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Nutritional status of adult ewes during early and mid-pregnancy. 1. Effects of plane of nutrition on ewe reproduction and offspring performance to weaning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2008

C. Muñoz ,
A. F. Carson ,
M. A. McCoy ,
L. E. R. Dawson ,
N. E. O’Connell  and
A. W. Gordon
C. Muñoz*
Affiliation:
Queen’s University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland, UK
A. F. Carson
Affiliation:
Agriculture Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Large Park, Hillsborough, Co., Down BT26 6DR, Northern Ireland, UK
M. A. McCoy
Affiliation:
Veterinary Sciences Division, AFBI, Stoney Road, Belfast BT4 3SD, Northern Ireland, UK
L. E. R. Dawson
Affiliation:
Agriculture Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Large Park, Hillsborough, Co., Down BT26 6DR, Northern Ireland, UK
N. E. O’Connell
Affiliation:
Agriculture Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Large Park, Hillsborough, Co., Down BT26 6DR, Northern Ireland, UK
A. W. Gordon
Affiliation:
Biometrics Department, AFBI, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK
*
E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of plane of nutrition during early and mid-pregnancy on the performance of mature ewes and their offspring. From day 0 to day 39 post mating (early pregnancy, EP), 82 multiparous ewes were fed to provide either 60% (low, L), 100% (medium, M) or 200% (high, H) of predicted metabolisable energy (ME) requirements for maintenance, following a synchronised mating. From day 40 to day 90 (mid-pregnancy, MP), ewes were provided with either 80% (M) or 140% (H) of ME requirements. After 90 days of gestation, all ewes were fed to meet requirements for late pregnancy. During EP, mean live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) change of ewes were −6.3, −0.8 and +6.0 kg and −0.02, +0.10 and +0.22 units in the L-, M- and H-EP treatments, respectively. During MP, mean LW and BCS change were −0.8 and +4.9 kg and −0.09 and +0.09 units in the M- and H-MP treatments, respectively (P < 0.001). Treatments had no effect (P > 0.05) on conception rate, although there tended to be an inverse relationship (P = 0.085) between plane of nutrition in EP and plasma progesterone concentrations at day 42 of gestation. EP nutrition influenced foetal development with lambs from ewes offered diet L-EP being smaller (P < 0.01) at day 56 than M- or H-EP lambs. However, at parturition L-EP lambs were heavier (P < 0.05) and tended to have higher (P = 0.056) immunoglobulin status 24 h after birth. Mortality rates at weaning were reduced (P < 0.05) for lambs born from ewes offered diet L-EP compared with M- or H-EP lambs. Diet M during mid-pregnancy resulted in larger (P < 0.05) foetuses at day 80 of gestation. At parturition, these lambs had longer head and crown-rump lengths than H-MP lambs (P < 0.05). Lambs born to ewes offered diet M-MP tended to progress faster to attempting to suckle than H-MP lambs (P = 0.089). There was an interaction between plane of nutrition in early and mid-pregnancy, whereby the highest number of lambs weaned was a result of diet L-EP followed by diet M-MP. These results indicate that in adult ewes, temporary nutrient restriction during early pregnancy results in better lamb survival; and mild nutrient restriction in mid-pregnancy tends to improve neonatal behaviour and results in lambs with longer skeletal size.

Keywords

foetal developmentlamb behaviournutritionpregnancysheep
Type
Full Paper
Information
animal , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , January 2008 , pp. 52 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2008

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