The aim of this study was to test if vitamin E supplementation during late gestation and early lactation would affect the weight of ewes under nutritional restriction and the performance of their lambs. Mature Rambouillet ewes (n = 37) were fed a diet that supplied 70 % of the energy and 80 % of recommended protein requirements and randomly assigned to either vitamin E (vit E, n = 20, 4 IU of α-tocopherol kg(-1) of live weight) or control (n = 17, without vitamin E supplementation). During the experimental period, the mean weight of ewes decreased from 74.6 ± 2.4 to 58.1 ± 2.2 kg. Weight loss of ewes was slightly less for the vit E than the control (-65 vs -124 g day(-1), SEM = 46; P = 0.07). Lambs born from vit E-supplemented ewes were heavier than lambs from the control and grew significantly faster (239 vs 195 g day(-1), SEM = 29.3, P < 0.05) with heavier weights at weaning (16.5 vs 13.5 kg, SEM = 1.8, P < 0.05). Besides, birth weight, weaning weight and daily weight gain favoured to single lambs and to male lambs (P < 0.05). Weaning weight was positively correlated to birth weight (P < 0.05) and weight gain (P < 0.001). When the nutrient requirements for ewes are not met, supplementation of vitamin E during late gestation and early lactation might be an effective strategy to minimise ewe weight loss as well as to increase lamb growth.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1006-9DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

vitamin supplementation
12
weight loss
8
loss ewes
8
weight ewes
8
ewes
7
weight
6
vitamin
4
supplementation undernourished
4
undernourished ewes
4
ewes pre-
4

Similar Publications

Recently, the potential role of vitamins in cancer therapy has attracted considerable research attention. However, the reported findings are inconsistent, with limited information on the biochemical and molecular interactions of different vitamins in various cancer cells. Importantly, the presence of vitamin receptors in tumor cells suggests that vitamins play a significant role in the molecular and biochemical interactions in cancers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Contribution of vitamin B 6 deficiency to anemia in children on regular hemodialysis.

BMC Pediatr

January 2025

Department of Pediatrics, Center of Pediatric Nephrology and Transplantation (CPNT), Kasr Al Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Background: Anemia is prevalent among pediatric patients diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). In addition, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) and iron supplementation are considered the cornerstones in the management of anemia. However, a significant proportion of patients remain anemic.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Correct treatment of chronic osteomyelitis depends on proper identification of the bone-infecting microorganism, but it is difficult identify the specific etiology in previously treated patients and in those with implants. Small colony variants auxotrophyc for menadione had been related with false-negative results in culture of patient with chronic osteomyelitis, but menadione supplementation can increase bone culture performance. The purpose was to evaluate the effect of menadione supplementation on isolates in bone cultures, in a cohort of patients with osteomyelitis, Medellín- Colombia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Pharmaceutical supplementation and dietary fortification are the most common approaches to reducing vitamin deficits. To improve the health and nutritional value of crops, agronomic biofortification necessitates the direct application of nutrients. Producers using micronutrient fertilizers to increase the fortification of crops are essential to the success of biofortification.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Role of Severe Vitamin D Deficiency in Predicting the Risk of Severe Exacerbation in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis

January 2025

Department of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.

Background: This study aims to investigate the association between vitamin D levels and the risk of severe acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study with 636 COPD patients admitted for exacerbations between January 2021 and December 2022. Patients were categorized based on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels: severe deficiency (<10 ng/mL), deficiency (10-20 ng/mL), insufficiency (20-30 ng/mL), or sufficiency (>30 ng/mL).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!