Pregnancy nutrition does not influence lamb liveweight in developmentally programmed ewes

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1465 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
R. A. Corner-Thomas ◽  
S. W. Peterson ◽  
S. J. Pain ◽  
H. T. Blair
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Developmental Programming ◽  
Minor Effect ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Body Condition Scores

In sheep, maternal nutrition can affect the offspring’s milk production at its first lactation and the grand-offspring’s liveweight to weaning. However, this apparent developmental programming effect on milk production and grand-offspring liveweight has not persisted. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine if nutrition of the programmed ewe in mid- to late pregnancy affected this response. Developmentally programmed ewes (G1) that had been born from dams (G0) offered submaintenance, maintenance or ad libitum feeding levels from Day 21 to Day 50 of pregnancy and then either pregnancy maintenance or ad libitum to Day 140 were used for this study. These ewes were offered one of two pastoral-based pregnancy nutritional treatments (controlled vs unrestricted) from Day 76 of pregnancy until lambing. Pre- and post-herbage masses of the unrestricted treatment (2181 ± 47.6 and 1431 ± 24.6 kg DM/ha, respectively), were greater (P < 0.05) than the controlled treatment (1164 ± 31.6 and 819 ± 16.0 kg DM/ha, respectively). At Day 71 of pregnancy, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in G1 liveweight (70.2 ± 0.8 vs 70.3 ± 0.8 kg for controlled and unrestricted feeding, respectively), or body condition scores (2.5 ± 0.06 vs 2.5 ± 0.05) between pregnancy nutritional treatments. In late pregnancy, unrestricted G1 ewes were heavier (P < 0.05, 97.4 ± 1.0 vs 86.8 ± 1.0 kg) and had greater (P < 0.05) body condition scores (3.4 ± 0.06 vs 2.5 ± 0.06) and back-fat depths (8.0 ± 0.3 vs 5.9 ± 0.03 mm) than controlled nutritional treatment ewes. There were no interactions (P > 0.05) between grand-dam feeding levels and ewe nutritional treatment on lamb (G2) liveweights at birth or in lactation. This indicates that under the conditions of the present study, nutrition of the G1 ewe did not affect the expression of the developmental programming effect. Further studies might be warranted to determine the causes of this inconsistency in grand-offspring liveweight. Nutrition of the G1 ewe had a minor effect (P < 0.05) on G2 lamb birthweight and liveweight in early lactation but not (P > 0.05) in late lactation or on lamb survival. These findings indicate there is no little to no benefit to the lamb until weaning from offering ewes pre- and post-grazing masses above ~1200 and 800 kg DM/ha, respectively, in mid- to late pregnancy.

Effect of twin-bearing ewe body condition score and late pregnancy nutrition on lamb performance

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 483 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
R. E. Hickson ◽  
P. G. Hutton ◽  
S. T. Morris ◽  
K. J. Stafford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Body Condition Scores

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ewe body condition score and nutrition on twin-bearing ewes and their offspring. At maximum Day 112 of pregnancy (range 96–112 days), 185 twin-bearing ewes were allocated to either a ‘Medium’ or ‘ad libitum’ (Adlib) feeding treatment for the following 25 days (P112–P136). Each feeding treatment included ewes of body condition score: 2.0 (CS2.0, Medium n = 32, Adlib n = 28), CS2.5 (Medium n = 31, Adlib n = 33) or CS3.0 (Medium n = 30, Adlib n = 31). After P136 ewes were offered Adlib feeding conditions. Medium treatment ewes were lighter (P < 0.05) than Adlib ewes at P136 and P142 and displayed lower (P < 0.05) body condition score at P136 and back-fat depths at P142. CS2.0 ewes had lower (P < 0.05) liveweights and body condition score at P112, P136 and P142 than CS2.5 ewes, which in turn had lower (P < 0.05) liveweight and body condition scores than CS3.0 ewes. Ewe feeding treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on lamb liveweight or apparent colostrum intake. Ewe body condition score had no effect (P > 0.05) on lamb birthweight or apparent colostrum intake. Lambs born to CS2.0 ewes had greater (P < 0.05) survival than lambs born to CS2.5 ewes. At the end of the study lambs born to CS2.0 ewes were lighter (P < 0.05) than those born to CS2.5 and CS3.0 ewes although, there was (P > 0.05) no effect of condition score on total litter liveweight. In conclusion, these results suggest twin-bearing ewes of body condition 2.0–3.0 can be offered restricted feeding levels to at least Day 136 of pregnancy with few implications for their lambs.

Effects of nutrition in late pregnancy on subsequent milk production in Ewes

1970 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. T. Treacher
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Lower Content ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Total Birth ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Voluntary Intake

SUMMARY1. Scottish Half-bred ewes carrying twin foetuses were fed individually to make live-weight gains in the last six weeks of pregnancy of (1) 20%, (2) 10% and (3) 0% of their live weight in week 14 of pregnancy. In lactation the ewes were fed ad libitum. The lambs were removed 12 to 16 hr after parturition and the ewes were machine-milked twice daily for the first six weeks of lactation.2. Total birth weights per ewe of twin lambs from the treatments were (1) 10·10 kg, (2) 9·44 kg and (3) 8·18 kg and differed significantly.3. The level and pattern of voluntary intake in lactation did not differ significantly between the treatments. Total dry-matter intakes in the six weeks of lactation were (1) 121·9 kg (2) 105·9 kg and (3) 109·5 kg.4. The pregnancy treatments affected the level of milk production and the shape of lactation curves. The total yields in the first six weeks of lactation were (1) 58·8 kg, (2) 43·5 kg and (3) 26·9 kg. Higher contents of fat and protein and the lower content of lactose in the milk from treatment-3 ewes on days 1 and 3 of lactation indicated a slower onset of lactation in these ewes. Between days 7 and 35 of lactation the contents of fat and SNF were lowest on treatment 3 but the differences were not significant.5. The live-weight changes in lactation, which were in inverse order to the gains in late pregnancy, were (1) 3·4 kg, (2) 5·5 kg and (3) 9·5 kg.

Factors influencing individual predicted total dry matter intake of dairy cattle on farms

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 183-183
Author(s):  
H.C.F. Wicks ◽  
J.D. Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Body Condition Scores

The aim was to estimate the influence of genetic merit (£PIN95) and level of concentrate feeding (Cgrp) on predicted total dry matter intake (tDMI) of individual cows, using records collected from commercial farms. The method described by Wicks & Leaver (2000) was used to estimate individual daily dry matter intakes from seven farms, totalling 4282 monthly records over a two-year period. The method was based on milk production records supplemented by body condition scores and height at withers, which were used to calculated the ME requirements of individual animals. All the records were collected, from autumn and winter (July to March) calving cows during the housed period (August to March).

Responses of Matebele goats of Zimbabwe to feeding level: late pregnancy

1992 ◽  
Vol 1992 ◽  
pp. 95-95
Author(s):  
L Majele Slbanda ◽  
M.J. Bryant ◽  
L.R. Ndlovu
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Breeding Station ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Mineral Lick

Under conventional husbandry conditions, Matabele goats kid all year round and, as they receive no supplementary feed, they are frequently exposed to periods of feed scarcity. The aim of this experiment was to determine maternal and foetal responses to different feeding levels during pregnancy.The work was carried out at the Thuli Breeding Station, in Matebeleland, south western Zimbabwe. Forty-two Matebele goats carrying single kids were individually penned and randomly allocated to each of three treatments as they reached week 14 of gestation. The treatments were; Low (L)=0.25 MJ ME / kg0.75, Medium (M)=1.5xL and High (H)=2.5xL. Whole maize grain, lucerne hay and veld hay (see Table 1) were offered at levels calculated to provide 0.2, 0.24 and 0.56 of the total ME. Drinking water and an iodized mineral lick were available to all goats ad libitum. Feed intake was measured daily. Does were weighed and body condition scored (on a scale of 1-10) weekly and within 8 hours of parturition. Kids were weighed at or soon after birth.

scholarly journals Influence of post-calving supplemental protein on calf performance and reproductive efficiency for beef cows fed silage

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Charmley ◽  
J. A. Small ◽  
K. B. McRae
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Linear Effect ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Protein Milk

Protein supplementation for winter-calving beef cows between calving and turnout to pasture was studied in two trials. Changes in cow body weight (BW) and condition and calf BW gains were recorded from calving to weaning in the fall. Reproductive performance was monitored, and in trial 2, milk production was determined. In trial 1, multiparous silage-fed cows were allocated to one of five levels of corn gluten meal (CGM): 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 g d−1. In the second trial, cows were allocated to either restricted or ad libitum silage feeding in combination with three protein supplements: no protein, 400 g d−1 CGM or 475 g d−1 soybean meal (SBM). In trial 1, cows gained weight during supplementation, but on pasture they lost weight (linear effect, P = 0.10). Calf gains and weights at turnout and weaning showed a quadratic response to protein supplementation (P < 0.05). There was a trend toward a linear decline in days to first service with increasing levels of CGM (P < 0.10). In trial 2, cows on restricted silage feeding lost weight (P < 0.05) and body condition (P < 0.10), whereas those fed ad libitum silage gained weight and condition. On pasture, this pattern of weight change was reversed (P < 0.05). Protein supplementation did not influence BW change but tended to cause a lower body condition score at turnout (P = 0.10). Restricting silage intake to the cow did not affect calf performance, but protein supplementation increased gains both during supplementation and on pasture, thus increasing weaning weights (P < 0.05). When silage was fed ad libitum, SBM was more effective than CGM for increasing calf gain. However, when silage was restricted, CGM was more effective. Restricting silage intake did not impair milk production, but feeding CGM increased milk production (P < 0.05). For ad libitum-fed cows, protein supplementation increased pregnancy rate; restricting feed had the opposite effect. Our data suggest that protein supplementation to silage-fed beef cows in good body condition can increase calf performance; however, the level of supplementation is critical, and possible adverse effects on breeding have to be taken into account, particularly with cows in negative energy balance after calving. Key words: Beef cow, protein, milk production, calf gains, silage

Effects of maternal nutrition during pregnancy on fetal growth and maternal constraint in sheep

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 524 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. C. Jenkinson ◽  
A. K. Earl ◽  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
H. T. Blair
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Physical Constraint ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Offspring Development ◽  
Fetal Size ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Nutritional Level

This study set out to determine the stage of gestation at which maternal constraint on fetal growth occurs and whether pregnancy nutritional level could alleviate that constraint. One-hundred and thirty-eight Cheviot (C) and 114 Suffolk (S) ewes were split into two groups and bred with either 12 S or 12 C rams to generate four ewe/fetal groups CC (C dam and C sire), CSinC (crossbred fetus in C ewe), CSinS, and SS. At Day 21 of pregnancy (P21), half of the ewes in each of the four groups were randomly allocated to either a maintenance (M) or ad libitum (A) nutritional treatment, under pastoral grazing conditions. At P100, a subgroup of singleton-bearing ewes including ewes from all four groups (n = 55 in total) were euthanised (Study 1). Maternal, placental and fetal weights and sizes were recorded. The remaining ewes were fed to appetite from P140 and were allowed to lamb (n = 114 in total, Study 2) and lamb liveweights were recorded within 12 h of birth and at average days 30 and 100 (L30, L100) of lactation. In both studies, M ewes were lighter (P < 0.05) than A ewes, and CC and CSinC ewes were lighter (P < 0.05) than CSinS and SS ewes. In Study 1, maternal nutritional treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on fetal bodyweight although fetuses from A ewes had heavier (P < 0.05) livers, spleens and thyroids than fetuses from M ewes. CC and CSinC fetuses were lighter (P < 0.01) than both CSinS and SS fetuses. In Study 2, lambs born to M ewes were lighter (P < 0.05) at birth and at L100 than lambs born to A ewes. CC lambs were lighter (P < 0.01) than CSinC, CSinS and SS lambs at birth. At L30 and L100, CC lambs were lighter (P < 0.05) than CSinC lambs, which, in turn, were lighter (P < 0.05) than both CSinS and SS lambs, which did not differ (P > 0.05). Combined, these studies indicate that maternal nutrition may have little impact on singleton-offspring development until late gestation while, in contrast, dam size affected fetal size by the end of the second trimester. These data suggest that the C ewe constrains the growth of the crossbred fetus well before a ‘physical’ constraint would be expected.

Hay supplements to overcome underfeeding of dairy cows. 2. Late lactation

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (109) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
KR King ◽  
CR Stockdale
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ration Composition

The effect of hay supplementation on the performance of dairy cows on a restricted intake of paspalum-dominant perennial pasture was studied in two 21 -day periods in the eighth and ninth months of lactation. In each period, there were three groups fed pasture only at mean intakes of 15.2, 11.5 and 7.3 kg/cow day-1, two groups fed at similar pasture restriction levels and supplemented with hay ad libitum, and one further group fed an average of 7.3 kg of pasture supplemented with only 4.3 kg of hay. The data were analyzed by regression, using total dry matter intake as the dependent variable, and pseudovariables were used to examine the effects of hay feeding. The relations between total dry matter intake and milk, butterfat, protein and solids-not-fat production, and change in body condition of dairy cows were not altered by ration composition. Milk production declined linearly by 0.66 kg and 0.31 kg/cow day-1 in the eight and ninth months of lactation, respectively, for each kg reduction in total dry matter intake. Similar responses were obtained for butterfat, protein and solids-not-fat production. Gain in body condition of the cows also decreased as total intake fell, but the relation was curvilinear and not affected by stage of lactation. It was concluded that high quality hay can be used to overcome shortages of paspalum-dominant perennial pasture in autumn, and that it has similar. nutritive value to pasture in terms of milk production and body condition.

Effect of level of food intake on hypothalamo-pituitary sensitivity to ovarian Steroid feedback in ewes

1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 ◽  
pp. 115-115
Author(s):  
S.M. Rhind ◽  
S. McMillen ◽  
W.A.C. McKelvey
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Ovarian Steroid ◽  
Hormone Status ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Body Condition Scores

Effects of level of food intake and body condition on ewe hormone status, ovulation rate and reproductive performance may be mediated either through a direct effect on hypothalamic or pituitary activity or through an indirect effect on the sensitivity of either or both of these organs to steroid feedback. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of level of food intake of ewes on hypothalamic activity and pituitary responsiveness to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the presence of ovarian steroids. Sensitivity to steroid feedback cannot be measured in an entire animal, owing to the variable and irregular nature of ovarian steroid secretion. Ovariectomised ewes were therefore used together with steroid replacement therapy.Two groups of 16 ewes were fed to achieve body condition scores of either 2.00 or 2.25/2.50 by 3 weeks before the period of study. Thereafter, ewes of the lower condition score were fed dried grass pellets ad libitum and 250 g hay/head/day (H) while those of the higher condition score were fed 1050 g pellets and 250 g hay/head/day (M), a ration designed to maintain liveweight and condition score so that at the time of study, ewes of the two groups had a similar level of body condition but different levels of intake.

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