Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-03T20:31:20.589Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Calcium and phosphorus balances of lactating ewes at pasture

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

A. R. Sykes  and
K. G. Geenty
A. R. Sykes
Affiliation:
Animal Science Department, Lincoln College, University of Canterbury, Canterbury, New Zealand
K. G. Geenty
Affiliation:
Templeton Agricultural Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, P.O. Box 23-033, Templeton, New Zealand
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Differences in maternal body weight (12–15 kg) were induced in two groups (n = 43–50) of ewes during pregnancy by controlled allowance of pasture. Following parturition equal numbers (9–12) were allocated to one of three herbage allowances in a 2 x 3 factorial design during 42 days of lactation. This design was employed on two occasions; in one (Expt 1) the sheep were machine-milked twice daily, in the second (Expt 2) they each suckled two lambs. Balances of Ca and P in the body were determined by comparative slaughter during early pregnancy, at parturition and after 42 days of lactation. Herbage Ca intake and milk Ca output were determined on a weekly basis.

Mean daily milk production during the 42 days of lactation ranged from 1·48 to 2·68 kg/day amongst treatment groups. The general trend, irrespective of level of milk production, was for negative Ca balances, ranging from 0·71 to 1·42 g Ca/day. It is argued that variation in apparent absorbability (0·17–0·46) and in rate of absorption (30–113 mg/kg W per day) of Ca among groups suggest that these factors are not in themselves responsible for the poor Ca balances observed.

It is suggested that demand for Ca from the diet during early lactation is reduced as a consequence of bone Ca resorption due to matrix osteoporosis resulting from a protein deficiency state. Negative Ca balances in sheep undernourished during pregnancy were similarly attributed to poor protein balances.

Although negative P balances were observed these were not attributed to low P intake.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 106 , Issue 2 , April 1986 , pp. 369 - 375
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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

REFERENCES

Agricultural Research Council (1980). The Nutrient Requirements of Ruminant Livestock. Slough: Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux.Google Scholar
Braithwaite, G. D. (1978a). The effect of dietary calcium intake of ewes in pregnancy on the calcium and phosphorus metabolism in lactation. British Journal of Nutrition 39, 213–218.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Braithwaite, G. D. (1978b). Adaptation in the calcium and phosphorus metabolism of sheep in response to intravenous infusion of Ca. British Journal of Nutrition 40, 17–21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Braithwaite, G. D. (1982). Endogenous faecal loss of calcium by ruminants. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 99, 355–358.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Braithwaite, G. D. (1983). Calcium and phosphorus requirements of the ewe during pregnancy and lactation. I. Calcium. British Journal of Nutrition 50, 711–722.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Braithwaite, G. D. & Glascock, R. F. (1976). Metabolism of calcium in the sheep. Biennial Review National Institute of Research in Dairying, pp. 43–58.Google Scholar
Care, A. D., Barlet, J. P. & Abdel hafeez, H. M. (1980). Calcium and phosphate homeostasis in ruminants and its relationship to the aetiology and prevention of parturient paresis. In Digestive Physiology and Metabolism in Ruminants (ed. Ruckebush, Y. and Thivend, P.), pp. 429–446. Lancaster: M.T.P. Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
El-Maraghi, N. R. H., Platt, B. S. & Stewart, R. J. C. (1965). The effect of the interaction of dietary protein and calcium on growth and maintenance of the bones of young, adult and aged rats. British Journal of Nutrition 19, 247–273.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ewer, T. K. & Bartrum, P. (1957). Rickets in sheep. Australian Veterinary Journal 24, 73–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frandsen, A. M., Nelson, N. M., Sulon, E., Becks, H. & Evans, H. M. (1954). The effects of various levels of dietary protein on skeletal growth and endochondral ossification in young rats. Anatomical Record 119, 247–273.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Geenty, K. G. & Sykes, A. R. (1986). Effect of herbage allowance during pregnancy and lactation on feed intake, milk production, body composition and energy utilization of ewes at pasture. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 106, 351–367.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grant, A. B. & O'Hara, P. B. (1957). The rachitogenic effect of vitamin A. New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology 38A, 548–576.Google Scholar
Kraml, M. (1966). A somi-automated determination of phospholipids. Clinica Chimica Ada 13, 442–448.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sykes, A. R. & Dingwall, R. A. (1975). Calcium absorption during lactation in sheep with demineralized skeletons. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 84, 245–248.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sykes, A. R. & Field, A. C. (1972). Effects of dietary deficiencies of energy, protein and calcium on the pregnant ewe. I. Body composition and mineral content of the ewes. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 78, 109–117.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sykes, A. R., Field, A. C. & Gunn, R. G. (1974a). Effects of age and state of incisor dentition on body composition and lamb production of sheep grazing hill pasture. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 83, 135–143.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sykes, A. R., Field, A. C. & Gunn, R. G. (1974b). Effects of age and state of incisor dentition on the chemical composition of the skeleton of sheep grazing hill pasture. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 83, 145–150.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sykes, A. R., Nisbet, D. I. & Field, A. C. (1973). Effects of dietary deficiencies of energy, protein and calcium on the pregnant ewe. V. Chemical analyses and histological examination of some individual bones. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge. 81, 433–440.CrossRefGoogle Scholar