Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-03T05:41:58.390Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effect of pattern of protein intake and level of energy intake on the performance and nitrogen utilization of the ewe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. J. Robinson ,
C. Fraser ,
Elizabeth L. Corse  and
J. C. Gill
J. J. Robinson
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
C. Fraser
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
Elizabeth L. Corse
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
J. C. Gill
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

An experiment was carried out in which each of thirty-six ewes was offered one of six dietary treatments from the 30th to the 140th day of gestation. The treatments supplied two levels of metabolizable energy (ME) intake (128 and 116 kcal/kg W0.75/day) each at three patterns of protein intake, namely equal increments at 22 day intervals, equal decrements at the same intervals and a constant daily intake throughout. The protein intake patterns supplied a mean daily intake of digestible crude protein of 3·74 g/kg W0.75/day. Nitrogen balances were carried out on four ewes from each dietary treatment during the last 10 days of each 22 day period.

Thirteen ewes randomly distributed on all dietary treatments were barren. Mean rate of live-weight gain in the pregnant ewes was 123 g/day compared with 66 g/day in the non-pregnant ewes and was not significantly affected by treatments. Lamb birth weights adjusted to the basis of twins were 3·83, 4·02 and 3·56 kg for the increasing, constant and decreasing patterns of protein intake respectively.

Within patterns of protein intake there were no significant differences in nitrogen retention between pregnant and non-pregnant ewes until after 90 days of gestation. Thereafter retention increased in the pregnant ewes offered the constant and increasing patterns of crude protein and remained constant in the non-pregnant ewes. During the same period the retention of both pregnant and non-pregnant ewes on the decreasing pattern decreased.

The effects of both energy and protein intake on nitrogen retention in early and late pregnancy were assessed by multiple regression analysis. The results are discussed in relation to other recent findings.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 75 , Issue 3 , December 1970 , pp. 403 - 411
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1970

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agricultural Research Council (1965). The Nutrient Requirements of Farm Livestock, No. 2. Ruminants. London: Agricultural Research Council.Google Scholar
Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (1960). Methods of Analysis. Washington, D.C.: Association of Official Agricultural Chemists.Google Scholar
Blaxter, K. L. & Wainman, F. W. (1964). The utilization of the energy of different rations by sheep and cattle for maintenance and for fattening. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 63, 113–28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Doney, J. M. (1964). The fleece of the Scottish Blackface sheep. 4. The effects of pregnancy, lactation and nutrition on seasonal wool production. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 62, 59–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elsley, F. W. H., Anderson, D. M., McDonald, I., MacPherson, R. M. & Smart, R. (1966). A comparison of the live-weight changes, nitrogen retention and carcass composition of pregnant and nonpregnant gilts. Anim. Prod. 8, 391–400.Google Scholar
Forbes, T. J. & Robinson, J. J. (1967). The effect of source and level of dietary protein on the performance of in-lamb ewes. Anim. Prod. 9, 521–30.Google Scholar
Forbes, T. J. & Robinson, J. J. (1969). Results of recent experiments on sheep production. 42nd A. rep. agric. Res. Insl. Nth. Ire. 11–24.Google Scholar
Graham, N. McC. (1964). Energy exchanges of pregnant and lactating ewes. Aust. J. agric. Res. 15, 127–41.Google Scholar
Klosterman, E. W., Buchanan, M. L., Bolin, D. W. & Bolin, F. M. (1951). Levels and sources of protein in rations for pregnant ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 10, 257–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Klosterman, E. W., Bolin, D. W., Buchanan, M. L., Bolin, F. M. & Dinusson, W. E. (1953). Protein requirements of ewes during breeding and pregnancy. J. Anim. Sci. 12, 188–200.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kosterlitz, H. W. & Campbell, R. M. (1957). Nutrition and Gestation, 4th Int. Congr. Nutr., Paris. (Annls Nutr. Aliment. 11, A85–A98).Google Scholar
Langlands, J. P. & Sutherland, H. A. M. (1968). An estimate of the nutrients utilized for pregnancy by sheep, Merino. Br. J. Nutr. 22, 217–27.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marston, H. R. (1948). Nutritional factors involved in wool production by Merino sheep. 1. The influence of fodder intake on the rate of wool growth. Aust. J. sci. Res. Ser. B 1. 362–75.Google Scholar
Robinson, J. J. & Forbes, T. J. (1966). A study of the protein requirements of the mature breeding ewe. Maintenance requirement of the non-pregnant ewe. Br. J. Nutr. 20, 263–72.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robinson, J. J. & Forbes, T. J. (1967). A study of the protein requirement of the mature breeding ewe. 2. Protein utilization in the pregnant ewe. Br. J. Nutr. 21, 879–91.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robinson, J. J. & Forbes, T. J. (1968). The effect of protein intake during gestation on owe and lamb performance. Anim. Prod. 10, 297–309.Google Scholar
Robinson, J. J. & Forbes, T. J. (1970). A study of protein utilization by weaned lambs. Anim. Prod. 12, 95–105.Google Scholar
Rombauts, P. (1962). Evolution de l'anabolisme gravidique chez la truie en fonction de l'age de l'animal. Annls Zootech. 11, 39–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar