scholarly journals Influence of feeding intensity on corporeal development, body composition and sexual maturity in female rabbits

2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kinga Fodor ◽  
S. Gy. Fekete ◽  
L. Zöldág ◽  
A. Bersényi ◽  
A. Gáspárdy ◽  
...  

Twenty-six 6-week old female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into two groups: ad libitum (AL) and 70% restricted (RS) feeding. At the beginning of the experiment the liveweights were practically the same: 0.99 ± 0.08 vs. 1.01 ± 0.08 kg in group AL and RS, respectively. At 18 weeks of age the body weight of Group RS rabbits was 84.7% (3.14 ± 0.24 kg) of the group AL (3.71 ± 0.31 kg). The apparent digestibility of crude protein was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in Group RS than in Group AL (76.5 ± 1.4 vs. 73.0 ± 2.7%). The daily water consumption was significantly (p < 0.05) higher (3.5 ml/g DM intake) in Group RS as compared to Group AL (1.9 ml/g DM). Since the average body weight in Group RS at 18 weeks was the same as that of Group AL at 14 weeks of age (3.14 kg), the comparison of the live body measures and indices was based on these ages. Animals fed ad libitum or restricted show no differences at the defined age in most live body measurements except in heart girth and rump width, which were significantly (p < 0.05) shorter in Group AL than in Group RS (29.3 ± 0.8, 5.7 ± 0.5 and 30.7 ± 1.0, 6.2 ± 0.3 cm, respectively). Body capacity was significantly (p < 0.05) smaller in Group AL, as the head capacity-body capacity proportion was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Group AL than in Group RS (1653.1 ± 134.5, 22.0 ± 2.5 and 1913.7 ± 168.7, 17.7 ± 1.9, respectively). Due to restricted feeding the growth of the head proved to be less intensive than that of the body at the same body weight. The body in these does tended to be wider. Since the head in comparison to length or capacity of the body was smaller in does fed 70% of ad libitum, it could be concluded that the development of body parts of restricted-fed does was unequal (allometric growth). The effect of feed restriction reflected in lower dry matter and fat, and a higher ash and protein content both in total body and in dry matter composition of rabbits at 18 weeks of age. Restricted feeding delayed sexual maturity (69 vs. 92% of rabbits) with later starting ovarian activity, weaker ovarian responsiveness, and a smaller number of tertiary follicles on the ovarian surface.

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kinga Fodor ◽  
L. Zöldág ◽  
S. Gy. Fekete ◽  
A. Bersényi ◽  
A. Gáspárdy ◽  
...  

An experiment was carried out with young male New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits to establish live body weight changes, body measurements, body composition and sexual maturity as a function of feeding intensity. Animals in Group 1 ('AL', n = 10) were fed ad libitum, while those in Group 2 ('RS', n = 10) received restricted feeding corresponding to 70% of the ad libitum level. The starting liveweights were practically the same (0.907 ± 0.146 and 0.911 ± 0.147 kg in Group AL and Group RS, respectively). The feeding trial lasted from 6 to 22 weeks of age. The average body weight was significantly higher in Group AL from 7 to 22 weeks of age. At 22 weeks of age the body weight of RS rabbits was 85.64% of the weight of AL animals (3.22 ± 0.52 kg and 3.76 ± 0.33 kg, respectively). Average body weights of RS males at 8, 9, 11, 19 and 21 weeks of age were similar to those of ad libitum fed (AL) animals at 7, 8, 10, 15 and 16 weeks of age, respectively. The growth of bucks fed restricted tended to be allometric. The most significant difference was found at 16 and 18 weeks of age, while the lowest difference occurred at 6, 12, 15 and 19 weeks of age. It can be stated that low-intensity feeding up to slaughtering weight causes backwardness in rear cannon length and this backwardness remains also after the 15th week, which is well over the optimal slaughtering age. Based on the present data, the 70% restricted feeding cannot be recommended either for the future breeding bucks or for broiler males reared for slaughter. To determine the major chemical components of the body, rabbits were euthanised. Original dry matter and crude fat content of the body significantly (P < 0.05) decreased under restricted feeding (41.42%; 32.48% and 16.73%; 7.35%) while the percentage of protein within the dry matter increased (49.6%; 65.0%) and fat decreased (40.17%; 22.1%) significantly. Libido unambiguously decreases as a consequence of feed deprivation. The most conspicuous difference was found in the level of blood testosterone. Although a few RS bucks produced semen but only much later than the rabbits fed ad libitum. On the other hand, there was no difference in the motility of spermatozoa and ejaculate volume in comparison with AL animals. There was no relationship between the body fat content and the reproductive status of bucks in the present trial.


Author(s):  
R T Hertamawati ◽  
Suyadi . ◽  
E Soedjarwo ◽  
O Sjofjan

Reproductive performance of quail hens (Coturnixcoturnix japonica) at sexual maturity was evaluated following two feeding restriction programs (100%, 90% and 80% of ad libitum) and energy metabolism (EM) of ration: 2900 Kcal/kg and 2800 Kcal/kg) between 2 weeks and 5 weeks of age with five replicates of 10 chicks per replicate. Body weight and feed conversion were measured weekly during feed restriction. After experimental feeding treatment, age at first egg, BW, egg weight, development of reproductive organ on sexual maturity were evaluated of one hen’s quail per treatment. The results of the experiment indicated that the restricted feeding until 80% of ad libitum was consequently (p 0.01) delayed sexual maturity and influence the development of the reproductive organ. However, it did not show significant influence on the body weight of the first-laid egg and initial egg production. Restricted feeding at 90% of ad libitum and EM ration 2900 Kcal/kg showed the best results for quail feed management during growth.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafid Nadia

Reproductive performance of quail hens (Coturnixcoturnix japonica) at sexual maturity was evaluated following two feeding restriction programs (100%, 90% and 80% of ad libitum) and energy metabolism (EM) of ration: 2900 Kcal/kg and 2800 Kcal/kg) between 2 weeks and 5 weeks of age with five replicates of 10 chicks per replicate. Body weight and feed conversion were measured weekly during feed restriction. After experimental feeding treatment, age at first egg, BW, egg weight, development of reproductive organ on sexual maturity were evaluated of one hen’s quail per treatment. The results of the experiment indicated that the restricted feeding until 80% of ad libitum was consequently (p less than 0.01) delayed sexual maturity and influence the development of the reproductive organ. However, it did not show significant influence on the body weight of the first-laid egg and initial egg production. Restricted feeding at 90% of ad libitum and EM ration 2900 Kcal/kg showed the best results for quail feed management during growthNutrition is a basic human need and a prerequisite to a healthy life. Since it is bonded with food, it is essential to advocate nutrition in terms of food. A proper diet is important from the very early stages (gestation period) of life for proper growth and development. Neuronutrition portrays how food affects the brain and its function. Brain is where the performances begin and end. It monitors and controls all the energy metabolism of the body and it never stops working. Neuronutrition is the nutrition needed to achieve healthy brain and good neurocognitive function. Dietary manipulations are a viable strategy for enhancing cognitive abilities and protecting the brain from damage. No single food is key to good brain health but rather a combination of food. Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, mental fatigue, and memory problems are prevalent across the world, and this opens the door to provide tailormade products which cater to consumer's desire for better neuronutrition.


1975 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. R. Drew ◽  
J. T. Reid

SUMMARYForty-eight cross-bred wether lambs were used to measure the effects of severe feed restriction and realimentation on the body and carcass composition of immature sheep. Ten of the total number of sheep were used as an initial slaughter group, 12 were continuously fed (six at the ad libitum level of intake and six at 70% ad libitum), 26 were progressively underfed and 18 of them were realimented after a mean loss of about 25% empty body weight (EBW).Shrunk body weight (SBW = weight after an 18-h fast with access to water) was a good predictor of empty body weight (EBW = SBW minus gastro-intestinal contents) and the EBW of continuously growing sheep was a good predictor of body water, protein, fat, energy and ash, but it was not precise after realimentation, particularly in the early stages of refeeding. Restricted continuous supermaintenance feeding did not alter the body composition of the sheep from that of the sheep on the ad libitum intake at any given EBW except slightly to increase the carcass protein content.Although underfeeding to produce an EBW loss of 25% generally produced changes in the chemical body components which were similar to a reversal of normal growth, body fat did not decrease during the first half of the submaintenance feeding and did not increase during the first 2 weeks of realimentation. Under all circumstances percentage body fat was very closely related to percentage body water.Sheep realimented at 26 kg (after losing 25% EBW) contained, at 45 kg EBW, more bodywater and protein and less fat and energy than continuously-fed animals of the same EBW. The treatment effects were greater in the carcass and had little effect on the non-carcass EBW, with th e result that the refed sheep had 1800 g more water × protein in a carcass that weighed 700 g more than one from a normally grown sheep of the same EBW. The regression of calorific value of th e ash-free dry matter on body fat as a percentage of ash-free dry matter gave calorific values of body protein and fat as 5·652 and 9·342 kcal/g of ash-free dry matter, respectively.


1959 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. WELLS ◽  
J. WELLS

1. Gonad and body weight records have been collected for 487 individual octopuses over a period of 3 years. 2. In the size range used for experiments (200-1000 g.), the ovary is always immature in control animals, and constitutes only about 1/500th of the total body weight. The testis is rather larger, generally ripe, and forms about 1/100th of the body weight, increasing somewhat relative to the size of the body over the range considered. 3. Following optic nerve section, or removal of certain parts of the supraoesophageal lobes, the gonads enlarge. In females the ovary enlarges from 1/500th to as much as 1/5th of the total body weight within 5 weeks of operation and this may be followed by laying of fertile eggs that are brooded in a normal manner. In males where the testis is generally mature before operation the enlargement produced is only of the order of 50%. 4. Enlargement of testis or ovary is always accompanied by enlargement of one or both of the optic glands, and operational treatments that normally cause enlargement of the gonad are ineffective if the optic glands are first removed. 5. The optic glands are innervated from the subpedunculate/dorsal basal area in the hind part of the supraoesophageal brain mass. Lesions in this area, or severance of the nerve tracts running along the sides of the brain from it to the optic glands, cause these and the gonads to enlarge. 6. Unilateral central lesions or optic nerve section cause optic gland enlargement on the operated side only, but appear to be as effective in determining gonad enlargement as bilateral treatments. 7. It is concluded that maturation of the gonad is determined by secretion from the optic glands which is normally held in check by an inhibitory nerve supply from the subpedunculate/dorsal basal lobe area. The action of this region is in turn dependent upon the integrity of the optic nerves and thus, presumably, upon light. 8. This system in cephalopods is compared with analogous systems regulating sexual maturity in arthropods and vertebrates.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
N. G. Alves ◽  
I. J. Ascari ◽  
A. C. Alves ◽  
R. R. Lima ◽  
I. F. F. Garcia ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different suckling regimens on body condition and interval from lambing to onset of the cyclic ovarian activity in Santa Inês ewes. Thirty-two ewes were allocated to blocks according to parity, number of lambs, and body weight and submitted to 3 treatments: continuous suckling (n = 11 ewes, 13 lambs), controlled suckling (n = 10 ewes, 14 lambs) with 2 suckling periods per day for 1 h from Day 10 postpartum (pp), or early weaning (n = 11 ewes, 14 lambs) with total separation of the lambs from Day 10 pp. The animals were evaluated in the interval from Day 12 pp to first estrus or to Day 60 pp. Dry matter intake was evaluated daily. The body weight of ewes and lambs and body condition score (scale 1 = thin and 5 = fat) of ewes were evaluated at lambing and at every 6 days after. Lambs were weighed at weaning. Estrus was monitored twice daily with a teaser ram. Blood samples for progesterone measurement were collected and ovarian ultrasonography was done at intervals of 3 days from Day 12 pp to first estrus or to Day 60 pp. Dry matter intake was analyzed over time, considering 9 periods, with PROC MIXED of SAS (2008; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Body weight, body condition score, interval from lambing to first ovulation, and weaning weight were analyzed using the GLM procedure, ANOVA, and an F-test. The intervals from lambing to first estrus and to follicles with a diameter ≥5 mm were analyzed considering a Poisson distribution and the percentage of estrus manifestation was analyzed considering a Bernoulli distribution, by generalized linear models, using PROC GENMOD. The dry matter intake did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatments (2.3 ± 0.1, 2.2 ± 0.0, and 1.6 ± 0.0 kg day–1), but it differed over time (P < 0.05). The body weight gain (3.3 ± 1.0, 3.0 ± 0.9, and 2.1 ± 1.4 kg), body condition score gain (0.2 ± 0.1, 0.2 ± 0.1, and 0.2 ± 0.1), percentage of estrus manifestation (63.6, 50.0, and 54.5%), interval from lambing to first estrus (45.0 ± 3.9, 44.0 ± 7.2, and 32.3 ± 5.4 days), follicle with a diameter ≥5 mm (31.0 ± 3.3, 33.9 ± 3.0, and 34.9 ± 4.5 days), and ovulation (38.0 ± 3.6, 35.6 ± 3.9, and 26.5 ± 3.2 days) did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05). The dry matter intake was correlated with body weight in ewes that were submitted to continuous suckling (r = 0.7; P < 0.01) and controlled suckling (r = 0.6; P < 0.01), but not in those submitted to early weaning (r = 0.2; P > 0.05). The body condition score was correlated with body weight in ewes submitted to continuous suckling (r = 0.8; P < 0.01), controlled suckling (r = 0.4; P < 0.01), and early weaning (r = 0.5; P < 0.01), and with dry matter intake in those submitted to continuous suckling (r = 0.4; P < 0.01). Weaning weight was lower (P < 0.05) in lambs subjected to early weaning (19.0 ± 1.0, 18.3 ± 1.0, and 15.2 ± 0.6 kg), but their health was not compromised. Continuous suckling did not delay the return to postpartum cyclic ovarian activity and did not influence the postpartum body condition of Santa Inês ewes and should be used by producers. The financial support of Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) is acknowledged.


Author(s):  
P. M, Lunagariya ◽  
R. S. Gupta ◽  
S. V. Shah ◽  
Y. G. Patel

The study was planned to evaluate the effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) supplementation for 56 days @ 240 mg/kg total mixed ration (TMR) on digestibility of dry matter and nutrients in dairy cows. Six dry non-pregnant cows were assigned in each treatment with and without EFE. The digestibility trial of seven days was conducted after 49 days of feeding. Dry matter and nutrients intake of cows was not influenced by EFE. The supplementation of EFE had improved digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, cellulose (p less than 0.01), as well as digestibility of nitrogen-free extract and acid detergent fiber, was also higher (pless than 0.05). The body weight gain of cows was higher on the supplementation of EFE in TMR. The study concluded that feeding exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (240 mg/kg) supplemented TMR improved digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, which was reflected as higher body weight gain in dry non-pregnant Gir and crossbred dairy cows.


1929 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-324
Author(s):  
R. CUMMING ROBB

1. Throughout post-natal life the relative weights of the pituitary body, thyroid, thymus and adrenals in the rabbit may be expressed by the equation y = axk + c. 2. A similar association is indicated in the rat for the weights of eyeballs, liver, pancreas, hypophysis, thyroid, adrenals, submaxillary glands, kidney and fresh skeleton (data from Donaldson, 1924). 3. In giant and pigmy rabbits, the ultimate proportions of body parts are not the same, but (for any given body weight) corresponding tissues in the two groups tend to exhibit an identical relation to total body mass. 4. The adrenals and testes of the Polish rabbits are relatively much larger than those of the Flemish. But in each case the growth of the adrenal approximates to a constant power function of body weight. Moreover, in these two groups and in their hybrids, the growth of the testes adheres to a simple association with adrenal weight identical for each. 5. These data suggest the generalisation that in a growing organism the magnitude of any part tends to be a specific function of the total body mass or of some portion so related to the whole. 6. These associations may be explained by surmising that each tissue is in equilibrium with the internal milieu with regard to the distribution of nutrient growth essentials; that in each case the equilibrium point would be determined by the nature of the cell and after differentiation would tend to remain constant; and that the relative enlargement of each tissue is limited by the excess of the equilibrium value over the katabolic expenditure. 7. According to the above hypothesis of organ growth, the equation y = axk + c may possess a physical significance. Eight types of growth relationships may thus exist, differing because of the apparent inactivity of one or more constants in this equation.


2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1548-1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Massaru Fukumoto ◽  
Julio Cesar Damasceno ◽  
Fermino Deresz ◽  
Carlos Eugênio Martins ◽  
Antônio Carlos Cóser ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate milk yield and composition, dry matter intake, and stocking rate in pastures with tanzania grass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia), star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. Estrela-Africana), and marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). The grasses were managed in a rotational grazing system with Holstein x Zebu crossbreed cows, with a 30-day resting period and three days of paddock occupation. The pastures were fertilized with 1,000 kg/ha/year using the 20:05:20 (NPK) formula, split in three applications during the rainy season. It was used a complete random block experimental design with three factors being studied and two replications. In the experiment, four cows/paddock were used and, when it was necessary, regulator animals were added in order to obtain a supply of 7% body weight green forage dry matter. The animals were individually fed concentrate at 2 kg/day during the experimental period. Milk yield did not differ among the three grasses, with values of 9.1; 9.1; and 8.7 kg/cow/day for pastures with tanzania grass, star grass and marandu grass, respectively. Similarly, grass did not affect milk chemical composition. Stocking rate was similar among the three grasses, with values of 4.6; 4.5 and 5.0 UA/ha for tanzania grass, star grass and marandu grass, respectively. The highest dry matter intake was observed for tanzania grass with 2.6% of the body weight while stargrass (2.3%) and marandu grass (2.4%) did not differ among each other. The highest dry matter intake on tanzania grass pasture was not reflected on milk yield per animal. Milk yield and composition and stocking rate are similar among the evaluated grasses.


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