Effect Of Energy Supplementation Research Articles

Effect of energy supplementation on intake, digestibility of diets and performance of grazing lambs during the rainy season.

This study aimed to evaluate different energy sources in multiple supplements on performance, intake, and digestibility of Santa Ines sheep grazing urochloa grass (Urochloa mosambicensis) during the rainy season. The experimental area was divided into seven paddocks of 4ha each, with an average of dry matter (DM) availability of 3.21 tn/ha. A completely randomized design was carried out, in which there were four treatments, and each treatment was repeated six times. Twenty-four intact lambs (average: 32.0kg of body weight) were supplemented with a mineral mixture, the control group (MM), mesquite pod meal (MPM), wheat bran (WB), or sorghum grain (SG) as energy sources. The digestibility of DM and crude protein (CP) in MPM and WB is higher than that in MM and SG groups. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility was similar between supplemented lambs, and it was higher than the MM. The supplementation promoted higher weight gain than in the control group (0.126 vs. 0.061g/day, respectively; P < 0.001). The supplementation increased the DM, and CP intake. The NDF intake only increased in the WB group. The CP digestibility was higher for the MPM and WB groups than that for MM and SG ones (P < 0.001). Sheep supplementation in the rainy season increased the average daily gain (ADG). Any supplement tested in the present study can be used during the rainy season. The choice for the supplement will depend on the availability and costs of the mesquite pod meal, sorghum grain, or wheat bran.

357 Effect of Energy Supplementation on Growth, Health, and Carcass Traits of Pasture-raised Lambs

Abstract Energy is often the most limiting nutrient in pasture diets. The effect of energy supplementation on the growth, health, and carcass traits of pasture-raised lambs was investigated. Seventy-nine Katahdin ram lambs were delivered to the Western Maryland Research &amp; Education Center on June 15. After an 11-d acclimation period, lambs were allocated to two treatment groups based on age, weight, birth type, and FEC. Lambs in the PASTURE group (n = 40) rotationally grazed 2 ha of high quality, mixed pasture for 102 d. Lambs in the SUPPL group (n = 39) grazed similar pastures and were hand-fed a daily energy supplement (450 g of whole barley). The groups were handled bi-weekly to determine body weights, FAMACHA©, BCS, and dag scores. Individual fecal samples were collected upon arrival and at two additional time points. Lambs were ultrasound scanned on Sept 25 to determine carcass traits. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, with statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05. ADG varied considerably among weigh periods. Standard deviations were typically quite large, indicating wide variation in individual performance. Overall, the SUPPL lambs had higher ADG (P &amp;lt; 0.01), more backfat (P &amp;lt; 0.03), and higher BCS (P &amp;lt; 0.01) than the PASTURE lambs. There were no statistical differences in starting weight, ending weight, and loin depth. While internal parasites were not a problem during the study (only one lamb had a FAMACHA© score &amp;gt;4), PASTURE lambs had lower FEC (P &amp;lt; 0.05) on August 17 (240 ± 81 vs. 468 ± 80 epg). The value of additional gain (0.9 kg) would not have covered the cost of feed; however, four lambs were removed from the PASTURE group (due to death or failure to thrive) whereas only two lambs were removed from the SUPPL group. The study will be repeated in 2021 with similar lambs and protocol.

Metabolism response of grazing yak to dietary concentrate supplementation in warm season

Supplementary feeding has a significant effect on the growth performance of grazing yaks. However, as far as is known, little information is available concerning how energy or protein feed supplementation affects the serum metabolome of grazing yaks during the warm season. We investigated the effects of supplementation with two different concentrates on the serum metabolome in grazing yaks using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate data analysis. Twenty-four 2-year-old female yaks (133.04 ± 6.52 kg BW) were randomly divided into three groups and fed three different regimes (n = 8 per group): (1) grazing plus hull-less barley (HLB) supplementation, (2) grazing plus rapeseed meal (RSM) supplementation, and (3) grazing without supplementation. Both HLB and RSM supplementation significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG), and ADG under HLB supplementation was 11.9% higher (P < 0.05) than that of the RSM group. Supplementation markedly altered glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism, with the difference manifested as increased levels of some amino acids, acetyl-glycoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, and very low-density lipoproteins . Furthermore, the levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, and lactate metabolism were decreased. Serum metabolite changes in yaks in the HLB supplementation treatment differed from those in the RSM supplementation treatment; the difference was primarily manifested in lipid- and protein-related metabolites. We conclude that both the energy supplementation (HLB) and the protein supplementation (RSM) could remarkably promote the growth of yak heifers during the warm season, and the effect of energy supplementation was superior. Supplementary feeding changed the serum metabolite levels of yak heifers, indicating that such feeding could improve glucose's energy-supply efficiency and increase the metabolic intensity of lipids and proteins. Supplementation of yaks with HLB was more efficient in the promotion of yak glucose and protein anabolism compared to supplementation with RSM, while having a lesser effect on lipid metabolism.

Effect of energy supplement on body growth and development

Effect of energy supplement on body growth and development

Effects of energy supplements on the differentiation of skeletal muscle satellite cells.

To investigate the effects of the activator of AMPK and high glucose on the differentiation of mouse SMSCs, primary SMSCs were isolated from mouse extensor digitorum longus muscle and grown to near confluence (80%). Postconfluent cells were cultured in a growth medium with different inductors: AICAR, glucose, and AICAR mixed with glucose. The specific protein expressions of SMSCs, myoblasts, adipocytes, and brown adipocytes were analyzed on days 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10. The results showed treatment with AICAR in SMSCs markedly activated AMPK phosphorylation (p < .05) and increased protein expression of Pax7 and MyoD (p < .05), high concentrations of intracellular glucose upregulated UCP‐1 protein expression and enhanced lipid accumulation (p < .05), the cowork of AICAR and glucose affected a decrease on MyoD, PPARg, and UCP‐1 expression (p < .05) and an increase on Pax7. The present study indicated that the certain energy supplements influence the direction of SMSC differentiation which may contribution on the structure of muscle and meat quality, sequentially.

The Effect of Energy Supplements on The Levels of Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Enzymes

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase is one of the most sensitive microsomal enzymes to detect liver parenchymal diseases. Gamma Glutamyl Transferase is an examination performed to measure the levels of GGT enzymes in the blood. The purpose of this study was to determine the results of GGT levels on bus drivers PT. Gapuraning Rahayu Ciamis who consume energy supplements with a total of 30 respondents. This research is descriptive, the data used are primary data presented in tabular form, incorporating narration. Based on the research that has been done on 30 respondents with the result 8 (27%) respondents high Gamma Glutamyl Transferase examination and 22 (83%) respondents with normal results. It can be concluded that the consumption of excessive energy supplements can increase Gamma Glutamyl Transferase levels.

Effects of energy supplementation on energy losses and nitrogen balance of steers fed green-chopped wheat pasture I: Calorimetry123

Cattle grazing wheat pasture in the southern Great Plains are sometimes fed an energy supplement; however, the benefits of supplementation on nutrient balance, energy metabolism, and greenhouse gas emissions have not been elucidated. Therefore, we used 10 British crossbred steers (206 ± 10.7 kg initial BW) in a respiration calorimetry study to evaluate the effects of energy supplementation on energy losses, N balance, and nutrient digestibility of steers fed green-chopped wheat forage. The study design was an incomplete replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Steers ( = 8) were assigned to 1 of 2 BW blocks (4 steers per block) with dietary factors consisting of 1) no supplementation (CON) or supplemented with a steam-flaked corn-based energy supplement (that also contained monensin sodium) at 0.5% of BW daily (SUP) and 2) NEm intakes of 1 times (1x) or 1.5 times (1.5x) maintenance. Wheat forage was harvested daily and continuously fed as green-chop to steers during the 56-d study. There were no differences ( ≥ 0.32) between CON and SUP for OM (78.3 vs. 80.7%, respectively) or NDF (68.3 vs. 64.8%, respectively) digestibility. At the 1.5x level of intake, there was no difference ( ≥ 0.16) in energy lost in feces (4.27 vs. 3.92 Mcal/d) or urine (0.58 vs. 0.55 Mcal/d), heat production (8.69 vs. 8.44 Mcal/d), or retained energy (3.10 vs. 3.46 Mcal/d) between supplementation treatments. Oxygen consumption (1,777 vs. 1,731 L/d; = 0.67) and CO production (1,704 vs. 1,627 L/d; = 0.56) of CON and SUP steers, respectively, were not different; however, SUP steers tended to have ( = 0.06) lower CH production (115 vs 130 L/d) than CON steers. Methane, as a proportion of GE intake, was similar for CON (6.87%) and SUP (6.07%; = 0.18), as was the ME:DE ratio ( = 0.24; 86.3% for CON and 87.9% for SUP). Fractional N excretion in urine and feces, as a proportion of total N excreted ( ≥ 0.84) or N intake ( ≥ 0.63), was not different between treatments. Calculated NEm and NEg values for CON were 1.76 and 1.37 Mcal/kg DM, respectively, whereas the NEm and NEg values for the SUP treatment were 2.32 and 1.61 Mcal/kg DM, respectively. Calculated NE values for steers fed additional energy were approximately 17.5% greater than the expected difference in energy content. This was probably the result of the inconsistent response at the 1x DMI level. Under these circumstances, energy supplementation did appear to enhance NEm and NEg value of the supplemented wheat forage diet.

Effects of energy supplementation on energy losses and nitrogen balance of steers fed green-chopped wheat pasture I: Calorimetry

Effects of energy supplementation on energy losses and nitrogen balance of steers fed green-chopped wheat pasture I: Calorimetry

Effects of energy supplementation on productivity of dual-purpose cows grazing in a silvopastoral system in the tropics

The aim of the present work was to evaluate milk yield, postpartum (pp) ovarian activity and pregnancy rate in dual-purpose cows grazing Cynodon nlemfuensis and browsing L. leucocephala, with or without energy supplementation. Twenty-four Bos taurus × B. indicus cows were divided in two groups from calving to 70 days post-calving: supplemented group (SG) with ground sorghum grain offered at 0.4% of live weight at calving and control group (CG) without supplement. There was a trend for milk yield (kg day(-1)) to be greater (p = 0.08) for SG (10.55 ± 0.51) compared to CG (9.53 ± 0.61), although without differences in fat (0.42 ± 0.02 vs. 0.38 ± 0.03 kg day(-1)), protein (0.29 ± 0.02 vs. 0.29 ± 0.02 kg day(-1)) or lactose (0.49 ± 0.02 vs. 0.49 ± 0.03 kg day(-1)) concentration. Populations of large, medium and small follicles were similar between treatments. Percentage of cows which showed corpus luteum tended to be greater in SG (50%), compared to CG (33%). Supplemented cows tended to have a shorter calving-first corpus luteum interval (40 ± 10 vs. 51 ± 10 days) and had a significantly higher (χ (2) = 0.03) pregnancy rate (42% vs. 0%). It is concluded that energy supplementation helped to improve ovarian activity and pregnancy rate. Since supplementation did not avoid loss of body condition, the higher pregnancy rate in SG suggests beneficial effects of supplementation probably mediated by metabolic hormones.

The Effect of Energy Supplementation on Markers of Muscle Stress During Indoor Rock Climbing

The effect of nutritional supplementation on exercise induced markers of muscle stress has been extensively researched. However, no research exists on the influence of carbohydrate (CHO) or a carbohydrate-protein sports gel (GEL) supplementation on indices of muscle stress during rock climbing (RC). RC is an intermittent activity characterized by a high percentage of isometric muscle contractions combined with a moderate level of total energy expenditure. Climbers are limited to how much fluid they can carry, thus, liquid energy supplementation may also be limited. Ingesting an energy GEL may provide a viable alternative to carrying a large fluid volume. PURPOSE: To determine whether CHO and GEL feedings have a significant effect upon plasma creatine kinase (CK) levels, post exercise blood lactate levels (LA), RPE, and exercise HR after 60 minutes of RC. METHODS: Eight experienced subjects (3 males, 5 females; Mean ± SD: 24 ± 2 yrs) performed three bouts of climbing with a week between each bout. Each bout consisted of four 15 min intervals with a five minute rest between each interval. Subjects received one of three treatments during each RC session: a non-caloric placebo drink (PL); CHO drink; or GEL. The experimental treatments were isocaloric (1130 kJ or 270 kcal) and isovolumetric (600 mL). The liquid treatments were administered in a double blind crossover design. Heart rate and RPE's were collected after each RC interval. Blood samples were collected before, directly after, and 24 hrs after each RC bout for LA and CK analysis. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and t-tests. RESULTS: 24 h change in CK was significantly different (p<.05) between all treatments (GEL: 24.5 + 29.7; CHO: 56.8 + 36.5; PL: 119.0 + 126.5 U). No statistical differences between treatments were observed for HR, LA, and change in RPE CONCLUSIONS: Energy supplementation during RC significantly lowered muscle stress, as assessed by CK, when compared to PL. Additionally, the combining of protein and CHO provided an added benefit in minimizing muscle stress when compared to a CHO only drink. These findings indicate that GEL ingestion provided a viable option to energy supplementation when compared to a CHO only fluid.

The Effect of Energy Supplementation on Intake and Utilisation Efficiency of Urea-treated Low-quality Roughage in Sheep I. Rumen Digestion and Feed Intake

Inefficient rumen microbial fermentation is a major factor limiting intake of low quality roughage in ruminants. In this study, the effect of energy supplementation on rumen microbial fermentation, absorption of balanced digestion products and voluntary feed intake in sheep was investigated. A basal diet of a urea-treated mixture of wheaten chaff and barley straw (3:1 DM) containing 22.2 g N/kg DM was used. Four Merino-cross wethers weighing and fitted with permanent rumen and abomasal cannulae were allocated to four treatments in a Latin square design. The dietary treatments were basal diet (), or basal diet supplemented with sucrose (112.5 g/d) administered to the animals intra-ruminally (), abomasally (), or through both routes (50:50) (). Feed intake (basal and dietary) was increased (p) or abomasum (). However, there was no difference (p>0.05) in intake between animals on the control diet and those supplemented with sucrose through both intraruminal and abomasal routes (). The digestibility of DM and OM was highest in and supplemented animals. Although the rumen pH was reduced (p), the in sacco degradation of barley straw in the rumen was not adversely affected (p>0.05). Intra-ruminal sucrose supplementation resulted in a higher concentration of total VFA, acetate and butyrate, while the pattern of fermentation showed a higher propionate: acetate ratio. Intra-ruminal supplementation also increased (p0.05) in microbial protein production between the four dietary treatments. Protozoa numbers were increased (p

The Effect of Energy Supplementation on Intake and Utilisation Efficiency of Urea-treated Low-quality Roughage in Sheep II. Rumen Kinetics and Acetate Clearance Rate

Inadequate supply of glucose or glucogenic substrates to the body tissues can affect metabolism of absorbed acetogenic metabolites from the gut and therefore, influence feed intake in ruminants. This study investigated the effect of energy supplementation on rumen kinetics in the gut, and the acetate clearance rate in the body tissues of sheep fed low quality basal roughage. A basal diet consisting of urea-treated mixture of wheaten chaff and barley straw (3:1 DM) containing 22.2 g N/kg DM was used. Four Merino cross wethers weighing fitted with permanent rumen and abomasal cannulae were allocated to four treatments in a LSD. The treatments were basal diet (), or basal diet supplemented with sucrose (112.5 g/d) administered intraruminally (), abomasally (), or via both routes (50:50) (). There was no difference (p>0.05) in the rumen liquid kinetics parameters between the four dietary treatments. However, there was a trend of animals supplemented with sucrose wholly or partly through the abomasum having lower faecal DM and therefore poor pellet formation, and low pH. Although the glucogenic potential of the fermentation products absorbed from the rumen was increased (p and ), there was no significant difference (p

Effects of energy supply on leucine utilization by growing steers at two body weights1

The effects of energy supplementation on Leu utilization in growing steers were evaluated in 2 experiments by using 6 ruminally cannulated Holstein steers. In Exp. 1, steers (initial BW = 150 +/- 7 kg) were limit-fed (2.3 kg of DM/d) a diet based on soybean hulls and received a basal ruminal infusion of 100 g of acetate/d, 75 g of propionate/d, and 75 g of butyrate/d, as well as abomasal infusions of 200 g of glucose/d and a mixture (215 g/d) containing all essential AA except Leu. Treatments were arranged as a 3 x 2 factorial, with 3 amounts of Leu infused abomasally (0, 4, and 8 g/d) and supplementation of diets with 2 amounts of energy (0 and 1.9 Mcal/d of GE). Supplemental energy was supplied by ruminal infusion of 100 g of acetate/ d, 75 g of propionate/d, and 75 g of butyrate/d, as well as abomasal infusion of 200 g of glucose/d to provide energy to the animal without affecting the microbial protein supply. When no supplemental energy was provided, Leu supplementation increased N balance, with no difference between 4 and 8 g/d of Leu (24.5, 27.0, and 27.3 g/d for 0, 4, and 8 g/d of Leu), but when additional energy was supplied, N retention increased linearly in response to Leu (25.6, 28.5, and 31.6 g/d for 0, 4, and 8 g/d of Leu; Leu x energy interaction, P = 0.06). The changes in N balance were the result of changes in urinary N excretion. The greater Leu retentions in response to energy supplementation when Leu was the most limiting nutrient indicate that energy supplementation improved the true efficiency of Leu utilization. In addition, supplemental energy increased the gross efficiency of Leu utilization when the Leu supply was not limiting by increasing the maximal rates of protein deposition. Experiment 2 was similar to Exp. 1, but steers had an initial BW of 275 +/- 12 kg and were limit-fed at 3.6 kg of DM/d. Retention of N was not affected (P = 0.22) by Leu supplementation, indicating that Leu did not limit protein deposition. Energy supply increased N retention (P < 0.01) independently of Leu supplementation (33.0 vs. 27.8 g/d). Overall, energy supplementation improved Leu utilization by modestly increasing N retention when Leu was limiting and by increasing the ability of steers to respond to the greatest amount of supplemental Leu. We conclude from these results that the assumption of a constant efficiency of AA utilization is unlikely to be appropriate for growing steers.

Ganho de peso de novilhos mantidos em pastagem natural na encosta do sudeste do Rio Grande do Sul, recebendo níveis crescentes de suplementação energética

O experimento foi desenvolvido com a finalidade de avaliar os efeitos de suplementação energética com sorgo moído sobre o desenvolvimento corporal de novilhos de corte em pastejo. Sessenta e cinco novilhos (12 a 15 meses de idade, sem raça definida, com 140 kg de peso vivo médio) foram mantidos em pastejo contínuo em uma pastagem natural melhorada com Lotus subbiflorus e invadida por Eragrostis planna, Ness. Os tratamentos consistiram de controle (T0), sem suplemento; 0,75% do peso vivo (T0,75); e 1,5% do peso vivo (T1,5) de grão de sorgo moído fornecido. Os animais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente nos tratamentos, segundo o delineamento completamente casualizado. Na média geral do experimento, houve efeito linear dos níveis de suplemento sobre o ganho de peso diário, de 0,36; 0,52 e 0,76 kg/animal/dia, respectivamente, para os tratamentos T0, T0,75 e T1,5. A suplementação energética permitiu maior ganho de peso nos animais suplementados em relação aos controle, durante todo o período experimental.

Carbohydrate administration during a day of sustained aerobic activity improves vigilance, as assessed by a novel ambulatory monitoring device, and mood , , , , , ,

The brain requires a continuous supply of glucose to function adequately. During aerobic exercise, peripheral glucose requirements increase and carbohydrate supplementation improves physical performance. The brain's utilization of glucose also increases during aerobic exercise. However, the effects of energy supplementation on cognitive function during sustained aerobic exercise are not well characterized. The effects of energy supplementation, as liquid carbohydrate, on cognitive function during sustained aerobic activity were examined. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-subjects design was used. Young, healthy men (n = 143) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups. The groups received either a 6% (by vol) carbohydrate (35.1 kJ/kg), 12% (by vol) carbohydrate (70.2 kJ/kg), or placebo beverage in 6 isovolumic doses, and all groups consumed 2 meals (3200 kJ). Over the 10-h study, the subjects performed physically demanding tasks, including a 19.3-km road march and two 4.8-km runs, interspersed with rest and other activities. Wrist-worn vigilance monitors, which emitted auditory stimuli (20/h) to which the subjects responded as rapidly as possible, and a standardized self-report mood questionnaire were used to assess cognitive function. Vigilance consistently improved with supplemental carbohydrates in a dose-related manner; the 12% carbohydrate group performed the best and the placebo group the worst (P < 0.001). Mood-questionnaire results corroborated the results from the monitors; the subjects who received carbohydrates reported less confusion (P = 0.040) and greater vigor (P = 0.025) than did those who received the placebo. Supplemental carbohydrate beverages enhance vigilance and mood during sustained physical activity and interspersed rest. In addition, ambulatory monitoring devices can continuously assess the effects of nutritional factors on cognition as individuals conduct their daily activities or participate in experiments.

The effect of energy supplementation on nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows fed grass silage diets.

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect that various isoenergetic diets, containing different quantities of soluble carbohydrate and fiber and different types of starch, have on nitrogen (N) balances. Six lactating dairy cows in early to midlactation consuming grass silage diets with not less than 600 g/kg total DMI as forage were used in the experiment. Four concentrates were prepared that had higher amounts of either fiber, soluble sugars, corn (low degradable starch source), or barley (high degradable starch source). Overall N utilization by the cows was poor, rarely exceeding 0.30 g milk N/g of dietary N intake. Fecal N outputs accounted for more than half of total N excreted in all treatments except for diets supplemented with high degradable starch, in which urinary N excretion was significantly higher compared with the other treatments. Milk yield was unaffected by concentrate type, averaging 19.9 kg/d, but milk protein content decreased from 32.9 for starch-based diets to 30.9 and 30.0 g/kg for the soluble sugar- and fiber-based diets, respectively. The efficiency of N utilization improved in the low degradable starch treatment, which had lower N excretion (65%) and higher protein concentration in milk. Furthermore, feeding cows corn-based concentrates reduced urinary N excretion by almost 30% compared with barley-based concentrates; therefore, feeding corn-based diets is recommended for the reduction of nitrogen pollution in lactating dairy cows.

Phosphorus pollution by dairy cows and its mitigation by dietary manipulation

Phosphorus (P) is a key mineral in energy metabolism and is essential in nearly every biochemical aspect of dairy cow metabolism. Therefore, P needs to be supplied in sufficient quantity to optimize animal performance. However, dairy cows only use 30 – 45% of their dietary P intake and the rest is excreted mainly in faeces. Excess faecal excretion can lead to P accumulation and saturation in the soil and filter into groundwater or remain in surface water (Tamminga, 1996), which is known to cause eutrophication. It is therefore desirable to formulate P rations according to the requirement of the animals and thereby reduce P pollution. The objective of the present study was to develop a dynamic model of P metabolism in dairy cows and use that to identify and quantify trends of P excretion as a function of P intake and investigate effects of energy supplementation on P utilisation.

Influence of flushing on lh secretion, follicular growth and the response to estrus synchronization treatment in suckled beef cows

The effects of energy supplementation (flushing) on LH and estradiol secretion, follicular growth and the response to estrus synchronization treatment (Norgestomet+PMSG initiated 41.9±3.4 d after calving) were investigated in 16 suckled beef cows fed either 70% (Group C, n=8) of energy requirements from calving to 3 wk after AI or fed the same restricted diet until 11 d before synchronization and then were supplemented with 2 kg concentrate until 3 wk after AI (Group S, n=8). Concentrations of LH and estradiol 17 β were measured from 3 sampling periods: 25 and 39 d after calving and between 29 and 49 h after implant removal. Ovaries were examined by ultrasonography 11 d before treatment to implant withdrawal (IR). The effects of energy level, day (or hour) of observation and corresponding interactions were tested on repeated measurements by split-plot ANOVA. No positive effect of flushing was observed on characteristics of LH secretion on Day 39. However, the size of the largest follicle and the number of large follicles were higher in Group S than in Group C cows, respectively, 7 and 9 d after the beginning of flushing to 2 d after the start of treatment. After IR, the estradiol secretion tended to be higher in Group S than in Group C cows (9.8±0.4 pg/mL vs 7.2±0.2 pg/mL ; P=0.06), but no effect on LH secretion was observed. After implant removal 12 cows ovulated (Group S: 7/8 vs Group C:5/8; P>0.05), 7 were pregnant at 21 d after AI (Group S:6/8 vs Group C:l/8 ; P<0.05) and 4 at 45 d after AI (Group S: 4/8 vs Group C 0/8; P>0.05). To conclude, flushing had a positive effect on follicular growth, which does not seem to be mediated by LH. In cows fed a restricted diet, flushing enhanced follicular growth, increased the fertilization rate and/or reduced early embryonic death.

The Effect of Energy Supplementation on the Local Abundance of the Common Blossom Bat, Syconycteris australis, in South-Eastern Australia

This study investigates the effects of providing supplementary energy to populations of blossom bats Syconycteris australis in south-eastern Australia. This bat specializes on a diet of nectar (energy) and pollen (nitrogen), allowing the effects of energy addition to be investigated in isolation from nitrogen. Bats were marked in six independent study areas, before the addition of concentrated sugar solutions to three of the six areas. The numbers of unmarked immigrant bats in supplementary-fed areas increased compared to control areas after one and two weeks of feeding. Adult immigration was greater in supplemented areas than in control areas; however, no clear effect on juvenile immigration was detected. Juveniles may have been prevented from moving into areas of abundant food by aggressive responses of adults. The number of resident bats decreased in supplemented sites relative to control sites, again possibly due to greater intruder pressure. The suggestion of territorial behaviour in this species requires further investigation to determine the extent of any spacing behaviour. These results provide the first experimental evidence that a species of bat is limited by the availability of energy, and contrast with previous observational studies of megachiroptera that have implicated nitrogen as a limiting factor

Effects of energy supplementation and season on serum immunoglobulin and protein levels in Moxoto goats

A study was conducted to determine the influence of various levels of energy supplementation and season on total serum immunoglobulin and protein levels of female goats grazing native range (caatinga) in Northeast Brazil. The energy supplement was whole sorghum grain. One hundred and twenty female Moxoto goats weighing 10 to 12 kg were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups consisting of 30 animals. Grain was supplemented at: 0, 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8%/BW on an as fed basis. The quantity of supplement offered was adjusted bi-weekly using the mean BW of goats from each of the treatment groups. Grain was offered individually in headlock feeders twice a day, before and after grazing (6 a.m. and 5 p.m.). Goats rotationally grazed three pastures of 65 ha each. A mineral salt mixture was offered ad libitum. The four groups did not show a statistical difference in total serum immunoglobulin levels. All groups, however, showed a seasonal variation in immunoglobulin levels. Immunoglobulin levels were highest during June to December (dry season) and lowest during January to May (rainy season). The lower levels of serum immunoglobulin levels may be a partial explanation for the increased incidence of major diseases recorded during this period of the year in Northeast Brazil. Goats receiving no sorghum grain supplementation had statistically significantly lower levels of serum protein during 8 of 19 months of this study. The most marked difference was between these animals and those receiving the highest level of energy supplementation. Seasonal variations in serum immunoglobulin levels may be a reflection of varying periods of immunocompetence and be of potential significance when assessing responses to immunogens.