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Feed deprivation in Merino and Terminal sired lambs: (1) the metabolic response under resting conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 November 2018

S. M. Stewart ,
P. McGilchrist ,
G. E. Gardner  and
D. W. Pethick
S. M. Stewart*
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150, Australia
P. McGilchrist
Affiliation:
School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, New South Wales, 2351, Australia
G. E. Gardner
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150, Australia
D. W. Pethick
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150, Australia
*
†E-mail: S.Stewart@murdoch.edu.au
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic response to feed deprivation up to 48 h in low and high yielding lamb genotypes. It was hypothesised that Terminal sired lambs would have decreased plasma glucose and increased plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHOB) concentrations in response to feed deprivation compared to Merino sired lambs. In addition, it was hypothesised that the metabolic changes due to feed deprivation would also be greater in progeny of sires with breeding values for greater growth, muscling and leanness. Eighty nine lambs (45 ewes, 44 wethers) from Merino dams with Merino or Terminal sires with a range in Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) for post-weaning weight (PWT), post-weaning eye muscle depth and post-weaning fat depth (PFAT) were used in this experiment. Blood samples were collected via jugular cannulas every 6 h from time 0 to 48 h of feed deprivation for the determination of plasma glucose, NEFA, BHOB and lactate concentration. From 12 to 48 h of feed deprivation plasma glucose concentration decreased (P < 0.05) by 25% from 4.04 ± 0.032 mmol/l to 3.04 ± 0.032 mmol/l. From 6 h NEFA concentration increased (P < 0.05) from 0.15 ± 0.021 mmol/l by almost 10-fold to 1.34 ± 0.021 mmol/l at 48 h of feed deprivation. Feed deprivation also influenced BHOB concentrations and from 12 to 48 h it increased (P < 0.05) from 0.15 ± 0.010 mmol/l to 0.52 ± 0.010 mmol/l. Merino sired lambs had a 8% greater reduction in glucose and 29% and 10% higher NEFA and BHOB response, respectively, compared to Terminal sired lambs (P < 0.05). In Merino sired lambs, increasing PWT was also associated with an increase in glucose and decline in NEFA and BHOB concentration (P < 0.05). In Terminal sired lambs, increasing PFAT was associated with an increase in glucose and decline in NEFA concentration (P < 0.05). Contrary to the hypothesis, Merino sired lambs showed the greatest metabolic response to fasting especially in regards to fat metabolism.

Keywords

lipolysisketogenesisnutritional restrictionnegative energy balancegrowth
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 13 , Issue 7 , July 2019 , pp. 1458 - 1467
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2018 

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