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Effects of gestational plane of nutrition and selenium supplementation on mammary development and colostrum quality in pregnant ewe lambs.
- Source :
-
Journal of animal science [J Anim Sci] 2008 Sep; Vol. 86 (9), pp. 2415-23. Date of Electronic Publication: 2008 Apr 25. - Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- To examine effects of nutritional plane and Se supplementation on colostrum quality and mammary development, individually fed, pregnant Rambouillet ewe lambs were allotted randomly to 1 of 6 treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. Main effects included dietary Se level, which began at breeding (d = 0) [adequate Se (9.5 mug/kg of BW) vs. high Se (81.8 mug/kg of BW)], and plane of nutrition, which began at d 50 of gestation [60% (RES), 100% (CON), and 140% (HIGH) of requirements]. Upon parturition, lambs were immediately separated from dams and weighed. Three hours after lambing, colostrum yield was determined, and samples were obtained for components and immunoglobulin G (IgG) analysis. Ewes were slaughtered within 24 h of parturition, and mammary tissues were collected for determination of alveolar secretory epithelial cell proliferation index and luminal area. Gestation length was reduced (P < 0.01) in HIGH ewes compared with RES and CON ewes. Although birth weights were reduced (P < 0.01) in RES and HIGH compared with CON ewes, there was little effect of diet on placental size. Mammary gland weight was reduced (P </= 0.05) in RES compared with CON and HIGH, which were similar. However, when expressed as grams per kilogram of BW, mammary gland weight in HIGH ewes was less (P = 0.03) compared with RES and CON. Colostrum weight and volume were reduced (P < 0.01) in RES and HIGH ewes compared with CON. Although colostrum IgG concentration was greater in RES ewes compared with CON and HIGH, total IgG was lower (P </= 0.06) in RES and HIGH compared with CON ewes. The percentage of alveolar cells proliferating was increased (P < 0.04) in HIGH compared with RES ewes, with CON being intermediate. Percentage of alveoli luminal area per unit tissue area was increased (P = 0.04) in RES compared with HIGH and CON ewes, which did not differ. Selenium had no effect (P >/= 0.15) on mammary gland weight, colostrum quantity, or IgG concentration in pregnant ewe lambs. Improper nutrition from mid to late pregnancy in ewe lambs altered colostrum quality and quantity and reduced offspring birth weight, which may have negative implications for lamb health and survival during the early postnatal period.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Animals, Newborn
Birth Weight drug effects
Birth Weight physiology
Body Weight drug effects
Body Weight physiology
Cell Growth Processes drug effects
Colostrum physiology
DNA metabolism
Female
Histocytochemistry veterinary
Immunoglobulin G metabolism
Mammary Glands, Animal cytology
Mammary Glands, Animal physiology
Organ Size drug effects
Organ Size physiology
Placenta physiology
Pregnancy
RNA metabolism
Random Allocation
Colostrum drug effects
Mammary Glands, Animal drug effects
Nutritional Status physiology
Selenium administration & dosage
Sheep physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1525-3163
- Volume :
- 86
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of animal science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 18441080
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2008-0996