Studies of weaner sheep during and after a period of weight stasis. II.* Body composition

Abstract

Wether sheep (4 months old) were held at 20 kg liveweight by restricted feeding for either 4 or 6 months and then fed ad libitum. Body composition (total water, fat and protein) was estimated monthly from tritiated water (TOH) space measured in vivo, and on three occasions representative animals were slaughtered, minced and analysed. Composition at any given body weight was compared with that previously determined for animals grown without restriction (controls). Sheep slaughtered at the end of the period of weight stasis contained less protein and more water than the controls but contained a similar weight of fat. Previously derived prediction equations estimated water correctly from TOH space in these undernourished sheep, but protein was overestimated by 0.38 kg (17% of the mean) and fat was underestimated by 0.19 kg (10% of the mean). The body composition of animals slaughtered after partial or complete recovery of weight for age was normal for their weight and predictions were accurate. The sequential estimates of composition indicated that although the relationship between fat and weight differed between individuals, at any given body weight above 32 kg compensating animals and controls had a similar composition. *Part I, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 26: 343 (1975).