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Predicting the effects of body fatness on food intake and performance of sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2017

B. J. Tolkamp*
Affiliation:
Animal Nutrition and Health Department, SAC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, Scotland
J. M. Yearsley
Affiliation:
Macaulay Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, Scotland
I. Kyriazakis
Affiliation:
Animal Nutrition and Health Department, SAC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, Scotland
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Extract

Food intake (FI) can be predicted on the basis of variables that describe food quality and the animal. Live weight (LW) is usually the only variable that is used to describe the animal. Animal fatness, as estimated by condition score (CS), can affect FI at a given LW. Body lipid produces signals (leptin) that affect energy intake and energy expenditure. If fatness acts on intake via its effect on energy expenditure, the effects of body lipid content on food intake can be incorporated into an existing intake model. Our objectives were to construct and test models that predict effects of fatness on intake and performance, using data obtained with ewe lambs to parameterise and test the models.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2005

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References

Tolkamp, BJ. and Ketelaars, J.J.H.M. 1992. Toward a new theory of feed intake regulation in ruminants.2. Costs and benefits of feed consumption: an optimization approach. Livestock Production Science 30, 297317.Google Scholar