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Influence of Dietary Energy during Gestation on Lambing Performance, and Glucose Metabolism in Finn-Cross Ewes^{1 ,2,}

U.S. Department of Agriculture and University of Nebraska^,5, Clay Center, NE 68933

Abstract

The effect of three levels of dietary energy on maternal glucose metabolism, fetal liver and heart glycogen, DNA, RNA and protein concentrations and early neonatal survival was studied in 227, 2- and 3-year-old Finnish Landrace crossbred (1/2) ewes. Increasing the level of dietary energy intake during late gestation increased average lamb birth weight, ewe plasma glucose and insulin, and decreased plasma free fatty acids. Rates of glucose appearance were lower in ewes fed the low dietary energy level than in ewes fed the medium or the high energy level. Plasma glucose and glucose appearance rates tended to increase during an intravenous infusion of propionate (1 mmole/min) in ewes fed the low energy level but not in ewes fed the medium or the high energy level. Ewe plasma glucose increased approximately threefold within 30 min after parturition. Lambs born to ewes fed the low energy level had a lower concentration of liver DNA, but level of dietary energy did not significantly affect heart DNA concentrations nor liver or heart tissue concentrations of RNA, protein, or glycogen. Level of dietary energy during late gestation did not significantly alter early neonatal survival of lambs. However, lambs born as triplets had lighter birth weights and a decreased survival at weaning than lambs born as singles.

¹ Published as Paper Number 5043, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln.

² The authors wish to express appreciation to Ms. B. DeChiaro, Ms. M. Chambers, Ms. S. Schiefelbein, Mr. P. Ziemba and Mr. T. Katen for assistance with the laboratory analyses; to Mr. B. Knapp for assistance with statistical analyses and in the development of the computer programs used to evaluate glucoregulatory responses; and to Mr. B. Larsen and Mr. R. Kouba for the care of the experimental animals.

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

⁴ Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center.

⁵ Mention of a trade name, proprietary product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.