Supplementation of metabolizable protein during late gestation and fetal number impacts ewe organ mass, maternal serum hormone and metabolite concentrations, and conceptus measurements

To examine the effects of maternal metabolizable protein (MP) supplementation during late gestation on serum hormone and metabolites and organ masses, multiparous ewes (n = 45) carrying singletons or twins were allotted randomly (within pregnancy group) to one of three treatments: 60% (MP60), 80% (MP80), or 100% (MP100) of MP requirements. Blood samples were drawn before initiation of diets (day 100) and prior to slaughter (day 130) for chemistry panel analysis, and weekly for hormone analysis including progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17β (E2).

Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - August 25, 2015 Category: Endocrinology Authors: T.J. Swanson, L.A. Lekatz, M.L. Van Emon, G.A. Perry, C.S. Schauer, K.R. Maddock Carlin, C.J. Hammer, K.A. Vonnahme Source Type: research