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Estimating the metabolizable energy requirement for pregnancy in sheep
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 September 2010
Abstract
A model is developed in which the metabolizable energy (ME) requirement for growth and maintenance of the foetus, uterus and udder are described explicitly for sheep. The efficiency of the use of ME for the growth of the products of conception (kp) is assumed to be the same as that for growth in non-pregnant animals. Using the results from the model to calculate the efficiency of the use of ME for conceptus growth (kc) in the conventional manner yields values with a similar magnitude and similar variation with food quality as those estimated experimentally. It is concluded that separately accounting for the growth and maintenance of the foetus, uterus and udder is preferable in models but unnecessary in feeding standards.
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- Research Article
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- Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1997
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