Differential metabolic and endocrine adaptations in llamas, sheep and goats fed high and low protein grass-based diets

This study aimed to elucidate whether distinct endocrine and metabolic adaptations provide llamas superior ability to adapt to low protein content grass-based diets as compared to the true ruminants. Eighteen adult, non-pregnant females (6 llamas, 6 goats and 6 sheep) were fed either green grass hay with (HP) or grass seed straw (LP) in a cross-over design experiment over two periods of 21 d. Blood samples were taken on day 21 in each period at -30, 60, 150 and 240 min after feeding the morning meal and analysed for plasma contents of glucose, triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxy butyrate (BOHB), urea, creatinine, insulin and leptin.
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Source Type: research