bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urea as a protein source for ewes with twin lambs in late pregnancy and early lactation
Authors: Parkins J. J. , Fraser J. , Ritchie N. S. , Hemingway R. G. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYIn three experiments housed Greyface (Border Leicester × Scottish Blackface) ewes of mean live weight 68 kg received 0·91 kg hay plus 0·91 kg molassed sugar beet pulp daily during the second half of pregnancy and in the first 3 weeks of lactation. Comparisons were made with additions of crude protein given as urea or groundnut cake either during the whole period or only during early lactation. In one experiment, increasing the daily intake of digestible crude protein from 88 to about 140 g had no effect on the weight of the lamb at birth or at 3 weeks. In the other two experiments, in which the increases were from 58·70 g to 131·161 g or from 80 to about 125 g digestible crude protein per day there were highly significant increases in the weight of the lamb at birth (+0·43 and +0·31 kg) and 3 weeks (+1·44 and +1·46 kg). Introduction of either urea or groundnut cake to the diet on the day after lambing significantly increased the the 3-week weights of the lambs by amounts which were comparable to those found when urea had also been given during pregnancy. Supplementation with either urea or groundnut cake did not significantly increase ewe live weight.Concentrations of urea in the blood of the ewes were highly significantly increased by either urea or groundnut supplementation. There were indications that a concentration below 10 mg/100 ml in the blood of the ewes in late pregnancy or early lactation was associated with a reduction in lamb growth rates.
Digestibility by ponies of oat straw treated with anhydrous ammonia
Authors: Slagsvold P. , Hintz H. F. , Schryver H. F. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe digestibility of oat straw treated with anhydrous ammonia was studied in four Shetland-type ponies in a 4×4 Latin square experiment. The experimental diets which contained soya bean oil meal, corn, sugarcane molasses, and 65% straw were: (1) straw treated with anhydrous ammonia, (2) untreated straw, (3) untreated straw plus urea, (4) untreated straw plus soya bean oil meal. Digestibility of the dry matter was 15% greater (P<0·01) and digestibility of cellulose 28% greater (P<0·01) in diets containing ammonia-treated straw than in those containing untreated straw. Ammonia treatment increased the nitrogen content of the straw by 50%, and nitrogen intake was 18% greater when the ponies were fed diet 1 than when fed diet 2. The nitrogen of the treated straw was utilized as efficiently as the nitrogen of the diet containing untreated straw supplemented with soya bean oil meal. However, the amount of nitrogen provided by the diet of ammonia-treated straw was not sufficient for nitrogen balance in the ponies. Ammonia treatment of oat straw did not affect the utilization of Ca, P, or Mg.
The utilization by lambs of the energy and protein in dried pelleted grass treated with formaldehyde
Authors: Thomson D. J. , Cammell S. B. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTA primary growth crop of perennial ryegrass (cv. S24), containing 17% crude protein and 9·9 MJ metabolizable energy/kg dry matter, was artificially dried, ground through a 3·0 mm screen and pelleted either without further treatment (C), or after the application of formaldehyde (T) at a rate of 1 g/100 g crude protein. The C and T diets were each fed to 20 lambs for 77 days. Diets C and T were given ad libitum and at three lower planes of nutrition. Similar amounts of dry matter, nitrogen and digestible energy were consumed at each of the four planes of nutrition by lambs fed diets C and T. Carcass energy, fat and protein retention, and total body energy retention were measured by the comparative slaughter technique and did not differ between the diets (P> 0·05). Metabolizable energy intake was calculated from digestible energy intake using the factor 0·81. The efficiency of utilization of the metabolizable energy for growth and fattening (kf) and the net energy value were calculated by linear regression analysis from the total body energy retention, the calculated metabolizable energy intake and dry-matter intake data scaled to M0·75. They did not differ between the diets (P > 0·05), and were 0·370 (C) and 0·431 (T) for kf, and 2·09 (C) and 1·97 MJ/kg dry matter (T) for net energy.
The optimum level of protein in the supplement for dairy cows with access to grass silage
Authors: Gordon F. J. , McMurray C. H. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTGrass silage with a dry-matter content of 19·4% and containing 16·7% crude protein was offered ad libitum to 42 first lactation British Friesian cows during the first 75 days post-calving. In addition the animals received supplementary concentrates containing either 10·3, 13·6, 17·3, 21·1, 25·2 or 30·3% crude protein on a fresh weight basis, with extracted soya bean meal being used as the main protein source. All concentrates were offered at an equal level of 8·0 kg per day. The relationship between milk yield and protein content of the supplement was curvilinear and was described by the following equation:Y= 8·95+ 1·0×–0·0205×where Y = milk yield per day in kg, and × = percentage protein in the supplement. This equation indicated that maximum milk yield was obtained with a concentrate containing 24·4 % protein on a fresh weight basis. The protein content of the milk was also curvilinearly affected by the level of protein in the supplement, and it was calculated that maximum milk protein (nitrogen × 6·38) would be obtained with a supplement containing 23·9% protein. Plasma blood urea levels increased linearly with increasing protein intake. The effects on live-weight change and blood components were also recorded.
Growth of store lambs on cereal-based diets with protein or urea
Authors: Ørskov E. R. , Grubb D. A. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTTwo experiments were conducted on the fattening of 8- to 10-month-old lambs weighing about 40 to 55 kg live weight, using diets based on whole barley sprayed with a solution of urea and minerals or supplemented with a pelleted fish-protein concentrate.In one experiment the lambs had been adapted to indoor conditions but had been subjected to low levels of nutrition. In the other experiment the lambs were not previously adapted to indoor conditions. The lambs in the first experiment suffered no growth check while the lambs taken inside did not gain in weight for 2 to 3 weeks. In both experiments the lambs showed a short term or compensatory growth response to protein after which there were no differences between lambs receiving fish-protein supplements or urea-fortified grain.The results are discussed in relation to response to protein and urea and the method of incorporating urea and minerals as solubles in whole grain is discussed.
Late pregnancy ewe feeding and lamb performance in early life. 2. Factors associated with perinatal lamb mortality
Authors: Khalaf A. M. , Doxey D. L. , Baxter J. T. , Black W. J. M. , FitzSimons J. , Ferguson J. A. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTSome factors affecting perinatal lamb mortality were studied with 63 Finn × Dorset Horn ewes and 85 Scottish Half bred and Greyface ewes, having an average litter size of 2·26. Total perinatal lamb mortality averaged 29 % of which 44% were stillborn, 1 % attributed to dystocia, 35 % died between birth and 48 h of age, 14 % from 48 h to 10 days, and 5 % after 10 days.For the Finn × Dorset ewes, the 41 viable twin lambs weighed at birth 3·47 kg and 12 twin lambs which did not survive weighed 2·51 kg. Triplet weights were: viable 2·98 kg (34 lambs) and nonsurviving 2·00 kg (14). Quadruplet weights were: viable 2·79 kg (12) and non-surviving 1·90 kg (16). Quintuplet and sextuplet weights were: viable 2·45 kg (2) and non-surviving 1·35 kg (14).In the aggregated Halfbred and Greyface breeds, viable twin lambs weighed 4·5 kg at birth (91) and non-surviving 3·64 kg (11). Viable triplets weighed 3·77 kg (23) and non-surviving 2·68 kg (16).Serum gamma-globulin and total serum protein values were lower in the lambs which failed to survive, and this was particularly marked with triplets. Fractionating the gamma-globulins (IgG) indicated that IgGi was particularly low in non-viable lambs.Litter size, lamb birth weight, and colostrum intake by the lamb had important effects on perinatal lamb mortality.
A note on consumer acceptability of liver from pigs fed a sugar solution immediately prior to slaughter
Authors: Fernandes T. H. , Smith W. C. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn a consumer test involving 108 households, liver from pigs fed a sucrose solution in lairage overnight prior to slaughter was preferred on its appearance to that from pigs which had received water only during the resting period. Highly significant preferences were shown for fried and casseroled sugar-fed liver in relation to tenderness and juiciness but not flavour. When all eating characteristics were taken into consideration participants were equally divided in their preferences for ‘sugar-fed’ and normal liver.
A note on the effect of temperature on the performance of early-weaned pigs
Authors: McCracken K. J. , Caldwell B. J. , Walker N. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTTwo temperature regimes were compared in relation to the growth and feed conversion ratio of groups of cage-reared pigs between 10 and 38 days of age. The treatments were: 27°C at 10 days reducing by 1°C every 4 days to 20°C at 38 days; and 27°C at 10 days reducing by 1°C daily to 20°C at 17 days and then remaining constant. Twelve replicates using 244 pigs were completed, the group size varying between 9 and 12 pigs. The mean growth rates on the two temperature regimes were respectively 234 and 243 g/day, and in both cases feed conversion ratio (kg DM/kg gain) averaged 1·03. It is concluded that temperatures lower than those currently recommended for pigs weaned at 14 to 16 days into controlled-environment houses would support satisfactory performance with direct savings in heating costs under winter conditions.
A note on the use of sodium hydroxide treated straw pellets in diets for growing rabbits
Authors: de Blas J. C. , Merino Yolanda , Fraga Maria J. , Gálvez J. F. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe effects of the inclusion of increasing quantities of cereal straw treated with sodium hydroxide in the diet of rabbits weie studied on 68 animals, both males and females, of the Spanish Giant and New Zealand × Spanish Giant breeds, weaned at different weights. The nitrogen and fibre digestibilities, the overall growth rate (from weaning to 2·25 kg) and the partial growth rate (from weaning to 2 weeks after weaning) increased linearly, while the feed conversion rate decreased when the content of treated straw in the feed was raised. The overall growth rate for males was significantly higher (P < 0·001) and feed conversion rate lower (P < 0·01) than for females. The crossbred animals had a significantly higher overall (P < 0·001) and partial (P < 0·05) growth rate. As weaning weight increased, overall (P < 0·001) and partial (P < 0·05) growth rate also increased, whereas the dressing percentage of the carcass decreased significantly (P < 0·01).
The response of spring-calving cows to a high level of protein in the supplement given with grass silage during early lactation
Authors: Gordon F. J. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTA randomized block experiment, using 30 British Friesian cows, was used to assess the effects of offering supplements containing 172 and 234 g crude protein per kg dry matter in addition to grass silage which had a very high digestible organic matter in the dry matter of 769 g/kg. The animals, which had a mean calving date of 1 February, were blocked according to calving date and lactation number and allocated at random within each block to the two treatments. The treatments were applied from day 8 of lactation until the animals went to pasture on 13 April and both supplements were offered at the same rate of 7·6 kg per day. The total yields of milk produced during the experimental period were 1626 and 1650 ±38·4 kg and the mean daily yields during the final week were 24·8 and 25·6 ± 0·58kg for the medium and high protein supplements respectively. The mean live weights for the two groups were 524 and 544 ± 5·5 kg, and body condition score 2·9 and 3·3 ± 0·34 for the medium and high protein supplements respectively at the end of the treatment period. No significant treatment effects on milk composition were recorded at any stage during the experiment. Analysis of blood samples taken during the final week of the experiment showed plasma urea levels, at 220 and 290± 18 mg/1 for the medium and high protein supplements respectively, to be significantly different.
Relationships between size, live-weight change and milk production characters in early lactation in dairy cattle
Authors: Wood P. D. P. , King J. O. L. , Youdan P. G. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTLive weight, milk yield, fat, protein and lactose percentage of 236 cows and heifers of four breeds of dairy cattle were recorded at 2-week intervals, starting within a week after calving, during the winter and spring of 1972/73. Lactation curves of the form X(n) = Xnb ecn were fitted to each animal's records, where X, b, c are constants, e the base of natural logarithms and X(n) the value of the character at the nth 2-week interval. Correlations between the curves, and between deviations from the curves, showed that the production of milk, fat, protein and lactose was negatively correlated with live-weight change in the long term, but that deviations from the curves were not correlated. There were significant positive correlations between milk yield and size, and between potential compositional quality and size (the values of × in the model). Of the four breeds studied, Friesian, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Jersey, adult Friesian cows required less dietary energy per kg of total solids produced than any other group, according to the principles of the metabolizable energy system of calculating energy requirements. During the period of negative energy balance, an average 10% to 15% of energy output in the form of milk was derived from the mobilization of body reserves.
The significance of breed in the prediction of lamb carcass composition from fat thickness measurements
Authors: Wood J. D. , MacFie H. J. H. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTFat thickness and measurements of the m. longissimus (‘eye’ muscle) were taken at the last rib in 350 lambs' carcasses which were fully dissected. The lambs were from two ewe breeds, Clun and Colbred, and two ram breeds, Suffolk and Hampshire, and the carcass weight range was 15 to 21kg. Castrated males and females, and singles and twins, were evenly represented.Rib fat thickness (J) was a slightly more precise predictor of the weights of lean, subcutaneous fat and subcutaneous plus intermuscular fat, when used in a multiple regression equation along with carcass weight, than fat thickness directly above the greatest depth of the ‘eye’ muscle (C). Both of these were more precise predictors than ‘eye’ muscle width and depth. Accounting for breed, either by allowing for different intercepts or completely different regression lines, did increase the proportion of variation in tissue weights explained by carcass weight and J or C, but to a small and, it was considered, commercially unimportant extent. This was despite differences in conformation between the breeds, reflected in this work by smaller ‘eye’ muscles in the ewe than the ram breeds and also in maturity, which might have been expected to influence tissue, including fat, distribution.The results indicate that breed differences in partition and distribution within and between the carcass fat depots in sheep are smaller than those between the carcass and intra-abdominal fat depots.
Induction of puberty in gilts 2. The effect of boars on maintenance of cyclic activity in gilts induced to ovulate with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin and human chorionic gonadotrophin
Authors: Paterson A. M. , Lindsay D. R. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn two experiments prepubertal gilts were injected with a combination of 400 international units pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin and 200 international units human chorionic gonadotrophin. The gilts were housed either in contact with or isolated from mature boars. Data were obtained of ovarian activity determined immediately after gonadotrophin treatment and at the anticipated time of the second oestrus.All treated gilts ovulated in response to the treatment and 83% displayed oestrus. Ovulation rate varied both within and between experiments, in experiment 1 the range being 7 to 19 corpora lutea and in experiment 2, between 5 to >30 corpora lutea. Four distinct types of behaviour were observed at the time of the second cycle: ovulation associated with oestrus; ovulation without oestrus; oestrus but no ovulation; and a return to a prepubertal state with no oestrus or ovulation. The presence of boars enhanced the maintenance of cyclic activity. Overall, more gilts displayed a second oestrus (33/39 v. 19/41, X2 = 11·2, P<0·001), and more had a second ovulation (32/39 v. 24/41, X2=4·2, P<0·05) when boars were run with the gilts.
Induction of puberty in gilts 3. Ovulation, plasma oestradiol and progesterone in gilts injected with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin and human chorionic gonadotrophin
Authors: Paterson A. M. , Martin G. B. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTNineteen prepubertal gilts were injected with a combination of 400 international units pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin and 200 international units human chorionic gonadotrophin. Blood was sampled throughout the ensuing oestrous cycle and assayed for progesterone and oestradiol-17β.Eighteen gilts had vulval development consistent with oestrus within 5 days and had ovulated by day 12. Oestradiol levels in the plasma were elevated between days 2 and 6, and progesterone concentration increased between days 6 and 10 due to the establishment of functional corpora lutea. Progesterone concentration in the luteal phase was related to ovulation rate (r = 0·72, P<0·001).Three types of cyclic activity followed the luteal phase and a characteristic hormone profile was established for each. Five gilts exhibited a second ovulation accompanied by signs of oestrus. They had a second peak of oestradiol around days 24 to 26 and a subsequent rise in progesterone concentration. Four gilts displayed vulval development at this time but did not ovulate. A peak of oestradiol was detected. The remaining gilts did not display oestrus, nor did they ovulate. Oestradiol and progesterone concentrations remained basal in these gilts. The ovaries of prepubertal gilts treated with this combination of gonadotrophins produce normal patterns and levels of oestradiol and progesterone. Cyclic activity is not always maintained, probably due to differences in the maturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
A note on seasonal changes in litter size of Finn × Awassi ewes
Authors: Amir D. , Schindler H. , Genizi A. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe twinning rate of Finn × Awassi ewes in a breeding management system which included three breeding periods a year, namely, June, September and December-January, was studied in animals mated at their natural or induced oestrus.A similar number of lambs per ewe lambing was obtained from the ewes mated either at the induced oestrus in June or September, or at their natural oestrus in December. A significant decrease was found in the twinning rate of the ewes mated in January after hormone treatment. The conception rate was highest in the ewes mated in December-January.
A note on the variability of hormone concentrations in twice-weekly blood samples taken from heifer calves during the first 110 days of life
Authors: Hart I. C. , Morant S. V. , Roy J. H. B. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTTo assess the variability of hormone values obtained from calves at an early age, plasma concentrations of prolactin, growth hormone, insulin and thyroxine were measured in blood samples taken twice-weekly from seven heifers maintained under commercial conditions during their first 110 days of life. With the possible exception of thyroxine, there was considerable variation in the concentration of each hormone in each animal throughout the period of sampling, thus indicating that twice-weekly sampling was inadequate for investigating differences in hormonal concentrations between cattle of different production potential. Although there were trends in the pattern of plasma hormone concentrations as the calves progressed from the pre-ruminant to ruminant states, few of the changes during the pre-weaning, weaning and post-weaning periods were consistent between animals.
Comparison of terminal sire breeds for growth and carcass traits in crossbred lambs
Authors: Cameron N. D. , Drury D. J. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTPerformance records for the progeny of matings of Oxford, Texel, Texel-Oxford, Charollais, Charmoise and Meatlinc rams with crossbred ewes were analysed. The lambs, born from 1980 to 1982, were randomly allocated to three slaughter groups: (1) slaughter at fixed weights of 36 and 38 kg for ewe and castrated lambs; (2) slaughter according to estimated fat cover; (3) slaughter at a fixed age of 4·5 or 5·5 months with half-carcass dissection. The analyses were by least squares and effects were fitted for terminal sire breed, breed of maternal grand sire, year of birth, age of dam at lambing, birth-rearing type and sex of lamb and all two-way interactions. The results followed a well-established pattern where weight for age rankings were constant from birth, through weaning, to slaughter. Progeny of Oxford rams were the heaviest, followed by Texel-Oxford, Meatlinc and Charollais, Texel and Charmoise in that order. Lambs sired by rams of low mature weight reached a fixed weight at a later age than those sired by rams of high mature weight. They also reached a similar degree of fat cover at an earlier age and at lighter weights than the larger breeds. The carcass traits indicated that Texel crosses had a higher lean and lower fat proportion than would be expected from their growth and mature weight.The comparative performance of crossbred lambs from 15 terminal sire breeds was assessed, at the same proportion of carcass subcutaneous fat, by combining the results of three experiments.
A note on the relationship between undernutrition and luteinizing hormone release in the ewe
Authors: Crump Alison D. , Rodway R. G. , Lomax M. A. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe effects of a moderate level of undernutrition on the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) at oestrus and after luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) treatment was investigated. Plasma levels of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), cortisol and prolactin were also investigated.During the early breeding season 10 mature ewes were placed on either a maintenance (M) or a restricted (R) diet. After 50 days of dietary treatment their oestrous cycles were synchronized and blood samples were taken over the oestrous period. Eight days later LHRH was administered and blood samples were taken for the following 6 h.After 50 days of treatment mean body- weights were 66 (s.e. 4) and 53 (s.e. 3) kg, and mean body condition scores were 3·5 and 2·0 for the M and R groups respectively. The pre-ovulatory and LHRHinduced LH peaks were similar in both groups as were the prolactin profiles. However, plasma NEFA levels were elevated and glucose and cortisol levels were reduced in the restricted group.It is concluded that the reduction in energy intake achieved in this experiment, although sufficient to cause significant metabolic changes had no effect on the release of LH either at oestrus or after LHRH treatment.