Effects of supplementation frequency on performance, reproductive, and metabolic responses of Brahman-crossbred females. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Two experiments were conducted to compare performance and metabolic responses of beef females consuming low-quality forages and offered an energy supplement based on fibrous byproducts daily (S7) or 3 times per week (S3) at similar weekly rates. In Exp. 1, BW gain, reproductive performance, mRNA expression of hepatic and skeletal muscle genes associated with nutritional metabolism and growth, and concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), plasma glucose, insulin, and IGF-I were assessed in 56 Brahman x Angus heifers supplemented at a daily rate of 1.0% of BW. Mean BW gain was greater (P = 0.03) for S7 compared with S3 heifers. Treatment x sampling day interactions were detected (P < 0.01) for all blood measurements. Heifers provided S7 had less daily variation in concentrations of BUN, glucose, and insulin, and frequently had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of IGF-I compared with S3 heifers. Expression of liver IGF-I mRNA was greater (P = 0.04) for S7 heifers compared with S3 heifers. Treatment x day interactions were detected (P

published proceedings

  • J Anim Sci

author list (cited authors)

  • Cooke, R. F., Arthington, J. D., Araujo, D. B., Lamb, G. C., & Ealy, A. D.

citation count

  • 39

complete list of authors

  • Cooke, RF||Arthington, JD||Araujo, DB||Lamb, GC||Ealy, AD

publication date

  • September 2008