Passively-acquired antibodies to somatotropin release inhibiting factor (SRIF) increase appetite and growth of milk-fed lambs

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
SL Westbrook ◽  
AM Ali ◽  
GH McDowell
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Inhibiting Factor

Lambs of ewes immunized during pregnancy against somatotropin release inhibiting factor and of corresponding control ewes were separated from their dams at birth before sucking and fed artificially, for 5 weeks, milk harvested mechanically from the ewes. Seven lambs from immunized ewes and six from control ewes were fed colostrum on the day of birth, and thereafter, milli from immunized ewes. A further six lambs from immunized ewes and seven lambs from control ewes were fed colostrum and milk from control ewes. Lambs fed colostrum then milk from immunized ewes, irrespective of whether their dams had been immunized, consumed more milk and attained higher growth rates, particularly during the period from 2 to 5 weeks after birth than lambs fed colostrum and milk from control ewes. Immunized ewes showed evidence for the capacity to produce more milk at improved efficiency of foodutilization than control ewes. It is concluded that passively acquired antibodies to somatotropin release inhibiting factor increased appetite and this, together with increased milk yield of immunized ewes, would support increased growth of lambs from immunized ewes.

Lactation performance of goats and growth rates of kids under different milking and rearing methods in Kenya

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Ruvuna ◽  
T. C. Cartwright ◽  
H. Blackburn ◽  
M. Okeyo ◽  
S. Chema
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Lactation Performance ◽  
East African ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Rearing Methods ◽  
Least Squares Techniques

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to test different milking procedures for dual-purpose goats that would be suitable for smallholder farmers. In experiment 1, 105 East African and Galla does that kidded to singles were randomly assigned to three treatments: (a) milking in absence of kid and kid sucking residual; (b) milking in presence of kid and kid sucking residual; and (c) milking once a week and kid sucking all milk 6 days of the week. In experiment 2, 45 Galla does that kidded to singles were randomly assigned to three treatments: (a) weigh-suckle-weigh; (b) milking half udder while kid sucking other half and (c) kid sucking all milk in the evening and milking mornings. Measurements of milk yield, milk sucked and weights of kids were taken for 12 weeks of lactation.Results were analysed using least-squares techniques for unequal subclass numbers. Milking in the presence of kids increased does' milk yield. This increase was attributed to the stimulation of milk let-down by the presence of kids. Although this method potentially provided most milk for dairy use, less residual milk was left to sustain growth of kids. Estimates of total milk yield by milking once a week underestimated milk yield potential of the East African and Galla breeds. Results indicated an appropriate method for estimating milk potential should combine both milked and sucked milk measurements. Restricting milk available to the kids reduced their growth rates and thus indirectly affected their maturing rates. No milking procedure proved to be superior all-around for the smallholder for milking goats. To resolve this dilemma, use of an optimizing technique including socio-economic weighting of milk for family use relative to milk for kids was proposed.

The effect of three suckling regimes on the lactation performance of Cyprus fat-tailed, Chios and Awassi sheep and the growth rate of the lambs

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Lawlor ◽  
A. Louca ◽  
A. Mavrogenis
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Milk Replacer ◽  
Lactation Performance ◽  
Lactation Length ◽  
Awassi Sheep ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Before And After

SUMMARYNinety-nine ewes, 33 from each of the Cyprus fat-tailed, Chios and Awassi breeds, were used to compare the effects of three suckling regimes on lactation. These consisted of weaning the lambs at birth (W0), 2 days (W2) and 35 days (W35). The 35-day, 150-day and total milk yields, as well as lactation length, were measured for each group. The lambs weaned from the ewes at birth and 2 days were reared on ewe-milk replacer. The growth rate of these lambs was compared with that of the lambs being suckled by their dams, before and after weaning.In all cases the milk yields of the Chios and Awassi breeds of sheep were significantly higher (P<0·01) than those of the Cyprus fat-tailed. Within each breed the 35-day milk yields of the ewes suckling one lamb were significantly higher (P<0·01) than those of the ewes on the W0 or W2 treatments, which themselves did not differ significantly. While the 150-day milk yields of the W35 treatment were significantly higher than those of the W0 or W2 treatments, the differences between suckling regimes in terms of total milk yield and lactation length were not significant. It is concluded that differences in milk yield obtained on different suckling regimes are attributable solely to the length of time that the lambs are suckled by their dams.Prior to weaning the growth rate of the lambs given the ewe-milk replacer was significantly lower than that of the lambs suckled by their dams. There were no differences in the growth rates of these groups of lambs when both were fattened on a creep feed after weaning.

ESTIMATES OF CREEP FEED REQUIREMENTS OF NURSING CALVES AND THE TOTAL ENERGY REQUIREMENTS OF BOTH COW AND CALF TO PRODUCE THE WEANED CALF

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. PARKINS ◽  
C. A. MORRIS ◽  
J. W. WILTON
Keyword(s):  
Total Energy ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Energy Concentration ◽  
Cumulative Energy ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Creep Feed

Metabolizable energy and net energy systems were used to calculate creep feed requirements of nursing beef calves. These methods allow estimation of cumulative energy requirements for creep feed of growing calves for any combination of birth weight, rate of weight gain, energy concentration of the diet and level of milk production of the dam. Creep feed requirements estimated by these methods are in reasonable agreement with experimental findings. As examples, the methods were used to calculate creep feed energy requirements and total energy requirements of cows and calves in two situations: (a) combinations of three levels of milk production and three cow sizes where calf growth rate is proportional to cow weight and (b) combination of three levels of milk production and calf growth rates where growth rates are assumed independent of cow size. In the latter situation, the extra energy required for a unit change in output increased with increased liveweight gain, but decreased with increased milk production. Overall biological efficiencies to weaning were also compared (including the annual energy requirements of the cow and the calf in relation to the weight of calf produced at weaning). Generally, for straightbreeding, larger cows of low milk yield were estimated to be more biologically efficient to weaning than smaller cows of high milk yield. When large bulls are mated to smaller cows (giving crossbred calves) those cows with faster growing calves and lower milk yields are biologically more efficient. However, these findings may not coincide with findings for economic efficiency.

Improving the pre-weaning nutrition of calves by supplementation of the cow and/or the calf while grazing low quality pastures. 1. Cow production

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Hennessy ◽  
J. F. Wilkins ◽  
S. G. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Protein Pellet ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Unrestricted Access

Large numbers of weaner calves destined for meat production in Australia are born to cows grazing low quality pastures and have low growth rates to weaning. A study was undertaken in a New South Wales subtropical coastal area (Grafton, 29°38′S, 152°54′E) to increase these growth rates by supplementing cows to mid lactation and/or their calves up to weaning. This paper reports on the effects of these supplementation regimes on cow production. Cows were either not supplemented or supplemented with cottonseed meal twice-a-week at 4.2 kg/head over 145 days, commencing before the expected start of calving. Calves, depending on their treatment group, either had unrestricted access to a ‘creep’ containing a high-energy, high-protein pellet given from 75 or 150 days old, or had no access at all to ‘creep’ feed. However, all cows and their calves had access to mineral blocks. Cottonseed meal-supplemented cows were heavier (408 v. 362 kg) and had higher condition scores (3.3 v. 2.9 units) than non-supplemented cows when weighed and scanned in November 1996, after all cows had calved, and they maintained these differences until April 1997 when calves were weaned. There was a trend for cows, whose calves had access to a ‘creep’ from 150 days old, to gain weight towards the end of lactation whereas cows from other treatment groups lost weight. Non-supplemented cows had a 3-fold greater daily intake of mineral blocks than cottonseed meal cows (178 v. 61 g/cow) providing them with an additional 9.8 g phosphorus/cow. Cottonseed meal cows were observed to have fewer grazing incidences (60 v. 75% of activities) during supplementation than non-supplemented cows, with grazing instances increasing for all cows during lactation. Cottonseed meal cows whose calves had access to ‘creep’ feed continued to have fewer grazing incidences (74 v. 90%) than other cows 70 days post-supplementation. Milk yield was higher in cottonseed meal cows than in non-supplemented cows (4.8 v. 4.0 kg/day). Following a synchronised insemination program, at the end of cottonseed meal supplementation, the pregnancy rate of formerly cottonseed meal-supplemented cows was twice that (40 v. 20%) of non-supplemented cows. The combination of cottonseed meal supplements and macrominerals from blocks improved cow liveweight, condition score, milk yield and fertility, and was a successful strategy for increasing production from low quality pastures.

Immunization against somatotropin release inhibiting factor increases milk yield in ewes

1990 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 393 ◽  
Author(s):  
YX Sun ◽  
SE Sinclair ◽  
PC Wynn ◽  
GH McDowell
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Inhibiting Factor ◽  
Gut Function ◽  
Plasma Hormones

Immunization of cross-bred ewes against somatotropin release inhibiting factor significantly increased (P < 0.01) milk yields, relative to yields of similar non-immunized (control) ewes, without affecting milk composition. Feed intakes of immunized ewes tended (P> 0.10) to be lower than those of control ewes and the efficiency of utilization of feed for milk production and digestibility of dry matter were significantly increased (P<0.10) by immunization. No effects of immunization were measured for plasma hormones and metabolites. It appears that the increase in milk production in response to immunization was the result of an increase in the supply of nutrients for milk production caused by a modification of gut function.

Immunization against somatotropin release inhibiting factor improves digestibility of food, growth and wool production of crossbred lambs

1990 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
YX Sun ◽  
GL Drane ◽  
SD Currey ◽  
ND Lehner ◽  
JM Gooden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Fish Meal ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Wool Fibre ◽  
High Intake ◽  
Keyhole Limpet Haemocyanin ◽  
Inhibiting Factor

Crossbred ewe lambs [Dorset Horn X (Border Leicester X Merino)] fed chopped 1ucerne:rolled barley in the proportions 2:1 at either 36 g kg-1 liveweight (moderate intake) or 40 g kg-1 (high intake) were immunized on four occasions at intervals of 25 days with a conjugate of somatotropin release inhibiting factor (SRIF) and keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). Before the fourth immunization, some of the barley was replaced with fish meal so that the diet contained 10% by weight air dry of fish meal. Antibodies against SRIF were detected in plasma from 10 out of 12 immunized lambs after the second immunization; two lambs on the high feed intake failed to produce measurable antibodies even after four immunizations. In the lambs producing antibodies, plasma concentrations of growth hormone, insulin and non-esterified fatty acids were similar to concentrations for non-immunized (control) lambs, but plasma concentrations of glucose were increased in the immunized lambs on the moderate intake. Apparent digestibilities of dry matter and nitrogen as well as nitrogen retention rates were greater for immunized than control lambs, with differences being significant for lambs on the moderate intake. Liveweight gains and growth rates over the experiment were significantly increased by immunization in lambs on the moderate intake and tended to increase for lambs on the high intake, but there were no effects of immunization on body composition. Wool growth and diameter of wool fibres increased after the second or third immunization, and in most cases the increase was significant. When fish meal was included in the diet, plasma glucose and growth rates decreased and wool fibre diameter increased in all lambs. Differences between immunized and control lambs were maintained.

The effect of herbage allowance on herbage intake and performance of ewes and their twin lambs grazing perennial ryegrass

1978 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Gibb ◽  
T. T. Treacher
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Linear Effect ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Positive Effect

SUMMARYThe effect of herbage allowance on the intake and performance of Scottish Half bred ewes with twin lambs was investigated over the first 16 weeks of lactation. Herbage allowances were defined as g herbage D.M./kg live weight (LW)/day, and were maintained by provision of fresh areas of ungrazed sward each day.Herbage allowances in the range 25–120 g D.M./kg LW/day were offered on an area of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. S. 23). Parturition was synchronized and ewes and lambs were turned out to pasture 1 day after lambing.Measurements were made of the herbage intake, live-weight change and milk yield of ewes, of lamb growth rates and of the herbage intake of lambs from 10 weeks of age.Herbage allowance had a significant linear effect on intakes of grass by ewes and lambs. The highest intakes by the ewes were achieved during the second week, and were in the range 23–43 g OM/kg LW/day. Intakes declined, as lactation proceeded, to 19–29 g OM/kg LW/day at week 12. Intakes of lambs were similar in weeks 10 and 12 and were in the range 17–24 g OM/kg LW/day. Allowance had a significant effect on live-weight change of the ewes after the first month and upon final body condition.There was no effect of allowance on milk yield until week 6. Mean milk yields were 2·3 kg/day at day 14, 1·0–1·5 kg/day at day 42 and 0·7–1·1 kg/day at day 84. There was a positive effect of allowance on growth rates of the lambs after the first month. Mean overall growth rates to 84 days of age were 175–243 g/day.

The influence of winter nutrition, grazing system and stocking rate on the performance of spring-calving Hereford × Friesian cows and their calves 2. Grazing system and stocking rate

1982 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Baker ◽  
J. M. Barker ◽  
Y. L. P. Le Du
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Friesian Cows

ABSTRACTForty-eight Hereford × Friesian cows and their South Devon calves were paddock grazed at high or low stocking rates of 412 or 206 cows and calves per ha in experiment 1, and either paddock grazed or set stocked at high or low stocking rates of 4·12 or 2·74 cows and calves per ha in experiments 2 to 4.There was no significant effect of grazing system on milk yield, milk composition or calf growth but in experiment 2 paddock-grazed cows gained more weight than those set stocked. Cows at low stocking rates gained more weight than those at high stocking rates and, in general, gave more milk. Calf growth rates were also higher at low stocking rates in experiments 1, 3 and 4 but not in experiment 2. Milk composition was not significantly affected by stocking rate. There were substantial increases in calf live-weight gain per ha at the high stocking rate but, because of a lower gain by cows, the differences in total live-weight gains per ha for cows and calves were much smaller.

The effect of dietary protein level on milk yield and composition and piglet growth and composition of the Meishan synthetic and European White breeds of sow

1999 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 701-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Sinclair ◽  
J. M. Shaw ◽  
S.A. Edwards ◽  
S. Hoste ◽  
A. McCartney
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Dietary Protein Level ◽  
Lactational Performance ◽  
Lower Protein ◽  
Piglet Growth

AbstractCurrent feeding recommendations for lactating sows may be inappropriate for modern genotypes with high milk production. The introduction of the prolific but obese Meishan breed into sow lines also necessitates a review of nutrient requirements. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was used to investigate the influence of breed type (Meishan synthetic 50% (M) and purebred European White (W) on response to dietary protein level (L = 140 g crude protein (CP) per kg, 6 g lysine per kg; H = 181 g CP per kg, 9 g lysine per kg) over a 5-week lactation. Milk yield (days 5, 9, 13,17, 21 and 28), milk composition and piglet growth and body composition were measured to quantify aspects of lactational performance. M had higher litter sizes throughout lactation (P < 0·001) and produced more milk than W(M = 10·04 W = 7·85 (s.e.d. 0·521) kg/day, P < 0·001) and milk of a higher fat content (M = 79·6 W = 75·0 (s.e.d. 5·71 g/kg, P < 0·05). Total solids were not significantly different between treatments. H produced higher milk protein content than L (L = 43·0 H = 55·7 (s.e.d. 3.01) g/kg, P = 0·05). Litter growth rates showed a breed effect (P < 0·001), diet effect (P < 0·001) and a breed × diet interaction (ML = 2·41 MH = 3·21 WL = 2·07 WH = 2·07 (s.e.d. 0·658) kg/day, P < 0·001). M piglets had higher fat deposition rates (M = 37 W = 24 (s.e.d. 4.5) g/day, P < 0·05). L piglets had a lower protein (P < 0·05) and fat (P < 0·05) deposition rate compared with H piglets. Higher litter growth rates of M sows resulted from a combination of increased milk yield and f at content and this was further enhanced by additional dietary protein. W sows showed no milk yield response to dietary protein but reduced maternal tissue catabolism.

Effects of postpartum Trypanosoma vivax infection on feed intake, livevveight changes, milk yield and composition in West African Dwarf ewes and associated lamb growth rates

1994 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. O. Akinbamijo ◽  
L. Reynolds ◽  
J. Sherington ◽  
I. V. Nsahlai
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
West African ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
West African Dwarf ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Daily Milk

SUMMARYThe effects of trypanosomiasis on digestible organic matter intake, milk yield and composition, dam liveweight changes during lactation and lamb growth rates were investigated at Ibadan, Nigeria 1991/92, using 20 West African Dwarf sheep nursing single lambs. Although digestibility coefficients were neither affected by infection nor by level of feed intake, organic matter intake during early and late lactation was significantly lower in infected dams. Nitrogen retained in late lactation was lower in infected animals due to reduced feed intake. Mean daily milk yields were not affected by the infection during early lactation; however, during the second half of lactation, average daily milk yields were significantly lower in infected animals than in uninfected controls. Variations in milk component concentrations between experimental groups did not attain statistical significance throughout lactation. While control ewes on a high plane of nutrition (CH) gained 12·1 g/day, infected ewes (IH) and uninfected control ewes on a medium plane of nutrition (CM) lost 45 and 5·4 g/day respectively during lactation. Liveweight gain in the lambs was not affected by infection in the dams.This study demonstrated reduction in feed intake, late lactation milk yield and dam liveweight gain with no adverse effect on digestibility coefficients, milk composition, early lactation milk yield and lamb weight gain during T. vivaxinfection of lactating ewes.

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