Nitrogen balance in lambs fed a high-concentrate diet and infused with differing proportions of casein in the rumen and abomasum

Twenty-five wether lambs (34 +/- 0.9 kg) fitted with ruminal and abomasal infusion catheters were used in a completely randomized design to determine the effects of differing proportions of ruminal and abomasal casein infusion on N balance in lambs fed a high-concentrate diet (85% corn grain, 1.6% N; DM basis) for ad libitum intake. Wethers were infused with 0 (control) or 10.4 g/d of N from casein with ruminal:abomasal infusion ratios of 100:0, 67:33, 33:67, or 0:100% over a 14-d period. Feed, orts, feces, and urine were collected over the last 5 d. Total N intake and excretion were greater (P < 0.01) in lambs infused with casein than in controls; however, N retention did not differ in lambs infused with casein compared with controls, suggesting that N requirements were met without casein supplementation. Total N intake and total N excretion did not differ among casein infusion treatments. Urinary N excretion decreased linearly (P = 0.07) with decreasing ruminal infusion of casein. Site of casein infusion quadratically (P = 0.06) influenced N retained (g/d), with the greatest retention observed in the 33:67 ruminal:abomasal infusion treatment. Dry matter intake from feed decreased from 1,183 to 945 g/d (P = 0.02) in lambs infused with casein compared with controls, but apparently digested DM did not differ among treatments. These data indicate that decreasing the ruminal degradability of supplemental protein above that required to maximize N retention results in decreased urinary excretion of N without greatly affecting apparent diet digestion.     

Effect of ruminal infusion of glucose, volatile fatty acids and hydrochloric acid on mineral metabolism in sheep

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of alterations in ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations on utilization of Mg and other minerals. In Exp. 1, two metabolism trials were conducted with 12 ruminally cannulated crossbred wethers fed 800 g/d of orchard-grass (Dactylis glomerata, L.) hay. After each feeding, wethers were ruminally infused with 500 ml (4.2 ml/min) or either 1) deionized water, 2) 40% (w/v) glucose solution, 3) .26 M propionic and .17 M butyric acid solution or 4) .35 M HCl. The pH of the VFA solution was adjusted to 6.8 with 10N NaOH. In Exp. 2, a metabolism trial was conducted with 12 ruminally cannulated crossbred wethers fed 600 g of orchard-grass hay and infused with a buffered VFA solution prepared as in Exp. 1 or with an unbuffered solution. In both experiments each trial consisted of a 5-d adaption period followed by four 5-d collections of feed, feces and urine. Compared with the glucose treatment, infusion of the buffered VFA solution produced similar acetic and propionic and higher (P less than .05) butyric acid concentrations (Exp. 1). The HCl solution produced changes in ruminal and pH values similar to those of the glucose infusion. In Exp. 1, apparent absorption of Mg was increased over twofold by the glucose infusion (P less than .05), but the other infusions had no effect. Apparent absorption of P was decreased (P less than .05) by HCl infusion, and K absorption was decreased by HCl and glucose infusions. In Exp. 2, infusion of the unbuffered VFA solution decreased apparent Mg absorption by 15.7%, compared with infusion of the buffered solution. These experiments suggest that the increased Mg absorption observed with carbohydrate supplementation is not due to alterations in ruminal pH or VFA levels.     

Nitrogen balance in lambs fed low-quality brome hay and infused with differing proportions of casein in the rumen and abomasum

Twenty wether lambs (46 +/- 2 kg) fitted with ruminal and abomasal infusion catheters were used in a completely randomized design to determine the effects of differing proportions of ruminal and abomasal casein infusion on N balance in lambs fed low-quality brome hay (0.8% N, DM basis) for ad libitum intake. Wethers were infused with 0 (control) or 10.7 g/d of N from casein with ratios of ruminal:abomasal infusion of 100:0 (100R:0A), 67:33 (67R:33A), 33:67 (33R:67A), or 0:100% (0R:100A), respectively, over a 12-d period. Total N supply (hay N intake + N from casein infusion) was greater (P = 0.001) in lambs receiving casein infusion than in controls. Urinary N excretion (g/d) was greater (P = 0.001) in lambs receiving casein infusion than in controls. Urinary N excretion decreased as casein infusion was shifted from 100R:0A to 33R:67A and then slightly increased in lambs receiving 0R:100A (quadratic, P = 0.02). Total N excretion was greater (P = 0.001) in lambs receiving casein infusion than in controls and decreased linearly (P = 0.005) as casein infusion was shifted to the abomasum. Retained N (g/d, % of N intake, and % of digested N) was greater (P = 0.001) in lambs receiving casein than in controls. Retained N increased as infusion was shifted from 100R:0A to 33R:67A and then slightly decreased in lambs receiving 0R: 100A (quadratic, P < 0.07). Based on regression analysis, the predicted optimum proportion of casein infusion to maximize N retention was 68% into the abomasum. The regression suggests that supplementation with undegradable intake protein had an additional benefit over supplementation with ruminally degradable intake protein (100R:0A) and that changing the percentage of ruminally undegradable intake protein in supplemental protein from 33 to 100% resulted in minimal differences in N retention. Apparent N, DM, OM, and energy digestibility (% of intake) was greater (P < 0.03) in lambs infused with casein than controls but did not differ among casein infusion groups. These data suggest that feeding protein supplements containing a portion (greater than 0%) of the crude protein as ruminally undegradable intake protein, as compared to 100% ruminally degradable intake protein, to lambs consuming low-quality forage increases N retention and the efficiency of N utilization without influencing total-tract nutrient digestion.     

Growth performance and carcass composition of lambs infused for 28 days with a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue.

A human growth hormone-releasing factor analogue, [DesNH2Tyr1,D-Ala2,Ala15]hGRF(1-29)NH2 (GRF-A), was infused s.c. into lambs for 28 d to determine its effects on growth performance and carcass composition. Twenty crossbred wethers weighing 47.0 +/- .5 kg were implanted with 7-d osmotic minipumps at weekly intervals. Minipumps contained either vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide:H2O, 1:1) or GRF-A, released at a rate of 208 pmol (or .7 micrograms).h-1.kg-1. During the infusion period, plasma GH levels were increased (P less than .01) in GRF-A-treated wethers compared with control wethers (15.0 vs 9.3 ng/ml) and were higher on days that closely followed minipump implantation. Plasma IGF-I and hepatic IGF-I RNA concentrations were similar in lambs of both groups. Analogue treatment improved feed conversion (4.9 vs 5.8 kg dry matter/kg gain, P less than .05), increased average daily gain (.35 vs .30 kg, P = .05) and had no effect on feed intake, wool growth and body, carcass, selected organ and pituitary weights. Carcasses from GRF-A-infused lambs had less adjusted fat depth, a lower percentage of fat and a higher percentage of protein (P less than .05) than carcasses from control lambs. Magnitude of most effects of GRF-A on carcass measurements were correlated with the mean GH level that a lamb had during the infusion period. In conclusion, s.c. infusion of GRF-A improved feed utilization and altered carcass composition of feeder lambs in a relatively short period of time (28 d).     

Nitrogen metabolism and somatotropin secretion in lambs receiving arginine and ornithine via abomasal infusion

Sixteen wether lambs (25 kg) were fitted with abomasal infusion cannulas and used to study N and endocrine responses to abomasal infusions of arginine (ARG) or ornithine (ORN). Lambs were randomly allotted to four treatment groups and abomasally infused with solutions of water (CON), ARG, ORN or UREA. The ARG solution provided .50 g ARG.HCl/kg BW and was equimolar with ORN.HCl (.40 g/kg). UREA (.28 g/kg) was isonitrogenous with ARG and served as a positive N control. Lambs were housed in metabolism crates for excreta collection and received 729 g DM/d of a 13.7% CP diet in equal portions four times daily. Following a 7-d dietary adjustment period, lambs were infused continuously (2 liters/d) with water for a 5-d preliminary collection period (Period 1), which immediately preceded a 7-d infusion and collection period (Period 2). Sequential blood samples were taken at 15-min intervals for 8 h between 1200 and 2000 on d 4 of both periods. Single samples were obtained at 1500 on remaining days. Nonrepeated measurements were analyzed as a completely randomized design, whereas repeated measurements were analyzed as a split-plot over time. Period 2 measurements were adjusted using covariance techniques if differences among treatment groups were observed for Period 1. Contrasts used in determining treatment effects were: CON vs UREA, CON vs ARG + ORN, and ARG vs ORN. Nitrogen retention was similar for all treatment, suggesting that dietary N was not limiting. Arginine and ORN increased serum ornithine (P less than .05), blood urea N (BUN; P less than .10) and urinary urea N excretion (P less than .01), whereas ARG increased (P less than .05) serum arginine and UREA increased (P less than .01) BUN and urinary urea N. Serum insulin and glucose were not affected by treatment. Compared with CON, ARG and ORN increased (P less than .05) mean somatotropin (STH) concentration (13.8 vs 16.9 and 18.4 ng/ml) and amplitude of STH pulses (9.8 vs 15.1 and 17.8 ng/ml), whereas CON and UREA were similar. Abomasal infusions of ARG and ORN were equally efficacious in stimulating ovine STH secretion when dietary N intake was not limiting.     

Bone ossification and carcass characteristics of wethers given silastic implants containing estradiol

Administration of growth promotants with estrogenic activity via hastening closure of the growth plate could have an economic impact on lambs because closure results in ovine carcasses being classified as yearlings. Twelve wether lambs approximately 12 mo old were given silastic implants filled with estradiol-17 beta and allotted randomly to be slaughtered 30, 60, 90, or 220 d after implantation to determine time of growth plate closure in relation to date of implanting. Seven comparable wethers not implanted served as controls. Four wethers implanted at 2 mo of age and slaughtered 220 d later also were included. Implanted wethers had serum concentrations of estradiol averaging 13.9 pg/ml over the 220-d implant period; controls averaged 2.7 pg/ml. Estradiol implants increased carcass maturity scores but fat deposition was not altered. Growth plate widths decreased (P less than .05) as wethers grew older and implants were in place for longer periods of time. Metacarpal growth plates in 12-mo-old lambs were completely ossified 220 d after implanting, but control wethers and wethers implanted at 2 mo maintained growth plate widths. Neither metacarpal nor metatarsal bone lengths differed (P less than .05) between control and implanted wethers. Growth plate ossification was not complete until 570 d of age in implanted lambs, even though bone length had stopped increasing by 408 d. Therefore, even though estradiol and other growth stimulants with estrogenic activity increase rate of ossification of the metacarpal growth plate, bone length or mature size is not limited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Absorption of magnesium and other macrominerals in sheep infused with potassium in different parts of the digestive tract

Two metabolism trials were conducted with 12 crossbred wether lambs, each surgically equipped with a ruminal catheter and abomasal and ileal cannulae, to study the effect of K infusion in different sites of the digestive tract on site of absorption and flow of minerals. The treatments consisted of the infusion of 33.6, 12.0 or 12.0 g K/d as bicarbonate into either the rumen, abomasum or ileum, respectively. Each trial consisted of a minimum 5-d preliminary period, five 3-d collection periods to determine mineral balance and a 6-d sampling period to determine mineral flow and site of absorption. Chromic oxide was incorporated into the diet for use as a marker. Magnesium was absorbed primarily from the preintestinal region. Ruminal infusion of K tended to decrease preintestinal Mg absorption. Absorption of Mg in the entire tract was decreased (P less than .05) 43% when K was infused into the rumen. There was a slight absorption of Mg in the small intestine, followed by a net secretion into the large intestine. Serum Mg levels tended to be depressed in lambs infused with K intraruminally. Calcium flow from the preintestinal region was decreased (P less than .05) by infusion of K into the rumen. Only lambs infused with K in the rumen had a net secretion of Na into the small intestine. The large intestine was the primary site of net Na absorption for ruminal-infused lambs. Phosphorus flow from the preintestinal region was decreased (P less than .05) by infusion of K into the rumen. Potassium flow from both the preintestine and small intestine was increased (P less than .05) by ruminal K infusion. The infusion of K into the rumen, abomasum or ileum increased (P less than .05) the total absorption of K, with the small intestine being the major absorptive site. The infusion of potassium bicarbonate into the rumen of sheep raised (P less than .05) the pH of the ruminal contents 15%. Ruminal infusion of K depresses Mg absorption, while the infusion of K into the abomasum or ileum does not affect Mg absorption. Therefore, the role of K in grass tetany may be via this depression of Mg absorption.     

Influence of aluminum-citrate and citric acid on tissue mineral composition in wether sheep

A 60-d trial was conducted to determine effects of A1-citrate and citric acid on tissue mineral composition in wether lambs. Eighteen crossbred, yearling wether lambs equipped with ruminal cannulas were fed a diet containing low (.12%) Mg and high (2.87%) K (DM basis) and were allotted to three treatments: 1) control; 2) 2,000 micrograms A1 as A1-citrate/g of diet DM and 3) citric acid equivalent to the citrate in treatment 2. Treatments were administered in 200 ml of deionized water twice daily in divided doses via ruminal cannula. At the end of 60 d, wethers were slaughtered and samples of rib and tibia bone, liver, kidney, brain, spleen, pancreas, parathyroid and pituitary gland were analyzed for mineral concentration. Concentrations of A1 increased (P less than .05) in rib, tibia, liver, kidney, spleen and pituitary gland and tended to increase in brain (P less than .13) in wethers treated with A1-citrate compared to citric acid. Magnesium was decreased in rib (P less than .01) and tended to be decreased in pituitary gland (P less than .15), whereas Ca tended to be decreased in pancreas (P less than .07), kidney (P less than .11) and parathyroid (P less than .10) by A1-citrate treatment compared to citric acid. Potassium decreased (P less than .01) in liver, Fe increased (P less than .05) in kidney, Zn decreased in pituitary (P less than .05) and tended to decrease in pancreas (P less than .10) due to A1-citrate but not citric acid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of intraperitoneal administration of lysine and methionine on mohair yield and quality in Angora goats.

Eight mature Angora wethers (average BW 47.2 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 replicated Latin square design to evaluate responses to intraperitoneal (IP) administration of amino acids. The IP treatments consisted of saline (Control), methionine 1 g/d (Met), lysine 2 g/d (Lys), and methionine + lysine (Met + Lys). The amino acids dissolved in Control were infused continuously for the first 14 d of each 28-d period using peristaltic infusion pumps. Average d-28 grease and clean mohair yields (grams/100 square centimeters), and fiber diameter (micrometers) and length (centimeters) measurements during Control administration were 8.8, 7.6, 40, and 2.3, respectively. Mean clean mohair yield and fiber diameter increased by 5.3% (P less than .039) and 2.5% (P less than .067), respectively, with Met administration but were decreased by 9.2% (P less than .033) and 3.8% (P less than .001), respectively, by Lys administration; however, mean fiber length was increased (P less than .014) 21.7% by Lys infusion. The goats did not exhibit increased grease (P greater than .939) and clean (P greater than .477) mohair yields and fiber diameter (P greater than .619) when treated with Met+Lys. A N balance trial was conducted during d 10 through 14 of each period. Total retained N (grams per day) during Control administration was 18.4 and 24% greater than Met (P greater than .281) and Lys (P less than .061), respectively. When expressed as a proportion of N intake, retained N was lowest (P less than .127) in the Lys infusion group. Jugular blood ammonia N and plasma glucose and total protein concentrations were not affected (P greater than .10) by treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of age, castration, and season on difficulty of pelt removal in lambs

Sixty-four white-faced rams and wethers were dressed with the aid of a commercial pelt puller. The effects of age, castration, and season on difficulty of pelt removal and pelt damage were evaluated. Lambs were divided into two age groups (5 and 12 mo) within gender (ram and whether) and season (spring and fall). A greater force (P less than .05) was required to remove pelts from rams than from wethers in both 5- and 12-mo-old groups. Older lambs slaughtered in the fall required more force (P less than .05) to remove their pelts than did those slaughtered in the spring, but differences by season did not exist for 5-mo-old lambs. The difference between rams and wethers in percentage of live weight that was closely shorn pelt weight was not significant (P greater than .05). The area of grain crack in the flank expressed as a percentage of total area of the skin was lower (P less than .05) for skins from 5-mo-old lambs and ram lambs than it was for skins from 12-mo-old lambs and wether lambs, respectively. Factors involved in difficulty of pelt removal in ram lambs included crosscut shoulder weight, fat firmness, and carcass weight. Difficulty of pelt removal in wether lambs was best predicted by including crosscut shoulder weight and bodywall thickness in multiple regression equations.     

Effects of mimosine on fiber shedding, follicle activity, and fiber regrowth in Spanish goats

Ten 2-yr-old Spanish wethers (58.2 +/- 7.21 kg BW) were used to determine effects of 2-d intravenous infusion of mimosine (beginning on January 8) on fiber shedding, follicle activity, and fiber regrowth. Primary and secondary follicle activity on d 0 were 43 +/- 6.2% and 96 +/- 1.7%, respectively. Five wethers were infused with mimosine at 120 mg/(kg BW x d) and the other five received saline. At 7 to 10 d after the start of infusion, all five goats infused with mimosine exhibited shedding, whereas shedding by controls was not observed. Cashmere fiber shedding score (5-point scale: 1 = no shedding, 5 = excessive shedding) on d 4 was greater for mimosine goats than for controls (1.2 vs 2.0; P < .001), and shedding score for wethers receiving mimosine was greater (P < .05) on d 12, 16, and 20 than on d 0 and 4 (4.1 to 4.6 vs 1.4 and 2.0). Guard hair shedding score for goats receiving mimosine was greatest (P < .01) among the days after infusion for d 12 and greater (P < .01) on d 16 than on d 0 and 4. Nonetheless, cashmere fiber yield from combed fleece of mimosine goats (average of 73%) was much greater than for a clipping of the uncombed side (average of 28%) when the cashmere fiber shedding score exceeded 4.0. Secondary follicle activity on d 12 was lower (P < .01) for mimosine than for control wethers (6.8 vs 67.7%), and secondary follicle activity for mimosine-infused goats on d 12 was lower (P < .01) than on d 0 (98.9%), 4 (98.3%), and 20 (99.5%). Mimosine infusion resulted in no detectable fiber regrowth in wk 4 to 7 after the start of infusion, but regrowth rate in the following two 4-wk periods was similar for mimosine and control wethers. In conclusion, 2-d intravenous infusion of mimosine at 120 mg/(kg BW x d) in the winter induced cashmere shedding but had less effect on guard hairs, suggesting future potential use of chemicals such as mimosine to remove cashmere fiber.     

Portal-drained visceral flux of nutrients in lambs fed alfalfa or maintained by total intragastric infusion

An experiment was performed using lambs fitted with chronic indwelling catheters in appropriate blood vessels for portal-drained visceral (PDV) flux measurements. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate PDV nutrient flux in alfalfa-fed and intragastrically infused lambs and to evaluate the effects of amount of energy and N infused on PDV nutrient metabolism. Lambs were fed alfalfa or infused with 1.64 and 10.9; 1.82 and 12.3; or 2.37 and 15.0 Mcal GE and g N/d, respectively. Arterial concentrations and PDV fluxes of glucose, L-lactate, acetate and portal blood flow were not different (P greater than .10) between alfalfa-fed and infused lambs. Net flux of alpha-amino N, ammonia N and branched-chain VFA were lower (P less than .05) and net flux of propionate, butyrate and total VFA were higher for intragastric infusion vs alfalfa. No consistent differences in PDV fluxes were noted among the three levels of energy and N infused, although the energy and N levels tested were near maintenance requirements. Nitrogen retention increased as level of energy and N infusion increased. Approximately 47, 70 and 22% of ruminally infused acetate, propionate and butyrate, respectively, were found on a net basis in portal blood as VFA. Measurements of net nutrient utilization by the PDV that eliminate the influence of ruminal fermentation are possible. How the changes in PDV tissues due to intragastric infusion influence these estimates is unknown.     

The net portal and hepatic flux of metabolites and oxygen consumption in growing beef steers given postruminal casein

Changes in net portal and hepatic nutrient flux and oxygen consumption in response to 3-d abomasal casein infusions were studied in seven multicatheterized beef steers. Steers were fed 4.3 kg DM/d of a high-concentrate diet in 12 equal meals. Blood flow (para-aminohippurate dilution) and net flux (venoarterial concentration difference x blood flow) across portal-drained viscera (PDV) and hepatic tissues were measured on d 3 of the abomasal infusions. In two experiments, the response to 300 (300C) and 150 (150C) g casein/d were compared, respectively, to a control water infusion. The 300C increased (P less than .05) arterial blood concentrations of alpha-amino N (AAN), urea N and ammonia; 150C increased (P less than .05) arterial urea N. Urinary urea N excretion was increased (P less than .01) by 300C and 150C. Although 300C increased net PDV release of AAN (P less than .07) and alanine (P less than .10), there was no net change in total splanchnic (TSP) flux due to an increased net hepatic uptake of AAN (P less than .01) and alanine (P less than .05). Net PDV glucose flux was decreased (P less than .05) by 300C, but net hepatic glucose flux was not affected by either level of casein. The 150C increased TSP oxygen consumption (P less than .05) and hepatic oxygen extraction (P less than .10). Approximately 26 and 30% of the casein N infused abomasally appeared in the portal blood as AAN for 150C and 300C, respectively. The sum of net PDV ammonia and AAN fluxes accounted for 47 and 88% of the N infused for 150C and 300C, respectively. These data emphasize the importance of intestinal and liver tissues in regulating the flux of nitrogenous compounds absorbed from the diet.     

Energy expenditure of Angora bucks in peak breeding season estimated with the doubly-labeled water technique

We used the doubly-labeled water (DLW; 2H2(18)O) method to compare total energy expenditure (TEE) of Angora bucks and wethers over a 15-d period during peak breeding season. Four bucks (57+/-3 kg) and four wethers (45+/-2 kg) were fitted with marking harnesses to measure sexual activity and allocated pairwise to one of four breeding groups (n = 30 does/group). Subjects were infused i.v. with 2H2(18O) that provided 200 mg 2H2O and 250 mg H2(18)O/kg BW. Blood samples were collected over a 15-d period, with 3- to 4-d intervals for isotope enrichment measurements. Total DLW-derived energy expenditure (TEE) was similar (P = .55) between bucks and wethers (2,578 vs 2,365; SE 239 kcal/d). Large variation was observed among wethers in TEE, courtship, and attempted mountings. Total energy expended corrected for that in mohair production (CTEE) tended (P = .09) to be greater in sexually active wethers (133+/-8 kcal ME/[kg BW.75 x d(-1)]; n = 3) than in bucks (110+/-7 kcal ME/[kg BW.75 x d(-1)]; n = 4). Energy expended on activity (EEa) by these wethers was highly correlated (r = .98) with the number of does marked, which may explain high variability among wethers in EEa. Bucks marked more does (18+/-1; P < .05) than wethers (8+/-3), but a weak relationship (r = .36) existed between number of does marked and EEa, suggesting individuality in style and persistence while courting. In Angora bucks, CTEE during the breeding season was 9% greater than the maintenance energy requirement. In conclusion, breeding activities in single-buck breeding groups did not markedly increase energy requirements of Angora bucks.     

Effect of ruminal escape protein and fat on nitrogen utilization in lambs exposed to elevated ambient temperatures.

Eight wether lambs (mean BW = 28.8 kg) with ruminal and abomasal cannulas were assigned to either thermally neutral or high ambient temperature treatments. Within each temperature, lambs were randomly allotted to dietary treatments consisting of a basal diet (60% corn and 24% cottonseed hulls) either with (high; 11.4% CP) or without (control; 10.1% CP) added ruminal escape CP as fish meal and with (high) or without (control) 5% added ruminally inert fat in a 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement using a Latin square design. Lambs were fed 606 g of DM/d in each period, which consisted of a 10-d adjustment followed by 6 d of sample collection. High temperature increased (P less than .05) respiration rate, evaporative water loss, and rectal temperature. When compared with controls, lambs fed high escape CP retained more N when exposed to high temperatures (2.8 vs 3.6 g of N/d) and less N at neutral temperatures (3.3 vs 3.1 g of N/d; temperature x escape CP; P less than .05). Retention of N was greater (P less than .05) in lambs fed high than in those fed control fat (3.8 vs 2.7 g/d). Lambs fed high vs control escape CP had greater abomasal feed N flow (percentage of intake) when fed high-fat diets (77.3 vs 56.1%) but similar dietary N flow when fed control fat diets (55.8 vs 54.3%; fat x escape CP; P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of dietary monensin and potassium on apparent absorption of magnesium and other macroelements in sheep

Twelve ruminally cannulated lambs (average weight, 31.1 kg) were used to determine the effects of monensin and K on apparent absorption of Mg in lambs. Lambs were assigned randomly to two groups and fed a basal high concentrate diet containing .44% K with or without 20 mg/kg monensin for 19 d of dietary adjustment. During adjustment, lambs were housed by treatment group and given ad libitum access to their diets. Following dietary adjustment, lambs were placed in individual metabolism stalls and fed 450 g of their respective diet twice daily. Within each monensin group, lambs were infused ruminally with 0, 7.6 or 31.6 g K/d (equal amounts at each feeding in 158 ml of distilled-deionized water) during three periods in a 3 X 3 Latin-square arrangement of K treatments. Each period consisted of a 10-d preliminary phase and a 7-d collection phase followed by a 3-d D2O infusion phase to determine water turnover. Addition of monensin to the diet decreased (P less than .05) fecal Mg excretion 15.9%. Apparent absorption and retention of Mg were increased (P less than .05) with the addition of monensin. Increasing K level increased (P less than .05) fecal Mg excretion. Apparent absorption of Mg decreased (P less than .05) from .93 to .80 g/d when either level of K was infused into the rumen. Monensin decreased the acetate:propionate (A:P) ratio. There was a significant interaction between monensin and K level for acetate and propionate (molar %), and A:P ratio. In the presence of higher K concentrations, monensin appears to be more effective in decreasing the A:P ratio.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of implanting ram and wether lambs with zeranol at birth and weaning on palatability and muscle collagen characteristics.

Thirty-five zeranol-implanted (I) and nonimplanted (NI) ram and wether lambs representing four treatments (implanted rams [IR], nonimplanted rams [NIR], implanted wethers [IW], and nonimplanted wethers [NIW]) were evaluated for meat palatability and muscle collagen characteristics. Rib (longissimus muscle, LM) chops from I lambs were juicier (P less than .05) than rib chops from NI lambs. Chops from IR lambs had more (P less than .05) detectable connective tissue and lower myofibrillar and overall tenderness scores than chops from NIR, IW, or NIW lambs. Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) values tended to be higher (P = .06) for LM chops from rams than for those from wethers, but WBS values for Biceps femoris (BF) chops were similar (P greater than .05) for rams and wethers. Implanting did not affect (P greater than .05) WBS values. Rams had more (P less than .05) LM heat-labile (soluble, SC), nonheat-labile (insoluble, IC), and total collagen (TC) and a higher (P less than .05) percentage of SC (SC/TC) than did wethers. Soluble collagen, TC, and percentage of SC for the BF were higher (P less than .05) and IC tended (P = .09) to be higher in chops from rams than in those from wethers. Implanting did not affect (P greater than .05) collagen amount or solubility. Serum nonprotein hydroxyproline (NPHP) was higher (P less than .05) in rams than in wethers throughout the feeding period and tended (P = .05) to be higher at slaughter. Implanting did not affect (P greater than .05) serum NPHP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of isoenergetic infusions of propionate and glucose on portal-drained visceral nutrient flux and concentrations of hormones in lambs maintained by total intragastric infusion

Three lambs were used in a repeated Latin square design to determine the influence of isoenergetic infusions of propionate or glucose on portal-drained visceral flux (PDV) of nutrients and concentrations of insulin, glucagon, growth hormone and prolactin. Lambs were fitted with appropriate catheters for blood sampling and maintained on total intragastric infusion of nutrients. Basal VFA, casein, mineral and vitamin infusions (isocaloric and isonitrogenous) were supplemented with an additional 22 +/- .5 kcal/h from propionate, glucose or a combination of propionate plus glucose. Ruminal fluid proportion and arterial blood concentration and PDV flux of propionate increased (P less than .10) by 17 mol/100 mol, .02 mM and 40 mmol/h, respectively, with infusion of an additional 61 mmol/h of propionate. Regression equations predicted that, on a net basis, 67% of ruminally infused propionate and 43% of abomasally infused glucose appeared in portal blood. Arterial L-lactate, beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetate concentrations, and beta-hydroxybutyrate flux were increased (P less than .10) by .34 mM, .20 mM, .50 mM and 4.2 mmol/h, respectively, with infusion of 33 mmol/h of added glucose. Net utilization of glucose by the PDV was approximately 4.4 mmol/h when no glucose was infused. Increased infusion of propionate resulted in a 22.2-micrograms/h increase in PDV flux of insulin (P less than .08) but had no effect on arterial insulin, glucagon and prolactin concentrations (P greater than .10). Arterial growth hormone increased by 3.8 ng/ml with increasing glucose infusion (P less than .08).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of plane of nutrition and age on carcass maturity of sheep

One hundred twenty ewe and wether lambs were fed high (76% TDN, 12.3% crude protein) or low (70.6% TDN, 16.1% crude protein) energy diets and slaughtered at average ages of 261, 356 or 469 d. High planes of nutrition for lambs at 356 or 469 d of age resulted in heavier carcasses, thicker fat depth and higher flank streaking scores compared to lambs fed low planes of nutrition. Rib bone, break joint and overall maturity scores were not influenced (P greater than .05) by diet. Metacarpal and metatarsal bones from lambs fed high planes of nutrition were slightly longer and heavier and required more force to break (P less than .05) compared with bones from lambs fed low planes of nutrition. The majority of the ewes fed high or low planes of nutrition had fused growth plates and possessed spool joints by 469 d; none of the wethers had spool joints. An additional 27 wethers were slaughtered at an average of 480, 578 or 662 d. Rib bone, break joint and overall maturity scores were not different (P greater than .05) for animals fed the high or low energy diets, but bone weight and shaft break force values were higher for those fed high energy diets. At 662 d of age, only 20% of the wethers on each dietary regimen possessed fused growth plates. Overall, plane of nutrition in market-weight lambs and yearlings had very little influence on the presence or absence of a break joint or on other bone maturity scores.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and a thyrotropin releasing hormone analog on growth and selected plasma hormones in lambs

An 8-wk growth trial was conducted to assess the effects of continuous infusion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and an active TRH analog less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 (the less than Aad is L-pyro-alpha-aminoadipic acid) on growth trial performance, carcass composition and hormone profiles of growing lambs. Both drugs were infused at 600 micrograms X lamb -1 X d -1 with 16 lambs/treatment. Both TRH and less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 decreased average daily gain (ADG; P less than .01) and increased feed conversion (FC; P less than .01) compared with saline infused controls. Average daily feed intake was not altered. Carcasses of lambs given TRH or less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 contained fewer kilograms of moisture (P less than .05) and appeared to contain fewer kilograms of protein. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 increased thyroid gland weights (P less than .05), but pituitary gland weights were not different. Plasma thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations were increased by both drugs compared with control lambs, peaking at 4 to 7 d after initiating infusion. However, by 14 d, TSH concentrations returned to control levels. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were elevated by both drugs over the entire 8-wk trial, with peak levels reached at 10 d and maintained for the duration of the study. Both TRH and less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 increased prolactin over the entire period. Growth hormone levels were not altered by either drug. The effects of less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 infusion on growth trial performance, carcass composition and hormone profiles of growing lambs were very similar to TRH. The negative effects of TRH and less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 infusion on ADG, FC and carcass protein appear to be the result of elevated T3 and T4 levels.