporangial forms were detectable until the diet was supplemented with sulphate and measurable concentrations of rumen sulphide were observed. This is the first account of nondetectable concentrations of RAF brought about by the nutritional status of the diet.

Daily gain, food intake and food efficiency in pigs during the growing period

1990 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Kanis ◽  
W. J. Koops
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Food Efficiency ◽  
Daily Food ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
Daily Gain

ABSTRACTThe non-linear model y = ae(−hW−c/W) was fitted to weekly calculated daily gain (DG), daily food intake (FI) and food efficiency (FE) of 653 barrows and gilts fed ad libitum or restrictedly during a growing period from 27 to 108 kg live weight. Where y was DG, FI or FE, W was live weight and a, b and c were parameters. The model fitted well to the expected course of the traits, with an accuracy similar to that of quadratic polynomials. Parameters for one trait could simply be derived from the parameters for the other two traits. For each trait, four basic patterns were distinguished, depending on the signs of b and c. Curves with a maximum (b > 0 and c > 0) occurred most frequently. In cases of curves with a maximum, the model could be reparameterized to a model with parameters having a simple biological meaning.Coefficients of determination in barrows averaged 0·29 for DG, 0·88 for FI and 0·45 for FE, whereas these values were somewhat lower in gilts. With ad libitum feeding, a DG curve with a maximum was fitted in proportionately 0·83 of the barrows and 0·61 of the gilts. The maximum DG was on average at live weights of 64 kg for barrows and 77 kg for gilts. A maximum in the FI curve was predicted in proportionately 0·60 of the barrows and 0·39 of the gilts. Curves for DG and FI in gilts were less curvilinear than in barrows. FE curves, with ad libitum feeding, had a maximum in proportionately 0·59 of the barrows and 0·52 of the gilts. This predicted maximum FE was, on average, before the start of the growing period. Gilts had a higher FE than barrows from 35 kg body weight onwards, and the difference increased with increasing live weight. Differences in FE between ad libitum and restricted feeding were small, with a tendency for animals fed at a restricted feeding level to be more efficient at the end of the growing period.Average FE curves and individual FI or DG curves were used for indirect prediction of individual DG or FI curves, respectively. The correlation between directly and indirectly predicted values of DG and FI at live weights of 30, 65 or 100 kg was about 0·7 in ad libitum fed barrows and gilts, and greater than 0·8 in pigs fed at a restricted level. This indicates that the model is suitable to predict and control the course of individual daily gain by influencing the course of food intake.

Effect of body weight on the attainment of puberty and reproductive performance of Galway and Fingalway female lambs

1979 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Quirke
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ad Libitum

ABSTRACTGroups of spring-born Galway (G) and Fingalway (F) ewe lambs were fed a concentrate diet either ad libitum (H) or at a restricted level (L) during the period 25 July to 16 October 1974 in order to induce differences in body weight at the start of the breeding season. The mean live weights of the GL, GH, FL and FH groups on 16 October 1974 were 37·8 ± 1·3, 44·6 ± 1·3, 35·1 ± 1·1 and 41·9 ± 1·2 kg respectively. More than 95% of the lambs in all four groups attained puberty before 28 February 1975. Galway ewe lambs reached puberty later in the breeding season and were older and heavier at puberty than Fingalways. Animals fed ad libitum were heavier at puberty and attained puberty earlier in the season and at a younger age than those on the restricted feeding regime.Both conception rate and litter size were lower in Galways than Fingalways. There was no evidence of any effect of the nutritional treatments on conception rate or litter size. The mean body weights at puberty for ewes which lambed and those which were barren were 41·9 ± 0·49 and 41·5 ± 0·78 kg respectively. The birth weight and growth rate of the progeny of the ewe lambs was similar for the two breeds and was not influenced by the previous nutritional treatment of the dams. The total lamb mortality between birth and weaning was 40·3%, and 72% of all deaths occurred within 48 h of birth. Losses among twins (48%) were particularly heavy.

scholarly journals Time-Restricted Feeding in Commercial Layer Chickens Improves Egg Quality in Old Age and Points to Lack of Adipostat Activity in Chickens

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganesan Saibaba ◽  
Mark Ruzal ◽  
Dima Shinder ◽  
Sara Yosefi ◽  
Shelly Druyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Visceral Fat ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Fat Accumulation ◽  
Visceral Fat Accumulation ◽  
Ad Libitum

In mammals, time-restricted feeding (TRF) with no caloric restriction provides health benefits and extends longevity, usually with a minor (∼3%) or no reduction in total food consumption. In the current study, a TRF regimen of 6 h free access to food (08:00–14:00 h) was applied to Leghorn chickens from 25 to 86 weeks of age; control birds ate freely during the light hours (06:00–20:00 h). Unexpectedly, the TRF-treated birds consumed, on average, 11.7% less food than the controls. This was manifested by an average reduction of 9.6% in body weight, 2.6-fold in visceral fat accumulation, and 6.5% in egg weight. Hen-housed egg production was reduced by 3.6% in the TRF group compared with the control, along the first 40 weeks of the follow-up (P &lt; 0.05), and changed into a tendency of 0.7% higher egg production thereafter. Several parameters of egg quality showed significant improvement (P &lt; 0.05) in the TRF group compared with the controls. A comparison of diurnal patterns of feed consumption revealed a higher rate of hourly consumption in the TRF group and increased consumption before dark in the control group. In conclusion, the reduced feed intake in response to the TRF treatment and loss in visceral fat accumulation supports the lack of a strong adipostat activity in chickens and different appetite regulation mechanisms compared with mammals. Therefore, future TRF studies in chickens should be adjusted by extending the ad libitum time window. The lower feed intake by the TRF-treated chickens compared with the ad libitum-fed controls seems to reduce the efficiency of egg production. Nevertheless, the improved egg quality and persistence of egg lay at the older age suggest that similarly to mammals, the TRF treatment delayed at least some of the negative impacts associated with advanced age.

Feed intake and competition in ewes on ad libitum or semi-restricted feeding of grass silage and hay

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 4014-4019 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Bøe ◽  
A. M. Ottosen ◽  
I. L. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Ad Libitum

Performance of crossbred progeny of Trangie Fertility Merino and Booroola Merino rams and Poll Dorset ewes. 2. Reproductive activity, liveweight and wool production of ewe lambs

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
NM Fogarty ◽  
DG Hall ◽  
AR Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
High Standard ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
The Difference

Liveweight, wool production, oestrous expression and ovulation rates of 260 Trangie Fertility Merino x Dorset (TD) and 278 Booroola Merino x Dorset (BD) ewes born in late winter-spring over 4 different years were analysed from post-weaning to first joining at about 19 months of age. The percentage of ewes expressing oestrus reached a peak of 68% in May-June, declined to 7% in September and rose to 93% in January prior to first joining. The proportion of ewes ovulating followed a similar pattern. The proportion of ewes expressing oestrus in March, May and June increased (P<0.001) substantially with increasing age and liveweight, which accounted to some extent for the large differences in oestrous activity between years. There was little difference between the strains in proportion of ewes expressing oestrus or ovulating throughout the year. TD ewes were heavier (P<0.001) than BD ewes, the difference increasing from 2 to 4 kg at 7 and 19 months. They also produced 0.3 kg more clean wool which had 1.2 pm higher fibre diameter (P<0.001). Ovulation rate, measured in each of 2 years at 2-monthly intervals, increased from 7 to 19 months of age. BD ewes had a higher ovulation rate than TD ewes on all occasions, and the difference averaged +0.4 ovulations. The mean ovulation rate in February (19 months) for ewes born over 3 years was 2.1 ova for BD and 1.4 ova for TD ewes (P<0.001). Based on subsequent ovulation rate and litter size records, 42% of the BD ewes were identified as carriers of the FecB gene. Ages at first oestrus and ovulation varied considerably between years (P<0.001). There was no difference between the strains in age at first oestrus, although BD ewes first ovulated at a younger age (P<0.05) than TD ewes. The stud of origin of the dam, dam age, dam parity and birth type were not significant for any reproduction trait. There was significant (P<0.001) variation in liveweight due to the origin of the dam. Half-sib estimates of heritability for ewe liveweight, ovulation rate at various seasons and wool production traits were generally high with relatively high standard errors as they were based on 23-40 degrees of freedom for sire.

Corrigendum - Relative efficiency of Merino and Border Leicester × Merino ewes

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 605
Author(s):  
DO Kleemann ◽  
CHS Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Animal Tissue ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ewe Lamb ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
The Difference

Thirteen South Australian strong-wool Merino ewes and eight Border Leicester × Merino ewes mated to Poll Dorset rams were fed on lucerne pellets ad libitum during late pregnancy and lactation in pens. Each of their single-born progeny was slaughtered at 33 kg full liveweight. Breeds were compared for efficiency of the ewe (organic matter intake per unit liveweight and clean wool per unit intake), efficiency of the lamb (liveweight and body solids gain per litre of milk), and efficiency of the ewe-lamb unit (liveweight and carcass weight per unit intake). Border Leicester × Merino ewes ate 7% less organic matter per unit liveweight than Merino ewes during lactation; however, there was no significant difference during late pregnancy. In terms of absolute intake 120 Merinos = 100 Border Leicester × Merinos. Border Leicester × Merino ewes were 73% as efficient in converting feed to clean wool as Merino ewes. Merino ewes grew wool of smaller diameter and higher crimp frequency than crossbreds. Lambs from the Merino ewes were as efficient in converting milk into animal tissue as the progeny from Border Leicester x Merino ewes during the first 4 weeks of suckling. Lambs from Merino ewes required on average 25 extra days to grow to the same slaughter weight and ate 110% more organic matter from solid feed than lambs from crossbred ewes. However, the proportion of feed eaten by the lamb was small (10%) compared with that eaten by the ewe. Lambs from crossbred ewes were 23% heavier than those from Merino ewes at the same age. The crossbred ewe-lamb unit, however, consumed 20% more feed and hence was as efficient as the Merino ewe–lamb unit. The Merino ewe–lamb unit was more efficient than the crossbred ewe-lamb unit when the lamb genotypes were slaughtered at the same liveweight (P < 0.05); however, the difference was not significant when expressed as carcass weight per unit intake.

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