Nr. Adams et al., RESPONSES OF SHEEP TO ANNUAL CYCLES IN NUTRITION .2. EFFECTS OF DIET AND ENDOGENOUS GROWTH-HORMONE DURING REPLENISHMENT, Animal Science, 62, 1996, pp. 287-292
The role of growth hormone (GH) in normal growth is well established,
but its role during recovery after live-weight loss in adults is less
defined. This study examined the interaction of endogenous GH with ene
rgy or protein supplements during re-feeding of ewes in low body condi
tion. Control ewes and ewes immunized against growth hormone-releasing
hormone were housed in individual pens and given food below maintenan
ce for 107 days, before re-feeding was initiated by supplementing half
of each group with either fish meal or barley for 28 days (P1), after
which the supplements were switched for a further 28 days (P2). Follo
wing supplementation, the ewes grazed abundant green pasture for 92 da
ys before slaughter. Immunization reduced plasma concentrations of GH,
insulin, insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF-1) and prolactin. Productio
n responses to the two food supplements were similar in the control an
d immunized ewes, but when grazed at pasture immunized ewes gained liv
e weight more slowly (P = 0.06), grew less wool (P < 0.01), and had he
avier fat depots, but lighter carcass, skin and liver weights at slaug
hter. The sequence of re-feeding treatments affected subsequent wool p
roduction in both control and immunized ewes. During P2, and for 52 da
ys after supplementation ceased, ewes supplemented with fish meal then
barley (F/B) produced less wool (P < 0.05) than those supplemented wi
th barley followed by fish meal (B/F). At slaughter, the F/B ewes had
lighter omental and kidney depots than the B/F ewes (P < 0.05). It is
concluded that during live-weight regain, endogenous GH initially affe
cted fat deposition, which in turn affected food intake and wool growt
h. Furthermore, provision of supplements with a high protein to energy
ratio to sleep in low body condition, followed by supplements with a
low protein to energy ratio, caused a prolonged suppression of wool gr
owth. This effect was not mediated by endogenous GH.