The relationships between leptin concentrations and body fat reserves in lambs are reduced by short-term fasting

Feed deprivation decreases plasma leptin concentrations depending on the amount of body fat reserves. While a greater response was observed in lean than in fat humans and rats, a few results for ruminants are inconsistent. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of feed deprivation on plasma leptin concentration in growing lambs with different body fat reserves and on the relationship between leptin and fatness. In addition, we included other hormones (growth hormone, GH; insulin-like growth factor-I, IGF-I and insulin) involved in tissue development. Thirty male lambs of 40 kg live weight were used. Blood was sampled before and after a fasting period of 24 h. The lambs were slaughtered and dissected into several fat and lean tissues. Feed deprivation reduced plasma leptin by an average of 34.6% (p < 0.001). Obese lambs exhibited a greater decline of leptin than lean lambs (2.50 vs. 1.36 ng/ml, p < 0.05). The correlations between leptin and several fat tissues were lower in those lambs than that were fasted. This indicates that leptin concentrations after short-term fasting scarcely reflect the extent of body fat reserves but reflect more the actual metabolic situation. Body fat did not significantly influence the response of GH, IGF-I and insulin to fasting in most cases.     

Plasma leptin, feed intake and body fat accumulation in fattening castrated male and female lambs

The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between changes in plasma leptin concentration and feed intake or bodyweight in female and castrated male lambs with fattening. Four female and four castrated male lambs were used and were fed roughage and concentrate supplemented with beef tallow ad libitum for 28 weeks. Although the feed intake and bodyweight increased with fattening in both the castrated male and female lambs, they decreased at 24–28 weeks in the female lambs. At the end of fattening, the crude fat content in the muscle (loin) of the female lambs was significantly higher than in the castrated male lambs (P < 0.05), while the crude protein content in the loin and fillet meat was higher in the castrated male than in the female lambs (P < 0.05). The plasma leptin concentration showed high values at a later stage of fattening (P < 0.05). In the female lambs the plasma insulin concentration increased at a later stage of fattening (P < 0.05) and was positively correlated (P < 0.0001, r = 0.78) with plasma leptin. Plasma metabolites (glucose, nonesterified fatty acid, total cholesterol and triglyceride) concentrations were also changed with fattening. Plasma total cholesterol was positively related to plasma leptin, more closely in the female than in the castrated male lambs (in females, r = 0.63, P < 0.001; in males, r = 0.38, P < 0.01). The accumulation of body fat was probably accelerated by the consumption of a lot of concentrate feed supplemented with treated beef tallow and by the stimulation of insulin with fattening. Consequently, the plasma leptin concentration increased, especially toward the end of the fattening period. The decrease in feed intake and bodyweight after the 24th week of fattening was possibly caused by an increase in leptin that is involved in the homeostatic regulation of body energy by regulating appetite.     

The relationship between plasma leptin concentrations and the distribution of body fat in crossbred steers

The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between plasma leptin levels and fat distribution in crossbred steers. Twenty-four crossbred steers (Japanese Black × Holstein) were used in this study. Six steers belonged to the growing phase (11 months of age), and 18 steers to the finishing phase (from 21 to 28 months of age). Plasma leptin levels correlated positively with body fat weight ( r  = 0.807, P  < 0.01), body fat percentage ( r  = 0.802, P  < 0.01), visceral fat weight ( r  = 0.807, P  < 0.01), visceral fat percentage ( r  = 0.780, P  < 0.01), subcutaneous fat weight ( r  = 0.745, P  < 0.01), subcutaneous fat percentage ( r  = 0.734, P  < 0.01), intermuscular fat weight ( r  = 0.793, P  < 0.01), intermuscular fat percentage (0.775, P  < 0.01), renal fat weight ( r  = 0.694, P  < 0.01), renal fat percentage ( r  = 0.642, P  < 0.01), subcutaneous fat thickness ( r  = 0.755, P  < 0.01), intermuscular fat thickness ( r  = 0.721, P  < 0.01), beef marbling score ( r  = 0.706, P  < 0.01) and the crude fat content of Musculus longissimus thoracis ( r  = 0.592, P  < 0.01). The location of fat deposits did not affect the correlation values. However, when steers were divided into growing ( n  = 6) and finishing ( n  = 18) groups, there was no significant correlation between plasma leptin levels and the carcass characteristics related to fat deposition (fat weight, fat percentage, carcass traits) in either group. These results suggest that plasma leptin levels in crossbred steers positively correlate with body fat content and carcass traits when these parameters vary widely.     

Effects of dietary fat and energy on body weight and composition after gonadectomy in cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of dietary fat and energy density on body weight gain, body composition, and total energy expenditure (TEE) in neutered and sexually intact cats. ANIMALS: 12 male and 12 female cats PROCEDURE: Male cats were castrated (castrated male [CM]) or underwent no surgical procedure (sexually intact male [IM]). Female cats underwent ovariectomy (spayed female [SF]) or laparotomy and ligation of both uterine tubes without ovary removal (sexually intact female [IF]). Cats were fed either the low-fat (LF) or high-fat (HF) diet for 26 weeks, with the final allocation consisting of 8 groups: IF-LF IF-HE SF-LF, SF-HF IM-LF, IM-HF, CM-LF, and CM-HF. Mean food intake for each group was recorded daily, and body weight was monitored weekly throughout the study. Body composition and TEE were measured before surgery in week 0 and at the end of the study (week 26) by isotope dilution (double-labelled water). RESULTS: N eutered cats gained significantly more body fat and body weight (53.80+/-5.79%) than sexually intact cats (27.11+/-5.79%) during the study. Body weight gain of neutered cats fed the HF diet was greater than those fed the LF diet. Following correction for body composition, TEE was similar in all groups and no pattern towards increased food intake was evident. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Weight gain in neutered cats was decreased by feeding an LF, low energy-dense diet. To prevent weight gain in cats after neutering, a suitable LF diet should be fed in carefully controlled meals rather than ad libitum.     

Effect of dietary fatty acid pattern on growth, body fat composition and antioxidant parameters in broilers

The effects of dietary fat supplementation on performance, fatty acid (FA) composition of tissues and antioxidant defence system of broilers were studied. Male broilers were placed in 20 floor pens (60 broilers per pen). The broilers were fed by diets with added different energy sources: lard (L); sunflower oil (SFO); soybean oil (SBO); and linseed oil (LSO). The treatments did not modify significantly growth performance and feed intake of the broilers. There was no effect of dietary FA pattern on reduced glutathione level and glutathione peroxidase activity of plasma, erythrocyte and liver samples. However, higher PUFA content of the diet resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde level of erythrocytes and liver. The broilers fed LSO diet more effectively maintained their antioxidant status with enhanced plasma radical scavenger capacity. FA composition in tissues reflected the FA pattern of the diets, although proportion of FAs with four or more double bonds was metabolic specific. LSO diet increased the level of C18:3, C20:5 and C22:6 in tissue lipids in relation to L, SFO and SBO diets. Significantly increased plasma radical scavenging capacity in concert with the enhanced C20:5 and C22:6 proportion in liver and muscle during LSO feeding indicate metabolic changes to counteract the oxidative injury. This may be related to the compounds produced after different biochemical pathways of n-6 and n-3 FAs.     

Maternofetal inflammation induced for 2 wk in late gestation reduced birth weight and impaired neonatal growth and skeletal muscle glucose metabolism in lambs

Intrauterine stress impairs growth and metabolism in the fetus and offspring. We recently found that sustained maternofetal inflammation resulted in intrauterine growth-restricted (MI-IUGR) fetuses with asymmetric body composition, impaired muscle glucose metabolism, and β-cell dysfunction near term. These fetuses also exhibited heightened inflammatory tone, which we postulated was a fetal programming mechanism for the IUGR phenotype. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether poor growth and metabolism persisted in MI-IUGR lambs after birth. Polypay ewes received serial lipopolysaccharide or saline injections in the first 2 wk of the third trimester of pregnancy to produce MI-IUGR (n = 13) and control (n = 12) lambs, respectively. Lambs were catheterized at 25 d of age. β-Cell function was assessed at 29 d, hindlimb glucose metabolism at 30 d, and daily blood parameters from day 26 to 31. Glucose metabolism was also assessed in flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle isolated at necropsy on day 31. Asymmetric body composition persisted in MI-IUGR neonates, as these lambs were lighter (P < 0.05) than controls at birth and 31 d, but body and cannon bone lengths did not differ at either age. FDS muscles from MI-IUGR lambs were smaller (P < 0.05) and exhibited reduced (P < 0.05) glucose oxidation and Akt phosphorylation but similar glucose uptake compared with controls when incubated in basal or insulin-spiked media. Similarly, hindlimb glucose oxidation was reduced (P < 0.05) in MI-IUGR lambs under basal and hyperinsulinemic conditions, but hindlimb glucose utilization did not differ from controls. Circulating urea nitrogen and cholesterol were reduced (P < 0.05), and triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose-to-insulin ratios were increased (P < 0.05) in MI-IUGR lambs. Glucose and insulin concentrations did not differ between groups during basal or hyperglycemic conditions. Although circulating monocyte and granulocyte concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in MI-IUGR lambs, plasma tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) was reduced (P < 0.05). FDS muscle contained greater (P < 0.05) TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and IκBα protein content. These findings indicate that maternofetal inflammation in late pregnancy results in fetal programming that impairs growth capacity, muscle glucose oxidation, and lipid homeostasis in offspring. Inflammatory indicators measured in this study appear to reflect heightened cytokine sensitivity in muscle and compensatory systemic responses to it.     

Effects of energy intake and body weight on physical and chemical body composition in growing entire male pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine independent effects of BW and DE intake on body composition and the partitioning of retained body energy between lipid and protein in pigs with high lean tissue growth potentials and when energy intake limited whole-body protein deposition. In a preliminary N-balance experiment involving 20 entire male pigs at either 30 or 100 kg BW, it was established that whole-body protein deposition increased linearly (P < 0.05) with DE intake at both BW. These results indicate that DE intake controlled whole-body protein deposition and that these pigs did not achieve their maximum whole-body protein deposition when fed semi-ad libitum. In the main serial slaughter experiment, 56 pigs, with a BW of 15 kg, were assigned to one of four DE intake schemes and slaughtered at 40, 65, 90, or 115 kg BW. Within DE intake schemes, DE intake was increased linearly (P < 0.05) with BW, allowing for an assessment of effects of DE intake and slaughter BW on chemical and physical body composition (carcass, viscera, blood). Between 15 and 90 kg BW, average DE intake of 16.1, 20.9, 25.2, and 28.8 MJ/d supported average BW gains of 502, 731, 899, and 951 g/d, respectively. The proportion of whole-body protein present in the carcass increased with BW and decreased with DE intake (P < 0.05), whereas the distribution of whole-body lipid between carcass and viscera was not influenced by BW and DE intake. A mathematical relationship was developed to determine the relationship between DE intake at slaughter (MJ/d) and chemical body composition in these pigs: whole-body lipid-to-protein ratio = 1.236 - 0.056 x (DE intake) + 0.0013 x (DE intake)2, r2 = 0.71. The data suggests that absolute DE intake alone was an adequate predictor of chemical body composition in this population of entire male pigs over the BW and DE intake ranges that were evaluated, simplifying the characterization of this aspect of nutrition partitioning for growth in different pig populations.     

The relationships among body weight, body composition, and intramuscular fat content in steers

Angus steers of known age (265 +/- 17 d) and parentage were used in a 2-yr study (yr 1, n = 40; yr 2, n = 45) to evaluate the relationship between percentage of i.m. fat content of the longissimus dorsi at the 12th rib and carcass characteristics during growth of nonimplanted steers. Steers were sorted by age and EPD of paternal grandsire for marbling into high- and low-marbling groups so that steers with varying degrees of genetic potential for marbling were evenly distributed across slaughter groups. All steers were fed a 90% concentrate corn-based diet. Steers were allotted to five slaughter groups targeted to achieve hot carcass weights (HCW) of 204, 250, 295, 340, and 386 kg over the course of the feeding period. Data were analyzed as a completely random design with a factorial arrangement of treatments (year, marbling group, and slaughter group). Marbling group did not affect backfat, LM area, yield grade (YG), or marbling score. Regression equations were developed to quantify the change in carcass characteristics and composition over slaughter groups. Hot carcass weight increased in a linear fashion and differed (P < 0.01) among the slaughter groups as anticipated by design. Yield grade followed a quadratic upward pattern (P < 0.01) as HCW increased. Slaughter group affected the degree of marbling linearly (P < 0.01). There were no slaughter group x marbling group interactions, indicating that no differences occurred in the pattern of marbling attributable to paternal grandsire EPD. Carcasses expressed small degrees of marbling at 266 kg of HCW and obtained a YG of 3.0 at 291 kg of HCW. Fractional growth rates decelerated with increasing HCW. Greater advances in marbling relative to total carcass fatness occurred at HCW less than 300 kg. Management practices early in growth may influence final quality grade if compensatory i.m. fat content development does not occur.     

Influence of nutrient intake and body fat on concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, thyroxine, and leptin in plasma of gestating beef cows

Pregnant Angus x Hereford cows (n = 73) were used to determine the effects of amount of nutrient intake and BCS on concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, leptin, and thyroxine in plasma. At 2 to 4 mo of gestation, cows were blocked by BCS and assigned to one of four nutritional treatments: high (H = a 50% concentrate diet fed ad libitum in a drylot) or adequate native grass pastures and one of three amounts of a 40% CP supplement each day (M = moderate, 1.6 kg; L = low, 1.1 kg; or VL = very low, 0.5 kg; as-fed basis). After 110 d of treatment, all cows grazed dormant native grass pasture and received 1.6 kg/d of a 40% CP supplement. At 68, 109, and 123 d of treatment, cows were gathered, and plasma samples were collected by tail venipuncture (fed sample). After 18 h without feed and water, a second plasma sample was collected (fasted sample). At 109 d of treatment, BCS was greatest (P < 0.05) for H cows, similar for M and L cows, and least for VL cows. Concentrations of insulin and leptin were greater (P < 0.05) for H cows than for M and VL cows at 68 and 109 d, but similar for all groups at 123 d. Thyroxine in plasma was greatest (P < 0.05) for H cows at 68 d and similar for cows on all treatments at 123 d. Concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, and leptin in fed and fasted cows were positively correlated with BCS at 109 d. Body condition was predictive of concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, and leptin when cows had different nutrient intakes, but BCS accounted for less than 12% of the variation in plasma concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, and leptin when nutrient intake was the same for all cows. We conclude that amount of nutrient intake has a greater influence than body energy reserves on IGF-I, insulin, and leptin concentrations in the plasma of gestating beef cows.     

Effects of dietary protein concentration and specific amino acids on body weight,body composition and feather growth in young turkeys

1. Two randomised block factorial experiments were conducted to investigate the relationships between the effects of dietary crude protein and specific amino acid concentrations on the relative growth of the body and feathers of young turkeys. 2. Decreasing dietary crude protein concentration from 300 to 180 g/kg in experiment 1 reduced the body and breast muscle weights of a large male line of turkeys proportionally by 0.44 and 0.52 compared with 0.19 and 0.24 in a small traditional line. 3. Decreasing dietary crude protein concentration was associated with a maximum reduction in feather weight of 0.18 and 0.24 respectively in male line and traditional turkeys. The length of the feathers in the cranial region of the breast decreased from 26 to 19mm in the traditional line compared with an increase from 14 to 25 mm in male line turkeys. 4. Decreasing dietary crude protein concentration was associated with an increase in the fat content of the feather-free carcase. Male line turkeys had a higher carcase fat and lower feather dry matter content than the traditional turkeys. 5. It was concluded that dietary crude protein was preferentially partitioned to feather rather than muscle growth in the male line in contrast to a traditional line of turkeys in which the growth of feathers and muscle were affected equally. 6. In experiment 2, the amino acids arginine, valine, methionine and tyrosine were added separately to a common basal ration (180g CP/kg) to raise their concentration to that of the control ration (260 g CP/kg). Each ration was fed ad libitum to male line turkeys from 2 to 6 weeks of age. 7. Amino acid supplementation increased body and breast muscle weights. 8. Compared with the basal ration, tyrosine was associated with a reduction in feather weight whereas valine had no effect. Supplementation with arginine and methionine resulted in increased feather weights that were similar to that of the controls. 9. It was concluded that arginine and methionine were used preferentially and are essential for feather growth. Excess amino acids that are not required for feather growth such as tyrosine and valine were used for increased body growth and resulted in relatively poor feather cover. 10. The results suggest that feather growth was maintained as much as possible at the expense of body growth when the amino acid concentration of the ration was less than that required to maximise body and muscle weight gain in large male line turkeys.     

The influence of photoperiod on body weight gain, body composition, nutrient intake and hormone secretion

Increasing daily light exposure from 8 to 16 h increases average daily body weight gains of sheep and Holstein cattle but reduces gains of white-tailed doe fawns. Some of these effects on average daily gain in sheep are the result of increased gut fill and pelt weight. Increasing daily exposure to light increases feed intake when sheep or cattle are fed ad libitum. However, increased feed intake is not a prerequisite for the anabolic effects of long duration exposures to light because increased growth occurs in the animals given 16 h light:8 h dark (16L:8D) even when feed intake is restricted. The anabolic effects of increased duration photoperiods in sheep are independent of the gonads, whereas in cattle they are dependent on the gonads. Consistent increases in average daily gains of cattle in response to longer duration photoperiods have not always been achieved. The lack of consistency may be associated with sexual maturity or rate of fattening of the animal. For example, the stimulatory effects of 16L:8D photoperiods on live weight gain are not readily manifested in immature prepubertal heifers, but occur primarily during the peripubertal period. Short days are conducive to deposition of fat, which may account for the stimulatory effects of short days on live weight gain of white-tailed doe fawns and excessively fattened Holsteins. In contrast, long duration photoperiods stimulate protein accretion in cattle. The hormonal signals that mediate the anabolic effects of increasing exposure to light are not associated with change in insulin, thyroxine or growth hormone concentrations in the blood. Glucocorticoid concentrations in serum decrease with longer duration photoperiods which is consistent with an anabolic effect. Increasing daily light exposure to 16 h/d hastens the increase in concentrations of progesterone and testosterone in sera of peripubertal heifers and prepubertal bulls, respectively. Thus, change in secretion of reproductive hormones in the peripubertal period of cattle may be associated with the anabolic effects previously described and is consistent with gonad dependency. Prolactin concentrations in serum increase in sheep and cattle as duration of light exposure increases. But, there is no irrefutable proof that prolactin is responsible for the increased rates of gain or change in carcass composition associated with longer exposures to light. Thus, the hormonal mechanisms involved in photoperiod-induced alterations in growth remain to be established.     

Effects of dietary energy levels on plasma leptin in sheep

This experiment investigates the changes in the plasma leptin levels of sheep fed a diet of three energy levels (low, moderate and high). Four mature wethers were used for this experiment. For the first 4 weeks, the sheep were fed diets to provide 1.2 times the maintenance metabolizable energy requirements, low energy levels (LE). During the second 4 weeks, the sheep were fed diets to provide 1.5 times the maintenance metabolizable energy requirements, moderate energy levels (ME). During third 4‐week period, the sheep were fed a diet to provide 1.8 times the maintenance metabolizable energy requirements, high energy levels (HE). Body weight was determined every week. Blood samples were collected prior to the morning meal at 3 days intervals throughout the experiment, and plasma leptin, insulin and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were assayed. Body weight decreased in week 1 after the start of the experiment, it continued to decrease during the LE feeding, but it gradually increased until the end of HE period. Similarly, plasma leptin concentration decreased during LE feeding, but increased during the HE feeding. Additionally, positive correlation was obtained between leptin and insulin or glucose concentrations, whereas no clear relationship with circulating NEFA was observed. In conclusion, it was suggested that plasma leptin concentrations were affected by the metabolizable energy in feed.     

能量对低出生体重仔猪死亡率、断奶重和初乳摄入量的影响

文章探讨了能量补充对低出生体重仔猪的死亡率、断奶体重、日增重及初乳摄入量的影响。处理组选择22头母猪所产的306头活仔猪,其中极低出生体重(<1 kg)72头,低出生体重(1~1.2 kg)77头,分别于出生时和出生后8~12 h口服能量补充剂。对照组选择24头母猪所产的340头活仔猪,其中极低出生体重81头,低出生体重74头。结果显示:能量补充较对照组显著降低了极低出生重仔猪哺乳3 d的死亡率(P <0.05),有降低低出生重仔猪死亡率的趋势(P=0.07)。总的来说,能量补充剂有降低仔猪哺乳3 d死亡率的趋势(P=0.06)。能量补充较对照组对极低出生重仔猪哺乳7和21 d存活优势率显著提高了4.04和3.59倍(P <0.05)。对照组较处理组显著提高了仔猪的断奶重(P <0.05)。对照组与处理组对仔猪的日增重、初乳摄入量及出生产量的影响均无显著差异(P> 0.05)。处理组母猪初乳产量在数值上比对照组低(P> 0.05),但处理组母猪初乳产量均匀性在数值上较对照组好。综上所述,能量补充通过为极低出生体重仔猪直接提供能量而不是通过提高初乳的摄入量来降低其断奶前的死亡率。     

Effects of postpartum dietary fat and body condition score at parturition on plasma, adipose tissue, and milk fatty acid composition of lactating beef cows

Two experiments were conducted with lactating Angus x Gelbvieh beef cows to determine the effects of postpartum lipid supplementation, BCS at parturition, and day of lactation on fatty acid profiles in plasma, adipose tissue, and milk. In Exp. 1, 36 pri-miparous cows (488 +/- 10 kg of initial BW; 5.5 +/- 0.02 initial BCS) were given ad libitum access to hay and assigned randomly to a low-fat (control) supplement or supplements with cracked, high-linoleate safflower seeds (linoleate) or cracked, high-oleate safflower seeds (oleate) from d 3 to 90 of lactation. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric; safflower seed diets provided 5% of DMI as fat. Plasma and milk samples were collected on d 30, 60, and 90 of lactation. Adipose tissue biopsies were collected near the tail-head region of cows on d 45 and 90 of lactation. In Exp. 2, 3-yr-old cows achieving a BCS of 4 +/- 0.07 (479 +/- 36 kg of BW) or 6 +/- 0.07 (580 +/- 53 kg of BW) at parturition were used in a 2-yr experiment (n = 36/yr). Beginning 3 d postpartum through d 61 of lactation, cows were fed diets similar to those of Exp. 1. Adipose tissue and milk samples were collected on d 30 and 60, and plasma was collected on d 31 and 61 of lactation. Responses to postpartum dietary treatment were comparable in both experiments. Cows fed linoleate and oleate had greater (P < 0.001) total fatty acid concentrations in plasma than cows fed control. Except for 15:1, milk fatty acids with <18 carbons were greatest (P < or = 0.01) for cows fed control, whereas milk from cows fed linoleate had the greatest (P < or = 0.02) 18:1trans-11, 18:2n-6, and cis-9, trans-11 CLA. Milk from cows fed oleate had the greatest (P < 0.001) 18:1cis-9. In Exp. 1, total fatty acid concentrations in adipose tissue samples decreased at d 90 compared with d 45 of lactation, but the fatty acid profile of cow adipose tissue was not affected (P = 0.14 to 0.80) by dietary treatment. In Exp. 2, the percentage of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in adipose tissue of cows with a BCS of 6 decreased (P = 0.001) from d 30 to 60 of lactation. Plasma and milk fatty acid composition reflected alterations in postpartum diet. Less medium-chain fatty acids and more 18-carbon fatty acids in milk were indicative of reduced de novo fatty acid synthesis in the mammary gland of beef cows fed lipid supplements; however, the metabolic demands of lactation prevented the deposition of exogenously derived fatty acids in adipose tissue through d 90 of lactation.     

Effect of fat supplementation during transition period on plasma leptin and non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations in Holstein cows

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of fat supplementation during the transition period on pre and postpartum body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and leptin concentrations in Holstein cows. Holstein cows (n = 15) received a low fat diet (LF; 1.61 Mcal net energy for lactation (NEL)/kg of dry matter [DM]), moderate fat diet (MF; 1.68 Mcal NEL/kg DM) or a high fat diet (HF; 1.74 Mcal NEL/kg DM) for 4 weeks prior to calving. All cows were fed similar lactation diets ad libitum (1.74 Mcal NEL/kg DM) for 30 days after calving. Increasing diet energy density during transition period had no effect on prepartum DMI, BCS, BW, glucose and NEFA concentrations (P > 0.05); but leptin concentrations and energy balance (EB) were affected by treatments (P < 0.05). Animals fed HF had less plasma leptin prepartum. After parturition, BW, milk production, milk fat, protein, urea nitrogen and plasma glucose concentrations were affected by prepartum diets (P < 0.05). Fat supplementation prepartum did not affect postpartum NEFA. In conclusion, prepartum fat supplementation decreased leptin concentration prepartum.     

Effects of dietary energy density and supplemental rumen undegradable protein on intake,viscera, and carcass composition of lambs recovering from nutritional restriction

Variation in nutrition is a key determinant of growth, body composition, and the ability of animals to perform to their genetic potential. Depending on the quality of feed available, animals may be able to overcome negative effects of prior nutritional restriction, increasing intake and rates of tissue gain, but full compensation may not occur. A 2 × 3 × 4 factorial serial slaughter study was conducted to examine the effects of prior nutritional restriction, dietary energy density, and supplemental rumen undegradable protein (RUP) on intake, growth, and body composition of lambs. After an initial slaughter (n = 8), 124 4-mo-old Merino cross wethers (28.4 ± 1.8 kg) were assigned to either restricted (LO, 500 g/d) or unrestricted (HI, 1500 g/d) intake of lucerne and oat pellets. After 8 wk, eight lambs/group were slaughtered and tissue weights and chemical composition were measured. Remaining lambs were randomly assigned to a factorial combination of dietary energy density (7.8, 9.2, and 10.7 MJ/kg DM) and supplemental RUP (0, 30, 60, and 90 g/d) and fed ad libitum for a 12- to 13-wk experimental period before slaughter and analysis. By week 3 of the experimental period, lambs fed the same level of energy had similar DMI (g/d) and MEI (MJ/d) (P > 0.05), regardless of prior level of nutrition. Restricted-refed (LO) lambs had higher rates of fat and protein gain than HI lambs (P < 0.05) but had similar visceral masses (P > 0.05). However, LO lambs were lighter and leaner at slaughter, with proportionally larger rumens and livers (P < 0.05). Tissue masses increased with increasing dietary energy density, as did DMI, energy and nitrogen (N) retention (% intake), and rates of protein and fat gain (P < 0.05). The liver increased proportionally with increasing dietary energy density and RUP (P < 0.05), but rumen size decreased relative to the empty body as dietary energy density increased (P < 0.05) and did not respond to RUP (P > 0.05). Fat deposition was greatest in lambs fed 60 g/d supplemental RUP (P < 0.05). However, lambs fed 90 g/d were as lean as lambs that did not receive supplement (P0, P > 0.05), with poorer nitrogen retention and proportionally heavier livers than P0 lambs (P < 0.05). In general, visceral protein was the first tissue to respond to increased intake during refeeding, followed by non-visceral protein and fat, highlighting the influence of differences in tissue response over time on animal performance and body composition.     

Effects of growth rate and compensatory growth on body composition in lambs

Fifty lambs were used in a comparative slaughter experiment to determine the effects of growth rates and compensatory growth on body composition. The study consisted of a growing and a finishing phase. During the growing phase, lambs (20 to 30 kg) were fed three different concentrate levels (30, 50 or 70%) to gain at three different rates (slow, medium and rapid). The finishing phase was evaluated in two periods (early, 30 to 38 kg; late, 38 to 45 kg). All lambs received 70% concentrate diets during the finishing phase. Groups of five lambs were sacrificed at 20, 30, 38 and 45 kg fleece-free weights for whole-body chemical analysis. At 30 kg live weight, lambs on a rapid growth diet were the fattest (P less than .01) and contained the least protein (P less than .05) in their empty bodies. The slower the lambs gained during the growing phase, the greater (P less than .05) was the response in rate of gain and feed efficiency during both periods of the finishing phase. Compensatory growth occurred in two stages; a greater proportion of protein gain was made early while a greater proportion of the fat gain was made during the late period of the finishing phase.     

Effect of propionate level in a volatile fatty acid salt mixture fed to lambs on weight gain, body composition and plasma metabolites

Chopped hay supplemented with a volatile fatty acid salt mixture at 20% of metabolizable energy (ME) was fed to 30 Suffolk X Corriedale lambs (mean wt 29.6 kg) to determine the effects of dietary propionate on weight gain, body composition and plasma metabolites. Propionate accounted for 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100% of the salt mixture energy, and acetate accounted for the remainder. Each diet was fed at two levels of daily intake (158.7 and 130.6 kcal ME/W.75). Lambs on the high level of intake lost more (P less than .05) energy in feces, lost less (P less than .05) energy in CH4 and had carcasses with more (P less than .10) water and fat than lambs on the low intake level. Percentage of propionate in the salt mixture had no effect on ME or body composition of lambs. Increasing the percentage of propionate in the salt mixture increased plasma propionate in blood samples taken at 1 and 2 h after feeding (linear, P less than .05). Empty body weight gain per megacalorie of ME above maintenance increased as the percentage of propionate in the salt mixture increased, but not until propionate reached 75% of the salt mixture (linear, P less than .05; cubic, P less than .05). These results show that propionate in the blood has a positive, but nonlinear, effect on weight gain, even when energy intake is held constant.     

Influence of amount and type of dietary fat on deposition, adipocyte count and iodine number of abdominal fat in broiler chickens

This study described the relation between the type and amount of dietary fat on the deposition of abdominal fat by broiler chickens. It was hypothesized that at higher fat intakes, the well-known lowering effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the deposition of abdominal fat would be diminished. Experimental diets were formulated to contain three levels of added fat (3%, 6% and 9%). Each level had different proportions of the saturated fatty acids (SFA) and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) by installing the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5 with the use of tallow and soybean oil. Arbor Acres chicks, aged 7 days, were fed one of the 15 experimental diets until they were aged 42 days. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. There was no systematic effect of the dietary fat type and the amount on the weight gain and the feed intake. The lowest SFA:UFA ratio of 1:5 produced the lowest feed conversion rates, irrespective of the amount of the fat in the diet. The abdominal fat deposition was similar in the birds fed on diets containing either 3% or 6% added fat, but deposition was lower than in those fed 9% fat. A decrease in the SFA:UFA ratio of the diet was associated with a dose-dependent decrease in abdominal fat, irrespective of the amount of fat in the diet. This observation leads to the rejection of the hypothesis stated above. A decrease in the dietary SFA:UFA from 1:1 to 1:4 caused a decrease in the number of the fat cells per surface unit of breast meat. It is concluded that an increased intake of soybean oil at the expense of tallow reduced the abdominal fat deposition and the number of fat cells in the breast meat of broiler chickens.     

The relationship between feed intake behaviour with intramuscular fat, cholesterol and fatty acid composition in pork

The aim of this study was to investigate the phenotypic relationship between feed intake (FI) characteristics with intramuscular fat, cholesterol and fatty acid composition in pork. Data were available on 202 Duroc barrows. Intramuscular fatness was positively correlated with a higher percentage of saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), a lower percentage of polyunsaturated (PUFA), omega-3 (ω3) and omega-6 (ω6) fatty acids, and a lower ω6/ω3 and P:S ratio (p < 0.05). Faster growth resulted in a higher level of SFA and a lower level of ω3 fatty acids (p < 0.05). Increased FI, residual feed intake (RFI) and feed intake time (TIME) and a decreased feed intake frequency (FREQ) resulted in an increase in MUFA, a decrease in PUFA, ω3 and ω6 fatty acids and a lower P:S ratio (p < 0.05). In addition, increased FI and RFI and a decreased FREQ resulted in an increase in SFA (p < 0.05). Most of the correlations were a result of a concomitant relationship with intramuscular fatness and disappeared after correction for that trait. Serum total, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were positively correlated with SFA and MUFA, and negatively with PUFA, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and the P:S ratio (p < 0.05). These results have implications for programmes aimed at improving meat quality through selection.