J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J. Anim Sci. 1976. 43:1104-1113.
© 1976 American Society of Animal Science
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Christenson, R. K.
Right arrow Articles by Prior, R. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Christenson, R. K.
Right arrow Articles by Prior, R. L.

Influence of Dietary Protein and Energy on Reproductive Performance and Nitrogen Metabolism in Finn-Cross Ewes1

R. K. Christenson2 and R. L. Prior3

University of Nebraska and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Clay Center, NE 68933

Abstract

The effect of level of dietary energy and protein intake on reproductive performance was studied in 110 Finn-cross ewe lambs and in 404 Finn-cross yearling ewes during late gestation. Nitrogen metabolism was studied in 26 ewe lambs and 23 yearling ewes. Increasing digestible energy and crude protein intake for ewe lambs and yearling ewes during late gestation increased (P<.05) ewe average daily gain. However, level of energy intake fed ewe lambs and yearling ewes during late gestation did not significantly influence lamb birth weight or number and weight of lambs at weaning per ewe lambing. Percentage of lambs with strong vigor at birth was increased (P<.05) for yearling ewes as energy level was increased; and at 72 hr after birth, approximately 5 to 10% more lambs were alive for the yearling ewes with the high energy intake during late gestation. Protein intakes of 213 g/day during late gestation increased (P<.05) average lamb birth weight for yearling ewes to a greater extent than did intakes of 145 g/day. Lamb survival at weaning was greater for lambs from yearling ewes fed the high protein intake during late gestation.

Endogenous fecal N loss for ewe lambs and yearling ewes was estimated to be .59 and .62 g/100 g DMI, respectively. Endogenous urinary N loss was higher (P<.05) for yearling ewes at 134 days of gestation (278 mg N/kg body weight-75/day) than for ewe lambs at 121 days of gestation (165 mg N/kg body weight-75/ day). About 60% of the increase in absorbed N required to maintain N balance observed in the yearling ewes, when compared with that of ewe lambs, is accounted for by the increased endogenous urinary N loss observed in the older ewes.

Footnotes

1 Published as Paper Number 5051, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln.

2 Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center.

3 U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Agricultural Research Service.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1976 by the American Society of Animal Science.